One-way traffic

"...You mean you want me to just blast that thing down right now?"

"Oh my, you can actually do that? But never mind... I don't want to cause any more trouble, you scary monster."

While talking to Budweiser, Accelerator jumped down from a high point in the Live room and clicked his tongue in amazement.

His tone was full of displeasure.

You seem quite unhappy. Is something on your mind?

"...You're planning to get us all involved in this, aren't you?"

"Oh?"

"Don't say I didn't see it. Those two didn't notice, but I had already anticipated it."

Click.

The door then opened.

While Budvi was still holding the phone in the lounge, he saw Accelerator, dressed in his idol's official outfit, slowly walk into the room.

"…Hey."

"You said that all of this was just the beginning for those enemies... which means there will be more to come, right?"

After hanging up the phone, Yifang Tongxing closed the door.

His gaze toward Budwei gradually turned dangerous.

“Listen to me, you brat.”

"I don't care how the world will change. All I care about is whether the guys around me can survive. The reason I took action this time is only because the enemy might hurt the people around me... But don't get me wrong."

"I am not a righteous hero, so I have no intention of being a pawn in your game."

"Hey, did anyone say that we absolutely need your help? You are the one who should be helping. Don't put yourself in the protagonist's shoes. Are you one of those chuunibyou types who thinks 'the world revolves around me, and nothing can function without me'?"

"If that's the case, then you, who deliberately led us into this kind of thinking, are no good at all, you beast."

This statement from Accelerator immediately made Budvi chuckle.

That was an expression that showed some surprise.

"It's really different from what I imagined."

"what?"

"I originally thought that although you might be involved in the realm of magic to some extent, you would still be on the naive side, like a child who doesn't know what to do without adult instructions... But now it seems that you are completely different."

From Badwell's perspective, Accelerator should be someone who has only just barely come into contact with the magical realm during World War III, and shouldn't even be considered a novice.

No matter how high a title the other party has in Academy City, science is science, and magic is magic. Accelerator is the strongest in the scientific field, and cannot be applied to the magical side. Here, he is nothing.

…That's how it should be.

But true geniuses perfectly and utterly shatter all these so-called theories.

From the very beginning, Accelerator was already in a position of absolute influence.

That's right.

Just like that spiky high school student who is always fighting for others.

Both of them possess powerful and unique abilities that are capable of having a significant impact on the world itself.

"So, what are your plans after that?"

Faced with this situation, Budwei also gave up the idea of ​​continuing to speak.

Although she didn't know what the other person had been through, Accelerator in front of her had changed her perception of him through his own power.

"Do you intend to stay peacefully in Academy City and enjoy your so-called peaceful life, or do you intend to continue fighting the impending enemy at the center of the world?"

It doesn't matter which one it is.

The first one scratched his neck and said it with absolute certainty.

"But whichever choice I make, it should be my decision, right?"

"...You're absolutely right."

"That's just how it is. Don't expect to use others as pawns."

The implication is already quite clear.

Whether Accelerator continues to help Buddy or stays in Academy City, it doesn't matter which choice he makes.

He has to make all the decisions himself.

My life belongs to me, and no one else can control me.

"Then do as you please."

Budwei waved his hand casually.

"However, even if I don't do anything, you'll definitely come along."

"what?"

"You don't need to be surprised by this."

As he spoke of things that even Accelerator himself found somewhat difficult to understand, Budweiser continued to laugh.

"If that's your opinion, then we'll see."

"..."

"Oh, by the way, the snacks and black tea that girl made were delicious. You should be thinking about how to win her over, right?"

In any case, Budweiser had already left the scene before Accelerator could unleash his fury.

Only Accelerator himself, looking completely bewildered, remained standing there.

"What exactly did that brat mean?"

What does it mean to say, "Even if I don't do anything, you will definitely follow me"?

The first person sighed and sat down in place.

Then, the phone rang.

"...It was a success..."

From the other side came that familiar voice.

It was posted by a high school student with spiky hair.

"We've already erased the enemy's road signs, so there's no problem!"

Thus, the situation in the first round was resolved.

“…You bastard.”

With a sigh of exhaustion, Accelerator tossed his phone onto the table and muttered to himself in annoyance.

Chapter 311 Hawaiian Islands

And so, the day's itinerary finally came to an end.

Although it was his first day acting as an idol, Accelerator felt more of a deep-seated weariness.

It's not because he has to face so many viewers; that level of situation isn't even a problem.

What truly exhausted him was the future that followed.

Well, that's how it is.

"...Are you kidding me?"

"Hey, what's so surprising? Didn't we already say before that all the superpowered individuals would be coming together for a live performance? We already said that before, right?"

"You actually went through with this utter nonsense? Could it be that the higher-ups are threatening you with some shady scheme again?"

"No, it's just that for me, surpassing your evaluation in this area is a good choice, rather than simply in terms of ability strength."

"I think you're hopeless, you bastard."

He abruptly hung up the phone and looked at the message on the screen.

That was a call from Kakine Teitoku.

He could hardly believe that the villain who had once struggled in the shadows, just like himself, had become someone like this.

It's like a villain portrayed in a comedic way, making even Accelerator feel nauseous.

"That guy has always been a fairytale scoundrel, and now he's only gotten worse..."

Regardless of what happened to Kakine Teitoku, what truly annoyed Accelerator was what he revealed.

A concert featuring seven Level 5 superpowered individuals.

Singing on stage as an idol is already incredibly foolish, but if you add in several other Level 5 espers, even Accelerator would probably find it hard to swallow his pride.

Moreover, the third-ranked Railgun will definitely arrive at that time as well.

I have a very inappropriate relationship with that guy, and if we meet like this, it might cause unexpected trouble.

"...Let's just skip it then."

Bored, Accelerator lay down on his bed.

It's already past 1 a.m., and Hatsune Miku and Last Order have long since gone to sleep.

Today's events weren't just about the concert; I also dealt with a new enemy from the magic side that kid named Budwei mentioned.

He still remembered the name of the organization he belonged to.

"The 'Gremlin'...?"

It's a word that easily evokes images of Scandinavia.

Although Accelerator doesn't understand magic, he has read stories about mythology. In Norse mythology, the word is transliterated as Gremlin, which seems to be very representative.

In short, that means the enemy leader must be someone associated with Norse mythology.

If it were the Accelerator of the past, he certainly wouldn't have paid attention to this kind of content; he would have just regarded it as a fairy tale to fool children.

Moreover, Accelerator currently has no intention of taking action against those enemies.

Although those people's goal was to target Touma Kamijou's right hand, or even to do something to the world, he also had his own principles. Accelerator only needed to protect the people around him.

He had no interest in being a righteous hero who saves the world, nor did he want to be used as a tool by others.

Anyway, that's the end of it for today.

The first person lying on the bed stared blankly at the ceiling, but in reality, a transparent screen was appearing in front of him.

In about three days, the teleportation to the next world will begin.

I really hope that nothing unexpected happens during this period.

"That being said, there's always a bad feeling about this..."

——————————————————————————————————————————

Before falling asleep, Accelerator had this feeling that something 'bad' might happen.

And now, it's the second day.

He received a new phone call right after he got up.

“…Say it again.”

"Yes, that... the next concert will be held overseas."

"I'm asking you, why did you go to that godforsaken place?"

"Huh?! This...this wasn't our decision! It was arranged by our superiors. They requested that your second live performance be held in the Hawaiian Islands overseas—"

What the hell is going on?

After grabbing a slice of toast and taking two bites, Accelerator's expression grew increasingly displeased.

"...When do you plan to leave?"

"Um... in an hour."

"what?"