Since I have it out already I try using the dagger on the ice, but it can't even scratch it. So I put the dagger away and drop shapeshift, then I sit down and think for a while. After a bit of thought I move back towards the edge of the island where there is no ice.

As soon as I am out of the area of ice I try again and this time my mana is able to enter the ground. Unfortunately, as soon as I try to scan underneath the ice my mana is blocked again. The rock beneath the ice appears to be completely frozen and is blocking my mana just like the ice.

Well, not exactly the same, it feels a little different when my mana bounces off of it. However, despite spending an hour experimenting I am unable to figure anything out. By that point my stomach is growling non-stop and I can no longer concentrate.

It isn't too surprising, after all I skipped lunch and it must be around dinner time by now. So I shapeshift into my eagle form and start flying up through the clouds. Unfortunately, I slightly misjudge my position and slam straight into the ceiling next to the opening.

Luckily, I wasn't flying fast enough to knock myself out, just enough to ring my bell. Flying while dizzy is not something I would recommend for anyone to try. Despite my head still hurting, once the dizziness passes I quickly move up through the opening.

Then I circle my way up until I reach the lava tube, land inside, and drop my shapeshift. My head hurts a bit from the impact, but I manage to drop shapeshift before the headache starts. Then I cast a Transport Barge, put all of the iron ore on it, and start dragging it through the lava tube.

Getting back to the cave is a little dangerous since with the barge I cannot climb the trees. However, I don't plan to leave the iron ore behind so I have to take the risk. Luckily, nothing really dangerous spots me on my way back to the cave.

When I reach the cave I once again find Brightfire standing outside keeping watch. As soon as she sees me she relaxes, but then she sees the iron ore floating behind me and starts laughing. Brightfire leads the way into the cave and is nice enough to feed me before asking any questions.

Brightfire says "How did the exploration go? Did you find anything interesting?"

Now that I am done eating I start telling Brightfire about what I found. As I am talking Nala comes over to snuggle down next to me and quickly goes to sleep. Despite her spending most of her time with Brightfire recently, it is obvious she still prefers me.

Brightfire says "So, what do you plan to do about this strange ice?"

"I plan to go back tomorrow and do some more looking around. If I can't find anything after that I will give up."

Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

Brightfire says "Really? From the stories you have told me I was expecting you to do something crazy."

"I haven't thought of anything that crazy to try. However, I am going to need to take my pouches with me."

Brightfire says "Oh, sure! Here!"

By now I have grown to be about the size of a large dog, so my waist is decent sized. When I put the belt on it adjusts to fit me, although it looks fairly weird on me. Now that I have gotten used to my new body I can stand upright for short periods, meaning I can use the pouches normally.

Brightfire says "So, what are you planning on doing with that ore?"

"I am going to try and make magical items. I want to make something like the waterskin, but have it produce water like this spring."

Brightfire says "Oh! That would certainly be nice! But, aren't magical items extremely hard to make?"

"The way the humans do it, yes. They have to spend days chanting spells as far as I know."

Brightfire says "Are you saying you don't do it that way?"

"I directly manipulate the mana into the shape I want, no spells needed."

Brightfire says "Isn't that really dangerous?"

"Only if I make a mistake."

Brightfire says "Then, please don't make a mistake!"

"Don't worry! I have gotten very good at this!"

While Brightfire nervously watches me, I grab a chunk of ore and start shaping it. As I am altering the shape I also fill it with as much mana as it can handle. Once I have shaped the ore into a canteen I take out the everfull waterskin.

Then, using the waterskin as a reference, I start shaping the first enchantments. The iron can hold a lot more mana than the leather the waterskin was made out of. That means I can make the everfull enchantment stronger and still have some for other enchantments.

Once the everfull enchantment is done I also add repair and clean so the canteen will take care of itself. However, even after those three are done there is still mana left over. Time to try something new, I start shaping the remaining mana into a new enchantment.

To my surprise my idea works perfectly and I am able to add two more enchantments to the canteen. The reason I am surprised is because the new enchantments are mimicking divine spells. The two new enchantments that I add are Cure Poison and Minor Heal.

Meaning that anyone who drinks from the canteen will be healed a little and have any weak poison removed. Both enchantments are the weakest versions of the spell, but it is still a success. Once I check over all the enchantments and make sure there are no problems I fill the canteen from the spring.

To test it out I summon the dagger and make a cut on my arm then take a drink. Of course, thanks to my regen the wound was already healing, but it noticeably speeds up. I can't test the cure poison because I don't have any poison and I am already immune.

Brightfire says "Why did you cut yourself?"

"I added a weak healing effect to the canteen and wanted to test it out."

Brightfire says "Wait! Are you saying drinking from that canteen can heal someone?!"

"That is exactly what I am saying. It will also cure weak poisons, well in theory."

Brightfire says "That's incredible!! It is basically an endless healing potion!!"

"A minor one, but yes, basically."

Brightfire says "Um, you still have more ore, do you plan to make more? If so, could I possibly have one?"

"Don't worry, I already planned to make you one."

Instead of responding, Brightfire throws herself over to hug me as hard as she can. Once I manage to free myself from her I hand her the first canteen and then start shaping the second one. With the amount of ore each one takes I figure I should be able to make five easily enough.

"So, how was your day?"

Brightfire says "Oh! I am level four now!"