On the golf course right outside of a tall mansion, Beverly Winters, mostly known as Carol Summers, was sitting on a lawn chair, watching two people sparring, each with a set of a long and a short sword. One of the two individuals fighting was her unofficial “student” or “apprentice”, Emilia Corin, and the other was one of her long-time close maids, who was an experienced swordswomen during the days when she was active on the field.

Emilia Corin jabbed forward with her long sword while holding the short sword close to her body, but then her attack was parried by the maid using her shorter sword, and with a quick swipe of the shorter sword, her longer sword was pushed away with a great force. Then the maid swung her longer sword down, bashing Emilia Corin’s shorter sword down, and then she thrust her longer sword forward and jabbed Emilia Corin on her breastplate. The hit did not actually cause any harm, and merely just pushed Emilia Corin back.

“You’re too hasty with your attacks.” the maid stepped back and raised her swords again: “Again, you should find the rhythm of your swords and your opponent’s. Remember, sword fights are like dances, unless you are exponentially more skillful or powerful than your opponent, you don’t want to simply break the rhythm and force through the fight.”

“I understand, I do - but somehow I’m just having a hard time concentrating.” Emilia Corin laid down her swords and started breathing heavily: “The swords - I might have used them too much, and I feel like I might have strained my mind too much.”

“Then sit down and take a moment.” the maid took a peek at Beverly Winters, who was sitting on the side watching them spar: “I am briefed on the huge battle you had yesterday against your family rivals, and you shouldn’t have used as much of your power as you did. For that, you will have to rely more on your skills and the power you own, rather than solely relying on the Bones of Valcox.”

“She’s right.” Beverly Winters sighed from the side and took out a small crystal bottle of light yellow oil from her purse, with small visible silver droplets inside: “You need to watch your state of mind and body when you fight ...”

Not even patient enough to wait till Beverly Winters finished talking, Emilia Corin tried to reach for the bottle, but Beverly Winters retreated her arm and took it away from her at the last second and said with a stern voice: “Listen to me, Emilia. This cannot last you forever, it could barely hold you up for a few days now. Hollow Oil is a powerful and dangerous substance, you should know that. And if you lose yourself in your battle again, this might not help at all.”

“Yes, but affairs with a family as deep rooted and corrupted like mine, time waits for no man, and no woman.” Emilia Corin quickly grabbed the bottle and took it away from Beverly Winters: “Walt, my cousin, is now finally dead, he deserved worse, but I am still very, VERY glad that I was there to land the blow that put his pitiful head to rest.”

“But that fight is over now. Your cousin is dead, no one is competing for that seat at the table. You shouldn't push yourself.”

“Family affairs start at the seat at the table. And there’s no way I am going to go about it without showing the mummified ‘elders’ who lived in the past what I am capable of.” Emilia Corin opened up the bottle and finished it in one chug.

Beverly Winters and the maid watched on the side as Emilia Corin finished all of the hollow inside of the bottle. And Emilia Corin closed her eyes and froze in place right while she was holding the empty crystal bottle in her hand. After a few seconds, a chill radiating from her stomach sent a shiver to her whole body through her spine; and when she opened her eyes, two light yellow flares remained in her pupils, but they eventually died down.

“How are you feeling?” Beverly Winters looked Emilia Corin in the eyes and asked: “Looks like its effect is weakened.”

“I think - I am feeling great. ” Emilia Corin answered with a smile: “I am feeling more focused and I finally feel that I can concentrate, shall we try again?”

“No. You go into the house and take a break, no magic practices, no reading, take a break from the use of magic and your power.” Beverly Winters sighed and said: “The oil is not a permanent solution, you will need to take time and let yourself heal. You are of no use to me if you are driven mad or into a vegetable by the excess use of your power and the Bones of Valcox. Go.”

“I think I can still train - ”

“No, remember your deal with me. You are of no use to me if you cannot join my fight when the time comes.” Beverly Winters picked up her cup of tea that was just poured by the maid: “And I am not asking - you will need to be in one piece to negotiate at the table as well. So again, go!”

“... yes.” Emilia Corin sighed and backed away: “And thank you, Ms. Winters.”

“Looks like the swords are having the right effects on her.” the maid said to Beverly Winters as Emilia Corin went into the mansion: “And the Hollow Oil is doing its work. She will be ready before she realizes it. But shouldn’t we push her a little harder instead, in order to make sure she’s ready earlier?”

“I can still wait a bit longer.” Beverly Winters took a sip from her tea and said: “Strains on one’s soul would cause the body irreversible harm if we’re not careful, which would make a subpar vessel.”