Chapter 10 Radio Noise: Multi Skill
Taking a slow stroll down the side of the school building with Tsubaki in my arms I gently nudged her, "Oi, stop pretending to sleep. I know you weren't even knocked out in the first place."
Her cover blown, Tsubaki finally rolled out of my grip and pouted at me, "Awww, what gave it away?"
"Your breathing. If you were concussed it would have slowed down, if you went into shock it would have accelerated. Either way, if something had happened to you your breathing rate should have changed. Since it didn't I had to assume you were not unconscious and was waiting for the opportune moment to strike." I replied flatly, deactivating combat mode with a touch of a button and a swipe to confirm.
"Damn... I knew I was missing something." Tsubaki muttered aloud, rubbing her chin.
"I'd rather you didn't do something like that next time! It got real troublesome for me having to fight that... that... that fake!"
"Well, everyone always thought she was an Electromaster but I guess the secret's out now huh?" Tsubaki said with a snigger, slapping me on the back.
"Well the entrance ceremony's probably over by now so what are you gonna do? Head home from here?"I asked.
"Well Len's probably inside wondering where both of us are so I think I'll wait for him. What about you?"
"I think I'll just go back and laze around. At least there's no homework for today." I replied nonchalantly, heading for the school entrance.
With Tsubaki waiting for Len and Akiha probably still at home doing whatever she does when she's alone I'm now left with about half an hour to burn before I'm expected at home so maybe I'll head down and wander around for a bit.
Halfway down the street from my school and still deciding on a destination a familiar voice from a nearby alleyway drew my attention, "U-ummm Hello?"
Looking around in case I had anybody's eye I quickly ducked into the alleyway to come face to face with a MISAKA clone shifting her weight from side to side in an obvious show of nervousness.
That's strange, the clones can't exactly express emotions that well right?
"Well hi MISAKA, what brings you here?" I asked softly, MISAKA jumping slightly from the question.
"MISAKA felt an ability with an 85% match to Onee-sama's in the vicinity and wanted to check it out. MISAKA replies stating the reason behind her presence."
"Is that high? Sorry, I'm not sure how different Electromaster abilities are from each other."
"Yes, the highest recorded match up until now was 57%. says MISAKA reporting the previously obtained results by MISAKA #12842.
"Really huh... By the way, which serial number are you? I'm sorry I really can't tell the difference between any of you MISAKAs." I replied, rubbing the back of my head sheepishly.
"MISAKA is serial number 19090. says MISAKA stating her serial number for reference."
"19090? Then you're the MISAKA staying next door to me right?"
"Yes, MISAKA was hoping to get an opportunity to speak with you. says MISAKA, stating her intention."
"Speak to me? About what?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Recently there was an accident and Accelerator sustained brain damage. says MISAKA, reporting the situation."
"Brain damage? From what?" I replied, a sense of foreboding overcoming me.
"Subject Accelerator sustained brain damage after a gunshot to the head. Fragments of the bullet were embedded in his skull and frontal lobe affecting his computation, mobility and language abilities. In order to compensate for this loss the MISAKA network is being used to compensate for the loss in his abilities. says MISAKA, quoting the aftermath assessment report."
"As bad as it sounds what does this have to do with me?"
"MISAKA represents a minor group within the network that supports you as our saviour rather than the hero. As you were asking for MISAKA's help a few days ago to do your math homework MISAKA has come to the conclusion that you need calculation assistance as well. says MISAKA, using a previous observation to infer a conclusion."
"Uhhh... The asking for your help to do my homework was more laziness in my part..." I replied, flashing a guilty grin.
Although her face betrayed no emotion, MISAKA's gaze dropped to the ground, "So you do not need MISAKA's assistance...? says MISAKA."
"No! Not at all! I'd be more than happy to receive any assistance that you and your Sisters can offer!" I said quickly, holding her hand in mine.
"MISAKA... MISAKA feels warm... says MISAKA as she reports her physical status."
"Ah sorry about that." I replied, dropping her hand and taking a step back, "I did grab you out of the blue."
"No, MISAKA feels warm here... says MISAKA, bringing your hand to the exact spot."
As she slowly reached out and took my hand, MISAKA slowly brought it up to her chest and placed it right on top of her left breast.
In a case like this I'm going to take a wild guess and say that MISAKA is feeling warm in her heart, but to any other bystander it's going to look like the most daring case of molest ever. In fact I can practically feel Misaka Mikoto's deathly aura behind me ready to shoot me so full of electricity for this outrage right... Now!
Turning my head so fast I could hear my neck crack to my surprise there was no Misaka Mikoto with a death flag raised. A sigh of relief escaping my lips I turned myself back around to the matter at hand, or more accurately, my hand on MISAKA's bosom.
"Ummm MISAKA-san...? As happy as I am to have my hand there it would be rather troublesome if someone were to come by." I said, not pulling back until MISAKA let my hand go.
"MISAKA does not sense the Electromagnetic waves that MISAKA felt earlier. says MISAKA stating her observation."
"Oh! If you're talking about the Electromaster ability I turned it off. Having Personal Realities active tends to be a burden when they are active without any need for them." I said, reactivating my Electromaster Personal Reality.
As soon as I activated the ability, a notification bar popped into view with the notification, "Electromaster AIM field detected, Electromaster ability online." before zooming up and shrinking to fit in the right hand corner of my view.
"So your ability can be activated and deactivated. says MISAKA nodding as she notes this down for future reference."
"Just where are you saving this so called 'future reference' data anyway..." I muttered, just loud enough for MISAKA to hear.
"In the shared folder for the group of course, they wish to know as much about their saviour as possible. MISAKA explains. Now that we are ready shall we begin? MISAKA asks."
"How are we going to do this?" I asked, feeling slightly nervous about what MISAKA was going to do.
"Provide you with a means to connect to the network, MISAKA answers promptly. By using your ability MISAKA will attempt to log you into the network as MISAKA #10031."
"Isn't MISAKA #10031... Dead...?" I whispered, slightly afraid I might have touched on a taboo topic."
"Yes, says MISAKA affirming your statement. Which is why you can try using it. says MISAKA as she initiates a connection to the network."
Although I was not quite sure how MISAKA was going to let me join the network, the thoughts and guesses on how she might do it quickly vanished from my mind as MISAKA closed the distance between us with a few slow steps.
"M-M-M-MISAKA-san...?" I stammered, MISAKA's face mere centimeters from mine.
Dammit I'm blushing! I'm so blushing! Why am I acting like a high school girl in the middle of her confession?!
The crackle of electricity bringing me back to the situation at hand, MISAKA sent a single spark from her forehead to mine. What happened next was a slight dizziness that quickly subsided as MISAKA stepped back and shook her head.
"I'm sorry, the differences in brainwaves is too different for you to connect directly to the network. MISAKA apologises."
So that's how it is huh...?
As the familiar jingle of a message received by my handphone rang in my ears, a notification bar appeared to the left of my field of vision. But it wasn't the fact that I received a message that started the gears ticking in my head. Could it work...?
"MISAKA, could you use this device as a proxy to connect to the network?" I asked, bringing one of MISAKA's hands to the AR projector wrapped around my right arm.
After looking down in curiosity at the device for a few seconds, MISAKA looked back up to me, "Yes, this device can work as a suitable proxy, MISAKA answers. However it might need a program to make the connection more stable, says MISAKA offering a suggestion."
"Sounds about right. So how do I log on to the network?"
"MISAKA has given you the information needed to connect to the MISAKA network, MISAKA explains. You should try using your device to connect, says MSAKA as she highlights the device's wireless function."
Really?
My finger reaching for a small gear icon that represented the settings I tapped the icon once the icon expanding into a list. Selecting network options sure enough as MISAKA said, a network configuration was pending requiring me to authorise it.
As I tapped the authorise button a separate window opened titled "MISAKA Network".
Hmm? What's this?
Bringing the window into the center of my vision by tapping it and dragging, I enlarged the window slightly by tapping it and drawing my fingers away from each other.
"[MISAKA #19090: You're connected. Welcome to the network saviour.]"
Amidst the whole sum of greetings I got from several other MISAKAs, a response came from another MISAKA that wasn't a greeting, "[MISAKA #18333: Some of us here support Kamijou-sama as our saviour. How are we to distinguish between Kamijou-sama and Isha-sama?, asks MISAKA posing an identity question.]"
"[MISAKA #17238: Maybe we could call one Saviour #1 and the other Saviour #2? suggests MISAKA using a numeric serial system for reference.]"
"[MISAKA #13013: That would then cause conflict over who gets to be Saviour #1. says MISAKA, pointing out the flaws. What if we called Isha-sama "Saviour" and Kamijou-sama "Hero"?, asks MISAKA suggesting different titles.]"
"[MISAKA #15903: But that would cause problems for a lot of us who view Kamijou-sama as our hero and saviour, says MISAKA pointing out the network majority's opinion.]"
"So... This is what the network is like?"I asked aloud to MISAKA, the argument in the network continuing to rage on between the clones.
"Yes, affirms MISAKA, aside from the network wide broadcast several smaller groups have been made for communications between MISAKA so that the network is not flooded, says MISAKA."
"So how do I get calculation assistance from the network?" I asked, muting the main network chat as line after line of semantics scrolled down from each individual MISAKA arguing over how to distinguish between Kamijou and I.
"Like this, explains MISAKA."
A second later I received an invite to join a group that had 45 members already. After accepting the invite another window popped up saying I had been made owner of the group.
"Owner of the group?" I voiced aloud, looking at MISAKA for clarification.
"Affirmative. This is the group of MISAKA that view you as our saviour and are the source of your calculation assistance, explains MISAKA."
Sure enough, MISAKA #19090 was listed among the list of 45. The window itself was not very elaborate, a large portion dedicated to what I suspected was for chat messages, a column on the right listing all the MISAKAs and a small box underneath the coloumn for system messages.
"By sending a special signal to this group the MISAKA in this small group will aid you, says MISAKA demonstrating it herself."
As soon as she finished speaking, MISAKA sent a short executeable command code into the group the code appearing in the system message box. The response was instantaneous. In the coloumn where all the serial numbers of all the MISAKA in the group were listed a small green dot appeared next to each serial number.
"What just happened?" I asked, scrolling down the list observing the green dots, " What are these?"
"The green dots mean that you are receiving calculation assistance, explains MISAKA."
Come to think about it, as soon as those green dots appeared I stopped feeling the burden I usually have when the projector is active. Its as if I'm not wearing it at all.
"Please try not to use calculation assistance from the network too often, warns MISAKA, the administrator might disconnect you from the network if you remain connected for too long."
So it's not a permanent aid...
"I see, if you don't mind me asking... By helping me you are decreasing the amount of assistance Accelerator receives from the network right? Won't he notice the drop in his power?"
"The 45 MISAKA that make up this group are a small faction compared to the rest of the network. Even if we help you instead of Accelerator he will not even experience a 1% decrease in his abilities so your fears are unfounded, explains MISAKA in attempt to assauge your worries."
"I see... Well that's good."
"However, as you mentioned that the group is small, the assistance that you receive will be small as well, says MISAKA pointing out a flaw."
"Well it's the thought that counts right?" I replied, patting MISAKA on the head.
Activating Pyrokinesis Personal Reality.
The system updating itself as I called up an ability, I ignited one hand while creating sparks in the other, "Cool."
"Is that... Two abilities?, asks MISAKA in an attempt to make sure her visual information processing is not malfunctioning."
"Yeah... You said that the assistance I'm receiving is small but it still seems to make a difference." I said, grinning at the display of two abilities one in each hand.
Quickly extinguishing it I nodded at MISAKA, "So how do I stop the calculation assistance?"
"Simply repeat the signal, explains MISAKA."
Memorising the command code that MISAKA used after repeating it a few times in my head, I executed it slightly slower than MISAKA did the first time around. For a moment when nothing happened I started to fear that I had messed up somewhere but in the next second the green dots all started to vanish one by one.
"Disconnection complete. MISAKA has to go for adjustment treatment now, reports MISAKA remembering a prior engagement."
"Well I shan't keep you then, but thanks for everything MISAKA." I replied, smiling at MISAKA.
"MISAKA is feeling warm again, says MISAKA feeling an unexplainable sensation."
"Maybe you feel happy? If it's a good warmth then you should enjoy it."
A hand reaching up to clutch her chest, for a moment I thought I saw MISAKA's cheeks tinged slightly redder than usual but before I could confirm what I saw MISAKA had already turned and ran towards the other side of the alley.
Well, no point chasing her. I might as well meet up with Akiha as planned and... The battle theme from one of the anime I was watching started playing in my ear.
A phone call?
A small window opened up in the center of my vision with Akiha's number and a picture of her I secretly took. I was actually quite fond of the photo since it was of her sleeping peacefully. Shaking my head before I could sidetrack any further I quickly pressed the answer button the window moving itself to the side as soon as it was answered.
"Heya Akiha, have you decided on a place to meet for lunch?"
"Sorry, I might have to cancel that appointment." Akiha replied, sounding slightly out of breath.
"What's wrong? Are you jogging?"
"Busy chasing a magician, she claims to be from the English Purist Church. I'm trying to take her out before she fulfills her objective." Akiha replied.
"What's her objective?" I asked, running out of the alley while trying to triangulate Akiha's position.
"War."
Although the signal was found in a few seconds the single word that Akiha whispered into the mouthpiece caused my jaw to drop. A magician coming to Academy City to start a war? Could she have an ulterior motive? What does she stand to gain from doing this?
"Oi Ryusuke stop overthinking things and get your ass over here! I'm near the subway in District 7!"
That's strange, she says she's close to the subway but the nearest train station entrance is a few hundred meters away and has quite a few buildings in between. Definitely out of sight range.
Making my way over to Akiha's position, the dot that was Akiha on my map passed an entrance to the underground mall as she pursued the "magician". The dot wasn't moving very fast so either Akiha and the magician had already engaged or Akiha was trying to shadow the magician.
"There's an opening up ahead, it leads to the underground mall. If you can head her down there it would turn the tides in our favour."
"How would sending her underground help?" Akiha replied, the tone of her voice clearly questioning my suggestion.
"The underground mall has security walls at every entrance. Once she's inside they'll trigger a lockdown and trap her in there. Then all we have to do is lead her into the Anti Skill squad that will be deployed and it's checkmate."
"Wait, we?"
"I'm on the next street."
"What? Oh no no no no no. She's a magician she has to be taken down by a magician. If an Esper takes her down..."
"Well she's in our city so I think this is considered an invasion in its own right." I replied, leaping down the stairs that Akiha took a few minutes ago, "How are you forcing her to change direction anyway?"
"Trade secret." Akiha replied in the very smug tone that I hated.
"Whatever. Anti Skill usually takes ten to fifteen minutes to get in on the action so we have to stall her for that period of time. What magic is she using?"
"She hasn't been using any magic yet. Maybe she's saving it up or whoa... Whoa...!"
The call ending abruptly as soon as Akiha yelled, I started to fear for the worst as I rounded corners and ran down pathways in search of her. Just when I was about to give up I felt the ground tremble as a roar echoed through the tunnel.
"Akiha! I yelled, readying Vector Change Telekinesis and Electromaster Personal Realities.
Turning the corner my jaw dropped as i looked up at the large humanoid mass made out of roughly assembled rock and metal. Akiha was staring that thing down like a tiger does to its prey but the magician's visage betrayed no fear.
"Go Ellis, our targets are somewhere inside this underground tomb."
The golem roaring in response, Akiha braced as she deflected a direct attack from the golem, the impact still sending her sliding backwards from sheer momentum.
"Akiha!" I yelled, running forwards to stand between the golem and Akiha to give her time to recover.
Jabbing the combat mode button with more force than I meant to the calm female voice started speaking as the windows in my vision closed one by one, "Combat mode engaged. All non essential programs going on hold."
Initiating connection to the MISAKA network.
"Listen here. I don't know who you are or where you come from but you've got another thing coming if you're going to just waltz into this city and hurt my friends!"
"Oh? I have no qualms with you boy, just get out of my way and you won't have to get hurt."
"You think you can say that right after punching my friend with your pile of rubble here?!" I yelled, running in with a loud battle cry as my fist crackled with a buildup of electricity.
MISAKA network: Error 404 Connection Not Found.
What!?
Wthout calculation assistance I have no Vector Shield. With no Vector Shield I'm a sitting duck! An attack with no defence on something that just pushed back Akiha is suicide!
/Screw the attack! Raise Vector Shield!
The electricity in my hand fizzling out as I stopped gathering electricity, I raised my arms in front of my body as the golem swung its fist out in a wide arc before colliding with my imperfect Vector Shield, the damage being deflected away from my body. Unfortunately that is where my luck ran out. Although my body didn't take any damage because of the flaws in my calculations that I was not able to resolve the impact still sent me flying backwards into the wall behind me, and my Vector Shield was only raised on the front portion of my body.
A large resounding bang echoing through the tunnels as flesh met concrete, I coughed softly, my chest hurting every time I tried to take a breath. I definitely have a few cracked ribs for sure. Judging by the iron taste in my mouth a damaged lung too.
Why the hell didn't the connection work underground?
A quick flick in my gaze to the upper right hand corner of my vision answered my question almost immediately. My phone signal was dead. Being underground probably interferes with my connection to anything, the MISAKA network included.
The foreigner standing her ground behind the golem, I nodded to Akiha who was stll in the middle of giggling at my adventure through the wall behind me. Nodding back both of us ran at the golem Akiha building up another fireball to stall the golem while I went for its master behind it.
Either the foreigner seemed to have seen through our plan right away or the golem was intelligent as it swung its fist down into the ground sending boulders the size of car tires into the air forcing us to back out or get crushed.
"This is going nowhere." I whispered to Akiha.
"Indeed." Akiha replied, looking around probably for another possible angle of attack.
At that moment, the sound of large metallic objects moving echoed through the underground mall, followed by the thud as the mall entered lockdown.
"Objective 1 completed, now to wait for Anti Skill." I muttered to Akiha who's eyes flashed a familiar tinge of red.
"There's a large group of people moving through the lane 2 corners down from here. Would that be them?"
"Probably, everyone else would have received the order to evacuate so as not to alert the foreigner."
Before Akiha could reply, the golem charged at us and roared before swinging its fist out at Akiha's unguarded flank.
"Akiha!" I yelled out in warning, trying to bend the golem's arm away from her via electromagnetism followed by telekinesis.
Akiha raising both hands to block in the nick of time slid back a few meters from the sudden attack her arms bleeding from the impact.
"Let's just hurry up and get to them." Akiha said softly, panting slightly.
"You got it."
Both of us running backwards, the golem started to give chase as its owner simply walked calmly behind it. The golem was made of a mixture of compressed dirt and metal but how it was controlled or how it keeps regenerating is something only Akiha would be able to fathom.
Hearing the familiar feedback of Anti Skill's radio chatter just around the corner, Akiha and I let off one final shot at the golem before the golem lumbered into the center of the T junction that we are in.
"Contact spotted! Permission to engage!" one of the Anti Skill yelled until a familiar voice caused me to stop in my tracks, "Fire!"
Yomikawa-sensei!?
"Come on Ryu-kun we have to move!" Akiha yelled, urgently tugging on my arm to get me to move.
"Y-yeah..." I muttered, absentmindedly following her while hoping that my PE teacher would be ok.
A corner here, a run down a corridor there. As soon as we determined that we had put enough distance between us and the golem Akiha turned towards me, "So how do we get out now?"
"We can't, the whole mall is under lockdown. We just have to wait umtil that magician is apprehended."
"So basically we're all trapped like rats in this little underground cage until that whacko and her mud pet make mince meat out of all of us?" Akiha asked incredulously.
"No, the fight should be over shortly. We should just find a place to hide for now."
-End of Chapter 10-
Author's Note: Greetings readers! And thank you for reading another chapter of A Certain Angelic Finality! Unfortunately I'm going to be pretty busy soon with school and all but I'll try to spend whatever free time I have to write, cheers!