Screams of agony rang through the emptiness, an evil spirit crying tears of blood.
All his life he had gone along with his fate, making his peace with it. All his life he had
fought the demons hiding within his heart. All his life he had held himself back from turning
into a monster, a coward — a villain.
And the moment he found someone to live for…
… they betrayed him…
… they killed his wife…
… they killed their unborn daughter…
Madness from the pits of hell oozed, becoming a cocoon around him.
He wanted to kill. He wanted to rip their souls apart. He wanted to end the world. He wanted
to see everything and all burn—as she had… in front of his eyes.
Then it all began melting away.
"NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"
He threw his hands at it, trying to grab the madness. His teeth bit into it. His eyes tried to
contain the rage within.
However, no matter what he did, no matter how much he wanted it, the emotions didn't stop
abandoning him as if beckoned by a higher power.
When all but an empty feeling of sadness remained in his heart, Luke found himself holding
his face, crying unseen, unfelt tears.
It felt like it had been ages since he had begun screaming, drowning in his emotions.
Yet, he could still see it. Momo's face
—
inches away from him. Nyx lying dead between them.
[Wake up.]
The words were like a knell in Luke's mind.
The final dregs of the evil lingering within him, clouding his thoughts and turning him
insane, vanished.
Slowly, Luke took his hands off his face.He was seated on a chair at the end of a long table. On the floor, a sea of gray fog was
boiling, and all around him, pillars were rising, melting into a great, domed roof.
Opposite him, at the other end of the table, was Him.
Was it even a person, Luke couldn't tell.
He was wearing a black suit and pants with a top hat, and His face was a blur. The same gray
fog covered Him, but it also felt different, somehow.
It was as if the gray fog was alive and it was worshiping Him.
Luke didn't know why, but despite the deaths of his loved ones, he felt calm. He wanted to
get angry, but couldn't.
So, his scientist's instincts took over, bringing rationale to his mind.
He looked at the person sitting opposite him.
"Am I… dead?" Luke asked, looking around, searching for his wife. If this was the afterlife,
she should be here, no? He wanted to get up, but couldn't. So, he looked back at the person.
The man in the suit tapped his finger on the long table as if thinking over something. […
Yes.]
"…" Luke let out a wry smile. So… he was dead after all.
Gone. Everything was gone.
Luke took a deep breath, lifting his head. If he was here, sitting against this… being, then
there must be a reason for it. "Where am I? Why am I here?"
There was a brief moment of silence.
The figure with a blurred face slid his hand against the table's edge. [This is the world above
the gray fog… a place that exists in a higher dimension. You can call it the Gray Castle.]
Gray Castle… exists in a higher dimension? Luke's brows pressed together. He waited for the
existence to finish speaking.
[As to why you are here… I want to know the answer to this question, too.]
Huh?! Luke didn't know what to say. "You—didn't bring me here?" What was going on?
[Hmm. I allowed you to come, but—] The existence told Luke. [—you were sent here.]
Luke just stared ahead, dumbfounded. Someone sent him here… to a higher dimension…
"Did my wife…"
The figure shook his head.Sigh! Luke let out a breath. "Can you please explain more? What exactly happened?"
Luke didn't know who this existence was, what it wanted, and why it had allowed him to
come here.
What he did know was that this existence was insanely powerful than he was. And, it was
willing to clear his doubts.
[I believe in the principle of equivalent exchange.] The existence said. [Before I answer
your question, are you willing to share details about your world?]
Principle of equivalent exchange? Luke ruminated. Is it a whim or an imposed rule…
Still, Luke didn't mind sharing anything. What did it matter, anyway? He was already dead…
So, starting from the history of Quirks, Luke began telling everything.
Quirks, Quirk Factors, Society, Wars, Education System, Science, etc.
With Luke's hoard of knowledge, the only thing he couldn't tell was minute interpersonal
details, like friendship, enmity—common experiences of life that he had remained a stranger
to.
[I see… In the grand scheme of things, your theory of Quirk Conformity and Quirk
Singularity does make sense. On all the planets that I know, at least those that have
extraordinary powers, you can always find a similar background.] The existence told
Luke, tapping the table. [What I want to know is how did you come up with the name —
Conformity.]
Luke was still hung up on the sentence — On all the planets that I know… — when the
figure asked the most simple question to him. "I…"
Luke felt like someone slapped him across the face.
His face contorted as he tried to remember, but failed utterly.
It was his theory! It was he who had spent years researching it!
Yet, he didn't remember how he decided to call it Quirk Conformity?! What ridiculous notion
was that?!!
[Let it be…] The existence said as if it had asked the question just to confirm something.
[Before I answer your question, would you like to know how I see you?]
Luke was still grappling with the absurdity of lost memories when he heard the question. He
looked down at himself.
He was wearing the same clothes as he had been wearing before dying.
A simple white t-shirt over black pajamas.Still, now he had confirmed that this man—could very well be a god-like existence.
Every word that this existence said could have a hidden motive and far-reaching implications
behind it.
Luke nodded.
With a jerk, Luke felt like his eyes left his skull.
The vision turned around, shifting from the fog-shrouded existence to himself.
What Luke saw shocked him beyond measure.
Luke saw himself, transparent, but hundreds of blackish threads oozing out of him,
disappearing into the vast gray fog beyond.
He could still make out his blond hair and blue eyes, but that wasn't all. There were minute,
golden dots scattered inside his body.
His hands, instead of dots, held blobs of golden light, their brilliance overshadowing
everything in his vision.
An even more striking detail was that there was another blob of golden light near his heart—
like a distant island.
[This is Spirit Vision. Simply, it lets one see the Spirit Body, or Soul, of someone. In your
case, as you are dead, it is the projection of your Spirit Body just before your death that
I allowed to come here…]
Luke's vision returned to him.
With his brilliant mind, it didn't take him even a moment to realize what the existence was
talking about. "Those blobs of golden lights in my hands…"
[Here's a theory.] The figure said, tapping his finger on the table. [The Quirk Factors you
mentioned are nothing but manifestations of, let's say, Spirit Particles in the outside
world.
[This would also explain why no one in your world succeeded in extracting the Quirk
Factors alone from a Quirk user…]
Luke looked at the figure with a strange admiration. "This would also explain the presence of
Vestiges when Quirks are passed on to someone else, stolen or otherwise."
[Exactly. But here's things get tricky.] The figure slightly shifted on his chair as if he were
going to discuss a grave secret. [Even though there are Quirks based on Spirituality, as
you said, and even though there are concepts revolving around Spiritual Enlightenment
in your world, there isn't much focus on seeing Quirks from a spiritual perspective,
despite the rich, scientific history.]Luke gaped, feeling absolutely puzzled himself.
It was true. Even the greatest scientists never deliberated going beyond Quirk Factors, trying
to locate their origin.
Suddenly, like a lightning bolt striking him from the blue sky, Luke remembered the very first
conversation he had with Momo.
I am no scientist, but I agree with those who are. Isn't it a little too absurd with the little data
we have?
Little data… little date… Luke was thunderstruck. Why wasn't there any data… it was as if…
[It is as if the people of your world are actively avoiding looking deeper into the Quirks'
mysteries.] The existence worded Luke's thoughts. [And now I will answer your question.]
Luke had gone extremely quiet.
In only a few sentences, he had realized that there was something deeply disturbing about the
things he would learn soon.
[Someone, or something, opened a rift on your end, connecting to this place.] The
existence explained. [When this something tried to push you in, I noticed a few things.
[First, there was a great convergence of fate upon you, which was fueling the rift itself.
Second, there was a Spirit Body latched onto you that wasn't yours.
[Third—your world didn't have a Spirit World.]
Convergence of fate… Luke repeated, his mind numb. Then he looked at the blob of golden
light that was supposed to be in his chest. "Spirit World?"
[All worlds have Planes that exist to either guide or assimilate the souls, or Spirit
Bodies, upon death.] The Existence replied. [Such Planes superimpose themselves over
reality, both existing together.
[Even though the people of your world have Spirit Bodies, there's no Spirit World.
[Not only that, I tried to look outside the planet, hoping to trace its location from the
outside. But something blocked my gaze. There seems to be a boundary around your
world that prevents foreign interference.
[That's why I allowed you in.]
What… What did he just say? Luke stupidly looked at the gray figure. A boundary around the
planet blocked his gaze? Isn't he—like a god…
Luke gulped. Are there beings on a similar level to this figure in my world?
The thought made him tremble.But Luke was already having a hard time controlling the words that had been trying to
explode out of his mouth.
Since the moment he had learned that this existence had allowed him in, he had been thinking
of it.
"Can you—send me back?" Luke asked, balling his fingers into fists.
There was a fierceness in his voice. So what if there was a boundary around his world? So
what if there was no Spirit World? So what if there was more to Quirks than they all had
thought?
So what if there were Gods and Demons?
He wanted revenge.
He wanted to kill all those who had murdered him and his wife and their unborn daughter,
starting with Katsuki Bakugo!
[I have a better proposal than mere revenge.] The existence said. [I cannot send you back
to the same time, but—I can graft your memories to you of the past, simulating a
resurrection.]
"Go back in the past?" Luke thought aloud, astounded. Yes. If that happens… I can—I can
change everything…
[Of course, you would find that changing the events leading to your death will be
pointless, especially if there are external factors involved.
[In that case, I am willing to extend a helping hand to you, parasitizing you with a hint
of my powers.]
Luke licked his lips, rows of words playing in his mind. I believe in the principle of
equivalent exchange…
[A price is exacted for what fate bestows.] The existence said as Luke had predicted. [In
return, I would like you to pursue the mystery behind the absence of Spirit World in
your world.
[Also, you would have to spread my religion in your world, gathering followers.]
Gathering followers? Luke wasn't sure about that. He had hardly interacted with anyone in
his world even when he was a child. How would he ever gather followers of an unknown,
shady religion?
"Why?" Luke asked—already making up his mind.
At this moment, he would just do anything to go back. He would do about just anything to
prevent what happened to Momo.[Let's just say that I am interested in the development of a world that functions without
a Spirit World.]
For a moment, Luke contemplated the consequences of his decision.
He would be practically agreeing to let this figure invade his world, bypassing the boundary
that was supposed to prevent exactly that from happening…
What else could mean by spreading religion and gathering followers?
And yet, Luke nodded.
He needed to go. He wanted to go.
If he wanted to defy the fate leading to his loved ones' deaths, then he must accept.
The existence nodded back, neither calmly nor hurriedly. [Would you like me to separate
the second Spirit Body?]
"… no." By now, Luke had already figured out who it was.
All his life, everyone who knew about his Quirk had wondered why he could use Bioalchemy
on Nyx when she was a Quirk user herself.
It seemed, she wasn't.
Unknowingly, unconsciously, Luke had been bestowing an Intelligence Quirk Factor on her
to have someone to talk to.
Hours after hours. Months after months. Years after years.
By the time he was 9 years old, he had done it so many times, every single day, that the Quirk
Factor became permanent, becoming indistinguishable from an original Quirk.
[Her Spirit Body latched onto the returning Quirk Factors which were part of your
Spirit Body.] The existence said. [When you return, and if you choose to bestow her the
same Quirk, she would also gain all her memories. Do you really want that to happen?]
Nyx… Luke took a deep breath and nodded.
[Very well.]
Luke stood up and hesitatingly asked, "How should I address you?"
[You can call me—] The existence lifted his right hand and snapped his fingers. [—Mr.
Fool]
AN: Image of Luke's Spirit Body is available on Patre0nChapter 6: Regression Successful - 11 Years!
The Saionji Group, led by the formidable Reijirou Saionji, was thought to be a dynasty that
could not only predict success but could also shape it.
Revered and feared alike, Mr. Saionji was known for his uncanny ability to be one step ahead
in business, politics, and society — as if fate itself was holding his finger, subtly guiding him.
That he himself was Quirkless mattered little on the stage he played.
Unlike him, though, his family members' Quirks were well known.
Misaki Saionji, Reijirou's wife, was a beauty to behold, having the Quirk — Future Sketch!
She could subconsciously sketch events that were about to happen in the next 24 hours.
However, the sketch differed too much from anything remotely discernible and was always
related to her. Sometimes, it took days to interpret a sketch, only to find out later that it was
of her drinking tea.
Their son, Rikuya Saionji, had the Quirk — Dream Walk!
Their daughter, Aina Saionji, had one of the most desired Quirk by the Hero Agencies across
Japan — Snapshot Prophecy!
The twins had recently become first-year students at UA High School.
Even if some people questioned the nature of the children's Quirks, given Mr. Saionji was
Quirkless himself, they kept their mouths shut.
However, despite such a lineup of Quirks at their disposal, what people question was Mr.
Saionji's decision to adopt a Quirkless child five years ago.
The only explanation the media received from the Saionji Group was that Mr. Saionji wanted
to support a Quirkless orphan, remembering his struggles as a Quirkless child.
Of course, the very act garnered worldwide praise for the tycoon.
…
Saionji Mansion,
Tokyo, Japan
"Ah! Marvelous tea, Mr. Saionji!" Nezu, the principal of UA High School commented.
"Excellently brewed. As always."In the dining hall, the Saionji family was hosting dinner for Mr. Principal, who had arrived
seeking donations for the School's Support Department.
Mr. Saionji had seated himself at the head of the table, with Nezu on his right.
His wife was to his immediate left, followed by his son and daughter.
At last, seated next to Aina, was Luke, his head down.
Only today they had returned from the Blue Site, the underground network of secret labs,
hidden in Northern Hokkaido's vast, rugged wilderness.
Luke had undergone only one experiment. But, as it was centered around a complex
mutation, it had left him beyond exhausted. They had patched him up pretty well, of course.
Still, there was no cure for the stamina drain, yet, reflected by his sluggish actions.
Nezu looked at the boy from the corner of his eye while sipping tea.
Renji Saionji, the adopted son, had dyed his hair black and was wearing contact lenses,
making his eyes look black as well. It was an oddity impossible to hide from him, Nezu
knew. That meant, Mr. Saionji didn't want to hide it, to begin with.
Hmm… Mr. Principal finished his tea and was just going to ask for a private audience, when
it happened.
The spoon fell from the boy's hand.
His eyes rolled back into his head, a spasm coursing through his body, making it rigid.
With a jerk, the boy fell off the chair, making the plate, full of food, fall on him as well, the
sound of metal striking the floor ringing across the dining hall.
"Luke!" Mr. Saionji almost flew to the boy. "SAND!!"
Nezu had run around the table when he saw a wave of sand flying in, taking the shape of a
brown-haired and brown-eyed, bearded man, wearing a brown uniform.
Sand — Mr. Saionji's personal bodyguard.
Nezu looked at the boy who was experiencing a seizure.
But it was the expressions of Mr. Saionji's face that surprised him. Never had he seen such a
dread on someone's face. Never. Much less needed to be said about seeing one of the most
powerful people in the world when it came to financial, political, and societal influence.
Nezu's cold reasoning also reminded him that the boy wasn't even blood-related to the man.
There's something here… Mr. Principal noted as both men held the boy.
Then, the bird arrived."Luke!" Nyx cawed, fluttering down from above. "I told you! I told you! You piece of sleek-
haired shit!!"
She lunged at Mr. Saionji's face, trying to claw out his eyes.
But a fistful amount of sand surrounded it, holding it midair.
From the sides, Ms. Saionji frowned at the bird along with her children.
Just like that, just as Reijirou had picked Luke up to take him to the hospital, it was over.
…
Luke opened his eyes, carrying the weight of ten years' worth of memories.
For a moment, it felt like everything had been a dream. The loneliness… the sadness… the
cleanliness… anger and madness… love… Momo… their daughter…
Everything felt like blurry events from a vivid dream.
Then, he saw figures taking shape in his vision.
His father was bent over his face, panic overflowing his eyes. Next to him was Sand, the cold
man who did everything his father wanted without question.
There was a white mouse, too, with Nyx held up in the air, surrounded by sand.
Nyx… "Nyx!!!" Luke shouted, not in panic, but with a strange, conflicted joy. No. It wasn't a
dream.
He had died, his family had been betrayed and killed — that wasn't a dream!
He had gone to the Gray Castle of Mr. Fool — that wasn't a dream!
He had returned to the past with purpose — that wasn't a dream!
Tears began flowing out from Luke's eyes as he reached out toward Nyx… the last image of
her lying dead between him and Momo vanishing from his mind.
He wanted to touch her.
He wanted to return the Spirit Particles of her from the future.
Suddenly, as if struck by a bolt out of the blue, Luke held himself back, calming himself
down.
No… he wasn't a 14-year-old boy…
The memories were still settling down, his personality, knowledge, and experiences
superimposing with his current, childish self.And with that came prudence.
He remembered the meeting his father had with Mr. Principal. It was some 11 years ago.
It was also the night when his father had dreamt of All For One and then three days later had
taken him to the Blue Site… never to return.
"Has this ever happened before?" Nezu asked, eying Luke weirdly.
Before Mr. Saionji could reply, Luke opened his mouth. "Father…" he said, sitting up, "… I
am alright."
It wasn't the time to act out and do something rash, Luke knew.
He needed some time to wrap his mind around everything. Not to mention, his head was
pounding. Also, if he wanted Nyx to regain her memories, he needed to do it at a place where
others couldn't see them.
At this point, if he were to touch her even for a few seconds, it would get reported.
Nyx being Nyx, was bound to make a fuss upon remembering everything.
Reijirou looked up and nodded at Sand, who held Luke's hand saying, "Come. I will get you
looked up by a doctor."
Luke nodded, keeping his head down, trying to recall how he used to behave.
However, he had underestimated how thorough this resurrection was.
With his memories, knowledge, and experience, the traumas he had yet to face had returned
as well.
So, when Luke stood up and saw himself covered with juices and bits of food, his entire face
contorted.
He slammed his hands at himself, trying to get it off.
There was such madness about Luke's actions that, in moments, he ripped off his shirt.
And, with his head already bombarded with pain, this time when his eyes rolled back, he
truly passed out.