So it really was true…
Aren gritted his teeth as both Captain Eric and Lieutenant Leo seemed to flinch at the comment.
Voss continued with a calm tone. "You survived because of your dragon Bloodline's physiology."
"Without the enhanced endurance, you would've easily been torn apart."
He lowered his gaze to his chest unconsciously, as if expecting to see something glowing beneath the bandages.
"How… does that affect me?" he asked quietly. "Can I continue living like this?"
Voss studied him for a moment, then nodded slightly.
"That's the good news," she said. "Yes. Functionally, you will live."
"But…?" Aren asked.
"The Core is not infinite," she continued. "We cannot accurately measure its internal reserves. What we do know is this: every time you use ether, you are no longer drawing solely from your own pathways."
Aren felt something faint stir beneath his ribs.
"You are drawing from the Core itself."
"So I just… don't use ether?" he asked.
Voss shook her head gently.
