Just human

An esper?

Before Ciel was a figure which seemed to command the abilities of an esper. Normally, that alone would not be shocking, after all the NSRA Inspectors and Enforcers were not a rare sight within any of Bastion's 11 districts. Even if most failed to realize the miracle walking before them.

While the world had always possessed mystical elements before The Day of Judgement arrived and The Eternal Flames descended, it had never been as plentiful or influential as that of the new world. In fact, had it not been for the descendants of those which fought against those hidden forces then perhaps those which knew of the supernatural today would have thought that it came along with The Eternal Flames. 

It was not long after Bastion's establishment that Mystic Researchers discovered both The Primal Laws and Spirituality. What followed was a race to harness the power which such an illusory force promised and forge it into a weapon for both the mystical forces within Bastion's borders and for The Fallen which roamed within The Eternal Flames. 

Such was how The Esper Program was founded. 

Ciel knew the story behind The Esper Program's founding from his mentor, furthermore, as a former Fourth Stage Esper himself, he was well versed in what it took to advance through its stages. But it was exactly due to this that he was left utterly confused upon this moment. 

After all, The NSRA are the sole manufacturers and owners of the crucial material needed to become an esper, that being the E-Chips. So why was it then that an esper of The Red Tiger Gang stood before Ciel now? He could not make sense of it, nor did he have the luxury to care either. 

If an esper appeared before him with the intentions of reaping his life then all that mattered was survival. 

"Damn, that shit hurts." 

However, instead of attacking Ciel right away, the man before him began acting as though he was not even present. The man's forehead was still bleeding, its white shattered skull bare to see for all nearby. It was that gruesome wound which the man seemed to place his focus on instead of Ciel. The man used his fingers to reach out and remove the two bullets nestled onto his shattered bone with a pained expression. 

It was as the man did this that The Red Tiger who previously hid behind the right pillar by the shut entrance doors ran towards the man's side and aimed his weapon at Ciel. He was not alone either as from behind Ciel was another Red Tiger who arrived with the man in the gray suit. 

Unlike his fellow Royal Division member, the second Red Tiger did not lack Advance-Grade weaponry. Grasped on his hands was a truly intimidating beast of steel alloy. It was a Triad Model Nine or TM-9, a bulky pump action shotgun with the capability of firing 8 rounds, 3 charge blasts, and that of 6 stunners. Its steel frame was black in color with only its rapidly spinning barrel emitting a blue hue as sparks of raging electricity danced both within and upon its surface. 

The second Red Tiger made sure to aim that rage directly on Ciel, completing the encirclement. 

Ciel took this moment to fully return to his feet. All the while, his green eyes remained firmly upon the man with the gray suit. Naturally he was most wary of the esper, however he would be a fool to ignore the presence of the two Red Tigers. It was as he assessed the level of danger that the man at last addressed him. 

"Fucker, damn brat!" 

He spat out a hateful curse, discarding the two blood soaked bullets as he did. Then with a piercing stare he demanded. 

"Right now I want nothing more than to tear you to pieces, but I don't think someone would just come and bring trouble here without cause, tell me brat, who are you? Who sent you here?" 

Ciel smiled, then gave a polite bow. 

"Hello, my name is Ciel Adams. You must be one of The 12 Tiger Heads, yes? Would you believe me if I said that all this is but a simple misunderstanding?"

The moment Ciel finished his words the man, Jay Evans, Fourth Head of The Red Tiger Gang, widened his blue eyes in surprise. His shock soon turned into wariness as he questioned once more. 

"Who are you? How do you know that?" 

Ciel merely shrugged. 

"I didn't until you just confirmed it. But it makes sense though, I mean if any member of The Red Tiger Gang would be espers then it would have to be its 12 heads." 

Jay clicked his tongue for having been successfully baited. He then felt a sensation which bothered him. He took a moment to reach for a small handkerchief nestled within his pocket and wiped out the blood which was traveling down from his forehead. 

While Jay's head still appeared strangely thickened, the wound which he previously possessed had already healed completely and left only some lingering blood behind. As he did this he continued his exchange with Ciel. 

"You used the word 'esper' just now, I can assume that you know about us then right?" 

Ciel donned a smile, one which he made sure to showcase mockery. 

"Us? Why aren't you a quick adapter, espers aren't meant to be in your hands to begin with."

Finishing the wiping of his forehead, Jay discarded the bloody handkerchief before glaring at Ciel. 

"You sure lack respect don't you brat? Do not forget where you are, who stands before you, and especially don't forget what you have done. Keep talking like that and I'll make sure you suffer a fate worse than death." 

Ciel raised both hands in the air, making an expression of innocent surrender. Since he still held Azik's gun upon his right hand, his action made both Red Tigers flinch. Jay however, remained unbothered.

Proud… Too proud even… 

Ciel kept his thoughts silent as he answered. 

"Okay, okay, I apologize, I will answer any question you want." 

Jay scoffed before lifting his chin slightly and once more inquiring. 

"Then let's start with your knowledge of espers, from what I know of only a few entities and their people have the knowledge of their existence, so tell me brat, what all do you know of espers?"

With his hands still raised Ciel's eyes remained devoid of any fear as he answered casually. 

"I know quite a bit actually, like how there are stages to them, how they use E-Chips to harness their spirituality and enhance their bodies as well as create imaginary matter, how they require anchors after a certain stage or risk losing control, how their heads are their only weak spot, how—" 

"Wait, hold on! Huh? Imaginary Matter? Anchors? Losing control?" 

Jay interrupted Ciel with an expression of utter confusion etched to his face. 

So he does not know huh… That confirms it, this is a recent discovery for them. 

Having obtained this answer, Ciel at last felt ready to take action. The moment the esper before him chose to not attack him immediately, Ciel had decided to further inquire upon just how deep The Red Tiger Gang's grasp on espers was exactly. He believed that this new change from the past which he knew was perhaps of crucial importance in explaining some of the other changes which he had already noted. 

Furthermore, it also highlighted a simple fact, his opponent was more than likely a novice… 

As Ciel pondered this, Jay meanwhile continued to stare at Ciel with confusion, however beyond that was also wariness. His brows furrowed, a mere step away from being an ugly scowl. 

"Alright then brat, you seem to know a lot…" 

For a moment, Jay's blue eyes examined Ciel's bleeding figure before he continued. 

"But you aren't an esper yourself aren't you? That makes what you did tonight an impressive show of skill, but it also exposes you as being a representative of some other faction. I'll ask one more question and you better be honest with me… Are you a member of The Green Python Gang? Was doing this a test from them? Or are you merely their tool to declare war on us?"

The Green Python Gang? Why assume them instead of The Silver Dragon Gang? 

Ciel did not answer immediately, instead he remained silent for a few moments. 

Meanwhile Jay only grew more restless for a response with each passing second. After all, this entire situation could only have dark implications behind it. Jay needed to confirm who their enemy was now, for if he didn't then the tension which had been rising within the outskirts might just erupt from a direction which they never expected. 

For that reason Jay hoped that Ciel's answer would align with his conjecture.

Yet Ciel kept silent for a few more seconds, then just as Jay was about to lash out at him for his silence, Ciel finally spoke once again. 

"Before I answer, can I make a correction to something—?"

Ciel asked. However, before Jay could confirm anything he continued. 

"I wanted to correct what I said about espers' only having one weak spot, in truth, they have plenty. After all, beyond all the enhancements, they are still just human." 

Just as he said such, and before anyone present even realized what his words meant, Ciel immediately brought down his arms and aimed his gun directly upon Jay's chest. 

He then pulled the trigger. 

BANG!

Just like so a bullet shot forth and pierced Jay Evan's heart, instantly killing a First Stage Esper where he stood.