"Anyway, when it comes to urban legends, it's better to believe they exist than not." Shaking her head with a faint smile, Selene stretched lightly and stood up. "Alright, our little tea party should be ending soon, right? Isn't it about time for Judgment's patrol?"
"You're right, we should get going." Shirai Kuroko checked the time and exchanged a knowing glance with Uiharu Kazari. The two smiled at each other. "We'll head out then."
"In that case, I'll go buy some groceries," Saten Ruiko said cheerfully, turning to Misaka Mikoto. "Mikoto-senpai, want to come with me?"
"Ah, no thanks." Misaka waved her hands quickly, rejecting the offer.
"...Right, I should stop by the bookstore," Misaka suddenly said, remembering that since it was the weekend, the latest volume of her favorite detective manga might have arrived early. She decided to go check, though she definitely didn't want anyone to know she went there just to read for free.
Selene chuckled softly, giving Mikoto a mischievous look. She didn't say a word, just stared until Mikoto's face turned red with embarrassment and anger. Only then did Selene turn away nonchalantly, making Mikoto grit her teeth.
"How the hell did she know I read free manga...?"
"Well then, that's that. Bye-bye." Waving casually to Misaka and Saten, Selene got up, pushed open the door, and walked out of the shop.
Just like that, today's gathering came to an end. The two Judgment members went on patrol, Saten went grocery shopping for dinner, Selene strolled around the city, and Misaka headed for the bookstore to indulge in her secret pastime.
They said she'd already switched bookstores more than ten times...
...
After parting ways with the group, Selene walked down the main street. The faint smile she'd been wearing quickly vanished, replaced by a calm, almost empty expression. She wandered aimlessly, lost in thought. Lately, she'd been feeling a bit... hollow. Her interactions with the "original four" were like paying tribute to her past life—but now that novelty was fading.
Selene wasn't sick of her current life yet, but she was definitely starting to feel restless.
"It's really hot today," she muttered, glancing up at the blazing sun. She didn't bother shading her eyes. Even though the midday heat was oppressive, it barely registered to her.
Ding, ding, ding—
"Hmm?" The sudden ringtone snapped Selene out of her daze.
"Hello? Aoki? Mm... the first phase of construction is complete? I see. Got it—I'll be there right away."
Hanging up, Selene's expression instantly brightened, a spark of excitement flashing across her face.
At that moment, her mood completely changed. For the first time in days, she felt genuinely alive—relieved, almost giddy. She'd been far too bored lately. Her life had fallen into a monotonous loop of school, work, and self-improvement. It was fulfilling, yes, but not fun. What she really wanted was a fight.
Maybe that was why she had already beaten both Accelerator and Kakine Teitoku senseless. Anyone else with sense would've been praying to every god they knew just to avoid provoking her.
Honestly, she needed something new—something exciting to play with.
And it seemed her wish had just been granted. A "big toy" was ready for her.
This first-phase construction site was the new arms manufacturing facility Selene had invested in, managed by Aoki Youichi. Most of its production lines were dedicated to creating new-generation military robots, though it could also manufacture a variety of other weapon systems.
Compared to the first-generation models, the second-generation military robots didn't feature revolutionary breakthroughs—but they had significantly reinforced armor, improved firepower, and a more advanced AI operating system.
"Perfect timing," Selene said with a grin. "Let's go take a look."
...
District 2 — Schicksal Research Institute.
When Selene arrived at the site, it was far busier than the last time she'd been there. A massive building, nearly a hundred meters tall, had already taken shape.
According to the project description Aoki Youichi had chosen from the design submissions, the Schicksal Technology Tower would stand sixty-six stories high, with a total height of 222 meters. The complex would include both aboveground and underground sections—the latter comprising two basement levels that served as parking garages, totaling ten meters in depth.
There were no secret labs hidden here; this was purely an office tower. The actual production and experimental work took place in the research and manufacturing zone.
"Boss, you're finally here! The first-phase production workshop is complete!" Aoki Youichi hurried over the moment Selene approached the restricted entrance to the manufacturing area, his tone a mix of excitement and exhaustion.
The tone in Aoki Youichi's voice made Selene take a closer look at him. Though his frame was still sturdy, the exhaustion in his eyes was unmistakable—he was clearly overworked.
Selene couldn't help but blush slightly. Have I been overworking my employees too much? Even someone like Aoki Youichi, whose body had been physically enhanced through Honkai augmentation, looked utterly drained from all the overtime.
"Uh... where's Shuji Matsuzaki?" Selene asked, waving her hand a bit awkwardly to defuse the tension.
"Oh, Matsuzaki's still in the lab, working overtime to analyze and refine the T–R serum's effectiveness. Should I call him down, Boss?" Aoki Youichi replied honestly.
Yikes... The staff's working this hard while I'm slacking off? What do I do? Online answers only, urgent! Selene thought, wincing internally.
"Forget it, let's not bother him. Let's just check out the manufacturing floor," Selene said casually, though only she knew how awkward she truly felt inside.
I mean, come on. I'm the boss—it's fine to take it easy once in a while, right? Otherwise, what's the point of having subordinates? And as employees, getting to work for me should be an honor. Yeah, that's right. Selene mentally justified herself to soothe her guilty conscience.
"Understood, Boss. This way, please." Aoki nodded respectfully, then led Selene deeper into the core area of the Schicksal Research Institute.
The security along the way was extremely tight. In addition to the standard patrol robots, numerous guards—both visible and hidden—were stationed throughout the facility.
Soon, guided by Aoki, Selene arrived at the main construction site. What had once been an empty lot was now completely transformed—a massive excavation spanning nearly ten thousand square meters, plunging thirty meters deep.
The bottom of the pit was brightly lit, lined with hundreds of enormous forged steel plates welded together seamlessly. Rising from the steel foundation were hundreds of solid, thick steel pillars, each one glinting under the floodlights. Such an extravagant project could only have been commissioned by someone like Selene, who treated money as a triviality.
"This is the second-phase construction?" she asked.
"Yes, the foundation was completed recently," Aoki said, bowing apologetically when he saw Selene's gaze linger on the pit. "My apologies, Boss. Since the factory's design follows a semi-subterranean layout, the progress has been slower than expected."
He then pointed toward a large, low-rise complex nearby that occupied an impressive area. "That's the first-phase construction area. Part of the production line there is already being installed and tested."