Fractured Control
The icy battlefield remained untouched, frozen in the wake of the storm that had just passed.
The training grounds, once filled with the sounds of steel meeting steel, were now eerily silent.
The torches that lined the stone walls had long since died, snuffed out by the overwhelming mana surge.
And at the center of it all, Averis Ravenshade lay motionless, his silver-white hair dusted with frost.
His red eyes flickered open.
The cold air burned against his skin, but his body felt unbearably heavy. Every breath was strained, his lungs aching as if they were filled with ice. The backlash of his mana overuse was worse than before.
For a moment, he just lay there, his gaze unfocused. Then—
> Selene (calmly, but firm): "You're awake. Good. Now explain what the hell just happened."
Averis slowly turned his head.
Selene stood above him, golden eyes sharp and piercing. Her light blue hair was damp with frost, strands clinging to her face. Though her stance was composed, there was a tension in her grip, as if she were still preparing for another attack.
Beside her, Sir Garret stood with his arms crossed, his usual composed expression replaced by something heavier—concern.
Averis swallowed, his throat dry.
He tried to push himself up. The moment he moved—
Pain.
A sharp, unbearable ache shot through his limbs, his mana veins burning like molten fire. His body seized up, and he barely caught himself before collapsing again.
Sir Garret sighed.
> Sir Garret (sternly): "Don't force yourself, boy. The backlash won't kill you, but it's close."
Averis exhaled slowly, steadying his breath. He hated this feeling—this helplessness.
Selene knelt beside him, her sharp gaze unwavering.
> Selene: "That wasn't just an outburst. You weren't just losing control—you were breaking."
Averis didn't respond.
Because she was right.
---
1. The Confrontation – His Mistake
The silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken words.
> Selene (narrowing her eyes): "This isn't the first time, is it?"
Averis clenched his fists, his nails digging into his frozen palms.
> Averis (quietly): "...No."
Selene's expression didn't change, but something in her eyes flickered—understanding, and something close to frustration.
> Selene: "Then why didn't you stop?"
Averis: "Because I could handle it."
Selene (scoffing): "Clearly."
Averis frowned, but she wasn't wrong.
Sir Garret sighed, rubbing his temples.
> Sir Garret: "You're not the first genius to think they can push past their limits. And you won't be the last. But if you keep going like this..." (He looked at him grimly) "You're going to die before you even reach adulthood."
The words hit harder than Averis expected.
He knew his condition was bad. He knew he was walking on a thin line every time he fought. But hearing it so plainly from someone as experienced as Sir Garret made it feel more real.
More dangerous.
---
2. The Frost Raven's Warning – A Flashback
Averis exhaled slowly, his mind drifting back to that morning.
The Frost Raven had warned him.
> Frost Raven (calm, but firm): ["Your mana core is unstable. Do not rely solely on yourself. Use your spirits."]
Averis: "I won't need them."
Frost Raven: ["You will. And when that moment comes, you will regret not listening."]
He had ignored it.
He had been so sure he could control himself.
He had been wrong.
---
3. The Aftermath – A Mother's Worry
A sudden gust of wind swept through the training grounds. The frozen air carried with it a familiar presence—his mother.
Averis barely had time to react before Seraphina Ravenshade appeared, her crimson-red eyes burning with unspoken fury.
She walked straight past Selene and Sir Garret, kneeling beside him.
> Seraphina (softly, yet dangerously calm): "Averis."
Her tone was not gentle.
Averis swallowed, suddenly feeling like a child again.
She reached out, her hand brushing against his forehead. Her warmth was a stark contrast to the frozen air around them.
For a long moment, she said nothing. Then—
> Seraphina (low, dangerous whisper): "What did you do?"
Averis hesitated.
> Averis (quietly): "I... overdid it."
> Seraphina (raising an eyebrow): "Overdid it?"
The temperature around them rose.
> Seraphina (sharply): "You nearly destroyed your mana core. That is not just 'overdoing it,' Averis!"
Averis flinched.
She rarely raised her voice.
> Seraphina (breathing deeply, calming herself): "I told you to be careful. I told you to pace yourself. And yet, here you are, on the verge of collapse."
There was anger in her voice. But beneath it—there was worry.
> Seraphina (softly): "You are my son, Averis. Not just an heir. Not just a genius. My son."
Her hand cupped his cheek.
> Seraphina: "If I lose you, nothing else matters."
The weight of her words settled deep in his chest.
> Averis (softly): "I know."
> Seraphina: "Then prove it. Stop trying to fight alone."
She glanced at Selene and Sir Garret.
> Seraphina (to Sir Garret): "No more duels. Not until he learns proper control."
Sir Garret nodded.
> Averis (gritting his teeth): "I need to train."
> Seraphina (firmly): "You need to survive."
---
4. The Decision – A New Path Forward
Averis exhaled, closing his eyes.
She was right.
He couldn't keep going like this.
If he wanted to grow stronger, if he wanted to survive—he needed to stop rejecting the power of his spirits.
> Frost Raven (quietly): ["Are you finally ready to listen?"]
Averis opened his eyes.
> Averis (determined): "Yes."
---
Possible Cliffhanger Ending:
As they helped him to his feet, a messenger arrived, bowing deeply before speaking.
> Messenger: "Lord Averis. A summons has arrived... from His Grace, Duke Aldric Ravenshade."
The moment the name was spoken, the air around them grew tense.
Seraphina's expression darkened.
> Seraphina (quietly): "Your father has heard."
Averis clenched his jaw.
His father—the cold and ruthless Duke of the North—was calling for him.
And that could mean only one thing.
---
End of Chapter 35