A/N: Got asked how many chapters I plan on this book having, and how many words. To be honest, I hope to end Erindal's arc with this book (which means Evyionne's revenge on the Empress?) But that seems like a long way to go. Anyway, I'll just leave it and end it when it feels right.

"It seems you had a rather interesting weekend, Evyionne. Do tell this old man," he said with a smile as he nodded towards the harp I was holding.

"Yes, well...I realized I could better control my ability with music. All the humbo jumbo concentration in quiet and peace really doesn't cut it for me," I said.

"Hm..." He tugged on his goatee. "And it makes sense. After all, your power is too large for you alone to be able to use it freely. Having a conduit to deal with it should also work..."

He looked a little doubtful, which also made me feel doubtful. "Is something wrong with this arrangement?"

He smiled. "Not really, but this is usually seen on people...who are too weak to bring about their abilities in battle. The use of a instrument, I mean. That's why the Temple does not start its students with the use of weapons, and prefers them to first directly channel their energies using their own bodies as their weapons. It seems this is not the case for you—it's quite the opposite, in fact. We cannot go along this path the orthodox way."

"Oh yeah..." I trailed off.

"In fact, as it boils down to the size of it...indeed. The magnitude of having to lord over an entire element all on your own is much like any ill-fated person who cannot use the element they've been blessed with."

"What does that mean? How does it work?"

"Some people may have been aligned by the stars to be able to wield an element," the Abbot said. "But are doomed to never be able to wield it properly because they're lacking in body, mind, or soul to do so. In order to help with reining in their ability, they usually use tools. If you're seen using something like this this early, you'll face some criticisms."

"What's wrong with that?" I felt very indignant. "I don't understand the prejudice. If people can even the playing field by using things, why is it a problem?" I pointed out. "They were not dealt the same cards in life, so they find a way to have a fighting chance. Now that they do, people want to look down on it and condemn it because it makes them feel less privileged and powerful. What is up with that?"

The Abbot laughed. "Indeed. That's one way to see it. But let's not debate this. I'm saying this as reminder that some people may look down on you for this. But know that it's perfectly normal and you should not think much of it. You got into the Temple over thousands of other candidates. Martial arts and the universe are not static things, and the traditions are more flexible than you think."

"Okay. Sorry, I got angry..." I said.

"It's good you feel comfortable enough with me to say what you think," he said. "You tend to be a lot more pent up than most kids your age."

I was speechless. "I'm not a kid."

He laughed. "Of course, of course. Then shall we see what this is with your element?"

"To be honest, I can actually see things..." I said. "They're called Veils, they're responsible for reaping the soul once the vessel has expired."

The Abbot nodded. "I've heard of them...And how are they related to your ability?"

"They tend to come over whenever I use my abilities, so I've tried not to use it until now."

"I assume their presence means...certain consequences."

"Yes," I said.

"You seem anxious, frightened even," he honestly said, making me swallow.  "Do you fear your ability?"

"Yes...very much..."

"As you should," he said. "Because she who regards their power with no fear of it means they may wield it with tyranny."

I nodded. "I understand."

"I ought to remind you. There lies a difference between a coward, one who fears, one with confidence, and someone arrogant. What do you think?"

I paused. "A coward...hm. Well, a person with fears don't mean a coward. Someone confident may not be arrogant. Rather, the difference should lie on...perhaps ignorance? And awareness?"

The Abbot nodded. "Good. You took the words out of my mouth. A coward is ignorant of her strengths, while she who is arrogant is unaware of her weaknesses. Have both fear and confidence. You are stronger than you'll realize, but know your strength will always have their limit. Maintain awareness of yourself, do you understand?"

"I understand, master."

"Now, while were talking, I have doubled the seal in this room. And I have placed a protection around myself. Play as you please."

I had some doubts. "Do I have to hold back?"

"We'll start little," he said. "I dare not underestimate you."

"Yes, master."

I chose an easy song. The song of the stars from the in-between was like the nuclear bomb of nuclear bombs. Also, I suppose my emotions had something to do with the effectivity. Since I was calm and composed, I should not have a lot of trouble with control.

I opened the floodgates a little, allowing the energy to trickle in. I didn't dare open it any further. I gazed at the Abbot to check on him before attempting to further intensify my performance.

Music was a natural part of me, having lived with it for years since I came to Oblivion's care. Even before this life, actually.

The death energy swiftly accumulated in the room. It wasn't in the level where it was intolerable for me, but the familiar cold rushed in like sudden rain. I shivered, and it caused my fingers at the joints to stutter somewhat. I nearly plucked a note wrong. Thankfully, all it did was mess up the rhythm a little and I was able to smoothly go back to the previous pace.

"I now know where to go when summer comes," he said.

I looked up and found a half-hearted smile on the Abbot's face, which made me chuckle. It did not break my playing because muscle memory helped me continue, but it did cause me to veer off my concentration a little.

I said nothing more and continued playing. However, the sudden fluctuation of emotions, in this case joy, resulted to a spike in the energy.

Death's domain poured into the room—rushed in, more like it. I struggled to get the same control as before, but my ensuing panic inadvertently made me lose grip over everything together.

Within moments, frost materialized on the walls and I heard distant shrieks as shadowy figures appeared on my peripheral vision.

So I decided to stop.

The energies didn't drain right away, but it did gather quite thickly around us. So much that the Abbot had frost materializing around his beard.

"So what made you stop?" he asked.

"It got out of my control quite quickly..." I said. "I'm sorry, master."

"I understand. It's alright, you can recover." He brushed off the ice bits forming around his bear and hair before calmly gesturing for me to resume. "Let's start again, shall we?"

He waved his hand and the energy that accumulated in the room seemed to have been dispersed in an instant.

"Wow," I said. "How'd that happen?"

"There are dispersing seals placed around this room, which helps scatter the energies you called over. Of course, there are conditions to activating it..."

"Can I learn seals?" I asked with brightened eyes.

If I could learn this stuff, I could comfortably learn my element on my own.

The Abbot looked at me thoughtfully. "Well...as a subfocus, perhaps."

"I have good memory. When I'm paying attention, that is," I said. "And I promise I'll pay a lot of attention."

He chuckled. "Good thing for you I'm a master of seals," he said. "It seems I'll be able to coach you on something confidently, but I must know whether you're suitable for it. Seals require a lot of concentration."

Ah. I just got distracted very easily. "I'll work very hard." I said determinedly.

"Alright. Then let's resume on our current agenda. We need further observation. Unfortunately, I'm afraid I can't see the same things you do, so you'll have to bear with me while I work on trying to understand your condition further."

"Can you feel it?"

"Well, I can judge a lot by looking at your aura. It works the same as any others, unfortunately. But go on..."

"I understand." I shook off the coldness I was feeling in my body and picked out a song I was a bit more familiar with. Should any distraction come around this time, I should be able to maintain my concentration compared to before.

I should do it better this time.

My inhibitions and wariness the first time around seemed to be a lot less. Now that I knew the Abbot was not very affected by my ability and that the room had certain measures taken to help flush out the energies that pooled inside, I was in a better state of mind.

The Abbot did not purposely distract me this time. And even if he did, I probably put all of my soul on playing that I did not notice it.

By the time I had finished the song, I was breathing out fog with every exhale. Not to mention the Abbot.

Oh my god, the Abbot!

He looked blue and it almost seemed like he'd frozen over. I set down the harp and nearly clambered towards him had he not suddenly—and stiffly—held up an arm and smiled my way.

"Are you done?" There were some crickle and crackle going on as he bent his arm. Frost peeled and shattered down his skin and robes when he moved.

"Th—that...yes. I would suppose?" I reluctantly replied.

"Good. How about we resume another day?" he calmly asked. "It would take a while to disperse this energy, so I do not think we can continue."

"Oh...I'm so sorry, master. I think I got too comfortable. This is—l"

"No worries, Evyionne. Go and rest."

"I'm sorry."

He laughed. "Why, you look so worried? This is just a simple problem. I'm very alright, but I'm afraid I'll have to clean up here first."

"Then I'll be leaving before you, master. Do you not want me to clean up?" I asked.

"No, thank you."

I would've offered dispersing the energy myself, but I was not yet very proficient in doing this dispersing thing. I said nothing more, fearing I would mess up the situation more.

I bowed to the Abbot, who gave me his usual smile, and I left the room with my harp in my arms. Since consultation and personal lessons with our masters were always the last thing to do for the day after regular classes, we were usually free to go for the day.

Of course, this depended on yearly schedules and also how many disciples each master had. They usually didn't take many people under their wing directly. They were very picky.

Since the day was over, I suppose I now had time to myself—more specifically, my other agenda. I was supposed to head to the shop today, so I chose to change out to some clothes and prepared to leave.

As I was locking the front door, someone ran up behind me. The gait and the footfalls were familiar that I didn't have to look to know who it was.

"Weren't you supposed to be consulting your master, Maun?"

"He left early," he signed to me.

"He left early?" I asked.

"Yes. He seemed to have been called by another elder and he was grumbling all about that someone biting off something more than he can chew or something..."

I paused, then signed back as I spoke, "It can't be my master, right?"

"The Abbot?" he asked.

I nodded.

"No, I don't think so. Maybe? I don't know."

"I should probably ask Erlan later if he was able to meet with the Abbot for his consultation," I said. "After all, I think he was scheduled to come in after me."

Yes, that should be a good plan. After all, Erlan was under the Abbot's tutelage like myself.

"Where are you going?" Maun asked.

"To the shop. Do you want to come?"

"I haven't seen it yet, I want to!"

"Alright. Come on."

Advanced access to Chapter 30 of the next book (Hell Snow) is now available on mylovelywritee.com