In this Academy City, known for its high-tech focus, the topic of espers never goes out of style. And among them, the eight Level 5s who stand at the very top are always the city's center of attention.
Somewhere in School District 7.
"Hmhmhm... hmhm..."
Humming to herself, pop—the sound of a soda can opening—Misaka Mikoto leaned against the overpass railing, looking quite cheerful.
But the next moment—
"You're really cute, you know." A delinquent-looking man, with several black cords wrapped around his hand, placed it on the railing beside her and grinned at the chestnut-haired girl before him.
"Yeah, how about big brother takes you out to play?" another thug said, snickering as he blocked her path.
"Yeah, come on, let's play."
In an instant, several delinquents surrounded the girl.
At this moment, the No.4 ranked Level 5 esper—the Railgun herself—was being cornered by a group of petty delinquents.
Truly, she had a physique that irresistibly attracted trouble. Selene had never once run into delinquents picking a fight with her before.
People nearby whispered among themselves but, afraid of getting involved, quickly called Judgment and hurried away.
A faint look of exasperation crossed Misaka Mikoto's eyes. What a bunch of idiots... She sighed softly. "This city really never lets you get bored."
...
"Total population: 2.3 million. Among them, 80% are students—that is Academy City."
Inside a tour bus marked with a poster reading {For Next Year's Academy City Applicants: Academy City Observation Tour}, the tour guide was cheerfully introducing the city to a group of children.
"Gathering the most cutting-edge scientific technology—in other words, this is one massive experimental city."
"It's said that Academy City's technology is twenty to thirty years ahead of the rest of the world."
"Question! What does everyone here study?"
"Esper powers!" the children answered in unison.
"To protect these precious children, Academy City has a perfect public security system. Parents can rest assured..."
"Ah!"
Suddenly, a flash of lightning streaked across the sky. The tour bus screeched to a halt as the tour guide lost her balance.
"Ow... what was that... the traffic light...?"
...
In a deserted alleyway of District 7, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed. A brown-haired man wearing a white knit cap was running desperately.
"Damn it, what bad luck... What the hell was that monster?"
Suddenly, a voice came from above. "Please stop."
Before the man could react, someone pinned him to the ground.
The one restraining him was a girl with twin chestnut ponytails, wearing Tokiwadai's beige cardigan and gray pleated skirt uniform, with a red ribbon around her collar. A green armband with white stripes and a shield insignia was fastened around her arm.
She was a member of Judgment.
"I'm from Judgment. The report said the suspect was you, correct?"
With a refined tone that carried a touch of nobility, Shirai Kuroko smoothed her hair and spoke elegantly.
After cuffing the man to a nearby pipe with Judgment's special non-metallic handcuffs, Shirai hurried toward the next area.
Turning a corner, she stopped sharply and announced smartly, "Judgment! I received a report and came to assist. Please do not resist unnecessarily."
But the scene before her didn't seem to require her intervention.
The entire alley was smoking faintly, filled with a light burnt odor. Sparks of electricity still crackled along the ground, and all the delinquents were lying there, twitching.
"Uh... this is... Onee-sama!"
Before long, the delinquents were taken away by Anti-Skill.
On the way back to Tokiwadai, Shirai Kuroko immediately began lecturing Misaka Mikoto.
"Honestly, how many times must I say it before you understand? Maintaining Academy City's security is our job as Judgment members! Acting on your own causes us a lot of trouble..."
"Are you even listening, Onee-sama?"
Mikoto looked visibly irritated. "I'm telling you, I couldn't help it! I had already finished things before you guys arrived."
"If an unlicensed student causes trouble, the higher-ups will take notice, you know," Shirai reminded kindly.
"Well, then there's no problem at all. If something comes up, just go ask Selene for help. Isn't she technically your 'higher-up' anyway?" Misaka Mikoto said nonchalantly, walking straight toward a vending machine.
Since the year-end exams last year, Selene and Misaka Mikoto had interacted a few times. In any case, Misaka had a better impression of Selene than of the other Level 5 from Tokiwadai.
As Shirai Kuroko watched with growing alarm, she began to stammer, "Onee-sama, you can't just—"
"Hey-ha!" Mikoto spun and delivered a sharp side kick, the angle exceeding ninety degrees, slamming directly into the vending machine.
Her safety shorts were clearly visible, prompting Shirai Kuroko to crouch down and cover her face in disappointment. "Honestly, Onee-sama, wearing something so tasteless under your skirt again..."
"Pff—cough, cough! What are you looking at?! These are practical and warm!" Mikoto blushed furiously.
Woo~ woo~
Noticing the sound of approaching alarm sirens, Shirai Kuroko quickly grabbed Misaka Mikoto and teleported them away before the security robots arrived.
On a rooftop, the two glanced at the large oval airship drifting above the city, its display showing a notice for the upcoming physical examinations.
"Oh right, today's the physical checkups."
With that, they hurried back toward Tokiwadai's campus.
...
Tokiwadai Middle School.
At this moment, the students were undergoing their routine semesterly physical examination.
On the sports field—
"Record: 78 meters, 23 centimeters. Deviation from the target position: 54 centimeters. Overall evaluation: Level 4, high-level esper."
A girl wearing a sleeveless Tokiwadai sports top with her chestnut twin-tails tied neatly let out a long sigh as she stared at the line marking her test spot.
"A deviation of fifty-four centimeters... My state really isn't great today. I guess the Judgment work yesterday affected me."
The girl was none other than Shirai Kuroko of Judgment.
Just as she finished her test and was about to leave, a teasing voice called out from the side.
"Ohohoho... So many excuses. It seems you don't have much talent after all, Shirai Kuroko."
Just my luck... Upon hearing that familiar tone, Shirai sighed again in helplessness.
Turning around, she found herself face-to-face with a girl wearing the same Tokiwadai sports uniform. Her silky black hair, smooth to the point of seeming unnatural, reached her waist. Her figure was outstanding for her age, and her neatly cut hime-style bangs framed her face elegantly. Holding a green Japanese-style folding fan before her mouth, she laughed softly as her eyes glinted mischievously.
"Kongou Mitsuko..."
"Looks like I'll be the one to reach Level 5 before you, Shirai Kuroko," Kongou said with a small laugh, her tone filled with playful provocation.
"Hmph, please don't compare my ability to yours," Shirai shot back sharply despite her irritation. "Besides, the method of spatial comprehension in three-dimensional versus eleven-dimensional coordinates is fundamentally different."
"I've never liked your arrogant attitude since you were a first-year, you know?" Kongou continued, ignoring her words entirely. "Once I become Tokiwadai's ace—"
"This girl..." Shirai clenched her fists helplessly, her face full of frustration. "She never listens to a single thing other people say."
Just then, a loud explosion suddenly erupted from the swimming pool area behind Tokiwadai. The ground trembled violently. Kongou lost her footing mid-sentence and fell flat onto the track. As the crowd gasped in shock, a towering water column—several dozen meters high—shot straight into the air.
"W-what happened?!" Kongou exclaimed, rubbing her head in confusion.
"You probably don't know yet since you only transferred into second year this term," Shirai Kuroko said, unable to suppress a proud smile. "The one being tested at the pool right now is Tokiwadai's ace."
"The fourth-ranked Level 5—Railgun!"
"If it weren't for the pool water cushioning the blast, the destructive power couldn't even be measured properly."
Watching the water rise again, Shirai smiled smugly at Kongou and asked, "Do you have the resolve to take that kind of hit head-on?"
Kongou fell silent. Her eyes were fixed on the enormous water column as it rose and fell, utterly speechless.
As for why Tokiwadai's ace was Misaka Mikoto instead of Selene—
One important reason was the joint petition from several other prestigious academies, including long-time rival Nagatenjouki Academy and other schools within the School Garden alliance.
They didn't want Tokiwadai to use Selene as a promotional tool again. Once was enough; if it happened again, they'd all lose their competitive edge. The Board of Directors, who also didn't want Tokiwadai to dominate the School Garden, approved the proposal.
Thus, Tokiwadai's ace became Misaka Mikoto—
While Selene became Academy City's ace.
...
Swimming pool.
The chestnut-haired girl idly tossed a coin up and down in her hand.
The mechanical voice of the recording system echoed through the air.
"Record: Projectile initial velocity—approximately 1,030 meters per second. Consecutive firing rate—eight rounds per minute. Impact dispersion—18.9 millimeters. Overall evaluation: Level 5, esper."
"Hmm... Slight improvement." The girl flipped another coin casually. Under the sunlight, it gleamed golden.
"But why do I have to do these promotional events? Couldn't Selene or that guy do it instead?"
...
Meanwhile, in District 2, inside the Schicksal Research Institute, the Level 5 examinations were also underway.
"Test complete."
As the mechanical voice finished, Selene snapped her fingers lightly. The portals suspended in midair slowly vanished.
"Support ability record: Maximum individual portal diameter—approximately 501 meters. Longest linear teleportation distance—9,121 meters. Maximum simultaneous portal control—645 units. Volume restriction applies; no mass or quantity limit."
"Extension abilities: Healing, Void Explosion, Invisibility, Phasing..."
"Offensive capability record: Extremely high destructive output. Severe injury or fatality rate—critical..."
"[Bank] record updated."
"Overall evaluation: Level 5."
"Important reminder: Do not use large-scale offensive abilities within Academy City! Do not—"
As the fragmented mechanical warning continued, Selene's lips curved into a faint smile.
"So... it's about to begin."