Slow & Painful Progress...

"H-hey! Gramps!"

Oli roared with all his might. 

"Pause real quick! … I need to enter my soul jade first to–"

"That can wait till tomorrow, Little Oli!" the dragon lord chuckled in reply. 

"But–"

"Consider this another layer to your training," Uutrai brazenly remarked.

"You already control a great deal of mental fortitude. This is a rare opportunity to wield and strengthen that fortitude without the fear of certain death." 

Clenching his claws in pain, Oli hollered, "But Gramps! We're in a hurry… so I should use my soul jade… to speed things up."

"Then allow me to apologize, Oli. I can't grant you a break mere moments after we've begun. 

"Unless you're incapable of enduring the pain. In such a case, we can only cancel your training and wish you well during your run at the Mortal Championship–"

"FINE! Have it your way!"

With gritted teeth, Oli coiled his draconic body a bit tighter.