The Infinite World of Weapon Girls

Before it could land smoothly, the imaginary warship disappeared in mid-air, and the girl's petite body fell to the ground.

Someone was just about to make a move.

But a vaguely familiar figure suddenly appeared in mid-air, holding Tina, and then disappeared. Aragami shifted his gaze and saw that Tina had been taken back to Kuroko and Mikoto's side.

Seeing the girl's tired and exhausted expression, Misaka Mikoto realized that although her breathing was weak, it was normal, and she was relieved.

She didn't know how to feel about Tina, who had not only come back from the dead but also appeared like a divine intervention. Joy was not enough to describe her feelings, and gratitude seemed somewhat pretentious, even though everything Tina had done was for her.

Until she heard a voice beside her.

"Give her to me."

Misaka Mikoto paused for a moment, then looked up in astonishment. What she saw was undoubtedly the wolf trainer's serious and earnest face, which seemed to brook no argument.

"..."

"Give her to me," he repeated coldly once more.

Misaki Shokuhou explained that this man is Tina's instructor, so this shouldn't be surprising—he came for Tina.

But...but...

Why am I so unwilling to give Tina back to him when she doesn't even belong to me?

Tina was still being held in Kuroko's arms. Despite being unconscious, she managed to utter a mumbled apology, driven by her obsession.

"Will you... mind if I change the way I address you without permission..., Big Sister?... Because I also want to... call you... Sister... just like Kuroko-sama..."

She couldn't hear the rest, but it didn't matter anymore. Mikoto thought that she had to do something for Tina to make amends, such as fulfilling Tina's purpose of recognizing her as the master [emotional learning].

"I'll say it one last time, hand her over to me."

This man's strength left no room for doubting the truthfulness of his words. However, Misaka Mikoto shook her head and said:

"Do not."

...

...

...

[The True Strength of Instructor Wolf 150]

Misaka Mikoto thought that the person who placed Tina by her side for the purpose of "emotional learning" was Tina's instructor.

Now, from this man's perspective, it seems that's not the case.

Then she had even less reason to give up Tina, who was so loyal to her! Even if it was just due to the robot's programming! Even if they had only known each other for less than a day!

"Do not."

Therefore, Misaka Mikoto refused.

She looked up and met his gaze, her face showing no fear, only determination and sincerity, and said, "At least... not now."

Unless Tina abandons her of her own accord, she will do everything in her power to keep her by her side!

Because he was thinking of helping Tina achieve her goal of "emotional learning," he felt it was only natural for him to leave after she achieved it.

The wolf trainer asked, "Why?"

"Even if you... are her instructor, you probably don't know that Tina is supposed to recognize me as her master, right?"

Wolf Uncle shook his head, but he couldn't help but think of Tina's murmur, the phrase "As long as my sister is here," and how Tina seemed to have fought Accelerator for this girl's sake.

They've acknowledged her as their master? The person with command authority over Tina... has been changed?

Although Academy City's technology is quite advanced, he didn't believe it was advanced enough to infiltrate and tamper with Tina's central processing unit. Just cracking 1300 execution codes would take them a year to calculate.

But the facts left him no choice but to believe it. After all, when Tina woke up, the first thing she said was "Big Sister," completely ignoring him, her instructor. He was the one who started it.

"Who did this?"

The man's gaze was like the coldest, sharpest blade.

Misaka Mikoto flinched under that gaze, but quickly regained her composure and retorted confidently, "You're asking me? Who am I supposed to ask?!"

If even her instructors don't know, then the matter of assigning her command authority remains almost a mystery. But if that goal is achieved, even if the truth doesn't come to light, there will at least be a turning point, right?

With this in mind, Mikoto appealed to his emotions and reasoned with him:

“Tina stayed with me with a purpose. I don’t think she would agree to you bringing her back unless that purpose is achieved. Besides, I, not you, have the authority to command her now…”

"Purpose?"

“Yes…that is…[emotional learning]! Speaking of which, this goal is really a taboo for robots, but if Tina wants it that way, then I naturally…have a responsibility to help her achieve it, because I have indeed received many favors from your student.”

Little did anyone know, the phrase "emotional learning" deeply touched Wolf Uncle, but he remained outwardly calm.

After a moment's thought, Misaka Mikoto added, "Once we achieve our goal, we might also be able to find the mastermind behind the arbitrary 'master privileges' set for Tina. Aren't you curious... about the person who messed with your student?"

"No need to worry about it." The instructor replied calmly, "I will investigate this matter thoroughly. Now, hand her over to me."

Misaka Mikoto was unwilling to give up: "...If it has to be this way, why not wait until Tina wakes up and ask her what she thinks?"

"Her setup includes not only command authority but also loyalty, so asking her won't yield any results."

"That's settled then! You should at least respect the students' own opinions!!"

What exactly do you want?

"Fulfill Tina's wish! ...Learning emotions is not only the goal, but also the wish of every robot!"

"...Can I assume you're making advances on my student? You're a girl, aren't you?"

"What's wrong with girls! What's wrong with girls interacting with each other?!"

"..."

"..."

"Holy crap!" (crossed out) Misaka Mikoto, who had subconsciously retorted loudly, was instantly shocked by her own words and quickly raised her white, slender hand to cover her mouth.

Misaka couldn't help but exclaim inwardly: Ah! It's all a setup!! If he had asked her questions one by one, she would have definitely stated first that she wasn't after Tina, but simply wanted to fulfill her wish... Is this seemingly serious man actually a deeply cunning and ruthless individual?!

After saying that, Misaka suddenly remembered that Kuroko was also there.

He quickly turned his head away and saw that the electronically controlled black ball was pouting and looking at him pitifully, as if it were about to cry.

What's with that look on her face, like she's saying "My older sister actually cheated on me in front of me"?

That's not what I meant at all. My relationship with the haters is just a purely platonic friendship. There's no question of us ever "crossing paths"!

"No, no... Kuroko, it's really not what you think!!"

"Cough cough..." Instructor Wolf coughed, making a fist near his mouth, which reminded the two of their current predicament.

"You should know that you can't beat me." The man's voice returned to its cold tone.

How could Misaka not understand the underlying meaning? It was nothing more than "I don't want to fight with a woman" and "I want to forcibly take Tina away, and you can't stop me."

"I don't care! I absolutely have to help her fulfill her wish! ...Otherwise...I'll never have a chance to repay her for everything she's done for me!"

In other words, Misaka Mikoto doesn't want to owe anyone a favor... Well, it's quite a good excuse, I must say.

"can."

So decisive? Misaka was taken aback.

"However, I must acknowledge that you possess the ability to protect her..."

Huh? The strength to protect Tina? She doesn't need protection?

The wolf trainer took a few steps back, keeping a distance of ten meters from Misaka, and said, "Defeat me."

"..." Before today, Misaka Mikoto would not have been so insecure, but after witnessing the battle tonight, she realized that the so-called Tokiwadai ace and one of the strongest in Academy City were all a joke.

Even the aftershocks of the battle were terrifying; the spatial destructive power of that punch was still vivid in their minds. If it weren't for White Wing's miracle, Black Wing might have been completely dead—defeat him?! How could that be possible…

The resolute look on the girl's face was almost completely shaken by this.

"If you admit defeat, then hand her over to me."

Admit defeat?

Tina went to deal with Shokuhou's troubles alone, risking her life to help her, and because of her, she was trampled to the ground by Accelerator and was on the verge of death! ... Not to mention admitting defeat, she didn't even utter a single word of "pain" from beginning to end!

Even if it's a robot... where can you find a robot like this?! Misaka Mikoto, you used to have nothing that could make you admit defeat!!!

Besides, I can't just leave her like this without doing anything for her! Even if she's your instructor, I won't compromise!

'Crack!' Misaka suddenly clenched her small hands into fists, her eyes no longer showing hesitation or fear.

"Kuroko, take Tina and get away from here."

Kuroko wasn't too angry; she knew it might be futile, but even so, she still said, "Big sister, I also..."

"Well, Kuroko, this is already a private matter for me."

Misaka Mikoto stared at Aragami with a smile, cutting off Kuroko's words without turning her head. With a determination to pay any price, how could she bear to let Kuroko risk her life again?

"Shall we begin now?" Misaka asked.

"Please enlighten me," Wolf Uncle said solemnly.

At this moment, in Misaka's heart

The significance of this battle

This is even more significant than the life-or-death battle with Accelerator that they fought before!

She shouted countless times in her heart, "I can't lose! I absolutely cannot lose!" Fighting to the death against one side meant their current condition must be terrible. Issuing a challenge would just be putting on a brave face; she might not necessarily have no chance of winning!

Even if I'm in such bad shape that I can't even fire a single railgun!

She will also bring out the strongest belief and spirit she has ever had!

"Uncle, my side kick goes really high. You're probably married, right? Don't see anything you shouldn't!"

Before launching the attack, Misaka Mikoto said this with ulterior motives.

The wolf instructor, whose attention was entirely on her, was also taken aback. The girl was wearing a Tokiwadai uniform with a short skirt. According to her, he might see her during the side kick...