26: Who Is The Fool?

Who Is The Fool?

Contrary to Felix's first impressions, the couple's hormonal analysis took longer than expected, so he couldn't finish the analyses that evening or even the next day. Mt. Lady actually spent most of the week apart from her job in his highly secured apartment to discuss with him the progress of the different teams in charge of the mission while hoping to obtain the results of her "sidekick's" work.

Unfortunately for her, the material at Felix's disposal wasn't great enough to get fast results, except for the microscope that he had paid for, of course.

During these few days together, they discussed a little bit of everything, they still didn't get along well, but at least Felix noticed some improvement, although he didn't particularly want to appreciate the one who tried to blackmail him. In any case, he succeeded in making her agree to call her by her first name, simplifying their exchanges, even if she seemed to dislike it.

She was just bitching about it, like the thot she is. Felix knew it was better not to say this for now, but one day... one day he will say it.

As for the reason why he was struggling to analyze the hormones, the answers were simple. When he steals hormones, Felix has to store them, for that he keeps them in his blood. Still, as already explained, this is swiftly diluted because of the white blood cells seeing these super-hormones as foreign bodies, to simplify, the body defends itself believing that it's a virus or an infection. Because of this, within the time he collected the Utsushimi's super-hormones and the time he took his blood sample, most of them were already being consumed by lymphocytes. Of course, he could have used the super-hormones directly to see the result, but if it was through an invisible process and the quirk results were also invisible, he would have no leads. Plus, Mt. Lady wanted to get some of this hormone for further examination.

Therefore, he only had to manipulate his super-hormone and transfer them somewhere else to dissociate them from his hemoglobin, platelets, etc. Since super-hormone tend to approach and "stick" to each other. After isolating the super-hormones in the sample, he then just has to put them much under the microscope through two glass slides—he was still shocked at the zoom this microscope has; not a lot of them have a zoom powerful enough to clearly see hormones—. Given that he could identify his super-hormones without difficulties since it seemed to him as if they produced light, it was almost too easy for him to differentiate them.

Another perk about super-hormones is that they all act like zombies, attracted to their original host despite every one of them being different. The most manipulative, aggressive, or crazy, the original host is, the most you can be sure that this is the super-hormones acting on the brain, changing the behavior of the person, exactly like oxytocin, adrenaline, or testosterone can change your behavior in response to a specific stimulus. It was even more evident with each type of quirk. Super-hormones don't need a host to do this; they do it themselves and can survive outside a body for several weeks. His pre-prison research was finally paying off.

To spare you the details, Felix followed the method written in the work of Dr. Daruma Ojiko.

The quirks are "produced" differently depending on their nature: Emitter, Transformation & Mutant. Absorbing-type quirks are so rare that we can almost forget about them. According to studies and theoretical analyses by this "fictitious" doctor, three types of quirk were caused by different multiplicities of organs and tissue; this is what Felix was going to rely on to know the nature of all quirks he will analyze and use in the future.

The Emitters, like the quirk of Recovery Girl or Felix, allow in most cases to produce, control, or alter things or people; this type of quirk mainly use the brain as a whole, the nerves and almost all the glands of the body, which would allow Felix to immediately identify and partially manipulate the quirk. To be honest, it's also the most practical of all since it generally doesn't bother the person on a daily basis; these are non-intrusive powers in everyday life.

Transformations quirks are the rarest type—if we forgot about Absorption ones—, Felix never really had the opportunity to test them in the past. If he remembers well, Edgeshot in the top 10 heroes is a Transformation quirk user. It only brings alterations to the person for a period. Glands are a big part of it, of course, but soft tissues like muscles, tendons, skin, body fat, blood vessels seem to play a vital role too. Since Felix has no experience with these ones, he can identify all the different quirk types by process of elimination.

Mutants are probably the easiest to understand, the typical example being Miss Mirko, a permanent change to the body with most of the time a power-up in some way compared to someone with an Emitter quirk; they are the ones with an "advantage" from birth if you forget the fact that having an animal or mutant trait can be a pain in the ass in daily life. Less common but quite famous. In their case, the glands are the main factors, but the whole body is also a factor… That's why Felix was reluctant at first to copy these types of quirks.

Now he knows this isn't that bad, plus, it's easy to identify, and the quirk is reasonably simple to use. Still, he needs to train to be able to use it effectively and at 100%… for example, after examining the [Super-Hormones Modifier — R "µb/t.], he now knew that it meant [Rabbit], Rumi's quirk. By making an effort to use his system to the fullest as he promised, Felix realized that if he wanted to reach a level similar to Mirko's, he would have to reach 100 on all his stats by himself, which was the default value of the [Rabbit] quirk. Yes, Rumi was born with an equivalent of 100 points on each stats.

For now and thanks to his training and the fight he needed to attend every day, his system leveled up nicely:

[▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼▲]

[Level 13 — 680/2250} — ]

[STR :black_small_square: 95]

[DEX :black_small_square: 65] — [AGI :black_small_square: 65]

[END :black_small_square: 120] — [RES :black_small_square: 85]

[▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼▲]

[You are Level 13 — {1570 EXP needed for next level-up.}]

[Perk Obtained]

[Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger, Power? — {+20 STR | +10 STR}]

[Very Stubborn Lad — {+20 END | +20 RES}]

[▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼▲]

No new perks, only upgrade for his perk already here. Endurance and Strenght being his main stats, starting to level-up the other one was one of his goals. After all, he only had one stats at 100 but needs the four others to be maxed up.

Only after that will he really unlock it. To be able to reach Mirko's full strength, Felix will need more of her super-hormones, the backlash being that he will have to work even harder to be at a sports level higher than Rumi's and force his body to evolve despite the various pains due to the aggressive modification that his metabolism would undergo. He already thought about that a lot of time, but he couldn't forget because of the sharp pain he experienced each time he used [Rabbit] to jog and push his limit even further.

What seemed to be a villain's power was much more complicated and challenging to use than most Emitters, although he never complained about it.

The sound of a printer jamming invaded the living room as Felix was sleeping on his desk, his head buried between his crossed arms. He half-opened his eyes and looked at the time on the bottom right of his computer screen before sighing.

—If I fall asleep at 9 p.m., I'm not going to be able to do everything I need to do... I was dreaming of fucking quirks… it's not even funny anymore.

But once again, he got lost in his thoughts, like in a torrent... It wasn't the first time that it happened to him; he was physically tired of this frantic rhythm of life; it didn't really bother him, but his body made him understand by many aches and pains that it was exceeding his own limits. Nevertheless, his training already allowed him to fight fiercely and store more super-hormones than before, thanks to Chiyo's help.

On top of that, he was able to merge hormones of the same type with each other in a certain way; even if it wasn't yet very conclusive, he was creating super-adrenalin or super-endorphin, for example. This would counteract the problem he had when he sent too many hormones into his body. This way, organ fatigue would happen much less frequently, and he would be able to take advantage of the power-ups he received thanks to his quirk. The only thing left was to know if he could do the same thing with the super-hormones of people.

—I'll just gonna send the results by email... I'm tired of having to do everything by correspondence with all the paperwork I need to do afterward. That said, after the analysis, it's time to actually test the hormones I've kept for myself.

The super-hormones were hard to identify for the most part, but what Felix was doing was isolating them... hormone control was also pleasant during this kind of process; removing his own hormones from the samples was simple enough if he focused enough on it, all at the behest of Mt. Lady, to get the purest sample and send it to a specialized lab for more accurate analysis like he just did earlier. Felix wasn't sure why she wanted to do this, but no matter what he would say, in her opinion, she was always right even when she was wrong, so arguing with her was just a waste of time.

Felix was intrigued if fucking her to oblivion would make her shut up because even when she usually talks, she monopolizes all the talking with this arrogant aura that she's not even aware of…

Well, his goal wasn't sexing her, but even if this type of bitchy girl wasn't to his liking, seeing her shut her mouth for once would be fucking great to witness.

Simultaneously, the co-convict manipulated the super-hormones from the sample after mixing them with some of his blood; if any infection occurred despite all the preventions he took, his metabolism would annihilate it in no time. It would be way easier if he could only manipulate all hormones around or inside him without having to touch the person a second time, and this even if he already stole these hormones... but it wasn't a thing yet… He sometimes fantasized about quirks awakening, maybe thanks to that he would be able to do this, but even with all the research he has done, not many documents talked about it, so…

He slid the syringe needle under his skin, at the elbow joint, and waited about thirty seconds after moving into one of the only unfurnished rooms in the apartment. To counteract the slow speed at which the hormones spread, he sent a lot of adrenaline into his bloodstream to increase his heartbeat and cause vasodilation.

Only after a few seconds could he feel the same sensation in his eyes that he had after using Nighteye's quirk. The pain wasn't the same, but he immediately knew what to do. At first, it seemed as if he was seeing everything in black, but his vision quickly became more precise. He looked at his hand by reflex and to confirm what he was thinking.

What he saw were elongated whitish shapes and many little spheres-like shapes underneath.

—An x-ray vision. That was what she meant by "beautiful bones," huh. The perfect quirk for a physician, so why is she just a small general practitioner…?

Now that he knew that, there was only one thing left to identify, but it was more complicated than he expected. He didn't felt anything special and didn't know what to try to manifest the second quirk, the husband's one. Neither his hands, nor his feet, nor even his head seemed to be affected, so he tried as best as he could to provoke the quirk, even with his tongue or any other aspect of his body, but he didn't succeed. Even though he knew from his previous observation that this quirk was also an Emitter, he couldn't determine anything about it.

The vice of mystery tightened once more on him and the team of informants.

During the week, Mt. Lady explained to him that this case would probably be publicized on a large scale because of the important personalities involved. If they failed or took too long, it wouldn't take long for the media to blame the HPSC, and they, in turn, would punish those who didn't do a good enough job.

While he doesn't mind that much since the heroine was the one who originally wanted to blackmail him and then recruited him, he could still be in trouble if his name was made public and his face was broadcast on T.V.—since he's not a hero, his face wouldn't be blurred at all, especially since his involvement in the case isn't a choice of the HSPC—.

One should never underestimate the internet. Never.

People will be able to make comparisons and use software to realize that Quirkless, the one who helped to fight Rappa with Tiger Bunny, the one that people think is Mirko, in the end, this "Quirkless" would work for an "evil network." While this could be helpful if it ever showed that some part of the government was corrupt, these bureaucrats would only have to make it look like Felix was an enemy spy from some criminal organization. With that, if they were to give the people his personal information, which they would surely do to make sure they eliminated the suspicions, Felix would have nowhere to go but jail.

—Fucking surgeon… Why can't he just have a typical quirk, like everyone else… Nothing seems to hurt or anything, and nothing seems to undergo a change. It's like he's quirkless, but with a quirk…? I just need to stop thinking. I'm too tired for this shit.

Nobody knows how much time the heroes will have before the underground facility receives a much higher degree of security than the last time. The only thing they knew for sure was that guards and lookouts had just been paid, and the two spies infiltrating the facility also managed to estimate that within a week, the old evacuation corridors hidden somewhere had been rehabilitated to use them at emergency exits. All the people who were present and managed to escape from the place during the previous incident have mysteriously all, but absolutely ALL lost their memory, but only about the few last minutes, the ones concerning the gas coming from the pipes and the panic attack that afflicted all the public. They all came back several times without any of them being worried. As for the doors used to lock people in, they had just been replaced by a sturdier material.

It was impossible to know more, but an ordinary person wouldn't have access to so much money in such a short time. The modification of the facility was going on way too fast to be a small organization's work. It was even possible that the people running this place knew about the spies hanging around their establishment.

The current plan was based on the assumption that everything would be done in record time. However, considering the entrances, corridors, rooms, guards, and lookouts whose location and potential danger was unknown, this so-called blitzkrieg would quickly run out of gas and become more like a late-night brawl than a structured and organized plan.

Felix still didn't understand why the HPSC members were using spies; the evidence of their strong involvement in certain matters was visible from miles away.

Paying people in need and willing to take risks for it, thanking them with what they need the most, rather than blackmailing inmates to easily use them, was far better, right?

Iwao was one of those people in the past; after all, if he would have received more help from the Japanese government and hero society, maybe he would have continued to be a hero instead of turning to vigilantism.

As for the strict self-defense laws, many people were restrained; these people's resentment must be immense; when people can't be what their own hormones ask them to be, they would be, of course, in a terrible mood.

Although Felix knew he wasn't perfect, he was sure of one thing. Their imperfections about all this situation were obvious; they really have no idea how to make allies or keep the people "happy" enough to accept being manipulated without complaining. Nor do they have any idea of how to act in a climate of almost war-like circumstances. For them, only laws and heroes matter. And the laws are them; the heroes are the tools. They maybe want their own people to be safe, but it wasn't at all done like it needs to be.

A freedom that can be judged as unidirectional for some people would bring hatred from these same people. It is not by stifling the minorities that one manipulates the mass.

Felix tried for a while to use the quirk, but he just couldn't. So, only one option seemed innocuous and discreet enough to not arouse doubt: the girl, Camie.

Since she was in a heroic school, it was unlikely that she had inherited her mother's quirk, so if he could get her daughter's super-hormones, then he would know more. She initially wanted to go to U.A. if he remembered well... maybe that would be a hint to pursue, but for now-

—Shiketsu High School, right? As for the x-ray vision quirk, it seems powerful enough for me to see through the thin wall of this apartment, which wouldn't be possible with a concrete wall… Maybe it could get better if trained. I wonder if it also sends out radiation in the process.

He sent all the information by email to Mt. Lady, who bombarded him with messages immediately after, trying to find out more and if he had done everything she asked. The woman's laziness made him want to slap her, but he simply didn't reply and looked at another number after texting Rumi to see if everything was okay with her work. Then, he called someone he needed help from.1

{F-Felix... I didn't think I'd have you on the phone anytime soon.} answered a girly voice with a kinda, surprised tone.

"To tell you the truth, I would have liked to sleep more than talk, but you know how I am," he said with a sigh. "How have you been since last time?"

{Well, I have never been that serene in my life; even Nighteye finally congratulates me for my work and efforts. When you said that you could help me getting stronger... I-I didn't think it would be so fast and so effective.}

"Ahahah, I know, I know. The first results appear pretty fast; it's the body that tries to adapt to avoid suffering too much. Fortunately for you, I'm taking my time with this. You would be in a whole different state if I did more to boost your abilities."

{Yeah, in pain, as you said before. By the way…} she paused before taking something to eat. {Thanks for all the products that you advised me to buy last time at the mall… and the ones you actually buy. Just storing up a whole bunch of scents made me stronger without knowing why. That said, some smells are just unbearable…}

"Chloroform, huh? Yeah, the smell is just awful, same for the durian, I guess."

{I fell unconscious several times because of it, Centipeder took pictures of me because of that…}

"That's what it is to have such a keen sense of smell... Well, I hope he'll show me these photos of you knocked to the ground when I go to the agency to meet All Might." Felix mocked as he wrote a report for the HSPC.

{Hey! Don't start acting like you're his partner in crime! ...By the way, I don't know why Nigheye and the symbol of peace want to meet you, but... All Might seem to like you before even knowing anything. I guess it's just because Nighteye praised you, your progress, and your quirk by making sure that he will appreciate you… But still...}

"Yeah?"

{Despite your progress, etc., he still thinks that you wouldn't be a good hero as you are now... I think so too... I-I don't want to be rude or anything... But, how to put it... With your past, your behavior, and your intentions, nobody believes that you can become a hero or some kind of symbol of peace.}

"Because heroes are symbols of peace now? That's not the first word that comes to mind when I see what happens to Rumi's opponents."

{...What I mean is that a man as smart as Nighteye can manage to perceive your intentions; even if he doesn't tell me, he really doesn't perceive you as a "hero." That's why I wonder why he wants you to meet All Might.}

"Maybe because they met thanks to me during my fight against Rumi?"

{Y-You fought Mirko?!}

"Keep that information to yourself... I forgot you didn't know about everything…"

Talking like this to someone with a phone was strange for Felix. He didn't use any for four years, and even before, the phone his parent bought for him was an old Nokia, a thing with which you could practice woodcutting or masonry, not something to call your friend or play a game with some busty waifu to please your eyes.

So he was most of the time keeping his call short, trying to end it as fast as he can. He preferred texting, but well, talking with Kaoruko was enjoyable enough, and because he asked help from her, it would be a bastard to just cut the conversation here. He was still ignoring Mt. Lady's text messages, but it was beginning to become really annoying. How many did she send? Each time the phone was vibrating, and even after muting it, it was like he could "feel" each message she sent… Body memory can be annoying sometimes.

But before he could get angrier, the gentle voice of Kaoruko woke him up from his torpor.

{And... you won?}

"Huh… Ah, yes. More or less. I won in my own way."

{Is... that's true that she kicked you in the ball a few times during your training?} she inquired as her voice became more amused.

"...Yes."

{Holy fuck, hahaha! A nice omelet. Press F for the balls.}

"You're laughing? Really? That was painful as hell, and you're laughing. As a reminder, you were craving for these same balls not so long ago."

{Oh, shut up.} she sneered as she seemed to grab something. {But you winning against Mirko can also be another reason he wants you to meet him. I mean, he always looked for some individuals with potential as good as Mirio, a trainee of his.}

"Mirio? He never talked about him to me."

{I guess I can say that he's... overprotective of him. He's a U.A. student with an excellent quirk. In other words, his parents paid a fortune for him to have access to an education adequate to his ambitions…} she said with a somehow sad tone.

How many times had Felix heard about this school? A large part of Tokyo's economy seemed to revolve around it. Shopkeepers even sold the school's figurines. It had an international reputation; otherwise, no one would be selling this kind of thing in gift shops. He himself already knew about U.A. before coming to Japan, but here, most people want to enter this school hoping for a brighter future and a lot of money. It was like a trend.

The fact that he was most likely going to work inside it was another blessing that he never thought about. Meeting with this "Mirio" could be a great way to get accustomed to it.

{And also, for the text message of the last day, yeah, I can help you with this so-called festival. I have the car plate that I use as a hero and the public one.} Kaoruko continued. {We should be able to go unnoticed, but the real question is whether you managed to get Mr. Brave's admission card.}

"Yes, he was tipped off by our team, so we know where the place is thanks to him. As soon as he got aware of the family's deed, he agreed to work with us. With all that, we should be able to infiltrate and escape without any real problem."

{I hope so; it's my first spying mission. I don't want to mess up. If everything goes well, it might be good for me as well.}

"Then it's all settled."

They kept talking for ten minutes before Bubble Girl had to go shower. During this time, the last super-hormones he held in his blood got annihilated, while Mt. Lady's patience comes to an end. Felix didn't know if he should answer her, but judging by the time, it was better to do the same as Kaoruko. He just sent a couple of messages to calm her down and lie to her about why he couldn't respond before. It was better like this; being fully honest about everything isn't the best way to go with women. Keeping your mouth shut was sometimes the best option. That way, nor you're too honest, nor you're lying. Unlimited brainpower.

Tomorrow, before sunset, they should both enter a place filled with women and some men. They did not know what was waiting for them, but Felix was serene; succumbing to the charms of a woman, at first sight, was no longer possible for him, and knocking out guards not grasping what was going on wouldn't be complicated.

Since it was a kind of masked party, he had bought a fool mask and a black suit. How much information they will find about the underground world here is still unknown, but judging by the few "names" participating in these, thanks to Mr. Brave's help, they both could find some juicy scoops.

—Finally, Victoria wasn't that smart… She's a fool to talk about her "festival" to a hero… or maybe she's doing this willingly for another purpose…

But who is the foolest, between a woman like her and a man who forgot to lock the door of his apartment at night?

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