After several hours of studying, theorizing, and testing, Mira found it necessary to move on to the next step.
She focused on a new creation, a swirling mass of ice and wind that hovered above her palm. As she poured her Qi into it, she willed it to take on a more complex form, a miniature whirlwind that acted according to her thoughts.
The whirlwind spun independently of her thoughts, yet Mira could feel the connection, a subtle thread that linked it to her very essence. She experimented with directing it, guiding its path through the air with mere thoughts. The whirlwind responded in kind, but there was still a bit of latency.
Still, she was satisfied with that for now.
"It's about more than just control," Mira realized, watching the whirlwind dissipate into a mist. "I need to understand how what I create interacts with the world. In other words, I have to bridge the gap between imaginary and real."
