Michael focused on a tree branch, squinting his eyes. With a deliberate gesture, he struck out with the [Windlash] spell. The spell surged forward, a visible ripple in the air, but it fell short, brushing past the branch just shy of hitting it.
"Damn it… So close."
Michael was getting better at his target, but he was not improving by much.
Michael practised each day with the [Windlash] spell to practise precision. That day he advanced to Level 10 [Practitioner].
His advancement to the Level 10 [Practitioner] gifted him with a new skill.
[Air Shot.]
The new skill allowed him to conjure a bullet-like projectile of compressed air that exploded on impact. It did not do much damage, nowhere near any bullet he knew. But it was better than the [Windlash] spell.
As the days melded into weeks and then a month, Michael delved deeper into the book that had become his constant companion. Eventually, he had learned everything the book had to offer.
The only spell that really gave him trouble to master was the [Thermo Estate]. The spell required a perfect synergy between the elements of fire, water, and air.
Once he cast the [Thermo Estate], the spell covered its surroundings in a controlled thermal field, maintaining a specific temperature as long as there was enough supply of mana.
[Thermo Estate] spell was incredibly versatile, he could already think of so many ways to use the spell, but it was also limited. Once he activated the spell with a specific temperature in mind, he could not change that temperature unless he dismissed the spell and recast it with the required parameters.
In fact, all spells were like that. Once a spell was cast with specific conditions—be it duration, location, intensity, trajectory or effect—it remained until either its mana was depleted or the [Practitioner] chose to dismiss it and recast the spell.
Even after all his progress, Michael couldn't shake off the lingering frustration. The book he had relied on, 'Foundation of Magic: A Farmer's Guide', had promised him that mastering its contents would elevate him to a Level 20 [Practitioner]. So, why was he still stuck at level 10 [Practitioner]?
His thoughts were consumed by a whirlwind of questions. Was there something he failed to notice? Did he still have a limitation to his abilities that he hadn't overcome? Or, was he perhaps incapable of advancing further?
"No, I will not let it be true."
He found no solution to his bottleneck. Now, the only way Michael could think of growing stronger was to advance his levels in his [Hunter] class. Perhaps now that he knew a few useful spells, he could potentially catch some game.
What else was there to do?
***
In a rush, Michael navigated the dense undergrowth of the forest, breathing rapidly—his senses keen. For what seemed like forever, he tirelessly chased after the elusive rabbit. The white furred demon never lagged for him to land a single hit, its talent for disappearing into the shadows at the last moment made every effort to catch it futile. Insufferable beast.
"Damn it, I lost it again," he growled as he skidded to a halt, scanning the surroundings.
From the corner of his eyes, he caught a flash of white darting through the blades of grass. He lunged after it.
The rabbit bounded effortlessly over fallen logs and through thickets with effortless agility. Michael, on the other hand was neither nimble nor graceful. He stumbled over every step, barely keeping himself from falling on his face.
With an angry grunt, Michael focused his mind and summoned [Windlash] spells one after another. Threads of invisible air rampaged around the darting bast, showering dirt in the air. The lashes of wind struck nothing but blades of grass and bushes, leaving the intended target unharmed.Fuck! Were rabbits faster in this world?
He would not allow it to vanish from his sight this time. If only magic was not so static—if only he knew a way to anticipate the rabbit's movements, to predict where it would be next.
The rabbit dashed into a clearing. Michael followed it.
"Finally, some luck."
Michael focused on the entire clearing and summoned the [Plough] spell. An avalanche of mana surged out of him, reducing its reserve by half. The soil in the clearing turned softer than the snow.
The rabbit sank deep into the earth. Michael used [Life Detection] to find this struggling rabbit, trying to find a way back to sunlight once more. Focusing on the area where the rabbit was struck, he struck out with [Windlashes] this time, a few of his spells struck true. But eventually the creature escaped out of the trap. It swayed slightly, its steps lethargic. But it seemed determined to escape him.
"Not so fast."
Michael pointed and released three successive air shots. Three concentrated bursts of air shot forward like a bullet, aimed precisely at the beast. The [Air Shot] struck true, the compressed air exploding upon contact, creating a small shockwave that blasted away a ring of loose earth.
The rabbit collapsed and did not move again, not because it was dead but out of fear.
With his heart racing, Michael closed the distance between them in moments. He knelt beside the stunned rabbit, breathing heavily but basking at his first success at hunting. The creature, now subdued, looked up at him with wide, frightened eyes.
"Got you. Finally…"
He had done it—he had caught a game. "I won't have to eat fish today."
With the rabbit secure in his grip, Michael made his way back through the forest. The spellbook and its failure to keep the promises of higher levels could wait. For now, he had accomplished something important. He needed to enjoy the moment.
Michael Didn't level up from the experience.