Books of Truth

His words hung in the air, heavy with implication. The idea, once absurd, now seemed almost... possible. A world free from suffering, a world where justice truly prevailed. Could I, with my power, make that a reality?

A shiver ran down my spine, not from fear, but from the sheer weight of the responsibility Kuro was suggesting. It was a tempting proposition, a chance to reshape the world according to my own ideals. But was it the right path? Was it my destiny?

"I... I need time to think about it, Kuro," I finally said, my voice a mere whisper. "It's a lot to process."

Kuro nodded, his understanding gaze softening. "Of course, Xian. Take all the time you need. But remember, the world is waiting. And the longer you hesitate, the more people will suffer."

His words echoed in my mind long after he had left the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts. The weight of the world seemed to rest on my shoulders, a burden I wasn't sure I was ready to bear. But deep down, a spark of ambition ignited, a flicker of the Fool God's power stirring within me. Perhaps Kuro was right. Perhaps it was time for me to step up, to embrace my true potential, and to create a world worthy of the name 'Unveiled.'

Creak! The door opened, revealing IM back home from school.

"Hey, already home?" he said, tossing his bag onto the bed with a thud.

I nodded, my gaze still fixed on the wall, lost in thought. "Yeah, just got back," I replied, my voice distant.

IM sensed my preoccupation and walked over, sitting down on the edge of my bed. "Something on your mind, Xian?" he asked, his voice gentle.

I hesitated for a moment, then decided to confide in him. "Kuro suggested something... something big," I began, recounting our earlier conversation about taking control of the country.

IM listened intently, his expression growing serious as I spoke. When I finished, he remained silent for a long moment, his brow furrowed in thought.

"It's a lot to take in," he finally said, his voice thoughtful. "But I can see where Kuro is coming from. The world is a mess, and we have the power to change it. But is that really our responsibility?"

I shrugged, my own uncertainty reflected in my gesture. "I don't know, IM. It's a tempting idea, but it also feels... wrong, somehow."

"Power corrupts, Xian," IM reminded me, his voice grave. "Even with the best of intentions, absolute power can lead to tyranny. And besides, what about our own lives? What about our friends, our families?"

His words struck a chord within me. The idea of sacrificing my personal happiness, my relationships, for the sake of a grand vision of a better world felt like a heavy burden. Was it a price I was willing to pay?

"I need more time to think about it," I said, my voice a mere whisper. "I need to weigh the pros and cons, to understand the true implications of such a decision."

IM nodded, his expression understanding. "Take all the time you need, Xian. We're here for you, no matter what you decide."

I smiled gratefully at him, feeling a sense of comfort in his unwavering support. The weight on my shoulders hadn't disappeared, but it felt a little lighter, knowing I wasn't alone in this.

"Oh hey, also the government released a statement about being attacked by a mysterious blurry man," IM chuckled, opening his phone and showing me the news. "That's... you, but they can't identify you somehow, hahaha."

I leaned over to look at the screen, a smirk playing on my lips. The news article described a chaotic scene at the Regional Representatives Council headquarters, with furniture overturned and council members left in a state of shock and confusion. The perpetrator, described only as a "blurry-faced figure," had vanished without a trace, leaving behind a cryptic message about the consequences of corruption.

"Ah yeah, that was me," I replied, a sense of satisfaction lingering in my voice. "I was alone that time."

 ***

IM's grin widened. "Classic Imaginary move," he commented, shaking his head in amusement. "Leaving them with a healthy dose of fear and a guilty conscience. I bet they're all shaking in their boots right now."

I chuckled. "I hope so. Maybe it'll make them think twice before they try to exploit the people again."

"So what about last night?" I added, my curiosity piqued.

"Oh, that Jeanthus, the one with the Rubik's math power," IM replied, his tone turning serious. "Well, luckily we managed to escape."

"Luckily you had me, huh?" I teased him, a playful grin spreading across my face. Without my Imaginary power, he wouldn't have been able to solve those complex equations.

IM chuckled, "Haha, yeah. But I tried it at school today, and it didn't work. Did you stop it?"

I shrugged, a puzzled expression on my face. "I don't know. Maybe I just didn't consciously use my power. I think when I'm not actively using my blue blood, my abilities don't function."

IM nodded thoughtfully. "That makes sense. It's probably a good thing, though. We wouldn't want you accidentally turning everyone into geniuses during exams."

I laughed. "Yeah, that would definitely cause some chaos."

We fell into a comfortable silence, each of us lost in our own thoughts. The weight of our responsibilities as the Unveiled Family, the constant threat of the Seers, the mystery surrounding my lineage—it was a lot to carry. But in that moment, surrounded by the familiar comforts of home and the presence of a trusted friend, it all seemed a little less overwhelming.

"Hey, Xian," IM said after a while, his voice breaking the silence. "Do you ever... regret it?"

I turned to look at him, a question mark etched on my face. "Regret what?"

"Being The Imaginary," he clarified. "All the danger, the sacrifices... do you ever wish you could just be a normal teenager?"

I pondered his question for a moment, my gaze drifting towards the window, where the city lights twinkled like a million stars. "Sometimes," I admitted honestly. "There are moments when I long for a simpler life, free from the constant battles and the weight of responsibility. But then I remember all the people we've helped, all the lives we've saved. And I know that I wouldn't trade this life for anything."

IM smiled, a warmth spreading across his face. "That's my Xian," he said, his voice filled with pride. "Always the hero."

I chuckled, nudging him playfully. "Hey, remember, you're a Harbinger who just evolved to be human."

IM shrugged, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "I'm aware of that."

"Alright, let's wait until night, then we'll go to the WRA Building again. They have something interesting," IM said, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"About what?" I asked, intrigued.

"Just wait," he replied, a cryptic smile playing on his lips.

***

Night descended upon the city once more, cloaking its streets in shadows and mystery. IM and I teleported to the front of the WRA Building, bypassing the need for keys or any other means of entry. I had initially considered using my motorcycle, but when my father returned it earlier, it was somehow damaged beyond repair. I decided to let it go for now, not wanting my parents to discover the extent of my powers. Imagining it fixed would have to suffice for the time being.

We stepped into the elevator and ascended to the 20th floor.

Ting! The elevator chimed, and the doors slid open, revealing a single door leading to the office.

Creeeak! I pushed the door open, and we found the rest of the Unveiled Family gathered around the table, their faces alight with excitement.

"Hey guys, what's up?" I asked, a curious smile playing on my lips.

They all turned to look at me, their expressions a mix of relief and anticipation.

"Xian! You came at the perfect time!" Lili exclaimed, waving her hand to beckon me closer.

I joined them at the table, taking a seat beside IM. "What's going on?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

Lili's smile widened. "We've been going through the documents we found at the Seers' training ground," she explained, gesturing towards a stack of papers spread across the table. "And we've discovered some incredible things."

"Like what?" IM asked, leaning forward eagerly.

Yolan cleared her throat, her expression serious. "It seems that the Seers have been conducting experiments on Harbingers for centuries," she revealed, her voice laced with a hint of disgust. "They've been trying to harness their powers, to control them, even to create new ones."

"That's... disturbing," I said, a chill running down my spine. The thought of the Seers manipulating and exploiting Harbingers for their own gain was deeply unsettling.

"It gets worse," Lili added, her voice grim. "They've also been experimenting on humans, trying to replicate the Harbinger phenomenon."

"What!?" I exclaimed, my eyes widening in disbelief. "They're experimenting on people?"

Lili nodded. "It seems so. The documents we found detail their attempts to merge human and Harbinger DNA, to create hybrids with extraordinary abilities... and that was..."

"I'm the test subject..." Elang said quietly, his voice heavy with sadness.

Everyone looked at him, and the realization dawned on them. He was the one.

Elang sighed, his shoulders slumping. "I just found out after reading that book. A hybrid... Seers and Unveiled... but I think I'm the failed one. That's why they treated me like trash."

A wave of anger and disgust washed over the group. The Seers' callous disregard for human life, their willingness to experiment on innocent people, was beyond reprehensible. It was a stark reminder of the darkness that lurked beneath the surface of their seemingly benevolent facade.

"Those bastards," Irune growled, her fists clenched tightly. "They'll pay for what they've done."

"And they made a mess of our ancestor's book..." Vill added, carefully turning the pages of the damaged tome.

< Chapter 180 > FIn.