Saten's Aspirations

"Actually, it's nothing. Why are you so late today?" Misaka Mikoto was clearly a bit displeased with Selene's tardiness.

"Don't mention it. Sebas dragged me into meetings all day, with all sorts of socializing that drove me crazy."

"Wow, is this what the life of a rich girl is like? I'm so envious!"

"Oh, really?" Selene, thinking it might be interesting for Uiharu to experience her busy life, jokingly said, "How about you give it a try, Uiharu?"

"No, no!" Of course, Uiharu Shiri was only dreaming. When it came to actually experiencing it, she chickened out.

Noticing that the four of them seemed a bit exhausted and powerless, Selene asked curiously.

"Well, how should I say it?" Kuroko sighed, "We met someone with a bit of a strange quirk."

Uiharu, looking innocent but speaking sharply, remarked, "Stranger than Shirai?"

This sharp jab earned Uiharu a glare from Kuroko, "Can't you speak properly!"

"Oh, right, here." Selene, recalling something, handed Kuroko a diamond-shaped crystal.

Receiving the crystal, Kuroko examined it closely. It was an equilateral diamond, about the length of a thumb, and overall a purple color that shimmered with strands of red. Kuroko then asked in confusion, "Huh? What's this?"

"Think of it as insurance. Remember to keep it on you at all times!" Selene said mysteriously.

...

During this period, Selene noticed Saten Ruiko behaving oddly, often looking like she wanted to say something but remained silent, especially after today's gathering with Misaka Mikoto and the others.

According to Kuroko, during lunch, there was also an expert in brain research present, whom Mikoto and the others had specifically invited to figure out [Level Upper]'s mechanism. The scholar's name seemed to be Kiyama Harumi.

"Kiyama Harumi?"

While talking about it, Mikoto and the others regretted that Selene hadn't met her.

Upon hearing this, Selene realized that Kiyama probably didn't want to see her. After all, Selene was a member of the Academy City's Board of Directors.

Although Selene knew that Kiyama Harumi was the mastermind behind the [Level Upper] incident, she didn't intend to expose her yet.

There were three reasons.

First, if she exposed Kiyama now, given Selene's current status, people would assume she was signaling to deal with Kiyama. Without Selene needing to act, both her subordinates and those looking to join her would use Kiyama as a token of allegiance.

In that case, Kiyama's students would truly be beyond saving.

Second, Selene herself was curious to see what would happen with a brain-linked network of ten thousand people combined with the Destiny Research Institute's T-R series enhancement drugs.

Yes, unlike in the original story, Kiyama had secretly acquired quite a bit of the T-R series enhancement drugs, all with Selene's tacit approval. Otherwise, Shuji Matsuzaki wouldn't have dared sell the drugs behind her back.

Third, it would leave a profound experience for the main group of four, helping them grow. It would also serve as a small reminder to those behind Kiyama.

Kiyama was just a pawn.

Thinking of this, Saten Ruiko was probably struggling with whether to use Level Upper.

After meeting Kiyama, Ruiko was torn about using [Level Upper]. Concerned, Mikoto approached her for a talk, where they discussed the hopes and expectations that her protective charm symbolized. Mikoto tried to reassure her, saying, "Level doesn't really matter," but inadvertently hurt Ruiko's self-esteem, strengthening her resolve to use [Level Upper].

"Well, it's getting late. We should head back to the branch. There are still tons of documents to organize... Huh? Where's my senpai?" Kuroko stood up, stretched her arms, and looked back, surprised to find that in the time it took to stretch, Misaka Mikoto and Saten Ruiko had disappeared.

"Hey, did you see where my senpai went?" Kuroko asked Selene, who seemed lost in thought on the couch.

"Hmm? No." Selene shook her head and jokingly smiled, "Maybe your senpai went to meet a lover~"

"Impossible! My senpai wouldn't abandon me! Come on, don't joke like that!" Kuroko immediately freaked out.

Before Selene could respond, Uiharu, with a teasing grin, jumped in to provoke Kuroko, "Hmm~ You never know~ That spiky-haired guy seemed to get along well with Misaka."

"Ahhh! Where's that ape?! I'm going to kill him!!!"

"Ahh, Shirai, calm down."

...

"I really don't want to give up. I haven't used it yet, so as long as I don't say anything... it'll be fine, right?" After parting with Selene and the others, Saten Ruiko felt deeply conflicted.

She ran to a secluded bridge and took out her phone with a complicated expression. "...It was hard to find."

"Hey, Saten?" Mikoto had noticed Ruiko's distraction. Seeing her leave alone, she couldn't help but follow.

Hearing Mikoto's voice, Ruiko's eyes flashed with panic. "Misaka? Why are you..."

"We're friends! When you suddenly disappeared, of course, we were worried. Is there something bothering you?"

Hearing Mikoto's words, Ruiko's eyes showed a struggle. After hesitating, she said, "I originally lived outside Academy City. I came here carrying my family's expectations, attracted by superpowers. But... Misaka, do you think a Level 0 is defective?"

"Right now... my family's expectations are really heavy..."

Mikoto knew that the problem lay here. Ruiko had longed for powers for a long time.

Her friends often played around, and not to mention Selene and Mikoto, who were both Level 5s, even Ruiko's close friend Uiharu was Level 1. But Ruiko was completely powerless, which made her feel inferior.

"Of course not! Level doesn't matter," Mikoto denied immediately. "To me, Saten is Saten, whether she has powers or not. You're my friend! And I believe Selene and the others feel the same way."

"But without powers, I'm useless. Whenever there's trouble... it's always you protecting me..." Ruiko's eyes revealed a sorrowful look, and her voice grew softer.

With that, Ruiko took off running, "I'm fine, Misaka. I'm going home now... Bye..."

"Saten..." Watching Ruiko leave and recalling her words, Mikoto stopped, deciding not to follow.

"This isn't something we're qualified to advise her on. It might backfire..." Having observed quietly, Selene stepped out from the shadows. "...That's why I didn't try to persuade her."

Hearing this, Mikoto fell silent, realizing it was true. She, a Level 5, trying to tell a Level 0 that powers didn't matter, was like a billionaire telling a worker that money didn't matter. It felt like a kind of "Versailles speak."