In absolute darkness, the pair of lilac eyes lifelessly watched the crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling, its delicate form swaying gently in tune with the subtle vibrations of the ship's engine. The girl silently rested and didn't even twitch, enjoying the huge and soft bed only for herself.
'She didn't lie; she really isn't sleeping here.' With the corner of her eyes, she threw a glance at the vacant spot to her side.
She finally had the time to draw her lottery ticket, 'Witch System, please use one of the special mission vouchers.'
Ding!
//
1 X Special Mission Voucher was used.
//
With a bated breath, Tia silently waited, her heart pounding with expectations. Knowing how moody the systems could be and how unpredictable the special missions in her past life were, she could only hope she would get something possible to do.
Ding!
//
New Special Mission: Advanced Casting Aide
Wands are only the most basic form of casting aides. Staffs, gloves, wands, scepters, and rings all have their own unique advantages. You, as a witch, a being searching for knowledge, should broaden your horizons by creating a casting aide of a more untraditional shape.
Starting reward: You can learn a method to craft a magic focus in any of the above categories; 1 X Free Journey to Garlicia
Special rewards: You will get the system's help during the entire process.
Rewards: The Witch System will improve your final creation; The rest of your rewards will be calculated based on the quality of your final creation.
//
'So, a crafting mission it is—a bit letdown, but it could be much worse,' Tia mused, the hum of the engine intertwining with the silent rustle of her breath.
Her fantasy ran haywire, with dozens of intricately crafted rings dancing in her mind's eye. 'No! I can exclude rings as they are too small, making them too much weaker than wands.'
She knew there were advanced methods that could circumvent size limitations in enchanting, but they were hazy and too far out of her current reach.
She silently sighed, 'I once could do so much...'
Suppressing the depressive thoughts, an image of a staff's towering presence invaded her contemplation.
She knew how powerful they were thanks to their size, which allowed them to fit more enchantments and larger power sources. Still, with a frown, she muttered, "Too big and unwieldy."
Tia glanced at her slender palms, an affirmation slowly but surely creeping into her mind. With a slow movement, she opened and closed her palms, watching each of her muscles move. 'Gloves'
When she thought about how she used her power, often channeling it through her hands, she knew it was the right choice.
'Discreet, stylish, and decently effective' Her eyes pulsed in light of confirmation as she found her new goal: 'Yup, gloves are the best choice for me as they would still leave my hands free while giving more power than rings.'
Ding!
//
You have chosen: Spell-weaving Gloves
//
The echoing pain flared, sending ripples of agony through Tia's temples. Every fiber of her being was alight, a conduit for the influx of overwhelming knowledge of magic gloves. Like tendrils of electricity, it seeped into her nerves, igniting her eyes with an incandescent glow.
As fast as it came, it also subsided, allowing her to breathe out in relief. Despite the remnants of the pain still lingering in the background of her mind, a torrent of thoughts flooded her consciousness.
'Why stop at gloves?' Tia's mind churned.
Her gaze fell upon her hands once more, focusing on her empty, slender fingers with only a single ring decking them. The thrill of the craft, the silent desire for creation that stirred within, called out to her.
'Gloves, rings, a mask...' Her ambition expanded into a vision of finally creating a full set of enchanted gear.
A smile crept onto her lips as he grinned at the ceiling like a madwoman. 'This time there is no need to half-ass it, as there is nothing pressing me to rush.'
The mesmerizing glow in her eyes vanished, the cold reality dragging her back down.
'I need materials—rare and compatible ones.'
She needed materials, not just any, but with their main portion originating from a single monster or other singular source for the maximal resonance between all the pieces of her enchanted gear.
'I also must slay it myself, as I currently lack the means to fully purify any mana contamination.' She finally had the time to fully engross herself with her chosen craft, and she wasn't going to waste it on inferior materials contaminated with the mana of a hunter who killed her prey.
'Time for a monster hunt.' The thought sprang to life, with excitement pulsing through her veins.
(AN: Alright I am back! Also not sure if this chapter is boring or not, but it established the goal for a few chapters and in my opinion, makes the character more life-like as it shows how she thinks.)