I really shouldn’t be making a habit of this. Passing out and then waking up disoriented is irritating enough, then add getting hurt to the equation and it just sucks even more. According to my observation Martha’s number two option on ‘Why my luck sucks’ seems to be the right one. Destiny is like ‘You got blessed, fuck you’, and that’s exactly how things go.

Solaire is already crawling below the horizon so I can’t just stay here because whatever miracle protected me from getting eaten won't work at night. Two things to think about first; one how long I’ve been lying here and two, how the heck am I even still alive? Three, how am I going to get back to… anywhere? Not the way I came from that’s for sure.

I’m currently lying on a riverbank, probably the one I fell into if I had to make an educated guess. Clothes are wet but functional, belly is empty and head throbs like someone is hammering it. Instead of panic or confusion, I feel as if a giant weight just fell off my shoulder. I have every right to be hysterical right now but the wild sound of water raging and the noises of the forest just have such a peaceful atmosphere that I’ll allow myself a few minutes of rest. I deserve it.

“Hehe, argh.“ Laughing is a bad idea.

I have no medical Skills or qualifications but it's pretty obvious I damaged something important with that spectacular dive. It’s a miracle in itself that I’m alive because thirty-seven Endurance sure isn’t meant to help one survive that fall. I didn't even use magic, couldn’t really if I remember correctly. The current was strong as hell and the drop was enough to kill even Hugo…

Well, I won’t act like I’m disappointed, although being alive right now hurts quite bad, so I’m not sure whether to be thankful for it either. Not for long, considering where I am, but better than dead so stop bitching Elyssia!

Might just be my imagination but I feel like I’m deeper in the forest than I’d ever dare to wander with no food, water, or camping equipment on me, and to make things even better I can barely move.

Or I think so. Let’s test around a bit. Phew, this will be bad.

Arms? Argh…Not broken. Legs… “ARGH!” The right ankle is out of order. Now comes the best part, sitting up. I do most of the work with my hands and even then it's clear that at least two ribs are badly bruised on my right side. All in all, I can move if I really have to.

Thank the Gods I’m a mage and don’t have to rely on my body. I would heal faster, maybe and I could’ve weathered the fall better with five times my Endurance… although I still don’t know how. Eh whatever, could be worse, a lot worse. Beggars can’t be choosers.

I draw some water into my mouth from the river and activate Mana Vision to see if any beasts are nearby. Seeing nothing unusual means they are either so above my level that I’d be screwed anyway or the area is clear.

So how long… actually, my Status.

[Your Class [Hungry for Mana] has reached lvl 64->65, +2 Free Statpoints, +2 Speed, +1 Endurance, +8 Mana, +8 Willpower, +6 Intelligence, +6 Focus.]

[Your class Skill [Arcane Affinity] has reached lvl 58 -> 60.]

[Your class Skill [Elemental Influence] has reached lvl 56->58.]

[Your class Skill [Arcane Focus] has reached lvl 49 ->53.]

[Your class Skill [Manaconduit] has reached lvl 23.]

[The general Skill [Savant] has reached lvl 59 ->60.]

[The general Skill [Dodging] has reached lvl 45 ->48.]

What is this? Did I dodge the waterfall? Or maybe the rocks when hitting the surface, yeah, that should count.

[The general Skill [Pain Tolerance] has reached lvl 15.]

All in all, decent although I’m not so sure it’s worth it this time.

Name: Elyssia

Age: 12

Mana: 3620/3620

+382/hour (+9)

Racial Trait:

Celestial Elf

Stats:

Free Points: 7

Might: 20

Mana: 362

Speed: 93

Willpower: 382

Endurance: 39

Intelligence: 294

Dexterity: 20

Focus: 336 (+60)

It’s almost sad to watch Might fall behind. Dexterity doesn’t fare much better, although I’ll throw in a few free points once it gets below a fifth of speed, I don’t want to stumble and fall because my body can’t keep up with my mind and speed. That mana regen buff from Manaconduit is still pathetic and will stay pathetic for years to come. Long-term investment Eli, think big.

Since my mana is full and the moons are taking their place I must’ve spent quite some time down here and if nobody came to grab me be that friend or foe that means… I’m free. In mortal danger but free. Let’s get rid of the mortal danger part.

My hair has been soaking in muddy water for literal hours so it's a really unsettling feeling as it sticks to my neck and face, even after giving magic a try to fix it. Thankfully I discovered a very useful aspect of the bracelet dad gave me.

I slide it off my wrist and the wood expands to come off without any difficulty. Then I make my hair into a bun and slide the ring of twigs on, only for it to tighten and hold the locks together perfectly without even pulling off the hair. Brilliant gift dad!

I wouldn’t call my movement walking, more like crawling on two feet with a lot of grunting and huffing. If there’s one thing I learned from Martha during her lessons about any forests is that the deeper you go the more dangerous it gets. It’s something about powerful beasts drawing in weaker ones and the forest growing around them, feeding on their corpses… I didn’t listen all that much. The point is, nothing guarantees I’m in a danger zone but better be ready than caught unprepared.

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

I wobble downstream, keeping close to the river to have a guide inside the forest and not just walk around in circles. It might’ve seemed like a genius idea to wear sandals due to the nice weather, going to the capital of the Empire looking cute and all. Right now… stupid sandals.

I use my wind magic to keep me steady and nudge me forward, yet walking becomes increasingly tiresome like when my mana reserves empty. After what feels like hours, and probably is, I find an acceptable solution. A tiny patch of land in the middle of the wide river.

My stomach grumbles indignantly, demanding dinner but will have to wait until Solaire creeps out again. I don’t have food on me and sure as hell won’t search for it at night.

I repeat the pillar hopping trick into the river, a little slower and with a lot more caution, before hunkering down there. I create a small barrier around me to protect me from the water splashing up and hide me from anything coming close by before lying down on the bare ground and closing my eyes.

I won’t even act dissatisfied about sleeping on the ground or being dirty. If I start whining now what will my mental state be if I have to spend weeks in the woods?

Question for another day.

***

The morning, or afternoon, whatever, I lost my sense of time…Anyways when I wake up, my body feels no less like a pile of shit, just way more hungry. I must’ve been going for a day now without any food and this isn’t about preferences anymore, my body needs food to function and heal.

The name of the game today is going to be Slow and steady, sneak or die.

I demolish my hideout and hop across the river to the forest after checking the surroundings. The coast looks clear but I was taught that one can never be too cautious, even learned it the hard way during our first team exercise.

“Now, where to look for dinner?” I survey the area around me.

I don’t want to abandon the river that might have some fish in it and will act as a freshwater source. On the other hand, the fruits and some rare smaller animals in the forest should be the go-to option for an easy meal.

“Let’s go with something in between.'' I strike my palm to seal the decision.

Since the river isn’t exactly quiet, I’ll be able to hear it from deeper inside the woods and follow its flow while foraging for a few quick bites. Bennett’s teachings and the Survival Skill do come in handy, helping me locate some old footprints and other marks left on the flora.

“These footsteps… the beast can’t be too big. That’s not entirely a good thing is it?” I talk to myself.

Again, old habits die hard.

“If the thing is big, they’re more difficult to handle and easy to notice. When small, it gets tricky…Yeah, I’d prefer something larger.”

I’m talking about monsters of course. Mom did give me the bees and flowers talk and this thought process really did sound like something else… I can kinda understand now why some adults find those jokes funny.

She also told me that girls around my age tend to start getting interested in boys and she isn’t wrong. The… can’t really call everyone kids in the Fort anymore, can I? So the boys at the Fort are well above average. They exercise regularly and lead a healthy diet so none of them are chubby but instead fit and lean. Their faces might not always be top notch but the rest of the body… sheesh. Yeah, muscles, nice.

“Sure, daydream in the dangerous forest,” I mumble, then slap my own face. “Get yourself together! Survive or mom and dad are gonna kill you!” Jokes to decompress a bit.

I focus on my breathing, clear my mind, and concentrate outwards as if trying to leave my body with my mind. Bennett showed me this exercise to stay razor sharp in even the most stressful situations. Think, but not too much, act decisively and with caution.

Decide without hesitation.

The forest seems a lot more lively and verdant during the day than with the cold and deserted blanket that covers it at night and I don’t like it. The little light seeping in through the thick foliage helps a lot with orienting myself beside follow river while my surroundings are quiet, with nothing other than the soft summer breeze whispering between the leaves and the constant rumble of the river to be heard.

I have lost all sense of direction since falling off the cliff, I can’t read the stars, and any other quirky techniques to guess which way is south I can remember contradict each other.

Damn, I would give two months of my allowance to have Martha here with me. I’d even be fine with Bennett, that old bastard.

I’m lost in my thoughts again, which comes as no surprise, so I only notice the trotting noise coming my way almost too late, swirling in its direction and wincing quietly as my body protests against the swift movement. Time is too short to activate Mana Vision and gather any meaningful info, so I just prepare for the worst.

Fire? Too much wood. Lightning? Too loud. Wind? Wind.

The signature wind blades form in my arms, spinning in circles and ready to be unleashed on the approaching monstrosity whatever it may be.

Its steps are loud and fairly quick, an agile one. Aim high for its head.

As soon as the first patch of its fur breaks the bush shrouding its approaching form I unleash the cutters. This attack might sound devastating, however, the blades couldn’t even sever a branch as thick as my arm even if I wanted to so let’s pray they do enough damage to get my the upper hand.

My attack… doesn’t hit jack shit. It flies above the small brown creature jumping out of the bush. The tiny thing recoils and looks around in fright, frozen in place and trembling bitterly.

[Fawn lvl 22]

“Awwww” I coo.

Alertness and caution be damned, this little baby is the cutest fucking thing I’ve ever seen. It’s around the size of a bigger dog, with large sparkling black eyes filled with anxiousness, a cute little nose sniffing the air constantly, and those twitching fluffy ears… adorable.

I step towards it without any apparent reason, except for a hug maybe but the fawn backs away, startled by my sudden movement. After some more sniffing it steps toward me looking back to where it came from and huddling closer.

“It’s okay little one. You’re safe, I won't hurt you.” I call out to it in a soothing voice, while slowly trying to pet it. “Come here you cutie.” My previously sour and combat-ready attitude disappears like a dropped coin on the streets. Cuteness really is the cure for many things. “I’m not gonna eat you, hihi.”

Just as those words leave my mouth another, softer cue of movement comes from behind the fawn. The slow and deliberate footsteps are accompanied by a threatening growl as new the sleek and muscular figure, greenish-black fur coat, shining amber eyes and feline features of the new arrival are revealed.

[Panther lvl 87]

“Fuck. That thing might take a bite though.” I comment while backing away from the predator.

I know my capabilities, and this is well above them even in top-notch conditions. It's a whole class-up above me, which in this case even means plus one open slot. C’mon fate, don’t be like that. I showed mercy to the last panther I fought, that has to mean something, right?

The big kitty slowly walks around us in large circles, examining its new prey. The fawn draws closer to me, seeking shelter behind my back.

“I appreciate the trust, little one but you won't be safe there. I would protect you any day of the week, it’s just right now things are looking bleak.” I constantly spin to be face to face with the panther.

Wind element and feline… just a jump and I’m dead.

I usually wait for the enemy to make the first move so I can counter it, however that’s not a luxury I can allow myself right now. Just looking at that streamlined and muscular body shows how fast the thing is, so lightning and light, only those are fast enough.

I point a finger toward the panther and release a ray of scorching light catching the target off guard, albeit missing any weak spots. It’s an old habit of mine to aim like this, truthfully I could release mana from any part of my body but the hands help with aiming. The beast recoils as the light burns the top layer of its fur and stops there, unable to do further damage.

It clearly doesn’t like my attack, although does not seem too bothered by it either. The panther hisses and rushes back to the tree line. A few jumps is all it takes for it to reach the upper branches.

It’s so over, it has the high ground.

I activate Mana Vision, to no effect, and try thinking of a plan other than running as that would be foolish. That much even the baby trembling behind me can understand.

Tension keeps on rising in me because the damn beast just waits patiently knowing that sooner or later the prey will make a mistake. It's smart. My heart is throbbing so loud it might actually just jump out of my chest but my mind doesn’t entirely give in to the fear.

My hideout back in the river, yes, the only safe place nearby.