Shiro had a look of realization on her face, Ketsueki continued. "So don't put your hopes up-." Namida cut off a slice of the cake on her plate and stabbed it with the fork while waving the fork around, Namida said. "Then we can buy him an entire box of pizza, problem solved. Everyone gets to eat." Ketsueki's pupils were visibly glowing while both Sachi and Namida continued to eat the sweets at their leisure. 

Ketuskei's eyes instantly turned back to normal when she felt Shiro tugging on her baggy and large jacket. Ketsueki looked to her left and saw Shiro's big puppy eyes pleading. Ketsueki inhaled deeply, she let out a long sigh and said. "... Fine…"

A bright smile appeared on Shiro's face as she placed her plate on the coffee table and hugged her older sister by the waist. Shiro said. "Thank you! Onee-chan! I love you!" Namida and Sachi had a smile on their lips, Ketsueki placed a hand on the top of Shiro's head and ruffled her little sister's white long hair. Ketsueki said. "Not as much as Reiki." 

Shiro maintained her big smile as she slightly jolted, she said. "T-That's not true." Ketsueki sliced off a part of the cake on her plate and stabbed it with a fork, she said. "Whatever you say." And took a bite, Shiro let out a giggle, picked up her plate, and continued eating.

______________________________________________________

Outside Elora's Personal Room

Reiki, Moranor, and Enora were waiting outside by the door. The three of them waited patiently for someone to answer. Reiki looked up to Moranor and said. "Can the two of you wait somewhere near? I need to talk about something with Melanor-san." Moranor looked down at him while Enora was glancing at him from time to time. Moranor said. "About what?" Reiki quickly replied. "That thing about your birthday." 

The corner of Moranor's eye slightly twitched while Enora had a small smirk on her lips. Moranor grabbed Enora's forearm, Moranor said. "Let's go." And dragged Enora as Moranor immediately started walking. While being dragged Enora said. "But I wanted to-." Moranor took a left down the hallway as Enora's voice was getting fainter.

The door suddenly opened as Melanor was standing in front of Reiki blocking the inside of the room. Reiki noticed Melanor's hair was disheveled and was quickly combed and her belt was slightly adjusted too loosely. Melanor's breathing was a bit erratic as she tried her best to keep a straight face, Melanor said. "Reiki, what is it?" Reiki looked up to her and said. "Can you get the ingredients for choux pastry tomorrow?" 

Melanor nodded and quickly said. "Consider it done." Before Melanor could close the door, Reiki said. "That thing about Moranor's birthday?" From the corner of Reiki's eye, he noticed Melanor's grip on the door tightened. Melanor's legs were slightly wobbling, she quickly said. "Mora and Nora's birthday is on the same day." Reiki nodded and was about to walk away, he stopped and said. "One last thing." Melanor was about to close the door but stopped, Reiki had a small smirk on his face and said. "Sorry for interrupting you two. Hopefully, I didn't ruin the mood."

Reiki walked away as Melanor quickly closed the door, he heard a faint locking sound and took a left where the two elves went. While walking down the hallway Reiki thought. So they share a birthday… I can guess why she doesn't want to bring it up since everyone will only remember Enora's… He saw Moranor was leaning on a wall while Enora was standing in the middle of the hallway. Enora let out a small yawn and used her hand to cover her mouth.

Enora glanced at Moranor and said. "What are you willing to bet-." Both of their long ears twitched when they heard footsteps getting closer. Moranor pushed herself off the wall, straightening her posture and crossing her arms. Enora's eyes were filled with happiness for a split second before she softly inhaled and calmed down. Reiki eventually walked in front of them, he looked up and said. "What did I miss?"

Moranor was about to say something when Enora had a smile on her lips and said. "The question is, what did you talk about with her mother?" Reiki shook his head and said. "I just asked Melanor-san if she could bring a few things and the thing about Moranor's birthday." He let out another yawn without covering his mouth before any of the two elves could say anything, Reiki said. "I'm sleepy, whatever you have in plan, can wait until tomorrow."

Reiki tugged on Moranor's tunic and said. "Let's go." As he let out another yawn, Enora was dumbfounded as she stood in place, she said. "The moon just showed itself!?" Moranor started leading Reiki back to the room he was assigned to. Both of them took a right as Moranor glanced at him from the corner of her eye, she said. "Not going to ask me?" Reiki let out another yawn, he said. "I won't force you to talk about it."

Moranor slowly came to a stop, she said. "And if I wanted to talk about it right now?" Reiki stopped right beside her, he looked up and flashed Moranor a smile. He said. "Then I can lend you an ear and a shoulder for you to lean on. My own needs can always wait for someone I care about." With a blank expression, Moranor said. "And how many are there?" Reiki pretended to think for a moment as a hint of expectation was in her eyes. He said. "So far, only five. Don't expect that number to increase anytime soon." 

The two of them stayed silent for a moment, Moranor said. "Is that what you always say when trying to win a maiden's heart?" Reik flashed her a smile and said. "Only to those who I have my eye on." Another moment of silence as the two of them just stared at each other's eyes. Moranor let out a scoff and walked forward, she had a smile on her lips that she couldn't hide.

Reiki let out a yawn with his eyes closed and took a step forward as he hit a wall. Moranor turned her head sideways and saw Reiki rubbing his forehead, he said. "How about we hold hands? I can barely keep my eyes open." Moranor walked beside him as he let out a yawn, she said. "You okay?" Reiki nodded and let out another yawn, he said. "Yeah, I didn't even feel it."

Reiki started leaning on her, Moranor looked down at him and saw him closing his eyes. She squatted down and picked him up carrying him with her arms, Moranor said. "And he's out cold…" She let out a chuckle and continued. "He's got a busy day tomorrow so I'll allow it." Moranor carried Reiki while walking to his assigned room.

______________________________________________________

Inside Reiki's Mind

Everything was still grey as Reiki looked around, he thought. Still can't find the light source… He took a couple of steps forward and stopped, he glanced behind him without moving. Reiki said. "How's it been, Ender?" He turned around and saw the familiar figure shrouded in darkness with a large black ball on his shoulder. Reiki stared at the black ball and thought. Did Q just get bigger? Ender said. "She did." 

Behind Ender, a lavish throne appeared behind him as he sat down. A reclining chair appeared behind Reiki as he also sat down, Ender said. "You're adjusting quite well." Reiki rolled his eyes at him and said. "It's my mind? Why would I struggle in the first place?" A moment of silence enveloped the atmosphere as Reiko stared at Ender and Q who was on Ender's lap.

Ender placed his elbow on the armrest of the throne and rested his head on his palm, Ender said. "Don't you find it weird?" Reiki raised a brow, he said. "About what?" Using his free hand Ender pointed around, he said. "Everything, this is supposed to be your mind yet it's empty. Haven't you wondered why?" Reiki shook his head sideways, he said. "Not really, I've thrown away lots of things as I grew up… Emotions… Humanity… Are one of the few things, if I made a list it'll take a day. I'm surprised my demons aren't here." 

Reiki noticed Ender's eyes were glowing through the shadow as he saw a sharp grey contrast from the shadows around him. Ender's eyes stopped glowing grey and eventually subsided, Ender said. "Any questions?" Reiki reached for the side of the chair and reclined it, he said. "What happened to the whole no time thing?"

Ender stared at him for a moment and said. "I'm already dead so I have no time. Technically speaking I'm just a fragment of myself." Reiki glanced at him and said. "How long?" Ender replied. "About a few hundred thousand years worth of solar systems collapsing." Reiki suddenly sat up straight on the reclining chair, he said. "In human language?" Ender said. "I'll outlive every single living being that ever existed. That's based on the assumption I don't use any of my strength." 

Ender stood up from the throne as it vanished into thin air, he placed Q over his shoulder and said. "That's two questions." The two of them vanished. Reiki reclined the chair as it was back to normal, he said. "And I thought I was unsocial… There's always next time." He let out a yawn and looked around the never-ending grey floor. Reiki let out a yawn and adjusted the chair as it was completely horizontal.

______________________________________________________

Guest Room

Reiki sat up straight on the bed, his right eye was still closed as his left eye was half-opened. He waited for a moment for his eye to adjust and noticed that Enrel wasn't here, Reiki thought. Figures… He let out a long yawn and moved to the edge of the bed and started putting on his shoes. Reiki stood up and stretched to help aid his blood flow, he slowly opened his right eye and said. "Time to go outside." He walked to the nearest window in the room, opened it, and jumped off. He casted. Flash.

『Flash Has Been Activated. Mana Cost: 500.』

His clothes faintly fluttered in the wind, when he was a few feet above the ground he suddenly vanished and appeared a couple of inches and landed making a soft thud. Reiki looked up at the dark sky and thought. Not even a couple of hours past midnight… He scratched the back of his head and said. "... Guess my sleeping habit stayed…" After a couple more stretches and started doing his new hellish training regimen starting with push-ups.

~Five Hours and Thirty Minutes Later~

The first crack of dawn was beginning to show itself as Reiki's clothes were completely drenched in sweat. He was lying down in a puddle of bis sweat as he slowly forced himself to stand. Moranor appeared in front of him holding a familiar metal canister, she said. "Reiki, you need to stop this kind of training. You're destroying your own body and don't even get me started on your kidneys." Reiki managed to stand on his own two feet, he tried to take a single step forward but lost balance. 

Moranor appeared next to him, not minding his swear she wrapped an arm around Reiki's waist. Reiki tried to control his breathing which made Moranor frown, she said. "Are you even listening, Reiki?" Reiki took a deep breath and exhaled, he nodded and said. "Yes, I am. A normal human would destroy their kidneys and tear their muscles doing this training."

Moranor continued. "Then why aren't you stopping? Are you trying to cripple yourself?!" Reiki looked up to her and said. "A normal human. We both know that I'm not normal." Moranor glared at him, she took a deep breath to calm herself and said. "I know you're in a hurry, I'll tell you it's not worth it. Doing this every day would only lead to the same end." Reiki flashed her an assuring smile and said. "Trust me, just how I trust you."

Moranor was surprised by his response, he continued. "And if you're so worried, ask Enrel-san. From what I've learned so far she has the knowledge to do a thorough diagnosis on me to make sure." Reiki reached for the cap of the canister Moranor was holding, he managed to twist it off and take the canister off her hands and drink half of it in one go. Reiki let out a satisfied sigh and turned his head sideways as he looked at a tree, he said. "Isn't that right Enrel-san?" Moranor moved her gaze on the same tree he was looking at.

Enrel slowly appeared sitting on a branch while eating a sliced bread with some butter smeared on one side. Enrel swallowed and said. "I can give him a quick diagnosis, let me just…" With her free hand, she rummaged through her pocket and suddenly vanished. Enrel appeared in front of the two of them as she pulled out another large empty syringe. Enrel said. "Let me get another blood sample and I'll tell you the results." 

Reiki tried to take a step back which made him lose his balance as he almost spilled the water from the canister he was holding. Moranor easily caught him and slowly helped him stand on his own two feet keeping her arm around his waist. Reiki said. "Not going to happen." He looked up to Moranor and used the canister to point at Enrel, Reiki said. "We both know she just wants blood for her research. I'm fine, even without using her high-class observation magic. I'll live."

Moranor glared at Enrel who had a smile on her lips, Enrel said. "What? It's not like I'm going to hurt him. I'll force- I mean. Give him a potion for him to drink…" Enrel let out a strained chuckle which Moranor didn't react to. A few seconds passed as Enrel let out a sigh and said. "... Fine… It's not like I was going to do something drastic to him…" Enrel's pupils started glowing a faint light blue as she looked at Reiki from top to bottom. 

Reiki took sips of mana-infused water from the canister and he tried to calm his breathing. A moment passed as the glow in Enrel's pupils slowly faded, Enrel looked at Moranor and said. "Reiki's healthy. No lasting damage to his head, his wounds have already healed nicely. And that's not considering the fact the torture he's doing to himself. His kidneys are fine and his muscles have some small rips on them from his intense exercise. I've expected them to be larger but this could mean two things, he is more durable or he heals a lot faster than most humans."

Moranor let out a sigh of relief while Enrel stared at him, Enrel continued. "Now can I take a sample?" Moranor nodded and said. "Go crazy." Reiki immediately looked up to Moranor, he said. "Who let you decide?" Enrel flashed Moranor a smile as she rummaged through her pocket and took out the same syringe he used on him last time along with two potions. 

Enrel said. "Drink this." As she passed him one of the two test tube-shaped potions with a cork on the top. Reiki stared at the potion and looked up to both the elves who were waiting on him, he let out a sigh, took the cork off, and drank it all in one go.

[System: User health regen has been greatly increased for fifteen seconds.]

Enrel stabbed the syringe into his abdomen and filled it.

[System: User has bleed 2,021 Damage.]

[System: User has regenerated 1,500 health.]

[System: User has bleed 2,021 Damage.]

[System: User has regenerated 1,500 health.]

Enrel slowly took the large syringe out of his abdomen as she admired the blood inside of it. Reiki rubbed the spot where she stabbed it into him and said. "I feel lightheaded…" Moranor took the other potion from Enrel's hands as she was observing the blood inside the syringe under the sunlight. Moranor took the cork off and passed it to Reiki who downed it in one go.

[System: User has been healed for 2,000.]

Enrel carefully placed the syringe into her pouch and took out a brown paper bag, she said. "Here, have a bag of cookies, I'll see you at the grand opening." Enrel turned around and barely took a single step and vanished. Reiki looked inside the paper bag and said. "There's only two inside here." Moranor let out a chuckle, she said. "She ate them." Moranor reached in the bag and took one and continued. "Try them, you'll know why." Reiki reached inside and took the other cookie and took a bite as he raised a brow in surprise.

Moranor didn't eat hers yet and waited for his reaction, she said. "Told you." Reiki handed the cookie to her, he said. "I can make something twice as good." Moranor took the cookie off his hands, she said. "Keep bragging." Reiki started folding the brown paper bag and passed it to her, he looked up to Moranor and said. "Can I please take a shower? I feel uncomfortable being stewed in my sweat."

Moranor nodded and said. "Yeah, we can go…" She glanced at the cookie he passed to her before Moranor could say anything Reiki said. "You can have my share, it isn't that good in my opinion." Moranor let out a scoff as the two of them started walking, she said. "Some individuals don't like good food." Reiki let out a laugh and said. "Good food? When I have the ingredients and time I'll show you what a real cookie tastes like." 

Moranor took a bite of the cookie that Reiki took a bite out of, while chewing she just nodded along with what he was saying. Reiki stopped walking which made Moranor also stop as she stared at him, he said. "Can't you just teleport us near the bathroom?" Moranor blinked a couple of times and placed a hand on his sweaty forearm as Reiki's entire vision started to stretch and distort before turning dark.

His vision slowly turned back to normal as he was staring at a wooden door. Reiki looked around and noticed they were already inside the house. He looked up to Moranor who had already eaten the cookie he gave to her, Moranor said. "I'll bring over a fresh set of clothes for you to wear." Before she took a bite of the cookie in her hand she glared at him and said. "I'm not sharing." She vanished as Reiki let out a chuckle, and opened the door.

______________________________________________________

Inside Reiki's Home

Ketsueki was wearing a baggy grey t-shirt paired with black baggy jogging pants while sitting on a chair by the table. On top of the table was a mug of hot coffee as she browsed through her phone. Ketsueki turned it off by pressing the power button on the side as she heard the sound of footsteps getting closer. With her eyes half-closed Shiro walked down from the second floor, she let out a big yawn and slowly made her way to the chair Ketsueki was sitting on. 

Wearing a sky blue shirt and white shorts Shiro let out another yawn as she groggily looked up to her older sister, she said. "... Onee-chan… When will Onii-chan get back?..." Ketsueki flashed her a confident smile and said. "... Soon…" Kersueki placed a hand on top of her little sister's head and ruffled her long white hair and continued. "And when he does he'll have something special for the two of us." Shiro let out another big yawn and said. "... Really?..."

Ketsueki nodded, she said. "Really." As a warm smile formed on her lips. Shiro carefully rubbed her eyes while Ketsueki continued. "Shiro, wash up and I'll make breakfast in the meantime before you go to school." Ketsueki noticed the small frown on Shiro's face and said. "Shiro, what's wrong?" Shiro grabbed the end of her sky blue shirt and looked at the ground for a couple of seconds before looking up to Ketsueki with a troubled expression. Shiro said. "... I wanna eat food made by Onii-chan..." The corner of Ketsueki's eye slightly twitched, she let out a short laugh, placed her phone on the table, and stood up from her seat. Ketsueki picked up her little sister and carried her in her arms, she said. "So do I." 

Shiro let out another yawn and said. "It was good… Why is he a better cook than you all of a sudden?" Ketsueki slightly reeled back, she faked a cough and said. "T-That's because I've been teaching him a few things. He must have gone off to learn a few things he wasn't ready to learn when I wasn't looking."

Shiro stared at her older sister's face, Shiro said. "How long did you look away for?" Ketsueki flashed her little sister a sweet smile which made Shiro look at the wall. Ketsueki said. "Come again?" Shiro glued her eyes on the wall as she pretended to not hear her older sister. Ketsueki let out a chuckle and placed Shiro down, Ketsueki said. "Take a bath or else we'll be late."