Visualize the shape, the size, and the flow of energy.
The result? A five-pointed ice star, palm-sized, appeared on the table.
It's still a bit crude—a few cracks here, an uneven ray there—but compared to a week ago, the durability is a massive win. I'm actually starting to feel proud.
I tossed the star into the bin at my feet with a practiced gesture. Two or three more crafts and I have to call it a day, or I won't have enough mana left for physical training.
That's the catch with Ice Make Magic: you need space for your creations, and they eventually turn into a watery mess.
If only I wasn't grounded... Mom already got suspicious yesterday about why the floor was so cold. Good thing I hid the ice container under the bed.
I finished my morning magic routine, swapped Zid Taubane's card for Ryu, and headed to the home gym.
I'm only 20 XP away from Level 8. Plus, the shop resets today, which means I'll have enough for two pulls. I think I'll try the Standard banner this time.
Ding-dong. The doorbell rang just as I reached the stairs, cutting off my train of thought.
I opened the door to find a stunning blonde with blue eyes, a white T-shirt, and tight jeans standing there with a suitcase.
"Hey there. How can I help you, gorgeous?" I leaned against the frame, crossing my arms. A solid 4 out of 10 pick-up attempt, but hey, I'm a teenager now.
"Hi. Is this the Trueno residence?" A French accent? Interesting.
Out of curiosity, I activated Analyze, ignoring the sudden drain on my mana.
Name: Michelle Leroy
Titles: Miss Big Juicy Ass, Divine Booty
Level: 12
Alignment: Lawful Neutral
What the hell are those titles?
"You must be Miguel?" she asked, looking me over.
"So, you're the 'bad boy' I'm supposed to babysit while your parents are in Europe?" Her tone was playful, and my hormones were already taking my imagination to places they shouldn't go.
My mom called out from the second floor, "Michelle! You're here!"
It turns out she's my third cousin, Michelle Leroy. The person who's going to spend the next month making sure I follow my punishment.
I don't know what's more shocking: discovering a French cousin I never knew existed, or realizing I live in the actual house from Home Alone.
A week into my Isekai life and I just realized I'm living in the McCallister's New York mansion. My life is a meme.
Michelle's arrival officially ruined my "solitude" plans. No more training in the middle of the living room without a care in the world.
At dinner, the conversation turned to her "IT career."
"Don't go into IT," she warned when I asked. "Mass layoffs, outsourcing, high pressure... the industry is bleeding right now."
I retreated to my room and used an enhanced Analyze on her through the window as she walked with my sisters.
Profession: Stripper, IT Specialist (formerly)
Organization: "Garden of Eden" Club
Proportions: 85 (C) / 57 / 92
Holy... she's a stripper? Talk about a career pivot after an IT layoff.
[ New Skill Obtained: Intuition ]
Great. Now I have this information. Do I use it to soften my "grounding"? That feels dirty. Blackmailing a "struggling relative" is a low move even for a Gacha-addict.
Later, I finished a brutal workout. Shirtless and drenched in sweat, I ran into Michelle and the sisters again.
"Cover yourself up, 'Drunken Master'!" Irene mocked.
In a fit of petty rage, I whipped my sweaty shirt right into Veronica's face. Bulls-eye!
I retreated to the bathroom while she screamed threats about shoving that shirt where the sun doesn't shine.
Standing in front of the mirror, I realized I'm a sixteen-year-old with a "babysitter" cousin who is a literal professional dancer.
"She's family... she's family..." I muttered, trying to ignore the obvious.
Kill me now.