Chapter 5 Knowledge Gained Promise Made
Kept in the hospital for the remainder of the day for observation, Touma and I were released the next day with Touma heading back to the dorms and me to find some breakfast.
I have never really been a fan of hospital food to be honest. Sometimes a meal just has to be at least a little unhealthy to taste nice.
So... What should I eat?
Settling for a quick breakfast of toast and an iced chocolate, I found myself wandering by
Tokiwadai's park in the 7th district.
"Haaa!" came a yell from nearby, a resounding crash following the shout.
Oh great, don't tell me... Misaka's abusing that damn vending machine again?
Turning and heading to where her voice was coming from I nearly made it around the corner to the steps that led down to the vending machine when another voice caused me to stop in my tracks.
"Judgment desu wa!"
Huh?
Ducking back around the bush I avoided the gaze of Misaka but I could've sworn the Judgment girl gave me a cursory sweep.
She knows I'm here.
What should I do? Flee?
Ignoring me and turning back to Misaka, Misaka responded by shooting a bolt of lightning which hit the... Wait, the girl from Judgment dodged?
Wait, there's something strange about the electricity itself.
Misaka's reflexes may be fast, but she's only human. She started charging electricity and sparking even before the kid attacked.
If Misaka wasn't the one charging the electricity who was? The Judgment girl doesn't look like an
Electromaster and it can't be anyone other than Misaka that fired off that blast... So...
An ability similar to mine? An ability that allows for visualization and in this small girl's case, manipulation of the AIM field?
This is interesting, it warrants further study.
Looking around the corner again, Misaka was no longer in front of the vending machine.
Eh? Where'd she go.
Several lances of light answered my question, originating from the top of a streetlamp, Misaka using iron sand to form conducting rails as she used them to shoot multiple Railguns.
She's gotten serious so fast? No, this isn't her full power, maybe a Level 3 or Level 4.
Swinging her lightning charged right hand, Misaka shot each rail like a spear.
Dodging between each rail and lightning strike, the Judgment girl slowly closed in on the streetlamp.
The speed of that movement, even the naked eye can't track it. If that girl indeed does AIM manipulation, she shouldn't have teleportation as well.
Wait, could she be... A dual-skill?
No, that was considered impossible theoretically.
But she's still moving faster than humanly possible.
Turning around the corner to look again, I was just in time to see Misaka shoot a bolt through the lamp, burning out the lamp but it before the lamp let loose a blinding flash not unlike a flash bang.
Man my eyes, maybe I'm getting Touma's misfortune.
A few seconds later, when my eyes finally got sorted out, I heard Misaka's voice from around the vending machine again, "Who exactly are you."
Letting off a few stray sparks, Misaka shot off another bolt that the girl easily dodged.
You'd think she would get more creative at this point.
Increasing the distance between them, the Judgment girl spoke up, "Judgment desu wa, Level 5 onee-san."
"I don't want to listen to this- or rather, is a grade-schooler like you unable to understand my question?"
"Uh huh."
After giving each other a smile of clear killing intent, a name escaped the Judgment girl's lips,
"Kihara Nayuta."
Kihara... I don't think I've heard that name before.
Wait... The memory's a bit fuzzy, but I think Kihara was the name of a family of researchers that does anything in the name of Science. But how am I involved with them?
Hearing Nayuta snigger, a shiver ran down my spine as I turned to eavesdrop once again, "... I'm not a Child Error. I'm just the 'process'."
"Process?" Misaka asked.
"Created from the experiment where Banri onee-san and the rest became guinea pigs, the representative of the Crystallised Esper Essence, one process of many predicted results; and just a guinea pig. That's me."
This girl, how can she call herself a guinea pig with a straight face? It's sick!
"What in the world are you saying?" Misaka asked, stopping short.
Something weird is going on with Misaka's AIM Field. After memorizing her AIM Field and how it fluctuates when being used, it's reacting strangely, like a computer being hacked by a third party program.
"Eh, so you knew what I'm doing? Is it because of that tremendous power? Or is it that your electromagnetic power can do something like telekinesis?"
This little girl, she knows way too much about abilities to be a grade schooler, do the Kihara's start studying abilities even at such a young age?
To be expected of a family dedicated to the furthering of Science regardless of cost.
"Right hand." Nayuta said.
At that moment, Misaka's right hand started charging electricity.
"Left hand."
And now both of Misaka's hands glowed with electricity.
"Don't tell me you..." Misaka said.
"An experiment that deliberately causes abilities to overload." Nayuta said abruptly, cutting Misaka off, "That is the name if the experiment which Banri onee-san and the rest became test subjects in. Mikoto onee-san knows that right?"
Taking Misaka's silence as a cue to go on, Nayuta continued, "So let me ask you 'Railgun' nee-san... If this 'Body Crystal' appears as an 'ability' that can 'overload other people's abilities and power and even control their ability flow' that can't be considered an 'overload' right? Well, I can manipulate the flow and timing, but I can't track someone down to the ends of the galaxy and even take away their ability like Takitsubo onee-san."
Upon hearing the name Takitsubo, I quickly ducked back around the bushes as my blood ran cold.
Takitsubo Rikou. Level 4. Ability name, AIM Stalker. When I was in middle school and involved with the Judgment branch, I decided to conduct a search on the bank for anybody with similar abilities, namely, abilities that involved the AIM diffusion field.
Only one name came up.
Takitsubo Rikou. Her ability was one that by consuming Body Crystal, she could memorize an
Esper's AIM Field and track them down. Her ability level was 3 at the time but has become Level 4 recently.
That ability, the uses that branch out from manipulating other Esper's AIM Fields and now this Kihara is so happily throwing it around as well...
Just how many people out there have this kind of ability now?
Proximity Trace, my ability, is right now at Level 3 and with a bit more development, potentially a Level 4. But even at Level 5, I will never be able to match up to Takitsubou. My ability involves memorizing and adapting another Esper's Personal Reality, provided the Reality is sufficiently compatible. Even though I can sense another Esper's AIM Field, I have no way of manipulating it. This can also be due to the fundamental difference in our fields.
As most Espers work by entering values in their Personal Reality, an invisible energy field is projected.
This is the AIM Field, an involuntary movement.
However, when I am not emulating an ability, my AIM Field has a special property. It does not emit energy. It absorbs it. This is a reason why my SYSTEM scans until I entered middle school always recorded me as having a different ability each time, and that why the ability itself cannot be measured.
This is what I know, but something else has been nagging me, how do I know this? I have not had any contact with researchers, yet these theories about my ability have all been correct and even proven practically.
How do I know all this?
My knowledge also does not account for me being able to memorize the ability outside tracing, why is there this gap in knowledge?
That is a question I have tried to answer and still fail to answer.
"OI OI, WHAT'S GOING ON? POWER OVERLOAD? IM HELPING YOU NOW!"
Hearing the voice of a hot headed intruder, I looked around the bushes to see nobody other than Academy City's number 7 Level 5 Esper. Sogiita Gunha. Ability unknown.
I've seen enough here, as much as I'd like to get more logic patterns from this fight, the fight between two Level 5s will not get me much battle data. If I go in any closer I will get spotted. If I stay where I am I'll get blasted away by the collateral damage. If I retreat to a safe distance I won't get any data, in fact at a safe distance those two combatants will look like tiny specks! How am I going to get any data like that?
That Kihara kid is also freaking me out.
Ah hell, I'll take my leave now. It's nearly lunchtime anyway.
Heading away from the disaster scene's ground zero, I realized a fatal mistake I had made while walking off.
I forgot to try and analyze the Kihara girl's AIM Field and Personal Reality!
Taking lunch in a random restaurant, I decided to ring Len and Tsubaki up seeing as I had nothing planned the next day after my homework.
Answering after the third ring Tsubaki was the one who picked up Len's phone, "Hi! Len's phone! Tsubaki speaking."
No surprises there.
Listening to someone protesting in the background, I heard the distinct sounds of Len being bullied.
Yet again.
"Yo Tsubaki-chan on Len-kun's phone, I was calling Len's secretary to find out whether he's free tomorrow, is he free to go to the pool?"
"What? You bastard, just where do you get off calling me his secretary huh? When I get you I'm gonna..."
Hearing Tsubaki's voice get fainter and fainter, I heard Len take over the phone as he sighed into the receiver causing static, "Sorry about that... And about the pool invitation tomorrow, I'm gonna have to pass, all the Level Upper users are having some kind of special class tomorrow at 9.
"Oh? Sounds interesting, I don't suppose I can tag along?"
"Huh? Ryu, do you have a screw loose? You don't strike me as the hardworking type, why bother coming to this thing?"
"Well, seeing as the two friends that I was planning on hanging out with decided to not follow my advice, use an untested product, fall into a coma, and finally get whacked with extra classes, you can probably see why I want to come along right? Besides, I heard Skill Out's becoming pretty brazen lately, it's better to find something to do, or at least be in a place with lots of people."
"Well, see you tomorrow then."
"Yeah, sure." I replied, cutting the call.
Heading back down to a certain vending machine, I decided to test out Misaka's theory on how the vending machine works.
Tsubaki's Personal Reality online, calculating angle, direction and coordinates of force application...
Done.
Should I go the extra mile and calculate the force of Misaka's kick to mimic it?
Screw it I don't feel like working that hard.
Thrusting a hand out, the vending machine shook with a loud bang as a can was dislodged into the dispensary.
Wait, wasn't this place a battlefield before? It's too clean.
Before I reached the vending machine, still deep in thought, a hand snaked around the other side of the machine, taking my hard earned (albeit stolen) Strawberry Oden.
"Oh shit, it's an ambush." I muttered as Misaka appeared from the other side of the machine, cracking open the drink and drinking it.
"Aw man, Misaka, is this Tokiwadai's new angle? Stealing drinks that other people obtain by shaking your beloved vending machine?"
"S-shut up!" Misaka spluttered, spitting out the mouthful of drink she had just taken, "I'm only here to recover from what the Dorm supervisor had done to me."
Massaging her neck to add emphasis to her words, I was personally starting to wonder what kind of person this Dorm supervisor was to be able to take out a Level 5.
"Is that all? Ok, I'm off to find another vending machine to rob. See ya!"
"Wait!"
Turning around to see Misaka toss away the already finished can into the dustbin she had chased after me and stuck out a fist, "I challenge you to a fight! You remember our arrangement? You can't back down!"
"Huh? You still remember that thing from so far back? Sure, but not anywhere near here. I don't like to fight in front of cameras. Didn't you have enough fighting from number 7?"
"W-what? When did you... How did you... Are you stalking me?" Misaka stuttered, her face turning bright red.
"Eh Eh, before you jump to conclusions, I was just passing by and I left before you two started duking it out."
Taking her to a particularly isolated iron bridge, what one of the residents of district 7 had said as I made my hasty retreat was still in my mind, "That crazy bitch from Tokiwadai is at it again."
Is she really that famous for fighting?
"Well, whenever you're ready." I said, moving my arms and clenching my fists to warm them up and increase blood circulation.
Personal Reality online, Misaka's Personal Reality loaded, now assimilating Misaka's battle data, logic patterns and habit alogorithms. Two more Personal Realities coming online for standby emergency preparations.
"Oh yeah, just one thing before we start fighting." I said holding up my hands in a "T" for timeout.
"What?" Misaka replied, stopping her electricity buildup.
"No attacks to kill, and no Railguns. I don't want to have to explain why there's so much damage to the surroundings and I need to attend class tomorrow."
"Scared of what I can do?" Misaka taunted, charging electricity again.
"Not really." I replied, redirecting Misaka's attack to the left while I dodged right.
Cool, she's doubting her aim, but not for long.
Redirecting the vectors below my feet, I shot forward over Misaka, pelting her with an electric blast as I flew over her landing several feet behind her.
As she turned and letting loose another lighting spear at me, I was already prepared, iron sand being drawn out from the bridge and controlled via the right hand rule.
Forming a shield, the iron sand absorbed the lightning attack and fell as I lost control over the individual pieces of iron.
The iron sand shooting into the air again, this time under Misaka's control, I quickly did a random vector redirection calculation in my head before the iron sand hit.
It seems Misaka has a greater grasp of Maxwell's equations and Lorentz's law than me. Magnetism is a new field for me.
Right now, she's just fighting on my level to humor me, if she chooses to get serious I'm toast.
"If direct attacks won't work... How about this!" Misaka yelled, letting loose a vertical lightning ray that travelled in a zig zag pattern across the road to me.
Holding out my right hand, I quickly absorbed the excess energy while returning the excited electrons back to a more stable state, the result looking like I negated her attack.
"Stop trying to pretend you have that guy's ability!" Misaka yelled, letting out an Electro Magnetic Pulse that fried my handphone and cut power to the nearby buildings.
I managed to block off any damage to my internal organs from the pulse, but my handphone wasn't so lucky.
That's 3 handphones in two weeks. What the hell man.
"I know you don't have his ability so stop pretending like you do!" Misaka screamed, charging energy for a stronger lightning spear.
If electrons are used as the medium, I know what I have to reflect. But what about the vector?
Hmmmm, I usually redirect it to a random vector to avoid having to do calculations but what if I calculate the vector of Misaka's attack?
This would be interesting.
Swinging her hand in a swing that would make a baseball pitcher proud, Misaka threw the lightning attack before I was done with my calculations.
Ah screw accuracy, I'll average out the last few decimal places!
Absorbing a bit of the attack as it hit, I reflected the majority of the lightning blast right back at Misaka!
Ok that was so cool!
Simply negating the attack as soon as it touched her, Misaka was unable to mask the shock on her face, "How did you..."
Her shock quickly turning to anger, her cheeks flushed with rage as the clouds in the sky nearby suddenly turned dark.
"Um, M-Misaka-san?" I called out, suddenly aware of the immediate threat to my wellbeing.
And my life.
"Shiiit!" I yelled, scrambling for cover as a bolt of pure lightning shot down from the clouds and struck the ground sending a shower of rocks and gravel in every direction.
"She's serious! I'm dead!" I yelled, turning 180 and running for my life.
"I'm not being serious! If you can redirect my lightning like that you'll be fine!" Misaka yelled, chasing after me.
"That was a one time thing! I'm not able to pull something like that in quick succession!" I yelled, running even faster, too panicked to attempt speeding myself up using vector manipulation.
"Well let's practice until you do!" Misaka yelled, shooting another bolt from behind me.
"Gaaah! Your method of practicing is way too violent!"
"Stay still and fight me! You promised!"
"Not when I end up on a one way road to the hospital! I already have one way road to do that for me!"
Why am I making puns at a time like this? Is humor something that I spout in near death situations?
No way.
Ducking into a nearby alley in order to get away, I heard another set of footsteps behind me which could only mean...
I'm in a narrow alley with no room to dodge with a Level 5 Electromaster behind me trying to fry me with electricity.
I could write an epitaph on how screwed I am right now, then again, that epitaph is extremely likely to become my eulogy.
Hearing electricity being charged up behind me yet again, I started to prepare for the worse when a short girl with pigtails teleported a few meters in front of me.
"Judgment desu no."
Shirai Kuroko?
"You're wanted on suspicion of assault and vandalism on a nearby..."
"Thanks but, deal with her first!" I yelled, reaching Kuroko and quickly passing her, giving her a light nudge in Misaka's direction just as Misaka fired another lightning bolt.
"Onee-sama? What are you... Agagagagagagaa! Onee-sama! Your love, it's to strong for poor Kuroko! Kuroko, Kuroko is..."
Twisted. You masochistic lesbian, you are twisted. I swear. To actually enjoy something like this...
Taking advantage of Misaka's distraction in the form of Kuroko, I quickly made my escape by turning a few more corners only to realize I've been running from her for the last 10 minutes.
Collapsing on a nearby bench and struggling to get my breath back, I immediately face palmed when I realized my crucial mistake.
After meeting Kuroko so many times I have yet to analyze her AIM Field and Personal Reality as well.
But knowing her and her perverted tendencies, I have a feeling I don't WANT to.
With curfew coming soon, I slowly shuffled my way back home and opened up the fridge, silently debating whether I should cook or just take the easy way out and microwave one of those "ready to eat" packets.
Well... I need to practice my pyrokinesis anyway.
Putting together a mixed dish of rice, chicken, and some curry sauce from the cupboard, I started heating it with waves of heat from my hands.
Yes it is a new ability so bear with me, pyrokinesis never starts with you breathing fire like a dragon or what not. Baby steps.
My food now being heated slowly by my hands, my mind was left to wander as I contemplated the days events, Kuroko's reaction to getting zapped was extra funny in a way I must admit, I'm not going to judge her for her orientation don't get me wrong, it's her way of expressing it that leaves me wanting to laugh and be disgusted at the same time.
Half an hour later the food was done. One plate of hot chicken curry ready for eating.
This is how I manage my meals in my daily life.
Finishing tomorrows worth of homework, I decided against a late night stroll, with Skill Out increasing their Esper attacks I don't wanna get caught in the crossfire.
Woken up at 8am by a loud banging noise from my door, I sleepily dragged myself out of bed and to the door.
And behind the door, Len and Tsubaki. Both dressed up in school uniforms and grinning like idiots.
"It's the bloody holidays. I don't get up for anything before 10 unless there's a nuclear attack." I growled, starting to close the door only to be tackled by Tsubaki.
"You promised!" she yelled, literally shaking the fatigue out of me.
"Alright alright I'm up I'm up! Geez Len, why didn't you go for the kind and loving kind of guaah?"
"Just what kind of character do you expect to be neh?" Tsubaki yelled, her fist drilling a hole in my ribs.
"Nice to know you're so willing to get 'physical'." Len sniggered, earning himself a glare from Tsubaki.
This is a situation that must be taken advantage of.
Closing the door to change into my own uniform, I could only hear the unspeakable horrors that transpired outside my room, thankful that I did not have to witness it with my own eyes.
The walk down to school passed quite fast, with Len and Tsubaki, time always seemed to pass faster, I don't know whether it's because of their antics or it's just the fact that their there.
As it was the holidays, the main and side entrances were locked so we had to use the visitor's entrance.
Passing Yomikowa as she leaned against the wall in the hallway, Yomikowa nearly fell over when she saw me, "Ryusuke-kun! You used the Level Upper as well jan?"
"Oh no no! Len and Tsubaki were coming for this lesson so I figured I'd tag along that's all."
"Is that so... Well, then you can look forward to sensei's special training later jan!"
Listening to Len and Tsubaki groan at this statement, I mutter to nobody I particular, "I suddenly regret coming along..." as I slumped my shoulders in defeat.
"Don't worry so much! Anyway, if you're here I have to go make a few special arrangements."
"Why?" Len asked, curious.
"After today's lessons there will be a SYSTEM Scan." Yomikowa replied as she headed towards the staff room.
Heading to Classroom 2A for the lessons, I took a quick look around at the students who had already arrived seeing one familiar face.
"Ruiko-san?" I called out, causing the girl in question to look up.
"Ryusuke-kun? Why are you here?" Ruiko replied.
"Who's he Saten? Friend of yours?" one of the girls around her asked.
"Oh, sorry, this is Len and Tsubaki." I said, pointing each of them out as they gave a small wave.
"This is Akemi, Muu, and Makochin." Ruiko said, pointing to each of the 3 girls around her.
Before any of us could say anything else, the door slammed open revealing 4 high school students, all of them looking irritated at having to come here.
"Man, having to come all the way here just to get punished. This sucks." the girl muttered.
"Nee-chan, this sucks, let's just go." a boy behind her wearing a beanie said.
"What? Junta! Say that again you asshole!" the "Nee-chan" yelled, grabbing his collar.
Yep, your classic bunch of delinquents.
"Excuse me, I'm going to start now." a vice from behind the 4 delinquents said, causing the delinquents to turn around.
"Huh?" one of them said.
"Who's this runt?" another one asked.
"I'm the teacher! If you don't go in now, I'll hold you all back until curfew." the voice said in a happy tone.
That must be... Komoe-sensei. Touma's teacher.
Entering the room and pulling up a chair to reach the board, Komoe actually looked quite comedic though nobody dared to point it out.
Starting a lecture on Personal Reality and other terminology regarding the power development curriculum, I started to phase out around the part where Komoe started to talk about Schrodinger's cat or the Quantum Uncertainty theory.
Looking to my side, Ruiko was furiously copying down the lecture word for word.
"Do you understand the lecture?" I asked, using telepathy.
Looking up and around with a confused look on her face, I quickly realized my mistake, "Oh sorry, it's Ryusuke here."
Looking at her as she turned to me, I gave a small nod as Ruiko shook her head.
"Would you like me to teach it to you sometime?"
Nodding and scribbling on a piece of paper, Ruiko quickly handed it to me while blushing slightly.
Looking at the piece of paper, I couldn't hide my shock in time which earned a giggle from Ruiko.
On the paper, was Ruiko's number along with a small note saying, "Call me when you're free."
Score! I got a girl's number! Too bad it's just for tutoring.
"Alright class, the morning class is over, we'll now have a break for lunch and then the afternoon classes will start." Komoe said, earning a class worth of moaning and groaning.
Crap. I forgot about preparing lunch. Well, we were given an hour so I'm sure I can go out and still come back in time.
In the afternoon, Yomikowa had us all change into physical education attire and took us down to the track.
"Alright then, I'm your afternoon teacher Yomikowa-sensei! How about some marathon training jan?"
Ignoring the protests from the students, Yomikowa blew her whistle, "Start running! Raise your hand when you can't run anymore!"
Catching me as I ran past with an evil grin on my face, Yomikowa's face said it all.
Don't cheat.
Damn.
Sighing as I stopped calculating what vectors I was going to use beneath my feet, I started a slow jog around the track.
Yomikowa blows her whistle like a drill sergeant. I swear.
20 minutes later, with 80% of the students giving up already, Ruiko and the kid that I had met in that alleyway were both still going strong.
Compared to the others, I was barely breaking a sweat. A side effect of reflecting excess heat from the sun and absorbing excess heat produced from my body.
"No fair, why are you barely sweating..." Len whined, staring enviously at me.
"I cooled myself, anyway there are bonuses of being sweaty..." I replied, Tsubaki's sweat soaked shirt being the new center of my attention.
Ow. Tsubaki's fist really hurts.
Ruiko finally giving way after sprinting one round, Yomikowa headed over to her as Ruiko squatted, panting and wheezing after all the running.
Let me guess... If I know Yomikowa well enough...
"Well done! Now go sprint another lap."
Bingo! I knew it.
"W-what?" Ruiko said, still gasping for air, "I-I... Can't run... Anymore..."
"Don't give up. Push your limits, once you give up it's over." Yomikowa said, gazing at Ruijo with a motherly look.
"Pushing your limits my ass! This is just punishment for what we've done!" the high school girl yelled, grabbing Yomikowa's collar.
Normally I would caution someone against picking a fight with my teacher, especially with her Anti Skill background. But just this once I think I'll indulge myself, she had it coming anyway.
"It's not punishment, it's training jan." Yomikowa replied, unfazed by the girl's rough grip on her collar.
Swinging her fist in, I watched as Yomikowa calmly intercepted the fist with her hand, and swept the girl off her feet causing her to land painfully on the floor.
As the delinquents screamed challenges to a fight at Yomikowa, Yomikowa looked up at the sky,
"Times up."
The clouds finally releasing their load, everyone ran back in for shelter, and back to the classroom to get changed.
Checking through the window to make sure all the girls were fully dressed before walking in, Len and I walked into the classroom reserved for the girls to fetch Tsubaki when Ruiko's voice rang out through the classroom, "By using the Level Upper, we cheated so why don't we deserve this punishment?"
Turning my head to the source of the shout, Ruiko was attempting to stare down the high school girl that just got decked a few minutes ago.
Personal Reality online, Vector Change, Energy Control, Telekinesis abilities chosen, now predicting possible scenarios, and counters. Calculating Telekinesis vector solutions...
Readying for a fight in the case that high school girl decided to attack, I quickly did a sweep of the room to see if there was any AIM fluctuations in case the girl decided to use her ability on Ruiko.
Only later did I realize the futility of a sweep, as I can only accurately "feel" AIM Field fluctuations at Level 4 and higher, any ability Level 2 or below would totally go unnoticed while Level 3 abilities were barely there on my sensitivity threshold.
Walking off after telling Ruiko that she had guts, I slowly stopped using the abilities I had opened, sighing in relief as I did so.
Maybe that girl isn't so bad after all.
Going through the afternoon classes after Komoe assured us that this lesson wasn't about punishment, Komoe ended the lesson after a final lecture and asking us to visualize the time that we had our abilities.
I see, so all this is to try and develop our Personal Reality huh.
"Alright class, now there's one final test before you go." Komoe said, Yomikowa waiting at the door and giving me a wink.
Taken into a gym hall separate from the others, a researcher I was familiar with sat on the other side of the table with a pack of cards sitting between us on the table.
Although she was dressed in plain clothing like a teacher from another school, I had no doubt that this lady was a researcher. My data in the bank requires researcher level clearance after all.
That and she has been doing my SYSTEM Scans for quite some time.
"Hello Ryusuke-kun."
"What's up Tamari-san."
"Nothing much, please though, do give at least a day's warning before you attend a SYSTEM Scan, this was an off day for me." Tamari said, giving a cute yet fake pout.
"Eheheheheh..."
"Well, what's done is done, can you tell me the order of the next 5 cards in this deck?"
Staring at the cards for a while I answered, "Star, wave, circle, square, wave."
Checking the cards and noting it on her clipboard Tamari then produced a spoon, "Can you bend this?"
Please, I'm a telekinetic.
Bending the spoon slightly, Tamari nodded again before producing a book in a pouch that covered the title and cover from her bag, "When was this book published?"
Glancing at the book and back at her, "Really? A book?"
"I didn't have time to go back to the lab!" Tamari protested.
"1990s." I said shrugging.
"Ok." Tamari said, putting the pouch in my hand, " What can you tell me about the book?"
Opening the book without looking at its cover, I opened the book to a random page and ran my hand over it.
"You eat while reading this."
"Wow."
"And this story seems to be a tear jerker."
"Your Psychometry has really improved."
"Nah, you need to use a none personal item for this test."
"Huh?"
"The book smells like spaghetti sauce and there are discolorations which I suspect are tear stains."
"Kh! Uhhh, I'll just give you the same rank as last time..." Tamari quickly said.
"Sure thing."
"Can you say anything via telepathy?"
"No." I replied through telepathy.
"Very funny."
"So where's the last test."
"Well... It's still in the lab so I think I'll have to give you the same rank on that as well..."
"Why can't I just use one of the other ones here?" I asked.
"You could, but then you have to do your SYSTEM Scan in front of everyone else as well.
"Oh..."
"Well, now that we're done with your attributes, why don't we get started on your ability testing?"
Tamari said happily, clapping her hands together.
"I swear you enjoy this too much." I muttered darkly.
"Aww don't be a spoilsport and see this from a researcher's perspective. Your ability is like a dream come true."
"Then why haven't I been targeted by any research societies?" I asked.
"Because you're only a Level 2 I guess."
"Level's are not fixed, I could increase."
"I guess, but this school isn't exactly popular for raising star talents."
"Oh..."
"Well, it doesn't really matter. Today you'll be Tracing an Electromaster. There are data loggers attached to the ceiling to measure your maximum output so do your best ok?"
Heading out to find the person who's ability I will be mimicking, I started to get suspicious.
There's something she's not telling me. Either she doesn't know, or she knows and isn't telling me.
Very few researchers have access to my full ability information in the bank, a biometric scan is required to access and even Misaka can't break through that.
Why this level of secrecy?
As Tamari just said, this ability is like a dream come true. What's with the lack of enthusiasm? It's downright suspicious.
I try to limit my ability usage but there are still chances for witnesses.
So is this the work of someone higher up?
"Well Ryusuke, I'd like you to meet Torifune-san." Tamari said, leading a nervous looking boy.
"Hello, Torifune-kun, I'm Ryusuke. Nice to meet you."
"Try not to talk too much, we told him that we're comparing the power of two Level 3 Electromasters." Tamari whispered in my ear.
"Well let's see what you've got." I said, motioning for him to go first.
Ionizing the air around him, Torifune let out a single bolt upwards, absorbed by the equipment attached to the roof of the gym causing it to spark from the flow of electrons.
And here's the problem with these damn SYSTEM Scans, you bring me an ability I already know, how is this a test of how well I can Trace?
Opening Misaka's Personal Reality, I slowly ionized my hand as well, shooting a weaker bolt of electricity than Torifune.
After two more repeat shows for an average result, Tamari motioned for us to stop.
"Good job Ryusuke-san!" Tamari said, leading the boy out again and only coming back after a few minutes.
"Well... Let's check the data collected shall we?"
Opening up her laptop, Tamari beckoned me to her computer screen as information ran down the screen along with a video showing Torifune and I shooting electricity.
"According to the data loggers, Torifune was shooting bolts at about 5 million volts. Your bolts only reached 200,000. To be able to Trace his ability at 4% capacity, sorry Ryusuke-kun, you're still a Level 2."
Nodding solemnly as I said goodbye to Tamari, I ran into Yomikowa on the way out of the gym with the results of my SYSTEM Scan in my hand.
"So how did you do jan?"
Holding up two fingers, Yomikowa gently nudged me, "Don't give up, you'll make it someday."
"Definitely Yomikowa-sensei."
Heading home via major roads and avoiding small alleys, I noticed a familiar Tokiwadai girl with goggles and rifle running out of the alley.
Oh no.
Stunned at the appearance of another clone, the nightmares I've been having of clones dying in front of me reawakened, causing a rising nausea that made me want to vomit.
She's supposed to be dead!
Looking in my direction and running away from me, the presence of another AIM Field stopped me in my tracks.
Accelerator.
Turning around into the leering face of Accelerator himself, he licked his lips as he asked in his grating sadistic voice, "Going somewhere?"
With a touch of his hand I was sent flying into a wall, coughing as the impact completely winded me.
"I still haven't ended your life since the last time I met you! You deserve a medal for that!" Accelerator screamed, lunging at me again.
I can't hit him, I can't counterattack, I can't fight back in any way without having whatever attack I throw being bounced back in my face.
Ah well, here's for trying.
Attempting to hold him telekinetically, Accelerator simply laughed as he kept moving forward unaffected.
Deflection up, please let this work!
His hands sliding off my body as if I was coated in lubricant, Accelerator turned around and glared at me.
I don't think a repeat performance is going to work...
The sound of a can of soda dropping and rolling towards me distracted me for a second, until I realized what had rolled between my feet.
Grenade!
Kicking the grenade towards Accelerator and running out of the alley, I ran by the clone that had come back and tossed the grenade that probably saved my life.
Thank you!" I called out, as a blinding flash and loud bang occurred behind me with Accelerator screaming loudly not in pain but in anger.
"MISAKA did not do it for your thanks. Misaka says, declaring her intent."
Running out of earshot already I clenched my fist, running with all my might and a promise that I burned into my heart.
I'm sorry MISAKA. I'm not strong enough right now...I WILL save you someday. One day, if I can, I'll save you. Until then... Sorry.
-End of Chapter 5-
You know the drill, enough reviews and I'll be more hyped to work on Chapter 6!