The harp's form was exquisite and graceful, imbued with artistic elegance. As Selene's fingers plucked the strings, soft melodies echoed throughout the grand hall.
Harmonious and refined, the sound was like crystal-clear gems—noble and pure.
Though the volume of the duet wasn't loud, it was perfectly audible. The tones, as clear as morning dew, were sometimes warm, sometimes mysterious—gentle as a rainbow and full of poetic charm. Listening to it felt like beholding the concentrated beauty of nature.
Under warm and rhythmic lighting, the contrast between Selene's jet-black evening gown and her snowy white skin made her look even more radiant. Her eyes sparkled like rare blood-red diamonds.
In front of the stage, everyone gathered in the spacious hall—standing or sitting—immersed in the tender and elegant harmony of the music's unparalleled beauty.
Even the usually hyperactive Saten Ruiko grew quiet, visibly absorbed.
Shirai Kuroko leaned forward from her seat, fingers trembling on the camera shutter, nearly creating afterimages from excitement. She alternated between silly grins and bashful frustration, her expression a little strange.
Soon, as the performance ended and Selene and Misaka Mikoto walked one after the other behind the stage curtain, the spotlight dimmed. Yet the crowd lingered in the hall, still lost in the lingering notes.
"Hmm, doesn't Misaka-senpai always complain that Selene-senpai never joins Tokiwadai Middle School's festival events? But just now, their coordination looked so natural—not at all like a first-time performance," Uiharu Kazari murmured to Saten Ruiko, still subconsciously swaying to the rhythm of Selene's harp.
Unlike Selene, who enjoyed various privileges as a Level 5 esper, Misaka Mikoto wasn't granted such leeway. Beyond her core curriculum, she still had to take optional classes like flower arrangement, music, home economics, and extracurricular fieldwork—and endured strict oversight from the infamous Dorm Supervisor.
The kind of free, self-directed time Selene enjoyed after finishing her required courses, including staying out overnight, was something Misaka Mikoto could only envy. She had once exclaimed that the headmistress was blatantly unfair!
Though, it was just some grumbling.
"From Misaka-senpai and Misaka Auntie's reactions, it looked like a spontaneous decision," Saten Ruiko mused. "But if that was truly an impromptu duet and still so seamless... that's amazing."
"That's Tokiwadai's elite for you..." Saten added with an approving nod.
"Right? Right?"
"Ahem..."
A sudden cough interrupted Uiharu and Saten's growing praise. Shirai Kuroko and Shokuhou Misaki both wore slightly awkward expressions.
Any more praise, and they might float away.
To be honest, Shirai Kuroko, despite being a Judgment member skilled in martial arts and takedown techniques, had only dabbled in music. She could play, sure, but performing at that level? Definitely not.
As for Shokuhou Misaki...
Though born into a wealthy family and every bit the refined ojou-sama, when it came to instruments, she couldn't even compare to Misaka Mikoto's violin skills—let alone Selene.
People think learning instruments is easy? Even something that looks effortless, like the piano, is actually a workout.
And with Shokuhou Misaki's athletic ability... well, just jogging a little would leave her gasping. "Unathletic" doesn't even begin to cover it.
"Are they really just enjoying the music...? Look at their faces."
Shokuhou Misaki scanned the room. Katie looked touched, dabbing at tears. Kamijou Touya and Shiina shared a deep, emotional gaze. Misaka Misuzu closed her eyes in bliss, seemingly lost in teenage memories...
Watching the cheerful chatter of Saten Ruiko and Uiharu Kazari, Shokuhou was almost certain that everyone had received some kind of message from the performance that resonated with them personally.
"As expected... Through the performance, Selene tailored a unique message to each person."
But she didn't dwell on the thought too long. Her eyes grew serious, filled with inner conflict. Her clenched, trembling hands betrayed her unease.
Because the message and vision she received from Selene's performance were drastically different. Her earlier "immersion" had been far from blissful—it was frustration and fear.
Within the music, Selene had delivered a direct command: cease all related actions. Order Keitz Nokleben to halt his investigation.
Whether it was the hacking attack on the urban legend site Auribus Oculi Fideliores Sun, the probes into the Radio Noise (Railgun Mass Production) Project, the Level 6 Shift (Absolute Ability Evolution) Project, or any investigation into Kihara Gensei and the relics of the Artificial Talent Workshop—Selene knew everything Shokuhou was up to.
...
Behind the curtain, Misaka Mikoto had changed back into her school uniform, feeling drained as she placed her violin back into its case.
"Don't ask me next time. This weird sensation of not being in full control of my body is awful."
Clearly, the seamless duet on stage had been achieved through Selene's coordinated guidance.
There was no other choice.
Yes, Mikoto was a skilled violinist. But she had never heard the piece before, didn't know the sheet music, had no idea about the style, and hadn't rehearsed even once. Performing in sync under such conditions? Impossible without help.
To make it work, Selene had subtly fine-tuned Mikoto's finger nerves—after Mikoto deactivated her electromagnetic defenses.
There were no side effects, and the brain hadn't been touched. Still, Mikoto found the experience uncomfortable.
It reminded her of Shokuhou Misaki. Mind control was, in many ways, more disturbing than raw destructive power. After all, no one wanted their thoughts invaded without notice.
Technically, Selene could've simply transmitted the entire sheet music and performance memory directly to Mikoto. But knowing how much Mikoto disliked anything involving mental abilities, even something as innocent as sharing music, Selene hadn't bothered.
No brain contact. Just gently guiding the fingers that held the bow.
"Thanks." Selene dismissed the harp into her vault and patted Mikoto's shoulder. "If you hadn't suddenly decided to perform, I wouldn't have thought of such a gentle way to deliver my message."
"It wasn't my decision. It was my mom! I can't beat her in an argument!"
Mikoto first growled in irritation, then looked confused. "Deliver what message...? I didn't notice anything."
Selene merely smiled. "Some say music is the most beautiful language for conveying thoughts."
She didn't explain further. "Come on, it's time for the feast."
"Oh? Great! Which top-tier chefs did you hire this time, you rich dog?"
"Anyone you can think of."
"Tch... so extravagant."
"You think it's free?"
"Huh?! Wait, you don't mean we have to pay?!"
"Not in money. Another kind of payment."
"Are you speaking in riddles now?"
Mikoto was dumbfounded. Could she not just say it clearly?
"Ahhh—! Onee-sama!"
Just as they stepped offstage, a voice like tinkling bells called out. Misaka Mikoto's expression instantly froze—as if someone had shoved an ice pop down her back.
Her mouth twitched.
Because a certain twin-tailed, brown-haired creature with sparkles in her eyes was now making snorting pig noises as she clutched her camcorder, wriggling in delight on the armchair.
Seeing the camera, Misaka Mikoto instantly understood what had happened. But with adults present, she couldn't just zap the pervert, so she stormed over. "Kuroko!!"
Dragged by the cheek and making muffled noises, Shirai Kuroko flailed helplessly. Saten Ruiko, the long-haired black-haired girl nearby, sweated a little in second-hand embarrassment. Then again, she had known them long enough that this kind of scene was almost routine.
"Misaka-senpai, Selene-senpai, you're finally here!"
"Mmm... so tasty..."
Uiharu Kazari carefully sliced into a pastry so exquisite it could be mistaken for artwork, letting out a blissful, sugary sigh as she tasted it.
Selene could almost see the flower on Uiharu's head blooming even more vibrantly, swaying as if in pure joy.
"Ah, Senpai, your performance was amazing! That harp... must be really hard to learn, right?" Noticing Selene, Uiharu snapped out of her dessert daze.
"Not hard at all. If you want to learn, I can teach you."
She wasn't bluffing. Selene might lack natural musical talent, but thanks to the [Golden] Eden Seal—a mark of the greatest bard in an entire era—she could mimic, replicate, and reproduce music with ease.
Still not enough?
No problem. With access to the multiverse, the Swirl of Honkai loaded, and access to the Throne of Heroes, she could draw on Da Vinci, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Strauss... all of them.
Give Selene a moment to sift through the options, and she could load the musical knowledge of elves, beastkin, merfolk, aliens, even goblins.
Ding ding! Presenting Her Majesty Selene, Supreme Musician of the Sacred Empire, Goddess of All Races' Music!
Teaching Uiharu Kazari? Child's play.
After ruffling Uiharu's soft head and nodding in satisfaction, Selene stepped back. Her temperature-controlled touch kept the fluff warm and squishy—a delight to pat.
"But... are you girls only eating desserts?" Selene twitched an eye as she noticed their plates piled high with cakes and sweets.
"Sweets go in a separate stomach and must be eaten first," Uiharu replied earnestly.
"Calories and fatty meats are a girl's mortal enemies," Saten declared solemnly, forming an X with her arms.
Uhhh... You do know cake and whipped cream aren't exactly low-cal, right...? Well, as long as you're happy.
For Selene, whose existence had long transcended physical concerns, food wasn't about survival—it was pleasure. She just couldn't get their logic. A hearty dose of fats and carbs was way more satisfying!
"Enjoy, then."
Watching the two become literal "cake gremlins," Selene retreated silently.
Alas, as the host, she couldn't sit at the kiddie table.
"Mom?"
Selene suddenly frowned slightly.
Katie stood nearby, her eyes red and fixed intently on Selene like a hunter spotting prey.
Instinctively, Selene called out—and smooch.
Everything went black for a moment. But the soft, warm sensation on her face made it clear what happened. She didn't resist.
Sigh... After all these years, the old "facial moisturizer" routine.
"Mom, even if it's time to spread my wings... if you don't mind, I will always be your daughter."
Selene responded quietly.
Katie tightened her hug around Selene's arm.
...
Up above, the skies over Academy City remained ablaze with light. Rows of electric bulbs, neon signs, lasers, and spotlights dyed the lower sky in a riot of color.
Happy times always pass like flowing water. In the blink of an eye, the banquet had come to an end.
"I can still drink! Mikoto, trust your mom. This is an adult's pride talking—I can still drink!"
Outside the taxi, Misaka Misuzu, flushed and confused about directions, shouted boldly.
"Drink, drink, drink... Drink your head off! So noisy! Mom, just get in the car already!"
Also blushing—but from shame—Misaka Mikoto struggled with all her strength to get her mother into the vehicle.
After inputting the hotel destination into the taxi's service AI and sending her off, Mikoto finally sighed in relief.
Her mom became a total menace when drunk.
How bad was it?
Once intoxicated, she would cling to anyone relentlessly until she got the answers she wanted, regardless of who they were. If they were younger, whether boy or girl, she'd even try to kiss them! Mikoto didn't dare let anyone else help her out.
Honestly, knowing full well she had zero alcohol tolerance and still insisting on drinking? Classic case of "weak drinker, big ego."
"Also, Selene, you're technically underage. How can you be drinking... Oh, right, you're Austrian. Our drinking laws don't apply to you."
"Misuzu-auntie really can't hold her liquor. She was the one who started hyping everyone up, then passed out after just one glass."
Nearby, Selene, who had just helped Saten Ruiko and the others into their taxis, looked slightly disappointed.
Under the pale moonlight, her refined features gleamed. In the night's shadows, loose strands of silver hair framed her face, giving her profile a cooler, more intense edge than the gentle grace she had inside the hall.
"So, you kept me and..."
Mikoto glanced at the silent figure standing under the doorway—Shokuhou Misaki.
"What's with her?"
She had noticed it right after they left the stage. Shokuhou had become oddly downcast.
"Don't get the wrong idea. I have no interest in internecine drama," Selene chuckled. "As for the answer—look, it's already arrived."
BZZZZZ!
In the next instant, a wave of murderous intent surged like a crashing tide.
The pressure nearly made Mikoto stumble.
At the end of the road, a towering figure had appeared.
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