Chapter 7 – Using Magic [1]

Each time I used my magic, I felt less willing to continue. However, when I applied it to myself, the exhaustion disappeared for a while. This repeated itself for a few minutes because, as I continued, the demand on my energy increased. Eventually, I reached my limit. I thought I was going to faint, but something unexpected happened.

I wasn't sure of the exact area I had purified, but I used a reference circle to guide me. To my surprise, the purification extended to twice the expected radius. If the circle was more than ten meters in radius, then I ended up purifying twenty.

The exhaustion made me even hungrier and, left with no choice, I had to eat the purified herbs. As soon as I ate them, my exhaustion and hunger disappeared, but that wasn't all-there was an unexpected but favorable side effect.

My magic, which had previously only helped me overcome fatigue, began to intensify. The more I used it, the more my body adapted to it and, consequently, the demand for energy increased. The most impressive thing was that I no longer felt tired. The more intense the magic, the more powerful it became.

At first, I wondered what was going on, but I soon realized that the herbs were influencing my magic. They had healing properties and perhaps affected my magical ability in general. I still couldn't explain exactly, but the more I consumed, the stronger my magic felt. In addition, my body reacted positively, becoming more resistant. However, I was already satiated and I sensed that continuing to eat would not bring any more progress.

I can now conjure this magic in both hands. The more I concentrate, the more intense its glow becomes, and I believe this enhances its healing ability. I can purify the herbs over an even larger area. Best of all? I no longer need to consume them to activate my magic naturally. I can use it whenever I want.

When I applied the magic to my own body, I felt immediate relief. My muscles relaxed as if I were lying on a cloud mattress. My once heavy body now felt incredibly light.

I realized that there was still room to explore this ability further, so I decided to test its limits.

The cave itself didn't have many elements. I was on an elevated section, with a ravine straight ahead. There was no apparent way out, just a steep path full of rocks. All I could see around me were rocks with a dull purple sheen and a stream of brown water, indicating some kind of impurity. Perhaps it was the same substance that contaminated the herbs. If that was the case, I could use it to test my new powers.

In front of me, the path was uncertain. Only loose stones marked the landscape. Going down the right-hand side seemed the safest option. I had to be careful not to step on one -

Zup!

- Oh, no...!

What I feared most happened: I lost my balance and rolled wildly to the bottom of the cave. I felt the pebbles tearing my skin and some even piercing it. Damn, how sensitive I am... When I finally stopped rolling, the pain took over my body.

- Argh...

As I tried to stand up, I realized that something was wrong with my foot. The pain was familiar - I'd fractured my wrist as a child and recognized the sensation immediately. At least this time I had a solution in the palm of my hand.

Without hesitation, I conjured up the emerald glow in my hands and pressed it onto the injured area. The fracture began to heal instantly and, in just a second, the pain was completely gone.

I also took the opportunity to treat the minor scratches and bruises. They disappeared in the same instant. This magic was truly miraculous!

Now, on reflection, I don't understand why in RPGs the warrior class is always the most popular. I'm starting to revise my views on clerics and healers. Being able to heal myself whenever necessary is an invaluable advantage!

With my body regenerated and free of pain, there was nothing more to worry about. Finally, I could move on.

***

I decided to head in the direction from which I could hear the sound of the stream flowing - or at least, that's what I imagined.

I know the basics of survival in the forest: for there to be running water, it has to come from somewhere. Its source may be far away, but if I can find it, maybe I'll find a way out.

I followed a relatively flat path - or as close to it as a trail inside a cave could be. The ground was uneven, with holes scattered here and there. As expected, the cave didn't have a uniform structure: the floor was damp and uneven, covered in rocks, while stalactites protruded from the ceiling, creating a dark and oppressive atmosphere.

The undergrowth still dominated parts of the path, but the rocks limited its growth. The humidity was such that moss covered much of the ground, preventing me from hurting my feet on the sharp stones. Even so, I walked carefully - one wrong step and I could end up falling into a deep hole.

- Hm?

One of the purple stones I had seen earlier caught my eye even more. I approached it, intrigued.

Perhaps I was heading straight for something toxic and radioactive, but at this point, I wasn't even worried. Thanks to my new healing powers, I had gained unexpected confidence, even if I didn't know how far its limits went. If this stone was dangerous, I'd probably find out in a few minutes - or even the instant I touched it.

But it seemed harmless.

Still without touching it, I felt a strange weight in the air around it. It was as if it emanated a dense pressure against my hand.

TAP!

As soon as I touched it, a wave of energy ran through my body. My hand began to prickle instantly - the sensation was similar to touching something electrified, but with a low voltage. I had felt something similar before, when I accidentally touched a broken wire in my old television. That day, I was briefly shocked.

Now, however, it was different.

The stone vibrated under my fingers, pulsating with an energy I couldn't yet understand.

I'm applying trivial experiences from my past life to deal with chaotic and unpredictable situations in this place.

Wait... what if this stone is going through the same process that affects the herbs in this cave? It makes sense, considering that everything here seems to be contaminated.