Chapter 15: Point Blank
(Authors Note:
Since we reached 100 stones, then here's the promised chapter.
The next update will be on Monday as I don't think it is possible to reach 250 by the end of the day lmao.
Aight enjoy the chapter.)
(Dante POV)
Standing outside Kirihara Research Institute, I gazed at my phone.
'1:00 P.M. break time should already be over right?' With such thoughts, I stepped inside while my gaze wandered around.
"Hello, I'm here for the full assessment to measure my Esper abilities." With a polite greeting, I asked the kind-looking Onee-san sitting in the reception area.
With a smile, the Onee-san replied, "Are you Yamamoto Dante from a Certain High?"
"The one and only." With exaggerated hand movements, I replied.
With a chuckle, the Onee-san pointed to the elevator on the right and said, "Underground floor 10, Dr. Kirihara is already there."
As the door of the elevator opened, I stepped out only to find who I recognized as Amata Kirihara, a very unlikable bloodthirsty character and the current leader of one of Academic Cities' dark side groups Hound Dog.
"Heh, I don't like the look you are giving me with those eyes, kid. Being called here to personally test you feels like a waste of my time. If you fail to impress me, you might not make it out of here in one piece." With a smirk, the thug-like researcher pointed a gun at my head.
"Is that a threat, old man? You better be ready for what I'm about to unleash. Let's see if you can handle it." With a cocky tone, I replied smirking.
'Yeah, this guy's really getting on my nerves. I'm tempted to hit him with a Space Rend right in the face.' I said to myself as I maintained eye contact.
"Good. Very good, kid. But if you're just a loudmouth with no bite, you'll be begging for your life on my operating table before you know it." With a loud laugh, Kirihara gestured that I come and follow him.
As I entered the expansive white chamber typically reserved for experimentation, Kirihara's voice reverberated from a speaker positioned overhead. "Just for confirmation. What is your ability?"
"Spatial Manipulation." Without much emotion, I simply stated my ability.
"Very impressive. Your ability certainly catches my attention. But before we proceed, let's see just how skilled you are at wielding it. Show me what you got." After saying such words, I started displaying my abilities.
The first thing I showcased was my swift mastery of spatial manipulation. Without any prompt, I materialized at various points throughout the room, effortlessly appearing in random places. I even teleported into the observation chamber where Kirihara and his team stood, before promptly returning.
"Bring out your toughest materials. I'm about to show you what real firepower looks like." After shouting at the observation room, a few dozen robots arrived, each carrying plates made from various metals and the like.
I then showcased my control by casting Space Rend vertically, perfectly splitting all of the plates in half without pausing my random teleportation.
"Those weapons over there, make them fire at me. And those robots too, I want them shooting at me." After stopping my teleportation, I stood in the middle of the room as the weapons adjusted their aims.
Without suspense, a storm of bullets rained down on me relentlessly, yet I stood unfazed as each projectile phased through my body.
Afterward, the test proceeded to gauge the precision of my control, the extent of my range, and various other factors.
Which I easily aced.
Well, Great Sage did.
After about an hour of testing, I heard Kiriharas voice.
"Not bad, kid. It seems you really got some spunk in ya after all. But don't get too comfortable. Sooner or later, you'll find yourself on my operating table." With a look practically saying, "I got my eyes on you", Kirihara gave the verdict.
"Level 5, rank 3rd." All the scientist nodded their head as the versatility and potential of my ability were considered suitable for the top 3.
"Ability name?" A researcher asked.
Hearing the question, Kirihara started touching his chin before muttering, "Point Blank."
'Eh? Sounds kinda mid. But yeah, inside my range (1km in all directions), everything is at Point Blank' With such thoughts, I nodded in agreement.
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Extending my arms, I departed from the R&D district, only to find myself once again in the Commercial district.
'I better grab a few more of those burgers before I keep searching for Sogiita. Who would've guessed that inviting someone would be tougher than reaching Level 5? Seriously, aside from Sogiita, the only gemstone I recall is that girl with blood that could attract vampires.' As I made my way to the burger joint, the floating airships began to beep before the mechanical voice started its announcement.
[Announcement, Academic City 8th Level 5 has been confirmed.]
[Ability Name: Point Blank]
[Ranking: Third]
'So, my personal info is hidden, huh? Only announcing my ability name and rank means Aleister placed me in the dark side category. Well, besides Misaka, who's practically a poster girl, only Shokuhou is somewhat well-known, and both in the sunny side. Most of the Level 5s' info is kept under wraps. I wonder what schemes Aleister has in mind for me. Oh well, not my concern. If things get too chaotic, I'll just bail.' While continued walking, I listened to the mutterings of the surrounding crowd.
"A new level 5. Damn, how enviable."
"Rank 3 right away? I wonder what kind of ability this Point Blank is."
"Point Blank? A close combat Esper?"
"Is this real? Are the airships hacked?"
"Go check the Academic Cities website, it is already confirmed. The rankings have changed."
"Level 5? Go try my Level 6 instead."
After hearing a bunch of envious comments I chuckled.
'Naïve people envying level 5's. If only they knew what that level means.' With a shake of my head, I opened up the website to check the rankings.
No.1 – Accelerator
No.2 – Dark Matter
No.3 – Point Blank
No.4 – Railgun
No.5 – Meltdowner
No.6 – Mental Out
No.7 – Number 6
No.8 – Number 1 Gemstone
"Seriously? Number 7 is just labeled as number 6. Now, I'm really intrigued. Should I investigate to confirm if number 7 is truly Aogami? I vaguely recall reading about number 7's Esper power involving granting abilities to others. Alright, bet. If I can't locate Sogiita, then let's search for number 7." With a nod, I discreetly teleported enough money from the cash registers to cover my order once again.