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Kisara Tendou sat at her desk, meticulously reviewing the data she had accumulated from the activities of Rentaro and Accelerator. Their combined efforts in exterminating Gastrea had been remarkably effective, and the influx of bounty money had significantly improved the agency's financial situation. Kisara allowed herself a rare smile, feeling a sense of pride and satisfaction in their progress.
"Rentaro, you've done well," she said, glancing up from her computer. "And Accelerator... well, he's certainly been effective."
Rentaro, sitting across from her, nodded. "Yeah, he's a bit rough around the edges, but he gets the job done."
Enju, who had been listening intently, piped up. "What's Accelerator doing now? He's been messing with concoctions for a while, and he looks so serious. It's hard to approach him."
Kisara sighed, leaning back in her chair. "He's always serious. But if I had to guess, he's working on something important."
Rentaro nodded. "He's experimenting with the blood of Cursed Children, trying to enhance their capabilities. It's pretty amazing, really."
Enju's eyes widened with amazement. "Can he do that with me too? I want to be even stronger!"
Kisara smiled at Enju's enthusiasm. "I'm sure he'll help you when the time is right."
Curiosity getting the better of her, Kisara decided to check on Accelerator. She walked over to the corner where he was working, finding him deeply engrossed in his experiments. His workspace was cluttered with various vials and equipment, each carefully labeled and arranged.
"How long until you finish?" she asked, her voice breaking the silence.
Accelerator looked up, grumbling in annoyance. "It takes as long as it takes. This isn't something you can rush."
Kisara sighed, understanding his need for focus but still feeling the need to check in. "Alright, but don't forget to take breaks."
Rentaro, sensing the tension, offered a distraction. "Hey, Accelerator, how about a coffee break? I can brew you a fresh cup."
Accelerator's eyes lit up slightly at the mention of coffee. "Fine. Make it strong."
Rentaro nodded and headed to the kitchen, quickly brewing a pot of coffee. He returned with a steaming cup and handed it to Accelerator, who took it gratefully. Without a word, Accelerator reached into his pocket and tossed a wad of cash to Rentaro.
"Thanks," he muttered, taking a sip of the coffee.
Rentaro caught the money, his eyes widening in surprise. "Wow, thanks! This is... a lot."
Kisara watched the exchange, her eyes narrowing with envy. "Hey, if you have any other orders, I'm available too, you know."
The irony of the situation wasn't lost on her. She was the president of the agency, yet here she was, practically offering her services for extra cash. Accelerator, oblivious to her thoughts, looked up and met her gaze.
"Actually, there is something I need," he said, his tone more serious. "Where can I build a safe haven for the Cursed Children?"
Kisara thought for a moment, her expression thoughtful. "There's the Outer District. It's a rough place, but it's mostly abandoned and out of the way. It's been used as a dumping ground for exiled Cursed Children and other undesirables."
Accelerator's interest was piqued. "Outer District, huh? I wasn't aware there were more kids out there. Sounds like they're more exiled than anything."
Kisara nodded. "Exactly. It's a harsh environment, but with your abilities, you could make it a safe place for them. They need someone to protect them."
Accelerator considered her words, his mind already racing with plans. "I'll check it out. If it's suitable, I'll start building a sanctuary there."
Enju's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Can I come too? I want to help!"
Rentaro chuckled. "We'll see, Enju. First, let's let Accelerator scout the area."
Accelerator finished his coffee, setting the empty cup aside. "Alright. I'll head out now and see what we're dealing with."
Kisara watched him go, her mind filled with both hope and concern. The Outer District was a dangerous place, but if anyone could turn it into a haven, it was Accelerator. His determination and strength were unmatched, and she knew he wouldn't stop until he had secured a safe future for the Cursed Children.
As Accelerator left the agency, he couldn't help but reflect on how much things had changed. In Academy City, he had been a monster, feared and hated by all. Here, he was still a monster, but his focus had shifted. He was driven by a desire to protect the innocent and to create a better world for those who had been cast aside.
The Outer District came into view, a sprawling wasteland of abandoned buildings and debris. It was a harsh, unforgiving environment, but Accelerator saw potential. With the right resources and effort, he could transform this place into a haven for the children.
As he walked through the desolate streets, his mind filled with plans and ideas. He would start by securing the area, setting up defenses and gathering supplies. Then, he would bring the children here, one by one, and create a community where they could thrive.
With renewed determination, he set to work, his eyes fixed on the future. The fight for the Cursed Children's safety was just beginning.
Accelerator navigated through the desolate Outer District, his eyes scanning the surroundings. The area was a wasteland, littered with debris and abandoned buildings. Despite its harsh environment, the district teemed with life—Cursed Children peered at him from the shadows, their eyes filled with a mix of curiosity and hope. They wondered if this stranger could be a beacon of kindness in their grim world.
Accelerator wasn't one for grand gestures or comforting words. Instead of approaching the children directly, he reached into his inventory and pulled out stacks of processed canned goods. With swift, deliberate movements, he placed the food in visible spots around the area. He ensured the children saw him doing it, hoping they would understand that this was for them.
"There," he muttered to himself, watching as the children cautiously approached the food. "That should keep them fed for a while."
He observed from a distance as the children began to gather around the cans, their faces lighting up with gratitude and relief. It wasn't much, but it was a start. He had given them a glimmer of hope in a world that had shown them little kindness.
With his immediate task complete, Accelerator turned and made his way towards Sumire's lab. The walk was long, giving him time to reflect on his recent actions. He was changing, he realized. Slowly but surely, he was becoming someone who cared about more than just himself.
When he arrived at Sumire's lab, he found her waiting for him with a gleam of excitement in her eyes. It was clear that his knowledge and abilities intrigued her immensely.
"Welcome back, Accelerator," she greeted him, her tone eager. "I've been looking forward to our meeting."
Accelerator nodded, wasting no time with pleasantries. "I've finished creating a way to strengthen the Cursed Children while removing their red eyes. It should make them more accepted by society and enhance their abilities."
Sumire's eyes widened in astonishment. "You've accomplished that in just a few days? That's absurd… We've been working on something similar for years, and you've surpassed all our progress."
She paused, her pride as one of the Four Sages taking a hit. Yet, she couldn't deny the results. "Is it safe?" she asked, her voice betraying a hint of reluctance.
Accelerator nodded confidently. "Yes. The procedure is void of danger. I've tested it thoroughly."
Sumire studied him for a moment before sighing. "Alright. Who will be the first subject?"
As if on cue, a young girl stepped forward from behind Accelerator. She was one of the Cursed Children he had saved before, her eyes filled with trust and determination. Her animal variant was a cheetah, giving her speed far beyond that of a normal Cursed Child.
"I'll do it," she said, her voice steady. "I trust big brother"
Sumire looked at the girl, then back at Accelerator. "Are you sure she's ready?"
Accelerator nodded. "She's tough. She can handle it."
Sumire took a deep breath, her mind already racing with preparations. "Alright. Let's get started."
They moved to the lab's preparation area, the girl following closely behind. Sumire and her assistants began setting up the equipment, their movements precise and efficient. Accelerator watched, his mind focused on the task at hand.
"First, we'll need to run some preliminary tests," Sumire explained, her voice professional. "Just to make sure everything is as it should be."
The girl nodded, her expression calm. "I'm ready."
Sumire started the tests, taking blood samples and running scans. She was thorough, her experience as a researcher evident in every movement. Accelerator watched closely, his eyes never leaving the girl. He knew this was a crucial moment, and he couldn't afford any mistakes.
As the tests continued, Sumire glanced at Accelerator. "You've really done something remarkable here," she said, her tone filled with a mix of admiration and disbelief. "How did you manage it so quickly?"
Accelerator shrugged. "I had good data to work with. Plus, I'm used to working under pressure."
Sumire smiled faintly. "Well, whatever your methods, they've yielded impressive results. This could change everything for the Cursed Children."
The tests were completed, and Sumire nodded in satisfaction. "Everything looks good. We're ready to proceed."
Accelerator turned to the girl. "You're sure about this?"
She nodded firmly. "I trust you, Accelerator."
Sumire and her team prepared the injection, a mixture of compounds designed to enhance the girl's abilities and remove the distinguishing red eyes. It was a delicate procedure, but they were confident in its success.
As the girl lay on the examination table, Accelerator stood by her side. He placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You'll be fine," he said, his voice uncharacteristically gentle. "This will make you stronger."
Sumire administered the injection, her hands steady. The room was silent, everyone holding their breath as they waited for the results. Slowly, the girl's eyes began to change, the red hue fading to a more natural color. Her body shuddered briefly, then relaxed as the enhancement took hold.
"How do you feel?" Sumire asked, her voice filled with anticipation.
The girl sat up, blinking as she adjusted to the changes. "I feel... stronger," she said, her voice filled with wonder. "And my eyes... they're normal!"
Sumire smiled, a look of triumph on her face. "It worked."
Accelerator allowed himself a small smile of satisfaction. "Good"
As they wrapped up the procedure, Accelerator's mind was already racing with plans for the future. The success of this experiment meant that they could help more children, giving them the strength they needed to survive in a hostile world. It was a small victory, but an important one.
He turned to Sumire. "Thank you for your help."
Sumire nodded. "We're in this together. Let's keep pushing forward."
With the initial procedure complete and the girl's eyes returned to a more natural color, Accelerator and Sumire decided it was time to test the full extent of her enhanced capabilities. They moved to a larger part of the lab designed for physical trials, a space equipped with various tools and equipment to measure strength, speed, endurance, and flexibility.
"Alright," Sumire said, her voice brisk and professional. "Let's start with a basic strength test. We need to see how much more she can lift."
The girl, who had been feeling a rush of new energy coursing through her veins, nodded eagerly. Sumire and her assistants set up a series of weights, starting with a manageable amount and gradually increasing. The girl approached the weights, her eyes gleaming with determination.
"Lift this first," Sumire instructed, indicating a barbell loaded with weights.
The girl bent down and grasped the barbell, her muscles tensing. With a smooth, steady motion, she lifted it, her form impeccable. She set it down and moved to the next, heavier barbell. This continued, with the weights increasing each time. To everyone's amazement, she handled each new challenge with ease.
When she reached a weight that was previously beyond her capabilities, she took a deep breath and lifted it with visible effort but undeniable success. Sumire and Accelerator exchanged a glance of satisfaction.
"Her strength has definitely improved," Sumire noted, recording the results. "Not dramatically, but significantly enough to make a difference."
"Good," Accelerator replied. "What's next?"
"Endurance," Sumire answered. "Let's see how long she can maintain a high level of exertion."
They set up a treadmill, programming it to simulate a variety of terrains and increasing speeds. The girl stepped onto it, her expression focused. As the treadmill started, she began to run, her movements fluid and natural.
The speed increased gradually, and the girl kept pace effortlessly. Minutes turned into half an hour, and she showed no signs of slowing down. Her breathing remained steady, her form consistent.
"She's doing great," Sumire said, watching the monitor closely. "Her endurance is much higher than before."
Finally, they signaled for her to stop. She hopped off the treadmill, barely winded. Sumire approached her with a water bottle, which she accepted gratefully.
"How do you feel?" Sumire asked.
"Good," the girl replied, smiling. "I could have kept going."
"Excellent," Sumire said, noting the results. "Next is flexibility."
They moved to a mat where a series of flexibility tests awaited. The girl was asked to perform various stretches and maneuvers, each designed to push the limits of her flexibility. She moved with ease, her body bending and stretching in ways that would have been difficult before the enhancement.
"Her flexibility is impressive," Sumire commented, watching as the girl performed a perfect split and then transitioned into a backbend. "Much better than before."
"Looks like everything's working," Accelerator said, his tone satisfied. "But let's test the most important feature—her speed."
Sumire nodded, leading them to a long track specially designed for speed tests. "This is where we see just how fast she can go."
The girl took her position at the starting line, her eyes focused straight ahead. Sumire held a stopwatch, ready to measure her time.
"On your mark," Sumire said. "Get set... go!"
The girl launched herself forward with explosive speed, her legs moving in a blur. Accelerator watched in awe as she sprinted down the track, her movements almost too fast to follow. She crossed the finish line in record time, skidding to a stop with a wide grin on her face.
Sumire checked the stopwatch, her eyes widening in amazement. "Incredible. She's as fast as some of the best high-speed vehicles."
Accelerator nodded, impressed. "If I had to compare her to something, it'd be the Koenigsegg. She's just that fast."
Sumire ran another series of tests to ensure the enhancements didn't trigger any adverse effects. They checked her vital signs, scanned for any signs of her Gastrea blood going berserk, and monitored her overall health. To their relief, everything was stable.
"There are no signs of her Gastrea blood reacting negatively," Sumire concluded, her tone one of triumph. "This is a huge relief. The experiment is a success."
The girl beamed with pride, looking at Accelerator with gratitude. "Thank you," she said softly. "For everything."
Accelerator shrugged, trying to downplay his role. "You did all the hard work, kid. Just keep getting stronger."
Sumire approached Accelerator, a look of respect in her eyes. "This is a groundbreaking achievement. You've done something remarkable."
Accelerator nodded, though his mind was already moving forward. "We need to apply this to more children. One success isn't enough."
Sumire agreed. "We'll proceed carefully, but with your knowledge and our resources, we can help many more."
As they wrapped up the experiment, Accelerator's mind was filled with possibilities. The success of this enhancement meant they could give the Cursed Children the strength they needed to survive and thrive. It was a significant step forward, but there was still much to do.
With a renewed sense of purpose, Accelerator left the lab, the girl following close behind. They had made a breakthrough today, but the fight was far from over. There were more children to save, more battles to fight, and more challenges to overcome.
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