THE HAND OF GOD

After basic introduction Hachiman went straight to the point.

"When did your Imagine breaker first manifest itself?"

"Let's see,I've had it for as long as I can remember. It was detected since I first had a system scan in this city and without going through the Power Curriculum."

"You're saying you're a Gemstone,then. They are indeed rare."

Touma pondered over it.

"Yeah,I don't know. For one thing, scientists have been unable to pinpoint what exactly my status is."

"You say you're a Level 0."

"I am. But what's strange is that the scientists don't know how it works. It's seems that it's always activated whenever an ESP ability is nearby and cancels it."

Hachiman wrote it down. His boss had told him that there is little information available and some people probably want to keep that way. It would be best to keep him anonymous and not to release anything without her approval. He wouldn't want anyone to come after his family after all.

There was another aspect he was interested in however.

"You often claim to have 'misfortune'..."

Touma was irritated but he continued before he could reply.

"Is it related to your ability somehow. Creating some kind of distortion affecting what happens around you."

That immediately raised Touma's interest.

"That is something no one has explained. Argh! I've been trying to find a way to stop or at least lessen the bad luck I keep running into."

Hachiman considered what he said and placed a finger on his chin while in thought.

"Hmm...maybe your powers aren't based in science."

"What?"

Hachiman mulled over how to proceed with this.

"I know this is a city of Science but... do you believe in God?"

"Haah?! Why...are you going to talk about religion now?"

Touma seemed baffled but Hachiman pushed on.

"I know it's considered backwards and whatnot but we're just throwing ideas here. I've been reading about major religions like Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Shintoism and they all have ideas of 'blessings' by a higher power or something similar. I don't know, it's just a thought."

This was the first time Touma heard anyone in this City talk about religion in any context,it was seen as superstition. Then again,his power was not yet explained and seemed abnormal.

"I...I didn't know you were interested in religion,Hikigaya-san. What do you practice?"

"Let's consider it as 'broadening my horizons' since I'm not interested much in the science around this City."

Now this conversation was starting to get very interesting.

"I wonder there is reason that your family's name is 'Above God'"