Although Fang Zheng could give them the answer directly, and even tell them who was behind it, after some consideration, Fang Zheng decided to conceal some of the information. After all, he was too lazy to explain how he knew so much...
"I've heard a little about it, but I didn't pay much attention to it."
"Why?"
Faced with Fang Zheng's answer, Misaka Mikoto and Shirai Kuroko were a little surprised.
"You're not interested in that?"
"I'm not interested. The fantasy hand and other tools to improve abilities are all nonsense in my opinion. They are nothing more than toys made based on the unreliable superpower theory in this Academy City. If it's me, don't take these unofficial things too seriously. Generally speaking, things that are not circulated through formal channels are either scams, harmful, or both."
Having said this, Fang Zheng yawned.
"After all, aren't there the most powerless people in Academy City? Let's spread a rumor that a piece of music can improve your abilities after listening to it. It's currently discounted to only 99,999. If one out of a hundred people falls for this, wouldn't we make a fortune?"
"But what if it works?"
In response to Shirai Kuroko's question, Fang Zheng rolled his eyes.
"Stimulants are also useful for athletes. Do you think they are allowed in the Olympics?"
"Um……"
Hearing this, Shirai Kuroko fell into deep thought. Fang Zheng gave her two ideas, but no matter which one it was, it was obvious that if the Phantom Hand was not just a rumor, then the situation would be very troublesome.
Misaka Mikoto was more concerned about what Fang Zheng had said before.
"You said that Academy City's theory of developing super powers is unreliable?"
"Yes, in my opinion, that is to deceive children and illiterate people."
Fang Zheng scoffed at this, and upon hearing this, Misaka Mikoto immediately became unhappy.
"How can you call it a lie? This is clearly the basis for developing superpowers. According to Schrödinger's theory..."
"Don't mention Schrödinger's cat. It gives me a headache."
Fang Zheng waved his hand, interrupting Mikoto's defense.
"Schrödinger's theory is about quantum mechanics. What does it have to do with super powers?"
"……Why?"
Faced with Fang Zheng's question, Misaka Mikoto was stunned and speechless.
"What annoys me most is that everything is put into Schrödinger's cat, as if the whole world can be put into it. Schrödinger's cat describes the principle of quantum superposition, and uncertainty is a characteristic of quantum. But what does this have to do with superpowers? Let's not talk about superpowers. If I want to build a car, design an airplane, or make a drug, do I still need to learn quantum mechanics? Oh? What? If I build a car, it will not exist if I don't observe it? Or is it that I don't take medicine, as long as I feel that I am not sick, I am cute?"
"this……"
“The world is unified in materiality. The various concrete events in the world are all different manifestations of the movement of matter. Matter plays a decisive role in spirit, and spirit is the reflection of the objective material world in people’s brains, which in turn reacts to matter.”
As he spoke, Fang Zheng picked up an apple.
"Look, this is just an apple, an apple for eating. To people, it is just a piece of food. But under what circumstances does this apple have extraordinary meaning to people? Unless it is the apple that fell and hit Newton, you see, it suddenly has a halo, right?"
“…”
Misaka Mikoto and Shirai Kuroko both stared at the apple in Fang Zheng's hand and thought silently. However, soon, Shirai Kuroko raised her hand to ask a question.
"But according to the theory of super power development, brain development is the key to improving super power levels. Isn't it because of quantum theory?"
"Nonsense, left hand... No, the brain is just auxiliary. It is true that improving your brain's computing and processing capabilities can increase the strength of superpowers. But isn't it the same for other things? If you are smart enough and react quickly enough, you can do many things similar to superpowers. Have you seen the movie "Rain Man"? Doesn't the protagonist in it give people the feeling of having superpowers? That is actually a form of computing power of the brain, and the same is true for mental arithmetic. Many times, we need to use a computer or calculator to calculate many things for a long time, but some people can get the answer immediately as long as they think about it. Isn't this also a superpower?"
Having said this, Fang Zheng chuckled, then picked up a piece of paper and started writing and drawing on it.
"In my opinion, the theoretical basis of Academy City's superpowers is nonsense, but there is indeed a certain accumulation of practical knowledge. Just as you said, Shirai, brain development can improve the strength of superpowers, but brain development is not the foundation. We compare the brain to a CPU, so under what circumstances will a CPU be effective? Only with the right hardware and external devices can the CPU play its role as a CPU. Otherwise, it is a piece of waste, and its only use value is probably to build blocks."
Hearing this, Misaka Mikoto and Shirai Kuroko's expressions became even more serious. At this time, Misaka Mikoto didn't care about anything else and stared at Fang Zheng with wide eyes.
"But Mr. Fang Zheng, according to your theory, then superpowers..."
"That's right. According to my theory, superpowers are actually a special kind of talent. The reason why you people with superpowers have superpowers is because the genetic structure of your body is suitable for displaying superpowers, but some people are not suitable. It's just like blood type. Some people are type A and some are type B. So people with type A and type B cannot give blood to each other. This is a material reality, and it can't be changed by your strong will and hard work."
Fang Zheng spread his hands.
"This is also the reason why there are so many powerless people in this Academy City. You don't think that all these powerless people here are stupid, dumb, silly, lazy idiots, do you?"
“How could it be…”
Hearing this, Misaka Mikoto lowered her head helplessly.
"Could it be that... I became Level 5 because of this? Is it because of this? Is it just me who can do it, but others can't...?"
"Sister..."
Hearing what Misaka Mikoto said, Shirai Kuroko looked at the girl beside her with some heartache, but Fang Zheng stretched out his hand and snapped his fingers at Misaka Mikoto's forehead.
"Ah, what are you doing?!"
"Stop being sentimental. Do you think you are Lin Daiyu? Talent is talent, hard work is hard work. You must have heard the story of the tortoise and the hare. It's just like an athlete. There are millions of sprinters in the world, but only one can stand on the Olympic podium and win the gold medal. How did he do it? Oh, did he win the gold medal just by drinking, singing, and dancing every day? Isn't it the same for you? Did you become Lv5 by lying down?"
"But, but I always feel..."
"You are so sensitive. People in Africa are still eating grass, so you might as well not eat. Stop talking nonsense. As one of the few Level 5 users in Academy City, you just need to behave like a Level 5 user. You are not a god, and it is not up to you to decide whether others can use their superpowers. You cannot make this decision. This is the responsibility of us researchers. You just need to set a good example. It is a waste of time to think about those irrelevant things."
"That's right, onee-sama."
Hearing this, Heizi also jumped up immediately.
"As long as Onee-sama is still Onee-sama, it's fine. Regardless of whether she is Level 5 or not, Kuroko will always follow Onee-sama. But as a role model for people with special abilities, Onee-sama should stop wearing those childish underwear in the future..."
“Kuroko——!!”
Bilibili...!
Looking at Heizi who was twitching due to the electric shock, Fang Zheng shrugged his shoulders.
You will suffer the consequences if you bring trouble upon yourself.
"Thank you for your guidance today."
Standing at the gate, Misaka Mikoto and Shirai Kuroko bowed respectfully to Fang Zheng. They had to admit that every time they met and talked with Fang Zheng, they felt that they benefited a lot. Well, Fang Zheng actually thought that they should learn what the Marxist worldview and dialectical materialism were...
"You're welcome. I was just saying this casually. You're always welcome to come and play in the future."
After a brief farewell, Misaka Mikoto and Shirai Kuroko turned around and left the institute. Walking on the road, Misaka Mikoto still frowned.
"Heizi, do you think...what Mr. Fang Zheng said is true?"
For Misaka Mikoto, everything she heard today almost overturned her common sense. All along, Misaka Mikoto only thought that she could reach Lv5 completely by her own efforts. But today... Although Fang Zheng told her not to take it to heart, Misaka Mikoto certainly couldn't just forget about it.
"Although it's incredible, I have to admit that what that gentleman said makes sense."
At this moment, Kuroko's face was also solemn. As a member of the Discipline Committee, she thought more. Perhaps the top management of Academy City already knew all this, but deliberately concealed it? If it was true as Fang Zheng said, that the basis of their superpower development was completely nonsense, then it meant that hundreds of thousands or even more powerless people in Academy City were deceived by them.
If this matter gets out...
Thinking of this, Shirai Kuroko couldn't help but shudder. If this really happened, the anger of these powerless people would probably destroy the entire Academy City...
"But I always feel like I forgot something?"
Mikoto tilted her head, then suddenly stopped.
Ah! I forgot to ask him how he blocked my ability!