"What did you say? The experiment has been stopped!?" Mikoto's eyes widened, staring at Lin Luo in disbelief, seemingly unable to process what he had just told her.

"Yes, the experiment is over. The Sisters no longer have to be killed; they can live normal lives," Lin Luo smiled at Mikoto, his eyes full of confidence, as if stating an undeniable fact.

... Not long after the two left Tokiwadai, Lin Luo had brought up the experiment to Mikoto. It was a lingering nightmare for her; she could never truly awaken from it as long as the Sisters remained trapped in that endless hell of death.

No matter how cheerful or carefree she appeared on the surface, that near-breaking despair and guilt constantly shrouded the depths of her soul, never diminishing in the slightest.

Mikoto had always believed that the Sisters' current tragic fate stemmed entirely from her childhood ignorance when she offered up her own DNA, taking all the sin upon herself. She felt compelled to solve everything herself as atonement for herself and the Sisters, never asking anyone for help, no matter how desperate the situation.

That was why, since learning of the experiment, she hadn't breathed a word of it to anyone, not even to her closest roommate and junior, Shirai Kuroko.

She knew that if she told Kuroko, Kuroko would unconditionally stand behind her as her most steadfast comrade... but she couldn't do it, because her kindness wouldn't allow her to drag more people into her own guilt.

This was the obstinacy Mikoto stubbornly adhered to—foolish and naïve... and yet heartbreaking to witness.

However, everything changed that day!

Traveling through time and space into another parallel world, chosen by the War of the Gods... it sounded incredible, yet it was the truth; she had entered a much wider world!

More importantly, she had gained someone whose back she could genuinely trust, trust without reservation, trust completely... In Mikoto's eyes, this was far more significant than having the path to supreme power!

Having someone to rely on, someone who could help her, someone who could embody that real, vulnerable subconscious need... Perhaps the World Eye sensed it, which is why, the instant she arrived in this world, she unconsciously sent Lin Luo to a different research facility, though she herself didn't truly grasp that intention.

All she felt was the impulse to sacrifice herself to protect others—be it the Sisters or Lin Luo—they were beings she needed to safeguard... Moreover, the principle that one must atone for their own sins had never left Mikoto's heart. Even afterward, she thought the same way—she must stop the experiment herself!

According to Mikoto's original plan, she was supposed to destroy the remaining research facility that very night. She didn't know if this would end the experiment, but she didn't want to involve Lin Luo... If it succeeded, that would be best, but if it failed, perhaps only one path remained—the thought that had lingered in her heart for so long.

Even though her relationship with Lin Luo was one of shared life and death, her death didn't mean his would follow, and there was more than one World Eye; even if she died, he could still form contracts with others... Her mission was to protect everyone around her!

But Mikoto never expected that before she could execute her plan, Lin Luo would bring news that almost made her weep with joy—the Sisters' experiments had stopped!

How could this be? How could the experiment end so easily? Mikoto couldn't believe it... But if it were true, how wonderful that would be.

"Is... is that true?" Mikoto's voice trembled slightly; she wasn't even sure if the voice coming from her mouth was her own.

"Of course it's true, have you forgotten?" Lin Luo didn't hide the excitement and agitation on his face. "Last night, the Institute sent ANBU ITES to intercept you. You defeated Atomic Collapse, and I captured the other executive of the ITES. I didn't tell you then, but the place I arrived in this world was the other facility conducting the Sisters' experiments—the Handling Agency!"

"The Handling Agency... Do you mean...?"

"I intended to destroy that facility, but it's no longer necessary..." Seeing the confusion on Mikoto's face, Lin Luo explained, "They've not only evacuated all the research equipment but have also sealed away all the research data. I'm sure you understand what that implies!"

"The experiment... stopped?!" Mikoto whispered, trembling. "But, this..."

"There's nothing unbelievable about it. Think about it simply: you destroyed so many of their facilities; the experimental equipment alone must be worth tens of billions. If all the research institutes combined could perhaps endure it, a single remaining one—no matter how wealthy—couldn't possibly sustain it, especially with a powerful enemy constantly poised to strike them... Under these circumstances, even if the Level 6 Project is tempting, they couldn't possibly continue!"

"Now that you put it that way..." As Lin Luo spoke, Mikoto gradually started to believe him. The Level 6 Esper Project required immense manpower, financial resources, and material assets. Executing such a plan with only one research facility was absolutely impossible.

Yet, Mikoto couldn't fully accept it because it felt too unreal. There was no reason for Lin Luo to lie to her just by saying so.

"If you still can't believe it, you can ask someone."

"Who?"

"Azusa Uibutsu. You know her, right?"

"It's her!" Mikoto's eyes snapped open. Of course, she knew this person; she could say that discovering the Level 6 Esper Project was entirely thanks to her. "How do you know about her?"

Lin Luo explained, "She was at the Handling Agency yesterday too. She personally told me that the experiment had stopped. By the way, I have her number here; you can ask her yourself."

Saying that, Lin Luo recited Uibutsu's number.

Mikoto immediately took out her phone and dialed impatiently. The call connected quickly, and a cold voice answered, "Who is this?"

"Uh, well... I'm Misaka Mikoto. Is this Uibutsu-senpai?... Ah, yes, well, I wanted to ask about the Absolute Esper Project... Has the experiment really stopped?... No, no, I didn't mean that, I just wanted to confirm... Yes, I understand, well... thank you!"

"How was it? I wasn't wrong, was I?" Lin Luo spoke only after Mikoto hung up the phone.

"Yes, thank you, Lin Luo." Mikoto let out a breath of relief, a triumphant smile spreading across her face... The experiment was finally over, that wicked experiment was finally over. The Sisters wouldn't have to die anymore. While there was still much to do, it was truly wonderful!

"This has nothing to do with me. It's all your effort; you personally rescued the Sisters from hell. So, you should be proud of yourself," Lin Luo stated.

"Mhm, I know..." Mikoto suddenly sounded a little listless, saying sheepishly, "Um, I suddenly feel a bit tired."

"I understand. I felt the same way every time I safely passed my final exams back then."

"Then, I'll head back to the dorm..."

Lin Luo smiled, "Go get some good rest. Tomorrow is when the real routine begins."

... Watching Mikoto's receding back, the smile on Lin Luo's face gradually vanished. Yes, tomorrow was the real routine, the daily battle belonging only to him!

"Is this really okay?"

A voice sounded behind him. Lin Luo turned around, his gaze falling upon a black-haired woman not far away—Uibutsu.

"What's wrong with it?" Lin Luo countered.

"Can you really stop this experiment alone? Wouldn't it be easier with the help of Railgun?"

"It's enough," Lin Luo affirmed resolutely. "She has carried enough burdens already; I don't want her to continue being entangled in this nightmare."

Lin Luo could easily guess what Mikoto was thinking, but she wouldn't know what he was thinking. But did that matter?

Lin Luo knew that given Mikoto's personality, if she knew the experiment hadn't ended, she would never give up. Whether confronting Accelerator or anyone else, she would never have a chance of winning, only sinking deeper into despair... Such a burden was not something a fourteen-year-old girl, even an LV5 Esper, should carry.

Rather than that, it was better to let her step away like this and leave everything that followed to him alone... This wasn't arrogance, nor was it being so conceited as to look down on others. It was simply... the responsibility of a man.

If he couldn't even protect or redeem the person he cared for, then forget the War of the Gods—he would lose the qualification to be a man and might as well stretch out his neck to be swiftly executed!

"How foolish," Uibutsu said coldly.

"Indeed, I think I'm an idiot too..." Lin Luo smiled calmly, unconcerned. "But if I had to choose between a clever person without responsibility and an idiot with responsibility, I would absolutely choose the latter. Do you know why?"

"Why?"

"Because... that's who I am!"