Chapter 191: Superpower Enhancement
Compared to the Mass-Produced Espers Project, the Absolute Esper Evolution Experiment was far more cruel and perverse.
An Absolute Esper is someone who has surpassed humanity and reached the domain of the gods—a Level 6 Esper.
According to calculations from Academy City's supercomputer, the "Tree Diagram Designer"—
If Academy City's top-ranked Level 5 Esper, Accelerator, could kill the Level 5 Esper Misaka Mikoto one hundred twenty-eight times across one hundred twenty-eight different battle scenarios,
He could then evolve from a Level 5 Esper to a Level 6 Esper.
But the Academy didn't have 120 Level 5 versions of Misaka Mikoto, so they used 20,000 Misaka Mikoto clones instead.
They had the 20,000 Misaka Mikoto clones fight Accelerator in 20,000 battles. Once all 20,000 clones were killed, Accelerator would be able to evolve into a Level 6 Esper.
His current clone was Misaka Mikoto Clone No. 9981, who was killed by Accelerator during the final indoor experimental battle.
"Although I said last time I didn't want to become an animal again and wanted a human body, what I meant was a man—not a woman!"
George slowly opened his eyes and looked at his reflection wearing a short school uniform skirt. He couldn't help but sigh.
Indeed, Misaka Mikoto was not a man, but a woman—more precisely, not even fully a woman yet—just a flat-chested fourteen-year-old middle schooler.
So her clones were all girls of the same age.
Looking at his other clones, the first one was an eleven-year-old boy, the second a magical cat, the third a giant panda, the fourth a fourteen-year-old girl—there wasn't a single normal one.
Couldn't they just give him the body of a mature man for once?
"But this ability is actually pretty good. It's significantly boosted my magnetic control."
Misaka Mikoto, ranked third among the only seven Level 5 Espers in the Academy, is Academy City's strongest "Electromaster," codename: "Railgun."
[Translator: sauron05]
She is a second-year student at the prestigious Tokiwadai Middle School, known as "Tokiwadai's Ace" and "the Invincible Princess of Electromagnetism."
Thus, Misaka Mikoto's superpower was electromagnetic control. Simply put, it's essentially the same ability as George's inherited magnetic control from Magneto.
It's just that Misaka Mikoto focused on electricity generation in her magnetic development, able to manipulate billion-volt high-voltage currents at will, whereas Magneto mainly controlled metals through magnetism for attack.
As one of the four fundamental forces, magnetism—if developed well—could easily lead to universal destruction.
But the key is that merely possessing magnetism doesn't mean one can perfectly control it.
Magneto could lift ships, trains, and stadiums—he could even reverse the Earth's magnetic field after being developed by Apocalypse. Meanwhile, George could only control metals weighing up to a thousand pounds.
As for magnetic power generation, electromagnetic waves, micro-control, and the like—he wanted to, but couldn't do it.
Even after taking time to study the relevant scientific theories, he still couldn't manage it.
It was like the same sword—placed in a normal person's hands, it would be swung chaotically; but in the hands of swordsmen from different sects, it would become a variety of exquisite techniques.
His use of magnetism was at the level of an average person. No one had taught him—he was figuring it all out on his own.
His most common technique was using blades or needles for sneak attacks.
And while Misaka No. 9981 was just a clone with Level 2 electromagnetic ability, after merging with his original magnetic power, the magnetic level leapt directly to the Level 4 Esper level in this world.
George also received from Misaka No. 9981's brain a download of knowledge regarding how to use Misaka Mikoto's powers—how to release electrical current, electromagnetic force, and electromagnetic waves.
So now, all of his clones and his main body could not only control metals through magnetism but also emit high-voltage electricity and fire coins as projectiles.
"Huh? You emotionless puppet—how are you still alive after taking that hit from me?"
A cold and slightly puzzled voice interrupted George's thoughts.
Looking up, he saw a somewhat thin white-haired boy whose eyes were filled with murderous intent and madness.
That boy was none other than Academy City's strongest Level 5 Esper—Accelerator.
"If you're not dead yet, then let me send you on your way."
Accelerator reached out and touched a broken stone pillar. The pillar immediately flew toward George to smash him.
"Almost forgot—you're still a nuisance."
Seeing the stone pillar coming, George didn't use magic to defend. Instead, he tried converting magnetism into high-voltage electricity based on Misaka No. 9981's memories. He raised his hand and pointed at the incoming stone pillar.
The pillar, under the effect of the high-voltage current, rebounded again.
However, just as it was about to hit Accelerator, it was blocked by an invisible force field, causing no damage at all.
Still, Accelerator was clearly shocked by the strength of the electric power George had unleashed.
"No, you're not a puppet. Puppets don't have that kind of power. Are you the original body?
No… that can't be it. You weren't like this earlier, and the original body's electric power should be even stronger than yours.
Interesting. Very interesting!"
He stomped hard on the ground, causing the cement floor to explode. Countless stones shot toward George at a speed faster than bullets.
George waved his hand. A nearby iron door instantly flew over and blocked in front of him, stopping all the stones. Then he darted through the staircase behind the iron door.
Accelerator had vector control—the ability to manipulate the direction of any known force at will. His power was nothing to take lightly.
The key issue was that this indoor experiment was still under surveillance. Countless cameras were aimed at her and Accelerator. The research institute's scientists were constantly analyzing their battle.
Revealing his full strength too early would be unwise. Better to escape for now, find a place to hide, and then slowly figure out the next move.
Although he had gained a preliminary understanding of this world thanks to the knowledge implanted from Misaka No. 9981's brain, many areas remained unknown—so being too conspicuous right now wasn't ideal.
"He ran away?"
Seeing George flee instead of continuing the fight, Accelerator froze on the spot.
Because under normal circumstances, these clones acted like robots, following orders without fleeing or begging—so killing them didn't weigh on his conscience.
But now one had run. Why? Was it fear?
Could these puppets actually have emotions like humans?
Accelerator's pupils contracted. He activated his ability, causing four churning tornadoes to form behind him and shoot rapidly toward the stairwell George had escaped through.
"No way… You're definitely enacting a new combat strategy.
Alright then, I'll play along!"
(End of chapter)