"Huff… huff…"
Shokuhou Misaki panted softly, sweat streaming down her face, her clothes soaked through.
Initially, she'd scoffed at the so-called "Ability Assistance Training Device," confident her Level 5 computational prowess could use it without being exploited.
She'd even considered deliberately letting the card steal her data to throw off suspicion.
But the moment she activated it, she realized her mistake. The terrifying computational capacity of the AIM Diffusion Field crashed over her like an avalanche.
Her body's protective instincts kicked in, her own calculations pushed to their limit.
Even so, she felt like a lone tree facing a landslide—helpless, terrified.
Yet, in that instant of contact, most of the overwhelming capacity vanished, leaving just enough pressure to challenge her—1.8 times a standard Level 5's output.
This sparked a surge of relief, but also curiosity about Samuel, the source of this pressure.
Is this his personal computational capacity? Impossible. Not even the Tree Diagram could manage that volume. And that precise recall… the rumors are true: the top-ranked Level 5 isn't suited for combat but excels in research. Does this tiny card connect to a supercomputer surpassing the Tree Diagram?
That was Shokuhou's thought after the training.
During it, she couldn't spare a moment to think—the AIM Diffusion Field's pressure demanded her full focus.
She knew her limit data had been taken.
In truth, Samuel had acquired far more than she realized. In that initial moment of pressure, her instinctive calculations fully exposed her program.
The card couldn't record or transmit it directly.
But Samuel, standing nearby, had simulated it instantly with his own computational capacity.
Two of his planned five Level 5 programs were now his.
A major step toward his goal.
"How do you feel?"
Samuel remained composed. Acquiring the Level 5 Mental Out program was expected, a natural joy that didn't rattle him.
"Ah…"
Shokuhou exhaled, her weary face sporting a wry smile. "Not great. Mentally exhausted, and I'm all sticky. Pretty awful experience."
"Everyone says that at first, but they come around."
Samuel smiled back.
Online reviews of the "AIM Diffusion Field Training Card" echoed her sentiment—initial discomfort followed by appreciation.
The discomfort was real, but the tangible ability boost was undeniable. In Academy City, nothing thrilled people more than power growth.
"Can I borrow your bathroom? I'd like to clean up."
Shokuhou's wry smile persisted. As a deletion-focused Level 5, she clearly felt her computational capacity growing.
"Of course. Third door on the right."
"Alright."
Shokuhou moved to get off the bed as usual…
"Huh?"
The moment her feet touched the floor, her expression froze. A wave of weakness hit her.
Her physical condition was poor, and the sweat from the session had left her body drained, barely responding to her will.
Instinctively, to protect herself, she used Mental Out on Samuel, trying to make him catch her.
Her remaining computational capacity splashed against Samuel's continental-scale capacity like a wave against a cliff—utterly futile.
Yet, Samuel moved. With agile grace, he darted forward, his right arm circling her slender waist, his left slipping under her knees, catching her in a princess carry.
The expected pain never came. The sensation at her waist and legs told her what had happened.
Her eyelashes fluttered, a flush spreading across her face, the contrast with her fair skin adding to her charm.
A handsome boy holding a lovely girl—a scene straight out of a manga.
Shokuhou opened her eyes, her starry gaze, like something from a shoujo manga, lending a dreamy air to the moment.
"You okay?"
"I'm fine…"
Thump, thump, thump.
Her heartbeat echoed in her ears.
What is this feeling?
The impossibly beautiful boy gazed at her "gently."
Her heart raced, hormones surging. Their locked eyes created a dreamlike atmosphere.
What is this feeling?
Let's be clear: it was the triumph of beauty. If Samuel weren't so strikingly handsome but an average-looking guy, Shokuhou wouldn't have lingered in his arms.
"Is this dehydration from excessive sweating? Your physical condition is… delicate. You need to take better care of yourself."
Samuel analyzed earnestly.
He's concerned about me? Does he like me? What if he confesses soon? Should I… no, I'm here to investigate Dolly. He's a researcher—not all are bad, but he's likely not a saint either. I'll investigate first. Hmm… should I say yes if he does confess?
"What's with her?"
Samuel noticed Shokuhou's shifting expressions but didn't dwell on it, gently placing her back on the bed.
"Don't move. Rest. I'll get you some glucose water."
And tell Dolly.
He didn't say the last part aloud. Dolly's recovery was nearly complete, and the timing was perfect for their reunion.
"Mm…"
Shokuhou was still lost in her reverie.
Moments later…
"Wow! Misaki, it's been forever!"
A crisp door-opening sound preceded a voice Shokuhou had heard only in dreams for the past year.
"Dolly…?"
Her voice trembled. That face, that voice—she knew them too well.
Countless times… countless times she'd heard that voice in her dreams, recalled that smile.
"Dolly…"
Tears slid from her eyes. Ignoring her weakened state, she tried to reach Dolly.
Thud!
She hit the floor hard but didn't care, crawling toward Dolly.
"Misaki…"
Seeing her fall, Dolly rushed to help.
"Dolly… Dolly…"
Shokuhou clung to her, arms wrapped tightly, repeating her name. She was terrified…
Terrified this was just a dream.
She refused to let go, fearing Dolly would vanish if she did.
If her world is a dream, I hope I never wake.
"Misaki, don't cry! Look, I'll show you a trick!"
Dolly snapped her fingers, a spark of electricity flashing.
Under Samuel's ability training, she'd reached Level 3, with potential for Level 4.
Dolly grinned foolishly. For her, it had been mere months of recovery. For Shokuhou, each day without her felt like an eternity.
As for Samuel, he knew the situation and tactfully gave them space, turning to study his new acquisition.
Shokuhou's Mental Out.
Mental Out's capabilities included, but weren't limited to, memory reading, telepathic communication, thought erasure, will amplification, thought recreation, and emotion implantation—essentially encompassing all mental phenomena.
Its principle involved manipulating brainwaves to control moisture, affecting brain chemical secretions and the ratios of blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and other liquids.
Computational capacity was closely tied to brainwaves, giving those with higher capacity an edge.
Shokuhou's capacity couldn't fully harness Mental Out, so she used a simplified "self-rule" formula, triggered via a remote control for precision.
Samuel, with over ten times her capacity, needed no such limits. The ability was his to command effortlessly.
Truth be told, Mental Out was formidable, its program slightly more complex than Misaka Mikoto's, though it was nearly countered by electric abilities.
This ability was the ultimate violation of humanity.
Altering minds, swapping memories, twisting personalities—it trampled on individual freedom and dignity without restraint.
In Samuel's hands, it was terrifying. His capacity could turn all of Tokiwadai into his puppets simultaneously.
If he misused it, only the Chairman, that upside-down man, could rein him in.
***
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