Temperature Control in Academy City

After returning from the bathroom, Natsume Sonoko picked up the phone and answered.

...

The weather is sunny and the temperature is suitable, which is very suitable for an outing.

Originally, today was the day for the physical examination of Tokiwadai Middle School, but Natsume Sonoko ran to the fifth district of Academy City.

Compared with other school districts, this place has a more mature feel, with libraries and universities everywhere with a strong academic atmosphere.

A university is indeed very different from the Seventh District where there are junior high schools and high schools. What surprised Natsume Sonoko the most is that people here don't need to wear school uniforms.

Natsume Sonoko walked on the streets here with some interest, her face full of curiosity and longing, even though her school started teaching university courses in junior high school.

The people around her were all college students in casual clothes, and there were very few students from other school districts. It was even rarer to see someone like Natsume Sonoko wearing the Tokiwadai school uniform.

Before they had walked far, Natsume Sonoko could sense other people's gazes from time to time, so she chose to turn invisible and end it all, and soon arrived at her own assessment location.

The Pan-Ability Application Research Institute is located on the north side of Pinyu University in the fifth school district. It covers an area that is even larger than Pinyu University. It has more than ten independent research buildings and even has huge research facilities underground.

Senior Misaka had destroyed many important research institutes before, but none of them could compare to this one in scale.

The time agreed with the researchers was ten o'clock in the morning. Natsume Sonoko took out her cell phone and looked at it. The time was almost up.

The Pan-Ability Application Research Institute is a research institute for people with multiple system abilities. Unlike many single research institutes, it can simultaneously develop and research multiple system abilities.

Because some people with special abilities are somewhat special, they can often span several ability systems. For example, Senior Misaka can control both magnetic fields and electric currents, so she is actually a person with multiple system abilities.

Therefore, it is difficult for a single-system research institute to tap the potential of these capable people, and this type of cross-industry research institute has emerged.

However, Natsume is not a person with multiple abilities, and many of his extra abilities can only be considered derivative abilities, but normally they are also suitable for this kind of research institute.

Almost ten minutes earlier than the agreed time, Natsume Sonoko had just walked to the gate of the research institute when a female researcher in a white coat came over.

Natsume Sonoko was slightly stunned. She seemed to have seen this researcher somewhere before.

When she got closer, Natsume Sonoko's memory became clear again. It turned out to be this person.

Before, when I was pretending to be Ito Seiji and was being studied in the Fourth Thermal Energy Research Institute, it seemed that this researcher was in charge. His name was Hirosue Asuka.

Chapter 181 The Assessment Begins

The female researcher's figure was getting closer and closer, and a moderately strong rose scent filled her nose. The fragrant breeze blew on Natsume's face, ruffling her hair.

The female researcher stopped directly in front of Natsume Sonoko, bent down slightly, put her hands on her knees, and her eyes were level with someone, revealing a friendly face full of smiles.

"You must be Natsume Sonoko who is here for the test today. You are such a good kid who is always on time." Hirosue Asuka narrowed his eyes slightly and said with a smile.

Smelling the perfume, Natsume Sonoko shrugged her nose uncomfortably. Her nose was more sensitive than that of ordinary people.

"Hello, I'm Natsume Sonoko, please take care of me today."

Natsume Sonoko was always very polite. She nodded and answered, but there was something strange in her expression.

Looking at Hirosue Asuka's smile, Natsume Sonoko suddenly felt very uncomfortable.

When she was at the Fourth Thermal Energy Research Institute before, she had seen this researcher's cold face many times. He would lose his temper at the slightest provocation. He was basically a research maniac.

I originally thought that I would never see her again after the Thermal Energy Research Institute was closed down, but surprisingly, I could see her again today. And from what she said, she was actually in charge of my assessment today.

"Shokuhou-senpai, are you there?"

A series of unclear sounds came out of her mouth, and Natsume Sonoko turned her face away and stopped looking at Hirosue Asuka, looking a little guilty.

"Natsume-san, what are you talking about?"

A hint of doubt appeared in his smile, and researcher Hirosue Asuka asked in some confusion.

"Nothing, nothing. The test time is coming soon. Let's hurry up."

Natsume Sonoko immediately shook her head. Except for a few people who knew about it, no one knew what Natsume Sonoko was thinking now.

So much time has passed, and Shokuhou Misaki's control over Hirosue Asuka has indeed been lifted. I just asked a vague question, but the other party didn't respond at all.

"Actually, I'd feel more at ease if Shokuhou-senpai was here."

Natsume Sonoko thought with some regret. Although she felt that she had no problem passing the test, she was still inevitably nervous. It would be best if someone familiar was with her.

"Okay, the test site is ready."

"However, before we begin, we need to carry out a few preliminary steps, and we also need to wear equipment to test the stability of Natsume-san's abilities."

Researcher Hirosue Asuka stood up straight and spoke.

"I see."

Natsume Sonoko nodded, indicating that she would follow orders in all actions. From the moment she stepped out of the dormitories today, Natsume Sonoko had a similar realization.

Everything is for level 5. Natsume Sonoko has not forgotten the longing she had when she first entered Academy City, although level 5 had not yet stood on the stage of Academy City at that time.

Okay, that's an exaggeration, most of these early steps are just normal stuff like filling out paperwork.

"Then follow me."

Hirosue Asuka waved to Natsume Sonoko, tightened his white coat, and walked into the research institute.

When she turned her back to Natsume Sonoko, two star-like shadows suddenly appeared in her pupils, and then she couldn't help but pout.

"Natsume-san is really sensitive. I didn't do anything."

On the other side of Academy City, Shokuhou-senpai, who was taking a physical examination, was sitting bored in a special classroom, surrounded by staff members in charge of the fifth physical examination.

But as usual, all the staff stood there like puppets, and Shokuhou-senpai was holding a pen and writing her own evaluation of this physical examination.

Although it seems a bit strange for students to write evaluations for themselves, if the other party is at level 5 psychological control, then it doesn’t matter who writes the evaluation, right?

Just as Shokuhou Misaki-senpai was filling out the medical examination form, the ground suddenly shook.

Just by looking toward the window, one could see a super-electromagnetic cannon whose power was not quite up to the normal level being fired into the swimming pool, but it still caused a huge column of water to shoot up into the sky, and a quick rain shower fell on the playground of Tokiwadai Junior High School.

"It's raining, maybe a rainbow will appear."

Shokuhou Misaki walked to the windowsill, resting the remote control on her chin, thinking.

On the other hand, the focus of today is a certain girl with a bun who is participating in the assessment.

This research institute covers a large area, and some common means of transportation are neatly stacked near the security room outside the institute.

These means of transportation are somewhat similar to the sightseeing buses in some scenic spots, with two seats and suitable for solar charging.

Sitting quietly next to Hirosue Asuka, Natsume Sonoko leaned her head slightly out of the car and looked around with curiosity.

This place is so big, if Misaka-senpai were to invade here, it would probably take some time.

That building seemed somewhat similar to the one that the white-haired man demolished.

Thinking about inappropriate things in their minds, the two of them waited until the car stopped and finally arrived in front of a building with the prefix of Higuchi Pharmaceutical.

Higuchi Pharmaceutical is a multinational super-large company. Its status in the pharmaceutical industry is equivalent to that of Higuchi Pharmaceutical in the aviation industry. I didn’t expect to see a building sponsored by it here.

The building has a high degree of automation. As if sensing a device worn by Hirosue Asuka, an alloy door on the first floor of the building slowly opened.

After walking in, I didn't see the spacious hall as I had imagined, but instead there was an elevator device that could go directly to any floor and could carry forty or fifty people at a time.

But now it's empty, with only the two of them using it.

"Fifteenth floor."

Hirosue Asuka spoke, and the elevator started moving immediately after receiving the command.

"Don't be nervous. The test content is easy for you. You can be said to be the first in Academy City to reach level 5 in terms of heat."

The elevator began to ascend rapidly, and Hirosue Asuka's attention turned to Natsume Sonoko, as if he already knew a lot about Natsume Sonoko.

Natsume Sonoko nodded slightly, without showing any emotion, waiting for the elevator to stop in a daze.

As soon as she reached the fifteenth floor, Natsume Sonoko signed several documents, which were exactly the same as the agreement her own school had given her, all of which included some benefits and treatment.

Of course there are obligations, such as external publicity and regular physical examinations, which are commonplace things.

Suddenly I remembered what Senior Misaka said. The main purpose of this assessment is actually to collect data on my own abilities. Otherwise, she wouldn't have asked me to sign these documents in advance that I would only need to sign after reaching level 5.

But even so, Natsume Sonoko must at least get a level 5 evaluation from the researchers. This step must be passed.

However, what surprised Natsume Sonoko was that she still needed to undergo psychological testing before the formal examination.

Of course, it's not like Shokuhou-senpai's direct control. She's just a normal psychologist, not a person with special abilities. She asked a lot of questions, covering all aspects, but Natsume Sonoko could answer them all.

However, these questions do not seem to be intended to check whether the user has any dark personality traits, but rather to investigate whether there are any psychological barriers that may prevent the user from using their abilities.

And just after the psychological test, Natsume Sonoko put on a small device that looked like a badge at the request of Hirosue Asuka.

"This is the RSPK syndrome detection device, which is used to record the self-control disorder and lack of self-control that you experience when using your abilities, Natsume. This is also an important part of today's assessment, and it carries a significant weight." Hirosue Asuka said with a smile on her face.

RSPK syndrome is very common in Academy City. It can be triggered by stress and psychological problems. Almost all people with special abilities have had similar problems to a greater or lesser extent.

Natsume Sonoko naturally had this experience too, and the fact that Shirai-san is unable to use her abilities once she's injured might also be related to this.

But usually, RSPK syndrome cannot be easily detected. Basically, the duration of the attack is extremely short, and even the brain may not be able to distinguish it, let alone affect the outside world and cause disorderly development and other phenomena.

When it reaches the point where people can notice it, it is already quite serious. The "earthquake" caused by Banri and the others is the biggest impact that can be caused at this stage.

"This device can detect out-of-control phenomena that cannot be easily noticed by humans, and is used to record the stability of Natsume's abilities." Hirosue Asuka continued.

Chapter 182 Assessment

The stability of ability refers to whether you can control the ability according to your own wishes when using it.

Natsume Sonoko had previously experienced a clear loss of control of her abilities when facing a giant tentacle monster.

At that time, Natsume Sonoko was using the freezing formula to hinder the giant tentacle monster, and her computing power was rapidly consumed far beyond the normal level. In the end, her own computing power was squandered like a flood and was drained out in an instant.

Recently this problem has been alleviated a lot, or even disappeared. At least it did not happen when fighting with Accelerator.

Otherwise, under the pressure and psychological state at that time, my RSPK syndrome would have erupted and I would have immediately lost my combat effectiveness.

As for the improvement in the stability of her own abilities, Natsume Sonoko felt that it was related to the growth of her own abilities and the improvement of her formulas. Perhaps there was another reason, which was that Natsume often listened to "calculation interference".

Algorithmic interference can interfere with brain calculations. After listening to this kind of thing for a long time, Natsume Sonoko even developed a certain resistance to it.

In the sound frequency that the mobile phone can reach, Natsume Sonoko can already perform normal calculations despite the "calculation interference". Of course, the effect of the ability will be reduced to a certain extent, after all, it is not completely immune.

Thinking about something in her head, Natsume Sonoko casually touched the RSPK syndrome detection device in her hand, seeming to be curious about how this thing worked.

"As long as you carry it with you, it can detect your aim spread, Natsume-san. If your ability is out of control, it can be easily discovered from the aim. It can also be hung on the shoulder as an armband. It was originally designed that way."

Hirosue Asuka seemed to be playing the role of an intimate older sister, explaining gently to Natsume Sonoko.

"Thank you."

With her head slightly lowered to express her thanks, Natsume Sonoko seemed somewhat quiet, serene and polite, as if she was exactly like what was written in a document circulating among the researcher community.

Although I don't know the specific content of the document, I have heard a little from Kikyo Yoshikawa. In short, the image of Natsume Sonoko is somewhat divided among some researchers.

Some researchers extremely hate someone who destroyed the Absolute Ability Project, while others think that Natsume is one of the easiest people to deal with among the known level 5s.

You know, in order to help her classmates, she even went to fight with Accelerator, and miraculously won, but fighting is naturally not encouraged.

Instead of putting on the device directly, Natsume Sonoko just followed Hirosue Asuka to the test location.

For some reason, Natsume Sonoko's originally nervous mood disappeared and she became very calm instead.

Sometimes it's like this, you are nervous before something happens, but once you are in the situation, you become calm again. Is this the feeling of having confidence?

Before the formal start of the assessment, Natsume Sonoko changed into sportswear in a nearby preparation room.

The sportswear was not the one from Tokiwadai, but one prepared by the research institute. The sizes were suitable for Natsume Sonoko's body shape, and they even thoughtfully prepared a hairband.

As for my sportswear, I always keep it at school and wear it during physical education class. After each class, I wash it and put it back in the school locker.

For most of the time in the student dormitory, Natsume Sonoko basically didn't want to see this outfit.

Standing in front of the mirror for a while, Natsume Sonoko basically doesn't wear makeup, but she also pays attention to her appearance. She is determined to be a qualified Tokiwadai student.

At this time, a small object that looked like a badge was hung on her left shoulder, which was the detection device just now.

After putting it on, the device immediately lit up with a small light, indicating that it had started working.

"Are you ready? The staff is ready."