The mansion's first-floor study was a mess, every corner telling the story of a love so intense it was a wonder the room was still standing. The once-stately furniture now lay scattered and disordered, the aftermath of Reece and Melissa's time together etched into every piece. Books that had once lined the shelves in meticulous order were now strewn across the floor, their pages fluttering open as if they, too, were breathless.
The polished wood of the massive executive desk bore the evidence of their passion, its surface marked by fingerprints and the faintest hint of lingering warmth, a testament to the countless embraces and shared moments that had unfolded there.
At some point in their lovemaking, Reece and Melissa had made it to the only executive desk within the room which was now a mess of books all over and full of fluids from the intense orgasms Melissa had on the table alongside their sweat from the intense workout that took place. After the first time that Reece came inside his wife, the raging fire of lust and desire grew exponentially.
Reece had tried to limit his actions to only simply making love to his wife since for her this was her first time with anyone let alone him. He knew her extensively, especially her erogenous spots that made pleasuring her very much easy. However at some point he stopped holding back let alone caring that this was her first time, since after the first few rounds she got addicted… and to keep her satiated he had to meet the demand and moderately went wild. He ravaged her and she loved it. How did he know so? Simple, she'd moan wordlessly and in short gasps as she tried to cope with the intense stimuli and fireworks going off in her head.
At the end of it all, after beginning their lovemaking session on the simple couch heading towards the desk and ending on the combined version of the couches in the room, they lay intertwined, their bodies tangled as if they had been fused by some unseen magic. Melissa had fallen asleep first, a peaceful, almost radiant smile gracing her face as she lay on top of him, one arm draped across his chest.
Reece, though exhausted, stayed awake just long enough to pull her close, wrapping his arms around her as he whispered a few words to Liz, who waited patiently outside, ensuring their privacy would not be disturbed.
As he felt himself finally drifting into sleep, Reece glanced down at Melissa, a satisfied warmth spreading through his chest as he held her. "Plans are always meant to be screwed up anyway…" he thought with a smile, allowing himself to let go of the weight of his responsibilities, even if just for a short time. Here, in this timeless moment, he was at peace.
Back in the present, on the moving bullet train, Reece awoke with a stifled groan. His neck ached from having been pressed against the cold window, and he rubbed it absently as he shook off the disorientation brought on by the vivid memories that had flooded his mind. The dreamlike sequences of his past lives and loves had felt so real that it took him a moment to remember where he actually was—in a nearly empty passenger compartment, late at night, the world outside slipping by in shadows and scattered lights.
The last memory had been particularly overwhelming. The passion he'd shared with Melissa, the quiet intimacy afterward—it had all been so intense, leaving him feeling as if a part of him were still lingering in that memory. But more than the nostalgia or the pleasure, the memory served as a stark reminder of his duty. He had to go through it all over again, this endless cycle, to protect the people he loved. The weight of that responsibility settled heavily on him, and he took a deep breath, centering himself.
Right now, he was just a weak mortal with nothing to his name. All the strength and skills he'd honed in his past lives were locked away, his memories and knowledge his only assets. He knew he needed to focus, to strategize, to avoid unnecessary risks in his current state. One wrong move, one careless mistake, and he could lose everything he'd worked so hard to preserve.
Glancing around the empty compartment, he noticed the time and felt a twinge of helplessness. It was nearing midnight—far later than he'd intended to stay out all because of the damn backlash. His mother would be worried, possibly even furious, and his father would likely be waiting for him as well, even if he tried to hide it. Reece chuckled to himself, imagining the inevitable scolding he'd receive as he stepped off the train. "At least there are no guards on the automated train service," he chuckled, "or I'd probably have woken up in a holding cell, mistaken for a homeless person."
As the train came to his stop, Reece slipped off and began jogging home, his mind focused and clear. He welcomed the cool night air against his skin, letting it get him in the present as he ran through the quiet, empty streets. The city was peaceful at this hour, a sharp contrast to the chaos he knew awaited him once he began the tutorial in just a few hours. When he reached home, as expected, his mother was waiting up for him. She crossed her arms as he walked in, her eyes narrowing as she gave him a once-over, checking for any signs of trouble.
"Where have you been? Do you have any idea what time it is?" she demanded, her tone a mixture of worry and frustration.
Reece scratched the back of his neck, offering her a sheepish smile. "Mom, I'm fine. I didn't get mugged or anything. I was just... doing some last-minute preparations for the tower. You know, talking to some classmates, checking in with the association. Just... getting stuff in order."
She sighed, clearly still upset, but softened as she took in his tired expression. "Just... don't make me worry like that. And if you're going to be late, let us know, okay?"
"Understood," he replied, giving her a reassuring smile.
His father appeared behind her, looking equally stern, though a hint of pride flickered in his eyes. "Next time, make sure you keep your mother in the loop. She worries more than she lets on." Then, after a brief pause, he added, "And don't think you can just brush this off. The tower is dangerous, son. I know you've done your research," he said, using air quotes around "research" with a hint of a grin, "but that only goes so far."
Reece grinned, mimicking the air quotes. "Don't worry, Dad. I've done my 'research' thoroughly."
His father rolled his eyes, giving Reece a quick, reassuring pat on the shoulder. With one last look, he ushered his wife back to bed, leaving Reece to prepare for the day ahead.
Once alone in his room, Reece sat down to meditate, allowing himself a few precious moments of calm. He closed his eyes, continuing his efforts to calm the lingering effects of his regression. He needed to focus on the tasks ahead, and he couldn't afford to let nostalgia cloud his judgment. His plan was straightforward: enter the tower, make it through the tutorial, but before clearing the tutorial, reclaim his mana. Without his mana, without the power that lay dormant within him, everything else was meaningless.
"Register for the tower, survive the tutorial, plus get my mana back… nothing too serious…" he paused with a smirk "Everything else is inconsequential," he thought, his mind narrowing to a single, unwavering goal. As the first light of dawn filtered into his room, Reece opened his eyes, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. The familiar surroundings of his room, neatly arranged and filled with small tokens of his current life, felt both comforting and alien, a stark reminder of the duality he now lived with—one foot in the present, one in the past.
"It's time," he murmured to himself. "This is my last turn... so let's make it count."
Before he left, his mother fussed over him, brushing imaginary lint off his clothes, her expression a mixture of pride and worry. His younger sister clung to him in a tight, koala-like hug, her arms wrapped around his waist, refusing to let go. She was quiet, uncharacteristically so, as if sensing the gravity of his departure.
"Do you really have to go, Reece?" she whispered, her voice small and hesitant.
Reece knelt down, giving her a reassuring smile. "I do. But I'll be back soon, okay? And I'll bring you good stuff from the tower alright?."
She nodded, a small smile breaking through her worry as she released him.
His father was the last to say goodbye, and though he maintained his usual stoic demeanor, Reece could see the concern in his eyes. His father wrapped him in a brief but fierce hug, his grip strong and unwavering.
"Survive, Reece," he murmured, his voice rough with unspoken emotion. "I want you back here. Not 'someday,' but soon. Do you understand me?"
Reece nodded, feeling the weight of his father's words settle into his bones. "I understand, Dad. I'll be back before you know it." he said and finally he was off…