With his hands in his pockets, Arata casually toured the research institute under the guidance of Nunotaba Shinobu, occasionally collecting cards scattered throughout the facility.
"You don't seriously think that just because you control the researchers here, this place belongs to you now, do you?" Nunotaba Shinobu asked, looking at Arata, who had already returned to his usual relaxed demeanor. Could this guy actually have multiple personalities?
"Of course not. You tell me first," Arata said, shrugging as he scratched his temple.
"As expected, the owner of this research institute is Yakumi Hisako, one of the twelve members of the Board of Directors of Academy City." Nunotaba Shinobu's tone grew heavy.
She had been hailed as a genius since childhood. At the age of eight, she had already participated in research at Yamashita University Hospital's Device Team and successfully developed a program capable of inputting information directly into the human brain through electronic signals.
That was also how she first came into contact with the Dark Side of Academy City.
"Although I have never personally met that director, it is said that sixty percent of the research and medical institutions in Academy City are under her control. She is an elderly woman with enormous influence in the medical field. Despite her age, she appears to be only around thirty years old, thanks to an anti-aging treatment she developed herself."
"On the surface, she is a doctor. In reality, she is an extremely dangerous individual. She has promoted countless unethical research projects, yet has also saved just as many lives."
"Are you confident you can stand against a Board Member who controls sixty percent of Academy City's medical and research systems?" Nunotaba Shinobu asked quietly.
"Shinobu, I don't need to oppose her at all. All I need to do is find her and rewrite her cognition so she becomes mine."
Arata casually wrapped an arm around Nunotaba Shinobu's shoulder, speaking with a faint smile.
The waters of Academy City ran deep, far deeper than most could imagine. But if his enemies were only the Board Members, then this game was far too easy.
A Saint's body, time-based abilities, Level 5 telekinesis, and the power of Words that bordered on the divine. Combined, they might not reach the level of Fiamma of the Right, but they would certainly surpass individuals like Vento of the Front or Acqua of the Back.
Vento alone could paralyze the entire functional system of Academy City. If not for the activation of the Imaginary Number District Five Elements institution Mechanism, even Aleister would have needed to intervene personally.
"You've changed a lot since we first met. What exactly have you experienced during this time?" Nunotaba Shinobu asked, slightly frowning as she brushed away his hand.
"I've experienced quite a lot," Arata replied casually, his gaze shifting toward the massive space beyond the glass platform.
Rows of cultivation tanks stood in silence, each containing a floating figure. Long hair drifted slowly in the liquid like strands of silk.
Next, Arata and Nunotaba Shinobu would input the "Emotional Program" into the brains of the Misaka Sisters using the "Learning Device." Once completed, it would spread through the Misaka Network like a virus, affecting every single unit.
Last Order had already begun preparation the day before, serving as the command center of the Misaka Network. When Arata saw that her cultivation tank contained only a single microscopic cell invisible to the naked eye, his lips twitched slightly.
"I hope nothing goes wrong because of me..."
Afterward, Arata gathered the researchers specializing in ability development, chemistry, and AIM diffusion field studies.
"This is a meteorite fragment containing a special factor capable of triggering 100 percent ability development. I need you to develop a complete esper development system using it. This project will be classified as top secret."
Arata spoke with a serious tone.
"What?! A 100 percent success rate for ability development? Boss, are you serious?!"
"This structure… this composition… this is definitely not a terrestrial material!"
A group of scientists immediately surrounded the fragment of Charlotte's Comet, their faces flushed with excitement.
"Also, I need mass production of this," Arata added, taking out a small bottle filled with crystalline shards resembling ability crystals. "Can you do it?"
Academy City's entire foundation revolved around esper development. Once this field was monopolized, control over the city itself would follow naturally.
Then Arata took out a bamboo-copter and handed it over.
"Analyze this as well. See if it can be replicated."
"I feel like my life is hanging by a thread right now," Nunotaba Shinobu said with a stiff smile as she watched the group of scientists fall into a frenzy of debate. "And I am absolutely certain I've been dragged into a power struggle between you and the Board of Directors."
"It's not a gamble. It's the beginning of a game," Arata replied with a grin. "You don't need to worry about your safety. You're one of mine. As long as you call me, the spatial marker on your body will instantly extract you from danger."
"Even though I probably shouldn't ask… I still want to know. Where did you obtain all of these things? Any one of them could shake the entire world. You're not just an esper from Academy City, are you?" Nunotaba Shinobu asked curiously.
"I choose not to answer."
"Hey, Shinobu… can I put my arm around your waist? I am your boss now," Arata said with a teasing smile, glancing at her slender yet perfectly shaped waist.
"What do you think? Shameless boss," Nunotaba Shinobu replied flatly, looking at him as if she had already gotten used to his constantly shifting personality.
"Of course I can," Arata said seriously.
Before she could react, he had already pulled her into his arms, wrapping an arm around her waist.
Her figure looked slender, almost fragile, yet the soft elasticity completely betrayed that impression.
"Ding! Congratulations, host. You have unlocked a two-star card and obtained the Zodiac Talisman: Ox."
The Twelve Zodiac Talismans: Ox. From Jackie Chan Adventures. Grants immense strength to the user. The output depends on the user's willpower.
"It's this thing… what a treasure."
Arata's eyes lit up.
Although it was not a consumable that could be replicated through the Vault, its greatest advantage was universality. Even an ordinary person could reach Level 4 physical strength instantly, and at full output, it could rival Level 5.
At that moment, a sharp pain at his foot snapped him back to reality.
He looked down to see Nunotaba Shinobu staring at him with a deep and complicated expression.
Meanwhile, things were not going well for Accelerator.
Because Arata was late.
Not only that, but the Misaka Sisters, who had once been completely devoid of emotion, were now undergoing unprecedented changes.
...
Re@d adv@nce ch@pters on p@t
guilt_free_daoist
Jo!n d!sc0rd I!nk in synops!s.
GIVE ME YOU POWER STONES.