MTLNOVEL Chapter 17: 17
The morning sun streamed through Ren's window, painting his room in a soft, golden light. He stretched, a contented smile gracing his lips. For the first time in his life, he wasn't a virgin anymore. The memory of the night with Nonko, the raw pleasure, the overwhelming surrender, filled him with a quiet triumph. He felt lighter, more confident, ready to face the day.
Downstairs, he found Chitose already bustling in the kitchen, preparing breakfast. Ren, still buzzing with energy, immediately offered to help with the chores.
"Ren-kun, you don't need to clean," Chitose chuckled, a warm smile on her face. "That's my job as the innkeeper."
"I insist, Chitose-san," Ren replied, grabbing a broom. He needed to keep up his chore count, but beyond that, he genuinely enjoyed the feeling of contributing. Chitose paused, a nostalgic look in her eyes. She remembered Ren's parents, their kindness, their quiet determination. A soft smile touched her lips. She didn't argue further, simply returning to her cooking, deciding to make breakfast extra delicious as a silent thank you.
Nonko, meanwhile, was already lost in her own world, hunched over her drawing book in her room. The previous night's passion had been intense, but her mangaka brain, fueled by the fresh ideas and the newfound peace, was now entirely consumed with creating the next chapters of her manga. She was working, oblivious to the world outside her creative bubble.
As Ren prepared to leave Yuragi-sou for school, Sagiri, as always, had already departed, a blur of efficiency. Yuuna floated by the entrance, giving him a shy wave. "Goodbye, Ren-kun!" she chirped.
But as soon as he stepped outside, her smile faltered. A familiar pang of loneliness, a quiet sadness, settled over her. This was how it always felt when people left the inn, even for a short time. She missed them already. Fortunately, the thought that Ren was the owner, that he would always return, quickly pulled her from her melancholic state. With renewed cheerfulness, she decided to help Chitose with the cleaning, finding solace in their shared tasks.
On the street, Ren's thoughts drifted to his newest acquisition: the [Ticket of Existence]. The System window shimmered into view, explaining its formidable power.
[Ticket of Existence: Steals a specific individual's future and makes it your own. This stolen future then becomes your present reality.]
Ren decided against using it immediately. The power was immense, and he needed to choose his target carefully. He arrived at school, the familiar sounds of the bustling campus filling his ears.
In his classroom, Ren found himself observing Kogarashi Fuyuzora. Kogarashi, currently living a normal, mundane life, was completely unaware of his destiny that awaited him in the original timeline. Ever since he was young, Kogarashi had been haunted by ghosts, some of whom possessed him to resolve their lingering regrets. This constant exposure, this unique interaction with the spirit world, was the catalyst that would eventually lead him to become the seventh Yatahagane, a powerful exorcist and the protagonist of the original story.
Ren considered Kogarashi as a potential target for the Ticket of Existence. Kogarashi's future was one of immense spiritual power, a strength far beyond anything Ren currently possessed. He wanted that power, needed it, for the sake of his own future, for the grand narrative he was writing. But he hesitated, still weighing his options.
As the class continued, Ren became aware of Chisaki's gaze. He could feel her eyes on him, a subtle, lingering stare. He had no idea why, but a flicker of satisfaction crossed his mind. His plan, his dramatic rescue and mysterious departure, was clearly working. Her curiosity was growing, and that made him happy.
Lunchtime arrived. Ren made his way to the back of the school building, a secluded spot where he could be alone. He had made his decision.
Kogarashi Fuyuzora.
"I command the Ticket of Existence to steal Kogarashi Fuyuzora's future and make it my own," Ren mentally articulated, his resolve firm.
He braced himself for the familiar headache, the searing pain of reality rewriting itself. But nothing happened. No pain, no discomfort. He frowned, remembering his experience with the Ticket of Pleasure. That too had initially felt like nothing, only to reveal its profound effect later.
He decided to test it. He focused, releasing a mere ten percent of his spiritual power. A shockwave of pure energy erupted from him, rippling through the air, causing the very ground to tremble faintly. Ren stared, wide-eyed. The power was immense, far beyond anything he had ever felt before.
"So this is Kogarashi's future," Ren murmured to himself, a triumphant grin spreading across his face. He felt no remorse. Kogarashi, with his protagonist's plot armor, would likely find another path, perhaps even become more powerful now that his original destiny had been usurped. Or not. It didn't matter to Ren. His own future was paramount.
As the surge of spiritual power subsided, Ren turned to leave, ready to head back to his classroom. Just then, Sagiri Ameno appeared, running towards the back of the building, her eyes darting around as if searching for something. When she spotted Ren, she paused, her expression hardening slightly, before reluctantly approaching him.