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Although many couldn't believe someone could singlehandedly summon a five-star follower, the figure that appeared was unmistakably Misaka Mikoto.
After all, it was Misaka Mikoto's rate-up summoning pool. Even if someone like Accelerator had skewed the results once, there was no way it could go off-course twice.
"Shen... Uncle?"
After a short pause, Misaka Mikoto's voice rang within Shen He's mind.
That one word—uncle—really stabbed Shen He in the chest. He was only twenty-five.
"It's me, Mikoto. This is the same summoning contract protocol as Accelerator received." Shen He forced his voice to remain calm, concealing his excitement. "If you agree, you'll officially become a member of Chaldea. You'll be able to accompany us across countless worlds... but be warned, there'll be many battles."
Shen He hadn't anticipated summoning Misaka Mikoto solo—he wasn't prepared. But by now, he figured he'd already raised her favorability high enough through passive encounters and side quests.
The next moment, Misaka Mikoto materialized inside the summoning chamber.
"You actually summoned Mikoto successfully?" Jeanne asked joyfully, sweeping Misaka into a warm embrace. "Then she'll be a regular companion from now on."
"W-Wait, let me breathe!"
Misaka Mikoto flailed in Jeanne's grasp, looking like her entire worldview had just taken critical damage.
Shen He watched with a trace of envy.
Jeanne cared deeply for Mikoto. But it wasn't simple fondness—it was admiration and perhaps even sympathy. Jeanne was someone who could give up her own happiness for a cause... yet still chose to embrace despair, smiling through it all. She resonated with Mikoto's inner turmoil.
"So, Mikoto, I'm guessing you already have the basic information package downloaded into your mind?"
Shen He cleared his throat. Although he was overjoyed when he pulled her card, by now he had already calmed down, replaced by the same sense of satisfaction as a collector completing a legendary set.
"Is this… another world?"
Mikoto looked around, stunned. Her eyes scanned the high-tech summoning room and the faint magical mist lingering in the air. She casually raised her finger, and a weak current flickered around it.
So weak. Even weaker than she was at four years old…
"You'll need something called a 'Core Enhancement Stone' to increase your strength here," Shen He explained. "It'll boost both your physical attributes and your electric control. The cap is much higher than what you had in Academy City."
"Physical enhancement, huh…" Mikoto snuck a glance at Jeanne, then quickly looked away, hiding her slight guilt. Arms crossed, she huffed, "Anyway, I accepted because it sounded interesting! Not because of gratitude or anything! So, uh, please… take care of me, ma...mas—"
Her face turned red as the word got stuck in her throat.
It was all that damn Kuroko's fault. Ever since being summoned, those shameful associations kept resurfacing.
"If you're not comfortable with English or Japanese honorifics, just try the Chinese pronunciation for 'Master'," Shen He said, amused. He wasn't bothered by such things—though watching Mikoto squirm was undeniably entertaining.
"Back to business—what's the current status of the Misaka Network? Even with two Saints and two Level 5s deployed, I'm still uneasy. Many of the other students had shown hostility toward the Sisters."
"Yeah…" Mikoto's expression turned stiff. "They're still keeping their distance from the Misaka clones."
It wasn't just the students with abilities. Even Mikoto herself didn't know how to face the Sisters. They were born from her DNA. The project that created them was riddled with cruelty.
"That idiot Accelerator…"
Noticing Mikoto's gloom, Shen He abruptly changed the subject.
"He's just pretending he doesn't care. But deep down, he's aware of everything. He acts like a villain who can't be redeemed—because that's easier than facing his guilt. So long as the Sisters need his help, he'll keep fighting. And Sister Misaka No. 9982 still tries to stay close to you, right?"
9982—the Misaka Sister Mikoto had first encountered. The one she had seen killed by Accelerator in that horrific experiment.
"That guy…" Mikoto's voice softened. "She said something like, 'At the lab, I thought my sister was a flawless Ojou-sama, and that turned out to be true.' I even gave her my personal badge..."
Her voice grew faint.
Because even in death, Sister 9982 had held onto that badge tightly.
"All the Sisters share a neural connection through the Misaka Network," Shen He reminded her gently. "That day, it wasn't just 9982 who met you—it was all of them. You don't need to be afraid to show your true self. Your sisters might act silly, but they're all extraordinary in their own ways."
He'd wanted to tell her that for so long. But the moment had never felt right.
Even now, much of Mikoto's cheerful demeanor was an act. With guilt like hers, it was hard to genuinely smile.
"Of course I know that!" she snapped, face flushed. Then, hesitantly, "But... what about the other me? The one acting... different. She's twisted, but I can tell she still cares about the Sisters."
"I haven't met Misaka Mikoto Alter in person," Shen He admitted. "There are many variations of Alters. Some are just tsundere versions—like Jeanne Alter. But others... like the Black Dog, or Cu Chulainn Alter, are dangerous. He believed he was just a weapon—cold, ruthless, beyond saving."
That Alter had no emotions. The only way to stop him was through total annihilation.
"Alter-type Servants aren't normal followers. They won't appear in the general summoning pool. Unless there's mutual recognition—unless some form of connection or favorability exists—they'll outright reject the contract."
Avengers—those twisted by their pasts—would never let someone else's hands define their will.
Shen He glanced at the item in his backpack.
"…I should probably head back now," Mikoto said, though she still seemed heavy-hearted.
"Alright." Shen He nodded. "Rest up. Message me if anything comes up. You're expected to remain in this reality's ocean sector for the next few days. And you're always welcome to drop by for food."
Mikoto opened a gate to return to the Toaru world. Shen He yawned. Though it was early morning, he was drained from the recent battle with the evil spirit swarm.
Shi and Violet had already left. Qi Mu Nanxiong and Lelouch had returned to their own timelines. Now only Jeanne remained in Shen He's room.
Clearly, she had something she wanted to say.
"What do you think of Mikoto Alter?" Jeanne asked. She had climbed onto the bed and was now gently massaging both sides of Shen He's temple.
"…Want to know what came out of the golden event chest after I recovered the Holy Grail?" Shen He smirked, holding up a glowing card between two fingers.
A rare item, unlike any prop card he'd seen before.
Name: Special Follower Contract
Source: Summoning System
Description: Can forcibly establish a contract with a unique Servant not present in the summoning pool. Consent is not required. Can only be activated post-event.
"This must refer to Mikoto Alter," Shen He mused. "We're likely to gain our first Alter companion. But if she's that unstable… I'm not sure I want to use it."
Based on this card's mechanics, Misaka Mikoto Alter was likely a free-event unit—the kind given away with max rarity but a unique backstory. A mandatory contract. No pre-consent.
Shen He hesitated.
It wasn't that he couldn't forgive her actions. War, after all, often led to innocent deaths. He didn't see things in black and white. But if he used this card, then Alter would become his responsibility. And he would be accountable for her future behavior and the team's cohesion.
"If she retains any of Mikoto's memories, it shouldn't be too difficult," Jeanne said, always the optimist.
She was a lover of flawed characters. A believer in redemption.
Shen He, however, didn't mention Jeanne Alter, the chaotic twin who had once burned France to ashes.
"In any case, I can't use the card until the current event concludes," Shen He sighed. "For now, we just stay cautious. She's still out there. If she sees us now, she'll probably attack on sight."
They had taken all her sisters, after all.
Perhaps the emotional toll had simply pushed her too far.
Still chatting idly, Shen He eventually dozed off without noticing.
Jeanne watched over him, a faint frown of concern on her face.
She gently pulled off his coat, covered him with a blanket, then sat beside him silently. Her cheeks gradually turned pink. Ensuring no one was watching, she carefully lay down beside him—not touching, but close enough to feel his warmth.
Heroes didn't need to sleep.
But for now, Jeanne closed her eyes.
When Shen He woke up after a solid rest, he immediately sensed something warm beside him.
He looked down.
Jeanne.
In his bed.
Under the same blanket.
Clothed, yes—but dangerously close.
And she was now blinking sleepily, facing him.
That's when it hit him.
He'd been asleep the whole night… with his beautiful female companion in the same bed!
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