Chapter 202
Chapter 202
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 202
Chapter Title: A Special Meeting at the Association HQ (8)
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The possibility that the Metahuman Liberation Army had joined forces with the Invaders.
It was a terrifying thought, one that sent shivers down my spine just hearing it.
Both were essentially unhinged terrorist groups, after all.
It was like a bomb and poison gas rolled into one. At any rate, the danger had multiplied several times over.
But even amidst this undeniable crisis, my question remained unanswered.
Why had Luxerion suddenly wanted to test my abilities?
I couldn't for the life of me figure out what it had to do with the great battle to come.
‘If I had to guess… it's because I'm the only psychic on humanity's side. Maybe they wanted to gauge my strength in advance. That would be a necessary step, I suppose. Hmm, but something about that doesn't feel quite right.’
I couldn't put my finger on it, but I had a hunch there was more to it than just that.
It felt like he had something else in mind. A rather strange feeling.
And so, I unconsciously kept moving my head this way and that.
Raven, who had been deep in thought beside me, suddenly grabbed the top of my head and held it still.
"You're making me dizzy, kid. Why are you suddenly acting like an anxious puppy? You need to go to the bathroom?"
"Nuh-uh..."
"Raven, it's just a guess... but maybe Yuria is worried about the future? Especially with how things are going, it feels like they're about to put something on her, doesn't it?"
"Ooh...!"
Could it be, Frau, that you can read minds?
I stared at her with sparkling eyes, grateful she had voiced what I wanted to say.
In response, she gave a light wink, as if to say, "That's it, right?"
Is this what it means to be a great adult? Compared to her, Raven is just so mean.
As I thought this and shot Raven a sideways glance, he just shook my head in response.
Ugh, my vision's spinning... I'm getting dizzy...
"Hmm, is that so? She's a rather bright child. It wouldn't be strange for her to notice. Yes, what you're worried about is true. The Association... it seems they wish to borrow your power."
"Hey, old man. This kid is still..."
"Young, you were going to say? Hmph, how arrogant. From my perspective, you and this little one are one and the same. Both just wet-behind-the-ears children."
"That's not what this is about. Old man, has dementia addled your brain?"
Well, from the perspective of a dragon who's lived a thousand years, he wasn't wrong.
But that wasn't the point Raven was trying to make...
The conversation was taking an unsettling turn, so I quickly collected myself.
I had to hear the rest first. This was no time to be spacing out.
So, I shot up from my seat and waved my arms around, making my presence known with all my might.
What's the point of you two fighting? It's meaningless. Let's get to the main point!
Fortunately, my flailing efforts seemed to work.
The simmering tension gradually subsided, and Tempest, after a light cough, continued.
"In short, it means this. Miss Yuria, we would like you to cooperate with the Fixer Association in the coming battle."
"Mmm..."
"Well, you needn't worry too much. The Association has no intention of giving you any particularly dangerous tasks. That's why we had Luxerion strictly assess your abilities. They are not fools who would use our one and only precious psychic like a disposable pawn."
Hmm, so that's what it is. I had a feeling this would happen.
The topic was a bit heavy, but I had somewhat expected it, so I kept my mouth shut.
After all, some sort of psychic faction had suddenly sided with the Metahuman Liberation Army.
They must be desperate to establish a countermeasure against psychic powers.
And just then, here I was, the only psychic friendly to humanity, sitting right here.
To just leave me be would be a truly foolish decision... I suppose.
‘Haa, well then... I guess I have no choice. If I don't lend my strength here, the damage will be too great. And once the Invaders start making their move in earnest, I'll likely become a target anyway.’
I have two Objects, and I've been making quite a bit of noise up until now.
By the time the Invaders establish their forces and complete their mass-produced psychics, won't they come after me?
In that case, I had no reason to refuse Tempest's offer.
It wouldn't be a bad idea to put the Association in my debt now and cash in on it later.
Besides, hearing the story just now made my own heart pound with anxiety.
To suppress this anxiety, this was actually a good thing.
"...Okay!"
So, I shot up from my seat and nodded, my eyes filled with determination.
It might have been different when I first fell into this world.
But what I wished for now was a happy ending where everyone could be happy!
To grasp that uncertain future, I had to step forward, not run away.
Of course, a day might come when I regret it.
If I refused, they probably wouldn't force the issue.
If I just said I wanted to do nothing and live quietly in hiding... they would respect my wishes.
But in this moment, I had not a shred of hesitation.
A choice isn't always the right answer. What's important is the resolve with which you make it.
I'm sure that when I look back on this someday in the future, I won't regret this decision.
"Tch, that Yuria..."
"Hmph, you're quite serious. Even if your face is cute."
Did they sense the firm resolve welling up from deep within my heart?
Raven and Frau muttered to themselves.
Raven, who had been against it, clicked his tongue quietly and averted his gaze.
It seemed his mind, as my self-proclaimed guardian, was in turmoil.
In the end, things were settled with me accepting Tempest's proposal.
It seemed they planned to create a department dedicated to psychics soon and lead various plans from there.
Things felt like they were moving a bit too fast for a conversation that had just concluded...
But considering the huge wave about to crash down on us, I suppose there was no time to slack off.
‘Hmm, wait. What happens to me now? Can I not stay in Nighthaven anymore?’
Then, a question I wanted to ask suddenly popped into my head.
From now on, I'll be cooperating with the Association... Does that mean I have to commute here all the time?
I looked up at Raven with a curious expression and swayed my body back and forth.
He glanced down at me, then turned to Tempest and asked the question for me.
"Old man, does this mean the Association will be taking care of her?"
"Hmm, no. You'll continue to look after her, as you have been. The Fixer Association can't maintain a high alert at all times. It's better to have someone of your caliber protecting her than some random nobody."
"There are too many eyes around the Association. We plan to assign additional bodyguards, sending members from the psychic department I mentioned earlier to Nighthaven on assignment."
"So that means..."
"..."
We're, we're not being separated.
I was secretly worried about that, so I breathed a sigh of relief.
Cooperating with the Fixer Association was unavoidable.
But it would have been a bit difficult if I had to part with Raven, Greg, and Alice.
Instead, it seemed they planned to send personnel to Nighthaven where I was.
Were they trying to win my favor by accommodating me?
Their intentions were obvious, but I couldn't help feeling pleased.
‘So, is this the end of our business at the Association HQ for today... I got to see the headquarters and meet some amazing people. It was a satisfying day.’
Mhmm, I'm really worried about the future, though.
But that's not something I can control. I need to take it easy.
Then, an idea I'd been mulling over for a while suddenly flashed through my mind.
Something I'd wanted to try if I ever met Tempest, an idea I almost forgot.
It was none other than... the idea of healing Tempest's wound with the Tesseract.
‘The Tesseract has the ability to draw possibilities from countless worldlines. Surely there's at least one Tempest out there with an undamaged Dragon Heart?’
Considering how much Tempest's existence contributes to world peace...
This was definitely not something I should hesitate to try.
If I could somehow fix his Dragon Heart, it would solve future problems cleanly!
"...!"
"Hm? What is it? Do you need more snacks?"
"Nuh-uh!"
Snacks? This is way more important than snacks!
I shook my head back and forth, then took the snack Tempest offered and hugged it to my chest.
Then I shot up from my seat and scurried over to the back of his chair.
As if to say "watch this," I took out the Tesseract I had hidden away.
I rolled up my sleeve, revealing the small scratch on my forearm from earlier.
"Hm? That arm..."
"You have a small cut. If you had said something sooner, I would have healed it."
"..."
I'm not asking you to heal it because it hurts.
I raised my hand and shook my head to refuse Lux, who was summoning light magic.
Then, clutching the Tesseract tightly, I asked it to heal the wound on my forearm.
[ Okay, Mama! Leave it to me! ]
Immediately, an astonishing phenomenon occurred.
The wound on my arm healed as if time were reversing!
The others looked surprised, as if seeing this ability of mine for the first time.
I pointed at Tempest, indicating that I would do the same for him.
"Hoh... You mean to say you will restore my broken Dragon Heart?"
"Uh-huh!"
"The profound law contained within a Dragon Heart is a concept that cannot be replicated by any magic, not even holy power. If you can truly do it, I would be most grateful."
Trust me. I don't know if it'll work, but I'll give it a try!
As if to say that, I approached Tempest and carefully placed my palm on his back.
Then I pressed the Tesseract, held tightly in my other hand, to my forehead.
I asked it to bring me a worldline where this man's heart was perfectly fine.
The Tesseract is very capable. It'll bring it to me in no time.
I waited with a beaming smile and a pounding heart for its response.
But even after a while, no answer came from the Tesseract.
Just as a sense of unease began to creep in and I was about to tilt my head in confusion, the Tesseract spoke.
[ Mama, I'm sorry... I don't have enough energy. ]
...Ah, so it's not going to work.
Feeling awkward, I hesitantly removed my palm from Tempest's back.
I never imagined it would lack the energy to pull a worldline where Tempest's heart was fine.
After my bold declaration, the anticlimactic result made my ears burn.
It was a truly disappointing and slightly embarrassing situation.