The Dark May Project had already produced two Level 3 Nitrogen Manipulation Espers.
If not for Kobayashi's unexpected emergence, then the next phase of research would likely have focused on nitrogen manipulation and similar abilities.
But reality allowed no ifs.
Kobayashi Nana had shown the researchers an entirely different possibility.
Compared to the fundamental forces that undeniably existed within the framework of physical law, there was another kind of "force" far better suited to the Dark May Project—
The most orthodox Esper ability of all: telekinesis.
Before Chairman Aleister founded Academy City and established the modern Esper system, whenever people spoke of "superpowers," the first thing that came to mind was telekinesis—or something very much like it.
Completely unrelated to real-world physics, telekinesis was a purely mind-over-matter power. A force of will made manifest—truly free, unconstrained by any physical law.
The only things that could limit it were the Esper's mental stamina and imagination.
Seen in that light, Kobayashi, already a Level 3 esper, was practically the ideal experimental subject for the Dark May Project.
That was precisely why the researchers were so desperate—so impatient—to drag him back.
Because in Kobayashi, they saw the hope of success.
The hope of breaking free from the shackles of the "Curriculum Evaluation" system.
The possibility of mass-producing high-level espers from low-level ones.
And perhaps—
One day, creating a miracle.
An artificially produced Level 5.
"Since that third-rate Dark Side group, the 'Hunters,' clearly can't be trusted," the middle-aged man said after clearing his throat, "and Kobayashi is currently under heavy Anti-Skill protection, we need to prepare for the possibility that we won't be able to obtain the optimal experimental subject for the time being."
"The two nitrogen manipulators can continue to be developed," he went on.
"But there's no need to screen for additional abilities of that type. We'll concentrate our resources on telekinetic espers—start screening the subjects for telekinesis users."
Someone immediately raised their hand.
"There's a girl who showed some promise in the early stages of the experiment," a researcher said.
"Her performance fluctuates a lot—she's unstable, but there's definitely potential."
"That's her, then."
The middle-aged man made the call without hesitation.
"Pull her out and make her a priority subject. Have her catch up to Kobayashi's progress as quickly as possible. Even if we can't get Kobayashi back, the experiment must not stall."
"No problem," the male researcher who had suggested her replied, pushing up his glasses with a broad smile.
"I've just thought of a very good method. It should be able to stimulate her latent potential quite nicely…"
At that moment, the middle-aged man presiding over the meeting suddenly took out his phone.
After glancing at the screen, a satisfied smile spread across his face.
"Good news. The Hunters finally have a lead—Kobayashi left his apartment alone today. They're moving in immediately to capture the target."
The room erupted in applause.
"However," the man raised a hand, silencing them,
"Our own experiments cannot stop. Prepare a backup subject. Even as a control group, she'll still have value."
Soon after, the researchers filed out of the conference room and headed together toward the deepest level beneath headquarters.
This underground facility was a high-spec training ground built specifically for experiments involving large-scale destructive power.
While waiting for Kobayashi's "return," they decided to observe the development process of the backup subject.
________________________________________
The headquarters of Black Moon Technology Development Co., Ltd. was a sixteen-story building.
But the entire aboveground structure was nothing more than a façade—a perfectly legal, respectable tech company used to conceal the true core hidden below.
The real heart of the Dark May Project lay underground.
In addition to countless specialized laboratories and operating rooms, there was a vast residential area housing over two hundred experimental subjects.
Taking the elevator down, the group of white-coated researchers arrived at the lowest-level training facility.
At the same time, the male researcher who had proposed the backup subject summoned the majority of the building's security personnel.
After making thorough preparations, he led two heavily built, fully armed guards into the experimental subjects' living quarters.
There, he found two girls chatting quietly in a corner.
"Gang Rin, you have an experiment," the researcher said coldly, looking down at the girl.
"Come with me."
"Huh? But today's schedule doesn't list any—"
The girl with black hair cut in a neat bob looked up, confusion and unease written all over her face.
The researcher kicked her over impatiently.
"You dare disobey a teacher's orders?"
"Have you forgotten the rules? In this place, teachers' commands take absolute priority."
There was no anger in the action. No deliberate cruelty.
To the researcher, this was nothing more than routine.
He was simply following procedure.
Experimental subjects weren't people—when dealing with objects, there was no need for unnecessary emotion.
The massive activity hall fell into dead silence.
Though over a hundred children of varying ages occupied the space, every one of them held their breath, watching from afar with eyes filled with pity, anger, fear, or numb resignation.
They worried for Gang Rin, yet at the same time feared that this misfortune might fall upon them next.
Compared to that, the researcher's sudden kick barely registered as something to be afraid of.
Gang Rin herself had long since grown accustomed to this kind of treatment.
She rubbed the spot where she'd been kicked and silently climbed back to her feet.
"Rin-chan…"
The girl who had been chatting with her earlier looked at her anxiously.
Because they were best friends, she dared to speak even in this situation.
As expected, the researcher glanced toward the long-haired blonde girl.
"Kōru Jihō. You're coming too."
"Huh? Why—"
Hearing this, Gang Rin didn't feel relieved at all. Instead, she became even more agitated.
The researcher ignored them, turned on his heel, and walked away.
The two guards each grabbed one girl and followed after him.
________________________________________
Gang Rin was the selected backup experimental subject.
She was currently a Level 1 telekinetic—a level she had only achieved after joining the Dark May Project.
Advancing from Level 0 to Level 1 wasn't much, but it was still something.
In contrast, her closest friend, Koru Jiho, was a pure Level 0, completely powerless.
No matter how many experiments or surgeries she underwent, there had been no improvement whatsoever.
She belonged to the most useless category in the facility—
A "Non-Esper."
Before his escape, Experimental Subject No. 007—Kobayashi—had also been one of those so-called Non-Espers.
(End of Chapter)
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