School District 7, 39 Konoha Avenue, Olla Podrida Restaurant.
"Um... Big Sis, this is the Academy City the travel guide calls the safest city in the world, where eighty percent of the residents are students... Isn't that false advertising?"
Holding the Daihasei Festival Travel Guide, Arisa looked at the word "safe" printed in large, bold letters on the front page. She blinked her sky-blue eyes, then turned to gaze through the window at the delinquents beneath the pedestrian overpass across the street, whose confrontation was gradually beginning to heat up.
Selene had dressed her in the uniform of a Tokiwadai student. With her well-behaved, adorable, and sensible appearance, Arisa looked far more like a middle school student than Selene did.
A moment later, she lowered her head and looked at the travel guide in her hands again.
They were seated beside a window on the restaurant's second floor. Although this was not Arisa's true body either, she still possessed the basic physical abilities required for clairvoyance—the purely physical kind, without any ability to see the future or anything else—and could see everything clearly.
Beneath the pedestrian overpass at the intersection across the street, beside the stairs leading around a corner near an alley, a group of slovenly, fashion-challenged youths had gotten into an argument. Judging by their exaggerated expressions and the saliva spraying from their mouths, they were probably passionately greeting one another's entire family trees.
"That's normal. You'll get used to it."
Selene followed Arisa's gaze. She watched with great interest as the group performed a street routine combining singing, dancing, rap, and MMA. It was only entertaining because of the novelty. After staying in Academy City for long enough, such things became commonplace.
In fact, from Selene's arrogant, "Why don't they simply eat meat?" perspective, she did not care how tragically Level 0s and low-level espers were treated in Academy City. As far as she was concerned, these people were simply idiots.
The world remained as strange as ever, and Academy City's delinquents continued to cause trouble in exactly the same way. They were still the same delinquents as before, without the slightest change.
In the original timeline, the delinquents' living conditions had undoubtedly been much better than they were now. Back then, they merely had to deal with being chased by Judgment, electrocuted by a middle school girl, or beaten up by a black-haired boy with spiky hair... Now, every one of them had accumulated some degree of prison experience.
If you lived that kind of life but had never spent a few days in an Anti-Skill detention center, you could hardly call yourself the boss of so-and-so.
Going to prison, being hospitalized after a beating from security robots, or even being killed was no longer uncommon. The authorities responded too quickly, making their living environment extraordinarily harsh. However, as more time passed following the deployment of security robots, the delinquents also discovered new ways to make money.
As long as humans remained in charge rather than cold, unfeeling AI, there would always be loopholes to exploit.
Open robberies and bank heists had naturally declined, but covert extortion, collecting protection money from those weaker than themselves, and theft could never be completely eliminated. As long as Academy City's upper-level administration remained unchanged, the ranking system based on the Parameter List remained in place, or, to put it another way, school bullying continued to exist...
The soil that allowed fallen delinquents to emerge within society would always remain.
The small ripples caused by Selene's involvement were gradually revealing their effects and beginning to ferment.
Because of Selene's intervention, Stiyl Magnus, Kanzaki Kaori, and Kamijou Touma had not become enemies. They exchanged information ahead of time and never destroyed the "collar" inside Index. The defensive mechanism John's Pen Remote Control was never activated, Kamijou Touma never lost his memories, and the magical attack—Dragon Breath—never destroyed Tree Diagram.
Tree Diagram was therefore still floating safely in orbit, and upgrades had already begun. A new generation of processors utilizing Honkai technology had entered development and production. Misaka Mikoto's earlier fear that the new processors might lead to the Sisters' experiment being restarted was perfectly understandable.
She did not know Aleister's true intentions. In her eyes, the objective of the Level 6 Shift Project had not yet been achieved, so there remained an extremely high risk that it might be restarted.
It was only after Selene, a member of Academy City's Board of Directors, gave her a guarantee that she finally put her worries completely to rest.
The nations of the world had also refrained from launching large-scale space programs in an attempt to recover Tree Diagram's wreckage and reverse-engineer its supercomputer technology. The number of rockets launched into orbit this year was not much higher than in previous years.
Academy City's space rockets continued launching as usual. Publicly, their mission was to maintain Academy City's satellites and continue exploring and researching outer space. Secretly, however, they were doing far more than that. Aside from developing and constructing the Rods From God orbital weapon for Selene's Schicksal Research Institute and building the Endymion space elevator, Starrail Gate Corporation had also been exceptionally active.
The Dark Side was also undergoing considerable upheaval. After all, SCHOOL, the dominant organization of the Dark Side, had disbanded, causing countless factions to rise at once. ITEM, led by the fifth-ranked Level 5 Meltdowner, Mugino Shizuri, was powerful, but it ultimately lacked the overwhelming strength Kakine Teitoku had possessed. Both Mugino's personality and her ability had obvious flaws.
With Selene's indirect assistance, Aleister's plan was also advancing rapidly.
Of course, Selene had no intention of interfering with any of that. As long as no one provoked her, they could do whatever they pleased. She was waiting.
Even toward the power bloc she had established within Academy City, Selene now maintained an attitude of complete indifference.
She was simply that unconcerned. In the past, Selene might still have paid attention to the results achieved by Aoki Youichi and the others, or shown interest in matters involving the business conglomerate and research institute. But now... she could leave them to slowly play with those childish toys.
They only needed to submit a consolidated report whenever they required materials, authorization, or guidance on their research direction.
Selene's attention was now entirely focused on the Daihasei Festival because she had received information from Sebas indicating that the British royal family and the Roman Catholic Church had recently increased their contact with her adoptive parents. Supposedly, they merely wished to strengthen their relationship. How amusing.
The Anglican Church had also dispatched a significant number of members into Academy City.
Laura Stuart, the Archbishop of the Anglican Church... Selene did not fear that woman, but the malice she concealed toward Aleister left Selene no choice but to pay attention. Aleister could not be brought down through some underhanded scheme, at least not yet.
Until Aleister fulfilled his ideal, Selene would have a proper discussion with the magic side and teach them what it meant to face the Science Side's first-ranked and strongest esper.
Still, she needed to think matters through carefully. Katy might not be the only one coming. She would have to find a way to bring Brauchitsch over as well.
God's Right Seat... This body is somewhat troublesome. How should I control the output threshold?
Selene thought silently. Streams of data flashed through her crimson eyes as she rested her chin on one hand and gazed out the window. The airships in the sky had already unfurled their banners, officially beginning the promotional buildup for the Daihasei Festival.
The footage they broadcast showed numerous schools, including Tokiwadai Middle School, frantically constructing festival stages and competition venues. Under the students' efforts, colorful lights and paper flowers were being arranged on a grand scale.
Academy City announced that international flights were now open. Shopping districts began holding special promotional events, and Daihasei Festival merchandise went on sale, creating a lively atmosphere everywhere.
It appeared that this Daihasei Festival would be exceptionally exciting.
However, just as Selene had no need to participate in the affairs of the Daihasei Festival Operating Committee, the delinquents who wandered the streets, skipped class for long periods, and had been expelled from their respective schools due to their own degeneration were also unqualified to participate in the Daihasei Festival.
"Still, there really are an unusually large number of street punks along this road." (PS: Kamijou Touma called Konoha Avenue the Brawling Road. He once fought Misaka Mikoto twice on the pedestrian overpass here, and later encountered Vento of the Front in the same place. Misaka Mikoto has also run into delinquents harassing her here on numerous occasions.)
"You're not allowed to join in." Seeing Arisa's eager expression, Selene spoke in a tone that permitted no argument.
"Oh..."
Arisa had seen far too many Imperial-style fights in which combatants drew blades and hacked at one another with refined movements, each strike aimed at taking a head or ending a life. Compared with those, this sort of amateurish brawl between petty thugs offered a different kind of visual experience.
As for Arisa's current body, its creation had been simple. Just as she might handcraft a Honkai soldier, Selene first used Honkai energy to form a body, constructing, adjusting, and sculpting it before guiding Arisa's primary consciousness into a projection within the vessel.
"Your paella, honored guests."
At that moment, a server pushing a temperature-controlled cart placed two servings of pale red risotto before them, both giving off the rich aroma of seafood and cream.
The instant the covers were lifted, the freshness of prawns, mussels, squid, and other seafood mingled with the fragrance of cream, spreading through the air along with the rising steam.
The broth in the steaming bowls continued to reduce around generous pieces of chicken and rabbit meat. The color, aroma, and presentation were all flawless, instantly awakening the appetite.
"Patatas bravas, gambas al ajillo, lechón—roast suckling pig—and a fruit and vegetable platter. Please enjoy."
After serving the main course, the server placed the side dishes and small plates on the table one by one. Once everything had been introduced, the server bowed to Selene and Arisa, then slowly pushed the cart out of their sight.
Selene picked up her spoon, scooped a small bite from the edge, and placed it in her mouth. Olive oil, garlic, vegetables, and savory seafood juices had fully soaked into the rice. Its rich, slightly sticky texture carried a faint crispness from the toasted layer at the bottom, causing the corners of her lips to curl upward.
As Selene and Arisa continued eating, an even larger crowd gathered beneath the pedestrian overpass. Apparently, two factions had begun arguing over the unequal division of territory used to collect protection money. At first, they merely shoved one another. No one knew whose movement had gone too far, but both sides began calling for reinforcements. Before long, they were beating each other with spectacular enthusiasm.
Selene had no intention of intervening. Human life contained joys and sorrows, while fools added color to it. Having a performance to watch while eating was rather pleasant.
With the live-action street-gang show enhancing her meal, Selene's appetite quickly improved. Their amateurish flailing made the food go down wonderfully. She even felt an urge to tell them, Stop, stop. Fighting like that won't kill many people. Your efficiency is far too low.
Not long afterward, harsh shouts from Anti-Skill officers rang out alongside the blaring horns of armored security vehicles. A large group of riot-control robots thundered into the area.
Electrified batons crackling with sparks swung down upon the fighters. In no time at all, the entire group had been beaten black and blue and forced to the ground. Gun barrels pressed against their heads as knees pinned down their necks and their hands were locked behind their backs, leaving them groaning in pain.
"Ah! They attacked first! This was an emergency response! Self-defense!"
"Ow, ow... Be gentle! I'm a patient! I have hospital records!"
"I can't breathe!"
...
Selene lost interest in everything that followed. She blocked out the commotion and continued leisurely chewing her meal, savoring cuisine of a different style. Then a sudden explosion sounded from the television in the center of the restaurant.
On the screen, a fire was raging in a parking lot somewhere.
The host rapidly rattled off the information currently available. The attack had occurred at a certain hospital in School District 7. Some of the vehicles there had apparently been damaged, causing fuel to leak. Sparks then triggered a chain reaction among the cars parked in the hospital lot, resulting in secondary explosions.
As for those responsible, the host reported that witnesses had seen three suspects enter the hospital's main building, though the attackers' identities remained unknown.
Before the host could finish, he cried out in alarm as a series of explosions erupted throughout the hospital. Large sections of the walls began peeling away as though sliced apart by a sharp blade...
"Big Sis... Is this also... normal for the safest city?"
Arisa turned her head and muttered quietly.
The earlier incident could still have been described as a street brawl between delinquents, but what was happening now already qualified as a terrorist attack. In the Empire, regardless of whether such people had acted intentionally, they would suffer severely once captured. Even public beheading would not have been excessive.
"Normal." Selene swept through the delicacies on the table with elegant yet astonishing speed, then calmly drank a mouthful of water. "It's nothing serious. You'll understand eventually."
"Oh..."
Level 0s and low-level espers had gone to Heaven Canceller's hospital in search of easy prey. Truly, ignorance bred fearlessness. Did they think they were Kamijou Touma?
Did so many people genuinely believe Accelerator had become completely brain-dead? Well, they probably had their doubts, but the potential profits had convinced them to take the risk and go all in.
Those three unlucky fools had also chosen an exceptionally unfortunate time. Selene could sense Kakine Teitoku's location. At that very moment, he was inside the hospital!
"Arisa, let's go. It's time to pick them up at the airport."
Tap, tap, tap...
A few moments after Selene and Arisa descended the stairs, three pairs of angelic white wings pierced outward from the hospital building on the television.
The wings, formed from pure white particulate matter, resembled the descent of an angel. They were spotless, flawless, and untouched by dust.
Amid the smoke-filled ruins, the super-high-pressure liquid nitrogen blades that had been raging through the building suddenly deflected upward. The blades, each more than ten meters long, were crushed apart. Through the haze, a small figure with orange-red hair could vaguely be seen hurtling away.
...
School District 23, International Airport.
A private Airbus bearing the insignia of the Austrian Airlines Group slowly touched down on the runway after arriving from Vienna.