"This was nothing more than an insignificant, thoughtless act of that being."
As a being of the physical world, Aiwass was originally able to descend directly into it. The reason it had always been so difficult for her to descend into the present world was due to the countless overlapping layers of magical phases.
The physical world lay at the very bottom of reality. To reach the present world, one had to pass through innumerable magical phases, so when her spirit arrived, the connection would always flicker in and out.
Now, however, this artificial phase had become a second physical-world phase.
One could say that the original physical phase and the Artificial Heaven had become interconnected.
Creating interconnection between phases was something any god could accomplish, but that was limited to the magical world—it did not apply to the physical world.
"Hehe… To even compare those gods to that being is a blasphemy in itself."
"In that case, I shall transfer my true body here."
"That pitiful fool Aleister—did he truly think that severing contact with me would prevent my descent into the present world? Hah, how utterly ridiculous."
"The Book of Law was dictated by me. Do you really believe you can use it against me? How laughable, what a pathetic clown."
"When I transfer over, I'll twist your head off and use it as a stool."
Aiwass scoffed coldly, muttering endless insults and ridicule toward Aleister. Even after decades of contact, she had never shown him the slightest mercy.
"Hmm… I might as well sever the Artificial Heaven's central control link between Fuse Kazakiri and Aleister."
Fuse Kazakiri was the failsafe of the Artificial Heaven, the embodiment of its power—a scientific angel.
Though fundamentally different from Aiwass, she was still an angel.
If Fuse Kazakiri completed her development, she would inevitably acquire magical-side power. But now that the Artificial Heaven had become a purely physical phase, Fuse Kazakiri would become a true scientific angel.
And a true scientific angel, in the future, would at least share the same rank as Aiwass herself—by Teyvat's standards, an Almighty God.
An angel who governed a portion of the physical world's laws and paradoxes.
Aiwass couldn't help but marvel at the perfection and clarity of Teyvat's system—so unlike the chaotic ascension methods of the gods.
As a physical phase, the Artificial Heaven manifested as the reflection of the AIM Diffusion Field's coverage—in other words, the reflection of Academy City itself.
Everything here mirrored Academy City exactly, yet was intangible, composed entirely of physical-world laws, devoid of true matter—a world like an illusion.
At this moment, Fuse Kazakiri already possessed consciousness, though her awareness remained in its infancy.
Her existence as a student in this world was mirrored within Academy City. Being the aggregation of rules and energy, her identity in the real world was automatically filled in.
Currently, she was a new student at Kirigaoka Girls' Academy. She wandered through her school days, unaware, as if her entire life were preordained.
The teacher in the classroom changed form—Aiwass had taken the teacher's place.
"As expected… Fuse Kazakiri's essence is already beginning to transform."
"Hehehe… A pure scientific angel—perhaps a kindred spirit of mine. How fascinating…"
...
Meanwhile—at the Talent Workshop.
Mitsuari Ayu and Yumiya Rakko had already stepped out of the cultivation pods and changed back into their lab coats. The girls immediately covered their eyes, faces flushed red.
Hokaze Junko whimpered, "Uuuh… to change clothes right in front of Director-sensei… how embarrassing…" As a well-bred young lady raised under strict manners, this was the first truly mortifying experience of her life.
Yumiya Rakko pouted. "What's the big deal? He's already seen everything anyway." Though she said it lightly, her cheeks burned red. She acted indifferent, but her heart was pounding with shame.
She was gloomy out of inferiority, not indifference—and right now, her heart was racing uncontrollably.
She could clearly feel the power of her new ability. The shadow in her eyes had completely vanished, replaced by curiosity and the overwhelming joy of finally obtaining the power she had dreamed of.
Between her hands, the air itself began to twist and shimmer.
"This is the same ability as Iruka's—wave manipulation…"
Yumiya Iruka exclaimed in delight, "Wow! Sister really has an ability now! And it's just like mine!"
Kouzaku Mitori widened her eyes. "Whoa! She can affect the atmosphere—that's definitely above Level 3!"
The girls were still too young to comprehend just how extraordinary what they were witnessing truly was.
This completely shattered the foundational understanding that Academy City had built over decades of research into espers.
What they called talent evaluation was merely an assessment of an esper's potential—a measure based on the breadth and completeness of one's personal reality.
The more expansive and coherent a personal reality, the higher the evaluation.
Those at Level 5 were individuals whose personal realities were perfectly complete—each representing an entire scientific principle in human form.
At present, the number of potential Level 5s already exceeded twenty. What restricted them from reaching that level was not potential, but a lack of resources and computational capacity for development.
For example, Mitsuari Ayu's psychological perforation had the potential to reach Level 5, but once Shokuhou Misaki—with her more comprehensive mental mastery—appeared, the Talent Workshop shifted its focus to nurturing Shokuhou instead.
After all, resources were finite, and among similar abilities, the more comprehensive one would naturally be prioritized.
The talent evaluation was, in truth, a ranking system—the higher the rank, the greater the potential.
This was one of Academy City's hidden truths.
The level an esper could ultimately achieve was determined the moment their power was first developed.
Even those classified as "Level 0" were not truly powerless—their abilities were simply too weak to influence reality. Given forty to fifty years of development, even they could eventually reach Level 1.
Noah adjusted his glasses, adopting the serious air of a scholarly professor.
"No, Yumiya Rakko's ability isn't wave manipulation—it's vibrational diffusion. Its potential is lower. At best, she could only reach Level 5, with less than a 0.2% chance of reaching Level 6."
Shokuhou Misaki couldn't help but mutter, "Only Level 5? And you say that like it's nothing?"
That was far too outrageous!
But she knew it was true. The girl named Yumiya Rakko already possessed the power of a Level 4—and it had taken less than ten minutes.
Moments ago, she had been a complete Level 0.
Shokuhou had no doubt now—the Director before her was a true Level 6 Absolute Esper, a being who commanded all esper powers.
A god among espers.
Only a Level 6 could so casually define what a Level 6 was.
Yumiya Rakko's ears flushed crimson. Level 5. She could reach Level 5! Her gaze toward Noah had already turned glassy, practically glowing with awe. Her shy giggles turned breathy and giddy—almost audible to the corners of the room.
"Thank you, Director-sensei!" Yumiya Rakko threw herself straight into Noah's arms, wrapping her small hands tightly around his waist.
"Alright, alright, I understand," Noah said, adjusting his glasses with a light chuckle as he patted her head. "In a bit, have the other researchers test your ability levels. After that, we'll move on to your next stage of training toward Level 5."
Of course, there was no way he didn't already know what the girl was thinking.
In the original timeline, Yumiya Rakko, whose younger sister Iruka was a Level 4 while she herself was powerless, fell into deep self-loathing. That overwhelming inferiority drove her into the darkness—a desperate attempt by her psyche to save itself.
When a person could no longer save themselves through normal means—when they could no longer live normally—they turned toward despair and self-destruction.
That was the duality of humanity.
Eventually, her excessive gloom led her to join the city's dark side as an unofficial member of the school system. During an operation, she was disfigured by Frenda's bomb. Later, during the great Dark Side War, she sought revenge against Frenda, only to be killed by Item.
Granting her esper abilities was, in truth, her salvation—and her complete devotion to the one who saved her was inevitable.
But Noah hardly cared. There were far too many who adored him; her affection didn't stir him in the least.
Still, if someone liked him, he would respond accordingly. After all, what was one more girl added to the fold?
Besides, this world had no shortage of interesting, distinctive girls.
In comparison, Yumiya Rakko was almost ordinary.
"Yes, Director-sensei!" she replied obediently, her eyes now free of their former gloom, replaced with the radiant light of redemption.
The moment she released Noah's waist, a golden blur shoved her aside. She blinked in surprise as Mitsuari Ayu threw herself forward.
"And me! I have to thank you too, Director-sensei! I reached Level 5, didn't I? I feel so much stronger now!"
Her golden curls brushed against Noah's stomach as she pressed herself against him. She was barely one meter forty tall—just at the right height to reach his abdomen.
"Indeed," Noah said with a faint smile. "You've reached Level 5. Your ability is no longer merely 'psychological penetration'; it has evolved into 'information control.' You can now manipulate not only brainwaves, but also electronic information—though your specialty remains brainwave control."
He lifted a finger under her chin. Mitsuari's youthful cheeks flushed crimson, her eyes shimmering with tiny pink hearts. It was clear the girl had fallen for him completely.
Becoming Level 5 had been her lifelong obsession—and the one who granted that wish had become irreplaceable to her.
That, too, was a flaw of humanity.
Humans were not perfect. They were defined by countless imperfections—imperfections that drove them to learn, adapt, and grow.
In the original story, Mitsuari had been inferior to Shokuhou Misaki in every way—a poor imitation of her.
But Noah didn't think so. Every person was a distinct individual, unique even among identical clones like the Misaka Sisters.
"Mitsuari Ayu, you have a thirty-five percent chance of reaching Level 6. But that part is up to you. It can't be achieved through resources alone."
"Just do your best."
He then placed a safeguard within their personalities—to prevent them from falling into obsession with his expectations.
After all, the expectations of the most important person were the most dangerous kind of obsession.
"Yes, Director-sensei!" Mitsuari answered brightly.
Noah gently patted her head, signaling her to step back. Then he turned toward the remaining girls—Kouzaku Mitori, Hokaze Junko, Yumiya Iruka, and Shokuhou Misaki.
"Alright then, who's next?"
"Remember—this opportunity only comes once. Miss it, and there won't be another."
"I'll go next, Director-sensei!"
"Me, me, me!"
"Please let me first, sensei!"
Hokaze Junko's cheeks burned red, though her eyes shone with determination. As the daughter of a merchant, she knew how to recognize value—and here, there was only one man worth entrusting everything to.
At worst… she could just marry Director-sensei someday.
Raised as a traditionally-minded young lady, she believed that while esper power was important, the most vital role of a woman was to support her husband and raise a family.
Kouzaku Mitori, however, was different. She understood all too well the importance of high-level espers. Becoming a Level 5 meant becoming the teacher's favorite student—an elite of Academy City.
It meant being more likable. And if she could be liked, her path in life would be smooth and easy.
Yumiya Iruka shared the same thought as Kouzaku Mitori.
They were still young girls. They weren't psychic espers and hadn't experienced the city's darkness, so they remained pure and naive.
"I… I'll go too…"
Shokuhou Misaki timidly raised her hand, stammering as she spoke, her entire posture awkward and hesitant. She couldn't even bring herself to meet Noah's gaze.
W-what… it's just being looked at… compared to gaining greater power, that's nothing more than a mosquito bite…
Between safety and modesty, she chose safety.
Only when her own ability became strong enough could she truly feel secure.
Her eyes darted around, glancing at the other girls—and then stealing a peek at the Director.
I should also get along well with them… especially with the Director.
These girls were all becoming Level 5 espers, and the Director himself was the only Level 6 Absolute Esper who could make even Academy City's top brass bow before him.
If she stayed close to them, she would be safe by association.
"Oh~ I thought Shokuhou Misaki would back out," Noah said with a teasing smile as he looked at the shy, starry-eyed girl timidly raising her hand.
Psychic espers always developed mental awareness and cognitive maturity far beyond their years.
At this stage, Shokuhou's figure hadn't yet blossomed. She was still a slender, undeveloped girl—flat-chested, without any curves to speak of—but her delicate features already hinted at future beauty.
"I-I never said I was quitting, Director-sensei… You're not mad, right? If you're mad, I'll apologize!" Shokuhou panicked, clenching her tiny fists nervously.
She couldn't bear to lose this chance to grow stronger. Even if she couldn't reach Level 6, doubling or tripling her current ability was a dream come true.
Noah flicked her forehead lightly. "You're quite the precocious one. Try acting your age, little girl."
"Also, from now on—either call me 'Director-sensei' or 'Director-nii-san.'"
"Ah!" Shokuhou cried out softly, clutching her forehead, tears welling in her eyes. Inwardly, she grumbled, What a rough man… Hmph~ and here I am, a delicate little beauty.
Still, she obediently murmured, "I understand… Director-sensei."
Click.
The four cultivation pods opened with a hiss.
Noah turned his gaze to Shokuhou Misaki.
For a moment, she froze. Seeing his eyes fixed directly on her, she bit her lip, her face flushing crimson. Her whole body tensed up, curling slightly as she shyly began to lift the hem of her lab coat.
—
—
32 Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon:
Patreon.com/DaoOfHeaven