The scene unfolding in the family restaurant was but a trivial episode within the vast society constructed by Academy City.
Even espers weren't all that different from ordinary students in many aspects, though to outsiders, they simply appeared more fortunate.
This city, planned and constructed starting fifty years ago, only began large-scale enrollment of external students a little over a decade ago, after publicly announcing its mature ability development technology.
After successively producing eight Level 5 espers, the city known as Academy City finally reached its peak. Every Daihaseisai ignited the outside world's curiosity and desire to uncover its secrets.
Media and tourists flocked in droves, drawing global attention to this place.
As the mastermind behind it all, the reclusive Academy City Board Chairman had become the most enigmatic figure among the city's numerous urban legends.
Few truly knew anything about his past—only that he was the city's chairman.
Even many of his collaborators were in the dark.
However, inside a certain windowless building, this chairman's posture was rather peculiar.
He hung upside down, suspended within an unknown red liquid inside a transparent container with tempered glass walls.
His silver-white hair floated in the liquid, neither clinging to his skin nor scattering aimlessly. Instead, currents of air from below caused it to drift rhythmically behind his head.
He wore a form-fitting green surgical gown. Had it not been for his inverted posture, he could have passed for an ordinary man standing firmly on the ground.
Had some overthinking young lady seen him like this, she'd surely have wondered if the chairman harbored some bizarre, secret fetish.
Not far from this transparent glass apparatus, a tall man in a crisp suit abruptly appeared.
His hands were casually tucked into his pockets, a VIP-level temporary ID card pinned to his chest. He looked up calmly, studying the chairman before him.
As one of the Academy City Board Chairman's collaborators, this tall man represented certain secular forces. However, only he himself knew his true purpose for being here.
His complexion was somewhat sallow, clearly the result of exposure to the elements without much care for skincare.
Yet, paired with his resolute face, his commanding presence, and overly steady eyes, it instead lent him an air of intimidation.
This windowless building couldn't be entered by conventional means—it required the assistance of beings known as 'UNDER_LINE'.
Although the usual guide for this building had encountered some minor issues, backup measures were in place, allowing guests to meet their host as scheduled.
"If this were about Ladylee, you wouldn't have requested to see me, Mr. Emissary," the chairman, with his long silver hair that at first glance gave him a feminine appearance, spoke.
A faint, elusive smile graced his lips, yet no emotion could be discerned from his words, as if he buried all feeling deep within.
"Why make Sonoko an esper?"
"You must know what immense trouble this will bring her. According to our intelligence, those things have finally lost patience and are coming to Academy City."
The suited man's face remained composed, yet the importance he placed on this matter was evident.
He unconsciously straightened his posture, withdrawing his hands from his pockets, getting straight to the point.
"Your daughter is exceptional. Her potential in the Parameter List is particularly stunning. Even though I have consistently upheld our agreement not to allocate any special resources to her, I could only slow the process, not prevent her from becoming an esper."
"Moreover, this decision was made by the majority of the Board of Directors. Many financial groups have tacitly consented, and even I am optimistic about your daughter's development. As a remedial measure, I have deployed twice the planned security personnel for the Daihaseisai and promise to intensify efforts to eliminate intruders."
The chairman's face remained an unreadable mask, making it impossible to discern the truth behind his words.
"The Anti-Skill teams have already located the Life Crystals and those inferior evolution serums. They will soon uncover the plans of those things."
The chairman paused for a few seconds before continuing.
As the possessor of technology like the 'UNDER_LINE', he already knew parts of their so-called plan, but he chose not to reveal it.
"I need to stay in Academy City for a few more days."
The suited man fell silent for a moment before speaking again.
"Granted."
The chairman's voice was utterly devoid of emotion.
"You sent your daughter to Academy City, forbade her from learning magic, and restricted her growth like a caged bird—all just to avoid provoking those things."
"A protective measure that shelters your daughter while buying ample time for your own elaborate schemes, yet it's an utterly naive approach."
"You fail to realize that power is the fundamental key to everything. To be frank, those things aren't even worthy of being her enemies."
Watching the suited man turn and leave in silence, a rare hint of reminiscence flickered across the chairman's face, as if something had crossed his mind.
In Natsume-san's life, no one knew exactly what role this chairman played, but it was clear he had no intention of interfering, allowing her to develop freely.
This city, Academy City, existed primarily to attract a peculiar kind of power.
And the presence of a certain girl had introduced new variables, setting something called 'fate' onto an unpredictable trajectory.
The convoluted schemes of the adult world were always so exhausting. Wouldn't it be better if everyone just focused on living their own lives?
--+--
Let's return our gaze to Natsume-san's table, now littered haphazardly with an assortment of delicious dishes.
Don't be fooled by Natsume-san's habit of saving money; when it came to spending, she could be quite extravagant, completely disregarding the consequences.
There was a time when a certain bun-haired girl, wanting to buy gifts, completely drained her bank account and lived for a while as a penniless young lady of Tokiwadai.
But that was all in the past. Natsume-san insisted everything was well within her control.
"Rakko-chan, didn't your family come to visit you?"
Suddenly neglecting the bun-haired girl, Tomoyo-san asked with concern.
"No. But my little sister is here in Academy City."
Her voice sounded slightly nervous. Yumiko Rakko bit down on the plastic straw of her drink while subtly shifting the violin case further away.
It contained sniper equipment—she absolutely couldn't allow Natsume-san's mother to see it.
As for Natsume-san, she had pretty much figured it out. Being in the Dark Side meant always carrying some weapons.
No one understood the uses of a violin case better than Natsume-san.
The Misaka clones used to prefer using violin cases for camouflage too, though nowadays they could just pull AKs out of their schoolbags.
"She's actually a senior from our school."
The bun-haired girl chimed in, thinking of the third-year archery club captain, Yumiya Iruka-senpai.
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.