"Your space manipulation ability does have research value, but you, as you are right now... tsk."
Haruto clicked his tongue.
From that one sound, Awaki could feel deep disdain.
It nearly made her explode with rage.
She was supposed to be Academy City's strongest space ability user!
Even though she wasn't classified as a Level 5 Esper, being a Level 4 in this city was already rare enough.
And her power was a rare spatial ability. But before she could lash out, Haruto spoke again,
"Do you have some kind of psychological trauma with your power? Your control over it is a complete mess."
Awaki's eyes widened at his words, momentarily speechless.
"How... how do you know that?"
She didn't understand how Haruto could possibly know about that.
She had been carrying this burden deep in her heart for a long time.
During her power development training, she had experienced a major accident due to her ability.
While using teleportation, she miscalculated the coordinates, and one of her legs got embedded in a wall.
It caused unimaginable trauma.
Thankfully, Academy City's advanced medical technology saved her. Otherwise, she would've been left permanently crippled.
After that incident...
She developed severe psychological trauma related to her ability.
Her power development stagnated, and even began to regress. Now, she needed a military-grade flashlight to guide her spatial movement. And after several consecutive teleports, she experienced severe physiological rejection.
In truth, Awaki was the closest candidate to becoming the next Level 5 esper.
She had the potential to be the eighth Level 5.
But because of her trauma, she couldn't take that crucial step forward, remaining stuck at her current level.
"Honestly, have you ever tried finding a mind ability user to erase part of that memory?"
Haruto asked curiously.
Awaki's eyes lit up for a moment but then dimmed as she shook her head.
"I never thought of that, but I doubt it would work. Mind ability users can't precisely erase specific memories. Most can only wipe recent memories. That incident happened a long time ago. Unless it's a Level 5 mind esper, there's no way to selectively erase just that memory without affecting others. Mind ability users are rare to begin with. The only Level 5 recently identified is the 'Mental Out'—but finding her is hard, and why would she help me?"
Haruto chuckled.
"Funny you mention it. I just so happened to pick up that very same Mental Out yesterday."
Awaki froze at his words, her eyes lighting up immediately.
"Unfortunately, that kid gave herself amnesia, so she probably won't be of much help to you for a while."
Haruto added.
The light in Awaki's eyes vanished instantly.
Her whole expression turned gloomy.
If there was no hope, why even say anything?!
"But honestly, you don't need that kid. I can help you precisely erase that memory myself. Not only that, but I can ensure you completely forget the trauma—say goodbye to PTSD."
Awaki shivered, looking at Haruto in disbelief.
"Seriously...? You... You're a mind ability user?"
It didn't sound very convincing.
But in her eyes, this young man was someone invited by the Board Chairman himself.
Maybe—just maybe—miracles could happen.
"Something like that," Haruto replied.
Awaki stood up, reached out with a trembling hand, and grabbed the corner of his shirt. Her eyes were filled with hope, clearly wishing to be free of her past.
However—
"But really, why should I help you?"
Awaki: o.O
Life really is full of ups and downs.
After riding this emotional rollercoaster twice in a row, Awaki felt completely numb. Her face was blank.
If she still couldn't tell that Haruto was messing with her—
Then she really would be a complete idiot.
Glaring at Haruto, she was on the verge of tears. Haruto had trouble holding back a laugh.
Teasing this girl was surprisingly fun.
"Oh right—are you working in the dark side right now?"
Haruto asked casually.
Awaki instinctively nodded.
Then she caught herself and looked at him warily.
The dark side wasn't something one could casually talk about.
The so-called "Dark Side" referred to Espers used by the Board of Directors to operate in Academy City's shadows.
They were people who could never stand in the light.
"Then you'd better prepare to leave the dark side. I might take you somewhere else to assist with some research."
Haruto said offhandedly.
The truth was, Haruto had requested Awaki from Aleister precisely because her spatial ability had great research value.
While the Foundation's tech was highly advanced, it lacked development in the field of spatial science.
If a breakthrough could be made through her...
It would be an enormous gain.
Hearing this, Awaki was completely stunned.
Was leaving the dark side really that easy?
She'd long wanted to run from that world.
But she couldn't.
Awaki knew full well—if she tried to leave, she'd most likely be eliminated.
Haruto didn't say anything more and brought her back to the inn.
They'd stay in Academy City for one more night.
Tomorrow, Haruto would be leaving with his group.
After meeting with Aleister, it would be time for the Foundation and Academy City to officially connect.
There was still much to handle outside.
The night passed uneventfully.
Early next morning—
Misaki eyed Haruto and Awaki suspiciously, her gaze flickering back and forth between the two.
Just one night and now he's picked up another girl...?
Awaki also looked at Misaki with complicated feelings.
She didn't expect Haruto wasn't just talking nonsense...
He really had picked up the "Mental Out"!
Misaka No. 1 watched from the side, enjoying the drama.
"Wow, it's the legendary love triangle showdown!" Misaka commented while munching on popcorn. "Misaka wants in too!"
Haruto ruffled Misaka's little head.
This girl... really has potential as a mischief-maker.
Because the Absolute Power Evolution Plan was shut down early, all 20,000 Misakas had been preserved.
They shared a special link that allowed them to sync vision and computational power.
In other words—the "Misaka Network."
So if you won over one Misaka... you basically won over all 20,000...
Truly a one-for-all deal.
(T/N: A crystal palace for lolicons...)
"We're leaving today? I'll stop by the bank to deposit some money. I want to order some stuff online later from Academy City's network."
Megumi said, pulling out a suitcase.
Haruto's mouth twitched.
That was his cashbox!
He had stored it in Kamui Space for emergencies.
After taking it out earlier, Megumi just naturally took charge of it. Not that it mattered. That amount of money was pocket change for Haruto.
So, the group headed to the bank.
Academy City's network had plenty of unique gadgets to buy.
Unfortunately, it hadn't yet been fully connected to the main world's internet. So you could only access its internal network.
Megumi entered the bank carrying the case.
Because of the large amount, she was quickly ushered into the VIP room.
Haruto and the three girls sat idly in the waiting area.
While waiting, Haruto's gaze wandered...
Until it landed on a girl.
A school uniform-clad girl with pink twin tails.
She carried herself with grace and elegance, smiling cutely as she conversed.
However...
If you were a transmigrator like Haruto, your thoughts upon seeing her would be very different.
You'd think—
"This girl's a total pervert!"
Shirai Kuroko.
A certified icon of perversion in the anime world...
Sometimes, when someone's acting too lewd, people say:
"Are you a Kuroko or something?!"
Come to think of it, Shirai Kuroko was also a space ability user.
But even though they were both Level 4, her ability was still a far cry from Awaki's.
So Haruto had no intention of approaching her.
After all... Kuroko's level of perversion wasn't something just anyone could handle.
Just as Haruto was about to avert his gaze and pretend he hadn't seen her—A loud explosion rocked the bank, followed by gunshots.
"THIS IS A ROBBERY! NOBODY MOVE! GET DOWN ON THE FLOOR, NOW!"
Haruto rubbed his temples.
Seriously? Does it have to be like this...