Starting With The Sefirah Castle In The Anime World

After coming out of the pool, Aizawa Sakuya kept monitoring the state of her watch.

It seemed that ever since her head emerged from the water, the red area on the watch had turned green, and the countdown had gone from 8 minutes to 5 minutes.

So, as long as her head was submerged, the ability to breathe and move freely underwater would activate. Once she left the water, the remaining time would begin to recover.

In simple terms, she had 13 minutes of usage time. Once consumed, it would take 13 minutes to recharge.

Originally, she thought it would require more time—or even some spiritual consumption.

Then Sakuya paused.

No, spiritual consumption still exists. It's just that this specific ability doesn't use much. Maybe if I used it for longer, I'd notice some symptoms of spiritual depletion.

Spirituality originates from the spiritual body and can also be considered a kind of energy.

But energy is not the same as spirituality. The most noticeable consumption occurs when one's spirituality is depleted.

Since I haven't taken the potion, I haven't formally transformed my energy into spirituality. So I can't precisely tell how much I've consumed or how much I have left. At most, I can sense my energy reserves, and even that's vague.

As expected, even with such an impressive item, I can't underestimate its implications.

Still, once I become a Beyonder and my spirituality increases significantly, I should be able to utilize this item more efficiently. Right now, there are still some limitations.

After sorting out her observations about the item, Aizawa Sakuya changed into a bathrobe and stepped outside.

Kasumi Aika was sitting quietly outside. Since they were all girls, it was easier this way.

When she came out, Sakuya sat down directly across from Aika.

"How was it?"

Kasumi Aika was silent for a while.

"So, this is the secret that Miss Sakuya and the others are hiding?"

"Not quite. It's just a small secret. Compared to what we're really hiding, this is just an appetizer."

As she spoke, Sakuya raised her left hand and looked at the watch on her wrist.

"This is a birthday present from Ren. So, Aika, how much do you think this watch is worth?"

Kasumi Aika examined it carefully, then shook her head slightly.

"Priceless."

"Miss Sakuya, even though my knowledge is limited, I understand that this kind of gift can't be measured in monetary value. But judging from what you just demonstrated, I can say with certainty—if the watch's function became public knowledge, there would be countless people willing to pay a fortune to obtain it."

"And what's valuable isn't the watch itself, but the person who made it."

Kasumi Aika quickly caught on.

"So, that boy really is the core of your group."

Aizawa Sakuya didn't deny it. Instead, she asked a question:

"Then, Aika, do you think Ren lied?"

Kasumi Aika carefully recalled everything Ren had said, then shook her head slightly.

"No, everything he said was true. He always emphasized that he's just an ordinary person. Maybe I didn't quite understand at first, but now I get it. The part he emphasized was that the identities people can investigate are all ordinary. That's what he meant."

"Exactly. Ren's official identity is very simple, just an ordinary person. No matter how deeply you look into him, the result won't change. But he's also the most extraordinary 'ordinary person.'"

After hearing this, Kasumi Aika didn't feel excitement—only confusion.

"Then why tell me all this now?"

Sakuya nodded slightly.

"Because what I'm about to say next is related to you. Ren asked me to remind you—you're going to get sick soon. The illness that's been holding you back for years. I happened to ask him about it today. He said your disease can be cured."

Kasumi Aika paused for a moment, then she understood.

"...You mean through special means?"

Aizawa Sakuya nodded.

"Your physical condition has troubled you since birth. If your family could have cured it, they would have done so already. They wouldn't have let it affect your health this long."

The Kasumi family was well-off and had excellent medical resources. If there had been a way to cure Aika's illness, money wouldn't have been an obstacle.

And yet, even under such circumstances, her disease had persisted since birth.

That alone proved it wasn't something that could be resolved with conventional medicine.

But what normal means couldn't fix, extraordinary methods just might.

Kasumi Aika paused again. She hadn't expected her condition could be treated, and by using unconventional methods at that.

"Miss Sakuya, is it really okay to tell me all this?"

"It's nothing that serious."

Aizawa Sakuya waved her hand casually.

"I already got Ren's permission. Besides, this isn't something we can keep hidden forever. It's bound to be exposed sooner or later. We just try to control the timing. Now that we have more allies, as long as we don't take the initiative to reveal anything, some things won't come to light."

"And more importantly, I believe Aika won't casually talk about this with others."

Kasumi Aika paused briefly, then slowly closed her eyes, placed her hands over her lower abdomen, and bowed her head slightly.

"Yes. I swear on the Kasumi family name that I won't reveal any of this."

"Good. With that kind of promise, I'm at ease. So, are you ready now?"

"Right now?"

Kasumi Aika looked a bit stunned, a trace of hesitation appearing on her face.

"But... the birthday party just ended. Isn't this a little sudden?"

"It's fine. I'll make the call."

Sakuya said calmly, pulling out her phone to contact Ren.

(To be continued.)