Chapter 55

Mizuki Shiroi looked at Saito Riko, who was staring at her with a determined gaze, and began to organize her thoughts.

"As I said before, Academy City is the representative and leader of the Science Side. Do you think Academy City is really as good as it claims to be?" Mizuki Shiroi slowly introduced the city to Saito Riko.

"On the surface, Academy City is a city in Japan, but in reality? You should understand the concept of a state within a state, right? Academy City is a state within a state. Just like the distribution of world powers, Academy City is divided into several parts: the first part is the Board of Directors, where twelve directors manage various powers in Academy City, including the allocation of the military and the arrangement of experiments. The second part is the Security Officers, a standing force of teachers in Academy City, dealing with most issues that students should not know about, such as radical elements."

"Wait, radical elements, aren't they...?"

"Academy City has such great power, how could no one be envious? Radical elements are part of it, but can these underground matters be known by students?"

Saito Riko fell silent. Last time in the hospital, Aizawa Aiko had also glossed over this matter.

"The third part is the Judgment Committee, the law enforcement force of Academy City, voluntarily formed by students. But how many of the tasks accepted by the Judgment Committee are actually behind the scenes? I don't mean to belittle the Judgment Committee; perhaps their hearts are worthy of respect, but in the eyes of Academy City, the Judgment Committee is just a piece of clothing, a rather beautiful one, for outsiders."

"How can that be?" Saito Riko understood the weight of Mizuki Shiroi's words. Not to mention Mizuki Shiroi's recent busyness, her good friend Shizuri Kagari and Shokuhou Misaki were so proud of their jobs, but in the eyes of Academy City... not worth mentioning?

"The fourth part is the research facilities."

"Research facilities? Can this be considered a category?" Saito Riko was a bit confused.

"Research facilities can be said to be one of the biggest dark secrets of Academy City. Are you sure you want to know?"

Saito Riko understood that Mizuki Shiroi was not lying to her; what he said was the truth. Should she listen? To the darkness of Academy City?

"Why did I come here?" Saito Riko began to think: at first, she came to Academy City for so-called superpowers, but she went through a period as a Level 0, feeling helpless and sad. Finally, she gained her power, but it was not a happy memory. Saito Riko still remembered that day; if Mizuki Shiroi had not been there, what would have happened to her? The thought made her shudder.

"Let me see the face of Academy City, the holy land of superpowers, and what it really is! Besides, isn't this what the moon thinks too?"

Mizuki Shiroi indeed wanted Saito Riko to come here, but that was an emotional thought. Rationally, he tried his best to prevent Saito Riko from knowing about this. But it couldn't be hidden anymore, so he let Saito Riko choose, this side or that side.

"Tell me, Moon."

"Research facilities, as the name suggests, are responsible for all experiments in Academy City, including technological development, superpower development, and... various experiments."

Mizuki Shiroi's tone was heavy when he mentioned various experiments, "Moon, various experiments mean..."

"You and Misaka Mikoto and the others encountered it, didn't you? The ability body crystallization experiment, which is... various... human experiments."

Saito Riko instantly felt a suffocating sensation, a reaction to deeply understanding Mizuki Shiroi's words. Human experiments were not isolated cases but the norm in Academy City?

"In the eyes of those researchers, there are no levels of superpowers. To them, except for Level 6, Levels 0 to 5 are the same, just experimental materials." The cruel words did not stop but directly pierced Saito Riko's heart. Experimental materials? So this is how Academy City views students?

"Perhaps not everyone thinks this way, but at least half of the research institutes in Academy City do."

This statement calmed Saito Riko. So, the other half of the research institutes were normal, right?

Mizuki Shiroi did not continue to打击 Saito Riko. He said "at least half," but he still left some hope.

"Wait, so that means?" Saito Riko suddenly realized something.

"Yes, this time with Misaka Mikoto is also the case, but the situation is complicated. Let me first explain Academy City more clearly."

"Okay."

"The fifth part is the [Armed Powerless Group], consisting of powerless people oppressed by some ability users and those who have given up because they have no ability. However, because its existence would disrupt the beautiful illusion created by Academy City, it is not recognized by Academy City. The so-called paradise for ability users? No, it's just a paradise for high-level ability users."

It was still a cruel fact. In places unknown to the Judgment Committee and ordinary people, various disharmonious things were happening.

"The sixth part is ordinary people, those who have no connection with any organization, including ability users. They are just living in this Academy City in ignorance. That's the composition of Academy City."

After a pause, to Saito Riko's surprise, Mizuki Shiroi spoke again: "The surface composition."

"What?"

"The above composition is well-known, but its true meaning is not understood. However, there are two parts that are unknown. So, Riko, choose."

"Choose?"

"Choose. Do you want to stop here and talk about Misaka Mikoto's situation, or continue and hear the deepest secrets of Academy City?" In fact, this also contained another choice. If Saito Riko continued, Mizuki Shiroi would tell her everything. If she chose to stop, Mizuki Shiroi would do his best to protect her daily life.

"Moon, don't... carry this alone..."

"What!..." Mizuki Shiroi's eyes widened.

"I said, Moon, don't carry this alone. I am your girlfriend, and I am a Level 4 in Academy City. Perhaps it doesn't mean much to Academy City, but I will stand behind you."

Mizuki Shiroi's breathing paused for a moment. Behind him, Teletha Testarossa also froze. These words...

"So that's it, this is the difference between her and me. I silently decided to stay by Moon's side, but she directly said it. Also, for someone like Moon, if you don't say it clearly, he won't feel it. But I won't give up; our battle has just begun."

Ps: Chapters 5, 6, 14, 15, 33, 38, and 43 have mysteriously disappeared. No one told me why they were deleted, so I don't know how to fix them. If you want to read the original, you can join the group and ask me for it. If you've already read it or are not interested, that's fine. If this happens again in the future, I will consider moving to Fei... Lu or Zhu... Lang.

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