The development of esper abilities is quite an expensive endeavor. The higher an esper's level, the more effort and resources are required to continue their growth. With each level, more and more resources are spent on espers. Starting from Level 3, an individualized approach is essentially applied to each possessor of parapsychological abilities.
Typically, in addition to standard routine health checkups, espers undergo regular assessments and training sessions for their powers. And this is often done on an individual basis. To put it simply, they try to push the boundaries of the ability itself. For example, a teleporter might be tasked with moving increasingly heavier objects over greater distances. Or a pyokinetic might be helped to increase the potency of their ability by using a target made of polymer materials as a test dummy. A telekinetic, naturally, undergoes training to control a larger number of objects of various shapes and sizes.
Such tests are standard across all educational institutions in Academy City participating in the development program. The scale and frequency of these activities depend on the specific school. Typically, training and tests occur once every one or two months in regular schools. The equipment there is, of course, not the most advanced, but it's more than sufficient for developing the high-level espers they have—if they have any, that is.
However, this didn't apply to Academy City's elite schools, in the sense that they weren't as limited in resources. Institutions like Kirigaoka Academy or Tokiwadai Middle School could conduct tests much more frequently, utilizing the most cutting-edge equipment.
This was especially true for Nagatenjouki. Truth be told, they operated on this planet with almost no regard for costs. The administration of this academy spared no expense in advancing their research, both in regular academics and in the development of their programs.
The only problem was that the academy's leadership overlooked one key detail: no amount of money could fully sustain the current peak of parapsychological power development. This was especially true given the need to create individualized conditions and equipment for each high-level esper.
An entire testing ground, consisting of sand and test plates infused with magnetorheological fluid for active defense technologies, roared and glowed with an incredible burst of light. This was a research experiment using the testing ground—or rather, what used to be a testing ground. Now, the place had turned into a crater. And this happened almost from the very first moments of the experiment.
Calculations. Air ionization, acquiring additional electrons and ions. Another calculation, producing a plasma cell held from detonation by vector control. Final shaping of the space for the cells. Calculation. At blinding speed, this glowing stream shot toward its target, leaving traces of instantaneous discharges in its wake. Another burst of light: the plasma collided with the target. Incredible heat at the epicenter and a terrifying shockwave spread across the area.
As one might guess, this was none other than Accelerator's doing. The esper was using his new developments in vector control to manipulate and wield the plasma he had created. He was inspired by those strange memories—memories that clearly showed "that" Accelerator managing to harness plasma using wind currents, compressing and heating the gas mixture. Reflecting on this, the young man decided to take control of such a formidable phenomenon. What was that about world powers possibly deciding to bomb Accelerator with nuclear missiles? Well, the current him could replace the entire planet's nuclear arsenal! What he was doing at the testing ground now was mere child's play—a controlled, finely calculated training session devised by him. If he decided to unleash an armageddon on humanity, the planet would, without exaggeration, turn into a small sun. Cute, isn't it? That's exactly how it seemed to Accelerator.
However, unlike the crude method of using wind currents, Accelerator employed a more refined approach. He took control of ions and brought the gas mixture into the necessary state. It wasn't all that difficult, and it was safer and more efficient than using wind currents. Turning gas into scorching plasma this way could be done almost instantly, with no risk of the process spiraling out of control. Seizing control from him was unlikely, though there were no guarantees it couldn't happen. Accelerator kept these possibilities in mind for the future.
And the funniest part? Accelerator prepared for this breakthrough in just a few hours. The wild idea had popped into the back of his mind, and without much effort, he worked out and created the foundation for calculating the process on the fly. He recalled how one of the lab staff, someone involved in the project to reach Level 6, had once casually remarked that he should think about practically developing his vector control. Well, it seems that junior lab assistant was damn right. Theory is one thing, but it was high time he started experimenting with his abilities more often. It's not for nothing that other high-level espers developed this way. Sure, without understanding the concept, he couldn't effectively control his powers at the proper level. But an ability isn't purely a mathematical phenomenon. That's why other espers push themselves just a little harder—to achieve finer control or raw parapsychological power.
Perhaps he'd fallen into the trap of his own exceptionalism and simultaneous stupidity, Accelerator admitted to himself. The albino had been listed among the Level 5s almost immediately after becoming an esper. From the moment he arrived in this city, neither he nor anyone else thought he needed active development. Moreover, after his clash with Academy City's forces, the question arose of how to simply teach him to control his ability properly. Back then, it all happened because his vector shield interpreted someone's simple touch as a threat and shattered their arm into pieces by reflecting the kinetic force. Now, such an incident of spontaneous reflection was impossible. The esper had perfect control over his ability, ensuring he didn't accidentally kill random passersby or strangers.
But now, Accelerator was considering stirring up chaos like he had five years ago. Only this time, the destruction wouldn't stem from his damage-reflection effect. No, far from it. This time, he'd take an active role himself. He liked the smell of blood mixed with gunpowder, and he wanted to feel it again. Though, for now, there was no reason to do so. There wasn't even a whiff of a casus belli.
After some contemplation, Accelerator decided to end the tests at the proving ground. Not only did he need to meet some people soon at a certain place as agreed, but he'd also accomplished everything he wanted here. Spending more time at this site was pointless.
With a sigh, Accelerator ran another set of calculations. Incredibly powerful gusts of wind radiated from him, forming a tornado that began gathering the debris from the proving ground. Ten seconds later, the tornado subsided, and Accelerator dashed toward the collected wreckage. He lightly touched the pile of material with his hand and took control of its thermal energy. First, the debris melted under insane temperatures, then instantly froze. From this abuse, a monolithic sphere about six meters in diameter formed. During the melting process, Accelerator used vector control to manipulate the atomic bonds of the radioactive materials formed from the plasma collision, turning them into more stable isotopes. He didn't want to turn the Academy City outskirts into an exclusion zone. Speaking of which, maybe he should visit Chernobyl? The authorities of the Elizalin Union probably wouldn't mind if he checked out the concrete sarcophagus and neutralized the risk of further radioactive contamination. Since that country split from Russia, they could use some help securing one of their regions.
Chuckling at the wild thought, the young man began calmly walking away from the proving ground—or rather, its ruins. Clearly, after the disaster dubbed his "training session," this place could easily serve as a set for some arthouse post-apocalyptic film. Maybe he should offer his services to a studio?
One more thing. Accelerator amplified and redirected the force generated by his leg muscles contracting. He leaped over the proving ground's fence. On the other side, a woman awaited him—one of the supervisors, a representative of Nagatenjouki's espers. She was overseeing his development check that day. But this woman, dressed in a strict office uniform, was clearly shaken. She trembled and could barely steady her breathing. Her reaction wasn't surprising. It was doubtful that she, as an ordinary civilian, had ever encountered explosions of such magnitude. You'd need firsthand experience to get used to it. Even a seasoned soldier who'd seen combat might be stunned. Not every day do you come across a full-fledged equivalent of plasma weaponry. Or rather, no one in the 21st century was prepared for this.
Despite her less-than-ideal state, the woman still addressed the albino, though her voice quivered with shock.
— G-G… A-Accelerator-san, w-what was that? — Her legs wobbled slightly, but she tried to hold her ground. — W-We didn't agree on tests like that with you!
A sly grin spread across the albino's face. Of course, she—like everyone else—was afraid of such power. Look at that, her psyche's defense mechanisms were already kicking in. Soon, she'd shift to full-on aggression. But he had no desire to witness such a pointless display. Who was she to him anyway? Nobody. She was just here doing her job, ensuring everything needed for esper development was provided. So, he decided to cut off her chance to spew meaningless complaints right at the root.
— As if I care, — he said, interlocking his hands. — You're here to support me in this tough gig. I'm not gonna spoon-feed you anything—figure it out from the equipment reports yourselves. Anyway, send me the data later. I'm curious to take a look at it.
The woman opened her mouth to say something else but sighed and tried to calm herself. Credit where it's due: she managed to rein in her emotions. She soon resembled the typical Academy City research staff again—calm and impartial. For a brief moment, Accelerator felt the urge to crack that mask, provoking her with some remark or action. But he ignored the impulse.
— Of course, we'll send you the report later. Ask the supervisor tomorrow—he'll give it to you on paper, — she said, adjusting her glasses. — That's it for now. Unfortunately, we won't be able to provide you with a new testing ground anytime soon. Please warn us next time so we can prepare for that level of destruction.
The albino felt a twinge of irritation.
— Oh? You're asking a lot, — he grumbled. — What, am I supposed to coddle you? Just give me the best you've got and stop nagging me. Don't tell me you're suddenly having funding issues?
— That was actually our best testing ground, — she sighed, ignoring his sarcastic tone. — And our equipment is already the best in the city. But since this issue came up, maybe the higher-ups can arrange for you to use military weapons testing sites in District 2.
— Now that's more like it, — the esper quipped. — Fine, whatever. Sayonara.
With a parting word, he leaped several kilometers into the air. Gliding down under the whistle of the wind, the albino felt—for the first time—a nagging worry about being late. An itching sensation, like a punishment for letting someone down. First time for everything, right? It surprised him. A pretty unpleasant feeling.
Luckily, Accelerator was only fifteen minutes late. Plus, as he descended, he landed right near the spot he needed to be. Ignoring the startled looks of some passersby, the albino adjusted the collar of his black shirt. He also checked the belt holding up his matching black pants. Odd as it might sound, lately, he'd decided to diversify his wardrobe. Accelerator had grown tired of wearing the same cut of clothes all the time. His tailor was shocked by the influx of new orders but promised with a smile to get the work done quickly. Now, he occasionally wore different outfits when outside of school. Surprisingly, it lifted his mood, though he used to not care about such things.
He strolled calmly for about a minute to his destination. It was one of Academy City's new shopping and entertainment complexes. The place had opened recently, in response to the growing number of students in District 7. There was a trend in this city to build new complexes underground due to the scarcity and astronomical cost of land. But this entertainment center was constructed the old-fashioned way, on the surface. And it was massive. Naturally, it drew a staggering number of visitors, especially on weekends.
Before crossing the entrance, Accelerator casually noticed a group of Anti-Skill personnel in combat gear gathered near their armored truck, waiting for something. Had a crime occurred nearby? Anti-Skill, the equivalent of both police and military in Academy City, usually showed this level of activity only at night during curfew hours. During the day, they were this active only if something had happened. Generally, the young man ignored them. They'd often tried to detain him during his nighttime strolls when he blatantly broke curfew, but it always ended with him walking away unfazed, paying them no mind.
Accelerator stopped at one of the cafes where he'd arranged to meet his acquaintances.
As he approached the table, someone called out to him.
— Accelerator, over here! — A boy waved his hand, beckoning the albino over.
— Coming, coming, — Accelerator replied with a faint smirk, walking over and sitting down, resting his hands on the table. — Takashi, you sure it was a good idea for the three of us to meet up here?
— Absolutely, — the boy, Takashi, replied. — Trust me, we'll have fun here. Let us show you around—you won't regret it.
At that, Accelerator chuckled softly, naturally. Truth be told, he was curious about how they'd spend their time in this entertainment complex. Hanging out with others turned out to be surprisingly enjoyable—far more interesting than his usual pastimes. On that note, Accelerator was grateful to Takashi. How to put it… His classmate had turned out to be a good friend. Yes, a friend—someone worth spending time with. For the first time, Accelerator had someone in his circle who genuinely understood him and could keep up without getting on his nerves just by opening their mouth.
Meeting this kid definitely justified transferring to a new school. Takashi was perhaps one of the few who could get along with him. Accelerator knew full well he had a rotten personality. He knew it but had no desire to change it. That's why his friendship with this classmate felt even more valuable. If he was going to let anyone into his inner circle, it'd be someone like this half-Japanese kid.
— I'm surprised, Accelerator, — a voice interrupted, pulling both boys' attention. — Turns out you can actually get along with a living person. Truly astonishing.
At those words, Accelerator's mood crashed hard. He shot an annoyed glance at the speaker. She responded with a slight smile, eating a spoonful of the yogurt she'd just ordered.
It was Nunotaba Shinobu. The same black-haired Nagatenjouki student and former young scientist who'd been involved in esper cloning projects. While Takashi was still in his school uniform, she, like Accelerator, had opted for her own clothes—a light pink blouse, perfect for the warm weather.
So, what was she doing here with them? Well, it started with the fact that Accelerator had been attending Nagatenjouki for a while now. And, oddly enough, their paths had crossed multiple times. The first time was when he'd grilled her for info about the Level 6 experiment—specifically, the reasons behind the clones' anomalous behavior. He'd suspected this sly fox had meddled with the dolls' emotional states. But that was fine; the esper had come to terms with it and just wanted to forget about her.
But it didn't work out that way. He kept having to deal with her. This nutcase seemed to deliberately find reasons to interact with him—whether it was simple requests for help, attempts to strike up a conversation, or shamelessly inserting herself into a school project with him. Yes, Accelerator was currently running his own project at Nagatenjouki. He'd taken the initiative himself—no one forced him. In fact, this elite academy didn't even have the usual mandatory club participation system; it was all voluntary. And they certainly didn't force anyone into projects or experiments—quite the opposite, they encouraged independent initiative in that area.
Accelerator himself enjoyed working on his project. He was researching the phenomenon of living organism regeneration—and doing so quite successfully. His sharp, if not entirely genius-level, mind, combined with his esper ability, allowed him to make surprising progress in this study. Thanks to vector control, there was no need for conventional gene therapy or gene guns. And the amount of data he gathered this way compared to traditional monitoring methods was staggering. He'd already achieved results where his lab rats could fully regenerate skin damage without scarring. Ideally, he could produce groundbreaking results, potentially outpacing the rest of the world—and even Academy City—in this field.
But his successes had caught the academy administration's attention. Naturally, he'd been diligently sending them progress reports. They were floored by the prospects. Without hesitation, they assigned some of Nagatenjouki's geniuses to assist with the project. At first, Accelerator didn't care. They didn't get in his way and were even mildly helpful with mundane lab tasks—essentially acting as lab assistants. But for the project's core progress, they were useless; it all still rested on Accelerator himself. That is, until this one particular person stepped in.
Nunotaba Shinobu irritated Esper #1. Just by being around and especially when she opened her mouth to say something to him. No, she never insulted him, directly or indirectly. She just constantly prodded him with her cold, serene tone. Whatever the topic, she'd find a way to poke at him. It genuinely pissed him off. Attempts to scare her off didn't work. It was like she enjoyed it…
And then she was assigned as an assistant in his research. That alone wouldn't have been so bad, but her involvement actually boosted the project's progress. The secrets of tissue regeneration started unraveling even faster. Oddly enough, they worked well together in this area. Accelerator concluded he had to put up with her—enough to keep tolerating her presence.
But there was a little secret. He liked her personality and behavior, which is why he hadn't seriously tried to drive her away. He sensed she was interested in him, and he, in turn, was intrigued by this unusual person. But he'd never admit that—not to himself or anyone else.
And so, like Accelerator, she'd been invited by Takashi to hang out at this entertainment complex today. The albino didn't get why his classmate wanted this. For some reason, Takashi had decided to bring the three of them together.
It was a mystery to Accelerator. But he didn't dare ask outright. So he didn't know that Takashi had gathered them here today to try and bring them closer. He'd noticed some odd chemistry between the two and thought it'd be nice to help these not-so-social individuals connect. Whether he was right or wrong, only time would tell.
When the ice cream Accelerator ordered arrived at the table, he didn't even get a chance to scoop some before Shinobu brazenly snatched a portion right under his nose. He froze. With a creak, his head turned toward the shameless thief, who was happily eating the ice cream while looking at him.
His left eye twitched.
— Have you completely lost it, third-rate? — he hissed. — Who gave you permission to steal my food?
— No permission necessary, — she replied with the same calm, serene expression. — Food is just biofuel for a living organism. In our advanced society, sustenance has long lost its exclusive value. No need to fuss over such trivial things.
His twitching hand accidentally punched through the table. A creepy grin cracked across the esper's face, promising nothing good. Takashi, who'd never seen him like this before, suddenly felt sick as his instincts screamed danger. Meanwhile, their companion for the day didn't flinch, leaning forward with a smile to steal another scoop of his ice cream.
— By that logic, I could say your scrawny neck is just a chunk of flesh and bone I could rip off and cook for lunch without consequences, — his eerie grin didn't budge. — How's that fit your shitty reasoning?
— An empty, poorly veiled threat, — the black-haired girl set her spoon down, resting her chin on her hand and giving him a sly glance. — You wouldn't do it. Besides… I noticed this a while back, during that experiment. You enjoy asserting harsh dominance over the opposite sex, don't you? Not a bad trait for a guy, but as always, you stand out from the usual extras.
— Immortal, — he said—or maybe confirmed. — Seriously immortal. You think my words are just hot air with no real weight?
— Well… — Nunotaba calmly pressed a finger to her lips and glanced aside, as if pondering. She was definitely overacting. — Maybe. You know, it's kind of part of your persona. Some might even find it cute.
— I'll kill you, — he said coldly, slowly rising from the table and approaching Shinobu. — Despite your value, I'll really kill you.
The black-haired girl remained calm, smiling serenely. Still, she got up and started circling the table, keeping him from getting too close. This was probably what they call keeping a brave face in a bad situation. The former scientist clearly realized the danger. The esper was quietly furious, his patience snapped.
And all she'd done was tease him…
While the culprit felt only mild unease, the third member of their little group was in full-on panic. He could tell things were spiraling out of control, and a total disaster might be imminent. And it'd be on his conscience.
He couldn't let that happen. Today was supposed to be a blast, not a letdown.
— Alright, guys, stop it, — Accelerator's classmate stood up, stepping between them. — Calm down. Enough already. It's just jokes—no need to escalate it into some absurd fight.
— Right, Accy, just harmless teasing, — the black-haired girl peeked out from behind Takashi with that serene face, slyly addressing the albino. — Shouldn't someone like you take it easier?
The next second, the yelping girl was grabbed by the cheek by the youngest of their trio, who sternly turned to her.
— Nunotaba-senpai, please stop messing around, — Shinobu didn't even try to break free from his grip, enduring the slight pain and looking at her tormentor calmly. — I get that you enjoy poking Accelerator and seeing his reactions, but have some decency. Let's just hang out today. None of us have a regular crew—when else will we get a chance to spend a day together like this?
Takashi released her cheek. She rubbed the sore spot lightly and sighed.
— Fine, I'll stop for today. But just for today.
— Promise? — he asked sternly.
— Yes, — a hint of mischief flickered on her face. — I'll hold off for today.
Takashi sighed wearily and turned to the albino, who'd been watching him defuse the situation without interfering.
— Accelerator, I think we're good now? — he asked with a nervous chuckle.
— Guess so, — the esper replied reluctantly. He still expected a catch and remained wary of Nunotaba. — Let's leave it at that.
Takashi beamed at that. He made the two of them sit back down and finish their food quickly. Then, he practically grabbed them by the hands and dragged them around the entertainment complex.
First up was good old table tennis. Surprisingly, the center had a whole room packed with tables for the game. It seemed pretty popular, given that only a few spots were still free.
Accelerator and Nunotaba went first. The esper didn't give her a single chance to win. He crushed every serve effortlessly, leaving the former scientist breathless from his relentless, intense assault. Even when she conceded defeat and tried to quit, he forced her to play one more round. In short, the albino vented all his pent-up irritation and was inwardly pleased as punch—like an elephant that secretly devoured three kilos of coffee beans. Shinobu, though she didn't show it, was a bit miffed at him but quickly brushed it off. She'd dealt with another Level 5 before. Both he and the Railgun could be overly energetic and stubborn at times. Definitely a trait common to espers of their caliber.
Things calmed down after that. The three of them took turns playing, racking up a solid two or three hundred hits. The game hooked them hard, but after half an hour, they got bored and decided to try something else.
They settled on a shooting arcade machine—a three-player one, basically a virtual shooting range. This game sucked them all in. Oddly enough, Takashi was the worst of the trio, while Nunotaba and Accelerator were neck-and-neck. Still, all three outshot most other players. They even snagged 4th place on the machine's local leaderboard. They had a blast there, mowing down countless zombie targets. It was solid fun.
Naturally, they earned a ton of tickets from the arcade game, which they could trade for prizes at the redemption counter. While the girl in their group wasn't looking, Takashi grabbed Accelerator by the head and whispered something in his ear.
He suggested picking out a prize and giving it to Shinobu. When Accelerator gave him a blank, confused look, the kid rolled his eyes and said it was just the thing to do. It'd be good, he insisted. Without bothering to overthink it, Accelerator cashed in some tickets for a plush white cat doll and shoved it into the stunned Nagatenjouki student's hands, saying it was hers now.
— T-Thanks, — Shinobu reacted oddly—quietly, clutching the doll in her arms. The plush toy's head conveniently hid the lower half of her face.
Accelerator could've sworn she blushed. No, damn it, she definitely did. He turned to Takashi with a questioning look. The kid was grinning, giving them an encouraging smile.
It was definitely a setup by Takashi. He'd clearly been aiming for this… But there wasn't much time to dwell on it. The kid hurried them along, saying they didn't have all day and needed to make the most of it.
Next, they hit up a karaoke lounge. Everyone showed off their skills, though Nunotaba wasn't as good, but her voice was still melodic and lovely. The other guests in the lounge listened, captivated.
Of course, Accelerator was undeniably #1. He sang flawlessly, his skills bordering on professional. His rendition of "Livin' on a Prayer" earned him a round of applause.
They would've stayed longer, but they risked straining their voices—except for Accelerator. So, they moved on to another arcade machine.
This one featured two humanoid robotic figures. The goal was for one of two players to deal as much "lethal damage" to the other as possible. Naturally, it relied on sensors in the robots, with no actual damage to the opponent's machine. It all came down to player skill.
Here, both guys got smoked by the black-haired girl. She racked up twice as many wins as they did.
After that, they gathered around a racing simulator. They had a blast—those races were thrilling and intense.
Once they finished, they opted for a horror-themed escape room. Only Takashi got scared, sticking close to the unfazed Accelerator and Nunotaba. For those two, it was nothing surprising—more like boring.
After wrapping that up, they tried laser tag. Accelerator dominated, taking out every player like it was second nature. No one could land a hit on him—his tactics and agility were too sharp.
They sampled a ton of stuff: VR games, pool, dance machines, flight simulators, sports sims, 3D rides… It was engaging and fun.
Honestly, it was the best day of Accelerator's life. Not just one of the best—the best. He'd never felt this great before. Incredible. Inside, he was as giddy as a kid. If he ever regretted anything, it sure wouldn't be this day.
Their group capped off their fun at the entertainment complex with a purikura session—a photo booth where you could snap group pics and decorate them with stickers and frames, mostly in anime or cartoon styles.
Accelerator now held a small stack of their group photos, staring at them intently. He was more satisfied than ever.
They were at a fast-food joint, having ordered a big pizza for the three of them. All that activity had worked up an appetite like nothing else.
— No way! — Nunotaba piped up, looking at the albino. For once, genuine shock broke through her usual calm, serene demeanor. Truth be told, she was utterly floored. — He… He's smiling! Smiling normally, like a human!
Takashi, who'd just taken a bite of pizza, coughed, nearly choking.
— Wait, is that such a big deal? — he asked, puzzled, glancing first at the esper, then at the black-haired girl. — Or am I missing something?
In response, Shinobu grabbed the kid and pulled him closer, pointing at the source of her amazement.
— Of course it is! Dig through your memory! — she said firmly. — I don't know how long you've known him, but neither I nor any of our mutual acquaintances have seen him show such a natural positive reaction in years! It's… It's incredible!
— W-Wow… — The kid let out an odd sound, piecing it together. He realized he'd never seen his classmate with such an animated expression before.
Instead of snapping or reacting sharply, Accelerator's smile widened. He even let out soft chuckles. This was probably a rare sight for him. He calmly realized Nunotaba was just joking around right now—not maliciously, or at least he didn't take it that way. No, he fully appreciated her humor and irony.
— Well, I guess… — Accelerator drawled in an uncharacteristic way, raising his hands to shoulder level, palms up, and tilting his head slightly. — For such an achievement, you two deserve a spot in the Guinness Book of Records. How about we go claim your prize today?
A few seconds later, the esper burst into genuine, heartfelt laughter. Sure, the joke wasn't that funny, but his laugh was contagious. Soon, the other two joined in.
It was like a breakthrough—like something in him had finally shifted! Heck, he kept trading jokes with them. As if a veil had lifted. The three of them chatted far more freely than they had just an hour ago. It was astonishing even for Takashi, who'd been his friend for a while. Had Accelerator enjoyed this day more than ever before? Forget that! This moment was the absolute peak of this, dare we say, marvelous day.
They kept enjoying each other's company. The pizza disappeared fast, so the teens ordered another and waited. Their conversation bounced from topic to topic, showing no signs of slowing down. Though it was getting late and curfew loomed, none of them were in a rush to head home.
Speaking of curfew, Anti-Skill personnel started trickling into the entertainment complex. They were likely preparing to herd lingering students back to their dorms when the time came.
But their little group didn't care. If Takashi and Nunotaba weren't thinking about it, Accelerator would personally send the Anti-Skill packing in minutes if they tried anything. He wasn't about to let them ruin this incredible outing.
Still, something did throw a slight wrench in things. At one point, they heard exhausted shouts and a faint, rapid meowing.
— W-Wait, Sphinx! Come back! — a desperate girl's voice cried out.
The next second, a small shadow nearly darted past their table. Nearly. Accelerator, catching the shout, reacted and grabbed the little critter with one hand.
— Meow! — The kitten, caught in the esper's firm yet gentle grip, let out a pitiful cry. It had an unusual calico pattern of black, orange, and white patches.
Moments later, a breathless girl stumbled up to them, panting heavily. Her outfit was odd for this place—white robes embroidered with gold, more like something a Christian nun would wear. No, it was exactly that: an elaborate nun's habit.
Except… it was held together with safety pins. Mother of God…
Accelerator recognized her quickly. Beyond the outfit, her distinguishing features were her green eyes—barely visible as she tried to catch her breath—and her stunning silver curls.
No doubt about it, this was one of the protagonists of that supposedly fictional story—Index Librorum Prohibitorum. The girl who held an incredible number of magical grimoires in her memory. A person with true power locked within.
Though Accelerator was thrown off for a moment as those details surfaced in his mind. Kind of funny, really. That shoddy work was literally named after her, yet she was almost always relegated to the background. Very amusing.
But that wasn't important now. The nun caught her breath and hurriedly took her kitten back.
— T-Thank you so much! — she stammered slightly. — Sphinx just went crazy all of a sudden and ran off who-knows-where. I was starting to panic that he'd get lost… oh!
Suddenly, she fell silent, staring at the few remaining pizza slices on their table with an odd expression. The group exchanged glances. They quickly figured out she was just hungry—especially Accelerator. He closed his eyes, smirked, and spoke to her.
— You know, we've got another pizza coming soon. Wanna join us?
— Really?! — she exclaimed, squeezing her kitten tightly in her arms. Poor thing. — Can I?!
— Sure, — he said with a slight grin at her excited reaction.
So, she joined them. She wasn't much of a conversationalist, though—her mouth was too busy chewing food. Another time, Accelerator might've pressed her for some info, but he held back. The nun plopped down next to him, digging into her meal.
A strange commotion started brewing in the shopping center. But their group—especially the odd girl in white robes—paid it no mind. They just kept chatting.
— So, Accelerator, — Takashi said, adjusting his school uniform. — What do you plan to study? Or, like, what do you see yourself doing in the future?
— No clue, — the esper shrugged. — Never thought about it. Never had the time.
— Got it, — the kid scratched the back of his head awkwardly. — I'm not in the same boat, but I've got no idea either. What about you, Nunotaba-senpai?
The black-haired girl, nibbling on a slice of pizza, swallowed calmly and answered.
— I'll get a higher education, finish grad school, and work in research, — her face remained serene. — I'll be a scientist, like I've planned since I was a kid.
Accelerator almost cracked a joke about her already living that dream but held back and just kept eating his fast food.
Their hangout rolled on like that. They talked, laughed. Even the innocent nun chimed in with some silly questions about the city, which they answered with smiles. Pure bliss. Accelerator never dreamed of something like this before.
But it didn't last long.
Suddenly, an explosion rocked the place. A loud boom assaulted everyone's ears in the entertainment complex, followed by a shockwave that tore through part of the building.
Gunshots rang out, accompanied by panicked screams from visitors. But the shots weren't aimed at them—rather, they were targeting the intruders wreaking havoc. As bizarre as it sounded, people in knightly armor stormed through the shopping center. They clashed with Anti-Skill and slashed at any visitors unlucky enough to cross their path with cold steel. Bullets couldn't pierce their armor, and they were efficiently wiping out the building's defenders.
— We need backup, now! I repeat, we need— GHA-A-A! — One of the Anti-Skill members was cut off as an armored figure leaped at him, driving a blade into his collarbone.
The metal-clad figure calmly wiped the blood from his sword while bullets flew at him and flashbangs went off. Explosives weren't being used, obviously, since the fighting was indoors.
The same knight turned calmly, surveying the battle. His "comrades" continued cutting down every living thing in sight, just like him.
— Continue the fight and search for targets, — a calm male voice echoed through the space. — Failure is unacceptable. Permission granted to use all magical items in your possession.
It was odd—why announce this to everyone in the building if it was meant only for their side? But that voice wasn't meant for outsiders to hear. It was transmitted through some strange system and energy. Accelerator barely managed to pick up and decipher it. It was something astonishing and illogical—not like a radio signal, yet still carrying information.
— GRAAAAH!
A moment later, an unearthly roar—more terrifying than any beast's—shook the place. Right in the center of the building, a massive humanoid creature formed from the surrounding materials—parts of the structure itself. A giant inanimate being that, by all logic, should've been a weird, immobile arthouse sculpture. But it moved, smashing everything it could reach.
It held Accelerator's attention for only a few dozen seconds. Then his eyes locked onto a horrific sight, and time seemed to stop for him.
Blood. The shockwave had sent debris flying their way. One piece grazed Nunotaba Shinobu's left arm, but it wasn't serious—she was fine. The nun next to him was unscathed, shielded by his body from any harm.
— Lord… — The so-called grimoire library covered her mouth in horror, her kitten trembling in her other hand.
Her reaction was understandable. She'd clearly seen the nightmare unfolding here. And right beside them…
Beside them lay an injured Takashi. The kid had taken shrapnel to his stomach and shoulder.
In an instant, Accelerator slammed his right foot into the building's floor. Calculation. Vector transformation. Harnessing immense energy and force.
The next moment, the entire building shifted under his power. Accelerator forced concrete and rock pillars to erupt from the walls and floor, striking the armored figures with pinpoint accuracy. It didn't harm them, but they were light enough to be flung in different directions. That was his plan—separating them from the regular visitors and Anti-Skill, grouping them together at a distance.
Another calculation. Transformation. The force crushed the giant into dust. Moments later, he collapsed the building in a controlled manner, completely isolating the intruders from everyone else. With surgical precision. Everyone was safe in the blink of an eye.
The next second, Accelerator grabbed all three of them. He crossed the boundary of the half-ruined building at high speed, landing outside. He shielded his unwilling passengers from the strain.
They emerged just as Anti-Skill reinforcements and ambulances arrived. Before releasing them, the albino used vector control again. He eradicated all microorganisms in the wounds of the black-haired girl and his classmate, breaking down harmful bacteria on the surface and within into molecules. Then he dismantled any pyrogenic substances to prevent fever risks. One more calculation. The blood at their wounds clotted and sealed, stopping any bleeding risk.
A paramedic team spotted them and approached.
— He's okay, — Nunotaba said, eyeing the unconscious Takashi. Despite the jarring speed they'd just endured, her composure and awareness were unreal. She stayed calm, unlike the nun, who could barely speak and seemed on the verge of fainting herself—despite her own injured arm. — I think you can tell as well as I can that there's no damage to vital organs or blood vessels.
— I see, — Accelerator said evenly, his tone neutral. He looked closer at the kid in his arms, then gently set him on the concrete street before glancing at the black-haired girl. — The paramedics will handle the rest. I've gotta go.
That didn't sit well with the former scientist. She saw it in his face—what he intended to do.
— No, no, no! Stay here—don't even think about it! — Shinobu's voice cracked with panic. — For your own good, please, don't do this!
But he didn't listen. A second later, the esper leaped and shot back toward the building where the battle had raged, moving at breakneck speed. Realizing this, the former scientist bit her lip in frustration and squeezed her eyes shut. She knew #1's character all too well and understood exactly what he was about to do.
The "knights" clad in metal found themselves trapped under rubble. They couldn't fathom how this had happened. These armored figures were decent mages by global standards, even if they didn't rely on classic spells as much since donning their armor. But they'd clearly faced an unknown enemy.
Their command was already devising the next steps. In essence, nothing had changed—they still had to achieve their goals, only now they needed to deal with this interference.
So it was.
But no plan ever goes perfectly.
In an instant, something smashed through the sarcophagus of construction debris trapping them. It streaked toward one of the intruders at blinding speed, tearing the mage-knight in two.
With their superhuman reflexes, they registered it. But they couldn't counter it. The enemy was beyond even their capabilities. In seconds, it shredded their comrades like paper.
Their command quickly grasped the situation and ordered a retreat. The building was massive, even sealed off by rubble now. They could escape in squads, using their powers to break through. And some did—managing to flee to a safe distance and vanish behind obstacles.
For the rest, it was grim. Those mages were killed swiftly, without a chance to scream. The last of these unfortunates didn't escape in time either, but unlike his brethren, he didn't die quickly.
Quite the opposite. This knight, crippled in his arms and legs, was caught in the grip of a monster who decided not to rush this time.
— P-Please! Spare me! I beg you! — the man wailed, thrashing in the esper's iron hold. His head was locked in those hands, his broken body slumped on the floor.
The esper's face split into a grotesque sneer.
— Squeal, — the albino's voice rasped.
— W-What? — the terrified man stammered.
The next moment, the knight screamed in agony. He sobbed from the pain as his arm was broken further. The esper didn't just snap the limb again—he took control of the man's nerve endings. The torment was comparable to childbirth—unbearable, even with his mana-fortified body.
— Squeal, I said! — the young man roared in fury. — Squeal like a pig!
The man let out something incoherent at first. Then, sniffling, he forced himself to comply.
— S-Sq… — he faltered. — Squeee…? SQUEEEAA!
He shrieked again as another wave of pain hit.
— Better, you bastard! Louder, come on! — This time, the deranged esper's grip threatened to crush his neck.
Frankly, the intruder was in a blind panic.
— SQUEEEE! SQUEEEEEEE! SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Now he was squealing for real—louder than the biggest hog before slaughter. He was terrified. Truly, primally terrified.
In response, Accelerator laughed at it. Like a lunatic. His laughter was a hundred times worse than ever before, a cacophony of inhuman sounds.
If anyone who knew Esper #1 saw him now, they'd be horrified. His state was worse than anything prior. It was akin to pure… madness. No sugarcoating it. Just madness.
Seconds later, it ended with the sound of cracking bones and a wet tear of flesh. Accelerator crushed the utterly humiliated knight's head into pulp. His helmet crumpled like a tin can, splattering blood and gore around.
The esper licked the mix of blood, white, and gray matter that hit his lips. His sneer grew uglier. Blood even stained his white hair, dyeing parts red.
— Fucking unreal, — his voice trembled with ecstasy. — This is a goddamn rush! A rush, you sons of bitches!
A whirlwind of emotions churned inside him. But above all was rage—the most horrific surge of fury driving him insane.
This had been the best day of his life. A day spent with people he liked. And these bastards with their incomprehensible goals had ruined it. He didn't care what they wanted. He just wanted to reach them and kill every last one. Rip them apart. Torture them. Kill. Kill!
God help the souls of those he'd get his hands on…