A Scientific Urban Detective

At the Water Mirror faction's meeting, the girl who had spoken earlier continued, "We just surpassed the Shokuhou faction to become the number one faction, and now that first-year is already hot on our heels. It's hard to imagine how difficult things will be for us next year, especially with someone who hasn't even enrolled yet showing such potential!"

Nagi-sa Minakami, the leader of the faction, soothed her subordinates with a "Well, well," flashing a conciliatory smile. "After all, she's a Level 5, so it's only natural that she's popular and valued. Besides, even if Misaka-san and Shokuhou-san form a new faction when they enroll next year, they won't necessarily be our opponents. We'll definitely still be one of the largest factions."

Although she seemed gentle, Nagi-sa Minakami was quite confident when making this judgment.

In any case, as long as Tokiwadai Middle School remains an all-girls school, her faction will inevitably have no shortage of fervent supporters…

However, no one knew what Nagi-sa Minakami herself really wanted.

"…" Nagi-sa Minakami sighed faintly, feeling a bit weary.

"Minakami-sama!"

At that moment, Rinna Kakusaka, who was sitting to her left, spoke in a stern tone.

"Eep!" Nagi-sa Minakami couldn't help but gasp, feeling that things were becoming even more troublesome.

Even among all the supporters in the faction, Rinna Kakusaka and Sena Sukezawa were the most fanatical. They were even willing to assist Nagi-sa Minakami without any "rewards."

"Please remove the word 'one of'!" Rinna Kakusaka said.

"Huh?"

"Our Water Mirror faction will undoubtedly become the largest faction in Tokiwadai until you graduate."

"Huh?"

Another girl, Sena Sukezawa, sitting on her right, continued, "That's right, we will definitely make you the 'Eternal Princess'!"

"Huh?!!!"

"That's right, Minakami-sama is the greatest!" The others below raised their arms and shouted in unison.

The greatest! The greatest! The greatest…

The meeting room was like the site of some religious ritual, and the atmosphere became frenzied.

This wasn't the first time such a scene had occurred, so Nagi-sa Minakami was able to remain expressionless and calmly accept it.

After the slogans were shouted, Rinna Kakusaka and Sena Sukezawa, as Minakami-sama's right and left arms, began to issue orders, preparing new activities to increase the faction's influence.

The entire Water Mirror faction was like a machine filled with fuel, operating at high speed.

In a sense, the Water Mirror faction members were no less efficient than the Shokuhou faction.

Watching the faction members below rushing out in a flurry, Nagi-sa Minakami opened her mouth, and finally gave up on the idea of explaining.

—Maybe I really can become the ultimate winner like this.

Nagi-sa Minakami thought to herself, self-deprecatingly.

…

"Queen? Did Hanakaze-san really say that?" In the school infirmary, Saten Misaka leaned back against the bed, listening to the report from her faction member.

"Yes, we have reliable sources." Riri Uka, Saten faction's strategist and a fellow first-year, nodded in response.

Long bangs hung down, covering her right eye and half of the right side of her face. To balance it out, Riri Uka wore a high ponytail on the left side of the back of her head.

She seemed quite calm, as if nothing could fluster her.

Saten Misaka seemed very satisfied with her classmate and assistant, smiling gently, "Thank you for your hard work. Even though such an important thing has happened, the two upperclassmen have called emergency meetings, but I can only rest here in this sickbed…"

"Please don't say that." Riri Uka shook her head, "Everyone respects you very much and wouldn't bother you with such a small matter."

"Moreover," Riri Uka paused slightly, "Even if I wanted to do something now, it would be too early, since it's something that will happen next year. Time is on our side, so please rest assured that even with a Level 5 as our opponent, you will ultimately become the 'Eternal Princess'!"

"I must thank everyone for their support." Saten Misaka said with a smile. She wore glasses with cute frames and held a panda plushie in her arms, making her look as frail and harmless as the plushie.

As one of the three most powerful factions at the moment, Saten Misaka didn't seem to have the influence or charisma of the other two faction leaders at all.

However, being able to achieve such success in the first year, with her forces approaching the old factions of the two senior upperclassmen, Saten Misaka was naturally not an ordinary person.

After Riri Uka left the room, the smile that had been on Saten Misaka's face gradually twisted, becoming more aggressive, and somewhat… demonic.

"Queen? Planning to form a faction even before enrolling, and even sending out spies…" Saten Misaka got out of bed, holding the panda plushie by one of its hind legs in one hand, and walked to the window. "That Shokuhou Misaki is also an ambitious person."

"Don't you think she's a lot like me, Yukari Kiyosai?" Saten Misaka leaned forward, looking out the window.

A girl in an unfamiliar uniform was hiding outside the windowsill, looking up and meeting Saten Misaka's gaze. She quickly stood up.

"Sister, your health…"

"Don't worry, I'm just a little weak." Saten Misaka said, "I'm staying here mostly to maintain my image."

"That's good," Yukari Kiyosai seemed relieved, "Sister, please take care of yourself."

"Don't worry, I know my limits." Saten Misaka said, "Was it smooth getting in here?"

"Don't worry, no problem!" Yukari Kiyosai also showed the same confident expression, "And even if I get caught, there's nothing to worry about. I've already obtained an admission offer from Tokiwadai Middle School. As long as I say I wanted to visit the school in advance, the teachers will forgive me."

"It's best not to attract too much attention before enrolling." Saten Misaka cautioned, "However…"

She changed the subject, "After all, I asked you to come here at the risk of getting caught. If anything goes wrong, blame it on me."

"How can it be Sister's fault?" Yukari Kiyosai said quickly.

Saten Misaka reached out and touched her lips, "Alright, there's no need to say more about this. Did you find what I asked you to find?"

"I found it!" Yukari Kiyosai said quickly, taking a delicately embroidered sachet from her pocket.

"This way it's less conspicuous. Even if it's discovered, I can still say it's a good luck charm." Yukari Kiyosai added in explanation.

"Where did you find it?" Saten Misaka asked again.

"It was in the Tenth District. The Anti-Skill seemed to have missed it when they were clearing the battlefield." Yukari Kiyosai said, "After all, it's not that conspicuous, and it was in the middle of a devastated ruin."

Saten Misaka opened the sachet and poured out a steel ball about two centimeters in diameter.