"So, this is the device that can interfere with Accelerator’s ability?" Kuroko asked, looking at the object in Lin Luo's hand with curiosity.

In Lin Luo's hand was a small charm, seemingly made of some pliable material, which emitted a rather grating sound when pressed gently. It was hard for Kuroko to imagine how such a small thing could possibly suppress Accelerator’s power.

"Kihara was the one who developed Accelerator’s ability, so he knows his calculations inside and out. As for this sound…" Lin Luo pressed it lightly and chuckled, "The frequency it emits can slip into the blind spots of Accelerator's calculations, disrupting his computational patterns. While it might not completely nullify his power, it will definitely weaken it."

To be honest, Lin Luo had been uneasy on the way over. If Kihara hadn't managed to create this interference device by now, he feared he would have to rely solely on the Kihara Divine Fist to fight. But now… everything was proceeding exactly as he had anticipated.

In fact, Kihara had developed the interference device shortly after creating Accelerator’s power. After all, Accelerator’s ability was simply too monstrous; he could kill someone just by twitching a finger while standing still. To use such a powerful esper as a lab rat, one would certainly need some countermeasures.

Clutching the interference device tightly, Lin Luo felt a surge of excitement… If he could suppress Accelerator’s mass-destruction capabilities, then winning against him using the Kihara Divine Fist might not be impossible!

"I see, but wouldn't the energy dampening system be more effective for this?" Kuroko nodded, suddenly asking. If the goal was merely to interfere with calculations, the energy dampening system seemed far more useful.

"That's impossible."

Lin Luo shook his head decisively. Of course, he had considered that method, but the problem was that the energy dampening system device was far too large; carrying it around was completely out of the question. Of course, he could arrange to have the device installed at the testing site, but would the researchers agree to that?

Although Yoshikawa was in charge of the entire experiment, she was, in the end, just an employee. Even if he somehow managed to neutralize Accelerator’s ability using that system, the entire endeavor would lose its meaning; the premise of defeating Accelerator would not be met.

But Kihara’s interference device was different. Only Kihara knew about this thing. Even if he used it to suppress Accelerator’s power, the other researchers wouldn't know what had truly happened…

"But can this… really defeat Accelerator?" Kuroko’s face was filled with apprehension. Just how strong was Academy City's strongest esper? Truthfully, she didn't know, nor did she fully grasp the nature of his ability. However, an enemy that had driven even Railgun to despair—his might needed no direct observation to be understood.

A simple comparison was enough to instill despair in anyone.

"Don't worry, it will definitely work. I will risk my life for this!" Lin Luo’s expression held no trace of jest; his tone was sincere and serious.

Kuroko remained silent, watching him for several seconds before bowing deeply to Lin Luo, her face etched with sincerity. "Then, I entrust Sister's affairs to you. Please, no matter what, protect her daily life."

Kuroko’s heart was filled with gratitude. The thought of protecting her 'Onee-sama' had never left her mind since moving into Misaka Mikoto's dormitory. She should have been the one to step forward when her Sister was in danger, but against an enemy that even Railgun couldn't handle, what could she possibly do? Just as Lin Luo said, this was a battle where one risked their life. Resolve alone was insufficient; without sufficient strength, it was unattainable!

"I have always been working towards that," Lin Luo replied with a smile. "Oh, don't mention today's events to Mikoto. I already told her the experiment was stopped. Although that was a lie, I will make that lie a reality."

"I understand," Kuroko nodded emphatically. "I truly felt Sister's desire not to involve us, and I will not betray that feeling. I trust Uiharu and Saten won't bring this up in front of Sister either."

"Good, that puts my mind at ease... Farewell." Saying this, Lin Luo turned and walked away into the distance.

Watching Lin Luo's retreating figure, Kuroko suddenly dropped to her knees, placing her hands on the ground and resting her forehead on the back of her hands, murmuring solemnly, "May your campaign be victorious!"

As a noblewoman, this was the most supreme etiquette Shirai Kuroko knew. Though she knew he likely didn't require it, and this gesture was entirely insufficient to express the depth of her gratitude…

Lifting her head, Kuroko could no longer see Lin Luo's silhouette, yet she continued to gaze in the direction he had gone. "Sister, for this one time, please allow Kuroko to remain behind you. But only for now. I, Shirai Kuroko, will never remain stagnant forever. So, Sister, please wait for me. Kuroko is extremely fast when she has a goal, and one day…"

Through the events of today, Shirai Kuroko had come to understand the limits of her own power and glimpsed a world unattainable to her. However, she would never surrender hope, determined to continue pursuing the pinnacle of strength!

That pursuit was absolutely not about climbing to a higher position, but solely about guarding the sky above someone's head—just like that person!

...

It was past two in the morning when Lin Luo returned to the research institute. At this hour, aside from a few security guards, the facility was deserted. Yoshikawa and Futsuse had already gone home to rest.

He walked into the central cultivation room and opened the sealed iron door—this was the chamber housing Last Order and the Number One Body.

Lin Luo looked at the small form of Last Order in the incubator, deep in thought… On his way back, one question had been bothering him: Generally, an esper's level increase depends on their deeper understanding and control of their ability, coupled with an increase in computational capacity. Only when all these factors surpass the current level can the rank be elevated.

However, this theory didn't seem to apply to him… He didn't need to go through calculation to use his superpower; he directly copied Mikoto’s computational formulas. As long as he had sufficient computational capacity, even extremely complex formulas could be replicated. In other words, as long as his computational capacity increased, his level would follow…

Computational capacity… He could enter the Misaka Network. If he could gain access to the clones' computing power… the collective processing power of nearly ten thousand Misaka Sisters, while perhaps not equaling a Level 5, wouldn't be too far off. With the battle against Accelerator imminent, the more safeguards he had, the better!

But obtaining the Sisters' computing power required Last Order's consent. Simply put, Last Order functioned as a switch; only through her, the commander unit, could the Sisters' processing power be borrowed… This was not an easy task.

Although Last Order possessed a high degree of self-awareness, her fundamental thought process was identical to that of the other Sisters—prioritizing the experiment above all else, rather than the lives of the Misaka Sisters themselves!

However, it wasn't impossible to try!

He couldn't persuade the regular Sisters because they lacked true self-awareness, but Last Order was different. Perhaps her thinking could be altered through language…

Of course, given Last Order’s current physical state, she couldn't even leave the incubator, let alone communicate. But Lin Luo possessed the Divine Healing spell, so this wasn't a major obstacle.

He approached Last Order’s incubator, turned off the switch, and gently cradled the girl's small body, placing his right palm on her head… Like the Number One Body, Last Order’s body also suffered from significant defects. Full restoration would cost 500 Life Force points.

This amount surprised Lin Luo. It wasn't too low, but surprisingly high. The Number One Body, a near-Level 5, required 1,500 points for full repair, yet Last Order, who wasn't even Level 3, required one-third of that amount, even though her physical condition was slightly better than the Number One Body's. This was truly unexpected.

Full restoration was out of the question, then. He would have to settle for localized repair—genes, brain, bones, nerves, muscles… Lin Luo selected several critical areas, then entered the Symbiotic State. The brainwave connection was successful, and the repair was confirmed!

A faint radiance enveloped Last Order’s small body, and in an instant, her physical form underwent a complete metamorphosis… Intact genes, a sound brain, robust bones, agile nerves… Everything reached its optimal state.

Naturally, as Mikoto's clone, her brain capacity also reached a level equivalent to Mikoto's.

However, even with the same brain structure, it would be nearly impossible for Last Order to reach Level 5 like the Number One Body. Reaching the peak of Level 4 would likely be considered excellent; attaining Level 5 would depend on her own future efforts. After all, the strength of a superpower relies not just on the brain, but on many other factors.

In fact, theoretically, since the Sisters inherited Mikoto’s genes, every Misaka Sister possessed the potential to become a Level 5. It was only due to the numerous irreparable defects that this theory remained an unfulfilled fantasy.

These defects were beyond the scope of the Divine Healing spell. The spell could only repair their bodies to a state of complete health… Unless, one day, the Divine Healing spell could perform a total overhaul, moving beyond mere completion to perfection, perhaps the Misaka Sisters could form an army of Level 5s…

For now, however, that remained a pipe dream.

"Eh? Are you the person who has been frequently entering the Misaka Network these past few days?" Last Order asked, her small pigtail twitching slightly as she stared curiously at his face.

Just then, Last Order woke up.

P: Today is the last day for the Newcomer Ranking. I expect to drop off the list in the afternoon. Although I’ve consistently held the second spot among the top three, it’s a pity I couldn’t push to first. Well, let’s skip that topic. It’s the final day, so I hope everyone can vote actively; the recommendations seem a bit low… Regarding updates, there might be four chapters today. Since it's the first time I've been urged to update, I should try hard, but… it’s only a possibility, truly only a possibility… Although I wish I could write ten thousand characters daily, this speed is just too slow… Another regret…