Even with Ethan Yates frantically buffing everyone and replenishing their status, the consumption of spiritual energy and the wear on their bodies didn't simply disappear because of healing. The toll on their minds surged in the moment they relaxed.
Thanks to Ethan's presence in this trial, not a single person had died, and there were few injuries. Most were fully repaired by his Light of Life.
It was their first time, so they were a bit awkward—but overall, they had done well.
In the next trial—whether the second, third, or fourth—Skyler Quinn and the others would no longer accompany them. Not even Ethan would be there to back them up.
If there was always someone to catch them at the bottom, preventing casualties, they would inevitably develop dependency and a false sense of security.
In future wars, each of them would have their own responsibilities to shoulder. Skyler and the rest would also have their own enemies to face—many times without any support at all.
They had to learn war, understand war, and experience life-and-death situations. Only then could they become true warriors—true powerhouses.
Brandon White didn't stick around afterward. He went straight home. Firewing and the others had wanted to pull him along to gather with the rest, but he turned them down.
The main reason was that there were new members joining the group.
Ding! Member [Size-Shift Anywhere] has joined the chat group.
Ding! Member [Electromaster] has joined the chat group.
Richest Man: New members? Welcome—wait, what the hell is with that name?
Boil Dagu Into Soup: Size-Shift Anywhere? What a pervy name!
Undefeated East: Shouldn't we… you know… be welcoming the newbies right now?
Ordinary Group Leader: Size-Shift Anywhere? That name isn't what I think it is… right?
Child of Nature: Compared to her, the second one's even more shocking, isn't it?
Child of Nature: Umaru Doma and Misaka Mikoto!
Ordinary Group Leader: I mean, I know "Railgun" is an alias for Electromaster, but is this really the Railgun? Couldn't it also be… Electric Boy or something?
Ordinary Group Leader: Still, that is Railgun we're talking about—one of my favorite anime characters ever.
Ordinary Group Leader: Sure, she's a bit of a tsundere, but she's kind-hearted, full of justice, and treats people gently. Who could ever say no to that?!
Ordinary Group Leader: She's a heroine who stood out among countless character types!
As Roxie Vale typed, she couldn't help but get excited. Aside from Rem, Railgun was her absolute favorite anime character. She had been obsessed for a long time.
Just then, the mechanical voice of the chat group rang in every member's head:
Ding! Number of members (excluding the group leader) has exceeded ten. Group live-stream feature unlocked. Group activity feature unlocked.
Uchiha Dance King: ???
Uchiha Dance King: We actually unlocked new features.
Come Be My Son: Gurararara… Live streams and activities? Sounds interesting.
Richest Man: So the group's features are tied to the number of members?
Richest Man: Can't this chat group just add more people already?
Evilest Spirit: Quality over quantity. I don't want my last mental safe haven defiled.
Ordinary Group Leader: Speaking of which, Kurumi, aren't you forgetting something? The reminder phrase?
Evilest Spirit: …
Evilest Spirit: Can't you just say it yourself?
Size-Shift Anywhere: Um… can I ask if the stuff in my head is real?
Size-Shift Anywhere: This whole "cross-world chat group" thing…
Size-Shift Anywhere: Also, I think I saw my name in there. Do people in other worlds know me?
Child of Nature: Your wording's a little hesitant, but you probably already know the answer, don't you? After all, you're a classic shut-in girl.
Child of Nature: When it comes to mysterious stuff like this, you've probably imagined it countless times and have your own ways of judging it.
Size-Shift Anywhere: scratches head.jpg
Size-Shift Anywhere: At first I was a little scared…
When that voice rang in her head, she had been startled. But after entering the chat group and reading the information in her mind, she couldn't help feeling happy.
Just like Brandon White said—she was a shut-in, always longing for mysterious powers.
Now that mystery had chosen her, it was hard to believe.
She liked playing games, drinking cola—and now she had joined a cross-dimensional chat group that connected countless worlds, every member from a different reality.
Sure, it wasn't exactly the "transported to another world as a hero to defeat the Demon King" story she'd imagined… but that was fine. This was still amazing. If she actually did get isekai'd, her big brother would just worry about her.
Plus, she wouldn't be able to drink cola or eat snacks there.
Yep, the chat group was better.
Electromaster: You just believe it like that?
Size-Shift Anywhere: Why wouldn't I? confused.jpg
Electromaster: You're not worried it's some virtual network built by an esper? Or maybe some lab's experiment?
Size-Shift Anywhere: How about this—what if my world doesn't have espers?
Size-Shift Anywhere: crying.jpg
Ordinary Group Leader: Railgun, are you… really Railgun?
Roxie Vale, seeing Misaka Mikoto's messages, asked in excitement.
Electromaster: Call me Misaka Mikoto properly, you!
Railgun this, Railgun that—do you want to get zapped?!
Electromaster: Sure, she believes it, but I'm not that easy to fool.
Electromaster: "Countless worlds," "different dimensions"… this is straight out of a light novel.
Ordinary Group Leader: Misaka Mikoto—one of Academy City's Level 5 espers, its strongest "Electromaster," codename "Railgun." Nicknamed "Tokiwadai's Ace" and "the invincible Electric Princess."
Ordinary Group Leader: Age fourteen. Birthday May 2nd. Height 161 cm. Weight 45 kg. Measurements 78—
Electromaster: Okay, stop right there. I believe you.
Electromaster: And seriously, don't go blurting out that kind of stuff just to prove your point!
Ordinary Group Leader: That's enough? I haven't even gotten to your hobbies and clothing habits.
Child of Nature: Hobbies I get, but clothing habits… you're not talking about that, are you? You can't say that one.
Ordinary Group Leader: Ahem! Got carried away for a moment.
Ordinary Group Leader: So, Railgun—what period are you in right now?
Ordinary Group Leader: Do you know about the Sisters Project?
Electromaster: What? The Sisters Project? What's that?
(End of Chapter)
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