บท 7: The Art of Not Setting Yourself on Fire
The following morning, Liria trudged out of the cabin with a sense of dread. Today was all about refining her Fireball technique, and despite her excitement at leveling up her magic, there was a very real risk of singeing her eyebrows off. Daena, of course, watched her with that calm, knowing expression as she gestured to an open patch of grass.
"Today," Daena said, her voice firm, "you're going to focus on control. Summoning magic is one thing; mastering it is another."
[New Mission: Level Up Fireball! Objective: Successfully cast a controlled Fireball spell without accidental fires. Reward: EXP +5 and a new fire technique.]
"Without accidental fires? Ha!" Liria snorted, glancing skeptically at her hand. "You're asking me not to make a mess, System? You've seen me try to cook, right?"
[It is precisely because I have seen you try to cook that I'm concerned. Failure to control this spell could have… fiery consequences.]
Liria rolled her eyes but forced herself to focus. A part of her was excited leveling up her Fireball would boost her power and might even unlock new abilities. Plus, she knew the System's missions often came with rewards that would help her down the line. She'd need every advantage she could get.
Daena crossed her arms. "Now, show me what you can do. Just one small fireball. Controlled. Stable."
Liria took a deep breath, steadying herself. She focused on the feel of magic humming beneath her skin, like a simmering warmth waiting to ignite. Carefully, she whispered the spell's incantation, visualizing the flame in her mind. Her hands glowed faintly, the air around her fingertips flickering with heat.
Then, a small ball of fire appeared in her palm, hovering just above her hand.
"Good!" Daena called out. "Now hold it there, steady as you can."
But the fireball had other ideas. It pulsed and wobbled, its black edges flaring. The effort of holding it was like trying to tame a wild horse, and Liria's concentration was slipping.
"Oh, come on," she muttered, gritting her teeth.
[Focus, Liria. Imagine the flame as an extension of yourself. If you let your concentration slip, so will the fire.]
The black flame pulsed ominously, and she shot the System an annoyed look in her mind. Easier said than done, you sassy pile of code.
Just when she thought she had it, the fireball sputtered and flew sideways, singeing a clump of grass. Liria winced as Daena shook her head, muttering something about "hot-headed youngsters."
"Try again," Daena said with a sigh. "Magic isn't something you can force. It's something you need to work with."
After several failed attempts, Liria finally managed to summon a stable, small flame. She let out a relieved sigh, feeling a bead of sweat trickling down her forehead. Her magic reserves were dwindling, and she wasn't sure how many more fireballs she could handle today.
"Alright," Daena said, watching her closely. "Now, I want you to throw it—but carefully."
Liria squinted at her mentor. "Throw it? Isn't that a bit… reckless?"
Daena smiled. "Magic isn't just about control; it's about knowing when to release. Now, aim carefully and let it go."
Taking a deep breath, Liria focused on a tree stump a few meters away. She pictured herself hurling the fireball at it, gathering her strength and releasing the flame. It flew forward, a small comet of black fire, and hit the stump dead-on, leaving a smoking burn mark.
[Mission Update: Fireball casting successful. Remaining tasks: Maintain control and increase power without losing precision.]
Her heart thumped with a mix of excitement and relief. She was finally getting the hang of it. But the System wasn't done with her.
[New technique unlocked: Ember Swipe. This allows you to launch a slashing flame for close-range attacks.]
"An Ember Swipe?" Liria asked, blinking. "That sounds… kind of awesome?"
Daena's brow raised, a flicker of amusement in her eyes. "Talking to yourself again, are we?"
"Uh… something like that," Liria mumbled, brushing it off. She was already eager to try out the new technique, though the System promptly reminded her that her magic reserves were running low. Fine, fine, I'll rest, she thought, rolling her eyes.
But she was proud of her progress. It wasn't every day she got to feel powerful, and something told her that this Ember Swipe would come in handy.
As the sun began to set, Daena called it a day, and Liria gratefully plopped down on the ground, exhausted. The old woman handed her a canteen of water, which she drank greedily, feeling the coolness revive her.
"You did well today," Daena said, giving her a rare nod of approval. "But remember, magic is as much about patience as it is about power."
"Yeah, yeah," Liria said, rolling her eyes with a grin. "I'll work on my 'patience' right after I stop accidentally burning the forest."
Daena chuckled, patting her on the shoulder. "You're learning faster than most. Don't forget that. And keep practicing. Control will come with time."
Liria sighed, leaning back to look up at the sky. The stars were just beginning to appear, and she felt a strange sense of contentment. She hadn't expected to enjoy this kind of life a mix of magic and rustic simplicity but there was a quiet beauty to it. And besides, she had a feeling that her adventure was only just beginning.
[Mission Completed: Fireball Control Level 2. New Experience: +5 EXP. Level up: Fireball Magic now Level 2.]
The System chimed in her mind, and she felt a jolt of excitement as her fire magic officially leveled up.
Well, she thought, a mischievous grin spreading across her face, looks like I might just become a fire-wielding powerhouse after all.
"Come on, you," Daena said, giving her a gentle nudge. "Time for supper. I've made rabbit stew again."
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