Chapter 23

### Chapter 23: A Peaceful Week (5)

* * *

#14

"Before we begin the lecture, I have a simple question for you all."

Nadieili, who had just turned her gaze away from me, smiled as she looked around at us. The strange atmosphere from a moment ago had melted away like snow, leaving no trace.

...Was I just being overly sensitive?

"I believe that if you've read the lecture outline, this question won't be too difficult. Even if you haven't, it's a simple enough question that you might be able to answer with a bit of thought."

Nadieili raised a finger.

"Each of you, the Espers, has an additional sense beyond the five ordinary human senses. What is the name of this sense?"

"..."

A moment of silence fell over the lecture hall.

Since it wasn't a particularly difficult question, as Nadieili had said, Gabriel, who was sitting next to me, was the first to answer.

"Is it... extrasensory perception?"

Nadieili smiled.

"Correct. It's a special sense that allows you to access unknown and mysterious phenomena beyond ordinary physical perception."

Nadieili continued slowly.

"Each of you gathered here to attend this lecture is an Esper, possessing this extrasensory perception. This means you have the ability to interfere with the external world without using the five human senses."

"However, the form of this ability varies from individual to individual, and we generally refer to it as 'psychic power.'"

"The history of psychic power is quite deep, and it has many branches."

"Some Espers can control objects without direct physical interference, while others can control their bodies using extrasensory powers."

As she spoke, Nadieili glanced at Yuri, who was sitting on the other side, and then at Gabriel next to me.

...Suddenly.

"Professor, I have a question."

I suddenly had a doubt and raised my hand.

"Yes, Egidio Cranil."

Nadieili looked at me and smiled.

She seemed to be a very conscientious person, as she had already memorized all the students' names.

I continued.

"There are also spells in magic that can control objects from a distance and methods to enhance the body using magical power. What, then, is the difference between magical power and psychic power?"

"Good question."

Nadieili nodded lightly.

"Psychic power is a distinct force from magical power. It flows independently of the magical circuits within the body, so no one other than the Esper who possesses a unique psychic power can acquire or use it through the magical circuits."

"Moreover, unlike the well-established theories of magic, the nature of psychic power is not fully understood. It is an irregular ability, and it's almost impossible to find similar cases in history, making it unpredictable when and where variables might occur."

"My role here is to help guide you in the right direction by providing detailed analysis and evaluation of your unique psychic powers, so they can develop properly."

Flip, flip...

Nadieili turned the pages of the file on the podium.

"I have already reviewed all the psychic powers you possess. Frontier provided very detailed descriptions."

She looked up and smiled brightly.

"The review showed no issues. From now on, you can entrust everything to me, Nadieili. I can help your unstable psychic powers develop in a clear and correct direction."

Her smile was reassuring.

Moreover, with her hand placed on her impressive chest, it felt like whatever she said, you had to believe it...

"Egidio Cranil?"

"Yes?"

Suddenly, Nadieili called me.

I blinked and answered politely.

"Egidio, you have a very special psychic power. It's particularly unique among the powers I've seen so far."

I asked hesitantly.

"Really?"

"Yes, of course. I'm personally very curious."

At that moment, I felt Gabriel's hostile gaze from the side, but Nadieili continued to ask me questions.

"When did you acquire this power?"

"Why..."

"It's important data for future lectures. If it's a congenital power, I understand, but if it's an acquired power, the environment at the time of awakening or other closely related factors are often significant. Is your power congenital or acquired?"

"..."

I hesitated to answer the question.

I spoke cautiously.

"Initially, it seems to be... acquired."

Nadieili nodded.

"I see. When exactly did you acquire it?"

Do I really have to tell her that?

Well, she must have a reason for asking.

"Last November..."

Nadieili nodded thoughtfully.

"Can you show me your power here? No one else, just Egidio."

She gestured to me with a bright smile.

"It's not difficult, but I'm not sure what to show..."

"Come up here for a moment."

"..."

Creak.

I pulled my chair back and walked to the podium.

The lecture hall had become unusually quiet. Nadieili and I faced each other.

Up close, her presence was even more overwhelming, but I quickly regained my composure as Nadieili raised her hand from under her robe and spoke to me.

"Use your power and hold my hand."

Suddenly, she asked me to hold her hand.

More importantly, the power I possess can't be used just anytime.

"Sorry, but there are conditions for using my power..."

Nadieili shook her head slowly.

"Just hold my hand. I don't think the conditions are necessary."

"Really?"

"Come on, quickly."

She waved her hand, urging me.

Sigh.

Reluctantly, I took Nadieili's hand.

Her soft fingers intertwined with mine, and I felt her warmth through my skin. I focused my mind on a single point.

I wasn't sure if this would work.

But since she asked, I had to try.

"..."

I closed my eyes, and in the darkness.

Flash.

A dim light appeared in the corner—

"Ah—!"

"?! "

Startled by the strange moan, I quickly opened my eyes. I tried to let go of her hand reflexively, but Nadieili was holding on tightly, so I couldn't.

"H-H-Hmm, hmm..."

After a while, Nadieili, who had been trembling, let out a sigh with a strange warmth.

"Such a feeling... Mmm, it's strange. Definitely... Mmm, Mmm... I like it... Haha... Haha..."

"Professor...?"

"Very... very interesting. Mmm..."

She kept making sounds that made me feel uncomfortable, twisting her body, which was tightly wrapped in her robe.

Wait, hold on...

Why is she acting like this all of a sudden?

Gabriel and Yuri, who were sitting in their chairs, were looking at us with eyes full of disdain.

Stella, who was far away, was covering her mouth with both hands, her eyes wide open...

I was a bit flustered, so I quickly spoke.

"Um, if you've seen enough, can we let go of each other's hands now...?"

"...Ah, right. We shouldn't enjoy it for too long, should we?"

Sigh.

Nadieili, who had been laughing softly, released my hand.

Sigh.

Her cheeks and ears were flushed, and she looked refreshed as she exhaled warmly.

"Thank you, Egidio. Thanks to you, I had a new and good experience."

"Um, you're welcome."

I quickly returned to my seat after letting go of her hand.

"..."

Hmm.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, I remained silent, and soon Gabriel, who was sitting next to me, whispered seriously.

"Egidio."

"..."

Should I tell him to shut up or not?

Gabriel continued regardless of my thoughts.

"I sincerely apologize for calling you a pity. I didn't know you had such amazing hand skills."

"..."

"How can you elicit such a strong reaction just by touching a woman's hand? I now respect you, Egidio..."

"..."

As for Gabriel, that's one thing.

But I would have to explain to Yuri, who was looking at me with a lecherous expression, that my power isn't of that kind...

#15

That day was confusing in many ways.

The lecture on extrasensory perception was no different from other lectures after the initial part, and it ended with a simple orientation.

That was the end of the Tuesday lecture.

After Gabriel asked me for the secret and we had lunch, I finished my muscle breathing at the training ground and returned to the dormitory to organize my notes and then fell into a deep sleep.

The next day, Wednesday, was uneventful.

If I had to pick one thing, it was the conversation I had with Rubia, who looked relieved during the magic major class in the afternoon. The content wasn't particularly important, so I don't remember it well.

Thursday was the same as Tuesday, with swordsmanship and extrasensory perception lectures. During the swordsmanship class with Miu, I realized that Stella's sword skills weren't as excellent as I had thought.

Incidentally, Stella, who had been acting like she didn't care about the incident, bowed her head deeply and ran away whenever she saw me. Damn.

On the other hand, with Yuri, whom I met at the Daart dorm elevator as usual... I managed to clear up the misunderstanding somehow.

I explained roughly and showed her that my telekinesis didn't work on me, and after emphasizing that I didn't know much else, I managed to remove the disdain in her eyes.

Why did I have to explain this?

Of course, the scene at the time might have looked a bit suspicious to others, so there was no other way to handle it without explaining...

Thus, the week's classes ended on Friday.

After diligently attending all the lectures, including magic and general education with Rubia, I returned to the dormitory after a thorough workout at the training ground and fell into a deep sleep on my bed—

A week had passed in the blink of an eye.

#16

March 19, Saturday.

The first weekend at Frontier was approaching.

Although it was a free weekend,

I always maintained a sense of tension to prevent my routine from becoming lax, so I woke up early in the morning and performed my bare-handed exercise routine ten times.

I took a quick shower as the sun was just rising, had a simple breakfast of toast at the cafeteria, and left the dormitory.

On a normal day, I would have called Gabriel, who was probably still sleeping in the dormitory, and made him exercise with me at the training ground until his muscles were sore.

But not today.

My steps moved in the opposite direction of the dormitory grounds.

Thud, thud—

I walked slowly to the tram station.

—Egidio, can we talk for a moment after class?

While looking at the quiet tram station in the early morning, I recalled the brief conversation from Thursday afternoon.

—I'm personally interested in Egidio's psychic power. If it's okay, I would like to ask for your cooperation in research. Can you visit my personal laboratory at any time this weekend? Of course, I will generously reward you for your cooperation.

Rumble...

Fortunately, the tram arrived just in time.

—There's no need to contact the headquarters separately. I called you first.

—Here, I'll mark the exact location on the map. Just come to the top floor of this building.

—Saturday morning? Hmm... Yes. The time doesn't matter. Shall we meet then, Egidio? ...Thank you for agreeing to this sudden request. I will reward you generously.

Squeak—

The tram doors opened.

I boarded the spacious tram, which seemed to be reserved for me, and sat in any seat, closing my eyes quietly.

To reach the building where Nadieili's personal laboratory was located, I would need to get off at the Seraia Class station in the 4th Academic District of Frontier.

However, I would need to transfer once.

To avoid missing my stop if I dozed off, I opened my eyes and looked out the window at the sunlit scenery.

"..."

The cityscape bathed in the undulating sunlight.

The city, known as the "Golden Dream City," was truly deserving of its name, with a breathtakingly beautiful landscape bathed in brilliant colors.

Rumble.

However, the appreciation didn't last long.

As the tram passed a few more stations, students boarded and blocked the view outside the window, so I leaned back and closed my eyes again.

#17

Squeak—...

After about 30 minutes, I arrived at the 4th Academic District.

Following the other Frontier students off the station, I saw buildings that looked slightly older than those in the 2nd Academic District, where the Epic Class dormitory was located, lined up in a row.

And.

"..."

"..."

Just as I was about to step onto the station floor, I met the eyes of someone who was about to board the tram I had just gotten off.

Black hair with a hint of blue. A sword sheath at her waist.

It was Miu.

I wondered what she was doing in the 4th Academic District so early in the morning, and it seemed she was returning to the dormitory. She looked at me with wide, purple eyes.

"Ah, hi. Egidio."

She greeted me.

"Hi."

I nodded and asked.

"Going back to the dormitory?"

"Um, yeah."

Miu answered briefly.

After a few students passed by and boarded the tram, I turned around and slowly moved forward.

"Take care."

"..."

With that, I passed by Miu.

...But.

Grip.

My steps suddenly stopped.

"Egidio."

"..."

I turned around to see Miu gently holding the end of my uniform sleeve, pulling me with a very slight force.

Squeak—

The tram doors closed, and the tram Miu was supposed to board glided smoothly on the tracks toward the 2nd Academic District.

With all the students who had boarded the tram and those who had just left, the station was now empty except for the two of us.

With a determined look, Miu spoke to me.

"Can I talk to you for a moment?"