Night wrapped the fairy castle in silence.
Reeve lay on his bed, staring at the faint glow of mana crystals embedded in the ceiling. His body was still, but his mind wasn't.
The moment his breathing slowed—
A whisper slid into his thoughts.
「You are thinking too much.」
Reeve didn't flinch.
"…System," he murmured inwardly. "You choose strange times to speak."
「Observation is required. Emotional noise reduces efficiency.」
He closed his eyes.
"Then tell me," Reeve said calmly, "how many abilities do I actually have?"
There was a pause.
Not silence.
Calculation.
「Accessible abilities currently acknowledged:」
Elemental Manipulation — Water, Air, Earth, Fire
Mana Control (Basic)
Perception Enhancement
Human Nature Analysis
Reeve frowned slightly.
"That's it?" he asked. "You're hiding something."
Another pause.
Longer this time.
「Certain authorities remain sealed. Disclosure conditions not met.」
"…Figures," Reeve muttered.
He turned onto his side, eyes half-open.
"You know," he said quietly, "people here think power is about bloodlines and titles."
「Incorrect assumption detected.」
Reeve smiled faintly.
"Exactly."
His thoughts drifted—to the hidden wall, the half-bloods, the Fairy King's careful smile.
"Politics," he whispered. "Even here."
「Worlds differ. Structures repeat.」
"…Yeah," Reeve replied. "That's what scares me."
The system did not respond again.
But Reeve knew—
It was listening.
Morning arrived softly.
Sunlight spilled through the open window, warm and unreal.
Reeve stirred.
Something felt… off.
He opened his eyes.
Lunareth was sitting beside the window.
Calm. Silent. Watching him.
"…Why are you in my room?" Reeve asked, voice still rough with sleep.
She turned slowly, silver eyes unreadable.
"I'm waiting for you to wake up."
That answer alone made him sit up.
"…Did something happen?"
"No," Lunareth replied. "Not yet."
She stood and walked closer, stopping just beside his bed.
"You didn't sleep well," she said.
Reeve looked away.
"Guess I'm getting used to being hunted."
A faint smile tugged at her lips.
"Good," she said lightly. "Then you'll survive longer."
He looked back at her.
"…That's comforting. I think."
She crossed her arms, tone shifting—serious now.
"We'll move today," Lunareth continued. "Slowly. Carefully. Those people you sensed last night—"
"They're not done," Reeve finished.
She nodded.
"And neither are we."
For a moment, the room was quiet.
Then Lunareth added, almost casually—
"Also… don't lock your thoughts so tightly."
Reeve blinked.
"…What?"
She turned toward the door.
"Even sealed power leaks when it's impatient."
And just like that—
She left.
Reeve sat there, heart beating a little faster than before.
"…She knows," he muttered.
Inside him—
Something stirred.
「Awareness acknowledged.」
The day had begun.
And the game had officially started.