"You mean the Advanced Status Affiliated Research Institute?" Arata asked, immediately frowning.
This research institute belonged to the Kihara family. Nine out of ten people connected to the Kihara name were scientific fanatics, practically synonymous with human scum. They viewed Academy City as the ultimate experimental laboratory. In their eyes, the students living in the city were nothing more than guinea pigs for their research.
The director of the Advanced Status Affiliated Research Institute was Terestina Kihara Lifeline, who also served as the captain of Academy City's Anti Skill mechanized unit known as the Advanced Status Rescue Team.
She herself had once been used as an experimental subject by her grandfather, Kihara Gensei, during his research on Level 6. She had been a test subject meant to verify his long held theories.
She firmly believed that she alone could reach Level 6, and that Academy City existed merely as a laboratory for her ascension. In her mind, the only reason she had not yet reached Level 6 was because the conditions had not been perfectly prepared.
In addition to Terestina, several of Kihara Gensei's former students had also become victims of his cruel experiments.
"Yes. I am truly sorry, but there is nothing I can do to stop it. Your data and ability testing research will be forcibly transferred by the higher ups. After all, you are a Level 5 esper, and our institute really does not have the facilities needed to accurately measure Level 5 abilities." The director apologized helplessly.
"I see. Those people really know how to stir up trouble. Director, you do not need to apologize," Arata said while narrowing his eyes slightly. What are they after? The secret behind my multiple abilities, or simply more detailed data about my powers?
But those people should know that I already destroyed one research facility. They probably would not try to confront me directly.
Arata located the spatial coordinates of the AIM Analysis Research Institute and instantly teleported inside the facility, quickly making his way to the reception area.
"Oh, you arrived so quickly," the director said in surprise.
Soon afterward, the director handed Arata the transfer documents and contact information from the Advanced Status Affiliated Research Institute. After that, they proceeded with the final ability test at the current research institute.
The testing procedure was the same as before, but this time all the researchers stared with wide eyes in disbelief.
"The telekinetic range exceeds the test site's limits. Estimated distance is more than 1.5 kilometers. The mass that can be controlled is unknown, but it is estimated to exceed one hundred tons. The number of objects controlled simultaneously is unknown and exceeds the detection limits of the testing equipment. The control speed has reached 2.16 times the speed of sound..."
"W... we... cannot continue testing the next telekinetic parameters, Director."
"Stop the test. Our institute truly does not have the capacity to fully analyze a Level 5 ability. Academy City would not allow a research institute without the proper capability to waste valuable Level 5 ability data." The director sighed and looked at the chaotic testing area Arata had unintentionally wrecked as if he were looking at a monster.
"You probably did not take your previous tests seriously."
"I really was giving it my all before. At that time my ability was increasing every day by a noticeable amount. But now it has become like this and it no longer seems to be increasing," Arata explained seriously.
After hearing Arata's explanation, the director fell into deep thought before speaking again.
"It is probably because you had just reached Level 5 at that time. Your ability has now stabilized. The third and fourth ranked Level 5 espers experienced something similar. They were not originally Level 5, and it took more than a year for their power to fully develop. Your growth was simply too fast."
"Well, Director, if there is nothing else I should probably leave now. Oh, by the way, may I take a look around the research institute?" Arata said with an awkward smile.
"No problem. My research institute is fairly open. Just do not take any research data or experimental drugs," the director replied.
Arata left the testing area and walked into the main research section. Researchers and a few visitors occasionally passed by in the corridor. After wandering around for a while, he quietly obtained a card from the research facility.
There was also a two star card inside the research institute, belonging to Harumi Kiyama.
There were differences between two star cards. Character cards would always produce top tier rewards when unlocked, while ordinary two star cards usually produced more average results.
Harumi Kiyama was typing something on her computer. A sound wave spectrum was displayed across the screen. When she saw Arata walk in, she stopped working. Heavy dark circles hung beneath her eyes and her tired gaze carried a gloomy feeling.
"Oh, it is you. There is nothing interesting happening at my workplace," Harumi Kiyama said in a weary tone.
"Hey, Ms. Kiyama. Long time no see. Your dark circles look even worse than before," Arata greeted her with a smile.
"Oh, it is you." Harumi Kiyama glanced at him with sleepy eyes.
"I just came to visit you, teacher. Sorry that I did not bring any gifts. It might be a long time before we see each other again because I will be transferring to another research institute tomorrow," Arata said while scratching his cheek.
"This research institute mainly studies AIM Diffusion Fields, so it really cannot properly test Level 5 abilities," Harumi Kiyama said.
She still felt somewhat helpless toward this overly familiar eighth ranked Level 5. Although he claimed he had seen her long ago at the orphanage, she had no memory of something that happened so many years ago.
"I wonder what kind of person Director Kihara is. I am actually looking forward to meeting them." Curiosity flashed through Arata's eyes as he spoke.
Deep down he respected this teacher who had once been willing to oppose the entirety of Academy City for the sake of her students.
He truly wanted to lend a helping hand to someone like her.
"Kihara?"
When she heard that surname, Harumi Kiyama's sleepy eyes suddenly narrowed. Countless memories associated with that name flashed through her mind.
A cold chill ran through her body. After two seconds she forced herself to calm down and continued typing on the keyboard as if nothing had happened.
"I suggest you transfer to a different research institute. Aside from that one, there are many others that would suit you better," Harumi Kiyama said calmly, although her gaze grew increasingly dark.
Kihara. That surname was something she could never forget. The Kihara family was responsible for a great number of the tragedies that had occurred in Academy City.
She was not surprised that the eighth ranked Level 5 had been forced to change testing and research institutes. However, the fact that the director carried the surname Kihara made her think deeply.
They had come for the research value of the eighth Level 5. The research value of a Level 5 esper was simply too great. She also knew some details about the various secret experimental projects involving the first and third ranked Level 5s.
No one truly knew how many tragedies those projects had already caused.
"Ms. Kiyama, are you worried about me?" Arata moved a chair closer and sat beside her with a smile.
...
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