Chapter 6: Breaking Point

Early Morning – The Old Man's Training

Daniel stands in the abandoned house's backyard, arms crossed, staring at the old man—who still looks like a teenager.

"This is a waste of time," Daniel mutters.

The old man ignores him. "You want to stop freezing things by accident? Then listen." He steps forward, eyes sharp. "Your problem is control. You keep resisting your power instead of embracing it."

Daniel clenches his jaw. "Because it's dangerous."

"Only if you keep fighting it," the old man snaps. "Now, try again."

Daniel exhales sharply. He holds out his hand, focusing. He can feel the icy energy swirling inside him. He tries to shape it, to control it like the old man said.

A faint shimmer of frost appears at his fingertips—

Then—BOOM.

A surge of ice explodes outward, coating the ground in thick frost. The temperature plummets. The wooden fence behind them creaks as ice spreads across it, splintering the wood.

Daniel stumbles back, heart pounding. "I—I didn't mean to—"

The old man rubs his temples. "You're a disaster."

Daniel glares at him. "Wow. Thanks."

The old man sighs. "You're trying to control it with fear. That won't work."

Daniel's hands shake. "Then what am I supposed to do?"

The old man studies him for a long moment. Then he says, "You don't trust yourself, do you?"

Daniel stiffens.

"That's the real problem." The old man crosses his arms. "Your fear isn't about the power. It's about you. You're scared of what'll happen if you lose control, so you're holding back."

Daniel swallows hard.

The old man shakes his head. "Until you fix that, no amount of training will help."

Daniel feels something tighten in his chest. Because deep down, he knows the old man is right.