Power Unleashed

Vermilion took a deep breath and headed back to where Ayukawa and Carmella were waiting. As she reentered the forest, the fog had already cleared, but she noticed the boar was still stuck between the huge trees.

'I guess I should find a way to help it out... Its cubs will be lonely without their mother,' Vermilion thought to herself.

Approaching the boar cautiously, she provoked it again to make it angry. Her plan succeeded as the boar exerted all its strength to break free from the gap. Vermilion saw the boar almost free, so she quickly moved away. After a struggle, the boar finally managed to break free and started chasing Vermilion.

The boar pursued her relentlessly. Just as it was about to charge, Vermilion suddenly vanished from its sight. Reappearing behind the boar, she caused it to turn around, but she disappeared once more before it could attack. Vermilion repeated this several times, successfully evading the boar's attacks.

With these successful attempts, a smile brightened her face. She had gained control over her power, allowing her to create a 'parallel space'. This power allows her to temporarily disconnect from the physical world, effectively entering a separate dimension that mirrors her surroundings instantly. While inside this parallel space, she remains aware of her surroundings, able to see and hear events in the real world. However, those outside the parallel space cannot perceive her, making her seem "invisible" or "disappeared."

In reality, she didn't become transparent or vanish from real world; she was simply entering her created parallel space. An analogy could be drawn to the assassin's bullet incident: when the bullet hit her, she inadvertently triggered her power, entering her parallel space. To observers, it appeared as though she had disappeared, though she continued observing and hearing from outside her space.

However, she could only maintain one parallel space at a time, with dimensions of three meters for length, width, and height, centered around her. When Vermilion activates her power and enters her parallel space, she has the ability to decide whether the spatial configuration remains fixed in one location or moves along with her as she physically travels.

This means she can choose to create a stable, stationary parallel space that exists at a specific point in her surroundings. This is useful when she wants to evade an immediate threat or temporarily separate herself from a dangerous situation without physically moving.

On the other hand, she can also opt to create a parallel space that moves along with her physical movements. In this case, as she walks or runs through her environment, the parallel space remains centered around her, effectively accompanying her on her journey.

But using this power while moving with her will consume more of her energy. The longer the space was maintained, the more energy it drained. Under specific conditions, others could also enter her parallel space.

"The power is incredible... and so much fun!" She reveled in the newfound ability, though there was much she still didn't understand.

As her excitement peaked, she tried to use her power again to avoid the charging boar, but suddenly she was overcome by dizziness and fatigue.

"What's happening... I feel dizzy... Oh no... The boar's coming!" Vermilion's energy waned just as the boar closed in.

Summoning her last reserves of strength, she fled back to the village. The boar continued its chase, and Vermilion had no choice but to cry out for help. Ayukawa, upon hearing her cries, rushed out with a knife, ready to assist. At the sight of Vermilion being pursued by a boar, Ayukawa couldn't hold back her laughter.

"Wahahaha! What in the world... You look absolutely ridiculous running around like that. Oh my..." Ayukawa laughed heartily.

"This is the first time I've seen you laugh! Ah, but this isn't the time for that... Help me!" Vermilion pleaded desperately.

"Leave it to me... Hahahaha!" Ayukawa continued to chuckle at Vermilion's predicament.

Ayukawa seized the opportunity and quickly threw her jacket over the boar's head, effectively blocking its vision. Confused and disoriented, the boar crashed into a tree and fell unconscious. Ayukawa approached the boar, retrieved her jacket, and raised her knife with the intention to kill it. However, Vermilion intervened immediately.

"Please don't kill it!" Vermilion pleaded.

"Why not? It could serve as a meal," Ayukawa replied.

"Its cubs are still waiting for it in the forest."

"Fine then..." Ayukawa sighed, lowering her knife.

"Wow, I thought you were just going to ignore its cubs and go ahead with killing it."

"Kill or not kill?!" Ayukawa raised her knife teasingly.

"No, I was kidding. Let's head inside before it wakes up," Vermilion urged.

"You're something else..." Ayukawa shook her head.

"My apologies. Where's Carmella?"

"She hasn't returned yet."

"At this hour? I hope she's alright…"

"I'm back! Whew!" Carmella exclaimed, joining the conversation.

"Speak of the devil... Here she is."

"Why did you take so long to come back?" Vermilion asked Carmella.

"There were soldiers in town. I got held up by one of them, bombarding me with senseless questions... I was only trying to buy a train ticket... I'm really exhausted now," Carmella explained.

"Soldiers? What are they doing there?"

"They're evacuating the town," Carmella revealed.

"I see... By the way, I want to show you both something!" Vermilion's excitement was palpable.

"Huh? What is it?" Carmella and Ayukawa asked in unison.

"Just watch me carefully... Three, two, one..."

"What in the world? She vanished!" Carmella was taken aback.

"This is beyond belief!" Ayukawa exclaimed.

"Phew! Back again!" Vermilion reappeared, clearly amused by her newfound power.

"You better explain what that was!" Carmella demanded.

"Frankly, I don't have a detailed explanation... I'm still learning about this power. All I know is that I can create a parallel space, but it's incredibly draining…"

"As we suspected, you have an unnatural superpower... Are you even a human? Dr. Apgar mentioned your village disappeared too…"

"I'm not sure… But I believe I'm human. As for the village, it just reappeared just now."

"Reappeared?! It vanished due to your power as well?"

"I think so... But I can't confirm…"

"My goodness! My sister has a superpower! Could she become a superhero like in the movies?" Carmella mused.

"Both of you are naturally naïve! Don't get carried away! Revealing this power could make you subjects of human experiments by the military. From now on, keep this ability hidden!" Ayukawa cautioned.

"You're right... Vermilion, you must keep this secret between us for your own safety. Ayukawa, you too! Don't share this with anyone!"

"Don't worry, I have no interest in seeing her meet an unfortunate end," Ayukawa reassured.

"Alright, I won't use it recklessly from now on... But the door can take us back to Luthernza anytime now," Vermilion declared.

"You mean we can use the door to return?"

"Yes! I believe I can make it work."

"I'm curious about the connection between your power to create a parallel space and the ability to travel great distances..."

"None of this makes complete sense to me either, but somehow, I sense a 'link' between the spaces."

"I'm getting more confused and a headache... But the most important thing is that we can return to Luthernza. That's what matters. However, I just purchased train tickets for all three of us... What a waste! Do you have any idea how hard it is to obtain these tickets?" Carmella sighed.

"Sorry, Carmella. Can't we return the tickets?"

"They don't allow returns once they're sold... The people in town are being evacuated. The soldiers warned them about the impending war, but it's on hold for now. Just take a look at the newspaper I bought today."

"Let me see... There's a peace negotiation between Kothern and Nisaeria happening... Military actions against Nisaeria are temporarily suspended... So the war hasn't started yet, right?" Vermilion mused.

"Exactly. I guess we won't be hearing Captain Raynolds' tales of heroic conquest this time," Carmella said with a little dissapointment.

"You two are quite naive. When was the last time peace negotiations actually succeeded? In the end, all those peace talks and treaties are just a comedy show for the world. Wars will eventually break out!" Ayukawa reminded them of the harsh reality.

"True, I'm not naive. I understand that, and so does everyone else. That's why they're evacuating people from the border area," Carmella replied.

"But why evacuate if Kothern is as strong as you said? Nisaeria's troops wouldn't stand a chance to win the war," Vermilion wondered.

"That's the thing. The government isn't giving people any information. There must be some dark, confidential secret behind all this... They always manipulate information too!" Carmella speculated.

"Let's put this disturbing matter aside. The war has nothing to do with us. When I'm back to Luthernza, I need to find my dagger at once!"

"Don't forget your leg hasn't fully healed yet."

"I don't mind!"

"Quit pretending. I know it's painful, even if you don't show it on your face," Carmella teased.

"It's okay, Ayukawa. I understand it's important to you, and I'll help you find it. Hopefully, it's still in the alley," Vermilion offered her assistance.

"...thanks..." Ayukawa muttered quietly.

"Hmm? What did you say? I couldn't hear you clearly," Carmella playfully mocked.

"Never mind!"

The next morning, Carmella and Vermilion stood outside the wooden house, their excitement palpable. Vermilion radiated confidence and determination, convinced that this time they would successfully return home.

"Is there a ritual you need to perform before using your powers?" Carmella inquired.

"No, I can use them straight away."

"Just make sure no one's around before you open the door. Better look around now!" Ayukawa's keen eyes scanned the surroundings.

"It seems clear now. Vermilion, are you ready?"

"Yes, let's count to three."

"One, two, three!"

And the door swung open...