Natsume Sonoko thought back to their previous physical education classes.
Though first and second years had PE at similar times, she was fairly certain she'd never seen this Shokuhou-senpai in PE class before.
The library atmosphere was perfectly harmonious. A large stack of books was piled in front of Natsume Sonoko, who was buried within them, racking her brains.
At some point, a notebook had appeared by her hand, where she was jotting down key excerpts from the materials.
Across from her, Shokuhou-senpai held a tablet provided by the library. Propping her cheek on one hand, she lightly swiped the fingers of her other, circling a few more titles within the virtual library system.
These books weren't just limited to research from Academy City; they included many academic papers from abroad as well.
But given the standard of most Tokiwadai Middle School students, knowing several foreign languages was practically par for the course.
"These should be useful too, quite suitable for your ability development," Shokuhou-senpai said.
She seemed ready to select more books, but noticing the mountain of volumes already heaped before Natsume Sonoko, she thoughtfully put the tablet down and began watching Natsume Sonoko in silence.
Feeling a bit self-conscious under that gaze, Natsume Sonoko finally looked up, meeting Shokuhou-senpai's eyes directly.
"You must study seriously, Natsume-san. Once you've thoroughly mastered these, you'll become much stronger," Shokuhou-senpai said elegantly.
She then interlaced her fingers, rested her chin on the bridge they formed, and stared intently at Natsume Sonoko, much like a strict teacher.
"Shokuhou-senpai, have you… read all of these books?" Natsume Sonoko asked, curiosity getting the better of her.
"Just dipped my toes in a little. It never hurts to learn more," Shokuhou-senpai replied offhandedly, the stars in her eyes twinkling in a way that made her thoughts impossible to decipher.
Natsume Sonoko finished skimming a thesis on tri-state matter transformation between gas, liquid, and solid.
The content was dense and complex, but thanks to her decent comprehension skills, she managed to gulp down most of it, even if she didn't fully digest everything. Before she knew it, most of the PE period had slipped by.
"Found any solutions to your ability control issues yet, Natsume-san?" Shokuhou-senpai asked, her tone warm and caring, her chin still propped in her hand and a gentle smile on her face.
"Not yet. It looks like I still have a long way to go," Natsume Sonoko admitted, sounding frustrated. Many parts had been enlightening, but she couldn't pinpoint that one crucial, incisive insight.
Perhaps because they'd been together for a while now, the initial stiffness Natsume Sonoko felt around Shokuhou-senpai had lessened somewhat.
"Is that so? Well, after you finish these, I'll help you find more materials," Shokuhou-senpai offered.
Natsume Sonoko was about to refuse—helping her find books in the library was already a huge favor—but Shokuhou-senpai spoke first.
"You're different, Natsume-san."
"...?"
"I wonder, do you have any desire to become a Level 5?" Shokuhou-senpai's tone grew more serious, her gaze full of gravity.
"Ah, well, of course I do."
Though surprised by the sudden question and unsure of its purpose, Natsume Sonoko answered earnestly.
"I see. Well, speaking of which, it's possible for you, Natsume-san. You have the talent for it," Shokuhou-senpai analyzed, counting off points on her fingers with an air of importance.
"But talent alone is far from enough. From what I know, some people have the innate gift to become espers, but because they get addicted to games and manga and lack diligence, or simply fall short in the intelligence department, they can't even break through to Level 3 to this day."
No sooner had she finished speaking than a faint, inexplicable blush spread across a certain Natsume Sonoko's face.
But in that moment, Natsume Sonoko also caught a specific phrase Shokuhou-senpai had used.
"The innate gift to become espers."
Natsume Sonoko repeated it curiously under her breath. This contradicted Academy City's official line that anyone could become an esper through effort alone, though she was somewhat aware of the inside story.
"It's like a cup. The amount of water it can hold is fixed. Some people's abilities develop to Level 3, but their cup is full; they can never improve further in their lifetime. Others might start at only Level 1, but can climb step by step to become an esper," Shokuhou-senpai explained.
The example of someone rising step by step to become an esper was clearly a reference to Misaka Mikoto-senpai herself. Natsume Sonoko nodded in agreement.
"You're different, Natsume-san. You not only have sufficient innate talent, but you're also a hard worker. The only thing you lack is resource investment. Whether it's deriving complex formulas, lateral development of your ability, or improving precision, they're all immensely time-consuming projects. Merely possessing Level 5-calculation power doesn't make one a Level 5."
"Innate talent is important, but without resource investment, it's nearly impossible to become one of Academy City's proud Level 5s," Shokuhou-senpai continued, her eyes fixed on Natsume Sonoko's face.
Natsume Sonoko was bewildered.
She unconsciously let the thesis in her hand drop to the side, staring back at Shokuhou-senpai in confusion.
"So, Natsume-san, you must work hard. If one day you truly feel despair, you can come to me for help. After all, I'm rather fond of you," Shokuhou-senpai said, a playful smile returning to her face as she stretched.
The class dismissal bell rang. Shokuhou-senpai left the library, where she was met by Hokaze Junko-senpai, with her distinctive long, purple drill-like hair.
"Queen, do you intend to recruit her into our faction?" Hokaze Junko-senpai asked hesitantly.
"Perhaps."
"By the way, Hokaze, what's for dessert today?" Licking her lips slightly, Shokuhou-senpai asked expectantly.
"Queen, there are no sweets today. Since you always skip PE class to laze around and eat sweets, you've developed flab on your thighs and stomach. I must monitor your dietary intake from now on," Hokaze Junko-senpai said with a stern expression, watching as Shokuhou-senpai's face fell.
Watching Shokuhou-senpai leave, Natsume Sonoko still wore a slightly dazed expression, her mind in a jumble.
'Just now, Shokuhou-senpai said I have enough talent, and the only thing missing is sufficient resources.' Natsume Sonoko felt this was true. No wonder she hadn't become a Level 5 yet.
Even if she were willing to participate in Academy City's various… extreme experiments, it seemed Natsume Sonoko wasn't the primary candidate for research related to thermal energy.
For instance, there was a Level 4 over at Nagatenjouki Academy who could control heat transfer. And Shokuhou had a rival named Mitsuari Ayu, didn't she?
Natsume Sonoko pulled out her phone and checked the rental prices for supercomputers in Academy City. She was immediately discouraged by the figures. Sure enough, she really did need all sorts of resources.
For a moment, her path to Level 5 seemed hopelessly distant. But the next instant, she banished all such discouraging thoughts, stood up, and continued poring over the books and papers in her hand.
No need to panic. There were still twenty minutes until next period. Natsume Sonoko felt she could squeeze in a bit more studying.
Study diligently during study time, rest properly during rest time—that was Natsume Sonoko's ninja way.
After noting down all the titles and returning them to the drop-off counter, Natsume Sonoko finally left the library. As much as she aspired to become a Level 5, getting anxious about it wouldn't help.
--+--
In the Western-style garden of Tokiwadai Middle School.
It was lunchtime. Many students chose not to eat in the school cafeteria, opting instead to have their meals in the Western-style garden nearby.
Misaka-senpai, Shirai-san, and Natsume Sonoko sat around a leisure table in the garden, the air filled with the aroma of food.
In front of Natsume Sonoko was a bento box, its contents a familiar, enhanced version courtesy of Tsuchimikado-san. Misaka-senpai and Shirai-san, meanwhile, had each just taken a sandwich and a cup of juice.
"The sun is really glaring today. Just being outside for a bit feels awful," Misaka-senpai sighed, fanning herself with her hand.
"You're right. Good thing we have a convenient person right here," Shirai-san remarked. Sometimes, being the 'tool' was a reciprocal role.
The temperature around the three of them promptly dropped a few degrees, and even the sunlight seemed less harsh.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.