Meanwhile, Shirai Kuroko's expression grew serious after listening to Su Mo's analysis. "If Su Mo-sensei's assessment is correct… then all the recent cases are connected to level upper!" She exchanged a grave look with Uiharu. As Judgment officers, both understood the implication.
"In other words, someone is deliberately distributing level upper everywhere."
"They're trying to get as many people as possible connected to the level upper Network?" Misaka Mikoto asked, puzzled.
"But… why? If it's just about sharing idle processing power, that doesn't sound like something that needs to be hidden. Why distribute it in secret?"
Indeed, listening to Su Mo's explanation, level upper didn't seem inherently dangerous. Sharing unused brain processing sounded harmless enough. If that was all, whoever created level upper could've just released it openly. But clearly, Level Upper wasn't that simple. Everyone present was now thoroughly confused. Why would anyone go to such lengths to spread Level Upper? Was it truly just to help ability users increase their powers? That seemed far too altruistic—and completely inconsistent with the secretive way Level Upper was being distributed.
All eyes turned toward Su Mo, silently waiting. Only he could answer their doubts now. Su Mo didn't disappoint.
"If I'm right, the real goal behind this scheme is the Level Upper Network's computational capacity itself."
"The shared network formed by connecting users' brains must have a central terminal somewhere."
"Whoever controls that terminal controls the entire Network."
"And with it… the combined processing power of everyone connected to the network." Su Mo's gaze sharpened.
"More than that, they could even draw upon the abilities of others connected to the network… effectively turning themselves into a multi-ability user." He stated his deduction calmly. In truth, Su Mo knew that the mastermind, Kiyama Harumi, wasn't after power—she simply wanted computational resources. But for now, he chose not to mention that. Letting her be caught today wasn't part of his plan.
"Multi-ability user… that's possible?" Mikoto asked sharply. Every ability user was supposed to possess only a single power. Textbooks stated explicitly that it was impossible to have multiple abilities.
"Textbooks exist to be rewritten," Su Mo replied flatly. "Besides, the multi-ability user wouldn't possess those powers personally. They'd merely access them through the Level Upper Network." His explanation was simple yet carried terrifying implications. Meanwhile, Shirai Kuroko—whose reaction Su Mo had been watching closely—now fully believed his theory.
"If the culprit starts forcibly draining the Network's resources… then every student using Level Upper could fall into a coma," she said grimly, understanding the danger. She turned to Su Mo, her voice earnest and serious. "Su Mo-sensei, I'll report this to my superiors immediately. But since we know so little about the Level Upper Network… could we ask you to assist Judgment as a consultant?" Her expression was filled with hope. Level Upper had already spread to thousands of students. If all of them collapsed simultaneously, it would trigger an unprecedented crisis. Realizing the full gravity of the situation, Shirai Kuroko placed her trust in Su Mo—now hoping he would lend his strength to stop what was coming.
Su Mo readily agreed to Shirai Kuroko's request. After all, this was the perfect opportunity to insert himself into the investigation, giving him control over the pace and direction of events. At the same time, it allowed him to formally distance himself from the Level Upper affair—something that could only benefit him. Why refuse?
"That's not a problem," Su Mo nodded calmly. "But… I'm no expert in neuroscience."
He glanced toward Kuroko and the others. "If you really want to find the culprit, your best bet is to involve a researcher familiar with both brain science and the AIM diffusion field."
Hearing Su Mo's agreement made Shirai visibly brighten. "Thank you, Su Mo-sensei! But… where are we supposed to find such a researcher?"
It was a fair concern. Judgment members didn't have the authority to directly contact academic researchers. Even if they wanted to, they were just students—how could they possibly get the contact details of top-tier specialists?
"Isn't there still the databank?" Su Mo reminded them casually.
Indeed, the academy's databank stored not just student records, but researcher profiles as well. While Su Mo could have directly suggested Kiyama Harumi, doing so would've been far too suspicious. After all, in Academy City, there weren't many researchers specializing in both brain science and the AIM diffusion field simultaneously. Still, those who did were typically extremely busy.
Except for one.
The only person likely to accept a meeting with a small Judgment branch staffed by a few teenage girls… would naturally be Kiyama Harumi herself. Like Su Mo, she had reasons of her own for getting close to this case.
Following Su Mo's subtle hint, Uiharu Kazari quickly opened her terminal and searched the databank. After contacting several candidates, events unfolded just as Su Mo had anticipated. Of all the researchers listed, only Kiyama Harumi responded positively.
"Professor Kiyama has agreed to meet us tomorrow at noon!" Uiharu reported, clearly pleased with her success.
"I've got something to handle tomorrow, so I'll sit that meeting out," Su Mo said, shaking his head slightly. Then, speaking with deliberate weight, he added, "But with Professor Kiyama involved, I'm sure you'll uncover the mastermind's identity soon enough."
"I'll definitely drag that person out into the open!" Misaka Mikoto declared with enthusiasm. While she was a little disappointed Su Mo wouldn't accompany them, the group now understood the mechanism behind Level Upper and felt far less helpless. All that remained was to ask Kiyama to trace the mastermind's brainwaves. It wasn't exactly a difficult task, especially with a professional's help. Kuroko and Uiharu nodded resolutely.
The only one looking utterly broken was the restrained Kaitabi Hatsuya, who lay collapsed nearby, face pale and spirit crushed. What had he just heard? There was a conspiracy behind Level Upper? He'd been used? And worse, there was a risk of falling into a coma? Panic overtook him completely.
…
…
Having made arrangements with the girls, Su Mo soon departed with Index. The next day, while Misaka Mikoto and her group were meeting Kiyama Harumi, Su Mo once again arrived at the Higuchi Pharmaceutical Research Centre. Inside a quiet office, Nunotaba Shinobu handed him a USB drive, her dark circles betraying several sleepless nights. Though her expression remained cool, it was clear she'd pushed herself to the limit to finish the work.
"Here's what you asked for, Su Mo-sensei."
"Thanks." Su Mo took the drive without even checking the contents. If Shinobu said it was done, he believed her. Seeing his satisfied expression, Shinobu sipped her bubble tea—a small consolation gift Su Mo had brought. Then she explained, "The music tracks designed to both deactivate the old Level Upper network and inject the new override protocol are complete."
"However, to fully transfer control of the Dream Network to the External Brain Unit, you'll need to broadcast this track on a continuous high-intensity loop." Su Mo nodded without concern. This requirement wasn't difficult for him to fulfill. He looked calmly at the tired girl before him. "You've worked hard. Get some proper rest for now. There shouldn't be any new assignments for a while. In a few days, I'll bring you an assistant." He couldn't afford to burn out talented staff. Nunotaba Shinobu was a rare find and exhausting her would be a waste.
Hearing this, Shinobu blinked slowly. "An assistant? Another girl?"
"…What do you mean, 'another'?" Su Mo frowned, not following her odd line of thought.
Still, he answered honestly. "Yes, it's another woman. Once she's here, she'll handle a new project. You'll be collaborating on basic research with her." Though they hadn't met yet, Su Mo had already decided on recruiting Kiyama Harumi. After all, anyone who could independently develop Level Upper based solely on the Learning Device thesis had abilities far surpassing someone like Shinobu, who specialized mainly in copying and adapting existing research. In raw research capability, Kiyama easily surpassed Su Mo himself. And since he now held the leverage she needed, there was no reason to let such talent slip through his fingers. Once the Level Upper Network was under his control, even more critical projects awaited.
"…I knew it," Shinobu muttered, collapsing onto her desk with a weary sigh. First there'd been Shokuhou Misaki. And now yet another woman? The thought alone left her mentally exhausted. At that moment, she felt Su Mo's hand reach around to gently pinch the back of her neck—the nape where fate itself seemed to rest. His familiar voice followed.
"Relax and sleep. After working yourself this hard, at least let me help ease the tension."
Su Mo's words were literal. Nothing improper. Medicine and martial arts were two sides of the same coin, after all. With his deep understanding of human anatomy, Su Mo was naturally proficient in massage. Under his careful hands, the utterly exhausted Nunotaba Shinobu soon drifted off into peaceful sleep. A faint smile curved her lips as she slumbered.