There are only fifty eight space type espers in Academy City. Among them, only nineteen can transport multiple objects, and only seven can move objects heavier than their own body weight.
It seems that spatial abilities are rare in any world.
Although Dimensional Array Shangri La cannot perform continuous multi target teleportation, as long as the user has sufficient stamina, it can move to any location on Earth that has been marked.
"There are still about twenty one star cards in this area. I might as well test spatial teleportation while collecting them."
Ye Fei looked at the Teigu in his hand that resembled a pocket watch and stroked his chin thoughtfully.
When Shangri La was pressed against a wall, a glowing pattern resembling the Eight Trigrams briefly appeared before fading away.
This was a spatial marker. By activating Shangri La, one could instantly teleport to any marked location, or transfer a nearby target to another marker.
Ye Fei's eyes brightened. If he marked key locations throughout Academy City, it would give him a massive advantage whether escaping or engaging in battle.
Without hesitation, he began collecting cards throughout the alleys, leaving a spatial marker in every other alleyway. His stamina drained rapidly, and after placing around thirty markers, he was nearly exhausted.
"I can't keep going. The mission is long and the road ahead is far," Ye Fei sighed, leaning against a wall as fatigue washed over him.
An hour later, after thoroughly sweeping all the alleys containing cards, he had collected over thirty cards. Aside from a pile of useless items, he had also obtained some valuable rewards.
A silver spatial ring of unknown origin, containing a five by five by five meter storage space. It could store items extracted from cards in the future.
Five Ability Crystals with no side effects. Unfortunately, these crystals could only raise an ability up to Level 4 at most. No matter how many were consumed beyond that point, reaching Level 5 would remain impossible.
The gap between Level 5 and Level 4 is as vast as the difference between a human and a god. No matter how many Level 4 espers there are, they cannot overwhelm a Level 5. Meanwhile, a Level 5 can wipe out numerous Level 4s with a single move.
The reason lies in the strength of a Level 5's AIM Diffusion Field. It exists on an entirely different scale. For example, Shirai Kuroko's teleportation is extremely versatile and can even move objects inside another person's body. Yet such tricks are ineffective against a Level 5.
Unless someone possesses an ability that specifically interferes with AIM diffusion, defeating a higher level opponent is nearly impossible.
Of course, relying on external equipment is a different matter.
As for the AIM Diffusion Field, it is the faint energy emitted by all espers that blankets Academy City, detectable only by advanced instruments.
Publicly, this is the explanation given by the Board Chairman. In reality, it is connected to an artificial phase known as the Imaginary Number District that envelops Academy City.
Aside from these extraordinary items, he also obtained several smoke grenades and extended pistol magazines. Against ordinary espers, those could be lethal.
"From here on, my peaceful life is about to be completely disrupted. Things are going to get interesting."
Ye Fei smiled as he looked at the six Ability Crystals in his hand.
"System, do I just eat this directly? It's so big it looks like it would crack my teeth."
"Simply bite and swallow. It will have the hardness of ordinary candy," the system replied.
"That makes sense. If it were truly as hard as it looks, Mugino Shizuri wouldn't have been able to chew it so easily."
Ye Fei picked up one crystal, bit down, crushed it into powder, and swallowed.
Suddenly, his heart began pounding at an astonishing speed. A mysterious force surged toward his brain. His ears rang loudly, and cold sweat poured down his back, soaking through his shirt.
The summer heat of Academy City was already oppressive, but now it felt as though he were being boiled alive.
About ten minutes later, the effects subsided.
His mind felt sharper than ever. The range of his telekinetic perception expanded from thirty centimeters around his body to a full two meters. He had not yet tested weight limits, so he was unsure of the exact increase in strength.
"So this is Level 3. It's completely different. I'll continue until I reach Level 4."
Feeling his power surge, Ye Fei consumed another crystal.
The same racing heartbeat. The same overwhelming sensation.
Half an hour later, his telekinetic range had expanded to over one hundred meters. As for weight control, he had not measured the limit, but he was certain his Telekinesis had developed numerous new applications. Shattering the wall in front of him would now be effortless.
"There's one left. I'll save it. It won't help anymore if I keep taking them."
Ye Fei placed the remaining crystal into his spatial ring with satisfaction.
He had only obtained the system recently, yet he had already advanced to high level esper status. His future looked bright.
"Next, I need a plan. If I remember correctly, the outdoor experiment of the Absolute Ability Evolution Project will take place tonight, tomorrow, or within the next few evenings."
Ye Fei recalled the timeline clearly. Today was May 20. The outdoor phase of that insane project was scheduled for the end of May. And now, it was already late May.
At last, he had the confidence to step into the murky waters of Academy City's dark side.
"First, I'll visit Komoe-sensei and apply for an ability measurement to confirm my level."
Thinking through his next steps, Ye Fei walked out of the alley now devoid of cards.
"Hey. That bastard is still here. Stop right there."
"It's the boss."
As soon as he stepped out, he ran into the same six delinquents he had beaten earlier. Pain relief patches covered their faces, and they pointed at him angrily.
"Hmph. Want another beating? Or did you bring some powerful backup?" Ye Fei said coldly.
"So you're the one who beat up my underlings?" A high school girl wearing a tracksuit and a ponytail, exuding delinquent energy, stepped forward.
"What, you want to fight? Hurry up. I'm in a rush."
Ye Fei raised an eyebrow. So this was their female leader from the original storyline. If he remembered correctly, her ability was a Level 3 Meltdowner type field, though far weaker than the real one.
"What did my people do to offend you?" the boss asked coolly, pretending to be reasonable.
"They tried to steal a girl's wallet. I just taught them a lesson."
"What?"
Her expression darkened. She turned around and slapped each of the six underlings hard across the face.
"You idiots actually targeted a girl's wallet?"
"But, but it was that brat who started it first."
Smack.
Another heavy slap.
"Are you tired of living? You dare talk back?"
"That's quite reasonable. I'll be going now."
Ye Fei turned to leave, only to be stopped.
"It's my responsibility if my underlings made a mistake. But it's also my responsibility that you disciplined them. We'll settle this properly."
Her eyes sharpened as the atmosphere grew tense once more.