Chapter 201: The Invitation from the Board of Directors
After arriving at the hospital, George and Misaka Mikoto indeed saw a large number of Misaka Sisters lying in hospital beds, undergoing examinations.
The Misaka Sisters' bodies had grown rapidly within fourteen days due to drugs, so they naturally had numerous issues.
If they wanted to live like normal people, they had to undergo checkups.
Since it was too late, Misaka Mikoto had already missed the curfew for the girls' dormitory. Fearing punishment from the terrifying dorm supervisor if she returned now, she simply chose to spend the night in a hospital bed as well, while waiting for the examination results.
Naturally, George also stayed in the hospital.
However, unlike the other Misaka Sisters, he did not undergo a physical examination from the hospital.
Because no matter what defects this body originally had, under the fusion of physiques from different worlds, it basically had no issues.
But if the hospital were to obtain his current bloodline and genetic data, that could truly cause a major incident.
If nothing else, just the wizard bloodline in his body alone would be enough to drive the scientists of Academy City completely mad.
Early the next morning, the hospital's chief physician, Heaven Canceller, came to see Misaka Mikoto and George.
"The results of the examinations are not good. Because of the drugs used to accelerate their growth, the lifespans of these children have also been drastically shortened. At this rate, they'll only be able to live for two or three more years at most."
"What? Only two or three years!"
Misaka Mikoto was instantly stunned when she heard this.
She had worked so hard to save so many Sisters, and now they could only live two or three years—how could she accept that?
"Under normal circumstances, that's indeed the case.
However, as long as they receive regular adjustments and treatments to slow down the rate of cell division and return hormone levels to normal, it's still possible to restore them to the normal human lifespan."
The doctor's words made Misaka Mikoto breathe a sigh of relief, but then her heart tensed up again.
"But, there are too many of them. Given the current situation in Academy City, it's simply impossible to perform such adjustments and treatments for so many children. It would also require an enormous amount of funding."
Of course, there were over ten thousand Misaka Sisters, and they needed regular checkups and treatments.
"Fortunately, the Board of Directors learned about this matter and expressed great anger at the school's research institutions for conducting such experiments without permission.
The Board is willing to provide funding for the treatment of these children and will have them sent to research institutions in various countries to help with their regular examinations and treatment."
"I mean... Could you finish your sentences all at once?"
Misaka Mikoto raised her eyebrows in irritation. She was an old acquaintance of Heaven Canceller, and he had helped her handle many matters before.
It was impossible that the Board of Directors hadn't known about this experiment.
Because when she looked at the Mass-Production Electromaster Project before, it clearly stated that it had used Academy City's most powerful supercomputer, the "Tree Diagram," to calculate that the mass-produced Misaka Sisters were less than one percent as strong as the original, which was why the project was abandoned.
And the "Tree Diagram," the most powerful supercomputer in Academy City, could not possibly be used without permission from the top levels of the Board of Directors.
So this experiment had been authorized by the Board from the start. Otherwise, with so many battles between Accelerator and the Misaka Sisters taking place in Academy City, the Board could not possibly have been unaware.
But now, none of that mattered. Since the Board was willing to make amends, that was naturally a good thing.
She wasn't afraid that the high-ranking members of the Board would pretend to comply but secretly continue their experiments after sending them abroad.
She would frequently visit the Misaka Sisters who remained in Academy City, and with the Misaka Network, she could always stay informed about the condition of each and every Sister.
"So they still have value after all."
George was not surprised by this outcome. As long as the Misaka Sisters had value, the Board would not abandon them.
[Translator: sauron05]
He was just a bit surprised that they were being dispersed to foreign research institutions, because once they were sent out, it wouldn't be easy to bring them back.
The Misaka Sisters might also make new friends in foreign labs, and once they got used to life abroad, choosing not to return here would be normal.
Unless—unless the Board still had some hidden means to control the Misaka Sisters.
However, none of this really concerned him. As long as the Board didn't come after him, he had no intention of getting involved.
His current priority was to follow Misaka Mikoto's original and find a way to upgrade his Level 4 ability to Level 5. Then, he would see if this world had any form of magic, and whether he could learn any valuable spells.
"I'll come see you all when I have time."
The matter concerning the Misaka Sisters was temporarily resolved, and Misaka Mikoto also shook hands with George to bid a temporary farewell. Having not returned for the whole night, her friends would be very worried about her, especially Shirai Kuroko, her dormmate.
To her, George was also one of the Misaka Sisters, just stronger, more mature, and more composed.
At the very least, he wouldn't mock her for being childish like Misaka 9982 did.
After Misaka Mikoto left, Heaven Canceller looked at George and asked:
"Are you sure you don't need a physical examination? Logically speaking, even if your ability can reach Level 4, your body was still hastened by drugs. At most, you won't live more than three years."
"No need, I can solve this problem myself."
George once again refused Heaven Canceller's invitation for a checkup, then walked out of the hospital alone.
Now that he had a legitimate identity in Academy City, he could move around freely within the city.
Originally, he had considered whether to attend Tokiwadai Middle School, where Misaka Mikoto studied. That way, he could learn about ability development and also get closer to Misaka Mikoto to better understand his powers.
But after thinking it over, he felt that would be too inefficient.
With his brain, the pace of regular school classes was far too slow. It would be better to get some relevant materials and study on his own. If he couldn't understand something, he could always find a professional for tutoring—after all, there were plenty of scientists in Academy City.
As for getting close to Misaka Mikoto, she often came to the hospital to visit the Misaka Sisters, and since she was in Tokiwadai, it would be easy to find her. There would be many chances to interact.
"Mister, if you have something to say, come out and say it. Following me while sneaking around—be careful or I might just deal with you myself."
Shortly after leaving the hospital, George stopped in his tracks and turned to look behind him.
With his psychic abilities, no matter how good the other person was at tracking, it was useless.
Sure enough, a moment later, a young man with blond hair, wearing a white lab coat and half of his face covered in tattoos, walked out from behind a large tree by the roadside.
"You really are an interesting clone—much more alert than the original."
"You're from the Board of Directors?"
George raised an eyebrow, already having guessed the man's identity.
He wasn't like the other Misaka Sisters. The Board of Directors wouldn't let him go so easily. Since force wouldn't work, they'd surely come with a gentler approach. This was within his expectations.
"Very smart. I'm Kihara Amata, commander of the Hound Dog unit under direct command of the Board. I'd like to invite you to join our team. Would you be interested?"
A slightly crazed smile appeared on the blond young man's face.
(End of this chapter)