Kuroko Shirai couldn't take her eyes off Izumi.
This researcher—
This absurdly handsome man—
Had, in a single glance, shaken her very identity.
What is this…? Why is my heart beating like this!?
For someone who prided herself on her unwavering devotion to Mikoto Misaka, this was nothing short of catastrophic.
Faced with her question, Izumi simply nodded.
"That's right. We're the ones who developed Modern Magic."
He tilted his head slightly.
"Interested?"
The moment he said that—
Mikoto and Kuroko's eyes lit up instantly.
"Very!!"
Kuroko didn't hesitate in the slightest.
"Can we learn from you?"
It was a bold request—but not unreasonable.
While Modern Magic had already been announced, true widespread access would still take time.
Most people could only learn basic, generalized spells.
But according to Uiharu and Saten—
The real techniques inside the Talent Workshop were on an entirely different level.
Some could even rival nuclear-level destructive power.
That alone was enough to tempt anyone.
Kuroko stepped forward eagerly.
"I want to use magic too!"
Even as a Level 4 Teleporter, she wasn't satisfied.
Power was never something one refused.
Izumi paused for a moment… then smiled.
"Honestly? I'd recommend focusing on your esper ability."
"Learning basic magic is fine, but your power—"
"It's special."
"If you reach Level 5, it'll undergo a qualitative leap."
"Spatial abilities are incredibly valuable."
Before anyone could respond—
Izumi raised his hand slightly.
And—
The world shifted.
In an instant, all of them were standing atop a skyscraper.
No distortion.
No warning.
No trace.
Even Kuroko didn't react.
"…Huh?"
Her pupils shrank.
"T-This… this is teleportation!?"
"No… that's impossible!"
"Even a Level 5 couldn't do this!!"
She was shaken to her core.
As a Teleporter herself, she knew how spatial movement worked.
And this—
This was beyond comprehension.
Izumi chuckled softly.
"Level 5?"
"You're underestimating things a bit."
"If we had to use Academy City's system…"
"Let's say Level 10 is the maximum."
"Then I'd be around Level 9."
Silence.
Kuroko froze.
Mikoto blinked in disbelief.
"That's… ridiculous…"
Izumi extended his hand.
Space twisted.
Compressed.
Condensed.
And in his palm—
A spear formed.
A weapon made purely from spatial distortion.
Kuroko gasped.
"…You're holding space itself…?"
She could feel it.
That overwhelming density.
That terrifying control.
This wasn't teleportation.
This was dominion.
Izumi nodded lightly.
"Subspace Spear."
"One expression of spatial power."
"So?"
"Do you believe me now?"
The next moment—
Kuroko lunged forward and grabbed his leg.
"Onii-sama!! Please teach me!!"
"I want to become Level 5!!!"
Her dignity?
Gone.
Completely discarded.
Mikoto facepalmed.
"…This is so embarrassing…"
Behind them, Uiharu Kazari and Ruiko Saten exchanged helpless looks.
"…She's really gone all out…"
Izumi sighed, clearly amused.
"…Can you let go first?"
"If you want to get stronger, come to the Talent Workshop."
"One student or two—it doesn't really matter."
"You can join them."
He didn't mind.
In fact—
He found Kuroko rather interesting.
And more importantly…
She had potential.
Kuroko's face lit up instantly.
"Really!?"
"Then… can I call you Onii-sama from now on!?"
Izumi's expression twitched slightly.
"…Call me whatever you want."
"But please—let go first."
Kuroko immediately released him, her cheeks flushing faintly.
Then she turned to Mikoto.
"Onee-sama, you're coming too, right?"
"Onii-sama won't mind!"
Mikoto hesitated.
Unlike Kuroko, she still had a sense of restraint.
"…Um… Izumi-sensei…"
"Would it be okay if I joined too?"
"I'd like to learn magic."
Izumi nodded without hesitation.
"Of course."
"Actually… there's something I need to tell you as well."
Mikoto blinked.
"…Something… for me?"
Izumi's gaze lingered on her for a moment.
Calm.
Meaningful.
About the Sisters.
He had no intention of hiding it.
Sooner or later—
She would find out anyway.
Better to tell her now.
And perhaps—
Let her meet them directly.
A quiet breeze passed over the rooftop.
And with it—
The beginning of a truth long buried.