Bird... A Little Disappointing

I think it's a beautiful bird.

Though it's somehow a little disappointing.

The bird perched on my finger is crimson all over, with beautiful red eyes.

Its wings must be its most distinctive feature.

Its wings have a gradient from red to white.

Looking closely, I can see something gold—or rather, something sparkling—here and there.

It's very beautiful.

But it's sparrow-sized.

Because it's so small, its beauty ends up making it seem disappointing instead.

If it were bigger, it would be striking enough to take my breath away, but... it's sparrow-sized.

It's small.

I can appreciate the gradient, but... it's disappointing.

Perhaps it understood the meaning of my gaze and attacked my fingertip with a peck.

I learned for the first time that a beak attack can be surprisingly painful.

When I gently stroke its head, it narrows its eyes and nuzzles against my finger.

Isn't it cute!

I got a little excited.

Calm down.

I check my surroundings.

Thanks to the barrier, the shadows can't get in.

Maybe I should take a short break.

I find a rock that bulges up like a chair.

I'm pretty mentally exhausted.

I'm not just in a different world; this is a world of magic completely unlike everyday life. No wonder I'm tired.

I'd like to take it easy for a while, but the wolves at the edge of my vision are looking back and forth between me and the entrance.

Yeah, I know.

I'm pretending not to notice, but I can see them.

The barrier I've put up around the chamber has been emitting an eerie light for a while now.

I can't help it. It's scary, but I'll have to check.

Taking care not to leave the barrier, I peer down the passage.

It seems the light is being emitted because a black shadow is trying to enter the chamber from the passage.

The barrier must be keeping the shadow out.

Even so, the way it's glowing seems a little excessive.

Huh?

The shadow in the passage has disappeared.

Ah, another shadow has appeared out of nowhere.

The shadow tries to enter the chamber again, light is emitted, and... this just keeps repeating.

Looking closely, I see light racing through the passage.

So that's why the shadow in the passage disappears.

...The barrier blocks attacks... The shadow in the passage... Huh?

Come to think of it, the barrier counterattacked when a rock came crashing at me, too.

Could the barrier I put around the chamber be counterattacking, too?

Hmm?

I don't remember adding an attack to the barrier.

That's strange.

...

I wish I had someone who could teach me.

This is far too difficult for a magic beginner.