Heartfelt

"Amazing…"

Ren muttered under his breath as he stared at the detailed map before him.

"Just how did you acquire this, Son…?"

Zen giggled and replied, "It's something given to me by my teacher in the game."

"You said earlier that it's still not complete, right? Do you want me to get you more paper to draw on?"

Ren asked with a bright expression as he looked at his son.

Hearing his suggestion, Zen's eyes lit up, "Oh, yes Da–"

"Actually, forget about it, Dad. I have something better in mind." He took back his words as an idea popped in his mind.

'Why would I need a paper and a pen? If I can make a magic that draws for me then…'

Zen remembered some of the shows he watched in the past. Shows where a certain character had the ability to show a part of their memories.

Using this idea as a reference, he began to do the unimaginable.

As he was eating breakfast and conversing with his family, he was also creating new magic in his mind.

If Arthur was here to witness what his student was doing, then he would be shocked.

After all, the process of creating new magic was supposed to be quite complex even if it relied mainly on one's imagination.

However, it was precisely the process of bringing imagination to reality that made it seem simple and yet, extremely complicated.

However, Zen's talent could only be described to be unparalleled by anyone else.

He was the epitome of talent, after all.

Currently, Zen felt happy deep inside his heart as he appreciated bonding with his family while eating his breakfast.

He specifically asked for a heavy meal because he could instinctively feel that his body needed more nutrients than before.

Because he wanted to spend more time with his family, he deliberately slowed down his eating.

Time passed peacefully just like that.

After more than an hour and thirty minutes, Zen finally finished eating.

"It was delicious, Mom!"

"Hehe, I'm glad that you like it, Son~"

"Wow, Brother. You sure took your time eating. It's almost lunchtime now." Sera butted in from the side.

Meanwhile, Ren looked proud of his son, "I can't believe that you're working that hard even in the game."

"Son, please enjoy the game."

Hearing his father's words, Zen looked confused, "What do you mean by that, Dad?"

However, even Rina and Sera seemed to be aware of what he was implying.

Ren looked guilty as he stared at Zen in the eyes, "You know, we took the gamble of letting you play Free World because we knew how much you suffered all these years."

"We wanted you to have the ability to enjoy life once again. You shouldn't work hard in the game just to help us."

"I know that you're keeping some details from us about your life in the game. I'm aware of it."

"Urk…!" Seeing the sharp look in his father's eyes, Zen gulped down his saliva.

'Does Dad have some kind of superpower!?'

Was what he thought due to the fact that Ren seemed to be aware of everything.

Not minding his reaction, Ren continued speaking, "Don't worry, I won't force you to tell us the truth. But please, enjoy the game too."

Zen glanced at his sister and mother, finding out that their faces too had that guilty look like his father's.

"Haha, Mom, Dad, and Sera. You don't need to worry about me."

Zen smiled as he looked at his family, "The recent days have been the happiest moment of my life. Being of help to you was something that I dreamed of too!"

Seeing that they don't seem convinced, his smile widened as he waved his hand.

Woooong—

A soft humming sound echoed in the room, catching the three's attention.

"What's that soun—" Sera couldn't finish her words as she saw a single snowflake landing on her nose.

She then looked up and saw it— snow.

It was snowing inside the room and it wasn't only that, it also felt cold.

"It's true that I'm enjoying myself inside the game too. So you don't need to worry. After all, you know how much I like anime, right?"

Seeing the dumbfounded expression on their faces, Zen let out a laugh.

"This…" Ren couldn't believe what he was seeing as he looked at his wife.

Rina also had her hands stretched out and felt the snow within her palm.

They looked at each other, noticing the surprise within their eyes.

Rina then looked at Zen, "Son, this is…"

"It's magic, Mom."

It was then that Ren, Rina, and Sera all saw Zen's current expression.

An expression of childlike wonder.

Something that they saw him wear only when he was still a child.

Before he had become bedridden.

A smile so genuine it was infectious. A smile that wasn't meant to cover his sadness.

A true smile of happiness.

At this moment, Ren, Rina, and Sera all understood what Zen was implying.

He was telling them the truth.