The waitress at the family restaurant watched in horror as Accelerator walked out, leaving behind a scene of collapsed delinquents and scattered debris. She hurriedly dialed for an ambulance. She was already used to it. This had happened several times before.
What truly irritated her was that scenes like this would inevitably drive away customers.
"Tch, how many times has this happened recently? Eight times already? Absolute power. Once I obtain absolute power, there will be no more fools collapsing in front of me."
Accelerator clicked her tongue as if it were nothing unusual, yet every time something like this happened, a faint sense of disgust lingered in her chest.
This will be the final time I participate in that nauseating experiment.
The last act of violence will grant absolute power. After that, I will step into that untouchable world openly and legitimately.
No one will dare challenge me. No one will be harmed because of me.
"But before that, I will tear that bastard apart." Accelerator clenched her fists, recalling the vulgar provocations directed at her. Her expression twisted with cruelty.
Although the internal injuries from yesterday had already been treated at the hospital, there was still a faint residual ache.
...
S Pharmaceutical Company's Neuroscience Application Analysis Institute.
"Director Kihara, I apologize for the disruption to the experimental projections. Here is the data from the latest trial." A researcher respectfully handed over a thick stack of documents to an elderly scientist with a gentle appearance.
"Hmm. The data is accurate. With these calculations, achieving the intended result and forcibly breaking through Accelerator's vector control is mathematically impossible." Kihara Gensei examined the material and smiled calmly.
He was one of the central figures behind the Level 6 Shift Project and a leading authority in Level 6 research. For the sake of scientific advancement, he was willing to sacrifice anything.
"But is it truly acceptable to proceed like this? The Eighth ranked individual refuses to cooperate as well," the researcher asked nervously.
"Hmm. That is irrelevant. The role of the Eighth is primarily to produce clones. As long as the cloning process continues, the experiment will not stall."
"But what if he directly attacks the research facility?"
"There is no need for concern. Heh. The Dark Side units are on standby at all times. Ensure that this research data is preserved in full. Judging from the recorded combat footage, the Eighth ranked individual is highly likely a rare multi skill esper who has encountered a developmental bottleneck." Kihara Gensei spoke gently, yet his eyes burned with obsession as he watched the replayed surveillance recordings.
"Yes, understood..."
"Heh heh." Kihara Gensei slowly walked away with one hand clasped behind his back.
The Level 6 Shift Project was merely a facade presented to Aleister Crowley. If the project truly succeeded, the Third ranked host body would have a possibility of reaching Level 6. At fifty percent stabilization, the Third would begin transitioning into a higher dimensional lifeform. At one hundred percent, it would achieve Level 6. Although destruction would occur the instant true Level 6 was attained, the data from that instant would represent the ultimate scientific triumph.
The more Misaka clones that remained available as experimental samples, the more beneficial it would be for his long term objectives.
"And the brainwave synchronization protocol. Heh. The true secret of Academy City likely relates to the birth of Level 6. Let my former assistant test that hypothesis."
Behind Kihara Gensei's benevolent smile lurked a ruthless desire to sacrifice everything in pursuit of knowledge.
His former assistant, Kiyama Harumi, had been researching a method to awaken the comatose children whose AIM diffusion fields had collapsed. Her request to use the Tree Diagram had been rejected under his authority.
His real intention was for her to apply the brainwave synchronization method he had taught her to simulate the Misaka Network, thereby attempting to access the deeper computational secrets hidden within Academy City.
Understanding the core mechanisms of Academy City's systems would greatly advance his plan, potentially allowing the Third to momentarily reach Level 6 status as a complete data construct.
As for the Eighth ranked individual, he represented ideal research material for the study of multi skill espers.
...
Arata enveloped his entire body in telekinetic force and drifted between buildings as lightly as a feather. He could clearly sense that his telekinesis was steadily approaching Level 5, gradually manifesting advanced characteristics of vector manipulation.
For example, when telekinetic force field control enveloped a defined area, those caught inside experienced intense resistance, as if trapped within viscous mud.
"System, is this because of the Void star: Tai suu?"
"Yes, host. Your existence has been fundamentally altered by it. In terms of ontological hierarchy, you now stand on the same tier as transcendent entities across multiple mythologies, such as God, Buddha, Vishnu, and Odin. Any ability that manifests within you will naturally undergo accelerated evolution."
"Then when will my telekinesis truly reach Level 5?" Arata asked with anticipation.
"No more than ten days."
"And Level 6?"
"Approximately one year."
"Even with evolutionary enhancement from the Void star: Tai suu, it still takes a full year. The gulf between Level 5 and Level 6 is truly overwhelming."
Arata sighed and retrieved a can of juice from his spatial storage ring to quench his thirst. Even at night, summer in Academy City remained stifling.
Upon entering the Tenth School District, one encountered aging low rise buildings everywhere, some nearly abandoned. A few structures remained illuminated. This district served as the primary stronghold of Skill Out, home to the largest concentration of delinquents in Academy City, and it maintained underground connections to criminal organizations beyond the city's jurisdiction.
In the past, he would never have willingly approached this area.
"Aiwass, what is your interpretation of Level 6?" Arata asked internally, addressing the being of light and shadow residing within him.
Aiwass was unable to perceive the existence of the system. If the system could project a simulated Creation Star Map, an entity of messenger class origin could not interfere with it.
"To comprehend divine will with a mortal vessel, to complete the spiritual ascent along the Kabbalistic Tree of Life and transcend the material plane, yet fail to grasp the true void. One acquires the cognition of God without possessing the authority or existence of God. A mortal container cannot sustain divine consciousness, and destruction occurs at the moment of arrival," Aiwass replied calmly.
"For mortals, it is nothing more than a fleeting instant." Arata murmured. Accelerator could only reach true Level 6 by abandoning the physical body and existing as a higher order being.
The incomplete fusion of Kazakhiri Hyouka, the Misaka Network, and Accelerator would approximate a Level 6 existence.
He casually tossed the empty can aside. Ahead lay the experimental site.
The area felt eerily silent at night. Massive sealed metal tanks were scattered across the open ground, their contents unknown.
In the distance stood two figures. A slender white silhouette sat atop a sealed steel container, looking down at a girl below who held a rifle. They appeared to be conversing.
"The experiment has been disrupted to this extent, yet nothing fundamental has changed. It seems Aleister has discovered a new justification to continue the plan." Arata slowly drifted closer.
...
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