In a family restaurant called "JonaGarden Family Restaurant," Natsume Sonoko ordered a matcha cake.
She scooped up a spoonful, holding it suspended in the air, her gaze drifting almost imperceptibly toward the figure seated across from her.
Directly opposite was a girl wearing a Nagatenjouki Academy's uniform. Considering Nagatenjouki was a prestigious Highschool, the other party was likely a High School Student.
Having gleaned this trivial bit of information, Natsume Sonoko, unsure how to broach the conversation, waited for the other's response.
"The coffee here is a bit too sweet."
After a moment, the high school student named Nunotaba Shinobu finally spoke, lowering her head slightly to take a sip.
"I have a question. You must have heard that rumor about the Third-Ranked's clones, right?"
Blowing away the foam on her coffee, Nunotaba Shinobu spoke softly, her tone flat and devoid of fluctuation.
Her eyes were like those of a dead fish, carrying a hint of emotionless indifference. Under the gaze of such eyes, Natsume Sonoko felt compelled to take this seriously.
"But since you've been spending time with those clones of the Third-Ranked, you probably already know quite a bit."
Without waiting for Sonoko's reply, Nunotaba Shinobu continued speaking on her own, her gaze now holding a trace of inexplicable scrutiny.
Sonoko, however, felt somewhat puzzled at this point.
Had the rumors about the clones spread that widely?
In a way, she herself had only just learned of the rumors, but she didn't deny it. When it came to the clones themselves, she certainly knew a lot.
"So, it was you, right? The one in the black cloak, luring all those delinquents from various school districts to District 7."
Taking the initiative to speak again, Nunotaba Shinobu's tone finally showed some fluctuation, tinged with a note of inquiry.
Based on the information she'd gathered, this middle schooler before her certainly had the capability and the motive to do such things. She seemed quite close to the Third-Ranked, after all.
The only discrepancy lay in the information itself. The rumor circulating online was merely about a certain Mass-Produced Esper Project, not the more concealed Level 6 Shift Project.
Yet, the person in front of her seemed to know things she shouldn't.
The Level 6 Shift Project wasn't top-secret, but it wasn't something that would spread among ordinary students either.
Natsume Sonoko hesitated for a moment before finally nodding, openly admitting to it.
"That's right, I was the one who did that."
"But I was inspired by someone else. Actually, those envelopes containing the prepaid cards... it was you, Senpai, who distributed them, wasn't it?"
As soon as Sonoko finished speaking, Nunotaba Shinobu shot her a surprised look.
"So it was because of me? You really do know a lot of things." Nunotaba Shinobu nodded, not denying it either.
"Are you a hacker, or...? Almost forgot, with your ability, if you developed it just a little, infiltrating research institutes probably wouldn't be difficult. So, is that how you found out about these projects?" Nunotaba Shinobu asked, her tone turning indifferent again.
"Actually, I heard about it from Misaka and the others."
Of course, she couldn't mention those mysterious soul memories. Sonoko offered an excuse.
"I see." Nunotaba Shinobu didn't press further, simply nodding in response.
"So, Senpai from Nagatenjouki, you didn't come here just to discuss these things with me, did you?"
"Of course not. I came here to tell you something. The research institutes have grown tired of this messy situation in District 7. At the latest, by tonight, the Anti-Skill officers will mobilize to disperse all the delinquents lingering in District 7. And if the results don't meet expectations, they might even consider changing the experiment's location."
"It seems all our efforts are about to go to waste." Nunotaba Shinobu set down her coffee, her expression still utterly calm.
"How could this be?"
Hearing this unpleasant news, a sudden sense of realization dawned on Natsume Sonoko. She felt both angry and helpless about the researchers' actions.
No matter what, the Anti-Skill officers dispersing the delinquents was just part of their duty. No one could really fault them for that.
"So, the experiments will resume tomorrow. Based on the progress, it should be around Misaka 9977's turn by now." Nunotaba Shinobu continued.
"That absolutely cannot happen."
Natsume Sonoko stood up from her seat, her mind flashing back to the poor Misaka 9977 who had gone with her to the supermarket to scrounge for free samples at noon.
She couldn't stop the previous experiments, but from now on, she would absolutely not stand by and let those experiments continue.
Treating sentient clones as lab equipment was undoubtedly an extremely cruel thing.
Standing up abruptly, Sonoko immediately drew curious glances from nearby patrons, but she ignored those unimportant stares, her face flushed as if she were deeply agitated.
"I know you're angry, but the most we can do are these insignificant little things. We can only delay the experiments, not stop them. Perhaps we can make the researchers aware that someone opposes them, let our insignificant voices be heard."
"And even the Railgun, despite being a Level 5, her power is still too weak. In fact, I'd rather she go and destroy those research institutes; that might halt the experiment's progress."
Nunotaba Shinobu said expressionlessly, her dead fish eyes fixed on the coffee cup.
"Senpai, have you met Misaka-senpai?" Sitting back down, Natsume Sonoko asked.
"I have. It was somewhat disappointing. She's just a middle schooler kept in the dark, completely clueless. And not nearly as polite as you are. Come to think of it, I even gave her a kick." Nunotaba Shinobu rested her chin on her hand, speaking thoughtfully.
Hearing that Misaka-senpai had been kicked, Natsume Sonoko was momentarily stunned.
"Senpai, you just said you hoped Misaka-senpai would destroy the research institutes. What did you mean by that?"
"According to the Tree Diagram's calculations, no matter the scenario, if Misaka Mikoto fights Accelerator, even if she defends with all her might, she will die on the 185th move. The only thing she can possibly do is destroy the research institutes." Nunotaba Shinobu explained.
"Destroy the research institutes... So it really comes down to that, doesn't it?" Sonoko murmured to herself.
"I have to go. Oh, and my name is Nunotaba Shinobu, not 'Senpai.'" Nunotaba Shinobu stood up, placing enough money on the table to cover the bill.
Stepping out of the family restaurant, Natsume Sonoko's face held a dazed expression.
But with each step she took, her footsteps grew heavier, to the point where she almost dreaded heading in the direction of the Misaka Apartments.
"Maybe I can do something else."
Taking a deep breath, Natsume Sonoko repeated this phrase once more.
--+--
"Natsume-san, you're saying you want the ability of the Level Upper?"
In a certain university hospital in District 7, Kiyama Harumi sat on the hospital bed, her pupils slightly dilated.
The dark circles under her eyes still hadn't faded, and she looked generally listless, though she seemed better than before.
Banri and the others were also staying in this hospital, though their rooms were quite far apart, separated by an entire building from Kiyama Harumi's room.
Looking at the various origami and drawings on Kiyama's bedside table, they were probably gifts from Banri and the others for their teacher. Lately, with all the focus on the Misaka Sisters, Sonoko had somewhat neglected Banri's situation.
Thinking of a certain Edasaki Banri who always called her 'neechan,' Sonoko suddenly felt a pang of guilt.
"Kiyama-sensei, I've thought about it. Because of some things that have happened, I really need the Level Upper right now." Natsume Sonoko nodded emphatically.
The girl with the bun hairstyle recalled from the Railgun storyline how Kiyama-sensei had used the Level Upper to gain multiple abilities and vast computational power.
If she could replicate the Level Upper incident, using herself as the brainwave provider to borrow computational power from others... Besides being consumed for using abilities, this computational power could also optimize and integrate her own personal formulas, acting like a supercomputer.
Combined with her current ability level, perhaps she could reach Level 5. After all, the gap between her and Level 5 wasn't as vast as before.
With normal growth in computational power, Natsume Sonoko was confident she could become a Level 5.
Perhaps in some Academy City documents, she was already considered a candidate for Level 5.
And if she could possess Level 5 combat strength, maybe she could help Misaka-senpai in the upcoming events. Plus, with multiple abilities, her own power would receive a significant boost.
"While I'm not entirely clear on your reasons for wanting the Level Upper, perhaps you've encountered something you can't resolve on your own." Kiyama Harumi looked at Natsume Sonoko, her gaze thoughtful.
"Creating a brand new Level Upper by re-recording brainwaves wouldn't be difficult. But after the incident I caused last time, even a hint of the Level Upper resurfacing would be snuffed out at the root. We can't spread it recklessly anymore."
Kiyama Harumi shook her head, seemingly finding Sonoko's idea impractical.
"Is that so?" Sonoko felt an inexplicable sense of loss. So this path was blocked too.
But even if this idea was a dead end, she had another plan: just like in the original story, team up with a certain spiky-haired high school boy, and maybe ambush Sogiita at his school gate.
Add in Misaka-senpai, and perhaps she could also ask for help from Shokuhou Misaki-senpai, and even borrow the Gundam from Kongou-senpai's family.
If that still wasn't enough, then hire a Dark Side group.
Although she wasn't quite sure how to go about hiring them... if others could do it, surely she could too. Of course, this was the rather naive thinking of someone who didn't truly understand the Dark Side.
Her mind buzzed with a jumble of ideas. Their feasibility aside, they were at least potential methods. It seemed she needed to act quickly.
"Natsume-kun, don't worry just yet. While the Level Upper might not be able to help you, that doesn't mean I can't help you." Suddenly, Kiyama Harumi showed a faint smile and gently patted Sonoko's bun.
"It's for someone else again, isn't it? You really are working hard." Kiyama Harumi said gently, sitting up slightly in bed, her face bearing a trace of subtle concern.
"Huh? Kiyama-sensei, you have a way?" Sonoko let out a sound of surprise, looking somewhat astonished.
Kiyama-sensei really was reliable. Sonoko remembered a certain phrase Banri always used.
"About that bio-computer, you saw it at Doctor Heaven Canceller's research institute, right?" Kiyama said, a hint of determination appearing in her eyes.
"You mean that monster? No, the computer called '02.'"
Natsume Sonoko spoke up. She still remembered Kiyama Harumi referring to that computer as '02.' The name probably came from the fact the computer was made using cells from Academy City's #2.
"That's right, that thing." Kiyama Harumi nodded, once again patting Sonoko's bun, making the girl feel a little uncomfortable.
"To better control that bio-computer, Academy City used genetic editing technology on it at the cellular level. Not only did this result in the monster having no gender distinction, but its brain was also neutered into a defective product. The only thing preserved was the monster's regenerative ability."
"So that's how it is. That monster is quite pitiful."
Natsume Sonoko thought of the Misaka Sisters. In a way, that monster was also a clone of Academy City's #2. But it had even been stripped of the ability to think. When you thought about it, the number of evil experiments in Academy City was far from small.
"Kiyama-sensei, are you suggesting that I could use that bio-computer?"
Finally grasping the meaning behind Kiyama Harumi's words, Sonoko immediately showed a shocked expression. If it was a bio-computer, then its computational power must be considerable, right?
Sonoko didn't fully comprehend the terrifying computational power the bio-computer possessed, but she felt that thing might genuinely be able to help.
Her heart suddenly became filled with both hope and anxiety.
"But, that computer probably isn't something just anyone can use, right?"
Natsume Sonoko voiced her doubt. She had seen the monster go berserk before; it was completely unreasonable.
And while Kiyama Harumi-sensei could control it, that was only because she had implanted her own brainwaves into its brain.
"No, not exactly. It can actually be controlled using the Level Upper. I implanted a miniature Level Upper network in it."
"So you mean, Kiyama-sensei, you plan to input my brainwaves into the monster, making me the 'admin' of this miniature Level Upper network?" Natsume Sonoko was astounded.
Thinking about it, that might actually be feasible.
But according to what Doctor Heaven Canceller had said before, the monster's genes had been modified.
Even if she gained computational power, it would only allow her to use the monster's physical regeneration ability. It wouldn't have any effect on her own Temperature Control ability.
Just imagining the scene sent a shiver down Sonoko's spine: her flesh rapidly growing, her entire body becoming bloated into a two or three-meter tall hulk, still sporting a bun on top of its head...
No wonder Kiyama-sensei didn't use this ability much, only controlling the monster for combat. Not only would her appearance change, but what if she couldn't change back? That would be utterly embarrassing.
Thinking of that terrifying possibility, Natsume Sonoko felt seriously unsettled.
"Don't worry, it's not what you're thinking. Remember when you asked me before if I took a strand of your hair?" Kiyama Harumi seemed to see through Sonoko's thoughts and shook her head.
"Hair? What hair?" Natsume Sonoko tilted her head in confusion. She couldn't quite recall.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.