The altitude kept climbing, turning everything here unfamiliar, as if they had arrived in a brand new world.
Because the surrounding environment was constantly changing, even Natsume-san's flight formula required some necessary adjustments to adapt.
This was Natsume-san's first time breaking through the Earth's troposphere and reaching the stratosphere, at least ten thousand meters above the surface.
The most significant change was the air, which had grown dangerously thin.
The adjustment to the formula caused a brief bumpiness, and their speed plummeted. Only after Natsume-san increased the efficiency and range of gas extraction did they barely manage to maintain their previous velocity.
They climbed steadily along the calculated trajectory of the missile, the white clouds around them now completely gone.
By the time they approached thirty thousand meters, only ethereal, hazy bluish gas clusters were visible everywhere.
"So we're already this high. It's my first time seeing the ozone layer this close," Natsume Sonoko mused, tilting her head curiously as she glanced at Misaka-senpai, who seemed equally intrigued.
Remembering that ozone had an unpleasant, fishy smell, Natsume-san couldn't help but wrinkle her nose.
To prevent these gases from mixing with the oxygen they were breathing and causing unnecessary trouble, Natsume-san hastily separated the two, maintaining a clear boundary between them.
Viewed like this, the train engine was abruptly coated in a thin, pale blue layer, making it seem even more magical.
"You know, Natsume-san, you don't seem very worried," Misaka-senpai remarked, having found a comfortable spot to sit, leaning back with her hands braced against the engine.
Perhaps influenced by Natsume-san's excessive calm, Misaka-senpai had also begun to relax.
"Because I trust you completely, Misaka-senpai. I'm sure your precision strike will be flawless," Natsume Sonoko replied with a charming smile, blinking her eyes.
She had full confidence in Academy City's #3 Level 5. Freed from the constraints of the dense surface-level air, the Railgun could now reach incredible distances.
"...Is that so?" Misaka-senpai was taken aback for a moment, then suddenly laughed.
"Kuroko mentioned that you've stopped taking the school bus recently, Natsume-san."
"Yes, everyone was just too enthusiastic. I'm not really used to it."
"Indeed, everyone's enthusiasm can be quite troublesome at times," Misaka-senpai sighed involuntarily.
Tens of thousands of meters in the air, the two of them chatted idly about inconsequential things.
However, their conversation came to an abrupt halt after just a few dozen seconds. As they continued to climb, the humanoid transport finally carried the Railgun set to its designated position.
Being an excellent 'tool,' Natsume-san precisely delivered the Railgun to its intended launch point.
At approximately thirty thousand meters above Academy City, the two girls standing on the train engine rose to their feet in unison.
Gazing into the far distance, they could see a growing bright spot—one that would be invisible to those with average eyesight.
"It's about to enter the designated attack range."
"Natsume-san, you'd better put some distance between us," Misaka-senpai said seriously.
Sparks crackled in her chestnut-brown hair, and soon, it was as if she were clad in a coat of blue energy.
Countless electric charges surged throughout Misaka-senpai's body, and a powerful current instantly spread across the surface of the train engine.
"I understand."
Natsume-san gave a slight nod. The moment Misaka-senpai began generating electricity, she controlled her body to move away from the surface of this now-electrified projectile.
She wasn't Misaka-senpai, after all; getting shocked would still hurt.
The air barrier that had been covering the surface now split into two, protecting both of them perfectly even in these extreme external conditions.
Her small leather shoes trod on the air as she flew downward for a bit before Natsume Sonoko came to a stop.
She finally settled about thirty meters away from Misaka-senpai. Even here, she could still feel the increasingly astonishing surge of electric current.
If released all at once, that current would be enough to cause a city-wide blackout in Academy City under the right conditions.
Feeling it still wasn't quite sufficient, she created a fairly large pseudo-vacuum protective layer in front of herself. Only then did Natsume-san relax slightly.
A fully serious Misaka-senpai was truly a force to be reckoned with.
Holding her breath and focusing, Natsume-san directed all her attention onto Misaka-senpai, quietly awaiting her next move.
As the electric current began to hiss, the surface of the train engine trembled gently. Its slightly hollow frame started to dent inward.
The engine's upward momentum hadn't yet ceased, but it abruptly halted mid-air, as if held back by some invisible force.
Misaka-senpai's figure vanished from the top of the engine, reappearing an instant later directly behind the engine's head.
Electromagnetically accelerated projectile. Continuously correcting the trajectory.
Just like any other day.
Misaka-senpai raised her right hand, palm flat. An extensive electromagnetic field centered on her body enveloped the entire train engine, accelerating it relentlessly within the field.
The moment the initial velocity reached triple the speed of sound, her fist, brimming with current, slammed into the projectile.
The Railgun's high speed immediately triggered chaotic gas flows, the sonic boom echoing through the skies.
As the projectile's speed grew increasingly terrifying, its body began to glow with dazzling flames, countless sparks scattering in its wake.
The Railgun continued to frictionally engage with the atmosphere; perhaps only outer space would allow it to travel unhindered.
But the air resistance here was far less than at ground level. The projectile's degradation decreased as the altitude increased. In mere seconds, the Railgun's velocity ascended to an entirely new level.
And just before the Railgun's degradation reached its critical point, it collided with the missile advancing along its predetermined path.
Intense heat engulfed nearly a hundred cubic meters of airspace upon impact, creating a significant explosion.
The brilliant flames lit up the sky. From a corner of Academy City, one could even see the clouds stained red, followed only then by the thunderous roar that shook the heavens.
A real man never looks back at an explosion, and espers are no different.
That single shot had nearly drained Misaka-senpai's computational power and physical stamina. Before she could even react, her body began drifting downward, until it was caught by a gentle current of air.
"Misaka-senpai."
A familiar voice seemed to reach her ears. A certain dazed Railgun struggled to open her eyes, but an overwhelming wave of drowsiness instantly washed over her.
--+--
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.