In Academy City—Ability Levels Really Matter

"I could sense how much she needed guidance at that time, but I... didn't respond directly to her question. Instead, I brushed it off with, 'The level doesn't matter,' which backfired completely!" As she said this, Misaka Mikoto couldn't help but grab her hair in frustration.

"Uh..." Hearing her elder sister's words, Shirai Kuroko felt a bit stifled. You, a Level 5, telling someone without abilities that levels don't matter sounds dismissive, right? Although it was said with good intentions, it would only make the person feel more inferior, no wonder it backfired.

"But, Selene, how did you come up with such a way to comfort someone?" Feeling a bit embarrassed from being stared at, Misaka Mikoto blushed and quickly changed the subject.

"Hmm?" Faced with the topic shift, Selene was a bit puzzled but explained, "Actually, it wasn't so much comforting her as it was just telling her the reality."

"Reality?" Shirai Kuroko and Misaka Mikoto asked in confusion.

"Yes, reality. We are high-level ability users at Level 4 and above. Compared to those who have no abilities or low-level abilities, we live in completely different worlds. To them, a simple reassurance from us feels like saying, 'Let them eat cake,' doesn't it?"

Perhaps because the topic was heavy, Misaka Mikoto's mood turned gloomy, and she showed a look of regret. "I didn't expect it to turn out like this..."

Selene raised her head and looked at Misaka Mikoto with a gradually serious expression, "Her sense of inferiority might stem from having us as friends, who are high-level ability users. Imagine being the worst among your closest friends; wouldn't you feel pressured and inferior?"

"Uh... That's true. Saten must feel a lot of pressure being around us." Shirai Kuroko sighed in exhaustion. When she interacted with Saten Ruiko, she hadn't realized this.

Selene sighed softly, "We all possess strong enough powers, and naturally, we don't pay much attention to the thoughts of low-level ability users. I don't know about you, but speaking of which may sound cruel..."

Selene paused, her voice gentle yet cold as she continued, "If Saten weren't our friend, would we care about this? Would we pay attention to these powerless people? As for me, the answer is no. I wouldn't care about their views. At most, I'd glance at the news and sigh."

"And I believe most people would be the same."

"Wouldn't the Board of Directors do something...? Isn't Academy City supposed to promote equality? Aren't they afraid of public opinion's influence?" Misaka Mikoto found it hard to believe such harsh words.

"Heh, public opinion? Under the suppression of power, public opinion is the most useless thing! After some time, who will remember these? People are forgetful..."

"This..." Misaka Mikoto's fists unknowingly clenched, "That's too cruel... Can't people just be harmonious and helpful to each other...?"

"Cruel? When you peel away the warmth of society's facade, you'll find that the law of the jungle dominates!" As she spoke, Selene walked up to Misaka Mikoto and stared into her brown eyes, "Not everyone is like you, with persistence, perseverance, and talent. Those who also have love in addition to the former are rare..."

"This world isn't cruel; it's just real."

"...."

"...Real? Is reality the excuse for us to abandon these people?!" Misaka Mikoto's voice suddenly rose as she stared firmly into Selene's complex, red-crossed diamond-shaped pupils, "Maybe thinking ability levels don't matter is just my wishful thinking..."

"...I may not be able to help everyone in the world, but I am willing to help everyone I meet who needs it. I know this behavior is foolish, but I'm willing, whether for Saten or anyone else, I want to help them!"

"Selene, will you help me?!"

"Indeed, you're still the Misaka I know." Hearing her speech, Selene couldn't help but shake her head and chuckle softly.

Though she admired it, Selene didn't intend to be like that. She just wanted to help her friend... Probably? "Of course, don't forget, I promised Saten, and I keep my promises!"

"Count me in!" Perhaps caught up by Misaka Mikoto's determined posture, Shirai Kuroko immediately jumped onto Misaka Mikoto, intoxicated by her sister's scent, snuggling against her petite chest, with a feverish blush on her face, "As expected of Kuroko's sister! Ah~ Kuroko is captivated~"

Seeing this, Selene looked at the two playfully wrestling with slight helplessness. What can she say? Kuroko, as expected of you—absolute!

"Ah! Kuroko, stop messing around!" Though Misaka Mikoto appeared annoyed and pushed Kuroko's face away, the slight upward curve of her lips betrayed her good mood, "Time to get to work!"

"Alright, let's go. I said a lot of grand principles, but we still need to ensure Saten's safety." As she spoke, Selene grabbed the two and disappeared with a swoosh.

...

Seventh District · University Hospital.

"So, when Uiharu arrived, Saten was already unconscious." Looking at Saten Ruiko quietly sleeping in the hospital bed, Selene turned to Shirai Kuroko, "Where is Uiharu?"

"She went to Dr. Kiyama. Uiharu said, 'I will definitely parse the data and wake up Saten,' and then left." Shirai Kuroko sighed and felt a bit irritated; she had no clues.

"Is that so... Saten, when did she use the [Level Upper]?" Staring at the unconscious Saten Ruiko, Misaka Mikoto murmured lowly. Saying it is one thing, but actually encountering the situation made her feel at a loss. Can she save Saten?

As the two were at a loss, Selene suddenly spoke.

"Actually, I have a lead on finding the [Level Upper] developer. We just need to find one person, and they're not far, right here in this hospital..." As she spoke, Selene gave Misaka Mikoto a mysterious smile, "And... I think Misaka would quite enjoy this."

"Huh? I... would enjoy it?" This confused Misaka Mikoto.

"That's right!"