I really need to get to the bottom of my powers.
Lately, they've been acting up.
Erratic, unpredictable and I can't fully explain why.
Maybe it's the so-called 'Gift' God gave me. Maybe it's something else entirely.
Yesterday, I had planned to investigate the hypnotic phone's owner. But the hypnotised principal kept causing problems.
I know what he wants and he will never have it.
Sigh. I stared at my hands.
Am I afraid?
They trembled despite my best efforts to steady them.
Afraid of my own power.
What if next time, it doesn't just affect me? What if it hurts someone close to me?
Deep breaths.
Inhale… exhale…
Calm. For now.
Time to go to school.
'Please, just behave today,' I muttered, praying that my powers wouldn't flare up again.
———————————————
'Hello, Di-ran!'
Kasumi waved, bright as ever.
I turned to face her. 'Yeah?'
'Did you see that viral clip going around?'
I blinked. 'What clip?'
She giggled, covering her mouth like she was trying not to explode.
'It's so funny! I don't even know who made it.'
'What's it about?' I asked.
She tried to explain, but her words kept getting caught in laughter.
'There… two… pfff… swordsmen—'
'Kasumi, I don't understand a word.'
She exhaled, calming herself. 'Let me show you.'
She pulled her phone out.
She glanced around to make sure no teachers were near.
Little rebel.
She pressed play.
Two swordsmen bowed, then drew their swords.
But instead of wood, they held… balloons.
Wait a second. That balloon looked familiar… exactly like the one I had.
The two fighters acted like it was a real duel, complete with live sound effects from their mouths.
Kasumi's laughter made the phone shake in her hands, but she didn't care.
She was glowing, genuinely amused and enjoying the moment.
'Look! Over one million views already!' She said, barely catching her breath.
I couldn't help but smile.
The girl who claimed she had no friends, the recluse in her own words, was so in tune with these little slices of joy.
She was alive and I wanted to protect that.
I placed a hand on her shoulder. 'Kasumi… keep that energy.'
She tilted her head, confused. 'Huh?'
Before she could ask, the teacher appeared and she quickly hid the phone, cheeks pink.
Class began as usual.
I mostly slept through it, though occasionally I caught snippets of lessons.
Even if my constitution allows rapid learning, I still had to start somewhere.
*Ding Dong*
The bell rang.
'Bye bye, Di-ran!' Kasumi waved as she headed to her club.
'Bye, Kasumi,' I called.
I couldn't help but feel a small pang, seeing her so carefree.
I pulled out the phone and prepared for the hunt.
——————————————
I walked the school grounds, scanning for the trace.
If only that old geezer were here…
The phone could only generalise the location, so I had to move closer. I went everywhere, but still… nothing.
Just as I was about to give up, a trace appeared.
They're near.
Following it, I returned to the school building.
Upstairs… Writing Club.
I peeked through the glass.
Students were scribbling quietly. The teacher? Snoring. Of course.
And then, I saw her.
A single girl radiating chaotic purple light—magic out of control, novice-level.
Wait.
I recognised her stubborn face.
She had refused help before.
How did she hide her mana from me back then?
Only masters can truly hide magic and even then, faint traces usually remain. This girl was clearly a rookie.
I rubbed my chin.
Do I call her out… or wait?
Before I could decide, a scream rang out.
'HELP!'
*BOOM!*
I bolted.
'Damn it!'
The sound came from the principal's office
—————————————
[Kasumi's pov]
'Is Sato Kasumi here?'
I was mid-stroke on my canvas when a teacher stepped into the room.
'Yes, I'm here,' I raised my hand.
'The principal would like to see you.' He said. 'And pack your bag.'
'O-okay…'
My hands trembled slightly as I hurriedly stuffed my things into my bag.
Following him down the hall, my heart beat faster with every step.
*Knock knock*
'Come in.' The principal called from behind the door.
The teacher gestured for me to enter.
I pushed the door open.
'Welcome, Sato san.' He said, a sickly grin plastered across his face.
'H-hello, principal.' I stammered, clutching my bag.
'Do you know why I've called you?'
'N-no, principal.'
He reached to his side and dropped a photo onto the desk.
It was Dylan.
'Do you know him?'
'Y-yes.' I whispered, my stomach knotting.
'You two seem close.'
'W-we are.' I admitted, my voice barely audible.
His smile widened.
Hideous, leering.
I wanted to look away, but I couldn't.
'I can help you raise your marks, Sato san.'
'I can also do everything in my power to ensure you get into the university of your choice.'
'But..' He leaned forward, his eyes glinting.
'I can also make your school life utterly miserable.'
I scooted back, my hands clutched onto my bag tight.
'Wh-what are you trying to say?'
He leaned back, smug and confident.
'What I'm saying is… you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours.'
He tapped the photo.
'Become my spy, Sato san. Tell me everything about Di-ran.'
'Wh-Why?' My voice shook.
'So he can become mine.'
My breathing quickened, sweat trickling down my forehead.
My hands clenched so tightly my nails dug into my palms.
'N-no!' I said, summoning every ounce of courage.
He raised one eyebrow, unimpressed.
'Do you know what you're getting yourself into?'
'It doesn't matter…' I stood, my chair scraping loudly against the floor.
'He is my friend.'
The principal's smile deepened.
'Then you leave me no choice.'
'Come in!'
The door swung open.
Three men stepped into the room.
Their smiles twisted, too wide… like the grin of a sinister clown.
'She looks pretty.'
'Just look at her body.'
'So is she really all ours?'
The three spoke.
'Yes.' The principal said. 'Make her an obedient pet.'
They licked their lips.
'Our pleasure.'
Two men started approaching.
'Hold her down boys.'
He unzipped his pants.
'I'll make sure she will be craving, this…'
His pants dropped and his cock shot up.
'Don't worry, you all soon will have your turn.'
I held my bag.
'Ge-get away from me!'
I swung it around.
That did not deter them from advancing.
'Principal, wh-what is this?!' I cried for help.
Hoping this was all some strange act.
'I told you didn't I…'
'I can make your life miserable.'
Suddenly, I felt pain in my arms.
'Got you pretty girl.'
They grabbed both of my arms and pinned me to the desk.
'Now just be sensible now… Don't worry, you will soon enjoy it.'
'AHHHHH!' I screamed. 'HELP!HELP!'
'No one can hear you' The principal grinned. 'The office is soundproof—'
*BOOM*
'Di-Di-ran!'
There he was.
Standing there with an expression I had never seen before.
The always calm and care-free person was gone.
He felt…
Different.
'LET GO OF HER!'
————————————
[Dylan's pov]
The moment I saw them. Two men holding her down, another leering, the intention was clear.
I lost control.
'LET GO OF HER!'
My vision narrowed.
Anger, red and hot, coursed through my veins.
The man with his leering grin approached me.
'Who—'
*SLAM*
I grabbed him by the throat and slammed him to the floor.
Then, with precise force, I twisted his hand.
*CRACK*
He screamed.
Blood spattered across the carpet floor.
The other two lunged at me.
'Kneel!' I barked.
And they did, trembling, collapsing to the ground.
*Step*
*Step*
I crushed their hands under my shoes.
Their cries echoed.
Both passed out from pain and shock.
Then I saw the principal struggling in his chair.
I ripped him off it and threw him to the ground.
'Di-ran, we can—'
*Punch*
'I wouldn't have done this…'
*Punch*
'…If you had only targeted me!'
*Punch*
'…But then you decided to go after my friend?!'
*Punch*
'I'll fucking kill you!'
Blood sprayed across my face, but I didn't notice. Rage consumed every thought. I was a storm of fists and fury.
Just as I prepared to strike the final blow, a voice cut through the chaos.
'DI-RAN!'
Kasumi's voice.
I froze.
Blood.
Broken bodies.
Limbs at unnatural angles.
And Kasumi… crying, terrified.
My hands shook.
I'd almost crossed a line I had promised myself I would never cross.
I'd almost become the person I loathe the most.
Him.
'Get out, Kasumi.' My voice was sharp, trembling.
'W-why?!' She choked, tears streaking her cheeks.
'I SAID GET OUT!'
Fear jolted through her.
She scrambled away, fleeing.
*Bang*
The door slammed behind her.
I exhaled, forcing control back into my body.
'Heal.'
The room responded instantly.
Limbs reattached.
Blood vanished.
Wounds closed.
I had no idea what my powers were capable of anymore.
But at least the immediate danger was gone.
'Obey.'
*Snap*
'Forget this ever happened. To never have evil intentions and to live a good life.'
The principal nodded weakly, still blushing.
The unconscious thugs couldn't even resist.
Incubus hypnosis was a mental attack. Designed around dream manipulation.
An unconscious victim made it easier.
'Clean.'
The office was spotless.
I left.
————————————-
Outside, I froze.
Kasumi was crouched, crying quietly.
'I'm sorry for yelling.' I said.
She looked up, eyes red and puffy, her hands trembled in fear.
'I was so scared.' She cried.
Her tears dripped onto my shirt.
I could feel her heart racing.
I clenched my fist.
My hands trembled.
Her fear, her trust…
It cut deep.
I gently pushed her back, meeting her eyes.
'Kasumi…' My voice caught, raw and unsteady.
'…Let's not be friends.'
Her eyes widened, hurt flashing across them.
But I didn't look away.