The lake met the sun with such grace that day, as if the two were so enchanted by their eternal dance that they barely noticed the mountains.
Elaria removed her clothes and underwear, then cast a simple cleansing spell—a minor spell any one with mana could learn. While it did not make the clothes new again, it helped cleanse them of filth. It could be used on the body as well, but nothing could beat taking a real bath. This spell had been created for dungeon dwelling, where one could spend days without finding a water source, allowing an adventurer to maintain basic hygiene.
She folded her clothes and placed them to the side.
After walking to the lake, she stopped, cast the cleansing spell on herself, and then admired the view. Green grasses lapped at blue waters, as if the land itself were kissing up to the lake, creating a scene that breathed with life.
Elaria's naked body was reflected on the lake's surface. Her long white hair cascaded down her back, and her body was slender and curvaceous. She wasn't particularly tall, standing around 168cm, with modest breasts and a mole near one of them. A true masterpiece that should be enjoyed, the only audience here was nature. She entered the lake still wearing her blindfold, swam for a moment, and tried out various swimming moves, she was like a fish in water.
She was truly enjoying herself, a relaxing moment she was having in a while.
•••
After putting some distance between us to give her privacy, I took out Punisher and studied it, wishing to uncover its secrets. It was made of all-black metal with mysterious engravings on it. I could not understand its mystery so I decided to give up.
"Time to do some testing!"
I aimed Punisher at a distant tree and fired. A dark bluish bullet, condensed from my mana, bore a hole clean through the trunk. I nodded pleased, checking my status window to see the mana cost: around 30 Mana. Without using any other skills, I could fire about hundred times. There was almost no recoil from the magic gun, something I truly appreciated.
Suddenly, I had a thought worth confirming.
"System, can I create a stronger bullet by pouring more mana into the shot?"
[Yes! To use special elemental bullets, you will have to wait to buy a related skill from the store later.]
Upon hearing the system's response, I chuckled. It felt like it was preemptively stopping me from asking more questions about special bullets. I didn't bother asking boring questions such as the system's origin or its goal. Its origin didn't matter to me if I speak truthfully; what mattered was that it was useful to me. If I was being used to accomplish some obscure goal, so be it, I would use it in turn to achieve my own goal.
I shook my head to discard the distracting thought about to swallow my mind. I aimed Punisher at another tree, poured more mana into it, and fired.
The magic bullet tore through the air at an insane speed, creating the illusion of twisting the atmosphere itself before hitting the target.
Crack!
The tree broke in two, one half sliding to the side creating a sound. This single, super-condensed shot had siphoned 100 mana out of me. I took a deep breath and smiled, pleased with the result. This weapon suited me perfectly. I didn't need to use a sword, nor did I want to be some grand mage, I have none of those grand aspirations. Once I unlocked the store, I would buy the elemental bullet skill and other gun-related skills.
"I should also buy some daggers and train in knife throwing, plus a self-defense martial art when we reach the city. That way, I won't be helpless in close combat," I mused.
"I'm also really grateful that my gun doesn't make a loud 'bang' when fired; that would have been really annoying."
I continued practicing with Punisher for half an hour before Elaria came to find me, having finished bathing.
"I will look around while you take yours!" Elaria said, immediately disappearing after speaking. I chuckled, amused by her behavior. I was about to suggest I wouldn't mind her joining me, but I guessed that wouldn't be happening today.
I removed my clothes and jumped into the lake, creating a large splash. Like a child, I played in the water, feeling euphoric. Holding my breath, I dove down to explore the wonders below. In the lake, I felt like right now I was an astronaut, weightless and able to move with absolute freedom. Up and down meant nothing until my lungs needed a refill. From the sunlit lake bed below to the ever-changing puzzle of blue-white light above, both my body and mind found true serenity.
After enjoying myself, I surfaced, my author's brain working in high gear.
A sudden inspiration hit me. I mumbled without holding back, "The lake is the finest of mirrors, never showing exactly what is above, but converting it into an image so beautifully smudged and broken. The weeping willow, the clouds above, all become a Monet – all free for the looking. Sure, it is transient, changing by the day, but that's what makes it all the more precious. I can walk here every day and always it will be both different and the same."
Twenty minutes later, I had my fill. I left the water, let the sun dry my body, before I put my clothes back on.
I immediately went to call Elaria back. She had created an ice pavilion not far from the lake, under the shade of a giant, towering tree. I sat across from her, took out some soft breads, beef jerky, and some orange juices, and we shared a meal.
A moment of silence fell between us. I tried to think of games we could play with our limited resources, and then it hit me.
"Elaria, can you create a small, durable ice boat and paddles?"
Everything she created looked like a work of art. She seemed to have a perfect affinity and complete mastery over the ice element, an element I believe she didn't like. The ice dome she created was durable and could last as long as she wished. Unlike typical ice creations that emit a constant chill, she could control her creations to emit the minimal cold energy. If I had to find the right words, I'd say her creations looked like glass or crystal.
"Sure, I can create them without a problem. Do you want to explore the lake together?" she asked, just to be sure.
"That's exactly my goal. I want to paddle along the shoreline and explore different areas. It's the only activity I can think of to kill time right now," I explained and she nodded.
"Sure!" She flicked her fingers and created a beautiful small boat with two rams, forming it directly on the lake's surface. It glistened under the sun like a glass boat. I noted that she didn't chant, which piqued my interest. I wondered if that was unique to her or if everyone could use chantless magic.
"Thank you! You're wonderful at creating things, as always,like me take care of the paddling." I said before we climbed into the boat and I began to paddle slowly. The ice boat was surprisingly comfortable, and our exploration of the lake started.