If the research is thorough, it can be used to give to the girls in the Great Tree Village Each of us has the opportunity to awaken exclusive superpowers just like awakening exclusive magic through grace.
However, as ordinary people in the forbidden world understand, the common belief that superpowers are purely scientific products is not entirely accurate. The truth is more nuanced. It is not that science created superpowers, but rather that science discovered them. This distinction, though subtle at first glance, carries profound implications about the nature of human potential and the world itself.
In reality, among those who possess superpowers, there exists a category known as "raw stones." These individuals do not gain their abilities through artificial or technological means. Instead, their powers are naturally awakened, triggered by environmental factors or conditions that remain only partially understood. The mere existence of such individuals stands as undeniable proof that superpowers are not solely the result of human intervention or experimentation, but something more intrinsic and deeply rooted in existence itself.
This leads to an intriguing conclusion. What many consider the domain of science begins to overlap with what was once thought to belong exclusively to the realm of the occult. In other words, a branch of occultism seems to emerge naturally from the scientific skill tree, as if the two were never truly separate to begin with.
Moreover, when scientists in the forbidden world attempted to trace the origin of these abilities and determine where they reside, their findings only deepened the mystery. After extensive research, they arrived at a conclusion that was both fascinating and unsettling:
[It appears that these powers are contained within the human body itself—within something that might be described as a soul.]
What a startling realization.
It suddenly becomes easier to understand why people often say that the ultimate destination of science is theology. And yet, in this case, science has not even reached its endpoint, and already the banner of occultism is being raised high, as though waiting patiently for science to catch up.
Even so, none of this discourages Noa from exploring the nature of superpowers further. On the contrary, it only piques his curiosity. The intersection between science and the supernatural is far too interesting to ignore, especially for someone like him, who now has access to knowledge and resources beyond ordinary comprehension.
"It just so happened that I had nothing to do in the end, so I'll just treat it as a way to pass the time," Noa muttered casually, though the faint glimmer in his eyes betrayed a deeper interest.
Then, Noa returned to the village lord's mansion to prepare for bed.
As for research? That could wait. Life was meant to be enjoyed, after all, and there was no urgency pressing upon him. With everything now within reach, there was no need to rush. Opportunities would come, and when they did, he would be ready.
Meanwhile, elsewhere, Misaka Mikoto found herself once again standing at the entrance of the same alley where she had disappeared before being transported to the Great Tree Village. The familiar surroundings grounded her, yet everything felt subtly different, as though she herself had changed.
She glanced around, taking in the ordinary sights of her world—the dim lighting, the distant hum of the village, the faint echo of footsteps—and could not help but sigh in amazement.
"It's incredible that something like that could actually happen to me," she murmured, her voice tinged with disbelief.
At this point, she had already accepted the reality of the Great Tree Village. There was no denying it anymore. Setting aside everything else, the sheer scale of spatial transportation alone was enough to prove that what she experienced was real. Such a feat far exceeded anything she had encountered in her own world.
At the same time, she couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude. Out of countless possibilities, she had been the one to stumble upon such an extraordinary opportunity. It was the kind of adventure people could only dream of.
Of course, there was another, far more immediate reason for her appreciation.
The food.
The cuisine in the Great Tree Village was nothing short of extraordinary. In a world where food itself seemed to be a central theme, every dish was crafted with a level of care and mastery far beyond what she was accustomed to. Compared to the meals of her everyday life, the difference was like night and day.
What truly set it apart, however, were the ingredients. The produce and materials found within the Great Tree Village were of a completely different caliber—richer, fresher, and imbued with qualities that elevated them several levels above ordinary ingredients. When prepared, they resulted in dishes that felt almost magical.
Each bite had left a lasting impression on her senses, as though she had experienced the pinnacle of flavor itself. It was, without exaggeration, the most delicious food she had ever tasted.
And perhaps that was why she now felt so lighthearted.
Food, after all, has always been more than mere sustenance. It has the power to soothe the mind and heal the spirit. After indulging in such a satisfying meal, Misaka Mikoto found herself feeling genuinely relaxed and content, her earlier worries fading into the background.
For now, at least, everything felt just right.