One Above All

Chapter 7: A Very Peculiar Girl

Yuna's POV:

Makima seemed indifferent to anything that crossed her path, whether it was evident in her face or expressions. She appeared so monotone when speaking with her; initially, she didn't respond to the things I asked her. However, when it was a yes-or-no question, she would simply nod or shake her head, confirming that she could understand me. Still, she either didn't want to talk with me or didn't find it necessary for some reason. This continued for the first few weeks.

Nevertheless, Makima demonstrated from the start an ability to grasp basic concepts that children her age should know. She could read and write effortlessly, much more adept than a girl her age, although, well, she wasn't entirely a girl, but that's another matter. So, at the age of 7, Makima already knew basic things that children her age are still being taught in schools, so I didn't feel compelled to delve deeper into these subjects. This might be due to the extensive knowledge the control devil acquired throughout its history. If that's the case, Makima might awaken other abilities learned before in the future. That remains to be seen.

However, something that challenges this theory is that Makima knows almost nothing about demons or hell. Thus, it's likely that she can only awaken the abilities learned before, not memories of past lives. I realized this when she once asked me what hell was. I explained it to her and provided some basic knowledge about demons. Later on, she will learn more, much more.

Anyway, after explaining some things to Makima, she seemed surprised and very curious about what I was telling her. But after a month of teachings, I finally convinced myself that her past memories would never return. I crammed so much information into her brain, but apparently, none of it could awaken a single memory. Regrettable or beneficial? It depends on who you ask.

The plan we had for her was basically to raise her from an early age, educate and train her in the best possible way so that, in the end, she becomes a devil hunter, one of the strongest devil hunters Japan has ever seen. She would also be the strongest hybrid, being both a devil and a hunter simultaneously. Essentially, she would become a weapon for the government, all under the pretext of protecting citizens. Still, those with an extra neuron and a position in the government would know the true plan hidden behind that facade.

What they want is to try to control the devils, the hybrids in this case-humans with the powers of a devil that, when controlled, can be used as weapons to kill other devils. This supposedly enhances population protection, but someone might think that it would be an excellent army to invade a country or overthrow a government. They'll use them as they please, and surely in the future, they'll use them in ways other than just killing other devils. I'm sure of it.

We were fortunate to find the control devil just as this project was beginning. She would be a good test subject to kickstart all of this. If there is progress within 10 years, more hybrids will be brought here for education and training to turn them into weapons.

That's what they want, but what do I want? I've been fascinated by demonic arts and cultures for a long time, which is why this job suits me perfectly. Every kind of demon captivates me so much that I study them to know more about them than they know about themselves.

Makima, or the control devil, struck me as an impressive specimen, especially her ability to control any being that considers itself inferior to her. A power as immense as that can be used for great accomplishments, and it can also be used for chaos and destruction. I'll be there at all times to extract her full potential and make her the best weapon Japan will have.

We sought out Makima for two reasons: first, to integrate her into the Japanese government program, and second, we needed to find the control devil before she learned to use her powers on her own. If that happened, the unleashed chaos would be unimaginable.

The control devil has already caused chaos in the past, and that's more than enough to put her name in the history books. Almost every hunter knows her name because she's a very popular devil that very few hunters have faced and lived to tell the tale.

The last one barely made it out alive. But the one before him didn't. How will the next one fare against her?

During the first month, I tried to teach Makima all the basics about devils and hell, as well as how the hunter system works. She seemed to grasp everything perfectly. However, I had to teach her what wouldn't serve her-mundane things like family or the bonds that connect people. All of that wouldn't help her become what we wanted. I told her that these common behaviors wouldn't serve her well in reaching the top, in mastering her powers. We'll see if in the future she won't seek out these things.

The second month involved basic teaching again, but this time, I told her to explore the books we had here so she could read and understand them herself. It seemed to interest her a lot, especially a particular devil-the chainsaw devil, another devil that is undoubtedly impressive. Makima became so intrigued by the chainsaw devil that she started bombarding me with several questions about it; she seemed to become its admirer. It's possible that this devil influenced her past life, I don't know.

By the end of the second month, it was time to explain Makima's true nature. I hoped that with this, she could recover memories of her past lives. I was wrong. Makima seemed to accept everything calmly, not even affected by the fact that she had died and been reborn multiple times throughout history-strange and peculiar. It's almost as if she expected it, as if she had been told the same story over and over again.

Makima became more interested in the part about her powers, especially her main power of mental control. She expressed her desire to learn it, but I told her it would take some time and that she might awaken and learn it on her own. As the unique power of the control devil, only she knew how it worked. With time, she would probably remember how to use it.

Makima seemed disheartened at first, but she accepted it quickly. This resembled so much a typical scene of a 7-year-old child-asking you to buy something they want, then you explain why you can't buy it, and they seem to accept it reluctantly. It seems that, after all, Makima is still a little girl.

The third month has started today, and all I hope for is that we continue as well as we have so far. Makima still has much to learn, and I have much to study about her. I know that someday Makima will become someone impressive, one of the best demons ever seen. She will stand out among all others, assert herself against anyone who thinks they are inferior to her, and with her powers, she might even change the world.

Although those last things are just things I imagine.

No one can ruin this, no one.

O0O0

Notes: A short chapter, but there wasn't much else to tell for now. Later, when things have developed more, you'll see chapters where Dr. Yuna narrates Makima's progress, probably every 10 chapters, but that can always vary.

So far, it has covered the first 2 months of Makima's stay and study at the Demon Research and Containment Center. I'm not sure if I should decide to narrate the three lost years in the time skip or start when Hiro meets her. We'll see.

Oh, and for that last part, it's almost time. Phew.

See you.