Facing Mugino Shizuri's speculation, Shokuhou Misaki said, "I can only see that this crystal was indeed placed into the cockpit by Study Group personnel, but whether there's a causal relationship with the Drive Armor attacking Saten Ruiko... I can't be sure."
Mugino Shizuri didn't press further; in her opinion, Shokuhou Misaki's statement was tantamount to admitting her judgment.
It wasn't surprising that Shokuhou Misaki, as a Level 5, could do such a thing, so the information she provided could be fully trusted.
"Coincidentally, Study Group's factory is also in that direction," Frenda said after checking the map. "It seems I was right; the culprits really are them!"
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's act quickly!" Kinuhata Saiai said. "Let's finish this at super speed!"
Item's four members were decisive and acted without restraint.
Ignoring Misaka Mikoto and Shokuhou Misaki's reactions, they immediately hailed a vehicle and headed straight for Study Group's factory.
"Onee-sama, should we follow them?" Shirai Kuroko asked, watching the other group leave in a whirlwind.
Misaka Mikoto looked at Shokuhou Misaki: "What do you think we should do?"
"Huh? Are you saying~ Misaka, you're going to obey my orders?"
"I'm definitely going," Misaka Mikoto gave her a big eye-roll. "My meaning is, if you don't want to follow, you'd best return to School Garden as soon as possible—it's very dangerous outside."
"That direction," Shokuhou Misaki looked in the direction Item's four members had left, "is just a factory of the Study Group. Didn't I mention just now—that Study Group is also a Dark Side Organization?"
"You didn't mention it!" Misaka Mikoto quickly said. "Are you saying... the enemies are very strong? Does that mean Item's members might be in danger?"
"Please, that's a Dark Side Organization led by a Level 5. As a Level 5, Misaka, you should be aware—just how strong are we?" Shokuhou Misaki stopped playing coy and said directly, "Dark Side Organizations aren't necessarily strong, but they're definitely cunning—it's just a factory. I highly doubt what Mugino Shizuri and her group can find."
"You mean," Misaka Mikoto mused, "we go straight to their headquarters?"
Unlike other Dark Side Organizations, Study Group also had the facade of a legitimate company as a cover. This identity provided them with many conveniences, but it was also their biggest restraint.
For example, right now, if they wanted to, Shokuhou Misaki and her group could go straight for the jugular and attack their main base at any time.
"It's just..." Shokuhou Misaki's face showed a hesitant expression, "I'm wondering whether to do it. Because it feels like it would be very troublesome, and there doesn't seem to be much benefit."
"Of course it's worth it!" Misaka Mikoto said. "After we take them down, no one will attack Saten Student anymore!"
"Uh... thanks?" Saten Ruiko chuckled dryly, momentarily unsure how to react.
Although she had indeed been attacked, and almost killed, wasn't she fine now? Yet, Misaka Mikoto and her group were seriously discussing "whether to destroy a large company" just to avenge her...
Saten Ruiko, essentially just an ordinary middle school girl, found it somewhat difficult to accept such a development.
—It wasn't that she was against "revenge," she was just simply at a loss.
"What's there to hesitate about!" Misaka Mikoto continued, "It's not doing bad things; we're striking down bad people, aren't we? If it were Lin Wuming Senior..."
"You're right." Shokuhou Misaki said, "It's happily decided then, eliminate them! You lead the charge, Misaka Student."
"Do you even need to say that?" Misaka Mikoto naturally didn't hesitate.
Shokuhou Misaki secretly nodded—this way, she could, as promised to Lin Wuming Senior, completely resolve this incident within two days.
It wasn't a particularly major incident to begin with; achieving this level should be sufficient.
With Dark Side Item assisting, destroying Study Group and rescuing Frenda and Jeanne sisters should not be difficult.
—Although Mugino Shizuri is a madwoman, she shouldn't go so far as to kill two little girls.
If it were Lin Wuming Senior, he would definitely choose to rescue those artificial human sisters first, right?
However, since Lin Wuming Senior is not directing the operation now, there must be a difference.
—Moreover, theoretically speaking, we shouldn't know about the existence of Frenda and Jeanne...
An hour later, Study Group's Drive Armor assembly factory in its Second District was invaded.
Ten minutes after that, Study Group's headquarters building was also invaded.
Another half an hour later, the battles on both sides concluded almost simultaneously.
Study Corporation—completely paralyzed.
...
"Our boss seems to have run into some trouble," Kihara Similar turned his chair and looked at the girl who had just entered, "After all this time cooperating, they've always paid on time, so we can't just leave them to die."
"Are you going to make a move?" Black Night Sea Bird, dressed in a tight leather suit, raised an eyebrow. "There are three Level 5s on the other side, from the third to the fifth. What do you plan to fight them with? No matter how you look at it, their Study Group is already doomed, right?"
"That's not necessarily true," Kihara Similar said sagely. "Black Night Student, don't worry, just do as I say."
...
After lunch, Lin Wuming came to the balcony with a teacup and gazed at the distant scenery.
It was the hottest part of the day during the summer afternoon, so there were hardly any pedestrians on the road below.
Thus, it was a rare moment when Academy City seemed a few shades quieter.
"How peaceful," Lin Wuming sighed, taking a sip of tea.
But he knew that at this very moment, in some area of Academy City, at least one battle was erupting.
Unless Study Group gave up resistance and surrendered...
Lin Wuming couldn't help but think that in the past, when he was fighting in various places, other parts of Academy City must have been just as peaceful and harmonious, right?
No wonder Academy City could boast that it was "the safest city in the world."
"Lin Wuming, your phone!" Hu Feng Homi's shout suddenly came from inside the house.
Lin Wuming turned his head and saw the girl throwing the phone towards the balcony.
"Thanks." Lin Wuming took the phone and saw it was an unknown call. "Who is this now?"
However, it was common for Lin Wuming's phone to receive calls from unknown numbers, so he didn't pay much attention and simply chose to answer.
"Hello..." Just as he opened his mouth, before he could speak, Lin Wuming was interrupted by the other party.
"Your girls lost," a strange male voice said over the phone, "right at Study Corporation's headquarters."
