The water collided with the rock, sending a loud bang through the air, as deafening as a shotgun blast.
Kael stood frozen, his outstretched hands trembling, the Rune Circle still rotating faintly on his outstretched hands . His chest heaved as he stared at the dent etched into the rock's surface. Slowly, a grin began to stretch across his face, his eyes gleaming with disbelief and excitement.
"HAHAHAHA!" He suddenly burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the quiet riverbank.
"Holy shit! That was exhilarating!" he exclaimed, his voice brimming with glee.
Eager to test his newfound power more, Kael's gaze fell on a small rock near his feet, about the size of an adult's fist. Aiming his right hand toward it, the Rune Circle lit up once more, its structure and patterns subtly shifting as he willed the rock to float.
The stone trembled, then rose unsteadily into the air. With a grin, Kael aimed it at the larger rock he had struck earlier and willed it forward with a gesture.
BANG!!!
Another loud crash echoed as the small rock collided with the larger one, sending fragments flying in all directions. Without even thinking, Kael decided to push his limits. He focused on controlling not just one but several rocks at once—three, then four. While he managed to lift them into the air, his control over them lessened. Their movements slowed significantly, and when they struck their target, the impact was noticeably weaker.
"This needs more practice," he muttered, furrowing his brow. He then turned his gaze towards the river.
Kael crouched near the riverbank, staring intently at the flowing water. A new idea sparked in his mind as he reflected on the previous water blob he had created. It lacked speed, precision, and power, but what if he could make it better? Something sharper, faster, more concentrated.
Closing his eyes, he recalled the way his Rune Circle had responded earlier. The intricate symbols and patterns engraved in his mind began to coalesce as he visualized a more refined approach. His hands extended outward, palms facing the river, as he focused his will on forming a spinning construct.
The water kept shaking, swirling upward into a thin column. This time, instead of letting it hang motionless, Kael guided it into a rapid spiral, compressing its shape into a small, spinning bullet. His forehead was sweating with the effort as he pushed the limits of his control. The water bullet finally stabilized, and Kael knew he had succeeded.
"Alright, let's test this," he muttered, his excitement barely contained.
Aiming at the same rock he had struck before, Kael willed the spinning bullet forward. The Rune Circle glowed brightly, its runes pulsating as the water projectile shot through the air with incredible speed.
BANG!
The rock cracked upon impact, chunks flying in all directions as the spinning water bullet pierced through its surface. The sound echoed louder than before, leaving Kael wide-eyed. He couldn't help but marvel at the destructive force.
"it worked! HAHA!" he exclaimed, a grin spreading across his face. "If I spin the water fast enough, it gains more momentum and penetrating power... This is incredible!"
Encouraged, Kael decided to try something more versatile. Drawing water once more, he visualized a thin, blade-like structure. The image of a sword came to mind, and he focused on shaping the water to mimic its form.
At first, the water wobbled and collapsed before fully taking shape, but Kael didn't give up. With each attempt, his control improved, and soon, a sleek, semi-solid water blade hovered in his hand. Its edges shimmered under the sunlight, and it exuded a faint, sharp aura.
Kael swung the blade making a crescent blade-like water fly a few meters, leaving a shallow gnash on the ground.
Marveling at its fluid yet solid nature Kael said "It's not perfect, but it feels... wonderful"
Turning to a nearby bush, he slashed at its branches, watching as a water blade shot out, cutting through them cleanly.
A wave of satisfaction washed over him, but Kael wasn't done yet. His gaze shifted to the open air, and another idea formed. "If water can create a blade, why not wind?"
Closing his eyes, he focused on the energy coursing through his Soulcore. The runes on his Rune Circle adjusted instinctively, responding to his thoughts.
Unlike water, the wind was harder to manipulate—it was intangible, chaotic, and free. Kael concentrated harder, envisioning a blade-like structure formed purely from air.
The wind stirred around him, forming faint currents that swirled and coalesced. Gradually, an almost invisible blade of compressed wind took shape in his hand, its edges sharp and deadly. Kael grinned in triumph.
Testing its power, he swung the wind blade toward a nearby tree. A faint whooshing sound accompanied the movement, and the tree's bark split cleanly where the blade struck. Kael's jaw dropped slightly as he inspected the damage.
"This is even better than the water blade," he said with excitement in his voice.
The successes fueled his confidence, and he turned his focus to another challenge. "If I can shape blades, maybe I can use wind to lift myself," he murmured.
Thinking that it might be too much for him to fly directly he began climbing onto a nearby boulder, Kael prepared to jump, summoning wind beneath him.
As he leaped, he directed the air currents to cushion his descent. For a brief moment, he felt as though he was gliding, the wind slowing his fall considerably.
Landing softly on the ground, Kael's lips curled into a satisfied smile. "It's not flying, but it's a start."
Encouraged by his progress, he repeated the experiment several times, refining the technique. With each jump, the wind grew stronger, and his control improved. By the end of his tests, Kael managed to extend his gliding distance slightly, though he knew true flight was still far beyond his reach.
Minutes flew by as Kael pushed his newfound abilities to the limit. From creating spinning water bullets to experimenting with elemental blades and wind manipulation, each success brought him closer to understanding the vast potential of his powers.
Kael's curiosity drove him to experiment further. He moved toward the river and focused on its surface. Tentatively, he stepped onto the water, attempting to use the Rune Circle to support his weight. For a brief moment, it seemed to work; he stood shakily on the surface, his balance precarious. But after just a few seconds, the energy faltered, and he splashed into the river with a frustrated yelp.
"Not yet huh," he muttered, shaking off the water.
"Elemental manipulation..." he whispered in awe, his thoughts racing. The realization of his abilities filled him with a mix of excitement and hope.
"This world has Magic!" he said with joy
Eventually, a wave of dizziness washed over him, and his head throbbed with a sudden, sharp pain.
"Is this what happens when one reaches their limit?" he wondered aloud, his voice tinged with exhaustion.
Realizing he had overexerted himself, Kael dispersed the Rune Circle and recalled his Soulwheel, watching as it slowly dissipate.
"I got carried away," he muttered helplessly, sinking onto the ground. He massaged his temples, trying to ease the pounding headache.
After resting for a while, Kael's stomach let out a loud growl, reminding him of the fish he had caught earlier. Propping himself up, he grabbed the fish, ready to prepare it for cooking with a lot of things running through his mind.
Suddenly, a rustling sound came from the nearby bushes.
[Growlll!!]
Kael's heart skipped a beat, the low, guttural sound sending chills down his spine. He froze, his eyes darting to the source of the noise. His instincts screamed danger. Backing away cautiously, Kael's gaze locked onto the bushes.
From the shadows, a massive beast emerged—a tiger-like creature, nearly twice the size of an ordinary tiger. Its muscles rippled under its striped fur, and its predatory eyes gleamed with a terrifying intelligence.