A Scientific Urban Detective

Facing her companions' skepticism, Tsurigane Saryou said, "I can't understand those overly complex research reports, but I can still judge the basic facts. In short, this research isn't a place for ability development at all!"

To be precise, the research being conducted at the institute where the four of them were located was focused on the "effects of brain stimulation on superpowers," with ability development being merely a byproduct of this research.

In fact, Shirakinu Tsumihire, one of the four, had her ability level reduced from Level 2 to Level 0.

The experiment they were participating in was essentially a peripheral project in preparation for the "Dark May" plan, initially created to verify the feasibility of the "Dark May" plan.

As for Haruaki Umi's "superpower," it was actually an unexpected surprise for the institute.

Last month, the "Dark May" plan suddenly went bankrupt, and the entire "Black Moon Technology" ceased to exist. Under this premise, the research institute, which was dependent on "Dark May," also found itself in an awkward situation.

To maintain the institute's continued operation, they had to quickly find the next research project and be able to apply for sufficient funding based on it.

Therefore, Haruaki Umi's special ability was valued by the researchers. They planned to position her ability as the institute's key development and research target in the future.

Academy City now has six Level 5s, and at least two Level 4s with a high probability of being promoted to Level 5.

According to the director, Haruaki Umi is very likely to become the ninth Level 5 after them! This alone is enough to ensure that their institute will have no worries about food and drink from now on, and will become a first-class large-scale research institution comparable to the former "Black Moon Technology!"

However, Haruaki Umi is not a superpower user in the conventional sense of Academy City. According to Academy City's standards and testing methods, no matter how they test her, they can only determine that she is a Level 0, a person with no ability.

But the actual situation is that, according to the institute's experiments and some special testing methods, it can be determined that when Haruaki Umi activates her ability, a black hole appears within an indeterminate light-year distance from the solar system.

However, this ability is not controlled by Haruaki Umi's subjective will, so some researchers are worried that her ability may directly "summon" the black hole near Earth, and then the whole world will be finished...

All along, researchers holding two different viewpoints have been arguing about whether to continue experimenting and developing Haruaki Umi's superpower; now, without the original experimental project in cooperation with "Black Moon Technology," this argument has become increasingly fierce, even to the point of almost fighting.

However, it is precisely because of the institute's "internal strife" leading to management chaos that Tsurigane Saryou, who came from a Kouga ninja background, has found it more convenient to act privately.

She not only sneaked into the data room to read research reports, but also installed eavesdropping devices in places where researchers often operate, and even had the opportunity to go online to investigate relevant news reports about "Black Moon Technology"—it was during this process that she saw the interview report of the "hero" Lin Wu Ming, as well as various information about his recent activities.

On the Internet, there is even an exclusive forum chat room for Lin Wu Ming, which updates his daily movements in real time.

Tsurigane Saryou took the opportunity to browse the relevant forum and found that Lin Wu Ming, who was called "hero" by netizens, had been active in various places in Academy City for a period of time, helping others for free.

Although they are all small things in daily life, he has persisted for more than half a month, and he is still driving a wheelchair, running around with a disabled body. This matter itself is enough to generate topics and inspire admiration.

Even a ninja like Tsurigane Saryou, who has weak emotions, cannot help but feel admiration in her heart.

"So," Shirakinu Tsumihire asked, "Saryou, do you want to ask that Lin Wu Ming for help and have him help us escape?"

"How is that possible?" Haruaki Umi completely disbelieved. "We've all seen that there are many guards equipped with guns in this institute. No matter how willing a disabled person is to help others, how could he come to such a dangerous place to help us?"

Haruaki Umi's words were very harsh, but in reality, she just didn't want an irrelevant person to get involved.

They had known for a long time that there was a problem with their research institute—ever since Tsurigane Saryou first sneaked out to investigate information.

It's just that, apart from this research institute, the four of them have nowhere else to go—the original orphanage has already closed down due to poor management.

In addition, the institute has not gone too far. Except for the pain during the development courses, they can live normally at other times. For the children of the "remove the dross and retain the essence" group, this kind of life is not good, but it can't be considered bad either.

Of course, the most important thing is that Kawatabi Reisa and Tsurigane Saryou's ability levels have indeed been improved here!

Shirakinu Tsumihire's ability level has indeed decreased, but she is like a gambler who has gotten on the gambling table. The more this happens, the more unwilling she is to leave easily. She also hopes to restore her original ability level, or even become stronger like her companions!

So, the four of them continued to stay in this research institute.

Until today, Tsurigane Saryou brought back the latest information—a researcher is preparing to take action against Haruaki Umi, directly eliminating this "world-destroying" threat from the source.

"We can't wait any longer!" Tsurigane Saryou's tone became stern. "The atmosphere within the institute is very tense. Researchers with two different viewpoints may fight at any time. According to my judgment, once they start fighting, the first thing they will do is kill Haruaki Umi first!"

Seeing her companion speak seriously, Haruaki Umi couldn't help but put away her playful expression: "Then what should we do? Escape?"

"The guards have guns," Shirakinu Tsumihire said. "This is not something that our street brawling level of fighting can handle."

"We can ask the hero for help~ Didn't Saryou get the hero's phone number?" Kawatabi Reisa said slowly, without any sense of tension.

Due to the influence of the ability level development course, her spirit is in a state of etherealness for a long time, always looking light and carefree.

Tsurigane Saryou nodded: "I also have this intention. That Lin Wu Ming is probably reliable, but we can't completely trust him. We can only treat him as a backup insurance."

"Just tell us what to do, we'll all listen to you," Haruaki Umi said bluntly, too lazy to think.

After witnessing Tsurigane Saryou's ability, things like "fighting" and "making plans" were all left to her.

Shirakinu Tsumihire and Kawatabi Reisa also nodded together, without objection.

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