Chapter 24

Fubuki's eyes opened to darkness. She was sitting in someone's arms, their warmth cozy. Pushing back, she saw Kai's serious expression and a pair of eyes filled with mischief.

The man who drained her chalice of patience and forced her to make the most significant decision of her life. He also bravely stopped her sister from interfering with her life.

Holding back Tatsumaki for more than two minutes — she doubted any hero could achieve what he did. He also showed her that her sister wasn't invincible. Tatsumaki struggled against opponents with strong barriers.

Even so, she loathed his character even more than her sister.

"My bad for playing that prank on you," Kai apologized without batting an eye. "Look at this."

While she stared at him in confusion, he flashed a mirror. The reflection of her face raised a gasp out of her. She cupped her cheeks. Her skin was smooth and soft, just like she had before.

"It was all a dream?" she whispered with wide eyes. "It can't be. You were there and…. the dagger."

The Dagger of Time rested in her lap. She felt a connection to the beautiful dagger and the swirling sand within its pretty transparent handle. The intimacy only increased her confusion about the dream and reality. The death of City-A wasn't just her twisted nightmare.

"Allow me to explain." Kai cleared his throat. "The city's destruction, Tatsumaki's arrival, and your link with the Dagger of Time — all those events happened. We're in a new timeline you created…"

The detail he left out just so happened to be her most dreaded part — her aging. The prospect of descending into her sixties still terrified her.

"Then—"

"Yeah. I lied. The Dagger of Time doesn't work by aging its owner."

Fubuki realized that her struggle and her sacrifice were nothing but a lie. Kai fabricated the circumstances where she chose between her life and the lives of thousands. She had to bear the guilt of never seeing her sister and everyone because of his twisted plan.

A prank, as he called it, was underselling it.

Her eyes narrowed with a murderous glint. "You… you sadistic piece of garbage." She rarely cursed, but his so-called prank enraged her. "You planned everything from the start. For what reason have you tortured me emotionally?"

"Because I like you?"

Four words turned her bubbling rage into unfiltered confusion. Then she recalled how much Kai deceived her in one day and refused to believe any word coming out of his tricky mouth.

"I'm being honest." Kai shrugged. "Anyways, that was your character test to be my disciple. You passed with splendid marks! What a prodigy you are."

Anyone could see how happy he looked after annoying the hell out of Fubuki.

"You destroyed a city to test my character. How can you be so cheerful after that? What the hell is wrong with you?"

"I destroyed a city, what? What are you talking about, Fubuki? When did it happen?" Asahi looked over at the city. "Are you out of your mind? An S-Class hero like me will defend the city, not destroy it."

His innocent expression changed her mind instantly and spurred a desire to smack him a dozen times. She controlled her urge to the best of her abilities, which might have been impossible before the whole sacrifice ordeal. It was simply impossible to fight him on her own.

Even Tatsumaki might not be able to defeat him if he could teleport all over the world.

'This is ridiculous. A psycho like him shouldn't be allowed this level of power.'

Alas, neither she nor the law could hold him accountable for a crime that never happened.

'I can use him. It'll be like playing with fire but I have no choice.'

Fubuki stared at him. "You said something about making me an S-Class Hero, right? Train me."

Today's events made her realize the truth behind Tatsumaki's words. Factions and the likes mattered not in the face of absolute power. She needed more strength to protect herself and Tatsumaki from people like him.

She could imagine a future where she beat the shit out of him after improving her skills under his tutelage. A long-term plan that'd bear fruit in a few years at the very least.

'Definitely.'

Her confidence stunned Kai. She was willing to trust him despite the stunt he pulled on her.

'Or she is trying to use me. That's the Fubuki I love.'

Kai stretched his hand. "You deserve a medal for scheming against the devil."

Fubuki snorted but still shook his hand. "You deserve a lashing for your manipulative methods. Were you a psycho before becoming a hero?"

Kai grinned. "Maybe."

He didn't plan to destroy the entire city, but it raised the stakes for Fubuki. In the end, he made the right choice, a choice that left no evidence for to hold him guilty.

"From a small-time bully to the savior of a city. I made a better person out of you."

Fubuki didn't deny his words. She never thought she'd willingly choose a miserable life to save thousands. The price of such achievement was a series of traumatizing memories.

As if fed up with him, she simply picked up the dagger and flew away. The cold blade vanished from her hand before she made it far.

"You haven't earned the right to own the Dagger of Time." His voice reached her.

Kai had no reluctance in handing over the dagger to Fubuki. But pissing her off brought out a better reaction. She also wasn't suitable to use the dagger's powers in her current chaotic mindset. Perhaps he should reserve this as a reward for her ascension to S-Class.

Fubuki turned around and glared at Kai as if she was ready to bite him. "I'll have my revenge one day."

With a cliched revenge promise, the busty Esper descended into City-A. He had achieved his goal of becoming a bigger villain in her life than Tatsumaki.