Novel!

After getting back, Renji was greeted by Rika, who was waiting for him at the dining table.

Her arms were crossed, and her foot tapped against the floor impatiently. "You're late," she said, narrowing her eyes.

Renji, still buzzing from his newfound powers, barely reacted. "Got caught up with something."

Rika sighed, then gestured toward the table. "Whatever. Sit. You need to eat."

Renji sat down, his mind still running through everything that had happened. His hands absentmindedly picked up the chopsticks as he stared at the food in front of him—simple yet well-made. Rice, miso soup, grilled fish, and a small side of pickled vegetables.

Rika sat across from him, resting her chin on her palm. "You seem... different."

He blinked. "Huh?"

"You were always kind of sluggish. Now, you look... sharper." Her gaze locked onto his eyes. "Like something woke you up."

Renji paused for a moment. Was it really that obvious? He had only activated his abilities a short while ago, yet even Rika—who wasn't even aware of the supernatural—could sense a shift in him.

Instead of answering directly, he shrugged. "Maybe I just finally started taking care of myself."

Rika scoffed. "Yeah, right. If that were true, you'd have stopped eating instant ramen by now."

Renji smirked. "Touché."

As they ate, his system notifications flashed in the corner of his vision.

[System Update]- Body Strengthening Proficiency: 6% (+2% from natural recovery after usage) - Telekinesis Proficiency: 3% (+1% from mental focus during dinner)

Even eating was helping his skills grow?

"Interesting. So my body is passively improving even without direct training."

He glanced at Rika, who was still watching him. "What?"

"You're unusually quiet. Did something happen today?"

Renji thought for a moment. Should he tell her? No—not yet. Until he understood his powers fully, it was better to keep them to himself.

"Nothing major. Just... got a lot on my mind."

Rika raised an eyebrow but didn't push further. "Well, if something's bothering you, don't go acting like some loner protagonist and keeping it all to yourself."

Renji chuckled. "You've been watching too much anime."

Rika smirked. "And you haven't?"

The dinner continued in a comfortable silence after that.

For the first time in a long while, Renji felt something different. Not just because of his new powers, but because of something more subtle.

A sense of purpose.

Renji leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms as he glanced at the final paragraph of his manuscript. It had been only three days since he started writing, yet the novel was already complete. The smooth flow of words, the structured plot, and the well-developed characters all came naturally to him, a result of years of experience.

Just as he saved the final draft, his phone vibrated on the desk. A quick glance at the caller ID showed an unfamiliar number, but the company name attached to it told him everything he needed to know. He answered calmly, his tone steady and professional. "Renji speaking."

"Ah, Mr. Renji! This is Aoyama from Sunrise Publishing. We've reviewed your submission, and I must say, it left quite an impression. We'd love to discuss it further. Do you have time to visit our office this week?"

Renji exhaled slightly, already expecting this response. He had done his research before choosing where to submit his work, and he knew what the market was lacking. "I appreciate the opportunity. I can come in tomorrow. Does that work for you?"

"That would be perfect! I'll arrange everything. Looking forward to meeting you in person."

"Likewise." Renji ended the call without hesitation, his expression unreadable.

Sunrise Publishing wasn't just any company—it was one of the biggest names in the anime and light novel industry, responsible for countless bestsellers and adaptations. For them to respond this quickly only confirmed what he already knew: his work had value.

He stood up, glancing at his reflection in the window. This was just another step forward—nothing to be overly excited about. He had done this before, and he would do it again. But that didn't mean he would take it lightly.

The next afternoon, Renji stood in front of the Shinka Publishing Headquarters, staring up at the towering glass structure that loomed over him.

It wasn't just big—it was massive.

Shinka Publishing wasn't some small-time company. It was one of the top three publishing giants in the industry, responsible for countless bestselling light novels, many of which had been turned into anime, manga, and even live-action adaptations.

The company's logo—a sleek, stylized ink brush forming the kanji for Shinka (進化, meaning Evolution)—was displayed proudly on the glass facade.

Inside, the lobby was like a five-star hotel.

Elegant marble flooring, polished wooden counters, and digital panels showcasing current bestsellers filled the space.

Authors, editors, and business executives moved around busily, some discussing contracts, others reviewing manuscripts on tablets. A few big-name authors even walked past, their faces instantly recognizable from magazine interviews.

Renji, however, remained unfazed.

Unlike most newcomers who might feel intimidated, he had been through plenty of professional meetings in the past. Whether it was part-time jobs, university presentations, or pitching ideas, he knew how to handle himself.

Still, this was different.

"This is a whole new level."

Taking a deep breath, he walked to the reception desk, where a neatly dressed woman welcomed him with a polite smile.

"Welcome to Shinka Publishing. How can I help you?"

Renji adjusted his bag strap. "I have a meeting with Aika Tachibana at 2 PM. Name's Renji Kurosawa."

The receptionist nodded, quickly checking the system. "Yes, Ms. Tachibana is expecting you. Please take the elevator to the 15th floor."

As the elevator doors closed, Renji couldn't help but feel a slight thrill.

Aika's elegant steps echoed through the polished hallway as she entered the office, her eyes scanning the vibrant space filled with anime posters, light novel covers, and neatly arranged bookshelves that radiated a sense of creative energy. The room wasn't just an office—it was a hub of artistic passion, where stories came to life and authors' dreams took flight.

Renji sat comfortably on the opposite side of the table, his posture relaxed, exuding a quiet confidence as he observed Aika take her seat. She adjusted her glasses slightly, her sharp yet charming gaze landing on him with an assessing look.

"You're already aware that your novel has been shortlisted for the competition," Aika began, setting down a neatly compiled document. "It's rare for a newcomer to get this far so quickly. You must have put in quite a bit of effort."

Renji gave a small nod, his expression unreadable. "I just wrote what I wanted to see in a story. That's all."

Aika smiled slightly, clearly intrigued by his composed demeanor. "That's the kind of confidence we like to see. Now, there's one thing we need to finalize before your work is officially listed—your author nickname. Have you thought of one?"

Renji leaned back, considering for a moment. "I have a few ideas," he said calmly. "But I'd like to hear your opinion as well."

Aika tilted her head, amusement flickering in her eyes. "Oh? Leaving it up to the editor, are we?"

He smirked. "Not entirely. Just curious if you think something would suit the image of my work."

She tapped the papers thoughtfully before glancing up at him. "Well then, let's see what we can come up with."