Therestina wasn't unkind. In fact, she was far from it. She was at least listening to everything that Mikoto had to say, nodding and saying confirming words at exactly all the right places.

"So that's it," Mikoto concluded her story. "I don't understand what happened but I'm sure I've been framed and someone is behind this. If anyone stopped to think common sense for even just a minute, they'd realise it."

Therestina nodded. "Hmm, it is certainly very strange that you are an esper suddenly after all this time."

"Exactly!" Mikoto almost jumped off the chair she had been sitting on in excitement. There was finally someone who was getting it.

The orange-haired woman sighed. "However, the fact remains that Capacity Down affects you."

"Capacity Down?" Mikoto raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, the piercing sound that affects espers."

Mikoto grimaced. "That sound was horrible. I can't believe anyone would not be affected by it."

"Well, it certainly only affects espers. So we do not have an explanation for that."

"But you believe me, right?!"

"I do, don't worry," Therestina gave her a reassuring smile. "However, just because I believe you doesn't mean everybody else will. It is a hard evidence against you."

"What does it matter what everybody else thinks? Aren't you a higher up here?"

Blue eyes behind oval glasses blinked. "Me, higher up? Oh my, what makes you think that?"

"The other two who left, they seemed scared of you."

A chuckle escaped the woman's lips. "Ah, we just all know each other, that's all. I am well known for being very passionate about my work." She smiled widely, tucking a stray lock of hair behind an ear. "Unfortunately, I am only a worker here. It is true I may have worked here for a long time, but I wouldn't say I'm really a 'higher-up' as such in the overall run of things."

"So you can't help me." Mikoto slumped on her seat.

"Hmm, that's not necessarily true. You see, I'd been following all that has been happening in Tokiwadai."

Mikoto's heart leapt. "You… You know my country?"

"Of course. In fact, I have met your father before and we know each other."

"You do?!" This time, Mikoto actually jumped up to her feet.

"Please calm down." Therestina gestured for her to sit, although her smile remained.

Mikoto hurriedly sat back down, keen to listen to more.

"Yes, your father once assigned me to a task," Therestina continued thoughtfully, "so we had a working relationship."

From her skirt pocket, the woman took out an envelope. She handed it over to Mikoto, who received it with a frown.

"What is this?"

"I received this a few days after I heard the news of the tragedy that befell upon you. I believe it is from your father."

"H-How?" Sure enough, when Mikoto turned the envelope over, the royal Tokiwadai seal was upon it - the familiar symbol of a horned creature with bat-like wings outlined by a lightning arc.

"Your father must have realised where they had sent you and thought of me, a research officer here. We worked on good terms, I guess he trusted me to pass on this message to you." The woman shrugged modestly.

Mikoto stared at the envelope, hardly daring to believe her eyes. She wanted to rip it open right away, but even just the sight of the familiar Tokiwadai royalty mark made her feel better. Knowing that her father was safe and had found a way to reach out to her sent relief flooding through her very bones. She had been worried about him, as in the chaos of the moment, she had been certain he was shot down.

"Wait… you said you received this a few days after you heard the news… Exactly how long have I been out for since that incident?"

"I am unsure. From the reports, possibly around a week, maybe even longer."

"A week?" Mikoto suddenly felt cold.

"I'm afraid so."

Mikoto's grip on the envelope tightened. So much could have happened to her family during a week's time. She didn't know how her parents, Maika and her royal instructor were faring right now. Were they in trouble because of all that had happened to her as well?

She glared down at her lap. What if this letter was the bearer of bad news? She wasn't sure if she could stand it if somebody she loved had-

Mikoto gritted her teeth. She tore open the envelope almost viciously. There was no use avoiding it. She had to face it head on despite the uncertainty twisting like a knife in her gut.

With shaky hands, she opened the letter within. Her eyes blurred oddly when she saw the familiar sloping script of her father. She rapidly blinked to clear her vision and began to read.

"My dear Mikoto,

I write this hoping that it will fall into your hands safely. I don't have much time to write so I will get straight to the point. There is a political upheaval and a plot against us in Tokiwadai - a terrorist organisation must have done something to make you appear like an esper, to corner you and turn the citizens against our family.

I believe someone may have injected you with something, to tamper with your body. That may be why you reacted to the sound as an esper would. You may even find yourself with an ability, just like a real esper to confound things even further.

It may be frightening, but you have to use whatever means you have to survive. Even if it means using strange an esper ability. You are my brave girl, I know you can do it. The Prison Districts are not for the faint hearted, but I know you will thrive.

Someone may be watching my movements so I will not be able to contact you for a long while. Rest assured our family is safe for now. I will find a way to get you out of there, but it will take time. You have to hang in there tight until then, do you understand? Remember, use whatever means to survive.

With pride, stand strong, my dear Mikoto."

At the bottom, was Tabigake's signature. Mikoto longingly traced a finger upon the scrawl.

"I see, your father has drawn similar conclusions about this whole ordeal."

With a jolt, Mikoto suddenly remembered that Therestina was next to her. The woman had been looking over her shoulder, reading the contents of the letter. Mikoto frowned slightly, wishing she had been more protective of her father's message. Even though she trusted Therestina somewhat, she couldn't help but feel as if her personal line had been crossed.

Before she could say anything however, Therestina spoke up again.

"I'm sorry. It must be upsetting." There was a hint of pity in her stare.

"Ah, wha-?"

Something wet slid down her cheek. Mikoto angrily rubbed her eyes with a hand. Shame burned inside her. Now was not the time to show weaknesses. She could not break down like this.

"I'm fine," Mikoto said firmly. She folded the letter back into the envelope and took a deep breath.

"What happens now? It looks like I have no choice but to stay here for a while, unless you can break me out."

Therestina shook her head sadly. "As much as I wish I could, I unfortunately do not have control over the main entrance and exits of this place. Even for us workers with certain permits, the tight security is hard to get around. And you must understand," she added apologetically, "I do have a job here and a livelihood to make."

Mikoto nodded. She figured as such. "I understand. You have to do your job."

"But no need to despair, Misaka-san," Therestina reached out and squeezed her shoulder in a reassuring manner. "I can be your ally."

Mikoto gave her a small smile. "Thanks, that means alot."

Therestina nodded. "Something you must understand however. Those who are categorised as 'espers' in this place, whether you actually are or not, are often not treated too kindly. No matter what happens, please know that I am on your side."

"I can understand that too. At least I know I can trust you since you know my father," Mikoto sighed. "So what happens now?"

"Your situation is unique. Most espers arrive here when they are merely babies and go through a certain process to discover their abilities."

"Abilities?" Mikoto thought for a moment. "In the letter, Papa mentioned that I… that I may display something like that… like a real esper."

"It is highly likely, considering the way you reacted to Capacity Down."

"How could someone have injected me with something that turns me into an esper?" Mikoto clenched her jaws, remembering the sharp sting she had felt as the Anti-Skill had closed in on her and her family. Perhaps it was in that moment that this happened. Still, the timing of the events made no sense…

She closed her eyes for a long moment. Her head still hurt and she couldn't think clearly. The effects of the Capacity Down or whatever it was called appeared to be rather long-lasting.

A deep sigh escaped her lips at the thought that she may have to suffer through the stupid effects of the cursed sound again in the future.

"Surely this esper status is not going to be permanent?"

"It's hard to know," Therestina replied. "I have never heard of such a thing, but perhaps your father has reasons to suspect it."

"I don't really get it, but… if my father is trying his best to help me, then I've got to try my best too."

Therestina smiled at Mikoto's determined expression.

"I think that is very wise, Misaka-san." She suddenly stood up. "Come with me, I must give you the standard introduction to this place and also help you find your ability."

"My… ability?" Mikoto's eyes widened. With the prospect right in front of her, she suddenly became nervous. She remembered all the teachings growing up about how espers' abilities caused their souls to taint as they were borrowed from demon powers. Furthermore, it was said that having such powers eventually made them twisted beings and they would later become demons themselves.

Mikoto shuddered. Obviously, she hadn't ever seen such terrors with her own eyes. However, it was hard to ignore when she grew up reading the Holy Text of the Pillar as all children of Tokiwadai did, with such words on its pages.

"You'll need your ability to make a livelihood here. You'll understand soon enough."

Mikoto frowned. "Even if I do have an ability, I don't want to-"

She stopped herself.

'Remember, use whatever means to survive.'

Her father's words ran through her mind like a serrated dagger. She clenched her shaking fists. There was no other way to go about this. This was what her father meant. No matter what, she had to survive, even if it meant using stupid powers or whatever it was.

"I don't think you have a choice, Misaka-san," Therestina expressed her own thoughts. "And I think you understand that too."

The woman stood up, placing a hand on a hip. She extended the other hand towards Mikoto. "If you truly wish to go back home in the near future, then you need to learn to live here first. To live here, you need your ability to help you. In due time, I'm sure you'll find a way to escape."

Mikoto nodded and stood up as well, taking the woman's hand.

"How do I know what ability I have?"

Therestina's lips curled up into a knowing smile. "Come with me and we will find out."

XXX

As she followed behind Therestina, Mikoto realised with a sinking heart that the place was built like a complex maze. Corridor after corridor they turned, and Mikoto could barely keep up with where they were going. Everywhere looked similar - all with bare walls, strange looking equipments and rooms with steel tables. Some of the doors that appeared to lead into a room had no windows to look through, and it gave her an uneasy feeling.

"Where are we going?" Mikoto finally asked after a few minutes of silence.

Therestina did not turn to look at her. "You'll see," she said simply.

The short answer did not help Mikoto feel any more at ease.

A few more turns into the twisted maze and Therestina finally stopped in front of a door. A wide glass window next to it meant Mikoto could peer inside. It was a huge room illuminated by white light, very much sterile and plain like everywhere else around this place. There were various equipments and machines, and the thrum of them drilled into her very bones. It was just like earlier, she could feel their circuits and power, without even looking.

Without realising it, Mikoto took a hesitant step backwards. Hands gripped her shoulders and Mikoto swerved her neck to the side to see Therestina standing right behind her. The woman stared down at her with a smile, her glasses glinting oddly under the corridor lights and obscuring her eyes.

"We're here, Misaka-san." She reached an arm forward and opened the door in front of them.

There was nowhere else to go. Heart thrumming in her chest, Mikoto stepped forward.

As soon as she walked inside, the thrum of the equipments rose to a disturbing buzz inside her head. Her hand rose to touch her forehead. She felt clammy and unwell.

The action did not go unnoticed by her companion.

"What's wrong, Misaka-san?"

The woman's voice sounded faraway compared to the overwhelming senses that overloaded her perception. There was so much going in this room, Mikoto felt crowded. She looked up. She saw the familiar yet strange circuits everywhere around the machines, all over the walls, along the floor and ceiling. They focused in and out of her vision, but they felt so natural, she again wondered how she had ever missed them.

"I… There's something… I feel like…" She didn't know how to describe it. Instead she raised a shaky hand and pointed a finger at the largest machine in the middle of the room.

"The machines… They're all… talking."

As crazy as it sounded, that's exactly what it was. They were communicating. There was so much information that they were trying to convey, whether it was to her or to each other. It didn't matter. They were connected by circuits, sourced by power. Sourced by electricity.

"Ah," Therestina straightened. She looked strangely pleased. "You might be an electromaster."

"An electro- what?"

"An electromaster," Therestina calmly explained. She walked towards the huge machine in the middle of the room that Mikoto had pointed towards. Leaning forward, she began to type something on the nearby keyboard in a flurry of precise fingers. "Electromasters are essentially espers with electrical powers. They are highly versatile, meaning they have a lot of potential to grow."

A small hologram appeared above the keyboard, and Mikoto could sense even without looking that the computer was acknowledging Therestina's access key.

"The fact that you can sense the circuits and machines may mean you are one. If that is true, you may be in luck. It's a useful ability to have."

As soon as Therestina touched the enter key, Mikoto sensed the immediate change. The hum of the giant machine grew louder in Mikoto's mind, roaring over all the others in their surroundings.

"We don't normally use this machine as an introduction per say, however you are an exceptional case." Therestina's voice turned slightly apologetic. "We just don't have time for gentle introductions, I'm afraid. This may feel a little… jarring."

"Heh," Mikoto chuckled despite herself. "I don't think I could feel any worse right now." She felt like she had to raise her voice over the din in her head.

"I like your optimism, Misaka-san," Therestina grinned back. "But yes, I think this will be the best way to go about it. You need to understand what your power is so you can use it at will."

Mikoto stepped close to the machine, staring at it. She felt exceedingly nervous and full of apprehension. The loud thrum of the gigantic contraption sounded as if it was giving her a dark warning. Or was that just her anxiety speaking?

She took a closer look at the thing. Built with sturdy metal, it was shaped like a giant dome with a small entrance on the side. She noted a large reclining chair upon peering inside. Mikoto narrowed her eyes as she considered it. It looked similar to a dentist's chair, and bad childhood memories were associated with those visits.

"I need you to sit on that chair," Therestina called out towards her from where she stood.

Mikoto crept inside the dome as instructed. It was dark within, and she was only able to find the chair due to the light streaming in from the opening she used. She stared at the chair grimly for a long moment before she sat down upon it gingerly.

"What are we going to do?" She asked, licking her lips.

"It's a simulation machine. It will create a situation in your mind that will force you to use your ability and hence learn how to control it."

"That doesn't exactly sound pleasant," Mikoto wrinkled her nose.

"I did say it will be a rough ride. Are you having second thoughts committing to this?" From outside, Therestina sounded mildly offended.

"I made up my mind already," Mikoto sighed. There was no other option for her anyway.

"Then let's begin."

Thick metal clasps suddenly sprung up from the chair and clamped around her arms. Mikoto frowned and tried to tug on them. They were on so tightly, she could barely move them at all.

"What's this for?" She growled.

"It's just a safety precaution," Therestina answered from outside. "We don't want you falling out of the chair and injuring yourself."

The door of the dome suddenly closed shut, leaving Mikoto completely in the dark.

"I already don't like this at all…" Mikoto muttered. Just what was going to happen that would make her fall out of the chair? There were no further opportunities for complaints however.

"Simulation starting now."

As soon as Therestina said these words, the thunderous hum of the machine grew into a high-pitched whine and Mikoto felt it change gears. Her increasing trepidation was short-lived when she felt a sharp prick into the back of her neck and her vision faded to black.