The Breaking Point
Morning – The Frost Raven's Warning
Averis woke early, the soft glow of dawn filtering through the curtains.
The Frost Raven was waiting. Its icy blue eyes bore into him, a silent weight pressing against his mind.
> Frost Raven (calmly): ["Your mana is unstable. You feel it, don't you?"]
Averis sat up, rubbing his temples. He did feel it. A dull, restless hum under his skin, like a storm waiting to break.
> Frost Raven: ["Use your spirits. Let them balance your core."]
Averis exhaled, shaking his head.
> Averis: "No. If I rely on them now, I'll never learn to control it myself."
The Frost Raven stared at him for a long moment before speaking again.
> Frost Raven (grimly): ["Then at least be ready for the consequences."]
---
Training Grounds – The Duel Begins
Hours later, the duel between Averis Ravenshade and Selene began.
The training grounds had been calm just moments ago.
Now, they were the eye of a storm.
Averis stood at its center, his silver-white hair swaying under the force of his own mana. His crimson-red eyes had dulled into an empty glow.
Selene took a step forward, her light blue hair flowing behind her, her golden eyes sharp and focused.
> Selene (calmly): "Are you sure you can still fight?"
Averis didn't answer. His fingers twitched. His breathing was uneven. His mana, usually controlled, flickered violently around him.
Still, he stepped forward.
Selene narrowed her eyes. That was answer enough.
She moved first.
---
Selene vs. Averis – A Battle of Instincts
Her aura-coated sword cut through the air, aimed at his shoulder.
Averis dodged with unnatural speed—too sharp, too erratic.
He struck back. A palm strike aimed for her side.
Selene twisted away, barely avoiding it, but—
CRACK.
The ground froze solid beneath her feet. A wave of ice erupted from where Averis stood, rushing toward her like a predator.
She reacted instantly, jumping back as frost tried to claim her. But the moment she landed—
Averis was already behind her.
---
The First Release – The World Grows Cold
BOOM!
Averis's body shuddered violently. The first release of mana burst outward.
The air turned frigid. The ground froze instantly, ice creeping across the stone like hungry vines.
The temperature plummeted—breath turned to mist. The surrounding torches snuffed out, unable to withstand the sheer cold.
Selene's pupils shrank.
> Selene (muttering): "What the hell…?"
This wasn't just ice magic.
Averis stood still, his crimson-red eyes dull, his silver-white hair dusted with frost.
---
Inside Averis's Mind – The Drowning Abyss
He felt it.
He was falling.
No—drowning.
The sensation of sinking into deep water, heavy yet weightless at the same time. He should have been struggling, but he wasn't.
It was... peaceful.
His body moved on its own, but inside his mind—he was slipping into sleep.
> Averis (weakly): "Why… am I… so tired…?"
Somewhere, a voice called to him.
> Frost Raven: ["Your core is breaking. Wake up."]
But he couldn't.
---
Sir Garret Joins the Fight
Back in the real world—Sir Garret moved.
The moment Averis released his mana, he knew something was wrong.
His instincts screamed at him.
This wasn't just a mana outburst.
Something inside Averis was collapsing.
> Sir Garret (gritted teeth): "Selene, move!"
He charged in.
But it was too late.
---
The Second Release – Chaos Unleashed
BOOOOM!
Averis absorbed the surrounding mana—then released it again.
This time, it wasn't just frost.
Darkness spread. The light around them vanished as if swallowed by the void.
Wind howled. The very air froze mid-motion, turning deathly still.
The ground cracked. Where there was once stone, now was blackened frost.
Selene staggered back, her sword trembling in her grip.
> Selene (wide-eyed): "This isn't normal."
Sir Garret cursed under his breath.
---
Averis Attacks – His Body Moves on Its Own
Averis didn't hesitate.
He moved faster than before—his body overtaken by something beyond control.
His frost-covered hand lashed toward Sir Garret's throat.
The knight barely blocked in time.
CLANG!
The impact sent Sir Garret skidding backward. His entire arm went numb from the sheer force.
> Sir Garret (gritted teeth): "Damn it—"
Averis turned to Selene.
She barely reacted before he was already in front of her.
A hand coated in frost and darkness lashed out.
She blocked, but the shockwave blasted her back.
Frost crept up her sword, threatening to freeze it solid.
---
The Frost Raven Fights to Stabilize Him
Inside his mind, the Frost Raven fought desperately.
> Frost Raven (urgent): ["If you keep absorbing mana, your body will shatter. WAKE UP."]
Averis could barely hear it.
His mind was slipping deeper.
He wanted to sleep.
He wanted to rest.
> Averis (weakly): "I… can't…"
The Frost Raven spread its wings.
> Frost Raven: ["Then I will force you to wake."]
---
The Turning Point – A Final Strike
In the real world—
Sir Garret moved first.
> Sir Garret (yelling): "Selene! Now!"
Selene gritted her teeth and charged.
At the same time—the Frost Raven struck inside Averis's mind.
The clash shattered the drowning illusion.
---
Averis Wakes – The Collapse
BOOM!
Averis suddenly stopped.
His entire body froze mid-motion.
Then—he collapsed onto the frozen ground.
His breathing was unsteady. His mana core was unstable, but no longer absorbing more mana.
Sir Garret and Selene stood still, waiting.
The Frost Raven let out a slow, heavy breath.
> Frost Raven (tiredly): ["That was… too close."]
Averis's silver-white hair was still dusted with frost.
His crimson-red eyes flickered open, dazed but awake.
---
Aftermath – The Weight of Power
Selene lowered her blade, her expression unreadable.
Sir Garret exhaled.
> Sir Garret (quietly): "That power… is a curse, not a gift."
Averis barely heard them.
His body ached. His mind felt heavy.
> Averis (softly): "…I lost control again, didn't I?"
No one answered.
They didn't need to.
The frozen battlefield spoke for itself.
---
End of Chapter 34