The following morning, Kenji awoke feeling mentally sore despite his Gamer's mind but satisfied. His body slowly adapted to the daily grind, and the stat gains were becoming more noticeable. He moved with more control and reacted with more precision.
Moving through his usual routine, he took care of everything and moved toward the kitchen to prepare breakfast.
It wasn't long before the others came to join him at the dining table.
Kenji's latest tamagoyaki attempt flopped onto Ren's plate in a half-rolled mess. The boy gasped, poking it with his chopsticks.
"It's wounded," Ren declared solemnly. "We need a doctor."
Kenji flicked his forehead. "Eat it before it gets really dead."
A snort came from the doorway—Anastasia, arms crossed, watching them. Her damp braid dripped onto her shirt, but she didn't move to dry it. A month ago, she would've grabbed breakfast and vanished. Now, she lingered.
"You're burning the rice," she said.
Kenji turned—too late. The cooker let out a betrayed hiss.
Ayaka slammed her palm on the counter. "I'm not eating charcoal!"
"Good." Aoi materialized behind her, stealing the unburnt portion. "More for me."
Anastasia's lips twitched—almost a smile. Kenji counted it as a victory.
"You're off today," she said, casual but sharp. "No more business meetings, right?"
Kenji kept his voice light. "Nope. All clear."
"Then what's the plan?"
Training. Magic. Not getting killed before Ren's next school play.
"Errands," he said.
Ayaka scoffed, muttering "liar" under her breath—but for once, it wasn't venomous. Just habit.
Ren tugged Kenji's sleeve. "Can we get melon pan after your errands?"
Kenji ruffled his hair. "Only if you eat the corpse omelet first."
Anastasia studied him. "Errands?". Her eyes narrowed and her form tensed.
Ahh. She probably thought he was relapsing back into old habits. Hanging out with his so called friends, drinking, and going out to nail some woman out there.
"Just a few things I have to take care of," he said softly, trying to reassure her that it wasn't what she thought. He could see the kids quiet too, probably thinking something similar. "Really it's Not what you're thinking of".
He moved closer to her, gently as if approaching a wounded animal so as not to scare it.
He reached out to grab her hands, watching as she flinched a little probably not expecting it but surprisingly not pulling away.
"I know I wasn't the best in the past and have hurt you, but I promise you that I have changed". He said looking her in the eyes.
"I Will do my very best to make sure you are happy, to never cry and feel alone again" turning to face the kids too. "All of you."
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[System Alert!]
New Quest Progress: Mending a Broken Family
New Bond Progress: Ren (100%)
New Bond Progress: Aoi (82%)
New Bond Progress: Ayaka (77%)
New Bond Progress: Anastasia (62%)
Things are looking good, he said after what happened at breakfast. He looked at the status again and couldn't help the giddiness in his heart.
Sigh. Focus.
He had been thinking about something this morning before his family had come down. He had gotten stronger. And was without a doubt physically more powerful but there was still and area he lack in.
Magic.
His system offered the framework to use magic, sure—but it didn't hand him spells on a silver platter. And while he had learned a bit through experimentation, he needed proper structure. A foundation. Something to teach him the basics of magical theory and casting.
In essence, he needed either a teacher or a guidebook to properly learn magic.
He opened the Multiverse Chat System, scrolling through recent messages. Everyone had been busy with their life and experimenting with their new skills, but now was the time to ask for a little help.
[Administrator - The Gamer]: Hey, Red Cake Boss. Do you have a minute, I want to talk to you.
A moment passed. Then:
[Red Cake Boss]: Go on.
[Administrator - The Gamer]: I was checking the system's menu and found there's a [Gift] function. We can send items to each other.
Kenji hesitated, then typed.
[Administrator - The Gamer]: I was wondering if you had a general magic book. One that covers how magic works in people and how to awaken it.
[Eternal Virgin]: Asking Erza for tutorial scrolls, huh? What, no magic armor while you're at it?
[Red Cake Boss]: I do. It's an introductory manual from my guild's archive—designed for young mages to understand their innate potential. I will send it along with a tool that can aid you.
Kenji blinked. That went better than expected.
[Administrator - The Gamer]: Wait—you mean it?
[Red Cake Boss]: Sending now.
[System Alert!]
You have received a [Basic Arcane Manual: Awakening & Control] and [Gale Force reading Glasses] from Red Cake Boss.
Kenji's eyes widened as the items materialized in a glowing flash next to his system interface. He picked up the book first—weathered leather binding, glowing runes on the cover, and thick, illustrated pages inside.
The Basic Arcane Manual outlined fundamental magical principles: the presence of latent mana, the essence of Ethernano(which is magic particles in fairy tail), the two paths of magic which are caster and holder magic, meditation techniques to awaken magical power, and beginner-level exercises to channel and shape magical energy. The Gale Force reading Glasses, Glasses that allow the user to read books at an extremely rapid pace.
[Administrator - The Gamer]: These are amazing. Thank you, Erza.
[Red Cake Boss]: You're welcome. If you wish to grow stronger, study them well.
[Self-Proclaimed Human]: That is a wise decision. Structured magic systems often produce better results than raw improvisation.
[Eternal Virgin]: Dang, I feel like I should start bartering too. Anyone want to trade MCS points for a super rare luck rune?
Kenji chuckled, putting on the glasses and rapidly flipping through the pages of the spellbook. The clarity of the diagrams and step-by-step mana control exercises were a major improvement over his guesswork.
It wasn't long before he had finished reading.
He sat down, cross-legged, and began meditating using the book's instructions.
[System Alert!]
You have unlocked a new skill: Mana Sensitivity (LV1)
You have learned a new skill: Mana Channeling (LV1)
You have awakened a new magic type: Enchantment Magic (LV1)
A calm flow of energy began moving inside him—slight, but unmistakable. As he activated Mana Channeling, he instinctively began to weave a pattern into his training shirt. The cloth shimmered faintly.
[Administrator - The Gamer]: This will help a lot. I owe you one.
[Red Cake Boss]: Then repay me by surviving long enough to spar one day.
Kenji paused, then typed again.
[Administrator - The Gamer]: Erza, can I ask how magic works in your world? Like, beyond what the book says.
[Red Cake Boss]: Magic in my world is about identity and resolve. Every mage has their own source—some draw from emotion, others from nature or purpose. Repetition refines it and will control it.
[Self-Proclaimed Human]: A personalized magic structure... curious. That would create deeply unique results per individual.
Kenji absorbed the words, nodding slowly. Magic wasn't just about spells—it was about self. Understanding his own strength, fears, and goals—that was the key to mastering it.
He looked down at the glowing pattern on his shirt and smiled. Enchantment Magic, This was his own innate magic.
It suited him just fine, It was a powerful branch of magic if he remembered correctly in fairy tail, though only a few focus on it, like Irene(Erza's mother) and Wendy.
If he could master this he could give himself and his allies buffs and debuffs to his enemies, upgrade his weapons, and add properties to even his magic. This was perfect for him.
Now he had another goal—Master his Enchantment Magic and get strong enough to stand unbothered and stand beside the beings of his world and of other worlds.
And with his magic training now truly beginning, he had one more piece of the puzzle in place.
The grind continued.
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