Shokuhou Misaki followed the sound, and although she was heading to another research lab unrelated to her, she encountered no obstacles along the way. Whether it was the staff from her own Third Lab, "Internal Evolution," or those from the Second Lab, "Ideal Ability," if they passed by her, they seemed not to notice her at all, walking straight past.
After taking a little time, Shokuhou Misaki finally reached her destination.
In the specially reinforced training ground, a young girl was wildly brandishing her fists and feet, seemingly practicing martial arts. However, her movements were disorderly, like an ordinary child imitating martial arts from TV, appearing somewhat unfamiliar and stiff... if one ignored the commotion her "practice" caused.
Every punch and kick from the girl stirred up gusts of wind—literally "gusts of wind." Even standing outside the door, Shokuhou Misaki could hear roaring sounds coming from the training ground.
Hokaze Junko was like a human storm!
And the rigid armor plates laid on the floor and surrounding walls would visibly and violently deform, or even shatter outright, if lightly touched by her hands or feet!
The researchers present stood far away, not daring to approach easily.
Before seeing it with her own eyes, Shokuhou Misaki could never have imagined that such slender hands and feet could unleash such terrifying power!
No wonder the vibration and noise generated by the experiment could even carry to the adjacent building.
However, unlike the image in Lin Wuming's memory data, the girl currently had two braids and wore protective goggles to prevent shards from injuring her eyes, making her look somewhat provincial. If one ignored her monstrous strength that could cleave mountains and rocks, the first impression she gave was that of a kind and friendly country girl.
The human storm did not rage for long before it abruptly stopped without warning—the girl on the field collapsed, holding her head, and let out an uncontrollable groan.
The researchers nearby were unfazed, skillfully pushing a stretcher cart forward to attend to her.
Seeing Hokaze Junko in pain, a few frames flashed across Shokuhou Misaki's mind. Although only brief, incomplete fragments, Hokaze Junko in this form was indeed present in Lin Wuming's memory data...
Shokuhou Misaki knew what she had to do.
She walked forward as if no one else was there, forcing the people surrounding the stretcher to move back. She approached Hokaze Junko and looked down at the unfamiliar yet familiar girl who was closing her eyes and trying to endure the pain.
Shokuhou Misaki knew that Hokaze Junko's current symptoms were side effects from overusing her superpower, manifesting as severe headaches.
Coincidentally, this was a symptom she could handle.
"Although it can only temporarily relieve it..." Shokuhou Misaki leaned down and gently touched the forehead of the strange yet familiar girl with her own forehead.
—Just like the scene in the memory data.
"Eh?" The sudden relief from the headache left Hokaze Junko momentarily disoriented.
She opened her eyes and saw the face of another girl, extremely close.
"Ehhh?!!!" After two seconds of stunned silence, Hokaze Junko finally snapped back to reality and shot straight up from the stretcher like a rocket, putting distance between herself and Shokuhou Misaki. "Don't, don't, don't... don't come near me! The power inside me will tear you apart!"
Shokuhou Misaki was startled and couldn't help but roll her eyes, but she didn't pay too much attention to Hokaze Junko's reaction.
"You... you need to cherish your body more. Stop being so reckless and pushing yourself!" Shokuhou Misaki's expression was somewhat absent-minded. "After all... even you yourself belong to me in the future."
"Eh? What... what are you talking about?" Hokaze Junko asked, confused. "Are you... Shokuhou Misaki-san from the Third Lab?"
Shokuhou Misaki brandished the remote control in her hand, offered no explanation, and turned to leave.
The researchers nearby then crowded around: "Hokaze Junko-san, are you alright?"
"Huh? How did you... recover so fast this time?"
No one noticed Shokuhou Misaki, who had already left the lab.
Hokaze Junko felt a strange sensation, opening her mouth but not knowing what to say.
Noticing the researchers surrounding her, she quickly waved her arms to stop them from coming closer: "Don't come near me anymore! My power will hurt you!"
Hearing the girl's shouts from inside the laboratory, Shokuhou Misaki slightly narrowed her eyes, her sparkling pupils seeming to truly shimmer with light.
"Verification... successful. At least this part of Lin Wuming's memory data is true!" Shokuhou Misaki licked her lips, a fire igniting in her heart. "Then... what about the other parts? Can they also be considered true? I need to verify them further..."
"Also," Shokuhou Misaki mused as she walked forward, "The last contact only gave me partial information. I need to find another opportunity to meet with Lin Wuming~"
—First, I should go make friends with those kids in the Second Lab.
Shokuhou Misaki thought—and Ayu Mitsuari, too. After I stole her chance for promotion, she seems to visit the Second Lab often. I should also try to get along with her~
...
Meanwhile, Lin Wuming followed Yomikawa Aiho to her residence. It was a 4LDK apartment on the 13th floor of Building 2 in the "Family Side" specialized dormitory for Judgment officers in District 7. For a single woman's residence, it was quite spacious and luxurious.
According to Yomikawa Aiho's introduction, this apartment complex also served as an architectural field experiment site and had signed cooperation agreements with several universities and research facilities, thus offering a substantial discount on rent. Furthermore, the various security systems within the building were new verification models not yet released to the market and would be replaced irregularly.
Therefore, even local residents couldn't necessarily know precisely what kind or model of security devices were installed in the apartment.
In terms of security, it was absolutely flawless.
Not only that, but many of the indoor furnishings and appliances were also the latest models developed by various research labs, specifically placed in the apartment to collect user experience feedback.
"To put it bluntly," Yomikawa Aiho said, pointing to the high-tech equipment inside the room, "Our situation is essentially no different from your previous one; we're all serving as 'lab rats' for those research facilities."
Lin Wuming was unconcerned: "The entire Academy City is one giant laboratory. There's nothing to worry about."
"That's true," Yomikawa Aiho nodded. She wasn't one to fuss over details either. "In any case, starting today, this is your home, Wuming-kun. Make yourself comfortable and please start your new life well!"
"Yes, please take care of me from now on," Lin Wuming said, bowing slightly from his wheelchair.