Unfathomable Danger
***
The feeling where you see something that is beyond your capabilities of calculation. There's a special type of feeling when you fully realise that there is no hope for victory.
Despair.
Standing in front of me was not a person with a very prominent figure. Their figure was neither unique nor outstanding. At first glance, one might brush them off as nothing to care about.
Despair.
• ───────────────── •
"How long has it been, Oliver~?"
She was a plain girl. Her appearance was nothing special. It wasn't one where you'd look at her and think—she's pretty. However, there was a distinct yet uncomfortable sense of... perfection. Her face was not outstandingly beautiful, but it was perfectly symmetrical. In theory, she'd be classified as conventionally attractive, but in reality, she was just, plain.
Her short, black hair stayed unmoving, covering her ears and the top of her forehead.
"It's been a while, Devil."
She was one of the only S-rank espers in the entire world. Standing atop the hierarchy of humanity's developments, there was a certain aura around her. She was the most powerful manipulator of light.
"Aw, don't call me by that name~."
Looking down at me without a single care in her mind, she didn't even worry enough to make a barrier of EM-waves around herself. Anyone at this moment would be fooled into thinking that she was just any normal girl.
"Are you related to the terrorists?" I asked.
Squeezing her shoulders, she tucked her hands behind her back. In a way completely different to Mana or Aiko or Bella or Nightmare or even the girl I just rescued—she was remarkably unremarkable.
"Ah, now why would you think something like that~."
Her voice feigned emotion, it pretended to be expressive. However, the undertone was completely monotone, there was no emotion in her words.
"You're here, so I would assume that it'd be related to something like that."
Slowly, she took a few steps towards me.
"It's not very nice to call your friend a terrorist upon seeing them again~."
Well, I guess she's always been like this.
"I've just got my guard up, that's all."
The cool breeze brushed against my arms.
"That's just like you, Oliver~."
The Level Framework.
Fifty years ago, the world was hit by The Disaster That Created All Espers, it was simultaneously the greatest catastrophe and the biggest technological leap for all of mankind. It allowed for the development of Interceptors and most importantly—Realisers.
People were now able to control their surroundings using their minds through the use of a tiny device implanted onto their necks.
At this time, The Human Realiser Project came into place and implanted Realisers into most of the population. For years after that, the world fell into anarchy—people freely used their Esper powers to all but destroy the entire planet.
Only twenty years ago, was order finally established. The world formed The Future ESP Regulation Committee and brought justice and fairness to everyone. Along with that, they also invented The Level Framework. It was made for the purpose of ranking Espers based on their abilities and capabilities.
The Realiser in one's neck is capable of conjuring a substance, electricity or water for example through brain waves. The substance is then manipulated with the use of the Interceptor which relies on complex calculations in one's mind. The quantity of brain waves determines the amount of a substance which can be created and the intelligence of a person determines how effectively someone can use their power.
"Are you going to tell me why you're here, Devil."
"Didn't I tell you not to call me by that name?"
"I don't know what other name to call you by."
"Hmph! For someone with a photographic memory, you sure are forgetful."
"Did you ever tell me your real name?"
"Of course I did! We were best friends, you know~"
My memory of that time was broken and blurry. I had no way of checking whether what she was saying was truly factual or not.
Still.
"I don't believe that'd I'd do something as uncharacteristic as making friends."
"Hehe~ you got me! But still, for you to say something like that, you don't classify Maia as a friend of yours?"
"Who's Maia."
For the first time in the conversation, she was genuinely shocked.
"What do you mean, who's Mana? I'm talking about the girl you spent almost your entire time during the Human Realiser Project with."
"Ah, I must have forgotten then."
Loud thumps permeated through the ground. Grabbing me by the shoulders, she was looking directly into my eyes.
"I don't blame you for forgetting my name, but Maia? How can you not remember her?"
"As I said before, I don't know what you're talking about."
"You're playing with me, right? I'm not naive enough to think that you could've forgotten all about her."
"I'm not sure what assumptions you have of me, but I have no idea what you're talking about."
"No way... you can't possibly have forgotten about her..."
Spinning around, the scene of her face was replaced by the mundane, short black hair. I didn't understand what she wanted from me. This... Maia person... who was she? In my current mind, I didn't have a single memory of anyone named Maia.
I could probably chalk it up to my amnesia, but still, why was she making such a big deal out of it?
Could she have been the reason I was removed from the project?
I didn't know.
"I would hate to be your girlfriend."
"Ah."
"You must have lost your memories then."
"I did."
"Well, that explains it. But still, Maia was an important part of your life. I'd try to find a way to remember her if I were you."
"I'm not sure how you want me to do that."
"Aa~, well, I'll leave you alone for the time being then. I was hoping to ask for your help, but you're no use to me in your current state."
"That's pretty condescending of you."
"It's not often an S-rank asks someone for aid. You should take it as a compliment."