Chapter 10: First Meeting with Shirai Kuroko

Ever since Selene eliminated Thomas Platinaberg and replaced him as a board director, all the covert moves targeting her vanished instantly.

Selene used this newfound peace to clean house—removing all personnel planted by other board members or organizations within the research institute.

The Schicksal Research Institute officially entered a new stage of development.

...

Time flew by. One month later—

"Mm, alright, I got it..."

Bathed in warm sunlight and a gentle breeze, Selene sat up from the lounge chair beside the balcony railing, put down her phone, and let out a relaxed yawn.

That was Shuji Matsuzaki reporting on the progress of forming the institute's security department.

After a month of testing, the "Mental Seal" barrier's shortcomings were becoming clear—it couldn't affect high-level espers emitting intense AIM fields. It only worked on low-level espers (Lv1 and below) and ordinary people.

Still, for now, it was sufficient.

Thanks to Shuji Matsuzaki's efforts, the Schicksal Research Institute had also made significant progress in the field of human enhancement drugs. The new drug was named the T-R Project.

That morning, Selene arrived at the central tower of the research institute.

Inside a large conference room, nearly a hundred screened security personnel were already waiting.

"Alright, first, please sign this confidentiality agreement."

Selene didn't waste time and gestured to the staff to hand out contracts. "Once you sign, you'll begin a closed training regimen. During this period, no one is allowed to leave until the training ends."

The crowd exchanged glances, clearly hesitant.

"What if the training takes a long time? We'll be stuck here?" someone asked.

"That's..."

"About two months. Sign if you're willing, if not—we won't force you," Selene interjected.

After hearing her say that, everyone signed without further hesitation. After all, the pay was high, and the high-tech resources provided were very attractive. Two months of isolation? Acceptable.

Once the agreements were signed, Selene called Shuji and other managers into her office and placed a metal case on the desk. Inside were dozens of Honkai crystals, each about 1cm in diameter.

"What's this?"

Everyone gathered around. "These are for the T-R drug research?"

"Exactly," Selene replied. "Although I've helped enhance your bodies, giving you some ability to defend yourselves, that's not enough. Strengthening our security forces is essential. I can't watch over the institute all the time."

Then she turned to Aoki Youichi. "Aoki, you're in charge of equipment procurement. Use what you can for now. Once the institute has more bandwidth, we'll begin related research and development."

(A quick note: Aoki Youichi is an original character. Just saying for context.)

Aoki Youichi was a newly scouted talent by Selene. About 190cm tall, with sun-darkened skin, a Western-leaning face—probably mixed blood. Slicked-back black hair, dressed in a black suit. Rumor had it he was a mercenary in the Middle East, came to Academy City after being injured and disabled.

But that wasn't a problem—thanks to Honkai body enhancements, his injuries had been healed. During the injection process, his adaptability was the highest among all participants, making him currently the strongest under Selene's command. Paired with Shuji Matsuzaki, they made a balanced duo: brain and brawn.

"Got it," Aoki replied and left immediately.

Back in the office, Selene continued delegating other tasks.

Half an hour later, Aoki returned. "Boss, the weapons order is placed. Delivery in three days. Anything else?"

"That's all. Just in time—the meeting's over," Selene said, gesturing for him to follow. She walked out of the lab building.

At the central tower's parking lot, Selene's stretch Lincoln sat in a corner. "This car's been sitting here unused since I bought it. I usually just teleport everywhere."

Aoki opened the door and chuckled, "Boss planning to enjoy the city views today?"

"You could say that. I don't have a driver's license yet, so you drive. Let's go for a spin. Aside from School Garden, I don't know much of Academy City."

...

Seventh District, inside the Lincoln.

With the window down, Selene watched the city scenery go by. Suddenly, she asked, "Interested in becoming head of the security department?"

Aoki didn't answer right away. Instead, he began sharing his story.

"Boss, you know... When I was crippled, it felt like my world collapsed. That time in my life was pure darkness. I still don't know how I got through it."

"But now, thanks to you, I've recovered."

"So, Boss, whatever you want me to do—I'll do it."

Selene wasn't surprised. She understood this was the long-term effect of the "Mental Seal." As long as she didn't mistreat them, their minds would naturally lean toward loyalty.

For ordinary people and low-level espers, this was a terrifyingly effective tool.

"Good. From now on, you're the head of—"

Ding-ling-ling!

"Hm?" Before she could finish, the sound of an alarm nearby caught her attention. Her gaze drifted to the front of a post office.

In broad daylight... Why is the post office closed?

And why... is a crowd gathering?

Thinking of a certain possibility, Selene's eyes lit up with interest. "A robbery?"

Come to think of it, other transmigrators always run into street thugs or robbers right away, claiming their first "kill." But Selene had been here for so long and never experienced anything like that.

"No street punks, but a robber works too. Today, I, Selene, will be a good Samaritan."

Just as Selene was running through possibilities in her mind, a figure suddenly appeared outside the post office's closed shutter, as if through teleportation. The crowd gasped in surprise, and Selene narrowed her eyes slightly.

This was... the effect of a space-ability user's teleportation. As someone proficient in spatial powers, Selene was all too familiar with this kind of spatial fluctuation.

Looking closely at the figure that had been teleported out, Selene frowned slightly.

This image... seemed familiar?

The girl was petite, dressed in a rose-red dress over a white blouse, with thick tights—an overall childish look.

But what stood out most wasn't the outfit—it was the colorful flower ornaments in her short black hair.

"That's Uiharu Kazari!" Selene instantly recognized the scene—this was from the event where Shirai Kuroko and Uiharu were attacked at the post office.

Uiharu was momentarily stunned after being teleported outside. She looked around blankly, then suddenly realized she'd been ejected. Her face turned pale, and she immediately pounded on the post office's shutter, yelling frantically:

"Shirai-san! Shirai-san!" Her cries were anxious, tinged with desperation. "Why did you only teleport me out? Hurry and get out too, Shirai-san!"

With no response from inside, tears welled in her eyes. She turned to the onlookers, crying out:

"Someone! Please!"

"Help us! There's a robber inside! A Judgment officer is under attack!"

"Please, I beg you!"

Though the crowd stirred with concern, no one stepped forward.

Within the crowd, a girl with shoulder-length chestnut hair and a scarf stepped out—then froze.

Because Selene had already teleported in front of the metal shutter.

Under Uiharu's wide-eyed gaze of hope—

"Step back a little," Selene said softly.

"...Okay." Uiharu quickly moved aside.

A spark of electricity flickered in Selene's hand.

The air seemed to freeze for a moment, and then—

BOOM!

With a blinding flash of lightning, a terrifying blast shot forward, forming a column of energy several meters wide. The metal shutter blocking Selene's way was instantly obliterated...

...

Inside the post office, Shirai Kuroko—wearing a yellow hoodie and sporting twin tea-red pigtails—was sitting on the floor, gripping her injured ankle.

"As long as Uiharu made it out... that's enough..."

Across from her, a disheveled man in a brown winter coat stepped forward. "Let me guess what you're thinking. The alarm's been going off for a while. Anti-Skill should be getting close."

"If you ensure the hostage's safety and manage to stall me, you'd consider it a win. Am I right?"

"But who says I can't escape?"

He pulled out a steel ball, preparing to throw it—

BOOM!!!

The metal shutter exploded in a flash of lightning. A blue-white bolt burst through the doorway. The steel ball in his hand vanished the moment it touched the flash. A scream followed.

Struck by the shockwave, the man was sent flying into the post office's reinforced glass wall. He vomited blood and lost consciousness.

As Shirai Kuroko stared in disbelief, Selene stepped forward and knelt before her, holding a glowing hand over her injured ankle.

"You're safe now, brave little one. I saw your resolve. I believe you'll become a fine Judgment officer."

As her injury rapidly healed, Shirai was stunned. She looked up at this elegant "older sister" and was about to ask, "Who are you?"

But Uiharu had already rushed over, hugging her tightly, crying, "Shirai-san, you're okay! I was so worried..."

While the two girls comforted each other, Selene finished tending to Konori Mii's wounds, then quietly turned and left.

Just as Uiharu turned to express her gratitude—Selene had already vanished.

"Thank you so much... Huh? Where is she?"

"Uiharu, she's already gone," Shirai said, patting her gently.

"Judging from her uniform, she must be from Tokiwadai."

"Eh?!"

"That means the one who saved us... was a Tokiwadai lady!?" Uiharu's eyes sparkled, mouth agape in admiration.

Selene perfectly embodied everything Uiharu imagined in a Tokiwadai lady: gentle, elegant, powerful, beautiful...

Seeing Uiharu lost in a dreamy daze, Shirai, for once, didn't argue with her.

...

Back at the dorm, Selene was in high spirits—she had finally confirmed the precise timeline.

There was still a year to go before Shirai Kuroko would enter Tokiwadai. The story was just about to begin.