TWCT 04

Episode 4

 Abnormal Subjugation

When we emerged from the forest, our view suddenly opened up.
A small village spread out before us — wooden houses lined up beside cultivated fields.
Thin trails of smoke rose from chimneys, and the faint sounds of daily life drifted through the air.

“…A village.”
Rine exhaled softly.

As she showed a hint of relief, I couldn’t suppress the unease tightening in my chest.
That skill — Subjugation.
If it were to activate again on its own…

The moment we stepped through the village gate—

“Hey there, travelers, are you—”

The guard’s words were cut short.
That same voice echoed deep in my head.

“Command confirmed — initiating Subjugation.”

The man’s eyes went vacant.
He dropped to one knee and bowed his head before me.

“…Awaiting your command.”

“…!”
I stumbled back instinctively.
But it didn’t stop there.

Farmers, merchants, even children—
Every villager whose eyes met mine did the same: kneeling, lowering their heads in reverence.

“…Master…”

Their overlapping voices spread through the entire village.
Before I knew it, not a single person remained standing.
Every villager had become my subordinate.

“So this… is my skill. It subjugates every person I meet…”

A chill crawled up my spine.

Then suddenly, a small voice came from beside me.

“…Ah…”

I turned to see Rine clutching her chest, wincing in pain.
The next moment, she too fell to her knees, lowering her head silently.

“…I too… shall obey you.”

“Rine…!”

I reached out in panic, but she looked up and smiled gently.

“It’s all right. I don’t mind. In fact… if this means I can stay by your side, even like this…”

Her words tightened around my heart.
The guilt of having forced her submission clashed with the relief of being accepted so completely.

After a while, a thought struck me.

“…Come to think of it, it didn’t activate on my classmates.”

Rine tilted her head.

“Huh?”

“I don’t know why. When the crystal labeled me ‘incompetent,’ when they laughed and kicked me out—
Not once did the skill activate on any of them.”

Rine blinked, falling into thoughtful silence.

“…So there are exceptions?”

I gave a bitter laugh.

“Well, there was one… it activated on our homeroom teacher, Ms. Sakurai.”

Her eyes widened.

“…Your teacher?”

“Yeah. Of all people, only her. It creeped me out so much I had to release it myself.”

As I gave a helpless laugh, Rine couldn’t help but giggle.

“Hehe… poor teacher.”

The villagers still knelt in perfect order, unmoving.
Facing that eerie sight, I finally grasped the true nature of my power.

“…This is my abnormal skill — a power that subjugates everyone I meet.”

Beside me, Rine smiled serenely.

“Then… as one of those people, I will follow you. Wherever you go.”

Her words carried more weight than the villagers’ silence,
and they sank deep into my heart.

Author’s Note

Thank you so much for reading!
In Episode 4, Yuto’s skill is revealed to be an abnormal power that subjugates everyone he meets — even Rine falls under its effect.
However, for some reason, it did not activate on his classmates, with only his teacher, Ms. Sakurai, as the sole exception — a small but important hint for future developments.

In the next episode, an incident in this village will test Yuto’s skill even further.
Please look forward to it!