Hostage

I had been taken to an unknown location, some sort of office space, currently sitting in a large armchair with the giant woman in another one in front of me.

Even when she wore her scrappy leather armor, her curves couldn't be hidden. Just like her stature, her curves were also grandiose.

She seemed to have a very similar build as Sarah, only with a much bigger ratio.

'I wonder how tall she truly is... Over two meters at least...'

"So what family are you from?"

The process of using me as a bargaining chip had begun, "I don't really know... I'm actually an orphan..."

...

She stomped out of her chair, and shouted with an ear-busting voice,

"What did you say?! What the fuck do you mean you're an orphan?!"

'Guess she never thought about the possibility that the rank 1 of the freshmen would be a noname.'

Weirdly enough, even in this situation where I was being held captive by an unknown organization, facing a lady who could easily wring my neck, I still felt rather calm.

After I had gotten backstabbed by my peers, they had blindfolded me and taken me through what felt like a portal.

On our way, the woman had been very clear that I was not to be harmed or abused in any way, giving me quite some relief.

"Yea... I'm sorry..."

'Wait, why am I sorry?! I got kidnapped?!'

Her form relaxed a bit at my words, and she got back to her gentle but stern voice,

"Haaa... It's fine. You should still be valuable to the academy. I heard that you have some sort of connection to the principal as well."

'Oh right, there was master as well... Where did he even go?'

She sat back down and put her hand towards me, seemingly wanting me to take it.

"I am Sophie, head of this organization of the mana-less. A pleasure to meet you."

'What is she doing?'

It was suspicious. Why would she bother to even give me a name? Most likely it was just something made up, and why would she bother to act politely? Wasn't I a hostage?

Unable to figure out what went through her mind, I took also stretched out my arm. Her large palm engulfed my little hand, completely covering it in her grasp.

"I'm Miren. A pleasure to meet you..."

A smile rose on the woman's face,

"So Miren, I just want you to know that we really do have no intentions to hurt you. We just need you as a gateway to engage in conversation with some of the leaders of District 5."

"Is that so? That's great then... But if you don't mind me asking, what do you want?"

She chuckled a bit, "What do we want? That's easy, we just want equal opportunities!"

****

[Sophie's POV]

After spending ten years in this damned fantasy world, oppressed by society because of being mana-less, I had finally found an opportunity.

A person who was mana-less wasn't a person without mana or a mana grade. It was just individuals who couldn't manipulate it.

Instead, we got enhanced physical capabilities. Stronger and faster, but unable to execute skills or spells. Even our Arts were handicapped, having to rely on mechanically learning movements that couldn't be automated.

Because of this, I wasn't wanted in any sort of adventuring, dungeon diving, or exhibitions. Mana-less couldn't even register as a party, even if the whole party was the same.

I don't know why I got sent here when I died, and I don't know why I got reincarnated into this body, but it had been a life of pain.

Adding on to that, I had gotten a grotesquely big body. In my previous life, I had been a small and petite girl, cute and pretty.

Now, I was a gargantuan woman, and although I had a very good-looking face, it was uncomfortable having to look down at everyone around me. Not to mention these huge lumps of fat on my chest...

Having built up a group of other people in similar situations, mana-less who wanted to gain equal opportunities to fight monsters, training my ass off in order to gain power, there was still one obstruction left, the recognition of the rulers.

Having found out the location of the Kirkegaard freshmen celebration, I knew it was time to make a move.

It had all gone splendidly, not having to hurt a single student, and we even made it out with the highest-ranked.

An incredibly small boy, not even reaching my navel, was supposedly the strongest of them all.

I had seen stranger things in this world, so it wasn't that unthinkable even though it was weird.

Holding his small hand in my giant one, he appeared smaller than ever.

'Hopefully, he is important enough for the principal to care at least...'

Looking at the tiny young man, I couldn't help but get a strange feeling. He wore a different aura than the other inhabitants of this world.

"So Miren, what we are going to do now is simple. You will be living here until we manage to get a platform of negotiation."

"Here? In this office?"

His innocent answer made me feel a bit fuzzy inside.

'He really is cute, isn't he? Handsome, small, and a bit naïve. Almost like a pet or something.'

"No, we have a complete establishment here. There are fully equipped living quarters in this facility, and you will be sleeping with me watching over you."

If this had been some other young man, I would probably have chosen someone else to watch them, but with Miren, I didn't feel the need.

I could see his face get slightly red, 'How cute!'

Suddenly it became hard not to hug the little critter, and him getting embarrassed by having to sleep in the same apartment as I was just adorable.

"Are you sure? Aren't you afraid of me killing you in your sleep?"

Hearing the cute little man talk about killing without hesitation, my face crumbled a bit.

'Is he actually dangerous?'

Maybe it was a stupid move to underestimate the nr 1 freshman of Kirkegaard, but he couldn't have an M.G of over rank II. As I had already gotten to a rank V, there should be no danger to my life.

"It's fine. You're welcome to try if you want, but that might make things a bit dangerous for you. Even if you kill me, you would have to somehow get out of this building and then try to find out where you are."

Having already confiscated his digital device, he had no means of communicating with the outside world, even less knowing that we were actually in a wasteland outside of the district.

We had managed to build a huge facility using monetary means gained by doing some dirty work for rich people.

Outside, there was nothing but monsters, with the weakest ones being at least D-grade, with some even being of B-grade.

He let out a slight sigh, "Guess you are right... Then I just have one more question."

'He gave in that easily? Does he have a plan or something?'

"What?"

"Is there any way for me to contact my girlfriend and tell her I'm safe?"

Time froze for a second.

'THIS LITTLE GUY HAS A GIRLFRIEND?!'

Straining myself to keep a smile on my face, I responded to his request,

"Sorry, that will not be possible. All communication from here is restricted, thus it would be quite hard to do so."

'If he has a girlfriend... Does that mean he has already had...'

Dark thoughts started to emerge. Even before my new life, I had never gotten to experience romance before, never mind having the time to do so now.

Thinking about the petite Miren having sex with someone made me feel a heavy sense of jealousy.

"Is that so...? Guess it can't be helped..."

"Sorry, but there is nothing I can do about it. Hopefully, it won't take too long for the academy to make a move, getting the ruling family to talk to us."

I stood up, and he did the same.

He only reached up to my navel, thus it was hard to see him if he stood too close because of my chest.

I took an artifact in the shape of a bracelet out of my pocket.

"Please wear this while you are our hostage. Even if I try to be friendly, we still need to make sure to monitor your position. It will also make you unable to check your status."

He put it on without objection, "So it's a tracker of some kind?"

"Yes, we will see your every move with this, so if you try to escape, we will just retrieve you. Also, if you for some reason act aggressively, it has the function to put your body to sleep."

I took a step to the door leading out of the office, "Now, please follow me."

Walking out, we got to see the first rays of the sun, as now the night had already passed.