19 One Consciousness

"First of all, thank you for saving my life, Mason," Ayato says.

"Save your life? I killed you and took your body."

"What nonsense, my physical body is still alive and well. If you didn't intervene, I would have died of your plague."

...

"Secondly," Ayato continues when I don't respond. "I want to ask for a favour."

"Don't attempt asking me to spare Ayaka. I'm only listening because I don't have a choice."

"I'm not. I just want you to show the truth to Ayaka...the true nature of this world." Says Ayato. "Ayaka has always been a justice freak... I can't bear to see her..."

"What?" I mumble. "You know the true nature of this world?"

"Of course I do, I have inherited your memories."

!!!

"Why do you look so surprised? Were you doing things without understanding them? I suppose a genius is a genius." Says Ayato.

I replaced his consciousness, did I not?

"You didn't, how can you replace the consciousness of someone still alive?" Ayato says as if I thought out. "You fused your consciousness with mine. Oh, but don't worry. By no means can I regain control."

...

This Ayato is different from the one I know. He seems a bit more...empty.

"Time is running out. I know you want to know more, but honestly speaking, I also want to know more about you. Still, I beg you, show the truth of reality to Ayaka..."

===================

"Hey!" I shout out.

My consciousness is ejected back into Ayato's body.

?

"Ayato?" Says Ayaka beside me. "What's wrong?"

"Ah? Oh, it's nothing."

I realise I am in a hospital gown lying in a bed.

"I'm sorry about yesterday..." Says Ayaka. "I was just...worried about putting you in danger."

...

"Say Ayaka, do you like the hero academy even though everything is so unjust?" I ask.

"Like? I won't say I do but I don't hate that place either. I've made quite fond memories..."

"I see..."

Ayaka tilts her head, I shouldn't ask any further.

"Anyways, your test is supposed to be at 7 am, we can schedule-"

"It's okay," I say.

I was discharged together with Ayaka soon after a check-up. It's 2 am and the day is a weekend.

"Ah?!" She exclaims when she sees the cardboard behind the broken window. "Who the fu-... ahem."

"Someone threw a brick inside our apartment."

"What? Why?"

"How do I know?"

Ayaka clicks her tongue and fidgets with her phone. I went ahead and take a bath. 

When I'm done, I see Ayaka already asleep on the couch.

Seriously...at least take a bath before you sleep on the couch. 

...

I don't feel tired; I decided to take a walk outside.

Leaping onto the roof, I take a deep breath and channel my energy across Sapporo. My virus has greatly diminished in number.

My body right now is too weak. Being at the D-Rank, I cannot genetically modify my virus yet but...

Sparkles of green dust expel from my body, disappearing into the atmosphere. At the same time, I control the movement of the air and bring the virus all over Sapporo, Chitose; the west of Hokkaido.

Unlike my normal virus, I added a little twist. I commanded all the viruses to be asymptomatic, similar to planting a bomb in everyone's body. This is preparation if I need to commit mass murder, I've always done it through this method in the past, and it's also a shortcut to rapidly grow my strength.

How many strains of viruses should I release? Many. Each has a different vaccine and property, doing so will reduce the chance of complete elimination.

For the next hour, I release as much as possible all around Hokkaido and spend the remaining 3 hours gathering energy.

-----------------------------

I show up at a tall and wide facility in the centre of Sapporo. The grey exterior is enhanced with several arrays of barriers and is made up of Energy Rocks, a material that is created from condensed energy exposure.

I swing the glass door open and a woman, wearing a tuxedo and standing guard near the door approaches me. "Welcome, what is the reason for your visit?"

Her condescending gaze...appears to see through all lies. It's a power.

"I am here to take the hero examination."

"Ah, you are that student. You are just in time, your invigilators are waiting inside. Please follow me."

The interior, in contrast to the gloomy exterior, is lavishly decorated with marble. Parts of the flooring are carpeted and the bright yet relaxing lighting exudes a modern facade in the lobby.

I throw a glance at the vent at the corner of the lobby.

Would she notice if I...

I can materialize my plague at a distance at the cost of efficiency, thus, I try to materialize some at the vent and let it go along with the airflow.

"Hm?" The woman mumbles and looks behind.

I raise my brow. "Yes?"

...

She ignores me and continues.

My virus travels across the cold and tight space filled with dust.

The airflow travels into a small room, possibly an office.

!!

Professor Adrain sits on the chair in the room, smoking as he taps his feet. "Shit, when can I leave this hellhole? That fucking bastard just has to run his mouth, has he fucking gone insane?!" He mumbles, ranting to thin air.

Adrain takes a slip of document and flips it open, widening his eyes when he sees it. He places his cigarette on the ashtray.

Slowly, his irritation turns into a smirk. "Ayato?! Haha...HAHAHAHA!!..."

He grips the document and stands up, flipping the chair back. "One by one, mere insolent and arrogant juveniles dare mess with an adult?! Hahaha!! To think even this fucking toy will retaliate! Hahahahahaha!!!!"

Adrain covers his face with his hands. "Fuck fuck fuck!!!" Veins appear all around his face.