Knock, Knock, Touma knocked on the door a few times.
"Come in," a voice from inside the room called out. Touma, Othinus and Hokaze entered the room to find Kumokawa Seria sitting comfortably on a large couch. She had a few papers in her hand.
Kumokawa Seria, also known as the "beauty senpai" in the school. She had shoulder-length black hair with her fringe tied back and a well-proportioned figure, including an exceedingly ample bosom. She was dressed in the school-issued sailor uniform with a long skirt.
Looking towards Touma, Seria greeted him teasingly, "Well, well, what brings you here, my cute kohai?" Touma couldn't help but feel nervous whenever Seria acted so familiar with him.
He greeted her nervously, "Hello, Kumokawa-senpai," his voice was slightly shaky. Seria maintained her smile, clearly enjoying Touma's unease.
Cough Cough, Othinus coughed discreetly, reminding Touma of their purpose for being there.
Taking the cue, Touma gestured towards Hokaze and said, "She wanted to meet you, senpai."
Seria turned her attention towards Hokaze, acknowledging her presence. Before Hokaze could say anything, Seria interrupted, "Is this about Shokuhou Misaki?" Hokaze was surprised by Seria's accurate guess and asked, "How did you know?" Seria replied confidently, "My only connection to Tokiwadai is Shokuhou Misaki, and if her right-hand is coming to meet me directly, it must be about her." Hokaze nodded, confirming that Seria was correct.
Curious to know more, Seria asked, "So, what can I do for you, or rather, for your queen?"
"I want your help, Kumokawa-senpai. The queen has been missing for a few days, and I haven't been able to contact her."
Seria pondered the situation and suggested, "Maybe she went missing on her own?"
"That might be true, but I want to find her and ensure her safety," Hokaze stated passionately.
"Why not ask the authorities for help?" Seria suggested. Hokaze hesitated for a moment and replied, "The queen doesn't trust the authorities, and if news of her absence reaches higher-ups, her reputation will suffer greatly."
Seria asked her final question, "Why ask me for help?"
"The queen herself said that you are the only one who can match up to her." Hokaze responded earnestly.
Seria absorbed Hokaze's words as she leaned back on the couch, her gaze fixed on Hokaze, deep in thought. The request to help find Shokuhou Misaki stirred a mixture of emotions within her. Seria and Misaki were neither close friends nor sworn enemies, but they certainly had their differences in the past.
But the opportunity to earn a favor from a Level 5 like Misaki was not something she could easily dismiss. After all, having someone of that caliber indebted to her would undoubtedly be advantageous in the future.
Seria's eyes sparkled with mischief as she locked her gaze onto Touma, his earnest expression reflecting his genuine concern for Hokaze and Misaki. Her mischievous smile widening. The idea that had just sprung to her mind seemed too good to pass up. Involving Touma in the situation would serve her purpose in more ways than one.
"Well, Touma, it seems you have a role to play as well," she declared, her tone filled with playful intrigue. The others in the room exchanged curious glances, wondering what Seria had in mind.
Touma furrowed his brow, a mixture of confusion and curiosity evident on his face.
Seria pointed a finger directly at Touma, her gaze locked with his. "I will help Hokaze find Shokuhou Misaki, but only if you agree to assist as well," she stated. Touma blinked in surprise, realizing the unexpected turn of events.
Othinus observed the exchange between Seria and Touma; she sensed an ulterior motive behind Seria's proposal. She opened her mouth, ready to voice her objections, but then she glanced at Touma, who had already made up his mind.
"I'll help, Senpai," Touma declared, his unwavering determination evident in his voice.
Othinus sighed inwardly, realizing that she couldn't sway Touma's decision once his mind was set, especially when it comes to helping someone, regardless of the risks or potential hidden agendas.
Seria's smile widened as she heard Touma's response. By involving Touma, not only could she potentially secure Misaki's gratitude, but she could also spend more time with her favorite kohai.
"Excellent," Seria exclaimed, her voice brimming with excitement.
It was a calm and peaceful night, the moon casting a gentle glow over the surroundings. Touma, Seria, and Hokaze stood outside the school gates, their breath forming small puffs of mist in the chilly air. Othinus had already left, reluctantly agreeing to Touma's request to buy some delicious food for Index as a way to make amends for his tardiness.
"Where do we start? We can't just wander around aimlessly hoping to stumble upon Misaki," Touma voiced his concern.
Seria turned to Hokaze, "Hokaze, do you have any idea about Misaki's last known location? Any clue that could help us narrow down our search?" she asked.
Hokaze's expression turned solemn, "I don't know her exact last location, but I found this," she replied. "This whistle is a precious treasure to the Queen. She mentioned that it was given to her by someone special."
Seria's eyes sparkled with intrigue as she inspected the broken whistle. "Interesting. It seems we have a clue after all," she remarked. "Hokaze, where did you find this whistle?"
Hokaze's gaze shifted to the ground as she recalled her search efforts. "I found it at the Ground Geo. I scoured the area, hoping to find any clue about the queen, but I didn't find anything else," she explained, her voice tinged with disappointment.
Seria nodded, deep in thought. "Ground Geo…" then something clicked in her mind.
"Let's go," Seria declared with unwavering confidence. Touma and Hokaze hesitated, their curiosity piqued, but still unsure of Seria's sudden revelation. "But to where?" Touma asked, seeking clarification.
"I'll explain on the way," she replied.
"Did you find a clue about the Queen's whereabouts?" she asked, her voice laced with hope, desperately seeking any lead that could bring them closer to Misaki.
"You could say that," she replied, her voice tinged with amusement. The satisfaction in her tone indicated that she had pieced together the connection between the broken white whistle and the Ground Geo.
"That's amazing, senpai," he complimented her, genuine awe in his voice.
"Well, thanks for the compliment, my kohai," she responded as she basked in Touma's praise, her tone filled with satisfaction and a touch of pride.
They arrived in School District 2. The district's focus is on training areas for Judgment and Anti-Skill, as well as military-related facilities. In the midst of their journey, a particular building came into view. Hokaze abruptly stopped walking, her expression filled with shock and disbelief.
Touma, concerned, asked, "Is everything alright, Hokaze-san." Seria remained silent, her gaze fixed on Hokaze with a neutral expression, awaiting her reaction.
Struggling to find her words, Hokaze muttered, "Ideal."
Touma's brow furrowed, "What is Ideal?" he asked Seria, seeking an explanation.
"Ideal is a laboratory that was meant to raise and train girls to become a Level 5," Seria's voice remained calm as explained. "But the labs were shut down after an experiment went wrong."
Touma's eyes widened in disbelief. He understood why Hokaze was so distressed.
"She must have been a part of that lab in the past," Touma thought. He reached out and placed his hand gently on Hokaze's shoulder, offering her comfort and support. The touch seemed to have a calming effect on her, easing her tension.
With determination in her voice, Hokaze spoke up. "If the Queen is really being held captive there, then I want to free her as soon as possible," she declared firmly. Touma smiled at her courage, admiring her determination to rescue the missing friend.
Hokaze stood tall and resolute in front of the formidable entrance of the building. The plan was set, and it was time for her to execute her part. She took a deep breath, the surge of electricity coursing through her body. The air around her crackled with anticipation, electricity danced along her limbs, as her Rampage Dress ability activated.
Her ability to manipulate electrical signals within her cells granted her an extraordinary level of strength, and now she would put it to use.
With a fierce determination in her eyes, she drew back her clenched fist, ready to unleash her power upon the unyielding front door. She meticulously calculated the precise force and angle needed to make the greatest impact. With a resounding boom, Hokaze unleashed her electrifying punch, the sheer force propelling her fist forward. The door, no match for her enhanced strength, splintered and shattered upon impact. Shards of glass and metal rained down, creating a spectacular display of destruction.
As the dust settled, Hokaze stood amidst the wreckage, her body still enveloped in a shimmering aura of crackling electricity. The entrance stood open, a pathway for chaos and distraction. She had successfully created the diversion Seria and Touma needed, drawing the attention of any guards or security personnel within.
As Seria and Touma stealthily made their way through the building, Hokaze was confronted by a group of guards, clad in distinct red suits and full-face helmets. Each suit was adorned with 50 inline skate wheels and featured an explosive-driven pile bunker mounted over the shoulder. Tiny jet engines adorned their backs, adding to their intimidating presence.
"I don't know who you are or what drove you to kidnap my Queen, but the Queen is someone who is important to me, and I won't let anyone harm her," Hokaze stated with unwavering determination.
As the red-suited guards lunged forward with furious determination, propelled by the power of their jet engines, Hokaze's senses heightened, enabling her to effortlessly evade their frenzied attacks. With her Rampage Dress ability enhancing not only her physical strength but also her agility and reflexes, she moved with grace and precision.
Their pile drivers thrusted towards her, aiming to crush her under their explosive force, but Hokaze twisted and contorted her body in midair, narrowly avoiding each strike. She utilized her martial arts training, seamlessly blending her techniques with her Esper abilities. Her movements became a mesmerizing display of fluidity and power as she struck back with calculated precision. Her punches and kicks were delivered with a controlled force, carefully measured to incapacitate rather than cause severe harm.
Navigating through the dimly lit corridors, Touma and Seria made their way deeper into the facility. Seria's earlier act of short-circuiting the electrical system proved beneficial, plunging the facility into darkness and severing its connection to the surveillance network. Seria glanced down at the floor plan displayed on her phone, using it as a guide to navigate through the complex layout.
Reaching a point where the path diverged into two separate directions, Seria turned her attention to Touma. "Let's split up. By taking different paths, we can cover more ground and increase our chances of finding Misaki sooner. Keep an eye out for any rooms that still have power. Even with the main electrical supply cut off, there should be a backup generator in place to sustain essential systems, like the laboratories."
Touma nodded, acknowledging Seria's suggestion. As Touma ventured down the right path, meanwhile, Seria took the left path.
"You're still too naive, Touma," Seria thought. Her decision to split up wasn't solely driven by the need to cover more ground. Seria had a different agenda in mind. She understood the importance of rescuing Shokuhou Misaki, but she was also intrigued by the mastermind behind this operation.
While Touma set off on the path that would likely lead him to Shokuhou Misaki's location, her route would take her to the control room where the mastermind behind the kidnapping operation was likely to be. Her steps remained confident and measured, devoid of any signs of nervousness or hesitation.
Touma sprinted through the corridor, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of a powered area. The air was heavy with anticipation, and his heart raced with a mix of excitement and worry. As he navigated through the labyrinthine hallways, a flickering green light caught his attention, illuminating a steel door at the end of the corridor. The faint hum of electricity grew louder, a promising sign that this room held the power he sought.
Closing in on the door, Touma's ears picked up an unnerving sound—a screeching noise accompanied by the unmistakable sound of wheels rolling on the floor. He turned his head and saw a red suit charging towards him with alarming speed. With no time to spare, Touma instinctively braced himself, readying for the impact.
The red suit collided with Touma, its full force propelling him through the air. Unable to regain his balance, Touma crashed into the steel door with a resounding thud, the impact reverberating through his body. Pain surged through his limbs, but determination burned in his eyes as he refused to succumb.
Slowly rising to his feet, Touma ignored the agony coursing through his body.
"We meet again, Kamijo Touma. Even after one year, our position stays the same," a muffled voice echoed from within the red suit, tinged with a sense of familiarity.
"One year," Touma's brow furrowed in confusion as he struggled to grasp the memories he couldn't access.
"One year ago when you defended that Level 5, I said that she needed to die because her AIM field interfered with ours and hindered our progression in the Power Curriculum Program. I admit I was wrong back then." Touma blinked in confusion as he listened to the red suit wearer's words.
"But our hatred, our frustration, was justified. You see, Academy City operates on something called the Parameter List. It contains information about espers and their potential levels. Based on that, the city decides who receives special treatment while others are left to fend for themselves. The higher-level espers are given everything, while the lower-level ones are neglected and marginalized. This unfairness needed to be corrected."
Touma's eyes narrowed, his resolve unwavering. He understood the frustration and anger that fueled the red suit wearer's actions, but he couldn't condone their path of violence. "Attacking Misaki won't change the system," he stated firmly, his voice filled with conviction.
The red suit wearer regarded Touma with a mixture of frustration and uncertainty. "There's no other way. We will show Academy City our full potential. We will defeat the so-called favorites," he responded defiantly.
Touma's voice remained steady as he countered, "And then what? Let's say you are able to kill Shokuhou Misaki, what will that achieve? Will it increase your Level? Will it make you better than her? No! I know there are many high-level espers who misuse their powers, but that doesn't give you the right to take someone's life."
The red suit wearer's expression hardened, their anger simmering beneath the surface. "So you're suggesting that we let those high levels do as they please? Let them exploit us low levels?"
Touma shook his head, his voice unwavering. "I'm not saying that. If someone needs help, then sure, we should support them. But if you think that killing someone is the way to help low levels, then LET ME SHATTER THAT ILLUSION OF YOURS!"
With those words, Touma rushed towards the red suit, his right fist clenched tightly.
"Do you think you can defeat me? Last time I spared you out of respect for your courage, but this time I won't hold back," the red suit wearer taunted.
With a burst of incredible speed, the red suit launched himself forward like a bullet fired from a gun. Touma swiftly sidestepped, allowing the red suit to soar past him, the wind trailing in his wake.
The red suit quickly turned around and unleashed a powerful pile driver attack towards Touma. Reacting swiftly, Touma leaped back, narrowly evading the explosive impact that followed as the ground shook beneath them. Seizing the opportunity, the red suit accelerated once more, aiming to tackle Touma head-on.
But Touma refused to yield. Touma's not an amateur fighter anymore, he's a seasoned veteran. The experiences he had gained from his intense battle with Othinus in Infinity Hell had condensed within him, shaping him into a formidable force in the real world. It was akin to a video game character accumulating unlimited experience points by repeatedly battling a single formidable enemy.
As the red suit made contact, Touma instinctively grabbed hold of the red suit's arm and twisted his own body. Utilizing the momentum of the red suit's attack, Touma swiftly threw his opponent to the ground, causing the red suit wearer to crash onto his back, damaging the suit's jet engine and significantly reducing its speed.
"Goddamn it," the defeated Deadlock member cursed, feeling the weight of his damaged suit.
"In your hatred towards high-level espers, you forgot that you're still human, and human worth can never be defined by some arbitrary number," Touma declared, his voice laced with determination. He delivered a powerful right-handed punch, the impact resonating through the red suit wearer's helmet.
Lying on the ground, unable to move due to the damage to his suit's controls, the defeated member of Deadlock spoke in a low tone. "The things you say are ideals, but they can never become reality."
Touma stood tall, his resolve unyielding. "If you fight hard enough, those ideals can indeed become a reality," he responded, his voice brimming with unwavering belief in the power of determination and perseverance.
Touma reached out and touched the panel on the side, labeled "Open." The door responded, sliding open with a hiss of escaping air. A rush of cold air greeted him as he stepped inside, causing him to shiver involuntarily. The room was bathed in an eerie green glow from the fluorescent lights above.
Touma quickly surveyed his surroundings, hoping to find any clue that might lead him to Shokuhou Misaki's whereabouts. His gaze fell upon a row of computer terminals against one wall, their screens displaying lines of code and data. They seemed to be a crucial part of the facility's operations.
But it was what lay at the end of the room that truly took his breath away. There, in a pad filled with an unknown liquid, was Shokuhou Misaki. Electrodes were attached to her head. Yet, the rise and fall of her chest indicated that she was alive, filling Touma with a mixture of relief and concern.
As he stood before the glass-encased pad, Touma pressed his hand against it, his gaze fixed on Misaki's peaceful yet vulnerable expression. A range of emotions coursed through him—determination, anger, and a fierce desire to protect her from any further harm.
Touma carefully pressed a button on the side of the pod, causing it to open. With gentle precision, he dipped his hand into the liquid and began removing the electrodes from Misaki's head. Once all the electrodes were removed, he gently pulled Misaki's body out of the pod and laid her against the wall.
"Shokuhou Misaki, Shokuhou Misaki, Shokuhou Misaki," Touma called out her name, shaking her gently in an attempt to rouse her. After a few shakes, Misaki slowly opened her eyes.
Initially, Misaki's vision was blurry, unable to discern the face of the person who was calling her name. But as her vision cleared, the first thing she saw was spiky hair and blue eyes filled with concern, staring back at her.
"Touma," Misaki weakly uttered, her voice filled with disbelief.
"No, Touma can't be here," she thought, dismissing the idea that Touma was actually present.
"Huh, you know my name?" Touma asked, causing Misaki's thoughts to come to a halt. She focused her gaze, and to her astonishment, she saw the familiar face of Kamijo Touma.
"Are you feeling okay, Misaki," Touma asked, concern evident in his voice. Misaki continued to stare at him in disbelief, hearing her own name spoken by Touma.
"You remember my name?" Misaki asked, her eyes filled with hope. In that moment, she clung to the possibility that Kamijo Touma had regained his ability to remember her, that her year-long anguish and longing might finally come to an end, and that she could finally be reunited with her prince.
As Seria stepped further into the control room, her gaze focused on the figure seated at the control panel overlooking the lab through the glass window. Her eyes narrowed slightly, taking in the sight before her. The girl, dressed in a Tokiwadai Middle School uniform, appeared to be severely obese, her weight seemingly exceeding three hundred kilograms. The strain on her uniform was evident, the fabric pulled taut and on the brink of bursting. The lack of distinction between her face and neck, and even her face and shoulders, was a stark testament to her excessive size. Labored breaths escaped her, as her own flesh seemed to crush her windpipe.
"What are you doing here, Kumokawa Seria?" the obese girl asked, her voice filled with anger and resentment.
Seria's eyes narrowed as she scanned the room, a playful glint danced in her eyes as she met the girl's furious stare. "Did the queen also get to your brain?" the girl taunted Seria.
Seria let out a soft chuckle. "As if I'd let that little girl hack my brain. I'm here because someone asked me," she responded calmly, her voice laced with confidence. The playful demeanor never left her.
"You never helped others when someone simply asked you. What are you planning here?" she seethed.
Seria's smile widened, her expression almost mischievous. "I'm here to save Shokuhou Misaki, that's it," she replied.
The girl's massive flesh split open at the wrist. A flexible manipulator arm, covered in countless suckers like that of an octopus or squid, shot out towards Seria. But Seria remained unfazed. Without flinching, she pulled out a handheld device and pressed a button on it.
A powerful electromagnetic pulse (EMP) wave emanated from the device, enveloping the room. The EMP struck the tentacle arm, causing it to explode like a burst sandbag. "The Designers' Gel has its flaws," Seria stated calmly, her eyes fixed on the girl. "Its magnetic control can be interrupted by EMP devices."
The girl glared at Seria with a mixture of hatred and disbelief. Seria increased the intensity of the EMP, causing the obese girl's flesh to break apart further. Underneath the layers, a completely different girl emerged. Her hair was a fluffy chocolate-colored mass, and the oversized Tokiwadai uniform had given way to a special outfit resembling a racing swimsuit.
"Long time no see, Mitsuari Ayu," Seria greeted her, her voice retaining its calm and collected tone.
"How did you know it's me?" Mitsuari Ayu's glare intensified, her eyes burning with anger.
"It was relatively easy. I just needed to find the common link between Shokuhou Misaki, Ground Geo, and a white whistle. Through my network, I also discovered that someone had set up their base in the old Ideal lab. By combining all the facts, it was easy to come to the conclusion," Seria said, a smirk playing on her lips.
"Amazing as always, Kumokawa Seria," Mitsuari mockingly praised Seria, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
Mitsuari's voice was filled with seething anger as she continued. "You can't save her, Kumokawa Seria. Nobody can. It's already too late. Five_Over_OS is almost complete, and with it, I will replicate her Mental Out ability and erase her memories. She will pay for stealing everything from me!" Mitsuari's hand trembled as she reached for her phone, preparing to activate her Mental Stringer ability.
But Seria, ever prepared, moves swiftly. She hurls a flashbang towards Mitsuari. The room is engulfed in a blinding flash of light, disrupting Mitsuari's concentration and breaking her focus.
Esper ability demands unwavering focus to perform intense calculation in mind, and the flashbang has shattered that concentration. Seizing the opportunity, Seria charges towards Mitsuari.
Mitsuari swings her phone in a desperate attempt to strike Seria, but Seria catches it effortlessly. With a swift motion, Seria expertly twists Mitsuari's arm behind her back, causing her to cry out in pain.
"Gah!" Mitsuari's voice strains with anguish as Seria applies pressure, keeping her subdued. Seria takes control of the situation, forcefully pushing Mitsuari over the control dashboard, the impact jolting through Mitsuari's body.
A moment of triumph flashes across Seria's face as she towers over the fallen Mitsuari. "Oh, this brings back memories," she taunts, her voice laced with a mix of satisfaction and scorn.
Mitsuari struggles to rise, her body weakened and her spirit broken. With unwavering resolve, Seria maintains her hold, applying steady pressure to prevent Mitsuari from regaining her footing. Then she saw something that sent her emotions spiraling out of control.
"It can't be," Mitsuari muttered in disbelief. She saw Touma gently pulling Misaki out of the pod.
"Why is it always her!" Mitsuari screamed in despair. The air pressure around her changed. Seria noticed the shift and released her hold on Mitsuari, quickly putting a safe distance between them. The magnetically controlled dust turned white, emitting the sound of bursting sparks. The difference in air pressure caused the window glass to shatter.
"Why was he able to save her but not me," Mitsuari said, her voice hollow. Her eyes lost their spark, as if she were operating on autopilot.
"She's completely lost her mind," Seria thought, concern etched on her face. Mitsuari then leaped through the shattered window, ready to confront the person she had once regarded as her hero.
