Mito POV
Okay, now is the time I've been waiting for these past five years — I can finally start using my self-creation ability. I'll leave the chat group stuff for after graduation.
"Alright, so I just need to describe the ability in my mind and will it to be. Self-creation will use Energy-X to create the ability."
[That's it? I thought it would be way more complex than that, considering you can literally create god-like powers.]
"Well, there's a side note — pain is mandatory for the ability to become a part of me, since it restructures my body to accommodate it."
[We'll see about that. So, what's your first ability?]
"Well, I've been thinking… Since I have no idea what Energy-X actually is or how to get more of it, I need a way to ensure I can produce more. So my first ability will be Omni Energy Reactor Generator. It will generate any type of energy I'm familiar with, and convert one energy into another. It's a metaphysical ability, directly connected to my soul."
[Why not make it so you can generate any energy you can imagine? You said the multiverse is vast and no one knows everything out there.]
"That's exactly why I won't. I don't want to accidentally convert my chakra into an energy I can't control, and that ends up killing me or destroying everything around me."
[…Point taken.]
"Well, that's all for my first ability. Now I just have to activate self-creation and let my instincts guide me."
While pretending to be asleep, I began the process.
Then the pain struck.
I was expecting pain — but this wasn't pain. This was pure agony, the sensation of my body breaking and rebuilding. And since I linked the ability to my soul, the soul-deep agony was far worse than the physical part. This was my body and soul being dragged across molten glass while every nerve screamed. Each heartbeat felt like an earthquake inside my chest, shaking me apart molecule by molecule.
I'm no anime protagonist who grits their teeth and bears it. I was just an ordinary person in my past life — sometimes went to the gym, sure, but not some hardened hero. So I screamed. Loud. I don't know how long I screamed before the pain made me pass out.
[Author's note: The ability ensures she can't die from self-creation pain.]
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Next Morning
I woke with a jolt, phantom pain still lingering.
"Ugh… I can't remember what happened after activating self-creation."
[Oh, you're awake. I was hoping the pain had killed you.]
"Ahh, you're not getting rid of me that easily, Fluffy. So, what happened?"
[First — DON'T CALL ME THAT! Second — why should I tell you after you just did?]
"Sheesh, I thought we were friends by now. Why so hostile?"
[I only talk to you because I have nothing better to do. And you won't stop pestering me for my name, so you keep using that stupid nickname.]
"What's wrong with Fluffy? And don't change the topic — tell me what happened."
[Go ask someone else. I'm taking a nap.]
'Fine. If Fluffy won't talk, who else might know what happened?'
That's when Naruto came into our shared room. Apparently, keeping us with other kids was "too dangerous," so we were kept separate. He saw me awake, ran over, hugged me, and started sobbing like I'd been on my deathbed.
"Big sis, you're awake! What happened last night? You started screaming and twisting in bed, then you went silent. I tried calling for help, but nobody believed me. They told me to stop making up stories for attention. Then a funny masked man came, looked at you, and said you were fine — just sleeping. But I know I heard you. Are you okay? Do you have a fever?"
'So that's what happened… Poor kid.'
"Shhh, Naruto. I just had a very bad nightmare, that's all. No need to worry. Your big sis is strong — nothing will happen to me, okay?"
Naruto's big, puffy eyes stared up at me.
"Y-you promise you won't leave me? Promise!"
"I promise, Naruto."
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After breakfast, the usual routine — being ignored by everyone else. The only difference was that Naruto stuck to me like glue. I think yesterday scared him badly. The isolation and whispers of "demon" when they think we're not listening aren't helping either.
I checked my ability's status. It works as I designed, but there's one problem: I can't convert chakra or any other energy directly into Energy-X. Apparently, Energy-X builds up naturally in my body as I live, like a special life force. Exercise and a healthy body speed up the process.
I have a feeling I'll be able to convert chakra to Energy-X eventually, but that's a future problem. For now, I can still make two more omega-level abilities — once the phantom pain stops making me wince every thirty seconds.
________________________________________
Later, while we were eating, I noticed the other kids glaring at Naruto more than usual.
'Alright, I'm making an intimidation ability to scare them.'
[What happened to letting the pain fade first?]
'Uh… joking?'
[Why does that sound like a question?]
"Hey, big sis, why is everyone extra mean today?" Naruto asked.
"I don't know. Did you prank them or something?"
Naruto blushed and looked down.
"…Wait. Seriously?"
"You can tell me," I said.
"Well… after they said you were faking for attention, I put liquid soap in all the adults' toothpaste."
"Pfft—! Cough— It's… not funny. Cough cough. Okay, maybe a little. Just don't do it again, okay?"
"Okay, big sis."
[…Your brother is a demon.]
"I prefer 'menace to enemies, nightmare to the village.'"