I'm kinda late, sorry about that. I've been getting a lot of homework this week. Though, I'm sure (and I hope) that you don't really care about my update schedule.
I'm sorry that the story's renovation ruined it for you, Mac. You could just picture Emilia living a previous life as an Otaku, then read this story as it is. I just don't have any plans of making our protagonist remember the memories of their previous life. (If you're confused about this, don't mind it. This story originally came out as an Isekai.)
If my calculations are correct, this story should have made it with the 60k+ words filter.
Thank you for supporting and helping me as I write this story.
Kuroko couldn't believe her eyes.
"So, ladies." The dorm supervisor said in a serious tone. "Do you have anything to say about yourself?"
Somehow, her dorm supervisor was scolding not one, but two level 5 espers at once. Mikoto and Emilia sat on the couch, somewhat looking smaller than usual. They're like whining puppies. Kuroko thought.
In front of them, was none other than the dorm supervisor. "For your punishment, you are to clean the lobby room all afternoon for 3 days, and write a letter of apology."
"Yes ma'am." They both said.
How on earth did this happen? Kuroko thought, as she watched the meeting conclude.
Earlier…
"Ready?" Mikoto asked, she was leaning forward, eager.
"Why did you decide to do this here? It's completely wide open!" Emilia complained.
"Exactly what a battlefield should look like!" Mikoto said, making her opening attack.
Kuroko watched intently. A part of her was a bit upset about being left out, but a much bigger portion of her was curious to how the duel was going to turn out. Emilia was now nominated to be the new 4th ranked, just behind Mikoto. Despite her being 4th ranked, a select few scientists debated that Emilia should overtake Mikoto as the 3rd ranked esper. Most scientists were very decisive, so their abilities must be quite evenly matched even if the minority disagrees with the majority.
She and Kazari got permission to abandon their judgement duties just for a day to watch this fight from a distance. She, Kazari, and Ruiko were standing near a railing, where the fight was taking place below an ironway bridge.
Emilia dodged all the beams of electricity easily. However, Mikoto kept the attacks going.
Kuroko looked to her side, to see what Kazari makes of all this. Ironically, she looks rather excited about two of her friends battling.
"I'm about to get some popcorn. Keep me updated on what happens!" Ruiko said, running the other direction.
You're being way too calm about this! Kuroko internally screamed.
Emilia was now under too much pressure to dodge the bolts, she was about to get hit eventually. Several pale icicles materialized from the sky, and began to shower onto Mikoto.
Mikoto ceased her attacks and jumped backwards to avoid most of the icicles. She began to pick up the iron sand and destroyed the remaining icicles that were coming after her.
Emilia began to form a pale white sword in her left hand in response.
Kuroko noticed that several other students were near the railing to watch what was going on. Including a few students from Tokiwadai. Kuroko desperately hoped that no one would recognize her in the small crowd.
Emilia ran forward, sword in hand. Mikoto readied her katana to block Emilia's first strike. The first strike came from Mikoto's left flank. It didn't help that Mikoto was right handed, so Mikoto stumbled backwards. She took out a coin and flipped it high into the sky.
What's this? Kuroko thought, as she leaned closer.
Emilia noticed the coin and immediately ran even closer, up in Mikoto's face. Emilia swung her sword smoothly 4 consecutive times as Mikoto parried everyone of them, taking steps backwards. Emilia went for yet another strike from overhead, but Mikoto blocked the strike without moving backwards. She then performed a high kick while Emilia was open.
Emilia was launched far backwards, and Mikoto ran forward to where the coin was about to land. Emilia immediately knew what was about to happen, and the sword in Emilia's hand grew even thicker, and somehow, even paler.
The Railgun was fired. Kuroko could tell it was a much weaker version then her full power, but a Railgun was still a Railgun. Emilia struck the beam with her sword and she was suddenly dragged several meters backwards. A visible mark can be seen in the ground from where Emilia's shoes originally were. The grass was completely tilted, and the lawn was ruined. Despite the recoil, Emilia still neutralized the Railgun. She somewhat stumbled forward in momentum once the force was gone, but she regained her balance as she ran forward once more.
Kuroko could already hear the whispers and mutters among the students watching. The small group suddenly turned into a crowd, with people watching from the rails. Some people were even observing from the bridge.
"Is that the Railgun?" Said a girl.
"Did that girl just deflect the 3rd ranked esper's signature move?" Another student asked.
Kuroko noticed Ruiko squishing through the crowd, next to Kuroko. "Geez, this fight gained quite the audience." She said.
Mikoto let out sparks of electricity onto the ground. There was no way Emilia could avoid this, so an iceberg grew right in front of Emilia's path, and Emilia jumped onto it, getting a boost in altitude. She successfully avoided the electrical attack, and she was now diving onto Mikoto's face.
A second katana materialized from Mikoto's other hand, and she blocked the accelerated strike with both of her swords. Once Emilia's strike was parried, she landed in front of Mikoto, and swung her sword once more. Mikoto parried the attack with one katana, and countered with her other sword. This forced Emilia to back off.
"This fight looks like it came straight from an anime!" Ruiko pointed out excitedly. She handed Kuroko a handful of popcorn. "Want some?"
Kuroko sighed and grabbed a few. She didn't even know what was happening anymore. She looked around to see the crowd get even bigger, but the large portion of students remained silent for the fight. "You got to admit, this looks pretty awesome, right?"
"Y-yeah." Kuroko replied.
Kuroko looked back to see what was happening. Mikoto formed a lightning spear, and prepared to throw it. She looked over to Emilia's side to see that her weapon extended even further to create a spear of her own. Emilia pushed the spear horizontally, like it was a cue stick in a game of billiards. The spear accelerated at abnormal speed, and Mikoto discharged her projectile too.
The two spears didn't collide at all, and they still went for their respective targets. An ice wall popped up to shield Emilia. Whereas Mikoto easily chopped up the ice spear with her duel swords. Mikoto ran forward, still holding onto two pitch black katanas. Emilia created another sword as well, and charged. The ground between Mikoto and Emilia turned into solid ice, and Emilia gained additional speed. Both of them were planning to face their opponent head on, this was the climax.
"STOP!" A voice was heard in the megaphone. The attention of the crowd was shifted over a van that recently parked, and a tall woman wearing a long ponytail was carrying the megaphone. The weapons in Mikoto and Emilia's hands vanished from thin air, but because of the sudden interruption and momentum, they still collided face first.
That was how the two level 5s got to this specific predicament.
"So, how was mopping the floor?" Ruiko teased Mikoto.
Ruiko and Mikoto were in a hospital, waiting for the rest of their friends. The place was very crowded, with several people chattering and walking. Mikoto could almost compare it with a mall. Mikoto decided to ignore Ruiko's sly comment.
However, Ruiko didn't stop. "Hold on Misaka-san, could it be that you were thinking about cookie boy?"
Damn you Saten! Mikoto internally cursed.
"I could tell you about him, Saten." Said Emilia's voice.
Mikoto and Ruiko turned to see Emilia. Behind her was Kuroko, Kazari, and Erii. To Mikoto's relief, the other three friends seemed oblivious to what they were talking about.
"What are we waiting for, Onee-Sama?" Kuroko asked, noticing Mikoto's hesitation.
Ruiko spoke up to Emilia. "Todoroki! Please just tell-"
To prevent potential disaster, Mikoto desperately looked around for an opening. She finally noticed a nearby elevator open. "Ah! Look, the elevator is here!" She suddenly shouted. "Hurry, let's go! She forcefully pushed Erii and Emilia to the elevator, leaving behind a confused Kazari and Kuroko.
"Congrats, Edasaki." Mikoto said.
Banri sat up, stunned. In front of her were 6 girls. This included Mikoto, Kuroko, Kazari, Ruiko, Erii, and Emilia, who was at the back.
"They told us you were being discharged." Mikoto said, responding while Banri was still shocked.
"Oh, thank you! The reason I was able to try hard and make sure I make it to school is thanks to you guys."
Excluding me. Emilia thought, still behind her friends. The place was a little crowded for 6 visitors at once.
Everyone settled down, Mikoto and Kuroko both sat on a neighboring bed in the room, while everyone else sat on a nearby chai or Banri's bed. Emilia was the only one standing, leaning on a wall, facing everyone.
"Everything is going to be taken care of once I'm discharged." Banri said.
"Wait, really?" Mikoto asked.
"Edasaki is going to live with Haruee." Kazari clarified, peeling an apple.
"For real?" Ruiko asked.
"Yup." Kazari replied.
"I've been institutionalized for so long, so…" Banri trailed off.
"Living alone would be really hard for her, so I asked my teachers to get Banri and I to share a place." Erii said.
That reminds me of Azusa. Emilia thought. She hasn't been answering her calls lately, I can't help but worry about her. I should check up on her now that I am here.
"I have to meet an acquaintance of mine, I'm going to have to leave. Congrats." Emilia said, especially smiling at Banri. It surprised Emilia to see her wave back, especially considering that this was actually the first time they met. "Saten, I have a favor to ask of you, could you follow me after you're finished?"
"Sure thing!" Ruiko called out, as Emilia left.
Emilia walked to another different room, and messaged Ruiko the room number ahead of time. She opened the door.
This disgusts me, why is she still in the hospital? Doesn't she get tired of it? Emilia thought. She saw Azusa humming on the bed. "Oh, hello Emilia!" She greeted enthusiastically. Clearly, not.
"Hello." Emilia greeted. She got straight to the point. "Why haven't you been answering my calls?"
"My calls?" Azusa checked her phone. "Oh, my battery is dead."
Emilia sighed. For three days? Why am I not surprised?
"You should be attending a school now, right?" Emilia said.
Azusa averted her eyes. "Yeah, I suppose I do."
Emilia let out a light smile. "Are you okay with Sakugawa Middle School? Some of my friends are there."
"Yeah!"
Ruiko walked in the room, slowly closing the door behind her. "Great timing." Emilia said.
"This is my friend, Azusa. She's about to join your school, and I was wondering if she could take my place as your roommate."
"W-wait, what?" Ruiko asked. This was all too sudden for her. "Why didn't you tell us about her earlier?"
"You never asked."
"Of course." Ruiko said with a sigh. She turned to Azusa. "How long have you known Emilia?"
"Pretty much my entire life."
"Do you know… any embarrassing secrets?" Ruiko asked. Azusa smiled mischievously in return.
"I already regret everything I'm doing." Emilia groaned.
"Come on, don't ruin the fun! Now that we're alone, can't you tell me about him?"
Emilia shifted uncomfortably. "As much as I joke about it, I don't think it's a good idea to tell you."
"Come on! Think of it as helping Misaka, she's always denying her feelings, and she needs to open up to them!" Ruiko said.
"What makes you think she has feelings for this guy?" Emilia asked.
"A woman's intuition!" Ruiko cried.
"ANYWAY," Emilia turned to Azusa. Come move to Saten's place anytime. I'll message you the location. "I already did the paperwork and everything, almost took me the entire night a few days ago."
"So that's why you left the hotpot early." Ruiko said. "You could have done it almost any other time, y'know." She said with a pout. "Hold on, didn't you say you were tired back then? Why work when you are tired?"
"I'm always tired." Emilia said. "From noisy people like you two. Well Azusa, I'll see you later."
"Goodbye!" Azusa replied.
Emilia and Ruiko walked out the room. It seemed like the other girls left the hospital before them. They both silently walked side by side.
"So, why don't you tell me about this guy?" Ruiko pushed.
"Argh, fine. I'll call him." Emilia said resignedly.
"Woah, you have his number too? Misaka would be so jealous!"
Emilia ignored her and waited for him to answer. He finally picked up after a moment or two. "Hello?" Touma's voice asked.
"Hello, I-" Emilia said normally.
"Gah!" Touma gasped in shock, cutting Emilia off. "A-accelerator!?"
"What did you just call me?" Emilia asked without aggression. She knew this boy was odd, but this answer threw her off completely.
"Ah! I'm sorry!" Touma whimpered instinctively. "Wait, why do you have Emilia's phone?! What did you-"
Emilia ended the call. She didn't need any more of this. She looked up to see that Ruiko had her ear close to her phone, and was listening to everything. "He's a little strange. Why did he think you were someone else?"
"Beats me." Emilia said. Her phone began to ring this time.
"Is he trying to call back?" Ruiko asked.
Emilia looked at who was calling. "Nope. It's Misaka." She answered the phone immediately.
"Hello?"
"Emilia… Could you meet us at the nearest park? We encountered something strange."
The girl on the phone tensed up. "What is it?"
"A girl… A blond girl is here, all alone."