Moreover, Noa also discovered that the economic system he originally planned was not suitable.
Originally, he had intended to give everyone the freedom to develop independently, allowing a prototype of a free internal economy to emerge within the Great Tree Village. In theory, such a system would encourage initiative, creativity, and competition, potentially leading to rapid innovation and growth.
However, reality quickly revealed the flaws in this idea.
The ordinary girls under his organization were not independent citizens in a traditional sense—they were internal members bound by contracts and unified goals. Granting them unrestricted freedom in economic matters would inevitably weaken structural cohesion and make overall management far more difficult.
Freedom and control, by their very nature, stood in opposition.
After weighing the situation carefully, Noa reached a decisive conclusion. If a choice had to be made between the two, then hesitation was unnecessary.
Control was the better option.
Given the current stage of development in the Great Tree Village, a planned economic structure with centralized resource allocation was far more appropriate. It ensured stability, efficiency, and most importantly, predictability—qualities that were essential for maintaining order in a growing, multi-world organization.
At least until the population expanded beyond its current composition and included a broader base of ordinary residents, this system would remain the most practical choice.
In fact, upon closer inspection, Noa realized that what they were already practicing was not far from a planned economy to begin with.
The land belonged to him. The food supply was under his control. The raw materials for production, as well as the building resources, were all his assets. From infrastructure to daily necessities, nearly every aspect of life within the Great Tree Village depended on his provision.
Under such conditions, the concept of a "free market" was little more than an illusion.
At present, aside from Noa himself, only a single industry could truly be considered independently operated—the production of high-grade spider silk fabrics, along with a complete chain for clothing materials. Even that, however, still relied heavily on resources he supplied.
Everything else was effectively distributed.
The girls contributed their labor and, in return, received what they needed. It was a direct exchange, simple and efficient. Even the currency they earned held little real function, as its value and circulation existed entirely within Noa's control. Inflation was not a concern, nor was economic imbalance.
In such a system, rewards became far easier to manage.
If someone made significant contributions, Noa could simply grant them better resources, improved living conditions, or fulfill personal requests. There was no need for complex financial incentives when tangible benefits could be directly provided.
With the economic structure clarified and the Divine Path System fully implemented across the group, Noa found himself, for once, without immediate tasks demanding his attention.
It was a rare moment of stillness.
Yet that calm did not last long.
At that very moment, the dimensional gate—silent for quite some time—suddenly stirred with activity once more.
Sensing the fluctuation, Noa's interest was immediately piqued. Since he had no pressing matters to attend to, he decided to investigate personally.
When he arrived at the gate, a figure had already emerged.
It was a girl with short brown hair and sharp, determined eyes. She wore a familiar school uniform—white shirt beneath a light vest—and carried a bag adorned with a small frog-shaped pendant that swayed gently as she moved.
The moment Noa saw her, recognition struck instantly.
He almost blurted out the phrase, "The lightning on your fingertips."
Standing before him was none other than Misaka Mikoto.
A key figure from A Certain Magical Index and the central protagonist of its spin-off, A Certain Scientific Railgun, she was one of the elite Level 5 espers in Academy City—ranked third among only seven at that tier.
Her codename: Railgun.
Often affectionately called the "Railgun Sister," she was known for her ability to manipulate electricity with extraordinary precision and power. Whether launching metal projectiles at supersonic speeds or controlling electromagnetic forces with finesse, her combat capabilities were nothing short of formidable.
Beyond her strength, she was also one of the most beloved characters in the world she came from, admired for her personality, determination, and strong sense of justice.
There was no way Noa could fail to recognize her.
But her appearance here raised an entirely different question.
The world she belonged to… was anything but simple.