After repeated failures, I finally created a Water Ball. However, it was not the same as the one shown by the Pond Spirit. It was smaller and irregular in shape. It looks like it was about to burst.
"Congratulations, Orion! You're really a good boy!"
The water ball popped after getting startled by her praise.
"T-thank you. Well, I'm creating Water Pops instead of Water Balls."
"Still, it was a Water Ball. We still have more mana so keep practicing. Don't give up! Go! Go! GO!"
"YES!"
Because of her encouragement, my frustration was quickly replaced with determination.
It was now much easier to release mana until the creation of the water droplet. However, the process was slow, and I was unable to complete it in its final form.
Every time I tried making Water Balls, I felt a cold and satisfying feeling on my palm and I never get tired of it.
Despite the fact that I had made countless pops, she said that we still had plenty of mana to spare. I'm wondering, how much mana remained? Anyway, I'm going to do my best in learning this spell because it's the least I can do to repay her for teaching me. That was one of the reasons why I want to do so, despite several failures.
I took another breath and tried to recall every step and feeling I had learned through my failures.
First, I gathered all of the mana that I had released into the center of my palm. Second, I linked them together until a magic circle was formed, followed by the creation of a water droplet. Third, increasing its size by letting it absorb every mana that was used in forming the magic circle. Lastly, which was the most difficult part, shaping and maintaining its form on top of my palm.
I keep doing it and I have no idea how much mana, repetition, and time I spent until I succeeded.
Finally, a Water Ball the size of my fist was floating on the top of my palm.
"Wow! You did it!" she screamed, applauding me.
I was so overwhelmed with joy that I couldn't speak a single word.
"Do it again!" She covered her cheeks with her hands while showing her smile and sparkling eyes.
Those eyes... I can't help but comply with her request.
The ball disappeared as soon as I stopped releasing my mana. I made another, but slowly because I'm still getting used to it.
The ball nearly burst, but it managed to form. Repeating the process with my other hand, I was now standing in the pond, having a Water Ball on each palm.
Still unsatisfied, I made a few more.
"Oh! You're doing great!"
"Thank you."
"You did your best and I'm happy for you."
"But it all thanks to you." I smiled and bowed to her.
"Aw... You're so cute! Come here."
I should be heading to her, but instead, she stretches her arms and hugged my nose.
"Let's take a break while we eat our lunch and call it a day. Okay?"
The sun shone brightly at its highest peak. I thought I'd been practicing all day.
"Okay. Uhm... can you turn around first?"
"Why?"
"I'm naked."
"And?"
"Because I need to put on my clothes before I eat."
"All right. 1... 2..."
"Wait!"
I ran as fast as I could behind the rock and wore my clothes. When I walked around the rock, a bowl of vegetable salad with sliced fruits and a skewer of meat was placed on top of my usual spot.
"When did you..."
"Oh! You're back. The tree spirits prepared them for you while you are practicing."
I quickly looked around, but she was the only ball of light present.
"Where are they?"
"They ran, but they are not scared of you. They are just shy."
"But I want to thank them."
"Don't worry~ They are always nearby watching us."
"Oh... Thank you, Tree Spirits!" I said loudly, turning around and bowing to the trees.
She giggled and said, "They said that they can share more food with you if you like."
I faced her, hoping to see spirits, but they are not around.
"It's fine. What they gave was enough for me." Spirits are so kind. I wish they could show themselves to me, so I can thank them properly.
"Come, eat."
I sat with my bowl on my favorite rock. The food was really delicious!
"Orion?"
"Hm?"
"I've been meaning to ask. What's that thing floating behind you?"
"Huh?"
I turned around to see nothing but grass and trees.
"You've been behaving as if it doesn't exist."
"Where? I didn't see anything."
"Uhm... It was long, black, and... scary."
I turned around quickly because I knew what she was talking about and there was it. The cool-looking sword that was longer than myself, floating behind me. It had a long and thin curved blade that appeared as black as the night sky, fading into dark red as it reached its sharp edge. The guard was shaped like a flower with six red petals, adorned with gold waves on its edges. The grip was black and long, designed with ten red diamond-shaped ornaments. It was thin enough for me to carry in my hand.
"My sword!"
I reached for the grip and placed it on my lap. This was the second time I'd forgotten my sword.
"Forgive me, Orionmaru, I will never, ever forget you again."
"Actually, the Tree Spirits were frightened by your sword, but they know you won't hurt them."
"I'm sorry."
"No. It's fine. Can you stay here for a while? They have asked me to assist them with their Spirit Rejuvenation."
"Yes."
She flew across the pond until her silhouette disappeared.
"I'm glad she didn't ask anything about my sword especially me. What if she knows already?"
While looking at my reflection on my sword a rustling sound came from the bushes.
I focused my attention on the bushes, hoping to find the source of the noise.
*Rustle*
"Whoa!"
A slime pounced from the bush just as I got up. But this thing was different. Its body was darker and larger than the slimes I fought. I'm still taller than it.
[Big Slime] [Level 5]
I struck my blade on the ground and stared at it intently. I decided to battle this thing not with my sword, but with magic.
"I've been waiting for you for one thousand years!" Not actually.
*Boing*
"We're going to settle the score today!"
*Boing!*
"I'm not going to use my sword because it can destroy you easily. With my newly discovered power, I can vanquish you and laugh at your corpse! WA HA HA!"
*Boing*
I created a Water Ball from my open palm. Creating it in five seconds was my fastest. It was supposed to form in a second but it doesn't matter as long I can defeat this thing.
The Big Slime began to wiggle.
"How can I use this? Is this even an offensive spell?"
I've been making many Water Balls, but I'm not sure how to use them.
*Blop*
The Big Slime leaped on me while I'm busy thinking. I ran sideways to dodge its bouncy body.
"Well, this is a Water Ball. I can throw it obviously."
I widened our distance while creating another ball.
The slime turned back to face me and started wiggling again.
I threw my ball as hard as I could, leaving a small dent on its surface. I noticed the decrease in its HP bar, showing the effectiveness of my attack.
"How was it?! Ha?!"
The slime wiggled fiercely, displaying its anger.
This time, I made two balls and ran to my right. Its attack pattern was predictable, so I'm not concerned about its actions.
I stopped and took my stance, preparing for my next attack. My strategy was straightforward: hit-and-run. I don't how much mana I have but I will cut its HP until I ran out.
After multiple attacks, larger dents were visible on its body, indicating how low its HP was. The slime resembles an apple with many bites. I have discovered one of its weaknesses: it cannot attack a target running sideways.
Owing to its injuries, the slime was unable to move and can only watch as my spells deplete its HP. I kept throwing Water Balls at it until the core was exposed on the open field.
[Water Magic Proficiency: Level 2]
After reading the message, I decided to finish the battle with my coolest attack.
I created a Water Ball on each palm and then fused them to make a larger ball. I raised my hands higher than my head and charged towards the slime.
"HAAAA!!!"
Using my momentum, I slammed my largest Water Ball to its core. Cracks appeared until the entire core, along with the slime, vanished like a mist.
[Notice: Level Up]
"Great job, Orion! I knew you could do it."