I had solved all my problems in a single night!

Is what I wish I could say.

Even after spending an entire night pushing myself into a state of complete focus, I couldn’t get a handle on the flow of my blood, nor did I expect to. I was satisfied enough with just the experience. I also chose to further embrace Stanley’s memories, specifically the outgoing parts of his personality, feeling that there was nothing wrong with having his general demeanor influence my own.

On the brighter side of things, I felt extremely refreshed even without sleep and my wounds were fully healed. As the sun started to rise, I received a knock on my door.

“Hold on,” I shouted.

I activated my Spirit Vision and an extremely powerful soul was revealed to me. Obviously, it was Evanora who had finally shown up.

With Penelope’s words still in my head and confidence that wasn’t my own, I began to feel a strong sense of annoyance. If I were to simply ignore Evanora taking her time, I felt as if it would be admitting my time wasn’t that valuable.

I lit a cigarette before opening my door.

“Come in,” I said before Evanora could speak.

While she gave me an incredulous look, I plopped down on the sofa. I guess it was worth mentioning that all I was wearing was a pair of sweatpants which may have explained her reaction.

“I was informed by Rusalka that you needed to speak with me.”

“Yeah,” I exhaled a puff of smoke while my posture grew relaxed.

I suppose this laissez-faire feeling was how Stanley felt all of the time. It was quite fun actually, my usual worries of Evanora’s power were far away, not to say I became cocky, but I was aware of my worth. There was a limit to what they could draw from the runes seeing that I had yet to purchase Runic Alchemy which seemed to be levels above simply invoking the runes.

“I’m in the process of understanding runic alchemy,” I told her half of a lie.

Though it was technically the truth since I was always gathering souls which would eventually go toward that knowledge.

“Oh?” She leaned forward, clearly interested in something that could greatly benefit the witches.

I wouldn’t be brought as easily this time.

“It’ll take some time for me to understand, but I was hoping for some artifacts and books if possible in order to speed along the process.”

“I see,” She gave a short reply, slightly retreating.

Her gaze gained a faint sharpness while her lips pursed into a thin smile. We both said nothing, apparently waiting for the other to bite first, but at the end of the day, I would be fine with or without her assistance.

“And what sorts of artifacts and books would you be looking for, Casper?” She finally asked.

“Things you won’t miss. Any sort of trinkets that can improve vitality or regeneration. They don’t need to be life-saving items, just simple things. As for books, anything relating to understanding life and souls will do.”

I could practically see her features loosen once she heard what I wanted. I could’ve assured her I didn’t want anything extremely valuable, but there was no fun in that. Not after everything she's done.

“That will hardly be a problem, but I must say– you seem to have changed.”

“Yes, I have– just a little,” I said with a refreshing grin.

It wasn't as if I was some new man overnight. I sought aspects of someone who was nearly the completely opposite of me. I knew it wouldn't change much in the grand scheme of things, but I needed a start or else I'd be strung around.

“Well, I can have the necessary items delivered by tonight. I’d advise you to leave a window open if possible–”

“Ah, hold on.” I saw she was about to leave and called out to her.

“Yes? Was there something else?”

“If it isn’t too much trouble, is there any way you could make a license and a motorcycle certification for me?”

“That can be done easily, but can you actually drive?” She asked, seemingly concerned about my safety.

I chuckled briefly before I gave her a self-assured nod, “Of course I can.”

…

“Casper Clay? You must get tons of questions about your name, huh?” A suit-wearing man at the dealership inquired.

“Yeah, mostly from children,” I replied with a dead-pan expression.

“Ha, is that so?” He forced a laugh.

“Yeah, it is,” I answered plainly, much to his discomfort.

It was completely unnecessary for him to try and talk me up since I had already committed to the purchase. As a sign it was becoming a terribly detrimental habit, I felt the urge to smoke to combat the general presence of the salesman in front of me. I reached into my pocket for a packet of cigarettes under his anxious gaze.

“Oh, um– There’s no smoking indoors,” He sheepishly eked out.

I gazed at him for a few moments before giving up. There was no need to make his life harder even if I felt he was bothersome.

“Everything went through without a hitch!” The superior the salesman beside emerged with a set of keys in hand. “Did you know, you’re our first ever customer who was also gifted?”

“You don’t say,” I accepted the keys and the title.

“Honest to God, you’re the first. I hope you recommend us to all of your friends,”

“I don’t have any,” I gave a very straight-faced reply.

“Oh,” The sales manager had exclaimed before feigning a frown.

“That’s it?” I asked for confirmation.

“That’s it,” He chirped in a brighter manner.

“Thanks,” I replied.

“You’re very welcome,” I heard him say as I moved to get as far as I could from them.

Immediately after starting up the bike, I drove around without a clear destination in mind. I imagined I’d need a helmet, but there was surprisingly no mandatory law concerning the matter. Since I had forgone the concept of safety, I was able to feel the air whip past me. Frankly, it was liberating which helped me understand why Stanley collected so many motorcycles throughout his short life.

I went to districts of the Emerian Island that I had never been to before stopping at one clothing store. My current style was the epitome of bland, I admit it.

If I was superhuman, I should at least dress like it. Well, that made it sound as if I was looking for a spandex suit. I had to give it to Stanley, he was a better dresser than I could hope to be, but then again, that wasn’t exactly a hard thing to do. When I didn’t have anyone to impress or anyone in general, I just wore whatever I had.

After deciding that I would switch things up a little, I entered a clothing outlet.

“Welcome, can I help– you at all today?” A rather cheery woman greeted me, but I couldn’t help notice she faltered around the middle of it.

“Yeah, I’m looking for–” I examined my current outfit which was the definition of bland. “The opposite of whatever this is.”

She laughed but I didn’t think it was that funny, or funny at all.

“You came to the right place Mr...–” she trailed which was obviously a cue to introduce myself.

“Casper. You can just call me Casper,” I muttered.

“Right, well then, could I ask about your budget, Casper?”

Although she had a polite tone, it was a really invasive question that would’ve turned me into a nervous wreck a few months ago.

“Around ten thousand dollars.”

Stanley’s lavish spending was infectious, but I didn’t want to become consumed in his sort of lifestyle. I just think it wouldn’t hurt to ignore my frugal nature once in a while.

“Very good!” She seemed happier than I was, but I’m pretty sure that the clerks in high fashion outlets get some sort of incentive on sales.

Then again, it was just as likely those salesmen at the dealership had muddled my thinking.

“Do you have any particular colors in mind?”

“Anything would work,” I replied.

"I feel as if you're leaning toward darker colors," She hummed out.

The woman’s expression brightened considerably when she was given free rein but her passion was reassuring. While she began to zip around the store, I trusted she had things under control and waited.

…

I returned home with a fancy bag full of clothes that I probably paid way too much for. Also, through no effort of my own, I received the clerk’s number which was sneakily written on the receipt. Ignoring that, I parked my bike outside and headed up into the apartment.

On the way up, I ran into Sunny.

“Hey, perfect timing,” I greeted her, inwardly recalling the offer a weekend outing which meant either today or tomorrow.

“If you’re not doing anything let’s go eat or something.”

I’m sure she was feeling cooped up with the other witches and I had time to kill, at least, until Evanora sent over all the stuff I asked for later tonight.

“Really?” She seemed surprised by my forwardness.

“Yeah, why not?” I shrugged. “Just let me put all this stuff away.”

“Alright, I’ll wait here then,” She said as I went up to my place.

Being direct like this was nice too.