Chapter 37: Strength in Number 17
3rd POV
“80 years ago, when the Esper started to emerge, the Esper Association was not created yet. The situation of that time was chaotic.” Melaine started telling a story to Naomi.
Melaine was telling her story while looking at the lake. She had a nostalgic smile on her face.
’80 years ago? How old is Melaine?’ thought Naomi.
“The 1st generation Esper like they call us today was rampaging on the street. The normal human without any ability fear us. They condemn us. The criminal was brought together under a flag of one Esper at that time and spread terror to the public.” Melaine paused telling her story and sipping a tea on the table that appeared from nowhere.
Naomi was interested in history. The history book only wrote the important event like the creation of the Esper Association and how they calm the society.
“I was 17 at that time, and I had yet awakened my ability. To be exact, I don’t know that I had an ability.”
‘That’s before Esper Association create a machine to detect a power level. That’s normal I guess.’ Naomi was not a fool. She listened to Melaine’s story while matching it with the history that she knew.
“The world was in turmoil because of the sudden appearance of an Esper or called Ability user at that time. The new Esper keep emerging until their population was 30% of the total population in the world. Now, what will a country think when they suddenly get power enough to rival a missile and nuke, Lady Mugetsu?”
Hearing Melaine’s story, Naomi knows what will happen sooner or later.
“War.” Answered Naomi.
“Yes, war. That’s what all the country’s governments think of. But, there is no war. No war happened because of an appearance of a man and a prophecy.” When Melaine said that, her expression darkened. Like she had a bad memory that she didn’t want to remember.
“The prophet's name was named Darika. She’s an Esper with the ability to see the future as a vision in her dream. When the world was in turmoil, she had a vision that a man will appear and gave the world a way to calm the society and masses.”
Naomi somehow could guess the man that will appear in Melaine’s story. That’s why before Melaine tell her the man’s name, she guessed his name.
“He’s Avos, isn’t he? The founder of Esper Association.”
Melaine nodded and said.
“Yes, that man was Avos. The man has been written in the history book as the man of peace.” Melaine’s gritted her teeth as she said the name Avos.
‘As expected! That era sounds good. I want to go there and run amok too.’ Naomi smiled under her mask imagining what happens if she was born at that time.
‘But there is something strange, in the history book was written that happen in the Year 2110, but Melaine’s story was in 2117. And if Melaine was 17 at that time, how old is she right now?’ Naomi was confused with Melaine’s story.
Many parts of the story were different from what she read in the history book. Then Naomi remembered a saying.
“History was written by the victor.” Naomi subconsciously said it out loud. Melaine was surprised and her darkened expression brightened in an instant.
“As expected of Lady Mugetsu! You know the rest of the story after I told you that much!” Claimed Melaine happily.
‘Wait, what? No no no, just tell me the rest of your story....But there is no way I can say that when I acted as Mugetsu!! Let’s play it cool then. I will try to divert the conversation to her ability.’ thought Naomi.
“Right, you realize what your ability is because of what Avos did to the world right?” Said Naomi as she pointing her finger at Melaine.
“Yes.” Melaine nodded her head.
“Because of his order to massacre the Esper population at that time, I awakened my ability. Thanks to my ability, I managed to save a lot of Esper at that time. Some of them were still following me right now as my subordinate that you saw in the mansion. And the rest of them were hiding around the world.” Melaine had a proud expression when she said that.
‘Wait a minute again. A massacre of Esper? I didn’t hear it wrong? I never heard of that’ Thought Naomi.
All Naomi did until now was because she is bored out of her mind. That’s why she created an organization and made a dummy enemy, and that is the Esper Association.
‘If the history that Melaine’s told me was real, isn’t that mean that instead of being a heinous criminal, I’m being a hidden protector like I dreamed of?’
“And, what’s your ability Melaine? At first, I thought of it as something like you were moving at a fast speed. But, hearing your ability managed to save a lot of people and saw it myself earlier. Your ability is that right?” Naomi asked Melaine. Naomi had guessed Melaine’s ability from her story of saving a lot of Esper.
‘There is no way super-speed could save a lot of Esper and keep her this young. There is no other ability except the one that I crossed of from the list because it is impossible for an Esper to control it.’
“Correct~ As expected, nothing will get past Lady Mugetsu! My ability is, as you expected. A Time Manipulation! I could slow down or make the time go faster. That’s the reason behind my youth!” Melaine said happily as she hugged her body.
“And, what’s your reason behind the attack of those places? You never mentioned it.”
“The reason huh, actually the ones that attack those places was a random person. I only wanted the Esper Association to remember that your organization was still out there. I never specify any goals to them, just tell them to make a ruckus. But, I got a result from this!! One of the bases that I hire was attacked by someone. I guessed that was Esper Association’s doing.”
Melaine explained to Naomi.
“Hoo, so it’s like that? You hire them to act as a member of my organization only to cause a ruckus?” Naomi said as she approached Melaine.
Melaine watching Naomi approached her while smiling widely. Her breathing becomes rough and sweat poured from her back.
‘Ah~ Maybe I will get punished? Punishment from Lady Mugetsu, I can’t imagine it!’ thought Melaine.
“Nah, forget it. I wanted to ask something before I go though. Wait, 2 things.” Naomi stopped in front of Melaine and put her hand on Melaine’s shoulder and said with a serious tone.
Melaine came back to her sense and her breathing become normal again. She turned serious as she listened to Naomi.
“Do you want to join my organization? It seems our goal was the same.” Said Naomi.
Melaine suddenly stood up and hugging Naomi after she heard that.
“Of course!! I will join, Lady Mugetsu! After all, together with someone they loved was every woman’s dream!”
“And the last question. Are you a real pervert or that was just an act? If that was an act, then you managed to fool me.” Naomi said as she peeled off Melaine that was hugging her.
Melaine stepped back after she was released from the hug and stood proudly with both arms on her waist.
“Of course that was my true nature!! Let’s get into the bed after this, Lady Mugetsu. Fufufufu.” Said Melaine as droll came out from her mouth.
‘Oh no, I regretted my decision already.’
Illustrator: Raven (Pixiv https://www.pixiv.net/en/users/40961809)
More than 20 Advanced chapters (For both of my works) Are available on my Patreon!! You can find it Here
Most of the money from my Patreon will go to help me write better and Ordering an Illustration for both of my works.
Big Thanks to the New Squad Leader!!
- Pau Mas Duran
Join my discord!!
https://discord.gg/G24qyWdBXs