"This has nothing to do with money. Do not forget, I am simply a doctor," Heaven Canceller said kindly, stroking his nearly bald head.
"There is only one thing I can do."
"But you are the best doctor in the world," Arata said earnestly as he looked at the old man whose medical ethics were beyond reproach.
"Doctor, actually there are many more children like her," Arata added somewhat awkwardly. Every time he came here, not only did he fail to pay for treatment, he also brought more trouble with him.
As though he already understood the implication, Heaven Canceller lowered his gaze to the floor. A heavy weight settled in his heart as he spoke slowly.
"No matter how many there are, once they enter my hospital, they are my patients. No one will take my patients away. I promise you that, child."
"Then I will leave that child in your care. Please do not let her leave." Arata smiled brightly.
If the Misaka Sisters were kept here, the planners behind the experiment would never remain passive. They would certainly attempt every possible method to reclaim them.
Heaven Canceller had once saved Aleister when he was near death while being pursued by magicians. It was only natural to assume that Aleister would retain a measure of respect toward his savior.
To be honest, Arata did not fear Aleister. If it truly came to a confrontation, he could activate Simulated Star Chart, Virtual Star Grand Duke, and seal him away.
After all, his current existence could no longer be defined within the boundaries of ordinary humanity.
"Do not worry. This is my hospital," Heaven Canceller said as he rose and walked toward the medical room at the end of the corridor.
Arata nodded, stretched his arms, and stepped out of the hospital. A one-star character card appeared in his hand.
This was obtained from Misaka Mikoto, and he had not yet had the opportunity to activate it. It seemed that one-star character cards did not require additional unlocking conditions.
The silver stardust upon the card dissipated, transforming into a stream of light that entered his forehead.
["Ding. Congratulations, host. One-star character card activated. Personality and ability incompleteness reduced by 5 percent."]
[Ability Elimination: Derived from Shota Aizawa of My Hero Academia. Its effect is to nullify the ability of any target within the user's line of sight. The effect ceases upon blinking. Note: As a fragmented ability, it possesses only one twentieth of the original power. It can suppress an ability for three seconds within every sixty seconds.]
["Ability nullification." Arata's eyes brightened as he sensed the newly acquired power. He had been considering how to land a solid punch on Accelerator, and now the opportunity had presented itself.]
The Quirks in My Hero Academia function similarly to innate esper abilities within Academy City. They are natural-born powers that do not require calculation formulas to activate.
With this ability, he could become the natural enemy of ability users throughout Academy City, albeit in an incomplete form. After all, he could only assert dominance for three seconds at a time.
"It is strange, though. My telekinesis is not constructed through artificial calculation formulas, so it should not require computation either," Arata murmured to himself before using Shambhala to return to his apartment.
His apartment was located in the same building as Kamijou Touma's. It was an ordinary student residence. The spiky-haired boy lived on the fourth floor, while Arata resided on the fifth.
"Inhale... exhale... today was truly nerve-wracking."
Arata switched on the light and smiled. He did not find it troublesome at all. On the contrary, he felt an intense sense of excitement and fulfillment.
Perhaps he had simply been born unable to accept an ordinary life.
The apartment was modestly furnished, without unnecessary luxuries. There was no separate living room. Only a bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom, along with a bookshelf, television, computer, tatami flooring, a bed, and a small table comprised the entirety of his home.
He collapsed onto the bed, closed his eyes, and quickly drifted to sleep.
The following morning, Arata went to school as if nothing had occurred the previous night. He headed straight to Teacher Komoe's office.
"What? Arata-chan's ability has leveled up? And it happened last night?" Tsukuyomi Komoe blinked her large pink eyes, her sweet voice brimming with delight.
She taught three different classes, and this was the first time one of her students had experienced an ability level increase. The school was an ordinary high school where advancement to higher levels was rare. Eighty percent of the students were Level 0, with most of the remainder at Level 1.
Developing esper abilities was extremely difficult. In some cases, no amount of training could produce improvement. Many students felt discouraged about subjects related to ability development. If an exception appeared, it would undoubtedly inspire everyone.
"Yes. When I woke up last night, my mind felt unusually clear. Then I discovered I could lift extremely heavy objects."
As he spoke, Arata pointed toward the water dispenser nearby. Instantly, it rose into the air, suspended by an invisible force and floating steadily.
"If it can already assist in daily life, that would place it at Level 3." Tsukuyomi Komoe looked at the floating dispenser in astonishment.
She had originally assumed he had merely advanced to Level 2. This was already Level 3 capability.
Observing Teacher Komoe's surprised and adorable expression, Arata briefly felt an impulsive urge. However, with a casual gesture of his other hand, he lifted every desk and chair within the office, as though grasped by a pair of invisible giant hands.
Teacher Komoe's eyes widened in shock. This degree of control and output already demonstrated tactical military value. It was the hallmark of a Level 4 esper.
"Arata-chan, that is enough, that is enough," Teacher Komoe said hurriedly, waving her small hand in panic. If the office were left in disarray, she would never be able to explain it to the other teachers.
Soon after, she personally assisted him in submitting an application for a formal ability reassessment at the school. Then she prepared to head to class.
"Teacher Komoe, may we choose the research institute where we undergo testing?" Arata asked as he looked at her, noticing she appeared even more excited than he was.
"Ordinary students rarely have that privilege. However, for high-level espers, it is not a problem. The higher the ability level, the more valuable the data for research institutes. After all, there are only 273 Level 4 and Level 5 espers in Academy City."
She spoke cheerfully while holding her textbook.
"In that case, Teacher, I would like to select the institute myself. I want the AIM Analysis Research Institute to conduct my evaluation," Arata said, thinking of a certain pitiable instructor who once dared to oppose Academy City for the sake of his students.
Although Teacher Komoe did not fully understand his reasoning, she promptly submitted the request.
"In a short while, researchers from the institute will arrive to escort you to the testing facility. Let us go to the classroom first and share the good news." Her sweet smile once again appeared.
Arata remained silent. If his classmates learned that he had become a high-level esper, they would likely feel distance growing between them.
Because they were powerless, those with power were treated as superior.
Still, it did not matter. As long as Fukiyose Seiri did not erect such a barrier between them, that would be enough.
...
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