Even as a child, she understood that to survive smoothly in Academy City, she had to put on a smile and please the researchers to be liked.
But understanding it was one thing...
She still hated Academy City, hated the highest-level Board of Directors, and even resented the world itself—why was it so unfair?
Some people, the moment they arrived in Academy City, were surrounded by adoring crowds. The researchers who decided their fate, the big shots from the dark side, bowed and scraped before them. Why were the beautiful dreams she longed for with all her heart so easily within reach for them? Why?!
Dolly could have lived if they had shown just a sliver of compassion—requiring no cost at all. Yet the cruel experiments still continued, cloaked under the name of destiny. All her painstaking negotiations turned out to be less important than a welcome party for some rich girls...
Damn it. Damn it all!!
Crash~
In a dim room, the girl in a pink nurse outfit holding a long whip suddenly stood up as she watched a live broadcast on the monitor—a replay of Tokiwadai Middle School's team winning once again in the District 7 main venue.
Crack! Sharp mercury sprayed from her hand. The shattered remains of the monitor fell to the ground, and various electronic components sparked with pzzzt noises.
Her gaze, filled with hatred and loathing, was like embers spewing resentment. It was as if she held an irreconcilable grudge.
Although the girl could be considered beautiful, her twisted expression and dark aura greatly diminished her appeal.
"Keizaku Mitori, this isn't something I can decide, nor is it up for discussion. Orders are orders. Recall them. Cease all actions."
An old man lounging calmly on the sofa opened his eyes.
He had medium-length, slicked-back white hair, wore black rectangular glasses, a white suit shirt with a red tie underneath, and a white lab coat on top. Yes, a textbook researcher look.
Indeed, that was the case. While few researchers personally joined the dark side, exceptions existed—and this old man was an even rarer one. As a physically frail researcher, he directly became the leader of the dark faction MEMBER.
"...."
Her chest rose and fell with intense emotion. The nurse-outfit girl, Keizaku Mitori, gripped her whip tightly, the leather creaking.
Even after all this time, just seeing those Tokiwadai girls—especially when the footage shifted to Misaka Mikoto chatting happily with friends or Selene sharing warm moments with her family—made Keizaku Mitori uncontrollably irritated.
"Why change an already formulated and active plan? The operatives are out, and our base was attacked. If we don't strike back, how will we survive in the dark side? If we don't fight over the market left after SCHOOL disbanded, does the dark side even need to exist anymore? Might as well disband it now."
After a long silence, she finally spoke.
"Heh, spare me your provocation."
The old man snorted with displeasure and said coolly, "Just do what you're supposed to. Otherwise, not even Kihara Gensei can protect you. Going with the flow is also a form of courage."
"You're quite the obedient dog," Keizaku Mitori retorted coldly.
"Hmph, thanks for the compliment. Everyone has their own choices. I seek the hidden beauty in the corners of this world and enjoy its aesthetics. So, I don't care whose feet I bow to—call me Aleister's dog or the Board of Directors' lapdog, it doesn't matter."
"Besides..."
Clearly unwilling to continue engaging with this half-insane woman, the old man pushed open the door. Before leaving, he turned his head and swept her with a cold glance.
"Calling me a dog? Aren't you just a mad dog biting at random after being rejected?"
This girl's "glorious deeds"—a mere Level 4 esper daring to organize multiple attacks on the Windowless Building—if that wasn't madness, what was?
"Here's a heads-up—the Hound Dog units directly under the Board Chairman have mobilized... If you're set on a death match between hounds and mad dogs, forget I said anything. It'll be considered your personal action, unrelated to MEMBER."
Watching the white-coated old man disappear through the doorway, Keizaku Mitori stood grim-faced. She opened her palm, staring at the pendant that symbolized the once-beautiful memories they had in the Talent Workshop.
"Is it really beyond saving?"
"No!"
"I have to find out."
...
District 7, Main Venue.
As for the grudges held by certain people in Academy City, Selene couldn't care less.
Who even were they? One, not a collaborator like Aleister; two, not an important friend like Kamijou Touma; three, not a close companion like Misaka Mikoto cultivated before her rise; four, not one of her dogs. As for the rest, Selene had no interest in paying them any mind.
"How about letting Mom handle the party preparations? They're all classmates and friends your age—it's not some group meeting like with Karl and Ase. It's a family gathering. Sebas is great at everything except he's way too formal."
"...Sure, whatever. I'll have Aoki and Matsuzaki hand over the work. You handle it from there, Mom. I'll just enjoy it."
Escaping Katie's lecture mode—didn't Villian herself provide the perfect excuse for Selene?
While promptly admitting fault, Selene casually shifted the tedious details to Katie and smoothly mentioned that Villian's sister, the Second Princess, had also arrived in Academy City, subtly steering the conversation toward how to host such a far-traveling guest.
Naturally, Katie "fell for it."
Or rather, she willingly walked into the direction Selene wanted. Katie didn't mind her daughter revealing a hint of helpless emotion—that was part of their mother-daughter dynamic.
"Mm, alright, I'll take care of it then. I also need to arrange for you and Villian to meet. Selene, you really should learn some lady-like manners from her. Oh right, I just heard from Villian that her sister is here too. Our families have a long history—you youngsters should get to know each other."
"Also, those two adorable girls—what were their names, Uiharu and Saten, right? Where are they? I just saw them trying to talk to you on the field."
"Oh, them? Uiharu went off for Judgment duties. Kuroko's there too. Saten went off hunting for urban legends again. She'll be back once she's done exploring."
Curiosity gleamed in Katie's eyes. "Urban legends in Academy City? Ooh, what kind? Mom's curious. Sounds fun already."
"That... isn't too different from the outside world. Just layered with esper elements. Not very practical. Ask Saten when she gets back. She's the expert."
Selene rubbed her forehead.
Urban legends—calling them all fake wouldn't be accurate. Some were very real, often inspired by actual events and gradually embellished through word of mouth.
Interpretation varied from person to person.
Take for instance the one Saten Ruiko had gone to investigate at the District 7 main venue—the "Shadow Metal."
Reportedly, this was a metal that didn't exist in nature, produced only when the powers of dozens or even hundreds of espers manifested simultaneously. Hence, it could only be obtained during large-scale events like the Daihasei Festival, where many espers gathered. Because of its rarity, it was said to fetch a high price on the black market.
As the district with the highest quantity and quality of high-level espers, especially during such a major athletic meet with prestigious schools participating, District 7 was naturally a hotspot for urban legend hunters.
"Um, Selene-senpai, the Balloon Hunter event is about to start. Are you going to participate?" Just as Selene was thinking of how to escape Katie's sudden curiosity, a gentle and somewhat timid female voice called out.
Following the voice, Selene saw two underclassmen standing nervously by the staircase near the aisle of the spectator stands.
"Oh, you're Kuroko's classmates from the swim club—Awatsuki and Wannai..."
"Yes, senpai. My name is Awatsuki Maaya."
Seeing Selene approach with a gentle attitude and even handing them water—so unlike the stern image the rumors painted—Awatsuki Maaya let out a breath of relief and bowed slightly.
"I'm Wannai Kinuho," added the short-haired girl with wavy brown curls, also bowing.
Ah, it's you—Academy City's infamous "anti-Newton trio."
"Where's Kongou Mitsuko? Together with Kuroko, you three are quite the well-known first-year group."
"Oh, it's nothing like that," Wannai said with a shy smile. "We're just a bit more active because we happened to be involved in a few incidents. Especially Kongou... she always ends up being the first one hospitalized. Her reputation's a little unfortunate."
"Kongou-san is already preparing down below. Selene-senpai, will you be joining the Balloon Hunter event?" Awatsuki added at the right moment.
"Balloon Hunter..." At that, Selene squinted toward the lineup of contestants entering the stadium from the opposing school.
"Senpai?" Wannai asked curiously. "Is something wrong?"
"Not exactly. But I did spot a... hmm, how should I put it? A clown."
In an instant, Selene locked eyes on a chubby, naive-looking boy with short brown hair. A quick query to the [Bank] exposed his background completely.
A dark side operative—Baba Yoshio.
...
District 7, Gourmet Street.
Alyssa and Ferdinand were getting along famously.
Truly, bonds formed over food and fun were the easiest to build.
While big sister was busy and Mom was also occupied, Alyssa took charge. Ferdinand was only sad for a moment before getting swept up in the joys of indulgence and amusement, quickly forgetting his earlier sulking.
He now followed Alyssa everywhere, eating whatever she ate.
If there was one regret, hic—!
He couldn't eat anymore...
Staring at Alyssa, who continued to devour food with zero sign of fullness and a perfectly flat stomach, Ferdinand looked down at his own round belly.
Ugh, how frustrating!
But good upbringing told him that everything should be done in moderation. He'd already overindulged today. Any more would harm his health. Most importantly, he was stuffed—no room left, no matter how delicious the food.
"Alyssa-sis, how much longer are you going to eat? I wanna go check out that street."
Wearing a slightly unbuttoned vest, Ferdinand pointed toward the neon-lit arcade street across the road.
Whoosh~!
Tilting her little head back, Alyssa exhaled through her nose dramatically, then took a big bite of her takoyaki. She smugly ruffled Ferdinand's hair, her sky-blue eyes gleaming with pride.
Victory is mine!
She declared silently to herself.
So this is what it feels like to be called "big sis."
"Just a sec... Big Sis will take you there!" Alyssa said, mouth still full of takoyaki.
As they walked, Alyssa's expression suddenly hardened. The crowd had thinned dramatically. By the time they reached the arcade street, it was completely deserted. Strange energy particles interfered with her sense of direction, and in an instant, she shielded the confused Ferdinand behind her.
Who dares try this?
Next moment—BOOM!BOOM BOOM!
A deafening series of explosions rocked the area. Cracks spidered across shattered shops, and fiery debris sprayed outward from crumbling structures.
"Armor on the bottom, human on top."
With drifting white powder in the air, golden light burst forth, instantly clearing away the smoke. Alyssa stood unscathed before a devastated storefront. In the center of the wreckage, a short, gaunt white man in a green robe stepped out of the flames.
Clang!
He tossed aside a scorched security robot's head and glared at Alyssa, unscathed and radiant. "Lidvia proved somewhat useful."
Speaking arrogantly to himself, he sneered, "No traces of magic rituals, no signs of devout faith—clearly a heretical esper. Must be eliminated!"
Despite his Satanic looks, the man was a devout follower of the Roman Catholic Church. All his actions were to equally save all mankind.
However, he didn't consider anyone outside the Church to be human—thus, unworthy of salvation. His true target was Ferdinand. Confirming Alyssa had no magical affiliation or divine signs, he didn't hesitate to kill.
"Human on bottom, flour on..."
"Scram!"
Before the white blade of light could form—CRACKLE!
A surge of lightning exploded through the air, compressing it with sheer force. A fist, cloaked in sky-blue thunder, smashed into his face.
BOOM!
Stones flew as the ground erupted. Shattered debris rained from the sky.
"Ugly freak! Who are you and why won't you shut up?! So annoying!"
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