The old woman was swinging, when Lug approached.

According to the Wise One's information, she had a good grasp of her psychic powers and had started hanging out in the graveyard, drawn to Lug's energy.

It seemed surprising, given her harmless appearance.

The old woman swayed gently as she looked at Lug.

She was wearing sunglasses with a floral apron.

Her style was as unusual as her manners.

Once Lug was – out of caution - at a distance of a few feet from her, he said:

"I've come to see you because I'd like to master the reinforcement technique."

The old lady raised her eyebrows so high that Lug could see them, despite the big glasses that engulfed a whole part of her face.

She opened her mouth slowly and began to speak.

"The old rat in his cave has decided to talk to you. It's about time."

"Who are you talking about?" Lug asked, surprised.

"He likes to be called the Wise One, even though there is nothing wise about him. The little man in his big, empty crypt."

Lug didn't want to waste time with this bickering.

"I don't know what relationship you two have, but he thinks you're the best person to teach me about reinforcement, are you in?"

Lug was wary and spoke with care in his every word.

This old woman intimidated him.

When he finished speaking, she lowered her sunglasses slightly.

This revealed two tired eyes.

Lug had the sensation that her gaze pierced him up to the occiput.

"You seem to have a pretty good handle on your energy centers." she said while putting back her glasses against her wrinkled face.

"You agree to train me?" Asked Lug, uncomfortably.

"Of course, I've been waiting for this."

She stood up and walked toward the fountain, gesturing for Lug to follow her.

Once in front of the fountain, she pointed at the frozen water.

"Look closely."

She took a sharp breath, and moved forward lightly while pulling back her still extended finger by bending her arm, as if she was going to throw something.

Then with a blow, so fast that it split the air creating a whip-like sound, she buried her finger in the ice as if it were butter.

When she pulled her finger out, she had left a cigar-sized hole, with no other cracks in the ice.

Lug was in shock.

This demonstration was far more impressive than the last time he saw her in action.

This time, the concentration, the speed, the strength.

Everything was masterly.

This old woman had surgical precision of her energy.

"Teach me!" Lug had stepped forward.

Fear had given way to admiration.

"Of course. Given your talent it won't take you long to do as well, or better."

This woman had a smile on her lips, but it was very different from the one the Wise One wore.

Unlike the latter, this woman seemed happy to pass on her knowledge.

"So, what's it going to be? Do you want to master reinforcement or not? Then start by not getting lost in your head when I talk to you."

The old woman's tone was dry.

"Sorry, I'm ready to start." said Lug while straightening up.

"Good."

She placed her palms against her hips and drummed her feet on the floor.

She was thinking.

"Given your talent... we'll do this on the fly, I'm sure you'll be able to."

"Okay...?" Lug replied in a small voice, not knowing if he was supposed to answer or not.

"I don't put much faith in theory. So you go practice, and when you get the hang of it I'll explain how it works."

"Okay." Lug's voice was becoming more and more indistinct.

The old woman didn't seem to be expecting an answer, she seemed lost in her monologue.

"Listen carefully. You're going to tap the ice with the palm of your hand. Gently. As you do so visualize yourself cracking it. The key to mastering reinforcement is to visualize the result you want to achieve."

"Okay. Tapping the ice…Mmh… How gently?" Lug asked, raising his hand above the frozen water.

"Like you're clapping."

Lug looked at the ice, lowered his hand a little to get less momentum, and began to tap the ice.

The old lady watched him with her arms crossed.

After only a moment, an expression of surprise could be seen on her face.

Lug kept on tapping the ice with no apparent change.

But the old woman could see a difference.

"He has densified his arm psychically, just his arm... I didn't think he had such mastery of his energy centers. He's even more talented than I thought. But densifying your psychic body is not the solution to reinforcement, Lug. Will you realize that?" she thought to herself.