'So how should I do this, do I think about it? Fireball.'
A small spark of flame appeared in my hand, but it vanished into smoke before I could even blink.
' Maybe I need to think harder. '
'Fireball.'
A flickering orb of fire manifest in my palm. I sent it flying forward, but it drifted through the air slowly and veered off course. It didn't have any power behind it, and the training dummy didn't even get hit.
'I guess I need to keep using magic for now.'
'Fireball.'
Another small flame flickered into existence and sailed harmlessly past the dummy.
'What if I try to chain them? Can I do two in a row?'
'Fireball.'
'Fireball.'
Two flames shot out. Immediately after the first one launched, another one followed right behind it. I watched them go, stunned by the sight. Did two just appear?
'How about...'
'Fireball.'
Three fireballs erupted at once, but the dummy still didn't get hit.
I sighed, looking at the seven scorch marks on the grass around the dummy. Not a single one had hit the wood.
'I think I should worry about my aim first.'
"Casting another spell after a spell?" a voice rang out.
I nearly jumped into the air, my heart hammering against my ribs. I spun around to see a tall figure leaning against a stone pillar.
'Daniel..?'
He was looking at the grass where my seven fireballs had landed.
"I heard you don't like using magic..?"
I started getting nervous.
"Uhmm well, I think I'll need a ranged attack, so I started using magic."
"I see. Good luck with that."
Daniel turned and left, his footsteps silent against the stone. I didn't let the encounter distract me for long and went right back to it, casting spell after spell.
'Fireball!'
FWOOSH!
SSSSST!
The orb finally connected. It clipped the bottom side of the dummy. It wasn't a powerful strike, but the wood was visibly darkened and smoking where the flame had brushed it.
[Basic Fireball Level Increase 1>2]
'Oh, sweet.'
'Fireball'
It hit again. I found a rhythm and continued casting fireballs until my head felt light and my mana felt spent.
WHOOSH!
I stood and stretched my stiff muscles. It was almost time for class. I hurried to the lecture hall and took my usual seat next to Yuki. She was already there, as silent as ever. The professor began the lecture and explained the theory and mechanics of fire magic. I listened intently, matching the theory to the feeling of the mana I had just been using.
Once the bell rang and the class ended, I didn't head back to the mansion immediately. I went straight back to the grounds to fix my aim.
'Fireball.'
SSSSST!
Another hit.
'Okay, we're getting somewhere.'
I kept at it and kept hitting the dummy until its wooden surface was charred black. Finally, I took a deep breath, focused every bit of my concentration, and launched one more. The flame streaked through the air and slammed directly into the center of the chest.
'A perfect shot!'
I stayed until the sun began to dip and practiced until I could barely lift my arms.
'Tomorrow, I'll be living in the dorms.'
With that thought pushing me, I headed back home for one last grind. I unsheathed my sword and began the count.
'Nine hundred ninety-nine...'
'One thousand.'
finally let out a long breath and felt the familiar burn in my muscles. I sheathed the weapon and leaned it against the mirror before heading to the shower. The hot water helped the soreness, and once I was finished, I changed into fresh clothes.
As I stepped out, the familiar blue light of the system window flickered into view.
[Mana Increased 2>3]
I looked at the floating text, a thought crossing my mind.
'Can you show me my whole stats?'
I didn't actually expect it to appear, but the screen flickered and expanded.
[Name: Julian Blackwood]
[Age: 16]
[Gender: M]
[Race: Human]
[Attributes]
Strength: 3
Agility: 4
Health: 3
Mana: 3
Luck: 2
[Skills]
[Basic Swordsmanship (Level 2)]
...
[Basic Fireball (Level 2)]
...
'Hmm. 3 on almost everything and Agility at 4. And the two skills I have are at Level 2. Also, is that everything?'
The system window then vanished.
'Nevermind.'
I sat on the edge of my bed and rubbed my face. I knew the peace wouldn't last.
'How many months are there until the final act of Chapter 1? Ugh, I forgot...'
I tried to recall the game's timeline, but my memory was fuzzy. I stopped worrying about it for now and let the exhaustion take over. I fell onto the bed and went to sleep.