Overall, the upper-level structure of Academy City wasn't that complicated.
Above all stood that legendary, untouchable existence.
Beneath him was the Board of Directors, composed of the twelve leaders of Academy City's key fields.
Further down were the principals of the prestigious schools.
After all, just from the name alone one could see—the city was ultimately a city of students.
And since it was a city built on cultivating excellent students, it was only natural that the principals of these elite academies would hold great authority.
For Tokiwadai Middle School—ranked among the very top of all Academy City schools—the principal's power was simply unimaginable.
Not to mention, within School Garden's five elite schools, though they competed against each other, they also formed a natural community of shared interests.
Together, the influence of School Garden within Academy City was tremendous.
"Besides… Our school's principal also has some ties with one of the Directors. As long as he really wants to, exchanging some conditions to make it happen is entirely possible."
That was why Misaki had been so confident from the start.
After all, she had already pulled the exact same maneuver before.
Back when she needed Director Yakumi Hisako to cut off funding for Oumi's reckless Third Laboratory in the Power Development Program, she had gone to the Tokiwadai principal and offered her enrollment into Tokiwadai as bargaining chip. It worked.
Now, she was simply repeating the process.
And more than anyone, Misaki herself knew:
While a Level 5 was indeed an extremely precious research asset in Academy City, in the eyes of those lofty Directors, their value wasn't as absolute as it might seem.
Taking one that didn't have much remaining research value really wasn't that difficult.
"But no matter how you look at it, Mugino Shizuri really doesn't suit being a middle schooler anymore, right?"
Unable to resist, Makoto once again looked back at Mugino.
Her figure could still be explained away.
After all, in this world, there were indeed girls who developed early and well enough to reach this level in their third year of junior high.
But her height was the real problem.
No matter how precocious a girl might be, there was no way a middle schooler could be this tall.
"Of course not as a student—she'll be a teacher. The principal was delighted to recruit a Level 5 as an instructor for the power-development curriculum. With that, Tokiwadai's status soars far above the other four schools."
Makoto raised his eyebrows, joking:
"So what, she's going to wear that outfit when she teaches too?"
"Of course! I already got the principal's approval for it."
Without even a second's pause, Misaki gave her unequivocal answer.
"You actually bothered to get permission for something like this…"
Makoto looked at her, at a bit of a loss.
Tokiwadai's school rules were strict to the extreme.
Even students had to wear their uniforms when going out on holidays.
Teachers were given a little more leeway, but still had to dress formally—suits and business attire were the norm.
And yet Misaki had actually gone through the trouble of making sure this punishment outfit was officially approved.
"Heh heh~ This is her punishment. And since Tokiwadai's campus is all girls, I've already gone easy on her."
The two of them weren't walking quickly.
It didn't feel like they were heading to take care of urgent business—instead, it was more like they were simply enjoying this quiet moment of being together.
And since the Talent Workshop Laboratory's grounds were vast, their walk to Fremea Seivelun's room stretched on and on.
"Hey, Misaki…"
"Hm? What's up? You look like you want to say something but are holding back."
At his call, she naturally looked up, and from her angle, she could see every bit of Makoto's expression.
"Mm… Forget it, I'll tell you after I finish talking with Fremea."
"Tch."
Misaki pouted and batted her lashes unhappily.
"Riddlemen are the worst, you know!"
But grumbling was all she did. She still took out her trusty remote control and pressed a button.
The star-shaped glow vanished from Mugino's pupils.
"I'll take Makoto over. You bring Frenda here."
"Yes, my lady."
Mugino accepted the order without hesitation, carrying it out without question.
This was the deepest layer of programming Misaki had etched into her—obedience beyond doubt.
"See? Calling you manipulative isn't wrong at all. Frenda's probably going to be scared out of her mind when she sees this."
The scheme was obvious—so obvious that Makoto couldn't help but comment.
Since Misaki hadn't altered Frenda's memories at all, when she saw Mugino, completely remodeled from the ground up… her reaction was practically guaranteed.
"I'm just helping that girl make the right choice faster."
…
The half-meter-thick iron doors slowly slid open.
The room beyond was bright and spacious, decorated warmly, filled with the sort of toys and furniture a little girl would use.
The only thing a bit bland was the color of the walls.
Naturally, the room's occupant was Fremea Seivelun.
"Onii-chan Makoto!!"
From a beanbag chair she'd sunk completely into, a pale, delicate hand waved weakly in the air.
"I told you a bunch of times already—don't call me Onii-chan Makoto. If you keep that up, you'll never get to play any of those gory games again."
The little hand immediately withdrew. Instead, a head of wavy golden hair peeked out, her fair skin glowing pink under the light.
"Hmph, always threatening me with that. But this time it's clearly your fault. I got kidnapped out of nowhere and dragged to this weird place. And before you've explained yourself, I call you Onii-chan Makoto a couple times and you scold me?"
Her crisp, clear voice carried just a trace of grievance, paired with her pouty little face.
Anyone else would probably have melted instantly and rushed to comfort her.
"Save it. You've used that trick too many times—it doesn't work anymore."
Without hesitation, Makoto walked over and flicked her forehead with his finger.
"And sit up straight. You wanted answers, right? I'll tell you now."