"Ah—Who, who are you? How did you get in? An esper?"
Shundou Toshizou jumped in fright, but upon seeing that the intruder was merely a student, he calmed down slightly, though he still forced an angry tone to cover his fear.
Noah's gaze was calm, like looking at a pile of trash. "I hate people like you the most—filthy and ignorant, yet unaware of your own stench."
Shundou Toshizou—proposer and executor of the Ideal Project, and its highest leader. He regarded Academy City as a perfect experimental ground, seeing espers as nothing more than lab rats.
In Noah's eyes, the light of humanity had almost disappeared. What filled the space instead was the black mist of the curse of Human Principle.
The curse of Human Principle was the manifestation of the negative impact humanity's actions had upon civilization. The greater the harm inflicted on civilization, the deeper the curse would be.
Given Shundou Toshizou's level of corruption, in Teyvat he would long ago have been discovered by a god maintaining Human Principle and cast into the Abyss.
Not only in Teyvat—even in other worlds, he would already have been driven mad by karma, living in constant misfortune, or even fallen to become a monster.
That he was still fine now was only because this world was nothing more than a corpse—devoid of world consciousness. Without it, human consciousness could not even be born properly.
Human consciousness and world consciousness complemented each other.
Either both existed—or neither did.
Therefore, no matter how much evil one committed in this world, no retribution would come.
Noah gave a thought, and before Shundou Toshizou could even utter another word, his body exploded soundlessly, disintegrating into the most basic particles.
Those particles scattered into the wind through the open window.
In the next instant, every material substance within the Talent Workshop was rewritten—transformed into matter unique to Teyvat.
In this world, Teyvat's matter was considered proto-matter.
After modifying the composition of the Workshop's building materials, Noah casually altered the consciousness of most of the researchers as well.
Those whose curse of Human Principle exceeded the limit were disintegrated into base particles.
Those untouched by the curse were left alone—their consciousnesses unaltered.
Even among the researchers of the Talent Workshop, there were those who were kind.
Among them was Toomine Kanari, who would later die to save the students subjected to experimentation when Ideal officially began.
She had joined the Workshop out of genuine belief in the institute's propaganda—hoping to use psychic research to make the world a better place. Since childhood, she had loved heroic tales and thought the secrecy of the project made it like a heroic base of justice.
Another was the fourteen-year-old girl with black-and-white hair, endowed with extraordinary research talent—Kuriba Ryouko, a middle school intern who had yet to participate in the project to turn humans into dual-bodied cyborgs.
...
All the researchers in the institute were soon gathered. Apart from the two whose consciousness had not been altered, the others appeared completely normal.
"Director, good morning."
"Director, may we ask why you called us here?"
Seated on a chair, Noah nodded slightly as he looked at the thirty or so researchers standing before him. Originally, there had been over fifty—more than ten had already been erased.
"Director? Has the Director changed?"
"Where is Minister Shundou Toshizou?"
Toomine Kanari looked around in confusion. Why did her colleagues act as if nothing had happened? Was she the only one unaware of the change?
Kuriba Ryouko, wearing a white lab coat a size too large for her small frame, blinked in confusion. She had only been here for a month-long internship—she knew nothing.
A nearby researcher quickly explained, and the two soon understood.
"I see... so that's how it is."
Noah tapped his fingers lightly on the desk. "Silence. All current research projects are to be halted immediately. You will instead carry out the plans outlined in these documents."
Three files appeared in his hand and floated toward the researchers.
Although he could have achieved any of this directly with the power of Super-Primeval, Noah was here on vacation. Time was meaningless to him anyway, so he preferred to proceed step by step—to experience the process.
The researchers took the documents and, upon seeing the technology and project outlines within, gasped in shock.
"Th-this kind of technology! Impossible! Has Academy City already reached such an advanced level?!"
"Heavens! Which senior researcher could have possibly developed this?!"
"And these plans—they detail every single step down to the finest degree!"
[Level 5 Cloning Project] [Level 5 Cultivation Plan] [Planetary Phenomena Control Project]
In Teyvat, particularly in Fontaine, the most scientifically advanced region, a complete series of cloning technologies had long been developed—perfect cloning capable of replicating bodies flawlessly. However, once a consciousness was born, it would be filled in with a brand-new soul, still recognized by Teyvat as a normal lifeform.
This technology, however, was entirely unprofitable and strictly forbidden for trade or exploitation. Since Teyvat recognized clones as sapient beings, anyone who dared engage in such acts would be severely punished.
Moreover, psychic abilities were hardly absent from Teyvat. The strongest espers there had already reached the level of Supreme God.
Placed within this world's hierarchy, such a level surpassed Level 6 by an unknown margin.
Even with just Teyvat's publicly accessible data on psychic abilities, one could easily mass-produce Level 5s.
The [Planetary Phenomena Control Project], on the other hand, was designed so that once the Misaka Sisters were created and distributed across the planet, the magnetic field linking them would allow manipulation of the entire planet's electromagnetic field—controlling weather patterns and atmospheric dynamics at will.
Of course, all such power would bear Teyvat's mark.
Ultimately, beyond serving as Ether Anchor Points, the true purpose of this was to activate the cosmology of the scientific side within the A Certain Magical Index world—manifesting it as a Pseudo Star Map Creation.
This Pseudo Star Map Creation would represent a purely physical universe.
If the Magical Index world possessed a world consciousness, this purely physical cosmology would undoubtedly be activated under the dominion of the science side's leader, Aleister.
Its name: Atheism.
[All phenomena of the universe—all mysteries—are born solely from the motion of matter.]
"Alright, now bring in all the students participating in the institute's research. Begin the cultivation plan."
"Yes, Director—!"
...
At this time, the Talent Workshop had not yet experienced any accidents. The students merely sensed that the experiments they were participating in were dangerous.
Among them, Shokuhou Misaki had arrived at the institute several days earlier to participate in the development of Level 5 abilities. She had not yet officially become a Level 5.
It was noon. Most of the students had yet to return to their dormitories, and soon they gathered in the psychic development chamber.
"What's this all about? Calling us out all of a sudden?" complained a blonde-haired girl in a deep blue lab uniform, her starry eyes glaring warily at the researcher—who, unusually, wore no mental-protection device today.
Though she tried to appear annoyed, her heart was on full alert. She felt no sense of safety at all.
A new director?
Personally appointed by Chairman Aleister?
And a completely new experimental project?
"So... the ability enhancement training is really starting now?" Hokaze Junko turned to the somewhat unfamiliar girl beside her and asked politely, her demeanor gentle and refined.
She had not yet enrolled at Tokiwadai; she came from a wealthy merchant family—a proper young lady in every sense.
"I don't know either. The teachers never give advance notice," Kouzaku Mitori replied with a blink. Her days at the institute had been rather easy so far—she even received more sweets than most other students.
She knew better than anyone that as long as she acted obedient, forced a smile, and pretended to be sweet, she could live comfortably—though maintaining the act was exhausting.
"Do you think it's really possible to gain esper powers like Iruka?" Yumiya Rakko pursed her lips. As the older sister without powers, while her younger sister, Yumiya Iruka, was already a powerful Level 4 esper, she felt deeply inferior. Compared to her lively sister, her own expression seemed perpetually gloomy.
"Of course it's possible! The teachers said they'll definitely help big sis become an esper too!" Yumiya Iruka said brightly, her tone full of encouragement—as though she were the elder sister instead.
Rakko turned away, her self-consciousness making her sister's kindness sting even more.
Mitsuari Ayu nervously brushed her golden, wavy hair from her shoulder. "Level 5..." Her teachers had long told her she had the potential to reach that rank, and she believed it. She would become the next Level 5.
As a psychic-type esper, she understood all too well the darkness within Academy City. She lived constantly in fear, trusting no one. Only by becoming a Level 5 could she be safe.
Shokuhou Misaki said nothing. Her starry eyes flickered faintly as she listened silently to everyone's inner thoughts—and found herself glancing, somewhat surprised, at Mitsuari Ayu, who had also remained quiet.
Even within the institute, among students who had yet to face the true darkness, few possessed such awareness.
Mitsui's ability was also psychological, though only Level 3. It was impossible for her to detect Shokuhou's mental probing.
Although Shokuhou had never revealed any precise data, each of her tests had been carefully falsified to conceal the true rate of her growth.
She had lied about her maximum ability value.
There was no way she would let the institute know her real strength.
Because of that, the institute's mental protection systems could never fully block her powers. Long ago, she had already brainwashed several researchers, uncovering far more information than she was ever meant to know.
The so-called research to enhance espers was nothing more than a façade. Even the claim that they would help her become the sixth Level 5 was a lie.
If before she could stay calm, now she was anything but.
The researchers she had brainwashed were no longer under her control.
At this moment, she was truly without any form of protection.
Cold sweat streamed down Shokuhou Misaki's back. No matter how she tried to use her power on the researcher leading them to the laboratory, it had no effect.
Technology capable of completely isolating my ability...?
Her small hand tightened unconsciously. For the first time, she felt real fear.
The new director—personally appointed by Academy City's founder, the most terrifying and mysterious being, the very source of all its darkness, Chairman Aleister Crowley.
And the new experimental project...
The more she thought about it, the more frightened she became.
"Alright, up ahead is the new laboratory. From now on, our new Director of the Talent Workshop will oversee the development of your abilities."
The researcher smiled warmly. "Please, everyone, make sure to follow the Director's instructions closely."
Kouzaku Mitori was the first to answer sweetly, "Yes, teacher, we'll be good."
Hokaze Junko, the ever-dutiful young lady, quickly nodded as well.
Mitsuari Ayu fidgeted nervously—her ability training was about to begin. She was already a Level 3, soon to become Level 4?
Even Yumiya Rakko's gloomy eyes flickered with a trace of anticipation.
Shokuhou Misaki swallowed hard, glancing at the hopeful faces around her. She bit her lip.
They were too innocent—completely oblivious to the danger awaiting them.
With a soft beep, the laboratory door opened. A group of girls—no older than twelve or thirteen—were led inside. Another beep sounded as the door sealed shut behind them. Shokuhou Misaki turned quickly, her nerves stretched to the limit, every alarm in her mind blaring.
At the center of the laboratory stood three glass cultivation pods filled with a transparent, pale-green nutrient fluid. Strange machines and cables of unknown purpose were connected to each pod.
Dozens of small, floating holographic screens hung in midair, the sight exuding an overwhelming sense of futuristic science fiction.
At this time, Academy City's overall level of technology had not yet reached the true near-future aesthetic—merely advanced. Only a few individuals had access to cutting-edge equipment like this.
A young man, looking about seventeen or eighteen, wearing a white lab coat embroidered with golden threads—almost like a noble's attire—was scrolling through a tablet in his hand.
Even a single glance at his face was enough to make the group of young girls blush shyly, their hearts fluttering at the sight.
"Director, the experimental participants have all arrived," one of the researchers reported.
Noah looked up. Though newly arrived in this world, there was nothing here he did not already know. He waved his hand casually.
"Alright, Tanme. You can leave."
"Yes, sir!" The researcher bowed and hurried out of the laboratory.
Now, only he and the seven girls remained in the spacious room.
Six were participants in the experiment, and one was an assistant—Kuriba Ryouko, the twelve- or thirteen-year-old intern who stood off to the side, glancing curiously around.
The girls looked at Noah in surprise.
Kouzaku Mitori piped up brightly, trying to flatter him. "Wow! Director, you're so handsome! Are you a university student? You look so young!"
Noah chuckled, ruffling Kouzaku Mitori's hair gently. "Don't be fooled by my looks. In truth, my age long ago surpassed that of the universe itself."
Mitsuari Ayu muttered under her breath, "Director, you're lying to little kids again. We're not elementary schoolers anymore."
Shokuhou Misaki, however, stared at Noah, her starry eyes shrinking to pinpoints—her gaze filled entirely with terror.
She noticed that the Director wasn't wearing any mental protection and immediately tried to use her ability to brainwash him.
But the very moment her ability activated—it vanished.
Her power had disappeared completely, leaving behind an overwhelming sense of dread, as if death itself were about to descend.
Before she could recover, she felt a gentle pat on her head.
"Little Shokuhou," Noah said softly, smiling, "next time, don't try using your psychic powers on me. I'll overlook it this once—but next time, you'll be getting a spanking."
—
—
34 Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon:
Patreon.com/DaoOfHeaven