Chapter 2: Introspection and Quirk
Just so you guys doesn't get mixed up,
"..."=> Speech
'...' => Thoughts
[...] => EAS prompts
<...> => Lying
Enjoy the fanfic guys.
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Inside an apartment building in the city of Musutafu, Japan, a child about the age of four woke up and opened his eyes. He sat on his bed, confused, before clarity returned to his gaze.
"Huh, I guess the meme about children suddenly gaining consciousness at four is true."
He got out of bed, stretched for a bit, folded the blanket, placed it on top of the pillows, and wrapped everything up in the futon.
"There, all done."
While completing his morning rituals, he grew introspective.
'Hmm, no splitting headache like in transmigration stories. Just a mild confusion for a few seconds, and now I have both my previous life's and this life's memories. Well, there's not much from this life—only four years' worth—and children this age don't have great memories anyway.
Yeah... It's like they've always been there, like when you forget where you put your keys and remember after a while.
Okay... First of all, my name is Akihiro Naoki. Family name: Akihiro. Given name: Naoki. I can't say much besides, "It's a nice-sounding name." I don't really know much Japanese—I'm only four, after all.
And my parents... ah, they're dead. Damn, classic reincarnation trope, huh? They passed away when I was about two in a car accident. I feel bad for them, but I'm not really that sad—I barely knew them, after all. Children this age don't really understand the concept of death, so this life's memories don't affect me much. Anyway, rest in peace.
I'm living with my uncle's family (Dad's cousin). They're 'okay' people— a bit cold and distant, though. I read somewhere in my previous life that a lot of Japanese families are like that, so maybe it's normal.
Speaking of Japan, this world is pretty much the same as my previous one. All the big countries exist (I don't really know much about the smaller ones). Except here, there are quirks.
Let's see... Quirks, huh? Pretty interesting. It's similar to mutants from Marvel: superpowers widely considered to come from genetics.
Society here is kind of the reverse of Marvel mutants. Instead of people with powers being discriminated against, it's quirkless people who get the short end of the stick. They don't get hunted down or anything, but they're treated with pity and scorn. They're seen as practically disabled. At least mocking or bullying disabled people has a strong social stigma in my previous world. Here, quirkless people don't even get that protection.
They're pretty much screwed. An accountant job would be given to someone who can sneeze a little fire before a smart, competent quirkless person.
There's not much of them left though. Official statistic is about 20% of the population but most of them are from older generation. Hardly anyone is born quirkless in my generation.
More importantly, how is Top Talent gonna work with quirks?
Ah right, let's look at Easy Access Screen."
As soon as he thought about it, a blue translucent screen manifested in front of his eyes.
Just as he was about to take a look, a new screen replaced the old one.
[Announcement.]
[Top Talent activating.]
[World Blessing received.]
[Top Talent is attempting to utilize World Blessing.]
[Successful.]
[Quirk {TRUTH} acquired.]
"Huh??"
'What just happened? Easy Access Screen.'
Copy: Permanently copy one of someone's abilities, talents or skills.
Note: This is a one time use ability.
Quirk {TRUTH}: The user of {TRUTH} is bound to an immutable law: they can only speak the truth. However, the true power of this quirk lies in the ability to alter reality itself. If the user speaks a falsehood, the words they say will become the new truth, bending the world to match their declaration.
Note: The farther the spoken falsehood from reality, the more energy it takes to enforce.
Note: The New truth is temporary. Steady supply of Truth energy is required maintain the new truth.
Note: Declaring a permanent Truth is possible. However, requires 1,000 times the amount of energy.
Note: Truth energy bar has been added to the resources section.
Note: Initial Truth energy reserves denominated as 100 points.
Note: Truth energy fully refills from zero in 24 hours.
Note: Truth energy capacity has a linear growth of 100 points per year.
Note: External factors including training will have no effect in Truth energy capacity growth.
Note: Possession and usage of the quirk may have physical and psychological effects. Please try utilizing the quirk for further data collection.
"Damn, this is some nice quirk! Sounds OP"
'Hmmm.... It must have become this strong because Top Talent and World Blessing superimposing with each other.
Wait a minute !World Blessing? The guy I met, my patron? Yes, it fits. Anyways my patron said something about it right?
Ahh yes, he said if I landed on a fictional universe, it will erase all memories related to it and then give me a blessing!
So, this is a fictional universe huh. Well, there's nothing I can do except to be on the lookout for common protagonist tropes. That way, I can at least be somewhat prepared about crazy situations he/she/they get themselves and people around them involved in.
Well, there's that. Oh, and Easy Access Screen is super useful as well. No need to fumble around with my quirk like other less 'Gifted' plebians.
What it can do, what it can't, growth condition and all the details clearly displayed for me.'
"Ehh, physical and psychological effects? That's concerning. Data collection huh. Well I'll try small things first."
'Hmmmm.... small falsehood that's very close to reality. Ah, got it.'
After cupping his hand under the cold tap water and collecting a bit of water,
[-1 Truth energy.]
"Woaaaaah, it's warm!"
[Request.]
[Please utilize 9 more Truth energy units to complete the data collection]
"Ah, okay then."
' The data collection must be pretty efficient and precise to be completed over just the usage of 10 Truth energy units.'
After testing with some nicks and nacks.....
[Announcement.]
[Data collection complete.]
[Physical effects:
1: Gradual transformation of pupils into iridescent starburst pattern along with quirk usage.
(AN: Like Gojo' pupils, may be in different color tho. I haven't decided on the color yet.)
Estimated full transformation: Approximately upon 50,000 units of Truth energy usage.
2: Gradual transformation of irises into kaleidoscopic patterns along with quirk usage.
Estimated full transformation: Approximately upon 50,000 units of Truth energy usage.
3: Development of faint iridescent lines growing from outer corners of both eyes extending towards the temples.
(AN: Like in Tokyo ghoul, but more ✨Sparkly✨ and 💅 Fabulous 💅)
Estimated full transformation: Approximately upon 50,000 units of Truth energy usage.
Estimated negative effects from physical mutations: Low to none.
Estimated Additional Effects: You may develop the ability to see through falsehood after full transformation of physical mutations.
Psychological Effects:
1: Aversion Towards Lying: You may develop an aversion or even disgust towards lying.
2: Truth confession: When asked or questioned, you may be from mildly to strongly compelled to answer truthfully.
Estimated negative effects: Moderate to strong negative impact on social relationships. ]
"W...wow... Physical mutations are kinda cool but, psychological effects...yeahhh, this is not looking good."
(AN: Saying only completely truthful things does not work well in social relationships. We lie all the time. Not only maliciously but also white lies like compliments, being polite to work superiors ect.ect. Only saying the truth, you can still handle. By staying mostly silent or the likes. But being compelled to answer questions truthfully? Yeah, that's gonna fck up your social life.)
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