Mimicry.
An ability that allows me to "mimic" abilities that I see.
It's different from "copy," as the mimicked ability isn't exactly "the same" as the source. Rather, the ability that I will mimic depends on my understanding of the ability I saw.
For example, Koori's hydrokinesis.
I saw her moving snow, water, and ice—even gathering moisture straight out from the air—freely changing the water's state and temperature. However, since I haven't seen her make "boiled" water, my ability assumed she couldn't. Thus, the "mimicked" ability I have couldn't create boiled water.
"I can." Koori exclaimed, waving a hand and creating a ball of water before her.
Moments later, the water ball began to bubble, as if boiling, with steam rising from it from all directions. It was, as she claimed, hot water!
"Then, I can too...?"
I tried mimicking what she did, but... I failed. I couldn't even move the moisture in the air. I frowned, disappointed, only for Elder Monika to pat my back—while tiptoeing.
"Don't be disappointed. Using ye'r ability isn't as easy as flipping a switch. It needs training, just like how everyone else spent years honing their abilities."
"Loli Elder..." I muttered, touched by her concern.
"And ye can't boil water now. Your mimicked hydrokinesis is already set, so it can't change anymore."
Then, muttered with disappointment. "Elder..."
"Anyway, that's it for ye'r abilities." Elder Monika took a few steps back, before rummaging through her lab coat's pockets. "And you should take... this!"
Out from it, she produced a... smartphone?
With slight hesitation, I received the object and inspected it, pressing buttons and tapping the screen. And... yes, it really was a smartphone. Why is she giving me one? For ease of contact?
"That's ye'r terminal. It contains all your identification documents so make sure not to lose it~!"
"... ID?"
As if her words were a command, the display changed quicky, showing a proper ID that has my picture I don't even remember taking. On it was my "name" written in bold letters, and various other details.
[
Personal Details (Private)
Name: Neil "Copycat" P. Chronos
Age: 20
Date of Birth: March 22, 2042
Public Information
College: Parton International College
Course: BA in History
Level: Sophomore
]
"This is...?" I muttered, unable to digest what's written in it.
"Ye'r public identity." Elder Monika nodded, convinced. "From today on, you'll be a sophomore in Parton, just like Koori and the rest. I chose a random course fer you, and added in the last name of ye'r choice. No need fer thanks~!"
"...Eh?" I turned toward Koori and asked in shock. "So you guys weren't full-time secret operatives...?"
"Of course we are. We simply need a public identity to keep if we want to let our private identities stay hidden."
Isn't that... the other way around? Shouldn't we be kept out of the public to keep our identities secret? The things we're fighting are things that are labeled as "Top Secret" after all...
"Don't worry,"
Just then, the Loli Elder spoke once more. "I chose history for ye, so ye can miss as many classes as ye like."
"..."
Do I look that much of a slacker?
🔷🔷🔷
The main reason for our "public" identities was actually quite pragmatic.
Since the ones who exhibit Neurodivergence are close to us in age, staying at colleges actually works in preventing things from coming to the worst case in one go. Thus, many of the Batch Zero Operatives are split between various state colleges, public colleges, senior high schools, and so on as a "first line of defense" in the worst case.
Only Team Zero, Koori's team, is situated all in one place.
The Parton International College.
The reason for it was simple... this college is directly situated in the middle of the city. Which also means, wherever a new Neurodivergent appears, we can respond to it at the fastest possible moment.
"But do I, someone who has no memories, really need to go too...?"
I lightly grumbled, standing before a pair of tall gates. The gates leading to the said International College.
"Stop grumbling." Koori hissed. "And in here, act as if we're unacquainted as much as possible. At most, treat me like a friend. Don't blow our cover. Copy?"
"..."
I turned toward her for one.
Right now, instead of the "stimulating" rubbery suit, she was now wearing actual, casual clothes. An open-shoulder pale-blue blouse, hem hanging just above her bellybutton. A pale yellow pleated skirt that falls halfway down her thighs and open sandals that go halfway up her leg.
Her style was unquestionable.
The color coordination being pale also accentuates her beautiful features much better... But one thing—her expression breaks the "light" atmosphere, making her look like a rose that's covered in thorns from the petals to the roots.
While keeping a distance from her, I could objectively identify a few gentlemen staring with a faint blush or with greed and lust in their eyes, infatuated... but seemingly averse to even the thought of approaching her.
"Did Koori do something in the past...?" I wondered to myself.
Otherwise, the level of fear that was displayed by the men around towards her presence wouldn't be explainable.
"Ugh..."
"Hmmm?"
But when her steps—like a queen marching down a red carpet—came to a stop, I was puzzled. Curious, I looked ahead of her and quickly realized the reason.
"That's... Ophelia?"
About a dozen or so meters in front, Ophelia could be seen walking. However, she wasn't alone. She was in the middle of a large crowd of men, all fawning over her, as if racing to be the one to pique her interest.
The complacent smile on her face tells anyone looking that she was pleased by this sight, but a hint of dissatisfaction could still be seen in her gaze.
"Oh~?"
Only then did her eyes turn right in our direction, and her smile curled a bit wider, turning crescent-like. "Isn't this Miss Koori~? And what's that? Are you finally bringing your man with you~?"
"Wha—?!"
Koori's face stiffened, shocked by Ophelia's words.
Based on what Koori told me earlier, all of the Team Zero members should be acting as if they were estranged from each other. However, the way Ophelia spoke assumes that she was either close with Koori or that she was "messing" with her.
Either way, I... didn't like how the atmosphere changed rapidly.
The admiring gazes from afar suddenly turned in my direction, as if finally recognizing my existence... and the killing intent they shot off was enough to freeze my blood cold.
"...Help... Me..."