One-way traffic

A crisp, metallic clanging sound rang out in the air.

When Accelerator turned his gaze in that direction, he saw it.

On the right side of the red-haired knight, at the waist.

There was a longsword with a golden hilt, trembling slightly.

"oops…?"

The red-haired youth raised his eyebrows in surprise.

Even the person in first place couldn't help but blink.

"Excuse me, it seems this child... is getting a bit riotous."

He tried to press his hand against the sword at his waist, but the sword only trembled more violently.

the reason is simple.

—As the red-haired youth approached Accelerator, the sword began to tremble violently.

It's almost as if it has a self-awareness, almost as if it's targeting Accelerator.

At this moment, the red-haired youth also changed the way he looked at Accelerator.

"This sword is actually a dragon sword with its own consciousness. Normally, if it doesn't consider me a worthy opponent to use my full strength against, that is, if it doesn't acknowledge me, this sword can't even be drawn by me."

The reverse is quite simple.

If a sword recognizes a worthy opponent, deems it worthy of battle, or even a formidable adversary capable of matching Reinhard's own strength, then the sword will allow him to draw it.

But he had never encountered this situation before.

"This is the first time I've encountered a situation that even the sword itself can't suppress."

Reinhard used all his strength and finally managed to suppress the sword at his waist.

Even so, the blade of the sword was still trembling slightly.

It only applies to one person traveling on one side.

It turned out to be the case.

Almost instantly, Accelerator understood the situation completely from just a few words from the other party.

He narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked at the other person.

“Reinhard, well… tell me your reasons first.”

"Well--?"

"So, what did you want to see me about?"

The first one smiled dismissively, raised his right hand, and even gestured exaggeratedly with his fingers.

"Are you secretly monitoring me? Or are you trying to get me to do something terrible, or do you simply want to get close to me? Whatever it is, let me hear your reasons and motives first."

mystery.

This was Accelerator's first impression, given by a man named Reinhardt.

He looks like an ordinary nineteen-year-old, with no distinguishing features, and his gentle smile even evokes goodwill in others.

But for the number one student who lives in the dark side of Academy City every day, it can't hide anything at all.

He could tell at a glance that the man in front of him had a unique aura, no, perhaps it was more than just a simple aura, appearance, or presence.

Accelerator felt that something he had never seen or understood before was gathering and converging around this man, as if it were completely attracted to him.

Such a person has never been seen even in Academy City, where 2.3 million people gathered in the past.

No matter how you look at it, he must be someone with incredibly strong physical and mental abilities.

This is a view held by one side.

Then, under his gaze, the red-haired knight in front of him spoke softly.

"Yes, that's it... My purpose and motivation is—to help you."

"……what?"

The strongest in Academy City, whose intellect and strength both surpass the pinnacle, stood frozen in place.

He imagined countless possible futures that might unfold before him, such as the two sides tearing each other apart and actually fighting, or pretending to play house with each other—any of these were possible.

But he never expected such an answer.

"That's right, I just saw you here alone and looking confused, like you were looking for something. As a member of the Royal Guard, I certainly couldn't just stand by and do nothing."

That was simply wanting to help others.

There was no other thought in mind, just that simple idea.

This is what Accelerator considers to be the opinion of someone who is strong in both mind and body, as well as in terms of strength.

Reinhard smiled and extended his hand to the first esper in front of him again.

"Although I don't know exactly how much I can help you, today is my day off after all. After I put the Dragon Sword away in a bit, I think we'll have a whole day to help you solve your problem!"

"I say you."

"Ok?"

Reinhard blinked and asked in a puzzled tone.

"Excuse me, what's wrong?"

"Are you an idiot?"

Chapter Thirty-Three: Monsters and Murderers

Two figures were walking on the street.

Unlike the average, easygoing people around them, these two were completely different from the rest of the world.

On one hand, it is elegant to an unimaginable degree.

On one hand, the pressure is so intense it's suffocating.

The two sides were like Yin and Yang in Tai Chi. The young man named Reinhardt represented the ultimate Yang, while the strongest one named Accelerator represented Yin. Even without doing anything, their mere aura was enough to draw the attention of those around them.

Reinhard noticed this, but the first one remained completely indifferent.

"Oh dear, it seems everyone's been drawn to our unique aura. How about we all tone it down a bit, since it's so overtly obvious?"

"There's no need for that. I'm not the kind of guy who would act based on what others think."

The first one, with his hands in his pockets, walked side by side with Reinhard in his signature pose.

Although this was not what he wanted to do.

"So, have you thought it through? What exactly do you need my help with?"

"I've already said, I don't need someone like you to hold me back. This isn't something that can be made up for by personal ability; it's just that I really can't accept your personality."

Reinhard, the young man who clearly possessed mysterious powers in Accelerator's eyes, should have been the epitome of strength and maturity. However, when he revealed that his purpose in approaching Accelerator was simply to help him, Accelerator had already completely determined what kind of person this guy really was.

This person is a completely kind person.

Just like that damn spiky-haired level 0 powerless person.

For a villain like Accelerator, it would be far too inconvenient to work with a good person. While Reinhard might be powerful in terms of strength, Accelerator simply couldn't bring himself to act alongside such a guy.

The reason is actually quite simple, for example, like this.

"Oh? A kitten? Come here, come over to me."

The knight, dressed in knight's attire, gracefully squatted down and gently took the kitten from the roadside.

He smiled at Accelerator like that.

"It looks like this kitten is separated from its owner... Why don't we help it find its owner?"

"What kind of bullshit joke is this?"

The first one was completely fed up.

In general, he tried his best to avoid Reinhardt along the way, but the guy was like glue, sticking to his side no matter where Accelerator went.

That's really troublesome.

"Speaking of which, you said your name is Accelerator, right? Then I'll just call you Accelerator from now on."

"Don't think you can get close to me just by calling me that."

"Oh dear... that's quite a harsh remark, but it's alright."

Reinhard smiled politely and continued.

"Anyway, we've been walking around for so long, let's grab something to eat and replenish our energy, shall we?"

Accelerator could no longer refuse.

He did need to eat something. Although he had prepared a lot of food in his inventory, none of it could be eaten in this place. If he took it out, Reinhard would probably ask him a lot of questions, which would be even more troublesome.

At least find a place to stay.

This was the first and only time that he didn't refuse Reinhard's suggestion, which pleased the other party, who seemed genuinely pleased about it.

Even the most outgoing person has their limits, right? Why is this guy so nosy?

Following Reinhard, the white-haired ability user arrived at a place that looked like a coffee shop.

It's still outdoors.

"Welcome! What would you like to order?"

"I'd just like a cup of honey fruit tea. What would you like, Yifang?"

"coffee."

"Huh? Coffee? What's that...?"

"...Then let's get something like this guy's."

This godforsaken place doesn't even have coffee...?

The first one tapped his temple with his finger in annoyance, propping his head up as he looked at Reinhard in front of him.

The guy still had a big smile on his face.

"That's wonderful! It's rare that you finally didn't refuse my request. By the way, are you sure you only want the same food as me?"

"I advise you to stop nagging, or I might really lose my temper and kick your ass in public."

"Wow, that's quite a humorous remark."

Clicking his tongue in annoyance, Accelerator could only sit in his chair and remain silent.

He definitely needs to eat something.

No matter how powerful he is or how invincible his abilities are, Accelerator's body is still just that of a human. He needs to breathe oxygen, exhale carbon dioxide, sleep and rest normally, eat, and replenish water. He cannot do without any of these.

This could be considered the most obvious weakness of the strongest superpowered individual.

“However, if I’m not mistaken, you’re not a native of Lugnica, that is, this country, are you?”

Just as you thought.

"Hmm... that makes sense. You got lost because you were unfamiliar with the area, so that's probably the problem you found troublesome, right?"

"So don't make assumptions or guesses on my own, you bastard."

The first ability user paused, as if he had thought of something.

"Speaking of which, I saw a group of knights in armor earlier. Were you one of them?"

"You must be referring to the Royal Guard Knights."

At this point, Reinhardt's smile became even more radiant.

"The Knights Order is a royal knightly order established specifically to protect the country of Lugnica, and I am naturally a part of it."

"It's clear that someone like you is best suited for that kind of place."

The cat-eared waitress brought over the drinks they had ordered.

Accelerator took a small sip of the so-called honey fruit tea and found it to be slightly astringent, but mainly sweet, like the taste of passion fruit.