Eldritch

 

"You need to drain someone?" (I)

"Actually, I'm quite hungry. Reshaping isn't really good for your energy reserves and I don't like the idea regarding what kind of source currently keeps me going." (Z)

 

Is she enjoying scaring that girl?

 

"But they're not exactly suitable, right?" (I)

"Not very much. That little bit of distress is barely an appetizer." (Z)

"What does she mean?" (N)

 

Seems like the anxiety just broke out of her.

 

"She's a demon that feeds on negative emotions. If someone feels bad she can drain this as sustenance. That makes her pretty agreeable since no one has to die when she feeds. She also helped to prevent your mental breakdown back then on the roof." (I)

"Oh! Thank you, I guess." (N)

"Please, no gratitude. I'm gonna get sick. Isn't there anyone to consume nearby?" (Z)

"It's the last lesson of the day." (I)

"Ahem, I don't want to intrude in your affairs, but won't it raise suspicion if she shows up now if she wasn't here before?" (N)

"You think I survived this long among you without having some tricks up my sleeve? Nobody will raise this question, little cultist." (Z)

 

I didn't found a cult!

 

"Really!? Could I ask you some questions? Do you have any tips for a successful consistent mind manipulation?" (N)

 

Oh damn, now she’s triggered the abrasive anti-social demon.

 

"Hm. Can you throw someone into utter despair for me?" (Z)

 

The heck?
I'm not sure if this is better!

 

"She has a tumor not to use any magic for nefarious acts." (I)

"I have what!?" (N)

 

Where did you think your headache comes from?

 

"Oh, that decreases her value. Yet apparently, your blocker still leaves room for interpretation. For example, if she would not rely on magic for doing the deed. Or convince herself that she does the right thing. Humans are so good at the latter. It's maybe their greatest feat to always be able to convince themselves that they're the good guys." (Z)

 

I'm not sure if I should support this kind of loophole search.

 

"Before I let you go to your unsuspecting soon-to-be victims, what exactly are you intending to do?" (I)

"I'll probably just look for some poor kiddo and drain it. There's always someone staying behind who makes for a suitable target. Some frustrated child in the library who can't get the results they're going for or some loner who gets all depressive. I'll probably have to aggravate the condition first before draining them. Just some subtle manipulation. They'll barely know what happens to them and afterward not even know anymore why they were so upset. It's a win-win." (Z)

 

Ahem, I only see one winning party here.
I try to convey that much with my gaze.

 

"Oh please. It's perfectly within the limits you granted me. And if nothing else, I think I deserve a bit of leeway after I literally went through the fire for you." (Z)

 

Seriously, there's no mind magic in existence that can make me believe that she did that for my sake.

 

"You said that you were afraid that he's running amok?" (I)

"Sure. If you think school shootings are bad just wait till that guy engulfs the whole campus in hellfire." (Z)

"But shouldn't we use the chance to do something about him now that he's weakened?" (I)

"And what? You can't simply go and destroy him. He'll simply rearrange through his rumor no matter how many times you'd vanquish him." (Z)

"There has to be a way to prevent him from hurting someone." (I)

"Well, maybe a seal. But that's not a permanent solution. Without doing anything about his base you could only go for something drastic. And all you would achieve is putting him in a repeat cycle of endless agony. Something that considering that this asshole killed me doesn't sound too bad. Okay, let's go visit him!" (Z)

 

Zika has this way of suggesting things that would benefit her in a way that makes you inclined not to do so.
It might have to do with her character, but I always grow worried when I hear that the emotion vampire wants something to be done and ask myself what kind of scheme might be the reason.
And she’s very good at using this fact to her advantage.

 

"However, this isn't what I think you should do." (Z)

"Okay. And what would be better?" (I)

"Change the rumors. The idea that people have of the charred man is what makes him do what he does. Charring people. If you can change or remove this idea in the heads of people, which given that the whole campus is already within your grasp should come easy, then you can get rid of or redirect his murderous tendencies." (Z)

"You're suggesting that I make up child-friendly rumors and plant them into the heads of the people at the campus?" (I)

"If you want to call it like this. As long as you get them to accept this rumor better than the old one we're golden." (Z)

 

I'm thinking about it.
I still remember how that one weird nurse said that doing so would mean changing who they are.
Their personality.
Yet it's questionable if it would really be so bad if I'd only take the murder instinct from them.
If I leave the rest as it is, it should be fine.
However, there's another far graver issue.

 

"You already know that I won't control people like this. What you want me to do is mass manipulation. What would that even entail? Sticking my tentacles into every single brain on the campus? This is too crass! I still think that free will is important. Sure, there are grey zones but to do something of that scale only because it's convenient is too much." (I)

"Well, then the only other option would be the traditional method." (Z)

"The traditional method? What do you mean?" (I)

"Well, spreading a rumor. Just as humans do. One tells the other and in due time it becomes a fact. Or rather an idea that gains substance. A wonder." (Z)

 

Okay... I'd say that course of action would go along with my belief that people are free to believe whatever they want.
Yes, sure, it's a bit arbitrary if they're tricked into believing in something, but it would still be their final decision instead of an implanted idea.
However, there's an issue with this.

 

"Uh, did I mention that I'm not so good at talking to others? I'm not sure if I could sell this convincingly." (I)

"Why would you do this yourself?" (Z)

"What do you mean? Who else would go and spread the rumor?" (I)

"Use your henchmen for this menial task." (Z)

"Henchmen?" (I)

 

And Zika is pointing at Nanako.
The girl whose reading session I thoroughly messed up.

 

"Uh, if I can be of assistance." (N)

"You already have your cult. Why not use it?" (Z)

 

It's not a cult!

 

"Grumble"

 

"A quake!?" (N)

"No, that was your target of worship over there." (Z)

 

What!?

 

"But, but this isn't my dream! How can I make it quake here?" (I)

"Did you look at any of the walls? You threaded your essence into the very structure of this institution. You're not too far away from ripping it out of this dimension." (Z)

 

That isn't good.
Actually, this is really really bad.

 

"I-if that happens, can I get a nice position? Something that won't involve any kind of mental torture? Or physical?" (N)

 

Damn, I feel bad now.

 

"If you prove to be useful, I'm sure she will reward you. Which brings us back to the topic of using others to your advantage, my outer goddess." (Z)

"I-if I can be of any help I will do everything I can." (N)

 

What am I supposed to answer in this situation?

 

"Hey Iori! There you are! I was already looking for you!" (C)

 

Ah, forget about it.
A greater disturbance just appeared.