Inside my lab, I find myself immersed in a cleanup endeavor. The place is a chaotic mess, prototypes scattered haphazardly from my tinkering and experiments. The clutter speaks volumes about the relentless pursuit of innovation that defines my work. As I sift through the organized chaos, a realization dawns on me—I may need to implement a more organized system.
Aileen, with her magical prowess, hovers in the corner, observing my efforts with a mixture of curiosity and amusement. The floating figure serves as a reminder of the unexpected turn my day has taken.
After our chance encounter, I swiftly made the decision to cut classes and bring Aileen to my lab. There's an unspoken understanding that her presence here has a purpose, a reason she sought me out As I tidy up, I steal glances at Aileen, contemplating the mysteries that linger in the air. There's a reason for her seeking me out, but I wonder what it is.
Aileen, floating in the corner, breaks the silence with a question. "Is this fine? Aren't you cutting class? It's okay if I wait here in your lab until you finish. Studying is important!"
"That's rich coming from you," I retort, a smirk playing on my lips. "You didn't even attend Cube. You parachuted your way into the Hero Association with a bigshot's influence, right?"
"Ouch... Too bad, the Great Hero Shin Myungchul is like a father to me," Aileen retorts, her voice tinged with embarrassment. Her connection to a prestigious figure like Shin Myungchul carries weight, even as her actions might not always align with the legendary hero’s legacy.
"And you went and slapped his grandson with a ton-fuck amount of magic power," I remind her, my tone carrying a mix of amusement and disbelief… And I don’t feel guilty at all.
Blushing in embarrassment, Aileen explains, "But she called me a loli! And... and... he said goblins are taller than me! That's not true!" She pauses, a realization dawning on her as she recalls the incident involving Shin Jonghak, Shin Myungchul's grandson. "I mean, really? Goblins?"
A realization hits Aileen, and she recalls actually going to a dungeon to compare her height with a goblin, a comical attempt to validate her own height. Though she wins over the goblin on the question of who is taller, it is only by several centimeters which makes Aileen feel terrible.
I can't help but inwardly laugh at the thought. "And I call you a dwarf," I tease.
"Still, what do you need me for?" I finally inquire, addressing the underlying purpose behind her unexpected visit.
"Are you serious? You really are cutting classes?" Aileen questions, her expression a mix of disbelief and disapproval.
"It's fine. I sent the professor an email that I'm sick," I reply nonchalantly, the ease in my response betraying a casual attitude toward the rules.
"Seriously? Lying is bad," Aileen chides, her tone carrying a sense of moral rectitude.
"Of course, it's bad," I acknowledge, not bothering to feign remorse.
"Ugh..." Aileen rubs her forehead, frustration is evident in her half-annoyed, half-resigned expression. It's a reaction that suggests there's no curing me—some sort of insurmountable force field of annoyance I emit that specifically targets human sensibilities.
"You're an asshole, do you know that?" she declares, her words a straightforward assessment.
I respond with gratitude, "You're actually the first to tell me that. Thank you." Like what they say, throw bread at those who insult you… or am I saying it wrong?
"It's not a compliment!" Aileen clarifies, her irritation apparent.
"I know," I acknowledge with a smirk.
"Shut up, shut up, and shut up!" Aileen snaps, her frustration reaching a boiling point.
"Bah! Just tell me what you want from me," I retort, a hint of curiosity in my voice, genuinely interested in unraveling the mystery behind her unexpected visit.
Aileen, still caught in a moment of bafflement, questions, "What did you just do?"
In the midst of her confusion, my mind works in a flash, a surge of realization coursing through me. I understand Aileen's source of perplexity. She just used her Spirit Speech on me when she said 'Shut up,' but, apparently, it didn't work.
I, too, am puzzled by this unexpected turn of events. The last time Aileen and I met, her Spirit Speech worked on me without a hitch. My mind races and the pieces start falling into place. My AI System, ever vigilant and fast-working, provides the answer. A sense of realization dawns on me, and I soon comprehend the workings of what just transpired.
"I see... That's interesting... It seems Spirit Speech doesn't work on something that does not exist," I mumble to myself, my mind momentarily lost in a trance.
Aileen, oblivious to my internal monologue, persists, "Why didn't my Spirit Speech work on you?"
Ignoring her for a moment, I continue my muttered contemplation. "My Gift—Nobody Knows—has been elevated exponentially in the past year. It has become so much more powerful compared to the first time I experienced Aileen's Spirit Speech." The realization settles in, and I understand the dynamics at play. "In essence, what happened is that my Gift has overpowered Aileen's Gift. This means another thing—I cannot have Aileen meet my secret identity because she will immediately know who I am, especially if we fight."
Aileen, growing impatient, asks again, "What are you mumbling about?"
"The first time we met, your Gift, Spirit Speech, kind of terrified me," I lie casually, veiling the truth behind a convenient fabrication.
Aileen, her disbelief evident, questions, "How?"
"Technology, my dear," I reply, adding a dramatic pause for further effect. "Science is what happened."
"It's so unfair! How?" Aileen protests, frustration coloring her tone.
I weave a web of more elaborate misinformation. "I surgically restructured my brain," I claim, adding a touch of truth for credibility, "allowing me to even control my involuntary organs." I pause for effect, knowing the sheer absurdity of my statement. "And selectively ignore words. I won't be subjected to direct contact from your Spirit Speech. Anything that might touch my brain signals will be ignored." I add a touch of reassurance, "However, I won't be immune to the indirect use of your Spirit Speech, so no need to react as if you just met your arch-nemesis." The concoction of truths and lies leaves Aileen with a semblance of understanding while keeping the full extent of my abilities shrouded in secrecy… but I don’t think she understands it at all… Poor Aileen.
Hooray for dramatic pauses.
Aileen, enlightened by the revelation, gleams with newfound understanding. "So, if I use my Spirit Speech to manipulate boulders and throw them at you, then it will reach you!" Her excitement is palpable, almost eager to put this newfound knowledge to the test. "Oh, oh! I know! If I drop a building on you, then you will die!"
I nervously start sweating, caught off guard by the unexpected enthusiasm. "Uummm... Please don't try it. I am fragile," I lie, injecting a touch of uncertainty for effect. "I will die... I think."
Aileen, seemingly impressed, remarks, "Wow, you really are smart! Maybe even smarter than me!" Her innocence adds an awkward layer to the situation.
"Hehehe..." I respond with an awkward laugh.
I realize the need to change the topic. Sweating nervously, I attempt to steer the conversation in a different direction.
"So, uh, Aileen," I stammer, "how did you end up becoming a criminal?" I carefully choose my words, aware that her recent exploits might be a sensitive topic. "I didn't catch the breaking news, but my fellow cadets mentioned it was quite sensationalized."
Aileen, seemingly unfazed by the abrupt shift, looks at me with a mix of amusement and mischief. "Oh, you want to know my thrilling backstory, huh?" She leans in, adding an air of suspense. "Well, let me tell you, it all started with a heist, a talking raccoon, and a dance-off with the police. It got a bit out of hand, you know?"
I raise an eyebrow, skeptical yet intrigued by her whimsical tale. "A talking raccoon and a dance-off with the police? That's quite the origin story."
Aileen bursts into laughter, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Nah, I'm just messing with you. It's a long story, but let's just say the Association found me an eyesore… That’s the only way I can explain it… or maybe it is an individual moving behind the scenes…"
"Ah, the raccoon," I chuckle, sensing the opportunity to play along. "Yeah, his name was Rocket. Quite the mischievous little guy, always getting into trouble."
Aileen looks at me with a puzzled expression. "Rocket? Is that supposed to mean something?"
I smirk, realizing the cultural gap in our conversation. "Never mind, it's a long story. Just a little joke from another world, you could say."
Aileen shrugs, accepting the vague explanation. “Yeah, sure…”
The absence of a Marvel Cinematic Universe in this world makes me feel a bit sad…
Inside my lab, I find myself immersed in a cleanup endeavor. The place is a chaotic mess, prototypes scattered haphazardly from my tinkering and experiments. The clutter speaks volumes about the relentless pursuit of innovation that defines my work. As I sift through the organized chaos, a realization dawns on me—I may need to implement a more organized system.
Aileen, with her magical prowess, hovers in the corner, observing my efforts with a mixture of curiosity and amusement. The floating figure serves as a reminder of the unexpected turn my day has taken.
After our chance encounter, I swiftly made the decision to cut classes and bring Aileen to my lab. There's an unspoken understanding that her presence here has a purpose, a reason she sought me out As I tidy up, I steal glances at Aileen, contemplating the mysteries that linger in the air. There's a reason for her seeking me out, but I wonder what it is.
Aileen, floating in the corner, breaks the silence with a question. "Is this fine? Aren't you cutting class? It's okay if I wait here in your lab until you finish. Studying is important!"
"That's rich coming from you," I retort, a smirk playing on my lips. "You didn't even attend Cube. You parachuted your way into the Hero Association with a bigshot's influence, right?"
"Ouch... Too bad, the Great Hero Shin Myungchul is like a father to me," Aileen retorts, her voice tinged with embarrassment. Her connection to a prestigious figure like Shin Myungchul carries weight, even as her actions might not always align with the legendary hero’s legacy.
"And you went and slapped his grandson with a ton-fuck amount of magic power," I remind her, my tone carrying a mix of amusement and disbelief… And I don’t feel guilty at all.
Blushing in embarrassment, Aileen explains, "But she called me a loli! And... and... he said goblins are taller than me! That's not true!" She pauses, a realization dawning on her as she recalls the incident involving Shin Jonghak, Shin Myungchul's grandson. "I mean, really? Goblins?"
A realization hits Aileen, and she recalls actually going to a dungeon to compare her height with a goblin, a comical attempt to validate her own height. Though she wins over the goblin on the question of who is taller, it is only by several centimeters which makes Aileen feel terrible.
I can't help but inwardly laugh at the thought. "And I call you a dwarf," I tease.
"Still, what do you need me for?" I finally inquire, addressing the underlying purpose behind her unexpected visit.
"Are you serious? You really are cutting classes?" Aileen questions, her expression a mix of disbelief and disapproval.
"It's fine. I sent the professor an email that I'm sick," I reply nonchalantly, the ease in my response betraying a casual attitude toward the rules.
"Seriously? Lying is bad," Aileen chides, her tone carrying a sense of moral rectitude.
"Of course, it's bad," I acknowledge, not bothering to feign remorse.
"Ugh..." Aileen rubs her forehead, frustration is evident in her half-annoyed, half-resigned expression. It's a reaction that suggests there's no curing me—some sort of insurmountable force field of annoyance I emit that specifically targets human sensibilities.
"You're an asshole, do you know that?" she declares, her words a straightforward assessment.
I respond with gratitude, "You're actually the first to tell me that. Thank you." Like what they say, throw bread at those who insult you… or am I saying it wrong?
"It's not a compliment!" Aileen clarifies, her irritation apparent.
"I know," I acknowledge with a smirk.
"Shut up, shut up, and shut up!" Aileen snaps, her frustration reaching a boiling point.
"Bah! Just tell me what you want from me," I retort, a hint of curiosity in my voice, genuinely interested in unraveling the mystery behind her unexpected visit.
Aileen, still caught in a moment of bafflement, questions, "What did you just do?"
In the midst of her confusion, my mind works in a flash, a surge of realization coursing through me. I understand Aileen's source of perplexity. She just used her Spirit Speech on me when she said 'Shut up,' but, apparently, it didn't work.
I, too, am puzzled by this unexpected turn of events. The last time Aileen and I met, her Spirit Speech worked on me without a hitch. My mind races and the pieces start falling into place. My AI System, ever vigilant and fast-working, provides the answer. A sense of realization dawns on me, and I soon comprehend the workings of what just transpired.
"I see... That's interesting... It seems Spirit Speech doesn't work on something that does not exist," I mumble to myself, my mind momentarily lost in a trance.
Aileen, oblivious to my internal monologue, persists, "Why didn't my Spirit Speech work on you?"
Ignoring her for a moment, I continue my muttered contemplation. "My Gift—Nobody Knows—has been elevated exponentially in the past year. It has become so much more powerful compared to the first time I experienced Aileen's Spirit Speech." The realization settles in, and I understand the dynamics at play. "In essence, what happened is that my Gift has overpowered Aileen's Gift. This means another thing—I cannot have Aileen meet my secret identity because she will immediately know who I am, especially if we fight."
Aileen, growing impatient, asks again, "What are you mumbling about?"
"The first time we met, your Gift, Spirit Speech, kind of terrified me," I lie casually, veiling the truth behind a convenient fabrication.
Aileen, her disbelief evident, questions, "How?"
"Technology, my dear," I reply, adding a dramatic pause for further effect. "Science is what happened."
"It's so unfair! How?" Aileen protests, frustration coloring her tone.
I weave a web of more elaborate misinformation. "I surgically restructured my brain," I claim, adding a touch of truth for credibility, "allowing me to even control my involuntary organs." I pause for effect, knowing the sheer absurdity of my statement. "And selectively ignore words. I won't be subjected to direct contact from your Spirit Speech. Anything that might touch my brain signals will be ignored." I add a touch of reassurance, "However, I won't be immune to the indirect use of your Spirit Speech, so no need to react as if you just met your arch-nemesis." The concoction of truths and lies leaves Aileen with a semblance of understanding while keeping the full extent of my abilities shrouded in secrecy… but I don’t think she understands it at all… Poor Aileen.
Hooray for dramatic pauses.
Aileen, enlightened by the revelation, gleams with newfound understanding. "So, if I use my Spirit Speech to manipulate boulders and throw them at you, then it will reach you!" Her excitement is palpable, almost eager to put this newfound knowledge to the test. "Oh, oh! I know! If I drop a building on you, then you will die!"
I nervously start sweating, caught off guard by the unexpected enthusiasm. "Uummm... Please don't try it. I am fragile," I lie, injecting a touch of uncertainty for effect. "I will die... I think."
Aileen, seemingly impressed, remarks, "Wow, you really are smart! Maybe even smarter than me!" Her innocence adds an awkward layer to the situation.
"Hehehe..." I respond with an awkward laugh.
I realize the need to change the topic. Sweating nervously, I attempt to steer the conversation in a different direction.
"So, uh, Aileen," I stammer, "how did you end up becoming a criminal?" I carefully choose my words, aware that her recent exploits might be a sensitive topic. "I didn't catch the breaking news, but my fellow cadets mentioned it was quite sensationalized."
Aileen, seemingly unfazed by the abrupt shift, looks at me with a mix of amusement and mischief. "Oh, you want to know my thrilling backstory, huh?" She leans in, adding an air of suspense. "Well, let me tell you, it all started with a heist, a talking raccoon, and a dance-off with the police. It got a bit out of hand, you know?"
I raise an eyebrow, skeptical yet intrigued by her whimsical tale. "A talking raccoon and a dance-off with the police? That's quite the origin story."
Aileen bursts into laughter, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Nah, I'm just messing with you. It's a long story, but let's just say the Association found me an eyesore… That’s the only way I can explain it… or maybe it is an individual moving behind the scenes…"
"Ah, the raccoon," I chuckle, sensing the opportunity to play along. "Yeah, his name was Rocket. Quite the mischievous little guy, always getting into trouble."
Aileen looks at me with a puzzled expression. "Rocket? Is that supposed to mean something?"
I smirk, realizing the cultural gap in our conversation. "Never mind, it's a long story. Just a little joke from another world, you could say."
Aileen shrugs, accepting the vague explanation. “Yeah, sure…”
The absence of a Marvel Cinematic Universe in this world makes me feel a bit sad…
