Chapter 13: Elemental Aptitudes

The following day, I lazily went downstairs for breakfast.

I wasn’t exactly tired nor sleepy but I am really just lazy to go to school again...I never thought I’ll look forward to night and be Nightmare so much now…

Well, it’s at least not more boring than listening to 1 + 1 = 2 shit…

“Mornin’” (Max)

“Good morning Max.” (Mother)

“‘Sup kid.” (Father)

The day started normally with my mother’s cooking. As long as she’s cooking, everyday has been an episode of Master Chef.

She’s not only a goddess of wisdom, but she is also qualified to be called a goddess of cooking.

When I asked her how her cooking can be so damn good, she gave me a lecture on chemistry...so yeah, I guess a super genius is able to cook so well…

Although theories and scientific explanations are there, actually putting it into use, heck, in everyday cooking...that’s another kind of genius.

Before, I tried watching her cook but I must say...she’s damn scary to watch…

While she cooks, she continually mutters formulas, equations, and science stuffs…if you give her a pointy hat and a robe, she would definitely pull off being a witch…

As for father, he’s usually the one who cleans the house...yeah, it’s kinda weird seeing a military man meticulously polishing the floor, much less a general at that...

When I asked about it, he says it’s a habit he picked up in the army since they need their things to be ordered and easy to access in case of emergencies so when he sees something out of place now, he would have the urge to fix it...he basically has OCD.

But it isn’t that bad, he only focuses on the practical ones. For example, clearing the hallway. In case of emergencies, the hallways must be clear and without obstructions in order to pass safely and save time. Glass vases should be placed in areas that are less likely to have an accident. Sharp objects should be properly kept. And so on.

If he sees a trash on the floor, he usually ignores it though. Unless it’s placed in an area where it’s dangerous to have an accident like on the stairs or near a table or such. There are still cleaner robots so he doesn’t mind them too much.

Basically, our family has no housekeepers at all. Though I would really like having a sexy maid around…

Anyway, as we eat, mother switched on the holo-TV with a hand gesture and we watched the news.

CNN. Heh, some things never change even with a hundred years that passed.

“We will now switch to the incident that happened late last night. In which, the netizens have called, [Nightmare Sensation]. Reporting LIVE from the scene is Stacy Page.”

The scene changed and focused on another reporter.

The reporter is a sexy 20 something with short blonde hair but a bit lacking on the chest area.

“Thank you. My name is Stacy Page, here I am, LIVE on one of the scenes where the masked vigilante known as Nightmare was spotted last night. Here with me is a mother and her child who was saved from being hostage of a criminal with a knife. Ma’am, can you describe the flow of events that happened last night?” (Stacy)

Oh, it’s that kid. What was his name? Kevin? It was Kevin right? Then this is where I met that smexy police officer.

“Yes. My kid wanted to buy something in the convenience store nearby so I took him out. We were about to head home when we heard someone shout there’s a thief a bit far away. Thinking it might get dangerous, I pulled my son quickly and ran to our apartment but...unexpectedly, we ran into the thief who was being chased by a female police officer. The thief grabbed my son and threatened the police officer and anybody not to get close. She wasn’t able to do anything because of the hostage and I don’t blame her for that. My only thought is that she won’t do anything so my son won’t get hurt…then…he showed up…”

Kevin’s mother looked to the side as if looking at where I stood before.

“He stood there, wearing that weird helmet, and just silently looked at the thief. I thought that he might be the thief’s accomplice but when I saw the thief’s reaction, I dispelled that thought and just wished that he won’t do anything heroic and stupid that might endanger my son but...when the thief threatened to kill my son again...somehow, he disappeared.”

She looked warmly at her son and patted his head.

“Disappeared? You mean Nightmare?” (Stacy)

“No...no. It was my son that disappeared. I don’t know how he did it but he saved my son. Just like that. One moment he was there, still in the thief’s arms, the next, he was next to Nightmare. Without any scratch on him. Then I knew...my son is finally safe.”

“Mr. Nightmare is a hero!” (Kevin)

The mother chuckled and rustled Kevin’s hair.

“After that, he simply touched the thief and he fainted. Everything happened so fast and easy, it was really hard to believe it...but it really did happen...”

“So, as a witness, do you believe he has abilities? Like, the superpowers you see in a comic.” (Stacy)

“Yes. I don’t know how but, with a wave of his hand, everyone in the scene flew. I, myself, was one of them. I even confirmed if there was anything attached to me but there was nothing. No, strings or electromagnetic pulses...it was just...air...”

“I see...there you have it. Next, we will be showing you the CCTV footages of the incident.” (Stacy)

Stacy looked back to the camera and nodded.

The scene changed again and a video played.

“As we can see from the footage, what the witness had said did indeed happen. The police are still unaware of Nightmare’s true identity and investigations are still continuing. And so, people wonder. This man...is he human? Or something else? Will he be a Hero? Or will he only amount to be a Vigilante? Once again, this is Stacy Page, reporting LIVE. Back to you.” (Stacy)

Geez, I’m still human you know? How can I be something else? Rather, what’s something else? Metahuman? Inhuman? Mutant? Esper?...Right, I wonder what they will call the people I would choose in the future?

And why is this incident called [Nightmare Sensation]? Can’t they just called it Nightmare Incident or Nightmare Case? Ehh, forget it. It sound kinda cool anyway.

“...What do you think?” (Mother)

“I think that reporter sister is pretty but has a small chest.” (Max)

“Y-you...I wasn’t talking to you! And what did you mean by that you little devil!?” (Mother)

“E-ehh, I also wasn’t talking to you! I was talking to...uhh, my imaginary friend. Air...a! Right Aira?” (Max)

I stretched my hand to touch the breast *cough* pat the shoulder of my imaginary friend while looking at my mother confidently.

“Why is it a girl’s name!? And where are you touching her!?” (Mother)

“Ahh, calm down hon. It isn’t sexual harassment if he’s touching air boobs!” (Father)

‘The heck is an air boobs?

“What air boobs!? You, just what are you teaching our son!? He’s still only 5 years old!” (Mother)

“B-but I didn’t...” (Father)

“Ah! I will be late! We gotta go! Bye!” (Max)

Feeling that this will be a long one, I dragged my father out to have him drive me to school.

Mother was still furiously stomping her feet but didn’t chase after us and only sighed.

Emm...maybe I should tone out my inner lewdness while I’m still a kid…nah.

“Max!”

After reaching school, I was met with hugs from the girls...they sure stick to me a lot now. No doubt, those parents of theirs had a hand in this.

Not that I’m complaining.

We stopped when Jenny came in and saw us.

“You guys! It’s too early to be flirting so much! Go back to your seats!” (Jenny)

“How can you say that after what we did last night~” (Max)

“W-what are you talking about! We didn’t do anything stupid! Sit down!” (Jenny)

“...Jenny, you…don’t copy Mica. It’s weird seeing an adult go tsundere...” (Max)

“Ah! Don’t steal my character!” (Mica)

“I’m not!” (Jenny)

After that little episode, classes went by normally.

As for the rest of the time, I just meditated to the MAX, heh, see what I did there...cause, you know, my name is Max and I just said-...you know what, forget it…

*Cough* Anyway...after school, I dragged the four girls to the nearby park to play.

There were about a dozen hidden bodyguards around us but I quickly lost them with illusion and invisibility magic.

Walking to the park, we met Ina who was already there, surrounded with bodyguards as well so I made her invisible as well as create an illusion of her playing with the illusions of us.

The girls were surprised when they saw a copy of themselves and demanded I teach them how I did that so I told them to wait for a bit.

Ina greeted me with a kiss which again, surprised the girls but they quickly changed gear and kissed me as well...Ina was shocked about it but also quickly regained her expressionless face.

Though...why do I feel that her gaze is much colder than before?...

…Forget it, let’s not think about it…

“Max, where are we going?” (Mica)

“A secret place!” (Max)

“Like, a secret base!?” (Geo)

“Right. Look, we’re already here.” (Max)

I led them to one of the thick trees in the park. I placed an illusion and diversion magic circle around this tree so no one would go look for it even by accident.

I also made it so that the magic circle won’t affect people I choose by giving them a card with a unique magic circle. You can say that this is a magical version of a security pass.

In the future, I’ll place it on the ability crystal I will be giving out so they can also have access to this place.

“Then, let’s head inside!” (Max)

“Eh?”

Without minding their confused expressions, I walked directly into the tree...hmm, maybe I should’ve placed the secret entrance on a train station in the middle of platform 9 and 10. Rather, ¾ in between…

Inside the tree is an elevator big enough for all six of us to fit in. The tree was a permanent illusion that I used as a cover for the elevator I installed here last night.

Where did I get an elevator? Well, I kinda stole it from some crime lord’s place last night which I customized a bit so it can react with mana instead of electricity…it’s not like they’ll need it anymore where they’re going right?

“What are you guys waiting for? Come in!” (Max)

“Ah! W-we’re coming!” (Geo)

It seemed as if they have only just snapped out of their surprise as they hurriedly walked inside.

“Whoa! I just passed through!” (Zoe)

“This...this is really magic! Max! Teach me [Explosion]!” (Mica)

“Amazing...”

“So cool!” (Geo)

“...Nn.” (Ina)

Everyone had basically the same expression. Though, Mica’s demand is a bit dangerous…it’s never good for a tsundere to wield such a destructive magic…

Pushing the button [B-1], the elevator went down.

There’s only one button since there’s only one floor for now. Well, this is the most I can do in one night. I will slowly be expanding this from now on and add more levels.

The first floor was only a simple room without any decorations since I didn’t really have the time to do that.

I lit the room with a simple light magic and a ball of light hovered in the air.

I should really find a way to install electronic cablings here without being tracked in the future…

“Alright. For now, I’ll teach you guys how to gather mana. Using spells would have to wait for now.” (Max)

I explained them the same way I explained to Ina yesterday and also had them be able to gather mana easily.

Afterwards, without being told, they all began to meditate furiously when I told them that if they don’t have enough mana, they won’t be able to use spells.

After watching them meditate for a while, I noticed the elemental essences gather inside them.

Elemental essence is basically the energy from the elements. Upon meditation, these elemental essences gather towards the host in order to strengthen their elemental magics.

In a way, this will determine what kind of magician you will be in the future.

Everyone had a unique element in them. Usually, their personalities are attributed from this. For me, I’m one of the abnormal ones wherein I am gifted in all elements.

Ina has an very high ice aptitude as expected.

Mica is...very high thunder aptitude…this is more dangerous than what I expected…it’s actually not fire but something even worse…

Geo has a very high earth aptitude. I guess this is fate for her to be named this way too.

Zoe has a...this…very high forest aptitude! She’s a natural born tamer! This explains her love for animals…

Livia has...she actually have a dual element! Light and dark element! Both with very high aptitude! This…to think she would have two contradicting elements...this must’ve been the case for her weird personality. It isn’t noticeable but...could it be that she has dual personalities?

Interesting…to think that shortly after being reborn, I would actually meet five people with very high aptitudes! So much that they could easily be a part of the Hero’s party! Is this fate or…was there another factor?

…I wonder if Jenny or Rosalline would have very high aptitudes as well?

Well, let’s not worry about that for now.

Like that, we began our days of meditation.

Author's Mumblings

There, it's a bit similar to the removed Chapter 12 but there are still differences. I kept Aira, the imaginary friend, cause why not? Maybe she'll become real in the future...

And there are also no touchy licky naked scene anymore. If groping an air boobs still count as child porn, I really don't know what to do anymore haha :p

I also added the elemental aptitudes thing so everyone will know which direction the girls will be developing.

And...well, that's it.

Let's meet again in the next chap!

P.S.: I saw a really cool Batman Beyond fanart and think that it's closer to how I imagined Nightmare. Of course, not completely but you get the point. I simplified his description myself and just said he wore a suit but, yeah, this is close...

By wyv1