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*****
Waking up, opening his eyes, a strange ceiling.
However, the slightly heavy smell of medicine immediately let Fini know he was in a hospital. Turning his head, he spotted Skye dozing off by the bedside.
"Skye!"
Fini gave her a gentle shake. Not being in a deep sleep, she woke instantly. The moment she saw him, a flash of joy crossed her eyes, followed by a visible sense of relief.
"What is wrong with you?"
But in the next second, Skye's face hardened with a mix of anger and worry. She stood up and interrogated him: "The doctor said you are suffering from extreme exhaustion, and that you've even overdrawn your life force. What exactly have you been doing lately?"
Because of the frantic special training, Fini had been somewhat elusive over the past week. Skye, busy with the Stark stock situation, hadn't paid too much attention—she never expected such a consequence.
"I was undergoing a special training session and accidentally overdid it a little."
Fini gave a dry cough, hiding the fact that his "insanity" had been quite intentional.
"Special training!?" Skye was stunned at first, then frowned angrily. "Fini, don't you dare mess around. I don't believe there's any training that justifies overdrawing your life force. If you do this again, I'm going to find Master Ancient One."
Skye had stayed at Kamar-Taj for a period and naturally knew the Ancient One, so this threat was indeed very potent.
"It's already over. I promise I won't do it again."
Fini raised his hand slightly in a gesture of surrender and made the promise. At the moment before he fainted, he already knew he had successfully broken through; he had activated Incursio's invisibility, so the goal of the training had been achieved.
And the surprise didn't end there. In that extreme situation, it wasn't just his stamina that broke through, but Fini's will—or rather, it was likely the breakthrough of his will that allowed his stamina to improve alongside it.
The result of this was a slight evolution of Incursio. Although the evolution wasn't massive, it provided exactly what Fini needed most right now.
Ice and Snow Resistance.
By breaking through on the brink of death in the snow, the armor evolved on its own when Fini equipped it again, gaining resistance to ice and snow.
If he returned to Mount Everest now, the howling, sharp winds might not exactly feel "warm," but at least they wouldn't be so freezing.
The only slight regret was that despite Incursio gaining two new abilities, he still hadn't unlocked the fourth draw. It was off by just a tiny sliver—perhaps one more battle would be enough.
He checked his condition, confirmed everything was fine and that his Sling Ring was still safely on his hand, and then processed his discharge. He hadn't been unconscious for long, only about five or six hours.
Leaving the hospital and feeling the beautiful sunlight outside, Fini stretched comfortably. This was his first time being so close to death, and in this moment, he fully understood the bliss of being alive.
"Are you sure you don't want the doctor to do a proper check-up?"
Worry was written all over Skye's face. While processing the paperwork, the doctor had advised further observation, but Fini had firmly refused.
"I'm really fine. I was just over-exhausted, it's not a big deal," Fini reassured her helplessly once more.
"Fine."
Seeing that Fini indeed didn't look sick now, Skye stopped insisting. She knew about Fini's special circumstances; honestly, if it weren't for having no other choice, they wouldn't have come to the hospital anyway. She was also worried a check-up might expose something unusual.
Back at home, Fini reflected on this breakthrough. Although he had intended to push himself, his final actions had indeed been a bit reckless.
The sensation of slowly walking into death was still vivid in his memory. While he succeeded this time, there was no guarantee of success next time.
Fini understood in his heart that if he wanted to increase his strength, he had to be steady. This kind of suicidal breakthrough was enough for a one-time occurrence.
Looking at the experience bar that was just a hair's breadth away, Fini was full of anticipation. He would soon obtain his fourth skill.
Looking at the first three skills—including Sumire Karaage Roll—they all had powerful applications. This made Fini even more curious about what the fourth skill would be.
Unfortunately, the aftereffects of the physical breakthrough were still there. Exhausted, he needed a good rest before he could top off that last bit of experience. Since Mordo seemed to be at Kamar-Taj during this period, he decided that this final bit of experience should be provided by his most familiar and best friend, the Mordo Experience Farm.
In the distance, Mordo suddenly sneezed!
"But... should I ask Master Ancient One to help me test something out..."
One more thing made Fini hesitate. He had an idea: if he used the Eye of Agamotto to predict the future before drawing, could he use that to draw the skill he wanted?
The future is in flux; perhaps the skill drawn at every different second would be different.
However, two points gave him pause. First, whether this method would even work on the System. Second, how he would explain it to the Ancient One to get her to help.
The System was Fini's biggest secret besides his reincarnation; he didn't want to tell anyone.
Moreover, those who play with time are inevitably played by it. Even a titan like the Ancient One usually just treats the future like a movie and never gives spoilers.
Most importantly, Fini couldn't find a reason for the Ancient One to help him.
Could he honestly tell her: "In a moment, I might awaken a new ability. Can you use the Eye of Agamotto to help me see what it is? If it sucks, I'll just awaken it a bit later!?"
He was certain that if he said that, the Ancient One would absolutely ignore him!
As for sneaking the Eye of Agamotto out to look for himself... he might as well just try to pry the Time Stone out of it.
In all of Kamar-Taj, only the Ancient One could use the Eye of Agamotto. The spell to peer into the future was the most secret of secret arts.
So, Doctor Strange's magical talent...
Fini decided not to think about it; it only made his heart ache.
After scratching his head in frustration, Fini still couldn't think of a good way. He could only give up for now. At worst, it was just gambling on luck. Besides, there was no guarantee that method would have worked anyway.
After getting enough rest, Fini immediately returned to Kamar-Taj to find Mordo, walking over with a beaming smile.
"Come on, let's spar! Fried chicken rolls are on me if you do, but if you don't come, you get nothing!"
The moment he spoke, Fini demonstrated his role as the "Feeder of Kamar-Taj Sorcerers." The temptation of gourmet food made Mordo, who wanted to refuse, hesitate.
"Fine, let's go!"
Ultimately, Mordo gritted his teeth, unable to resist the temptation, and walked toward the training ground with Fini.
"I might have some things to deal with soon, so I won't be coming here as often."
On the way, Fini chatted with Mordo. He was likely the most free sorcerer in Kamar-Taj; the Ancient One never assigned him tasks, nor did he have to strictly follow training hours. He came and went as he pleased.
Truly, there are no misapplied nicknames; his title as "Ancient One's most favored disciple" was not for nothing.
"Is it school-related?"
Mordo asked casually. Anyone who knew Fini well knew he was attending school in New York.
Fini smiled but didn't answer. He changed the subject: "By the way, a heads-up: I just learned a very powerful move. Don't get one-shotted."
"Hmph, I have seventeen spells that can defeat you!"
Mordo replied with a look of disdain, silently considering which method he should use to make Fini lose this time.
Seventeen ways to lose? And you think you can one-shot me!?
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(End of Chapter)