Chapter 196: Accelerator Is Taken Down

"Manipulating iron sand to attack with such power... Are you the clone that escaped yesterday or the original?" Accelerator's expression shifted as he watched Mikoto Misaka effortlessly split the container in half.

Misaka dispersed the electromagnetic chainsaw, transforming it into a storm of vibrating iron sand that engulfed Accelerator from every angle. At the same time, she pulled out a coin and launched it with a velocity three times the speed of sound, creating her signature Railgun.

"Does it matter whether I'm a clone or the original? Why participate in such experiments? After killing so many, don’t you think you're being overly cruel?"

"You’re not a clone. Even if the escaped one from yesterday was a clone, she couldn’t possibly wield this level of power. You’re the original."

Accelerator waved his hand, forcibly neutralizing the energy in the iron sand. His reflection ability activated, blocking Misaka’s Railgun with brute force. Realizing she was the original, he felt an unexpected sense of relief.

"Don’t make me out to be so cruel. I’m just dealing with a bunch of buttons—press one, and out comes another replica."

"They may be replicas, but they are still flesh-and-blood beings!"

Knowing Accelerator’s abilities in advance, Misaka was shocked her trump card hadn’t worked. However, she didn’t falter. Instead, she unleashed her next move.

"Come forth, Thunder Titan!"

A surge of electromagnetic energy erupted from her, drawing iron sand and dust from underground to form a massive, terrifying giant of lightning over 100 meters tall. Inside the titan, the friction of iron sand and dust generated violent sparks, making it an electrifying sight.

"Even a mountain would crumble before this attack. Face your judgment!"

Standing atop the giant, Misaka cradled the injured Clone 9982 as she pointed at Accelerator below.

Accelerator, seeing this, covered his face and burst into maniacal laughter.

"Judgment? Fine by me. This experiment is dragging on too long anyway. Beating the original should speed things up significantly!"

He ascended slowly with the wind, arms outstretched.

"Let’s see the power of your attack!"

"Go!"

Misaka directed all her electromagnetic energy into the titan’s hand, unleashing a devastating blast of electricity that carried countless particles of iron sand toward Accelerator. This was essentially a magnified version of her Railgun.

'Not bad,' George thought to himself while hidden, almost within striking range of Accelerator. Watching the giant lightning construct, he couldn’t help but be impressed.

In the data from Clone 9981, there was no record of Misaka using this move. It seemed like a new technique she’d developed, tailored to her abilities. George decided he’d ask her to teach it to him after this battle.

The massive Railgun struck Accelerator squarely. Unfortunately, it couldn’t break through his defenses and was locked in a stalemate. Accelerator’s defenses were evidently far stronger than Misaka had anticipated.

Meanwhile, on a nearby bridge, a black car screeched to a halt. Four girls exited the vehicle.

"So this is the famous Railgun. Doesn’t seem like much," sneered the tallest of the group, a brown-haired girl with a condescending smirk as she looked at Misaka atop the giant.

This was Mugino Shizuri, a Level 5 esper known as “Meltdowner.” Her ability allowed her to keep electrons in a pure state, neither as particles nor waves, and she harbored a deep resentment toward Misaka due to frequent comparisons between their abilities.

"She’s no match for our queen of the Item squad," quipped Kinuhata Saiai, the blonde girl beside her.

The hooded girl shook her head. "Don’t underestimate her. She’s up against the number one esper, Accelerator. It’s best to stay cautious."

"Enough chit-chat," said Mugino, turning to Takitsubo Rikou. "Is the injured one she’s holding Clone 9981?"

Takitsubo, the black-haired girl, weakly shook her head. "Based on the data, that’s Clone 9982. Clone 9981 is reportedly capable of stealth. I’m detecting another force field nearby... there!"

She pointed directly behind Accelerator, where no one was visible.

At that moment, Misaka’s electric barrage ceased as her energy ran dry. Just as Accelerator began relaxing, ready to taunt her, George appeared and cast a spell.

"Spirit Extraction!"

The magical wave pierced Accelerator’s reflection ability and struck him directly, leaving him with an unsettlingly blissful expression.

"Disable your defenses," George commanded.

Under the influence of the Imperius Curse, Accelerator complied and deactivated his reflection ability. George then used his magnetic powers to condense nearby iron sand into thin wires, which he manipulated to pierce and bind Accelerator tightly.

By the time Accelerator regained clarity, it was too late.

The Imperius Curse wasn’t particularly effective on individuals with strong willpower or superior cognitive abilities, and Accelerator was both. George never expected the curse to last long; he only needed it to buy a moment.

"Don’t activate your ability," George warned. "The wires are threaded through several vital organs. If you try to expel them, you’ll likely die instantly."

"You’re not the original—you’re a clone?" Accelerator coughed up blood as his pupils constricted, staring at George.

"The one who nearly died at your hands last night: Clone 9981." George shrugged and turned to Misaka.

"How are you holding up?"

"Energy depleted. I’ll recover after a night’s rest," Misaka replied, clearly fatigued. She hadn’t expected Clone 9981 to defeat Accelerator so decisively with an unknown method.

"How is this possible? You’re just a clone... How can you act so human?"

Accelerator trembled, not because George had defeated his reflection ability, but because this clone displayed human emotions and expressions.

If this were true... did it mean all the other clones he had killed had been just as human?