Multiverse: Why does the world show a health bar? !

「Item」

Also known as **"Tool."** As a dark side organization within Academy City, they operate in the shadows of the city. The core members of the organization consist of four individuals. The leader, **Mugino Shizuri**, is the fourth-ranked Level 5 esper. The other members are **Kinuhata Saiai**, **Takitsubo Rikou**, and **Frenda Seivelun**. The first two are Level 4 espers. Among them, Kinuhata Saiai's ability, **"Nitrogen Armor,"** is both offensive and defensive, making it highly versatile. Takitsubo Rikou's ability, **"AIM Stalker,"** allows her to track others based on their AIM diffusion fields.

Only **Frenda Seivelun** is a Level 0 with no abilities. Yet, this is enough to prove her excellence. This girl, relying solely on her experience with explosives, became a core member of **「Item」** and earned Mugino Shizuri's recognition.

"Honestly, how did things come to this?" Frenda curled up, revealing her vulnerable side to the unnamed man before her.

She began to explain what had happened the previous day.

After Frenda was captured by Li Mo, the other members of **「Item」** gathered. As a fellow Level 5, Mugino Shizuri, having been humiliated by the **Second Rank**, decided to retaliate. Thus, with the help of Takitsubo Rikou's ability, they clashed once again with **「School」**, led by the Second Rank.

The result was a crushing defeat. Mugino Shizuri was relatively fine, but Kinuhata Saiai, who had protected the others, was severely injured by **Kakine Teitoku**. The Second Rank, for some reason, chose not to finish them off and instead left.

If the story had ended there, it would have just been another failure for **「Item」**.

"But afterward, Mugino, in her desire for revenge against the Second Rank, demanded that Takitsubo take **Body Crystal** again. Even though Takitsubo's body was already on the verge of collapse!" Frenda exclaimed.

Due to her past experiences, Takitsubo Rikou could only activate her ability by using Body Crystal. Her body had become dependent on it. Body Crystal, short for **Esper Body Crystal**, was a product created by the **Kihara family**. Its effect was to induce a rejection reaction in espers, causing their abilities to go out of control. In this state, their abilities would overload.

During the battle with Kakine Teitoku, Takitsubo had already overused her ability, pushing her body to the brink of collapse. If she had taken Body Crystal again to use her ability, her body would have completely broken down. Mugino Shizuri's actions were essentially sending her to her death.

Mugino Shizuri knew this. That's why it chilled Frenda to the core.

"And then?"

"In the end, **Hamazura Shiage** defeated Mugino. That's how everything was settled."

How could she describe her current feelings? In just one day, such drastic changes had occurred. Mugino Shizuri, Kinuhata Saiai, Takitsubo Rikou, and Hamazura Shiage—all of them had ended up in the hospital. The only one left unscathed was herself.

In the span of a single day, she had run to several places. When she saw Takitsubo Rikou and Hamazura Shiage recovering in the same hospital, Frenda's mood was still somewhat positive. Although Hamazura was a pervert who loved bunny girls and big breasts, he had stood up for Takitsubo. So, when the two became a couple, Frenda could only silently offer her blessings.

Visiting Kinuhata Saiai was much heavier. Due to the direct confrontation with Kakine Teitoku, Kinuhata had suffered the most severe injuries and was now in the intensive care unit. However, the doctor with frog-like eyes was exceptionally skilled, so Kinuhata would likely recover soon.

Frenda only took a brief look at Kinuhata before leaving.

What truly concerned her was Mugino Shizuri. The once-proud Mugino had lost her right eye and right arm. She was currently being treated by the dark side using some unknown technology.

—However, during her brief exchange with Mugino, all Frenda saw was rage. Mugino was just screaming and roaring. Frenda acutely realized that, given Mugino's prideful nature, another conflict with Hamazura was inevitable.

On one side was Hamazura, who had saved Takitsubo. On the other was her former leader, Mugino Shizuri. Frenda knew very well that, now that Takitsubo and Hamazura were a couple, Takitsubo would undoubtedly stand by Hamazura's side.

Former comrades turning against each other—nothing could be worse than that.

In one breath, Frenda poured out everything she knew and everything she was thinking to the person before her.

Academy City wasn't large, but it had its own dark side. Frenda had never confided her troubles to anyone in Academy City. If she told someone from the surface about the dark side, it would only burden them. And within the dark side, a place filled with self-interest, could anyone truly open their heart to another?

Frenda wasn't very old. She was still just a student, yet she had already been struggling in the mire of the dark side for a long time.

Li Mo, at this moment, became a patient listener.

**Frenda Seivelun** and her younger sister, **Fremea Seivelun**, were from Northern Europe. In Academy City, they were considered **"abandoned pupils,"** children no one cared about. Such children were in great danger in Academy City, almost equivalent to experimental materials.

To protect her sister, Frenda had stepped into the dark side.

...

Li Mo thought of Frenda's living quarters. It could hardly be called a place to live. The number and arrangement of furniture were completely off. The space was filled with large boxes—some the size of lunchboxes, others larger than refrigerators. But every box was decorated with colorful wrapping paper and ribbons.

At the same time, among her collection of marine-themed items, there were many markings made with fluorescent pens. Only a few dates were left unmarked. Yes, Frenda was a girl with a wide social circle, with friends numbering in the thousands across both the surface and the dark side.

—Those were all birthday gifts she had prepared for others.

Li Mo also remembered the clumsy yet adorable dance he had seen her perform on TV yesterday, though she had turned it off halfway through.

"You're worried, aren't you?"

"Yes. Because both Takitsubo and Mugino are my friends."

"Is that so? Well, Frenda, just wait. Time will resolve everything. The Takitsubo and Mugino in your heart will be fine."

"Why?"

"Isn't there a **hero** there?" Li Mo said with a smile. "Hamazura Shiage defeated Mugino Shizuri once, so he can do it again. If what you say is true, then he is the second person in Academy City to defeat a Level 5 esper as a Level 0. Knowing his opponent was powerful, he still chose to throw a punch and charge at the strong. He is already a hero."

"Can he really do it?"

"Why not? That's fate."

Even though he had saved Frenda, Hamazura Shiage was still walking the right path.

Fate seemed to be right there.