The four members of ITEM snorted coldly at Izumi's words.
"There's nothing to talk about."
"Give me a chance and I'll kill you."
Mugino Shizuri glared at him, fury burning in her eyes.
She had never suffered humiliation like this before.
As for the others—
They were still lying there, groaning in pain.
Izumi clicked his tongue, clearly unimpressed.
"Whether you like it or not, there's something you need to understand."
His voice turned calm—yet absolute.
"From this moment on, you belong to me."
"Your opinions don't matter."
"In Academy City, not even Aleister Crowley can stop that."
"In fact—he's the one who handed you over."
Silence.
Then—
"I'm going to run an experiment."
"I intend to create several Level 6 espers."
His gaze shifted.
Landing directly on one girl.
"—Takitsubo Rikou."
"You're the one I've chosen."
The room froze.
Takitsubo blinked.
"…Me?"
Even Mugino's expression twisted in disbelief.
"Why her?!"
Her voice rose sharply.
"Why not me?!"
Jealousy.
Raw and unfiltered.
She was a Level 5—one of the strongest in Academy City.
And yet—
She wasn't chosen.
Izumi smiled faintly.
"Because her ability is special."
He tilted his head slightly.
"What's wrong? Jealous?"
"Come on, Mugino… that attitude won't get you far."
Mugino's face darkened instantly.
"…Tch."
"Anyway, that's enough."
"You should rest."
Izumi waved a hand casually.
"If you behave well, maybe I'll even help you reach Level 5 properly."
"So work hard."
"Stick with me—your future's bright."
With that, he turned and left.
Just like that.
...
The restraints vanished.
The four girls could finally move again.
BAM—
Mugino slammed her fist into the bed.
"…Damn it!!"
She tried to stand—
—but the pain forced her back down.
Frustration.
Humiliation.
Rage.
All tangled together.
Behind her, Frenda, Kinuhata, and Takitsubo huddled together.
"S-So scary…"
Kinuhata trembled.
Frenda whispered nervously—
"W-What do we do…?"
"…We won't get pregnant, right…?"
"…I'm not ready to be a mom yet…"
"…?!"
Takitsubo's quiet comment sent a chill through the group.
They all froze.
"…That won't happen, right…?"
Right?
…Right?!
The room fell into uneasy silence as their imaginations spiraled out of control.
...
Meanwhile, Izumi walked down the corridor, completely satisfied.
Before he could go far—
A figure appeared.
Arms crossed.
Expression cold.
Aiba Asagi.
"…Enjoy yourself?"
Her tone was flat.
Izumi immediately gave a thumbs-up.
"Very satisfying."
"…You've really become more of a scumbag."
She rolled her eyes.
"That's borderline criminal, you know?"
Izumi just smiled.
"They're tougher than you think."
"Anyway—let's get to work."
His expression shifted slightly.
More focused now.
"Prepare the equipment."
"Next, we'll adjust Takitsubo Rikou's body—"
"Then push her ability to Level 6."
Her ability…
Perfect.
At least, in Izumi's eyes.
Asagi narrowed her eyes.
"Tell me more about her ability."
Izumi explained briefly.
As she listened—
Her mind began racing.
Calculations forming.
Possibilities branching.
Then—
She spoke.
"…What if it evolves into something else?"
Izumi glanced at her.
"…Like what?"
Asagi's eyes gleamed.
"Control."
"She can already manipulate other espers' abilities—enhance, weaken, alter, even redistribute them."
"That's all based on AIM Diffusion Fields."
"But if she reaches Level 6…"
Her voice lowered.
"…Do you really think it'll stop there?"
A pause.
Then—
"…She might gain control over everything."
"Not just AIM."
"But reality itself."
He went quiet.
Thinking.
"…If that's true…"
A slow smile spread across his face.
"That would be interesting."
"Let's see what happens when she gets there."
"…We might be in for a surprise."
...
Three Days Later
Preparation began.
Takitsubo's body had to be stabilized first.
Years of drug usage had left it in terrible condition.
Without proper adjustment—
She wouldn't survive the process.
At the same time—
Something else arrived.
The Sisters.
Hundreds of identical girls.
All delivered by Aleister.
Izumi looked at them—
Then waved his hand.
In an instant—
They vanished.
Transferred to his own world.
There, specialists would repair their genetic defects and give them a new future.
Even Last Order was included.
Not a single one left behind.
Watching everything unfold—
Dolly lowered her head.
"Thank you… Onii-sama."
Her voice was soft.
Sincere.
If not for him—
Those Sisters would have faced a tragic fate.
Now—
They had hope.
Izumi gently patted her head.
"…I have my own reasons too."
He smiled faintly.
"After all…"
"It'd be a waste to let so many of them die."