27 Alpha
One day before the debate forum, I groggily opened my eyes, feeling the weight of the previous night's intense activities.
No, not in that way.
I had been conducting a magical experiment, attempting to convert a shrunken object weighing approximately 0.1 grams into a micro black hole using the power of [Sukunahikona]. Armed with the theories of extra dimensions and Howard Stark's diary, I embarked on this venture.
Unfortunately, it ended in disaster.
Thankfully, I managed to cancel the magic just in time.
Otherwise, my entire underground lab in the newly constructed building would have been obliterated, sucked into the abyss of a micro black hole.
However, this wasn't the only crazy situation I had to contend with.
You see, I had sealed several other formidable entities within the [Daikokuten] dimension. Curiosity got the better of me, and I decided to conduct an experiment involving one of these spirits.
To my surprise, I discovered that this particular spirit possessed a level of intelligence comparable to, if not exceeding, that of humans. Devoid of emotions, it harbored an intense desire to survive.
I kept it separately sealed from the other entities and released it, only to be met with its uncontrollable frenzy, as if it intended to consume me or possess me like a demon.
I referred to this spirit as the "parasite" because it displayed a predatory nature.
It had a core composed of Phusion and Psion, with the Psions resembling tentacles enveloping the core. This sparked a wild idea in my mind—what if I could materialize this spirit within my humanoid robot prototype?
The robot, [Alpha], stood at an imposing height of two meters, resembling a medieval knight. Its helmet featured a Y-shaped and was adorned with ornamental red like-hair.
The entire armor was constructed from [Vibranium], an unofficially recognized strongest form of iron on Earth. Powered by an energy reactor containing the core of a new element called [Badassium], synthesized following Howard Stark's theories, this iron possessed properties superior to steel while being significantly lighter.
Moreover, it possessed complete vibration absorption capabilities and the capacity to store magical sequences—an unprecedented breakthrough.
Until now, the only objects capable of storing such sequences were ancient relics and magicians.
This was nothing short of a jackpot.
I channeled the magic I had previously resisted onto the Dahan, enhancing it with the [Doll] spell.
As a result, I could control [Alpha], constantly unleashing my Psion, without worrying about depleting my magical reserves. It consumed a considerable amount of Psion and multiplied even further when combined with the [Parasite] spirit. Frankly, it drained my Psion to such an extent that, had I been an ordinary person, I would have perished.
Speaking of vibranium, I stumbled upon it a few months ago during a journey outside the Earth's atmosphere. I encountered a peculiar asteroid and claimed it as my own. To my delight, the asteroid contained not only vibranium but also gold, silver, and other precious metals.
Why bother with nuke magic?
However, despite all these advancements, the Alpha project proved to be a failure.
Disappointed, I decided to retire for the day and get some sleep. Little did I know that the morning coffee session held a surprise for me.
"Hmm, Jarvis, is this your doing?" I inquired.
[I lost control of Alpha after it expelled me from the system, sir,] Jarvis replied.
I found myself sitting in the kitchen of my penthouse, cradling a cup of steaming coffee in my hands. Confusion hung heavy in the air, swirling around me like the steam rising from the mug.
Across from me, Alpha knelt, his presence akin to that of a shadowy, black-armored knight. I activated my Elemental Sight, allowing me to perceive the true essence of his being. His form had undergone a remarkable evolution, yet something was missing, something I couldn't quite place.
The once pristine, floor-length robe now resembled flickering black flames, as if his entire being was enveloped in a swirling vortex of potent magical energy. His piercing purple eyes were fixed on the floor, filled with a sense of reverence. In a deep, resonant voice, he finally spoke.
This robot had evolved into a powerful and entirely new entity.
[Greetings, my liege.]
Alpha said.
I couldn't help but wonder about the knight-like character. I had always been fond of knight armor, but I couldn't recall setting up such a character. It dawned on me that [Parasite] must have successfully fused with [Alpha].
I could sense it—the tremendous and turbulent surge of magical energy that illuminated [Alpha]'s body in a dark purple glow. While not as vast as my own Psion reserves, I had effectively divided my Psion with [Alpha] while maintaining an equivalent amount.
It was an incredible cheat, but the internal implications baffled me. I narrowed my eyes and asked, "What are you?"
My tone was cold and commanding as I continued, "Alpha, explain yourself."
[Alpha] shuddered, its armor causing goosebumps to appear. "[I am a spirit that has resided within the gaps between dimensions since the dawn of creation.]"
Gaps between dimensions?
Did that mean there were dimensions beyond our own? The mere thought of it nearly shattered my mind, as anxiety crept in, making me feel as though a distant enemy lurked nearby.
I turned my gaze back to [Alpha], my eyes brimming with magical power.
"What kind of spirit are you? And are there only three like you?" I inquired.
[Yes, my liege,] Alpha responded, his voice carrying a tone of subservience. [We are parasitic spirits, feasting upon other beings, consuming their memories and life energy until they fade into oblivion, leaving behind only fragments of their former selves. As for our kind, there are only three of us, my liege.]
Alpha responded.
I let out a sigh, overwhelmed by this revelation. A spirit possessing such extraordinary abilities—there had to be more to it. Yet, I couldn't ignore the sudden loyalty emanating from [Alpha]. I could sense its emotions. Was it because I had imparted some of my strength to it?
"Why are you kneeling before me?" I asked, a hint of irritation seeping into my voice. "You possess immense power and could easily leave. Moreover, I locked you within that body. Are you angry?"
[My liege, I am not confined. With your power, I experience a profound sense of happiness. I have been reborn. I will continue to serve you, my liege...] Alpha replied.
As it spoke with earnestness, it knelt, bowing its head.
Overwhelmed, I found myself in a whirlwind of emotions.
Come to think of it, hadn't I been searching for allies, hoping to find individuals better than mere humans?
A smile, almost sinister, etched itself upon my face. It was an unexpected blessing on this particular morning, wasn't it?
Standing up, I approached Alpha, my footsteps echoing softly in the kitchen. I reached out and placed a reassuring hand on its shoulder.
Looking into its glowing eyes, I spoke with conviction, "Alpha, I place my trust in you."
[It is my honor, my liege.]
Alpha replied.
Kekeke, what a jackpot!
---
Today, just after school, a group of students calling themselves the Alliance scattered throughout the campus, engaging their peers to gain support. Their tri-colored bracelets made them easy to spot, and they seemed more active after yesterday's incident and in anticipation of the upcoming debate forum.
"Oh, look, it's Yuki-kun!"
"Doesn't he look even cooler from a distance? His appearance and the male uniform match!"
"Yeah, he's got that cool vibe going on. I don't care about the rumors anymore. He's just cool."
From the second-floor corridor, a group of girls observed Haku as he patrolled the area, behaving like avid fans.
Of course, Haku had his fair share of fans, especially with his tomboyish style, confident expressions, and demeanor that defied societal norms.
Sometimes, he even seemed to provoke others, adding to his enigmatic charm. Mizuki walked amidst the crowd of girls, overhearing snippets of their conversation.
"Once again, they're talking about Haku-san. But not everyone seems to have such a negative attitude. There's more to him," Mizuki thought to herself, smiling happily as she continued, carrying a stack of books for her club.
She couldn't help but agree with the girls' comments. Memories flooded back, reminding her of that time when Haku stood before her, bravely facing Morisaki and his CAD.
"What was I thinking?" Mizuki muttered, her face clouded with a mix of smoke and embarrassment. However, she found solace in the fact that she had made good friends at this high school, aside from seeking answers to her own unique "eye" problem.
The reason Mizuki enrolled in this particular high school was to better understand and control her extraordinary eye abilities.
Her parents had always told her how special her eyes were, but she struggled to comprehend why she was born with them, why she had to rely on glasses that she had long discarded.
Little annoyances like fogged-up glasses from hot drinks or struggling to stay awake in class while wearing them had become routine for Mizuki.
"Come to think of it, who were my real parents?" Mizuki pondered, occasionally doubting her ordinary civilian family background.
The discovery of specialized glasses for magicians like her only added to her frustration, as they proved futile against the true extent of her eye abilities.
As Mizuki's thoughts meandered, she failed to pay attention to her surroundings.
-Bump!
Without warning, she collided with someone, resulting in a loud crash as her books scattered across the floor. Panic rushed through her, and she instinctively shut her eyes tightly, worried about her glasses and the embarrassing scene she had caused.
"Mizuki! Are you alright?" a concerned voice called out, reaching her ears. She immediately recognized it.
"Haku-san, I'm so sorry for bumping into you!" Mizuki exclaimed, her face turning red with embarrassment. Nevertheless, she continued to search for her glasses.
Chuckling softly, Haku found the situation rather amusing.
"Let me help you, Mizuki. I found your glasses."
A wave of relief washed over Mizuki as she watched Haku bend down and retrieve her glasses from the floor.
Opening her eyes wide in surprise, her unique eye involuntarily activated upon catching a glimpse of Haku's figure.
Mizuki stood frozen in place, her breath caught in her throat. Her unique eye suddenly flickered to life, its power surging spontaneously upon beholding the figure before her.
As Haku's shadow loomed over her, an intense gaze emanated from it, penetrating her very being. Mizuki could sense an immense power and a chilling aura that sent shivers down her spine.
But it wasn't just the overwhelming presence that caused her pupils to tremble uncontrollably and her body to grow numb. It felt as though her very essence, her 'eye' ability, was being strained beyond its limits.
Haku's aura enveloped her vision, stretching out endlessly. It possessed a cold, dark energy that seemed out of place in this world. It was a force that defied reason, a power that shouldn't exist.
At that moment, Mizuki's eyes widened, pupils, dilating in both awe and terror. The boundary between her body and the external world blurred, her legs growing weak beneath her. It felt as if her very existence teetered on the edge of a precipice, her mind and body struggling to bear the weight of Haku's incomprehensible power.
Unable to withstand the immense pressure any longer, Mizuki's vision spun and blurred. Darkness crept at the edges of her consciousness, closing in as her senses faded away. With a final gasp, she succumbed to the overwhelming intensity, succumbing to the depths of unconsciousness.
"Hey! What's wrong, Mizuki?" Haku's voice filled with concern, as he tried to make sense of the sudden turn of events.
