Hajime was floating in the infinite cosmic space without a destination. His entire body was numb and paralyzed, but his mind was in a state of absolute awareness: he saw everything, felt everything, and perceived everything.
The amount of information that his senses transmitted to his brain was so great that it was impossible for him to process it all.
"Back in this place again? ... it's the third time I've ended up here..."
Being his third experience, Goto's stepson seemed calmer than in previous times, even though his confusion made it difficult for him to fully understand what he was going through.
"Pathetic. Your greed in seeking more powers is childish... you haven't yet mastered the ones you already possess... your hunger is too great for your small stomach."
"What should I do then?"
"You already know the answer to that, Hajime... even though you know the risks involved, you've already made a choice."
*****
The teenager woke up suddenly from his sleep.
"(And here we are, three times... everything was clearer, but I still can't grasp it all.)"
This last dream had been more vivid than ever. Apparently, his quest to become stronger, or rather, his increasing use of the [Grimoire], was making his mind more capable of recalling what he perceived during his visions.
It was a good thing.
But also not.
He still had no idea if one day that "entity," with whom he was communicating, would attempt to take over his body or do something worse to him. For now, it seemed to be giving him advice to help him become stronger and survive the dangers working against him.
"('Your greed in seeking other powers is childish... you haven't yet mastered those you already possess... your hunger is too great for your small stomach,' I believe that's what it told me. I can't fault it. I don't yet know the limits of [physical enhancement] and controlling my blood, yet I haven't tried to find other powers in quite some time.)"
Goto's stepson couldn't help but look at his chest, specifically at the point where a seal was etched, preventing his third power from going out of control.
The memory of the day he almost died was still vivid in the 17-year-old's mind.
After all, it was hard for a normal person to forget the day they coughed up blood and destroyed a room with a wave of pure [mana].
"(Yes, I absolutely have to focus on mastering what I already have first... I'll have no choice but to accept... and make a pact with another devil.)"
The silver-haired boy could only feel depressed at the thought. He was doing it for his little sister and his mother, he told himself. Yet he had a strange feeling that he would regret what he was about to do.
He took out his phone, stopped at the screen of a number, and pondered for another 10 minutes. His own hesitation made him clench his teeth in anger.
("(Damn it! I can't just stand here doing nothing! I might as well take the risk! And jump into the mouth of another lion!)")
Hajime's [Grimoire] had "changed" him to help him manage his frustration. Despite this, the levels of the emotion he was feeling now were truly off the scale.
It was like a strong sigh laden with various feelings. Kaori's stepbrother dialed the number.
On the second ring, there was an answer. The boy wasted no time on idle pleasantries.
"I accept your offer."
"Ufufufufufu, you and I will do great things together, Hajime. Please take care of me, as I will take care of you. Oh, and from now on, call me shishou when we're alone, okay?"
"O-ok, Veronica-shishou."
"I'll call you to let you know when we will meet. You're going to enjoy our lessons together, I'm sure!"
In the end, the teenager hung up. It was done. He had made, for the second time, a choice that would endanger his life in ways he couldn't even imagine.
And all of this why? The answer was simple. What he had done in his last mission with the [New Dawn] had had unpleasant consequences.
Hajime couldn't help but remember everything that had happened the day after Ivan's capture.
* * * * *About three weeks earlier, shortly after Ivan's capture.
The atmosphere inside the bunker was as tense as a violin string.
After the capture of the [Black Ghosts], Fumio had ensured that he was securely imprisoned before calling Yukihime to report what had happened.
It was clear that the Vampire was exceedingly angry about what had occurred.
The [omega mage] arrived at the base that very night to interrogate the prisoner.
Of course, Hajime didn't know anything about this, as he had just returned home a few minutes prior; he always had a cover to maintain after all.
Despite still being worried about Kuro and his new teammate.
However, before he could step through the doorway, he was stopped by someone. The same person to whom he had promised he would watch over his, almost always insufferable, friend and partner: Cloe Kusanagi.
"Hey... everything okay? I noticed you were incredibly quiet on the way back..."
The girl said nothing, keeping her gaze downcast as she stepped closer to the boy, one step at a time.
"(Is she worried about Kuro? Yet he didn't seem that badly off; I think he's been through much worse... or...)"
Before Hajime could comprehend, the [mage] in front of him gave him a solid punch in the stomach.
"Bleygh!"
The stepson of Goto doubled over in pain. Having dropped his guard, the poor boy was completely unprepared for the sudden move.
"What the hell!?... Cloe?"
The boy's tirade stopped when he noticed the pained expression and tear-filled eyes of the young girl.
"You promised you would watch his back... but not at the cost of your life! You're an idiot! Idiot! Idiot! Idiot!"
With each "idiot" he received, Hajime took another punch, though they were childish attacks and entirely harmless. The possessor of the [Grimoire] made sure to grab Cloe by the wrists after the eighth blow.
"Cloe, look at me! I'm fine! There's no need to make such a fuss! Plus, I kept my promise!"
"I know! But I was scared you would die! You deserve this for making me worry!"
"Tsk! I expected more of a kiss than this!"
Suddenly, Kuro's little sister stopped; her face turned cherry red, and her gaze dropped.
Hajime didn't understand why she reacted that way until he noticed what he had said. He mentally kicked himself for how stupid he was.
"Ummh... ummmh... well, if I'm too much, I'll just go."
The embarrassing situation got much worse when the two realized that Kohaku was watching them. His toothy grin was the evidence he needed to understand that he had heard everything. Especially the last part.
"Oh, you two are perfectly synchronized!" (Cloe/Hajime)
"It's not what it seems!" (Cloe)
"Yes, it is! Just imagine when Kuro finds out who will be his brother-in-law!" (Kohaku)
"Yahhhhhhhh!"
With unparalleled speed and a scream like a banshee, the [mage] grabbed the [esper] and dragged him away, leaving behind a stepson of Goto who was still confused and embarrassed after such a scene.
For a minute, he stood still and impassive before letting out a slight laugh.
"Pffft! Ahahahaha, how can I laugh after risking my life!? Ahahaha..."
After this small chuckle, the boy genuinely felt much better. Perhaps this was enough to make him feel at home, as if this bunker and the people living in it were part of the family from which Hajime had been deprived?
(Better leave it alone. It's time to go home before someone starts asking questions.)
Unbeknownst to Hajime, at that moment, Yukihime was receiving a detailed report about what had happened from Kimiko.
The silver-haired boy didn't know it, but his next visit to the bunker would not be pleasant.