A Scientific Urban Detective

Lin Wuming's superpower level inexplicably advanced, and it was assessed to be related to the "Dark May" project—although only to a "possible" extent, the researchers present were instantly energized.

Regardless of the truth, even to secure more budget in the future, they couldn't let go of such a valuable test subject!

After realizing this, everyone in the conference room began to breathe heavily.

The middle-aged man rubbed his brow and spoke again, "So, let's carefully and thoughtfully make the final vote—how exactly should we deal with test subject '007'?"

Was there even a choice?

The project leader had explicitly used "test subject" to refer to Individual Number 007—he had, in fact, already stated his position.

All the researchers present were core members of the project. Whether for academic research or other personal interests, they were already deeply tied to the "Dark May" project.

"Then, let's start the voting." The middle-aged man clapped his hands and said with a smile.

...

After a week in the hospital, Lin Wuming completed his discharge procedures and, escorted by Teacher Kumokawa Seria's police car, returned to his future "home."

Lin Wuming's injuries had stabilized. Besides needing to rely on a wheelchair to move around, with the assistance of his Nen ability, he was almost no different from an ordinary person. At least, there was no inconvenience in daily life.

Since "solving the case" that day, he hadn't encountered Yomikawa Aiho again, which made Lin Wuming feel somewhat disappointed.

But it was also because his minor injuries weren't worth disturbing Yomikawa Aiho, that big shot; or rather, Lin Wuming's self-healing ability eliminated the need for Yomikawa Aiho to take action.

After taking a look at the ward that day, Yomikawa Aiho decisively turned and left, going to treat Doctor Sakurai instead.

In comparison, Doctor Sakurai had truly stepped one foot into the gates of hell. Due to excessive blood loss and delayed optimal rescue time, although she was out of danger, she showed no signs of waking up by the time Lin Wuming was discharged.

Hachisuka Mitsumi would visit Doctor Sakurai at the hospital every day, and then also drop by to see Lin Wuming.

"Goodbye, I'll visit when I have time," Hachisuka Mitsumi said when saying goodbye at the hospital entrance.

However, this seemed more like she was talking to Kumokawa Seria than saying goodbye to Lin Wuming.

"You're welcome anytime!" Kumokawa Seria also responded readily.

...

Shokuhou Misaki got up and left her room, walking towards the laboratory along a route she was already familiar with.

Because she was a talented chosen one, she enjoyed certain "privileges" in the research institute. For example, no one would ask her to get up early on time; she could sleep as long as she wanted.

The time was 8:30 in the morning. At this time, the other children in the research institute had already gotten up and started a new day of learning or cooperating with their respective project research.

Although it was a bit far, Shokuhou Misaki could already hear bursts of loud noises coming from the adjacent annex while walking in the corridor.

"They're really diligent..." Shokuhou Misaki muttered, yawning.

She knew who was causing this commotion—the child from the "Ideal Ability" project team in the second research lab next door, Kazakiri Hyouka.

She was also currently the highest-level esper in the entire "Artificial Paradise"—having recently been promoted to a Level 4, a Great Ability User.

Considering that Shokuhou Misaki herself had concealed her true ability level, Kazakiri Hyouka was the only Level 4 on the surface, and therefore had been receiving considerable attention from the researchers recently.

"That child is also a serious person by nature, and is working even harder to respond to those expectations, right?" Shokuhou Misaki walked leisurely, but a sneer appeared in her heart. "It's a pity that no matter how hard she tries, she's destined to not be able to go any further and become a Level 5."

Shokuhou Misaki, who could easily read the researchers' inner thoughts, had long known that due to resource and funding issues, those adults had already given up on continuing to cultivate Kazakiri Hyouka, stopping her at Level 4.

Indeed, the development of superpowers was the main goal of any research institute, but this goal was also subject to realistic benefit factors.

In the end, it all came down to various resources, mainly funding. When resources were limited, trade-offs had to be made.

The "Artificial Paradise" had "Kihara" supporting it, so it was considered powerful among research institutions. It had three research labs under its jurisdiction, each with the resource quota needed to cultivate a Level 5.

But even so, it was still impossible to take care of everything; resources were never enough.

Just like the third research lab "Internal Evolution" where Shokuhou Misaki was located, after deciding to fully cultivate Shokuhou Misaki, they gave up on another girl with the same talent, Mikari Ayu.

Kazakiri Hyouka's situation was similar. The second research lab "Ideal Ability" where she was located, as the name suggested, mainly focused on developing an "ideal, all-purpose ability," which had nothing to do with Kazakiri Hyouka's "Heavenly Garb."

Kazakiri Hyouka's rapid progress was actually a pleasant surprise for the research institute; it was something that was outside of the initial plan from the start.

This also destined her to receive extremely limited cultivation resources.

In fact, the researchers directly responsible for managing Kazakiri Hyouka had long known this fact, but for various reasons, no one had told her this cruel truth.

"What a pitiful fellow," Shokuhou Misaki said. "Should I tell her the truth in advance, so she doesn't have to be so..."

She suddenly stopped, a thoughtful expression on her face. "In advance... why would I say that? It's like... I've already seen the future."

In fact, Shokuhou Misaki knew the reason—Lin Wuming. In his memory information, she also saw Kazakiri Hyouka's figure.

In the future... in the future in Lin Wuming's mind, Kazakiri Hyouka would be her best friend and subordinate. Although she had a good personality, she was a very good fighter, and could be said to be the combat power of the future Shokuhou Faction!

"Hmm... Shokuhou Faction..." Shokuhou Misaki muttered, "Why would I do such a troublesome thing?"

Just like when she was mentioned, that Misaka Mikoto would also appear (actually, it was the other way around), Kazakiri Hyouka, that girl with the vertical curls, was almost always bound to her. She and she could be said to be inseparable.

Although she couldn't be sure whether Lin Wuming's memory information was true or false, since she thought of this, Shokuhou Misaki decided to take a look at her possible future follower.

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