"And what is your opinion, Aiwass?"
A person suspended upside down within a life support device directed a question into the void through a synthesized voice.
"An inquiry? Heh, that is the first time I have seen that, Aleister. Even I cannot determine the nature of the power that descended a few hours ago. However, without a doubt, it transcends the inevitable laws of this universe. In the Bible, it is described as 33≠33, 44≠44, meaning a being that exceeds the standard. This is troublesome. This portion of knowledge cannot be explained through the rules of this world."
"As someone who stands at the level of the 'Initiate of Knowledge' and 'Leader of the Mysteries,' you have exceeded my expectations. However, what is your judgment regarding the existence known as Night Flyer?" Aleister spoke expressionlessly. Though his face revealed no surprise, his mind was filled with astonishment. He shifted his gaze toward the electronic projection screen before him.
The image froze upon a certain sentence spoken by Arata.
"The dream of being a time traveler."
"Does the term time traveler refer to something that transcends established principles and inevitable numerical constants, or is it a variable that surpasses phenomena and time itself?"
"A time traveler, hm? Aleister, do you recall the change that occurred in the world ten years ago? The constant value of the world's human population suddenly increased by one, breaking the predetermined number recorded in the Bible."
"Is the one who defied the inevitable fate recorded in scripture called Arata? The mystery is gradually becoming clearer. Not only did he break through the fixed limitation of Personal Reality, advancing from Level 1 to Level 4, but he also suddenly obtained ability-related items from an unknown system originating from an unknown domain. That is what can be called a variable, the immeasurability described in quantum mechanics."
"I am more inclined to interpret it as the '111' at the beginning of Genesis, or the 'One Who Escaped' described in the Tao Te Ching, an existence containing infinite possibilities."
"..."
"Hehehe, Aleister, this existence may interfere with your plan, or even shatter your delusion entirely. What do you think? Shall we eliminate this potential threat before it matures?" The voice, devoid of discernible gender, carried faint amusement.
"The One who descends into the inner world is irrelevant to success or failure. The success or failure of a path cannot alter the ultimate result. In the end, all answers converge upon a single point."
Since it represents infinite possibility, it is undoubtedly an invisible trump card for Academy City. Even quantum variables possess inevitability within the realm of science.
This city has successfully drawn in the Imagine Breaker, and now it has also attracted Infinite Possibility.
At that moment, the lips of Aleister, who had remained motionless for a long time, curved slightly as he hung inverted within the apparatus.
"Ignorant humans have no need for a half-formed god to guide them. Only by shattering the chains of God through pure human power and pure physical law can humanity break free from the destiny inscribed in the Bible. As espers, we stand on the side of humanity."
"It remains a delusion that I find fascinating."
"And that is precisely why I am drawn to you, Aiwass."
...
Although Arata understood that his conspicuous actions would attract the attention of Academy City, and perhaps even that of Chairman Aleister, he did not realize that a casual remark of his would be interpreted as possessing such a plausible identity.
A spatial coordinate had already been marked within a certain affiliated high school hospital, specifically the hospital where Dr. Heaven Canceller practiced.
As one of the finest physicians in the world, his creed was simple. He would never abandon a patient, nor would he surrender regardless of the cost.
His medical techniques were so advanced that he could revive those who had not yet completely died, turning the impossible into reality.
He had once saved Aleister himself and had even created a life support device capable of sustaining life for over a thousand years, overcoming the limitations of human lifespan.
Yet despite his brilliance, he remained almost entirely unknown to the public.
"Doctor, could you please examine this child?" Arata asked apologetically as he guided Misaka Mikoto into the office.
"Oh? It is you, child." The short, round doctor in a white coat smiled warmly, set aside his teacup, and observed Misaka Mikoto calmly.
"She must be Misaka Mikoto."
"No, Doctor. She is a clone of Misaka Mikoto. Her physical condition is extremely abnormal. Thank you for your assistance."
Arata shook his head. He was very familiar with the doctor. His earliest memories of Academy City were from a hospital bed, and it was Heaven Canceller who had treated him.
The doctor had once told him, "A girl with long honey-colored hair brought you here and asked me not to inform you. But as a physician, I cannot ignore a troubled patient."
That statement had caused Arata to speculate about the missing fragments of his memory.
Heaven Canceller frowned slightly and led Misaka Mikoto into the examination room. As he reviewed her condition, his expression grew grave.
The child's entire body had been subjected to drugs that accelerated cell division and bodily metabolism. At this rate, she likely had less than a month remaining.
"A clone..."
Heaven Canceller sighed, recalling a previous academic presentation he had attended. A biologist had once proposed a paper discussing the feasibility of mass-producing superhuman individuals.
A heavy weight settled in his chest as he murmured calmly to himself.
"Aleister, how many patients do you intend to create before you are satisfied? I will need to speak with you."
Arata sat in a chair along the corridor, watching as two nurses escorted Misaka Mikoto away to change into a patient gown. He exhaled slowly, stretched his arms, and muttered lazily.
"What comes next will be quite exciting. Fortunately, the experiment is conducted at night. Otherwise I would need to request leave every day. Teacher Komoe would probably cry from frustration, hehe."
He clasped his hands behind his head and leaned back.
Heaven Canceller emerged with the examination report and sat beside him, speaking in a gentle and measured tone.
"You engaged in something dangerous today. It concerns that child."
"Doctor, how did you know?" Arata asked in surprise.
"As a physician, my sense of smell is particularly sensitive to chemical residues," Heaven Canceller replied kindly.
Arata suddenly understood. It must have been the faint scent of gunpowder he had picked up from the Misaka Sisters.
Heaven Canceller closed his eyes and spoke slowly.
"No matter what you involve yourself in, if you come to me, I will treat you. Healing patients is my duty. You need not worry about that child."
"Doctor, as always, I do not have any money to pay you," Arata said with a smile.
"This has nothing to do with money. Do not forget, I am simply a doctor."
...
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