Time flew by, and September 19th arrived.
Naturally, today was a clear and sunny day. The streets were adorned with festive decorations, bustling with people, and the skies were filled with airships and hot air balloons. Various screens were playing content related to the Daihasei Festival.
The Academy City Daihasei Festival Operations Committee could confidently declare that the weather for the coming week would remain bright and refreshing—the perfect climate for sports.
After all, as an open, large-scale comprehensive sports festival hosted by Academy City, it was only natural for it to receive partial support from the Tree Diagram.
This supercomputer could precisely predict the movement of every air molecule on Earth, and accurate weather monitoring was only a small part of its capabilities. Here, weather forecasting wasn't forecasting—it was a predetermined certainty.
Even if clouds appeared, they would be physically dispersed!
On this day, aside from the districts and key facilities that could not be opened, Academy City was filled with students' families and visitors everywhere.
Motor vehicles were banned from all streets, replaced by massive crowds and the countless stalls and shops that lined both sides of the roads.
"Just a few more minutes until the Daihasei Festival's opening ceremony," the perfectly poised hostess reported through a massive broadcast screen.
Boom! Boom boom—
That was the sound of ceremonial cannons.
Waaa! Wa-la-la—
That was the clamor of the crowd.
To ordinary outsiders, Academy City was a place full of allure. Not only were there espers, allowing one to witness power clashes previously only seen in movies, but one could also experience a level of technology far ahead of the rest of the world.
Magic was too distant for them, a game for a select few with a high entry threshold and little scalability. Technology was different—easily adopted and capable of truly changing human life, influencing every aspect of society. Academy City was the global spearhead of the technological front.
How could it not be attractive?
Every Daihasei Festival held in the past was inevitably packed to the brim. Especially this year—besides technological spectacles like the space elevator "Endymion," this was also advertised as the edition with the highest number of participating Level 5 espers in history. A rare opportunity not to be missed.
If the Board of Directors hadn't implemented crowd control measures and banned regular vehicles from entering, the resulting traffic jam would have stretched dozens of kilometers.
Even so, to cope with the transportation demands, temporary train and subway services were added, driverless buses were deployed, and even vehicle lanes were converted into pedestrian walkways. Still, the sheer density of people made every part of the city feel like a rush-hour train platform.
Helicopters from TV stations buzzed through the sky, and at orbital stations, the excessively packed train schedules even led to a shortage of live security personnel—a truly astonishing sight.
At this moment, in the Daihasei Festival Operations Committee office:
"Everything's been arranged, and it's starting in just a few minutes."
"They won't start fighting, right?"
A staff member wearing an armband from the Operations Committee asked anxiously, "They shouldn't..."
"Sigh, the slogans have already gone public. We have to push through now, no matter what," the leading committee member said with a deep breath, adjusting his glasses.
If it were only the eighth-ranked "Telekinetic Cannon" Sogiita Gunha and the sixth-ranked "Mental Out" Shokuhou Misaki, they wouldn't be this stressed. But to their shock, the second and third-ranked espers—whom they hadn't even expected to respond—actually agreed to participate!
Even the agent assigned to negotiate with the second-ranked esper had taken out accident and death insurance before heading out, yet came back unscathed—bringing back such "good news."
To put it plainly, they'd never had any confidence in pulling this off.
The reason every Level 5 was notified was purely to maintain fairness. These espers had wildly different temperaments, and no one could predict how they might react. If one was informed but another was overlooked, they might take it as an insult and seek revenge.
The conflict between the second and third-ranked espers wasn't just common knowledge among outsiders—it was a well-known fact in the industry. Whenever those two met, sharp words and physical confrontation were almost guaranteed.
Fingers interlaced atop the desk, the lead committee member looked up, glasses reflecting a white glint. He spoke, "The Number One is at the main venue. With her there, they won't start a fight. That much, I believe, we can be assured of."
"That's a relief."
"Sigh, honestly, having the Number One and the fourth-ranked 'Railgun' participate would've been the optimal setup."
"As for the Number One, her mother is also at the main venue of the Daihasei Festival. She clearly stated that accompanying her family and participating in Tokiwadai Middle School's events are her top priorities for this festival. The Tokiwadai principal and Ms. Nabe expressed that we shouldn't disturb her unnecessarily."
"Alright then."
"Still, why do I have such a bad feeling about this?" The committee leader turned his gaze toward the image board displaying photos of the participating Level 5s, especially focusing on the boy in a pure white school uniform with a headband.
His eyelid twitched uncontrollably.
"Oh, it's starting."
In the office, everyone turned their attention to the television screen.
...
District 7, Daihasei Festival Main Venue.
This place was originally a large stadium belonging to a certain high school. Due to the Daihasei Festival, it had been requisitioned by the Operations Committee. Why not use School Garden? Simple—it was an all-girls zone, and many key research facilities were off-limits.
Now, within the irregular metal framework resembling a bird's nest stadium, an impressive temporary stage had been erected.
On the platform sat the principals of the participating schools. Opposite the platform was a stretch of green turf reserved for the student representative giving the opening oath. Around them, over tens of thousands of students' families and visitors had already gathered to witness this year's opening ceremony.
And this was just the tip of the iceberg. The number of venues hosting the opening ceremony across Academy City exceeded double digits just in District 7 alone.
Of course, only the main venue would feature a Level 5 student representative delivering the oath, complete with live broadcasting. The scenes here would be transmitted to every corner of Academy City, setting the standard for all other venues.
In other words, the ceremonies at other locations were merely formalities.
"Aunt Katie."
"Ah, Misaka-san, looking sharp as always."
In the well-positioned spectator seating on the elevated platform, Katie clapped her hands and smiled warmly as she saw Misaka Mikoto jog over in her track and field uniform and shorts.
"About the Level 5 esper oath ceremony—you're not participating, Misaka-san?"
"That? I was invited, but it's already been confirmed that someone else will do it."
"Oh, what a shame."
Katie gestured for Misaka Mikoto to sit beside her. Then, gazing toward the center of the field at the oath platform, she pressed a hand to her forehead and sighed. "Really, I can't believe Selene gave up this honor just to spend time with her mother. While I'm touched, I can't help but feel it's still a bit of a pity."
Their personalities were entirely different.
Looking at the woman before her—who, despite being a mother of two, seemed more like a recent university graduate, refined yet full of energy—Misaka Mikoto thought silently.
When she had returned to School Garden that day and saw Selene's extended family, Misaka Mikoto had been shocked. She had mistaken Katie for Selene's older sister and almost caused an embarrassing misunderstanding.
Truly, unlike Misaka and her own mother, who looked nearly identical, she couldn't find a single point of resemblance between Selene and Katie—they were almost opposites.
During their time together before the opening ceremony, Misaka Mikoto had genuinely felt Katie's warmth and kindness.
As for Selene's warmth and gentleness, it was a rare display in these past few days that left a deep impression on Misaka Mikoto.
"No, no, I'm looking for Selene. Huh? Where's little Ferdinand? I don't see them anywhere," Misaka waved her hand, politely declining Katie's enthusiasm as she looked around.
"Oh, them? Ferdinand got drawn into that mini racing contest, and Alyssa is with him. As for Selene, it seems a friend of hers just arrived," Katie smiled gently and pointed toward the stadium's rest corridor near the oath platform.
"Then, Auntie, I'll head over. Hope you enjoy the ceremony. Bye..."
"Such a lively, adorable girl."
Resting her chin on one hand, Katie sighed sentimentally. "Mmm, I wonder when Selene will become this cute too. She's always so serious... honestly, I don't even know where she picked that up. If Karl comes, I really need to have a good talk with him."
Meanwhile, in the rest corridor—
Selene raised an intrigued brow, her crimson eyes reflecting the two impeccably dressed gentlemen before her. "I'm honestly a little surprised. Since when did you two get so in sync? Both of you deciding to participate in the Daihasei Festival oath ceremony?"
"Who's in sync with this moron (hyena)?!" ×2
Different from his usual look, Kakine Teitoku was dressed neatly in a black formal suit. Collar straight, tie, vest, and white gloves all in place. Even his brown tousled hair had been styled with gel.
"It's something she wanted to see," Kakine Teitoku sighed, tugging at his tie. "Otherwise, this whole kiddie festival... uh, miss, I didn't mean you."
"I know."
"Tch, keep that to yourself," Selene waved dismissively and looked past him at the equally eye-catching Accelerator behind him. "Don't tell me you're dressed like this because Last Order wanted it too."
At long last, he'd swapped out that perpetually worn T-shirt for a simple white-gray patterned suit.
"Hmph." Leaning on his crutch, Accelerator scoffed. Maybe it was the atmosphere, but he didn't lash out.
That was practically an admission.
"Hoh... is that so?" Selene deliberately drew out her voice, glancing sideways with a half-smile at the iron-willed "guardian."
Technically speaking, the fourth-ranked Misaka Mikoto should be the highest-profile Level 5 to present publicly. Those above her either held positions like her own as a Board Director or were entrenched in Academy City's dark side.
The top three traditionally held a dismissive, even disdainful, attitude toward the Daihasei Festival.
But now, the second-ranked had effectively withdrawn after the failure of his project and was practically retired, caring for a child. From the looks of it, he had distanced himself from Academy City's dark underbelly. The third-ranked had gone even further, formally withdrawing from the dark world with Selene's backing. He too was now in child-rearing mode.
"Tell me everything."
"It started back at the hospital..."
Based on Kakine Teitoku's account, Selene learned the story.
The two had encountered each other at a hospital. Kakine Teitoku, unleashing his "Six-Winged Angel" form, easily dispatched the low-level attackers. As was well known, his power tended to be a hit with children, and Last Order was no exception.
Then, seeing Last Order repeatedly muttering "Misaka Misaka" with eyes sparkling, Accelerator would never admit it—but he actually felt a twinge of jealousy.
Tch, how pathetic!
Just then, a liaison from the Daihasei Festival Operations Committee approached to discuss the oath ceremony. Seeing Accelerator's unspoken frustration, Kakine Teitoku seized the opportunity and even put the call on speaker.
As the two bickered back and forth, Yuzuriha Ringo curiously asked, "What's the oath ceremony?" In front of her, Kakine Teitoku naturally set aside his true thoughts and offered a proper, official explanation of the event per Academy City's PR narrative.
And just like that, both little ones got excited.
Though Yuzuriha Ringo didn't voice it, Kakine Teitoku saw the hopeful yet hesitant look in her eyes. Not wanting to let Accelerator outshine him, he accepted the invitation on the spot.
Seeing Last Order's understanding yet dimmed expression, Accelerator couldn't take it.
Yes, he was messed up in the head, but that didn't mean this guy was any better, nor did it give him the right to provoke him. Raising a kid? You're still no match for me!
Both men, fueled by unspoken rivalry, silently squared off.
Beep beep~
"Participating athletes, please make your entrance. The Daihasei Festival opening ceremony is about to begin..." came the broadcast announcement.
Clap clap!
"Alright, that's enough of your soap opera. Time to get moving. Hmhm, I look forward to both of your dazzling performances. And as for your little ones, don't worry, I'll assign someone to keep them well-fed and entertained."
Selene clapped her hands, stepping aside to clear the path, motioning for the two to head out.
Accelerator and Kakine Teitoku exchanged a glance before each let out a cold snort.
They stepped forward simultaneously, neither yielding, practically shoving each other as they exited.
Watching Accelerator, crutch and all, refusing to back down in order to step out before Kakine, Selene couldn't help but chuckle.
It seemed that under her... ahem, guidance, their animosity had shifted. Now, with both men carrying symbolic redemption in the form of their respective children, there was a touch of love-hate drama to it all.
Thump thump~
Exiting the corridor, they were greeted by a sea of sportswear—uniform outfits everywhere.
With her excellent vantage point, Selene instantly spotted the golden-haired starry-eyed girl and the headbanded boy already in position on the platform.
"Ahahaha, to think the second and third-ranked would actually show up here. Are you interested in..."
The boy in a pristine white school uniform, a headband tied across his forehead and a blade of grass between his lips, stepped forward, eyes gleaming with excitement. Just as he began to speak to Accelerator and Kakine Teitoku—
"Scram!"
"Not interested."
The host of the opening ceremony watched nervously as the two newly arrived figures—more imposing and clearly bristling with tension—joined the stage. He quietly wiped the sweat from his brow.
Please, don't let anything go wrong.
"Ahahaha, rejected huh? But isn't sports the true test of youth and spirit? Gotta keep pushing forward!"
No wonder there were four microphones. The second-ranked Accelerator and third-ranked Kakine Teitoku, of all people, participating in this childlike event? Maybe those urban legends about them turning over a new leaf were true after all.
Filtering out the overly zealous chatter of the eighth-ranked "super strength" user, Shokuhou Misaki's honey-colored eyes sparkled as she flashed a radiant smile and waved to the audience.
Among the three leaves, she was the sole flower. Her long golden hair cascaded down her back, and her sports uniform perfectly accentuated her shapely figure. Shokuhou Misaki didn't look like a middle schooler at all—entirely captivating.
Immediately, the crowd erupted in applause, and a wave of excitement began to build.
As expected from a Tokiwadai student... but the remaining three? They were a cause for concern.
"Now, let us welcome the student representatives for the oath ceremony!"
The host quickly completed the introduction and stepped aside for the four Level 5s.
The ceremony itself was fairly simple.
This year's format included a brief demonstration of each Level 5's ability, followed by a prewritten speech. Each speech was identical except for the name at the top. As long as they recited it together in unison, that was enough.
For Level 5s with computer-like brains, it was a piece of cake. Uh... though the eighth-ranked was a Gemstone... still, a top student. Memorizing a speech shouldn't be a problem... probably.
As long as the second and third-ranked didn't get into a fight mid-ceremony, everything should go smoothly. And after a glance at the white-haired woman standing at the corridor entrance with arms crossed, the host felt certain nothing could go wrong.
The next moment—VROOOM—!
Three angelic white wings burst forth from Kakine Teitoku's back. Pristine and radiant, the audience at the main venue erupted in cheers, camera shutters firing nonstop.
Not to mention, his aesthetic really was a hit with kids. From afar, his wings made of Dark Matter gave him the appearance of a descending angel.
"Tch."
With a disdainful snort, Accelerator wasn't about to be outdone. WHOOOSH—! A spiraling tornado extended behind him, lifting him into the air without any wind.
"Is this your fiery spirit?! I can feel your passion—watch this!"
Buzz buzz!
"W-Wait! Weren't we supposed to recite the oath... ah!"
BOOM—!
All of them were battle-hardened powerhouses—except Shokuhou Misaki, the sports idiot. Caught by the blast wave, she stumbled backward.
Quite the mess... Shokuhou Misaki.
Click—!
In the next instant, as expected, Selene saw... the oath platform was starting to tilt.
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