Chapter 192: Temporary Base

“Misaka 9981, as per the experiment’s requirements, you are instructed to return to the research base. Please respond.”

Flying only a short distance, George began to hear the voices of the Misaka clone network in his mind.

“It’s the Misaka Network!”

George didn’t respond directly but instead used his mental abilities and mind-sealing techniques to temporarily isolate himself from the network.

Misaka Mikoto’s powers are tied to electromagnetism, enabling the Misaka clones to connect their brains via identical brainwaves, forming a unique Misaka Network. Within this network, the clones can share information and enhance overall computational ability.

However, George suspected that the network might also serve as a tool for the laboratory to control the clones. To avoid its influence, he cut off his brainwave connection entirely.

According to the Misaka clones’ data, the superpowers in this world differ from those in the Marvel universe.

Here, superpowers are artificially developed through drugs, hypnosis, and mechanical augmentation, leveraging a concept called “personal reality” to manipulate the microscopic world. These effects are amplified by chaos theory, ultimately manifesting as superpowers.

As a result, the strength of one’s superpowers is directly linked to their brain’s computational capacity—the greater the capacity, the stronger the powers.

By contrast, Marvel’s superpowers function instinctively, without the need for brain calculations. Mutant abilities, for instance, originate from the X-gene, a result of genetic experiments conducted by the Celestials. Similarly, the Inhumans—whom George had yet to encounter—were a product of Kree experimentation on humans.

This bears some resemblance to "Gemstones" in this world.

Gemstones are a rare exception among superpowered individuals. They do not require brain computations or artificial enhancement; they are born with innate abilities. It is said that the methods used to develop artificial superpowers were inspired by these Gemstones.

Before the establishment of Academy City, ordinary people were largely unaware of superpowers due to the extreme rarity of Gemstones—fewer than 100 exist worldwide, scattered across the globe. This scarcity led the general populace to dismiss superpowers as fictional.

George’s ability to leap from Level 2 to Level 4 after integrating the Misaka clone’s abilities stems from his innate magnetic control, which operates instinctively. By adding brain-based computational methods, he dramatically expanded the potential of his powers.

He believed he could develop to Level 5—or even higher—through further learning, thanks to his unique advantage.

Unlike others, George didn’t rely on just one brain. With his original body and multiple avatars, his computational power could theoretically multiply many times over.

“Found it!”

Outside the girls' dormitory of Tokiwadai Middle School, George, in his invisible state, spotted the real Misaka Mikoto wearing child-themed pajamas through a window.

However, the scene inside the dormitory left him somewhat bewildered.

“Sis! I won’t do it again! I promise!”

Inside, a twin-tailed girl wearing lacy, hollowed-out lingerie pleaded while teleporting around the room to evade Mikoto’s electric strikes.

Mikoto furiously shouted, “Kuroko! I’m going to fix your perverted tendencies today!”

Moments later, Kuroko lay twitching on the floor, electrocuted into submission.

Calming down, Mikoto suddenly turned toward the window, staring in George’s direction.

“What’s this feeling? It’s oddly similar to my brainwaves.”

“She sensed me?”

George noticed Mikoto looking his way and immediately reinforced the mental barriers concealing his brainwaves.

His current avatar was a clone of Misaka Mikoto, possessing identical brainwave patterns. While others wouldn’t detect anything unusual, Mikoto—a Level 5 Electromaster—was extraordinarily sensitive to brainwave fluctuations.

“Maybe it’s just my imagination.”

Mikoto muttered to herself while gazing at the empty sky. Then, as if nothing had happened, she retrieved a rope from beneath her bed, tied up her roommate Kuroko, and tossed her onto the adjacent bed before peacefully falling asleep.

“Blending into this world as a mutated Misaka clone might not be a bad idea for now.”

Hovering above the dormitory roof, George mused silently.

He sensed that Academy City was far from ordinary. The city’s ability to create such a vast superpowered zone, maintain autonomy, and ensure order among so many superpowered individuals hinted at extraordinary leadership and foundational structure.

It was best not to act recklessly here.

“Dig deep!”

Using a Digging Charm, George carved a fist-sized hole into the roof’s wall. He then cast an Undetectable Extension Charm, enlarging the space inside to the size of a house.

“Anti-Muggle Warding.”

Finally, after casting the warding spell, George entered the hollowed space.

This would serve as his temporary base.

In the magical world of the Sorcerer's apprentices, reaching Level 500 granted immortality.

Although George hadn’t yet reached Level 500, his persistent efforts—especially through his panda avatar—had brought him to Level 400. While he wasn’t immortal, he could survive without food or water.

In his newly created space, George didn’t immediately rest. Instead, he focused on mastering his newfound superpowers, particularly those related to electricity.

Meanwhile, at the Absolute Power Evolution Project’s research headquarters:

“Misaka 9981 has disconnected from the network. Surveillance in Academy City shows no trace of her—she’s vanished without a trace.”

A subordinate asked the project leader, “Should we suspend the experiment temporarily until we locate 9981?”

“9981 may be an anomaly, but we can’t halt the Absolute Power Evolution Project over a single irregularity. Proceed with 9982’s first outdoor combat simulation tomorrow, and continue searching for 9981!”

The leader deliberated briefly before issuing final orders.

The project was mandated by the higher-ups, and even he, as the project lead, lacked the authority to suspend it.

As for the anomaly of 9981, he planned to report it to Academy City’s leadership for further instructions.

“How could a clone presumed dead come back to life with enhanced abilities? It defies logic... Could it be the work of those magic-side sorcerers?”