"Nee~ nee~, is it true that Uchiha-san is the Eighth Level 5?"
With Mikoto occupied with Kuroko, Saten couldn't contain her curiosity any longer. The rumors about the eighth Level 5 were on par with the Joker's, both juicy, and many were eagerly awaiting answers to these questions.
"Saten-san... This is a bit..."
Uiharu was also curious, but as this question invaded Yuki's privacy, she didn't dare to ask.
"Miss Ruiko, you can call me Yuki. You're Mikoto's friend, making you my friend too. Don't use my last name; it makes me feel distant. The same goes for you, Miss Kazari."
Japanese honorifics, always a pain. Yuki never got used to them. While they were a way to show respect to people, they also created a sense of distance.
"Eh~?"
Saten and Uiharu looked at each other, being called by their names so suddenly by a handsome guy left them speechless and embarrassed.
"I don't think... That's the case."
"Please, I insist. If you don't call me by my name, I won't answer your question."
Yuki was firm about this, taking a sip from his drink and not daring to speak more until Saten called him by his name.
Saten swallowed and felt a bit nervous. As someone who had been taught her whole life to use honorifics and maintain distance in personal relationships, she knew it wasn't right to call a guy she had just met by his name. They weren't close enough for that. However, her curiosity got the better of her. She gritted her teeth and stuttered.
"Yu... Yuki... San... I..."
Each word was harder, and Saten's cheeks turned red. Fortunately, Yuki winked at her.
"Yuki-san? It's not what I expected, but it'll do..."
Breathing a sigh of relief, Saten placed a hand on her chest, and Yuki continued.
"As for your question... I am indeed the eighth Level 5."
Yuki's words made even Kuroko and Mikoto pause their little drama and turn to look at him.
They were quite impressed by this revelation. As for Saten, her eyes lit up.
"I knew it! The rumor was true..."
"That's a lie! If there were an eighth Level 5, Academy City would make this news public."
Quickly, Kuroko denied this. Her words made sense; Academy City boasted about its espers, and hiding the eighth Level 5 wasn't something the board of directors would do. For them, high-level espers were a way to showcase the city's power.
"Well, I asked for it to be kept secret. My power is a bit problematic, and Academy City agreed to my request."
Shrugging, Yuki replied casually. He also took the opportunity to take a bite of Yami's Taiyaki.
Yami's cheeks reddened, and she turned her gaze away, offering her Taiyaki shyly.
"Nee~ Yuki...san, what is your power?"
Even on the page, the powers of this new Level 5 weren't published, and even their abilities were a mystery. But seeing how Yuki moved at high speed, Saten couldn't control her curiosity. However, she soon regretted asking the question. If Yuki himself asked for discretion from Academy City, it was obvious that his ability wasn't something good. Even Kuroko eyed him cautiously.
"I hope it's not some perverted ability!"
Covering her non-existent chest, Kuroko stepped back and used her body to protect Mikoto.
Yuki truly wanted to roll his eyes at this. Kuroko had no chest to cover, and if his ability was indeed perverted, he certainly wouldn't use it on Kuroko. Her protection for Mikoto would be as fragile as a sheet of paper.
"Uchiha-san... Don't tell me, your..."
But maybe it was Kuroko's words that triggered Mikoto's memory. In her dreams, Yuki was a womanizer.
The women around him were numerous and beautiful, and they also had one or two screws loose, like Yuno and Kurumi.
"Do you really think that, Mikoto?"
Yuki felt hurt; Mikoto's lack of trust in him was painful.
"My ability is nothing perverted. On the contrary... It's very dangerous. My ability is called Apocalypse."
---
"Any progress with the eighth's ability?"
Somewhere in Academy City, an elderly man in a white lab coat looked curiously at the screen in front of him.
This man was Gensei Kihara, one of the most prestigious scientists in Academy City and the one with the greatest ambition to create a Level 6 esper.
"None, sir..."
One of his subordinates shook his head, while Gensei brought a hand to his chin, deep in thought.
"Hm."
A few months ago, due to routine ability tests for students, they discovered the eighth Level 5. It was a significant find, and Gensei was naturally interested in this discovery, but what he found was even more intriguing. The eighth Level 5's ability was exceptionally potent.
His power allowed him to create and cultivate a lethal virus that would crystallize humans, highly contagious and with the potential to wipe out humanity. Tree Diagram's predictions about this ability indicated its immense danger. If not handled carefully, this virus could bring chaos to the world. Facing a microscopic enemy was deadlier than any other Level 5 abilities in comparison.
Furthermore, this virus had unique functions that caused the host to undergo genetic evolutions. Their bodies and various factors would experience drastic changes, including super strength, super speed, super resistance, and even alterations in appearance.
The eighth Level 5 was a living example of this phenomenon. He grew stronger every day, evolving genetically.
This quickly caught the attention of scientists, as the virus not only posed a threat but also seemed to be a powerful weapon. If they could unravel its secrets, they might be able to enhance human abilities or, even better, create a new breed of humans.
However, Gensei had a different perspective. If this virus could fulfill his ambition to create a Level 6 esper, it would be worth the risk.
Unfortunately, there had been no progress so far. The virus's nature was perilous; any form of contact would crystallize people to death. Even those with protective gear weren't spared. Once the virus left its host, it entered destruction mode, crystallizing everything. Thankfully, they acted swiftly, isolating the testing room and keeping it sealed. A slight leak of this virus could spell the end for Academy City.
The cells they hoped to obtain were lost, and no data could be extracted. Gensei contemplated another approach – bringing in the eighth.
Only the eighth had the key to unravel these mysteries. Unfortunately, it was unlikely that the eighth would willingly collaborate or serve as a guinea pig.
Using force to bring him to the facility was too risky. If the eighth were injured and released the virus to protect himself, all the espers in Academy City, except Numbers 1 and 2, would perish.
Gensei still couldn't understand why Aleister allowed this ticking time bomb to roam the city freely. Such a character should be completely isolated from seeing the light of day.
"Fortunately, these individuals still exist; they'll do the job for us..."
With numerous groups working in the dark corners of Academy City, Gensei wasn't ready to give up this opportunity. He didn't care about the city's inhabitants. If their sacrifice could lead to the creation of a Level 6, it would be worthwhile.
---