029 Functioning Psychopaths - Part 3 - Mark’s POV

  It was killing me.

  Anna wouldn’t stop.

  "Oh my god, Mark," Anna whispered, her voice practically vibrating with malicious glee. "Mirai likes your side dishes. Isn’t that so cute?"

  I rubbed the bridge of my nose, trying to force down the heat creeping up my neck. "Anna, drop it."

  Anna gasped theatrically, clutching her chest. "Drop it? How could I possibly drop something so—" she leaned dangerously close "—romantic?"

  "Anna."

  "Come on, Mark!" She jabbed her elbow into my ribs. "Is it true? Do you make lunch for Mirai every day?"

  "Sometimes," I muttered.

  "SOMETIMES?" Anna’s eyes went wide with mock scandal. "Wow, Mark, I didn’t know you were already practically married—"

  "Anna." I shot her a warning look.

  Her grin only widened. "Ohhhh, you’re getting flustered! That's so adorable!"

  I wanted to disappear into the floor.

  Meanwhile, in the arena, Mirai and Gina were still locked in combat — and Mirai, for some godforsaken reason, was still spouting off embarrassing things.

  "I-It’s not like Mark’s food tastes bad or anything! Actually, it’s really good! I look forward to it every day!"

  Anna’s hand shot up to cover her mouth, but her eyes were practically sparkling with sadistic joy.

  "Mirai!" I yelled, my voice cracking slightly.

  "And he always gives me the best portions too!"

  Anna choked. "Mark, you’ve been pying favorites?!"

  "I am going to jump off the rooftop anytime soon."

  I forced my focus back to the fight. Gina was a grappler, and her ESP was brutal in close combat.

  Adhesive Manipution — Gina could create adhesive effects by marking surface areas of any matter she touched. She could enhance the effect through physical contact, and maximize it through grappling techniques.

  That made her the bane of most melee fighters — and Mirai was a melee fighter.

  Still, Mirai was holding her own.

  Gina lunged forward with a low hook aimed at Mirai’s side. Mirai twisted her body, narrowly avoiding it, then unched a retaliatory kick at the back of Gina’s ankle. It was the same move she used some time ago.

  The kick connected —

  —but Mirai’s foot didn’t pull away.

  Her other shoe was stuck to the ground.

  Shit.

  It was subtle, but clever. Gina must have used her ESP at the precise moment Mirai’s foot connected with her a few moments ago. Deyed activation — Gina was holding back the adhesive reaction until just the right moment.

  Mirai’s eyes widened. She tugged at her foot, but it didn’t budge. Her shoe was practically fused to the floor.

  Gina grinned. "Gotcha."

  Mirai inhaled sharply. Then—

  "It’s not like Mark’s cooking is the only thing I like about him or anything!"

  What the hell was she doing?!

  Anna doubled over, clutching her stomach and howling with ughter. "She’s trying to recharge her luck!"

  Oh my god, why does her power work like this?

  Mirai braced herself, eyes flicking toward Gina’s shoulder. Her heel lifted from the floor — she was about to go for a direct counterattack.

  But Gina was faster.

  Gina’s fist shot toward Mirai’s face—

  Mirai ducked. She was aiming for Gina’s exposed side—

  Suddenly, Mirai’s legs buckled. The adhesive on her shoe spread up the side of her ankle, locking her stance.

  "Oh no—"

  Mirai hesitated for just a second. And in that second—

  Gina’s fist connected.

  A brutal right hook.

  Mirai’s head snapped to the side. Her body crumpled backward.

  She hit the floor with a harsh thud.

  I shot to my feet.

  "Mirai!"

  She wasn’t moving.

  Gina stepped back, shaking out her hand. She looked down at Mirai, her expression unreadable.

  Anna’s ughter finally stopped. "Oof," she said, wincing. "Even Mirai’s luck has its limits, huh?"

  I sat frozen, my heart pounding.

  Mirai wasn’t moving. She y crumpled on the floor, eyes closed. Gina was standing over her, panting hard and looking like she’d just run a marathon. Sweat rolled down the side of her face, dripping from her chin. Her hands were trembling.

  "I… I won…" Gina whispered, almost like she couldn’t believe it herself.

  Professor Merrick’s mouth opened, about to decre the match—

  But then—

  Mirai’s eyes snapped open.

  In one smooth motion, she swept her leg out, hooking Gina’s ankle… for the third time. It was almost an insult at this point, hitting the same target three times in a row. It was pin provocation. Mirai still had her socks, so that must be why she didn’t mind the physical contact.

  Gina’s eyes widened. "Wha—"

  Her foot slid out from under her. Gina filed for bance—

  —and nded hard on her rear with a sharp thud.

  "What the hell?!" Gina gasped, struggling to push herself up.

  Mirai was already moving.

  With an eerie sort of calm, Mirai sat up and reached toward her remaining shoe. Her fingers worked quickly, undoing the shoece in one clean motion. The way she did it—so fluid and effortless—it looked like a magic trick.

  Gina’s eyes narrowed. "What are you—"

  Mirai’s shoe flew through the air.

  It spun, a blur of motion, before striking Gina right on the forehead.

  "What the hell?!"

  Gina recoiled, clutching her head, her bance completely thrown off.

  That was all Mirai needed.

  She surged forward. In an instant, Mirai was behind Gina, one arm wrapping tightly around Gina’s neck.

  The shoece slipped through Mirai’s fingers—smooth and fast—before tightening around Gina’s throat like a noose.

  Gina's body arched in panic. She grabbed at Mirai’s hands, trying to pry them away. Her legs thrashed wildly—

  —but Mirai’s legs were already locked around Gina’s torso.

  Grapple secured.

  "Let… go!" Gina choked out, twisting her body violently.

  Mirai’s grip only tightened. "Shhh… go to sleep… go to sleep… go to sleep…"

  Gina’s face twisted in furious panic. She cwed at Mirai’s arm, her nails digging in. Mirai barely flinched.

  Gina’s breaths turned ragged. Her body jerked and thrashed—but Mirai’s hold didn’t loosen. If anything, it got tighter.

  Gina’s lips curled back in a snarl. "F—fuck… you…"

  Mirai’s expression was calm. "Go to sleep."

  Gina’s face started turning blue.

  Her movements slowed. Her hands weakened.

  Then—desperately—Gina’s hand spped Mirai’s thigh.

  Tap.

  Tap, tap.

  Merrick’s voice cut through the tension. "Gina Morse—eliminated."

  Mirai immediately released the shoece and rolled off Gina’s back. She nded on the floor with a quiet thump, sitting back on her elbows. Sweat dripped down her temples as her chest heaved.

  Gina slumped to the ground, clutching her throat and gasping violently for air. She rolled onto her side, red-faced and coughing harshly.

  Mirai sat there, watching Gina struggle, her expression completely bnk.

  I stared, stunned.

  What the hell did I just watch?

  Anna whistled. "Damn."

  Gina pushed herself up on shaky arms, her face twisted in disbelief and humiliation. She wiped her mouth, her hand trembling.

  "You…" Gina’s voice was hoarse. "You used a grappling move on me?"

  Mirai’s smile was small. "Seemed appropriate."

  Gina’s hands curled into fists.

  It was ironic, really. Gina, the queen of grappling of our css, was beaten at her own game.

  Mirai leaned back on her palms, completely unfazed. "You shouldn’t have let me get close."

  Gina’s jaw clenched, her breathing still shaky.

  Mirai’s eyes slid toward Merrick. "So… I win, right?"

  Professor Merrick’s gaze lingered on Gina for a moment before his tablet beeped. He gave a short nod.

  "Mirai Valeska—victorious."

  Mirai’s shoulders sagged in relief. She y back on the floor, letting out a tired sigh. "Thank god…"

  Gina wiped her mouth again. "I hate you."

  Mirai just smiled. "That’s fair."

  Anna hooted, “That’s my bebe girl!”

  Mirai walked toward me, her footsteps light and unsteady. Her hair was a little messy, her face flushed from exertion, but she still managed to look… adorable.

  And that was a problem.

  She stopped in front of me, her hands csped behind her back. Her eyes were wide and shining as she stared up at me like a puppy waiting for praise.

  "Mark," she said softly. "I… won."

  I scratched the back of my neck. "Yeah… I saw that."

  Mirai beamed.

  Anna practically exploded next to me.

  "Wahoo~!" Anna threw her arms in the air, spinning in pce like an idiot. "She’s asking for a reward, Mark! Reward her! Kiss, kiss, kiss!"

  "Anna—"

  "Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!"

  My face burned. "Shut up."

  Anna didn’t.

  Why was romance so awkward, difficult, and disgusting? A k-kiss?

  Behind Anna, the rest of our cssmates turned toward us, most of them with varying degrees of exhaustion or disinterest. A few raised eyebrows. Fiona, still wiping her mouth and looking vaguely traumatized, shot me a gre. Gina, lying on her back and still gasping for breath, didn’t even have the strength to be annoyed.

  No one else reacted.

  Except Greg.

  "Booo~!" Greg cupped his hands around his mouth. "Power couples are overrated! Go die in a ditch!"

  Mirai’s cheeks instantly turned red. "W-we aren’t a couple!"

  For some reason, I suddenly found it hard to look at Mirai. And it seemed like she was having the same problem.

  Greg smirked knowingly. "Ah, my mistake. Star-crossed lovers, then. A tragedy in the making!"

  Anna shot Greg a withering look. "Mind your own business, Greg!"

  "Sure, sure." Greg waved a hand zily. "Just trying to bance the universe. Gotta keep all that romantic tension from tipping over, y’know?"

  Anna’s eyes narrowed dangerously. "You’re so lucky I don’t have a knife on me."

  "Eh, I’d just steal it anyway."

  Professor Merrick coughed—loudly.

  "Enough." His voice cut cleanly through the noise. "Prepare yourselves."

  I blinked.

  "Next match," Merrick said, his gaze sliding toward the group of waiting students. "Karl Brandt. Elena Faust. Greg Green."

  Greg’s smile sharpened. "Oh? My turn already?"

  Elena’s eyes opened zily from where she had been leaning against the wall. Her shadow flickered unnaturally beneath her feet.

  Karl’s expression was unreadable as he rose to his feet. His red hair caught the light, a burning contrast to his pale complexion. His scowl deepened as he stepped toward the arena.

  Greg stretched his arms behind his head. "Alright then," he said cheerfully. "Let’s see how long I st."

  "Hopefully not long," Karl muttered.

  Greg winked. "Aw, don’t be like that, Brandt. We’re all friends here."

  Karl’s gre could’ve melted steel.

  Mirai tugged at my sleeve.

  "Mark," she whispered. "Do you think Greg will be okay?"

  I gnced toward the arena as Greg sauntered to his position, grinning like a fox walking into a henhouse.

  "I think…" My gaze lingered on Elena’s shadow twisting unnaturally and Karl’s steadily darkening expression.

  "...he’s about to have a lot of fun."

  Elena smiled thinly, her arms crossed as she leaned toward Karl. Her blond hair shimmered faintly beneath the training hall’s bright lights.

  "Heed my advice," she said, her tone light but sharp enough to cut. "If you still have the cacti Mr. Green here so generously gifted to everyone when he arrived…"

  Her gaze sharpened.

  "Discard it."

  Karl scowled, his expression darkening. "Don’t tell me what to do."

  Elena's smile didn't waver. "Of course. Feel free to keep it if you’d rather take the risk."

  Karl’s eyes narrowed dangerously. But after a long, tense moment, his hand twitched toward his jacket. He reached into his inner pocket and pulled out a small potted cactus. It was small enough it could have passed for a trinket or a keychain.

  There wasn’t anything special to Greg’s cactus. At least, to the visible.

  Karl studied it for a second. His scowl deepened.

  His hand ignited.

  Fmes crawled up his wrist and licked at the edges of the pot. With a low growl, Karl tightened his grip—and the cactus erupted into ash.

  Across the field, Greg winced dramatically, clutching his chest. "Ouch. That really hurts, Brandt. What did that poor cactus ever do to you?"

  Karl ignored him.

  "Interesting," Elena murmured. "You actually listened."

  Karl shot her a gre. "Don’t push it, Faust."

  Greg tilted his head, still smiling. "Seriously, guys. What’s with the cactus violence?"

  Elena chuckled softly, her eyes glinting coldly. "Greg Green, you py the overenthusiastic css clown. Always smiling. Always joking. Always just… a bit too friendly."

  Greg’s smile widened.

  Elena’s gaze sharpened like a bde. "You skipped an entire week’s worth of css. And then you purposefully arrived te on this particur… activity, despite the fact you shouldn’t have heard of it, considering your absences. You showed up with a collection of cacti as gifts, fshing that disarming smile. Dumb, innocent, and just hard enough to read that no one would refuse."

  She tilted her head slightly.

  "Pnting a ticking time bomb."

  Greg cpped his hands together. "Wow. I'm impressed. You figured that all out by yourself?"

  Karl’s brow furrowed. His gaze flicked toward the bckened remains of the cactus at his feet.

  Elena’s smile turned razor-sharp. "You wanted to mark us. That was the pn, wasn’t it? Use your ESP to impnt something through the cacti. A tracer? A parasite? A connection of some kind?"

  Greg shrugged. "Now, now, Elena. That’s a lot of heavy accusations you’re throwing around."

  "And I suppose it’s coincidence that you insisted on handing those out to everyone?"

  Greg’s smile didn’t budge. "Hey, I’m just a friendly guy. Is it my fault everyone here is suspicious?"

  Elena’s gaze darkened. "I threw mine away the first chance I got."

  Greg’s smile twitched for half a second.

  "Of course you did," he said softly.

  Karl’s fmes roared to life, forming a ring around his shoulders and burning upward like a scarf of flickering light. His red hair gleamed in the glow, his scowl sharpening into something more dangerous.

  "Enough talking," Karl said. His gaze burned into Greg’s. "Let’s settle this."

  A thin, serpentine shadow curled at Elena’s feet. Red eyes glinted beneath the surface of the darkness as her Shadow Demon stirred awake.

  "I agree." Elena’s voice was light, almost pyful. "Shall we take him down together?"

  Greg’s eyes sharpened, his smile thinning at the edges.

  Professor Merrick raised one hand, his gaze cool and expressionless.

  "Begin."

  "Ha ha ha ha ha~!"

  Greg's ugh cut through the training hall like broken gss. High-pitched and unhinged.

  He was grinning—wide enough to show all his teeth. His hands were in his pockets, his head tilted at an unnatural angle. His bright green eyes gleamed beneath his messy blond hair.

  "So funny…" His voice was light and casual, but there was a dangerous edge underneath it. "Ms. Faust, you overestimate yourself…"

  Elena’s gaze sharpened. Her Shadow Demon’s red eyes glinted beneath her feet.

  "Give up on your bravado," Elena said coldly. "I know there’s a reason why you targeted John. He could copy the ESP of others. He’d hard-counter whatever scheme you were pying at."

  Greg’s smile widened.

  Elena raised one hand. "Shadow Demon, destroy—"

  Her eyes widened.

  Her body tensed.

  "Ugh… Wha—what’s happening?"

  Elena stumbled forward, clutching her side. A dark stain bloomed beneath her hand—red seeping into her white blouse.

  Her pupils contracted.

  "…It hurts…"

  Her knees buckled.

  Her Shadow Demon screamed soundlessly as it dissolved into smoke. Elena’s breath hitched before she fell face-first onto the floor.

  Dead silence followed.

  Greg smiled. Slow and easy.

  "Do you know…" he began, his voice light and conversational, "that cacti have spores?"

  Karl’s fmes fred higher. His teeth bared in a snarl. "What did you do?"

  Greg’s eyes glinted. "And guess what…" His voice dropped to a whisper. "I can do with spores?"

  A thin green mist curled around his fingertips. His smile widened.

  My stomach dropped.

  He… grew that?

  Greg's ESP was called Green Thumb. He could control any pnt he had tended for a period of time.

  What Greg essentially did was rapidly grow the cacti spores that had spread under Elena's clothes and skin in the short time she had contact with the cactus. His control was so monstrous, so precise, that he had hidden the spores by strategically pcing them on the creases of her clothes where no one would notice.

  By accelerating the growth of those spores, he created a ticking needle bomb that would sprout from her clothing and flesh. If he had wanted to, Greg could have let the cactus grow more, take root in her body, and kill her on the spot.

  Honestly… even I, who had dealt with my fair share of trauma, was shook seeing Elena lying there, bloodied and unconscious.