Dodging all of Terra's attacks, Slade kicked her in the stomach, slamming her into an opposing wall. After falling into the quicksand, Terra rose up on a tidal wave, her eyes yellow with determination. Slade could see the dangerous situation approaching him, so he took out his bowstaff for good measure. If he managed to fall and become trapped under the surface, there was a chance that he might not survive. Granted, Terra with her powers could save him, but, naïve as she was, it was possible that she wouldn't realize the danger until it was too late.

Speeding up, Slade jumped through the center of the tidal wave where it was weakest and landed on the other side just as Terra's wave crashed over the room. Leaping toward the far wall before the surface tension was broken by waves and ripples, Slade stuck his bowstaff into the wall, swinging up and perching on the staff to avoid the treacherous, choppy quicksand below. Just as Terra was turning around, Slade threw a bomb that detonated beside her and threw her to the quicksand. Terra rose and, now fully facing Slade, reverted the earth back to its normal state. Slade placed his feet back on solid ground, pulled his bowstaff from the wall, and looked at Terra. "Do you yield?" he asked.

"No," Terra said, panting. Pulling a large boulder from the wall, she threw it at Slade. He dodged as she did this four more times, then he rushed her and pinned her to the wall one hand while the other hand held a bowstaff to her throat.

"Do you yield?" Slade asked a second time.

Terra was panting heavily now. Her face was flushed, but Slade couldn't tell if this was from overexertion or other matters.

"Y-yes," Terra finally panted out.

Instantly, Slade struck her on the face. She fell to the ground with a cry, then looked up at him, mortally wounded. Slade didn't blink. "Never yield to an opponent," he said.

Terra choked once and looked at her knees, blinking hard. "I'm s-sorry, Slade," she muttered. "I'm just so exhausted."

Seeing her distraught condition, Slade realized that he had gone too far. The emotional girl was still too fragile. For now at least, he had to refrain from being rough with her. He softened his mannerisms as he approached her. "My blow was harsher than I intended. On the contrary, I do care for you, Apprentice."

Terra looked up at him, blushing again. "T-thank you."

Slade nodded, then without a word or hint of warning, reached down and picked Terra up in his arms. She gave a small squeal, and Slade felt the ground tremble underneath him for a moment before stilling.

"S-Slade," she breathed.

Slade said nothing as he carried her out of the training room. She didn't know what to do with her arms, so she eventually settled them on his chest along with her face, which was flushed with embarrassment. He felt her fast heartbeat and heard her rapid breathing.

Slade was no fool. For the last two weeks, she had been his apprentice. During this time, he had noted her every move. He saw the way she beamed after he gave her a rare compliment. Covert glances in his direction when she thought he wouldn't notice were not overlooked by his watchful gaze. After training, her eyes sometimes followed him as he went about his daily business. She tailed him like a loyal dog and walked around with pitifully obviousness about it all. Now, he felt her trembling. It was unmistakable. It was such easy bait.

Any weakness, Slade would use and exploit. And there was none better than Terra's.

Slade set her down in the dining room, ignoring her expression as he left her side and returned with several trays of food. Terra took the food and ate in without speaking, and Slade reveled in the silence. All Slade had to do was push her a little bit more. After she completely trusted him, he could focus on breaking her. Once broken, Slade could mold her to be exactly what he wanted. She was already his pet, and soon she would be his thrall.