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School Garden.
It was a special district located in Academy City's School District 7.
This colossal area, spanning nearly two kilometers, far larger than any ordinary campus, was the shared grounds of the five most prestigious all-girls elite academies in the city.
Because these were schools for the city's nobility, the district contained not only vast school buildings but also lavish student dormitories. To outsiders, the entire place was simply a gilded, high-security garden for rich young ladies.
For those in the know, however, the district's value went far beyond simple appearances.
Within Academy City, Ability Development was the single most crucial factor, directly influencing a school's ranking. Since all five academies within School Garden were ranked among the absolute elite, their techniques and resources for cultivating powerful espers were arguably the best in the entire city.
Consequently, the district housing these schools, labs, and dorms was brimming with classified research. To maintain secrecy, satellite maps of the area were often left almost completely blank.
To further enforce privacy, School Garden was enclosed by high, intimidating fences, making it a restricted area completely off-limits to the general public. Even enrolled students needed a special pass to move freely. Non-students required an invitation letter from someone inside, which would be verified with paranoid thoroughness before entry was permitted.
Fang Li, unfortunately, met none of those conditions.
Even if he somehow wangled an invitation, there was absolutely no chance anyone would let him through.
It wasn't just him, though.
No males were allowed inside the School Garden. That much was only natural; it was, after all, a place used exclusively by all-girls schools.
"I mean, it makes sense, but still…"
Even so, Fang Li found himself standing right outside the gates.
"...This is way too conspicuous."
He sighed quietly.
All around him, girls in uniform were passing in and out. One by one, they cast curious glances at Fang Li, the only male in sight, some even whispering to one another while looking his way. He stood there, enduring the heavy, collective attention.
"I'm only standing outside the gate, haven't even gone in yet… and I'm already attracting this much attention?"
Just imagining the kind of uproar he would cause if he actually stepped inside made his skin crawl.
"I've heard that since School Garden has fully equipped stores and living facilities, some of the true noble young ladies are part of the 'never-set-foot-outside' faction, meaning they literally never step beyond the Garden's walls…"
In other words, some of these girls lived their entire lives in an environment completely isolated from men. If a male like Fang Li were to enter that sanctuary, it wouldn't be a commotion; it would be a catastrophe.
In fact, not only the students, but even the Anti-Skill officers on duty in the guard post had started to glance his way. They whispered among themselves for a moment, then began walking in his direction.
"...Sigh."
Fang Li sighed again.
"That yuri woman… she didn't do this on purpose, did she?"
Just as the thought crossed his mind… Something unexpected happened.
The approaching Anti-Skill officer suddenly froze mid-step, as if someone had pressed a pause button on them. Their expression went completely blank. A few seconds later, the officer stood in silence, then quietly turned around and walked back to their post.
"Eh?"
Fang Li, who had been considering bailing immediately, blinked in mild surprise. Then, a moment of realization hit, and he let out a wry laugh.
"So, I've already been discovered, huh?"
That realization shattered the faint hope he'd had of making a quiet getaway. Thinking about it, this was the most natural outcome.
"This is her territory. With her ability and personality, how could she not have eyes and ears set up all over the place?"
Even if Fang Li had just been walking by, that person would absolutely notice him immediately, and might even come chasing after him on the spot.
That was exactly why Fang Li hadn't wanted to come anywhere near this place.
He had said it before: in Tokiwadai, there were three people who were constantly pestering him.
If he were to rank them by persistence in pursuing him, Misaka Mikoto would be third, Shirai Kuroko would be second, and that person would unquestionably be first.
If persistence were scored: Mikoto got eight points, Kuroko a full ten, but that woman… she got a perfect hundred out of a hundred.
In short: that person would absolutely never let Fang Li go.
If he had the choice, Fang Li would rather stay as far away from her as possible. Not because he feared her, but because every time he got serious with her, even if he won, he somehow still ended up on the losing side. Since winning didn't benefit him and losing felt terrible, the only sensible option was avoidance.
With that in mind, Fang Li immediately turned around without the slightest hesitation, ready to leave.
Unfortunately, the thought didn't get far.
"Shuā!"
A sharp sound suddenly sliced through the air behind him, the sound of something breaching space.
"Pā!"
Fang Li abruptly spun around, lashed out his hand, and with a crisp smack, caught the source of the noise mid-air.
Looking down, he saw a small, delicate foot.
The person who had thrown the kick was a teleporter, appearing directly behind Fang Li in a blink of spatial distortion.
"Tch…"
Shirai Kuroko held her kicking pose, clicking her tongue in annoyance, completely ignoring the startled gasps of the nearby students.
"You noticed me again, huh?"
There was no sign of guilt or reflection in her voice. This was a naked, blatant attempt to kick him.
Maintaining his hold on her slender foot, Fang Li glanced downward, then spoke in a completely calm, flat tone.
"You really go out of your way to offer me a peek under your skirt every single time, don't you, Miss Shirai?"
"...!"
The moment those words left Fang Li's mouth, Shirai Kuroko vanished from his grasp, teleporting away instantly, and reappeared a few meters in front of him.
"You… you bastard…"
Her whole body trembled as she glared at him, her voice low and shaking with anger barely held in check.
"You caused such a huge mess, and you still act like this…!"
"What's this? Don't tell me Miss Shirai is here to lecture me now?" Fang Li said with a faint smile. "Too bad, I have no intention of reflecting on what happened with Scorpius."
But to Fang Li's surprise, Shirai Kuroko shouted something completely unexpected.
"That stuff doesn't matter right now!"
Her voice rang loud and clear.
"Sure, that was unforgivable too, but what's even more unforgivable is what you did to Onee-sama!"
With that, Shirai Kuroko, looking utterly distraught, charged right up to him, grabbed him tightly by the collar, and shook him furiously.
"Tell me! What did you do to Onee-sama?! Why did she become like that?!"
"...Become like that?"
What does that even mean?
What happened to Misaka Mikoto?
(End Of This Chapter)