“The volatile state of his new creation has caused our hero to abruptly pause. An odd seething sound is the only thing we can hear now.”

“What’s going on? What is it doing?”

“Even after a thorough inspection the muddy sphere continues to spin slowly in Ji’s hands.”

“There is a small hole in the mud layer. But every time I try to force it to close, it starts shaking again.

Then another hole opens up. Maybe it needs another layer of mud.”

“The decision made, quickly a new sphere springs into existence. In his left hand we can see the process of a pure concentrated ambient mana being converted to mud.”

“I wonder if I can manipulate stuff like iron as well.”

“The third sphere of mud expands and opens up like a snake, ready to devour.”

“This should do it!”

“The water continues to vaporize, but the fire core in the middle has dwindled considerably. The two elements may be considered at odds, but their mutual strength caused them to both diminish simultaneously..”

“Oh! It’s steam? That makes sense. That’s why it sounded like tea kettle.

No wonder. There is no way the mud was going to be able to contain all that expanding steam.

Alright let’s forget this approach. I can’t do anything with this. Except maybe make tea.

Okay water and fire definitely don’t mix that well. Maybe it’s okay for a smokescreen.

Hmm, let’s try that.”

“In each hand three spheres appear.”

“Now convert.”

“One hand blazes bright while the other hovers with a clear gleam, appearing docile.”

“Water and fire! Go!

It’s too awkward shout these things.”

“Six spheres collide some distance away. Being conjured from mana they retain their power and carve up the ground.”

“Huh. I thought the fire would evaporate the water.

Why did it just seem like a normal energy sphere?”

“Deep in thought our hero finally grants us calming silence. His steps unnaturally stable on the shifted terrain. Tendrils of water and inconspicuous gusts of wind gathered at his feet.”

“Okay, so fire seems a bit strange to work with. But I can definitely do something with the water.”

“Three spheres of water appear in the air. After merging they begin to elongate.”

“How’s this? A water staff!

Pretty good, right?”

“The ease of manipulating water continues to amaze our hero, despite being the easiest material to control.”

“And now to make it freeze. Just have to slow it down.”

“Unhinged as our hero is, his surprising talent with the elements has always been out of our expectations. The innate mana affinity is easily explained but the elemental affinity continues to elude us.”

“Awesome. I don’t even have to hold it I can just swing it with my mind.

It wasn’t this easy before, to move things in the air.

It was never hard to throw things away from me, but now I can even make it stop and return.

This is probably because I improved my control.

Even the speed I throw things has increased.”

“Having found a new toy our hero continues to conjure various weapons.”

“Is five my limit? Why can’t I make more spheres?

Let’s see. Three spheres per weapon, so fifteen spheres. But I can only make one more sphere.”

“It is not surprising that our hero is so baffled by his own limits. Casting six spells simultaneously would be considered absurd and wasteful.”

“Six? I’m just casting five.

Oh! The Weaving water boots!

I guess they take up the space for the last two spheres.

I’m able to wield eighteen spheres, more and everything will become unstable.”

“There are unlimited things that can be defined as one’s limits. Our hero is unable to summon the power to increase the quantity he can control. But he is also limited by his affinities, the ambient mana and internal mana.

As is everyone else. There are countless reasons that lead to empowerment and endless reasons that lead to emaciation.”

“But it means when I’m creating spells, I’m only limited by my control, right?”

“Ignorance, mental strength, a lack of ingenuity, ambition, vision, external aid and many other factors will limit one’s ability to conjure new spells.”

“Alright seeing as I’m brilliant genius, very ambitions and a visionary. I’ll be fine?”

“...”

“I don’t understand these ice weapons. Why isn’t it creating a spell. Does there need to be another element?

No I already made those fireballs, waterballs, stoneballs and windballs.”

“The manipulation of an element alone cannot be called a spell. While spells may not require complexity, they require a source of will and a purpose for the action. Mindless creation leads nowhere. One cannot fumble through life as our hero does.”

“I’m not fumbling! I’m researching. I’m more like a theorycrafter, a philosophiser. Ye, I’m philosophising.”

“Of course the action of converting energy into flame, can be considered a spell, and there are many variation of such a spell. The intent behind it required and differs greatly from person to person.”

“But look, a staff, sword, spear, axe and a hammer! How is this not a spell!?”

“With feigned agitation our hero continues to play with his newfound toys. Striking in order or in tandem. Sometimes at random, sometimes in unison.”

“I’m trying to make them into a formation, like the spheres. But I can’t feel it. Something's off.”

“Understandable confusion. What our hero thought was his creation, a formation as he calls it. Is more inline with the nature of energy and how it acts in its natural state. Just as the wind never stops, the fire burns violently and water adapts.”

“Hmm. I shouldn’t try to make formations?

Alright, how about this. I’ll have the ice weapon attack something other than just air, one after the other.”

“As we stroll through the rocky terrain, our hero’s watery weaponry have begun thawing out but hold their form.”

“They unfroze? Huh. Ye I can see it now. Why did they unfreeze?

Nothing?

Why didn’t I think of this! I don’t need fire to create steam, at all!”

“As if struck by enlightenment our hero assumes an odd posture.”

“It’s not a strange posture! Man. You’re ruining the mood, whatever.

Okay! Just have to make the water vibrate super fast!”

“The rapid expanse of boiling water creates a shockwave, a blast that our hero is personally affected by. Lucky to not be burned alive by the searing heat.”

“What the hell was that! That’s ridiculous!

Oh man. And no spell!?

Huh?”

“Our hero’s teammates rapidly approach. Presumably alerted by the absurd explosion.”

‘Ji?’

‘Pervert?’

‘No, miss. That’s Ji.’

‘So, pervert?’

“What the hell do you mean pervert?”

“Brazenly walking around in tiny clothing. our hero’s sense of shame continues to seek a bottom, to no avail.”

“Huh? Ah! What happened to my clothes?”

‘Were you fighting? Did you destroy the threat?’

“Tr- forget it. I was experimenting.”

‘Why is everything wet?’

“Have you guys finished the quest?”

‘No, the Tréjörð wished to wait for you.’

‘Didn’t you say it was a waste of time hunting just the two of us?’

‘No.’

‘I thought you said that we should wait for him and pull large amounts at once, like before.’

‘I didn’t.’

“That’s so sweet! You waited for me!

Why do you look so gloomy, Wraps? Trearthh is happy to see me, right Trerths?”

’It's great to see you, Ji.’

“See?”

‘Put on clothes and follow me, we scouted a few locations to cast a more efficient net.’

‘Wraps of sorrow and despair is a great commander, Ji. Even father commended her.’

‘It’s harder to not impress a Tré than it is to disappoint them.’

“You really can’t take a compliment.”

“Not a moment goes by before our spell inventor extraordinaire begins explaining his grand spell designs to his increasingly apathetic friends.”

“Still don’t understand? Okay just lift up your hand.

Actually, there is no need to lift up your hand, I just do it every time I’m gathering ambient mana together.”

‘Like this?’

“With tired eyes, his withered companion lifts his large tree-like arm.”

“Then we just get some mana together.

Now, convert it to water. Now this is the tricky part.

Make it vibrate, really, really fast.”

‘What is vibrate?’

“What is vibrate?

It means shaking really fast. Because hot things have fast molecules.”

‘Molecules? Miss, do you know what molecules is?’

‘Don’t drag me into this.’

“It doesn’t matter. Or. Hmm.

Okay, it’s this really small stuff, imagine the smallest amount of water you can. Okay?”

‘Okay.’

“Now imagine it shaking really fast.”

“Our hero’s method of evaporating water might be effective, but require some fundamental knowledge and the needed visualization. It would be strange if his companions had such abilities.”

‘Nothing is happening, Ji.’

“Strange. Okay well I can show you how I do it.

I just make a small amount of water become steam.”

“A finger sized ball of concentrated energy water gives of the appears of bubble that then pops. The more astute amongst us can see the shockwave it produces, despite its lacking strength.”

“I did that. But with more water.”

‘This is not within my ability.’

“It should be, you use water and earth to create all these tree roots, right?”

‘Of course, But I was born with this gift, we take the ambient mana and make it ours.’

“Convert ambient mana to internal mana, right. And then?”

‘To create trees or any form of plant life, we require seeds. Mine was born with me.’

“Oh? It has to be internal mana?”

‘It is impossible to control life without it, because internal energy is a part of me.’

“While our hero has shown a rather impressive ability in causing destruction with his control over ambient mana. The real power of energy that has become a part of you, is that it is you. It is easier to learn to move your arms and legs than it is to control a sword.”

“Is it easier? I never felt it to be any different. Maybe I haven’t been using it right.”

‘I can tell you these things, Ji. My ability comes from my clan’s ancestors.’

“Mmm.”

‘We the descendants only adapt it, sometimes we improve it but in the end it is a power that belongs to my family. And no one else.’

“I see. And Wraps is the same? Does your cloth use internal mana as well?”

‘For the most part. It is rude to asks such questions.’

“What’s rude about it? Tell me how you move cloth like that.”

‘No.’

“With a dissatisfied expression our hero moves to his inventory.”

“This is a fruit, it should have a seed in it right? Let’s grab a seed from it.”

‘It is impossible to learn this power so quickly. Even I had to mature a bit before I began showing my impressive innate potential.’

“Are you bragging? You should learn from Wraps. She doesn’t brag.”

‘I am also incredibly gifted. Much more impressive than that rigid tree.’

“You guys need to learn to be humble, like me.”

“Having dug out a seed from the fruit our hero drags his internal mana into it. Staring at it with eyes of a predator.”

“Earth and water, right?”

‘I told you it was impossible.’

“Why isn’t anything happening? Everytime I try my energy vanishes.

It definitely became bigger. Even if it’s just a tiny bit.”

“Such a lose connection and such poor control. Yet he continues in his futile attempts.”

‘This should be ideal. Tréjörð. Around there.’

‘I will prepare.’

“Oh? We’re already here?

Ah!

I completely forgot about making an area effect spell.”

‘Let me know when you are ready, Tréjörð.’

‘A few moments.’

“Underneath the ground a vast network of roots begins to expand. While the roots are controlled by his internal mana, the roots themselves take in monstrous amount of ambient mana, using is fuel to expand even faster.”

“Impressive ability.”

“The most incredible things become possible through ingenuity and mastery of control.”