Atom and Elements

Troy Delaney—an ex-military pilot in his 30s—is the capable man who followed Ayamei's orders and established Genshi's trust in this secret group of individuals. He sat along with the director, who was resting.

This is crazy, my life's completely flipped in less than a day!, Genshi climbed the stairs, trying to settle his thoughts.

It can't get any more chaotic. I find a potential girl, then a sketchy Aussie catches me using my powers, invites me to his gang, and straight up sends me on my first mission to retrieve another power user!, he briskly walked across the balcony.

I'm too exhausted, rest is neede—

I need to go see Grace! There's no way I can sit back while she was badly injured—, A warm set of fingers patted Genshi's head, stopping him in place.

"Your magic was truly wonderful! Good day at work, Genshi Arisawa!" She walked him to a seat, handing him a bunch of cookies and tea.

"Uh, excuse me, but—"

"Laila Grace was discharged yesterday afternoon. To our surprise, she works under the director whom you saved. He’d love to arrange a meet-up, assuming you're worried about her right now." A straight answer to his concern was given by the girl leaning in to snatch back a few cookies with a childish smile.

"I'm so sorry~ It's just!... Troy makes the best Monte Carlo, perfect for my tea time!" She randomly pulled out a tea set from the shelf behind her. Just as she tried to pour, the ground trembled—Delaney had walked in.

"Why you stealin' my junk, eh?" A rough voice filled with anger, a spatula rising in his hand as Kagetsu rushed behind a confused Genshi for cover.

Ah, he's mad at her—!!!

The spatula connected, phasing through Genshi's head as if it weren't there, and cracked Kagetsu squarely on her forehead.

Genshi placed the cookies aside as a cry burst through the cottage, even waking Antonio.

"You sick dumb pilots attack anything!!" Kagetsu rolled across the wooden floor, pressing her forehead hard, as Genshi sweated buckets.

"Don’t worry. The burglar is punished." Delaney returned the cookies to Genshi.

I’d be fricking dead if not for my ability... again!

Troy Delaney, the man wielding the power of Wind. His critical thinking and battle style far surpass mine.

I’d say he’s the toughest nut here.

NOO—

Yes, Genshi was punching air yesterday against Delaney.

No, I am... the creator of this unive—

"My apologies, my legs gave out the instant I entered the cottage." Antonio entered, looking just fine.

"Director!!" Kagetsu crawled and clung to Antonio’s legs as he pulled her up.

"...Please forgive me, Ayamei," he gripped her hands, "I should have listened to your advice. I’ve only caused trouble for our friends here." Then he gave a deep bow to the men in the room.

"Ah c’mon now, mate, ya did nothin’ wrong. It was going to be exposed someday, right?" He looked at Kagetsu, who rubbed her eyes with a kerchief and gave a nod looking away.

"Just like this burglar here who dared eat my baked cookies all for herself." He complained.

"Genshi, I gave you half of it, didn’t I!?" she shouted, pointing at the other plate.

"Ah, yes, she only took a few—" he tried to calm the room as Antonio took control.

"Now that I have presented myself to the world, I’ll take the responsibility of—"

"Nope, we’re all in on this together," Kagetsu said firmly.

"Let’s discuss this over some breakfast, yeah?" Delaney waved for the others to gather below.

"Genshi, take your leave only after this, please." Kagetsu insisted.

As Delaney arranged the table, Ayamei began summarizing everything she knew so far.

"As we all know, people across the world have suddenly been able to gain special powers that can’t be explained by science. Troy here is capable of controlling wind—or any gaseous matter. The director can do the same with fire or plasma."

Finally, let’s hear how she cracked my secret.

"Genshi Arisawa here is unique though. His powers aren’t based on any sort of element like ours. He’s simply able to phase between all sorts of matter without interacting with it, at will." She smiled at Genshi, asking for his confirmation.

"It’s crazy how you’ve figured that out exactly right," Genshi confirmed.

She smirked, as if waiting for him to say that all this time.

"Oh my~" she chuckled softly. "If you really insist that much, I’ll talk about my little analysis."

Nobody asked, she just wanted to brag.

"Well firstly, it all began when I was enjoying my stay in France, when the famous magician... popped up and entertained us all with his magic."

"You were there?" Genshi asked.

"Yes, but now comes the interesting part. You always executed your shows perfectly, leaving no clues."

Then how the heck does she know!?

"But you see, my darling," she leaned back, glancing at everyone dramatically.

"Out with it already, will ya?" Delaney interrupted.

Kagetsu let out a mischievous laugh. "I... can actually sense people with powers!!" she announced, expecting shock.

"Uh huh?... and?... no shit, me too, Sherlock." Delaney responded. Antonio and Genshi nodded casually.

"Wh?—" "Uhhh, no~" she let out a nervous laugh. "I’m not talking about some instinctive sixth sense. I’m telling you I can detect the very presence of a power holder when they’re near!" she exclaimed.

Antonio smiled. Delaney munched on cookies, deadpan. Genshi lowered his head.

Pftt! Hahahaha, man, here I was expecting her to have telepathy.

She got lucky. She sensed me at the arena, ran data from my shows, looked for a pattern. The more I performed, the more she narrowed it down. Then she baited me at the ballpark. Just how much influence does she have? She predicted my escape and set up Troy ahead of time. She's one smart girl I need to be cautious of.

"Oh she can sense alright—but it’s only limited to snacks and tea," Delaney mocked.

"I see, but did you also predict I would go rogue?", Antonio questioned.

"Hmm, yeah, she did. That’s why my fellow Genshi here was deported across the ocean to help ya clear the airstrikes," Delaney admitted.

"Ah, no need to thank me again, Mr. Antonio. You flew me all the way back safely.", genshi suggested before Antonio could begin his praise.

"If so, then you’re welcome." They exchanged smiles while Kagetsu stared daggers at Delaney.

“Okay!!” she shouted. “Time for the serious stuff.”

The room grew still.

“The government will form new sectors to track and capture people like us,” she warned.

“That means we better stay cautious,” Troy nodded.

“And most importantly,” she continued, “the director must stay hidden. They might claim he’s a threat to global safety.”

“That’s a fair reason to issue a search,” Antonio agreed.

“By the way, your hero name? ‘Amber Sovereign.’ Trending like wildfire.” Delaney grinned.

“They’ll keep the hunt secret… for now,” Kagetsu concluded. “But Antonio must not appear in public.”

"Which is why!" she announced, "The director will stay here in my cottage. Safely off the grid."

“Best choice ya got,” Delaney supported.

Wait, she owns this whole place? How rich is she?

“Yes… I had to accept her—”

“My help!” Kagetsu interrupted. “I’m the sweetest, aren’t I?”

Delaney raised a brow. Kagetsu stood to clear her plates.

“Anyways~ That’s all for today, gentlemen! You’re welcome anytime, and also… Happy New Century!!”

She gave a little bow. Genshi thanked Delaney for breakfast and finally took his leave.

Meanwhile, the nearby hospital where Grace was admitted, buzzed with reporters trying to reach the recently discharged patient. She removed her jacket while panting, as she entered the reception room.

“If only they showed this interest in the island case, we’d know the identity of the Amber Sovereign…” Laila Grace muttered.

Despite sustaining a fractured right leg, a broken ankle, and deep tears across her palms, she’d returned to work just one day after four surgeries.

A feat achievable only in a Type One civilization.

“Thank you for your patience, ma’am. The total sum—”

“There’s an error,” she interrupted. “I requested no anesthesia. Yet I see charges for it, which make up 20% of the total. That’s illegal. I can sue.”

“Ah—no, Miss Grace. This is just the receipt. Your bill was already paid… as a donation.”

“…What? By who?”

“The man claimed to be the event organizer of the ‘Dimension of Atom’ show.”

“What’s his name?”, her hopes went up.

“I’m sorry, we can’t disclose that under privacy policy.”

She clicked her tounge in frustration as confusions piled over her head.

A mysterious donor had cleared the entire bill.