One after another, windows in the Academic Research Assembly building were pushed open, curious faces peering out at the abruptly gloomy sky.
Rain fell incessantly from the sky, all leaking through the gap created by Natsume-san's ability. Unnoticed, the ground quickly became soaked.
"Konori-senpai, the surveillance around the venue has been jammed. They're only looping footage from a while ago. Hopefully, this can buy us a little more time."
Stationed among the Judgment team, Uiharu Kazari let out a relieved sigh as she finished her task.
The flower ring on her head bloomed as vibrantly as ever, attracting many curious glances.
"Good work."
Konori Mii gave a slight nod, her gaze piercing through the window toward the sky. Now, all they could do was wait for Natsume-san's move.
Meanwhile, in the hidden drains originally meant to divert rainwater around the Assembly venue, a gel-like substance had clogged most of the passages, allowing water to gradually pool on top.
Even the drainage gutters along the roadsides faced similar issues, their efficiency hampered by blockages.
The Judgment members had only tampered with the rainwater drainage pipes, leaving the sewage lines untouched—after all, the sewer system couldn't possibly handle the volume of stormwater.
In short, everyone wanted to minimize the fallout.
The Judgment team's efforts proved effective. Even before Natsume-san unleashed the main force of her rain, parts of the Assembly venue were already experiencing minor flooding.
"Oh no, some of the drainage pipes are blocked!"
Just then, a few staff members within the venue also noticed the accumulating water.
But before they could address the issue or report it, the weather shifted abruptly.
Without leaving anyone time to react, the rain intensified into an unbroken curtain, a downpour instantly drenching the entire venue.
"It's starting."
Kongou Mitsuko took a deep breath, steadying her nerves, and pulled a raincoat from her black schoolbag.
But such a flimsy raincoat was utterly useless against a deluge of this magnitude.
Her eyes shifted and happened to meet the gaze of Wannai-san standing beside her.
The three of them exchanged knowing smiles, the earlier tension melting away in an instant.
"Everyone, it's our turn now. I'm proud… proud to stand with all of you to stop this crisis."
Konori-senpai turned to face the group, her voice trembling slightly yet filled with resolve.
Like most people in Academy City, this place held Konori-senpai's memories of the past and her hopes for the future.
This was why Judgment existed—why they risked danger and sacrificed their school lives: to protect these precious things.
"Mii, let's do our best together."
The Judgment member named Yanagisako Aomi suddenly raised a fist in encouragement, her tone brimming with support. She was Konori Mii's roommate and also her upperclassman in high school.
"So this is Judgment…"
Juufuku Miho stood amidst the crowd, clutching her prepared rain gear, her mind wandering.
Seeing the gathered Judgment members around her, she felt she understood why the usually laid-back Natsume-san had agreed to join.
Yet, worry suddenly crept into her heart. In such heavy rain, Natsume-san must be having a tough time, right?
The rain washed clean the dust from the ground, leaving the air fresh and natural.
But this freshness brought no joy—instead, it underscored the sheer density of the falling rain.
"Konori-senpai, the staff have already requested the Anti-Skill to use rain dispersal shells."
Unexpected developments arose again as Uiharu discovered the venue staff's movements online.
"Rain dispersal shells? We have to notify Natsume-san right away."
Konori-senpai sounded startled.
"There's no need to worry too much. Yomikawa-sensei and the others are temporarily suspended for reflection. Most of the Anti-Skill in District 7 are practically on break right now. They won't react quickly. We still have enough time."
Uiharu added, trying to reassure her.
"But… how are things on Misaka-senpai's end?" Uiharu asked hesitantly.
"It's fine. Misaka-senpai will definitely take good care of Febrie."
Saten Ruiko approached, fully equipped and wrapped up tightly, even wearing goggles over her eyes.
The materials had been collected, and the neutralizing agent was nearly ready. All that was left was to rely on Dr. Heaven Canceller.
Besides protecting Febrie, Misaka-senpai also had to rescue Febrie's sister, 'Janie,' when the dark side used the 'Diffusion Ghost' ability.
As for their own situation, honestly, no one present could guarantee they could completely eliminate the ability media inside those Powered Suits.
They just hoped to buy a little more time, to delay the enemy's awareness, and to prevent the incident as much as possible.
Up in the sky, Natsume-san and the others also received the update from Uiharu.
"Those big, round rain-dispersal shells? Looks like we need to speed up."
As if recalling something she'd heard somewhere, Natsume Sonoko gestured with her hands.
Composing herself, Natsume-san opened several more gaps, causing the rainfall to intensify further.
Shirai Kuroko hadn't gone down to help. As the most mobile esper among them, she was tasked with ensuring Natsume-san's safety—preventing the girl from exhausting her calculation power and falling from the sky.
Even if the person in question felt it was completely unnecessary.
The rain neatly avoided the space around the two girls, an invisible barrier repelling the downpour.
Among everyone present, perhaps only Natsume-san and Shirai-san didn't have to worry about getting drenched.
"The venue staff are preparing to evacuate."
Shirai-san looked down toward the ground. Though the heavy rain made it hard to see clearly, she could still follow the real-time movements via her earpiece.
"Did they agree to let Judgment help?"
Natsume-san asked with concern.
"They've agreed. Konori-senpai and the others are heading straight for their assigned targets—to clear the ability medium from the Powered Suits and also deal with the blockages in the drainage system."
Shirai-san continued.
"Understood. I'll maintain the water level."
Natsume-san nodded in response.
As water gradually accumulated across the venue, slowly flooding into the lobbies of several buildings, the power to the Academic Research Assembly venue was promptly cut off by the staff.
The interior walls of these buildings weren't luxuriously treated to be waterproof. An electrical leak now would be dangerous.
And once the power was cut, the abnormality here could no longer be hidden from the outside world. The question was just how much time Judgment's preparations could buy.
That dark side organization had invested so much effort into the Assembly. Once they realized what was happening, they would never give up easily—they'd likely launch their attack ahead of schedule.
To deal with such a contingency, Natsume-san had actually prepared a countermeasure.
She pictured the endless expanse of water inside the venue, and the Powered Suits partially submerged. If it came to it, who would be attacking whom was still up in the air.
These sponsored cargo containers holding the Powered Suits—only a small portion were placed inside buildings. Most were stationed out in the open.
"Everyone, proceed according to plan. We now have the Assembly's authorization to handle those Powered Suits."
Standing beneath the curtain of rain, even face-to-face conversation was hard to hear. They could only communicate via their earpieces.
The Judgment members split into several teams and began moving out according to their assigned zones.
Their green shield armbands were instantly soaked, their raincoats clinging to their uniforms, their vision blurred by the relentless rain.
The operation had only just begun, yet everyone already looked thoroughly drenched and disheveled.
In one area designated as Zone C, Saten-san and the others struggled to pry open a sealed container.
The moment the container door swung open, a row of brand-new Powered Suits greeted their eyes.
They came in various colors. A few of the suits' mechanical arms were equipped with aggressive-looking weapons resembling hockey sticks.
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.