When
Chihiro returned to the living room after taking a shower and changing into his
uniform, breakfast is still steaming.
「I
guess it's time for the second assessment」
「Yeah.
I hope you both get promoted」
Maria's
words sounded like nothing else. It seemed she herself had almost given up on
promotion.
「My
abilities are hard to grow」
Retaliation
and Self-Healing are both "closed" abilities that target Maria
herself.
But
because of this, these abilities are fuel-efficient and provide unparalleled
strength in personal combat, but they do not change dramatically as they grow.
For example, even if the speed and range of healing is enhanced, only Maria
will benefit from it.
This
is fatal in rank assessment, where social activities and range of application
are also important.
「...I
see. That's a bit disappointing」
「No,
not at all. If I'm ranked C, I can get a good amount of grant money」
She
didn't seem to care about the rank, and was unconcerned.
"More
importantly", Maria said, easily turning the conversation to another
topic.
「Izumi-kun,
have you decided what to do with your third ability?」
She
was referring to Chihiro's third ability, after [Mind-reading] and [Sleep
Enhancement], which is [Domination].
The
effect is to force those who sincerely swear to obey Chihiro into a state of
"good state" at all times.
It
is difficult to explain and reproduce, so he was wondering if he should reveal
it to the judges.
「I
think I'll just reveal it」
Basically,
there is no penalty for not telling others about his abilities, but it would be
less troublesome if he did.
Moreover,
when he talks about his ability, he doesn't need to mention the names of Maria,
Riko, or Hana, whom he has already targeted. Then it is up to the judges to
consider whether they can prove the ability or not.
「Okay」
Maria
nodded briefly, looking vaguely pleased.
「Then,
Izumi-kun might be able to get a C rank」
「Eh」
It
wasn't that he didn't think so, but it sounded too unrealistic.
Chihiro,
who was ranked E when he entered the school, could be ranked C so easily?
「That
would be true. Now you're a [Lost Item] with three abilities. ...You're pretty
valuable at that point, and more importantly, your [Dominance] is very powerful」
Those
who receive the ability can maintain their good condition without consuming
physical or mental strength. For example, if all members of an organization are
placed under the influence of [Dominaton], the indirect effects would be
tremendous.
...Well,
it's impossible to judge the usefulness of the effect until the number of
people affected and the range of the effect are determined.
「Chihiro
got a C rank. I'll have to work hard too」
Said
Riko.
She
doesn't seem to be concerned about the rank itself, but she seems to be
enthusiastic about it in the same way as studying for a test.
「...Oh,
by the way, Riko, about that assessment...」
「Hmm?」
「When
determining, do you remove the "mark"?」
「...Ah」
While
under Chihiro's [Domination], the subject's body will have a "mark"
visible on their body.
In
this state, the target will be in the good state which mentioned earlier, but
this is only an effect of Chihiro's ability.
However,
when assessing Riko, if the effect is continued, it may be perceived that Riko
herself has grown.
There
is no real harm in doing so, but it is slightly unfair.
「I
don't care either way, so I'll leave it to Riko」
「Hmm...」
Riko
thought about Chihiro's question for a while, and then shook her head.
「Fine,
leave it like this. It's too much trouble to remove this for that」
「...I
see」
Chihiro
nodded. Then that's fine.
Riko
smiles and says.
「If
I keep it in from now on, it won't affect my ability after all. ...Haha. If
this gets me to C, I'll thank you, Chihiro」
「Uh,
yeah」
The
last day of summer vacation.
More
members coming in and out of the apartment.
The
second assessment will come.
Many
things come and go, and new goals are born.
「The
school festival after the assessment. I'm looking forward to it」
「Yes.
The main event is supposed to be in early November. But I heard that it will
take a long time to prepare」
Thus,
Chihiro and the others are able to start the second semester slowly and
peacefully.
- Note: The small disturbance caused by Sashiro Kanako right after the opening ceremony (the story in the extra chapter) was rather unimportant, so it was treated as a "peaceful start" by Chihiro.
