Strongest Esper

Miss Joke watched with serious eyes as police and fellow heroes alike began walking around the messy classroom, careful not to make too many drastic changes to the crime scene. Her usual cheerful demeanor was replaced with a grave expression, her eyes scanning the chaos around her. Desks were overturned, papers scattered everywhere, and the chalkboard was cracked, its pieces littering the floor. But what held her attention the most was the ginormous hole in the wall, likely made by the villain in their desperate bid to escape.

Throughout her years as a hero, Miss Joke had encountered a wide variety of criminal cases, each more bizarre than the last, but this one was new. Why would a villain attack a school in broad daylight, with the high risk of being spotted by a hero or even a vigilant citizen?

"Miss Joke?" An officer approached her in a hurry, his face pale and eyes wide with alarm. He looked quite frantic, his uniform slightly disheveled. "We ran an investigation among the faculty and… one of the students is missing."

She stood tall at full attention, the gravity of the situation settling heavily on her shoulders. Kidnapping cases were far from uncommon, and she was quite used to them by now, but even so, it always left a bitter taste in her mouth. There was something particularly abhorrent about a child being taken, something that gnawed at her insides.

"Give me the details," she ordered in a firm voice, her tone leaving no room for hesitation. The officer nodded firmly, understanding full well the severity of the situation.

Accelerator lightly kicked the broken, dirty wall. "Structure's sturdier than it looks," he muttered to himself. The dilapidated exterior belied its resilience. Behind him, Asphalt and Velvet stood with tense expressions, their eyes fixed on the old, large, abandoned building that loomed before them like a forgotten sentinel.

Asphalt let out a tired sigh, breaking the heavy silence. "Hasn't been long enough since we've been here," he remarked, his voice tinged with weariness and a hint of resentment. Velvet remained silent but nodded in agreement, her eyes reflecting a shared sentiment of dread and determination.

Accelerator knelt down and placed his hand on the cracked, weed-infested ground. Closing his eyes, he focused intently, channeling his power. A faint hum resonated through the air as he extended his senses beneath the surface. "There's movement below the building," he announced, his voice barely above a whisper, yet laden with urgency.

"Tch," Asphalt cursed under his breath, his frustration evident. "So there really was an underground facility. I kinda hoped we were wrong."

Velvet, her gaze sharp and unwavering, added, "Be careful. We have no idea what's waiting for us down there." Her words hung in the air like a foreboding omen, the weight of the unknown pressing heavily on their minds.

They stood at the precipice of the entrance, the eerie silence of the abandoned building seeming to pulse with hidden dangers. Shadows danced in the broken windows, and the air was thick with the scent of decay and mystery.

"Get the station ready," Jason ordered as he approached a group of working men, moving tables, machines, and equipment Yuki had never seen before. The urgency in his voice was unmistakable, a stark contrast to the usual calm demeanor she knew him for.

Jason was acting strangely. Yuki had never seen him so… cold. He was never particularly warm to people, always polite but never engaging in the basic courtesies of interaction. Except with her. It always made her feel special when Jason would brush off others so casually yet shower her with attention. His touch was gentle, his words kind, and his presence a comforting constant in her life.

At first, she'd feared he was influenced by her quirk. Her ability had always been a double-edged sword, drawing people in, yet often leaving her questioning their true intentions. But Jason had long since dismissed those notions, claiming he was charmed by her and her alone, and it had nothing to do with her quirk.

She had nearly cried at that. Having spent a good part of her life being identified and judged because of her quirk, his words made her feel special. They made her feel seen for who she truly was, beyond the abilities that defined her to others.

They made her feel loved.

Something she never thought she'd experience in a long time. Her past was a tapestry of isolation and misunderstanding. She remembered the countless times she'd been shunned, the whispers behind her back, the looks of fear or envy. Jason was different. He saw her, really saw her, and chose to stay.

"Yuki, Dad loves you."

She didn't want to lose him.

"Yuki, you are so loved."

She didn't want to hurt him.

"By your mom, your dad..."

She didn't want to—

"So you should love yourself too."

She didn't want to be alone in this huge world again. The fear of solitude was a shadow that loomed over her, a constant reminder of the fragile nature of human connections. As she looked at Jason, his cold demeanor a stark contrast to the warmth she had grown accustomed to, she couldn't help but wonder what had changed.

What was he hiding? What had driven him to this point? She resolved to find out, to break through the icy exterior he presented to the world. She would remind him of the bond they shared, of the love that had blossomed between them despite the odds.

"Make sure to—"

"Jason?" Her voice was meek and soft, barely more than a whisper. "What's going on?"

His back was turned to her for just a second before he turned around to face her.

She took a few steps back, her heart pounding in her chest. A part of her couldn't believe what she was seeing. The look on his face… he had never looked at her like that before. It made her face flush and her palms sweat.

"Yuki," his voice was gentle, yet for some reason, it sent a chill down her spine. The soft, gentle look he used to give her was gone, replaced by a cold, calculative grin. His eyes bore into her, not with the warmth of affection but with a detached, almost clinical detachment. It was as if he were scrutinizing her, assessing her worth.

It wasn't the same look her stepfather had given her, that predatory gaze filled with unspoken threats. It wasn't the look numerous teenage boys had thrown her way, filled with hormonal longing and awkward desire. It wasn't even the unsettling gaze of older men who saw her as an object of their twisted fantasies.

No, this was different. This was a look devoid of humanity, devoid of any recognition of her as a person. It was as if he were looking at an animal, an object, a tool to be used and discarded. She felt a shiver run down her spine, her breath catching in her throat.

"This is it," Asphalt announced as shadows pierced the large metal door embedded in the ground of the old, abandoned building. The shadows ripped it apart in one swift move, creating an opening that revealed a dark, foreboding descent.

Asphalt and Accelerator peered down into the entrance, the inky blackness swallowing any hint of light. "Can't believe we missed this," Asphalt muttered, disbelief etched across his face. It was truly suspicious how a team of fully trained magicians had been unable to notice something so obvious.

"Too late to have any regrets," Accelerator remarked, his voice steady and resolute. "We can only do what we can to make up for it." There was a deeper meaning behind the albino boy's words, something that Velvet could sense, but she kept quiet. Now wasn't the place or time for probing conversations.

The air was thick with tension, a heavy silence settling over the group as they stood on the precipice of the unknown. The abandoned building loomed around them, its walls covered in peeling paint and graffiti, the remnants of a time long past. Broken windows let in slivers of moonlight, casting eerie shadows that danced across the floor.

"Let's go," Accelerator said, his tone leaving no room for hesitation.

And in they jumped, one after the other, into the dark entrance. The descent was swift, their feet barely making a sound as they landed on the cold, damp ground below. The air was cooler here, carrying a musty smell that hinted at years of neglect and secrecy. The darkness was oppressive, wrapping around them like a thick blanket, the silence only broken by the distant sound of dripping water.

A bright light soon filled the room, casting away the shadows. Velvet, with one hand raised, held a glowing piece of paper. The light was steady and strong, illuminating the space around them with a soft, ethereal glow.

"What the hell is that?" Accelerator eyed the paper with bemused eyes, the bright light making him squint slightly.

Velvet gave a small smirk, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Just something I've been working on recently."

"Magicians all have different… uh… careers of sorts," Asphalt explained, his eyes straining to adjust to the sudden light. "While we are all on call to the council and take up positions similar to soldiers, we also have something like a second job." He began to walk forward, causing Accelerator and Velvet to follow on cue. "V's a researcher and scholar of sorts, and I'm a full-on PI."

Velvet's light revealed more of their surroundings: rough stone walls lined with moss, old wooden beams that creaked under unseen pressures, and scattered debris from a time long forgotten. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and the faint, acrid smell of decaying wood.

"My recent project is all about infusing mana into objects set with specific objectives," Velvet added, her voice carrying a note of pride. She looked down at the glowing paper in her hand, the light reflecting off her determined expression. "I guess I'm just trying to show that… magic can be used in a lot more ways than just utilizing it as a weapon."

The paper in her hand was intricately inscribed with runes and symbols, the mana pulsing through it like a living thing. It was more than just a light source; it was a testament to her skill and creativity, a beacon of her belief that magic could be more than just a tool of destruction.

Accelerator could feel a story behind her words, a deeper meaning that spoke to her personal journey and struggles. But he chose not to pry, respecting her silence. 'It's not my business,' he thought. He had his own issues to deal with, and he already had one kid to look after.

As they moved deeper into the tunnel, the walls seemed to close in around them, the narrow passage twisting and turning like a labyrinth. The light from Velvet's paper cast long shadows, making the space feel even more surreal. Each step echoed in the confined space, amplifying the sense of isolation and suspense.

Asphalt led the way with determined strides, his eyes scanning their surroundings with the practiced vigilance of someone used to navigating dangerous territory. He moved with a purpose, every step calculated and precise.

Velvet's light illuminated strange markings on the walls, ancient runes that seemed to glow faintly in response to her mana-infused paper. The delicate light painted eerie patterns across the stone, giving the cavern an almost otherworldly aura. Asphalt and Velvet studied the markings with keen eyes, their expressions growing increasingly grave. Velvet's scholar's mind raced to decipher their meanings, while Asphalt's eyes narrowed in concentration. Suddenly, his eyes widened in realization.

"Shit!" he cursed aloud, his voice echoing through the cavern.

"What is it?!" Accelerator demanded, his tone calm yet tense, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of concern.

"Asphalt, is this—?" Velvet started, but Asphalt cut her off abruptly.

"Yes," he confirmed, urgency sharpening his tone. "We gotta get out of here, NOW!" He turned on his heel and bolted, leaving Velvet and Accelerator no choice but to follow in his wake.

"ASPHALT! WHAT IS IT?" Accelerator shouted as they sprinted through the narrow tunnel.

"I should have noticed!" Asphalt growled lowly, sweat dripping down his brow as he pushed himself to run faster.

"ASPHALT—"

"It's a trap!!" Velvet interrupted him, her voice tight with fear. Accelerator shot her a look, frustration and confusion etched across his face.

"We'll explain later! First, we've gotta get out of here!" she insisted. Accelerator clenched his fists, anger bubbling beneath the surface. He knew little about magic and its workings, leaving him feeling vulnerable and dependent on his companions' knowledge. 'I'm gonna have to do a lot more than just brush up on the subject after all this is over,' he silently vowed.

Suddenly, he called out, "Wait!" and came to an abrupt stop, causing Asphalt and Velvet to halt as well. "Shit!" Asphalt cursed aloud, his eyes wide with panic as he looked around frantically.

"We're too late," Velvet said, her voice tinged with despair. She held the glowing paper aloft, its light casting harsh shadows on the walls.

"The trap door, it's—" Velvet began.

"Gone," Accelerator finished for her, staring at the spot where their only exit had been. "How?"

"The seal…" Asphalt began, his voice heavy with regret. "I've seen those markings before. They were used to trap rogue magicians back in the day… until the method became so well-known people started falling for it less and less."

Velvet paced back and forth, her eyes scanning the walls for anything that could assist them. Her mind raced, considering every possible angle and spell that might help them escape. The runes on the walls seemed to pulse with a mocking light, as if taunting them with their predicament.

"Can't believe I fell for it," Asphalt muttered, his voice laced with self-recrimination.

"You couldn't have known," Velvet said, her voice firm yet gentle. "These traps are designed to be insidious."

"Right," Asphalt shook his head slightly, trying to dispel his frustration. He began speed-walking down the path, his eyes darting around for any signs of an escape route. "No time for regrets… V," he turned to face Velvet, his eyes stern and his face hard, showing the weight of his years of experience. "You and Accelerator head on forward. I'll break the seal."

"Right," Velvet nodded in affirmation, her expression resolute. Accelerator simply stared at them passively, though his mind was a whirlwind of thoughts.

The trio continued down the tunnel, the oppressive darkness pressing in around them. Velvet's light flickered, casting eerie shadows that danced along the walls. The air grew colder, carrying a sense of dread that settled in their bones.

Asphalt stopped at a juncture where the runes were most concentrated. "This is the focal point," he said, more to himself than anyone else. He knelt down, his fingers tracing the ancient symbols with practiced precision. "I'll need a few minutes to break the seal. You two keep moving. Find another way out if you can."

Velvet hesitated for a moment, her eyes lingering on Asphalt's determined face. She then turned to Accelerator, her expression serious. "We need to keep moving. If Asphalt can break the seal, we'll come back for him. But we can't stay here and wait."

Accelerator was silent for a minute, his brow furrowing in thought. "I suppose getting out of here wouldn't be as easy as me making an exit, right?" he asked, raising a brow. Velvet shook her head, her expression grim. "I wish."

"The seal did a lot more than just make the only doorway in and out of here disappear," Asphalt explained, his back turned to them as he faced the carved runes. "The minute we entered this place… the space within here warped… trapping us in a sort of pocket dimension."

Accelerator's eyes widened by a fraction. "We're in… another dimension?"

"Sort of," Asphalt said, slightly turning to face them. "It's a pocket dimension, a small space in which a certain amount of space from our world can fit into. In our case, it was this underground hallway." The walls were old, mossy, and wet, and the murky smell of decay permeated the air. Yet the thought of what Asphalt had just said made it a little harder to breathe than usual. "I doubt anything other than this hallway was placed into the dimension."

"You making your own exit could end in all of us dead," Velvet added, her voice edged with caution. "How we'd die, I can't exactly say… magicians who've had experiments regarding the issue have been said to disappear and never be heard from again."

Accelerator was silent. The air felt thicker, more oppressive as if the very space around them was conspiring to keep them trapped. The dampness of the moss-covered walls seemed to cling to his skin, making every breath a little more labored. He glanced at Velvet, her face illuminated by the soft glow of her mana-infused paper, her features set in a mask of determined calm.

'Then they either ended up dead or… like me,' he thought, the idea sending a shiver down his spine. He knew all too well the horrors of being trapped in a place where the rules of the world no longer applied, where escape seemed impossible, and where every moment was a battle for survival.

The tunnel around them seemed to close in, the shadows dancing mockingly on the walls. The faint light from Velvet's paper revealed more of the intricate runes, each one a testament to the ancient power that had ensnared them. The markings pulsed with a life of their own, the mana within them thrumming in response to Velvet's presence.

"We have to move," Velvet said, her voice cutting through the oppressive silence. She gave Accelerator a firm look, her eyes reflecting her resolve. "Asphalt will break the seal, and we'll find another way out. We have to trust him."

Accelerator nodded, though his mind was still racing with the implications of their situation. He couldn't shake the feeling of helplessness, the frustration of not understanding the magic that had trapped them. But he pushed those thoughts aside, focusing on the task at hand.

They continued down the tunnel, the air growing colder and the smell of damp earth intensifying. Velvet led the way, her light guiding them through the darkness. The walls seemed to pulse with a faint, otherworldly glow, the runes reacting to their presence.

The passage twisted and turned, the path becoming more treacherous. Loose stones shifted underfoot, and the ceiling seemed to close in, making the space feel even more confined. Accelerator's senses were on high alert, every sound amplified in the silence.

They reached another chamber, larger and more imposing than the last. Velvet's light revealed towering stone pillars, their surfaces covered in more of the ancient runes. The air here was even colder, the chill biting into their skin.