Chapter 51

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Seri was, in many ways, an unsettling individual.

It wasn’t because she was a bad person.

As her placement in Class D suggested, she had caused trouble a few times in the past, but at her core, she was a kind-hearted individual.

Her mischievous nature and extreme “my-way-or-the-highway” attitude were her main flaws, but that didn’t make her someone you couldn’t associate with.

The real issue was her ability.

In some aspects, it was similar to Regina’s, and depending on your perspective, it could be even more threatening.

Hypnosis.

The power to interfere with the mind.

For someone like me, who has so many secrets to keep, it’s a power I can’t help but be wary of.

Regina had posed a similar problem.

After all, being drugged by her creations wasn’t much different from being hypnotized.

Still, Regina served as the “voice of reason” within Class D.

While she might be a delinquent, the people around her were so problematic that she ended up becoming grounded by comparison.

It was like she realized that if she also went completely off the rails, there’d be no saving anyone, which forced her to act more responsibly.

She regretted her past sins and was making an effort not to repeat them, which made her someone I could trust.

Seri, however… well, to put it bluntly, she was a trouble-making little devil.

And it wasn’t even because of malice. Seri genuinely thought her actions would make things better, but they often spiraled into problems instead.

For example, she once hypnotized a hesitant girl into confessing to her crush, turned a timid student into an extrovert, and helped a friend with trauma forget their emotional scars.

She wasn’t trying to harm anyone. She was trying to help.

The problem was that she did it without their consent.

There’s a saying: “The road to hell is paved with good intentions”

No phrase fits Seri better—though perhaps I’m exaggerating a little.

“My ability can interfere with both the mind and body. Fixing withdrawal symptoms is as easy as pie!”

“Do you mean as easy as eating pie?”

“Eh, same difference.”

Ignoring Regina’s quip with an air of nonchalance, Seri half-closed her eyes.

She clasped her hands together to rest her chin on them, flashing a sly smile.

“So, Lucia, what do you think?”

Hmm… what do I think?

If I accepted Seri’s help, the nauseating withdrawal symptoms would undoubtedly go away. But… there were so many unknowns.

What if she did something to my mind?

Not that Seri would ever intentionally harm me.

The opposite, in fact, was more concerning. I could easily imagine her doing something extreme in her effort to “help”.

What if she said, “You hate being in pain, right? Let me make it so you never feel pain again!”

That would be catastrophic.

Ugh, just imagining it sent chills down my arms.

No, this won’t work.

I only need to endure for a few more days. There’s no need to take on such a risky proposition.

I felt bad since she came all the way here, but I needed to decline.

“Thanks for the offer, but I’ll pass.”

“Eh? You’re sick, aren’t you? It’ll only take a moment.”

“I’ve heard about your ability—hypnosis, right? I’m sorry to say this, but… it makes me a little uneasy.”

“Really? I see… well, I guess it can’t be helped.”

Seri smiled faintly, as if she were used to hearing this.

She was a girl who had undoubtedly faced rejection before, her supernatural ability to manipulate people like puppets being a common cause for alienation.

Even so, I felt a little guilty for saying it outright.

But if I didn’t firmly reject her now, she’d likely keep pushing until I gave in.

In moments like these, I had to steel my resolve.

Despite her mischievous nature, Seri wasn’t a bad kid. When someone firmly said no, she accepted it and backed off.

It seemed she understood. Nodding quietly, she unclasped her hands and stood. If her help wasn’t needed, she had no reason to stay.

Though I had refused her, she had come all this way for me. I decided I should at least see her off.

I pushed myself up from my seat to follow her out. Supporting myself on the table, I tried to put strength into my legs when—

Thunk.

My body slid sideways.

I didn’t fall, thanks to Regina catching me.

What was this? Why couldn’t I move my arms?

No… not just my arms. My entire body had gone limp.

“Huh? What’s going on?”

Confused, I blinked rapidly.

Seri reached out, grabbing my chin and tilting my face upward. Her scarlet eyes glimmered with an unsettling light.

My head felt foggy. Strange. Something was wrong.

But what?

I didn’t know. I couldn’t figure it out. But something was definitely wrong.

Was this Seri’s hypnosis?

No. That couldn’t be it.

Her power didn’t work well against other supernaturals.

Just as supernatural ability users could resist the mental corruption of monsters, they could also resist Seri’s hypnosis.

So, what was this…?

What was happening to me…?

Why? What’s happening? Me? What? Huh? What’s—?

Hypnosis? Hyp-hypnosis? Huh…?

“Hey, Regina? What exactly did you use? She seems completely out of it.”

“It’s easier this way. If she resists, it’ll just be a hassle. Stop complaining and hurry up with the hypnosis.”

“Okay~ Leave it to me!”

What are they talking about? I can’t make sense of anything.

I know the language. The sentences should be understandable… but my thoughts refuse to connect.

Even so, I know something isn’t right. These two… who are they again?

Ah, yes. Regina. Seri. But why are they suddenly—? I have to resist. I must resist… but my body won’t listen.

Seri leaned forward, her face close to mine, grinning.

She cupped my face with both hands and locked eyes with me.

Those ruby-red eyes felt like they were pulling me in.

My mind grew hazy.

It was like falling into a deep sleep, the kind where you’re too tired to fight it.

I let out a few short, labored breaths.

The world turned red, like it was soaked in blood.

Seri’s crimson eyes seemed to bleed across my vision, devouring it whole.

My thoughts melted, sticky and sluggish.

My consciousness trickled away.

Sound disappeared. 

My senses were stripped away.

And then, the world went dark.

◈

Regina stared down at Lucia, whose eyes had lost all focus.

Drool dripped down her chin.

Regina took out a handkerchief and wiped Lucia’s mouth, but soon enough, more saliva trickled out past her lips.

This time, Regina had used a particularly strong drug.

Even with super regeneration, it wouldn’t be easily neutralized.

She glanced at the small white pills scattered across the table.

The “antidote” the hospital had given to Lucia.

Or rather, what she thought was the antidote.

It was, in fact, another type of drug that amplified the substances already in her system.

Lucia should still have been confined to her hospital bed, intoxicated by the drug.

But somehow, she’d managed to recover and discharge herself early.

Her super regeneration had neutralized it. Regina had underestimated her. She’d assumed Lucia had used up all her energy healing her injuries from the high rank monster. But her mental resilience had recovered far faster than expected.

“It’s irritating.”

“Hm? What is?”

“This whole charade.”

Regina frowned deeply.

She was doing this because that “child” had asked her to, but it didn’t sit well with her.

“I like it. It’s fun, don’t you think?”

Seri giggled, taking the cup Lucia had been drinking from and walking over to the sink. She poured out the contents in one go and rinsed it thoroughly.

Regina had laced the grape juice with drugs earlier. Leaving any evidence behind wasn’t an option.

“I don’t understand that kid, though,” Seri muttered as she sauntered back over to Lucia, slumping into a seat beside her.

She tilted her head, watching as Lucia convulsed slightly, her body unresponsive, pupils blown wide.

“Why go through all this trouble just to have me hypnotize her?”

“That child probably wants to confirm if Lucia is what they’re looking for. It’s not for us to question. They know what they’re doing.”

“Hehe, fair enough.”

When it came to that child’s requests, you simply obeyed.

There was no need to overthink the reasons why.

“Anyway…”

Seri pressed a finger into Lucia’s cheek.

Her skin was soft and elastic. Seri tugged at it playfully, giggling at the squishy sensation.

Her golden hair shone with a silky sheen.

Her body, neither overly petite nor overly curvy, was well-toned.

As Seri leaned in closer, a sweet scent wafted up, teasing her senses.

“Hehehe… I like her. Think I can keep her?”

“…Don’t forget the ‘request.’ That child only asked us to implant suggestions. Nothing more.”

“Well, they didn’t say we couldn’t do anything else, did they?”

“…Hah, honestly.”

Regina sighed—one of many such sighs.

She hadn’t known Seri for long, but she was certain Seri hadn’t always been like this.

It was that child who had twisted Seri.

But… it couldn’t be helped.

That child’s actions were always justified.

Whatever they did was right.

And as their “friend”, it was Regina’s duty to affirm them.

That was why she had divulged the date and location of the A-Class field training.

And why she had now drugged Lucia and subjected her to hypnosis.

“Supernaturals are resistant to hypnosis. You’ll need to reinforce it periodically. Stick close to her. If something happens, your drugs might be necessary again.”

“…Got it. Let’s wake her up now and confirm she’s under the suggestion, then head back.”

“Hm? Already?”

“Already? We’ve achieved our goal, haven’t we?”

“Leaving just like that feels so unsatisfying. Did you forget how we wasted time running around the hospital today? We need some compensation for all that effort.”

“…What are you planning to do?”

Regina’s expression hardened as she asked.

Seri responded with a mischievous grin.

Her fingers moved to Lucia’s collar, slowly undoing it.

The zipper of her indoor tracksuit slid down, revealing a glimpse of pink underwear beneath.

“Heh, so she does have a figure after all.”

“Hey, what do you think you’re doing?”

“What else? She looks tasty, so I thought I’d have a little bite.”

“………”

Regina pressed her fingers to her temple in exasperation.

This is ridiculous.

Astaroth, just how much have you twisted this girl?

She remembered hearing that Seri, being a hypnotist, had initially resisted the control of the Mask of Dominion.

Apparently, it had taken considerable effort to subjugate her. But still…

Ugh, forget it. Not my problem.

“Do whatever you want.”

 

Author Note

A/N (Author’s note):
Lucia, in the crisis of chastity.

Should I make the next episode 19+?

 

Translator Note

T/N (Translator’s note):
Quite the reveal is it not? 

Though, I think it should be obvious for most people, heh.