In the distance, a row of fully armed Security Robots stood silently, forming an impenetrable wall of steel that blocked the entire road.
Yes, these were the Security Robots manufactured under Selene's command. Following the orders of the Board of Directors, Anti-Skill had begun mass purchasing and deployment of these units.
"Target detected: Kiyama Harumi. Commencing arrest operation." As soon as the robots locked onto her, a cold, synthetic voice echoed. All the robots simultaneously raised their enhanced firearms, the barrels gleaming under the sunlight.
"This is the Anti-Skill 7th District Division. Please comply and surrender immediately. This is the final warning—exit the vehicle now!" As the red lights in the robots' eyes flickered, they began advancing steadily, tightening their formation.
"Stop, stop!" Just as the robots were about to move in, a woman with a black ponytail and clad in dark blue combat armor stepped forward, looking rather exasperated. "These new models are great and all, but why is their aggression level so high? I swear, I'm filing a report about this later—they really need a tuning update..."
If Selene were here, she would immediately recognize this bold, confident woman—it was none other than Yomikawa Aiho. Known as Tsukuyomi Komoe's close friend, she was also the one behind the infamous "human ashtray pile" comment.
With a personality as fiery as her figure, Yomikawa proudly called herself Japan's representative tomboy. She was deeply devoted to protecting Academy City and followed a strict principle—never to use weapons against students, regardless of how dangerous their abilities might be. She belonged to the 7th District's Central Anti-Skill Enforcement Division.
Upright in her morals, passionate in her duty, and one of the few who stood firmly on the moral high ground of Academy City—she was someone Selene deeply respected.
After venting her frustration about the robots' over-aggression, Yomikawa raised her voice toward the blue Lamborghini. "Kiyama Harumi! You are under arrest on suspicion of developing [Level Upper]! Step out of the vehicle now!"
"Anti-Skill, huh..." Kiyama leaned against the steering wheel, rubbing her temple. "Hmph, as expected... They only move this quickly when orders come from the top."
"So, what now?" Uiharu Kazari stared quietly at her. "You're surrounded. Isn't it time to surrender?"
"Oh? Surrounded? Surrender?" Kiyama gave her a faint, mocking look. "I've prepared too long for this moment to give up now."
"Don't forget, [Level Upper] uses the human brain as a computational device. Besides its processing ability, there's another... interesting side effect."
Her eyes narrowed as a faint smile touched her lips. "And for that, I should also thank the Schicksal Research Institute for their T-R formula."
"Watch closely. I won't stop—not until I've achieved my goal." With that, Kiyama opened the car door with a soft click and stepped out slowly.
Standing before her car, she faced the approaching Security Robots and Anti-Skill officers, completely ignoring their shouted warnings. Slowly, she closed her eyes.
The next moment, they flew open—her once-white sclera now dyed a vivid crimson.
Then, a gunshot echoed among the Anti-Skill ranks.
Everyone froze. One of their own had collapsed, clutching his bleeding thigh.
And the shooter—was another Anti-Skill officer.
"What the hell are you doing?!" Though stunned, the others reacted on instinct, aiming their weapons at the shooter.
"No, it's not me! I don't know what's happening! I... I can't control myself!" The panicked officer shouted incoherently, his eyes wide with fear.
Before anyone could process the chaos, the Security Robots at the front flashed red again.
"Warning: Suspect confirmed hostile. Law enforcement under threat. Authorization to fire granted."
The command was given.
In an instant, every Security Robot raised its weapon in unison.
Ratatatatatatata—
A deafening storm of gunfire filled the air, the wind howling with the roar of bullets. The torrent of high-caliber rounds engulfed Kiyama Harumi completely.
But it was useless.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!...
Before Kiyama Harumi, a faintly glowing circular arc appeared out of thin air, blocking the Security Robots' gunfire.
"Tch, Security Robots? Must be under top-level command too... not even caring about her life, huh?" Standing protectively before the blue Lamborghini, Kiyama glanced back at Uiharu Kazari. The fact that they'd open fire without regard for a hostage made her loathing toward Academy City's upper echelon grow even stronger.
Of course, Kiyama didn't know about the protective safeguard Selene had secretly placed on Uiharu.
"So they think I've become a threat to their interests?" A twisted smile crept across her lips. "Then I don't need to hold back either."
Kiyama slowly raised her right hand, fingers spread wide as if pushing against an invisible wall, and aimed it toward the Anti-Skill formation ahead.
The air trembled.
In the next instant, whirling currents of wind began to converge in her palm, forming a rapidly spinning vortex. A powerful hurricane burst forth, blasting directly toward the Anti-Skill formation. The leading Security Robots were immediately caught up and hurled into the air.
The neat interception line was instantly broken apart.
"Target's abilities inconsistent with records. Estimated threat level—Lv3 or higher. Updating directive: lethal force authorized!"
As soon as the cold, synthetic voice concluded, the Security Robots adjusted their stances and lunged forward with impossible speed!
Clang!
With a sharp metallic hiss, the front-line robot extended a blade from its forearm. Dropping its firearm, it charged with shield and blade in hand, closing the distance in a flash.
Clang! A ringing metallic sound echoed—Kiyama's arm had hardened in an instant, intercepting the blade.
"Criminal suspect: Kiyama Harumi—lethal force authorized!"
The robot's motor roared as it poured more power into its strike. Kiyama's face tightened—she could feel the sheer pressure forcing against her guard. With a quick motion, she used the momentum to leap back!
But the robot was already on her again. It had predicted her retreat, slamming its heavy frame into the ground to propel itself forward and then crashing shoulder-first into her.
"What—?!"
BAM! The impact hit her squarely in the chest, sending her stumbling backward.
Just as the robot was about to follow up with another strike, it suddenly froze—sparks erupted across its metallic frame.
"Heh... so this is Anti-Skill's latest equipment, huh? Impressive indeed. If not for the T-R serum enhancement, this weak researcher's body wouldn't have held up... But—"
Kiyama's crimson eyes flared as she patted her aching shoulder. Then, raising both hands sharply, she shouted, "...your chance is gone!"
In an instant, torrents of blue-white lightning exploded outward, flooding a massive section of the elevated highway. Every Security Robot preparing to attack was instantly overwhelmed.
The voltage far exceeded their internal safety limits. Their metallic shells crackled violently with surging electricity before bursting into showers of sparks and collapsing into lifeless heaps.
In the end, these Security Robots—mass-produced from Schicksal Research Institute's military models—were nothing more than Selene's money-making tools. They were fine for dealing with petty criminals or low-level espers, but against a high-level esper, they were utterly outmatched. After all, they weren't Titans.
"Impossible... she's an esper?! Or even... a multi-ability user?!" Yomikawa Aiho's eyes widened in disbelief. The entire Anti-Skill capture squad had been wiped out in moments. Wasn't Kiyama Harumi supposed to be a powerless scholar?
This scene before her—was this what a powerless researcher looked like?
Someone who could block Security Robots head-on, conjure storms, and wield lightning like a god? That was no ordinary human.
Even assuming she had undergone esper development, there was no way she could've achieved such power in such a short time! That earlier hurricane alone far exceeded a typical Lv3's strength. And worse still...
Kiyama had clearly used multiple abilities!
"Damn it... what's the Data Statistics Division even doing?! Not a single report lately has been accurate!"
...
Far in the distance, the fires from the elevated highway lit up the sky. Carrying Shirai Kuroko through the air via spatial teleportation, Misaka Mikoto grew visibly tense.
"No way... did Kiyama Harumi actually engage Anti-Skill? That's not right—she's supposed to be just a scholar! Could she have an accomplice?!"
Though she wanted to hurry, the pace was frustratingly slow. Having grown used to Selene's instantaneous long-distance teleportation, Misaka couldn't help but grumble. "Ugh, Kuroko, why are you so slow..."
Feeling wronged, Kuroko pouted, "I'm not Selene-senpai! I'm just an ordinary Level 4 teleporter! My spatial range isn't infinite, you know."
Suddenly, another explosion rocked the highway, sending plumes of black smoke into the sky.
Locking eyes, Misaka and Kuroko exchanged a silent understanding—and accelerated their pace immediately.