The Wandering Witch Celeste

With the Creation of the Staff of Fireball, I decided to set up camp a little bit nearer to the forest and a bit further from the middle of the green meadows. 

Checking the contents of the pouch, I pull out the things I need. A tent, A small jug full of water, and a small wooden box full of food... After setting up the tent, I went inside the tent and pulled out other contents inside the pouch, a small sharp shiny dagger, blanket, and a small pillow. 

As noon was approaching and hunger and thirst was slowly creeping up on me, I took the wooden box I took out earlier and removed the lid, and in it I saw a familiar sight. White rice on one side, sausages in the shape of octopus, a few golden-brown tamagoyaki (egg rolls), in a neat row were vegetables. I began to eat the contents of the wooden box.

"That was delicious..." After eating, I entered a weird contemplative state about my earlier attempt at [Creation Magic], and how my Mana wasn't enough. I needed more mana if I want to be able to properly use [Creation Magic] without the earlier struggle. 

There was a need to increase my Mana, so using the knowledge from [Scholar] as well as from the knowledge given by Goddess Sylvara. I could increase decrease the mana consumption by increasing the proficiency of [Creation Magic], but it would take too long, I could Titles with Mana increase, but again it would take an even longer time, another and the most viable option would be to kill monsters and beast to increase my level. 

"It's decided then, Let's hunt monsters for the meantime. To increase my Mana capacity." 

After deciding what to do, I put the water jug and wooden box back inside the pouch, and with my Mana already fully restored since earlier, I decided to create food, as the food inside the magic pouch would only last me another few days. 

"<>!" 

And a rice ball materialized before me, it's warm rice perfectly molded and wrapped in a crisp sheet of nori. After it appeared, it took only about 10 points of Mana to create a small warm rice ball. With the low cost of creating Onigiri, I made another two, which total to 30 points of mana. 

Thankfully, while small in capacity, the magic pouch had a function in which time does not flow inside. So, I could store the rice ball in the pouch without any worries of it spoiling. I decided to create two Onigiri every day, where I would eat one and store the other. 

With Food secured, I decided to go out of the tent and came nearer to the forest and look for monsters to hunt and level up, and just as I was approaching the forest, suddenly a rustling of leaves could be heard from the right side of me, and jumping out of the bush was a smooth round transparent creature with a small crystal like ball in the center of the creature. It closely resembled how slimes are in fantasy games. 

I raised my [Staff of Fireball] and aimed the head of the staff towards the slime. 

"<<>>!" 

My Mana began to drain as a small ball of fire slowly materialized and got bigger in front of me, and with the staff aimed towards the slime, the fireball immediately shot out towards it and engulfed the slime completely. Leaving behind only a scorched mark where the slime used to be, and a small light blue crystal. 

It was a bit embarrassing to chant, but if I had not done it while aiming the staff towards a target, the magic would not activate at all. There is a way to shorten the chant or completely ignore it, but that was still far into the future. 

I began to look for more slimes to not only level up, but to also test the capabilities of [Staff of Fireball]. I wanted to increase my mana capacity, as well as understand the upper limit of both the staff and my childlike body. 

. 

.. 

... 

As the sky slowly began to darken, I paused for a moment and let out a quiet sigh. It had been a long day, and I found myself reflecting on everything that had happened. There were some things I could improve, and others I'd simply have to accept for now. 

"I guess that's about it for now…" I mumbled softly, more to myself than anyone else. 

The [Staff of Fireball] used about ten mana per cast, and after firing five fireballs, it was completely drained. Thankfully, the slimes were weak enough that even a simple physical strike could take care of them. 

It seemed like the [Staff of Fireball] wasn't created with the best efficiency in mind. With 30 points of mana required to use it—while I only had 50, and another 50 just to fire five [Fireballs]—it felt a bit wasteful. If I had thought about it more carefully, maybe I could have imagined a more refined staff, one with smaller details to lower the mana cost. 

I couldn't help but smile a little, though. I'd made progress. I was now able to create Mana Regeneration Potions, which had once drained all of my mana. After roaming the outskirts of the forest and finishing off around 13 slimes, I realized that I'd leveled up a few times. Now, I was level 3, with a mana capacity of 89. It felt like a good start. 

Feeling the weight of exhaustion settle over me, I retreated into my tent and quietly used [Creation Magic]. In an instant, two warm Onigiris appeared, along with a soft pillow and a small, gentle monster repellent to keep any beasts or monsters at bay. I ate one of the rice balls, savoring the simple comfort, and stored the other for later. Afterward, I made sure to prepare my tent and the area around it, ensuring everything was ready for a peaceful night's rest.

"Mmm… wasn't there something like items in games that could increase mana? Could I use [Creation Magic] to make one for myself…?" I mumbled, a small smile tugging at my lips as I settled down, the thought lingering in my mind as I drifted off to sleep.