When Kensei was out of sight, Nisae lowered her eyes, turned on her heel and headed back to her room once again when she received a call on her cell phone. The caller was her secretary, Shima Kakitate.
　She had attended a meeting on behalf of Hisae at the London Branch just before this examination about the murder of Sister Sophia Sutherland.
　The contents of the meeting were reported to her from time to time, but even after the meeting was over, Hisae had let her continue the investigation at her discretion.

"Omine-sama. We've learned some important things about the culprit. It seems that the recent disappearance of the abilities is still related to the culprit, a vampire (vampire)."

'What?　So it was still that guy's doing. But why are all the gifted people...

"Apparently, it has something to do with the killer's abilities. With a high probability, the killer vampire seems to suck out the abilities of the blood-sucking ability holders as well. I wonder if that's the reason why he targeted those abilities......."

'No way!　I've heard that each vampire has a lot of solid differences in their abilities and weaknesses, but I've never heard of anything like that...

　Vampires are known to be a very solid species.
　The commonly known susceptibility to sunshine, crosses, garlic, pure water, etc. is just information on one solid that threatened human society long ago.

　Also, they don't need to suck blood to survive.
　They are a race with a wide variety of personalities, weaknesses, and abilities, and one piece of information may not be the same for all vampires.
　But there is only one thing ... one thing that can be said for all solids.

　It is only that they are called immortals (Nosferak) ... and they are powerful extrahuman beings that are beyond human knowledge.

"Yes. It's true that vampires have been confirmed in records from hundreds of years ago that vampires can suck out memories, knowledge and appearance along with blood, but this kind of ability seems to be rare."

'What about from the vampire community?　What do you have to report?

"No, sir. But the community seems to feel responsible, too, and they've sent out a search party, and if they find out anything, they'll report it to the agency as soon as they can. To date, there have been five victims, of which four are competent people who belong to the agency."

Hmm, so what's this Nosferak guy's rating?

"The name is Gaston, according to the community, and its existence is in the thousand and five hundred year class."

"One thousand and five hundred years class!　......It's not an Associate Demon God class. Moreover, if it's sucking out the abilities of an ability holder, it's effectively considered a Demon God class....... What are the abilities of the blood-sucked abilities?

"Yes, what has been confirmed is that there are very few combat-related ones, with Sister Sophia's satori ability being the first to be confirmed. Other victims, such as John Larkins' [Iquivocal], a member of the London Division, among other famous victims, but the only thing that is troubling is [positioning] among them."

'It's Edmund Stan's!　That nasty little bastard got you?

"Yes, sir. This is the ability of Edmund Stan, an unaffiliated psychic whose main purpose was to infiltrate and obtain information. He was hit in a hotel in Düsseldorf a week ago. This ability feels like it's natural to be there no matter where you are, so no matter what organization you infiltrate, you won't be suspected. Because of this ability, the vampires seem to have a lot of trouble searching for it. Originally, vampires should be able to recognize each other when they get close to each other, but because of this ability......."

''Satori's ability and positioning ability? That's tricky...

"Yes,"

'I'm sorry, Shima. Can you continue to investigate?　This one is also finished with the certificate process and the get-together party. I'd like to give one of the flowers to Sister Sophia's grave, and I'm even willing to put my hand directly on the culprit...

".........I understand. Actually, I have an idea, and I'm going to meet with someone. I can't say who it is, but if I talk to that person, I might be able to get some information from him."

All right. I'll have my phone on me at all times. You'll be in touch.

　Hisae immediately walked out to prepare for the get-together party while giving instructions to the staff.



　At the same time........in the conference room where the newcomers' examinations office is located. A file of the newcomers' test results saved on a laptop there was open.

''Kukku, even the characteristics, usefulness and risks of the abilities are carefully described? As I thought, the abilities know better than the abilities' analysis........