Chapter 37 An early bird always gets the thick, juicy worms (1/2)

At this point, Alex was able to faintly realize why his Main Mission was the destruction of the World Diagram.

It seems like Alex was actually here in the Simulated Esper World to help the residents, and not to harm them.

But Alex has to make sure that Lord Gallius was not lying to him at all.

Hence his next question.

”How?” Alex mouthed this word out of his mouth, and Lord Gallius perked up after hearing this. ”How was the World Diagram able to restrict you guys from 'transcending'?

”Sigh, for me to answer that, I have to give you the full explanation…” Lord Gallius run his fingers through his hair, visibly showing his frustration.

”First, you need to understand that this world is considered to be a risk by the ones who created it…” Lord Gallius started to pace around the room too as he began to lay out his words.

”However, within that risk also lies the payoff of gaining Star Espers like us… So, they used a variety of factors to stimulate and regulate this world.”

”Do you still remember that lizard that you fought a week ago?” Lord Gallius mimed some slashing motions, probably to demonstrate the lizard's grisly death. ”That lizard is an Intruder, and Intruders are not exactly the same as the one portrayed by everyone.”

”Oh…” As usual, Alex managed to catch on what Lord Gallius was talking about. ”So you are telling me that Intruders are sent into this Simulated Esper World in order to create conflict?”

”Exactly.” Lord Gallius replied, looking not surprised at Alex's sharpness anymore. ”Without conflict, the rate that the Espers got stronger was slow. Only when there is trouble and conflict that the Esper's potential will be forced out.”

”…” These words made Alex remember about what happened during the World War 1.

That war did not only have an impact in terms of military, but also in technology.

There are lots of things discovered and created during this war, and some of it helped usher the improvement of the world.

There is the Cold War too, which pushed the creation of new technology to the limits.

”Conflict is always the best way to push everything to its limits.” Alex said while nodding in agreement. ”However, there cannot be too much conflict, or else everything will go apes**t.”

”I do not like your choice of words, but I understand your sentiment.” Lord Gallius said as he closed his eyes on concentration.

”So I get it that the Intruders are the 'stimulation'.” Alex said as he adjusted his neck. ”As for the World Diagram… it is the 'regulator' of this world, right?”

”I already gave you clues for that earlier, so for you to realize it is not a surprise too.” Lord Gallius mumbled to himself as he let out a sigh.

Lord Gallius then looked at Alex's eyes as he slowly said,

”Contrary to the prevalent belief, the World Diagram was not something that was created recently. It was a powerful program that had been here since the start of the Simulated Esper World.”

”Its task must have been fairly simple then.” Alex wistfully said as he looked above him.

Lord Gallius nodded as he continued on talking.

”The main task of the World Diagram is to monitor any abnormalities in the Simulated Esper World and fix it, except for the Intruders of course. It was also tasked with making sure that everything works perfectly fine in this world. The World Diagram also has the task to help any Star Espers that will appear, guiding them towards the Real World.”

”Now that is weird...” Alex replied as he cupped hischin. ”If those things are the tasks of the World Diagram, and that it is supposed to be hidden, then what the hell is happening to it now?” Alex restricted the urge to raise his hands in exasperation. ”The World Diagram that I see right now is way different from my expectations.”

”Well… everything is fine with the World Diagram, until the first Star Esper appeared.” Lord Gallius replied, with anger apparent on his features.

”The first Star Esper? Can you care to elaborate?” Of course Alex knew that there is no need for him to say these words, as Lord Gallius started to continue talking.

”From what I know, when the first Star Esper managed to access the real nature of this world, the first thing that this Esper did was to seize control of the World Diagram. I do not know how this Star Esper managed to do it, but the World Diagram easily fell under this Star Esper's control.”

”And once that happened, everything proceeded as what everyone knew.” Alex replied as a helpless smile formed on his face.

”The appearance of the 1,024 Esper Cities, the 'quantum computer network', all of these things were made to fabricate the lie that the World Diagram was a man-made thing, when it actually wasn't.” Lord Gallius was back to angry mode at this point, and Alex felt that he will just continue on getting angrier.

”But do you know what was worse?”

”Well, tell it to me then.” Alex weakly replied, bracing his ears for the worst.

Even though Alex had prepared for it, he was still rattled by Lord Gallius' angry shouts.

”That first Esper used the World Diagram to tie down everyone!” Lord Gallius shouted as he almost banged the walls behind him.

Lord Gallius certainly did not look happy as he controlled his breathing. ”After the first Star Esper took control of the World Diagram, he used its control over the whole world to prevent other Star Espers from leaving this world. Not only that, but the power of the World Diagram was also used to restrict any new Star Espers!”

”That… is really one selfish move.” Alex replied as he realized why Clint was so helpless against the restrictions of the World Diagram.

”Wait… aren't you a Star Esper too?” Alex noted as he pointed his finger at Lord Gallius. ”Are you allowed to talk to me about the World Diagram even when you are restricted?”

”The restriction of the World Diagram on us varies on different levels.” Lord Gallius replied with a wince in his face. ”For Star Espers like me, the restrictions only prevent me on participating on small-scale battles. As for Espers like your current teacher, their restrictions will be much harsher.”

”Well well well, so my appearance in this world is actually a way to help this world huh.” Alex thought to himself as he began to feel relieved. ”It was a good thing that there will be no negative repercussions if I destroy the World Diagram.”

”However…” Alex frowned as his thoughts began to detect a problem.