A Scientific Urban Detective

"Don't underestimate the security forces. They've practically dug this place up. If there were any important data, they would have found it already," the young man said, shaking his head. "Besides, for illegal research institutions, this experimental data is their greatest wealth and the most powerful evidence to convict them! Of course, they'll keep it safe."

"Then, what's the point of this blank database?" Black Night Sea Bird asked.

"It's just a temporary storage," the young man said. "The important data is all stored in the 'cloud'."

The young man pointed above his head. "Key data is uploaded regularly for backup, in case of emergencies—like the situation now."

It's obvious that in Academy City, this 'City of the Future,' important data would be electronically backed up.

"The 'cloud' database is something all similar companies or research institutions like," the young man explained. "It's highly praised for its secrecy and security. Contact can only be made with the 'cloud' at fixed times each month for data exchange. At other times, even the most basic connection is impossible."

"This computer is the dedicated device for connecting to the 'cloud'," the young man said. "In five days, we can retrieve the research data from the 'cloud' server."

"Hmm, sounds good," Black Night Sea Bird nodded.

"Before that, we need to restore power here," the young man said. "The good news is, we have enough funds to restart this building."

Black Night Sea Bird mentally calculated: "The treasure we found these past few days isn't enough. Did STUDY pay you?"

"No," the young man said, shaking his head. "My research grant application was approved."

As he spoke, he quoted a number.

Even with Black Night Sea Bird's limited knowledge of money, she could tell it was an absurd amount.

This funding was enough to not only maintain the headquarters building's daily operations but also buy a brand-new building.

"I'm a little impressed," Black Night Sea Bird said, looking at the young man before her. "I thought you were broke too."

The other party laughed. "I told you, I'm a 'Kihara.' I just recently started my own establishment, so my resources are limited, and I'm temporarily a bit strapped."

Every true 'Kihara,' regardless of their moral character, is at least an undisputed authority in the field of research, so they can apply for ample or even excessive research funding at any time.

Even if the Board of Directors doesn't approve, the Kihara clan can pool together sufficient resources anytime, anywhere through internal allocation.

"Okay, Kihara…" Black Night Sea Bird finally believed him a little and asked seriously, "What's your name?"

"You really don't know who I am?" the young man said with a wry smile. "And you dared to come and cooperate with me like this?"

"What does it matter? Our goals are the same anyway," Black Night Sea Bird shrugged.

Of course, her real reliance was her own strength—Level 4's 'Nitrogen Explosion' was enough to protect herself, so she wasn't afraid of this man playing tricks and harming her.

"Kihara Similarity, that's my name." The young man extended his hand. "Let's get along well, Black Night Sea Bird."

"A true member of the Kihara clan?" Black Night Sea Bird muttered. To be honest, before this, she had been treating this man as an ordinary person with the Kihara name.

"Since you're a member of the legendary Kihara clan," Black Night Sea Bird asked seriously, "can you develop a Level 5 superpower?"

"Every Kihara is interested in this topic," Kihara Similarity said with a smile. "I'm… almost there."

"Almost?" Black Night Sea Bird frowned, not so satisfied with his answer.

"Because I'm not qualified yet," Kihara Similarity said. "I said it earlier, right? I just started my own establishment and am not yet qualified to get involved in Level 5 projects… especially the number one, 'Vector Transformation'."

As the most powerful superpower, Accelerator's "Vector Transformation" is in a league of its own, even among Level 5s.

The other Level 5 superpowers are easier to deal with. Anyone can apply to research and develop them if they want—as long as they can find a way to 'persuade' the esper to cooperate.

But Accelerator is different.

As an esper, Accelerator's strength is so great that no one can force him to cooperate if he doesn't want to.

Accelerator is not someone easy to deal with. Moreover, the current Accelerator has no particular weaknesses or handles, giving off a sense of being without desires or needs, leaving researchers at a loss.

In order not to cause Accelerator's resentment and make him reject all research cooperation, all researchers have reached a consensus—they can only study his superpower discreetly, as far as possible without attracting Accelerator's attention.

As for true superpower development research—the kind that requires the esper's cooperation—a "competitive bidding" approach is adopted.

Researchers—mainly within the 'Kihara' clan—compete, and the winner gets the exclusive right to "Accelerator" as a research resource, allowing them to conduct the most comprehensive research and development on his superpower.

Of course, the premise is still being able to "persuade" Accelerator to cooperate.

"As for this 'Dark May Project,' it's just research that took advantage of the fact that the competition between the Kiharas has not yet produced a winner," Kihara Similarity shrugged. "Honestly, the fact that this project could produce results like you and Kinuhata is already far beyond my expectations."

Kihara Similarity's words were very impolite, and his tone and expression showed that he did not take the "Dark May Project" seriously at all.

But Black Night Sea Bird didn't care—after all, he was a researcher. Which of the researchers she knew wasn't arrogant and conceited?

These words were like the wind blowing past her ears and didn't need to be taken to heart at all.

"There's also Lin Wuming; he's the biggest result of the project," Black Night Sea Bird thought for a moment and added.

In her mind, although Lin Wuming was only Level 3, he was more in line with the research theme of "Dark May" and had more potential to become the second Accelerator.

In other words, Lin Wuming is Black Night Sea Bird's goal in this regard. She also wants to become Level 5, even if she can't be "Accelerator the Second," she must be "Lin Wuming the Second."

"Lin Wuming? Ah, are you talking about that 'hero'?" Kihara Similarity suddenly understood, and then a strange smile appeared. "That guy is special; don't take him as your role model."