I woke up slowly, cradled by a strange warmth.
A firm surface beneath my cheek.
I reached out to grab my pillow, but it resisted.
Yesterday's events came flooding back.
My heart skipped a beat.
I opened my eyes. No, it wasn't a pillow.
It was him.
I froze, my fingers clenched around his garment. He didn't move.
My breath caught in my throat.
Last night… I had gone to sleep on the edge of the bed. How had I ended up here?
I didn't dare move. Not immediately.
When I looked up, our eyes met.
His red eyes stared at me calmly.
Shit. He was awake.
I sat up abruptly, awkwardly. Panic trembled through my limbs.
— "Ohayō, danna-sama..."
I bowed slightly, avoiding eye contact.
Without waiting for a response, I got up and rushed out of the room, escaping the awkwardness.
Bare feet on polished wood.
I quickly crossed the hallway.
My steps took me straight to the bathroom.
I slid the door closed behind me and exhaled a long sigh.
I approached the basin, splashed my face with cool water, then grabbed a towel from its spot.
It was still damp.
The same one as yesterday?
I stared at it for a moment, curious. For a moment, I nearly set it aside…
But an idea crossed my mind.
I pressed my fingers to the fabric and gently focused my energy.
[Clean]. An invisible breath wiped away moisture, scent, residue.
[Heat]. Warmth spread through the fibers.
I folded the towel carefully. It now smelled clean and held a faint warmth.
I placed it back among the neatly stacked linens.
One task done.
But today, I couldn't afford to dawdle.
Yesterday, Tobirama had left early. I had dragged my feet.
Ayaka had stolen my entire evening.
Today, there were no excuses. I wouldn't repeat yesterday's mistake.
I made my way to the kitchen, slipping into a simple kosode and tying the sash.
My still-damp hair fell down my back, but a quick spell settled everything in place.
There were a few ingredients left. Not many, but Ayaka hadn't managed to ruin everything.
With a little planning, I could still put together a decent meal.
I dug through Rei's memories to find what was expected of a proper breakfast.
A bowl of steamed rice. Miso soup, seasoned with the remaining seaweed. Some bread. A sliced piece of fruit.
I set the table in silence.
Then I waited, thinking about what to do next.
Eventually, Tobirama entered.
He didn't say a word at first. He sat down. His gaze passed over the dishes.
— "Thank you for the meal," he said simply.
I bowed.
He ate in silence. I said nothing either. A routine was forming.
When he was done, I quietly cleared the table. Back in the kitchen, I focused on my spell catalogue.
As I folded the damp dishcloth, a memory struck me.
What was that spell Ainz used during his fight with Shalltear?
Ah, there it was.
I closed my eyes, focusing on the flow of mana.
I whispered the spell:
— Life Essence.
The spell activated smoothly.
A moment later, the world glowed with soft echoes.
I saw the plants in the garden shimmer gently with vital light.
And in the middle of the living room, a cluster of life force glowed like a star in fog.
Tobirama. Ugh. What else to expect from a Senju if not that overwhelming vitality?
He wasn't moving. That left the field clear.
I cast a [Clean] on the dishes and bowls, followed by a [Heat] to dry them perfectly.
I stored everything neatly.
I had never planned to hide my powers.
They were too useful, and I wanted to use them freely, to explore them.
Wouldn't it be a waste to come to a world of superhumans and limit myself?
However, Rei's life so far gave me no justification. And the last thing I wanted was suspicion.
I had to forge an origin for all this.
Considering Hidan's abilities, it wouldn't be the first time chakra-incompatible powers existed.
Some spells, if used with care and in the right context, could even support my lie.
And right now... I had a plan.
I headed to the storage room where Ayaka had left her "gifts."
I searched through the fabrics until I found what I needed: a ceremonial priestess outfit.
I changed slowly.
Then I recast Life Essence to check Tobirama's position.
Still in the living room.
Perfect.
I stepped out into the backyard.
The wind was still. The air smelled of damp moss.
For my plan, I needed to perform a ritual. But which one?
The Kagura dance came to mind. It was easy to perform and easily tweaked.
The Kannagi family version used a ritual staff and a mask.
But no way was I using an actual clan mask. Too risky.
Even the slightest inconsistency could cause problems.
So I focused. Searched among the spells that had reappeared in my awareness. Found it.
Create Greater Item.
A level 7 spell that created high-quality items, durable and suitable for enchantments.
The magic surged… and immediately left a hollow space within me.
Not collapse-level exhaustion. But I felt the sharp drop in my mana pool.
It wasn't like the low-level spells. Those, my mana regen could handle easily.
I closed my eyes, checking my reserves. Still abundant. Maybe it was just my first time feeling such a loss.
Refocusing, I cast the fifth-level version of Create Greater Item:
— Create Item.
The staff formed in my hands. Ornate, balanced. Modeled after the one I remembered.
I took a moment to inspect it. Then moved on to enchantment.
I wanted the staff to generate fire by consuming its wielder's mana. That way, it would only react to me.
It wasn't as simple as with low-level spells.
Even though the method came instinctively, the enchantment runes were stubborn.
I had to remake the staff six times due to breakdowns from mana pressure. But I eventually succeeded.
I turned my attention to the mask.
Its purpose was to induce fascination in onlookers, and a growing emptiness for the wearer.
I already had the ideal enchantments in mind: Void Vision II, Ancient Charm II, Call of the Void I, Loss of Consciousness III, Restriction IV, Apotheosis I.
Each mental carving, each magical bond drained more than expected due to trial and error.
But I had my result.
From time to time, I checked Tobirama's position.
By the end, my mana reserves had dropped by half.
But the outcome was clear.
In my hands: an authentic ritual staff.
And a mask... you wouldn't want to wear twice.
I had based its design on the Envy mask Ainz used during his arrival in Carne Village.
Now all that remained was to rest and recover some mana.
Once Tobirama moved (a quick stop by the bedroom, then back to the living room), I judged the moment right.
I raised my hand and cast:
— Siren's Breath I: Charm.
The spell spread like a soft vibration, barely audible.
A subtle, intriguing beckoning.
I took a deep breath.
Stood in the center of the yard.
And, staff in hand, mask on face, I began to dance.