I'm Actually Not Overpowered!

"So, tell me, Lucy, what's bothering Asa?" I asked the girl who maintained a brisk pace behind me as I made my way to my office.

Since I had my modern home allocated to me, I ensured there was a study which I also dubbed my office.

"Well, she wouldn't tell me about it. I tried to be as persuasive as possible."

'Ah...' I should have expected this, It was Lucy, after all.

Her communication skills weren't exactly optimal, were they?

I sat on my seat and positioned myself comfortably on my plush chair. For a moment, I closed my eyes and enjoyed the pleasant feeling.

'Wait a sec!' My thoughts suddenly averted to an earlier memory.

"You said you got the information I wanted, though." I stared hard at Lucy, who silently stood behind my desk.

Didn't she say that? I clearly recalled her mentioning that she had gotten what I told her to get. It wasn't like Lucy to lie, so—

"Yes, Sam. It appears Asa is hiding something from us. Judging from her distracted gaze, her guilty expression, and how she avoided my questions despite how friendly I was towards her. I believe she is indeed keeping something very important from you." Lucy spoke calmly.

Was that what she meant by 'the information I wanted'?! Did she think I was suspecting Asa of some kind of nefarious activity?

'I was just wondering why she ran away from me. If she's hiding something from me, could it be—?!' My eyes instantly widened as a sudden realization came upon me.

Had Asa somehow developed feelings for me?!

"So that's how it is..." My voice trailed as I narrowed my gaze.

"A-as expected of the Hero! You understand the situation perfectly!"

Lucy seemed to think I had everything all figured out, but I really had no clue. All I had was a theory, I hadn't confirmed.

'I-I mean, it's not so far fetched. I'm kind of attractive, also, I'm the Hero and stuff. She's also a—"

Arrgh! What was I thinking? Just because the girl ran off and had something to hide didn't mean she was falling for me.

Why did I even start to overthink this matter? There was no need to assume anything.

'I'll just ask her and use [Absolute Freedom Of Expression] to decipher the truth.

It was an evolved version of [Freedom Of Expression]. Unlike the latter, it consumed some MP, but the results were well worth it.

'I can read her mind and decipher her intentions based on her expression. No matter how hard she tried to hide it, the Skill Instantly reads the slightest emotion on her face or bodily movement, and tells me what she's thinking.'

It was a Skill, so it sort of defied common sense. Unless a person was an expert at manipulating their entire body—like me—or was using a Skill to interfere with the effects of [Absolute Freedom Of Expression], or a pathological liar, it would work accurately.

'I've tried it a few times on Lucy, the Demon Generals, and a few others. It's amazing.'

In any case, I needed to try it out on Asa, just to be certain. Besides, I was going to talk to her eventually.

'Maybe I can kill two birds with one stone.'

"Summon Asa here. I'd like to have a word with her."

Lucy responded with a sharp nod and an affirming "Yes" before leaving my presence.

"Haa..." The moment she left the study, I heaved a heavy sigh and stared blankly into space.

There were a lot of things to worry about, and I had reached a deadlock in trying to find solutions. Perhaps this issue with Asa was going to be a good distraction.

Slowly, I began to hope that the secret she was keeping from me was actually a big deal. It would be disappointing if everything was for nothing.

"I really have nothing better to do."

***************

Asa felt her body shiver as she entered the abode of the Hero.

Lucy was right in front of her and they both stepped into the house with a sense of purpose.

'A-ah...' Asa couldn't stop shaking.

Was she frightened? Was she excited? She had no idea.

One thing was for sure, though. It was finally the moment of truth.

'He knows! He knows everything! He must have finally decided to ask me about it all!' She gulped, pacing herself behind Lucy.

'So, he sent Lucy to ask me about it, yet I didn't say anything. How foolish must I have been!' Asa chided herself, staring at the back of the small statured girl.

Lucy was Asa's senior as an Adventurer, and the latter had respect for how powerful she was. In addition, she was a direct subordinate to the Hero, making her even more respectable in the blonde's eyes.

Unfortunately, she wasn't the most approachable person.

'I really wanted to say the truth, but she was too intimidating. Her rigidity and merciless inquisition made me even more nervous than usual.'

Frankly, it almost felt like an interrogation!

'B-but, if it's the Hero, then—'

Asa wouldn't mind telling him the whole thing. In fact, she hoped he would help her, though she thought herself to be shameless for asking so much of him.

Still, as her heart pounded and as she neared his presence, Asa prayed silently.

'Oh, Hero... please help me.'

*

*

*

The Hero's office was grand, and it contained numerous books and gadgets she had never seen in her life.

His desk was cluttered with a bunch of books, files, and documents—evidence that the Hero was constantly busy.

'The desk and chair, even the shelf. Oh, my!'

Asa was sure her eyes were not deceiving her. They were all made from wood—and the quality was the most superb she had ever seen in her life.

The room also smelled nice. It was a scent she had never inhaled before, but it smelled absolutely divine.

And seated in this cool, comfortable, and utterly breathtaking room, was the Hero himself.

He had a warm smile, and his blue eyes complimented the casual shirt he wore in the office.

'H-Hero!'

"Welcome, Asa. Please, sit." He gestured at a wooden chair and she proceeded to make herself comfortable.

Asa's eyes were still wide open in awe, when the Hero spoke to her once again.

"We have much to discuss."