Reiki was sitting on the couch as he glanced at the house's interior design, he thought. Whoever she hired to decorate this room, she needs to get her money back. This looks like someone who recently got into the middle-class imagined how all the rich furnish their homes… The room was decorated with imported furniture along with a couple of paintings on the wall. One of the doors opened as Kanzei got rid of his pink apron as he was carrying a large carton of milk. He made his way to Reiki, placed the carton on the coffee table, and said. “Sorry for that wait.”

Kanzei waved his hand as a remote appeared in his palm, he turned the flatscreen TV on the wall and continued. “I had to hang one of Ojou-sama’s many dresses.” Reiki picked up the carton of milk as he took the cap off, he said. “It’s fine, I can only imagine how hard it is to be in your shoes.” Kanzei started flipping through the channels, he glanced at him and said. “What genre would you like to watch? Comedy? Horror? Action?” Reiki leaned on the backrest of the couch, he said. “Any chance that flatscreen has a VPN?”

Kanzei pressed a button on the remote, the screen changed into the settings menu as he turned the VPN on, Reiki continued. “Can you give me the remote? I’ll see if there’s something good on.” Kanzei passed him the remote with one hand as Reiki used the remote as if he were familiar with it. Kanzei raised a brow as he watched Reiki change the location of the VPN to America, he thought. States? He can speak english? Reiki was flipping through the channels, he thought. What good shows started airing around this time…

A door opened, Kiru was wearing silk pajamas, her hair was slightly damp as she made her way to the two guys who were staring at the TV. She said. “Hello boyo, how have you been?” She sat on the couch near the armrest as Kanzei positioned himself behind the couch standing behind her, he said. “Ojou-sama, at least dry your hair properly.” With a wave of his hand, a white towel appeared mid-air which he caught before it could even be affected by gravity. Kiru let out a lazy yawn and said. “I did dry my hair, since I’m not going to meet anyone I didn’t bother finishing it.”

Reiki took a few big gulps of his carton of milk, he emptied half of it in one go and said. “You need to redo this room's entire design.” He placed the carton of milk on the coffee table and saw a familiar show, he thought. What was this called again? He casually threw the remote onto the couch while Kiru glanced at him from the corner of her eye while her hair was being dried by Kanzei. She said. “Why? I thought against it at first but the man offered the paintings-.”

Before she could finish her sentence, Reiki interrupted her and said. “Wanderer above the sea of fog, made by Caspar David Friedrich made around the year eighteen hundred.” Kanzei pocketed the towel as he glanced at him from the corner of his eye, he thought. That’s unexpected, he knows art. He snapped his fingers as three different types of combs appeared in his palm as Kanzei started to brush Kiru’s hair. Kiru raised a brow as she had a hint of impressed on her expression, she said. “Hoh… So you’re also cultured in artwork?” Reiki thought. Very nice backhanded compliment.

He glanced at her from the corner of his eye and said. “It’s fake, the real one is somewhere in england. Specifically in a basement with a family of six.” For a few seconds Kanzei stopped combing Kiru’s hair as she turned her head to face him, with furrowed brows she said. “... How do you know that?” Reiki thought. Because I stole it, the family didn’t want to sell it to me when I was a shady salesman so I burned their house and took it when everyone was panicking. He heard Ender’s voice in his head. [What a subtle plan.]

Reiki watched the television show and continued his train of thought. I was paid to steal the painting, not to care what happened to the residents of england. And besides, only a couple of people suffered second-degree burns. Kiru’s eyes narrowed slightly, she said. “... What makes you so sure?...” Reiki used his thumb to point to the other painting, he said. “Composition eight, made by Wassily Kandinsky in the year nineteen twenty-three. The real one is currently owned by one of China’s many millionaires.”

He thought. I think the owner thought it was fake and gave it to his in-laws as a ‘gift’ to marry his wife he divorced after three months… And it was sold for around forty-seven million dollars, so he gave away three hundred million yuan. Ender’s voice rang in his head, he said. [How do you know how much it was sold?] Reiki thought. I’m the one who bought it-. Wait, didn’t you say you watched all of my memories? Ender said. [I skipped all the boring parts.] Reiki kept his gaze on the show, he thought. Fair, as someone who had a conversation with Leviathan in space. A burning building is boring in comparison.

After a few more brushes, Kanzei finished combing Kiru’s hair as he pocketed the combs, Kiru stared at Reiki who picked up the carton of milk and emptied it with a few big gulps. She said. “These are all baseless claims, not unless you have solid proof. I’m more likely to-.” Reiki interrupted her and said. “That plum-shaped vase, which was made to look like it was made during the song dynasty, is another fake. You can tell if you tip it over that both the outside and inside were painted to look like that.”

Kiru held out her hand to Kanzei, she said. “Kanzei… I wanna see that vase for a moment.” She kept her gaze on Reiki who was casually watching TV while Kanzei slightly bent his index finger as the vase flew toward him as he caught it mid-air. He examined the vase from top to bottom while his pupils faintly glowed a light blue, Kanzei thought. … Looks authentic to me… He passed it to Kiru who was already inspecting it with glowing pupils, she thought. … What made him so confident about those two paintings…

The glow in her pupils slowly dissipated as she held it above the floor and casually let go, upon hitting the ground the vase shattered as it let out a sharp crunchy sound. Kiru waved her hand as a fragment of the broken vase flew toward her palm, she easily noticed the stark contrast of the paint compared to the bright white in between. Kiru’s eyes had a hint of coldness in them, she rubbed her thumb and index fingers together with the shard of vase in between her fingertips. She said. “Kanzei.” Kanzei already had his phone out, he said. “Yes, Ojou-sama.”

The broken piece of vase in between Kiru’s fingers was slowly being ground into dust, she had an emotionless expression on her face while Reiki glanced at her from the corner of his eyes. He thought. She can grind ceramic into powder using her fingertips without the usage of mana… Kanzei was making his way toward a door, he waved his hand as the broken vase along with all of the shards was being dragged toward him. Reiki reached for his carton of milk on the coffee table and said. “Going by your reactions, you used magic on them and didn’t bother getting an appraiser.”

Kiru finished grinding the fragment between her fingers as there was some dust on the couch which she patted off using her hand. She said. “... I like to trust people when doing transactions…” Reiki let out a chuckle and said. “Sounds to me that you’re too used to people kis-.” He faked a cough, Reiki continued. “Fawning over you, I don’t know what your reputation is over at the mainland but judging by how close you are with Asami. You have quite the backing.” He tried to take a sip of the carton and realized it was already empty.

Reiki picked up the cap on the coffee table and twisted it back on the coffee table, he placed the carton of milk on its side back on the coffee table while Kiru stared at him. She said. “Where’d you learn these were fakes?” Reiki made himself comfortable on the couch, he said. “... I know a dog that likes to dig deep holes.” He thought. Technically true. Kiru placed her hand on the armrest of the couch, she used her index finger to tap on it a couple of times, she said. “I’ll change my question, how did you know they weren’t authentic?”

Reiki stayed silent for a moment as the only sound that could be heard was from the TV, he ignored Kiru’s piercing stare and said. “Almost fifty percent of art you see everywhere is fake, a lot of millionaires have bought art thinking what they purchased is the original.” Kiru’s brows furrowed, she said. “How about the exhibits in museums?” Reiki nodded while letting out a small yawn he didn’t bother covering with his hands, he said. “At least seventy percent of everything showcased is fake, for every masterpiece made. There’s around… Twenty to thirty perfect replicas.”

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

Reiki thought. Was ‘that’ group active around this time? Kiru placed both her feet on the coffee table, crossed her arms, and leaned on the backrest of the couch. She said. “If there were that many, it would’ve been reported.” While she was judging the show Reiki was watching, he said. “One word, vanity. I’m not supposed to tell you this, the Mona Lisa displayed at the Louvre is fake. It might’ve cost me a fortune and a lot of bribing, but I managed to get my hands on the original.”

For a split second his eyes turned completely hollow similar to a dead fish, Reiki spoke with a hint of disdain in each word and said. “You can’t even imagine the lengths rich people will go to make themselves look even wealthier than they actually are.” He blinked once as his eyes turned back to normal, Kiru felt the malice in Reiki’s words as she glanced at him from the corner of her eye. She thought. … Was that my imagination?... Kiru moved her gaze back onto the show on TV and continued her train of thought. This show is pretty good, I need to get Kanzei to write it down and tell me when the season ends so I can binge it…

She said. “Why did you help me by telling me those were fakes?” Reiki kept his gaze on the TV, he said. “Finally, I was beginning to think you didn’t have enough tact.” The corner of Kiru’s eye twitched, Reiki continued. “I helped you because in return I wanted to learn how to properly use the potion dispenser you gave me.” The corner of Kiru’s lips curled into a small smile, she said. “I didn’t give you those four machines for free. We made a deal and you promised me ten percent shares.”

Reiki took out his tattered pouch from his pocket and said. “I promised you ten percent of the profits, not shares.” Kiru pretended to think while scratching the side of her head, she said. “No, I’m fairly certain it was shares.” From his pouch, Reiki took out grease paper that was shaped into a rectangle. He said. “Keep this up and I’ll change it to five percent.” Without missing a beat Kiru’s expression turned serious, she said. “Then you won’t be able to learn how to use the dispenser I gave you.” Reiki shrugged his shoulders and said. “That’s fine, I can ask Asami if she can sell me a couple.”

He started eating thick strips of dark red wyvern meat while Kiru glanced at what Reiki was snacking on and said. “I can confidently claim that she’ll overcharge you for both of them.” Reiki gulped, he picked up another strip of wyvern meat and said. “It’ll still be cheaper than giving you ten percent of the shares.” He ate more wyvern while Kiru glanced at him from the corner of her eye, she said. “You don’t even have a main building for your company. How are the shares split anyway?”

Reiki swallowed an entire strip of wyvern meat whole, he gulped and said. “I gave… An elf ten percent.” Kiru turned her head to the side as she gave him an odd look, she thought. You won’t give me ten percent for dispensers and give an elf ten percent for what? Reiki ignored her gaze as he kept watching TV and continued. “Arashi has ten percent, Igai and Yuki each have five percent.” Kiru’s brows furrowed in confusion, she thought. Yuko, I can understand. But why did Arashi and Igai invest?

Reiki ate half a strip of wyvern meat, he swallowed and said. “The CEO and secretary also have five percent.” Kiru was about to say something but stopped to think for a few seconds, she said. “There’s so many things wrong with that sentence and questions that I need to ask.” Reiki quickly ate three thick strips of wyvern meat while Kiru continued. “Why is someone else CEO and how come a secretary has the same salary as the head of the company?” Reiki let out a burp as he felt his throat and mouth get slightly burnt, he thought. I need to ask Asami what blend of spices they have.

He said. “It’s my company, you don’t hear me telling you how to cast fireball.” Kiru stared at him in silence for a moment and said. “That’s fair, but those numbers only add up to forty… You have sixty percent of the shares, the tiger who only thinks about exercise will never stand on the same side with me.” Reiki moved his fingers closer to his nose as he took a couple of whiffs of the faint smell of spices on them, he said. “Then go find the others and buy their share, just for clarification. If you obtain shares of my company our first deal regarding the ten percent sales is nulled.”

Kiru’s eyes slightly widened in disbelief, she said. “You’re willing to go that far? For a company that doesn’t even have a single spreadsheet of cash flow?” Reiki shrugged his shoulders and said. “Next time, get me to sign a contract when making a deal.” Kiru placed her right hand on the armrest of the couch, she thought. This conversation isn’t going anywhere… She said. “Why are you so… Opposed to me being a shareholder of your company?”

Reiki picked up another strip of wyvern meat, he said. “I have nothing against you being a shareholder.” Kiru was about to say something as Reiki used the saggy strip of wyvern to point at her, he continued. “I refuse to go below sixty percent. If you want some shares, then I can pass a message to Arashi.” Kiru used her index finger to tap on the armrest of the couch, she said. “... Why are you so obsessed with being the major shareholder?” Reiki stared at the flaccid strip of wyvern he was holding and thought. Because I want Japan’s entire economy in my pocket.

Reiki moved his gaze onto Kiru, he said. “This conversation is over, I’ll give the princess a heads up.” Kiru paused for a moment before saying anything, with an odd expression on her face she said. “Princess?...” Reiki chewed a couple of times and gulped down the food in his mouth, he said. “It’s my nickname for Arashi, she hates it and I’m just surprised I haven’t been dropped-kicked.”

The two of them moved their gaze back on the show on the TV, Kiru glanced at him from the corner of her eye and said. “If I can somehow convince Arashi to give me five percent, can I still keep the other five from our first deal?” Reiki grabbed a handful of wyvern strips as he glanced at her from the corner of his eye, he said. “Do I even need to answer that question?” A door opened revealing Kanzei, Reiki turned his head to the side and thought. That’s not the same door he used last time.

Kanzei made his way to the couch and he whispered something in Kiru’s ear which made her nod. She said. “Kanzei, can you let Reiki watch that educational video on how to use the dispenser?” Kanzei placed his hand inside of his suit and said. “Yes, Ojou-sama.” From the inside of his breast pocket, he took out a phone, took a few steps behind the couch, and handed him the phone. Reiki saw a couple of drops of dried blood on Kanzei’s wrist, he took the phone off his hands and said. “Thank you.” Kanzei tapped the button on the side as it turned on and tapped on the screen a few times.

Reiki thought. They have a video for it? He passed the remote to Kiru as she lowered the volume, she thought. Now how can I convince Arashi to give me five percent of her shares… I give up, I’ll just ask Asami.

________________________________________________________________________________

Arashi’s Apartment

Arashi was sitting on the floor with her legs crossed, she placed her hands on her thighs while slowly inhaling and exhaling repeatedly. Asami was standing a few feet away from her as the two of them were in the living room, she thought. I should’ve placed the couch and coffee table back when I had the opportunity. She glanced around the room and continued her train of thought. … Did I also put the remote in my pocket?

Arashi slowly inhaled as the mana in the room was violently pulled toward her, Asami’s long hair was also affected by the sudden movements of mana. Asami stared at Arashi sitting on the ground and thought. Her clan's mana cultivation still impresses me… I did read some stories that tigers are supposed to be equal to dragons but… Her pupils faintly glowed light blue as she saw Arashi’s light yellow mana filling up the entire room. Asami let out a soft exhale and continued her train of thought. Stories were always exaggerated.

Asami covered both her ears using her hand, with one sharp exhale mana violently expanded as the windows instantly shattered. Asami moved her hands away from her ears while Arashi slowly opened her eyes as she tried her best to contain the joy in them. She quickly stood up, ignoring the apartment which was a complete mess, Arashi’s lips curled into a slight smile that she couldn’t suppress. Arashi thought. One year's worth of tedious cultivation gained in one meal… She clenched her right hand into a fist, Arashi said. “I still have an entire kilo of meat in the fridge.”

Asami cleared her throat which got her attention, she said. “Are you done admiring yourself yet?” Arashi snapped to reality as she noticed the mess in the apartment. Asami continued. “If you could take a few steps back so that I can place the couch and coffee table.” Arashi took a few steps to the left while taking something out of her pocket. Asami lazily waved her hand as the couch and coffee table appeared in the room, Arashi took out a talisman from her pocket as it faintly glowed as the entire apartment was restored to pristine condition.

Asami sat in the center of the couch and said. “How did your cultivation go?” She took out a remote from her pocket and started browsing through the channels. The talisman in Arashi’s hand started to turn into ash as it didn’t leave any trace, she made her way to the couch and said. “It took a bit longer to consume, but I managed.” Arashi sat on the left side as she made herself comfortable on the couch, she placed her left elbow on the couch's armrest and rested her chin on the palm of her hand.

Arashi said. “Can I ask you a question?” Asami found something interesting, she threw the remote onto the couch and said. “Oh god, you really are just like Ikari. She starts being respectful and humble when she wants something from others.” Arashi’s expression turned a bit stiff, she said. “... Don’t ever say that again…” Asami let out a chuckle, she said. “Fine, I’ll stop with the teasing for this conversation. What’s the question?” Arashi let out a sigh and said. “You’ve eaten dragon meat for a long time… How much progress do you gain from a meal?” Asami thought for a moment, she said. “Using the exercise method, about a week's worth of mana… With Reiki’s method, one month.”

Arashi was in deep thought. Three times the efficiency?... No, she’s been eating dragon for years so diminishing returns should be expected… Asami picked up the remote and turned the TV off, she stood up from the couch and said. “I was going to half-ass teaching you when your mother told me. But, my mood improved for reasons.” She grabbed Arashi by the collar of her shirt and continued. “I’ll spare a few minutes of my time to teach you a few things.”