“As I expected, after separating from Kamijou Touma, problems can be resolved cleanly and efficiently.”
In a room with a giant test tube in the No Window Building, a voice suddenly rang out.
Although there seemed to be no other “person” present, Chairman Aleister still muttered to himself, “My judgment is correct.”
The Study Group incident ended so swiftly that they hadn’t even been able to expose their true intention of launching a “rebellion” before they were completely wiped out by Lin Wuming and his group.
This efficiency was remarkably high.
Of course, to a large extent, it was also because this incident was unrelated to magic, purely an internal affair of Academy City, and happened to be in Lin Wuming’s most Good at domain, so it was normal for him to resolve it easily.
Looking at it this way, it’s actually hard to say whether it was because of separating from Kamijou Touma, or simply because Lin Wuming and his team were lucky enough to encounter an “easy target.”
However, it seemed that in Chairman Aleister’s view, there was no difference between the two.
This powerful figure who ruled the entire Academy City now frankly admitted his misjudgment.
“Now it seems that I must indeed change the way I use Lin Wuming. Having him deal with magic-related incidents… No, even just letting him come into contact with magic is an extremely cost-ineffective thing. It’s a waste of his talent and strength.”
Chairman Aleister continued to murmur to the empty room, “It’s also a waste of Imagine Breaker.”
And there was an even worse, or rather, more troublesome side effect—Lin Wuming’s esper ability Level Up progress showed signs of being out of control.
It was as if a flower bed had entered its peak blooming period, as if an orchard was about to yield a bountiful harvest, or as if snow on a snowy mountain had accumulated to its limit…
At such a time, no matter what happens, even if the external environment only gives it a slight stimulus, it will unleash a flourishing sea of flowers, yield countless fruits, or… billions of tons of ice and snow will pour down, forming a world-shaking avalanche!
Lin Wuming’s esper ability—Chairman Aleister was still willing to call it a “esper ability”—had already reached this realm, and could at any time take another step forward, reaching a state that even Aleister himself had not anticipated.
For Lin Wuming and his companions, this might be good news; but as the ruler of Academy City, the leader of the scientific side in the world’s two major factions, Aleister was unwilling to see that scene.
At least, he was unwilling to see that scene arrive too soon.
Whether Lin Wuming’s next step was the so-called Level 6 Absolute Power or not, the birth of a top-tier powerhouse would inevitably cause a significant impact on this world.
At the same time, it would cause unnecessary trouble for Aleister’s plan.
…
“My esper ability seems to be having problems.”
Lin Wuming used this reason to, quite unusually, proactively invite the girls to his home late at night.
—Because there was an important matter to discuss.
Since Lin Wuming had never made such a move before, the girls around him immediately realized the seriousness of the situation and agreed without hesitation.
Even Haruue Erii and Saten Ruiko, two girls who usually weren’t too close to Lin Wuming, followed along…
Because they needed to cooperate with the Anti-Skill’s investigation, all personnel involved in this STUDY incident—including Haruue Erii who was running support in the rear—were called in for questioning.
By the time all procedures were completed, the sky outside had already grown dim.
Lin Wuming and the group of girls gathered at the Anti-Skill headquarters entrance, and after confirming that everyone was safe, he announced their dismissal.
However, at this moment, Lin Wuming called out to Misaka Mikoto and Shokuhou Misaki, stating that he had something to discuss and asked them to return to their dorms a little later, making time to accompany him.
As mentioned earlier, Lin Wuming had never made such a move before, so no one felt that his sudden invitation had an ulterior motive.
Rather, some of them even hoped that Lin Wuming would be a bit “ill-intentioned.”
Due to the need to cooperate with the Anti-Skill’s investigation, the girls from Tokiwadai Middle School had already reported to the school, so they no longer had the pressure of a curfew.
Therefore, when faced with Lin Wuming’s invitation, they naturally agreed without hesitation.
Misaka Mikoto and Shokuhou Misaki need no mention; after they stayed, Shirai Kuroko and Kazakiri Hyouka naturally followed.
Seeing everyone starting to move in the same direction, Saten Ruiko’s eyes darted, and she decisively grabbed Haruue Erii’s hand, pulling her still-hesitant friend along.
Later, somehow getting the news, Misaka Worst also joined the group as if it were a matter of course, and came to Family Side with everyone.
When Huangquanchuan Aisui returned home from work and opened the door, she was startled by a house full of people.
Fortunately, this house often had many guests, and Huangquanchuan Aisui was somewhat used to this situation.
After only a slight surprise, Huangquanchuan Aisui cleared her throat and retreated the way she came: “Well, I’m going to Tie Zhuangzhui Li Teacher’s place next door for a drink, make yourselves at home…”
With that, she decisively slammed the door shut with a bang.
“This isn’t good, what was that atmosphere just now? They’re clearly just middle school students, so why do they all look so serious?” Huangquanchuan Aisui muttered as she knocked on her neighbor’s door.
At any other time, Huangquanchuan Aisui wouldn’t have “escaped” so decisively; they were just a group of young boys and girls, and most of them were people she knew. If she dropped her teacher’s facade, she could even play with them.
However, the atmosphere in the room just now made her feel a chill down her spine, especially Lin Wuming, who was surrounded by everyone like a star, his expression even more serious, as if he was contemplating some very serious problem.
“Hoo…” Huangquanchuan Aisui took a long breath, drinking the wine in her glass, her thoughts somewhat uninhibited under the influence of alcohol, “Could it be that Lin Wuming’s love triangle has finally erupted?”
Recalling the scene in her living room just now, with Hu Feng Toumi, Shokuhou Misaki, and Misaka Mikoto forming a three-way standoff around Lin Wuming, each of them also looking solemn… it was very easy to lead to unnecessary associations.
“Huangquanchuan-sensei…” Tie Zhuangzhui Li looked helplessly at her drinking buddy, “Don’t slander your own Guardian like that, Wuming is a good child.”
“A good child…” Huangquanchuan Aisui shook her head, “That’s true, but that doesn’t conflict with being a ladies’ man.”
“Wuming will be angry if he hears that.” Tie Zhuangzhui Li also shook her head and said, “Huangquanchuan-sensei, you’re drunk.”
