With a stomach that was relatively full, I kept walking for what felt like an eternity. The forest seemed endless, filled with towering trees and shadows that shifted subtly under the moonlight. But then, something different in the distance caught my eye: the entrance to a cave, partially concealed by thick vines and moss.
"Finally, shelter," I thought, a relieved smile breaking across my exhausted face.
I approached cautiously, taking in every detail. The cave's entrance was narrow but appeared to widen further in. Running my hand over the moss-covered wall, the damp texture confirmed my suspicion: this place hadn't been used in a while, which might be a good sign. Even so, the darkness deeper inside was almost suffocating, like a shroud concealing unwanted secrets.
I decided it would be foolish to venture too far. Surprises were the last thing I needed in the middle of the night. Instead, I sat near the entrance, leaning against the damp, rocky wall. It was uncomfortable, but still better than being exposed out in the forest.
"One day, I'm sleeping in a dreamlike bed," I thought, chuckling softly to myself. "And the next, I'm camping in a cave."
I glanced at the blazer that now served as a makeshift pouch for the berries I'd collected. "At least I managed to find some food," I muttered, trying to focus on the silver lining. The pale berries still glimmered faintly in the moonlight, though I knew they wouldn't be enough to sustain me for long.
"They won't last," I sighed, running my fingers through my messy hair. "Tomorrow, I'll need to try hunting something small... if I can."
My gaze shifted to the ring on my index finger, the artifact now a constant, silent companion. Its dark surface, etched with golden patterns, reflected the faint light. I activated it, diving into the familiar mental interface.
"I need to learn more spells," I whispered, determination building within me. Even basic spells would be better than nothing. The level-0 elemental spells were especially useful for someone like me—they didn't require channeling mana from my body, only residual energy from the environment.
The problem, however, was obvious: channeling mana would still take practice and patience, not to mention it left me vulnerable while I stood still and focused. "I need to learn how to channel mana on the move," I murmured, furrowing my brow. It was a skill I would need to master if I had any hope of surviving.
I spent what felt like hours exploring my mental library, absorbing fragments of knowledge about spells that could prove useful in my current situation. After much trial and error, I finally managed to learn three basic spells that could make a difference:
— Flame — A fire spell that produced a small flame. It was weak, barely capable of burning anything substantial, but it could be used to light a campfire or illuminate my path, and depending on how I use it, I could start a small fire, after all, fire is still fire.
— Charge — From the thunder element, this spell emitted a minimal electrical discharge. Originally designed to relax tense muscles, I realized it could be adapted to mildly paralyze small creatures like rabbits or foxes if I increased its intensity slightly.
— Droplet — A water-element spell that gathered mana particles to form a small sphere of liquid. While simple, it could temporarily quench my thirst. This was the hardest to master due to my only intermediate affinity with the water element, requiring all of my focus.
The learning process was exhausting. — Droplet — , in particular, left my mind throbbing from the effort. When I finally managed to form a shimmering sphere of water between my fingers, I sighed in relief and brought it to my lips, feeling the cool liquid trickle down my throat.
Satisfied but mentally drained, I felt my eyelids grow heavy. Leaning against the cave wall, I allowed sleep to take over. The forest seemed quieter now, as if it were waiting for me to lower my guard.
'Tomorrow,' I thought before slipping away into slumber, 'is another day…'
......
The wind still danced softly through the cave's entrance, carrying the faint sounds of morning with it. My body woke slowly, stiff from the cold, hard ground beneath me. Sunlight filtered through the cave's opening, revealing dust particles suspended in the air, lazily swirling to the gentle rhythm of birdsong.
My eyes opened reluctantly, blinking several times to adjust to the light streaming through the treetops.
'Morning already,' I thought, trying to organize the jumble of thoughts left by my restless night. One hand rested on my forehead, serving as a makeshift visor to block the direct sunlight that spilled into the cave.
Rising to my feet, the first thing I did was approach the cave's entrance. The view waiting for me was surprisingly pleasant, more so than I had anticipated. The sun's rays filtered gently through the high leaves, creating intricate patterns of light on the forest floor. For a moment, the black forest seemed less threatening. It felt as if the previous night had been nothing more than a bad dream, and this tranquil scene was its peaceful counterpart.
'Now that I think about it, the forest isn't all that black,' I reflected, taking in the understated beauty around me. Perhaps the name had more to do with the stories surrounding it than its actual appearance. From my elevated position, sunlight was plentiful, bathing the scene in a golden glow.
I took a deep breath, the fresh, damp air filling my lungs. The earthy scent of soil and vegetation was strong but not unpleasant.
Glancing up, I searched for the sun's position in the sky. It was a massive, radiant star, now sitting directly overhead.
'Must be midday,' I thought, estimating the time.
My stomach interrupted with a loud growl, pulling me back to reality.
"Time for breakfast," I muttered with a sigh, reaching for my makeshift *blazer-bag* filled with berries. Handling it carefully, I sat at the cave's entrance, where the sunlight warmed my skin.
The pale berries glimmered in the sunlight, their pearly hues standing out against the green backdrop. I picked one up between my fingers, examining it as if contemplating its very existence.
'They're not exactly a full meal, but at least they taste decent,' I thought, recalling the faintly sweet and tart flavor from the previous night.
Popping the first berry into my mouth, I bit down gently, and its subtle flavor spread over my tongue, accompanied by a refreshing coolness that helped dispel some lingering fatigue. One after another, I ate them slowly, savoring each bite while taking in the forest around me.
There was something oddly comforting about the moment. The chirping of birds, the gentle rustling of leaves, and even the occasional crack of a distant branch formed a natural symphony that kept me alert yet somehow at peace.
The blazer-bag now hung empty by my side.
'This won't be enough,' I thought, eyeing the fabric now stained with the remnants of berries that had once seemed so promising. The weight of exhaustion began to settle over me once more, but it was then that something caught my attention.