World: In the palm of my paw, so... vast yet small.


    I stared at the ceiling of the dormitory, indulging in a moment of idleness.


    I didn''t really mind dreaming about sword practice, but I wouldn''t object to dreaming about something more pleasant, like... like... oh, Rationalism, how could I be so pathetic?


    However, another part of dream...


    I placed my palm over the left side of my chest, feeling my heart still pounding fiercely, accompanied by a strange emotion. It felt a bit like... a rhythm had skipped a beat.


    Is this what heart palpitations feel like? Should I go to the medical bay?


    A rustling sound interrupted my thoughts, drawing my attention to a change in a vibration pattern, shifting closer to a waking state.


    I sprang out of bed, landing softly on all fours without making a sound. My skills in moving silently were already honed to perfection.


    The morning routine had changed slightly. When you could control water flow with your awareness, cleanliness became a breeze.


    I was still exploring if control on such a level could induce phase changes, creating supercritical fluids would not only be cool but also highly practical. So far, I hadn''t found any method to achieve my goal, but I kept experimenting with new strategies.


    Today, I concentrated water molecules into a single point, attempting to force them into a lattice structure. If I could exert ten billion pascals of pressure with just my thoughts, I could create ice VI tetragonal crystals.


    Thinking about it, the goal seemed a bit ambitious, but I believed practice was the only path to perfection.


    Bathing and drying now took less than a minute, and I no longer worried about hanging clothes to dry, giving me more time to hang from the bar, exploring what else I could do.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    I relaxed my awareness, watching the perfectly round water droplets, shimmering in the morning sunlight.


    I flicked my tail to adjust my slightly slipping position, continuing to hang from the metal bar.


    Glancing at the inconspicuous drying rack in the corner, an indescribable emotion welled up within me.


    I couldn''t remember how I first noticed it there, perhaps only a desperate and helpless soul like mine would think of the rack''s purpose. Maybe it was an antique from an era before cleaning machines became widespread, forgotten in that corner.


    Regardless, I was grateful for the assistance it had provided these days. Someday, another wolf with similar troubles might find what they need in that inconspicuous corner.


    Maybe I should leave a message, encouraging future wolves to try controlling water flow with their awareness?


    But I didn''t understand the logic behind it myself, so perhaps not.


    Is all of this connected? All the strange occurrences in my life and what I''m capable of? Which are the causes, and which are the effects?


    Perhaps one day I would find the answer, but right now, I just wanted to know if I could crystallize water at room temperature.


    So, basking in the warm morning sunlight and feeling the dawn breeze rustling through every strand of fur, I exerted all my might, applying mental pressure to the thumb-sized droplet, hoping the wildest possibility would become reality.


    I never expected it to leave me exhausted. At least I knew my limits, providing a reference for the future.


    It was no exaggeration to say I could barely lift a spoon; the pudding in my bowl felt like permafrost, difficult to scoop.


    I had no mental energy to spare for external matters, so for the first time, I genuinely didn''t notice anything happening in the cafeteria without pretending.


    Until an object entered my now narrow, blind-spot-filled existence field in a parabolic arc, and didn''t land on me as expected, I turned to see Piqsirpoq standing nearby. The entire cafeteria fell silent, the air seemed to freeze, and all eyes were on Piqsirpoq.


    I raised my gaze, following the white wolf''s raised left arm to see a red, moisture-laden berry clutched in his hand. Red juice trickled down the fur of his arm, some staining his white shirt, while others gathered at the soaked fur tips before dripping to the floor.


    He placed the burst fruit on my tray, creating a splattered pattern with the juice and seeds. Then, he slowly scanned the entire cafeteria, missing no angle. The only sound was my own swallowing.


    By catching the fruit aimed at me, Piqsirpoq sent a clear message, and I think everyone got it.


    Only after he set his tray down and left did the subdued murmurs return, but I noticed many glances still darting towards the cafeteria entrance, as if afraid Piqsirpoq might return.


    Well, that was... dramatic?


    I looked at the fruit on my tray, identifying it as a solanaceous plant''s berry from its prominent calyx and seed structure. I poked at it with a spoon, debating whether I should eat it - it seemed wasteful otherwise.