Su Youzi had also heard of the extremely rare Rule-based Abilities that had appeared throughout human history.
Every one of them was powerful and unique, a formidable rule that had played a battle-turning role in the course of human history.
And... most of them were accompanied by a tragic fairy tale.
The one closest to Su Youzi was probably the Rule-based Ability of the Saintess of the Holy Royal Court in this era, Saint Michael's--
"Word Spirit."
Whatever she said became reality.
Saint Michael, a Fifth Sequence Sun Ability User,
had once single-handedly fought off an invading Sixth Sequence Altered User in the endless night—the former "Empire's Tiger" and "Empire's First Archer"--
"Abyss of Eternal Smile."
Kujo Iruka.
At the cost of breaking her own wings and Word Spirit, she had successfully driven Kujo Iruka back.
For example--
The Witch who had crawled out of Hellish Famine.
She possessed the ability to bestow equal death upon all things.
In the end... she sacrificed herself.
She successfully erased the Seventh Sequence Calamity Beast, Deer Spirit of Nightmares.
Or, for another example, the bride of the "Seat of Evil."
Although she herself was an Ability Nullifier, the Rule-based Ability she possessed could temporarily erase the ability of anyone it touched.
In the end... she and her lover,
the completely Altered Seventh Sequence "Seat of Evil," had been buried forever in the depths of the ocean.
Su Youzi's smile stiffened.
Whether it was "Word Spirit," "Death," or "Erasure,"
they were all the kind of rules that sounded unfathomably powerful—no, the kind that made anyone feel how formidable they were at first hearing.
But... why had this Rule-based Ability become so useless when it came to her?
What kind of bizarre Rule-based Ability was "Human Wrench," anyway?
Being able to bend things without reason—what did that even count as?
Moreover, Rule-based Abilities were different from ordinary abilities.
Ordinary abilities... could still shift or evolve into more powerful abilities within the same field when advancing through the Sequences.
Just like Saotome Yukina.
Although the girl could currently only spray water and wash wounds,
who knew, perhaps one day she would be able to summon wind and rain and directly control the weather.
But Rule-based Abilities were different.
A rule was a rule.
It could not be changed or questioned.
"Human Wrench" was "Human Wrench." It would absolutely never become "Human Vise" or "Human Hydraulic Press," or some other strange thing.
As if she had seen the melancholy on Su Youzi's face, Teacher Unohana Chiyo could not help comforting the girl. "Don't worry so much."
"The effect of your ability in battle... definitely won't be inferior to that of any predecessor."
"Although the rule of 'Word Spirit' is powerful, it only takes effect when she is standing beneath the sunlight."
"Although the rules of 'Death' and 'Erasure' are unavoidable, they also harm their wielder."
Compared to those, Su Youzi's apparently "comical," yet seemingly drawback-free "bending,"
was truly a very practical Rule-based Ability in actual combat.
Looking at Teacher Unohana Chiyo, who was trying to reassure her, Su Youzi felt both amused and helpless.
She understood the reasoning.
And Su Youzi really was not that pessimistic about her ability.
In any case... being a "Human Wrench" was better than having a "Telekinetic Ability."
It also had plenty of room for use in battle.
But... the girl wanted to possess a powerful, cool, chuunibyou-style ability too.
For example--
Soga Toyura's "Mental Manipulation" and "Domination."
Su Youzi thought those were pretty good.
"Then let's move on to the next test..." Saion Sagara glanced at the dark feather the girl had twisted into the shape of a flower, her expression complicated.
Saion Sagara looked toward Yamabuki Nanako and Teacher Unohana Chiyo.
Yamabuki Nanako operated the intelligent machine panel as a small testing platform and shield field slowly rose.
"The next test is..." After taking a deep breath, Teacher Unohana Chiyo took a Metal Greatsword from the intelligent machine.
"Practical combat testing."
She stood in front of Su Youzi, reassuring the girl who "appeared" to be somewhat nervous.
The "door-sized" Metal Greatsword in her hand clicked and transformed into a heavy Heavy Shield.
Boom--
The tip of the shield slammed into the floor.
"Damn it, damn it, damn it, go easy!!!" The corner of Yamabuki Nanako's eye twitched violently. "Renovations are expensive!"
"Do you really not think you already owe enough?"
Teacher Unohana Chiyo nearly went weak in the knees.
Although Yamabuki Nanako looked like an elementary schooler from a nearby school, and could only kick Teacher Unohana Chiyo in the knees by jumping,
she was, in fact, Teacher Unohana Chiyo's peer.
The chief executive officer of the Shiritsu Megumi Garden Academy Technology Department.
"Go all out--" Saion Sagara's cool voice rang out.
"The Board of Directors will cover the renovation costs."
She looked at Su Youzi. "Don't underestimate your physical education teacher."
"In the past, she was the strongest Death Warrior on the Altered User battlefield."
"Even now--"
"she is also a Second Sequence Metal Manipulation Ability User."
"Give it everything you have. Let's see... just how far your ability can be developed."
Su Youzi took a deep breath and looked at Teacher Unohana Chiyo.
"Then... Teacher Unohana, I'm starting~"
At that very moment, the familiar intelligent machine female voice also rang in Su Youzi's ear.
[Ding--] [You have received a new mission.] [Part 4: The Reverse Logic Hand.] [Your ability has finally begun to reveal its brilliance and stepped onto the stage.] [Then... explore the abilities of the "Reverse Logic Hand" to your heart's content on the stage.] [Mission Reward: First Sequence Promotion Emblem "A material for advancing to the First Sequence. Advancement using this emblem is guaranteed not to fail."]
"Come on~"
"Little Youzi." Teacher Unohana Chiyo patted her shield.
Su Youzi extended a hand toward the shield.
She slowly turned her wrist.
Creak--
A grating metallic twisting sound suddenly rang out inside the laboratory.
The enormous metal shield was slowly bending.
But... while Su Youzi bent the shield, Teacher Unohana Chiyo continuously repaired the Heavy Shield.
Nearby, Yamabuki Nanako recorded the data with near-manic excitement.
Saion Sagara slightly furrowed her brows. Looking at the stalemate, she suddenly spoke. "Su Youzi."
"Huh?" Because Su Youzi was distracted, the Heavy Shield she had already bent slightly was slowly straightened again by Teacher Unohana Chiyo.
"Try using your ability directly on Unohana."
"What!?"
"Huhhh?"
"Director!?" A chorus of voices suddenly rang out in the laboratory.
"Go ahead." Saion Sagara looked seriously at Su Youzi. "No matter what happens, I'll take responsibility."
"Don't worry--"
"As a Metal Manipulation Ability User, your teacher is far sturdier than you imagine."
"And besides... even if something really goes wrong, there are emergency treatment capsules and Medical Units here."
Just hearing the words "Medical Unit" was enough to make Teacher Unohana Chiyo's face fall.
The woman looked pitifully toward Saion Sagara. "Director..."
"Whether or not you use a Medical Unit this time, I'll reimburse the cost of ten Medical Units for you." Saion Sagara said only one sentence.
Boom--
Teacher Unohana Chiyo immediately tossed the shield aside and gave Su Youzi an encouraging smile.
"Go ahead and come at your teacher, Little Youzi."
"Your teacher is very durable."
The corner of Su Youzi's eye twitched as she hesitated.
Just how many "Medical Units" did Teacher Unohana Chiyo owe the academy?
One "Medical Unit" cost ten years of Teacher Unohana's salary.
Director Saion had opened with reimbursement for ten, and... it seemed that was far from the limit.
She looked at Teacher Unohana Chiyo and Saion Sagara. "Do you really want me to try?"
"Come on!" Teacher Unohana Chiyo slapped her chest hard, stirring up a magnificent swell.
The girl's crimson eyes focused on Teacher Unohana Chiyo.
"Then..."
"Teacher Unohana, I'm starting now."
She extended a hand toward Teacher Unohana Chiyo.
From Teacher Unohana Chiyo's perspective, it was as if, in the darkness... only the girl's crimson eyes had lit up.
The entire world dimmed in an instant, leaving only the girl's eyes shining, her lips glistening and softly raised like glazed porcelain.
"Did it not work?" Yamabuki Nanako looked at the testing platform.
On the testing platform,
after Su Youzi extended her hand toward Teacher Unohana Chiyo, it seemed that nothing had happened.
Yamabuki Nanako had not detected any bones or muscles bending on Teacher Unohana Chiyo's body.
Nor had she detected any mental fluctuations from a Mental Type ability.
It was as though the girl had merely struck a pose at Teacher Unohana Chiyo.
But... she had clearly detected the activation fluctuation of a Rule-based Ability.
Only... Teacher Unohana Chiyo pressed her lips together.
She looked at Su Youzi.
The world seemed to overturn in an instant, then return to normal.
The only change appeared to be that the girl before her had become slightly more approachable and adorable.
[...]
[Ding--]
[Congratulations, you have completed the mission: The Reverse Logic Hand.]
[Congratulations, you have received the reward: First Sequence Promotion Emblem.]
Could it be that only physical objects could be bent?
If you think this book is good, remember to add it to your bookshelf so you won't have trouble finding it next time.
Before you continue