Misaka Mikoto's confession left Fang Li silent.
Naturally, Fang Li, who knew something about the original story, understood why Misaka Mikoto said that.
In fact, before Project Ability User Evolution, there had been another project: Project Mass-Produced Esper.
Its purpose had been to analyze the genetic sequence formula that produced Lv.5 Espers and reliably mass-produce Espers, who otherwise only emerged by chance.
Misaka Mikoto had been selected as the base specimen for that project.
Even as a child, Misaka Mikoto had tested positive for the potential to become a Lv.5 Esper.
From that point on, she had been chosen as the base specimen for Project Mass-Produced Esper, so that her DNA could be used to mass-produce clones and, in turn, Espers.
That was how the Sisters had officially come into being.
Unfortunately, the experiment had failed during its final stage.
The mass-produced Sisters possessed less than 1% of the original's abilities, averaging only Lv.2. No amount of genetic manipulation or later education could turn them into Lv.5 Espers. They were destined to be nothing but inferior products.
For that reason, the experiment known as Project Mass-Produced Esper had been permanently frozen, only to be restarted later as experimental material for Project Ability User Evolution.
Yet whether it was Project Mass-Produced Esper or Project Ability User Evolution, both required Misaka Mikoto's DNA map.
And Misaka Mikoto had personally agreed to provide that DNA map.
That was why Misaka Mikoto said this to Fang Li.
"Do you know about Muscular Dystrophy?"
Muscular Dystrophy.
It was an incurable disease that gradually left the muscles unable to move and caused them to atrophy. Bit by bit, all strength drained from the body, until even the internal organs lost function and one could no longer move by one's own will.
"The human brain issues commands