The next day, Lug's arm looked like a sausage.

It was red and so swollen that it looked ready to burst at any moment.

It was impossible for him to bend it, or even move it.

The pain was so intense that he had to take strong painkillers throughout the day.

These painkillers did not relieve him, their just put him in a daze.

It allowed him to distance himself from the pain.

Basically, he was in pain AND he was drugged.

The next day, his arm started to deflate and the pain was less present.

Lug was relieved, he could move his fingers again.

He understood that he was not going to lose his arm.

That same night, he slept like a baby.

It was 3 days after breaking the ice that he was finally able to go out, his arm was not completely recovered, but he could move it.

That was enough for him.

Once outside, he went directly to the old woman.

He had the arm in a bad state and a ready-made culprit.

She was sitting on the low wall, not far from Vonne.

"Why didn't you tell me that the reinforcement had such a side effect?" his tone was direct and confrontational.

He patted his arm while talking to her.

The old woman lowered her thick glasses slightly to get a good look at Lug, before speaking.

"You jumped the gun, you were supposed to learn reinforcement, step by step. I had planned for you to strengthen some muscles, to crack the ice slightly. But of course I underestimated your talent and energy pool."

"So it's my fault?" one could sense the annoyance in Lug's voice.

"Ahahah, you strengthened every muscle in your arm, it was so intense that your tissues tore and your veins popped from the pressure. It's impressive that you recovered. I thought you were going to lose your arm."

She looked amused and she hadn't answered his question.

Lug could feel the anger boiling in his stomach.

And it showed.

The old woman understood that it was wise to de-escalate the situation.

"No need to get upset, I didn't mean for it to happen like that. You know, I haven't had many students and none with as much potential as you. I will adjust the rest of the training to your... *unique* condition. How does that sound?"

The old lady had not apologized, but her glasses could not hide her discomfited expression.

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She looked sorry.

Lug, upon seeing this calmed down.

"Tsss... next time, explain the risks before giving me directions."

"I will, I promise." she said, with a weaker voice than usual.

Lug blew into his hands and rubbed them together.

It was cold outside.

"So, what's the next step?" he asked.

"Do you know why the Wise One wants you to get stronger?" asked the old woman, who crossed her hands as she twiddled her thumbs.

"He wants to see how far my potential goes?"

"Yes, of course. But not only that."

"Okay...?" said Lug while frowning.

"To be perfectly clear : You are in danger. The energy that was leaking out of your body must have attracted all kinds of pests. It's a small miracle that you haven't been attacked yet."

"I've heard of that, yes. But that's a good sign, right ? Maybe you were the only person who felt that energy?" said Lug, hopefully.

"No... It's more like the opposite."

Lug didn't like the way the old woman had a way of not finishing her sentences.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"A wild animal, guided by its instincts or thirst for violence, would have attacked without question."

"Right… So…?" Lug was getting impatient.

"I have the impression that you are caught in a spider's web. It is patiently waiting for the right moment to devour you."

This image chilled Lug's blood.

"Ugh... why would you say that? Do you know something?"

"A hunch. I guess the person who would know best is the little ghost in his crypt. But he'll never say anything. He has no interest in revealing everything he knows."

For the past few weeks, Lug had gone from the joy of progress, to the stress of being near death.

A three-way dance that left him no time to step back from what he was experiencing.

The quiet life he was looking for - when he came to this cemetery - had turned into a storm.

"If you understand the potential danger, it's best we hurry up and finish your training." said the old woman, with the same expression as a doctor who announces a serious illness to her patient.

"Yes." he said.

It wasn't determination, or even acceptance, but rather resignation.

The cold resignation of a man getting used to contemplating his own death.

"Sit down. I'll explain something to you." said the old woman, while patting the cold brick that made up the low wall

Lug sat down, next to her.

"Reinforcement uses psychic energy to push the limits of your body. The possibilities are endless. You can run faster than the world champion track and field athlete, swim in deeper water than the mutants of the southern sea, punch harder than the best boxers."

"It does sound appealing." said Lug with a poker face.

"Yes... You can live longer too."

"Is that right?"

"Yes, how old do you think I am?" asked the old woman, as proud as a peacock.

"130 years." said Lug mockingly.

"Almost, I'm 156."

Lug didn't believe her.

“Years probably go by faster where she came from, on planet… Peacok? Maybe it's part of the local culture not to take responsibility for your mistakes,” Lug thought, he was wandering in his head, far from reality.

He wasn't really interested in the topic of longevity.

After all, wasn't he in danger of death?

He decided to change subject.

"And what else can we do?"

"My favorite thing is brain enhancement." as she said this, she turned her head toward Lug.

"Can we get smarter?" Lug asked interested.

"You can activate parts of your brain that you never use, you can also increase your reaction speed, or enhance yourperception through your senses."

Lug was contemplating all the possibilities available to him.

But his pleased look gave way to a grimace.

"Strengthening the brain..." he said as if he was spitting out words that had an awful taste.

The old lady understood without having to look at him, what had just gone through his mind.

"Yes, the pain is unbearable. Incomparable to what you felt with your arm."

"No, thank you, in that case." said Lug firmly.

"Unfortunately you have to learn brain enhancement. Otherwise, your movements will be too fast for your brain to keep up, when you use the reinforcement at a high level." explained the old woman.

"But you can't ask me that, it's torture. Almost worse than death."

"I agree, but there is a way to reduce the pain. By going in stages and not forcing it like you did. I'll explain everything I know."