Lian still felt his heavy breathing, his muscles tense. Kael's words echoed in his mind like a cruel reminder of what was to come.
"If your mind is weak, none of this matters. If you break here… there is no return."
He clenched his fists.
The dark version of himself that he had seen in the illusion was still vivid in his memory. The cruel smile, the eyes glowing with the energy of Oblivion, the suffocating sensation of uncontrollable power.
He would never become that.
Kael watched his new apprentice in silence. He saw the conflict in Lian's eyes, the internal battle waging in his mind. A small smile formed on his lips.
"Good," he finally said, crossing his arms. "You're starting to understand."
Lian lifted his gaze, frowning.
"Understand what?"
Kael turned his back and started walking, gesturing for Lian to follow.
