Chapter 29: Formation of the League (3)

"I expected as much, but to think you would actually accept that proposal... and as a Senator, no less..."

"A parachute appointment who skipped the elections, a former mobster, and an esper... Every single thing the higher-ups loathe. Kuhuhu, truly fascinating."

"But isn't our Master barely in his twenties? How did they manage to plant him as a Senator?"

"They claimed he had dwarfism and a youthful face... Who would dare object when the master of America—the President—decrees it so? Especially when national interest is on the line during wartime, concerns like democracy are shoved into the backseat."

"So they sat the Master down as a Senator and the Director of the Superhuman Agency... Is that it?"

At Cu Chulainn Alter's words, Zod nodded as he sipped his milk tea.

"In exchange, he set a condition. A direct command through an executive order."

"To liquidate your life in the Mafia?"

"Kuh... are you sure you're actually a Berserker?"

"One would have to be dim-witted not to deduce at least that much."

Cu Alter spoke with a shrug. Just as he surmised, the President had made the dissolution of Zod’s Mafia ties and his transition into the public light a non-negotiable term. Zod had accepted it naturally. Even if he dissolved the Mafia organization, it would only be a surface-level dissolution; his organization, Homeland, would simply be rebranded into a singular, massive corporate entity.

The legitimate businesses already operating would become subsidiaries and affiliates. The underworld operations would be handed off to subordinate organizations. By drawing a line between the light and the dark and installing strawmen, he could remain the Boss while pretending otherwise.

Of course, if he were caught, the President would be enraged, but Zod was certain that day would never come.

Because by then, he was confident that he himself would be the master of America.

"Shall we get moving then? It’s about time I started gathering my toys..."

Zod set down his teacup and rose from his seat.

A nationwide search for all espers was underway, and he needed to scout a few useful ones for himself.

.

.

.

—The Superhuman Agency—

A special task force recently established by the US government to identify, protect, and unite espers... or so it was called. In reality, it was nothing more than a kennel designed to cage and manage them.

"So, are you the newcomers who have joined our Agency this time?"

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Director. I am Charles Francis Xavier."

"...Erik Magnus Lehnsherr. A pleasure."

An intellectual, warm-looking man and a tall, stern-faced man introduced themselves as they shook Zod's hand. Zod nodded in response.

"Thank you for coming, Charles, Erik... My name is Zod. I am an esper, just like you."

"If it isn't a breach of etiquette, might I ask what sort of supernatural power you possess?"

At Charles's question, Zod levitated into the air and discharged Heat Vision from his eyes.

"Something like this?"

"Impressive..."

Erik watched with an interested gaze, his curiosity piqued by the display of power.

"Now, what abilities do you two have?"

At Zod’s inquiry, Charles placed a finger to his temple. Moments later, his voice resonated directly inside Zod’s mind.

['This is my ability.']

"Telepathy?"

['Yes... and I can also manipulate or glimpse into the minds of others. Control is also possible.']

"A mental manipulation specialist, then..."

Zod nodded and turned his gaze to Erik. Erik raised his hand, and at his gesture, various metallic objects throughout the office began to hover.

"Metal manipulation?"

"Manipulation of magnetic fields and metal."

"Even metals that aren't magnetic?"

"Regardless of the type, if it is metal, it obeys me."

"Splendid."

Satisfied with Erik's power, Zod nodded and handed them a document.

[Cerebro]

"Cerebro? What is this, Director?"

Charles looked at Zod with a puzzled expression. Zod explained: Cerebro was an arithmetic processing device designed for telepathic espers. It would amplify the user's brainwaves, allowing a telepath to track signatures and find targets across the entire globe.

The objective was to gather espers quickly and efficiently.

"With this, we could certainly locate other espers far more rapidly."

"I have a prototype ready. Follow me."

Zod led the two of them toward the Agency’s basement. In the descending elevator, Erik finally voiced the question he had been holding back.

"Director, might I ask how old you are?"

"Erik! That's rude!"

"You're curious too, Charles. He looks no older than a young teenager at most."

"Well, that is true, but..."

Since Charles was also curious, he couldn't scold Erik too harshly. Sensing their intent, Zod gave a small smirk and revealed his age.

"I am twenty years old."

"What?! We were told you had dwarfism and assumed you were our age, but you're actually younger than expected?!"

"Twenty? You're eleven years younger than me?"

Upon hearing his actual age, both were floored. They were both in their early thirties. When they joined the Agency, they had been told the Director had dwarfism, leading them to believe he was their contemporary or perhaps older. Knowing he was a mere twenty-year-old left Charles flustered and Erik let out a dry laugh.

"It makes sense, doesn't it? The higher-ups wouldn't put a green youth in the Senate and give him the Director's chair of a special task force. They had to fake my age—claiming I was older but just looked young due to my condition. Why?... Does that upset you? And Charles... don't even think about trying to read my memories."

"Uh...... This is quite bewildering."

"Sigh...... Is America so lacking in talent that they must rely on such a youth..."

"Has it not occurred to you that I might simply be an irregularity?"

The two espers watched with exasperation as Zod spoke with a casual shrug. Yet, as they followed him out of the elevator, Zod's back, which should have looked small, seemed filled with a massive, overbearing pressure. Even if he was a 'brat' of twenty, they found themselves feeling an instinctive sense of awe.

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