Chapter Text
The day started like any other System Scan. Poor sleep, troubled by dreams of her memories. It had been years since she regained the memories of her past life, of fighting in a war, and the struggles and tribulations therein. Most days they didn't bother her much, but on system scan days when she would have to show off her power to those who would measure and judge her, she couldn't stop herself from remembering her time as an Aerial Mage over Europe.
Tanya Degurechaff didn't remember anything from her current life before the Child Error facility. She knew she was sent to Academy City by her German parents, a chance for a better life, a life of the future. But she hadn't heard anything of them since, and had been deemed a forgotten Child Error by the city. That all served her well enough, she was used to being an orphan thanks to her second life. At least this time she knew her ‘parents’ were trying to do the right thing by trying to give her the best possibilities for the future. And it let her regain some of her previous abilities, so it was for the best.
“Hurry up Takahashi-san, if we don't leave soon, we’ll be late.” Tanya told her roommate, Takahashi Tomomi, impatiently. Tanya was already dressed in her Tokiwadai Middle School uniform ready to head out, but her roommate was still in the bathroom getting ready.
“You’re always too early Tanya-Chan, and how many times do I have to tell you, call me Tomomi.” Her roommate answered annoyedly as she opened the bathroom door, thankfully fully dressed. Tomomi was not a girl to stand on formality. “But as you wish, I'm ready.” She added, giving a sarcastic courtesy.
The two first year girls lived in the outer dorms for Tokiwadai Middle School, so if they missed the last bus, they would be running through District 7 to make it to their scan on time. Though there were plenty of students who liked the walk. Luckily, Tanya always insisted on being early for school, and especially for her System Scans, and this was her first major one at Tokiwadai. She didn't want to risk the Dorm Mistress’ wrath, or having it affect her freedoms by being late.
As an Aerokinetist, her power named Wind Force for the way she manipulated the wind, Tanya’s System Scan consisted of various tests of different applications of her power, especially the flashiest: her flying. “Acceleration: 2.5 Meters per Second Squared, Top Speed: 95 Kilometers per Hour, Turning Radius: 20 meters at 70 Kilometers, Overall Rating: Level 4,” her system scan announced, just as loud explosions could be heard from the Pool area. She could hear other Aerokinetic students waiting for their turn discussing it being one of the School's two Level 5’s The Railgun, Misaka Mikoto.
The System Scan completed, Tanya found herself persuaded to go to the mall with her Roommate. “I'm jealous of your power Tanya-Chan, being able to fly like that must be amazing. And your control is so impressive.” It was true that there were not many Aerokinetists who could fly like Tanya could. There were certainly some who could use aspects to do similarly, but the way Tanya wielded the air like a true extension of herself, was something else altogether.
Tanya shook her head as they walked, “You're selling yourself short, your Earth Move is just as impressive,” she encouraged.
“But you’re a Level 4, I just barely broke Level 3 before I was able to apply to Tokiwadai,” Tomomi lamented. “I'll be lucky to break into Level 4 before graduation. I don't get to flex and practice my power like you do.”
“You're welcome to join Judgement anytime you want. It can be a good way to practice and to stay active…” she trailed off at the look on Tomomi’s face. They had been through this several times since the beginning of the school year, but Tomomi just had no interest in joining Judgement, nor any of the Cliques at Tokiwadai, the latter Tanya had mixed thoughts about. Having an ‘in’ with one of the Cliques could certainly be useful, but it could also end up drawing Tanya into an interclique conflict. After the events of the previous year, and the start of this year, she was glad to avoid it. Especially with the leader of the current largest Clique being the Level 5 Mental Out, who could control and read minds, a power Tanya was happy to stay far away from.
Continuing, Tanya added, “All I’m saying is you are welcome if you change your mind, Judgement could certainly use your help with the recent crime wave.”
Both girls let the topic die there, not wanting to rehash the same conversation yet again. Tanya was of the opinion that joining Judgement was essential to proving to her future schools her skills and dedication. And if it let her fly more easily, and fight improve her control with her powers, she was glad to have joined.
Partway through their shopping trip, Tanya’s phone went off, answering, it didn’t take long for her to slip on her Judgement armband and rush out of the mall, leaving her purchases with her roommate. Apparently her colleague and classmate, Shirai Kuroko, had gotten involved in a bank robbery.
Arriving quickly on scene Tanya was able to see the aftermath of the fight, namely a damaged road and a car that looked like it had hit a wall at full speed. Tanya landed on the ground next to Kuroko and the tech specialist Uiharu Kazari, who were guarding a few criminals, waiting for Anti-Skill to arrive. While Kuroko and Tanya were officially part of the Tokiwadai 3rd Judgement Branch, they were on loan to the 177th Branch due to staffing issues, as long as the two assisted the 3rd branch as needed, and kept up on their paperwork, or, more accurately Tanya kept up on the paperwork that Kuroko seemed to foist on her. “What did you do this time, Shirai-san?” Tanya sounded annoyed already.
“Why do you assume it was me!? I may have been here, but the one to actually stop the criminals from getting away was Onee-Sama,” and with that Kuroko turned to look longingly at another Tokiwadai Student who was sitting on a bench with a girl in a uniform matching Uiharu. ‘That must be the Railgun’ Tanya thought to herself, she knew far too well her colleague’s interest in the Level 5, going so far as to become roommates, despite being in different years.
“Ah… so the one responsible for the destroyed car in the street is your roommate? While of course it is good this matter got resolved swiftly, and it looks like without serious injury, please impress upon her that she should stay out of Judgement business, unless you would like me to?” Tanya asked, to which Kuroko blanched.
“I have told her to leave matters like this to us, there's no need to do that,” the Level 4 Teleporter insisted.
“Misaka-san was just trying to help!” Uiharu spoke up, in defense as well, “They were trying to take hostages and escape in a car.”
Tanya shook her head with a sigh, knowing it was no use, “I'm letting it go this time, but if it happens again, I will have to file a report.” Both girls looked relieved. It was always good to show some leniency to get people on her side. Especially a Teleporter, a Tech Wizard, and a Level 5. Sighing, Tanya continued, “Are either of you injured? I should go check on your two friends over there.”
Both Judgement members were uninjured, so Tanya made her way to the bench where Misaka Mikoto, and the unknown Sakugawa student were waiting. “Tanya Degurechaff, please, call me Tanya,” she introduced herself doing her best to be friendly with the Level 5. “I have to thank you for assisting with resolving this matter Misaka-san, though it would be remiss of me to not tell you to leave these matters to Judgement and Antiskill.”
Misaka looked annoyed by Tanya's words, “Yes I know, Kuroko has told me that many times,” she said, rolling her eyes. “But I couldn't not intervene-” she started to go on, defending herself, only to be cut off by Tanya lifting her hand to stop her.
“I already told Kuroko, and Uiharu I would let it slide, this time.” She looked at the second girl who was looking at Tanya in a bit of amazement.
“Degurechaff… sorry, Tanya-san? You're Uiharu’s other partner?” From the way Uiharu had talked about the girl, Saten was expecting someone much different. “Saten Ruiko,” she introduced herself, “your flying was really cool, you’re a Level 4 right?” Saten asked.
“Yes, thank you, but my power is nothing compared to what a Level 5 like Misaka-san, but I worked hard to develop my flying, it’s very useful in my Judgement work, and I am indeed a Level 4, attending Tokiwadai with Kuroko-san, and Misaka-san as you can tell. It is nice to meet both of you.” Tanya answered modestly, hoping she was making a good impression with the most public Level 5.
Tanya hadn’t sought Misaka out, though she had hoped she would encounter the girl sooner or later with how close Kuroko had gotten to her. Her musing was interrupted by Misaka, “You want to fight?” the Level 5 asked bluntly, intrigued by the Level 4 Aerokinetic, and wanting to see what she could do.
Tanya was speechless for a second, dumbfounded by Misaka’s question, she hadn't been expecting to be challenged to a fight in such a forward manner, not by a Level 5. But perhaps this was just how Level 5s worked, and there was also the matter of Tokiwadai not living quite up to its image, she had quickly learned, it was full of barely restrained battlemaniacs posing as cultured girls. It was almost enough to make her nostalgic.
“I… would be open to it… perhaps I could request a Judgement Training Facility for our fight?” If she was going to fight a Level 5, she would want to do it in as much a controlled environment as possible, and not break the rules. “I can probably get us an opening over the weekend.”
Misaka looked a little disappointed at that, but nodded. “As long as you don't hold back, I want to see what you can do.
“I will do my best.” Tanya assured Misaka.
Saten had just been watching the exchange in silence as the two high leveled Espers planned their fight. This… would not be something she wanted to miss. “That sounds like fun! Can the rest of us come?”
“I don't see why not, I will have Uiharu-san forward you the info.” Tanya answered, their conversation wrapping up as Anti-skill finally arrived to take away the criminals and take witness statements.
It wasn't long before the scene was wrapped up, Tanya bid her colleagues, and their friends a farewell, and went to the 177th Judgement Office to start on the paperwork for what happened. Getting the jump on the work would make things easier for her coworkers, and she also had to file the request for the Training Facility. She wouldn't say she was looking forward to the fight, but if it would help make an ally of The Railgun, then it was worth it. She was surprised to see the approval come back so quickly, it seemed using the name of a Level 5 greased many wheels, which was good to learn.
Eventually, Tanya was able to make her return to her dorm after stopping for some dinner at a Joseph’s a Family Restaurant. In all, it had been a surprisingly productive day, for what it had started off as. She had made inroads with a Level 5, a fact she would have to work hard to capitalize on.