Black Tome

Deep into your desk drawer, you might find a notebook buried among old papers. It probably has a dark cover (most likely cheap synthetic leather), decorated with cryptic symbols or pretentious quotes. Flip through the yellowed pages, and you'll find records of adolescent fantasies, embarrassing incantations you would never want anyone else to see.

Most people go through a phase in their teens when they believe they are unique, a chosen one burdened with a special destiny, but they are too self-conscious to tell anyone… and so they stay up late at night, pouring their hearts out to a notebook. …If you know what I'm talking about, then you probably already have a good idea of what the Anomaly known as the "Black Tome" looks like.

C-7111(Ob) Black Tome typically appears as a book with a black cover, and a piercing purple eye in the center. Legend has it that the Black Tome contains powerful spells that allow one to cast "magic." In reality, most of what's written inside is nonsensical teenage rambling, and reciting these so-called "incantations" does nothing at all. However, the claim that the Black Tome can grant magical powers isn't entirely false… which brings us to its abilities.

The Black Tome thrives off the power of belief. The more someone believes the Black Tome has powers, the more powerful it actually becomes. Stronger faith grants greater power to the Black Tome, and in turn, this power flows back to its believers: after reciting the incantations written in the Black Tome, believers can achieve nullification of some low threat anomalies. However, it is not the person reciting the spell who nullifies the Anomaly, but the Black Tome itself.

The stronger the Black Tome becomes, the more powerful the targets it can nullify. After first using an incantation from the Black Tome, another ability gradually manifests. It applies mental suggestion to users, causing them to treat their faith in the Black Tome as absolute truth. In pursuit of greater power, they are compelled to attract more people to believe in the Black Tome, eventually becoming a puppet with the sole purpose of spreading the Black Tome's faith.

Those influenced and converted to believing in the Black Tome are also subjected to this blind faith, but do not gain the Black Tome's power. Additionally, the Black Tome sometimes uses its abilities to enslave and control low threat anomalies to serve itself. When the Black Tome is opened by a non-believer, it generates an Anomalous Realm called the "Library," pulling the reader inside to face the Black Tome's true form.

Its appearance within is a black humanoid figure, with the original book forming the head, surrounded by twisted limbs. Its behavior seems driven by wrath against non-believers, and it attempts to eliminate anyone who enters the Library. In battle, the Black Tome employs various magic-like methods, such as chains, flames, and beams appearing out of thin air, mostly stemming from believers' imagination of its power.

Additionally, the Black Tome's close-range attacks using its own limbs should not be underestimated. When the Black Tome is nullified, its mental influence disappears along with it. Based on current observations, no lingering aftereffects have been found. However, whether long-term belief in the Black Tome can cause permanent psychological distortion or even encroachment remains unknown.

Anomalies that manipulate minds are undoubtedly among the most dangerous and insidious types.

Believing you are unique is a good thing, but being unique does not mean possessing extraordinary abilities, nor does it require pursuing great power. Ordinary yet unique… that probably sounds like something from a self-help book. However, if you equate "unique" with "powerful," you will embark on a tedious and endless path.

The Black Tome exploits the confusion that people, especially young people, experience in understanding themselves, deceiving them in ways that are nearly impossible to guard against. I hope everyone can understand: we don't need to be powerful, we don't need to be geniuses, we don't need Esper Abilities to be irreplaceable individuals to those around us.