My Measurement: The Villain Desires a Satisfying Payback

Sophie Asanami.

"I want you to help me kill that fucker, the Concept of Space."

Daughter of one of the Wardens' "Professors" and an owner of Supernatural Ability.

"The disgusting power forced on me by my old man―the power he sacrificed her to harness; the same power as that monster―I'll even let you use it for whatever you want if you can help me with this, Truth."

Glistening like an oasis in the desert, her eyes shimmered with determination as she stared straight into my own.

She'll let me use her power if I help her, huh.

Well, I was going to aim for that anyway, but since she's giving me express permission I suppose I can take it as confirmation that she won't resist me using her however I like.

Sophie Asanami's Supernatural Ability has been dubbed 'Proximate Spatial Ordinance' by her father, Professor Kazuki Asanami.

Apparently, it was a power derived directly from the Concept of Space, who was cooperating with the Wardens in their research on the Concept Measurements. An 'accident' occurred during that research and that was the cause of death for Sophie's mother.

Still, despite his wife's passing, Professor Asanami was able to create a Supernatural Ability based off of the Measurement of Space, which he then 'gifted' to his daughter, Sophie.

That was the origin of her ability, Proximate Spatial Ordinance.

In reality, the vast majority of Supernatural Abilities are created in a similar way―that is, by studying already-existing Measurements and how they work―although there are a multitude of methods and processes one could use to get there.

Of course, not every Supernatural Ability will fit every person equally―such was the case in Hirane and in many other secret facilities; there were, and still are, countless of living test subjects who die excruciating deaths as a result of the Supernatural Ability testing going wrong or because of simple incompatibility issues.

There are also differences in how each organisation carries out their research and experiments.

For example, the Wardens have a much higher bar of morality than the Order, who will unhesitatingly do whatever inhumane things they have to.

That's probably why Sophie Asanami's case worked out so well―because they ensured that she would be safe and unharmed beforehand.

The only downside is that such things can take a lot longer to finalise, because their approach is more civilised and merciful, scientific and methodical, whilst the Order, who gets things done through repeated trial and error, with anyone they can get their hands on, aren't limited by such things.

From what the Measurement of Truth tells me, Proxixmate Spatial Ordinance is an extraordinarily powerful ability that allows Sophie to have complete and utter authority and control over the space in close proximity to her―a sphere roughly 2.5-metres in diameter surrounding her that she can handle and mould as she wishes.

Spatial Tuning, a kind of manipulation of the fabric that makes up the universe itself, in other words.

Although it might not seem like much at a glance, it was undoubtedly a Supernatural Ability on a level equal to or perhaps even surpassing that of the twins. Though, the range is rather lacking.

On the other hand, because she has always resented it, she lacks years of training as well as comprehension of its potential uses and techniques.

I suppose the barrier―that is, the hesitation of using the same power that killed her mother―could be included within that as well.

In that regard, the twins, who have no qualms using their powers to kill or maim others, are yet a few steps ahead of Sophie's development.

Nonetheless, an ability originating from one of the Concept Measurements was not something to be taken lightly; notwithstanding her lack of training and experience, Sophie would still be able to stand her ground in a battle against the twins with relative ease.

"You want revenge? So, why ask me?"

I asked her while keeping an eye on my lunch box still in her hands, to which she shrugged.

"Already know it, don'tcha? You're the only guy I know about who is both in opposition with my dad's group and who also has the ability to help me succeed in what I wanna do."

Her reasoning was fair enough.

"Alright. I'll help you so long as you keep your end of the deal."

I couldn't complain much about her dragging me into others' business since the organisation that was the Wardens of Future's Blight was one that I will eventually destroy.

As for the 'killing the possessor of Space' part, the fact that he works alongside the Wardens willingly automatically makes him someone I'll inevitably have to eliminate anyway, so it would be good to get that out of the way sooner rather than later.

At the end of the day, I suppose it was more my own business than her's.

"Oh! Nice! Gimme gimme your plan, then!"

Perked up from my positive reply, Sophie came closer and pressed for more as she started bouncing around me with a grin.

"What are you expecting? Do you think I can come up with a plan that quickly? It's only been a second since I said I would help."

"Ehhh~? But, if you know what the truth behind everything is, then doesn't that mean you know what the 'true best plan' is?"

Her idiocy made me want to sigh.

Though, if all she knew was that 'I knew the truth', then such a misconception is understandable.

"I can see why you confused a rabbit for a hare, but it's not quite the same thing. Even if you can't spot them at a glance, there are differences between the two."

That's not how it works.

"Huh? What do rabbits and hares have to do with it?"

"I mean that you're wrong."

Even if I ask for a foolproof plan, if there is no potential for a foolproof plan then it doesn't matter.

It needs to be a possibility for it to work, but in most cases, something like a 'perfect plan' simply doesn't exist.

Then, if I ask a question such as 'what is the best possible plan in this situation?', what I will receive in response will definitely be a decent plan, yes, but it certainly isn't something I would be willing to put my faith into.

The future is surprisingly malleable; it can change incredibly easily and with the drop of a hat.

Even if I made what would be considered the 'perfect plan', it could easily become the 'worst possible plan' within five minutes.

It also takes time to prepare everything that is necessary, and especially so if you're preparing for any and all possibilities.

Even then; even if you truly believe that you are prepared for anything and everything that could go wrong, the reality is that you are not―because there are an infinite number of things that can go wrong in any given plan and at any given time.

I know the truth, I have the facts, I have the knowledge and the information.

But I cannot see nor control the future.

That's why I have backups and contingencies, fail-safes and insurance. For some plans, all of that might not even be enough, but I always make sure to prepare at a minimum level of caution that ensures the continuation of my life.

―Because, so long as I remain alive, the possibility of winning likewise remains.

Preventing my own death is enough.

That is an eternal 'truth' I have learned through firsthand experience.

"Ehhh... Then, Truth, how long am I gonna have to wait? I swear to ya, I'll do anything to get that guy as soon as possible. Do you understand what I'm feelin' here? He's so close, but he feels so far away..."

Hm?

"Wait, 'close'? What are you talking about?"

Perhaps I heard something strange...

Sophie tilted her head, placing a finger on her bottom lip. "Yeah. You know already, right? That monster is in this very school, but I can't get him. It's infuriating..."

...Excuse me?

He's in the school? Our school?

However, I already checked not that long ago and found out that Space is currently in the Wardens' Conston branch. Isn't he still there?

「Yes」

See?

"No he's not. You know that lying to me is pointless, right?"

"I ain't lyin'! I'm tellin' ya, he's here in this school, right now! I dunno who the hell he is but I'm gonna find him and make him pay...!"

Is she lying?

「No」

??

My brows furrowed.

She's being very adamant about it. If she really isn't lying, then I don't know what to say, because that guy definitely isn't here right now.

Although, since it's Space we're talking about, I wouldn't be surprised if he were able to teleport around or use some other kind of spatial transport.

So what, she's not lying, so is he really in this school?

「No」

...Huh?

So... Where the hell is he? He's in Conston, right?

「Yes」

Alright. And, he's not going back and forth between school and Conston, but actually stationary in Conston and staying in Conston. Yes?

「Yes. The individual with the alias of 'Concept of Space' is currently in Conston. He is neither travelling elsewhere from Conston or to Conston from elsewhere at the current moment」

Okay.

So, it's confirmed that he is in Conston.

Therefore, Sophie's information about him being in school is wrong. Right?

「No. The information belonging to the individual 'Sophie' is not incorrect」

...What?