SWNOVELXO Chapter 13: 13
Ren stifled a yawn as he walked towards school, the morning sun painting the streets in hues of gold. His mind, still buzzing from his nine-hour drawing marathon, drifted to practical matters. He'd just gained the ultimate creative skill, but what about wealth? For a fleeting moment, the idea of acquiring hacking skills crossed his mind. He could secretly funnel money into his bank account, building an unseen fortune. But then, he dismissed the thought. He didn't really need money.
His steps led him to a convenience store. He grabbed a few items for lunch – a bento box, a carton of milk, and a small bag of chips. At the counter, he reached into his pocket, not for his wallet, but for his 'Real Illusion' ability. With a subtle mental command, a crisp 1,000 yen note materialized in his hand. It felt real, smelled real, even had the faint texture of a genuine bill. This was the true power of his Real Illusion: he could create objects that were not just seen, but touched, smelled, tasted, and heard by others. This was why he didn't need money; he could simply conjure it whenever necessary.
However, he had imposed a strict limit on himself. If too much money suddenly appeared and disappeared, it would raise red flags, not just with the authorities, but potentially with other psychics who might sense the unusual energy fluctuations. He didn't want unwanted attention. Perhaps, he mused, a better long-term strategy for wealth would be to cultivate entrepreneurial skills, or, if he was lucky enough to get another 'Ticket of Luck,' he could pray for massive investment percentages in thriving companies. The latter seemed far less risky.
He also recalled the strict age policies in other countries regarding business ownership. The only reason he was the owner of Yuragi-sou at seventeen was a loophole: he had no other living relatives or guardians, as both his parents were orphans who had only each other. Chitose, despite her maturity, looked too young to pass as his legal guardian, further cementing his unique situation.
Arriving at school, Ren decided to embrace a new role: the helpful guy in class. Throughout the day, he actively sought out opportunities to assist his classmates. He helped organize textbooks, carried heavy art supplies, and even offered to explain a tricky math problem to a struggling student. This wasn't just about being nice; it was an experiment. He wanted to understand the System's definition of a "chore" better. What truly constituted a "demonstrable effort" with a "tangible positive outcome"?
His helpfulness, coupled with his above-average looks – which somehow perfectly matched his innocent, helpful demeanor – subtly boosted his popularity among both boys and girls. He wasn't a "yes" man, though; if a request was beyond his capabilities or seemed too demanding, he politely declined. Yet, the small acts of kindness he performed spread through the classroom like wildfire, with students often found talking about how Ren had helped them.
Chisaki Miyazaki, from her desk, observed Ren throughout the day. She watched him help a classmate retrieve a fallen pencil, saw him patiently explain a concept, and noticed the grateful smiles he received. Her mind replayed the events of last night: the floating toys, the shadowy figure, and Ren's sudden, heroic appearance. Her initial doubts, the lingering suspicion that his timing was too perfect, began to dissipate. Seeing his genuine kindness today, she couldn't reconcile it with the image of a manipulative "wolf." Her suspicion vanished, replaced by a quiet appreciation.
Still, the ingrained lesson from her father, "all boys are wolves," held firm. She decided it was best not to get too close to Ren, despite his apparent kindness.
When the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, Chisaki packed her bag slowly. As she walked home, deep in thought about the bewildering events of the previous night and Ren's unexpected presence, she accidentally caught sight of him. He wasn't heading directly towards Yuragi-sou. He seemed to be going somewhere else entirely.
Curiosity, a powerful force, tugged at her. She tried to resist, to tell herself it wasn't her business. But the image of him shielding her from the shadowy figure, combined with his enigmatic departure, had planted a seed of intrigue. Her feet, almost against her will, began to follow him. Ren, oblivious to the shadow tailing him, continued walking until he stopped in front of a small, inviting restaurant.