Under the Guise of Discipline
"What... what on earth are you talking about...?"
Frey must have misheard. Perhaps the battle during the day had damaged her hearing. Otherwise, this made absolutely no sense.
Seeing Frey flustered to the point of stuttering, Lucia gave an embarrassed smile, as if she had expected this reaction. Yet, she still didn't let go of Frey's wrist. Frey's hand remained positioned right over Lucia's throat—a spot where even a fraction of pressure could easily choke her.
"Well, you see... my supernatural ability is Super Regeneration, right?"
"What does that have to do with me hitting you... Wait, don't tell me...?"
A sudden realization sent a shiver down Frey's spine. Her shocked eyes widened in sheer horror as the true meaning of Lucia's words dawned on her.
"Supernatural abilities grow the more you use them. It's just like any other part of the human body. Just as muscles get stronger the more you work them out, you have to actively use your ability to train it."
"And for a regenerator like you to grow your ability..."
"To train Super Regeneration, I have to get hurt first."
Yes, in a way, it made perfect sense. Just as the human body grows stronger through training, and frequently used muscles develop, a supernatural ability only becomes more potent through repeated use.
"I know. It's a bit of a strange request, isn't it? I'm sorry. But Frey, you're the only one I can ask for something like this."
Only now did Frey truly grasp at least a part of what Lucia meant. For a regenerator like Lucia to grow stronger, she had no choice but to get injured first. That was why she was asking. She was begging Frey to scar her, to wound her. Because to regenerate, she had to be hurt first.
"..."
On the surface, there was nothing wrong with her logic. Realizing her own inadequacy from today's events, she was seeking help to overcome it. Even if it seemed a bit bizarre because her ability was Super Regeneration, it was undoubtedly a valid method of training.
But Frey was no fool. Was that really the only intention behind Lucia's request? To help her train her ability? It was far too clumsy. This method was incredibly inefficient. It would be much more beneficial to utilize the traits of Super Regeneration in a different way. The fact that she required zero recovery time was an unparalleled advantage for any kind of training.
If Lucia had asked for a sparring match where injuries were expected, Frey wouldn't be this confused. But Lucia was asking for one-sided violence. Her actions practically screamed: I won't resist, so feel free to torment me as much as you want.
Why?
There was no way Lucia, the actual owner of Super Regeneration, didn't know what even Frey could easily deduce. Lucia must have researched the applications of her own ability far more meticulously than Frey ever could. Yet, she was making such a flawed, inefficient request anyway. Which meant—
"If you want to refuse, you can. Don't feel pressured."
Lucia spoke with an embarrassed smile that felt entirely out of place given the situation. What did that smile mean? What was the intent behind those words? Frey asked herself, pretending not to know. But the answer had already presented itself deep within her mind.
"...You're going to regret this. I'm not a gentle person. Do you even know who you're asking this of?"
Slowly, strength began to seep into the tips of Frey's fingers. Even as she thought she shouldn't, her body moved on its own. She wrapped both hands around Lucia's slender neck and slowly began to squeeze.
Lucia kept her smile, but the corners of her lips trembled. She slid backward, collapsing onto the bed. By the time Frey snapped out of it, she was already straddling Lucia, pinning her down to the mattress.
The sensations of that day came rushing back. Back then, she had looked down at her just like this. Straddling her, choking her with all her might.
"Ugh..."
Unconsciously, Frey tightened her grip around Lucia's throat. A pained groan escaped Lucia's lips. Had she already grown scared of the very thing she had requested? The way she trembled, clutching at the white sheets, was pitifully endearing.
I get it now. You're an idiot.
Asking me to hit you... it was the most absurd request in the world. And the reason behind it was even more ridiculous. It was an indulgence. She was handing Frey a free pass to legally exert violence upon her. Even while knowing Frey's sadistic nature. No, she had committed this foolish act because she knew. The reason was glaringly obvious, wasn't it? For someone as kind-hearted as Lucia, it was all too predictable.
She's offering herself up as a tool to satisfy my urges... that's what this is.
There was no other way to explain it. She had essentially declared herself an outlet for Frey's violent impulses. Why on earth would she go this far? Because they were friends? Because she liked Aris that much?
A flurry of thoughts sprouted like weeds, but a swelling heat rapidly took over her mind. Frey knew this sensation from experience. Just like last time, her desires were consuming her rationality.
Her heartbeat felt heavy. The blood rushing through her veins boiled. Frey felt as if her entire body were on fire. Her palms grew slick with sweat, yet her hands gripping Lucia's neck didn't slip in the slightest, holding their ground firmly.
"Ha..."
She let out an involuntary chuckle. Even as she thought she shouldn't do this, her actions were the exact opposite. Her remaining shred of rationality screamed at her, asking if she was going to make the same mistake again, telling her to apologize and let go immediately, but Frey ignored it completely. She covered her ears to block out the desperate pleas of her conscience as if they were nothing but an annoyance.
I have to refuse. Am I incapable of learning? Did I already forget what I was thinking just a few minutes ago? Stop it. Snap out of it. Don't hurt Lucia. Please. I'll definitely regret this again.
But wouldn't refusing here be disrespectful to Lucia, who made such a difficult decision? Right? It couldn't have been an easy conclusion for her to reach. It must have been a decision made after long, agonizing deliberation. If I reject her, it's no different from trampling over her courage. For Lucia's sake... yes, I'm not in the wrong.
This is all your fault. You have no idea how hard I was trying to hold back...
She had permission. She had received permission from none other than Lucia herself. If so, didn't that mean she could do whatever she wanted now? Even if she did something terrible, Lucia would surely forgive her. I'm not in the wrong. Yes, that's right. Lucia brought this entirely upon herself.
The abnormal sadism she had barely managed to suppress reared its head once more. A distorted, tearing smile stretched across Frey's lips.
"Eu... he... he... het..."
Lucia's smile warped slightly. She tried to keep laughing to endure the pain, but clear tears welled up in her pink eyes. Did Lucia have any idea? Did she know that her pitiful, desperate expression was brutally crushing the last of Frey's sanity?
She had read in a book once that such moments existed. That when excitement reached its absolute peak, one could conversely become incredibly calm. She had always thought it was just an exaggerated trope used in novels, but Frey was now experiencing firsthand that it was entirely possible.
"..."
Frey released the pressure from her hands around Lucia's neck. She had squeezed and twisted so hard that vivid red handprints were left on Lucia's pale skin. If she had applied just a fraction more force, it would have bruised. No, considering Frey's physical strength, she might have snapped Lucia's neck like a dry twig.
"Cough, gasp, ha... ah...?"
As her blocked airway was suddenly freed, Lucia gasped desperately for air. She looked up at Frey with a bewildered gaze, clearly not expecting her to let go so suddenly.
"F-Frey...?"
"...No, this isn't right. It's too much. The location is bad, too. Aris might wake up."
If they were in the dormitory like last time, it might be different, but doing this in a room at the Academy Annex Hospital carried too high a risk of getting caught. It wouldn't be strange for someone to walk in at any moment. Cleaning up afterward wouldn't be easy either. If she choked Lucia and she ended up wetting herself like last time, the bedsheets would get ruined. If any bleeding occurred, it would be impossible to cover up.
Crucially, there was the variable of Aris. If the stimulation became too intense, it would be transmitted to Aris. Wasn't that the very mechanism that had awakened the sleeping Aris that day? Though she had erected a mental barrier to keep Aris in the dark about the outside world, one could never be too sure. Frey absolutely did not want to be despised by Aris.
"Thank you for being so considerate. Lucia, you really are a good person."
"Y-Yeah..."
Frey caressed Lucia's flushed, red-marked neck. Lucia flinched and trembled every time Frey's fingertips brushed against her skin. She reacted hesitantly, clearly finding Frey's sudden shift in attitude suspicious.
"If it's training your supernatural ability, I'll help you. But not like this."
The price to pay for satisfying a fleeting moment of pleasure was far too steep. Frey made a rational judgment. However, if there was one thing to keep in mind, it was that her rationality had long since crumbled to dust. This was merely a conclusion reached by desperately scraping together the scattered grains of her shattered sanity.
"Lucia, what do you think a supernatural ability actually is?"
"W-What's this all of a sudden...?"
Lucia couldn't hide her confusion at the random question. But Frey paid her no mind. Helping the collapsed Lucia sit up, she continued speaking without waiting for an answer.
"A supernatural ability is the power of the mind. It doesn't dwell in the physical body; it dwells in the spirit."
That was why rare, exceptional cases like Aris and Frey existed. Two personalities in a single body. One physical vessel, but two distinct spirits. Because supernatural abilities were tied to the spirit, a multi-ability user with two separate powers could be born.
"So, you don't necessarily have to activate your ability for it to develop. If your mental strength—the very source of your supernatural ability—grows stronger, your ability will naturally grow along with it."
Frey already knew of such examples. Yujin had grown exponentially after the field training. Aris's ability had also strengthened as her mind matured. Though extremely rare, refining one's mental fortitude to trigger the evolution of an ability was a proven reality.
"Lucia, you asked me to hit you. But it's not because you actually want to be beaten, right?"
"T-That's right..."
"It was all for the sake of growing your ability. If you can train it without having to get physically beaten, wouldn't that be much better?"
"I... suppose so...?"
Lucia agreed, completely dazed. Frey nodded in satisfaction. She crossed her legs and folded her arms. Casting a deep shadow over her eyes, Frey spoke.
"Strip."
"...Eh?"
"Your clothes. Take them all off."
"W-What do you mean by—?"
Slap!
Lucia's head snapped to the side before she could finish her question. The handprints that had only been on her neck were now stamped onto her cheek as well. Frey muttered a quick "Oops," but dismissed it just as quickly. She had intended to avoid violence if possible, but her hand had slipped.
"Your lip is split. That must hurt."
"Ah... ugh..."
"I'll explain as an apology."
Swinging her leg back and forth, Frey let out a pleasant smile. She spoke in a solemn voice, as if sharing a profound secret.
"Super Regeneration is really troublesome, isn't it? Having to get hurt and regenerate just to train it. That's way too tedious and painful. Let's grow your ability in a different way."
"A... different way...?"
"Supernatural abilities are the power of the mind."
In other words, we train your mind. Simple, right?
"From now on, I'm going to humiliate you. It'll be tough, but you can endure it, right? It's better than physical pain, after all. If you can overcome the shame, won't your mental strength improve as well?"
It was absolute nonsense. Pure sophistry. Even Frey, as she spoke, was fully aware of it. Even if such a thing were possible, the efficiency would be abysmally low. In fact, it might even do more harm than good. But whatever the truth was, it didn't matter to Frey.
"Strip. Everything. Don't leave even your underwear on."
"..."
Lucia stared at Frey with dazed eyes. She absentmindedly caressed her cheek with a vacant expression. The crimson flush spreading across her face wasn't just from the slap.
"I... I understand..."
With trembling hands, Lucia grasped the hem of her hospital gown. The faint rustle of fabric brushing against bare skin echoed softly in the room. With every button she undid, her trembling grew worse. Soon, the pink hospital gown lay discarded in a messy heap on the floor.
"Is... is this enough...?"
"Do I have to repeat myself three times?"
Her feeble resistance was instantly shut down. Hesitating as she read Frey's expression, Lucia finally squeezed her eyes shut. The plain, hospital-issued underwear slipped down, and Lucia was finally left completely in her birthday suit.
Perhaps she found being completely naked embarrassing even in front of another girl, as Lucia shivered violently, desperately trying to cover herself with her arms and hands. She pressed her forearms against her breasts, squeezed her thighs together, and shielded her private area with her hands. All the while, she couldn't bring herself to look at Frey.
Strands of golden hair fell into the valley of her cleavage. Tears welled in her innocent eyes, and her straight nose and cheeks were flushed as red as ripe apples. She looked so incredibly tormentable. Frey wanted nothing more than to utterly ruin that embarrassed face. It's fine. There's no problem. After all, Lucia agreed to this.
Staring at the completely naked Lucia, a profound sense of conquest boiled up inside Frey's chest. I'm the only one who can do whatever I want with this girl. No one else will ever see Lucia like this. Except, of course, for her closest friend, Aris—and by extension, Frey.
...
But her excitement didn't last long. She recalled what had happened in the park just a few hours ago. The sight of Lucia's back as she headed toward a dangerous battlefield just to help Yujin. Whomever Lucia liked, it was her freedom. Frey had no right to complain. But it pisses me off. She's mine. We became close with Lucia first. Aris and I got close to her a whole month before Yujin did. And yet that latecomer... is trying to steal Lucia away.
"F-Frey... what, um, what should I... do...?"
As Frey fell silent, lost in thought, Lucia asked timidly, unable to bear the suspense any longer. Hearing that fragile voice that sounded as if it might break at any moment, Frey smoothed out her furrowed brow. Yes, now was not the time to worry about someone like Yujin.
What should she make Lucia do? To be honest, Frey hadn't thought that far ahead either. Humiliation. What could she do to subject her to the ultimate shame and disgrace? So many ideas came to mind. Too many to count. Should she make her masturbate right here? Should she force her to grovel on the floor in a dogeza? Just imagining it made her mouth water, but she couldn't go too far. Lucia's mind might not be able to take it. Something moderate... Ah, right.
"Lucia."
"Y-Yes...?"
"Bark for me."
Like a dog, on all fours.