An oval-shaped hot air balloon floated high above the seventh district of Academy City, moving steadily along a fixed path. The General Council of Academy City had deployed it to provide students with real-time information in a visually accessible way.
On the ventral side of the hull, a state-of-the-art screen displayed various updates such as weather forecasts, real-time news, and announcements.
"Announcement for the seventh district: Today's physical examination will take place in the following schools: Private Tokiwadai Middle School, Sakugawa Junior High Girls School, Asahi Junior High School…"
Natsume, visibly nervous, had risen early, though the dark circles under her eyes suggested she hadn't slept much the previous night. Among the other students bustling about to wash up and prepare for the day, Natsume tried to suppress a yawn. Maintaining impeccable manners was a daily expectation for Tokiwadai Middle School students. Even without the watchful eyes of the Dorm Supervisors, presenting oneself as a proper lady was non-negotiable.
"Let's do this! I'm determined to reach Level 4 today," Natsume whispered to herself, using her low-temperature ability to refresh her senses and build confidence.
After washing up, she headed to the cafeteria for breakfast. Halfway there, she encountered Misaka and Shirai, the latter clinging to Misaka like an octopus.
"Get off me, you pervert!" Misaka exclaimed, pushing Kuroko away with visible frustration. The expression on her face, complete with dark lines of irritation, could not be missed.
Thankfully, they were still within the confines of the student dormitory; otherwise, Shirai's antics might have drawn harsher consequences.
Misaka delivered a decisive bonk to Kuroko's head with her fist. Wincing, Kuroko reluctantly released her hold, rubbing her head in mock despair.
The scene caught the attention of other Tokiwadai students passing by. They covered their mouths to stifle soft giggles, leaving Misaka's face turning an even deeper shade of crimson.
"Misaka-senpai! Kuroko-san!" Natsume called out, waving at the two. Her voice snapped Misaka out of her embarrassment, and she turned to notice Natsume standing nearby, her gaze curious.
"Natsume-san!" Misaka responded, her face still slightly flushed. She tugged Shirai, who looked somewhat annoyed, along as they walked toward Natsume.
"Good morning, Natsume-san," Kuroko greeted, though her expression betrayed a hint of displeasure. She wasn't thrilled about Natsume interrupting what she likely considered private time with her beloved "Onee-sama." The corners of Kuroko's mouth twitched faintly, signaling her reluctance.
Today is Saturday, and the students of Tokiwadai Middle School are enjoying a leisurely weekend. However, Shirai remains busy. While the activities of the discipline committee typically require only two hours after class on weekdays, weekends demand her full attention.
Club activities also take place on weekends, with different clubs following their schedules.
As a result, even on weekends, Tokiwadai students still carry their school bags and chat in groups of three or four. However, without the constraints of class times, they are free to act according to their club commitments.
Today, however, is a little different—it's the day of the physical examination.
In the morning, all students are required to go to school.
After finishing breakfast, Shirai-san headed off to the 177th Activity Branch of the Discipline Committee, where her busy schedule awaited her.
"Misaka-senpai, don't forget that today is the day for the physical examination," Natsume reminded Misaka, who appeared somewhat absent-minded.
"Yes, today is the day for the physical examination," Misaka responded thoughtfully, finally recalling the schedule.
"Keep working hard, Natsume-san. As long as you perform normally, you'll pass the assessment with ease," Misaka said, offering encouragement.
Although the physical examination didn't begin until 11 o'clock, Natsume decided to take the campus bus to school early. After all, it was her first physical examination in junior high school, and she wanted to familiarize herself with the venue in advance. Misaka was likely wandering the streets at this hour, dealing with troublesome delinquents who dared to challenge the railgun. She might even indulge in a not-so-gentle "attack" on vending machine number 7-1165 to get a drink.
Perhaps, in the process of kicking the vending machine at a perfect 90-degree angle, she would stumble upon Kuroko, who might have squatted down in an attempt to sneak a peek—only to be met with her signature safety pants, much to her extreme disappointment.
These amusing scenarios lingered in Natsume's mind for only a moment before she turned her attention to the scenery outside the bus window, resting her black handbag on her knees. One hand propped up her head, while the other rested lightly on the edge of the seat.
The bus windows were completely sealed, so she couldn't open them for fresh air. Instead, she gazed at the bustling crowd outside with a bored expression.
She had undergone this type of physical examination countless times before. The test itself lasted no more than ten minutes, excluding the wait in line. All she needed to do was maintain a calm and steady mindset.
When Natsume arrived at Tokiwadai Middle School, the campus was mostly quiet, with only a few students present. In contrast, various staff and teachers were bustling about, setting up equipment for the physical examinations.
Near the school swimming pool, a team of seven or eight people was busy arranging equipment. Numerous wire probes had been placed in the water, and several technicians in white coats and glasses were carefully debugging the machines.
As Natsume's ability was a remote telekinetic power, her physical examination included not only basic telekinetic tests but also evaluations of her remote operation capabilities, which were scheduled to take place in the playground.
On a display screen near the entrance of the first teaching building, the day's schedule was clearly outlined:
[Tokiwadai Middle School Physical Examination Schedule]
Today's Tests:
Telekinetic Basic Test: 11:00 AM, Classroom 15, First Teaching Building
Telekinetic Remote Operation Evaluation: 11:00 AM, School Playground and Surrounding Areas
Perception System Test: 11:00 AM, First Teaching Building
Telepathy: Classroom 37
Precognition: Classroom 26
Visual System Test: 11:00 AM, First Teaching Building
Farsightedness: Classroom 37
Perspective: Classroom 26
[Additional tests scheduled throughout the day…]
Natsume scanned the screen, confirming the locations of her tests.
Although there was still time before the examinations began, Natsume felt both nervous and excited. She watched the teachers diligently setting up various testing devices and decided to take a short walk around the Tokiwadai garden to calm herself.
After a few laps, she bought a drink from one of the school's vending machines. The simple activity helped her steady her nerves. Once she felt more composed, she approached the teacher in charge to collect her physical examination form and made her way to the 15th classroom, where the telekinetic basic test was to be held.
To her surprise, she wasn't the first to arrive. Another Tokiwadai student was already waiting at the door.
With half an hour remaining before the tests commenced, Natsume settled into the queue. Meanwhile, Misaka and Shirai-san were likely just starting to make their way to school.
"It's Kongou Mitsuko-senpai," Natsume Enako thought as she recognized the upperclassman. Kongou was a Level 4 esper from Tokiwadai, known by the ability Aeromancer.
Her ability involved creating jet-like bursts of air with her hands, generating immense kinetic energy. This made her a highly skilled aerodynamicist.
Kongou had recently transferred from another school and was now a sophomore at Tokiwadai. She was rarely seen without her ornate folding fan, a signature accessory. Rumor had it that she was somewhat difficult to approach and lacked friends.
Her ability to manipulate air, even touching and shaping it, made her one of the most formidable espers. In simpler terms, Kongou Mitsuko was someone capable of figuratively "rubbing air cannons" into existence with her bare hands.
Despite her elegant moniker, "Aero Hand," from A Certain Scientific Railgun, her power was not to be underestimated. In Senior Kongou's own words, "There's nothing I can't shoot."
Natsume sat quietly in her seat, clutching the medical examination form and occasionally glancing at Kongou. The upperclassman seemed disinterested in making conversation, instead fanning herself leisurely.
Every so often, Kongou turned to observe Natsume, who was nervously focusing on her form. The repeated glances made Natsume increasingly uncomfortable, and she practically buried her head in her papers.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Natsume, a first-year student," Natsume finally said, breaking the awkward silence. She hoped to dispel the tension with a polite introduction.
"Hmhmhm~," Kongou hummed, her folding fan partially obscuring her face. She opened it slowly, covering her mouth as a smug, almost theatrical laugh escaped her lips.
"Are you speaking to me? Surely you know I am Kongou Mitsuko, the Aeromancer of Tokiwadai Middle School," she replied, tilting her head slightly to peer over the top of her fan with a haughty expression.
"Yes, Kongou-senpai. I'm Natsume Enako," Natsume repeated, her voice faltering slightly. The sudden, overly grand reaction left her momentarily flustered. She wondered if initiating the conversation had been too impulsive.
Although Natsume knew Kongou's domineering demeanor wasn't malicious, interacting with her for the first time was undeniably intimidating. Why did this proud, somewhat venomous upperclassman feel strangely familiar?
"Since you introduced yourself so earnestly, you must have been captivated by my brilliance. Very well, I'll reluctantly extend an invitation to visit my Western doll collection," Kongou announced, snapping her fan shut with a dramatic flourish. "There will be a tea party in my dormitory at nine o'clock tomorrow. You are specially approved to attend."
"I'll think about it…" Natsume stammered, taken aback. She hadn't anticipated such an extravagant response to a simple greeting.
"The tea party will commence whether or not you attend. Don't think for a moment that I care," Kongou added, lifting her chin with the air of a proud swan, her demeanor full of affected indifference.
"Uh, right…" Natsume muttered, feeling more awkward than ever. Was this really how Kongou made friends?
Without waiting for a response, Kongou closed her eyes and reclined in her seat, as though entirely uninterested in Natsume's decision.