The sun was already dipping behind the skyline when Ryan returned to his apartment.
The evening light spilled through the window, painting the room in long golden shadows.
Ryan closed the door behind him and stepped inside.
A backpack hung from his shoulder.
Two handheld radios rested in his hand.
He set both down on the kitchen counter before pulling the backpack off and dropping it beside them.
Inside the bag were several freshly harvested Clearleaf plants.
Ryan exhaled slowly.
"Alright…"
He ran a hand through his hair.
"You said there was a correct way to use Clearleaf."
Iris answered immediately.
[Yes.]
Her voice sounded calm, almost instructional.
[In your previous timeline you simply brewed the leaves into tea, correct?]
Ryan was already moving through the kitchen.
He grabbed a kettle, filled it with water, and placed it on the stove.
"Yeah."
The burner clicked on.
Ryan leaned against the counter while waiting.
"I just made tea."
[That works.]
[But it is not the most effective method.]
Ryan glanced over his shoulder.
"So there's a better way."
[Yes.]
Ryan opened the backpack and carefully removed one of the Clearleaf plants.
The deep red flower at its center glowed faintly.
[You should still brew the leaves into tea.]
[However, the flower must also be boiled.]
Ryan raised an eyebrow.
"And?"
[You must soak in that water.]
Ryan blinked.
"...Soak?"
He turned fully toward the kitchen.
"You mean bathe in it?"
[Correct.]
Ryan frowned slightly.
"What difference does that make?"
Iris explained patiently.
[The tea cleanses impurities inside your body.]
[But the bloom infusion purifies the pores.]
Ryan slowly nodded.
"Alright."
He pulled a much larger pot from the cabinet.
"That can be arranged."
Ryan filled the pot with water and set it on a portable burner in the living room.
Then he gently dropped the crimson flower into the water.
The petals drifted slowly across the surface.
The faint glow intensified as the water began to warm.
But Iris wasn't finished.
Her voice softened slightly.
Almost sympathetic.
[There is one more thing you need to know.]
Ryan froze.
He already knew that tone.
"What is it?"
[The water must be as hot as possible when you enter.]
Ryan stared at the pot.
Steam was already beginning to rise.
Slowly, he rubbed his face.
"...Fantastic."
He sighed.
"So what you're telling me…"
Ryan leaned back against the counter.
"This is going to hurt like hell."
Iris answered cheerfully.
[Exactly.]
***
An hour later—
Ryan sat in a chair beside the portable burner.
The enormous pot of water had begun to boil.
Steam curled upward toward the ceiling.
In the center of the pot, the crimson bloom drifted slowly through the bubbling water.
A sweet citrus-like scent filled the apartment.
It was strangely calming.
Across the room, the kettle on the stove began to whistle.
Ryan stood up.
"Well…"
He walked into the kitchen.
"I might as well start with the tea."
He poured the boiling water over several Clearleaf leaves inside a mug.
The aroma instantly filled the air.
Ryan inhaled slowly.
"It smells good."
He took a sip.
The flavor was surprisingly pleasant — slightly sweet with a cool herbal aftertaste.
Ryan returned to the chair and watched the boiling pot.
For a few minutes the apartment was silent.
Just the sound of bubbling water.
Ryan took another sip.
And another.
Then finally—
The water in the large pot began to roll with a violent boil.
Ryan drained the rest of the tea.
"Alright."
He stood.
Time to begin.
Ryan walked to the bathroom and turned on the shower, letting the tub fill with hot water.
Then he carried the massive pot inside.
Steam rolled through the small bathroom.
Ryan removed his clothes and set them aside.
The tub was already nearly full.
Ryan lifted the pot.
Carefully.
Slowly.
He poured the boiling liquid into the bathtub.
Steam exploded upward as the two temperatures mixed.
The red bloom drifted across the surface like a drop of blood.
Ryan took a deep breath.
Then another.
And stepped in.
"Argh!"
The pain hit instantly.
The moment his feet touched the water, his entire body tensed.
But Ryan forced himself forward.
Step.
Step.
Then he lowered himself into the tub.
A long, strained groan escaped his throat as the scalding water reached his chest.
Every nerve in his body screamed.
But Ryan didn't stop.
Not until the water reached his neck.
His muscles trembled violently.
But he knew the next step.
Without hesitation—
Ryan submerged himself completely.
The pain exploded.
His skin felt like it was peeling away.
His ears burned as boiling water seeped inside.
Every breath was a struggle.
Every second stretched into eternity.
Ryan clenched his teeth so hard he thought they might crack.
He had endured broken bones.
Shattered ribs.
Even having his organs pierced in battle.
But this…
This was different.
The heat invaded every inch of his body.
Sensitive nerves screamed in agony.
Ryan's vision blurred.
His consciousness began slipping away.
He didn't know how long he remained underwater.
Seconds.
Minutes.
Maybe longer.
Then—
[That's enough, Ryan!]
Iris' voice rang sharply in his mind.
[You've absorbed everything you can!]
Ryan forced his failing body to move.
With the last scraps of strength he had left, he hurled himself out of the bathtub.
His body slammed onto the cold tile floor.
The shock sent a scream ripping from his throat.
His skin was covered in burns.
Angry red blisters spread across his body.
The sight was horrific.
But the pain—
The pain was worse.
Ryan's vision darkened.
The scream died in his throat.
And then—
Everything went black.
***
He never felt the mana begin to move.
It flowed slowly through his body like a silent river.
Cleansing.
Purifying.
Repairing the damage.
Minutes passed.
The blisters faded.
The burns disappeared.
Ryan's body slowly healed.
Then—
His stomach suddenly lurched.
Ryan's body convulsed violently.
Instinct twisted him onto his side just as he vomited.
Thick black liquid spilled across the floor.
The stench was unbearable.
Ryan continued vomiting until nothing remained inside him.
The black sludge pooled across the bathroom tiles.
Every impurity that had been hidden inside his body.
Then finally—
Silence.
Ryan lay unconscious on the floor.
His body completely healed.
Stronger than before.
Nearby, Iris' voice whispered softly.
Almost to herself.
[With this advantage…]
[And the technique I'm about to teach you…]
[You should have enough of a head start.]
A small giggle followed.
[And maybe now…]
[You won't hate your appearance so much.]