The air grew thick with the heavy scent of metal and gunpowder, tiny solid particles suspended between gas molecules.
A single breath felt like inhaling half the periodic table.
Controlling her body to fly a bit higher, she still couldn't help but pinch her nose. Natsume wasn't particularly resilient against foul environments.
Pondering her current position, the simulated route that Uiharu had provided earlier flashed through Natsume's mind.
If they continued along this path in District 10, there weren't many blind spots left. The closer one got to Academy City's outskirts, the more comprehensive the surveillance and defense systems became.
Had they not been moving through these blind spots, their target would've likely been pinpointed by Academy City long ago.
The armed personnel on the ground hadn't noticed anything amiss. After a brief investigation, they began to withdraw.
A strange sense of urgency stirred within Natsume Sonoko as she watched these armed figures.
It wasn't fear of their weapons—they couldn't hit her anyway—but a preconceived notion that these were likely Academy City personnel sent to retrieve the wreckage.
Natsume felt strongly that the remains of the Tree Diagram must not fall into their hands.
Since that experiment was over, there was no need for it to keep resurfacing, making everyone uncomfortable.
What should disappear ought to vanish completely.
Thinking of Misaka-senpai, who had left in such a hurry during dinner, a resolute expression settled on Natsume Sonoko's face.
Misaka-senpai was so stubborn. Clearly, working together would be more efficient, and she'd actually be happy to help.
Flying high above, the bun-girl glanced at the time. There was still over an hour before curfew at Tokiwadai Dorm.
Not wanting to waste another moment, Natsume unfurled her wings. A disorienting gale whipped up beside her, churning the very air around them.
The violent winds hid within the pitch-black night, like a drop of ink falling into the ocean—no matter how turbulent, it merely blended into the sea's endless waves.
Though Natsume had grown slightly bolder lately, she had no desire to face the dorm supervisor's wrath by returning late.
During the period around the Daihaseisai, the supervisor's nerves were especially frayed. Even Shirai-san made sure to return on time every day to check in. Best to finish this quickly and get back to sleep.
"Ah, I almost forgot."
Natsume Sonoko's wings faltered mid-beat. She rummaged in her pocket and pulled out a neatly folded, though somewhat crumpled, Judgment armband.
The pin nearly pricked her as she fastened it. Once secured, it hung loosely on her slender right shoulder.
It looked nothing like how stylishly Shirai-san wore hers. Instead, it drooped below her sleeve cuff, but the bun-girl felt rather pleased with herself nonetheless.
This time, she was going to catch their target for Shirai-san, so naturally, she had to do it as a member of Judgment.
Even if Shirai-san intervening in off-campus criminal incidents was technically against regulations... well, that didn't matter right now. Her own actions weren't against the rules.
"Where are we now?"
Musujime Awaka sat quietly in the truck, several nervous companions behind her.
The closer they got to Academy City's outer wall, the more palpable their unease grew.
"We're at the border between Districts 10 and 11, just a few kilometers from a freight distribution center."
"That center has a canal leading directly outside Academy City. The 'Science Association' members are waiting for us there," someone answered.
But something had felt off for a while now. Despite the road appearing straight ahead, the navigation system kept warning they were off course. Maybe the device was malfunctioning.
The truck suddenly jolted violently, followed by sharp braking. Everyone lurched forward, a chorus of pained groans filling the vehicle.
"What happened?"
"There's something blocking the road."
Getting out to check, they found a broad earthen wall standing abruptly across the straight road, starkly visible under the streetlights and moonlight.
Looking around, the once empty straight path was now flanked by countless concrete buildings where greenbelts should have been.
"Look! The road's gone!"
Following the startled cry, they saw the asphalt pavement had been replaced by ubiquitous brickwork. Unknowingly, they'd driven into some strange place.
"This earth wall is fake. These buildings are too."
Musujime Awaka frowned, touching the barrier. It lacked solidity, feeling instead like air—a mirage created through optics.
Similar technology already existed in Academy City; holographic projections had reached civilian use levels.
But what they faced now wasn't that advanced—rather, mirror images created through ability.
"Not everything is fake, you know. Some parts are quite real. But you probably don't realize where you've wandered."
"Originally, this was several abandoned apartment buildings. But for now, it's temporarily become my territory."
Emerging from seemingly nowhere, the bun-girl wearing a Judgment armband stepped from the shadows. A pale ice mask resembling Magical Powered Kanamin's likeness covered her face.
It was rather like plugging one's ears while stealing a bell—any investigation would quickly reveal her identity.
The Tokiwadai uniform and Judgment armband already gave her away, but Natsume always had a penchant for doing inexplicable things.
Perhaps the bun-girl felt the mask offered some sense of security.
The air's moisture content here wasn't sufficient to create the kind of fog that could completely disrupt abilities, but Natsume had alternative methods.
Such as using microscopic ice prisms and light refraction to achieve mirage-like effects.
The spatial ability user Musujime Awaka required three-second intervals to move herself.
Natsume's shock therapy, while effective, couldn't guarantee subduing her within three seconds. If one could endure the suffocating sensation and cover their nose and mouth immediately, they could effectively counter it.
Unless Natsume's heated air had already accumulated sufficiently within the body, it wouldn't cause instant shock.
Most people—even those with some training—wouldn't react in time, but experienced high-level abilities might.
Since developing this technique, Natsume had encountered several setbacks when using it on various individuals.
Both the sniping-focused senpai and that boy with the strange goggles had reacted immediately last time.
Still, even someone with exceptional lung capacity couldn't withstand the bun-girl's relentless pursuit.
Combining this move with invisibility and flight, Natsume could easily take on a fully armed modern military unit.
After all that analysis, Musujime Awaka now faced an awkward situation.
Her vision—which she relied on to assess her surroundings—had been compromised. Unable to distinguish reality from illusion, she couldn't ascertain accurate coordinates.
Under these conditions, even moving herself became unfeasible. She couldn't guarantee where she might end up.
"Who are you?!"
One of Musujime's companions stepped back, expression grave, seemingly spooked by the bizarre surroundings.
No sooner had he spoken than his muscles began bulging—apparently a physical enhancement ability user.
The bun-girl's intimidating presence seemed greater than expected. Her short stature alone made the taller group hesitate to approach.
"I'm with Judgment. You're under arrest for robbery and assault."
Reciting the lines Shirai-san often used, the girl behind the pale ice mask spoke calmly, her slight upward tilt of the head conveying unusual composure.
Imitating a certain teleporter's mannerism, she adjusted the shield-shaped armband on her right shoulder, asserting the legitimacy of her enforcement.
Though it was a perfectly normal action, Natsume Sonoko felt inexplicably embarrassed beneath the mask. Her personality differed greatly from Shirai-san's.
She lacked that unwavering, intense sense of justice, yet she still wanted to do what she believed was right.
Though Natsume didn't fully understand what true justice meant, she had her own way of judging such matters.
--+--
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.