By day, Academy City was a peaceful, bustling international metropolis. By night, it transformed into a chaotic domain teeming with street delinquents.
Despite boasting the world's most advanced technology and surveillance cameras on every corner, this was a city where espers roamed freely. Crime here was unlike anything in ordinary cities.
Samuel strolled alone down the street. It was around ten o'clock at night, and the streets were nearly deserted, with passersby countable on one hand.
Academy City was a student-centric city, with seventy percent of its population being students, most of whom resided in campus dormitories.
Typically, dorm curfews and bed checks were enforced at nine o'clock.
Hence the empty streets.
As for what Samuel was doing?
He was playing the hero, naturally—or, if you prefer, looking for some fun.
Crime rates in Academy City's nightlife were not insignificant. While not major offenses, they still cast a negative shadow over the city.
As the head of Judgment and a stakeholder in Academy City, Samuel felt a duty to protect his personal assets… ahem… the safety and well-being of its residents.
"Hey, student over there! It's past curfew. Why are you still wandering the streets? Which school are you from?"
Samuel turned around. About twenty meters away, at a street corner, stood a petite, pink-haired girl, barely over a meter tall.
Clutching a textbook, her youthful face was etched with exhaustion, yet her tone was as stern as a teacher scolding a delinquent. Her eyes, however, sparkled with an inexplicable excitement.
"…Girl, are you lost? Need me to take you home?"
"I'm a teacher! And you… which school are you from? Missed curfew and afraid of getting scolded? Don't worry, I'll talk to them. It's too dangerous to wander the streets at night."
The pink-haired girl approached with small, confident steps, puffing out her chest as she addressed Samuel.
"…If you're into some weird roleplay, I'm game, but I'm kind of busy right now. How about later at my place? Don't worry, it's pretty big. You can crash there if you get tired."
"Hey! Ai-chan, it's me. We've got a walking fifth-class merit here. Hurry up…"
"Wait, wait, wait, Tsukuyomi-sensei! Just kidding. I'm actually with Judgment, on night patrol. Look."
Samuel pulled out his Judgment armband to show Tsukuyomi Komoe.
"Judgment? Hold on, how do you know my name? Have we met before?"
"It's right there on your teacher's ID around your neck. Don't let my looks fool you—I'm an esper!"
Samuel pointed to the ID hanging from Tsukuyomi Komoe's neck.
Truthfully, he didn't need the ID to recognize her. That pink dress, beloved by elementary schoolers, those light little shoes, and her childlike demeanor—Samuel knew exactly who she was.
"Oh, I see! Ai-chan, no need to come. It's just a Judgment member messing with me."
"No, Komoe-chan, it wasn't just a joke. If you're up for it, you can come to my place anytime, and when you're tired…"
"You'd better come after all!"
"Wait…"
After some back-and-forth, Samuel explained the situation to Tsukuyomi Komoe.
"Crime rates have been a bit high lately, which isn't great for Academy City's image. It's even dropped my profits by 0.000000000032%."
"???"
"Oh, I mean, it's seriously threatening resident safety, so I've voluntarily taken up night patrols."
"Is that so? You're working hard! It's thanks to people like you and Ai-chan that we're protected from criminals. You're truly amazing!"
Tsukuyomi Komoe said with genuine admiration.
"Oh, it's nothing. Just doing my part."
Of course it was his part. As a tycoon and capitalist, protecting his wealth was only natural, right?
Truthfully, Samuel didn't care much about the minuscule financial loss. He was just bored and looking for something to do.
Don't assume a scientist like Samuel was always busy. Research and ability training were easily handled by his "Calculation" ability, leaving him with plenty of free time.
"But if we catch some dropout kids who haven't committed serious crimes, could we give them a chance to reform?"
"Of course. If they turn over a new leaf, it's good for us too. Hm…"
Suddenly, Samuel's gaze sharpened, like an eagle locking onto its prey.
Tsukuyomi Komoe followed his line of sight.
There, a small girl, about Komoe's size, carried a backpack. Her cute face betrayed a hint of panic, and notably… she had a flower crown atop her head.
Samuel strode toward her, his steps steady and swift, his expression grave and serious.
"Is there a criminal nearby?"
The scene certainly suggested as much.
Smack!
"Eek!"
Samuel's right hand slammed against the wall beside the girl, his hair flicking as he said, "Hey, lady, wanna come to my place for some fun? When you're tired, we can just…"
"…Hey! It's me again. You'd better come. This guy seems like he'd get along too well with criminals."
"Wah! Wah!"
"Don't cry. I'm a teacher. This guy's not bad, just… a bit eccentric."
Clearly, Samuel's actions had frightened the girl to tears.
Tsukuyomi Komoe rushed to comfort her.
"R-Really?"
The girl stammered timidly, glancing at Samuel before quickly looking away, as if afraid he might bite.
"Of course. Why are you out so late? Let me and this man walk you home. It's safer with a teacher around."
Samuel's behavior was just him acting out as usual. While he was relentless in pursuit of his goals, in his downtime, he was a bit of a goofball.
He adhered to the law of conservation of intelligence, acting without much thought when relaxed.