The emergence of Extraphysical Zones happened suddenly three years ago. In the first hours of their appearance, they were nothing more than whispers and rumors on the internet, forums on message boards and tweets sharing the same story; that, out of nowhere, people were capable of using powers beyond logic within certain areas.

Of course, the initial reaction was skepticism. Mass pranking, they said. Must be people of that certain imageboard website, they said. Photos and videos were uploaded, but they were easily ‘debunked,’ claiming that they were doctored with special effects and such.

However, unlike anything before it, the physical evidence kept piling up at an unprecedented level. Videos after videos after videos coming from all sorts of sources and locations. Soon enough, skepticism turned into world-wide panic.

“The World is Broken,” such was the title of an article that shook the world at the time.

Ultimately, nothing happened. Within just six months, a huge majority of Extraphysical Zones, aka EXP zones, in the world had been claimed by each nation’s government as military bases. It didn’t even take them a week, however, to learn that whatever bizarre phenomena that took place within the EXP zones could never, ever escape the boundaries of the EXP zones.

For a while, there were voices of dissatisfaction, but they gradually turned into conspiracy theories and boogeymen. Eventually, people learned to live side to side with the slightly weird but very harmless private territories, and the usual livelihood continued.

Humanity’s adaptability was a force to be reckoned with.

♤♠♤♠♤

Besides being guarded by two JSDF soldiers who gave them guest badges, the first floor of the Sago House EXP zone was much like any ordinary house, but upon climbing the stairs, the second floor was nothing like what Saki and Jun expected. Instead of bedrooms or storage, the second floor opened up and became one big spacious room with one side of the walls fitted with a large mirror stretching from the floor to the ceilings.

“Whoa! It’s like a Dance Studio!” Exclaimed Saki reflexively, earning the attention of the people already occupying the large room.

One was a tall man, possibly of Middle Eastern descent, clad in a tight-fitting navy blue sleeveless shirt that showcased his muscular arms. He paired it with loose black pants, allowing for ease of movement.

The second figure was an Indian woman donning a white lab coat, holding a tablet in one hand, and wearing a pair of glasses perched on her face. Her attire and accessories gave the impression of a dedicated researcher.

“Good afternoon, Hajime-san,” Takumi greeted loudly, while Saki and Jun behind him both said “excuse me” with a low voice.

“Oh, Kurogane-kun. Good work,” The man answered. His Japanese accent was flawless, and taking account of his Japanese name, perhaps he was a mixed race, Saki thought to herself.

“Are they the ones you talked about?”

“Yes. They’re Kobayashi Saki and Tada Jun, my classmates.”

The man looked at Saki and Jun as Takumi answered his question.

“I see. My name is Hajime Adam, I’m the coach here. I teach both battle choreography and psychic powers, feel free to ask me anything. She is Amrita Kaur Chaudhary, an assistant professor from Princeton University who researches EXP zone.”

The man — Adam gestured to the woman beside him — Amrita, who only nodded at her introduction. Saki and Jun responded with a light bow.

“I’m off to change clothes,” Takumi announced then walked off to a room behind them. Looking at him disappeared behind the door, leaving Saki and Jun alone, Saki started to let out cold sweat.

Instead of introducing Adam to them, or bringing up some small topics to chat about, or do anything to bridge between them, Takumi just leaving Saki and Jun to deal with total strangers all on their own spoke of how little his social awareness was. Now, Saki and Jun had to deal with the awkward, suffocating silence that they were not equipped with. They felt like they had intruded into a stranger’s house and were confronted for it.

“Erm…”

Not knowing what to do, Saki looked at the man before her awkwardly.

“He’s an interesting kid, huh. He just goes on at his own pace.”

“A-ahaha…”

Saki could only laugh bitterly at Adam’s statement. The fact that his coach made that comment meant that Takumi acted unsociable even here on a regular basis.

Clap!

Adam clapped his hand, breaking Saki’s thoughts.

“So, Kobayashi-kun and Tada-kun, is that correct?” When Saki and Jun nodded at his question, Adam continued. “I’m guessing this is your first time entering an EXP zone, but do you know what your powers are?”

“Wait, we have powers?”

Jun asked, vocalizing Saki’s question as well.

“Of course. Anyone can use psychic powers when they enter an EXP zone. Even babies can use psychic powers here. Conversely speaking, psychic powers can only be used within an EXP zone.”

When she heard that, as if something clicked in her brain, Saki hit her palm with an enlightened look.

“Ah, I see! Since ESP can only be used within EXP zones, Omega who has monopoly over EXP zones consequently has monopoly over espers too. And that is why Omega could become the mega corporation that it is today.”

“That is part of the reason, yes.”

Adam validated Saki’s passionate rambling.

“Heeh, I didn’t know that. I know Omega monopolizes espers, but I thought they did it by assigning bodyguards to everyone.”

“Hahaha, of course not. There are around five hundred thousand active espers right now, there just isn’t enough personnel to give everyone a bodyguard. It’s not realistic.”

Jun’s wild assumption made Adam let out a laugh. Saki, however, noticed that his eyes weren’t laughing. Meanwhile, Jun was surprised by the amount of active espers that Adam casually revealed, mumbling “five hundred thousands…” under his breath.

Adam let out a breath then brought the topic back up.

“Either way, using psychic power should be second nature to you once you enter an EXP zone. However, precisely because it feels so natural, most of the time people fail to realize their own powers,” at that, Adam glanced at Amrita. Taking the hint, the Indian woman walked over, “Chaudhary-san’s power is psychometry. She can learn the information of the things she touches, including the nature of your powers.”

Amrita then reached out her hand, palm facing up, as if inviting Saki and Jun to touch her. Looking at her, Saki and Jun seemed hesitant.

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“No need to worry about me learning your private information. Omega already knows everything about you the moment you step inside this house, so worrying about it now is futile.”

Spoke Amrita curtly, perhaps in an attempt to calm their nerves. It, obviously, made them even more nervous.

The first to step up was Saki. After collecting her courage, she fearfully put her hand over Amrita’s open hand — and was surprised when she yanked her hand to hold it tighter.

After one nerve-wrecking second, Amrita opened her mouth.

“Eidetic, you have a perfect, photographic memory that lets you memorize everything in great detail.”

“…eh?”

It took Saki some time to process the evaluation that Amrita had given her.

Saki honestly didn’t know what she was expecting, but she thought that, since she had gotten an ESP, at least it would be something flashy like Ice Queen’s cryokinesis or Mad Hatter’s teleportation.

Eidetic; the ability to remember things excellently…

“…that’s so plain.”

“That’s life. Either you win the lottery, or you don’t.”

Saki muttered in protest. Amrita shrugged, then reached her hand towards Jun.

“I guess I’m next then.”

Saying that, Jun unhesitantly grabbed Amrita’s hand tight. Amrita stayed silent for a second, then opened her mouth again.

“Telekinesis, you have the power to move things with your mind.”

“Really?! Hell yea—”

“—it’s the most common power in the world, it’s not special whatsoever. And, you can’t pick up anything heavier than a pair of chopsticks.”

Jun was elated for a moment, but immediately became gloomy when he heard the next words Amrita uttered.

“Sorry for the wait…what happened?” That was when Takumi walked out of the changing room. He was utterly puzzled when he saw both of his friends were looking down,.dejected and despairing.

“O-oh, Takumi…you see, I can only lift chopsticks…I’m not special whatsoever…”

“Jun-kun has it better. Mine is only useful for exams at most…”

Hearing the feeble answers from them only made Takumi ever more confused. That was when Adam, who had been watching the whole ordeal smiling in silence, opened his mouth.

“I had Chaudhary-san tell them what their powers are, and it seems it’s not what they had expected.”

“Aah.”

Takumi sounded convinced with that explanation, as if he had experienced it beforehand and knew exactly what Adam meant.

“…oh yeah, Takumi, what about you? What’s your power?”

“…right. Since Omega scouted you, you must have a really cool power, right Takumi-kun? Show us, please!”

“Yeah, Show us!”

That was when a glint of hope returned to Jun’s eyes. His question seemed to have reignited Saki’s spirits, as she also started to ask questions.

Takumi was at a loss when Saki and Jun pressed their faces at him, but, “Sure, I can show it to you,” he complied, earning a synchronous “yay!” from both of them.

With Saki and Jun stepping away a little, sitting down and eyes expectant like students waiting for a teacher’s demonstration, Takumi raised his left hand to level with his chest, and — without any warning or sign, a dark, spherical something formed in the palm of his hand.

““Ooh!!””

The dark thing shifted around pulsating, as if trying to escape Takumi’s grasp and return to nothingness. Saki and Jun watched it with fascination.

“What is it?”

Asked Saki, joy escaping from her voice.

“It’s darkness,” Takumi answered simply.

“So it’s like a ball of darkness? Is it heavy like dark matter, or does it absorb everything like black hole, or maybe give your enemy nasty debuffs if they touch it?”

This time, Jun asked similarly with excitement.

“Nope, it’s just darkness,” Takumi once again answered simply. “You can’t touch it, it doesn’t do anything. It’s just darkness.”

““ …””

Saki’s and Jun’s eyes grew cold, expression dead. Jun stood up, walking closer to Takumi.

“So you can’t attack using it?”

“It’s not tangible, so no.”

“Can you at least blind your enemy with it?”

“They can just walk away from it.”

“And it doesn’t give you any benefit? Your punches don’t get stronger if it’s clad in this dark stuff?”

“Well, it’s just darkness. It can’t do anything like that.”

By the time Takumi answered his third question, Jun was close enough to put a hand on his shoulder. And then, after heaving out a deep and heavy sigh, Jun looked at him in the eyes and opened his mouth.

“Takumi, I know I’m the one who told you to do it, but…let’s give up becoming an Omega Fighter.”

The moment he heard that, Takumi could feel a vein in his temple pop.

♤♠♤♠♤

““Light and Dark Manipulation?””

“Yes.”

Jun was back sitting on the floor together with Saki. After answering their question, Takumi also raised his right hand and produced a ball of light on it. However, due to the clear lighting of the room, the yellow ball of light didn’t look as impressive as the ball of darkness in his left hand that he opted to show when they asked him.

“What is so unique about Kurogane-kun’s ability, Equinox, is that it has two clashing natures on its First Step. Honestly, this is the first time we see anything like this, however it’s not so absurd that it’s Transcendental. That is why, despite it’s basic elements that he manipulates, we’re categorizing him as a Conceptual Emitter.”

“…First Step? Emitter?”

“Trans—what was that?”

Adam interrupted them from the side with an explanation that only made Saki and Jun even more confusing.

“Ah, I’m getting ahead of myself. I’m sorry about that. First Step, you see,” Adam snapped his fingers — in the next moment, a beast made of fire leaped out from behind him, startling Saki and Jun, “it is everything you can do with your original power.”

The fire beast that Adam produced prowled around the room animatedly. It was made of pure fire, emitting no smoke or even heat, and its silhouette suggested a feline-like features, perhaps a tiger or a jaguar. If not for the constant crackling of the tongues of flame that consisted its body, Saki and Jun would have thought it was a real animal.

Looking at Saki and Jun being astonished by his display of power, Adam continued.

“As a pyrokinesis, I started with a fire as small as a match that could barely do anything. But, like your muscles, psychic powers can be trained. So even if you started with chopsticks, if you train enough, you can eventually lift an entire car with your telekinesis, Tada-kun.”

Jun’s eyes lit up when he heard that.

“But unlike muscles, psychic powers can be trained however you want. Depending on how you train it, it can take any kind of form. For example, I trained to form my fire to take the shape of animal, but if I focused on training to make fire burst in short interval like an explosion—”

“—It’ll be like Redhawk, the Tokusatsu streamer. I thought his power was explosion-based…”

Saki finished Adam’s words, mostly out of reflex. When she realized what she had done, she looked at Adam apologetically, but Adam only nodded at her.

“You’re right. His use of explosion whenever he enters the scene is a form of pyrokinesis. He also uses bursts of fire under his feet to make his jumps higher. Just like that, psychic powers are flexible. It depends on your creativity on how to make use of it.”

“Heeh, that’s so cool. I thought pyrokinesis is all about throwing fireballs around.”

“That’s the common misconception.”

Adam laughed at Saki’s comment.

“As for my equinox, since I control light and darkness, I can do something like this.”

Takumi continued where Adam had left off. He brought his hands together, closing them and moving them around as though he was shaping something out of clay, then when he opened it back up, a small figure of a cartoonish teddy bear appeared.

“Eh, what’s that?! So cute!” Saki exclaimed. “Can I touch it, Takumi-kun?!”

“This is just light being curved to make the shape of a teddy bear, so you can’t touch it even if you want to.”

“Eeh~~”

“Yeah, I figured as much.”

Takumi’s explanation was like a bucket of cold water to Saki’s excitement, while Jun made his comment from the side. Nevertheless, Saki tried to take the small teddy bear — only for her hand to pass through it.

“So it’s like a hologram. That’s cool.”

“Yeah.”

Jun made his observation, Takumi nodded, while Saki was wailing that she can’t touch the teddy bear. When Takumi made the small teddy bear waved his hand adorably, Saki’s agony deepened.

Jun looked closer at the teddy bear, then opened his mouth as though finding something strange.

“But, is it just me or is the teddy bear a bit…crooked? It’s like a teddy bear cartoon character badly drawn by a toddler.”

“kgh…!”

“Jun-kun! Even if it’s the truth, don’t say it like that! Poor Teddy-chan, I’m sure Takumi-kun tried his best to make this for us even with his zero artistic sense.”

“gah…!”

“Now, now, you two, don’t attack him anymore.”

Adam chided in, preventing them from delivering the finishing attack to Takumi who had already spewed blood.

“Not to mention this is actually excellent progress for just a week of training. As expected of someone who caught Isabella’s eyes, you have the knack for psychic powers, Kurogane-kun.”

Being given verbal follow-up by Adam, Takumi immediately perked up and smiled, earning a “again, he recovered fast!” from Saki.

“Oh no, it’s all thanks to your guidance, Hajime-san. Besides, it’s still far from what I need it to be.”

“You’re right. —Either way, we’ve digressed, but as Kurogane-kun and I have shown, the First Step is everything you can do with your powers. However, there is actually more to psychic powers that the public doesn’t know in general.”

As he was speaking, Adam took a water bottle from the floor.

“As I said before, my power is pyrokinesis, fire manipulation. However, fire is three things: Fuel, oxygen, and heat. By manipulating heat, I can produce a fire beast that produces no heat and doesn’t burn, and conversely, I can also take away heat from things.”

Adam flipped the water bottle on its head, pouring out its content. The water, however, immediately froze mid-air, and was even suspended in space before Adam casually took it.

“Interesting, isn’t it? A pyrokinesis user like me is producing ice using my psychic power. This is the Second Step — the byproduct of ESP.”