"My dear Hajime-chan, you could be that individual. You have only scratched the surface of your powers, and yet I already have many ideas in mind for how you could perfect what you already have at your disposal. I have a strong feeling that when you reach full control of the [Grimoire], you will not only reach my level but surpass it."
Those words lingered in Hajime's mind for days. He and Veronica had to cut their lesson short shortly after that statement, as their time was up, and they didn't want to risk being discovered by Kaede and her father.
It would have been difficult to explain and easily misunderstood.
Contrary to what the 40-year-old said, he did not want to make his husband believe he was cheating.
"(Stronger than her, huh? Maybe even more than Goto, but-)"
As he headed to school, the boy couldn't help but immerse himself in his thoughts.
He had not yet received any news from Yukihime or his teammates. The three had done their best to avoid him during this time.
"(They're avoiding me... understandable, I'm doing it too. I really don't want to discuss things with them right now, especially with Kohaku... not after what happened.)"
Kohaku wanted revenge more than anyone. Even at the cost of killing civilians, innocents, or even her own team.
Satisfying her bloodlust was her priority. Hajime could understand her.
The anger that blinds you.
The hatred that suffocates you.
The pain that breaks you.
These were all things he knew far too well.
But would he choose to save his mother and Kaori over killing Goto and eliminating the world from his presence?
Hajime wasn't sure, but he could feel that this new awareness had broken something within his team.
Even Kuro and Cloe did not seem to expect this from their friend.
In fact, things had been tense at the base after he had been put "on the bench." Right after he had left.
*****
Yukihime had left the bunker shortly after Goto's stepson, while Fumio had many things to do, so he couldn't even try to patch things up regarding what had happened.
"(I should help them now... but if I don't carry out my duty, many could die. I can't let that happen... I should have asked Yukihime-sama for someone to take my place, at least for today... damn.)" (Fumio)
The man exited the base while heavily sighing. It would truly be a difficult time ahead for him. And when Hajime returned, perhaps things would be worse.
Meanwhile, Kimiko decided to disappear without a trace. She felt a bit guilty about what had happened.
She really didn't want to explode such a bomb on her first day in the new team.
Unfortunately, thinking long-term and connecting her brain to her mouth before speaking were not her strong suits.
The 16-year-old wandered around the city tagging graffiti until the following day. When she returned to the base, tired and sleepy,
Trying not to let on how bad she felt about what she had done. The girl found Kuro in the mess hall having breakfast alone.
The mood of the shadow magic user was not the best.
First of all, he had been defeated again on a mission. He had become a burden for his partner. This had happened too many times lately.
Yes, his partner. Hajime had spoken to save his life. He was truly grateful for this. And he had defended him both to Yukihime and Fumio after the 17-year-old had left.
"(No matter what I say to Fumio-sensei...... Yukihime-sama's decision is law..... tsk! It's like a dictatorship in the end! Damn you, Hajime, why the hell didn't you let me die! It would have been so much easier! I don't know if I would have done the same for........)"
Kuro's anger and frustration got the better of him. The boy almost threw up when those thoughts crossed his mind.
Was he really so petty? A jerk who would let his teammate die for a mission?
Apparently, yes.
"(N-no, I'm really not better than Kohaku if I think these things... what a hypocrite to get mad at her when I-)"
"You look like someone about to vomit. You wouldn't do that, would you? I've already formed a bad impression of you after you got your ass kicked by that old man, but if—"
"Do you want something?! Or did you come here just to cause more damage?!"
Kimiko didn't respond to those words. Her teasing smile remained on her face, even though it was clearly very tense and forced. Before the 16-year-old could say anything else, Kuro left, huffing and swearing under his breath.
"(Yes, I am really so petty and a jerk more than necessary!)" (Kuro)
The girl he had left behind tried to shake off her dazed state. She didn't notice someone approaching her from behind.
"I apologize for him... he's hurt to his pride and doesn't like what happened to Hajime... they're good friends, even if they've never said it out loud." (Cloe)
Cloe clearly had the expression of someone who hadn't slept through the night. Despite this, she tried to slightly smile at her new teammate and perhaps friend.
"Oh, you're Cloe, right? I guess you—" (Kimiko)
"I don't blame you for what happened.... you couldn't know how things would turn out. So how about we don't talk about it?" (Cloe)
Kimiko was taken aback by those words, but she decided to follow the proposed idea. In the end, the two girls had an enjoyable conversation that morning, despite everything.
The same could not be said for Kohaku, who had remained locked in her room all day crying, not letting anyone in, not even her best friend, who had stayed outside the door all night.
"Why don't they understand!? Shouldn't it be like me!? Full of hatred!? And anger!? And yet...."
It was as clear as day that the harmony of the team had truly declined after that event. Perhaps Yukihime had indeed made a mistake.
*****
"Activate your powers, but focus only on your senses, not on your body in general. And remember, not too much [mana], or you risk hurting yourself... it would be a shame if your pretty little eyes exploded like grapes in a child's hands, don't you think?"
Veronica had called Hajime to train, a few days after their last lesson. Kaede was not there, while her father was doing his job as a judge, conducting trials. For a few hours, the house would be free and all theirs.
Goto's stepson was focusing [physical enhancement] in his eyes, to see farther, have better kinetic vision, and notice details more precisely.
The usual electric discharges covering his body concentrated only on his eyeballs.
"It's hard to control... but I can see the dust particles on the floor......." (Hajime)
"Good, stop now. You're still lacking a bit of control to work in this field. Now let's focus on something more... how can I say, lethal."
"Are you going to teach me how to implode hearts now, Veronica-shishou?"
"Nah, this will be a less pleasant lesson, Hajime-chan."
With unparalleled speed, the [Omega mage] arrived behind the teenager, grabbing his hair with one hand, she turned his head so that she could expose his neck.
"This will hurt; I wish I could tell you that it will get better afterward... but that would be a lie."
With her free limb, Veronica took a syringe she had hidden among her clothes and injected a strange substance directly into the artery supplying blood to the brain.
"What the hell!? What are you...!?"
The sting was painful enough. But what came after was much worse.
Hajime's heart began to pump blood as if it had gone insane. His beats increased threefold in an instant.
"What I injected you with was a synthetic anti-[mage] poison, my apprentice. It's a long story, but to sum it up in a few words, it will either kill you or make you immune to every poison on the planet."
The boy's body began to convulse as he fell heavily to the ground. Goto's stepson could feel every cell in his body screaming in agony.
"Your chances of getting out of this alive are 30%... it depends on how lucky and determined you are, but I have faith in you. Even if you manage to get through it, you will first go through the pains of hell. Feel free to scream as much as you want, Hajime-chan, you won't disturb anyone. And remember, circulate the [mana] to fight the poison; otherwise, you're done for. See you tonight, bye."
Veronica left the underground room without looking back. She didn't even have a moment of hesitation when her "beloved" apprentice began to scream.