"…One lifetime," she whispered, the weight of those words sinking into her very bones.
Riley smiled faintly, but there was no amusement in his expression—only truth.
Bianca's shoulders tensed. A lifetime. She had suspected it might take long, but hearing it confirmed so plainly left her momentarily speechless. Was she truly prepared for that kind of commitment? To dedicate her entire existence to mastering something that may not even be fully attainable in her lifetime?
For a brief moment, doubt flickered in her mind. But then, just as quickly as it came, she crushed it.
She had made it this far. She had trained relentlessly, sacrificed comfort, and pushed herself beyond her limits to get to where she was now.
If this was the price for the knowledge she sought, then so be it.
Lifting her head, Bianca's eyes burned with newfound determination.
"Then I'll dedicate my entire life to learning it, Master," she declared, her voice unwavering.
