A Scientific Urban Detective

“The guard teachers are taking care of us all,” Ringo Kashi said, introducing the situation. “We’ve settled in an abandoned elementary school in the 13th District—of course, the guard teachers have urgently renovated it, and now it’s a very good student dormitory.”

Because she needs to take care of Tsukuru Nagare, who has the most serious injuries, Ringo Kashi comes to the hospital every day. As for the other children, they have basically all moved into their new home.

“Are you all still living together?” Lin Wuming asked.

“Yes.” Ringo Kashi nodded. “Almost everyone is, only two or three children have been adopted and left.”

She suddenly showed a wry smile that didn't suit a girl of her age: “After all, we are the ‘leftovers’ group, if we were really such excellent children, we would have been adopted and left long ago.”

“That’s not necessarily true…” Lin Wuming wanted to offer a few words of comfort, but found that he didn't know what to say.

Although it was cruel, what she said was the truth. Facing such a precocious girl who had seen through reality, verbal comfort was meaningless.

“Even if it’s the ‘leftovers’ group, it doesn’t mean that they are people without talent.” Lin Wuming could only change his angle to encourage them.

Without shame, Lin Wuming himself belonged to the type of person who succeeded in a reversal, a classic case of a sparrow turning into a phoenix. So these words from him were very convincing.

Of course, this was not Lin Wuming's original intention. What he really wanted to say was—Ringo Kashi is also a person of talent and potential.

In the original plot, Ringo Kashi once reached a level beyond level 4, infinitely close to level 5.

However, there was a price to pay to reach that level.

Lin Wuming was not a professional researcher, so he didn't know how to awaken her potential at the lowest cost.

Or rather, whether or not he should awaken Ringo Kashi's potential was also worth discussing.

Just as Lin Wuming was thinking wildly in his heart, Ringo Kashi understood it in another way.

“Senior Wuming is talking about Saten Ruiko, right? She is indeed very excellent. She successfully advanced to level 4 last week and became a great esper!” Ringo Kashi said with a complicated expression.

On the one hand, she was of course very envious of Saten Ruiko, but on the other hand, she thought of how her ability level increased because of the “Dark May Project”...

Recalling the scene that happened in the underground training ground that day, Ringo Kashi immediately felt that she would rather not have that kind of power!

—I would rather be level 0 forever than be separated from Tsukuru Nagare!

Under the excitement of her emotions, Ringo Kashi reached out and tightly grasped Tsukuru Nagare's shoulder, as if afraid that she would leave her if she wasn't careful.

Tsukuru Nagare frowned, because her shoulder was grabbed a little painfully, but she quickly showed a smile and also reached out to hold Ringo Kashi's hand: “Ringo-chan, I'm here. Don't worry, I won't leave.”

“Ah, sorry!” Realizing her gaffe, Ringo Kashi quickly let go—in the past few days, after reminders and complaints from other companions, she also knew that her strength would inexplicably increase when she was emotionally excited.

“It's okay, it's okay, don't worry about it.” Tsukuru Nagare said with a smile.

Lin Wuming, who witnessed all of this, couldn't help but raise his eyebrows—without a doubt, that was Nen ability!

Ringo Kashi didn't suddenly become stronger, but unconsciously used Nen ability to strengthen her grip!

Although Ringo Kashi misunderstood his meaning, Lin Wuming didn't explain, but continued to ask along the topic: “Is Saten Ruiko the only one… um… whose ability level has improved?”

The two girls looked at each other: “Who else… isn't there?”

“If there really is anyone else whose ability level has improved, they will definitely be recruited by those good schools or research institutes immediately, just like Saten Ruiko, who received a lot of invitations at once.” Ringo Kashi said.

Even level 2 is a one-in-a-hundred talent, and there will definitely be many schools willing to recruit such high-quality students.

Moreover, these children are now receiving key attention from the guard forces, and those adopters with ulterior motives will definitely be eliminated in the first place.

Therefore, there is no need to worry that these children will just escape one danger and then enter another. It can be said that they have turned misfortune into a blessing, and their future is bright.

In fact, Lin Wuming wanted to ask about Yoimiya Aiai. Like Saten Ruiko, she was also a successful experimental subject in the “Dark May Project”.

In the original plot, Yoimiya Aiai's superpower was level 4 “Nitrogen Burst Rifle”, and she belonged to the same type of superpower as Saten Ruiko.

However, they were respectively inputted with Accelerator's different modes of thinking of “attack” and “defense”, resulting in the same type of superpower of “nitrogen manipulation” being differentiated into “spear” and “shield” types in their hands.

Theoretically speaking, apart from the characteristics of “attack” and “defense”, Yoimiya Aiai and Saten Ruiko are at the same level in all other aspects.

Since Saten Ruiko has already advanced to level 4, then Yoimiya Aiai should not still be unknown.

However, logically speaking, Lin Wuming should not know about the existence of Yoimiya Aiai, so he did not continue to ask.

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Ringo Kashi didn't notice Lin Wuming's expression and continued: “In the past two days, many adults have come to find Saten Ruiko. According to the guard teachers, they are all very famous schools and very powerful research institutes.”

“After all, she is level 4.” Tsukuru Nagare nodded and said, “Apart from those seven level 5s, Saten Ruiko should be the most powerful esper.”

“So, which one did Saten Ruiko agree to?” Lin Wuming asked curiously.

Ringo Kashi shook her head: “No, Saten Ruiko rejected all the invitations. She said she was worried about everyone, so she would stay and protect all of us.”

“Eh? She… has become so great?” Lin Wuming said in surprise.

According to Ringo Kashi's description, Saten Ruiko has become the “big sister” and protector of those children.

The two hundred or so children from the “Dark May Project” are basically the “leftovers” group—that is, abandoned orphans.

They have no parents or other guardians, and because they lack talent and have no value, not so many kind people will adopt them.

Moreover, the orphanages in Academy City are in a state of saturated operation all year round, and for a while, no orphanage can be found that can accommodate so many people—unless they simply rebuild an orphanage…

If this trend continues, the vast majority of those two hundred or so children can only stay in the abandoned school where they currently live, where they will jointly form a big family and huddle together for warmth.

And Saten Ruiko seems to be planning to become the guardian of that big family. Or rather… the parent.

This decision seems to have been recognized by everyone, because among everyone, the level 4 Saten Ruiko is the strongest.