Standing at the banquet hall entrance was a breathtakingly beautiful woman.
Unlike usual, the beauty wasn't wearing her typical Tokiwadai Middle School uniform, nor her business attire for managing Schicksal Group affairs—no suit, vest, shirt, or black slacks. Instead, she wore an opulent asymmetrical off-shoulder black silk gown with a straight-across neckline that left the upper curves of her chest openly visible.
Her fair skin glowed under the lighting, and the monochrome fabric shimmered brilliantly. Her long, silver-white hair cascaded like a snowy waterfall down her delicate back, accentuating her porcelain, exquisitely sculpted figure.
A sheer silk choker hugged her elegant neck, adorned with a beaded necklace that looked as smooth as milk. Violet diamond-shaped earrings dangled from her ears, feather decorations framed her hair, and a blue rose gemstone brooch adorned her chest. Her hands were soft and delicate, her skin creamy and flawless, her neck slender and graceful.
Her perfectly symmetrical face, devoid of makeup, looked as if it had been carved by a master sculptor. Though three-dimensional, it was difficult to pinpoint her ethnicity.
In her crimson, radiant eyes gleamed golden diamond-shaped crosses like angelic halos. They glowed with an uncanny luster, deep and intoxicating, dreamlike yet whirlpool-like—capable of sucking in one's soul.
The custom-fitted high-end gauze gown created a hazy elegance that added to the refined curves of her lithe figure, exuding an aura of noble sophistication and restrained allure—a perfect embodiment of brilliance in golden harmony.
Clack, clack~
The slit in her black gown ran from mid-thigh down, and each step revealed a pale, shapely leg wrapped in white stockings. She wore a pair of sleek, high heels with minimalist lily patterns.
The length and proportions of the gown were tailored specifically for Selene's graceful frame, calculated using the golden ratio for the most elegant visual impact.
The tapping of her heels on the floor echoed clearly in the suddenly hushed manor hall, growing louder as she approached the banquet table.
"Hm? What are you all chatting about? Mind if I join?"
As that cool yet warmly inviting voice entered their ears, everyone snapped out of the entrancement they'd unknowingly fallen into.
"Wow! Selene-senpai!"
At the round table, the daintiest and most adorably cherished Uiharu Kazari froze mid-bite of her hors d'oeuvre. Her eyes sparkled with joy, and even the flowers on her head seemed more vibrant in response to her emotions.
"Mm."
With a gentle smile, Selene used a handkerchief to wipe the cream from Uiharu's mouth and patted her head.
"I haven't had the chance to formally thank you. Though the timing may be a bit off, welcome to my mother's welcoming banquet—our family gathering."
"N-no, Senpai, we're the ones who should be thanking you..."
Feeling the cool touch on her cheek, Uiharu could almost feel her blood reversing course. She was overwhelmed—thrilled, flustered, and awestruck. Her eyes practically turned into stars.
"Big sister, me too!"
Tiny Ferdinand immediately jumped out of Alyssa's arms, wanting in. But due to the cream still smeared on the napkin at his chest, he didn't get far before Katie, appearing like a phantom, scooped him up.
"Ferdinand, are you planning to use your sister's dress as a napkin?"
Katie's voice was gentle—very gentle. And precisely because of that, Ferdinand froze in place.
And then came the hot towel to the face. Passed to a nearby maid, Ferdinand never even got close to Selene before he was intercepted and carried off, muffled protests and all.
"...My little brother is just a bit overly energetic."
While saying this, Selene personally served tea to the elders present.
"Oh oh, thank you. Kids should be lively. Lively is good."
The scruffy-bearded middle-aged man looked up from his seat at the 'young girl' before him—an overly developed friend of his son's for that age group (Selene: Ehehe, I'm a middle schooler).
Though his cheeks were slightly flushed, there wasn't a shred of ill intent in Kamijou Touya's eyes—only praise.
Despite the fact that both he and his son seemed to naturally attract women, Kamijou Touya was a model husband: devoted to his wife Shiina and uninterested in others.
"Ah, thank you very much, Selene-san," Kamijou Shiina said, smiling warmly as she accepted the tea.
From the moment she saw Selene during the Daihasei Festival's opening ceremony broadcast, she knew this girl was different.
Unlike the girls named Shokuhou and Misaka, Selene exhibited no ambiguity or extraneous emotion—just perfectly calculated human interaction. Not too close, not too distant. Just right.
And that overwhelming aura of power and commanding presence... on a middle schooler? Unbelievable. Habsburg... the number one ranked Level 5 esper.
"Ah, thank you. You're the one Misaka often mentions in her letters—the classmate famed as the strongest, right?"
As a youthful mother with a personality and image entirely opposite her daughter's, Misaka Misuzu naturally took the tea Selene offered and immediately struck up a rapport.
"Such a charming girl. Compared to her, my Mikoto loses in every category. Maturity, grace..."
She glanced toward the round table, where Mikoto was still making faces at Shokuhou Misaki. Seeing her daughter frozen in a daze, she raised an eyebrow. Then, dropping her gaze three centimeters with a sly smirk, she gave a provocative little chest puff.
"Moooom—!"
Selene, catching all of this, chuckled softly. She raised a gloved, lace-clad hand to her mouth and let her pink lips curl into a graceful smile.
If Mikoto was seen by her juniors as dignified, mature, and responsible, then her mother Misuzu came off as carefree, lazy, sometimes childish—one couldn't help but wonder if their roles were reversed.
"Kamijou-san, welcome—hm? Huh...?"
Turning to the spiky-haired boy, Selene was just about to greet him when she felt something missing. Glancing around—huh? Where was that silly little white-haired nun?
"Where's that emergency food-brand nun of yours? Isn't she always with you? Don't tell me... you already ate her?"
"Emergency food?! I don't... wait—wait! Ahh—!!"
Kamijou Touma's eyes bulged. Frozen, he suddenly remembered something dreadful. His face darkened, and he clutched his head.
"Index!!"
He'd had the nagging feeling all day that he was forgetting something. Thanks to Selene's joke, it finally clicked. Index wasn't with him!
Crap! He'd lost Index!
Meanwhile, somewhere on a public bench in Academy City—
"Ahh... so hungry..."
A white blob stirred. Gurgle gurgle went her stomach. The small white-haired nun let out a lifeless groan.
"...Touma!"
"T-this... Selene, Dad, Mom, excuse me for a moment. I think I lost something. I'll be back shortly!"
Kamijou Touma wanted to scream out loud. He'd lost Index for this long, and she was the type who could never figure out how to use modern technology no matter how many times she was taught. She was definitely starving by now, and he was definitely going to get bitten!
"No need to panic. That little one has already been picked up by nearby Judgment officers. Her current location is..."
Selene lightly tapped the air. A flash of sky-blue data swept across her crimson eyes, and a purplish-red 3D projection appeared in midair. She pointed at a curled-up white blob on a public bench.
"Oh, thank you so much! Really appreciate it."
"No thanks needed. Though I do wonder—the Magic Side, Academy City... which side do you belong to?"
As the projection vanished, Selene's words hung with subtle meaning.
"Huh? Of course, Academy City. I live here."
Touma was a bit thrown off by Selene's sudden question.
"Is that so?"
Selene said no more, offering him a cup of tea with a cryptic smile.
Just then, Carissa and Villian descended from the balcony corridor. Catching sight of Selene in her gown, their eyes lit up. Carissa took the lead, and Villian followed just behind.
"Lady Selene." ×2
"Princess Carissa. Princess Villian."
Selene gave a graceful curtsy with her hand over her chest, returning their greeting. Even in the presence of foreign royalty, she radiated the poise of someone in control.
"Seems you're eager. Come with me, and please, let's avoid unnecessary conflict."
Seeing the tension between them, Selene lowered her voice, pressing a finger to her lips. Her voice was soft but firm.
"Don't rush. What you seek, I believe, will become clear tonight. Let us speak calmly."
Carissa instinctively opened her mouth to press for more. Her temperament was fiery and strong. But after a glance at her sister, she restrained herself.
"Fine. Can you give us a hint, at least?"
Selene half-closed her eyes and parted her lips.
"William Orwell."
That name made Villian's eyes snap open.
"What?!"
...
After exchanging polite greetings with each elder and confidently engaging the British princesses in discussion, Selene surprised Misaka Mikoto.
"Is she really a princess?"
Not just Mikoto—even Shokuhou Misaki was curious. She couldn't hear anything from Selene's side, and when she tried using her powers, she was immediately warned.
A suppression barrier...
"Of course she is!"
If you asked that, Uiharu Kazari would perk right up.
Any nervousness she had about meeting Tokiwadai's ojou-sama or a new Level 5 had completely vanished. She rummaged in her bag, pulled out a notebook, and started explaining in detail, pointing at a webpage introducing the British royal family.
"That one is the Second Princess, Carissa. And that one's the Third Princess, Villian. Totally legit."
"Hey, Uiharu, then what do you think Selene-senpai is talking about with those two? The princesses look pretty serious," Saten Ruiko asked, raising her hand.
"It must be something super secret between nobles and ojou-samas..."
Selene: Don't be ridiculous. What secret noble business? It's about coups, war, and negotiations involving seduction and threats.
"I didn't expect actual princesses to come to Academy City."
Mikoto was initially surprised, but then seemed to understand.
"But it makes sense. For someone like Selene, that kind of social environment is probably normal."
"Definitely more legit than a certain so-called 'Queen' who's nothing but a delusional egomaniac," Mikoto added, seizing the chance to jab at Shokuhou Misaki.
"I won't deny that," Shokuhou shrugged. "What, feeling inferior?"
"So inferior."
Misaka Mikoto didn't argue. Staring at Selene's dazzling presence, she murmured, "Honestly, is there anyone in Academy City who doesn't feel inferior when standing before her?"
How many times had it happened now? Whenever Selene appeared, everyone else instantly faded into the background. She always took center stage, outshining them all.
But Mikoto had grown used to it.
"In truth, someone like Selene is the kind of person most worthy of admiration. She satisfies everyone's expectations, is pursued by everyone, admired by all, yet she's never once shown confusion or fear."
Mikoto spoke quietly, "Effort leading to results should be natural. I don't know what price Selene has paid. But if I were in her position, I probably wouldn't last a day."
At that moment, Mikoto thought of her Sisters.
Because she had power—because she was a Level 5—she was used in that cruel experiment. Her Sisters were created and sacrificed.
But no one had ever dared to target Selene. In the end, it came down to insufficient power. Having glimpsed the darkness of Academy City, Mikoto could only imagine how many threats Selene had crushed behind the scenes.
Just being ranked fourth had caused Mikoto so much grief. If she were thrust into the eye of the storm that was the number one spot, the pressure might crush her completely. She had already experienced firsthand how terrifying the second-ranked, Accelerator, could be.
Mikoto's reflection left Shokuhou Misaki in silence.
Indeed. Anyone who had dared target Selene was either killed by her or by her underlings.
Yet Selene had let her live without retaliation. What exactly was she planning?
At that moment, the clock struck 6:30 PM.
It was the start of the fireworks festival.
Boom! Boom boom!
With a loud crack, the first firework soared into the night sky, bursting into a brilliant golden flower. One after another followed, a cascade of radiance painting the heavens in a sea of multicolored lights. The glow illuminated Selene's face in an even more stunning brilliance.
"It's begun."
Watching Third Princess Villian, her hands clenched tightly and head lowered in hesitation, Selene tapped the table and said coolly:
"Serve me or die, Your Highness. Wouldn't it be a waste to let such a noble knight perish?"
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