Meanwhile, in School District 7, the streets were packed with adults who were rarely seen here on ordinary days. From time to time, they lowered their heads to check the sightseeing guides in their hands.
A man and woman walked along the extraordinarily lively, near-futuristic streets.
"Oh, look, dear. No matter how many times we visit, Academy City always manages to surprise us. These fully armed Security Robots operating alongside Anti-Skill officers are quite impressive... They're also highly intelligent and even equipped with map-guidance functions."
The speaker was a middle-aged man dressed in plain slacks with his shirt sleeves rolled up to his shoulders. His thoroughly impractical tie, which looked like some complimentary giveaway, had long since been loosened, and the leather shoes on his feet were somewhat worn.
"This is rather close to the near-future world I imagined. Since even military-issue robots like these have appeared, that must mean enormous space battleships and humanoid weapons will be next, along with wars between vast factions divided by opposing ideologies, empires, federations..."
"Wow, just thinking about it gets me excited, darling. All those multicolored beams shooting back and forth through the sky, and those swords of light that look like fluorescent tubes..." Listening to the increasingly outrageous things coming from his wife, several drops of cold sweat slid down the man's forehead.
Beside the man stood a gentle woman with shoulder-length, medium-brown hair.
She looked roughly two decades younger than the middle-aged man, and her clothing seemed completely mismatched beside his.
She wore a white one-piece dress that reached her ankles, made from fabric so thin and smooth that it seemed to be silk. A pink knitted cardigan hung loosely over the dress. A wicker basket that appeared to contain a boxed lunch dangled from her wrist.
Combined with the elegant hat on her head, her entire appearance radiated the refined air of the upper class.
Rather than husband and wife, the two looked more like a young lady and the chauffeur she had hired.
"Dear, that's far too terrifying. If military technology truly develops to that extent, then any war in the near future would surely end with all of humanity destroying itself..."
The man hurriedly stopped his wife from sharing the interests that had been led somewhat astray by her natural love of excitement and prolonged exposure to science-fiction and mecha films, then let out a sigh.
"Forget it. Those things will still take a very long time to become reality. By the time they do, we might already be losing our teeth... So let's not discuss such frightening topics. The atmosphere here is so wonderful. Talking about something that kills the mood would be terribly inappropriate."
"Mmm, darling, you're such a spoilsport. What if it really does happen?"
The young and beautiful mother reluctantly withdrew her gaze from the savage silver-gray steel body of the heavy suppression armored robot standing by at the intersection, then pouted in dissatisfaction.
Because the number of Judgment members and Anti-Skill officers was extremely limited compared with the number of tourists, especially large numbers of cleaning and public-security robots had been deployed at major traffic routes during this period. All of them were also equipped with event guide maps and highly intelligent automated question-and-answer systems.
It was difficult to rule out the possibility that Academy City was using this opportunity to flaunt its strength to the outside world.
"Ahaha... True enough. Who knows what the future holds? Ten years ago, who could have guessed that all these seemingly impossible technological products would become commonplace in ordinary homes?"
The man scratched the back of his head and opened the Daihasei Festival guidebook. "Still, the way I see it... Academy City's technological development is advancing at an unimaginable pace. In another few years... realistically speaking, they might even create considerate, lifelike robotic maids... And if they did, ahem, hehe..."
Apparently imagining something from an adult-themed fantasy, the man held the guidebook, which was nearly as thick as an overseas travel guide, in both hands and slipped into his own little world. A faint blush even appeared on his cheeks.
"My, my, Mr. Touya, are you thinking about something terribly improper again?"
Seeing his wife press one hand to her cheek while staring at him with a darkened, smiling gaze that gleamed with cold light, the man named Touya coughed lightly and hurriedly turned his face away.
"Ah, dear, I was thinking about... yes, why that brat Touma hasn't come to pick us up. Oh, look at the Endymion space elevator. It's clearly the greatest attraction here, but it hasn't been opened because of safety concerns. Otherwise, I would insist on going up to have a look."
It was an extremely stiff change of subject, yet the young mother happened to fall for it. She immediately recovered the demeanor of a gentle lady and linked her arm through her husband's. "The place Touma mentioned was in School District 7, correct? The venue for a certain high school's Daihasei Festival opening ceremony..."
The identities of the couple were self-evident. They were the parents of a certain spiky-haired boy, Kamijou Touya and Kamijou Shiina.
Just then, someone shouted, "Look over there! The student oath is beginning."
The crowd in the street suddenly erupted into noise. Visiting tourists, students' relatives, and friends all noticed the four Level 5 espers stepping onto the stages displayed across the enormous screens scattered throughout the city.
At this hour, the overwhelming majority of students and teachers were attending opening ceremonies at their respective venues.
Most of the people wandering aimlessly through the streets and sightseeing were tourists from outside Academy City. This was precisely what they had come to see. In an instant, shouts and laughter rose one after another, each wave louder than the last as the heated atmosphere washed over everyone.
"It seems we've arrived late."
The Kamijou couple exchanged a glance and stopped walking. They knew where their son was and could go there at any time. After all, it would be a pity to miss this student oath ceremony that happened only once a year, so they decided to stay and watch.
Then someone asked, "Is the oath platform tilting? It seems to be shaking. Is this some new opening-ceremony attraction from Academy City?"
"It's probably the effect of their abilities clashing during a partial demonstration. They are Level 5 espers, after all."
"Mommy, look! An angel! That big brother with three pairs of wings is so handsome!"
As they watched the heated scene at the main venue on the screen, the crowd began discussing it excitedly.
"My... That girl is rather pitiful."
Watching the otherwise "unremarkable" blonde girl with star-shaped eyes being squeezed between the triple shock waves created by the "pure-white six-winged angel," the "white-haired boy with four tornadoes extending from his back," and the "headband-wearing boy producing clouds of red, blue, and yellow smoke," Kamijou Shiina sighed from the bottom of her heart in sympathy for the girl.
On the screen, the tilted and swaying platform naturally meant nothing to Accelerator, Kakine Teitoku, or Sogiita Gunha. However, for Shokuhou Misaki, who was hopeless at sports, it was a serious problem. Although she had not yet embarrassed herself, Tokiwadai Middle School's representative had unquestionably been overshadowed by comparison.
"Indeed. Those boys are no gentlemen at all. To think they would bully a weak young girl." Kamijou Touya nodded indignantly.
"Oh, that girl's school emblem... Tokiwadai. She's one of Mikoto's classmates." At that moment, a woman in a light-gray blouse squeezed out of the crowd and brushed past Kamijou Touya. A faint sweet fragrance drifted from her, and the soft strands of hair sweeping past him made his body stiffen.
"Tokiwadai..." Kamijou Touya murmured.
"Huh? Sir, do you know where Tokiwadai is?"
"Oh dear, here we go again..." Kamijou Shiina sighed deeply, a heavy shadow visibly settling over her face.
"Dear... What do you mean by that?"
...
"Student oath!" the four shouted in unison.
"We athletes shall uphold the spirit of sportsmanship while participating in this Daihasei Festival, transforming the dreams and passion of youth into our driving force..."
Watching how badly the four voices onstage failed to synchronize, along with the strange mechanical tones and expressions of those two, Selene could barely suppress her laughter, and her shoulders trembled.
Aside from the eighth-ranked Sogiita Gunha, who was growing increasingly excited, Selene could tell that Accelerator and Kakine Teitoku were not only secretly competing with each other, but also clearly feeling ashamed and regretful.
They also seemed somewhat unaccustomed to appearing beneath the public eye in such a bright and open setting.
After spending so long immersed in darkness, does it feel uncomfortable to stand on a stage like this for the first time, speaking grand principles you once considered complete nonsense while tens of thousands gaze at you with admiration and longing?
But you've already come this far. There's no retreat now, so grit your teeth and finish it. Yuzuriha Ringo and Last Order are watching from the audience. Whoever backs down is the loser!
As for Shokuhou Misaki, Selene silently mourned for her. Having to share a stage with three problem children must be difficult.
"Selene." A voice pulled Selene from her lively thoughts.
"Ah, Watanabe-sensei." With her hands behind her back and a faint curve at the corners of her lips, Selene turned toward the voice. Watanabe, whose hair was streaked with gray, wore old-fashioned rectangular glasses and a navy-blue suit dress. She was walking over with a folder in her arms and a troubled expression.
"And another... little—ahem, Tsukuyomi-sensei. Is something wrong?" Behind Watanabe stood a pink-haired little girl dressed like a cheerleader in a short vest and miniskirt, holding pom-poms in both hands.
"Hmph-hmph! Selene, you were about to call me a little runt just now, weren't you? I heard that!"
"Selene, you saw what happened. Shokuhou has encountered some trouble, and there also appears to have been a mistake on Sogiita's side. Tokiwadai and the Operations Committee hope that, should the opportunity arise, you can step in and salvage the situation."
Watanabe sighed.
Had Accelerator not been present, Tokiwadai Middle School would not have reacted so strongly. They could accept losing to any other school. The Tokiwadai teachers might even welcome it as a lesson for their young ladies, who had experienced very few setbacks in life.
But Nagatenjouki Academy was the sole exception!
Accelerator was participating in the student oath specifically as a student of Nagatenjouki Academy.
Absolutely not! Either you exist or we do! Only against you would seeing you perform better and overshadow us feel even worse than losing ourselves.
"Very well." Selene nodded. "But I have one condition. I can salvage the situation, but I'll improvise."
"Agreed. I'll contact the host immediately."
...
At that moment, on the platform.
The oath was proceeding smoothly, at least so far. Now it was Sogiita Gunha's turn again.
"...Turning this bond that will never fade into... bond... What comes next again...?"
"Forget it! We will believe in the bonds between us that will never disappear, rely on those everlasting bonds or whatever, and add overflowing spirit to solve everything!"
"As for those whose very bones have rotted away along with their spirit..."
Is this guy an idiot?!
This rambling string of nonsense left Shokuhou Misaki, who was supposed to continue reading after Sogiita Gunha, frozen in place and utterly speechless.
Don't tell me you forgot your lines... You're a Level 5!
The strange succession of words such as "spirit," "passion," and "training" even made Accelerator turn his head. At the other end, Kakine Teitoku's expression also darkened.
Damn it, we've got a useless teammate!
He's ruined the entire performance! This isn't the original timeline, where the two of them were merely spectators enjoying the show. This time, they're the ones everyone is watching!
In the audience, the crowd's noise gradually faded.
"What a distinctive young man." Amusement suddenly surfaced in Katy's eyes. She did not dislike this passionate young man's improvised speech.
"But without question, that young man's reckless rambling has thrown the other representatives' rhythm into chaos."
Standing beside her, Sebas shook his head.
"Bastard! Are you doing this on purpose?"
"Do you want to die?"
On the oath platform, violent winds erupted around Kakine Teitoku and Accelerator in an instant. They looked ready to start an all-out brawl on live television.
Just then, the host's voice rang out, interrupting Kakine Teitoku and Accelerator's thoughts. The attacks they had been gathering immediately stalled.
"Ahaha, thank you to our four students for their ability demonstrations. We will now proceed to the second item, the opening address from Academy City's Board of Directors."
Clap!
'Do not resist. Don't blame me if you get hurt.'
Selene's voice, carrying surprise and barely suppressed laughter, appeared directly inside the minds of all four. The next instant, before countless watching eyes, the barrier of reality was torn open into an enormous breach. A variegated black rift resembling the jaws of an abyssal beast swallowed the four dazed Level 5s atop the platform in a single gulp.
Rumble—!
The spectators throughout the stadium immediately erupted into an uproar, and noise rose from every direction.
Who knew what they had been expecting? The live brawl had been canceled.
Tap, tap~
As footsteps climbed onto the oath platform, the assembled principals exchanged bewildered glances. Was there a second item? Weren't they supposed to deliver their speeches next? With a series of cracks, purple-red crystals spread and twisted across the damaged platform, visibly restoring its broken steel framework.
Beneath hair as white as freshly fallen snow were features seemingly carved by divine craftsmanship. Selene's eerie, diamond-shaped pupils, resembling blood-red gems, entered the sight of every spectator.
The ordinary spectators were unaffected, but at that instant, the uninvited guests hidden in the shadows all felt as though something terrifying was crawling across their bodies.
She still wore nothing more than Tokiwadai Middle School's simple autumn uniform, yet no one looking at the white-haired beauty would regard her as a mere student.
Especially not those who had infiltrated Academy City with ulterior motives.
Selene stopped before the microphone and lightly tapped it with one finger.
Bzzzt—!
Clack, clack, clack!
Every military Security Robot maintaining order at the venue simultaneously stood at attention with its weapon held upright. Influenced by them, the Anti-Skill officers employed by the Schicksal Research Institute and Board of Directors also raised their heads, straightened their backs, and formed ranks.
It was not limited to the main venue. Almost instantly, tourists discovered that even the Security Robots stationed throughout the various districts had snapped to attention, while the expressions of the Anti-Skill officers abruptly became solemn.
"It feels like... the atmosphere suddenly became very serious." Kamijou Shiina stared at the suppression unit standing in perfectly ordered ranks nearby, her small mouth falling open.
"Uh... judging by the school emblem, she's also from Tokiwadai, so she must be your daughter's classmate. But is she really a middle school student?" Kamijou Touya could not help looking toward Misuzu, who stood equally stunned beside him.
"This classmate of Mikoto's... is far too..."
This student's presence is overwhelming. The instant she stepped forward, the entire opening ceremony changed styles.
...
As expected, I still dislike noisy, chaotic occasions like this. Ceremonies and formal events should either not be held at all, or, once held and attended, should proceed in proper order.
But this isn't the military, nor is it the Empire. Using Discipline and the power of Senti to influence them through suggestion would be excessive.
An imperious, commanding tone is definitely unsuitable.
Then I'll make it more approachable.
Looking over the now-solemn venue, Selene allowed a faint curve to appear at the corners of her lips.
"As you have all seen, Sogiita Gunha, the eighth-ranked Level 5, became somewhat excessively passionate and created a great deal of unnecessary trouble for the opening ceremony."
"But isn't that youthful vitality precisely what the Daihasei Festival needs? This is a stage where the dreams and passion of youth may fully bloom."
"Such youthful enthusiasm and drive must not go unrewarded. Following deliberation by the Board of Directors, the rewards and subsidies granted to winning athletes and schools during this Daihasei Festival will be substantially increased."
"All Academy City stores will participate in a unified discount campaign, and the student curfew will be suspended throughout the Daihasei Festival..."
"In other words, our celebration is about to begin!"
The moment those words left her mouth, the students' cheers shook the very roof tiles.
Mention money, and suddenly no one felt tired anymore.
In any case, there was no possibility of Selene allowing the atmosphere to fall flat.
Even if they remained unmoved, Selene could turn them into planted supporters herself.
Once someone began cheering, human herd mentality, combined with various suggestions and material incentives, made achieving this level of excitement effortless.
"With that, I hereby declare the Daihasei Festival officially open."