Level 6 Shift Project

The **Level 6 Shift Project** (絶対能力者進化（レベル6シフト）計画, *Zettai Nōryokusha Shinka (Reberu Shikkusu Shifuto) Keikaku*?, lit. "Absolute Power Evolution Plan") is an experiment that was specifically created for Accelerator, the strongest Level 5 esper in Academy City, to induce this event and achieve Level 6.

## Principles

*Main article: Sisters*
Seemingly abandoning his attempt to create a Level 6 through the Ability Body Crystal, Kihara Gensei became the main proponent for the Level 6 Shift Project for Accelerator.

According to Tree Diagram, only Accelerator can achieve Level 6, and with the implementation of the current curriculum, he can achieve Level 6 in 250 years. As it was unfeasible to have Accelerator remain active for 250 years, the researchers were led by Tree Diagram to a different method. Knowing that by training and combat scenarios, an esper such as pyrokinesis gain better accuracy, Tree Diagram calculated that by preparing special battlefields for Accelerator, he can achieve Level 6. The fastest way for Accelerator to achieve this is to do battle with another Level 5, namely Misaka Mikoto—the Railgun. Tree Diagram determined that Accelerator killing Mikoto 128 times would allow him to achieve Level 6, however, since 128 Railguns cannot be created, the experiment determined that the failed Sisters Project be repurposed for clones of Misaka Mikoto. Since the clones are of a level below the original, it was determined that the killing of 20,000 Sister clones in 20,000 battlefields would be an apt substitute for Accelerator to achieve Level 6.

Kihara Gensei later comments that Accelerator is the only one who can achieve Level 6 and remain stable. As he explains to Shokuhou Misaki, his forced attempt to create a level 6 involves sending Misaka's powers out of control. At 53% of the theoretical limit, her mind would transform into something from a different dimension, and at 100% her mind and body would be destroyed having exceeded their limit. In the brief moment of reaching that transcended state, she would meltdown either like the compression of a white dwarf or an exploding supernova, the resulting effect, whatever it be, would completely annihilate Academy City.

## Background

It is unknown how long the experiments went on, however, seeing as Nunotaba Shinobu has talked to a clone wearing a winter uniform, and that Accelerator has killed the first clone who wore a summer uniform, one can assume that the experiments went for several months during the autumn, winter or spring seasons—at least the preparations of the clones—before being stopped. Furthermore, several experiments have been executed within the premises of research facilities until being moved during May of the contemporary year.

In Accelerator's case, tired of the incessant imbeciles trying to pick a fight with him. Accelerator accepted the offer given to him to achieve level 6, determined that being stronger that only then will people stop fighting him. Upon the first experiment with Misaka 1, Accelerator was reluctant at first to do battle with her, as he did not expect a clone of a level 5 to be so weak. Regardless, he put his doubts behind him as the researchers assured him that the clone will become stronger due to the Misaka network, as well as the fact that they are merely laboratory specimens. Despite this, Accelerator's subconscious lingered within him and tried to bring forth fear into the clones, trying to dissuade and communicate them throughout the experiments.

In May of the story's first year, the experiments moved to the outside and empty places. This is because of the requirements of the battlefield, as such experiments 1 to 9802 have been performed inside, while the remaining 10198 experiments would be dealt outside.

This precipitated Shinobu's plan in temporarily delaying the experiment with Bank cards in order for people uninvolved with the experiment to populate the places where the experiments would surely be held.