章 27: Agreement

The trio finish up eating and begin to visit Kotori Kotomi. She had been relocated to another location as she had been determined to be stable. The three head into the elevator and travel to the upper levels closer to the surface. Led by Akeno, Feng Ye and Kotori Miku arrive at a floor which seems to be a resting area for employees. They enter a suite as indicated by Akeno.

The doors slide open, and Kotori Kotomi can be seen taking a seat on the sofa staring at the ceiling as though she had been in a state of reflection.

(A/N: Kotori Miku will be referred as Miku. Kotori Kotomi will be referred as Kotomi.)

"Hey Kotomi, how was your checkup?" Miku enthusiastically asks.

"It was fine. My physical state is weakened, but they have deemed me suitable to have freedom to stroll around. I would need to undergo some occasional check ups though for this month in order to ensure that my recovery is on track." Kotomi replies.

Feng Ye thinks to himself. "Wow, her vitality must be insane for an esper…. Or it would be that she was properly taken care of during her stay… but it must be former..judging from her intense mental strength and ability."

Akeno indicates to a nearby coffee table in close proximity to the sofa. "Let's discuss."

Akeno continues, "So, Kotori Kotomi, would you be willing to join the Student Enforcer Team? I'm pretty sure you now understand the darker side of the city now.."

Without hesitation Kotomi replies, "I am willing. I also thank you for taking care of Miku in my absence. Any procedures I need to go through?"

Akeno smiles, "Not at all, I have the jurisdiction to appoint individuals as well directly as the student council president. Though, your status and identity will need to be hidden to not alarm the enemy."

Feng Ye sits there in a daze. "So, should I be not a part of this conversation?"

"This discussion also concerns you. So there's no problem. Naturally, what is said in this room stays in this room, am I right?" Akeno replies while her eyes change. Her pupils, then changes to a silver colour. Feng Ye felt as though his entire being was being analyzed on a microscope. He felt as though all his secrets were out in the open to be looked upon. Akeno's aura becomes intense and the atmosphere seems to be constrained.

"Yes." Feng Ye nods. As his words fall, the boundless pressure is received and everything is back as it had been as though what had occurred a moment ago did not occur. Akeno's pupils revert back to her normal color. "Good."

Kotori Miku breaks the silence, "So Akeno, how is the situation between the student council and board of directors?"

Akeno sighs. "There's a lot of tension." She turns to Feng Ye, "You probably didn't know, but Akimichi's incident is related with the board of directors. They probably turned a blind eye to it and allowed it to occur, thus, are responsible for it as well. Just a heads up to be cautious."

Feng Ye stiffens after hearing this. Naturally, as an outcomer to this world, he needs to be critical of all information. Thus, he nods and doesn't show a change of expression.

Akeno, Miku, and Kotomi see this and think to themselves that Feng Ye truly isn't simple. Normally, after hearing such news, at Feng Ye's age most would be hot-blooded and immediately want to revenge. However, Feng Ye hasn't shown any change in expression, thus, demonstrating his difference from the majority.

"Could you tell me the reasoning?" He inquiries.

"The market for the drug, Synapt, is actually known as one of the board of directors' streams of income to help fund their research. It is obviously not known to the public, however, from our investigations we have some evidence. However, strictly speaking, we do not have the resources and influence yet to reveal such information as it will just be suppressed and censored out. Once you grow stronger, we can tell you more information, however, for now, more information will just put you in harm's way." Akeno replies.

"Alright." Feng Yen nods.

Miku looks at her elder sister, "Kotomi, would you be willing to help us in the training now that you seem to be on your way to full health? Your gravity manipulation would allow some serious progress."

Kotori Kotomi nods, "Alright. We can do so tomorrow. I'll be staying here for the rest of tonight, then I'll move to the complex and rent a room for the duration of your training. Afterwards, I'll be getting a suite within the student council's headquarters." She turns towards Akeno, "I was just wondering if you know which domains the board of directors' influence is the weakest?"

Akeno's expression becomes serious. "In the past few months, they have been monitoring our activities more blatantly. There have been numerous cases in which espers try to submerge into our organization in order to be able to report to them. From what we have gathered, their central influence is based within the city. The secondary education institutes are of less interest to them as they expect results rather than potential from those who haven't awakened. They have been eyeing covetously at us and the Aven Institute of Technology for awhile in regards to toppling over the power balance."

Akeno turns to Feng Ye. "So, in other words, Feng Ye as long as you don't blatantly expose yourself, you should be fine. Secondary education is merely an afterthought for the board of directors, thus, it is actually the safest due to their uninterest. If you want to help or mix in this turbid water, you need to be formidable enough. We can naturally help you grow as well. However, in return, once you have enough influence and ability, we would prefer that you side with us."

Feng Ye sits in silence. Clearly, Akeno was trying to win him over. As she had stated, what lies ahead between this struggle of power lies potentially a bloody road. Her offer actually is more advantageous to him at this time. He, honestly, doesn't have much to offer be it ability or influence.

Akeno sits back and allows Feng Ye some time to think while turning back to Kotomi. "The main struggle is at the Aven Institute of Technology. It is a pot of gruel. A mix of espers from different influences are all staring closely at each other. The city and academy isn't as safe as it was due to the greed and desire of expansion from the board of directors' influence. Although, from an external point of view, the city seems to be strict in regards to the entry of exterior influences, unfortunately, with enough benefits, such rules can be overlooked."

Miku and Kotomi nod.

Feng Ye consults in his mind Shira while Akeno converses with the sisters. "Just a quick question, do you think there are other ways to gather enough natural energy besides taking up energy from those defeated or from energy rich locations?"

Shira nods, "Before it wasn't possible, but with the discovery of your new abilities it should be. You probably are worried about accidentally cutting short your friend's potential in practice?"

"Yes, that did kind of worry me… so I assume it would be a combination of spiritual awareness and vibration??"

Shira nods again, " You are correct. You could use spiritual awareness to be able to determine the amount and density of spiritual energy. With your vibration ability, you can collect it. This would require a lot of effort at this time until you can grasp your ability at a molecular level in which you can also be able to perhaps control and use such natural energy. This also surprisingly would allow for you to retain your abilities when we part ways. I would recommend focusing on the development of this vibration ability. A lot of potential. As for your concern of hurting a friendly ally's potential, you don't have to worry as it is a manual process. Naturally, I can distinguish between who is a friend or not or you can just tell me beforehand. Also, this offer from Akeno seems to be winning you over. I would recommend getting this backer. Always good to have a big tree to rely on and they seem to have a favourable impression on you due to your merits today."

"Alright." He nods to Shira.

At this time, Akeno finished discussing with Miku and Kotomi. Feng Ye faces Akeno and replies, "I accept. I'll be under your care."

Akeno, Miku, and Kotomi smile. Kotori Miku jokingly stretches out her hand as though inviting a handshake. "Welcome underling~."

Feng Ye grins and grasps her hand and gives a firm handshake.

Akeno, watching from the side, comments. "Excellent. Looking forward to see what heights you can develop to."

Looking at the time, it seems pretty late. Thus, Akeno leads Kotori Miku and Feng Ye out. After exiting and returning back to ground floor, Miku leads Feng Ye back to the complex to rest while Akeno returns to her student council office to finish up her work.

クリエイターの想い
AzureBN

Release frequency will probably be 1-3 chapters per week.

Sometimes, will have bonus chapters/mass release.

Also, updated synopsis to better reflect the novel and its progression.

Oh hey, this chapter means I published more than 50000 words on Web Novel. :v

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章 28: Exponential Growth

The next morning, Feng Ye arrives at the training area within the complex. He is met by Miku and Kotomi who lead him to a private area exclusive to student enforcer members. As they also have the student council's approval, there were no one to stop them.

"Feng Ye, for the remaining of your break, you will be finishing up the training. We will do the same circuits. The only difference is that Kotomi will be monitoring and helping out." Kotori Miku explains.

Kotomi adds, "As you probably already know, I am able to freely manipulate gravity, thus, I will be slowly increasing the gravity on both you and Miku. You will be under the stress of the increased gravitational force for all your exercises."

"Gravity training. Okay." Feng Ye nods.

The remaining days of Feng Ye's break were filled with sweat, blood, and tears. High intensity training with two workaholics. In these days, Feng Ye had undergone several breakthroughs in which his overall strength had exponentially increased. Kotomi's gravity allowed such growth and had acted as a catalyst to push him harder.

Everyday, he would be subject to the intense circuits coupled with an increasing amount of gravity pushing down on him. Kotomi was able to manipulate gravity such that it would not only cover an entire area, but it could be focused on a single individual. She could also vary the amounts of gravity in each specific area as well. Very formidable and serious control of her ability that made Feng Ye exclaim in surprise.

Feng Y0,e on the night of the last day of training before resuming his studies, recalls his attribute panel.

An overall increase in his core attributes can be observed. In all honest, it seems unbelievable, but the effects of gravity seemed to truly help. Afterall, Kotomi had eventually increased it to around 7 times the gravity. Feng Ye was pretty much only able to insist because of Halo of Recovery which continuously repaired his senescent cells.

His strength had increased to around 40 points, his speed at 35, and his intelligence to 25. His vitality had the largest increase to 54. In any case, Feng Ye should be considered abnormal now with these stats.

The only description Feng Ye could come up with was.. "Human regenerative meat shield?" He laughs as he looks at the attribute panel. He is bugged.

Hidden Wanderer had increased by a single level to 3, while Halo of Recovery since it was constantly utilized to prevent him from dying had leveled up to 4.

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Host Attributes

SP Remaining: 0 Utilize Stat Points(SP) to increase host attributes.

AP Remaining: 4 Utilize Ability Points(AP) to Strengthen abilities

STR 20>40

SPD 15>35

INT 20>25

VIT 24>54

Abilities

Hidden Wanderer (LVL 2>3)- The ability to disguise as another individual perfectly.

Limitations: Only applies to the everyday individuals with no peculiar abilities.

Upgrading this skill permits host to disguise as individuals who are stronger than the everyday individual. Next upgrade requires 20 AP.

Halo of Recovery (LVL 2>4)- The ability to slowly recover from physical and mental wounds. It also shortens the recovery time when host is under abnormal status conditions. (ie. dizziness, unconsciousness, poison). Upgrading this skill increases the rate of recovery. Next upgrade requires 50 AP

Spiritual Awareness (Esper): Increased mental fortitude. Allows exchange of consciousness and mental communication with others. Allows Shira Takeover condition in which the system controls the host's body. Under this condition, all attributes (+200%) and all abilities (+2 levels).

Development: Unknown

Vibration (Esper): Vibrate/Sonicate objects nearby.

Development: Unknown

Host Inventory

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*Note: After Host Attributes Total 200 Adjustments (Sum of STR/INT/SPD/VIT), Adjustments made in SP and AP conversion rates.

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Feng Ye inquiries Shira regarding these level ups as he didn't use any SP or AP.

"Shira, I can bypass the costs of SP and AP? Why is that?"

Shira replies, "Since it was from your own effort and not directly extracted from the system. There's no need for any points. The exchange is more so if you wanted to take the shortcut and not put in the tedious training. Naturally, for strength, there is a price to pay. In this case, it was your hardwork and pretty much constant exposure to the increased gravity. Though, I wouldn't be too complacent as you won't be able to see these exponential growth rates as often."

"Alright. So, does that mean- I essentially don't need to go out of my way collecting these natural energy points?" Feng Ye inquiries.

Shira answers. "Naturally energy is helpful for me to develop, thus, no you will still be grinding for points. You'll have less opportunity to use such points on your core attributes due to this exponential growth as each increase would take a lot of energy. Most likely for your future spending, you'll be only saving it to upgrade the system provided abilities."

She continues, "I really do urge you to not solely rely on Halo of Recovery. As it is a system provided skill, you need to try to comprehend the applications of your esper ability to potentially use the natural energy to naturally strengthen and recovery your body similar to the Halo of Recovery effect. Currently, these skills just mean that I am managing and circulating these natural energies to provide the intended effects. A hint i can give you is that, for Hidden Wanderer, the natural energy is circulating on the surface of your skin in order to change your appearance. As for Halo of Recovery, it is circulating through all your circulatory system."

"Ah, okay. Thanks for the heads up. Though, I'll still need to try to be able to even sense it through the vibration ability first.." Feng Ye shows a depressed look.

"Well, you have time. Try to set a small target and get this comprehended and understood by the end of this year. It's okay to utilize system provided abilities, just don't solely depend on it." Shira advices.

"Okay sis." Feng Ye replies jokingly.

"Who is your sis? Get outta here." Shira snorts.

Feng Ye exits from his mind and is back in reality.

"Growth will definitely be slower now that I had experienced this huge exponential increase. I'm pretty sure I hit a plateau on my core attributes besides intelligence. Thus, the next direction would be mental strength which also would be related to my comprehension of Spiritual Awareness and Vibration." Feng Ye mutters.

"Now, how would one go about training mental strength.. Perhaps, I'll need to inquire Akeno...once she isn't busy." Feng Ye opens his phone and pulls of the contact list. Akeno had provided him her number the night before ever since he had accepted the agreement. His finger hesitates then closes the directory and shutting of the screen.

"Nah, tomorrow, I will need to head back to the Kami Institute. First, I'll try to develop the abilities on my own. I don't want to expose all my cards and I'll call her as a last resort." Feng Ye reasons to himself.

"I wonder how the Chu Feng and the gang are doing." He mutters. Feng Ye had naturally kept in contact via email and text with Chu Feng and the others. The material in the classes are still pretty easy in Feng Ye's opinion. Chu Feng would send daily reports of what happened and it seems that nothing out of the ordinary has occurred.

It seems that life had calmed down. However, Feng Ye knew that all this deceptive calmness is just the calm before the storm.