Limits

I smiled, and waited to see Finch's reaction. After he drank the Extract, and waited a bit, Finch said "I don't feel anyth…". before he could finish, his face suddenly changed. I said "Sit down, I will help you out when it kicks in properly". Finch didn't argue anymore, and sat down on the floor obediently. I sat in front of him, and said "Endure it. Do I need to mention, that your kids are watching you right now". This should have been enough of a motivation for him.

I could see his veins becoming red, which meant the process was in full swing. I extended my right hand, and placed it on his chest. Besides the painful expression, I saw confusion in his eyes. I said "I know what I'm doing, just endure". I then released my ice powers. His clothes began freezing, and his expression eased up a bit. I controlled my power at an optimal range, and let Finch deal with the rest.

One hour, two hours… Time passed, and Finch endured the pain of his blood boiling. After four hours of such pain, the Extract was finally used up. Finch didn't faint, which meant he was a strong willed man. He breathed heavily, and tried to pick himself up. I stopped him, and said "Just rest, you will feel the difference soon".

He asked, while trying to catch his breath. "How… did you.. do that?.. Is your… arm…?". I stopped him there, and said "I know what you want to ask, and the answer is no. I told you, it's my own arm. Things happened, and I have this ability". He said "It's… scary…". I smiled, and replied "A bit. Anyway, you need to rest. I will take care of others now. We will talk later". Finch nodded, and tried to pick himself up again. I helped him up, and asked Tina to escort him back to his bed.

Haily and Aron were stunned, but also fearful. I laughed, and said "What if I tell you, that I had to go through this without any help? Moreover, I had to go through this twice". Aron asked "Are you a monster?". I shook my head, and said "Haily, you are next. 25 mililiters is the maximum you can do, after breaking through the Half Step. This is including my help. Aron will have it a bit easier though, because he broke through a while ago".

Haily asked "Can Aron go first?". Aron didn't like that suggestion, and replied "By all means, ladies first!". I poured 25 milliliters of the Extract into the glass, and said "You can only take this once in your life. That is its limitation. I did it twice, because I had access to different herbs previously. If you are scared, we can pass you, but that is the only opportunity you will receive. It's your choice".

Haily grabbed the glass and drank from it. I smiled, and said "Sit down. I will help you out". Haily sat down, and waited. After a while, the effects kicked in, and I used my ice powers to lessen her pain. The process this time was shorter. Haily received a smaller quantity of the Extract. After about two hours of pain, Haily fainted. I picked her up from the floor, and carried her to her bedroom. When I returned, Aron steeled himself, and said "Let's do this! If Haily could do it, I can too!". I nodded my head, and gave the rest of the bottle to Aron.

Another two hours passed, and the Extract was fully absorbed by Aron. He fainted in the end fainted as well, so I carried him upstairs too.

I walked back down, and sat in one of the chairs. Tina asked "You must be tired as well. Why don't you go and rest?". I replied "It's fine, I can manage. What about you though? You are also my family". Tina laughed a bit, and said "Me? I just a normal woman. I'm not strong like hubby or kids". I thought about something, and asked "You never trained in your life?". She replied "I did a bit, when I was a kid. But I didn't even break through to the Outer Limits". I took out some Blood Yarn Extract, and said "Then you can do it too. Breaking through to your Outer Limits, is not a bad idea".

She shook her head, and said "No, no. I'm fine, really". I poured about five milliliters of Extract into a glass, and said "I will also help you. With such an amount, the pain shouldn't be unbearable". Tina was hesitant about it. I tried encouraging her "You will have more strength and energy. There are only benefits, in exchange for some pain". Tina sighed, and said "Alright, I will do it. But make sure you help me out, don't play a trick on me, alright?".

She drank the Extract, and sat down like the others. I sat down in front of her, and said "This should last around half an hour, not more than that". Tina was just a normal villager, but that didn't mean she couldn't break through still. After a while, the effects kicked in, and Tina began screaming. Finch came down running, and saw what was happening. He asked stunned "Tina is going through this as well?!".

I sat there without a care, and said "Yea. Although I gave her much less, compared to what you guys received". Tina gritted her teeth, and said "Don't talk crap! Help me out!". I placed my hand on her chest, and released my ice powers. I then said to Finch "When her blood is purified, I will give you guys the same medicine, I gave to Norty. By the way, where is he?".

Finch replied "He went to another village. He is chasing one girl over there. That boy… Skirt chaser from such a young age". Tina had enough of our chatter, and shouted "Shut up!". She then looked at Finch, and I could see slight fear in his eyes. Finch didn't dare to say anything else. I also stopped talking, and focused on my job. Some screaming and painful howls later, the Extract was absorbed. Tina breathed heavily, and was a weakened state. 'I have to give it to her though, she held up and didn't faint. And she said, she is just a normal woman' I thought.

Finch walked over, picked his wife up, and embraced her. Tina said weakly "I did it honey, I did it as well". She then fainted. I said "Let her rest properly". Finch nodded, and took her upstairs. I sat in one of the chairs, and relaxed a bit. I wasn't really tired, but I was glad this was over.

It was already evening. I realised that I didn't eat anything yet. I went to the storage, and took out some food. When I returned, Finch was already downstairs, sitting at the table. I joined him, and asked "Do you think, you can break through the Half Step of your Inner Limits?". Finch thought about it for a while, and replied "Maybe. I'm not sure at the moment. It will require quite a substantial amount of energy". I asked "What if I can provide that energy?".

Finch was shocked. He became speechless for a while, so I continued "Don't worry, it's nothing to do with my arm. Remember the medicine I gave to Norty? This can be used as energy source". Finch scratched his beard for a while, and said "It could be possible. It's worth a try to be sure". I nodded my head, and said "Good enough. Then rest for today, and we will try that tomorrow".

Finch nodded, then asked "So, you will be leaving soon?". I replied "Yes. I have much to explore and learn. I did what I could to help you guys out, the rest will be up to the younger generation". Finch shook his head, and said "This was never required from you". I replied "I know, but I owe you at least that much. You searched for me, and welcomed me with all your heart. Thanks to you guys, I know that I'm not alone in this world. I have a place to return to".