Chapter 11 Spoils of the Battle
Waking up and not in a hospital for once, I didn't dare open my eyes as my body ached all over.
"Ughh..." I moaned, shifting uncomfortably while wondering where I was, still refusing to open my eyes.
"As much as I'm enjoying the sensation, I think I'm starting to lose circulation in my legs." a familiar voice said, the voice being the motivation I needed to open my eyes with a start.
"Akiha?"
"That's Akiha-sama to you Ryusuke-kun." Akiha corrected.
"What... Why...?"
"Because I'm older?"
"Why aren't you dead?"
"Wow Ryusuke-kun, that's so evil of you... Wanting me to die... You make me so sad!" Akiha said, starting to fake a few sobs, tears included.
"Crocodile tears!" I growled.
"My, my, a little touchy are we? Or did you really think you could stop me?"
I didn't think I could, but I didn't expect to still see her here.
"..."
"What's wrong? I thought your goal was to prevent me from seeking out Deep Blood? I'm still here so isn't this your win?"
"Stop kidding around! What was with all that 'I want to kill myself' crap about then?"
"How do I say this... Would you believe me if I said your words touched me?"
"Nope."
"Awfully cynical one aren't you? Makes people wonder why you try to help others in the first place."
Dammit! Now that I think about it, Touma's been in there for a very long time.
"Akiha-san, I have to go find my friend, he's disappeared for quite some time. Stay, here."
"Hmmm? Where are you going?"
"Into the building. Deep Blood is inside so you can't follow me."
"Ehhhh? That doesn't sound fun at all. Then what am I supposed to do out here? Leaving a girl
alone... So ungentlemanly!"
"Shut up and stay still then!" I snapped, tired of Akiha's teasing.
"U mad?"
At this rate hell yeah I'm mad! Wait...
"How do you know that phrase?"
Smiling a cat smile at me, Akiha said, "Just because I'm old doesn't mean I'm out of touch."
"O... Kay..." I muttered, "I need you to close your eyes for this."
As soon as she closed her eyes, I placed my hands over her ears and closed my eyes as well.
Focus...
Using Telepathy's ability to 'Empathize' with others, I reached into Akiha's mind and gave her a small nudge, "[Akiha, can you hear me?]"
"Hey! I can hear your voice in my head! Cool magic!" Akiha squealed, nearly making me withdraw in shock.
"[Shhh, try to talk without speaking. Imagine what your going to say then imagine sending it to me.]"
"Huh?" Akiha whispered, not quite getting what I said.
"[Try again.]"
"[Like this?]" Akiha whispered through telepathy.
"[Good it's established.]"
That was easier than I thought.
"[What's established?]"
"[The link between us. By using telepathy as a medium, I've linked our minds so we can contact each other while I'm inside.]"
"If you wanted to do that I have a perfectly good talisman..."
"Espers cannot use magic."
"What?"
"Espers can't use magic. I don't know why, but I just know."
"Ok..." Akiha replied, no longer reaching into her jeans.
"I'll be going now. Just stay out of trouble until then ok? And stay out of the building."
Nodding to me as I walked off, I entered the building through the automated glass doors and looked around.
That was too easy, the way Akiha agreed and the ease of my entry. Something's definitely up.
I don't know what's her agenda, but as long as Akiha doesn't enter I guess it's alright.
"[Eh Ryusuke-san! The knights of the Roman Catholic church are getting up again! I'll take care of them first, you won't be hearing from me for a few minutes.]"
I don't think I need to acknowledge that...
Alright, the energy signature from the cards is coming from the North block. That should be the place where everything's going down. If not, I can just ask Stiyl where the real action is.
A few minutes later, I stood just outside the door of what should be the principle's office of this school.
Well it's now or nev... What the hell?
Backing away from the door just in time, a blur shot past me and embedded itself in the wall.
A sword? Why the hell are those flying around?
Peering around the door in case any more weapons decided to fly out of the room, what I saw nearly made me lose my dinner.
Touma's right arm had been severed from his shoulder and blood was gushing out of the wound.
Ok, maybe I'll work on the bleeding.
Focusing with telekinesis, I managed to accelerate the clotting, but blood still flowed out like a fountain due to pressure and the size of the wound.
I probably bought him a few more minutes. Tops. Technologically advanced city or not, if you don't get the loss of a limb treated at a hospital, you're dead.
"KUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Touma laughed
Even though he was facing the other way, I can solemnly swear that insane bitch is smiling.
"[I don't believe this.]"
"[Don't believe what?]" Akiha replied.
"[A-Akiha? I thought you were fighting the knights!]"
"[I was done quite a while ago. I thought you forgot about me. What do you not believe?]"
"[My friend lost an arm, and now he's laughing like a maniac.]"
"[Maybe he's a masochist?]"
"[How hardcore a masochist do you need to be to enjoy something like this? No, it's definitely something else.]"
"[Maybe your seeing things or dreaming? You could slap yourself to be sure.]"
-smack-
"[Ow. It's not working.]"
"[Oh my, I can't believe you fell for it. Maybe your still seeing things? Do it again.]"
"[OI! Just how stupid do you think I am?]"
"[Who slapped himself?]"
"[Noted.]" I muttered sullenly.
"YOU DIDN'T THINK YOU COULD GET RID OF MY IMAGINE BREAKER JUST LIKE THAT DID YOU?" Touma yelled, creeping me out further.
Peering around the door again, Touma seemed to be cornering a man with green hair and wearing a white suit, the man getting increasingly panicked as Touma approached him step by step.
"Ge-Get away!" the man screamed, falling over and cowering backwards.
Seriously?
Everyone up here's either nuts or halfway there. I'm getting out of here. Maybe call an ambulance for Touma.
Returning back to the entrance of the building, I calmly walked towards the automated glass doors...
And walked into them.
Mentally imagining Akiha laughing outside, I let loose a quick bolt of electricity at the doors, only to have it absorbed with no other effect.
Electricity, Telekinesis, Pyrokinesis. Every ability I tried was either absorbed or negated.
What kind of door is this? I know of the joke in some obscure novel that sounded something like
"You shall not pass" but this invincible door just takes it to a whole new level.
Slumping against a nearby pillar, I finally gave up on thinking about how to pass through the doors and instead on my next course of action.
Return upstairs and interrogate Mr. Freaky Green Hair? Nah, by the time Touma's done with him he'll definitely be out for the count for at least a few hours if not several days.
"I thought I told you not to interfere?" Stiyl's voice said as he appeared from the stairwell.
That body... Touma's unconscious?
No surprises there after losing an arm.
"Well if you'd teach me how to break these bloody doors I'll be gone." I relied, not moving from my spot.
"Tch, fine I'll open them you bloody amateur, help me carry him will you?"
"I don't think..."
"Nah I've got him, I just need to free up my hands... Here." Stiyl said, tossing over what suspiciously looked like Touma's right arm.
Huh? It feels like an arm... Smells like blood...
"Oh my God!" I yelled, dropping the dismembered limb onto the floor.
"Hey, be careful with that. It may be cut off but it's still his arm. Be careful with it. And don't use God's name in vain." Stiyl said without turning around.
Wait, why did he mention the arm before God? Just what kind of priest is he?
Gingerly picking up the arm, I cautiously followed Stiyl to the door... Which simply slid open.
"Is opening the doors that hard? Really, I thought the science side pioneered a way to open doors without even touching them. Why is it so difficult to open it may I ask?"
I swear this asshole's making fun of me.
It refused to open just now ok?" I snapped following Stiyl to a nearby hospital where Stiyl checked Touma into the Accident and Emergency department before leaving as quickly as he arrived.
Following Touma as he was taken onto an ambulance and transferred to another hospital, I realized I had forgotten something incredibly important.
I left Akiha at Misawa Cram school! Shit!
Jumping out of the ambulance once it arrived at its destination, I ran all the way back to the school, slightly out of breath and starting to panic.
She's gone... She's gone and there was nobody to stop her from going after Deep Blood...
"Dammit!" I yelled, slamming my fist into the ground.
Bloody hell... My fist is gonna be bruised tomorrow...
Well no point crying about it. I'll just get some rest and visit Touma later. It's already 3am after all.
-Time skip 7 hours. Unless you want a detailed description of what eyelids look like-
Waking up with a heavy feeling on my chest, I put extra effort into inhaling fully. The life in this city must really be getting to me.
Well, I've got to get out of bed sooner or later.
Opening my eyes slowly, I started to wonder when did I install a mirror above my bed as I stared right into a pair of eyes.
Wait, my irises are light brown. Why is my reflection not light brown?
Only logical explanation my sluggish brain could come up with was that the eyes weren't mine. But that brought up another question, whose are they?
Shit! Screw whose! Why's there someone's face so close to mine?
"What the hell? Get off me!" I yelled, starting to struggle and throwing the person off me.
"Wow, ten whole seconds between the time you opened your eyes and the time you threw me off.
Your reactions are really slow huh?" Akiha said while she sniggered.
"What the hell are you doing in here! This is a BOY'S dorm!"
"So?"
"You're not a trap are you? The 'necessary area' is a bit lacking..."
-Smack-
"Ow! What the hell was that for?"
"Hasn't anyone taught you to not talk to a lady about sensitive issues?"
"Sensitive? There's nothing there! What's there to... Ow!"
"Haven't learnt your lesson yet?"
"Some lady you are... You'd think in how many hundred years you've lived you'd have discovered a way to grow... Ow!
"Shut up about my chest!"
"Your chest! Screw that chopping board! I'm talking about your total lack of brains... Ow! Aren't you getting tired yet?"
"If there's something I learned, it's how to improve stamina!"
"Tch, whatever." I growled, closing the windows and dropping the shades, "I'm going out to visit my friend in the hospital. Remote for the tv's on the table, I'll be back before lunch. Be careful of the garlic bread in the fridge."
"Huh? Why should I beware of the garlic bread?" Akiha asked, genuine confusion on her face.
"You said you're a vampire right?"
"So? Get to the point."
"Aren't you afraid of garlic?"
"What? Really? You believe that?" Akiha asked, grinning as if she was trying really hard not to laugh.
"Fine! Easiest way to find out!" I snapped, reaching into the fridge and waving the packet of garlic bread in front of Akiha.
The result was instantaneous. Akiha immediately scrambled for the furthest corner snarling at the garlic bread, her eyes wide with fear.
Laughing sadistically I slowly made my way closer to Akiha, her snarling getting louder until she finally spoke, "Ita..."
"Ita?" I said, wondering what it meant.
"Itadakimasu!" Akiha yelled, snatching the garlic bread from me and starting to eat it voraciously.
"Wait what?" I said, blinking at the sight of Akiha gobbling down chilled pieces of bread while stunned on the spot.
"Mmm! Yummy! So what else have you heard about vampires?"
"Umm, you're supposed to heat them before eating..." I muttered, still trying to believe what was transpiring before me.
"Oh. No wonder it doesn't taste that appetizing..." Akiha mumbled in between slices.
"Then go heat it!" I yelled.
"Nah, food is food. But more importantly, what else do you have to eat... I mean, what else do you know about vampires?"
"They sleep in coffins... They hate sunlight... If they come in contact wit direct sunlight the will turn to dust..."
"Neh, do I look dusty to you?"
"Huh?"
"I only came to your house this morning. The sun was already starting to rise. Wouldn't I have turned to dust on the way here?"
"Well... That's..."
"Never mind, go on go on."
"They can't eat garlic..." I said, watching her gobble the garlic bread slice by slice, "Their afraid of crosses, they can't enter the church, when touched by a crucifix they will burn... In order to kill one, you must drive a stake through the heart of the vampire..."
After hearing the last statement I made, Akiha started laughing uncontrollably, nearly choking midway on a garlic bread slice, "Hahaha! Really? A stake through the heart? Ryusuke-kun, even if you removed my heart I'd still live."
"Ew that's gross! How can someone..."
"Ignore my magical properties for now, what else have you heard?"
"Well... That's about it... Oh! Vampires have night vision and they sparkle..."
"Neh." Akiha growled, glaring at me, "Just what have you been reading for your vampire information?"
"Well mangas... And Twilight."
"Don't assume vampires are like that. Misinformation from myths and legends are expected but please don't consider people's imagination as gospel truth."
"Aww... Sparkling aside, night vision would be awesome..."
"Well, my vision IS better than 20/20. But I don't have perfect vision at night. Better than yours probably. But in complete darkness I'm still blind."
"Wait, then how do you hunt your prey?"
"Trade secret." Akiha said, flashing me her trademark cat grin, "Besides, who says I have to feed at night?"
Holy shit! Don't tell me she's gonna bite me now!
"A-anyway, I've got to go visit Touma. Where're you going?"
"With you of course!" Akiha said smiling happily, "I have no idea how or what to do in this city so I might as well follow you!"
Oh no! I'm so dead!
"Uhh Eheheh! Umm, after visiting Touma I intend to go to the arcade... Hang out with guy friends... An obaa-san (grandmother) like you would not fit at all!"
The next thing I knew, I was in a choke hold; courtesy of Akiha.
"Maybe I misheard you Ryusuke-sama... But did I hear the words 'obaa-san'?"
"Gack! Onee-sama! You heard onee-sama!" I yelled, spluttering each time she tightened her grip.
300 year old Onee-sama... Is she that sensitive about her age?
"[I heard that.]"
Oh shit! What have I just done?
One shall not speak about the unspeakable horrors that transpired in my room, nor shall one ever mention the forbidden magics that were unleashed in a simple male dorm room. The only thing that can be told is... It lasted for thirty minutes.
Man, never piss off a vampire. I don't think I'll ever forget what happened.
"Why are you following me? Don't you need to feed or something?"
"And just what do you think I eat?" Akiha growled, glaring at me yet again; apparently she hasn't forgiven me for making a comment about her age.
Children?
"Ummm... Food?"
"Yeah. Just what kind of food are you thinking?"
She is really making it difficult to prolong my life.
"Delicious food?"
"Just shut up and say blood already! That's what you wanted to say right?" Akiha yelled.
"Blood." I murmured, now depressed at the state I was soon going go be in.
"I'm not greedy, I only drink it when I have to." Akiha replied quickly.
It seems she wants to get this part of the conversation over with as quick as possible.
"So... Akiha..."
"What." came the snappish reply.
"Now that you don't want to kill yourself... What plans do you have?"
"I... Really don't know." Akiha admitted, "I've never thought that far I guess."
"Why not? You wanted someone to stop you."
"Huh? How the hell do you get THAT warped idea through your mind?"
"If you wanted to die, you could just kill me in seconds and move on. Heck, if you really wanted to die you could just go in without telling me anything. But... Why did you? Why did you tell me what you were going to do? Why didn't you just wipe me out with the first attack? The truth is deep down you WANTED someone to stop you."
"That is... I... I wanted..."
"Then after defeating me in a long drawn out fight that lasted way longer than it should have, you carried me to a nearby bench and tended to my injuries. You could have just left me there and went in."
"..."
"I won't say anything else about this, but someone like you should try and change. Who knows what wonders and joys you may experience? All of it ends with your death."
Something's wrong, she's too silent.
Turning my body to face her, I was suddenly wrapped in a hug from the front by Akiha as what could only be tears dropped from her eyes and wet my left shoulder, "I was so sure you had died, your heart actually stopped for a few seconds after you collapsed. After you woke up I... I didn't know how to thank you or apologize; I was just too stunned. I promise not to do that to you again just... Would you stay by my side from now on?"
Too many questions were running through my head after that, how did she resuscitate me? What does she mean by "stay by my side"?
I guess I'll cross those bridges when I come to it... All that matters now is to give the only answer that came to mind, "Yes, definitely."
They are so like humans... Who said that they are any different from us? What right do they have to
discriminate against them? They can laugh, they can cry they can feel happiness and sadness. Why do people treat them as if they're so different from us?
Her tears no longer in free flow, Akiha released me and started cleaning herself up while I made my way to a nearby convenience store.
Pudding and coffee... Pudding and coffee... Grab a bit of both as a gift for Touma.
Arriving at the hospital in almost no time at all, Akiha suddenly stopped in her place and started backing off slowly, "I can't enter that building."
"What? You mean that hospital has some kind of holy barrier? That isn't possible. This is Academy City, the main base of the Science Organization. There shouldn't be anything occult related here."
"No, Deep Blood is in there. I need to go."
And she was gone... Even faster than the wind. Though of course, wind doesn't cause random accidents and disaster in its wake.
Opening the door to Touma's room with the plastic bag carrying the goodies slung over my back, I entered with my usual wave, "Yo Touma, how's the arm."
Typical harem. Seriously Touma. Bad enough you're seducing English nuns, your going after shrine maidens now? You should be ashamed of yourself.
"Uhhh, it's fine. The frog doctor reattached it for me."
I should really do some checks into that doctor, reattaching an appendage like a finger is possible with today's advancements in medication. But a whole arm? Most doctors... No, ALL doctors would recommend using a prosthetic.
"Touma, who's this guy? I saw him entering your room a few days ago." the English nun said, looking at me with curiosity coloring her eyes.
"Kh! The naked nun?" I said reflexively before I could stop myself.
"Touuuumaaaaaaa!" the English nun screamed, leaping at Touma with fangs at the ready.
Ok, before she bites me I think I'll take my leave as well, a scream coming from the door I just closed , "Such misfortune!"
With the goodies left in Touma's room while the nun bit him, I left the hospital with nothing else on my agenda.
Maybe I'll call Tsubaki...
Pulling out my phone and opening my contacts list, my vision went dark as a pair of hands covered my eyes.
"Guess who!" Akiha said, trying to make her voice sound more squeaky.
"Ah! Misaka-chan how nice of you to come!" I said, playing the idiot.
"Sorry! Not Misaka!" Akiha said, still cheerful.
"Oh? Oh my, I apologize Tsubaki-san! Sometimes you sound a lot like Misaka-chan!"
"Nope! Not Tsubaki either!" Akiha said, giggling as I got it wrong again.
"Kuroko?"
"Wrong!"
"Ruiko?"
"Still no!"
"Uiharu?"
"Neh..." Akiha growled, her claw-like nails now digging into my skin, "Just how many girls do you know?"
"Do you really wanna know...? Gyaaaouch! Akiha! You're Akiha!"
The guessing game finally over, Akiha removed her hands and simply glared at me, "You knew who I was all along right?"
A shiver ran down my spine at this point, it wasn't the glare, it wasn't the tone of her voice. Akiha had an aura that exuded a certain pressure that made me feel one of the simplest most primal
emotions of nature.
Fear.
It can't be an AIM Field, she hasn't undergone Academy City's power development program. But there's undeniably some source of energy emanating from her.
No doubt about it, she's serious. And when she's serious, someone of her caliber... Is enough to wipe out a whole district just by the flicking of a finger.
With instincts taking over, I simply turned to the nearest alley and ran.
Turning around the corner at top speed, I went crashing into a dustbin as inertia carried me sideways. My breathing out of control as I tried to put as much space as I could between that immortal entity that although friendly, showed no intention of holding back.
Ok, I think I've lost her in the alleys. Now back out onto the main street and what the hell?
Standing at the exit of the alley, staring right at me was... Akiha?
Making a full 180, I turned to make another run for it.
"Too slow!" Akiha yelled from behind me, "Your mine!"
What happened next from my best guess, was she somehow caught up to me and rugby tackled me from behind. Why she did that... I have no idea.
Falling to the floor, a nearby bag of shredded paper cushioning my fall, Akiha landed on top of me with what sounded suspiciously like a perverted giggle.
"Uhhh... Akiha?" I said, worried about suffering the repercussions of my earlier actions.
"Hahaha... You actually thought I'd kill you?" Akiha asked, lying on top of my back, preventing me from getting up.
"Well... Grievously harm maybe... But..."
"Don't be silly, I wouldn't do anything to hurt you... Excessively."
"That doesn't make me feel better at all." I muttered towards the floor.
Ten minutes later, after I finally persuaded Akiha to get off me, I headed towards the female dormitories where Tsubaki lived.
"Knocking on the door, Tsubaki answered almost immediately though she was unable to hide the quick flash of disappointment on her face.
"Expecting Len?" I asked.
"Yeah... More or less... He's disappeared for several hours already, said something about playing a game that he's been waiting for for over ten years. What was it called? Dea... Dya... Ah never mind. What do you want?"
"Well... My friend here needs somewhere to stay... And she doesn't have a dorm room yet. Do you mind letting her bunk with you for a while? Until she can find proper accommodations."
"Why doesn't she have a dorm room?" Tsubaki asked, eyeing Akiha with suspicion.
"She's a runaway. Has no school no ID and no dorm room. I know I'm asking a lot so... If you want, I'll do chapter 15 of your maths assignment for you."
"Ehhh? Seriously? You must be really desperate to do that for me... Is she in some sort of trouble?"
"[This is taking too long. Can I just hypnotize her into letting me stay?]" Akiha asked.
"[NO. I'm not about to let you force your will on someone else. Besides, I don't know what kind of side effects it may have.]"
"[It's not forcing my will... How do I explain this... It's more like 'making a suggestion' that they can't ignore. It only works when the request is reasonable. So I can't make stupid requests like 'walk off a bridge' or 'kill this person'.]"
"Ryusuke?" Tsubaki called out, waving her hand in front of my eyes, ending my telepathic conversation with Akiha.
"Huh? Oh! No, not in any trouble... More like an intrude who's done nothing wrong. I'll try and get it sorted out but in the meantime I just need to let her stay somewhere..."
"Hmmm... Throw in chapter 16 and you've got a deal."
"No. And your copying my chapter 15 I'm not writing it for you in case Oyafune-sensei realizes you're just copying my work."
"Dammit... Fine. I'm guessing you both are going out for dinner first right? Give me some time to prepare a few futons."
A short dinner at a ramen outlet later, Akiha and I made our way back to Tsubaki's room where Tsubaki had finally finished preparing a small pile of futons near her bed.
"Well, I hope you girls enjoy yourselves tonight, I'm heading back to finish off a bit more homework.
Giving both girls a wave goodbye, I decided to make a stop at a nearby convenience store and pick up some soda and junk food, seeing as my stores disappeared overnight. I have a feeling Akiha's behind it but judging by her appetite she couldn't have eaten ALL the food.
Probably Len using my emergency key after he ran out of snacks while watching his anime or movies.
"Haa... At least those girls can get to know each other..." I sighed, taking an alley shortcut back to my dorm room.
I wouldn't mind Akiha staying in my room, but if I was ever found out, I'd be screwed.
"Gyaahh! You bitch!"
"Take that!"
Oh? Sounds like a pair of idiots duking it out. Well, none of my business anyway.
Continuing on my way, the alley I was walking in branched out between buildings to my left and right. And on the right it seemed an Esper was bullying a Level 0.
There's no way to be sure, the Level 0 could have an ability and just could use it. Whatever it is, that Esper who's attacking the guy on the floor is really getting on my nerves.
"Hey douchebag! You got a problem? Stop staring and scram or else!" the Esper yelled, ignoring his quarry and glaring in my direction.
Exaggerating my sigh, I stared back at him with a bored look in my eyes, "I was just passing through. What's YOUR problem?"
"You wanna be turned into mincemeat like this moron?" he said, stomping on the now unconscious boy.
"I've seen your ability. You've already lost the element of surprise."
"I haven't seen yours. Maybe you don't have one?"
Well at least the guy on the floor had the sense to run while his attacker's distracted. Too bad I'm now the new target though... What a pain...
Here's the problem with Espers who can't sense AIM Fields, the can't tell whether someone's an Esper or not without the exhibition of an ability. Then again most Espers can't sense AIM Fields accurately anyway.
Judging by the way he was pounding the other guy into the ground, I'm guessing his ability's some kind of telekinesis.
Vector Change online, setting reflect to reflect any telekinetic force vector.
As the Esper raised his hand, I dashed forward, pretending that I had no abilities.
If I started just beating him to the ground with multiple abilities the word will get out for sure. Bad enough there was that girl from Tokiwadai that made it look like she was a multi-skill by hiding her friends.
"You're slow!" the Esper yelled, clenching his fist and causing me to fly to the side into the wall.
Dammit! Reflection didn't work?
After reaffirming my calculations, my confusion grew. I was set to reflect telekinetic attacks. Why did it still hit? The most obvious answer would be that it isn't telekinesis, but if it isn't, what is it?
Reflect is an absolute defense as long as I know what I'm up against. If I know what's coming, I can add it in my list of rules and exceptions that is affected by Reflect.
Getting up and leaping forward like a sprinter from the starting block, I altered the vector below my foot to give myself a minor boost. I moved faster, but not to the point that it looked like I was using an ability.
"Just another pitiful Level 0..." the Esper sneered, opening his clenched fist, causing me to fall flat to the floor and dustbins around me to crumple.
Man, I didn't want to do this, especially since this kid's personality isn't exactly something I want to experience as a part of me...
Analyzing AIM Field... Done... Calculating Personal Reality compatibility... 12%... Now adapting Personal Reality to mine...
"I'm a Level 3. It's just your bad luck that you picked a fight with someone of my Level."
Just what kind of force is this guy using...?
As I racked my brain, the Esper continued, "So weak, why do you Level 0's think you can face off
against Espers like us? Your a Level 0 for a reason, just accept the fact that you're gonna stay at the
bottom of the food chain!"
This scumbag, the more he gloats, the more I feel like just going all out on this scumbag. Level 0's
are trash? It's because of assholes like you that they hate Espers!
Personal Reality adaptation complete. But even before I decided to activate the Personal Reality and
try to reverse engineer it, the answer dawned on me.
Gravity.
This Esper's ability, manipulates gravity.
I would never have guessed it, since gravity is mediated primarily by mass. And due to the laws of
conservation of mass, mass cannot be created or destroyed.
"My ability's name is Mega-gravity. Basically by controlling gravity I can cause forces in any
direction I wish."
"Heh, to reveal your ace in the hole you must be really cocky." I said softly, the air being forced out
of my lungs.
"What'd you say trash?"
"Your ability doesn't involve the control of gravitational forces. If it did, you'd just be a telekinetic.
It's funny, You're a Level 3 and you don't even understand your own ability."
"Shut up!" the Esper yelled, increasing the gravity that held me, causing me to flatten into the
ground, the air forced out of my lungs.
Inhaling with a lot of difficulty, I continued, "Here's the truth: Your ability doesn't manipulate forces
at all."
"You're lying! What the hell would you know?"
"What would I know? Everything."
Setting gravitational forces to 9.81 meters per second squared via Vector Change.
The huge force pressing me down gone, I slowly picked myself up giving the Esper the shock of his
life, "H-how can you stand?"
Ignoring his question, I continued the break down on his ability, "Ignoring the effect gravity has as a spacetime curvature and using Newton's simplified law of gravity, the force experienced between two objects is the mass of each object multiplied by each other, multiplied by the gravitational constant divided by the distance between them. All you're doing is affecting the 2nd mass that interacts in the equation by creating an imaginery mass, thus allowing you to influence gravity."
"W-wha..."
"Your contribution to science and research in Academy City wouldn't be small, yet you choose to use your ability to bully others. It's wasted on you." I said, strolling over to the Esper and winding back a fist.
"N-no.. Stop...!"
Thrusting my fist as fast as I could into the Esper's face, he cried out in alarm and brought his arms too slowly.
And with that, my fist stopped millimeters from his face.
"Learn your lesson and go do something constructive." I said, turning around and picking up my bag of unhealthy food and drink before heading back to my dormitory.
Mega-gravity huh... Its user just strayed down the wrong path, but maybe he'll have a positive effect on his surroundings in the future.
Reaching my dormitory room and dumping the food into a cupboard and the drinks into the fridge, my phone rang with the tone I assigned to Tsubaki.
"Hello? What's up Tsubaki?"
"Don't 'what's up' me! Your friend is crazy! She bit me while I was sleeping!" Tsubaki yelled, causing me to hold the phone away from my ear.
"Bit you? What do you mean?"
"I don't know and I don't care! She's already on the way back to your place! You can forget about doing the homework, I don't want to live with her ever!"
With her piece said, Tsubaki cut the call, enveloping my room in a deafening silence that created an atmosphere so thick, it felt like I would be murdered if I took a wrong step.
Jumping slightly at the sound of the door knocking, I opened the door to my new roomate, "Akiha! Just what the hell did you do!"
Looking up at me with what looked like a cross between regret and sorrow, Akiha whispered, "I got 'hungry'."
-End of Chapter 11-
And that's all for Chapter 11! I hope I can get Chapter 12 out fast enough, the Sister Arc will take quite a few chapters to cover I think!