For better or worse, the bit of life I sucked out of Captain Relia helps me repair the damage I sustained.

  Also, it apparently got her exhausted enough to stop her 'training' at this point.

  Not like I could've maintained it any longer.

  "Right, end of the first unit. Time for the debriefing. Pray tell, what did you do wrong?" (R)

  "Ehm, drain you?" (Y)

  I guess that comes before my sloppy footwork and what else.

  "Yeah, that's definitely on the list. You hopefully know that's an absolute no-go. If I hadn't told the hidden archers not to shoot beforehand, you might now be a pincushion." (R)

  At this, I look around.

  There's a bunch of people in the courtyard, but barely anyone is training.

  Most just seem to loiter around.

  I guess some soldiers are acting as guards, but I'm not sure if all of them are on patrol.

  But why... uh...

  Just now, I noticed that some of the soldiers carry bows, despite there being no shooting range on this field.

  The only reason for this I can come up with is if they would have to deal with something they don't want to get too close to.

  They prepared to kill me!?

  "However, it seems like we finally got it uncovered." (R)

  "Wh-what?" (Y)

  "Your main issue. I was already asking myself how much longer it would take to draw it out." (R)

  "Issue? What kind of issue? What are you talking about?" (Y)

  "Listen, every soldier has some form of bad habit. Usually, it's stuff like breaking down under pressure, losing focus, and getting everyone with them killed. In your case, you apparently take on a more direct approach to make this happen. As this is special training, it's my job to truly uncover how you are when at your worst. And hell, that's something that needs to be addressed. Can't have you suck your assigned troop dry." (R)

  So all of this was planned?

  To get me to snap?

  Not nice.

  I could've told her the same without a prior beating.

  "It's just because I'm so depleted. I lost so much energy fighting with you and really don't know how to deal with being so low, or what to do about it." (Y)

  "Well, in that case, you may be glad to hear that your first segment is considered fulfilled now, which means you got a break scheduled, coupled with breakfast." (R)

  "Uh, that might still be a problem." (Y)

  "Explain." (R)

  "Well, I noticed that I can't eat anymore. It just doesn't stay down. Instead, I think I'm getting run by that weird smoke. At least, I feel better after having gotten some of it." (Y)

  Heck, I don't even know if I'll just crumble to dust if it's all gone.

  "You’ve some interesting trouble there. Break it down for me. What exactly do you need? After all, even if you’re an asset, your upkeep could turn out to be problematic. Don't tell me it has to be from a human." (R)

  "No? I mean, I drained orcs before. Those aren't human, right? I think it just has to be from something alive?" (Y)

  "So like a healer expending their magic, just in reverse. That's interesting. And something we can work with." (R)

  "Ehm, work with?" (Y)

  What does she have in mind?

  I'm not sure if it's even okay to "work" with something that's sucking the very life out of a being.

  "But first, this." (R)

  She takes a rope from her side and wraps it right around... my neck!!!

  "Wh-why?!" (Y)

  "You almost killed me, so I'm putting you on a short leash. Well, it's even a rather long one. You can thank me later for being so lenient." (R)

  She says while binding the other end to some pole.

  She might be right that the length isn't too restricting, but it's my goddamn neck!

  "B-but..." (Y)

  "You're not afraid that this is going to restrict your non-existent breath, are you? Because if it prevents you from pulling the same shit as before, I call it a bonus. For now, you'll stay right here. Maybe go through some of the practices. I'll arrange something. So be ready for round two of your training." (R)

  "What!? But I just told you, I'm completely spent! I'm literally dead walking on two legs!" (Y)

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  I'm pretty certain I won't survive another training session like this.

  Or whatever suitable equivalent applies to me.

  Yet she simply walks off without another word.

  So now I'm stuck here on this training field and can't help but be acutely aware that there are archers lying in wait to shoot me if I do anything out of order, such as untying this noose from around my neck.

  It's kinda awkward between us, now that I know that they're here to kill me if I'd be acting out.

  Well, awkward for me, they don’t appear to have any issue with this situation.

  To think that my conscription to the military would turn out like this.

  Anyway, after a while, Relia returns.

  With two horses.

  "Ehm, what is the meaning of this?" (Y)

  "As I said, round two. But this time, we'll go and test this draining ability of yours. Depending on its usage, it could be a weapon in itself. However, far more importantly, we need to get you so far that you only affect authorized targets, and if the need shall arise, can shut it off at will." (R)

  "So wait! You want me to k-kill those horses with the drain?" (Y)

  "Obviously. What did you think serving in the military is about?" (R)

  "Not animal cruelty?" (Y)

  While leatherwork obviously warrants dead animals, we only rarely have to do the deed ourselves.

  Yet even so, I'm not sure that draining their very life from them isn't a bit too much.

  It certainly appears to cause considerably more suffering than the method we typically use.

  "Don't be so squeamish." (R)

  "But... isn't this problematic? Don't they belong to someone?" (Y)

  I don't think I’m supposed to drain our cavalry.

  "I got ordered to do everything necessary to get you into fighting shape. In this instance, you don't need to worry. I took the oldest, most miserable ones I could find. This will also serve to let us analyze some of the properties of your ability. In this case, if the age or health matters in any way for the amount you can drain from them." (R)

  I look at the poor animals, thinking about what I'm required to do to them.

  Relia let some soldiers bind them to a stockade.

  This feels more like an execution than anything else.

  There's the one on the right, with a grey mane.

  It looks overall fine, but its eyes are droopy, and it looks weary.

  Then the other one that looks quite sickly.

  It can barely stand and trembles.

  "You're hopefully aware that we only have a limited number of tries for this. We need to make them count and figure out as much as possible. Therefore, for starters, I want you to focus on two things. Aim it solely at one specific target, and try shutting it off as quickly as possible once it gets started. The first is required to make you stop being an unstable hazard that endangers its surrounding environment, and the second, well, is the same, but more importantly, it's a first precondition for acquiring control. You can't say you have any, before you can't stop it without me choking you." (R)

  I understand this, even though she could have said this differently, but using animals as training material feels terribly wrong.

  "I-I'm not quite sure." (Y)

  "For a life-draining revenant, you're ridiculously squeamish. You're aware that you'll have to continue doing this?" (R)

  "Sorry. It's just, I don't really like this. This whole ability, it's just wrong, isn't it? Draining the life from something, this just shouldn't be." (Y)

  "So you're saying I should kill you right here? Well, if you'd like this better." (R)

  She grips the handle of her sword and makes a tentative step in my direction.

  "N-no!" (Y)

  "So what now? You just told me that you can’t eat. Would you rather slowly starve to death? You're running out of options, dead girl." (R)

  I know, but this...

  "See, it's merely a way to kill. Who cares if you slit the throat of these horses or make them succumb to this drain of yours? As your earlier victim, I can tell you, there are worse ways to die. Unsettling, and absolutely terrifying, sure, but not all that painful. Don't get me wrong, it's by no means pleasant, but hell, I wouldn't know of a good way to go. Aside, maybe, from how some of the rich folks apparently use umbradow for a nice deep sleep. Yet that's off topic. As we can't afford umbradow for these horses, you may just as well drain them to death." (R)

  I guess that makes sense.

  Either I make use of this ability, or I'm a goner.

  This time for real, well, at least more definite than last time.

  "O-okay." (Y)

  "Great, finally some cooperation. Then get started. While you're at it, you may try to tell at what distance you actually can get started. We know that throwing you works, but that could've been the shock as well, while you can maybe increase its range with focus. This is particularly interesting for a fixed target that can't even defend against the attack." (R)

  I look at her.

  I didn't quite think about wielding this ability as a weapon.

  She's right, though, that it could be used as such.

  That I could kill in a way that can't be prevented.

  Which is what makes it so terrifying for me to use.

  My parents...

  "Stop staring into the void! You got orders, officer!" (R)

  Right!

  Right, I need to do this.

  "Start with the left one! The one that looks as if it's about to keel right over!" (R)

  Commander Relia specially took some steps back, so she may not get affected again.

  Yet now she holds the choking leash?

  "Start. The left one, mind you." (R)

  As instructed, I walk a bit closer.

  The main issue is that I don't quite know yet what causes my drain to begin with.

  It was always rather instinctual when I became emotional.

  But can I actually activate it by will?

  "What's taking you so long?!" (R)

  "I, I don't know how to start it." (Y)

  "Shit. Magic works with instinct and imagination. At least, I was told so. Focus on your target. Imagine sucking it dry. It might help if you also imagine how the stuff works inside you. There has to be something that starts the drain." (R)

  Something that starts the drain?

  What would that be?

  Wait a moment!

  I already know how magic works!

  I mastered my cold element.

  But this isn't cold.

  Also, I don't feel like it's working quite the same.

  When I used my cold magic, it worked because I focused on the magic inside my body, guided it to one single spot, and pushed it out.

  But this drain is not only the opposite of pushing out, I'm also pretty sure I don't feel a speck of anything that would imply "drain" inside my body.

  Nowhere, in my arms, lungs, head, chest...

  Could it be?

  Is this the answer?

  It's the goddamn crystal!

  The crystal that started all of this.

  I should've guessed this right from the start.

  After all, it also pulled in all these ghosts.

  So that must mean the magic is somewhere in there.

  Yes, there is a pull.

  It wants to be filled.

  Take from the world, and direct everything into my body.

  Such a devious little thing.

  But I'll have to use it.

  Now that I know what it takes, I just need to activate it.

  Okay, let it pull.

  Let this feeling of emptiness overcome you, Yomi.

  Let it sink into your chest until it feels like it would constrict everything.

  Strangle you like a weight, no, a pull from the inside that prevents you from breathing.

  Urgh, I'm out of breath!

  My chest, won't, heave.

  But, I, want, to, breathe!

  "Whoaah!" (Y)

  I feel the surge, the endless want for something that isn't mine.

  A wish to obtain what I require so desperately.

  It's right in front of me.

  The breath that will fill my lungs, otherwise, I’ll drown in shallow waters.

  Just below the surface, knowing that salvation lies beyond this thin barrier of nothing.

  I only need to breathe in and theirs loosens, drawing to me.

  The green smoke emerges and wafts towards me, all the way to my mouth and inside.

  Yes, finally, release!

  Oh no, that's not just the sick one!

  But, but I can't stop it!

  What am I supposed to-

  "Chrrk!" (Y)

  Suddenly, I feel a pull and am thrown back.

  The choker!

  Relia pulled me with it!

  "I said just the one!" (R)

  I rub my poor throat, being rather sure that I just got something cracked or at least sprained within.

  "At least, now we know a functional safety measure. But next time, rather try getting it right." (R)

  Wait!

  Is she going to do this every single time I fail?

  "What are you waiting for!? We may be doing this all day if you don't hurry!" (R)

  Why me?!