She shivers at the thought of the task. She was used to using her body to control her mana not the other way around. Kanoe could not even do a handstand with two hands much less a single finger! And why did it have to be upside down!? Her fingertip sparks again as she lets out a sigh, letting the mana flow back through her body for now. She straightens her robe and glares at him.

"I..I don't know how to do that at all. How can my body be held rigid and balanced with my mana," She growls in annoyance, "And you could not tell me to wear pants before coming here!?"

"I'm showing you the final step you will have to do." I tell her as I let myself down easily. The platforms go back in and the point appears above her. "For now we'll focus on your hand. The task of this exerise is for you to keep that point from piercing your finger, by using your mana or magic whatever to keep it. It will be applying a pressure of five pounds." I tell her as I move the branch down holding it out ready for you.

She sighs, at least this was better. But, using her power in defense was something she really had no idea to work. Her spells were rather blunt in just having fire and darkness that she could use to attack with. Not wishing to show even more weakness, she holds her hand up. Pointing her finger towards the pointed needle, she channels once more. Unable to think of anything else, she lets the wisps of shadow swirl before her finger. Usually she would use her entire hand to wield a bolt. Letting out a gasp, she lets some of the wisps disappate till the swirl was the width of her finger.

"Ready," She says, at least she thinks she's ready.

I then push the needle down applying it to her finger and letting the weight fully push agaisnt her magic as I let it go seeing if it would pierce her skin as I stand back smiling to myself.

Her eyes widen as she sees the needle pushing through the small swirling orb of darkness. Mage mentioned this problem with her spells, the threads being far too loose and not compressed. Feeling the needle pushing at her finger, threatening to break skin, the woman shuts her eyes and gasps. The orb darkness and pulses as she tries to push the needle back up. Her mana was flaring all about her, her hair rising from her shoulders slightly. Finally her control snaps and the orb bursts, blowing the needle away as Kanoe squeaks in shock. She stumbles back slightly, shaking her hand as the backlash left her finger throbbing in pain. She didn't mean to release the spell like that but it was like trying to make water drip out of a filled balloon, a prick and pop.

"S-Sorry," She mutters, not daring to look up at his smirking face.

"Hmm, about what I expected from your first try. Again and this time try not to fall on your ass." I tell her as I pull the needle back down for her as I stare down at my apprentice.

The glare she gave to Keemari's remark said 'I hope you burst into flames' all over it. Popping the knuckle of her throbbing finger, she moves back to where she was. The woman took a few moments, breathing deeply to calm herself. Her eyes shut as she holds up her finger. The sound of mana softly whines by her ears as she channels her mana. It was so hard to force herself to only release less amounts when it felt like she was opening a floodgate everytime. Her jaw clenched tightly as she trembles, struggling hard to only let a controlled amount flow up her arm. The strain seared at her body and mind as sweat glistens her pale skin. Panting softly, a tiny solid black bead of darkness swirls on her fingertip. Using an attack spell defensively was insanely difficult to say the least.

"Come now, if you want to surpass me someday and save you and Clarice from our contract then you need to learn control. Otherwise I'll always outlast you in a real contest of strength and stamina and very much control." I tell her looking down at her with her go burn look as I hold it ready.

"Sh-Shut up," She says through her strain, "I'm ready."

It felt like the rest of her mana was running through her veins like molten lava. She managed to keep it just a steady stream feeding into the tiny bolt of shadow. Kanoe already felt like she was trying to balance on a pinpoint as her mana threatened to burst free at any moment of weakness. But, the spell felt different channeling this way. The welling feeling of power and euphoria made it seem like that little bead was much stronger than any bolt or stream of fire she attempted on the monsters of the island.

I smirk at that. Good, I got a fire lit under her as I put the point back down for her to practice with as I watch her go and see how skilled she was. If I was correct, she was actually very gifted. As I see it doesn't burst this time. I let go of it. "Alright keep that up for a half hour. I'll be back in that time." I tell her as I walk away.

Kanoe visibly trembles at the thought of holding this for half an hour. She only just started and it felt like she was going to burn up from the inside out. But, she kept her eyes closed. Strain was visible on her face as she held the torrent of mana inside her in check. The witch did not dare look up, all she could do was believe the spell is working and focus on the threads she was channeling. Everything else seemed to dull around her. Soon she was not aware of anything but herself and tiny shivering bead of darkness on her fingertip.

The point of blackness burned at her arm, the strain was great for her, but one half hour later she felt my hand on her arm as I pulled her away. "Very good." I tell her as the process tested every ounce of her control and with my grab it was shown. I pull up your robe sleeve showing that your black mana was burnt into your veins as you could still see it flowing greatly in there, almost like black scars were carved into your lovely flesh.

I take a salve and apply it to your skin the pain and blackness disapating soon. "You were able to hold it, but not with perfection, you'll need to do it before moving to the next step without having you arm scarred by the black magic in that way." I tell her as I continue to apply the soathing ointment to you.

Kanoe nearly slumps into Keemari's arms as she was pulled away. Her eyes were glassy in a trance as she opens them slowly. She was gasping short breaths. The witch's entire body ached from the ordeal but her arm was pure agony. Her eyes grow wide, seeing the black scars all the way down her arm. Her power did that to her own body?

The young woman gasps softly as she feels a cool salve rub onto her strange wounds. The pain was brief as the scars began to fade, causing the witch to sigh in relief. She was still leaning most of her weight against the wolf. Usually her channeling was but for a few moments to cast a spell, never had she held it for so long. Her ears were still ringing from the high pitch whine of mana that nearly tore her insides apart or at least felt that way. Seeing the actual effects of her dark magic made an old worry arise once more.

"Keemari," She speaks softly, "Is that what is slowly happening to my body? Those spirits, the decay, what you showed me when we met?"

I look at her as I hold her against me. "Yes, this is what I warned you about, your lack of focus and control was letting your dark magics eat away at your body. That's another reason why I'm having you do this training, if you gain the control I'm trying to pass onto you, the corruption of your body will be saved and you can even learn to treat yourself with my help.

Come." I tell her as I then pick you up and carry you in my arms. I take her into my home and set her down in the chair as I take a seat. "You'll need an hour rest so the medicine can take effect, then you can decide if you wish to continue for th day. Would you like anything to drink or eat?" I ask her.

"I...H-Hey," She stammers out.

But she was already up in Keemari's arms. Her cheeks flush in embarassment of what he was doing. The witch's body was tense, still apprehensive of the druid. But, he was trying to help her. Though she hated to think it, maybe the training was for real afterall. It was indeed a big step she was taking with even bigger risks involved. She felt like she was walking a tight rope, ready to fall at any second and be reduced to ash by her own power.

Guess it was a good thing she did not have any plans as it was going to take an hour before she can even continue her training which will eventually involve balancing on a pin point for two hours. It was doubtful she will get that far in just one day but she wasn't going to let that stop her. She straightens her robes once she was sat down in a chair. Her scarred arm now felt rather cool as the salve worked it's magic on her wounds. Things were much different compared to their first encounter. He was actually giving her praise and helping her. Mage just throws a lesson at her then drains her mana till she blacks out.

"I could use some water please," She answers, letting herself lean back in the chair.