After Mikoto and the others visit Kazari, who is sick with a cold, Kuroko becomes curious as to how Hatsuya, a Level 2 esper, had powers equivalent to a Level 4's. When Mikoto brings up the Level Upper urban legend Ruiko had mentioned before, Kuroko points out this is not the first time an esper's power and their recorded level have been vastly different, Miho and the pyrokinesist being but a few of the incidents. After discovering where they can get information on the Level Upper, Mikoto goes to a restaurant and pretends to be an interested customer to a group of teenagers who may have information about Level Upper. Mikoto eventually gives up the act when they won't tell her what she wants and soon faces their leader, a girl with the ability to manipulate asphalt. Mikoto wins the fight, though she does end up damaging a nearby generator in the process, causing a city-wide blackout. The next day, Kuroko and Mikoto discover that Hatsuya, along with several other espers who had shown abnormally strong powers, have all fallen into comas. Meanwhile, Ruiko comes across a hidden link whilst browsing the internet, discovering a download for the Level Upper.