"After all, the 'Level 6 Shift Project' has always been under strict surveillance. From the moment you intervened in that experiment, the Board of Directors began keeping an eye on you. After all, it concerns the birth of a Level 6," said Nunotaba Shinobu with a trace of concern. To be honest, this was the first time she had been involved in such a large-scale power struggle.
"All research institutions in Academy City are connected through a unified network controlled by the Board. Any use of the Tree Diagram Designer will be recorded in the system."
"I've been waiting for this moment for a long time," Arata said, a faint light flashing in his eyes.
The Board of Directors in Academy City operates independently. They do not interfere with each other, yet they also maintain mutual restraint. The force that ensures they do not openly clash is the existence of the "Dark Side units." Once internal conflict escalates, these units will directly suppress it.
If one Board member loses control, the others will not hesitate to move against them.
These complex and rigid unspoken rules exist to ensure that the power of Academy City always remains in their hands.
"If anything unusual happens, contact me immediately. We still have very strong allies on our side," Arata said with a smile as he casually stuffed his white coat into Nunotaba Shinobu's hands and walked toward the elevator.
If they made a move against him, it would mean the safety of the Misaka Sisters could no longer be guaranteed. And at that point, Accelerator would inevitably act.
A mere Board member might rely on schemes and pressure to restrain her, but if it came down to a direct confrontation, they would be crushed without hesitation.
Saten Ruiko and Uiharu Kazari arrived at the lounge, brimming with excitement like children surrounded by candy.
"Uiharu, I finally have powers. I might even become a Level 5 someday. This still feels unreal!" Saten Ruiko spun around happily in front of Uiharu.
"Uiharu, hit me. I need to check if I'm dreaming."
"I also feel like this is unbelievable. I've already reached Level 3. Arata-senpai is incredible. Not only is he a Level 5, but he's also a multi-skill esper. And now we find out he's a scientist who developed something like this," said Uiharu Kazari, her cheeks slightly flushed with admiration.
"If this spreads, then everyone in Academy City could become an esper."
"So, how are you going to thank Arata-senpai?" Saten Ruiko asked with a mischievous expression.
"Well… this…" Uiharu froze. She was the type who valued repaying kindness, but this favor was far too great.
"Hehe, I've already thought of how to repay him," Saten Ruiko said proudly.
"What is it?" Uiharu asked.
"Of course, whoa!"
Saten Ruiko suddenly activated her ability. A gust of wind surged upward, instantly flipping Uiharu Kazari's skirt.
Uiharu froze for a moment, then immediately let out a scream, clutching her skirt with both hands. Tears welled up in her eyes as she shouted in embarrassment, "W-What are you doing, Saten-san?!"
"See? Now that I have powers, lifting Uiharu's skirt is even easier. Our friendship has reached a new level. I'll use this to repay Arata-senpai from now on," Saten Ruiko declared proudly.
"Waaah! Please don't use your ability for that! Absolutely not!" Uiharu cried, nearly in tears from humiliation.
"Sorry, sorry, just kidding," Saten Ruiko said, sticking out her tongue playfully.
"Hey, aren't you the moving flower vase from before?"
A soft, gentle voice suddenly came from behind them.
"Huh?" The two girls turned around at the same time.
Standing there was a nun in a pure white habit embroidered with gold thread. Two white and gray kittens peeked out from her collar. She held a large bag of potato chips, with crumbs still at the corners of her mouth.
"It's you," Uiharu Kazari said in surprise, then sighed. "I already told you, this is an artificial flower, not real. Did you come with Arata-senpai?"
"Yeah. Arata said he'd take me out to play, but then he left me here," Index pouted, then asked curiously, "Did you come to see Arata?"
"Yes," Uiharu replied with an awkward smile.
"Hello, my name is Saten Ruiko," Saten said politely.
"My name is Index," Index replied with a soft smile.
"What's your relationship with Arata?"
"Arata-senpai and us… wait, could it be… you're his girlfriend?!" Saten Ruiko's eyes widened in shock, an inexplicable unease rising in her chest.
Index blinked, thought seriously for a moment, then suddenly flushed and waved her hands.
"No, no, I'm not! Who would like that kind of blockhead?"
"S-Sorry," Saten Ruiko said awkwardly.
Even if she wasn't his girlfriend, she was clearly someone close to him.
Arata was just too outstanding. A Level 5, a scientist, and the director of such a large research institute. It was only natural that people would be drawn to him.
For some reason, the thought of other girls liking him made her feel a little uncomfortable.
"Oh, so you all already know each other. That saves me the trouble of introducing you."
Arata walked over with a smile, looking at the three girls chatting together.
"Arata, are you done with your work?" Index ran over and asked.
"Yeah. So where should we go now?"
"I heard there's a big sale at the underground mall today. Want to check it out?" Saten Ruiko suggested.
"You're in charge today. Let's go," Arata said casually.
Meanwhile, in District 9, an entire swimming pool had been reserved.
The massive facility, large enough to hold two hundred people, currently contained only four.
"Hm? This mission…" The fluffy brown-haired girl lounging on a chair tapped on her laptop and let out a quiet exclamation.
"Hehe, a task like this actually appeared, even excluding the eighth Level 5. This is interesting. First time I've seen something like this."
On the other side, Kakine Teitoku, who had just taken a sip of a cold drink, nearly spat it out when a new mission notification appeared.
"That idiot issued another one of these vague missions. And it's targeting that guy again. Does he really think I'll fall for it twice?"
"Hahaha! This is hilarious. Those 'Item' guys actually got used like tools. This is killing me."
...
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.