A Scientific Urban Detective

“What's the point of me staying here if I haven't inherited the Kihara name?” Therestina sneered. “Just to be mocked by Grandpa's peers?”

“Oh my,” Kihara Gensei said with feigned surprise. “I didn't expect you to be so mentally fragile. I thought you wouldn't care about the noise around you.”

“I don't care about the noise,” Therestina narrowed her eyes, releasing malice like a viper. “What I care more about is that I can't fully realize my potential and make enough progress by Grandpa's side.”

In other words, to become a true "Kihara," Therestina wanted to actively leave her grandfather's protection… or rather, "shackles."

With her proud personality, she couldn't tolerate a future where she couldn't become a "Kihara" and would forever live in her grandfather's shadow.

“You're an adult now, and you can make your own decisions about your future,” Kihara Gensei said very generously. “Do whatever you like.”

Therestina smiled. “Then I'll say goodbye and leave—tonight's flight.”

She was clearly prepared, as her suitcase was already at the door.

“By the way, Grandpa,” Therestina said one last time before turning to leave, “Is it really okay to just leave that woman alone? Don't you need to get rid of her?”

“No need, no need.” Kihara Gensei waved his hand. “Although she's just an ordinary human, Kiyama-kun is already a very talented researcher. I have high hopes for her.”

Like a kind-faced old professor, Kihara Gensei stepped forward and patted Therestina on the shoulder. “You know, I've always been tolerant of talented people.”

Kiyama Haruue was a major contributor to the success of this experiment—although she herself firmly denied this fact, her talent and contribution were obvious to all. Even Kihara Gensei, who was usually harsh, gave her a high evaluation.

Although Kihara Gensei always called her an "ordinary human," his standard for distinguishing humans wasn't "Kihara" versus "non-Kihara," but something simpler—whether or not they had talent.

By this standard, Kiyama Haruue was undoubtedly a talented person.

In the "Ability Body Crystal" experiment that had just been completed recently, Kihara Gensei referred to the methods of Kuriba Junsō of the "Artificial Atelier" and selected a young female researcher to be specifically responsible for taking care of the test subjects.

This selected female researcher was Kiyama Haruue.

Originally, this was just a temporary position set up to reduce the management costs of the test subjects and soothe their emotions until the final experiment was needed; it was actually an insignificant role that was dispensable to the entire experimental research.

But Kiyama Haruue performed very well, not only doing her "job" of taking care of the test subjects, but also serving as Kihara Gensei's research assistant, making significant contributions to the advancement and ultimate success of the entire experiment.

Of course, at that time, Kiyama Haruue was under the impression that she was preparing for the "AIM Diffusion Field Control Experiment," which was harmless to the children who were the test subjects.

But in reality, the actual experiment that was conducted was the "Rampant Ability Rule Analysis Induction Experiment."

In this experiment, the children who were the test subjects were essentially expendable.

Although the children who participated in the experiment didn't actually die, they all lost consciousness and became similar to vegetative people.

Kiyama Haruue herself fell into a state of hysterical despair.

However, everyone else involved in the experiment, except for Kiyama Haruue herself, felt differently.

—Because the experiment was a success.

As expected, they did obtain the "Ability Body Crystal" through this experiment.

As for the loss of the test subjects, it was not within the scope of consideration for the researchers.

Since the end of that day's experiment, Kiyama Haruue had been depressed, and her attitude towards Kihara Gensei had changed from respect to hatred.

Obviously, keeping such a person around was a threat. That's why Therestina suggested "disposing" of her.

However, Kihara Gensei didn't intend to do anything, and didn't even cancel her position as his research assistant.

Of course, Kiyama Haruue had not appeared in the laboratory since the day the experiment ended.

...

Beep… Beep… Beep…

After a brief busy signal, the call connected, and a vibrant female voice came from the receiver.

“Hello, we are Judgment. How can we help you?”

“Judgment?” Kiyama Haruue said in astonishment. “Isn't this… Lin Wuming's number?”

“…” There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line, but it quickly perked up again. “That's right, Lin Wuming has also joined Judgment, so this number is managed uniformly by Judgment.”

“But please rest assured, no matter what difficulties you have, we will do our best to help you solve them!” The girl on the other end of the phone said confidently.

“…” Kiyama Haruue was silent for a moment. “Thank you, but it's nothing. Sorry to bother you.”

Hanging up the phone, Kiyama Haruue leaned against the wall and slumped to the ground.

“Yes, the matter has already happened. Even if I really found that hero, what could he do?” Kiyama Haruue said in pain. “Unless he has the superpower to turn back time…”

The "Ability Body Crystal" experiment led by Kihara Gensei was obviously an illegal experiment. According to the various rumors she had heard in the past two months, that "hero" Lin Wuming would definitely come to stop the illegal experiment and save the victims—if he knew the relevant information.

But unfortunately, that "hero" obviously didn't know about Kihara Gensei's conspiracy.

In fact, even Kiyama Haruue herself was kept in the dark until the very last moment; by the time she woke up and realized the truth, it was already too late.

No one cried for help, so how could the "hero" come to save the children?

Kiyama Haruue fell into deep guilt—she had harmed her students!

Originally, she had just grabbed a straw in despair when she called the "hero," trying to get some kind of miracle.

But as expected, the miracle didn't favor her.

Even that "hero" had already stopped working…

The phone was hung up by the other party, and a girl wearing a Judgment armband couldn't help but roll her eyes and hung up the phone forcefully.

“What's wrong? Did someone hang up on you again?” A companion sitting in the next seat poked her head over.

“Yeah,” the girl in charge of managing the "hero number" immediately complained. “Seriously, as soon as they hear it's not Lin Wuming, everyone hangs up immediately… I really don't understand, are they calling for help or to chat with Lin Wuming!”

“Well, well…” The companion went to pour her a glass of water. “Don't be angry, drink some water to calm down. Besides, you should be used to it by now after so many times.”