The sun hadn't fully risen yet when Palim awoke, his mind already focused on his next experiment. His routine was becoming familiar: wake early, test new ideas, eat heartily, spar with Becca, and push the limits of his abilities in the afternoon. After the good 2 hours naps that his body never failed to ask for, of course.
He was progressing steadily in the mental list of experiments that he came with since he turned one, each one intended to push his understanding of both mana and his recycling ability.
Palim stretched, feeling the flow of mana within him. With his intelligence now reaching 200 his mind could handle more complex ideas, and his control over mana had become sharper.
…
He headed out to the garden, sitting cross-legged on the dew-covered grass. His goal today was to succeed in compressing air with mana. Air was everywhere, abundant and free. If he could compress it into something solid, it could open new possibilities for attack or defense.
Palim focused, visualizing the air around him. His mana flowed, coiling through the particles, wrapping them together. Slowly, he began to condense the air into a small, visible ball. The sphere shimmered in the early morning light, but it wobbled. Compressing air was more difficult than manipulating solids; it required fine control.
"Hold it steady," he muttered to himself.
The air ball quivered and burst apart, making soft puff of wind blew through his hair.
"Damn it."
He was used to it now, as it has been close to a full week since he started experimenting with this compression. This time, he failed to anticipated the air pushed from his own muttering, and the compressed air grew unstable.
The time flew, and with it novel ways of failing. He was now trying to make two large demi-sphere of mildly compressed air, and compress the air in-between. Thus controlling more easily the airflow entering his compression area. Then, he felt that he could not compress more. His mana control could not go further, but the sphere kept floating in front of him.
[Skill Gained: Air Compression (Level 1)]
A small smile crept across Palim's face. He did it. He then pulled a chair close to his creation, and opened a small hole in his mana. The air flew forward violently, making the chair fall.
"That was a nice push", said Palim with a large smile on his face.
Ruth entered the room in hurry.
"Palim ! Is everything okay ? Why did the chair fell ?"
"Sowwy dad !" He said, doing his best to act cute. This was always super effective on Ruth.
…
Palim settled on the grass again, feeling the cool earth beneath him. Today's objective was to control the flow of mana within his body, enhancing his ability to manipulate it externally.
He began with a deep breath, centering himself. Closing his eyes, he visualized the streams of mana coursing through his veins, like a river winding through a lush landscape. He focused intently, willing the mana to move more swiftly, more fluidly.
"Come on," he whispered, feeling the slight tingling in his fingertips. With every passing second, he could sense the mana responding, slipping through his control like water.
He extended his hands, palms up, and concentrated. His mana surged, pulsing in rhythm with his heartbeat. But instead of flowing freely, it twisted and jerked like an untrained puppy. Frustration bubbled within him.
"Focus! Steady!"
Palim tried to channel the mana into a steady stream, but it sputtered out, creating small sparks that fizzled in the air. It wasn't just about speed; it was about balance and precision.
Hours passed, and with each failed attempt, he recalibrated his approach. He visualized each part of his body working as a conduit. Slowly, he felt the mana settling into a steady pulse. The energy flowed smoother, responding to his thoughts like a well-trained horse.
[Skill Gained: Mana Flow Control (Level 1)]
Excitement surged through him. This time, he felt a gentle warmth spread through his arms as the mana obeyed his command. He could finally control it—at least a little.
"Yes!" he exclaimed, a grin spreading across his face.
"Palim, are you talking to yourself again?" Becca called from the garden gate, arms crossed, a teasing smile on her lips.
"Just practicing!" he shot back, his confidence soaring.
…
A few days later, Palim stood at the edge of the garden, ready to attempt something new. The idea of creating an air shield intrigued him—an invisible barrier to defend against potential attacks.
He gathered his thoughts, recalling the feeling of compressing air. This time, he envisioned it as a barrier, not just a simple mass. He drew upon the mana flowing inside him, pushing it outward, commanding it to form a protective shell around his body.
"Here goes nothing," he whispered.
As he concentrated, he felt a pulse of energy. He focused on the space around him, picturing a dome forming, wrapping him in a protective embrace. He could feel the air swirling in response to his will, but it felt unstable, like a threadbare cloak.
The moment he opened his eyes, the air shield flickered, momentarily shimmering before collapsing into a whirlwind of dispersed air.
"Ugh!" he groaned, frustration creeping in. "This is harder than it looks."
Determined, he tried again, forcing the air to stay solid. He visualized each particle melding together, weaving into a cohesive force. This time, he focused on the ground as a base, channeling energy from beneath him. The shield began to take shape—a thin, transparent layer surrounding him.
[Skill Gained: Air Shield (Level 1)]
Palim's heart raced. The shield felt tenuous, but it was there, barely holding against a gentle breeze. "I did it!"
Suddenly, a playful gust of wind surged through the yard, catching the edge of his shield and causing it to ripple. Palim's focus wavered, and the shield flickered again, dissipating with a pop.
"Oops," he muttered.