Beneath the Surface

'Umbric allows the wielder to control all five senses, taste, touch, hearing, vision, and smell showing them whatever reality I want. It can only be used on four humans or around fifteen animals currently and if the target realises they're under control it's easier to resist. 

There are many limitations on using it as well currently, I need to be near the target preferably a few meters for it to work properly, there is some time needed favorably 1-2 minutes on average humans but on Aetherborns around 5-6 minutes for Kairo to be released and fool their senses, and I can control their senses for a max of four-five hours and something convenient about the time limit is that I can distribute the effects time like first control someone for one hour then few hours control them for three hours and in that case, distance don't matter, I am basically the senses of the victim and freely use them for that amount of time.'

(Author: Kairo is basically the release of a technique and a synonym for the special ability of Aether) 

'Well it's not an offensive ability but it is one of the most powerful and useful abilities for me' 

"You know as your Aether core gets purer the conditions will keep getting weaker and effects stronger" Cyrus chimed in with a satisfied tone.

It is 9:30 AM now and the incident will happen at 12:30 AM.

"The best move, for now, is to get help from a third party since I still don't have the ability to stop such an experienced Aetherborn like that masked man and even catching him in an illusion would need a miracle," Leor said to Cyrus after thinking about his options, he continued after a moment of silence "and my classmate Viscount Thane Ashford my classmate and friend is an Aetherborn, we learned that from the previous loop and he is even an undercover Holy Knight under the church of Goddess Aethira. He is maybe even stronger than the masked man and would be willing to help us after some persuasion and maybe he could also bring the help of the church since the lives of hundreds are at risk."

"We still don't know what kind of organization church is or if your friend could be trusted, he is even spying on his own family on church's order for fuck sake, there are too many risks in this approach." Cyrus said after a bit of thought.

"But is there any other option, I don't have any offensive abilities, not even a regular revolver." Leor argued.

"Then how do you explain, how you know about an attack which didn't even happen and that masked man is a professional, I don't believe he's not spying on all three of you."

Leor shuttered at the thought and looked around his surroundings, 'That guy is basically too strong, he also has battle experience as well whereas I never did anything similar to this in my life.'

Then Leor looked like he made up his mind and got out of the room with firm steps. He locked the house with a common key given separately to all three of them by Clara.

And after getting out he released his Aether in the house, and it reached every corner of the house, His ability could also be used in such a way that he could control his senses freely, and what he did just now was he distributed some of his vision inside the house, around 10%, and now he could watch his house all the time to check if something suspicious was happening.

This rough distribution of Aether could easily be sensed by someone like the masked man but at the very least Leor was sure the Masked man couldn't remove his vision from the house without alarming him and it would cause the masked man to act more cautiously.

After doing all that he got on a public carriage to his university, The Thornhill University, one of the most prestigious universities in the whole Empire where Leor was a scholar student studying there without any academic fees, but he still needed to pay for all the small costs like traveling, food, extra events etc. However, after passing from there, he would be guaranteed a high-paying job so it was worth it.

And most important thing was that he made some good connections after studying there with people destined for high positions in nobility like he is already friends with many Viscounts, Earls, Countesses, Dukes, Barons, sons and daughters of many famous knights, etc, though some were racist towards him because of his commoner status. But he was top of his class and a scholar student so some eventually started respecting Leor for his hard work and started treating him as an equal, which resulted in him getting many close and reliable friends like Viscount Thane Ashford, Prince of House Ashford one of the closest families to King and Queen with immense power and wealth, though they sided more with Queen which lead to some problems now after her sudden death but not that serious since they hold a lot of power and King needs their support.

After getting up from the carriage Leor sat quietly in a corner looking at people getting up, 'It's been six months since we came here due to my sudden admission to this university but still, I feel so homesick' sighed Leor after thinking about how they needed to leave and sell their old house in outskirts of Greenford Villiage to these bustling streets of wellington.

'Maybe if we never shifted here we would be safe' thought Leor silently to himself.

Then Leor thought of something interesting to distract himself from these negative thoughts and try to use his powers on a woman in her 20's sitting beside him.

He started silently looking at her from time to time which would make onlookers think this young man was trying to hit on her, after some seconds of staring carriage started moving again and Leor was almost done.

Now that lady was chatting with one of Leor's neighbors an old lady in a friendly tone.

'I am sorry but I need to check the limits of my powers' 

Lady's pov:

"You know I brought some homemade sweets just for you," said the sweet old lady Georgia worked for. She was a maid and also worked in her neighborhood and this old lady always brought something for her that she made. She was the only employer who was so kind to her so Georgia basically treated her as a mother. 

"There's no need for this madam," said Georgia but reluctantly took the homecooked sweets and said "Thank you mam your cooking is as delicious as always." said Georgia with a smile and planned to eat one cookie right here to prove what she just said.

She smiled, pulled one cookie out of the box, and gently put it in her mouth without any hesitation and Goddamn she regretted it.

'Why does it taste so bitter, is it made of poop, is making something this much bitter even possible' thought Georgia almost in tears from the shit-like taste.

'Did the old woman finally go senile' but she swallowed the whole cookie in one big gulp almost chocking on it because she doesn't want to offend this kind lady, even if she has to eat shit.

'Thankfully she didn't notice my reaction, but I hope she won't give this to her grandsons'

/End pov/

After reaching the destination Leor immediately got out of the carriage thinking 'Ah I feel a little guilty now, both were nice ladies but, Wow this power is amazing, I got control of her and the old lady completely, I could even show her everyone exploding inside the carriage and also could've made her done anything by just making her see an appropriate scenario about it. This is too broken I could have even stabbed her and just blocked her from sensing pain and vision, she would just die like this without even knowing that she died.' 

Now Leor was calmly walking in the University's garden watching flowers waiting for an encounter to happen.

"Oh hey Leor you also came early as well to the campus," said Thane with a friendly tone.

Leor thought about 'Viscount Thane Ashford a powerful holy knight and the person who came to investigate the case after the incident in a loop disguised as a police officer, I wish this works out', and after looking at him he nodded at Thane's polite greeting and said

"You know I like nature, it reminds me of my hometown, Nice to meet you here, how's everything now in your family, is everything stable?" asked Leor in an equally friendly tone

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To be continued

Authors note: Now next chapter I have a big plan, hope it works out if it did as I imagine, You all should call me Shakespeare, Franz Kafka, Fyodor Dostoversky of this generation.

Heyy and add it to your collection already, you're hooked don't lie to me and POWERSTONESSS!!!!!!!!!