Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 09/Chapter 1

Title - Chapter 1: 炎天下の中での開始合図　Commence_Hostilities.

Volume 09

Previous Chapter → Prologue

Next Chapter → 2

Part 1
The St. George’s Cathedral in London.

This building is somewhat too big to be called a church, and too small to be called a Cathedral. Inside this construct that’s unimpressive in a certain sense, the leader of the British Puritans, the Archbishop Laura Stuart, is standing around leisurely.

Right now, it is 9am in Japan, and in England, which uses the world standard clock, it’s midnight now. Although this is the capital of a country, there’s a sense of tranquility around Laura, which can even be described as serious. Under the gentle night and the cooling night breeze, the day came to a close.

She’s alone inside the church, where the candle lights are blown out.

Laura sets a chair in front of the altar and sits on it. She’s wearing a simple nun’s robe that has a pure white base colour, with recognizable coloured threads like black, red, green, purple, gold and silver woven into pictures. Besides that, her clothes are covered in decorative cloth used for higher-order clergymen. This is formal attire worn when she’s visiting other people.

Christian society is like any ordinary culture; clothing is a method used to declare the person’s identity and position. Although it sounds serious, it’s like how tall a chef’s hat is or a student’s uniform, or anything that signifies status.

For someone like Laura, who’s different from normal nuns, she has to prepare different sets of nuns’ robes according to the season, time, location, occasion, position on the matter, and ambition. Sometimes she’ll purposely wear clothes that indicate a lower standing in order to raise the status of the guest; sometimes she’ll purposely wear clothes that indicate a higher standing to show her dissatisfaction…there’s a lot of ways to do this that are really complicated and troublesome.

(In front of God, everyone’s an equal brother…is it? This statement is rather impressive.)

The Archbishop can’t help but scoff regarding things like stand and status. Laura feels that it’s too cumbersome to do all these. Her graceful look doesn’t just rely solely on her clothes.

The most noticeable thing about her is her golden hair that’s 2.5 times the length of her body. She normally clips her hair, but she doesn’t do so this time. The fluffy hair that’s released hangs over her shoulders and goes all the way down, with the remaining part lying on the floor.

Laura, who’s sitting on the chair, places an entire set of gold and silver combs on her legs. She selects one from the pile of combs, which has different teeth length, width and spacing, and carefully lets her hair go past the comb like the strings of a harp. It’s impossible to reach the end of her hair, that’s even longer than her height, just by stretching her hands. So Laura gracefully pulls the hair nearer with her hands.

Suddenly, she accidentally dropped her comb. Her golden hair faithfully demonstrates this by flapping up and down, like waves near a beach.

After combing all her hair through once, she changes to another one, and after that’s done, changes to another one. She continues to do this, as if the order of the combs used is very important.

Shining on her hair is the moonlight passing through the window and the LCD display on the altar.

The set up of the screen and the communication equipment, which were already there, was done at the last minute by an organization based in Academy City that has associates in London.

This is supposed to be Stiyl’s job, but he’s not in England now.

Kanzaki Kaori said several times that ‘this is something similar to a mobile phone,’ and tried to connect this brand new gadget. But she just sat down and analyzed the instruction manual before staring back like an abandoned puppy.

“What are you doing?”

A displeased voice came from the screen. It’s hard to tell whether that voice belongs to a man or a woman, a child or an adult, a Saint or a criminal. Laura did not turn to look at where the voice came from. Besides, the one appearing on the screen should be a ‘man’ floating upside down in fluid.

The General Director of Academy City, Aleister.

Laura, whose extremely long hair hangs down from her shoulders, quietly says,

“Don’t you know? I’m combing my hair. A man shouldn’t be seeing a woman doing make-up.”

She chuckles,

“Several centuries ago, among the English Noblewomen, there are methods to scorch their hair by either using the sun or the moon. The best-looking blonde hair is called the ‘Sun’s hair’, and it’s the greatest virtue for one to accomplish this. Isn’t it stylish to do this without the need of dyes?”

Laura tries to stifle her laughter, but there’s no response from the screen.

She twists her neck and looks at the LCD screen.

“What’s wrong? To remain silent while I'm talking with you……”

There’s no response from the screen.

Just when Laura’s feeling puzzled, a voice came from the other side.

“No……actually, I’ve been trying to ask you something.”

“Hm?”

''“To be honest, your Japanese sounds really weird. Or are you treating me as an idiot by saying this? Which one is it?”''

Laura stopped what she was doing.

The comb that’s gliding through her hair slightly trembles.

“You……you……do you know what you’re talking about!? There’s no need to talk about etiquette with a man who doesn’t believe in God, just some simple words is enough for you!”

''“I see……if you prefer to use such a special accent, it’s alright. What I’m trying to say is that if you’re really frustrated about this, I can send a Japanese teacher to teach you the language. I am the one who ruled over knowledge after all!”''

“Uu! I’m not bothered by it! Why would I bother about a language used by a small country in the Far East?”

Laura, who’s combing through her hair quickly, loudly declares.

There’s no response from the screen, and there are no bystanders as the sound of Laura combing her hair quickly echoes throughout the hall.

After a while, Aleister seemed like he wants to change the topic, and says,

''“However, why do you want to comb your hair in front of the guest? Shouldn’t you have done it before having a conversation?”''

Although she doesn’t like this topic, Laura feels that at least they can break away from the original topic, as her tone and attitude seems calmer than before.

“There’s no time. Actually, night is the time when women are in their bedrooms doing their make-up. Please don’t mind me doing this during our conversation.”

''“Hmm, I guess that’s the result of the ‘Sun’s hair’ that you talked about, right? The myth about the moonlight should be a superstition, but the myth about the sun is actually due to the ultraviolet rays that caused the hair to lose colour pigments. This is probably an idea gained from books fading in colour due to overexposure to the sun. But I’ll give you some advice……you’ll get hair loss!”''

“………This is rather rude when we’re still developing our diplomatic relations.”

Laura looks away. The hair that’s lying on the floor like a rug is reflecting light from the LCD screen. The shiny hair that’s carefully combed through with the gold and silver combs now reflects other colours like red and blue.

She again mutters, “So rude.”

“I have informed you earlier the reason why I wanted to contact you, so let me confirm it again. Also, I would like to thank you for agreeing to our unreasonable request.”

''“If you’re talking about the time difference, there’s no need to worry about it. This is the time when we start our work anyway.”''

“What I want to say is that it’s rude of us to interrupt you when you’re doing your work.”

Laura looks at her hair that’s reflecting light, and says,

“It seems like the opening ceremony is under way. As the leader, shouldn’t you go up to the stage and say hello to them?”

“……Do you think I can let people see me like this?”

“Hoho, you’re right, this isn’t appropriate for the occasion.”

At this moment, Laura turns to look at the LCD screen on the altar.

There’s a person floating upside-down inside a transparent cylindrical tank that’s filled with red liquid. No matter how one sees it, it’s unsuitable for this person, who’s wearing a green labcoat, to appear in public like that.

Also, he’ll be able to remain in this state for a thousand years (maybe, since Laura isn’t sure about the exact details). People will find that there’s something wrong if he were to appear in public quite often. Of course, he’ll have to change his looks and name if he’s to do this.

Laura Stuart’s actual age doesn’t match her looks as well, but she’s not the type that’ll look at others who are learning from their mistakes and laugh at them.

“Then I'll go on, if you don’t mind. I'll give a short summary of this, for I don’t have much time left.”

A sigh came from the LCD screen.

“……Is it regarding someone who invaded Academy City?”

Um.

Laura nods her head.

“Right now, you’re unable to identify the invaders from the visitors. It’s impossible to carry out security checks smoothly because you people have to accommodate ordinary civilians.”

Laura is rather familiar with this. During a large-scale gathering like a worship or Christmas celebration, if they want to use tight, almost foolproof security to protect the people, the people’s actions will have to be limited, and it’ll affect the proceedings of the events severely. In order not to delay the proceedings of the events, they have to give a certain amount of ‘freedom’.

“The magicians seemed to have taken this opportunity to attack Academy City when there’s a hole they can thread into. According to our reports, there are two confirmed invaders. One is an important member of the Roman Catholic Church, and the other is a transporter that she hired.”

''“A transporter? Let me confirm this, is she here to destroy and do battle?”''

“Yes. The name of the transporter is Oriana Thompson, and the one who hired her is Lidvia Lorenzetti. They’re trying to buy a certain good.”

Laura grabs a bundle of notes that’s lying beside the LCD screen, and waves it in front of screen. The words are very small, but since the other party is from Academy City, which boasts the use of technology unknown to the outside world, he won’t use words like ‘I can’t see clearly’ so easily.

“First, Oriana Thompson. As her name indicates, she’s born in England, but she’s probably now Italian. She’s known as the ‘Tracking sealer’, a top-notch courier in the magical world. This woman’s ability is that she’s able to run and hide, and that she’s able to get away from pursuers even if they find her.”

More accurately, Oriana is a woman who will do anything to get away from her pursuers. Also, nobody is able to keep track of her actions. Even when they are prepared, she’ll still be able to get away. Oriana Thompson is a magician with many spells at her disposal, and she’ll destroy bridges, create fires, set up many talismans to get her pursuers off her. Also, she’s a beauty who will sometimes use this weakness of humans.

One can imagine from Oriana’s original British nationality how many times she clashed with the British Puritans while she was in London. While ‘Necessarius’ was pursuing Oriana, they were stopped by many people who have no links with magic, claiming to be her ‘best friend.’ She’s not just a battle berserker, she knows how to use a ‘human wall’ formed by the crowd and slip inside.

“Next, Lidvia Lorenzetti, a radical among the Roman Catholics, also known as ‘Mardi Gras’. She’s known for evangelising to the people that the Church rejected, and got some converts to further carry out evangelism.”

She’s different from Oriana, and is a Roman Catholic born in the Vatican. She’s in a very high position, but never ‘tried to aim higher’. Instead, she finds spreading the gospel to the world much more meaningful. She’s a person ‘who’ll do anything to spread the Word’. As a reward, the pope himself specially gave her a platinum staff that is decorated with silk, but she immediately sold it without thinking to finance her travels.

Those that were ‘saved’ by Lidvia, and who want to ‘save even more people’, are geniuses who had never seen the light of day, and most of them were people like criminals and cult believers. Lidvia’s talent is in finding these talents that will normally be executed.

Not only does she have the ability to find hidden talent, she’s also able to control and manage problematic people.

Even if it’s the Roman Catholics, who’ll kill any sinner that they meet and burn any non-believer, they can’t formally attack anyone who’s properly recognised as converted. To the higher-ups who hate these problematic people, they view Lidvia as a thorn in their side. And to the Archbishop Laura, she’s a formidable opponent.

If she’s just brazenly raising magicians, the British Puritans can still stop them; but they’ll be seen as evil if she’s teaching them about the Bible and the gospel as well.

''“They’re rather prominent in your world, huh? I’ve never heard of them before. Who’s the guy they’re dealing with?”''

“It’s unknown as of now. Right now, the biggest suspect is Bishop Nikolai Tolstoy of the Russian Church.”

Although Nikolai isn’t as extreme as the Roman Catholics to abandon ‘the non-believers’, he’s known as a cunning man who’ll reap the benefits in an argument between two parties.

“Then, the good that they’re delivering…can you tell me what it is?”

“If I don’t tell you the name and the item, you guys probably won’t be able to find it, right?”

Laura’s gaze leaves the screen of the monitor as she says “Coming!” She raises ‘something’ that was placed on the ground.

“Is that a sword?”

“It’s just a duplicate that I borrowed from the British Museum. Like as how you see it, however, there are no magical effects.”

The sword that Laura is holding is made of marble. It’s 1.5m long, and the width…of the cross-guard is 35cm on both sides, making it 70cm wide. It’s about 10cm thick. As it is a duplicate, there’s no blade. Instead, the edge of the sword is as sharp as a sharpened pencil.

“It’s called the ‘Stab Sword. I can’t explain its effect, but it’s said to be able to slay a dragon in half and stitch it to the ground. It’s magical value and effect is enormous. If it’s successfully delivered, we’ll be in immediate trouble. Britain herself may end up being involved in a war.”

The ‘Stab Sword’ is a spiritual weapon that can take down the ‘pillar’ that’s extremely important to a Christian sect. Once they destroy the ‘pillar’, the surrounding enemies will take advantage when the sect is weakened and attack them in one go.

The ‘pillar’ refers to the ‘Saints’ in Christianity.

The ‘Stab Sword’ can utterly destroy the Saints, who have combat capabilities and powers equivalent to that of a nuclear bomb.

“Mm, it’s like that tactical weapon that your side developed.”

Aleister looks at the sword in question through the screen, and says,

''“Would you mind explaining what the error is if this sword is used in Academy City? According to the situation, it seems that we have to evacuate ordinary civilians.”''

“You don’t have to worry. This is a weapon that can only be used on the magic side. There won’t be any effects if it’s used on your side.”

“I see. If you can give us its structure and origin, we can come up with some strategies.”

“Oh, the citizens of the science world can plan against magic? Don’t tell me there’s a magician hidden among you guys?”

“……”

“……”

Both sides remained silent. The tension is like thin yet sharp threads that are tied all over the place, as if they’ll break when there’s even the slightest movement, like breathing. But there’s no sign of anxiety, as one might even think that they’re enjoying it.

Like she just snapped those taut strings with a ‘Pow’ sound, Laura starts to speak in a cheery tone.

“Let’s not do these useless limitations, time is really precious.”

She shakes her head, and the hair that extends onto the floor like a rug starts to shake slightly.

“The biggest problem is that the deal involving the ‘Stab Sword’ is in Academy City.”

''“The enemy should also be clear about this. Letting British Puritan magicians into our territory…we can’t possibly make that exception.”''

If they give an exception to the British Puritans and allow them in, other groups will request to ‘give them the permit’. Not all the people are well-intentioned. Among them, some might even sneak into Academy City and do all sorts of sabotage work.

The original circumstances are already quite troublesome. If they are to add more fire-starters to the mix, nobody will know how it will develop. Especially since it’s Daihasei now, with so many civilians and the media around, Aleister wants to prevent any chaos from taking place, let alone a tragedy.

A similar situation happened when an alchemist took over ‘Misawa Cram School’. At that time, Academy City once hired the British Puritans and the Roman Catholics to stop Aureolus Izzard from going out of control.

But the circumstances are different now.

It’s Daihasei now, there are many civilians from ‘outside’ Academy City. If Aleister were to propose that ‘we’ll decide who’ll settle the problem that happens in our city’, and the other party proposes that ‘There are tourists from our country, so we’ll protect our citizens’, it’ll create lots and lots of chaos.

Of course, there’s a difference in power among these organisations.

Academy City, as the leader of the science world, has a base difference in ability compared to many small forces of the magical world. So there will be differences in the influence, but they can’t suppress the other party just like that.

Once they reject the proposal from the small groups of the magic world, larger groups will come up with excuses to go with their requests. Even if they can reject their suggestions, other large groups will speak up. As this continues, the problem will snowball, ending up with the magic side facing off against the science side.

Daihasei is already an event that the world is watching out for.

It probably won’t even take a day for the problem to develop.

“Even so, if any resident of Academy City is to beat a magician, it’ll cause a problem as well.”

Both the science and magic sides have their own interests and responsibilities. Once the security forces of Academy City aren't careful when they capture the magicians, it’ll create the risk of unauthorised access to the other side.

''“Those guys really thought of everything. Even if we are to sense that something is amiss, we can’t just go and attack the enemy without expecting any reservations. With this, they can just focus on the deal.”''

“But what if we give up now? Wouldn’t we have nothing on them?”

Laura stands up.

The overly long hair of hers won’t leave the floor just like that.

The set of gold and silver combs on her lap falls onto the ground.

However, Laura never even bothered looking at them.

“Since you are hosting ordinary civilians, I assume there’s no problem if people from our side are to go in on a holiday, right?”

Hearing her serious tone, the man on the monitor screen chuckles,

''“Let’s see…even if we disguise it as a holiday tour, if all the members are from the British Puritan Church, we’ll have a headache. Once anyone finds out that it’s a planned action by some organisation, we’ll have to accept the rumour that ‘the Church has already invaded Academy City’. But if we limit it to a single person…and that person happens to have friendly relations with some residents of Academy City, we might be able to confuse them.”''

Aleister happily whistles, and quips,

“……O, so now, we’ll just have to use that boy as a guide then.”

Part 2
It’s 10:30am

The opening ceremony is finally over.

“It’s too hot……”

Ordinary high school student Kamijo Touma stands on the football field. This seemed to be a facility affiliated to a sports school that’s dedicated to social activities. Even the turf that’s made of artificial resin is about to melt in this unrelenting summer. The students, who are dressed in various P.E. attires, disperse in groups of twos and threes the moment they stepped past the exits.

There are 1.8 million participants in Daihasei. Although the stadium is of professional standard, it can’t possibly contain every single person.

“……Aren’t there too many principals in the city?”

Kamijo tiredly said. One will definitely be irritated after hearing so many consecutive ‘principal messages’ in this hot summer. Kamijo, who for some reason lost his memories, accidentally and unknowingly experienced this for the second time.

Actually, the Board of Directors have already carefully chosen who the speakers are. If all the principals are to go on stage and deliver their messages, it’ll probably take an entire day.

Around Kamijo, there are students from primary, junior high, high school and college students. Everyone’s expression is the same as his. They’re basically wearing short-sleeved shirts and shorts. Because they’re of different schools, some of them are wearing shoe covers or track attire. Some students from special schools even put on aikido clothing, camouflage pants, or armoured suits (non-driven) that are made from special materials.

The common thing among the students is that they are wearing red or white sashes on their heads.

Basically, Daihasei is an inter-school competition where the number of wins and losses are computed as points. Each school divides its own students into red team and white team, and with the number of wins each coloured team gets, the points earned will be added on to the school’s score. Red vs white, school vs school. They’ll use the final total score to decide the rankings of the school.

The victory condition that Kamijo and Mikoto were arguing about before the start of the opening ceremony uses this system. In Academy City, once a school’s ranking is higher than another, it ‘wins’. The relentless words that Mikoto left behind were something like, “You…you just wait and see……! I’ll make you regret saying that the loser has to play a penalty game and obey the winner!”

“……What will she do to me……? Wait…wait a minute. Don’t tell me she’s going to play railgun catching with me (with me being the catcher) until the sun sets? I don’t want to play this sort of catching game with her……!!”

Kamijo can’t help but shout out alone. All the students near the exit of the sports hall give him a weird look. After he finally regains his composure, Kamijo quietly leaves the bus stop in front of the sports hall.

(But I’m too over-worried as well.)

Up till now, although Kamijo is shivering from fear due to anticipation of what’s to come, he understands that he’ll be alright if he doesn’t lose. Though the opponent is a prestigious school, she’s still a junior high school student. Even if esper powers are allowed in the competition, this should be an extension of sports activities (probably). To be honest, Kamijo feels that those missies who are supposed to be so cosseted can’t possibly win against a youthful and sweaty group of high school students. Even if Kamijo is to lose in a direct match-up against Tokiwadai, there are other ways. Once Kamijo’s school beats other schools, and Tokiwadai loses to others, the difference can be whittled down.

“Touma!”

A girl’s voice came from beside him.

Looking in the direction of where the voice came from, among the crowd that’s wearing P.E. attire, stands a girl in white nun robes that’s decorated with gold embroidery. Her name is Index. She’s an English girl with long white hair, green pupils, and a slim body. She’s also the one with perfect memory of the 103,000 magical texts in her mind. To be honest, she’s a girl who’s a lot more useful than those weak espers.

Index carries a calico cat in front of her, saying listlessly,

“Touma…I’m hungry.”

“You’re hungry now? It’s still morning, you know. Didn’t you eat breakfast two hours ago?”

“Uuuu. But I can smell such an attractive and indescribable smell all over the place. I can’t stand it.”

The calico cat in her arms shakes its nose and makes a happy sound, matching Index’s voice.

Although it’s a large-scale sporting event, not all the students will be bounded by the events all the time. They just need to follow the rule of reaching the area in the specific time, and any time other than that is free time for them. Whether it’s cheering for other schools, buying gifts with family members, or just standing at a convenience store to read magazines, anything’s fine. Some will even set up stores to get some earnings, like the management or home economics schools that Tsuchimikado Maika is studying at.

The number of schools where all the students are participating in the competitions is unexpectedly low. As the academic years and the athletic events are different, there will normally be people with nothing to do. One should be cheering for his own school, but the victory banquet can be much more luxurious if their stores can earn some money. Just selling things to 1.8 million students and parents can earn them quite a large sum of money.

“Ah……erm……maybe Japanese cuisine is as tempting to eat as it sounds.”

The nun carrying the calico cat blurts out.

Index is the type of person that will do anything to get any food that’s in front of her. Although it’s just an aroma from afar, one’s saliva will flow out if under this condition for a long time. Besides, he should reward her for not raiding those stores, Kamijo thought seriously.

“Ah, I see. You have nothing to do for the entire day, so I’ll find time to go out with you later.”

Index nods her head, before she stops and asks,

“……Later?”

“Ah, the first match is about to start, I got to go. You can take a look at the travel guide. The locations that I marked out with a pen are the spectator stands of the events that I’m taking part in.”

“Wa–Wawawa! To–Touma is so cold to me today!”

Index seems to be shouting something, but Kamijo doesn’t have much time left. He wanted to let her go to a few shops, but it’ll be endless if he goes out with Index, who’s hungry right now. She won’t be satisfied if she doesn’t go to every single store and eat everything.

Kamijo haggled with Maika, who just so happened to pass by, before buying a maid bento at half price (the fixed price was 1,200 yen, so expensive). Index kept on crying, saying that she wants to ‘eat’ as she begged Kamijo while on her way to the arena. On a side note, although the name maid bento sounds very western, the ingredients are all from Japan. While Kamijo is grumbling about the ingredients and the price, Maika explains,

“Because Japan is the land of bentos, as other countries don’t use bentos as a culture. England uses ‘lunch’ to describe a midday meal, and in Western culture, people normally carry biscuits with them anyway. This is why we’re using local ingredients. Although you’re saying that it’s expensive, they’re selling those high class bentos that are ten times more expensive than udon in theatres to the audience. We are following the traditional methods by using top-grade ingredients and techniques to create these Daihasei bentos, you know.”

Although it sounds arrogant, she does have a point.

Holding the maid bento in his hand, Kamijo heads toward the competition arena, which is the school field at his high school. He’s supposed to send Index into the spectator stands, but the entrances for the competitors is different from the spectators. After separating from the girl, he enters the competitors area. The field is currently undergoing preparation, as the staff is spraying water onto the field to prevent dust from flying about.

There are remote-controlled hot air balloons in the blue sky, hanging a special vertical thin screen showing these running words: ‘7th district. High school sector. First event, Wrench stick competition. 10 minutes and 23 seconds to the start of the match.’

(If our school loses to Tokiwadai in terms of ranking, who knows what Mikoto will come up with for the penalty game. We got to win right at the start!)

During Daihasei, which lasts for 7 days, how many points the schools get will largely depend on how they pace themselves. It all depends on the tactic that the school uses, do they pull away from the beginning, or they conserve their forces and catch up with the tired teams at the end. There are plenty of options.

Because of his memory loss, Kamijo feels that this is the first time he’s in a Daihasei competition.

However, since he’s not a student from a sports school, Kamijo is unable to observe the battles calmly and save his physical strength. Though he has a special ability, it is still a battle between students. The results of the match may affect morale as well. In other words, although it’s possible to win the match, if the difference is too great, they won’t be able to focus on turning the situation around when they have already given up.

Based on this reason alone, Kamijo favours getting off right from the start and pulling away from the opponent.

(Come to think about it, our class was very noisy a while back when we were preparing for the match. Or should I say, the entire school was like this. Hm, those people should be rather energetic. There are quite a few people who hate to lose, and I’m more worried about them using underhanded means to win.)

Kamijo looks forward to this meaningless gathering with his classmates, as he walks into the competitors’ restroom inside the school to meet up with them.

Normally, Aogami Pierce, the one who likes fun the most, will then turn his head around,

“Wa—why so energetic……”

Kamijo inadvertently falls onto the ground.

When he regained consciousness, he was sprawling on the ground.

He looked around and observes that the other students were also like this. Everyone looked that they got heatstroke.

“Wait…wait a minute, what’s wrong with everyone? Why is everyone so tired before the first match has even begun?”

Kamijo trembles somewhat angrily as he asks, as Aogami Pierce forcefully turns around and says,

“Why? Because everyone stayed up all night yesterday playing! And before the opening ceremony, the whole class was fighting over what kind of tactics need to be used. That remaining amount of energy is all used up!”

“Because of this!? Everyone!? Did the beginning and end of Daihasei switch over? However, Himegami, congratulations! Seeing you being able to mix into the class, I’m very relieved.”

Himegami Aisa is standing slightly far away from Kamijo. This white-skinned, black haired girl has the ability to attract and kill vampires. To prevent this power from working, she wears a Cross on her neck, which is now hidden under her short-sleeved P.E. shirt.

She just transferred into Kamijo’s class in the beginning of the month.

Himegami gently shakes her long, black hair, which is becoming increasing rare, saying,

“Isn’t a student’s competition something like this? Where there’s trainers and coaches.”

“Ugh, even you said ‘isn’t it like this!?’”

Seems like we’ll lose! Kamijo cups his hands on his head.

As if he’s trying to encourage Kamijo,

“Nya! Kami-yan, it can’t be helped that everyone is so tired. Nobody expected the opening ceremony to consist of 15 consecutive principal talks, together with more than 50 congratulatory telegrams that were sent over. I have to praise you for being able to stand even after all these……”

The person who said this is Tsuchimikado Motoharu—he looks like a student, but is actually a double agent for both the magic and science side—his short, blonde hair spiking outwards, with light-coloured sunglasses on his eyes and gold jewellery on his neck. One can only say that a short-sleeved P.E. shirt doesn’t match the other decorations.

“Eve–Even the energetic Aogami and Tsuchimikado are like this…wait…wait a minute, if the opponent is as lifeless, we might have a chance……!!”

Kamijo grabs onto his last glimmer of hope.

“It’s impossible nya, Kami-yan. The opponent seemed to be a private elite sports school, you know.”

WAAAAA! Kamijo is completely sprawling on the floor. The thought of him losing to Misaka Mikoto and her giving a hellish punishment is now clearly in his mind. Just when Kamijo feels his skin crawl, a female classmate, who was late, came into the room.

“Wait…wait a minute, what’s wrong with everyone? Why is everyone so tired?”

Hgn? Kamijo, who’s lying on the floor, looks up.

The girl in front of him is wearing a short shirt and a pair of shorts, and also wearing a hoody on the outside. The armband on her arm has the words ‘Daihasei Management Committee, High School Division.’ There should be similar words written on the back. She’s rather tall in class and has a nice body. One can see those compassionate breasts of hers under her P.E. attire. Her long black hair is kept behind her ears, making her forehead look much larger than it seems.

Fukiyose Seiri.

In contrary to her beautiful looks, her nickname is the ‘iron wall girl.’

She blankly looks around, before her vision finally fixes onto Kamijo, who’s on the ground.

“Ah!? No way, Kamijo! It’s because of your lethargy that everyone else in infected by it. You……what are you going to do with this?”

“Eh? No……it’s not my fault! I only just reached here, you know!”

“In other words, because you’re late, everyone lost their drive?”

“Do you have to blame me no matter what? Aren’t you late as well?”

“I’m late because I have management work to do, idiot!”

You’re planning to make me look like an idiot no matter what? Kamijo is really going to cry out,

“Don’t bother me! I can’t make it! Now that Kamijo’s in an unfortunate reality, Kamijo really can’t stand up now!!”

“You really look bad like this. This isn’t a psychological problem; it’s mild anaemia because you didn’t eat breakfast. Just drink some isotonic drinks to replenish your water content and minerals and you’ll be fine. Kamijo Touma, stand up now!”

Whoosh! Several 500ml plastic bottles flew out from Fukiyose’s jacket pockets.

“Wa! Why are you spouting this nonsense that a health freak will go crazy about!? Also, is this an illusion? Why do I feel that you don’t lack minerals and water, but calcium?”

“What are you talking about? I’ve taken in enough anchovies!”

Fukiyose glares at Kamijo, saying,

“I hate those who use misfortune as an excuse to live life so sloppily. Once you look so lethargic, everyone else will lose their motivation as well. So you better buck up for everyone’s sake.”

Facing off against Fukiyose Seiri’s aggressive attack, Kamijo inadvertently backed up. The committee member continues to get near the retreating boy. Kamijo still wants to back away, only to back into the flowerbed.

Seeing this, the students look absolutely delighted.

“Too……too strong. Fukiyose, you’re too strong! You’re really the woman who can defend against that Kamijo!”

“If it’s an ordinary person, that person might end up being soft-hearted and say ‘Ka–Kamijo-san, are you alright?’”

“This guy keeps saying that he’s unlucky, but he always get the best seats!!”

“Oh, you’re the hope of humanity. Let’s analyse Fukiyose Seiri, and maybe we can control Kami-yan!!”

(In your eyes, what kind of scum am I!?)

Kamijo listlessly backs up.

At this moment,

Kamijo’s foot steps on something squishy. It’s the rubber hose used to spray water. They have to spray water onto the grounds before the competition starts in order to prevent the dust from flying about (though they can’t prevent it completely).

Looking far away, a male teacher working in the school suspiciously looks at the water hose that doesn’t spray water.

In this instant,

The water that’s suppressed by Kamijo’s foot blast out, as the hose that’s attached to the faucet and supposed to spray water, is loose, splashing water nearby.

The one closest to the faucet is……

“Fu…Fukiyose!? Kamijo, you bastard, how dare you do this to our final stronghold!!”

“Oh no, with Kamijo around, even that tigress is all wet now.”

“And unexpectedly, we get to see her colourful underwear. Don’t tell me this is the start of a love comedy……”

“This is the despair of humanity—if Fukiyose can’t survive, then who will?”

(In your eyes, what kind of scum am I!? Also, sorry, Fukiyose-san!)

Kamijo repeatedly does his angry and apologetic mannerisms.

On a side note, Fukiyose is all wet with her sports attire clinging tightly onto her, her skin and even her underwear can be seen clearly. She’s unexpectedly wearing underwear that is completely different from her image, the yellow and orange chequered design looks really cute.

“……Do you have any dissatisfaction?”

(No, I don’t dare to!!)

Kamijo quickly lowers his head and apologises. Fukiyose gave a ‘humph,’ turns her head, pulls the zip of her jacket open and pulls out a small packet of milk before drinking it. She probably wants the calcium to pacify her own anger.

The boys nearby cover the mouth of the faucet with their thumbs, and start playing with the columns of water that’s shooting out like a laser cannon. In truth, they’re tired now. But they seem to be aware of Fukiyose being wet throughout and want to display the spirit of a gentleman, so they pretended that ‘they didn’t notice her.’ They look innocent, but their eyes aren’t smiling as they continue to play this water spraying game in despair.

Kamijo blankly looks at his classmates that completely lack unity and thought,

(Nobody’s worrying about the Wrench Stick match!? We’re doomed! To many extents, this class really has a lot of problems.)

Just when Kamijo is shaking his head at the wall near the competitors’ corner entrance, he hears a man and a woman arguing. Seems like some people are arguing behind the sports hall.

“This will…definitely—”

“……What nonsense—definitely……huh?”

What’s going on now……? Kamijo keeps his body near the sports hall as he peeks in.

The person in the back of the sports hall, where everything is dark, is Kamijo’s homeroom teacher, Tsukiyomi Komoe. She’s 135cm tall, a teacher whom won’t be mocked even if she’s carrying a primary school student’s backpack. She’s wearing a short white dress, accompanied with a light green sleeveless vest. Seems like she’s wearing this to cheer them on.

Facing her is a man that Kamijo never met before. He should be a teacher from another school. In Daihasei, while staff members are wearing sports attire that can be bought outside, this guy is wearing business clothing on such a hot day.

Komoe-sensei is arguing against that teacher.

Or more accurately, it looks like the male teacher, who is mocking Komoe-sensei, is about to get eaten by her.

“I admit that our school facilities and teaching contents aren’t adequate! But that’s our fault and not the students’!”

Komoe-sensei is waving her arms as she shouts. The male teacher however doesn’t mind, saying,

“Humph, isn’t the inadequacy of the facilities due to your students not being capable? If there were results, the Board of Directors would have given extra funding, right? Hoho. Trash schools like yours shouldn’t be able to request it, right? Ah, sensei, I heard that your class did badly for the end-of semester test, right? Managing so many failures should be tough.”

“The–There’s no success or failure for students! They just have their own personalities. Everyone is already working so hard! How……how can I abandon them for my own sake?”

“Is this an excuse to hide your own inability? Hahaha. Your dreams are too far-reaching. Do you need me to send you back to reality? Let the elites that I groomed beat your trashes into a pulp. Hm, we’re having a ‘Wrench Stick’ competition here, right? As a member of the opposing school, let me give you an advice. Go do some warm-ups; you’ll need it to avoid injuries.”

“You……”

“You embarrassed me the last time we had the school meet, so this time, in front of the global telecast, I’ll return this debt back to you. We’ll be slightly lax in our attacks, but I don’t know if your failures are too weak.”

Hahaha—the male teacher laughs as he leaves.

That teacher should be from the opposing school. This is what Kamijo thought. To be honest, for Kamijo, who is level 0, even if he’s called a failure or trash now, it doesn’t hurt him too much.

“……It’s not like this.”

At this moment, Komoe-sensei spoke.

She’s alone now, and she’s not talking to anyone in particular.

She lowers her head and says in a trembling voice,

“They aren’t some trash, are they……?”

Her already small and skinny shoulders shrank even more.

It’s like she’s saying that it’s all because of her that her students were shamed by outsiders.

She raises her head, looks up at the sky, and remained silent, as if she’s trying to endure something.

“……”

Kamijo remains silent.

He turns around.

All the students were standing there silently.

As if he’s trying to confirm it, Kamijo Touma asks,

“Okay, you guys heard that? Just now, everyone was complaining about how they have no motivation, their energy is used up……”

Kamijo closes one eye.

“—Let me ask you guys again, are you sure that you don’t want to win?”

Part 3
Misaka Mikoto is in the spectator stands reserved for students.

Compared to ordinary spectator stands, there’s not even a roof to block the sun. There’s only a blue plastic sheet on the ground, no chairs at all. Mikoto sighs as she thought: this is like a banquet for them to enjoy watching the flowers. It’s so primitive, yet it gives a wild sense of freshness.

Considering that she’s going to participate in the match, observing Kamijo’s match until the end will be somewhat dangerous. But she’s really anxious, and before she knew it, she was already standing here.

There are no other students here wearing the standard Tokiwadai P.E. attire.

(Although he can’t possibly beat our school……)

Mikoto sighs stealthily. Tokiwadai Middle School comprises of 2 level 5s, 47 level 4s, and the rest are all level 3s; a school comprising of elites that is hard to take down. Although they were ranked a rather humiliating 2nd in last year’s Daihasei, last year’s champion was a top 5 school, Machine Academy. In the end, the ones really fighting for the championship are these ‘top 5’ schools. Once the situation changes, it’ll only be a reshuffling in positions among these top 5 schools.

This should be something that every resident of Academy City knows, so why did that guy so recklessly bet on it? Mikoto is skeptical. But that idiot probably doesn’t have any special plan.

(But……)

If it’s him, maybe an unexpected winner will be born.

He will disregard any objective views between level 0s and level 5s. Yes, just like how he beat the strongest level 5 in Academy City with his right hand.

At that time, he gritted his teeth and stood up for her so many times.

(……)

Mikoto’s mind temporarily went blank.

(Ahhh, this is so irritating, why am I so embarrassed all of a sudden!?)

Patapatapata!! She pulls out the board under her that she’s been using as a seat, and hurriedly uses it to fan her face that’s flushed red. I’m lucky that my schoolmates aren’t here, Mikoto thought as she looked around.

Then,

A nun with silver hair and green eyes is lying on the ground.

“!?”

Mikoto’s shoulders jerked. This is the girl who was with that idiot ever since school started. Seems like she’s called Index — is that a nickname? It’s hard to imagine anyone having that kind of name. Why is she here? Mikoto has a few questions, but she immediately realised that the girl should be here to cheer for the opponent.

The girl is holding onto a pair of chopsticks in her right hand and there’s an empty bento box placed nearby. Seems like it’s the student bento that Tsuchimikado Maika is selling.

The girl, who’s prostrating herself on the ground, slowly says,

“……I…I’m hungry……”

“Didn’t you just finish the bento?”

Mikoto instinctively shouted back. She immediately thought that the reason why she’s so listless is not because she’s hungry, but because she got heatstroke, so she gave her a plastic bottle containing isotonic drink that’s conveniently placed on the plastic sheet.

The girl immediately stood up. The moment she said “Tha…thank you.” the bottle was empty, and her stomach is rumbling. After that, she became as listless as before.

“……Try…trying to use a drink to suppress my hunger may be a bit too much……”

“You’re just hungry, aren’t you……”

Mikoto places her hand on her forehead and sighs.

A calico cat climbs out from the gap between the stomach of the girl, who’s lying on the ground. It seems to be saying, “Missy, on behalf of this girl, I’d like to say sorry for bothering you. Ah, I’m melting, my paws are burning. Hm?......What kind of strange feeling is this?” as it looks around uneasily.

Mikoto’s ability is dubbed the railgun, as she can control and manipulate electricity. Even if she doesn’t move, there will be a weak electric field, so animals normally won’t like to approach her.

She looks at the lethargic nun that’s dressed in white robes, and says,

“Oi, did you meet that guy today? Did you find anything strange about him?”

“Hm? That guy? Are you referring to Touma? Touma doesn’t seem any different from usual.”

You’re with that guy all the time? Mikoto really wants to snap at her, before deciding to endure it. If that guy isn’t any different from usual, then is he not too bothered about winning and losing?

(So this means that our school should still win in the end…eh? If I win, what will happen?)

Mikoto thought, before shaking her head forcefully. The girl lying on the ground is slightly surprised upon seeing Mikoto act like this.

“Oi, short-hair.”

“……Oi, you’re too much. Is this how you treat someone who gave you a drink?”

“Oi, short-hair with a big belly.”

“There isn't a girl who’d be happy upon hearing that!!”

Mikoto twitches her eyebrows as she said that. The nun, however, does not mind as she says,

“What’s short-hair doing here?”

“What? Do–doing? No, I didn’t……”

“Are you here to cheer for Touma?”

“Wha–What? Stu–Stupid, what are you saying? Why should I cheer for that guy?”

The white nun does not press on any further as Mikoto continues to fan herself even harder.

At this moment, the school’s speakers broadcast the signal that the competitors are coming in.

The first match is the ‘Wrench Pole match’—this is a match where both sides are to set up 7m long poles. While defending their own pole, competitors have to push down the enemy’s pole. This is what the competition involves.

The one presenting and explaining the rules is a first-year from high school, as his voice loudly blares through the speakers.

Although there are broadcasting crews from many different companies, it’s still basically a school Olympics. The television commentators will be working in different rooms, so there doesn’t seem to be any major changes. However, just the fact that ‘they’ll be shown on television’ creates a huge difference in the atmosphere and sense of being as compared to before.

Although in reality, while it’s impossible to show all 1.8 million students, they’ll still be nervous.

Though the students are noisily chattering about, Mikoto inexplicably feels a sense of nervousness. In this moment, one can really feel that this is a formal activity being watched by the entire world.

“I…I’m hungry……”

The girl who’s sprawling on the ground broke this tension in the air mercilessly. Mikoto sees that she’s so pitiful, and pulls out some biscuit-shaped supplementary food (chocolate flavour) from her pocket. The lethargic girl can only raise her head and open her small mouth. Mikoto stuffs the food into Index’s mouth, so all Index can do is to eat them obediently.

(Never mind, those guys likely won’t feel nervous……they might even skip this and pretend that they didn’t know this match is about to occur.)

Mikoto looks like she’s prompted by the broadcast to look to the school compound. The opponent that Kamijo’s school is facing seems to be some elite school that focuses heavily on sports, as even their warm ups give people a sense of professionalism. By moderating a suitable amount of nervousness into a motivated look, it seems like they’re focused on a real competition. They’re gathered in their own classes, as each class is setting up their own poles. It’ll be disastrous if the opponent is serious, Mikoto thought, shaking her head as she looks at where Kamijo is. Just as how the guide booklet showed, his school does not have any special characteristics, widely considered as a ‘really ordinary school.’

But standing there…are the real warriors.

Eh? Mikoto can’t help but wonder if she’s seeing the wrong thing.

The entire group gives off an inexplicable sense of seriousness, nobody’s playing around.

With Kamijo Touma as the centre, they’re lined up horizontally in one line. Forget calling it a Wrench Pole match, the intense atmosphere is like the prelude to a battle in the Sengoku Era. The poles that were set up seemed to resemble a large spear held by a regiment. This tension is a whole lot different from the one the broadcasting companies bring. It feels like there’s no one besides them and their enemies.

DONG KAKAKA! They’re surrounded by some weird sound effects.

This sound is caused by the aftershocks caused by the power of the three units of espers colliding with each other, causing the air to vibrate.

(Eh……)

Seeing such an intense atmosphere, Mikoto shouted out.

(……What’s with that sense of realisation!? That guy, to think that he is able to display this kind of leadership capability at a time like this. Don–Don’t tell me that they’re serious about winning!? What will that guy want if he wins?)

Actually, this is due to Komoe-sensei’s story being spread across the entire school, but of course, Mikoto doesn’t know this.

In front of Mikoto, who’s all pale green now, the announcement that the match is starting was made. Kamijo and company raised some dust into the air as they charge towards their opponents, who were scared upon seeing their display of momentum.

Part 4
The people taking part in the Wrench Pole match are split into two groups.

One group sets up its own pole, stabilizing it and protecting it.

The other group is to knock down the enemy’s pole.

Kamijo is in the latter group.

So once the signal to start was given, he led the charge into the enemy’s territory.

“YYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!”

Kamijo shouted as he charged forward.

Any ordinary person will think…that this is a game included in this sporting event, but in Academy City, more than half of the students are people who discovered their powers, called espers. There are abilities that may include fire, water, earth, wind, lightning, ice, and many more, even including some that allows espers to fly. In a battle of around 100 espers fighting, the tense atmosphere is no trivial matter.

Right now, the distance between the two bases is around 80 metres.

The opponent, lined up in a straight line, continuously fire some flashes over. They look like the camera flashes from the spectator stands, but they’re not.

These are long ranged attacks that are fired by the espers.

Seems like an esper can detonate flames to create explosive pressure. In order to keep the pressure shaped in the form of a bullet, the flame bombs are covered with an invisible forcefield created by an esper who can manipulate pressure. When the bomb bullet is created, the bullet will increase the refractivity of air, reflecting sunlight like sunlight shining through a transparent balloon.

It’s only in Daihasei that one gets to see many espers work together to form a single attack.

Kamijo theorises that they’ll remove the pressure-type shell, releasing the internal pressure and release it to the surroundings.

Facing the attack of these units, Kamijo’s allies, who are behind him and protecting him, fired sand guns at the enemy. This is a telekinesis-based attack, and it’s not an exaggeration to call it a formless and colourless attack. It reacts with the dust floating in the air and manipulates the flow of the magnetic field lines to create sand-iron guns.

The explosive bullets and the telekinetic guns collide and explode in the middle of the field.

Seeing the storm that just occurred, the spectators start to scream as if they’re riding on a roller coaster.

(Those that are watching probably think that this is interesting!!)

Kamijo’s movements are somewhat slow because of the explosions, as he continues to run forward.

The opposing school seems to be a specialist in sports, as one can see that they devoted a considerable amount of effort to develop their capabilities. Although their hit damage is a lot less as compared to people like Railgun and Accelerator…scary things are still scary.

Kamijo’s right hand has the Imagine Breaker ability. No matter whether it’s magic, esper power or even miracles, the Imagine Breaker on his right hand is an extraordinary power that negates them all once it touches these other powers… However, it’s limited only to his right hand. It’s impossible to defend against all of them if the attacker attacks in all directions.

As Kamijo thought while he’s running to the enemy’s base, someone’s running beside him.

Aogami Pierce.

“I’ll go first, Kami-yan. Watch how this comedian crushes the irritating aura of those corrupted elites! WAHAHAHAHA!!”

The intercepting squad continue to fire several bullets, as Aogami Pierce continues to dodge them leisurely by spinning around like a ballet dancer.

There’s still 20 metres before the two sides clash. In this situation where one shouldn’t be caring about others, Kamijo is still surprised as he continues to run with Aogami Pierce, saying,

“Come to think about it, why are you so happy?”

“Ah!? Kami-yan, it’s all because of love. This faint sense of love that a hard-working girl is conveying to me through her sweat and tears, mixed with some sexual addiction, is being broadcast on national TV…no, it’s being broadcast in many countries! Even if I faced with this great love that’s so unscrupulous, even if I can’t accept it, I’ll blaze a path to the temples!”

Ah ha ah ha ah ha—!! Aogami Pierce’s actions became even faster with his rising emotions.

“So I ask…is that bald muscled guy among your admirers? That guy seems to of been looking at you since a while ago, calling you out lovingly, you know.”

“What are you talking about—GYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!?”

Hearing Kamijo’s cold remark, Aogami Pierce is stunned upon realising the true identity of the person that’s showing him love. He gets hit by several pressure bullets and flies backwards. Kamijo looks back, completely taken aback. Aogami Pierce is caught by an ally using an invisible forcefield.

On the spectator stands, ordinary civilians are roaring with cheers and applause.

(Ah, we’ll be flung far away if we’re hit. I don’t want to be acting in this scary filler! Come to think about it, what’s with that ‘This is how Daihasei should be like!’ atmosphere?)

Kamijo looks away from Aogami Pierce, who’s behind him, and looks forward.

The enemy’s base is just ahead.

There’s still 10 metres until they clash.

Kamijo Touma sneakily clenches his right fist…

And charges into the enemy’s base.

Part 5
In conclusion, Kamijo and company won the battle.

They were clear right from the start that they’ll lose in a frontal battle. So when the two sides collided, they used all their powers on the ground, whipping up dust, blurring the enemy’s vision and using lightning fast guerrilla tactics. Before this, the staff had sprayed some water onto the field to prevent dust from flying about, but it’s impossible to prevent dust from flying up when the ground is attacked so many times.

The one who suggested this tactic, Fukiyose Seiri, held the front of her jacket in place as she grouped the students into ‘those who are to raise the dust,’ ‘those who are to knock down the wooden pole when the dust is up’ and ‘the telepathy group who can give the order to raise the dust and order those in the dust to retreat,’ as she held overall command.

During the battle, as the telepathic messages cannot be received in the midst of the duststorm, not only was Kamijo hit by the bullets from his own teammates, he was beaten to a pulp by the opponent, but they still won.

The warriors who are covered with bruises and injuries completely forgot about their victory and injuries as they walked out of the arena from the entrance and into the school compound. Komoe-sensei, who’s about to cry, is waiting for them with some first aid boxes.

“Why…why must everyone force themselves to work so hard!? There’s no point in having Daihasei if everyone’s not having fun! It’s not important whether we win or lose! Sen…sensei is very unhappy that everyone’s so injured……!!”

Facing Komoe-sensei’s cries, the students seemed to agree that they shouldn’t explain their reasons to her, scattering away in groups. After walking out of the competitors’ rest area, Kamijo starts to look for Index in the spectator stands.

Index should be in the spectators stand reserved for students.

Normally, this is an area forbidden to anyone other than students, but Kamijo doesn’t dare put Index in the normal spectator stands. She’s someone from outside Academy City with the knowledge of 103,000 magical texts in her head, and is thus much more valuable than any Academy City resident.

“Index? Eh, where did she go?”

Kamijo looks at the spectator stand where she should be at, but can’t find her. Although it’s called a spectator stand, it’s actually just a blue plastic sheet laid on the school grounds, and there’s nothing to block the sunlight…together with the people gathering nearby. The students nearby form a human wall, so it’s quite difficult to look around.

Kamijo got into the crowd, moving from one end to another, walking back when he couldn’t find her, but in the end, he still couldn’t find her.

(Hm……it should have been easy to spot her when she’s wearing such a noticeable white nun robe.)

He stuffs his hands into his P.E. shorts, looking at the school compound that’s slightly far away from here.

(I gave Index a zero-yen phone before, and it should be the fastest way to contact her. Too bad my phone is in the classroom.)

Kamijo never saw Index use a handphone before. Although he’s worried, Kamijo feels that this is the best way according to the current situation.

During Daihasei, many schools prohibit people from entering the school premises. They can’t allow others to see the facilities that are related to power development. The only exception is for their own students, like Kamijo. In case anyone got injured, the school’s doctor is available in the healthcare room, and the shower room is opened.

So, Kamijo walked up the stairs.

There are two security guards wearing black uniforms at the shoe closet. The teachers, who normally teach history and mathematics in front of the blackboard, are carrying guns, and the sight is somewhat strange.

“Ah, I’m looking for someone who’s lost in the crowd, can I grab my handphone in the classroom?”

“Kamijo, your reason is too direct. If you can’t contact the person due to electromagnetic wave interference, tell us when you need to use the P.A system. So now, let’s wish you a good time in Daihasei.”

The mathematics teacher seems to find it troublesome as she replied. However, she did mention the necessary points, as expected of a trained professional.

He got past the guards and walks towards the staircase. After putting on his slippers at the shoe cabinet, he walks up the stairs. It’s really quiet when no one is in school—the moment he thought of this, the speakers start to blare a loud echo, and it’s really noisy.

He walks up the stairs. After walking for a while, he reaches his own class. Kamijo thought as he pulls the door aside,

(Himegami seemed to have blended well into our class, that’s good. Oh yeah, I have to contact Index the moment I get the phone. If Himegami is free, it’d be nice if she could come along with us as well—)

However, he immediately froze on the spot.

For some reason, Management Committee member Fukiyose Seiri has taken off her clothes.

Before he opened the door, he didn’t notice that the curtains of the windows were pulled down. In the dark classroom, Fukiyose Seiri, who’s sitting on the table opposite Kamijo, is wearing only a pair of panties. Just a pair of panties, she’s not even wearing her bra. She seems to be changing her clothes that were wet due to the water that burst from the water hose. Even her panties seemed to be new, as the plastic bag near her feet contains her wet clothes and undergarments. The other set of clothes seemed to be placed in a sports bag.

Fukiyose Seiri looks at the intruder calmly.

She remains emotionless as she reaches out toward a nearby chair.

Kamijo’s shoulders jerked.

“Wait…wait a minute, Fukiyose-san! I came here to get my handphone so that I can find someone. There’s no malicious intent here!! Also, please read the instructions on how to use a chair before using it! I’ll be dead if I get hit by that!!”

Kamijo got down and starts begging in 0.2 seconds. Seeing the boy in front of her, Fukiyose feels bored as she sighs, and removes her hand from the chair. She takes out some clothes from her sports bags beside her, and places it over her naked body.

“Never mind. Please leave the classroom.”

“……You’re not angry?”

“It can’t be helped, since you’re looking for a missing person. You don’t have to kneel down and beg, but to not turn your head around, Kamijo Touma!?”

Seeing the committee member putting on her coat, and that she only has a pair of panties on, one has to worry over whether she pulled up the zipper. Kamijo, who’s as shocked as her, didn’t notice that Fukiyose Seiri’s arms are trembling.

Yes Madam!! Like a retainer greeting a lord, Kamijo bends down and steps backwards. Just when he’s about to leave the classroom—

“……You’re not angry?”

“GET OUT!!”

Fukiyose grabs the cardboard box on the table and flings it at Kamijo. Kamijo frantically runs out of the classroom and slams the door shut with his backhand. He then sits in the corridor and takes a deep breath.

(Ah—this is really frightening……)

Kamijo shakes his head and looks down. At this moment, he sees a box on the corridor that’s as big as a cigarette pack. Is this the box that Fukiyose threw? Kamijo takes the box and examines it.

“‘Bleater’, an infrared therapy device. To be attached below a handphone. Whether it’s relieving stiff shoulders or stress relief, it’s effective!!”

That’s what is written on the box.

Seeing the exterior of the box, the design of the item seems to be a lamb that can change shape. It should be of the same type of good as the frog lucky charm attached to Mikoto’s bag.

“……So this is a decoration that’s attached to a handphone. Relieves shoulder stiffness and fatigue, the number of uses is really little. To think there are people in this world who are attracted to this weird thing…eh? Isn’t this something that the late night shopping channel would recommend?”

Because Index would be sleeping soundly in the room where the television is, Kamijo can only use the television function of his handphone to watch late night shows.

On the other hand, Fukiyose, who’s in the classroom, doesn’t seem to notice that Kamijo is sighing,

“Kamijo, did you put the handphone in the drawer?”

“Ah, isn’t my bag on the table? My handphone’s placed inside.”

“I’ll give it to you after I finish changing. Just wait there.”

“Thanks Fukiyose. I’ll exchange it with that weird purchase you threw over. I really couldn’t tell that you’re the type that uses mail-ordering.”

Hearing Kamijo say this, a frantic “WAH!?” sound can be heard in the classroom. Fukiyose seemed to realise now what she just threw out.

After a while, Fukiyose’s voice came from the classroom.

“This…there’s nothing wrong with that, right? Even if I carry a notebook as I watch the shopping channels, and read shopping magazines while rolling on the bed, what’s wrong with it!?”

“No…nothing. I’m not saying that this is bad, I’m just surprised.”

Although Fukiyose can really rebut, she seems to be unable to answer when somebody else rebuts back. Kamijo is really trying hard to think of something to say that won’t offend her, as Fukiyose continues to rant off inside the classroom like she’s reading a tongue twister.

“Sowhat?SowhatevenifIhaveabunchofcreativeconditioningapparatus?IalwaysfindthemusefulwhenIreadthemagazinesandyetIfindthemordinarywhenIgetthem. DoesitmattertoyouwhetherIuseittwotothreetimesandstoppedusingthemafterwards?”

“So that’s what it’s like! I think you should calm down before picking up the phone, Seiri!”

Kamijo himself thought that this is an advice that a classmate should give, but she continues on,

“It’sbecausetheserratedbottomofthefryingpanlookssoattractive.Theadvertisementsaysthatitcanremove30%ofthefatifit’susedtocookmeat, butit’ssounevenatthebottomthatIcan’tevencookafriedegg!!”

Hearing her tragic complaints, Kamijo decides not to rebut her.

He looks at the box of the lamb-shaped infrared decoration.

“Useful for shoulder aches, eh……”

“What’s so surprising about it? It isn’t so weird for me to get shoulder aches at this age, is it?”

“No, it’s not like that.”

Kamijo sits on the corridor and looks up at the ceiling.

“……The reason why your shoulders ache is probably because your breasts are too huge—OH C—!?”

At this moment, the sports bag breaks the classroom door as it was flung out, together with his handphone, hitting Kamijo directly. To be expected of the cordial and attentive committee member, Fuukiyose Seiri.

Part 6
“Touma…eh, what’s wrong? Why do you look like you just cried?”

“It’s nothing……”

Facing the cute white nun who slightly tilts her head, Kamijo replies in a trembling voice. He thought, maybe it’s better not to talk about the adventure he had while he was looking for her. In the end, because Index’s phone ran out of power (forget about charging, Index doesn’t even know what a power source is), Kamijo had to look for her using her beautiful monastic robes.

He returns back to the spectator stands reserved for students. Index got around the crowd to get back to Kamijo, and for some reason, she’s carrying the calico cat and a plastic bottle that used to contain isotonic drinks. The calico cat, being hugged together with the PET bottle, doesn’t seem to react as it gives a bored yawn, like it’s saying, “Who said that cats are afraid of PET bottles? That’s a superstition!”

“……This isn’t important. I’m hungry, get me something to eat…Touma.”

“Eh, what about the bento? Why do you look like a vengeful spirit that’s thirsty for spiritual energy!?”

“The short-hair down there just now gave me a drink and some chocolate biscuits…but I’m not full……”

“You’re not full!? You ate a bento and several other things, and you’re still like this? Who’s that short-hair you’re talking about!! Ah, never mind, it doesn’t matter who she is, but did you thank the person properly? Index!?”

Index does not react to Kamijo’s shouting at all. It’s said that girls have another stomach for sweet stuff, but it seems like this girl in front of him has the ability to separate every single type of food into different stomachs.

Since she’s not satisfied with just eating a bento, they have to go to the stores, Kamijo wildly thought. He flips open the thick tourist guidebook that was kept with Index, and finds that there’s still a bit of time before the next event, the ‘Roll the ball Match.’

“Alright, let’s leave the spectator stands. If we go back to where the stores were just now, we’ll still be able to find lots of food that can easily form a mountain when they’re stacked up.”

Upon hearing this, Index quickly turns her head around,

“As tall as a mountain!!”

“No…not really. Although the amount of food can form a mountain when they’re stacked up, I don’t have enough money to buy them all! Don’t look at me with those glowing eyes! I’ll feel guilty!!”

Kamijo sighs as he digs into his pockets, trying to confirm how much money is in his wallet. There’s still some money inside, but this is how much he has for the entire Daihasei tournament, which lasts for 7 days. If he’s to spend all of it on the first time, what awaits him is tragedy.

Kamijo frustratedly thinks of how to control Index, and decides to head toward the stores first. Index, who’s beside him, starts to daydream about the food haven that she hasn’t even seen. Including her eyes, hair, skin, well basically, her entire body is glowing. The psychological theory that any mental activities will bring about physical effects to the human body seems to be true.

Kamijo and Index walks toward a major road.

Seeing the traffic light turn red, they stopped moving. Basically during Daihasei, ordinary vehicles aren’t allowed on the roads of Academy City, but business vehicles like buses, taxis and delivery lorries are allowed. Because of this, though there are so many people, they can’t just turn Academy City into a walking haven.

Once they cross this road, the stores will be right in front of their eyes. They can faintly smell sauce and soy sauce getting burned from opposite the road. When the traffic light turns green, Index starts to shine so brightly that the shining index is at its highest for this year.

Khlap Khlap Khlap Khlap

The guards, who are maintaining the safety of Academy City, raises the ‘No access’ boards in front of them.

“Ah, I’m sorry. But there’ll be many schools performing an ensemble parade here. We won’t make it if we don’t stop the crowd.”

This guard is the woman who took care of him during the opening ceremony two weeks ago. She’s a really beautiful teacher who tied her pitch-black hair behind her. Right now, she’s not wearing an ordinary green track attire, but a black standard uniform. The reason she’s not wearing a safety helmet is probably so that she won’t give a bad impression to the visitors. Kamijo thought, besides wearing a track attire or a standard uniform, wouldn’t wearing decent clothing be much better?

During Daihasei, Academy City residents pay the most attention in providing a good impression to the public. In other words, half the reason why they’re organising this event is to give a good impression to the general public.

In order to not allow any outsider access to any secret areas that involve the development of esper powers, the guards in the research areas are very strict. Only an expert can rely on his skills to give a sense of seriousness ‘without ordinary people sensing it.’

The security guard nee-san also gives this sort of impression. Besides putting on full gear, covering up all her skin, seeing a beauty’s face will likely give anyone a good impression.

Kamijo looks at the ‘No access’ signboard, then looks across the road, before asking,

“Excuse me, if I may ask, I want to get across the road; what’s the best way to do so?”

“Aiya, because this is a major parade, there’s no access along this road for 8 kilometres. You see here, it’s written in the tourist guidebook. Ugn—”

The security guard nee-san flips open the guidebook, and says,

“There’s no overhead bridge nearby……so the nearest location is here? An underground street 3 kilometres from here. From exit U04 here to exit V01, you can get across here……”

3 kilometres……!? Kamijo is speechless.

Looking beside him, Index can’t withstand the hunger in her stomach, as she silently sits on the floor, giving a look that “I can’t walk for that far……”

Part 7
Misaka Mikoto is running down the streets.

She’s not in the playing field, but on the crowded streets. Not only is there no prohibition for them to get on the road, there’s no clearing of the roads.

Even so, Mikoto is in a match right now. Looking around, there are also several people running about on the trails nearby. The spectators are allowed to walk anywhere—in fact, this is the only competition where the spectators are required to be involved. Scavenger Hunt.

The competitive area is the 7th, 8th and 9th Umbrella zones of Academy City. Of course, the competitors aren’t allowed to use any forms of transportation like buses or subway trains. They started out from the starting point, and have to look for a specified item before going back to the starting point. This really feels like a marathon made much more complicated. What’s different is that there’s no fixed route, as the competitors have to think of the shortest route. This kind of brain training is very important, and is different from thinking at the table. Running around like that will tire a person physically. Like the wide area of the competitive zone, this competition is famous for the high difficulty in finding something.

(Peh, this is where Kuroko will excel in with her teleportation ability! Really, it’ll be much easier if they should just gather everyone in Academy City over here!)

Mikoto’s ability is powerful, but it’s not useful when it got nothing to do with combat. For the sake of ordinary people, the board of directors of Academy City have decreed that any powers that are ‘level 5 or above’ are forbidden. With her ability, it’ll exceed no matter how she adjusts her power.

Mikoto passes the water stand, and continues to run without noticing the isotonic drinks. In a long distance marathon, too much water content will slow her down.

She again opens the slip of paper.

She reconfirms the name of the designated item that’s required.

(Looks like I have to something troublesome… Ah!!)

As she runs through the crowd, she spots the ‘item’ in front of her.

The conditions are,

“Once a third-party person has a designated good, you have to get the person’s permission and get that person to follow you back to the starting area.”

(Watch me!!)

Mikoto kicks her shoes, made of highly reactive material, onto the ground, as she dashes into the crowd.

Kamijo places his hand on Index’s shoulder, who’s sighing as she sees the ‘no access’ sign.

“Alright Index, we’ll only smell the food if we continue to stay here. Didn’t the guidebook say that there are other hawker stores? We’ll look for others.”

“Uuuuuuu, it’s just right in front of me; why can’t I get it!?”

Index gives a poetic cry. Although the guard who set up the ‘no access’ sign looks sorry, rules are rules.

“To…Touma, where’s the nearest ‘store’ now?”

“Hm? Let me see……it should be here, right?”

Kamijo flips through the guidebook.

“Walk west for 3km. Hey, isn’t that the same place as the underground entrance we need to go through to get across?”

“……Uuu……waaahhh!”

“Mm, however, if I go here, I won’t be able to get to my next match in time. The bus route……aiya, doesn’t seem like they’ll reach her during the parade. Can’t be helped, Index. You’ll have to endure till the end of the Roll the Ball match.

“……(Angry!)”

“Eh? Wait a minute! Why are you angry at me!? The location of the hawker stores and the bus routes have got nothing to do with me!?”

Index, who doesn’t hear anything, opens up her cute mouth like a beast, and leaps forward. It’s so fast that even the security guard nee-san is unable to react in time. Am I going to be eaten!? Kamijo covers his head with his hands.

His body starts to move fast.

Index’s teeth missed their target.

Eh? The girl gives a puzzled look. It’s supposed to be a guaranteed 100% strike every time she leaps and bites someone’s head.

However, there’s a reason why she missed.

Because Misaka Mikoto, who’s running in from the right, grabs Kamijo’s collar and runs to the left.

“Great! I got my winning condition! WAHAHAHA!!”

“Wai…wait a mi… this is unbearable! At……at least explain why……”

In front of Index, who’s stunned, the two vanish into the crowd. Seeing the nun sitting on the floor lifelessly, the security guard nee-san can’t help it but give some biscuit-like rations to her.

Part 8
Kamijo, who was stepped on like a rug, walks into the competition area with Misaka Mikoto, through the white tape of the finishing line.

This competitive area is in a completely different dimension compared to where they had the ‘Wrench Pole Match’. This place seems to belong to some sports university, as the orange concrete floor has white lines on it, like it’s a standard race track. The spectator stands are ladder-type, like a professional stadium, and the number of video cameras used for reporting and security guards are so much more.

The high school committee members stationed covered Mikoto with a large sports towel after she finished running the marathon. The signals they gave to provide drinks and a mini oxygen task are executed beautifully. Not only are they practical, it’s like they’ve also considered that they’re on air. After this, there will be a recognition ceremony and a simple interview. Before the next few participants arrive, the first few have to wait at another area.

(So completely different…even the committee members seem like they were trained intensively.)

The female high school committee member who’s taking care of Mikoto stares at Kamijo’s face. What now, Kamijo thought as he raises his guard. At this moment, the committee member whispers,

“……(Kamijo Touma, there’s nothing wrong with the ‘specified object’, but aren’t you getting hit on by girls quite often?”

“……(This voice, wa! Fukiyose-san!?)”

Kamijo looks carefully, the person in front of him is Fukiyose Seiri. She’s wearing a short-sleeved T-shirt, shorts and a thin jacket. She stopped whatever she was doing, but because it’s work time, she can’t just shout at him like usual. They whisper to each other,

“……(I’m really sorry for what happened just now, because of me, Kamijo Touma’s neglect, I accidentally saw you changing clothes…)”

“……(I’m trying really hard to forget about this, so don’t mention this again, Kamijo Touma!)”

“……(Uuu, I’m really sorry. Hm, come to think about it, Fukiyose, is that lamb-shaped infrared device really that good?)”

“……(—You want one?)”

“……(No…it’s not that, I’m just curious. I never said that I wanted it!)”

“……(Keep quiet. Everyone’s really serious! Anyway, don’t interfere with the running of the competition or meddle with the competitors!)”

Fukiyose doesn’t listen to Kamijo as she picks up the record board that was placed on the ground together with the carton full of drinks and jots down the records of the competition with a ball-point pen. On a side note, both of them didn’t notice Mikoto, who’s right beside them, giving a sulking expression.

From the atmosphere of the discussion, Kamijo senses that Fukiyose is unwilling to talk anymore, so he turns to Mikoto, who forcefully dragged him along.

“Come to think of it, Mikoto. I’m sweating profusely, and my calves are aching. I remember that for this competition, the third-party has to agree; did I see it wrongly?”

“Ah—you saw that wrongly. But the notice never said that you can’t promise afterwards.”

“……”

“Alright, don’t sit down like a useless bum. Really, it’s ugly looking.”

Mikoto covers Kamijo’s head using the towel that was placed on her, and rubs the sweat off his face forcefully.

Kamijo feels ashamed as this feels like an adult drying a child’s hair. But Mikoto is too forceful, and he can’t wave it off. He thought that it’ll be a lot more childish if he’s swinging his arms about, and so he endured it silently.

After that, Mikoto wanted to get him a drink and a straw, but she stopped after seeing the straw. Mikoto looks at Fukiyose, and shakes the isotonic drink in her hand slightly. Fukiyose, who’s about to write something on the record board, looks up, and shakes her head. Seems like a participant can’t request for more than one bottle of drink.

“………………………………………………………………”

Mikoto froze for a while, and suddenly, she shyly watches the sand fly into Kamijo’s mouth, who’s coughing non-stop, and is a bit fearful. She trembles for several seconds,

“Oi! You’re really useless! I really don’t know how to deal with you! Take it!!”

“Wah!!”

Mikoto presses the bottom of the drink onto Kamijo’s face, not expecting the drink to burst out of the straw. She’s flushed red now as she turns her back to Kamijo and vanishes to the stage. Because of the number of people participating, the rules for the class vs class and same year vs same year are rather lax, but the top three individual will be commended. Mikoto, who came in first place, will definitely be commended.

Fukiyose, who’s standing aside, suddenly sucked her tongue contemptuously. As the competition is still going on, she’s standing by, preparing for the next person.

The one being commended is only Mikoto. Kamijo’s existence is similar to that of a bun being eaten in a bun eating contest; there’s no use for it after the competition, so he just walked to the exit.

(Being stepped on and kicked……to think that in this competition, an ordinary civilian gets it much worse than the participant? Isn’t this competition supposed to be about having a participant get involved with the public, and being unable to use their own abilities?)

Kamijo suddenly thought about this, but nobody can give him an answer. He sips the drink that Mikoto gave him, thinking that Index is still at that ‘no access’ place.

Suddenly, a piece of paper is carried here by the wind.

It seems to be the instructions of the Scavenger Hunt. There’re no other participants here other than Mikoto, who’s so far ahead of the pack, so this sheet of instructions should be hers. Fukiyose has already recorded the results on the record board, so it should be useless. The cleaner will clean it up if I leave it here, Kamijo thought as he picks up this flammable trash.

(What……)

What’s was written on the paper is,

“A high school student who participated in the first competitive event.”

(What, that’s what it’s all about? The ‘Wrench Pole’ match did occur directly after the opening ceremony. But besides me, there are hundreds of thousands of people who fulfill this criteria…so why am I…forced…to run this much?)

Kamijo, whose fatigue is rising rapidly, droops his shoulders as he limps towards the exit. While walking out of the exit, he thought, eh? Why did Misaka know that I took part in the Wrench Pole match? And became puzzled.

Part 9
The competitive arena is rather far with respect to where Index is.

So, Kamijo decided to take the bus back.

Right now, out of the current buses that are operative, 70% of them are automatic without anybody manning them. The bus, which is powered by electricity, glides forward without making a single sound.

In the development of manless technology, like commercial planes, trains and ships, it’s said that the most difficult one to develop is the car. In all forms of transport, in the air, sea and on land, the required manipulation and decision making is most complex. So at this moment, these vehicles are only allowed to be used in Daihasei under restricted circumstances.

Kamijo gets past the auto-door and into the bus. As ordinary vehicles are banned, the bus is rather packed. Although there’s a driver seat, it’s surrounded and isolated with strengthened glass, like a telephone booth. Just seeing how the manless bus works, like turning and accelerating, will amaze anybody.

Without using gasoline, the extremely quiet bus stops a few times, before it reaches Kamijo’s destination.

There’s still quite a distance to where he got separated with Index. Because part of the road cannot be accessed due to the ensemble parade, the bus route is somewhat altered.

Kamijo quickly walks on the road, as the related broadcasts can be heard everywhere, even though it’s mixed in with the noise of the crowd. Besides using the audio devices to broadcast, they’re using the large screens on the department stores and the airships, as they’re airing the live telecasts and other feeds through the temporary studios and different media.

“Regarding the results of the Men’s obstacle course just now, after some decisions—”

“The matches in one hour’s time will be as follows. There’s no access to the matches once it starts, everyone please take note--”

“In the Scavenger Hunt organised by four different schools, Tokiwadai Middle School got an overwhelming victory as expected. The first place has the honour of being 7 minutes faster than the other competitors—”

“General report, we’re looking for a missing child. Will Charles Goncourt-sama from St Tropez, France, please head toward a security robot camera nearby upon hearing this message, and show your face and the Daihasei access pass issued to you by Academy City. We’ll send your child to where you want to pick them up. Veuillez l'entendre. Nous vous annonçons un enfant manquant—”

Hearing these high decibel broadcasts all around, Kamijo looks around.

(Anyhow, did Index just move about and get lost?)

It’ll be alright if he can contact her through phone — too bad Index’s zero yen phone ran out of power. Although she has photographic memory, and she can remember any place she goes to, Kamijo’s still worried. Walking in this hot day, he thought,

(I should have bought a gift for her when I passed the stores just now.)

But it’s too late to go back. Kamijo’s next match is coming up. Anyway, he has to find Index, and then head to the arena where his classmates are. Thinking about this, he hastens his steps.

He suddenly stops.

He sees a familiar face in the crowd.

Hair dyed red, wearing earrings. Rings on each of his 10 fingers, smoking a cigarette, tattoo markings underneath his right eye. That’s a priest that doesn’t look like a priest.

Stiyl Magnus.

A real magician from the ‘Necessarius’ department of the British Puritans.

(??? What’s with him, is he here to find Index?)

It’s really hard to imagine Stiyl of the magical world getting interested with something like Daihasei. He should be here to look for his old colleague, Index, that he’s normally unable to meet.

To Kamijo, he has no reason to object. It’s even much better for someone who knows Index to be around, since that person can help him take care of Index during his matches. Kamijo inadvertently moves closer to him.

He seems to be talking to someone.

“……So…this is how it is — the probability is rather high, isn’t it?”

He can hear voices.

Who’s he talking to? Kamijo wants to find out as he moves forward. Standing there is his classmate, Tsuchimikado Motoharu.

He’s a double agent for both Academy City and the British Puritans.

Tsuchimikado looks extremely easy to approach, but he’s speaking so softly that nobody around him can hear anything.

“Yeah. That’s … I heard that— That’s right, to these people, there’s no better chance … than now.”

Kamijo has a bad premonition about this.

Although they look like they’re joking about, and at first glance, it’s like they’re mixed into the crowd attending Daihasei…but something’s missing. They don’t look happy at all. This is not a smile that’s formed with real positive feelings, but a fake smile formed by negative feelings. This kind of fake smile is unrelated to Daihasei.

In order to get away from this thought, Kamijo proceeds forward.

Stiyl Magnus quietly says,

“So, the task is up to us to get rid of the magicians in this city.”

In this world where Kamijo Touma lives in, where science forms the world…

Becomes a world filled with magic all because of this statement.

Between the lines 1
Shirai Kuroko.

A student of the famous power development school, Tokiwadai Middle School, a petite girl with two ponytails tied to the back. She’s a level 4, and has the ability of ‘instant teleportation’, so her abilities are considered outstanding in Tokiwadai. But she’s unable to take part in this year’s Daihasei.

Because of an event that happened several days ago, her injuries aren’t healed, and she’s still covered in bandages.

Although she’s supposed to be resting, she sneaked out of the hospital, and is now on the roads of Academy City. Although she’s still wearing the standard Tokiwadai uniform, she’s sitting on a wheelchair. The wheelchair operates differently from other wheelchairs, it’s special feature is that it’s wheels are slanted like an F1 car.

The one moving the wheelchair isn’t Shirai Kuroko.

It’s the person behind her, holding the handles of the wheelchair, Uiharu Kazari. They’re both members of ‘Judgment’, an organisation made up of espers whose job is to maintain law and order in Academy City.

Uiharu is dressed in a short-sleeved T-shirt and black shorts, like a sportsgirl; however, this doesn’t match the flower ring made of roses and Chinese hibiscus. The artificial flowers that are blooming make her look like she’s wearing a huge vase on her head.

Uiharu smiles as she pushes the wheelchair.

“I feel uneasy just thinking about us working so hard in this hot day while Shirai-san is resting alone in an air-con room. I really wanted to call Shirai-san to help, hehehe.”

“……I’ll really thank you for this perfect friendship. When I’m healed up, how about I teleport your clothes away and make you naked? Please look forward to it.”

Shirai weakly replies. During Daihasei, she’s feeling bored about having to lie down alone in a room, so she’s actually grateful for Uiharu forcing her out, but she’s not going to let her know that even till death.

Though it’s not the first time that she’s experiencing Daihasei, the atmosphere of these large scale events every year is different. Walking on the streets where she normally walks on, one will feel that the streets have completely changed with all the sports broadcasts and the pyrotechnics sounds.

Although Shirai feels that the surprised expressions of these people—those non-residents of Academy City—are rather irritating, but to her, who understands her own power, she understands that this can’t be helped.

Shirai sits on the wheelchair, looking around.

“Is there anything wrong with this year’s Daihasei?”

“Up till now, there’s no real problem. The worst case is about a corporate spy disguising as a fried cuttlefish seller whom tries to extract DNA maps from samples of saliva from the students. This is the first year I’m taking part in Daihasei as a member of Judgment, so I don’t feel anything serious there. I heard from sempai nee-san that the situation this year is much easier than previous years.”

“Hm, compared to the unsolved cases where an AI denies the theory that an unmanned helicopter was shot down, or the unsolved case of the arena where the cultural and spiritual activists exploded, this is a whole lot better.”

Hearing Shirai say this so easily, Uiharu’s face becomes stiff. Because these issues didn’t escalate, she has no idea that these cases occurred. To Shirai, as a member of Judgment taking part in Daihasei, she knows that it’s common to get involved in these troubles.

At this moment, Shirai hears a broadcast from an arena.

It comes from the big screen on a department store’s wall. It doesn’t seem to be a live telecast, but a highlight reel of what happened just now.

The male reporter explains clearly,

“In the Scavenger Hunt organised by four different schools, Tokiwadai Middle School got an overwhelming victory as expected. The first place has the honour of being 7 minutes faster than the other competitors—”

The image on the display is a stadium located somewhere.

They have captured the competitors’ faces and are announcing the names. Ordinary people will think that the participant’s fame will increase the moment they’re shown on global television…in fact, this is not the case. There are 1.8 million participants. Even if one gets the first place, their names won’t be engraved into history like the Olympics. It’s not like major league scouts appearing in a minor league game. In this situation, it’s impossible to remember all the people’s faces and names. Even if there’s a commotion, they’ll be forgotten soon after. This is the rule of the general audience.

Because of this, Shirai Kuroko is uninterested in the image on the large screen.

“—In first place, we have Misaka Mikoto-senshu. She’s still in good condition even after she reached the finishing point, and one gets the feeling that she’s extremely up for this.”

Shirai quickly turns her head over to the large screen.

The shock is so violent that even Uiharu, who’s pushing the wheelchair, inadvertently jerked.

“Ah ah Onee-sama

Woo hoo my beloved Onee-sama

Ah ah Onee-sama! (Note that this is how the author originally arranged the words. It was in ‘5-7-5’ Japanese haiku format)

In the end, you got the complete victory, showing the world your body that’s so dynamic! Too bad I can’t attend and record this; please forgive my uselessness!!”

Shirai’s eyes are glowing extremely brightly. But—

“Taking care of the companion who ran with her, this really gives a good impression. Is this a habit that students of the famous Tokiwadai Middle School have?”

What? Shirai is puzzled.

(Wha…!?)

The next moment, she saw it.

Misaka Mikoto pulling a boy to the arena.

Misaka Mikoto using a towel to wipe the boy’s body carefully.

Misaka Mikoto giving the drink that she drank from to the boy.

(That mister dares to…!! He dares…dares to allow onee-sama to hold him by the hand, and even allows her to wipe off his sweat, Ah… AHhhhhh, and he even drank from the drink that onee-sama drank from AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!)

Shirai Kuruko is slightly trembling as she looks at the extremely fortunate boy in front of her.

This guy seems familiar.

He’s the guy that she met a few days ago.

Shirai Kuroko uses all her strength to force herself to stand up from the wheelchair.

“I…I’M GONNA KILL YOU! DON’T THINK THAT YOU CAN COME BACK ALIVE!! Onee-sama too, to even blush in front of the audience like that! I’M REALLY UNHAPPY!”

“Wait…wait a minute, Shirai-san!! Please calm down!! You’re injured badly, how can you stand up!? This isn’t the time to be like a shonen manga hero getting pumped up!!!!”

While Shirai Kuroko, who’s exceeding angry, and Uiharu Kazari, who’s about to cry out, are creating a ruckus, Daihasei is now getting even more exciting.