After a good twenty minutes have passed since I and Cyra left the magical cannibal rainforest and left it far behind us, with only the tall trees on the horizon, I finally open my character status tab to see how much stats I’ve gained from that encounter.

Status Name Lilith Race Human Class Elementalist Health Points 610/610 (+1/sec) Mana Points 1345/1395 (+2/sec) Strength 44 Dexterity 66 Constitution 55 Intelligence 193 Willpower 127 Physical Resistance 88 Magical Resistance 202

I sigh and close the status bar. I’m disappointed, to say the least, that my stats increased so little after setting most of the magical rainforest on fire. My best guess is that I went too far out of range of my targets too fast, and thus, out of range of gaining “combat experience” or whatever this system uses to increase my statistics.

Wait! This also includes my combat with the ruffians! Were they that worthless of opponents? Or are these stats from them and I’ve got nothing for the blood-drinking elves? That seems less likely. More importantly, why were they calling themselves wood elves? 'Blood elves' is a much more appropriate term!

Either way, it doesn’t look like farming low-level creatures is a viable strategy with this system—

[Congratulations! Freeze is now level 2!]

Skill name: Freeze Level: 2/20 Type: Active Cost: 50 MP Freeze any target for two minutes. Target must have Magic Resistance below “140”. MR below "14" results in instant death.

It leveled up only now? I've been using it for a whole day? Please don't tell me this system is sentient and realizes how hard I'm abusing this spell! Ah well, it works so well that it could remain at level 2 forever, for all I care.

I can’t help but let out a yawn. I glance west, in the direction of the sun—it’s already hidden behind the mountains, far on the horizon.

“I agree, it is getting late,” Cyra says and also yawns. “Let’s set a camp for the night! The weather is nice, it’s going to be fun!”

“Wait, didn’t you want to hurry back to your parents?”

“Hah!” Cyra laughs. “That was just something I made up as an excuse to get away from those freaks! I’ve just turned sixteen! Who the hell still lives with their parents at that age?”

“Ah, um… Well… You never know, you know?”

“They’re strange! Anyway, let’s get off here!”

“Yeah, sure,” I agree, feeling drowsy.

Wait, since when am I getting sleepy this early in the evening? I’m used to staying up way past midnight! Don’t tell me it’s because I’m in the body of a little girl? Did I seriously get that tired from that little excitement? Well, nothing I can do about it now. Wait, I could! I just need to make an anti-sleeping spell—No, that’s stupid! There’s no telling what that’ll do to my mind and body! So, I guess I’m camping tonight!

“Oh, this place is perfect!” Cyra exclaims with her hands at her hips. “I’ll gather some firewood. Could you start a fire that won’t end up scorching everything in a five-mile radius?”

“No problem!”

I wait for Cyra to gather some twigs and stuff and then point my finger at the fire. I need to make sure to keep it as weak as I can. “Minor spark!”

The spark disappears from the pile of twigs as fast as it appears.

[Spell unlocked!]

Skill name: Minor Spark Level: 1/1 Type: Active Cost: 1 MP Creates a single spark within two feet of the caster.

“…”

“Not bad, not bad,” Cyra says with a sarcastic tone, bending toward the supposed campfire, with her hands on her knees. “At least, both of us are still alive. Can you try one more time?”

“Hmph!” My cheeks must be bright-red from embarrassment. I concentrate, thinking of what I want to accomplish and point my finger at the target again. “Stand back! Lava Stream!”

By combining earth and fire magic, I shoot lava out of my fingertip with a gentle, low-pressure stream. I let it run for only half a second before interrupting it. The resulting pile of mostly-black lava is not larger than a tennis ball, but it sets ablaze all the wood that it falls on.

[Spell unlocked!]

Skill name: Lava stream Level: 1/20 Type: Active Cost: 50 MP Releases a lava stream out of casters finger. At maximum pressure the stream can fly for three yards and lasts up to five seconds.

“Success!” Cyra exclaims with a smile and extends her hand for a high-five. Of course, I accept and high-five her back, though I severely underestimate just how short my arm is and lose my balance, nearly falling into the fire. Luckily Cyra catches me into her arms and hugs me tightly, pressing my face into her developed bosom. This must be what heaven feels like!

She lies down next to the fire, with me still in her arms and we both slowly drift to slumberland.

“Hey, guys!” a young man’s voice disrupts jerks me out of what was shaping up to be the best sleep I would’ve had! Cyra slightly opens her eyes but doesn’t move. “There are two girls here by the fire!”

“For real?” Another man’s voice. “Please tell me they’re making out!”

“Does hugging count?” The first man asks.

Oh, for crying out loud! More bandits!? Just when I was getting comfortable!? And these ones are perverts too!

“Just disappear!” I shout and jump to my tiny feet. I point my index finger to the first shadowy figure I see and shout “Ice Spear!”

I run forward with my finger of death and spam “Ice Spear” until every man I see is turned into an ice porcupine.

[Congratulations! Ice Spear is now level 2!]

Skill name: Ice Spear Level: 2/20 Type: Active Cost: 35 MP Fires a single thin ice spear. Maximum range up to sixty yards. Deals more damage with each level.

I let out my remaining frustration with a sharp exhale and return to Cyra. Her chest gently moves up and down in synch with her slow breathing. She’s already asleep!? Were the screams of dying men a lullaby to her?

“Yawn!” I’m done! With my eyes barely open, I put one foot in front of the other, until I reach Cyra and cuddle up to her for a well-deserved rest.