Continuous Growth

Tyla sat cross-legged on her bed, her fingers swiping through the translucent system interface. After her recent astral experience, she had realized something—mana cultivation came easier to her while in her astral form.It wasn't a planned discovery. In fact, it had happened by accident. During her last astral projection, she had tried to meditate, as she usually did when cultivating mana. At first, she felt the familiar resistance, as if her body was a block of stone. But when her astral form began to float and drift in the dreamlike space, a sudden surge of warmth spread through her. The mana, no longer confined by her physical body, seemed to flow more freely, pooling around her like a vibrant cloud. She hadn't meant to, but the sensation was undeniable. The moment she realized it, she was both surprised and exhilarated—mana cultivation, for the first time, felt effortless.

She needed to take advantage of that.

Her eyes landed on the [Shop] tab, and she immediately began browsing spells.

— [Basic Light Manipulation] (500 SP): Harness and shape light into simple forms, enabling basic control over brightness, reflection, and refraction. Ideal for beginners in light-based magic.

— [Basic Water Manipulation] (700 SP): Allows the user to control water in its simplest forms—creating small waves, droplets, and streams, perfect for basic elemental manipulation.

— [Introduction to the Astral World's Hidden Layers] (1,200 SP): An in-depth study of the astral plane's layers beyond the veil—where unseen forces and entities reside, teaching you how to navigate its complex realms and understand its hidden dangers.

— [Mana Restoration Potion] (200 SP): A small vial that, when consumed, replenishes 50 mana points instantly. A quick fix for when your energy runs low during intense magic usage.

— [Purification Rune] (400 SP): A powerful rune etched into a small crystal, capable of purging poisons, curses, or dark energies from the body or environment.

— [Basic Healing Herb] (150 SP): A bundle of herbs that accelerates natural healing. It can mend minor wounds and ease fatigue over time.

— [Elemental Familiar Bonding Kit] (1,000 SP): A magical kit designed to help bond with a small elemental familiar—be it of water, fire, earth, or air.

— [Minor Spellcasting Focus] (350 SP): A small amulet that helps focus your magical abilities, making it easier to cast spells with precision and control.

Tyla recalled the first time System 111 spoke to her with quiet urgency, revealing her affinities for light, water and spirituality. The system had explained that these powers were not random but key to her growth. It had performed an automatic scan when binding with her, detecting these affinities as the foundation for her strength and future. Tyla had realized that nurturing these abilities would be essential for her survival and development.

Tyla's fingers hovered over [Introduction to the Astral World's Hidden Layers]. Ever since her terrifying encounter in the ever-shifting cityscape, she had realized how little she knew about the true depths of the astral world. If she was going to continue exploring, she needed knowledge.

"Buy," she murmured.

Her system points dropped instantly, but a thick book materialized in her [Inventory] alongside two thin spell manuals.

[System Notification: You have spent 2,400 SP. Remaining balance: 2,750 SP.]

Just as she was about to close the interface, a sudden chime rang in her ears.

[Ding! System Bonus Activated!]

A burst of golden light filled the air as System 111 fluttered into view, her tiny wings shimmering with excitement. "Tyla! Because you've been working so hard, the great and benevolent Lady Boss System has decided to reward you!"

Tyla crossed her arms, arching a brow. "Uh-huh. And what's the catch?"

System 111 gasped, clutching her tiny chest as if wounded. "No catch! Just pure generosity! Think of it as a little boost to fuel your magical journey!" She twirled midair, scattering trails of glowing dust as Tyla's system interface pulsed with soft light.

[New spell manual Acquired: Light Arrow]

(A concentrated projectile of purified light energy. Effective against minor dark entities.)

She wasted no time putting her new skills to the test.

Small missions appeared soon after—[Maintain Mana Flow for One Hour]— with a reward of 100 SP upon completion. Another mission—[Purify Stagnant Energy]—with 200 SP reward.

At first, the task seemed almost too easy. All she had to do was sit still and let her mana circulate, ensuring a steady, uninterrupted flow. She closed her eyes, guiding the energy through her body, tracing familiar pathways with little effort. Time passed almost lazily as she maintained the rhythm, her mana pulsing in a calm, steady stream. The sensation was soothing, like warm water coursing through her veins.

When the hour ended and the system chimed with her reward, she barely felt any strain. That was it?

Encouraged by the simplicity, she moved on to the next challenge.

[Purify Stagnant Energy] (Reward: 200 SP)

It wasn't until she started this mission that she realized something new—there were moments when her mana didn't flow quite as smoothly. At times, it slowed, thickened, even pooled in certain areas. It felt sluggish, almost tainted. That was when it clicked.

Usually, when this happened, she had no choice but to stop cultivating. The sluggish mana made the process inefficient, her speed dropping significantly as her energy struggled to circulate properly. It was frustrating—having to pause, rest, and wait before she could continue. She had assumed it was just a natural limitation, something unavoidable.

But now, as she focused on clearing the stagnant energy, she realized she didn't have to stop.

Trusting her instincts, she focused, visualizing her mana brightening, flushing out the sluggishness like fresh water washing away murky residue. The difference was immediate—her energy became lighter, more fluid, and the resistance vanished.

As the system confirmed her success, she opened her eyes, thoughtful. So mana can stagnate… and I can cleanse it?

It wasn't just about control—it was about purity. And that insight, she knew, would be invaluable.

Simple tasks, but necessary. She could feel her control improving with each attempt.

Then came the real challenge. Later that night, Tyla projected into the astral world once more. Her silvery form shimmered as she floated above a familiar rooftop, surrounded by the eerie hush of the in-between space.

Something stirred nearby.

A small, shadowy creature slithered along the edge of the building—a minor dark entity, no more than the size of a cat. It wasn't particularly intelligent, but its presence sent a chill down her spine.

She lifted her palm. "Purification."

A soft glow radiated outward, and the creature shrieked, its form flickering as if trying to resist.

But instead of obliterating it, an idea struck her.

What if… she could trap them instead?

Her mind pulsed with intent, recalling the horror stories of mind prisons—like the locked boxes in The Shining, where malevolent spirits were sealed away .

Her consciousness twisted, bending the fabric of the astral world itself. Shadows coiled and condensed, forming the outline of a structure—a doorless, windowless prison rising from the dreamlike landscape.

The dark creature sensed the shift, its writhing form shuddering in alarm. It twisted, trying to flee, but Tyla's will surged forward, locking onto it like an unbreakable chain.

SNAP.

The entity was yanked from its path, its form unraveling into tendrils of black mist before being sucked into the newly formed prison. Inside, the writhing shadow slammed against unseen walls, its screeches muffled by the eerie stillness of the space. No matter how it thrashed, it could not escape.

Then, the prison shuddered—and sank.

Like ink dissolving into water, the entire structure vanished from the astral plane, drawn deep into the depths of Tyla's mind. A heavy sensation settled within her chest, as if a new chamber had formed inside her consciousness—a space solely for imprisonment.

Tyla staggered, breath coming fast.

The prison was gone from sight, yet she could feel it inside her.

It worked.

System 111 fluttered closer, her wings glowing faintly. "Tyla… that was amazing," she whispered, eyes round with awe. "You really trapped it."

Tyla barely had time to process the praise before something shifted inside her mind.

A foreign weight. A silent, pressing presence.

Her pulse stuttered.

The entity wasn't truly gone—it lingered, sealed away yet still there, like a caged beast testing its bars.

A chill crawled down her spine. I can't keep it.

She had acted on instinct, but this wasn't a long-term solution. Could it leak into her thoughts? Could it break free if she wasn't careful?

Her breath quickened. I need to—need to—

The astral world wavered. She pulled back, retreating to the safety of her physical body.

Cold air greeted her skin as she snapped awake in her small, dimly lit room. But the weight—it was still inside her.

Tyla pressed a hand to her temple, her thoughts racing.

Her gaze flicked across the nightstand. A melted candle. A battered book. A thin, old string bracelet, its faded wooden beads worn smooth from years of use.

She hesitated.

It wasn't valuable. Just something she had bought long ago for a single coin from an old street vendor. "Charms, dearie. Carry them close, and they'll hold your prayers."

Prayers… or something else.

Tyla's fingers tightened around the bracelet. If she could trap things inside her mind, why not transfer them somewhere else?

With a sharp inhale, she focused.

Release. Bind. Contain.

A pulse of energy surged through her. The entity lurched, its presence tearing away from her mind in a violent shudder. Dark mist curled from her fingertips, winding into the bracelet's wooden beads.

The thread trembled—then stilled.

The weight inside her vanished.

Tyla let out a slow breath, turning the bracelet over in her palm. The wood was the same, the beads unchanged… but something was different.

Something was inside it now.

System 111 perched on her shoulder, her tiny hands clutching the fabric of Tyla's shirt. "You really did it," she murmured, quieter this time. "You bound it to an object."

Tyla nodded, still catching her breath.

"Are you okay?" the pixie asked.

Tyla managed a faint smirk. "Yeah. Just… learning as I go."

The pixie hovered beside her, considering the bracelet with quiet curiosity. "That's a useful skill," she mused. "Most witches use runes or crafted vessels to contain things. But you did it with a simple bracelet." A pause. Then, softer, "You're a natural, Tyla."

Tyla blinked.

That was probably the most well-deserved praise she'd heard from the little system so far.

She exhaled slowly, rolling the bracelet between her fingers. This was more than just a lucky trick.

Now, she had a way to turn astral threats into tools.