Silver Crest Province, Mount Suncrest.
In the courtyard of the Headmaster's Abode,
Under a moonless, pitch-black night, Aetheris sat cross-legged.
"Ghhh… kuhk…"
Across from him stood Magnus, watching coldly.
Aetheris's pale, lifeless right arm was tightening around his own neck.
His face was red with strain, but his trembling hands tried to resist the cursed limb.
"Endure it," Magnus ordered, his voice cold and indifferent.
Aetheris's Inner Energy surged as he channeled the Clear Mind Technique.
Only then did the arm finally release its grip.
But at that moment, he coughed violently, blood splattering onto the ground.
The backlash from reversing his energy flow had taken its toll.
"Still, you've improved," Magnus noted, flipping through the scroll of the Great Blood Demon Sword Manual in his hand.
"Coughing blood is better than outright death."