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Chapter 712: All Power up! Item Group!
After thinking it through, Mikoto abandoned the idea of striking down lightning directly, aware of the collateral impact.
She turned to Shokuhou Misaki. "How far does your Mental Out reach?"
"It's not Mental Out anymore."
Shokuhou propped herself up lazily. A glimmer of data-like gold flickered in her starry eyes. From the nightstand, a cup of honey tea floated to her lips of its own accord.
"Now we should call it Mind Control~"
[Name]: Shokuhou Misaki
[Level]: 60
[Ability]: [Mind Control], [Rei Ao's Blessing]
She sipped, then licked away a tiny drop of honey at the corner of her mouth.
"My coverage is global. And if I factor in the Misaka Network's computation, I can issue countless commands simultaneously."
You see, everyone connected to Rei Ao is now part of the Misaka Networkand it's at an absurd level these days. 20,000 Misaka Sisters, each with Level 5-tier computing capacity. Even a dope without using the Misaka Network can ascend in power.
Noting Shokuhou's new strength, Mikoto pouted slightly. Sparks dancing at her fingertips turned plasma-like, scorching twisted lines in the air.
"Then I'll leave it to you,"
She transmitted the intel via the Misaka Network to Shokuhou. Shokuhou's laid-back expression turned a bit serious.
Back in the day, controlling large swaths of minds required her Exterior apparatus. Now it only needed a thought.
"Snap!"
She snapped her fingers at the empty air. Miles away, in some underground base, armed personnel suddenly dropped their weapons and started dancing a silly ballet.
"What are you two doing?"
A new voice rang out: Kanzaki Kaori emerged wrapped in a towel, water dripping from her damp hair and a faint bluish holy glow clinging to it. Her Seven Heavens Seven Swords hummed at her waist, cracks forming a cross shape on the scabbard.
"If a decapitation strike is needed, just say the word."
Mikoto and Shokuhou shared a look, both shaking their heads. No need for Kanzaki's intervention at all.
[Name]: Kanzaki Kaori
[Level]: 70
[Ability]: [Godly Swordsmanship], [Mark of the One God]
[Possession]: [Sacred Tool: Seven Heavens Seven Swords]
She's unbelievably strong now.
The sofa trembled slightly. Dolly, eyes shut, lashes trembling, had awakened about three hours agoright in time to hear certain passionate sounds. Just from listening, she imagined all kinds of scenes. Huddled on the sofa, she shook under the covers, face burning, not daring to open her eyes.
"Stop pretending to sleep, cutie~"
Shokuhou blew her a playful kiss. Dolly sprang up like she'd been jolted, visible steam practically pouring off her head.
At this awkward moment, the air twisted into a vortex.
"Onee-sama!"
Kuroko Shirai popped out of a spatial rift, skirt still fluttering mid-teleport. Behind her came Awaki Musujime.
"How many times must I saydon't shriek during teleport!"
Kuroko looked around urgently. "Where's Rei Ao?"
She froze. Shokuhou's eyes scrutinized her like she could see right through her, while Mikoto's thoughtful expression made her squirm.
"Awww~"
Shokuhou sidled closer in a syrupy tone.
"Our dear Miss Judgment who supposedly hates men so muchwhy so concerned about a certain guy?"
"U-um"
Cold sweat gathered at Kuroko's temple. She couldn't possibly say in front of Onee-sama that she was growing attached to Rei Ao, right? She couldn't say: "Onee-sama, actually, II like Rei Ao-kun more now."
"Ahem."
Mikoto cleared her throat. She knew Rei Ao's training had changed Kuroko's preferences. Part of her felt relieved, as that left Mikoto's own feelings for Rei Ao unchallenged.
"Rei Ao left," she said simply.
"O-oh"
Kuroko's shoulders slumped with disappointment. Awaki Musujime also looked a bit down, but she was more open-minded than Kuroko, so she'd enjoyed Rei Ao's presence a bit more.
"He's given us authority to manage the city,"
Mikoto explained. A holographic model of Academy City floated before her. "We need to merge our powers."
Awaki blew a bubblegum bubble. "I'm not fit for management. Just tell me if there's a job needing me." She casually turned the gum wrapper into a glowing blade, slicing open a black void in the air.
[Name]: Awaki Musujime
[Level]: 60
[Ability]: [Spatial Mastery], [Rei Ao's Blessing]
This girl, who used to fear teleportation due to her power's instability, could now sever dimensional space with ease.
Dolly suddenly raised her hand. "U-um!"
Her cowlick quivered anxiously. "I can help stabilize the Sisters' emotions on the network!" She engaged her mental link; the cognitive waves of the 20,000 Sisters took on a brilliant aurora in the room.
"I'll do my best too!"
Kuroko's gaze turned firmshe most wished to see Academy City free of horrors like human experiments. After all, she still recalled the ordeal of Onee-sama's clones. She herself also had that power:
[Name]: Shirai Kuroko
[Level]: 60
[Ability]: [Spatial Mastery], [Rei Ao's Blessing]
Academy City thus had two top-tier space users now. But Awaki remembered something:
"Oh, by the way, maybe we can bring them in to help out."
"Who?" the others asked curiously.
Awaki smirked. "The Item group from the dark side."
She knew plenty about Academy City's underbelly from her time as Aleister's "Guide."
"All I'll say is let me bring them here, and you decide if you want them or not."
~~~
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(Bonus Chapter) Chapter 713: Mundane Life...
Inside the Yukinoshita home's study.
Heavy curtains hung half-drawn, turning the midday sun into a dim gray glow.
At a spacious mahogany desk sat Mrs. YukinoshitaYukinoshita's mother, hereafter referred to as "Mother."
Her slender fingers pressed against her temple, facing a towering stack of documents labeled with bright red "URGENT" stamps.
"Another company" She muttered wearily.
"This time it's the construction materials department"
"Ring ring!"
The telephone rang sharply. Mother, acting on reflex, picked it up swiftly, instantly donning a perfect smile and a steady, authoritative voice.
"This is Yukinoshita."
"Madam, there's a call from Mr. Satou of Mitsubishi Bank, asking about next quarter's loan."
Mother's fingers unconsciously tightened around the phone cord, knuckles turning white, yet her voice remained smooth as silk.
"Please inform Mr. Satou I've prepared all the documents, and I'll personally visit tomorrow at ten a.m."
After hanging up, she sagged back into her chair as though all her strength had been drained. Around forty years old, she'd always been admired for her elegance and competence, but now she looked fatigued beyond her years. Faint wrinkles at the corners of her eyes stood out in the dim light, and threads of silver could be seen among her once-glossy black hair.
"Who's targeting the Yukinoshita family?"
She whispered to herself. Her hand brushed a framed family photo on the desk, showing younger versions of Yukino and Harunoboth still little girlsposed calmly by her side.
Mother lightly touched the photo of their faces, her gaze conflicted. She'd managed the entire Yukinoshita enterprise alone, raising two daughters at the same time, believing herself strong enough for any challenge.
But this timeshe couldn't even identify the opponent.
Project after project was running into problems. The supply chain got disrupted; key clients abruptly canceled orders; banks suddenly tightened loan conditionslike an invisible hand orchestrating everything. Worse, she'd used every connection she had, but couldn't discover who pulled the strings.
"At least at least I can't let Yukino and Haruno get involved"
She murmured to herself, picking up a compact powder case, trying to hide the dark circles under her eyes. As the leader of the Yukinoshita family, she'd been taught from childhood that the family's interests came before all else. But right now, she wanted her daughters to be free from Yukinoshita's burdens and live their own lives.
She was checking her reflection when the study door rapped gently.
"Madam."
Their elderly housekeeper stood at the threshold.
"Miss Yukino and Miss Haruno are back, and theythey brought a young man with them."
A sudden jolt made Mother almost drop her powder. Quickly she snapped the compact shut, forcing composure.
"Rei Ao's here as well?"
The housekeeper nodded. "Yes, the gentleman introduced himself as Rei Ao."
Mother took a deep breath, her heart pounding out of control. Some time ago, both her daughters had told her they'd fallen for the same manthis mysterious Rei Ao.
She'd been unable to accept it at first, but after meeting him a few times, she had to admit that the young man with iridescent eyes was indeed extraordinary. More surprising was how each of her starkly different daughters seemed happier than ever around him.
"Please ask them to wait; I'll be down shortly."
After the housekeeper left, she rushed to the mirror, anxiously checking her appearance.
"In this state, how can I possibly meet them"
Looking at her haggard reflection, she cursed inwardly, swiftly taking out her makeup for a rescue operation: foundation, concealer, blushlayer upon layer to conceal the fatigue of so many days. She wouldn't let her daughters, especially Rei Ao, see her so vulnerable.
Fifteen minutes later.
Mother, her elegant faade barely restored, descended the stairs, finding the three people chatting cheerfully in the living room.
Rei Ao sat in the middle, Yukino and Haruno naturally snuggled at either side. It looked remarkably harmonious.
"Mother."
Yukino noticed her first and stood to greet her as she'd done in the past. She was wearing a rare pale pink outfit at homerather than the black suits she typically woregiving her a softer look.
Haruno sprang up and embraced her.
"Mom, we came back suddenlyweren't interrupting your work, were we?"
Haruno's smile was bright as ever, hiding the worry in her eyes.
"Of course not," Mother replied with a warm smile, patting Haruno's back, then nodding at Rei Ao.
"Rei Ao-kun, welcome to our home."
Rei Ao stood, his iridescent eyes shining under the lights, wearing a simple white shirt and black slacks, yet exuding an unshakable presence.
"Sorry for the intrusion, Mrs. Yukinoshita."
He spoke gently, though with a note of unassailable confidence. Mother again felt that uncanny sense of being seen through.
"I'll have the kitchen prepare dinner"
She turned as if to summon the housekeeper, but Haruno stopped her.
"No need. Today we'll cook for ourselves!"
Haruno winked.
"Rei Ao says he's good at cooking, and Yukino wants to try out some new recipes. Mom, you just sit and wait, okay?"
Mother froze. In her memory, Yukino had never shown any interest in cooking, and while Haruno could manage simple dishes, she'd never offered to cook for the family.
"This"
"My dear mother-in-law, won't you let us show off our skills?" Rei Ao said casually, using the term "mother-in-law," which rattled Mother's heart.
Even more surprising: Yukino, rather than contradicting him, only blushed. The three of them strolled toward the kitchen, Rei Ao casually wrapping an arm around Yukino's and Haruno's waists.
Mother stood rooted, staring at the backs of her two daughters. She suddenly realized they weren't little girls needing her protection anymore.
In the kitchen, laughter and rattling cookware rang out soon enough.
Mother drifted to the doorway, peering inside through the half-open door:
Rei Ao stood at the stove, skillfully stir-frying ingredients. Yukino carefully sliced vegetablesclumsy but diligent.
Haruno hummed a tune while preparing a salad. Their glances crossed as they smiled, a gentle warmth in the air.
Mother felt a sudden heat in her eyes. This kind of mundane family scene almost never happened in the Yukinoshita household.
She'd always poured herself into the family enterprise, raising her daughters strictly, expecting Haruno to be the future head.
To them, the house felt more like a place to sleep. Yukinoshita felt more likea cage.
~~~
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Chapter 714: Mending Family Bonds...
"Mother? Are you all right?"
Yukino, noticing her at the doorway, asked in concern.
Mother quickly blinked away any tears, shaking her head with a faint smile.
"I'm fine. Justdidn't realize you had such good cooking skills."
"We trained," Yukino said quietly, glancing at Rei Ao with such tenderness Mother had never seen in her daughter's face.
"Would you like to sit down in the living room, Mother-in-law?" Rei Ao said, turning around with a soft smile, galaxies swirling in his iridescent eyes. "We'll handle things here."
Mother nodded, heading to the living room and sitting. But she couldn't focus on her documents. Laughter and enticing aromas drifting from the kitchen scrambled her thoughts.
About half an hour later
Rei Ao emerged from the kitchen alone and went to sit across from her on the sofa. Mother found herself unwittingly stiffening.
"They're finishing the last bit of soup," he explained, then looked at her directly.
"Mother-in-law, things have been hard lately, right?"
Her heart jumped, but she forced calm.
"Business management always has ups and downs. It's nothing extraordinary."
His rainbow-colored gaze seemed as deep as a starry sky.
"These 'ups and downs' for Yukinoshita seem more than mere market competition," he said levelly.
Mother's grip on her teacup tightened, knuckles white. "Youknow something?"
"I know someone's systematically targeting all the Yukinoshita businesses."
His voice was as tranquil as if discussing the weather.
"I know you used every connection but found nothing. I also know"
He paused.
"You've been sleeping only a few hours each night for three weeks, propped up by coffee and sheer will."
Her faade collapsed. She trembled, setting down the cup.
"Do Yukino and Harunodo they know?"
Rei Ao didn't answer. Instead, he gave a soft clap. A gentle glow flickered.
