"Kihara Institute for Pathological Analysis..."
Yuuya looked up at the imposing concrete sign of the research institute and muttered to himself.
"This is the facility responsible for testing student abilities in this district. Takahashi-chan will be tested here," Komoe-sensei said with a smile, walking toward the entrance with light steps.
Yuuya followed behind her, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
The Kihara Institute.
On the surface, it was a respectable medical facility dedicated to studying rare and complex diseases.
In reality, it was one of the core institutions participating in the "Level 6 Shift Project"—the plan to evolve Accelerator into a Level 6 by killing 20,000 clones of Misaka Mikoto.
'It's May 21st. If I remember correctly, the outdoor experiments don't start until August. Right now, they should still be in the early simulation phases or lab tests.'
In his previous life, he would have been powerless to stop the tragedy. But now? He had no intention of letting it continue. He was going to flip the table.
'However, interfering will definitely attract Aleister Crowley's attention.'
The Misaka Sisters were a core part of Aleister's "Plan."
But Yuuya knew the truth: Aleister didn't actually care about making a Level 6. The entire project was a smokescreen. The real goal was to create the Sisters and spread them across the globe to create a worldwide AIM diffusion field.
'If I intervene and take the Sisters away... as long as I don't destroy them, Aleister might just calculate it as a new variable and let it slide. He needs them alive, not necessarily dead by Accelerator's hand.'
The administrative processing for the ability test was quick. Soon, a young female researcher in a white lab coat walked over holding a clipboard.
"I will be in charge of your System Scan. Please follow me to the testing area."
Yuuya stared at the researcher. His eyes widened slightly.
It wasn't because she was beautiful—though she certainly was, in a unique way. It was because he recognized her.
She had wild, curly dark blue-black hair that reached her shoulders. Under her open lab coat, she wore a high school uniform with a skirt that fell below her knees—a rarity in a city of mini-skirts. She had nice legs.
The only unsettling thing was her eyes. They were large, unblinking, and fish-like. When she looked at you, it felt like she was staring at a specimen in a jar.
Shinobu Nunotaba.
A third-year student at Nagatenjouki Academy. A genius in the fields of biology and psychiatry. At the age of fifteen, she had invented the "Testament"—the learning device used to implant knowledge and personality data into the brains of the Misaka Sisters.
The moment Yuuya saw Nunotaba, a detailed plan formed in his mind. A slight smile played on his lips.
'And look at that...'
His gaze drifted to the floating icon above her head.
She was carrying a Silver Treasure Chest.
'Perfect. She can be my tracker.'
"Understood, Senior Researcher."
Yuuya placed his hands behind his head, drooping his eyelids to look as lazy and harmless as possible. He followed Nunotaba to the testing area.
Nunotaba didn't say a word. She moved with mechanical precision, her "dead fish eyes" betraying no emotion. Yuuya shrugged; he didn't expect a warm welcome from someone deep in the dark side of the city.
Inside the testing room.
"Let's begin." Nunotaba looked at Yuuya with an intimidating gaze. Her voice was cold. "Pyrokinesis. Level 2. Common. No research value. This will take ten minutes."
She clearly wanted to get this over with. The institute was short-staffed, and having a genius like her run routine tests on high schoolers was a waste of resources.
Ten minutes later, Yuuya walked out of the institute with his updated ID card in hand. Komoe-sensei was waiting by her pink Beetle.
"Takahashi-chan! How did it go? Is there anywhere else we need to go?" she asked sweetly.
"No need, Sensei. I have some errands to run in the district. Thank you for your help today."
"Okay then! Be careful on your way back!" Komoe waved cheerfully before driving off.
Yuuya looked down at his new System Scan results.
[Takahashi Yuuya]
[Ability: Pyrokinesis]
[Level: 2]
He pursed his lips. "The monthly stipend for a Level 2 is only 30,000 yen (approx $200). Stingy."
Level 0s got practically nothing. Level 4s got comfortable living wages. Level 5s were basically millionaires.
'If I revealed my true power—World Rejecter or the Star Grail—I'd get a Level 5 stipend instantly. But I'd also be locked in a lab for the rest of my life.'
He pocketed the ID.
"Okay. Now we just wait for Shinobu Nunotaba to get off work."
He opened his virtual map and tagged the Silver icon moving inside the Kihara Institute.
To intervene in the Level 6 Shift Project, he needed intel. He needed to know where the labs were, the schedules, and the access codes. And who better to ask than the guilt-ridden creator of the Testament?
"But researchers work late. I have time to kill."
He checked the map for nearby chests in District 7.
"Might as well do some scavenging."
An hour later.
Yuuya sat on a park bench, wiping cold sweat from his forehead. He was panting heavily.
He had just retrieved a Bronze Treasure Chest from... a women's restroom in a shopping mall.
"This system... is going to destroy my reputation before I even conquer the world," he muttered, traumatized.
"I had to sprint like a madman. If the Judgment girls caught me, I'd be socially executed."
He looked at his haul. He had ignored the Common chests and focused on the Iron and Bronze ones.
He had collected 11 Iron Chests and 3 Bronze Chests.
"System. Open all."
[Opening 11 Iron Chests and 3 Bronze Chests...]
[Ding! Reward: Golden Fried Rice (from Cooking Master Boy). Effect: Delicious.]
[Ding! Reward: A failed dish from Food Wars (Totsuki Academy). Effect: Poisonous.]
[Ding! Reward: T-Virus Sample (from Resident Evil). Note: Highly Dangerous.]
[Ding! Reward: Peace Amulet (blessed by Reimu Hakurei). Effect: Minor luck increase.]
[Ding! Reward: AK-47 Assault Rifle + Ammo.]
[Ding! Reward: Lao Gan Ma Chili Sauce (Special Edition).]
...
Yuuya stared at the T-Virus vial in his inventory. 'That's going to stay locked away forever.'
Then, the Bronze rewards appeared.
[Ding! Reward: Thunder Breathing (Total Concentration Breathing). Source: Demon Slayer.]
[Ding! Reward: Gene Repair Serum (One Dose).]
[Ding! Reward: Advanced Hacking Skills (Mastery Level).]
Yuuya's eyes lit up.
"Jackpot."
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