Note, if you didn’t already know, ESP stands for Extra Sensory Perception, and PSI is greek letter Ψ, and is used to represent psychic phenomena. It doesn’t stand for anything, it’s just the first letter in the word for psychic.
Chapter 261: ESPer
“Abilities we’ve had since before we came to this world?”
Hmm?
What is Itsuki talking about?
Is it that?
At that time, Ren called normal MMOs archaic, and threw us into confusion.
I feel something similar from Itsuki right now.
“Hey Ren, do you have any idea what Itsuki is talking about right now?” (Naofumi)
“Fumu.” (Naofumi)
Like Ren, I have my guesses, but for now Itsuki cannot lie, so it would be faster just to ask him.
If we ask him about these powers, he’ll probably answers.
“Itsuki, what powers would you be talking about? Do you mean about the power of the legendary weapons?” (Naofumi)
“Hah… Please elaborate. In the world that you came from… what were these powers?” (Naofumi)
I hold up my hand to quiet Raphtalia and Sadina.
“What do you mean what? Doesn’t Naofumi-san already understand? Or did Naofumi-san live in a rural area where power management hadn’t reached yet?” (Itsuki)
Oh my. He’s answering questions with questions again.
Currently, he’s speaking expressionlessly in a disinterested voice.
Does that mean these 『Abilities』 are obvious facts of life to him?
It’s as if I just asked him how to breathe.
If asked such a thing, perhaps this is the natural response.
“Please. Explain what these powers are from the start.” (Naofumi)
“Understood. Abilities appeared in my world 25 years ago. Various incidents and calamities occurred, and by researching into the cause, it was discovered that each human possessed various abilities. They’re also called PSI and ESP, I think.” (Itsuki)
… Um…
That means Itsuki’s world is…
“Ren, did you get that? No, your world had VRMMOs, right? Were ESPers common knowledge?” (Naofumi)
“There’s no way they existed.” (Ren)
No… I thought that since Ren came from an SF world, he would understand.
Or perhaps they’re both from modern day fantasies?
So Itsuki’s world is in the near future, and it has ESP?
The problem is just how Itsuki stood in such a world. What powers did he have?
“And? Itsuki, in your world, how were these powers treated?” (Naofumi)
“I see…” (Naofumi)
Ability users…
Yeah. I don’t get it.
“Powers are ranked from F to S, and classes are divided based on that rank. Of course, that also depends on the school.” (Itsuki)
“No, that’s not the case, there were also zeroes. If fact, there were more Zeroes than ESPers.” (Itsuki)
“I was from the E class, with the ability 『Accuracy』.” (Itsuki)
Accuracy… is that why he’s the Hero of the Bow?
Again, I don’t get it.
“What sort of ability was Accuracy? I just want to confirm.” (Naofumi)
“Ah, I see.” (Naofumi)
So he never misses.
If he didn’t have absolute confidence, there’s no way he would attack there.
If so, I guess I can understand his behavior a little bit more.
Anyways, I don’t feel any doubt from Itsuki’s words, but I’m having trouble believing them.
『Accuracy』, is it?
If the ranking is S-F, it’s around the lower end?
“Even though the ability’s combat ability seems to be high, why is it Rank E?” (Naofumi)
“What is Deadly Aim?”
“Hmm…” (Naofumi)
“No matter which direction they were aimed, the arrows would come flying right at Naofumi-san.” (Itsuki)
So it’s Homing!
I guess we are dealing with ESP here.
“It’s a common ability among Baseball Playes. Of course, it is heavily regulated.” (Itsuki)
“Naofumi, I think you’re saying a bit too much.” (Ren)
“That’s right. That’s why I enthusiastically focused on games to run away from reality.” (Itsuki)
Itsuki boldly answers. I don’t hear any sarcasm or regret.
So Itsuki’s Idiotic Justice… Hero Complex came from him not being granted a superior ability.
“I had always known I was special from the special ability screening in elementary school. From middle school onwards, we were all transferred to special schools. But there, I learned that there were plenty of people better than me, and fell into despair. Even in high school, that fact never changed.” (Itsuki)
Since he was surrounded by normal people, Itsuki was filled with confidence when he found out he was special during elementary school
But when he finally went to the special school, he found out that his power was nothing. He ran to games to console himself.
In most Manga and Light Novels, the main character has some sort of superior ability.
Within his culture of ESPers, he saw numerous people perform amazing feats, and defeating evil. He wished to be like that.
“I understand what you’re saying. And? I can ride any vehicle without getting sick, and drink however much I want. Are you saying that’s a power?” (Naofumi)
“Intoxication Cancel is?”
“Hmm. So what do you mean by future prospects?” (Naofumi)
“Think about it. Being invulnerable to dizziness makes attacks by people who change pressure in set areas ineffective. It also strengthens one’s ears and cochlear fluid. It can change into a skill that lets one act in areas with absolutely no gravity. It’s an essential skill for astronauts. The evolved one is 『Gravity Attack Cancel』, a strange power. Its full extent has yet to be explored.” (Itsuki)
Was it that great of an ability?
And I just don’t get drunk, right?
Is what I think, but even I’m beginning to get my doubts.
Even if the others get used to it, it’s not as if they enjoy it.
“I also have the suspicion that Naofumi-san has a double skill.” (Itsuki)
“Yes.” (Itsuki)
“What else is there?” (Naofumi)
I don’t really have to listen.
And the reason Itsuki thought he could look down on us was because he thought we were all without abilities I guess. That makes sense.
Even so, Ren’s world has Virtual Reality, and Itsuki’s had ESpers.
Whenever he talks to girls, do options appear before his eyes?
Not that it matters. He’s like that. Even if I ask him, I don’t feel that I’ll get a serious answer.
“I think you also have 『Animal Friends』, an ability that attracts animals to you naturally. You’d do fine as a veterinarian.” (Itsuki)
“Master~ Pat Firo’s head~” (Firo)
“Hero of the Shield-sama, um…” (Imya)
The Bird, the Loinclothed Dog, and Imya are swarming around me.
… I wonder.
I get the feeling that animals have liked me since I was young.
I once encountered a bear, and played dead to try to survive. Rather than attacking, it started licking my face.
I later learned that playing dead doesn’t actually work.
When I was in elementary school, the large dog in the neighborhood let me ride on its back.
I rode around waving a stick, pretending I was an Ainu Girl from a fighting game.
The monsters of this world have a wild disposition, so I tend to avoid them, though…
The monsters in this village are strangely drawn to me. But that must be the power of the Shield.
He’s talking about his own world, and mine doesn’t come equipped with any such powers.
“Well, I guess Itsuki’s world is just like that.” (Naofumi)
I think I’ve caught a glimpse of why Itsuki’s personality is as it is.
I forcefully bring the topic to a close, and signal for Ren to help me drive him out. I turn to Raphtalia.
“I’ve kept you waiting.” (Naofumi)
“Ah, it seems that if you look at Itsuki’s world, it’s not that different from this one.” (Naofumi)
“I won’t. I have no interest. Get out.” (Naofumi)
“Oh, Naofumi-chan, but that’s your charm.” (Sadina)
Sadina ignores my rejection, and provokes Raphtalia with challenging eyes.
I don’t think Raphtalia wants to witness a love scene, and I’d like to avoid unnecessary things like that until the world is at peace.
“Sadina-oneesan! You’ve done enough, so please separate from Naofumi-sama!” (Raphtalia)
“Just get away from him!” (Raphtalia)
“Ah, for the love of god! All of you are being too loud, so everyone besides Raphtalia, get out!” (Naofumi)
To clear up the misunderstanding with Raphtalia, I drive everyone else out of the room.
“Ah, Naofumi-sama, you’re being too forceful, And Onii-sama, please go away!” (Atlas)
“Yeah, Niichan! Make some food.” (Kiel)
Atlas, Firo and the Loinclothed dog offer various complaints as I drive them out, but it’s not my problem.
I close the door, and once again celebrate my reunion with Raphtalia.
“I’m sorry. It got very annoying.” (Naofumi)
“Yeah.” (Naofumi)
I look over Raphtalia again.
Yeah, though I get the feeling she’s become stronger, her face is the same as always.
“With this, is your training over?” (Naofumi)
“Yes.” (Raphtalia)
I open Raphtalia’s status. I haven’t checked it in a while.
Her journey led her all the way to the max level.
I need to work hard to catch up.
“From now on, I can always be with you.” (Raphtalia)
“Naofumi-sama… I’ll try my best.” (Raphtalia)
“I’m counting on you.” (Naofumi)
I’ve been with her for a long time. She can understand what I want to do, and act based on it.
“The most pressing matter is… Atlas countermeasures?” (Naofumi)
Atlas and Sadina are peering in from the window.
… What should I do? It seems that they’ll sneak in regardless of what I do.
And wait, Atlas is blind, right? Why does she even have to be at the window?
She can sense whatever happens in here without looking. It’s kinda scary.
“Naofumi-sama rejects her advances, right?” (Raphtalia)
“I think Fohl-kun will be able to stop them.” (Raphtalia)
“Right…” (Raphtalia)
“W-what is it?” (Raphtalia)
“Y-yes!” (Raphtalia)
For some reason, Raphtalia’s face is red as she nods.
If I leave it to Raphtalia, who seems strict on public morals, I think I’ll finally be able to sleep.
“Well, from here on out, I’ll be doing my morning warm up, and then I’m going to make breakfast. Won’t you accompany me?” (Naofumi)
“Understood.” (Raphtalia)
And so, Raphtalia joined me in my daily routine, and I resumed my work.