Saten Ruiko, overwhelmed with joy, hugged Arata tightly and buried her face in his chest.
She had come to Academy City full of expectations, hoping to discover her talent and earn recognition. But those hopes had been completely shattered when she was judged to be powerless.
Watching others with abilities surpass her, she didn't feel jealousy.
But she did feel envy.
Academy City was a city for espers. Even though equality was claimed on the surface, there was an invisible divide. Those with abilities and those without lived in entirely different worlds.
As more and more of her friends awakened their powers and shined brightly, she increasingly felt like she was fading into the background.
Dispensable.
When Arata gave her such a precious gift from the very beginning, a vague feeling had already taken root in her heart.
"Thank you, senpai. Thank you so much."
Uiharu Kazari hadn't expected her friend to be this bold, but she understood Ruiko very well. Ruiko had always longed for abilities and felt inferior because she lacked them. Now that she finally had them, it was only natural she would lose control of her emotions.
She looked at her friend with gentle eyes.
"Mm."
Arata smiled and casually ruffled Ruiko's hair. It was soft.
At the same time, he leaned slightly closer and whispered near her ear.
"Now now calm down "
"Arigato senpai?" Ruiko immediately let go, realizing how carried away she had been.
Her cheeks flushed red, her gaze turning shy.
"The development process is complete. Would you like to test your abilities? The facility has the necessary equipment." Nunotaba Shinobu said calmly.
"Thank you for your help." Saten Ruiko and Uiharu Kazari bowed in gratitude.
They moved to the ability testing area, where several researchers began evaluating their powers.
"Level 2 Aerokinesis. Generates upward air currents. Current output is limited. Can produce a short burst of strong wind within a three meter radius. Classified under airflow manipulation. Growth potential is at least Level 4. Level 5 depends on future development."
"Level 3 Thermal Jet. Allows emission of high-temperature airflow from a fixed point. Maximum range ten meters. Maximum temperature 251 degrees Celsius. Growth potential is at least Level 4. Level 5 depends on further development."
Nunotaba Shinobu recorded everything meticulously. This was valuable data for Charlotte Factor-based development.
"I can reach Level 4?" Saten Ruiko exclaimed in disbelief.
"Me too?" Uiharu pointed at herself, equally stunned.
Amid their astonishment, Arata casually lifted a vial of Charlotte Factor solution.
"The Charlotte Factor is a substance I developed. Unlike conventional methods, it amplifies Personal Reality to its limit. You could think of it as forcing your ability to continuously grow. Reaching Level 5 is not impossible. It simply requires time." Arata explained.
"We can become Level 5 too..." Saten Ruiko's chest swelled with excitement.
"Theoretically, yes. Since you are the first test subjects, we cannot determine how long it will take. But reaching Level 4 is guaranteed."
"Wah..."
Both girls flushed red with excitement, looking like they might jump at any moment.
A Level 4 was already considered elite in most schools.
A Level 5 was a top-tier existence across all of Academy City.
"Senpai..."
"Alright, stop thanking me. " Arata said lightly.
"E-eh..."
Both girls immediately lowered their heads, their faces burning as they fidgeted nervously.
"We agreed to hang out today. Let me change first and I'll join you." Arata said. "The elevator is over there. Wait downstairs."
"Yes, senpai!"
Saten Ruiko grabbed Uiharu's arm and practically skipped toward the elevator.
"Everything is proceeding smoothly." Arata said, removing his lab coat as he looked at Nunotaba Shinobu.
Nunotaba Shinobu reviewed the data calmly.
"It went perfectly. With a sufficient dose of Charlotte Factor, reaching Level 5 is only a matter of time. This will shake all of Academy City."
"From now on, we will use only one third of the Charlotte Factor for external development. Full doses will be reserved for our own people." Arata said with a faint smile.
If the dosage was insufficient, the amplification of Personal Reality would be limited and eventually stagnate once the substance was depleted.
"I understand. But there is something important you need to know." Nunotaba Shinobu said seriously.
"The higher-ups have already noticed that we are conducting unauthorized research. An investigation has begun. All equipment here is being monitored. There is a high chance they are already aware of the Charlotte Factor."
"So the investigation started after I forcibly shut down the Level 6 Shift Project."
Arata shrugged, completely unsurprised.
"I expected that."
The Level 6 Shift Project had been forcibly halted. The director responsible for it had naturally noticed. Monitoring the institute's network was the obvious next step.
What followed was inevitable.
...
Re@d adv@nce ch@pters on p@t
guilt_free_daoist
Jo!n d!sc0rd I!nk in synops!s.
GIVE ME YOU POWER STONES.