On how PhDs become human evil

The sensation of being hit by a cannonball caused Misaka Mikoto to cough up blood, and the ability formula that was halfway through its calculation in her brain was interrupted. Without the obstruction of the lightning, the gigantic cross immediately fell entirely on Misaka Mikoto!

"Crack crack crack crack crack crack crack!"

Unable to withstand the weight of the cross, the floor shattered with a crash, and Misaka Mikoto fell straight down.

Reaching the edge of the pit and looking down at Misaka Mikoto, Piageo sighed, "Don't damage it too much, it'll take a long time to repair."

"You're the one who destroyed it!"

Having finally managed to remove the cross pressing down on her, Misaka Mikoto said irritably.

Piageo shook his head: "I know what should be destroyed and what shouldn't be destroyed. Your approach is too haphazard. Right, it's like asking an uninformed layman to organize antiques. I know you're serious, but you still need to learn first."

"Since it's an antique, let it gather dust in the warehouse or send it to a museum for exhibition!"

Boom!

Misaka Mikoto leaped high into the air, her right foot, enveloped in lightning, slashing down like a battle axe. However, Piageo had already raised the cross beforehand, enlarging it and turning it into his shield.

Misaka Mikoto pursed her lips after missing her first attack, realizing that the air was not a good time to launch a pursuit.

Using the cross as a springboard, Misaka Mikoto performed an aerial somersault and landed behind Piageo, then flicked her wrist and shot out a bolt of lightning!

"The cross shows a rejection of malice!"

The gigantic cross once again transformed into a shield, blocking the lightning strike.

Seemingly tired of the battle, Piageo showed an annoyed expression: "I still have a lot of things to deal with, I can't waste too much time on you."

"You know, the cross has various meanings, most of which were added after the execution of the Son of God. The cross itself existed before that, but its function in previous times was completely erased by Christianity. Because that was the culture of an evil cult."

Piageo continued speaking.

He chose one of the many crosses on his chest that he liked, and nervously stroked it with his fingers:

"Of these, only one retains a meaning from a previous era. That is the oldest usage in the history of Christianity, directly related to the Son of God, and is of utmost importance. That is—"

Realizing something was wrong with Piageo, Misaka Mikoto's feet instantly crackled with electricity, she broke through the barrier of the giant cross in front of her, and slammed her right fist into Piageo's abdomen.

"Instruments of torture!"

Piageo's voice fell first.

"Simon carries the cross of the Son of God!"

A terrifying pressure crashed down on Misaka Mikoto, her fist stopping less than half a hand's width away from Piageo before plummeting downwards.

Desperately resisting the sudden, immense pressure, Misaka Mikoto's entire body crackled with sparks.

At that moment, a small metallic sound rang out; the sound came from countless crosses colliding with each other in the air.

"—The cross represents a rejection of evil."

A series of low, resonant sounds followed, including the sounds of flesh being struck and the ice floor being broken.

No update today for chapter 558.

As the title says, I'm asking for leave again.

I've been taking leave very frequently lately, every three or four days. Please understand, after being stuck at home for so long, and with apps like DingTalk, MOOC, Learning Pass, and Today's Campus constantly bombarding me with messages, and four or five online classes a day... I feel like I'm going crazy.

I took the day off today because the couple next door were arguing. They were arguing really loudly. Their room is separated from mine by only one wall, so I could hear them very clearly. The volume was like that of a dance hall, and it's been ringing in my ears for over an hour now, and it's still going on.

I'm sorry I can't write under these circumstances.

I'm sorry, everyone.

Section 559, Chapter 57: Misaka Mikoto's Reasons for Fighting

Misaka Mikoto barely managed to stay conscious.

pain.

It hurts.

It hurts terribly.

Misaka Mikoto felt only this way right now; the pain emanating from all over her body made it difficult for her to even think.

The numerous crosses that had been pressing down on her had long since returned to their original state, presumably because they had moved too far from Piageo and the magic had automatically dissipated. But even though her body was no longer being pressed down, Misaka Mikoto was still unable to move.

Putting aside the physical pain, her utter helplessness against Piageo also plunged her into a slump.

Although the fact that they didn't know each other's abilities since it was their first meeting was partly to blame, Misaka Mikoto was still defeated by Piageo with overwhelming power.

Is this the power of a high-level mage? In comparison, the mages that Misaka Mikoto dealt with before were practically no different from cannon fodder.

(When I fought Orianna during the Daihasei Festival... I was still gloating over my easy victory, but was it just a fluke?)

During the battle with Orianna, Orianna did not show any signs of fighting at full strength—she did not announce her magic name—in other words, Orianna did not fight Misaka Mikoto with all her might. On the one hand, Orianna was better at running away than fighting, and on the other hand, she was caught off guard by Misaka Mikoto.

After all, the sudden appearance of a Kamen Rider is quite intimidating.

In other words, luck played a large part in the battle between Misaka Mikoto and Orianna. If Orianna had fought with all her might, Misaka Mikoto might have won, but she would have paid a huge price.

Moreover, Misaka Mikoto showed mercy in the end.

She is not yet capable of a true life-or-death struggle.

However, the battle with Piageo brought Misaka Mikoto a taste of defeat and instilled fear in her. The attacks, which were filled with murderous intent, made Misaka Mikoto tremble with fear.

"This is the real battle. My previous battles... were just minor skirmishes."

The transformation had long since ended. Misaka Mikoto lay on the cold floor, staring up at the hole above her, her eyes somewhat vacant.

As she pulled the Full Bottle from her waist and looked at the power that Bai Jie had given her, Misaka Mikoto couldn't help but recall what Bai Jie had told her before.

"Being a Kamen Rider isn't something you can just do because you feel cool."

These are words that Bai Jie once said to Misaka Mikoto.

Indeed, Kamen Riders appear glamorous, saving their cities, arresting evildoers, and eliminating enemies who try to destroy humanity. On the surface, Kamen Riders are glamorous, unsung heroes who uphold justice while wearing masks.

But how many people can truly feel the burden that lies beneath that mask?

The fate of a city, the lives of countless people, the survival of humanity... so many things are borne by just a few people. For them, this is not just an honor, but also a heavy burden and a responsibility.

Given a powerful enemy capable of destroying the Earth, how many people would have the courage to fight it?

However, Kamen Riders cannot confide in outsiders. All they can do is put on their masks, step onto the battlefield, fight to the death to win, and then give everyone a reassuring smile.

Kamen Rider is cool, but also painful.

"Feeling lost, Misaka?"

Bai Jie's voice reached my ears, and Bai Jie's face appeared in my field of vision.

Looking down at Misaka Mikoto, Bai Jie asked, "Now you understand a little bit about the burden that comes with becoming a Kamen Rider, don't you?"

"You may not know this yet, but the reason you came to Venice was arranged by Aleister. Now that you've become a Kamen Rider, he considers you an important fighting force. This incident in Venice is a trial to test whether you can truly serve as a fighting force for Academy City."

"If you successfully resolve the incident, Aleister will allow you to continue operating as a Kamen Rider. If you fail, the knowledge that the magical side exists will make you a destabilizing factor, and you will be attacked by the entire Academy City."

In Aleister's original plan, Misaka Mikoto was intended to play a temporary role in the mass production of espers and the absolute esper plan. Now that these two plans have temporarily come to an end, Misaka Mikoto's role is almost nonexistent. If she hadn't become a Kamen Rider, she would probably have been completely ignored by Aleister.

But now Misaka Mikoto has become a Kamen Rider and has also come into contact with the magic side.

In that case, Aleister is left with only two options: either formally bring Misaka Mikoto into his plan or eliminate her.

This trip to Venice was the event that would determine Misaka Mikoto's fate.

"Make your choice, Misaka."

"Give up your identity as a Kamen Rider, return to being that innocent and carefree young lady, remain ignorant of the darkness of Academy City, and live out your days peacefully. In that case, I will take back your belt and Fullbottle, erase your memories, and send you back to Academy City now. You will not have to be erased by Academy City afterward."

"Or perhaps you can bid farewell to your past naivety here, resolve this farce, and have Aleister acknowledge your abilities so that you can officially step into our world."

"Choose, Misaka."

Misaka Mikoto fell into deep thought.

If she gave up Kamen Rider, she could return to her previous daily life and spend a carefree and wonderful student life with Kuroko, Saten Ruiko, and Uiharu. She wouldn't have to worry about the mass production of espers or feel guilty about the more than 10,000 sisters who died in the Absolute Ability Project. Her life would be wonderful.

"Kuroko... Ruiko... Hatsuharu..."

As she murmured her best friend's name, Misaka Mikoto bit her lip.

"Teacher...I..."

"I'm not going to be a Kamen Rider anymore"—Bai Jie could already foresee Misaka Mikoto saying this.

(She's still just a little girl after all; it would be too cruel to send her to the battlefield. Since I was the one who brought her into this world, I'll be the one to send her off.)

Bai Jie sighed softly and reached for the belt around Misaka Mikoto's waist.

"I... want to continue being a Kamen Rider!"

Bai Jie was stunned.

With a forced smile, Misaka Mikoto wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, and, supporting herself, declared with unwavering resolve, "I will continue to be a Kamen Rider! I will not give up this identity and power!"

"Are you... serious?"

Misaka Mikoto nodded emphatically.

"You will encounter countless misfortunes and darkness, and may even encounter darkness beyond the Absolute Ability Plan."

"I will bear it all."

"You will feel like you're living a life worse than death, and your mind will be on the verge of collapse. This world is much darker than you think."

".....indeed."

Misaka Mikoto raised her hand, which was trembling slightly.

"To be honest, I'm terrified. I was scared to death during the fight just now, and I'm still scared when I think about it now. Maybe giving up all of this and going back to a life in the sunlight is more suitable for me."

"and you...."

“Then I hate that version of myself,” Misaka Mikoto said resolutely. “If I choose to forget everything, forget all the darkness, forget all the pain… to escape the responsibility that I should bear. Then…”