Academy City's Weather Report! (Toaru) Chapter 351: Academy City Weather Report! - 351

With a glimr of curiosity in her eyes, Natsu-san carefully observed the steaming teacup before her.

Acting as the little caretaker, Edasaki Banri offered a lovely smile, dropping two large cubes of white sugar into the teacup and stirring continuously. As the sugar dissolved into the liquid, tiny white bubbles rose to the surface.

"This is Kiyama-sensei's product—a formula that stimulates the brain to enhance computational power."

Her pupils widened slightly; for a mont, Natsu-san forgot the very reason she had co.

She studied the liquid, which looked no different from ordinary milk tea, and found its aroma rather pleasant.

After a mont's thought, Natsu-san could hardly contain her surprise.

So Kiyama-sensei was venturing into the brain-enhancent drug industry—a field perfectly aligned with her expertise as a specialist in brain physiology research.

"It's rely a type of ntal stimulant, one that slightly sharpens focus and improves brain efficiency. However, for a period after consumption, it increases the rate at which the brain expends computational energy. If an ordinary person without developed ntal faculties were to drink it, they'd quickly feel ntally drained."

Kiyama Harumi explained all this with a calm expression.

There were many ways to boost computational power—the most common being frequent use of one's ability to stimulate the brain's potential.

In fact, it wasn't necessary to exhaust one's computational power entirely; consistent ntal exercise alone could yield so improvent.

Of course, the effect wasn't as pronounced as fully depleting it—provided one hadn't already reached their personal computational limit.

Though this product hadn't yet hit the market, the relevant R&D had long been completed, dating back to around the ti Kiyama Harumi was striving to awaken Banri and the others. The next step was packaging it as a cognitive-enhancent supplent for schools and individuals.

"But if it's just about sharpening focus and improving efficiency, ordinary coffee can do that easily. And it's not like there aren't already competing products that actively consu computational power."

Edasaki Banri looked quite serious, a hint of concern in her voice.

She hadn't been here long, but she'd already beco quite familiar with the company her teacher had founded—even doing so howork in hopes of helping out.

"But the taste is really quite good."

After a slight hesitation, Natsu-san lifted the cup and took a sip, her eyes suddenly lighting up.

It was a peculiar flavor—distinctive even among Academy City's many eccentric beverages.

How to describe it… It was like mixing lemon juice with chocolate and milk, and maybe a hint of herbal tea.

Natsu-san took another tentative sip, then downed the rest in one go. The computational energy drain didn't matter much—she had plenty to spare, after all.

"I'm glad you like it, Natsu-san. I'm quite fond of the taste myself."

A faint smile crossed Kiyama Harumi's face as she stretched lazily, her usual dignified deanor vanishing entirely.

"No need to worry about the market. This formula has one irresistible advantage: long-lasting, stable effects. Just one dose in the morning, at noon, and in the evening will maintain the effect for eighteen hours."

Kiyama Harumi smiled affectionately at Banri as she spoke.

"But Kiyama-sensei, what made you suddenly decide to start a company?"

Natsu-san could feel her cerebral cortex growing more active, though the computational energy drain remained negligible. Given her vast reserves, it hardly affected her as an esper.

But it tasted so good.

"I want to provide long-term support for several care facilities and schools, which requires substantial funding. So I decided to use this vacant building and start a company. Besides, Academy City has recently slashed funding for public services—even facilities for those outside the system, like the 'Child Error' care centers, have been affected. It seems the city is facing financial strain."

"I've even settled on a na for this product: Smart One…"

Kiyama Harumi didn't hold back, sharing her plans openly.

Having left her researcher identity behind and resolved the issues surrounding Banri and the others, this mature woman—who'd once aspired to be a teacher—had finally found sothing she truly wanted to pursue.

That made Natsu-san happy. It was surely a good thing for Kiyama-sensei to build a new life and find a new purpose.

Even if the product na strongly reminded her of those overhyped brain-enhancent supplents from her mories of a past life.

"Hey, I'll recomnd it to everyone at Tokiwadai."

Natsu-san nodded earnestly, her sincerity evident.

It might not do much for her, but it could benefit classmates at the Level 3 "Strong" ability tier.

Oh, right—what was I here for again?

"Kiyama-sensei, the reason I ca today was to ask about soone—a man nad Kihara Gensei."

She smacked her forehead lightly; Natsu-san had finally rembered the important matter. Thankfully, only a few minutes had passed.

"My forr ntor?"

Before Natsu-san could continue, Kiyama Harumi looked genuinely surprised.

"That's right." Natsu-san nodded quickly.

"Natsu-san, if possible, I hope you never get involved with Kihara Gensei. At so point, he grew increasingly extre—a man who'll stop at nothing to achieve his experintal goals. He's a very dangerous individual."

After a mont of silence, Kiyama Harumi spoke again, unpleasant mories clearly surfacing in her mind.

Ever since learning the truth behind that experint, she had cut ties with Kihara Gensei completely. Still, without a doubt, she remained one of the people who understood him best.

"I don't want anything to do with that nasty old man either, but he's the one causing trouble—snooping into the Misaka clones and even sending people to attack my friend."

As she spoke, Natsu-san grew visibly angry.

Thanks to a certain ponytailed girl, Kiyama-sensei already knew about the Sisters.

This wasn't the first ti he'd caused trouble.

Banri and the others' coma, the Level 6 Shift project, that Therestina who hired the dark side to attack Heaven Canceller's hospital—wasn't she his granddaughter too? And there were probably other incidents Natsu-san didn't even know about.

This Kihara Gensei was like a lingering ghost, one of the biggest shadows threatening Natsu-san's peaceful daily life.

Anger alone couldn't fully express what she felt. She had the urge to grit her teeth, but reason held her back, keeping her outwardly composed.

Natsu-san understood clearly: the best way to solve a problem was to remove its source.

That's why she agreed with Shokuhou-senpai's approach of confronting him head-on—this man had to be dealt with.

After three rounds of tea, Natsu-san was quite taken with this new beverage.

She lifted her gaze slightly to look directly at Kiyama Harumi seated across from her. By now, she had explained the situation thoroughly, even sharing so details about their current circumstances.

When it ca to trusting others, Natsu-san had her own unique perspective.

"There's sothing you should know, Natsu-san. The developnt principle behind my 'Level Upper' was based on the brainwave tuning techniques Kihara Gensei taught ."

"If Kihara Gensei really has that many allies at his disposal, and he's taken nurous abilities from the juvenile correctional facility… then you and the others may soon be facing a 'Multi-Skill' user."

Kiyama-sensei shared this after a mont of reflection.

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