The Legend of Level 0 in Academy City

Even when he had no feelings for that stubborn girl in his past life, Inoue Hideka couldn't remain indifferent to her, let alone now.

So even if he regrets it later, he still can't just leave the girl behind!

"Therefore, the question of whether it's worth it or not is not worth considering at all. It is precisely because of emotions that humans are called human beings. Just do what you want to do. If you have to consider whether everything is worth it, wouldn't you be exhausted? How can a person live without having regrets? Just live happily and have a clear conscience!"

While pondering the boy's question, Inoue Hideka gave an answer that wasn't really an answer.

Inoue Hideka didn't give much thought to whether the boy was lying.

His eyes were lifeless; at first glance, Inoue Hideka felt as if he were facing a cold, unfeeling machine.

I believed him to some extent when he said he had no value in living, though of course, we can't rule out the possibility that the boy was a talented actor.

The problem is that he doesn't think he has anything that others could take advantage of.

Aside from his interpersonal relationships, there's nothing in his world that others would covet or be envious of, so it wouldn't hurt to believe the boy a little.

However, even so, given their current hostility towards Director Chao An, an investigation into the boy is inevitable.

"Happy? Without regret? Well, let's set aside the question of whether your efforts for the fifth place were worthwhile. Getting back to the point, let's consider this a thank you gift for helping you just now. Can you tell me, where exactly do I get something as luxurious as happiness and without regret?"

"To be honest, I don't quite understand your situation, and I don't have the power to guide people to live happily. But, you just seemed to be saying that your ability can produce oxygen, right?"

"Although this ability is rather useless, I have to admit that it is a fact."

At this point, the boy's face, which had previously been misunderstood, showed an expression for the first time—a look of disdain and slight resentment.

"Come with me."

Ignoring the boy's smug expression, Inoue Hideka walked out while silently cursing to himself:

You're at least a capable person, much better than someone like me who's at level 0, right?

If you're not physically strong enough, those tiny electric currents are practically useless and won't have any effect at all, right?

What else could you possibly be dissatisfied with?

In the days that followed, to thank the boy for his help, Inoue Hideka gave up visiting Misaka Hakuko and Shirai Kuroko. Using magnetic gloves, she helped the boy climb to the outer wall of the hospital and looked through the windows at many patients who were only able to survive thanks to oxygen.

Those people would die without oxygen.

The things the boy creates can extend the lives of these people.

Inoue Hideka wanted to try and see if he could inspire a sense of accomplishment in the boy. If so, it would be best if it could become the meaning of his life.

However, to my disappointment, the boy was not moved at all.

These things were already commonplace for him.

Afterwards, I even tried to wait at a large hospital for half an hour, eating breakfast while waiting for patients who needed emergency care to arrive.

Inoue Hideka's idea was that seeing a dying patient might inspire his desire to live.

However, just as he himself said, Inoue Hidekazu did not have that kind of power; to be precise, he was just an ordinary person.

It was only later that I realized that since the boy worked in a hospital, how could he not have seen dying patients?

With limited time, Inoue Hideka had to abandon the path of repaying kindness by guiding the lost youth.

With the Daihasei Festival competition about to begin, Inoue Hideka had previously made a bold promise and set a punishment for Misaka Mikoto: she had to grow her hair long. If she lost again today, she wouldn't have the chance to keep her promise.

After all, tomorrow is the last day of the Daihasei Festival. If they lose again today, then according to the original rules, the overall winner can skip the punishment on the last day. If that happens, others will lose face.

Before saying goodbye, Inoue Hideka and the boy exchanged contact information, agreed to express their gratitude in another way when they had the chance, and hoped that he would keep the experiment and headache a secret.

Around this time in the morning, Inoue Hideka learned the boy's name: Xiling Luo Kassel, who, according to him, was a German of Chinese descent.

However, Inoue Hideka, who was Chinese in his previous life, was skeptical of this. Although he couldn't see the skin under the clothes, he could imagine how fair his skin was just by looking at his face.

But it's only a matter of doubt; the world of anime and manga is inherently unbelievable.

If I had to explain why, Academy City is an island nation, and islanders are of Asian descent, but everyone around me, whether boys or girls, has fair skin.

"That's right!"

Lost in thought about these trivial matters, Inoue Hideka took only two steps before turning back to the boy named Yuurei and saying:

"My life is very simple, and I don't understand any profound principles."

For me, the meaning of living is to do what I want to do.

Hopefully this will be helpful to you.

If there's nothing you want to do, then follow your biological instincts—

Sleep as much as you want when you want to sleep, and sleep in the most comfortable bed!

Eat your fill whenever you want, and eat the most delicious food!

Until we find meaning in life, let's fight for this simple instinct!

Chapter 323 Will I Die?

blood.

Bright red blood.

Only blood.

At this moment, all that filled my eyes was that bewitching crimson!

It was so striking that it could not tolerate anything else!

What Misaka Mikoto saw reflected in her eyes was a blood-stained hand that had emerged from someone's back.

In his palm, he held a fist-sized red object that seemed to still be beating—it was a heart!

The human heart!

The heart of a man named Inoue Hideka!

Unbelievable.

or,

Can't believe it?

Do not!

They probably can't believe it.

Yes, I can't believe it!

At this moment, Misaka Mikoto no longer intended to believe her eyes.

That's not true, how could that possibly be true?

As the brown-haired boy clenched his fist, blood splattered everywhere!

She understood what this meant.

That person, that idiot, that scumbag named Inoue Eika—will die!

This can't be real, how could this be!

So how could this be true!

How is that possible?!

The scene from last night flashed through Misaka Mikoto's mind.

At that time, the boy whose heart had been crushed was still alive and kicking.

At that time, we had just made plans for our next date!

Back then, didn't he still have the leisure to make fun of himself?

The living room of Inoue Hideka's house at dusk.

Today is the last day of the Daihasei Festival, and for the first time, Misaka Mikoto won the punishment game while Inoue Eika was participating normally.

So she couldn't wait to come back.

On the sixth day, Misaka Mikoto lost the punishment game. Even if she hadn't lost, knowing that Inoue Eika liked long-haired girls, Misaka Mikoto would probably have started growing her hair out. But losing the game still made her very unhappy.

So, she was quite happy to have won the punishment game today.

Looking smugly at Inoue Hideaki, who was sitting in the living room idly flipping through remote controls, Misaka Mikoto raised an eyebrow and said haughtily:

"I'm telling you, I won the punishment game fair and square today, so what? Are you convinced or not?"

"Ah... really? So what is Misaka's punishment? Have you thought about it?"

To be honest, Misaka Mikoto's punishment was just so-so, and Inoue Eika gradually stopped caring about it.

Still randomly pressing buttons on the remote, she lazily spoke to Misaka Mikoto.

"Tsk! You bastard, what kind of attitude is this! Since that's how it is, I'm going to punish you severely!"

Enraged by Inoue Hideka's nonchalant attitude, Misaka Mikoto pouted and said angrily.

"Oh right, I already told her I was supposed to meet my junior, and we've set the time for tomorrow at noon, you hear me, you idiot!"

"Yes, yes, yes! Whatever you say goes..."

"Hmph! In that case, the day after tomorrow, there's a shopping event at the mall in the 13th school district. You, my friend, go and snag some limited-edition Gekota jewelry for me! And then, and then, you have to follow me around and help me carry things! Mikoto-sama is going shopping!"

"Hey……"

Hearing Misaka Mikoto's stammering words, Inoue Hideka put down the remote control and turned to look at Misaka Mikoto speechlessly.

All I want to do is go shopping with you, right?

Will saying this honestly kill you or something?

"Oh, right, I just remembered something. I remember there was a rule in the punishment game that the overall winner of the competition had the right to refuse the punishment on the last day, right? We're tied three to three now! So, shouldn't we have an extra test to decide who the overall winner is?"

"Huh? Is that so?"

Inoue Hideka's words made the usually very confident Misaka Mikoto suddenly tense up.

It's not that I lack confidence, but what if I lose...

Thinking of this, Misaka Mikoto couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.

"Oh? No?"