In Academy City, the Paradise Project begins.

Page 35

Mugino's tone became subtle.

"Because Tem has two Level 5 units, our funding has increased by 40%, making us the undisputed number one ANBU!"

A sudden burst of cheers erupted in the background, and Frenda's voice could be clearly heard: "Higashino-kun~ We're going to pop the champagne! Kinuhata went to buy a cake!"

Higashino could imagine the chaotic scene at the Tem base at that moment.

"So...how did you guys know so early?"

"snort."

Mugino gave a soft hum.

"Your information is everywhere on TV channels now; it's hard not to know about you."

She paused.

"By the way, Takitsubo said..."

The call was suddenly interrupted by a cough, followed by the weak voice of a sickly girl: "Higashino... your Aim diffusion field... the waveform was very strange this morning..."

Higashino frowned: "What do you mean? We didn't see each other this morning, did we?"

Takitsubo started coughing again.

"This morning, I sensed an unusual Aim diffusion field as I passed by your apartment, so I tried to detect it..."

Um, could it be that something went wrong between me and Kanzaki back then? Your ability shouldn't include spying, right?

However, after what happened between me and Kanzaki, I seem to be a little bit stronger. Is it because of Kanzaki Saint's power? Why does my ability increase feel so strange?

Mugino snatched the phone back: "Don't worry about such trivial things. Remember to be on time; the celebration money tonight will be deducted from your salary."

After the call ended, Higashino stared at the black screen, lost in thought.

The news on television has switched to an expert analysis segment. A white-haired professor is pointing to a chart and explaining:

"...Unlike the fifth 'Mental Mastery,' 'Cognitive Reconstruction' can directly interfere with the physical laws of reality...He has more potential to become..."

The doorbell rang suddenly. Higashino looked through the peephole and saw Kazari Uiharu and Ruiko Saten standing outside, each carrying a breakfast bag and... an exaggerated celebratory balloon.

"Senior! Open the door!"

Tears sounded excited.

"The whole of Academy City knows!"

As soon as Higashino opened the door, Ruiko rushed in, nearly shoving a balloon into his face. Haru followed behind, blushing, holding a delicate tie clip.

"Congratulations, Higashino-senpai..."

The smiles in early spring were bright, and the voices, like the tears, were full of excitement.

"This is...a small token of our appreciation..."

Her gift was a tie clip engraved with "Level 5," and it was exquisitely crafted. Just as Higashino was about to thank her, a sudden commotion erupted from the television.

"Now, a supplementary announcement from the Academy City Chairman's Office: Effective immediately, the eighth Level 5, Higashino Yuu, will enjoy his own research institute and medical team..."

Ruiko whistled, "Wow, senior's going to be a superstar!"

Early Spring looked at Higashino with concern: "Your complexion... doesn't look good?"

"Uh, maybe I didn't rest well yesterday, haha."

Having just been discharged from the hospital and already doing physical labor all night, one can't help but feel pale.

My phone vibrated again; it was a text message from Misaka Mikoto:

[Dr. Higashino, congratulations on becoming a Level 5! P.S.: We've already hung a banner in the dorm after the wedding.]

Immediately following this was another message from an unknown number:

[Dr. Higashino, I heard you've been promoted to Level 5. I've been having a terrible headache lately, could you please come to Tokiwadai later and take a look at me? Misaki Shokuhou]

Higashino raised an eyebrow. Mikoto's congratulations were normal, given their current good relationship. But Misaki Shokuhou's invitation—her reason was certainly professional: to meet as a health care provider. It was hard to refuse.

However, now that I'm Level 5, I can indeed approach her again, and I should also confirm the things I noticed during our last meeting.

Haruharu keenly noticed the change in his expression: "Senior... is something wrong?"

"nothing."

Higashino put away his phone and shook his head.

"There's just a sudden surge in 'appointments'."

Leizi leaned closer with a mischievous grin: "Did a girl ask you out? Level 5 status is really useful~"

Suddenly, a gasp came from the television. The scene cut to a street interview, where a girl from Tokiwadai wearing glasses was excitedly saying:

"Dr. Higashino is amazing! Last time I had insomnia, he made me fall asleep in just three seconds!"

Higashino's lips twitched. These descriptions made his ability sound like some kind of super hypnotic technique, but it was indeed one of the abilities he deliberately projected.

Chu Chun suddenly exclaimed, "Senior! There are reporters downstairs!"

Higashino walked to the window and carefully pulled back a corner of the curtain. The apartment building was already packed with interview vehicles, and more than a dozen cameras were pointed at his window.

Looks like I won't be able to go out normally today.

Ruiko excitedly pulled out her makeup bag: "Does Senior need a stylist? Level 5's first appearance can't be taken lightly!"

Chu Chun also pulled out her phone: "I...I can contact the haters and use teleportation to help my senior avoid the reporters..."

Higashino shook his head and took a doctor's white coat from the wardrobe. "No need."

He said calmly.

"If you want to be a Level 5, you have to get used to this kind of attention."

He fastened his tie, clipped on the tie clip Chu Chun had given him, and then turned to the two girls: "Can you do me a favor?"

The two nodded in unison.

"I'm leaving Index in your care today. I have some things to take care of."

A commotion erupted downstairs. Reporters had spotted him, and flashbulbs went off like a storm.

The public life of the eighth Level 5 in Academy City begins here.

Chapter 49 I am the Superman Overlord

Using his abilities to avoid all the reporters, Higashino Yu quickly arrived at Tokiwadai.

Standing in front of the infirmary, he turned the doorknob, pushed the door open, and went inside. Today's "patient" was already waiting inside.

Inside the infirmary, Misaki Shokuhou sat gracefully by the examination bed, her long golden hair cascading down her back, staring intently at Higashino as he entered.

She was wearing Tokiwadai's summer school uniform, her long legs crossed, the gaps revealing a tantalizing glimpse.

"Dr. Higashino~"

Misaki's voice had a deliberately coquettish quality as she gently shook the remote control in her hand.

"You arrived just in time."

“Shokuhou-kun.”

Higashino smiled and walked toward his desk.

Are you feeling unwell somewhere?

Misaki suddenly stood up, her skirt tracing an elegant arc. She walked slowly towards Higashino, a remote control in her hand.

Actually~

She stopped a meter away from Higashino and tilted her head slightly.

"I was lying to you because I felt uncomfortable."

Higashino's expression didn't change at all; he simply said "Oh" softly and took out a stethoscope from the drawer.

"I'm just really curious about Dr. Higashino~"

Misaki's voice carried a deliberate air of naivety.

"The school nurse who suddenly appeared in Tokiwadai has now suddenly become a Level 5..."

She suddenly leaned closer, looking directly into Higashino's eyes: "Tell me, isn't this suspicious?"

Higashino calmly hung the stethoscope around his neck.

"So, Shokuhou-san called me here to investigate me?"

"The word 'investigation' sounds awful!"

Shokuhou chuckled softly, then pointed the remote control precisely at Higashino's brow.

"I just want to... get to know you a little better."

She gently pressed a button on the remote control.

Click.

An invisible spiritual fluctuation permeated the air. Higashino could sense a force attempting to invade his consciousness, like an invisible key trying to pry open the lock on his mind.

But behind the door was an impenetrable fortress.

A barely perceptible hint of surprise flashed deep in Misaki's eyes.

Just like last time, it still doesn't work?

"What Misaki-kun said is very misleading..."

Before Higashino could finish speaking, she pressed the button again, this time increasing the output of her power.

Click.

There was still no response.

Higashino Yu looked at her calmly, a faint smile playing on his lips.

However, just before the surprise in Misaki's eyes was about to turn into seriousness, Higashino's gaze suddenly "distracted," and the shrewd smile on his face vanished instantly, replaced by a slightly dull calm.

Shokuhou frowned slightly, carefully observing Higashino's changes. He seemed... to have really been affected?

“Shokuhou-kun.”

Higashino spoke, his voice much calmer than before, less gentle, and more incongruous.

"You lied."

Misaki's heart skipped a beat. Could it have just been a delay? She tentatively asked, "Oh? Where did I lie?"

You said you weren't sick.

Higashino took a step forward, his movements slightly stiff.

"But I can tell you're under a lot of pressure right now, right? I've already told you that before, haven't I?"

Misaki's breathing paused almost imperceptibly for a moment.

"pressure?"

Misaki's voice was still sweet, but the end of her voice had a hint of tension that was barely perceptible.

What pressure could I possibly have?

Higashino didn't answer immediately. He turned and walked to the window, slowly parting the blinds, his movements seeming somewhat unnatural.

Then he turned to look at Shokuhou's slightly pale face and continued in that flat tone: "Being under high pressure for a long time will leave subtle traces on the mental state of even the most outstanding ability users. I can 'sense' that tension, Shokuhou."

Misaki's heart skipped a beat! This had touched on her core privacy! Suppressing her shock, she decided to take advantage of the "controlled" state to dig deeper: "So, Dr. Higashino, tell me, who exactly are you? Where did you come from?"

Higashino looked at her with an indifferent gaze and answered word by word: "I am Ultraman from the M78 Nebula. In order to maintain world peace, I have transformed into Tokiwadai Health Doctor and secretly protect this Earth."

"..."

Misaki Shokuhou's sweet smile froze instantly. Her fingers, gripping the remote control tightly, turned white at the knuckles. M78 Nebula?! Ultraman?! What...what the hell is this?!

"you......"

She was practically gritting her teeth, and a hint of exasperation finally crept into her voice.