Chapter 198: Why Is the Clone So Powerful?
"Because what you killed were real, living people. We clones only grew up too quickly during the manufacturing process, without enough time to evolve normal emotions. We are not robots."
George sensed something off in Accelerator's mental state and struck directly at his heart:
"You're nothing but a cruel and vicious murderer. If you hadn't killed them, they would've gradually adapted like me, developed emotions, and lived their own lives."
Now was clearly not the right time to kill Academy City's top-ranked esper, Accelerator—after all, George still intended to live openly in the city alongside the other surviving clones.
So the moment he sensed a mental crack in Accelerator using his psychic powers, he immediately provoked him with words.
If the opponent voluntarily gave up on the continuation of the experiment, that would be ideal.
If not, he could always kill him later. He couldn't afford to leave behind a future threat that could come back for revenge.
"So… they weren't just puppets."
Accelerator lowered his head, his expression gradually collapsing. A wave of intense guilt overwhelmed him—he wished he could just die right now.
"Spirit Seizure!"
Taking advantage of Accelerator's psychological breakdown, while his defensive reflection was inactive, George used the Spirit Seizure incantation to peek into his memories.
After absorbing those memories, he felt fairly confident things were now under control.
However, just as he was preparing to discuss the next step with Misaka Mikoto, a streak of green lightning suddenly shot toward him from the distance.
Sensing danger, George's body flickered, narrowly dodging the sneak attack.
The green lightning blasted past him, piercing through four cargo containers in a row before dissipating. Its power was clearly not to be underestimated.
"Never thought a clone could actually defeat Accelerator, the top-ranked esper. Seems like that ranking can't be taken too seriously."
Mugino Shizuri strolled over from a distance, green orbs of electricity floating around her arrogantly.
"You're the No. 9981 clone, right? Be a good girl and don't resist. It'd be a shame if your body got damaged."
"Who are you people?"
With the help of Clone No. 9982, Misaka Mikoto approached George, frowning as she questioned Mugino Shizuri.
Mugino showed a trace of disdain on her face:
"Item—an underground team. We were sent by the head of the Mizuhose Pathological Analysis Institute to capture Clone No. 9981.
Oh, and I'm Mugino Shizuri, Level 5 esper, ranked fourth, with the ability Meltdowner."
"Is it because of my unusual behavior that I attracted attention?"
George furrowed his brows slightly.
"Seems like getting Accelerator to abandon the experiment isn't enough. I need to make these people wary of me too."
"Accelerator's been defeated. The Level 6 Shift Experiment can't proceed anymore, so why are you still trying to capture her?"
Misaka Mikoto tried to activate her power, but after her clash with Accelerator earlier, she had exhausted too much energy—only a few tiny sparks lit up around her body.
Mugino let out a mocking chuckle:
"That's not my concern. I don't know anything about whatever plan you're talking about. Our task is just to capture her. You'd best step aside.
Although I'd love to fight you, you're just not interesting enough in your current state."
"It's fine. You rest—I'll handle this."
George stopped Misaka Mikoto from forcing herself forward, then stepped out to face Mugino Shizuri.
"If you want to capture me, let's see if a Level 5 like you has the skill to do it."
"Hmph, a mere Level 4 clone talking like that just because you managed a sneak attack on Accelerator? Don't get cocky."
Mugino lifted the hem of her purple dress gracefully and sat down on a nearby rock. She turned to two of the three people behind her and said:
"Kikunaga and Frenda, take care of her. Don't kill her—wouldn't want to have trouble explaining that later."
Kikunaga is a Level 4 esper who can manipulate atmospheric nitrogen. Offensively, she can lift cars and deflect bullets. Defensively, she can form nitrogen armor to block attacks from all directions.
Frenda, on the other hand, is a Level 0 with no esper abilities, but she's extremely agile and excels at using handmade bombs to cause explosions. Even standard Level 4 espers find her troublesome.
Together, the two of them taking down a Level 4 clone should be effortless.
Not every opponent was worth the attention of a Level 5 esper like Mugino.
"Leave it to us!"
Frenda pulled out a special pistol and fired at George, while Kikunaga donned her sunglasses and propelled herself toward him at high speed using nitrogen jets.
The bullet sped toward George but stopped just short of a meter from him.
With his current control over magnetism, not just bullets—even missiles wouldn't be able to get close.
"Bang!"
However, the moment the bullet halted, it exploded in a blinding flash.
"That's not an ordinary bullet—that's my specially-made flash round!"
Frenda grinned proudly and used the chance to pull out doll-shaped bombs from her bag, tossing them all around George.
At that moment, Kikunaga had already reached George. Seizing the opportunity while he was blinded, she threw a punch at his jaw.
With nitrogen-enhanced strength, that punch could flip a car.
But to her surprise, even with his eyes shut, George swiftly raised his hand and accurately caught her fist.
"You're pretty strong!"
A look of surprise crossed George's face.
Despite the enhancements to his body from multiple worlds, he still had to exert effort to stop this little girl's punch.
Blinding him was useless—his psychic powers allowed him to perceive his surroundings without sight.
"My turn!"
A surge of violent electricity erupted from George's body, coursing along Kikunaga's fist and toward her body.
Unless absolutely necessary, he still preferred not to reveal his magical powers too openly.
Right now, everyone believed him to be a mutated Misaka clone. Having a few extra abilities could be explained away, but if he displayed too many magical skills, it'd be hard to justify.
Especially since Fairy Tail magic came with conspicuous magic circles—no one would believe it was esper power.
More importantly, he wasn't even sure whether magic existed in this world. If it didn't, then fine. But if it did, how would Academy City, a place full of espers, react to it?
If they were hostile, and he ended up hunted by the entire city, that would be a serious problem.
Not that he couldn't escape. Whether it was Apparition or Mirror World, either could let him flee with ease.
But that would mean distancing himself from the protagonist, Misaka Mikoto, potentially missing out on key events. Plus, he still wanted to develop his esper powers here and break through from Level 4 to Level 5.
"He actually blocked it!"
Seeing George release a surge of electricity, Kikunaga knew close combat was no longer viable. She quickly activated nitrogen armor on her body to block the high-voltage current and retreated rapidly.
(End of Chapter)