Lilith sat on the same elevated rock where she had trained last. Salistra had instructed her to remove her shoes, letting her bare feet touch the cold surface, though she disliked the feeling of her skin brushing against the damp ground even in the slightest.
"I must warn you," Salistra began, her tone grave, "this will only get tougher from here. You will experience the most excruciating pain you've ever known. Wielding magic as powerful as yours is no joke. You must push yourself to gain access to it. But in the end, you will feel the strength coursing through you."
"Very well. I am ready," Lilith said, rubbing her hands over her thighs as the biting cold nipped at her exposed skin. The witch had also told her to remove her shawl.
"I'm glad you are," Salistra said, her voice soft yet commanding. "Begin by freeing your mind. Rid yourself of chaos, of the noise around you, and everything else that clouds your thoughts."
