I continuously studied the snake and made quite a lot of progress. After all, considering that all I've been doing in a day was attempt, study, rest and replenish my mana. Naturally, though, I didn't neglect the great desire of my rumbling stomach and went out for a hunt or two for food.
This time, after a sufficient amount of close inspection of the dead snake, I attempted to try once again.
I formed a shape in my mind.
With a long slender body, the length of 3 feet and as thick as an average man's forearm, with beautifully defined and shaped scales, a pair of purple reptilian eyes that shone like embers of flames in the night along with a set of dangerously sharp fangs - I brewed a complex and intricate image of a snake on my mind.
With deep focus and concentration, I tried to manifest it and bring it to life.
Lightning gathered to form a long-length shape that would serve as the snake's body. Then came out the head followed by the intricate and beautifully-shaped scales, then dancing lightning for eyes.
Its tail was shaped perfectly. It looked like a great success!
The lightning snake hissed and crackled with lightning. Its edges were erratic and even looked slightly out of control wriggling like tendrils, still, it was able to hold its shape.
It was a snake made out of lightning!
I call the spell "Thunder Serpent!"
Unfortunately, as successful as it looked, it was not, I was only able to hold its shape for a mere one or two seconds before it burst into zaps of lightning that flew everywhere - thankfully I wasn't hit.
As I expected, it was still too complicated and detailed to keep in shape for long periods of time but that was only because it was my first time and therefore was not quite versed in it. But provided enough time and sufficient hard work, I would be able to keep its shape much more solid and use it to my heart's content.
I would get the hang of it in time.
Nonetheless, I was very happy. It was as close as I had gotten to what I imagined it would be. Now all I had to worry about was maintaining its shape and keeping it solid enough to satisfy what I had planned for its creation and purpose.
After all, I wouldn't want to use a spell that would dissipate within mere seconds of conjuring it without dealing any kind of damage to enemies or without accomplishing anything that I intended for it to do.
I was satisfied with my progress for the day.
I took out the crystals and looked at them in thought. It was the two tier-2 mana shards. I had not absorbed it and had clearly focused on the spell I was trying to create instead. I was thinking whether I should absorb it now or after I was fully successful with my spell.
In the end, after some thinking, I decided not to absorb it just yet. I was a bit afraid that absorbing it now would change the quality of my mana and the intensity of my element and would therefore result in a problem with the spell I was creating.
It was a very complicated and difficult process and if it would be interrupted by even a small change in either my mana or elemental power, I would find it more difficult to proceed and as well as adjust to the change.
I opted to finish and succeed in creating the Thunder Serpent spell first.
Even though this might delay my wish to leave the forest as fast as possible, I thought it would be in my best interest to create a versatile spell that contains a lot of uses.
Moreover, even though reaching tier-2 as a novice mage would probably be enough for me to get the hell out of this forest alive, it wouldn't hurt to add some more means of protection right? Like they say, better safe than sorry.
_____
Two weeks passed...
I guess it's time for me to leave this place huh...no, this whole forest.
However, my grudge has not yet been settled and I decided to not leave till it's done.
I glared at the pond with piercing eyes. It was cool and crystal clear yet at the same time vague. I could not see its depts despite the clearness of its water which was bewildering.
Throughout the weeks, nothing has happened concerning the pond so it seemed it was really incapable of leaving its waters.
Its allure was poisoning my mind but I was not gonna fall for its trap twice.
With a vengeful glare and with malice intent, I shot out lightning from my fingertips into the waters.
It spread and made a current of lightning spread in each corner of the small pond.