Chapter 206: Clever Tricks Part 1

When Lobelia investigated [Thought Splitting], she discovered an unexpected truth

[Thought Splitting] erodes the mind.

Everyone who had possessed abilities classified as [Thought Splitting] had eventually gone mad.

“……”

This wasn’t something she’d heard from Lapis. It was a conclusion Lobelia had reached on her own.

It was only then that Lobelia felt she finally understood why Lapis had gone insane.

No wonder she was always so confident. She’d completely lost her mind.

Lobelia felt convinced, all by herself.

A perfect misunderstanding.

In any case, if this is true, then Johan absolutely must not use that ability.

Just imagining Johan acting like her sister made Lobelia quickly shake the thought out of her head.

It was a truly horrifying idea. Something that must never happen.

That’s why Lobelia gave Johan a warning:

“Splitting your thoughts is no different from losing yourself.”

“……”

“Not one person who used the [Thought Splitting] ability lasted more than a year. So don’t take any unnecessary risks. Well… knowing you, I doubt you’d be that reckless.”

But what she didn’t know…

Was that Johan had already been using that ability for over ten years.

However, what Lobelia had told him about the ability and the fate of those who had possessed the [Thought Splitting] ability throughout history held great significance for Johan.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Now, Johan could be sure.

What he had long believed to be a special ability… wasn’t one at all.

***

When he heard about [Thought Splitting] from Lobelia,

It wasn’t as shocking as he’d expected.

Maybe it was because he’d already had a vague sense of it.

That made sense. How could he not suspect once he’d confirmed that there was someone else inside him who wasn’t him?

There was at least one reassuring thing. Whatever this presence inside him was, it didn’t seem to bear him any hostility.

As for his ability, there was nothing he could do about it right now.

It was far too late to stop using it. He couldn’t afford to stop. Not until Alice’s magic was complete.

“Well then……”

There was one more thing.

A question worth considering.

Of course, thinking about it wouldn’t necessarily lead to any answers or revelations.

It was just a question. One he had never once thought to ask until now.

“What is my real ability?”

If [Thought Splitting] wasn’t an ability but some kind of remnant left behind by the Demon King…

Then what was the ability that he was supposed to have?

Or… was that too optimistic of a thought?

There are so many people around me who can use awakened abilities that it’s easy to get confused. But in truth, abilities aren’t something just anyone can use.

Most ability users are nobles, and among commoners, you might find one in a hundred if that.

Of course, I’m not trying to say nobles are somehow “born of true blue blood” or anything like that.

It’s just that people who have abilities are more likely to become nobles.

Over generations of selective inheritance, it’s only natural that more nobles started manifesting abilities.

Even among the people around me, there are more who don’t have abilities than those who do.

So the idea that I could awaken an ability in the first place is pure optimism.

It was never there to begin with.

And thinking that way makes life easier.

There’s nothing to feel bitter about.

“Might as well manage my expectations…”

If I’m being honest, this is how I really feel:

It’s better if I’m just completely talentless.

Second year is already coming to an end. So much has happened.

And yet, despite everything, the distance between me and my classmates hasn’t closed at all.

That’s the difference talent makes…

The ones who’ve made it this far…they’re all strong, smart, gifted, and even lucky.

At this point, it’s obvious I don’t have any talent.

“Ugh.”

“No, Johan. You do have talent. The kind of overwhelming power that could bring all of the Cradle to its knees. If only you’d make a contract with me.”

“Shut up, Mephisto.”

“One day, I’ll definitely make you regret speaking to me like that.”

“You little….what did you just say?”

I had a feeling he was up to something lately, but now he’s straight-up threatening me?

You’re done for. Tomorrow, I’m going straight to Helena and having you dipped in divine power.

“Hmph! As if I’d be afraid of that!”

Even as he said that, Mephistopheles turned and ran immediately. Every move he made was pathetic and disgraceful.

Ugh, whatever. There’s nothing to gain from arguing with an idiot like that.

For now, let’s just enjoy the silence, now that the unwelcome guest has shut up.

“Well then.”

Finished the report.

Sorted out my thoughts.

Now it’s finally break time.

Until just a little while ago, I was planning to enjoy the Requiem Festival today, but I’ve changed my mind. What with Lapis, that mysterious monster, roaming around nearby… I’m really not in the mood to be out and about.

Yeah.

Right now, I just feel like going back to my room.

It’s not like I have any other reason. I just need some rest. It’s still a bit early, but no harm in calling it a night.

“Well then.”

Standing in front of the dorm room door, I paused for a moment to gather my thoughts.

Oh, right.

Didn’t Yuna say she’d head back to the room first?

Totally slipped my mind.

Come to think of it, yeah, she did say that.

Ha… I really did forget, with so much on my mind.

Seriously.

Ahem.

Should I… knock?

This is my room, isn’t it? No need for that, right?

“I’m coming in.”

I open the door as I speak. Just in case it’s not Yuna but some other assassin waiting inside.

Speak and act at the same time.

Never give the enemy an opening.

“Hmm.”

The room is empty.

There’s no sign of Yuna, who said she’d come ahead and wait for me.

Did I get here too early?

No… maybe she’s in the middle of getting something ready.

“Well, I am a bit early. Maybe I’ll read for a bit…”

I don’t mind waiting.

I opened a book for now. Never skipping study. That’s the one talent I can still take pride in from my time at the Cradle.

Of course, there’s no way I can focus in a situation like this.

“Hmm, right.”

Thirty minutes passed with the first page still open.

I nodded as if I’d just understood something, then slowly lifted my head.

“She’s late…”

Yuna, when are you coming?

You said you’d go ahead and wait in the room…

***

It wasn’t that Yuna deliberately avoided going to Johan’s room.

She just had terrible luck.

She had hidden “Johan’s dream” beneath a corner of her cloak, but unfortunately, there was someone who wouldn’t allow that.

“Ah! Mom!”

“Where do you think you’re going dressed like that!”

It was none other than her mother and the headmistress of the Cradle, Olga Hermod.

Yuna was being dragged away, caught by the scruff of her neck by Olga Hermod.

“I’m wearing a cloak! No one can see me anyway, so what’s the problem?!”

“Then you should wear proper clothes and go.”

“No!”

“Tsk!”

Resistance was impossible.

Of course, with the skills and magical knowledge she had now, Yuna could probably put up a good fight against Olga Hermod.

But if the two of them seriously clashed, the aftermath would be disastrous.

And she couldn’t bring herself to use force against someone who was practically family.

“Please behave yourself.”

“Wait, aren’t you supposed to be on my side, Mom?”

“Huh? Is that the only way you know how to be charming?”

“What?”

A provocation delivered with the weight of experience.

Yuna’s face flushed with anger at Olga Hermod’s mocking smile.

“Did I say anything untrue? Watching how you’ve been acting lately, it’s just laughable. Or are you scared, perhaps?”

“……”

“You seem full of complaints. Yet, you can’t even argue back. If you’re that upset, come to the training grounds. I’ll take you on.”

“What a cheap provocation.”

“And yet, you can’t even handle that cheap provocation.”

“Fine. So that’s how it’s going to be? Don’t think I’ll go easy on you just because you’re my mom.”

“Hahaha. Maybe try winning once before you say things like that?”

And so, Yuna and Olga Hermod headed to the training grounds of the Magic Tower.

Johan stayed up all night.

***

I won’t trust anyone ever again.

That was the first thought I had when I opened my eyes at my desk.

I never imagined Yuna would betray me.

I trusted her! I really did!

“No, I didn’t trust her.”

What was I expecting from someone who couldn’t even last more than three seconds in a normal kiss?

Honestly, I didn’t trust her at all.

“Do you feel betrayed? Are you disappointed with humanity, Johan? Shout it out. It’s not too late.”

“…This bastard’s still here even after I told him to get lost.”

“Aren’t we bound by fate?”

“Bound by fate, my ass. You’re an illegal tenant, you bastard!”

Every word out of his mouth is irritating.

And remembering that I’ve spent the most time with this guy just makes it worse.

He’s always been by my side, but never actually helped. Just got in the way.

Completely useless piece of trash.

“I’ve done a lot for you, though…”

“Yeah? And have you ever actually solved a single problem?”

“There are limits to the power I can use without a formal contract…”

“Of course. It’s always something with you. This won’t work, that won’t work. Is there anything you can do?”

“Ummm…”

Forget it. I’m done talking to you.

“Chirp?”

“Not talking to you either.”

“Not that talking to it was ever possible in the first place.”

“……”

Ignore them.

***

I headed straight for the Misfits base where Helena was staying.

It was too noisy around here. I couldn’t take it anymore.

Most of all, I wasn’t going to sit back and watch my privacy get trampled any further.

“Hello, Teacher.”

“Prophet, please help us.”

“Uh… what’s going on? You’re even being all formal now.”

That just meant it was something serious.

“There’s a demon lurking around.”

“Hasn’t that always been the case?”

“He keeps nitpicking at every little thing and getting on my nerves.”

“That kind of sounds like you on a normal day… ah, never mind. What would you like me to do? Do you want him gone?”

“Hmm.”

As much as I complain, there’s a strange kind of affection that’s formed over time.

Lately, Mephistopheles had been acting kind of pathetic too…

Is it really worth killing him over? I can’t help but hesitate.

Demons were evil by nature, but to be honest, I think I’d feel a little empty without him.

“Could you maybe provide some sort of disciplinary tool? Like a cross imbued with divine power?”

“What about the one I gave you last time?”

“Am I supposed to whack him with it?”

“That’s… not really what it’s for. Wait, do you actually want to hit him?”

“Wholeheartedly.”

“Alright, just a moment.”

A few moments later, Helena came out of the house holding a disciplinary stick.

“I’ll bless this with divine power for you.”

“Don’t you usually use that one?”

“That’s why I’m giving it to you. I’m tired of getting my palms hit by big sister Cattleya every time I skip homework.”

“You should just do your homework properly.”

“Adults just don’t get it.”

Maybe she has a point…

Could it be that Helena’s finally entering adolescence?

She’s still a kid, but now she’s gazing at the world with such melancholic eyes.

Not even when her big brother died did she look that wistful.

“Anyway, thanks.”

Once Cattleya realizes the disciplinary stick is missing, she’s bound to come back with one that’s stronger and sturdier.

That woman’s got a nasty personality.

“Mind if I give it a quick test?”

“Sure! I’m curious too.”

I immediately brought the disciplinary stick, now infused with divine power, down on the Lemegeton Book.

Smack!

I didn’t hit it too hard. It was just enough to test the waters.

“Gyaaah! That hurts! Why? Why are you hitting me all of a sudden?! I haven’t even said anything yet!”

“Mephisto, your bold text got turned off.”

“Ah!”

Wait, the bold font was part of his character?

Whatever. That kind of fake gravitas stopped being impressive ages ago.

“Anyway, thanks, Helena. Looks like it really works.”

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

Should’ve done this way sooner.