“Are you saying you knew even before she went into the Curriculum? That no matter how hard you work, or how hard you study, the ones who are gonna succeed will succeed, and the ones who are gonna fail will fail?”
✦ ✦ ✦
It was an answer more horrifying than hell.
Obviously, Academy City had a system—it was called the System Scan. It investigated an esper’s aptitude using various methods, seeing what their current level was, the type of their ability, whether they’d grow quickly or slowly, things like that.
But that was only supposed to be a rough yardstick. It was believed that even students called Level Zero or Level One would grow if they worked hard enough. That was why they could work hard. Because they’d be rewarded one day. Because they’d bloom one day. They only wished for that.
And yet.
Wasn’t a person who could work hard to go from a Level Zero to a Level Five simply established as someone who could have become a Level Five from the start? Did a person’s nature, sleeping inside them, since before ever studying or enrolling, decide everything? Was the legend that you could make up for talent with hard work just a story to let them dance at their predetermined upper limits?
In that case.
Was there any hope for someone who was determined to be a Level Zero at birth?
“…You know, I always thought it was strange,” said Shizuri Mugino thoughtfully. “I’ve taken a peek at the project related to number three. She was deceived in her childhood, and the DNA map she provided was used as the basis for a project to mass-produce somatic-cell clones for military use…But when you think about it rationally, the timing didn’t make sense. Number three supposedly took time to grow from a Level One to a Level Five. Meaning she wasn’t a Level Five yet when she provided her DNA mapping.”
The term military clone was shocking, too, but Hamazura decided it wasn’t impossible with Academy City’s technology. “Wait, so you mean…The scientists knew from the start? They knew she’d eventually become a Level Five, so they took action before the value of her DNA mapping went up…?”
In response, the woman in the suit heaved a sigh inside her helmet. “Well, even the Parameter List brings evils with it. For example, a Level Five’s DNA patent or biotic resources carry extraordinary value, but securing them costs a significant amount of capital. However, you can obtain it from a Level One with the possibility of becoming a Level Five in the future on a strict budget. Every time a fragmentary list gets leaked, it causes an issue where blood is shed behind the scenes from people trying to get rich quick.”
“…”
“Still, though, I think it’s positive on the whole. Integrating people who would never grow from the beginning into complicated Curricula would be a waste of time, money, and equipment—everything. It’s far more effective to funnel what would be wasted into talented espers.”
“You…bitch…!!”
It was not Hamazura who shouted, but Mugino.
She was furious, and Takitsubo tried to hold her back. Seeing that, the military woman spoke in an amused voice. “My, this isn’t like you at all. After your battles, have you started to empathize with the feelings of the weak?”
“Shut up!!” screamed Mugino, anger in her eye. “That means it’s all your fault Hamazura fell into a place like this!! Takitsubo and I chose this path for ourselves. The road and the environment were both complicated, and I don’t think we’ll be able to correct our course just by solving one problem. But the only thing supporting Hamazura was him being powerless! Because you all decided that for yourselves and cut corners on his Curriculum!! Sure, maybe he couldn’t have become a Level Five. Maybe he would have stopped part of the way there. But if you’d actually given him an equal opportunity, he would have had the chance to grow a little, at least!! And if you had, if you had done that…!!”
…Shiage Hamazura may have never even joined Skill-Out.
He might not have ever needed to be dragged into Item, further into the depths of the darkness.
Maybe he would never have needed to be on the run from Academy City—maybe he could have led a totally normal student life.
…He might have had that boring but blessed world that nobody here was able to grasp, as if it was natural.
“It’s fine,” said Hamazura to Mugino, shaking her head. He was happy remembering that she’d gotten seriously angry for him in this situation. “We are Item. I don’t regret that. So it’s fine.”
Mugino, then, was the one to avert her face, unable to stand it any longer.
Without knowing what kind of expression he was making right now, he changed the topic. “More importantly, you said something interesting.”
While confirming the conditions inside his mind.
“Parameter List. Meaning there’s an actual file? Its existence would be enough to plunge all the students living in Academy City into despair and powerlessness. I don’t know what you and the other leaders are trying to do, but I’m sure you don’t want to risk the City’s functions stopping. Meaning we still have room for negotiation.”
“Unconfirmed intel aside, do you think you’d have a chance to get the real thing? It’s set up so that students like you, especially, will never be able to touch it. And above all…”
Clack-clack, came numerous metallic noises.
The sound of the people in white combat uniforms surrounding them aiming their rifle muzzles.
“Have you forgotten? Your life, at the very least, will end here.”
Mugino’s Meltdown wasn’t usable.
Takitsubo’s Ability Stalker didn’t have an effect on anyone except espers.
Hamazura couldn’t clean up a professional combat group of ten all at once by himself, either.
And…
“I think you’re the one forgetting about something.”
“?”
“Maybe you stop seeing it when you live in a filthy world like that. But this spot I’m standing in now isn’t Academy City. It’s not the same cruel stage. And I’m just a regular Level Zero. I never had any special powers that would let me fight my way out of this huge war by myself.”
“…”
Perhaps feeling like she didn’t need to listen any further, the woman in the suit raised her arm slightly.
That was all.
The men in white put their fingers on their triggers in unison.