Chapter 9 Birth of Aero Hand
Author's Notes: Thanks for reading (and hopefully reviewing) all my previous chapters! I hope you all enjoy the upcoming chapters, especially with all the twists that I plan to implement into Ryusuke's story! Enjoy!
"What are we going to do about him?" A voice that sounded like Misaka's asked.
"We could send him to the hospital with the rest of the children..." Kuroko said.
"But Shirai-san! I've already patched up all his remaining injuries! Who sends a treated person to a hospital for treatment?" Uiharu protested.
"That's why I told you not to treat him!" Kuroko retorted.
"But..."
It seems that their arguing over what to do with me... Since when did I become a slab of meat to be argued over?
"Ow... My head..." I muttered, opening my eyes slowly.
"Ryusuke-san! Take it easy! Don't push yourself!" Uiharu said, fussing over me.
"It's fine, I feel fine. Just incredibly tired though.
"You pushed yourself too hard, using that many abilities. Your body is fine but you need to rest. I recommend you stop using your abilities so actively for a few days." Kiyama said, walking over to observe me as well.
"Alright, I got it." I said, slowly getting to my feet, "So... What happened while I was out?"
"Nothing much." Misaka replied.
"You missed everything!" Kuroko squealed, "Onee-sama beat Telestina with her Railgun, Kiyama-sensei awakened the children, Kuroko, Kuroko must reward her Onee-sama!"
Punching Kuroko before she got too close, Misaka scowled, "Keep your perverted rewards to yourself!"
Anti Skill did not take long to arrive, (or I may have been unconscious for longer than I realized), and arrested the unconscious Telestina.
"What about the children?" Kiyama asked the nearby Anti Skill.
"They'll be taken to a nearby hospital and be put under observation. Ma'am, you should check in as well in case you sustained any injuries."
"Take this boy first, I think he has the most injuries." Kiyama said, looking around for me.
By the time Kiyama had approached the Anti Skill, I had already started making my way out of the facility... To be checked out by a certain frog faced doctor.
Two hours and an MRI scan later, the doctor had ne sitting in his office while he consulted the MRI,
"Physically, aside from the minor burns and overused muscles you should be fine. What I'm more concerned about is your brain."
"Is it damaged?"
"Oh, nothing like that." the doctor said, flipping the MRI for me to see, "You see these two scans?
The one on the left is a scan of the structure of your brain. As far as the scan is concerned, structurally your brain is fine."
"And the right?"
"The right is an fMRI of your brain, by this scan here, it shows that you are using 40% of your brain when you checked yourself in."
"Is that bad?"
"No, most people use various parts of their brains for various things, sometimes people can even use up to 70% when performing a high concentration task. What I'm worried about is this."
Pulling up another two fMRI scans, the doctor held them side by side, "See any difference?"
Looking carefully, the first scan was almost identical to the scan that the doctor had shown me with the MRI scan. The second one however, showed almost twice as many bright areas.
"The brain function in the second scan is double?"
"Not just double, mirrored. For a second while you were in the MRI machine, your brain function doubled while you were in there. Do you have any ideas why?"
While in the MRI I could have sworn I felt a quick flash of my alter's presence, don't tell me that's what caused the sudden increase?
"No doctor, I don't think I do." I lied.
"Well if that's the case, then I guess you're free to go. You've been through a lot so I recommend you take it easy for a few days. And that means not using your ability unless absolutely necessary."
Thanking the doctor again, by the time I left the hospital, it was already night time.
Hmm? Why's my phone ringing?
Picking it up, it was Kuromaru asking for a debrief, "Hey Ryu, I heard the Poltergeist case has been closed, any details?"
"Well, I didn't get a lot of info, so I don't think I should be the one to call for a debrief."
"Oh..." Kuromaru replied, sounding downcast, "Then would you like to hear the debrief from the 177th Branch? The just sent it over, I was hoping to get your version of what happened and compare it but I guess that's not possible now."
Apparently, to make a long story short, Telestina was attempting to complete what her grandfather did and make a Level 6; She's now in Anti Skill's custody.
I swear, that bitch is crazy.
"Well, thanks for the info, I think I'll hang out with Len and Tsubaki for the rest of the night, do you need me for anything?"
"Don't think so, unless you want to help with paperwork?"
At the mention of 'paperwork', a shiver ran down my spine, "Uhhh, no thanks, unless you want me to do some shredding?"
"NO. The last time you did that you set me back a whole week! Never am I letting you shred my documents again!"
Laughing at his reaction, I fondly recalled the time that I had offered to shred his unwanted documents, accidentally shredding his monthly report and logistics request forms for the week before he realized what was going on.
"Well bye then."
Terminating the call, my plans to spend time with Len and Tsubaki cancelled when I heard the sounds of Len being tormented by Tsubaki, "No Tsubaki! I didn't mean it that way, please... Gyahhh!"
Personal policy, never interrupt Tsubaki when she's torturing someone. Unless you want to be added to the victim roster; I don't think my arms ever recovered from the number she did on them.
The next day was the 8th of August. My summer holidays were just beginning and already more than half my homework was done. Yomikowa-sensei would be proud.
Len and Tsubaki should still be sleeping after their session lasted way into the night, (I had to reflect the noises after I gave up waiting at around 1am).
Maybe I'll visit Touma.
Knocking on the door, the lack of sound, energy or life behind the door was a clear indication that...
He's out; Hooray I have nothing to do.
Maybe Misaka's doing something worthwhile.
Pulling out my phone, I opened it and was about to start dialing when I realized something incredibly important: I don't have Misaka's number.
I. Am. An. Idiot.
Wait! I have Ruiko's! Yeah! I'll just call her!
After two rings, Ruiko picked up the phone sounding slightly out of breath, "Hello? Who is this?"
"Hi Ruiko, it's Ryusuke-san here. I was calling to ask if you had anything planned for today."
"Oh! Well... I have to get to the hospital in the morning but the rest of my day is relatively free. Why?"
"Well, I was hoping to meet up for what we discussed earlier. Would you be available?"
"Sure! Meet at the hospital then?"
"Which one?"
"The hospital in the 12th district, the one Kiyama-sensei is in."
"Ok see you there."
Terminating the call, I slowly made my way to the hospital, only reaching there when Misaka and the rest were on the way out.
"Hey gals, what's up?" I said, waving a hand as I approached.
"Oh, hi!" Misaka replied.
"Good morning." Kuroko said curtly.
"Hey Ryusuke-san!" Ruiko said happily.
"Morning Ryusuke-san." Uiharu said.
"Umm Ruiko-san, I'll go say hi to Kiyama-sensei and catch up with you all later ok?"
"Sure!" Ruiko replied, beaming.
Heading to the 7th floor where Kiyama's ward was located, I hesitated to knock on the door until I gathered the courage to do so.
What am I supposed to say in situations like this? Hi, how are your students? It might still be a sensitive topic. Face it, I'm no good with situations like this.
Finally knocking on the door with no particular opening sentence in mind, I silently opened the door once Kiyama asked me to.
She looked well, I mean, the bags under her eyes are gone.
"Ryusuke-kun huh? How are you doing?"
"I'm fine thanks, how about you?"
That went more easily than I thought.
"Some minor bruising here and there, I'm more concerned about you, you pushed yourself pretty far while in that fight with Telestina. Are you sure you're alright?"
"Yeah I got myself checked up on before coming here. How are the children?"
There it is, the taboo question.
"They all made a full recovery actually, they'll just be kept under observation for a few days, but all of them do not appear to be suffering from any side effects."
"That's great..."
"But that isn't why you're here is it?" Kiyama said, her gaze now directed right at me, as if she were looking right into my soul.
"Well, no." I replied, not bothering to lie, "I was hoping that you would..."
"Look into any information regarding you right? Yes I haven't forgotten my promise, I'll do as much as I can while I look for another job."
"Another job?"
"Yes, I think my time as a researcher is done, after all, I don't think I'll ever be able to do experiments again regardless of what is used as the test subject."
"I see... Then... Why not become a teacher?"
"A teacher?" Kiyama said, a look of surprise crossing her face.
Apparently she hasn't thought about this alternative.
"Sure, why not? You've taught your students before right? That means you must have a teaching license. And to go that far for your students, I'd say you would make an excellent teacher."
"Me as a teacher huh... I guess I could try that, thank you Ryusuke-kun."
"No problem. Well, I'll leave you to get some more rest now ok?"
"Mm. Thank you."
Leaving the room as slowly as I entered, I couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief after I closed the door.
That went way better than I thought.
Returning to the lobby where Ruiko and co. Were waiting, I nodded to them as they stood up, "So, where to now?"
"Well it's nearly noon, so why don't we have lunch?" Ruiko suggested.
With the rest of the group agreeing, I simply followed along, Misaka fending off Kuroko's regular advances while Ruiko talked to Uiharu about a sale at a boutique called 'Seventh Mist'.
Frankly, with this being an all girl group, I kind of feel out of place here. Especially when they start talking about girly things and what not.
"Oh! Ryusuke-san! So when did you want to help me?" Ruiko asked, catching me off guard.
"Eh? Uhhh, after lunch I guess. Would Misaka-san, Kuroko-san and Uiharu-san be joining us?"
"Of course!" Misaka replied almost instantly.
"Just so you don't do anything funny." Kuroko said.
"You're pretty excited about it aren't you?" I asked Ruiko, trying to ignore what Kuroko said.
"Of course! The Level Upper incident only made me want to work harder, if what you're doing will really help me, of course I'm all for it."
Wow, she has a lot of faith in me...
"What I'm doing is actually nothing more than brushing up on your theory and then trying to coax your ability out."
"How is that going to help?" Uiharu asked.
"Well..." I said, searching for a explanation.
"An Esper's ability comes from their Personal Reality right? So first one must understand the theory behind it." Misaka said.
"Then what about the part where Ryusuke-san said he'll 'coax Saten-san's ability out?"
"Well, in order to obtain a Personal Reality that differs from the norm, usually the brain is altered to perceive reality differently, whether via shock treatment, drugs or hypnosis. It is this curriculum that gives birth to Esper powers." Kuroko said, as if reading from a textbook.
"As expected from Tokiwadai, covering such advanced topics in Middle school." I said, impressed by their explanations.
In truth, the theory behind Personal Realities is Middle school work. Why and how however, is actually high school level.
Finishing our lunch while catching up on current affairs and engaging in small talk, I started to integrate into the group better but the fact that I'm in a group of five with me being the only guy still unnerved me.
"So... Where do you wanna go?" I asked.
"There's a park nearby, why don't we go there? It's usually overlooked by quite a few people." Ruiko suggested.
"Eheheheheh... If we go to a secluded park, then I can do this... And that... Ohohoho Onee-sama wait for dear Kuroko! Kuroko will... Waackkkk!"
"I can hear your thoughts you idiot!" Misaka snarled, punching Kuroko on the head.
Reaching the park, Ruiko led us to a nearby table and bench and sat down, all four girls sittig around the table looking expectantly at me.
This kind of pressure isn't good for me! Please girls, have some mercy!
"Alright, let's start with the theory first, Ruiko-san, do you understand Heisenberg's uncertainty principle?"
"More or less. Why? What has that got to do with obtaining my own Personal Reality?"
"Everything." Misaka muttered.
"Using an ability, actually, any ability is deeply rooted in quantum theory. The act of using an ability is by projecting what you perceive in your Personal Reality out onto the real world. To do so, one must understand how this happens." Kuroko said.
"Wait, so you mean the theory was actually important?" Ruiko yelled, slamming the table, "I thought that everyone gets an ability regardless of whether they understood or not!"
"Saten-san, don't you regret daydreaming in class now?" Uiharu said, grinning like a Cheshire cat.
"Eh?" Saten gasped, going red in the face.
"Never mind that's why we're here now." I said, trying to get back on topic, "Are you familiar with Schrodinger's cat thought experiment?"
"Yes, how is it relevant?" Saten replied.
"It's extremely relevant actually, remember that candy that Telestina loved to eat?"
"What about it?" Kuroko asked, her interest piqued.
"It's actually a replica of Schrodinger's cat experiment in a way." I said.
"Huh? How?" Ruiko, Misaka, Uiharu and Kuroko said at the same time.
"Notice how she likes to guess the colour?"
"Yeah?" Ruiko said.
"It is the benchmark of how Personal Realities work. In Schrodinger's cat experiment, an Esper will be able to dictate whether the cat is alive or not by simply believing it as such. In Telestina's case she 'guesses' the color but she's actually deciding which color comes out."
"Ohhh!" the girls exclaimed simultaneously, understanding the just revealed Chekov's gun.
I always found it suspicious why that mad scientist had such an obsession for candy.
"Well, I think you understand the concept well enough, so this is the complicated part." I said, deactivating my two defensive abilities, Energy Manipulation and Vector Change.
"Why?" Ruiko ask, a shadow of concern flitting across her face.
"This is the crucial part, I shan't explain the details but I'm going to see if I can find the reason to why you have no ability." I said, "Close your eyes and picture yourself using your ability."
As she closed her eyes, I placed my hands on both sides of her head and closed my eyes as well.
Focus... Focus... Imaging Personal Reality... Done. Subject's ability is Aero Hand, an ability that enables the control over air via subtle telekinetic control over air molecules. Now comparing Personal Reality to previously encountered examples of 'Aero Hand'... Identifying Personal Reality flaws... Done. Unable to correct flaws, I guess that has to be done via Ruiko herself.
Removing my hands and tapping Ruiko's shoulder, she opened her eyes with a start, shielding her eyes from the sudden change in light exposure.
"Ok Ruiko-san, try imagining using your ability again." I said.
Holding up her hands, Ruiko stared at them intently, a bead of sweat forming on her brow but nothing happened.
"Are you sure this is how it's supposed to work?" Kuroko asked, giving me a suspicious look.
Hey, this is like fortune telling. No guarantees! Stop looking at me like that!
Sighing as I pulled out my phone's graphic calculator, I typed in an equation and showed it to Ruiko, "Try imagining it again while thinking about this."
Nodding her head and trying again, Ruiko's hands started to gather leaves and move them around I a figure '8'.
"Wow!" all the girls exclaimed, watching Ruiko move the leaves around her hands.
"You did it Ryusuke-san!" Uiharu squealed.
"That's nothing." I muttered, feeling my cheeks flush with blood.
"It isn't, you just helped Saten-san gain an ability!" Uiharu said, eyeing me with awe.
"How did you do it?" Misaka asked.
"I don't know! I just thought about the numbers and letters Ryusuke-san showed me and it started on its own!"
"Ryusuke-san, let me see what you showed Saten-san." Kuroko said, opening her hand for my handphone.
Handing my handphone over, Kuroko looked over the equation a few times before passing the phone to Misaka and pointing at the screen while whispering into her ear.
Just what are those two up to?
"Yeah they are." I heard Misaka reply to Kuroko.
"They are what?" I asked.
"Ryusuke-san, what you showed Saten-san, are they by any chance vector equations?"
"They are. Why do you ask?"
"So the reason Saten-san had no ability..." Kuroko said.
"... Is because she didn't understand the equations involved in the first place?" Uiharu said.
"Probably." I replied with a shrug, "Abilities are used by entering figures or values into them, whether they are aware of it or not. Those who use their abilities by visualization, are actually approximating the values entered into their Personal Reality. Stronger ability users like the 7 famous Level 5's enter precise figures into their Personal Realities for the most potent results."
"Then why aren't you a Level 5? If you know so much." Misaka said, glaring at me.
"Maybe some of us just don't want the attention?" I said cooly.
"Why you..!" Misaka yelled, sparks of electricity appearing around her forehead.
"Calm down Onee-sama! Ryusuke-san, that was uncalled for!" Kuroko said, gently placing her hands around Misaka, trying to calm her down.
Somewhere along the lines, I'm guessing the intention behind the grip on Misaka's shoulders turned from soothing to perverted because Misaka screamed, "That's enough you baka hentai!" before whacking Kuroko with a fist to the head.
This must happen really often.
"Alright alright, I apologize for the statement, but it's actually exactly as I said. Just not in the way Misaka thought. By being a Level 5, one is not just a icon for envy and admiration. As a Level 5 one is actually valuable to researchers all over Academy City. I'm sure Misaka-san has been asked to aid research before somewhere or another."
"Well... I was asked for my DNA map while I was younger..." Misaka admitted.
No way... So that's how they managed to create clones of her? Should I tell her? I can't right? This kind of knowledge would destroy her.
"That's just one small example. My ability itself would be the Grail to any unscrupulous researcher."
"You're a Multi-Skill, aren't you?" Kuroko asked, no longer massaging her head, her face suddenly serious.
"Yes and no."
"I don't get it, how can you be a Multi-Skill yet not a Multi-Skill?" Ruiko moaned, holding her head in confusion.
"Shhh, he'll explain soon!" Uiharu said, holding a finger to her lips.
Clearing my throat to get their attention once again, I sighed as I told them the truth, "I hope you all keep this a secret, because I don't want this getting out. My ability, traces other abilities by adapting their Personal Reality and AIM Field."
As they opened their mouths to object or ask questions I continued, "HOWEVER, as adapting other people's Personal Realities results in me adapting how they perceive reality, it results in definite differences between how me and the person I'm adapting perceive reality. Thus compatibility between the person and I and Level also influences the efficiency of the ability I'm tracing.
"So... If an ability was at Level 5 like say, onee-sama's you could have a lower compatibility but still be able to trace it efficiently?" Kuroko asked.
"More or less."
"Then what about lower Levels?" Ruiko asked.
"If the Level is low and the compatibility is low as well, I still can trace the ability but then it would take me years to understand and develop the ability on my own. Theoretically, if my lifespan was unlimited I could trace every ability I experience at Level 5, but that would take decades if not centuries."
Listening to the "Oooh's" as the girls absorbed this information, I added, "Also, I need the ability to be used in front of me first hand. I can trace random abilities that I encounter while walking down the street, but with no reference point on how to start and where to end, it'll be like forcing a baby to run without learning to walk. It never ends well."
"So how many abilities have you traced so far?" Misaka asked.
"Nuh uh. I'm not giving you the upper hand on our little practices. You'll have to find that out yourself. All I'll say is I have traced less than ten. And they're already a handful."
"Ryusuke-san, how would you recommend I get stronger?" Ruiko asked.
"Just practice what I've taught you for now, and read up on airflow vector equations. They are extremely complex but incredibly rewarding if you get them right. The advantage you have is that you can control air movement from a distance. The formula I gave you is based on touch."
"Thank you Ryusuke-san!" Ruiko said, hugging me.
"D-don't mention it..." I muttered, going red in the face.
"Fuweh! All this talking has gotten me hungry! Wanna go eat a crepe? I know a really good place." Misaka said, standing up and stretching.
"Onee-sama! Eating so many sweet things won't make 'them' grow any bigger! In fact, Kuroko is worried the calories would head for a different destination... Gyyaahhhh!" Kuroko said, taking a bolt of electricity from Misaka.
"Well then, shall we get going?" Misaka said in a syrupy voice, accompanied with a sickeningly sweet smile.
Remind me to NEVER get on her bad side.
Leaving a smoldering Kuroko behind, Misaka, Ruiko and I headed to the crepe stand; Uiharu volunteered to stay behind and help Kuroko.
Sitting down on a nearby bench, I sat next to Misaka with Ruiko being on the far end.
"Ryusuke-san, you said your ability allows you to adapt people's Personal Reality right?" Ruiko asked.
"Yes, why?"
"Then how are you able to affect my Personal Reality and teach me how to use my ability?"
"Well, to adapt means I have to be able to observe and transpose your Personal Reality right? If I can observe and transpose, observing directly and locating flaws should be similar right?"
"But that would make your ability a Level 3 if not a Level 4." Misaka mumbled as she stared absentmindedly into her crepe.
"Something bothering you Misaka-san?" Ruiko asked.
"According to the Bank, Ryusuke-san's a Level 2. And he did not use the Level Upper. How did he raise his Level so fast?"
"You have already considered the fact that the Bank is inaccurate during the Level Upper incident right? Why can't it be inaccurate now?" I asked, taking a bite out of my crepe.
"But that was because people were improving their computing power by joining the Level Upper network. How did you increase your Level so fast?"
"So you're worried about what method I used to raise my Level so quickly?"
"I don't think Misaka-san means that Ryusuke-san, what she meant was..."
"Did you cheat?" Misaka asked, getting straight to the point.
"Hahaha, normally I'd be offended but I guess I can tell you the truth."
"What truth?" Misaka and Ruiko asked simultaneously.
"My ability has no AIM Field, and cannot be measured by machines. As a result, for all intents and purposes I'm a Level 0. This is what is recorded into most research databases. In the Bank however, the researchers KNOW I can use abilities. Multiple abilities in fact. But how can you measure my Level when all I can do is trace? So their randomly assigned Level is based on the highest Level ability I exhibited, which is Level 2."
"But you can repel and negate my lightning! That would make you a Level 3, or 4...!"
"After using multiple abilities Misaka-san. I'd never dare go toe to toe with you while only using one ability. For someone who can't specialize in one ability unlike you, it's suicide. My only advantage is that I can combine several abilities to achieve the same effect."
"But still, multiple Level 2 abilities..."
"Would not be able to negate your lightning, that's true. However, you're forgetting one very important thing Misaka-san."
"And that is?"
"What are you doing every time you go for a SYSTEM Scan?"
"Shooting Railguns?"
"What are you doing while shooting the Railguns?"
"Controlling electricity?" Ruiko said, trying her hand at the guessing game.
"No, here's a hint. Why is it, when a girl that can control a billion volts, shoots a coin that does not weigh more than a hundred grams, only propels it at three times the speed of sound?"
"You're holding back." Misaka said flatly, finishing her crepe.
"Yep, if I'm not wrong, if you were to go all out, even the pool won't be enough to dampen the shocks right?"
"That and the coin will melt too fast..." Misaka admitted.
"Wow, the conversation between you two is just totally unreal!" Ruiko said.
"Huh?" Misaka and I said, turning to Ruiko with stunned looks on our faces.
"It's like two Level 5's are comparing abilities or something."
That comment made me laugh.
"W-what's so funny?" Ruiko stammered, bracing herself as if I was about to blast her.
"Heh, Ruiko, I hate to admit it, but I'll never reach Level 5."
"What?" Misaka and Ruiko exclaimed, causing me to cover my ears for a moment.
"Didn't you hear what that Anti Skill teacher said? Once you decide your limits it's over."
"I'm not deciding my limits Ruiko-san. Think about it, if only 7 out of 2.3 million people can reach Level 5, what chance would I have? Each of these Level 5's are known by their ability. Their ability is what gives them their name, their identity. I have many abilities, none of which are my own. I may one day be able to defend against a Level 5 going all out. But I won't be able to reach that tier."
An awkward silence settled among the three of us as we finished our individual crepes. The silence itself was not unexpected, but the way Misaka slumped her shoulders made me feel a little guilty.
I think, for someone to admit that they can't reach the plateau she herself stands upon is something she hates herself for. It's not her fault that she's a Level 5, she made it to the top fair and square. But not everyone has the perseverance she does. After she fought the AIM Burst she stopped telling people that 'Level doesn't matter'.
Opening my mouth to apologize, Misaka must have sensed my intention because she shook her head, "You're right. But that doesn't mean you will just accept it and roll over right? If you fall we'll just pick each other up. That's all there is to it right?"
This is probably one of the reasons I like her so much.
"Definitely." I replied, giving her a thumbs up.
Before any of us could say anything else, the sounds of a fight nearby caused Misaka to jump to her feet, "Someone's in trouble."
"Well we could call Judgment..." I suggested.
"There's no time, by the time the get here it might be too late! C'mon Ruiko-san, Ryusuke-san, let's go!"
Pulling out my handphone while running after Misaka, I quickly dialed the number of the 132nd Judgment Branch's office.
"Judgment 132nd Branch, how may I help you...?"
"Kuromaru!" I barked into the phone, earning myself a surprised yell as what sounded like
Kuromaru falling of his chair, "Assault in progress, perpetrators and casualties unknown. I'm going in with two of my friends."
"Do these friends have names, and where are you?" Kuromaru asked.
"7th street Furiai plaza. My friends are affiliated with the 177th Judgment Branch, Misaka Mikoto and Saten Ruiko."
"Alright, I'll liaison with the 177th Judgment Branch now... Wait... Ryu, did you say Furiai plaza?"
"What about it? Make it quick they're just around the corner so I have to hang up soon."
"There's rumors going around that a Multi-Skill is terrorizing people! Especially Level 0's!"
"What? Damn them!" I yelled, cutting the call.
"What's wrong Ryusuke-san?" Ruiko asked, her voice full of concern.
"There's rumors of a Multi-Skill bullying Level 0's and Skill Outs around here."
"But aren't Multi-Skills an impossible existence?" Misaka wondered aloud as I gave a fake cough,
"With the exception of you."
"Whatever it is, this case just got a lot hotter. Ruiko-san, we should let Misaka-san handle this."
Opening her mouth to protest, I quickly cut Ruiko off, "Misaka-san is the only one out of all of us who's fought a Multi-Skill and lived. We would just get in the way."
"I don't care! I'm going!" Ruiko yelled, earning a sigh from me.
She's reckless... But at least it's for a good cause.
"Fine, we'll all go. But if it gets ugly we're getting out. Fair?"
Just as she nodded, the three of us rounded the alley coming up behind a girl thrashing what looked like a group of 3 boys and 2 girls.
That girl's uniform... It's from Tokiwadai!
Turning around, the girl just noticed us, "Oh my, Judgment, you're a bit too late. I just took care of these delinquents who tried to attack me."
"Why did they attack you?" I asked, initiating several Personal Realties anyway.
"Skill Out attacking Espers I guess? I don't bother finding out the intentions behind people who attack me."
"Don't Skill Out use weapons?" Ruiko whispered.
"That's not the only problem, look at the victims, they have defensive wounds on their arms along with the rest of their bodies. If they did indeed try to take on this Esper here, they'd only have either wounds on the arms or their bodies. Not both. This girl went overboard when defending herself. Something's off." I whispered back.
"Why'd you attack them so viciously?" Misaka asked, sparks randomly appearing around her forehead, "Don't tell me at your level you don't know how to hold back."
"She attacked us for no reason..." one of the girls groaned from the floor, trying and failing to stand up.
"Shut up scum! You attacked me first!" the Tokiwadai girl snarled, electrocuting the girl maliciously.
"Stop it!" Misaka yelled, the electricity around her starting to build up.
"Since when did you care about Skill Outs Railgun?" the Tokiwadai girl said, addressing Misaka.
"Because...!"
"This argument is a waste of time." I said, shifting my foot back into a fighting stance.
"Why, you! What gives you the right to accuse me of anything! They attacked me! I'm the victim here!"
"First of all, the placement of the attackers and defenders is all off. If you were really the victim, those five would have tried to corner you in the alley cutting off your escape route. Since the group is not surrounding you and you are between them and the alley entrance, that begs a lot of questions..."
"Shut up you...!" the Tokiwadai girl yelled.
"Second of all!" I yelled back, cutting her off, "In every sentence you've spoken so far, you've constantly stated the fact, multiple times I might add, that they attacked you first. Saying it once is enough? Why repeat it? Are you trying to make yourself believe the lie that you yourself told?"
Instead of defending herself, the girl simply started giggling in a way Kuroko would before attempting something perverted, except this time I think perverted fantasies were the last thing on her mind, "So you've caught me eh? But what are you going to do, against me a Multi-Skill?"
"So you're the one!" Misaka yelled, the buildup of electricity Misaka was constantly gathering finally appearing as a bright mass of light.
"Careful Railgun, you've fought a Multi-Skill before right? Are you sure you are aware of every ability I possess?"
"I'll be sure to find out, after I beat you!" Misaka screamed, throwing the lightning lance at the girl only to have it dissipate into different directions.
"That won't work on me. See, Electromaster is one of my man abilities." the girl sneered, creating sparks in her hand.
"But still, three against one with one of the three being a Level 5, this should be fun. Prepare to lose your title of Tokiwadai's ace!"
Shooting another bolt of electricity at me, I quickly absorbed the majority of the energy from the attack deflecting the rest to the environment.
Should I use Misaka's ability as well? But that would mean diverting more processing power to another ability.
"That shock didn't hit, so either you're an Electromaster or something energy related." the girl said while narrowing her eyes.
"C'mon, if you're really a Multi-Skill why are you just throwing electricity around? Are you sure you're not just an Electromaster?" Misaka taunted.
Good, focus on Misaka and give me time to focus.
"You want a different ability, you've got it!" the girl yelled, throwing several pieces of concrete and other junk at us.
Electromaster and Telekinesis so far.
Dodging out of the way and pulling Ruiko with me, the girl laughed, "Is that all you three can do?"
Misaka is holding back, that part is totally obvious. But that isn't the issue here. If these are the only two abilities she has she should be a Dual-Skill, an impossible phenomenon.
Still, it'd be interesting to observe a Dual-Skill's Personal Reality. To perceive two different realities is theoretically and practically impossible without some kind of basis to support all the different realities.
"Misaka, I'm going to need a few minutes, can you buy that for me?" I whispered to Misaka.
"I'll try."
I'm gonna need to focus here... Observing and adapting a Personal Reality requires deep concentration. Especially if it's more than one... What the?
Being roughly pulled to the side by Ruiko as we both barely dodged a concrete block the size of wardrobe.
For someone to lift a block that big, that requires a Level 4, if not a Level 5 Dual-Skill or not.
Something's fishy, why am I not feeling the presence of a Level 4 or 5 aside from Misaka?
Could she be interfering with my ability to sense AIM Fields? No, I feel a Level 3 AIM Field over there... Wait...
That AIM Field... It corresponds to one ability. Whenever I use multiple abilities my AIM Field carries different signatures within it.
If she's a Multi-Skill, why does she only have one AIM Field signature? Something's fishy here.
"Come on! Don't tell me you've only got two abilities?" Misaka taunted, throwing another warning shot that was dissipated.
"What's wrong Railgun? Is that all you've got?" the Tokiwadai girl sneered.
"I'll show you 'all I've got'!" Misaka snarled, her output now several times stronger than the last shot.
"No Misaka! Just hold them off! There's something suspicious about her!" I whispered.
Closing all other Personal Realities, I was totally defenseless as I reached out to sense any nearby AIM Fields... 1... 2... 3.
Three AIM Fields but all are in different places.
That means there's... Three people?
Analyzing the Tokiwadai girl's AIM Field... Now adapting Personal Reality... Her ability... Is electromagnetic wave interference?
30% compatibility and a Level 3. I could adapt it into my library, but with an ability level that low... I guess it wouldn't be worthwhile to trace.
She bends light. How does that ability create electricity or use Telekinesis?
"Ryusuke!" Ruiko yelled, another bolt of electricity heading in my direction.
Why are they always aiming for me?
I've had it with this!
Rolling to the side even though Misaka stuck out her hand and absorbed the shock.
Misaka's Personal Reality online. Now assimilating logic patterns.
"Misaka, fire a bolt, 80 centimeters to the left of the girl." I muttered.
"Why? There's nothing there."
"Just do it!"
Charging a bolt and firing it where I directed, as I thought the bolt was dissipated.
But what about this?
In the time that the shock was dispelled, a large gust of iron sand rushed forward coating two other figures before the iron sand itself disappeared all of a sudden.
"As I thought." I muttered.
"What is it?" Misaka and Ruiko asked.
"The girl we see is just a dummy."
"What's that supposed to mean?" the girl herself snarled.
"You bend light. That's your only ability. You're not a Multi-Skill, you bend light around your
friends to hide them and they are the ones doing all the work."
Her ace in the hole rumbled, the Tokiwadai girl's face contorted in rage as she yelled, "Get them!"
Another bolt of lightning flying out, Misaka and I ignored the poorly aimed attack as it was headed for the space between us...
Right at Ruiko.
"Shit!" I yelled realizing who the target was too late, I closed Misaka's Personal Reality and opened Accelerator's Personal Reality.
At right at that moment, Ruiko screamed and thrusted her hands out, the shock bending slightly into Misaka and I.
Staring at each other, Misaka and I turned to Ruiko, stunned by what she just did.
A small gust of wind had erupted from Ruiko's hands, not enough to do anything but blow through our hair very gently. But in that small gust of wind, the electrons conducting the charge had been rearranged, the path of least resistance no longer leading to her.
Whether it was done intentionally or by fluke, thank goodness Ruiko is alright.
Turning to glare at the girl and her two hidden friends, I held a hand in front of Misaka, "You can have them after this. But let me have a shot at them first."
Before Misaka could voice out her objections, I had already stomped on the ground, manipulating the vectors causing the girl and her friends to fall over, reappearing in the visible spectrum.
"They're all yours." I said smugly, stepping behind Misaka as electricity sparkled dangerously around her.
Standing between Ruiko to prevent her from getting hit from any stray shocks, I watched in deep satisfaction as Misaka fried her own classmates to a crisp.
"Seriously, abusing your powers on others. You're worse than Skill Out." Misaka muttered darkly at the twitching black masses that once were her schoolmates.
"Are you alright?" Misaka asked, reaching a hand out to the victims of the Tokiwadai girl's attacks.
"Y-yes..." a girl replied, getting up slowly and dusting herself off along with the rest of her friends.
"Thank you... Railgun..." one of the boys said, the five of them disappearing into the alley without a trace.
"All in the life of the number 3 huh Misaka?" I sniggered, earning a jab for my troubles.
"Aero hand huh... Nice ability." I said, patting Ruiko's shoulder.
"Yeah, thanks!" Ruiko said, smiling happily at me.
Maybe spending a day to help her was worthwhile after all...
Walking along with Misaka and Ruiko engaging in small talk about mundane things, a suspicious person caught my eye as he crossed the road to the side I was walking on.
That guy...
The man in question was 2 meters tall, had a barcode tattoo under his right eye, long flaming red hair, word long black robes and had a ring on every finger.
That magician from Touma's apartment?
-End of Chapter 9-
Annnd that's a wrap! I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I enjoy writing it! Read and please review! The more reviews, the faster I'll be motivated to write these chapters! If you have any criticisms about the story, feel free to let me know.
Side note: When I say criticism I mean holes or mistakes I made in the storyline, "This story is stupid, your character is totally overpowered" Is NOT criticism!