My Measurement: The Villain Desires a Satisfying Payback

The Wardens of Future's Blight.

A government-backed organisation which aims to protect the world against potential threats such as those born with powerful Measurements.

An organisation that has existed for aeons.

An organisation whose true nature could be called noble.

At the same time, it is a group of people who use amoral and unethical methods like taking young children away from their parents and confining them within secret facilities dubbed 'Playgrounds'.

Their very name indicates their purpose.

The 'Wardens' of 'Future's Blight'.

They are the wardens of the world whose existence is to protect it from the blight of the future.

That is, they are those who protect humanity against anything that could become a danger to the world.

Currently, there are nine known individuals possessing powers that have the potential to bring harm upon the world.

These are the 9 Concepts.

Of course, not all of the Concepts pose real threats to humanity, as there are those who actively assist the Wardens in defending the world. Likewise, there are those who, despite not helping to protect the world, hold no interest in causing trouble.

Regardless of their disposition, the Concepts' danger is ranked solely in terms of the power of their Measurement and the potential damage it can cause.

At the bottom of the list was Truth.

Ranked F in terms of power.

After all, all it is is unrestricted knowledge, and while such a thing could obviously bring harm depending on how certain knowledge is utilised, the ability in itself cannot cause damage.

In comparison to the others, someone who merely knows a lot can't be seen as a threat in the slightest.

Someone who can see and alter the future.

Someone who can manipulate space itself.

Someone who can pause time.

Not just these three, but every one of the other six has something that puts them even one step above ninth place in the rankings.

Someone who can blot out the sun with a wave of their hand.

Someone who can level cities into the ground with a snap of their fingers.

Someone who can extinguish millions of lives with but a thought.

Such existences were not imaginary nor particularly rare among the nine. On the contrary, it is only Truth among them who is powerless in that manner.

None of that.

He cannot see the future.

He cannot interact with the dimensions of space or time.

All he can do... is know the answer to a question.

Thus, originally, the Measurement of Truth was not one looked at with much concern.

There was no need to observe him 24/7 with a platoon of guards, nor was there a need to lock him up in a room specifically designed to detain him.

For the most part, he could be left to his own devices, and he never seemed the type to cause unnecessary trouble even under arrest.

That is exactly why that day came as a shock to everyone.

Blaring alarms.

"...There's been a massacre?"

Flashing red lights.

"Truth has escaped...?!"

The absence of what they thought was a harmless existence.

Nobody knew what had occurred all of a sudden, but everyone at the scene could no longer be identified. All CCTV footage of the incident was not just erased, but nonexistent entirely.

Truth's escape.

Even the child who could see the future couldn't see it coming; and if it was something that even the "Oracle" was unable to foresee, then just what on Earth happened?

To this day, few are aware of the truth. But, to everyone knowledgeable of the facts of the incident, one thing was for sure.

Inhuman.

That was not something caused by man.

❖─────❖─────❖

"You missed."

"...I know."

Watching the pitiful sight in front of me, I couldn't hold myself back any longer.

"The head. You need to hit the head."

"Quiet."

Sophie Asanami, who replied rather aggressively, swung her arm once more in deep concentration. Her clenched fist disappeared into nothingness as her whole right arm was seemingly swallowed up by the air itself.

Thunk-!

Suddenly, her hand reappeared by the side of the training dummy's head a few metres in front of her and slammed it squarely in the temple.

"Oh!? Alright!"

Having finally succeeded in what she was trying to achieve, she burst into joy and yelled with enthusiasm.

"Why are you so happy?"

It took a hell of a long time for her to accomplish this feat, but she had only managed to do it once, so I didn't think it was quite the time to celebrate yet, but she shouted at me.

"Hey! Shut it, jerk. Want me to do it again? Huh? I'll do it right now?!"

She raised her fist towards me but I ignored her threats that won't go anywhere and waited for the dummy to give its result.

[Trainee - Sophie.

Match - #47.

Main Targets - Head (Left Temple).

Average Accuracy - 95%.

What Went Wrong - Hit the intended target, however slightly off-centre. Additionally, the strike was too weak in terms of power.

How To Improve - Practice moving your body and proper posture to better improve the accuracy and precision consistency of hits. Additionally, build muscle mass through the recommended diet and workout regime to increase the power of your strikes.

Additional Note - Because Trainee Sophie appears to have a lack of prior fighting experience, you should spar more often and get used to moving in a fight so that your body is not so stiff during combat encounters.

However, because Trainee Sophie is spending more time in the Practice Grounds, this is an issue that should sort itself out as you train more.

Result - B-

Keep up the good work.]

"Minus? Haa, at least it's a good grade... Why's it better than my school grades, though?"

"Ha."

Seeing her slightly disappointed yet content expression, I chuckled, causing a frown to form on her face as she put her hands on her hips and glared at me.

"The hell are you laughin' at, huh?"

"No. What do you mean, 'why'? Don't try and make it seem like a surprise."

"Ah, be quiet."

She waved her hand as if to shoo me away before turning her attention back towards the training dummy.

Thunk-!

Thump-!

Slam-!

Quietly, I observed from a distance as she sparred the robotic dummy that responded in reaction to her movements.

Watching absentmindedly, I thought about future events.

In the long term, there were things like the annihilation of the Order and the continued growth of the twins, Sana and Sona, as well as Sophie Asanami's training.

Things that would continue on their own without the need for input on my end.

Those were all things I didn't need to worry about.

What was more of a concern were the short-term matters.

Matters such as any immediate threats coming from the Order or the Wardens, and school; including not just mine and Sophie's, but the twins' and even Selina and Emir's as well.

Oh, that's right, Emir is also attending Selina's school from now on.

Anyway, there were a few troublesome things that needed to be taken care of in relation to that, with the first of such things being... Sana and Sona's parent-teacher conference.

Right.

I forgot it was a thing because I never had parents attend one before, but there definitely was a system in which the parents of students would come in and have a one-to-one discussion with the teacher.

It's not such a big deal.

The meeting is no longer than an hour, so it fortunately isn't going to take too long, and it's not like I have anything to worry about regarding the twins' behaviour or academic achievement.

From what they've told me, they're performing well enough, so it shouldn't be anything of concern.

That takes place after school on Wednesday.

After that, there shouldn't be much happening until the end-of-year celebration that my class is planning to hold, and immediately after that is winter break, lasting three weeks.

During this time, I am not expecting any dangerous incidents to occur from the Order or Wardens' end, but I should take measures just in case.

Still, I don't think anything will happen while school is ongoing.

Since what they want to avoid the most is publicity, taking action in the public eye would be far too reckless an action for either of them.

For the Wardens especially, last time's Halloween incident was a close call.

They actively cooperated with the principal of the school and even some of the teachers personally at that time, so they wouldn't be able to take any such careless actions for at least a while.

The Order, too―even though they're not the type to hesitate to come after me even if it results in a few civilian casualties, the risk of being exposed is incredibly dangerous for them.

After all, I'm not their only enemy to look out for.

If the Wardens catch wind of them too badly, the Order is practically done for, so they don't have much choice in not acting rashly either.

In the end, I am the one in the position to make the next move.

The preparations are already underway.

Furthermore, at this point in time, the weapon known as 'Truthseeker's Livestream' is reaching an apex in terms of potential.

Not only am I able to broadcast the evil actions of both the Order and the Wardens to the general public and expose them, but I am able to show each of their actions to the opposing group.

The next development.

Rather than facing both organisations simultaneously by myself, I'll pit them against each other.

One enemy organisation versus another enemy organisation.

When both hostiles clash, they may not eliminate each other equally, but the result will always be a net positive.

From that point on, no matter who wins, I'll be the sole beneficiary.

Of course, I can make an accurate prediction on who I think will be the one to remain standing; let us just say that it certainly won't be the one obsessed over me like a deranged lover.

I will go to the Order.

I will show the Wardens what heinous actions that revolting group is committing and I will evoke their superficial sense of justice to bring resentment down towards them.

The lesser of the two, the Order, will thus be crushed.

Professor Marcus Lynton.

Your time is limited, and your end is imminent.