Chapter 97

This morning, Misaka Mikoto and others had planned to go out together, but Shirai Kuroko had to be hospitalized for rest and recuperation, which was a bit of a pity.

In a family restaurant, Tokiwadai Misaki sipped her black tea, Saotome Ruiko listened to the songs she had just downloaded, and Misaka Mikoto talked with Shokuhou Amata about the miracle of Hachijuu-hachi three years ago.

"The miracle of Hachijuu-hachi? Oh, I think there was indeed such a thing." Misaka Mikoto vaguely remembered that it had been quite a big deal at the time.

"Three years ago, after the accident with the Hunter, the space shuttle program was frozen. After that, the construction of the space elevator officially began!" Shokuhou Amata's words were somewhat excited, but it was understandable, after all, "It is, after all, the world's first space elevator."

As for why the two were discussing this topic, it was because the construction of the space elevator was nearing completion and would soon be finished.

"The difficulties and efforts in building it in this Academy City are several times, no, several dozen times greater than building it on the equator! Not taking these difficulties lightly, the final result is the Endymion!"

While talking, Shokuhou Amata had a look of longing on her face.

"Its appearance is like a bridge to heaven, it's so beautiful!"

At this moment, Misaka Mikoto also noticed that Saotome Ruiko was deeply engrossed in listening to music: "What are you listening to, Saotome?"

Saotome Ruiko took off her headphones and answered Misaka Mikoto's question.

"Elisa. She's an artist who often performs on the internet and on the streets. She's super popular now! I tried downloading two of her songs, and they're both great." As she spoke, Saotome Ruiko leaned closer to Misaka Mikoto and whispered about her specialty—gossip: "There's a rumor that if you listen to Elisa's songs, good things will happen."

Misaka Mikoto wasn't really interested in the gossip that Saotome Ruiko mentioned, but considering what Kamijou Touma had said about the origins of various urban legends and the existence of magic, she didn't say anything.

Saotome Ruiko noticed Misaka Mikoto's thoughts but didn't mind. She was merely interested in the gossip, and then she urged Misaka Mikoto to listen to the songs: "Come on, just give it a listen!"

After listening to the songs, Misaka Mikoto was a bit puzzled. The song seemed familiar, and when Shokuhou Amata pulled up Elisa's image on the computer, Misaka Mikoto recognized her. The last time she helped a girl, it was this Elisa.

"Ah, it's that girl!"

Hearing this, it was Saotome Ruiko's turn to be flustered. For someone who pursued trends like Saotome Ruiko, this was an opportunity to meet a celebrity!

"Hey! Does Misaka know her?"

"Sort of." Misaka Mikoto found it hard to understand the enthusiasm of fans like Saotome Ruiko.

At this moment, the two of them didn't notice that their posture had become overly intimate because they were sharing a headphone. Then, Shokuhou Amata saw Shirai Kuroko sitting in a wheelchair outside the family restaurant and was stunned.

However, to Shokuhou Amata's surprise, Shirai Kuroko didn't do anything out of the ordinary. She just teleported in, greeted them, and went to order a dessert. This even shocked Tokiwadai Misaki. What was going on?

Actually, Shirai Kuroko herself couldn't explain it. Although she still had admiration and longing for Misaka Mikoto, she didn't have that special feeling or the usual impulse. Even now, she wasn't sure if she still "liked" women.

At this moment, on the other side, Shizuri Shirai, Kamijou Touma, and Index met, but the three of them weren't together by chance. They were drawn to a street performer's performance.

Shizuri Shirai watched the girl playing music in the center and felt a sense of purification in her heart.

"Elisa Mihara, the embodiment of a miracle...?"

Shizuri Shirai was merely curious about Elisa Mihara's power and didn't have the same desire to possess it as with the "Return of the Winged Ones" or the "Tree Diagram Designer" remnants. She understood that miracles could be created but not controlled.

Moreover, Elisa Mihara was a girl striving for her dreams, and she couldn't be lumped together with those things.

After listening to the song, Shizuri Shirai left. For someone who was destined to disappear, she didn't want to form a bond, as she couldn't prevent Elisa Mihara's disappearance, and forming a bond would only make her sad.

So, for Kamijou Touma's meeting with Elisa Mihara, Shizuri Shirai did nothing, just quietly waiting for the day Endymion was completed. She wanted to see if the person who couldn't die was really indestructible.

Kamijou Touma was curious about why Shizuri Shirai left, but he didn't have the time to think about it now. Knowing that Elisa Mihara had passed her audition, Index invited her to celebrate with a luxurious meal. Now, he needed to check if his wallet could handle Index's expenses.

During the meal, Elisa Mihara reflected on her good luck: "This time too, I was really lucky."

Kamijou Touma strongly disagreed. Having often been accompanied by misfortune, he knew that there were people in the world who were incredibly lucky, but: "Success only comes to those who are not afraid of failure, stand at the plate, and swing with all their might, filled with the desire to hit the ball!"

Unfortunately, to prove his point, Kamijou Touma went to the baseball center's batting cages to challenge his misfortune, but he failed...

"That's not very convincing, Touma..." Index's comment made Kamijou Touma feel awkward.

However...

"My misfortune is real, but you were chosen based on your talent. I don't think it's a bad thing to be proud of it."

Although Kamijou Touma's words were simple, they helped Elisa Mihara relax a bit.

At this moment, the few of them had no idea that Elisa Mihara's success in the audition was partly due to her own efforts, but the main reason was her identity—the embodiment of a miracle and the plan of the person building Endymion, who intended to harness the power of the miracle.

At this very moment, to prevent the person building Endymion from achieving their goal, the "Magic Side" had already started watching them, and the forces of the black hand had also targeted Elisa Mihara.

Shizuri Shirai was now standing in front of Aleister Crowley.

"So, what is it, Chairman? Usually, there's no need for me to get involved."

"The 'Magic Side' is planning to target a student in Academy City. Just protect her and make sure she isn't taken."

Shizuri Shirai was silent for a moment: "Who is it?"

"Elisa Mihara, an esper Level 0."

Shizuri Shirai looked at Aleister Crowley floating in the nutrient tank and finally relented. Her power was still not enough, and fighting a magic god with Evas would be a low-probability win, almost negligible.

"So, is this the last chance or additional payment?"

"Additional payment. Academy City doesn't have a Level 5 spatial manipulator yet, which is a pity, isn't it?"

"Alright... the deal is on."

Shizuri Shirai had also noticed the potential for Shirai Kuroko to become a Level 5. When she reviewed the surveillance footage, others might not have noticed, but Shizuri Shirai saw that the space around Shirai Kuroko trembled due to her anger. With one opportunity, Shirai Kuroko could become a Level 5 like Saotome Ruiko. This opportunity, as payment, Shizuri Shirai could agree to.