Linked Society

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7 years ago...

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A woman leaned against a dirty wall. The run-down room she was in had little to no light shining in, only being illuminated by a small candle on a table. I was sitting beside the coffee table, fidgeting with the clouds of dust in my hand. Some of the dust was in the colour of purple, some orange, but most were green.

"Mason..." The woman said.

"What." I bluntly replied

"I'm hungry."

"Okay."

...

"..."

I sighed. "Go get your food next time..." I said as I stood up. Walking to the fridge, I opened it and took out some vegetables and rice.

After a while, I placed a bowl of hot porridge on the table.

Her eyes lit up. She drifted her long purple fringe aside and dug in.

"Mmmm!!! Anything you cook tastes better than the stuff I always eat!" She said.

"Then learn how to cook and stop eating those canned food," I said.

"Nah."

This plump woman that acted like a spoiled child was an SS-Tier sadistic Villain, Ophelia, who loved to see her "creations" trample on people and infrastructures; She was a summoner who can call upon otherworldly creatures or deities to unleash hell.

At that time, she was taking refuge in my hideout.

From the burnt destruction wherever she goes, they nicknamed her The Purple Hell from her purple eyes and hair.

"You don't have a choice. You either cook or eat preserved food, I dare you to go out onto the streets to order some food from some restaurants; you will be seeing waves of heroes chasing after you."

"Jeez, Mason is being so naggy... Well, it's not as if I'm eating for free." Ophelia said. "What can your virus do against something that is not of our world or an inanimate monster? For example...a dragon or a golem?" Says Ophelia.

?

I gazed at Ophelia, some rice is left on her lips. "Get to the point," I said.

Ophelia smirked. "I know the flaws and weak points of every otherworldly creature. I'm pretty sure some heroes can summon as well, the information I am about to impart is beneficial~"

...

"Sure." I don't have a reason to refuse.

Ophelia left behind her notebook of research on the table. Each page contains months of research and detailed information about the monster's behaviour.

In the event, I might meet a foe that isn't affected by my plague, I decided to memorize and study her notes.

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Present

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To think I would be using Ophelia's knowledge for this...

*thump thump*

Something bashes the door to the test chamber.

*BOOM!*

"Huff huff! Are you okay?!" Ryouko cries out. A few masked men with protective gears beside him banged the metal door down with an impact bar. It is equipment that looks like a regular bar and sends strong pulses of force when the tip touches something.

"Yes," I say.

!!!

Ryouko widens his eyes. "You...eliminated all of them?!"

I nod.

"A-Amazing! Haha!! Good job! Although this was unintentional, it will be reflected in your portfolio when I include this."

"Thank you."

"No no, that's the least I can do. I'm sorry for these unforeseen circumstances. We have apprehended Adrain and the police have taken over; You no longer need to worry about him."

...

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I wait in the lobby at the entrance as they process my results and give me the official copy of my certificate.

The sofa is soft and clean, it doesn't seem that many people come here often.

The glass door to the entrance swings open and a blonde man in the academy uniform walks in.

...

It's Naoki. He is walking alongside Ayaka into the building.

!

She spots me and smiles.

Ayaka says something to Naoki.

Naoki nods and shakes Ayaka's hand before heading for the elevator.

She runs to me. "Ayato! How was the test?"

"It went smoothly."

"Glad to hear that." Says Ayaka, she stretches her arm and sighs. She probably woke up late and hurried to work.

"Who was that? The guy beside you." I ask.

"That blonde guy? He is Naoki, a Japanese native with foreign parents. I was assigned to be his power tutor and take him in."

I raise my brow. "But both of your powers are completely unrelated?"

"Not really, the art of control is the same for our powers. In addition, he can apply liquid properties to his versatile weapons."

"..."

Naoki...

"Ayaka, do you mind bringing and introducing me when you instruct him?" I ask. I want to see his power for myself, and possibly, kill him.

Ayaka scratches her head. "I will ask for permission."

A woman at the front desk stands up and looks around, noticing me before walking.

"Sir Ayato? Your result is released, please check the document to see if your identification is correct." She hands me a sizeable A4 letter with a red seal.

I flip it open and slide the papers out, skimming through each.

Under the results section, the document says:

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Strength: Grade 1

Agility: Grade 1

Reaction Time: Grade 2

Perception: Grade 1

Combat Mentality: Grade 1

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Ayaka doesn't seem surprised. She smiles.

"This is the least I expect you to get." She says proudly.

"Thank you."

"Anyways, as a celebration, why don't we eat out together tonight?" She says.

...

"Sure."

Ayaka hugs me. "Sorry for my busy schedule, I received a huge paycheck this week after that operation let's go get some good food! I will definitely...make it up to you."

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The starry dark sky engulfs the night as light pollutes the busy night of Chitose. Ayaka and I visited a luxurious restaurant in a shopping mall and seated beside a transparent window. The beautiful scenery of colours, and dazzling peace, fill the atmosphere.

The chandeliers jingle as they slowly sway.

Ayaka kept staring at me, happy at the very fact that I'm alive.

"I'm sorry..." She says.

"For?"

"You know...being hopeless and leaving you behind..."

...

"It's all in the past, I forgive you."

Ayaka looks away, trying to conceal her gleeful expression.

...

Ayaka should trust me after all I've acted. Now, I need to extract some information.

"Say Ayaka...where did you go for the past 2 weeks?" I ask.