Although Fang Zheng could have given them the answer directly, even told them who was behind it all, after some thought, he decided to conceal part of the truth. After all, he really could not be bothered to explain how he knew so much...
"I've heard a little about it. Didn't pay much attention."
"Huh?"
Misaka Mikoto and Shirai Kuroko were both rather surprised by Fang Zheng's answer.
"You're not interested in it?"
"Not interested. This Fantasy Hand thing, this tool that supposedly boosts abilities—it's all nonsense according to my theories. It's nothing more than another contraption cooked up based on Academy City's unreliable theories about supernatural abilities. If you ask me, you'd better not get too invested in unofficial stuff like this. Generally speaking, anything that doesn't circulate through legitimate channels is either a scam, harmful, or both."
At that, Fang Zheng yawned.
"After all, aren't Espers without abilities the most common people in Academy City? Someone starts a rumor, gives you a piece of music, says listening to it will boost your ability, and it's currently on sale for just 99,999. As long as one out of every hundred people falls for it, wouldn't they make a killing?"
"But what if it works?"
Fang Zheng rolled his eyes at Shirai Kuroko's question.
"Performance-enhancing drugs work pretty well for athletes too. Do you see the Olympics allowing them?"
"Mm..."
Hearing that, Shirai Kuroko fell into thought. Fang Zheng had given her two possibilities, but no matter which one it was, if Fantasy Hand was more than just a rumor, then the situation was clearly troublesome.
Misaka Mikoto, meanwhile, was more concerned with what Fang Zheng had said earlier.
"You said Academy City's theory of supernatural ability development is unreliable?"
"That's right. In my view, it's something used to fool