They're Not Dead Yet / The Level 6 Shift Project

She said to the Misaka Sister in an annoyed tone, "It can eat cake, so you can rest assured now."

"Does Big Sister know this creature?" Misaka asked, pretending not to have overheard the phone call.

"Its name is Fou, and it's a friend's pet."

"Fou! Misaka imitated Fou's cry and called Fou its name, Fou."

After saying this rather tongue-twisting sentence, Misaka Sister was amused by her own behavior and started laughing foolishly.

Misaka Mikoto was defeated by the childish behavior of her clone in front of her.

As darkness fell and it grew late, Misaka Mikoto realized she couldn't follow the Misaka Sister to the research institute, so she decided to start by working on the code to find the truth.

She pinned the Gekota badge she got from the gashapon machine at the station during the day onto Misaka Sister's clothes, then carried Fou away and said goodbye to Misaka Sister.

"This is the first gift from my older sister." The expression on Misaka Sister's face softened.

She turned her head to the side. "Isn't there anything decent?" Misaka sighed, hiding her true feelings.

Misaka Mikoto's forehead was covered in black lines, and she had an urge to punch someone. If it were Shirai Kuroko, her electroshock therapy would have already ended.

"Then I'm leaving." "Fu!"

"Goodbye, big sister. Goodbye, Fou."

Misaka Sister watched as Misaka Mikoto carried Fou away into the distance...

A research institute in Academy City.

"Teacher Leonardo, this is data I've collected on human emotions. I hope it can help them..."

"Oh my, Fubuki-chan is such a kind-hearted child!" Da Vinci said in the tone of an adult praising a child.

However, given her small size and childish voice, it made Butsutobi Shinobu's forehead crease with exasperation.

"I just hope I can do something for them that I can." Butsutobi Shinobu spoke expressionlessly, his dead fish eyes revealing no emotion.

She then asked, "Does Teacher Leonardo really think that experiment was meaningful?"

"You mean the Ability Unlimited?"

Da Vinci blinked at her and said, "If killing these clones could increase superpowers, Academy City wouldn't only have seven Level 5s."

"Then why didn't the teacher stop this pointless experiment?" Butsutobi Shinobu pressed.

"Fubuki-chan is such a kind-hearted girl, but it's not good that she always has a straight face. Girls should smile more like me to be more popular."

As Da Vinci spoke, he reached out and tried to pull at Butsutobi Shinobu's face to make her smile.

However, Da Vinci was much shorter than her, Butsutobi Shinobu her head back slightly, easily dodging Da Vinci's hand.

Da Vinci puffed out her cheeks in dissatisfaction; her only complaint about this body was that she was too short.

Reluctantly letting Butsutobi Shinobu, Da Vinci continued, "The adult world is very complicated, Fubuki-chan."

"Then why did the professor build this research institute? The expenses to maintain it are enormous, so the professor has filled almost all of his working hours to earn money."

Butsutobi Shinobu stared intently at Da Vinci. She had been there for quite some time and was fully aware of Da Vinci's current condition.

"I just didn't want to refuse their requests."

Da Vinci shook her head helplessly; she didn't know how she had ended up taking on such a financial black hole.

Perhaps it was so as not to disappoint his companions.

As Uomo Universale, if she couldn't even fulfill such a small request from her companion, would Leonardo da Vinci still be able to stay in Chaldea?

"Hmph! There's nothing Leonardo da Vinci can't do!"

Da Vinci tossed his head arrogantly and continued his research.

Chapter 21, Section 194: They Are Not Dead Yet

Butsutobi Shinobu greatly admired Da Vinci. This teacher was not only extremely knowledgeable, but also proficient in all kinds of knowledge, as if there was nothing she did not know.

After learning by chance that Da Vinci's research institute was retrieving Misaka Sister, she did not hesitate to approach Da Vinci and ask to join the institute to help with the work without pay.

The longer she spent with Da Vinci, the more amazed she became by his talent; Da Vinci was not just a man of great learning.

In terms of intelligence, ability, and even martial prowess, Da Vinci was a top-tier figure in the entire Academy City.

If there's any flaw, it's definitely her small, childlike body.

Relying on his cute and adorable appearance, Da Vinci would often call himself a beautiful girl and shamelessly act cute.

This was unacceptable to Butsutobi Shinobu, who knew her background very well.

At first, Butsutobi Shinobu even had a breakdown, feeling the despair of an idol collapsing. But over time, he gradually got used to it and eventually became numb to it.

"Teacher Leonardo, can they really come back to life?" Butsutobi Shinobu asked Da Vinci with some uncertainty.

These Misaka Sister have been killed by Accelerator, leaving only their shells. Simply repairing these shells is not what Butsutobi Shinobu to be reviving them.

"They are not dead yet." Da Vinci, engrossed in her work, did not stop what she was doing, and explained to Butsutobi Shinobu with a mixture of thoughts and actions.

The young girl, Butsutobi Shinobu, possessed astonishing talent in scientific research, which aroused Da Vinci's desire to cultivate her. Unfortunately, she was too dull and lacked the liveliness and charm of a young girl.

A girl of Butsutobi Shinobu's age should be the most innocent, lovable, and full of expectations for life and the future.

However, these qualities that should appear in ordinary girls are completely absent in Butsutobi Shinobu.

She seemed more like an old scholar, obsessed with scientific research all day long, and completely indifferent to the things that other girls should care about.

If it weren't for her occasional displays of somewhat naive viewpoints, Da Vinci might have even thought she was actually a seasoned and experienced researcher.

"Not dead?" Butsutobi Shinobu lowered his head, pondering Da Vinci's words.

She was absolutely certain that these Misaka Sister were already dead when they were delivered; she had personally confirmed this, and there was no doubt about it. Da Vinci would also know this.

However, her respected teacher is now telling her that these Misaka Sister are not dead, which forces her to rack her brains and think carefully.

Da Vinci wouldn't speak without reason. If she said the Misaka Sister weren't dead, there must be a reason; she just hadn't thought of it yet, or perhaps her knowledge wasn't sufficient. This is what Butsutobi Shinobu believed.

Da Vinci glanced at his student and, seeing her frowning in thought, continued, "What is death?"

"Death refers to the loss of life, the end of life, and the cessation of existence. In medicine, death is generally identified by the cessation of heartbeat and breathing, as well as brain death."

Butsutobi Shinobu's definition of death was very clear; he uttered it almost without hesitation, without the slightest delay.

Da Vinci nodded. "You're right, biologically speaking, they are indeed dead, but..."

Da Vinci changed the subject and explained to the puzzled Butsutobi Shinobu's eyes, "Besides biology, there are many other disciplines in this world, such as psychology, philosophy, sociology, and... mysticism."

"Does the teacher mean that they are still alive on another level?"

"Yes, they are still alive," Da Vinci replied with great certainty.

"First of all, their memories are shared through the Misaka Network and still exist in this world. As long as they regain these memories, they can resume their previous lives without any difference from before."

"Of course, mere memories cannot determine whether they are the same person as before. They could be other people with the same memories. This argument involves philosophy and is quite complex. There is no consensus yet. They could be the same person or another person."

"My judgment that they are not dead and are still alive is not based on this argument."

Da Vinci paused here.

"For humans, or intelligent life, there is something that better reflects their existence: something unique that cannot be forged or replicated and that no other life form possesses."

Butsutobi Shinobu asked with great curiosity, "What is it?"

"The soul!" Da Vinci said firmly, "The soul is the only criterion for judging whether intelligent life exists."

"At least that's what I think," Da Vinci continued. "For example, what you see in front of you is actually just a puppet. Given enough resources, I can make countless similar puppets. Whatever body shape or appearance you want, I can make it."

Upon hearing this news, Butsutobi Shinobu's face showed a dramatic expression for the first time; her usually expressionless face was suddenly filled with an incredulous and exaggerated expression.

The Da Vinci before me is actually... a puppet!

"So... the teacher isn't actually a beautiful girl... right?" Butsutobi Shinobu thoughtfully.

"Fubuki-chan!" Da Vinci suddenly protested loudly, "How can I not be a beautiful girl! I am a real and true beautiful girl, there is no doubt about that!"

Seeing Da Vinci's strong reaction, Butsutobi Shinobu became even more convinced of her conjecture.

Da Vinci knew exactly what she was thinking. At that moment, she immediately put down her work, for nothing was more important than maintaining her identity as a beautiful young woman.

Da Vinci reached out and Butsutobi Shinobu with lightning speed, preventing Butsutobi Shinobu from dodging his move again, and pinched her cheeks with both hands.

"Tell me! Am I a beautiful girl or not!" Da Vinci threatened angrily.

Butsutobi Shinobu.

"Looks like I'll have to teach you a lesson." Da Vinci instantly increased the pressure, kneading Butsutobi Shinobu's face into various shapes.

"Waaaaah... waaaah... waaaah!"

Butsutobi Shinobu Da Vinci's actions, she began to protest with whimpering sounds, but it was no use; Da Vinci showed no sign of letting her go.

In the end, she succumbed to Da Vinci's tyranny and begged for mercy in humiliation.

When Da Vinci saw that Butsutobi Shinobu, he released her. She put her hands on her hips, her face stern, and asked, "Am I a beautiful girl or not?!"

Butsutobi Shinobu hesitated for a moment, but seeing Da Vinci staring at her, she immediately nodded and said, "Yes! Teacher Leonardo is the universally acknowledged beauty of Academy City!"

At that moment, Butsutobi Shinobu's will to survive was incredibly strong...

Chapter 22, Section 195: The Ability Unlimited

After the farce about the beautiful girl's identity ended, Da Vinci and Butsutobi Shinobu continued to devote themselves to their work.

That was just a way to relieve the heavy atmosphere; an overly oppressive work environment is detrimental to work efficiency.

Continuing the previous topic, Butsutobi Shinobu asked again, "Teacher Leonardo, are you saying that their souls still exist, is that right?"

As a scientific elite, Butsutobi Shinobu was unfamiliar with and found it difficult to believe in the mystical knowledge of the soul.

This was a blind spot for her.

"Yes," Da Vinci said with certainty, "Because the people who brought them here preserved their souls."

"Preserve? The soul?" Butsutobi Shinobu heard information that surprised her greatly.

She suddenly felt that she was not in a high-tech research institute, but rather in a place of religion or where she was engaged in mystical work.

However, when she looked around, the metal instruments and constantly flashing indicator lights reminded her that this was a high-tech research laboratory, not some witch's hut or anything like that.

Does the soul, such a mysterious and elusive thing, really exist? Being on the scientific side, Butsutobi Shinobu don't want to believe in such an unprovable illusion.

But her teacher, Da Vinci, spoke frankly and with absolute certainty, which forced Butsutobi Shinobu to believe her.

With her intelligence, she naturally knew that there were many things in this world she didn't know.

She wasn't blind; not knowing something didn't mean it didn't exist. She immediately became very interested in this area of knowledge.

"Perhaps I could learn about this," Butsutobi Shinobu.

"Does Fubuki-chan not believe in the existence of souls?" Da Vinci seemed to see through Butsutobi Shinobu's thoughts. She continued, "It's okay if you don't believe in them. Anyway, there's really no difference. As long as the body and memories are the same as before, you can just think of them as the people they used to be."

Da Vinci waved his hand dismissively and said, "There's no need to get hung up on this useless knowledge."

"Is this something a teacher should say?" Butsutobi Shinobu looked at Da Vinci speechlessly.

It's hard to believe that her teacher would utter the words "useless knowledge".

However, she also knew she couldn't dwell on this issue any longer, as it was a blind spot in her knowledge, and she couldn't fully understand it in a short time.

They have more important things to do now.

"Has tonight's not arrived yet?" Butsutobi Shinobu stopped thinking about these things and focused on his work.

"It should be soon, let's wait a little longer," Da Vinci said without looking up after glancing at the time. "Let's get ready first."

"Um."

Butsutobi Shinobu. She had a clear understanding of the entire plan's progress and roughly knew the daily experiment schedule. She quickened her pace, preparing to receive Misaka Sister today.

This is the only thing she can do for them right now.