Su Yuzu had also heard of them. The extremely rare rule-type abilities that had appeared throughout human history.
Without exception, they were powerful and unique rules that played a pivotal, tide-turning role in the entire course of human history.
And... most of them were accompanied by a tragic, tear-jerking fairytale.
The one closest to Su Yuzu's time was likely the rule-type ability of this era's Holy Court Saintess, Saint Michael—
"Word of Command."
What she spoke became truth.
Saint Michael, a Fifth Sequence Sun Esper.
In the long night, she single-handedly fought off the invading Sixth Sequence Aberrant, the former "Tiger of the Empire" and "The Empire's First Archer"—
"The Abyss of Eternal Smiles."
Kujou Iruka.
And at the cost of breaking her own wings and her Word of Command, she successfully repelled Kujou Iruka.
For instance—
The witch who crawled up from among the starved dead of hell.
She possessed the ability to grant an equal death to all things.
In the end... she sacrificed herself.
She successfully annihilated the Seventh Sequence Catastrophe Beast, the Deer Spirit of Nightmares.
Or for another example, the bride of the "Seat of Evil."
Although she herself was a 'non-Esper,' the rule-type ability she held allowed her to temporarily erase the abilities of any enemy she touched.
In the end... she and her lover,
the fully aberrated Seventh Sequence "Seat of Evil," were buried together forever in the depths of the ocean.
Su Yuzu's smile stiffened.
Whether it was "Word of Command," "Death," or "Erasure."
They were all rules that sounded impressive even if you didn't understand them—no... they were rules that sounded incredible the moment you heard them.
But... how did this rule-type ability become so lame when it got to her?
What's with this "Human Wrench"?
Being able to unreasonably bend things—what kind of bizarre rule-type ability was that?
Besides, rule-type abilities were different from normal abilities.
Normal abilities... could jump or evolve into more powerful abilities within the same domain when ascending through the Sequences.
Just like Saotome Yukina.
Don't be fooled that the girl can only spray water and clean wounds now.
Maybe one day she'll be able to summon storms and directly manipulate the weather.
But rule-type abilities were different.
A rule is a rule.
Unchangeable, indisputable.
"Human Wrench" is "Human Wrench," and it would never turn into something weird like "Human Vise" or "Human Hydraulic Press."
As if sensing the melancholy on Su Yuzu's face, Unohana Chiyo couldn't help but comfort the girl, "Don't be so worried."
"The effect of your ability in combat... will definitely not be inferior to any of your predecessors."
"The 'Word of Command' rule, though powerful, can only be activated while standing in sunlight."
"The rules of 'Death' and 'Erasure,' though absolute, also harm their wielders."
In comparison... Su Yuzu's ability seemed 'comical,' but this "bending" seemed to have no side effects.
It really was a very practical rule-type ability for actual combat.
Looking at Teacher Unohana Chiyo who was comforting her, Su Yuzu didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
She understood the logic.
And Su Yuzu didn't actually think that poorly of her own ability.
In any case... being a "Human Wrench" was better than some "Psychokinesis."
It also had a lot of potential in combat.
But... a girl just wants to have a cool, chuuni, and powerful ability, you know?
For example—
Soga Yura's "Mind Control" and "Domination."
Su Yuzu thought that was pretty good.
"Then let's move on to the next test..." Saionji Sagara glanced with a complicated expression at the ink-black feather the girl had twisted into the shape of a pretzel.
Saionji Sagara looked towards Yamabuki Nanako and Unohana Chiyo.
Yamabuki Nanako operated the AI panel, and a small testing platform and shield field slowly rose.
"The next test is..." Taking a deep breath, Unohana Chiyo took a large metal greatsword from a mechanical arm.
"Combat test."
She stood before Su Yuzu, comforting the girl who 'looked' a little nervous.
The door-panel-like metal greatsword in her hand clanked and shifted, transforming into a heavy tower shield.
*Thud—*
The tip of the shield stabbed heavily into the ground.
"You idiot, idiot, idiot, go easy!!!" Yamabuki Nanako's eye twitched furiously. "The renovations are expensive!"
"Still think you don't owe enough money?"
Unohana Chiyo's legs almost went weak.
Don't be fooled by Yamabuki Nanako's appearance as a local elementary schooler; she had to jump just to kick Unohana Chiyo's knee.
But... she was, in fact, Unohana Chiyo's peer.
The Chief Executive of Keigunen Private Academy's Technology Division.
"Go all out—" Saionji Sagara's cool voice sounded.
"The renovation costs... the Board will allocate funds."
She looked at Su Yuzu. "Don't underestimate your PE teacher."
"She used to be the most powerful Death Squad member on the Aberrant battlefield."
"Even now—"
"she is a Second Sequence Metal Manipulation User."
"Give it your all. Let us see... just how far your ability can extend."
Taking a deep breath, Su Yuzu looked at Unohana Chiyo.
"Well then... Teacher Unohana, I'm going to start~"
Right on cue, the familiar voice of the mechanical woman rang in Su Yuzu's ears.
[Ding—]
[New mission acquired.]
[Part 4: Hand of Paradox.]
[Your ability has finally begun to show its edge and take the stage.]
[Now... please explore the power of the "Hand of Paradox" freely on this stage.]
[Mission Reward: First Sequence Promotion Emblem "A material for promoting to the First Sequence. Using this emblem for promotion guarantees success."]
"Come on~"
"Little Yuzu." Unohana Chiyo patted the shield.
Su Yuzu reached her hand towards the shield.
She slowly turned her wrist.
*Screee—*
A teeth-grinding sound of twisting metal suddenly filled the laboratory.
That enormous metal shield was slowly bending.
But... as Su Yuzu bent the shield, Unohana Chiyo was constantly repairing it.
To the side, Yamabuki Nanako recorded the data with near-fanatical zeal.
Saionji Sagara frowned slightly. Watching the stalemate, she suddenly spoke, "Su Yuzu."
"Huh?" Because of Su Yuzu's distraction, the slightly bent shield was slowly straightened back by Unohana Chiyo.
"Try using your ability directly on Unohana."
"Huh!?"
"Huh-huh?"
"Head!?" A chorus of voices suddenly erupted in the lab.
"Just do it." Saionji Sagara looked seriously at Su Yuzu. "No matter what happens, I will take full responsibility."
"Don't worry—"
"As a Metal Manipulation User, your teacher is far tougher than you imagine."
"Besides... even if something does go wrong, we have emergency treatment pods and Medical Units here."
Just hearing the words "Medical Unit," the color drained from Unohana Chiyo's face.
The woman looked miserably at Saionji Sagara, "Head..."
"Regardless of whether you use a 'Medical Unit' this time, I'll reimburse you for the cost of ten of them." Saionji Sagara said just one thing.
*Clang—*
Unohana Chiyo tossed the shield aside and gave Su Yuzu an encouraging smile.
"Little Yuzu, just aim for your teacher."
"Teacher can take a lot."
Her eye twitching, Su Yuzu hesitated.
Teacher Unohana... just how many "Medical Units" did she owe the academy?
One "Medical Unit" was worth ten years of Teacher Unohana's salary.
Head Saionji offered to reimburse ten right off the bat, and... it seemed like the debt was far greater than that.
She looked at Unohana Chiyo and Saionji Sagara. "Are you sure about this?"
"Bring it!" Unohana Chiyo slapped her chest forcefully, causing a wave-like ripple.
The girl's crimson eyes gazed at Unohana Chiyo.
"Then..."
"Teacher Unohana, I'm starting now."
She extended her hand towards Unohana Chiyo.
From Unohana Chiyo's perspective, it was as if in the darkness... only the girl's crimson eyes lit up.
The entire world dimmed in an instant, leaving only the girl's shining eyes and her lips, glistening and soft like glaze.
"No effect?" Yamabuki Nanako looked at the testing platform.
On the testing platform.
After Su Yuzu extended her hand toward Unohana Chiyo, nothing seemed to happen.
Yamabuki Nanako detected no signs of bones or muscles being bent on Unohana Chiyo.
Nor did she detect any psychic fluctuations of a mental-type ability.
It was as if the girl had simply struck a pose at Unohana Chiyo.
But... she had clearly detected the wave of a rule-type ability activating.
Only... Unohana Chiyo was pursing her lips.
She looked at Su Yuzu.
It was as if the world had turned upside down for a moment, then returned to normal.
The only change seemed to be that the girl in front of her had become a little more affable and charming.
[...]
[Ding—]
[Congratulations, you have completed the mission: Hand of Paradox.]
[Congratulations, you have received the reward: First Sequence Promotion Emblem.]
Can only... physical objects be bent?
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