Of cheaters and fools

With one surface thought, another human's opinion about the year-end elections regarding Japan's next prime minister was altered. It always amused him to see how feeble the human mind was in front of his interference.

Today, Yaldabaoth, god of Control, Holy Grail, and other titles too unnecessary to say, was feeling quite satisfied. His little Trickster he kept under his thumb got to another palace. It was a clear sign that he was growing nicely.

He had been somewhat concerned when his Trickster asked for the "special" Persona. Those held the powers of the fools who achieved The World, among other unique individuals.

Him forbid what would have happened if his Trickster had gotten his hands on the Persona of the fool from 6 years ago.

Or worse, the one before that.

He shuddered as he remembered the events of 7 years ago. He had been thinking that that was the end for him, and humanity as a whole. That is, until that one came along.

He hadn't an inkling of an idea that humans could be so powerful. Scarily so, even.

Though, that fool had been carrying The Death. It was to be expected that its vessel was inhumanly strong.

Thankfully for him, that one was already dead, leaving him unimpeded on his road to take over the world.

As for the players of his game, there was no reason to worry. At the rate he was going, his Trickster wouldn't have even nearly enough strength to be a fight for him for a long time.

The other one was even less of a problem than the Trickster. His mind was surprisingly susceptible to his manipulation, in spite of the fact that he was a Persona user.

If it all went according to his plan, the Trickster would take out the other player in the game and then he'd crush him.

Now, if there was one thing that concerned the overzealous cup, was the fact that his Trickster had a ridiculously high resistance to his machinations, much more so than his predecessors.

He had spent several years trying to influence Hayato in any way possible, and he only made him move from Yasoinaba to Akihabara instead of Kichijoji. He didn't even make Hayato take the decision to go to Tokyo in the first place. It was partly because of his job.

Yaldabaoth was filled with endless frustration as he remembered that man.

"Master, is something wrong?" asked the soft-spoken Justine.

She must've noticed him frowning before.

"It's nothing, Justine. Go back to your duties." he replied, shortly.

Looking at the prison cell where his Trickster appears into the Velvet Room, he couldn't help a grin.

Regardless, there is no way either of the players can win this game. After all, cheating at your own game is ok, right?

-INTERMISSION-

"Are you sure about this?" asked Hayato.

The grey-haired man was currently having a call while sitting down on his couch.

"I'm sure. But you didn't tell me what's so special about this kid?" responded a voice through the phone.

"It's... complicated." said Hayato, hesitating on whether he should tell Dojima about Shin.

"...Alright. Just be careful, okay? His circumstances aren't normal."

"Don't worry."

*Beep*

Hayato pocketed his phone and leaned back onto the couch. He sighed tiredly and rubbed the bridge of his nose.

'A record? And assault, of all things...'

"What a pain..." he muttered.

Through the kitchen door appeared a young female with copper-colored hair. She had her hair tied into two pigtails with barely reached her shoulders. The woman leaned over the back of the cough, and turned her head to look at Hayato.

"Is something wrong?"

"Don't worry, Rise. It's nothing. Just a bit tired." replied the grey-haired man.

"You shouldn't overwork yourself, you know? What am I going to do with Nanako if you collapse?" despite the joking tone with which she said that, one could clearly see the concern in her eyes.

Hayato nodded, wordlessly agreeing with her.

"Anyways, when am I going to meet that boy Shin that's been tutoring Nanako? You always call him while I'm out." said Rise, pouting at the man.

"Alright, I'll call him this Saturday. Is that good for you?"

"Mmhm."

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Confidants:

0. Igor (The Fool) - Rank 2

I. Morgana (The Magician) - Rank 3

1. Takuto Maruki (The Councillor) - Rank 1

II. Makoto Niijima (The Priestess) - Rank 2

V. Sojiro Sakura (The Hierophant) - Rank 3

VI. Ann Takamaki (The Lovers) - Rank 7

VII. Ryuji Sakamoto (The Chariot) - Rank 6

XIII. Tae Takemi (The Death) - Rank 4

XVIII. Saki Yoshiko (The Moon) - Rank 2

XX. Sae Niijima (The Judgement) - Rank 1

Shiho Suzui (The Hope) - Rank 7