The pale golden bamboo dragonfly had a handle slightly thicker than that of an ordinary bamboo dragonfly. At its base was a structure resembling an octopus suction cup, and on it there was a small red button.
"Pfft, do not tell me you are going to say that you can fly just by putting this toy on your head? Pfft, hahaha." Shirai Kuroko covered her mouth as she laughed in a very unladylike manner.
"That is right. You can fly just by wearing it on your head. This is a super miniature flying machine developed by a secret laboratory in Academy City. I heard it was created based on research related to buoyancy type esper abilities. It is still an experimental product. I only managed to get some to play with because I have a good relationship with the director of the research institute."
Arata spoke nonsense with a completely straight face. Although Academy City's technology was extremely advanced and could surpass the outside world by thirty years or even more, creating a flying device like the Bamboo Copter was completely impossible. However, Academy City's technological reputation alone was more than enough to inspire people's imagination.
"Pfft, hahaha... I am dying of laughter. My stomach hurts from laughing so hard. He is talking nonsense with such a serious expression." Shirai Kuroko burst out laughing while clutching her stomach, almost laughing herself to death.
"They actually said that if you put that toy on your head you can fly. Hahaha."
"So Shirai-san does not want one then?" Arata raised an eyebrow and spoke with a half smile.
"I do not want toys that are only meant to fool children," Shirai Kuroko said dismissively.
"Perfect. That saves one." Arata shrugged and generously handed the remaining bamboo dragonflies to Saten Ruiko, Uiharu Kazari, and Misaka Mikoto.
"Senpai, you are not serious, right?" Saten Ruiko blinked while looking at the toy in her hand.
"Do I look like I am joking?" Arata smiled calmly. Then he took the bamboo dragonfly and placed it on Saten Ruiko's head.
In that instant, Saten Ruiko's eyes widened in disbelief. Her lips slowly parted and her face showed an expression of complete astonishment.
Some operational information suddenly appeared in her mind. She could control direction and speed simply through her thoughts. If this was what using an esper ability felt like, then this must be what an ability user experienced.
Buzzing.
As soon as she had the thought, the bamboo dragonfly on her head began spinning with a whistling sound. An invisible force lifted her entire body upward instead of pulling on her head.
Her feet slowly left the ground.
"Ah! I am flying, I am flying! Wow! It is really flying! This is a real miniature flying machine. It is amazing!" Saten Ruiko was startled at first, but soon she began shouting in excitement.
"It really flew!" Uiharu Kazari exclaimed while watching her best friend floating in the air. She then looked at the bamboo dragonfly in her own hand with sparkling eyes.
"This is a real miniature flying machine." Misaka Mikoto stared intently at the bamboo dragonfly in her hand while her heart beat faster. Academy City truly was incredible. They could even develop technology that seemed to come straight out of fairy tales.
"No, no, no way. You are joking, right? It is actually... really..." Shirai Kuroko's eyes bulged out. She looked like she had seen a ghost and her mouth was open wide enough to fit a fist.
"Everyone, put them on. We are heading to the game center." Arata placed the bamboo dragonfly on his own head and looked at Shirai Kuroko with a faint smile. "If Shirai-san does not want one, then forget it."
"Yes, yes. What is so great about it anyway? Hmph." Shirai Kuroko crossed her arms and snorted through gritted teeth. She was now filled with regret. She should never have mocked that ape. Although the ape deserved to die, the incredible flying machine itself was innocent.
"Ah!" Uiharu Kazari excitedly placed it on her head and slowly rose into the air with a surprised cry.
"Kuroko, your ability is convenient anyway. Let us go!" Misaka Mikoto happily placed the bamboo dragonfly on her head. She let out an innocent exclamation as she flew up and began spinning around in midair like a child who had just received a new toy.
Although she was a Level 5 esper, she could not actually fly. At most, she could only use magnetism to leap between reinforced concrete skyscrapers.
"This is incredible! The technology of Academy City is amazing. You are incredible, senpai. You actually managed to get such a powerful aircraft!" Saten Ruiko flew over to Arata with a carefree and admiring expression, her hands clasped together in front of her chest.
"Yes, yes. Even as a Judgment member, I did not know Academy City had developed such amazing flying machines. Even if it is still in the experimental stage, it is incredible," Uiharu Kazari said excitedly.
"In the future, Academy City will definitely have many flying machines like this. I wonder what things will be like when that happens. I cannot wait!" Saten Ruiko said excitedly.
"Also, using this aircraft feels like having superpowers. It is amazing."
If this was what it felt like to have an esper ability, then it was truly unforgettable.
As expected, the world of espers was completely different from that of ordinary people.
While Ruiko felt excited and joyful, the familiar sense of inferiority deep inside her heart quietly grew stronger. She still wished to become an esper, yet she also felt helpless about it.
"This was originally developed by someone with an ability related to controlling buoyancy and gravity," Arata said with a smile.
"This is incredible. Flying in the sky feels so free, just like a bird." Misaka Mikoto spread her arms and made various playful movements while floating in midair.
Meanwhile, the four flying figures were naturally noticed by pedestrians on the street below. Although they showed various reactions, no one thought it was strange. At most they simply thought that they were seeing several powerful espers using their abilities.
"Eh! It seems we have violated Academy City's rule against the unauthorized use of abilities," Uiharu Kazari suddenly said in alarm.
"This is the sky. It will not affect anyone else, so it should be fine," Arata said with an awkward laugh.
"But..."
"Uiharu, look. The sky above Academy City is so beautiful." Saten Ruiko's eyes sparkled as she looked at the futuristic scenery spread across the city.
"This is the first time I have seen the entire Academy City from such a high place," Uiharu Kazari said excitedly.
The most eye catching features across the entire Academy City were the numerous wind turbines, the giant blue space elevator currently under construction in District 3, and the enormous world class amusement park.
The three girls, enjoying the freedom of flight, seemed to forget their original plan to go to the amusement park. Instead they began playing a game of chase in the sky, their faces filled with joy.
"Hehe." Arata chuckled softly. "If you like them, I can give them to you."
"Really?" Misaka Mikoto's eyes instantly lit up and she held her hands in front of her chest. Then she quickly realized what she had done and hurriedly shook her head. "No, no. This kind of aircraft must be extremely valuable. We cannot accept something like that."
"Although it is amazing, it is already enough that you let us experience flying once, senpai. If we actually took them with us, that would be too shameless." Saten Ruiko said with a satisfied smile. No matter how good something was, if it did not belong to her she absolutely would not accept it. Otherwise she would end up despising herself. Besides, she had not yet even repaid the gift her senpai had given her before.
Meanwhile, on a distant rooftop, a figure surrounded by black mist stared toward the sky with crimson eyes. Her hair swayed like the tentacles of some strange creature.
"That despicable ape. You tricked me and Onee sama into getting separated, and now you are having so much fun with Onee sama. I will kill you! Aaaaaah!"
...
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