Awakening to a Special-Grade Explorer
Vol. 4 - Ch. 140 - Forbidden Ability - Compensation

Tenji was keenly impressed by Kujira's intellect.

"Amazing...you managed to find that much in such a short time."

"But of course, I hope you don't compare me to the association. I am the world's most talented researcher after all."

Kujira snorted in boastfully and puffed out her non-existence chest. Fuyuki and Chisaot commented in sync seeing that.

" "A self-proclaimed one, that is." "

Kujira showed ae-befitting sulking expression seeing the two, and just muttered 'good grief' as if looking at children's teasing. No, not just looking, she seriously considered that to be childish babbling.

"You two really never go easy on me, huh. I can't believe that's what you say to a beauty like me......"

"I think you're more of a fraudster than Tenji, Kujira-chan."

"I know, right! She truly acts like a little girl, even though she is over 40...!"

Chisato followed after Fuyuki's jab and grumbled. Tenji cocked his head amidst the chaotic scene.

"Over 40...?"

"Speaking of, I guess I haven't mentioned it yet huh. Wait, my self-introduction is also pending. I completely forgot about it when Fuyuki introduced me."

Kujira turned the swivel chair to face Tengi, stuffed her hands on the pocket of white robe to appear intellectual and jutted out her 1mm bumpy road pridefully. And as a finishing touch, once again put on glasses with familiar gestures.

Then, she cleared her throat to tighten the loosened atmosphere.

"I am Mui Kujira. A former researcher from the association, but is now doing my research here under Limey's protection for the rest of the time. I may look around your age but it has already been 40 years since my birth. No, wait, I think it's already 41?"

".........41? With that appearance?"

"Bet you got surprised, right? Chisato-chan, did you already inform him of that?"

Kujira seemed like she had something to say as she hurled her gaze at Chisato, Tenji's master.

Chisato, however, just shook her head in denial. She walked slowly behind Tenji and placed her hands on the shoulders of his seated disciple.

"I was thinking of telling him at this time. Don't you think it would be more convincing coming out of you?"

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, it would be---should have to be you."

"Is that so? Very well."

Uninformed of the discussion going between both, Tenji just alternatively glanced at their faces in confusion. When they were done, Kujira-sensei directed her ardently serious gaze at him.

"Tenji, what am I going to tell you from here on is related to the taboo of explorers."

"Taboo of explorers? I don;t think they ever taught something about it in the school."

"This is something they don't want others to catch wind of, so of course they will not. Not just here, the same applies to other nations as well. It's because it was something they couldn't tell that this had been called taboo."

"And are you sure about teaching me about it?"

"This is inevitable to talk about my circumstance, and almost all the first grade explorers know about it. No, maybe saying all is a bit of an overstatement..."

"I see?"

"Association will definitely call you in the name of a short course when you renew your licence to first-grade to pass you the details about taboo. However, it's on the person if they want to know about it or not."

"A taboo......I understood. Please tell me about it."

Tenji took a moment, swallowed audibly, and straightened his posture.

He had made up his mind to never back down since the day he decided to become an explorer. Death often comes unannounced in the profession of Explorer, so a firm resolution was a must have.

Chisato, already aware of the taboo, eagerly awaited for the response of Tenji he would give when learning about it. Fuyuki was in contrast to her, as if he didn't want to hear it. He even got up for a moment in an attempt to escape from this place reflexively, but quickly sat down. A myriad of emotions contorting his expression.

Kujira acted naturally, as she slowly opened her mouth to tell the tale of her own doing.

"First-grade and above calling have an absolute caveat in terms of a forbidden ability called 'Compensation'. And I, drowned in my ignorance, ended up using it. No matter how much I flailed, I was bequeathed a body......that was neither allowed to age, nor die."

What seemed to be a sense of regret swirled inside the eyes of Kujira.