SWNOVELXO Chapter 6: 6
Alone in his room, the soft glow of the System window illuminated the small space. Ren's gaze was fixed on the newly acquired item in his inventory: a shimmering, ethereal card labeled [Ticket of Luck]. A surge of anticipation, mixed with a healthy dose of caution, coursed through him.
Ding!
The System window expanded, displaying a crucial warning.
[Warning: The application of Reality Tickets requires precise command. An imprecise or misaligned command may result in an unintended or undesirable reality alteration. For instance, using a 'Ticket of Luck' to acquire a girlfriend will indeed result in a new reality where you confess to a girl, and she accepts after some consideration. However, because this is not a 'Ticket of Relationship,' the girl will possess no genuine feelings for you, potentially using you for nefarious purposes or worse. Please consider your command carefully.]
The System's words were chillingly clear. This wasn't a magic wand that fixed everything perfectly; it was a tool that followed commands literally, within the confines of its specific function. He wasn't desperate for a harem or even a girlfriend right now. His immediate concern was survival, and perhaps, a way to bridge the gap between his current weakness and the supernatural world he now inhabited.
He thought for a long moment, weighing his options. Safety was paramount. This world, while familiar from anime, was still filled with dangers he wasn't equipped to handle as a normal human. Increasing his luck to survive would be a good general defense, but it felt passive. What he truly needed was power.
An idea sparked. He could use the Ticket of Luck to create an opportunity for power. Not to grant power directly, but to set the stage for it. This felt like a more effective, and safer, use of the 'Luck' aspect.
"I command the Ticket of Luck to provide me with an opportunity to increase my personal power, specifically a spiritual power that will aid in my survival in this supernatural world." Ren mentally articulated his desire, focusing intently on the shimmering card.
The [Ticket of Luck] pulsed once, then dissolved into a thousand glittering motes of light that swirled around him before vanishing.
A sudden, sharp ache pierced Ren's head, like a dull pressure building behind his eyes. He winced, clutching his temples. Then, a torrent of unfamiliar yet strangely familiar memories flooded his mind, slotting themselves into the tapestry of his past.
He was younger, perhaps seven or eight, walking home from school. He saw an old man struggling to carry a heavy box, nearly tripping. Young Ren, without hesitation, had rushed forward to help, steadying the man and carrying the box a short distance for him.
The old man, his face crinkled with age lines, had smiled kindly. "Thank you, young one. You have a good heart." From his pocket, he produced a small, iridescent ball, the size of a marble, glowing faintly with an inner light. It looked like a piece of hard candy. "Here, for your trouble."
Young Ren, delighted by the treat, had popped it into his mouth without a second thought. It tasted faintly of starlight and something indescribable, sweet and cool.
Ever since that day, a subtle shift had occurred within him. He could sometimes see faint glows around people, or feel strange presences. He'd learned, through trial and error, that he could turn this perception on and off, a mental switch that allowed him to live a normal life, ignoring the unseen world. He'd never needed to use any other abilities, as his life had remained mundane and uneventful, free from danger.
The old man? He'd never seen him again.
The headache subsided, leaving Ren with a profound new understanding. He was a spiritual user. He had been, all along, in this rewritten history. His power: Real Illusion. It was an illusion, but it was real. That's what the old man had told him, a fragmented memory of a whispered explanation. It consumed a significant amount of spiritual power, which was why he'd instinctively avoided using it, never truly understanding what it was.
Ding!
The System window reappeared, confirming his new reality.
[Reality Alteration Confirmed: Your personal history has been rewritten to incorporate the acquisition of spiritual power. You are now a spiritual user with the ability of 'Real Illusion'.]
[Due to this historical change, all residents of Yuragi-sou are now aware that you are a spiritual user, albeit a weak one, since your arrival. This knowledge does not alter their established interactions with you.]
Ren felt a wave of relief. So, Sagiri's suspicions earlier weren't just suspicions; they were now a known fact in this new history. And the others, like Yaya and Yuuna, simply accepted it as part of who he was. This was much better than trying to hide it.
He focused, delving into the newly integrated memories of his power. Real Illusion. He had no idea how to truly wield it, but the concept was clear. He closed his eyes, concentrating. He imagined a katana, not just any katana, but a perfectly balanced, razor-sharp blade, its hilt wrapped in dark cord, its scabbard a sleek black. He poured his focus into the image, visualizing every detail.
He opened his eyes.
Floating before him, shimmering faintly, was a katana. It looked utterly real, its polished blade reflecting the soft light of the room. He reached out, his fingers closing around the hilt. It felt solid, tangible, yet impossibly light, almost weightless in his hand.
He found an empty plastic bottle, still containing a small amount of water, on his desk. He raised the katana, took a breath, and with a quick, decisive motion, slashed downwards.
Swoosh!
The blade cut through the plastic with effortless ease, the water inside sloshing out as the bottle split cleanly in two.
Ren stared, then grinned. It worked! But as the katana remained in his hand, he felt a distinct drain, a subtle pull on his inner reserves. His spiritual power was being consumed, albeit slowly, just by maintaining the illusion. When he used it to cut, the drain accelerated.
It's an illusion, but it's real, he mused, recalling the old man's words. The lightness of the blade was a testament to its illusory nature, yet its cutting power was undeniable. This was just a fraction of its potential, he realized. If he could create objects that were real, what else could he do? The thought of more grandeur applications, like creating a personal "domain expansion" or other reality-bending feats, sent a thrill through him. For now, being able to conjure a functional weapon was more than enough.
Knock, knock.
A soft rap on the door, followed by a familiar, ethereal voice. "Ren-kun? Dinner's ready!"
Yuuna. Ren quickly willed the katana to disappear, and it vanished as if it had never been there and went down to eat.