She woke up, opened her eyes, and saw an unfamiliar ceiling.
However, the slightly strong smell of medicine instantly told Finney she was in a hospital. Turning her head, she immediately spotted Skye dozing by the bedside.
"Skye!"
Finney gently shook Skye, who woke up instantly, her eyes flashing with joy upon seeing him, as if she had breathed a sigh of relief.
"What's wrong with you?"
But the next second, Skye's face hardened, filled with anger and worry. He stood up and questioned, "The doctor said you're overworked, even pushing yourself to the limit. What have you been doing lately?"
Because of her intensive training, Finney had been somewhat elusive this past week, while Skye, busy with Stark stock matters, hadn't paid much attention, never expecting such consequences.
"I was undergoing a special training program, and I accidentally went a little overboard,"
Finney coughed, concealing her intentionally over-training.
"Special training!?" Skye was taken aback at first, then frowned angrily, "Finnie, don't do anything reckless. I don't believe any special training would overdraw your life. If you keep doing this, I'll go find the Ancient One."
Skye had spent some time in Kamar-Taj and knew the Ancient One, so her words were indeed very threatening.
"It's over, I promise I won't do it again."
Finnie gently raised his hands in surrender, assuring him. In the moment before he fainted, he already knew that he had successfully broken through and activated the 'Possessed' invisibility ability, so the purpose of the special training had been achieved.
And the surprise didn't stop there. In that situation, what broke through was not only physical strength, but also Finnie's willpower, or rather, it was the breakthrough in willpower that led to the improvement in physical strength as well.
This result actually caused 'Possessed' to evolve slightly. Although the evolved ability was not much, it was exactly what Finnie needed most at the moment:
Ice and Snow Resistance.
After nearly dying in the snow, his breakthrough allowed Finney's armor to evolve automatically when he donned 'Possessed by Evil Spirits' again, gaining resistance to ice and snow.
If he went to Mount Everest again, the howling blizzards wouldn't necessarily become warmer, but at least they wouldn't be so cold.
The only regret was that although 'Possessed by Evil Spirits' had gained two new abilities, he still couldn't activate the fourth extraction; he was just a hair's breadth away, perhaps a single battle would be enough.
After checking himself and confirming he was alright, and with his ring properly on his hand, Finney checked out of the hospital. He hadn't been unconscious for long, only about five or six hours.
Outside the hospital, basking in the beautiful sunshine, Finney stretched comfortably. This was the first time he had come so close to death, so he fully understood the happiness of being alive.
"Are you really not going to let the doctor check you over properly?"
Skye asked worriedly. While checking him out, the doctor had advised further observation, but Finney had firmly refused.
"Really, it's nothing, I'm just a little overworked, it's nothing serious," Finney reassured her again, albeit helplessly.
"Okay."
Seeing that Finney didn't seem sick now, Skye didn't insist anymore. She knew Finney's special circumstances; in fact, she wouldn't have come to the hospital if there hadn't been a real reason, and she was worried that the examination might reveal something.
Back home, Finney reflected on this breakthrough. Although he had intended to push himself, his final actions were indeed somewhat impulsive.
He still vividly remembered the feeling of slowly walking towards death. Although he had successfully broken through this time, what about next time? He might not succeed every time.
Therefore, Finney understood that if he wanted to improve his strength, he needed to proceed steadily and surely. This kind of reckless breakthrough was only good once in a while.
Looking at the experience bar that was just a hair's breadth away, Finney was filled with anticipation. He was about to obtain his fourth skill.
Looking at the first three skills, including 'Violet Chicken Nuggets Roll,' they all had powerful effects, which made Finney even more eager to see what the fourth skill would be.
Unfortunately, the aftereffects of his physical breakthrough were still lingering. Exhausted, he needed a proper rest before he could replenish this last bit of experience. Fortunately, Mordo seemed to be in Kamar-Taj at the moment, so he decided to entrust this last bit of experience to the most familiar and best Mordo, his experience booster.
Suddenly, Mordo sneezed in the distance!
"But, should I ask the Ancient One for help…?"
Another thing weighed on Finney's mind. He had an idea: if he used the Eye of Agamotto to predict the future before drawing the skill, could he draw the skill he desired?
The future is unpredictable; perhaps the skill drawn every second would be different.
However, two things made him hesitant. First, would this method actually work on the system? Second, how could he explain to the Ancient One and ask for her help?
The system was Finney's biggest secret besides his rebirth, and he didn't want to tell anyone.
Moreover, those who manipulate time will inevitably be manipulated by time, just like the Ancient One, who at most watched the future like a movie and never gave away spoilers.
Most importantly, Finney couldn't find a reason to ask the Ancient One for help.
Was he really going to bluntly tell the Ancient One, "I might awaken a new ability soon, could you use the Eye of Agamotto to see what it is? If it's not good, I can awaken it later!"?
He was certain that if he said that, the Ancient One would absolutely ignore him!
As for secretly taking the Eye of Agamotto to look at it himself, he might as well just take out the Time Stone inside and try it out.
Only the Ancient One in Kamar-Taj could use the Eye of Agamotto; the ability to see into the future was the most secret of secret arts.
So, Doctor Strange's magical talent…
Finney couldn't bear to think about it; just thinking about it made him feel heartbroken.
After scratching his head in frustration, Finney still couldn't think of a good solution and could only give up helplessly for now. At worst, it was just a gamble, and besides, this method might not even work.
After resting enough, Finney immediately returned to Kamar-Taj and found Mordo, walking over with a beaming smile.
"Come on, come on, come on, let's have a spar! All-you-can-eat fried chicken rolls, no exceptions!"
From the moment he opened his mouth, Finney demonstrated his role as the 'Karmar-Taj sorcerer's patron,' the temptation of the food making Mordo, who wanted to refuse, hesitate.
"Okay then!"
In the end, Mordo gritted his teeth, unable to resist the temptation, and walked towards the training ground with Finney.
"I might have some things to do in a while, so I won't be here as often."
On the way, Finney chatted with Mordo. He was perhaps the most free sorcerer in Kamar-Taj; the Ancient One hadn't assigned him any tasks, nor did he have to strictly adhere to training schedules, allowing him complete freedom of movement.
Therefore, there were no wrong nicknames, only wrong names; the title 'Ancient One's most favored disciple' wasn't undeserved.
"Is it about your studies?"
Mordo asked casually. Those who knew Finney well knew that he was studying in New York.
Finney smiled but didn't answer, changing the subject instead, "By the way, just a heads-up, I just learned a really powerful move, don't get one-shotted."
"Hmph, I have 17 spells that can defeat you!"
Mordo replied disdainfully, silently considering which method to use to defeat Finney.
17 ways to defeat you, and you still think you can one-shot me?!
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(End of Chapter)