I sat on the stone floor, the puddle still reflecting the unrest in my eyes. The constant murmur of the cave, once just a whisper, now seemed to echo my own tumultuous thoughts. I brought my hand to my forehead, as if this simple gesture could calm the turmoil unfolding in my mind.

"So, if we assume that a simple gesture demands about 5% of my energy, and I can maintain my peak for approximately 20 minutes before complete exhaustion..." I began tracing invisible calculations in the air, trying to shape an equation that could decipher the limits of my own power.

Smoke wafted from my fingers, taking abstract forms that somehow seemed to reflect my thoughts. "Let's say I want to perform a more elaborate creation, something that requires, let's say, 20% of my total energy. This means I would have about 4 minutes to sustain that manifestation before exhaustion sets in." I murmured to myself, eyes fixed on the spiraling smoke unfolding before me.

I brought my hands to the damp cave floor and began outlining imaginary calculations and notes. "And what if I need to pass through a physical barrier? That would typically require something around 15%, giving me approximately 1 minute and a half before feeling fatigue." The numbers seemed to float in front of me, each equation an attempt to decipher the complexities of my gift.

However, restlessness persisted. Practical situations didn't always neatly fit into theoretical equations. "What if I need to combine multiple abilities into a single gesture? Or face a threat that demands my peak for more than 20 minutes?" Unanswered questions arose, like indescribable shadows in the cave's twilight.

I took a deep breath, delving deeper into the analysis of possibilities. "If, for instance, I need to create a solid barrier and sustain it for an extended period, what could that entail?" The mist responded, taking the form of an ethereal structure floating before me. "Let's say this demands 25% of my total energy. That would give me approximately 12 minutes before exhaustion. But what if I need to maintain that barrier for longer? How would I adjust the energy usage to sustain such a feat?"

Contemplation turned into a mental challenge, an incessant quest for answers within the nebulous boundaries of my own understanding. The puddle reflected not only my image but also the relentless search for balance and control in the tumultuous waters of my own existence.

"The recovery time after intense use is also crucial," I thought aloud, my eyes fixed on the dark ceiling of the cave. "If I need to get back into action quickly, I must take that into consideration. Perhaps there is a way to optimize recovery, a technique or strategy I have not yet discovered."

Hours passed like silent shadows, my thoughts exploring every facet of my power and its practical implications. Each test conducted in the cave now seemed only the beginning of a more extensive journey, an incessant exploration of the limits of what I could achieve.

"I must learn to modulate my power, to adapt it to the demands of the moment," I concluded, mental calculations forming a vague but palpable plan. "That is the key to mastering this ability. Continuous experimentation, constant adjustments."

The mist around me seemed to vibrate, as if echoing my own determination. The cave, once shrouded in silence, now witnessed not only the exercise of my abilities but also the evolution of my understanding of them.

I decided to focus my efforts on creating a barrier, something flexible that could be sustained for a longer period without the constant energy drain I experienced in previous tests. The challenge was considerable, but the need to adapt my abilities to specific situations demanded this exploration.

I extended my hand, fingers enveloped by the ethereal mist emanating from me. I envisioned a fluid barrier, an extension of my own being, something that could adjust to circumstances. However, as I tried to solidify the form, the mist crumbled like shadows in the sun, slipping through my fingers.

I sighed, frustration marking my face as the spiral of smoke assumed a disorganized dance. "It's still not enough," I murmured to myself, focusing on the nuances of failure. Each unsuccessful attempt was a step toward understanding.

I decided to revisit my internal calculations. Perhaps the answer lay in adjusting the allocation of energy in a different way. "If a solid barrier consumes 25% of my total energy and lasts about 12 minutes, I need something more efficient, something that doesn't dissipate so quickly." I plunged back into the sea of calculations, exploring different combinations of variables.

The next attempt focused on the density of the mist. Could I increase the concentration of particles to form a more robust barrier? However, once again, the smoke yielded to the imaginary pressure of the attempt, revealing that the complexity of the challenge surpassed my initial attempts to solve it.

"Alright, I need to approach this from a different perspective," I thought, narrowing my eyes as the mist still unfolded around me, as if waiting for my next instruction. An idea began to take shape in my mind.

I stood up, determined to explore a more intimate approach, more integrated with my own body. Instead of trying to summon the mist from within me, I thought about allowing it to flow through the pores of my skin, creating a more direct connection between my essence and the desired manifestation.

I extended my arms forward, fingers moving with an almost choreographed grace. I closed my eyes, focusing on the sensation of the mist flowing through me, becoming a natural extension of my being. A barrier began to form, no longer a solid structure but a fluid weave, adaptable to my intentions.

Upon opening my eyes, I was met with the partial success of my endeavor. The barrier was there, a translucent mirage, oscillating between ethereal forms. It was unstable, but progress was evident. I smiled, satisfied with the discovery.

"If I can allow the mist to flow through me, integrating it into my own being, perhaps I can sustain this barrier for an extended period without the same level of exhaustion." I reflected on the experience, mentally capturing every detail of the initial success.

I collapsed onto the cold cave floor, exhaustion weighing unexpectedly on me. The barrier, though successful for a moment, had a cost I had not fully anticipated. "Ah, damn, here's the price," I whispered to myself, consciousness fading as I sank into darkness.

At the threshold between sleep and wakefulness, I found myself in a realm of intricate dreams. It was as if my mind continued to operate in a parallel state, continuing to explore possibilities that escaped my conscious understanding.

In my own dream, I stood before an ethereal landscape where the boundaries between mist and reality were indistinct. I decided to seize the opportunity to continue the calculations, even if it was in a dreamlike plane.

"Let's analyze this equation again," I murmured to myself, the numbers appearing like constellations in the sky of my dreams. "If the flexible barrier consumes less energy initially, perhaps I need to reconsider the relationship between effectiveness and cost."

I began redefining the variables, exploring different proportions between the mist density, barrier complexity, and the desired duration. In the dream world, the formulas seemed to unfold with a clarity that eluded me in waking reality.

"If I modulate the density to be more intense only where needed, perhaps I can maintain flexibility without sacrificing durability." The mist, in response to my dreamlike thoughts, assumed different forms, each representing a potentially effective approach.

However, the mist began to distort, an unsettling shadow invading my dream. A vivid representation of the exhaustion I had experienced in the cave. "The cost," I whispered to myself, consciousness acknowledging the challenge that persisted even in the confines of my own dreams.

In an attempt to overcome this mental barrier, I shifted my focus to the technique of incorporating the mist into my own body. "What if I take this to a deeper level? If the mist flowed through me not just as an extension but as an integral part of my being?" The vision of my body transformed, the mist entwining with my pores in a more intimate way, as if it were a natural extension of my inner self.

However, even in my dreams, the cost manifested. Exhaustion was represented by shadows creeping in, obscuring the clarity of my thoughts. "It's still not enough," I admitted, resignation echoing in my dream world.

The darkness intensified, and I realized that the journey to master my abilities was intrinsically linked to understanding and managing the involved cost. The mist, now a mist of exhaustion, enveloped me completely, blurring the boundaries of my dream.

I awoke in the cave, eyes blinking against the light that timidly penetrated the entrance. The mist still floated around me, a tangible reminder of the ongoing journey. "The cost is a constant," I murmured, now aware of the duality between mystical feats and inherent fatigue.

I awoke with a strange emptiness in my stomach, a voracious hunger that seemed disproportionate to my previous experience. The meticulous calculations that had occupied my mind were quickly replaced by my body's urgent call for nourishment. I sighed, yielding to the basic need that transcended any equation.

I looked at my elaborate misty attire, which now seemed to show signs of fatigue, small flaws in its elegant form. It was as if the mist itself shared in the exhaustion I had experienced. I quickly changed into simpler clothing, covering only the essentials, and stood up.

I walked through the cave, the timid light from the entrance revealing the contours of the mist still lingering around me. Calculations were now replaced by practical thoughts on how to satisfy my hunger. "Can the mist provide some form of mystical sustenance?" The idea surfaced and faded, as the urgent hunger demanded a more tangible solution.

I traversed the familiar path of the cave towards the entrance. In the journey, intermittent attempts to calculate new variables arose but were quickly suppressed by the more immediate need to find food. The moonlight filtering through the leaves of the trees around the entrance indicated that the night still reigned outside.

As I emerged into the forest, the fresh night air enveloped me, blending with the mist that accompanied me. Hunger persisted, a constant reminder of the body clamoring for sustenance. While walking through the forest, I realized that the mist, once a majestic extension, now had nuances of fragility, as if my own fatigue affected the substance emanating from me.

I was guided by the shadows and lights of the forest, looking for any sign of food. My mind, no longer occupied with complex equations, began to turn to the practical challenge of surviving in that unknown environment.

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

Suddenly, a flicker of movement caught my attention. A small creature, perhaps a rabbit, crossed my field of vision. My hunter instinct awakened, and the hungry stomach amplified my focus. "Calculating trajectory and speed..." I murmured to myself, thoughts now geared towards capturing the prey.

However, the mist that once responded to every command now moved with hesitation. It was as if the fatigue I had experienced extended to the very mist around me. The attempt to hunt the creature was fruitless, and I found myself facing the harsh reality of the limitations of my abilities at that moment.

I sighed, hunger persisting, and frustration mixing with the mist around me. The journey through the forest became a dance between the search for food and intermittent thoughts about what I could have done differently in my calculations.

I walked deeper into the forest, the moonlight filtering through the leaves. The mist around me became a silent companion, displaying signs of slow regeneration. "I need to find a solution to this hunger," I said to myself, determination momentarily replacing frustration.

The dark and dense forest around me felt like a labyrinth of shadows and challenges. I continued to explore, not only in search of food but also to unravel the secrets of my own existence. The night advanced, and I persisted, guided by the basic need for survival and the desire to understand the limits and possibilities of my mystical power.

While exploring the dense forest, my eyes spotted a peculiar branch resting on the ground. Its slightly curved shape and sturdy texture suggested the possibility of being transformed into a rudimentary bow. The idea of creating a weapon with the mist as an arrow began to take shape in my mind, spurred by the need to hunt something to satisfy my persistent hunger.

The mist, still enveloping me with a certain fragility due to previous exhaustion, reacted to my mood. I picked up the branch and, holding it like a bow, began visualizing the mist transforming into a mystical arrow, ready to be shot towards the imaginary prey.

The initial attempts were clumsy. The mist dissipated in aimless spirals, lacking the necessary thrust to resemble a true arrow. However, the growing hunger acted as an additional impetus, urging me to persist.

"Come on, you can do this," I murmured to myself, feeling determination overpowering fatigue. I tested multiple times, adjusting the shape and intensity of the mist, trying to balance the force needed for an effective launch.

Each unsuccessful attempt served as a quick lesson. I experimented with different techniques, manipulating the mist in various ways. Hunger acted as additional fuel, feeding my will to master this new application of my abilities.

After several frustrated attempts, hunger became almost unbearable, driving me to focus even more. I held the branch firmly, the mist now responding more cohesively to my commands. The invisible bow tensed, and the mist, this time with more determination, slid forward like a ghostly arrow.

Surprise took hold of me when I realized that, finally, I had succeeded. The mist, now shaped and directed effectively, sliced through the air like a real arrow. A sense of accomplishment and relief mixed with the lingering hunger.

"It worked," I whispered to myself, looking at the improvised bow and the mist that was now more cohesive around me. The experience had intriguing implications. Could I use the mist not only as an extension of my body but as a functional tool to face the challenges of the forest?

Now, with a new skill discovered, my mind began formulating the necessary calculations to better understand this aspect of my power. "The summoning force is crucial," I thought, mentally analyzing the elements involved. "I need to find the right balance to propel the mist like an arrow without depleting my energies."

Before me, a rabbit moved stealthily among the forest leaves, becoming the target of my growing hunger. My eyes focused on the small creature, and my mind started spinning in a kaleidoscope of meticulous calculations. It was time to apply not only my newly discovered ability but also mathematical precision to ensure the success of the hunt.

Firstly, I focused on calculating the distance between us. Mentally measuring the area between the rabbit and me, I sought to determine the best trajectory for the mist arrow. "Approximate distance of 15 meters," I whispered to myself, the mind working like a refined mechanism.

Next, my eyes studied the speed and movement patterns of the rabbit. Observing its rapid changes in direction, I began to estimate its average speed. "About 1 meter per second, but with abrupt changes of direction, maybe needing to add a safety margin."

With the gathered information, my mind began generating calculations about the necessary trajectory to intercept the moving rabbit. The formula took shape, considering the distance, the target's speed, and possible variations in its movement pattern. "Adjust for an effective shot, considering the agility of the rabbit, estimated error factor at 0.2 meters."

Numbers danced in my mind, a complex choreography of variables and adjustments, each crucial to the success of the endeavor. "The summoning force required to reach the distance in 1.5 seconds, considering air resistance and the error factor, would be approximately 0.8. The energy needed for this would be...," I murmured, lips forming the calculations in a whisper.

With the precise calculations in mind, I wielded the branch like a bow and visualized the mist turning into a sharp arrow. The moment was critical, and my mind acted like a precision machine as I estimated the exact point to release the arrow. "Now," I said softly, releasing the mist propelled by the carefully calculated summoning force.

The mist arrow cut through the air, following a trajectory designed to intercept the moving rabbit. The impact was precise, the rabbit unable to escape the accuracy of my calculated shot.

However, immediate exhaustion made itself felt. The energy expended to accomplish this calculated feat was notable. "Calculating the energy cost...," I murmured, my mind now focused on determining the impact of this hunt on my mystical energy reserves.

Numbers floated before my eyes, each equation responding to the specific demands of this task. "Approximately 15% of my total energy was used. The calculation's effectiveness was high, but the cost is substantial."

I walked to where the rabbit lay, its soft fur now a silent sight in the clearing. A quick observation revealed no visible signs of a physical arrow; the mist had fulfilled its role invisibly. I bent down, picking up the rabbit in my hands, a strange feeling touching a life that had extinguished. My fingers explored the animal's body, seeking any traces of wounds.

To my surprise, there were no signs of injuries, scratches, or marks that could indicate the cause of death. The rabbit was perfectly intact, as if it had simply decided to end its own existence. An enigma hung in the air, a mystery to be solved.

With the rabbit in my hands, I resumed my walk toward the entrance of the cave. On the way, I looked for dry pieces of wood to create a fire. The mist, still surrounding me, seemed to pulsate with renewed energy after the successful hunt.

Upon reaching the cave entrance, I placed the rabbit on the ground and began gathering pieces of wood. The need to prepare a meal became pressing, but the puzzle of death without external signs remained intriguing.

I lit the fire carefully, watching the flames dance while holding the rabbit. The wood crackled, the mist reacting to the presence of the fire. An idea emerged in my mind: to test the interaction between my own mist and the smoke from the newly created fire.

I reached my hand towards the flames, letting the mist intertwine with the rising smoke. The spectacle was fascinating, the mist seeming to dance in harmony with the air currents created by the fire. I smiled, realizing that this interaction could be explored in even more elaborate ways.

I decided to test other possibilities while the rabbit roasted over the flames. Chipping a sharp stone, I began tracing complex patterns in the air, manipulating the mist to create intricate shapes. The smoke seemed to follow every movement, becoming an extension of my own artistic expression.

While enjoying these tests, my mind returned to the rabbit. Curiosity about its death persisted, and I decided to delve deeper. The sharp stone now became a tool to explore the interior of the animal.

With care, I cut an opening in the rabbit and filled its interior with the mist. The smoke spiraled out, creating a surreal scene as I sought signs of the cause of death. The mist flowed around the organs, revealing an ethereal image of the rabbit's interior.

My eyes observed every detail, every reaction of the mist upon contact with the internal structure. Gradually, a conclusion began to form. The cause of death was not in physical injuries; it was something more subtle, a failure in the vital systems of the rabbit.

"This is incredible," I murmured to myself, fascinated by the ability to control the mist even after the death of the animal. The mist seemed to be an extension of life itself, a mystical force that could transcend the limits of physical existence.

Intrigued by the interaction between the mist and the smoke from the fire, I decided to try absorbing this new form of energy. I reached my hands towards the ascending spiral of smoke, seeking to control its essence as I had done before. However, an immediate realization struck me: the smoke was dense, dirty, and carried residues from the combustion process. It was as if the mist itself rebelled against this new form of manipulation.

Even in the face of the impurity of the smoke, I persisted in my efforts, visualizing the mist around me intertwining with the suspended particles in the air. The resistance of the smoke seemed to challenge my ability to manipulate it, but, to my surprise, it yielded. The mist, now mixed with the residues of the smoke, adapted to my will.

As this interaction took place, my mind began to compare the absorption of smoke with the technique of recharging energy by draining it directly from living beings. Calculations began to take shape, evaluating the relative efficiency of these recharge methods.

"If direct recharging from a living being is considered 100% efficient, smoke absorption seems to be only about 5% effective," I murmured, the numbers forming in my mind. It was a surprisingly low value, indicating that the smoke, though manipulable, offered an insignificant amount of energy compared to other sources.

This discovery prompted reflections on the limitations and potential ethical implications of using my ability. Smoke, originating from fire and other combustion processes, was an environmentally accessible source, but its effectiveness as an energy recharge method was limited. Energy absorption from living beings, despite its high cost, provided a significant gain.

Thus, smoke became an additional option, albeit less efficient, for recharging my energy compared to other available forms. However, the discovery represented an expansion of my options, valuable knowledge that could be useful in specific circumstances.

With these thoughts, I observed the smoke being absorbed by the mist around me, now enriched with elements from the fire. While the effectiveness of this new recharge source was modest, it became another tool in my repertoire, an expression of the complexity and versatility of the mystical abilities I had acquired.

The discovery of manipulating smoke as an alternative energy source opened doors to new considerations and experiments. My inquisitive mind began to formulate bolder questions, contemplating the limits of what I could achieve. The idea of burning down the entire forest as a spare energy source began to take shape, driven by curiosity and the lack of emotional ties to that environment.

My thoughts turned to the possibility of extracting energy on a larger scale, using fire to consume vast portions of the forest. However, before proceeding, I needed to create additional calculations to assess the feasibility and potential energy gains.

"Considering the forest density, the estimated amount of wood, and the mist absorption efficiency, what would be the total energy I could accumulate by burning down this entire area?" This question guided my mind, leading me to formulate complex equations analyzing each variable.

The numbers danced before me, revealing that burning the forest would result in a significant amount of available energy. However, the mist's efficiency in absorbing this energy would be a challenge, and environmental and ethical costs began to emerge as secondary considerations.

"If I can accumulate enough energy before the forest becomes uncontrollable, perhaps the risk is worth it," I pondered while conducting mental simulations, modeling hypothetical scenarios to determine the maximum amount of energy that could be extracted.

However, my attention was momentarily diverted when I realized I still held the rabbit in my hands. Hunger persisted, and the need for a meal now prompted me to apply my calculations on a more practical scale.

The carved stone knife allowed me to skillfully remove the rabbit's skin, revealing the meat that would be prepared over the fire. Each action was calculated, from the amount of wood used to the energy extracted from the mist while manipulating the fire.

The aroma of the roasting meat filled the air, and the energy efficiency of burning wood for cooking began to become evident. "If I can calculate the amount of energy absorbed by the mist during this process, I can optimize future uses," I thought, always seeking to maximize every opportunity to refine my skills.

The numbers flowed as I calculated the energy absorbed from the fire's smoke, constantly adjusting my mist manipulation to optimize efficiency. With every bite of the roasted rabbit, I felt the energy flowing, a practical demonstration of how nature could be shaped to meet the needs of a mystical manipulator.

While savoring the meal, I resumed my thoughts on the bold idea of burning down the entire forest. The lack of emotional attachment to that environment influenced my willingness to take risks. "If the resulting energy is significant enough, is the environmental cost worth it?" I pondered, the calculations in my mind oscillating between gains and losses.