"Give it… give it to us… if we had that power…"
The grotesque, bloated mass formed a hand-like shape, reaching for Samuel—a twisted amalgamation of countless hands.
It was the embodiment of nearly ten thousand people's raw desires.
"Hm… If you'd had this power from the start, most of you would probably be like the majority of Academy City's espers—law-abiding, upholding the system. But giving it to you now? I don't think a bunch of self-righteous, rage-fueled nobodies could do anything worthwhile. All you'd do is indulge your twisted emotions like street thugs. Science offers everyone a chance. Want it? Come take it. Figure out a way!"
Science is a tool, a means to progress. It's vast, encompassing anything exploitable. Heroes and villains alike can wield it.
But tools vary in complexity—basic math for some, relativity for others.
Use the tool that matches your skill. No diamond drill, no porcelain job.
Using a tool beyond your control? The outcome's obvious.
People warn the incompetent not to touch what they shouldn't.
Samuel doesn't.
If you dare ask him for knowledge, he'll give it—use it or misuse it, he doesn't care!
Zzt zzt zzt~
The massive arm lunged for Samuel. Lightning bolts erupted from the void, each one seeming to cleave the world. Space fractured, laws twisted, and the arm dissolved into nothing.
"Aaaahhh—"
A cacophony of wails pierced the sky, like billions of tortured souls from the depths of hell.
This was the grimoires' rebellion—or perhaps a test.
The lightning was mere appearance, its essence fragments of the world, its truth.
The world's cruelty, reality's harshness, was too much for them to bear, so… they deceived themselves.
They were too greedy, craving all of Samuel's wisdom—knowledge spanning history, transcending time and space, a supreme intellect beyond matter and spirit. To wield such wisdom, one must face the world's truth!
Beauty is fleeting; truth is eternal. But truth is never beautiful.
Some choose ugly truth, others fleeting beauty. Most pick beauty.
Even willingly forgetting truth, because humans yearn for beauty.
Ten thousand people?
This was the wisdom of human history—billions, infinite in scope.
Kindergarteners trying to master Einstein's work?
No way!
Who're they underestimating?
Wisdom forged over eons, enduring time's erosion, passed down to now. Mere mortals, with a collective million years, dare touch a truth that drives the wise mad?
"Give it… give it to us! You people… you elites… you look down on us… you won't share… you fear us gaining power to topple your rule…"
Countless malicious voices erupted from the monster, their chilling echoes like a chorus from hell.
"Hah? Hahaha… you're right about one thing! I do look down on you! Want it? It's right there! Reach for it!"
Samuel's demeanor screamed one word: arrogant!
"…"
As Samuel pressed closer, the massive, deformed creature instinctively recoiled.
Humility is for equals. When someone's utterly beneath you, trailing in your dust, humility is hypocrisy!
"This is boring."
Samuel lost interest. These were just mediocre people.
Mediocrity isn't an insult, just a descriptor.
They envy what others have, but when opportunity knocks, they hesitate, weighed down by doubts.
When others succeed, they stew in jealousy, convinced they could've done it too.
Chasing petty gains, fearing the storm.
That's mediocrity—ordinary people, mortals.
"Enough! Stop this and wake up! Go back to your normal lives, be yourselves!"
Lightning crackled from all directions, tearing the monster apart. Eerie sounds spread from its wounds, reaching every individual linked to Level Upper.
"Who'd have thought an AIM Diffusion Field could birth such a monster? Fascinating. Let's call it… Fantasy Beast."
Kiyama Harumi looked up at the dissipating giant, murmuring.
"So… what about my earlier offer?"
"…Do I have a choice?"
"Great. Welcome aboard, Kiyama-sensei!"
The sky cleared, the world back on track, all distortions smoothed—or perhaps twisted anew.
Samuel's gaze turned to the distance, where sirens wailed. Anti-Skill was arriving.
He stepped back, space shifting, and vanished.
"This is… a true Multi-Skill esper? Or maybe Multi-Ability isn't far off… No, perhaps a god."
A silver bracelet adorned Kiyama's wrist. Her eyes lingered where Samuel had stood, awed by his unfathomable power.
Warping the world, even twisting hearts.
Such power might indeed rival the "gods" of religious lore.
"Science's ace, a god? Heh…"
Kiyama gave a self-deprecating chuckle. She knew Samuel was less a god, more a higher human—or higher lifeform.
"Tch… Fourth dimension? Higher? From the stars? Or elsewhere? Don't tell me this planet birthed that…"
Yet, this planet could indeed spawn incredible beings, even more unfathomable ones!
***
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