Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 09/Chapter 2

Title - Chapter 2: 魔術師と能力者の競技場　"Stab_Sword."

Volume 09

Previous Chapter → 1

Next Chapter → 3

Part 1
The next event is ‘Roll the Ball’.

Kamijo and his peers of the same age have already entered the arena. In this less spacious campus. In this not so spacious compound, where the ground is covered with asphalt. Both sides are lined up like they’re in a cavalry war.

The rules are somewhat different from standard rules. When the gunshot to indicate the start of the match is fired, competitors will have to push 50 large balls—25 on the left side, and 25 on the right side—to the enemy’s line. The winner will be the year group who pushes more than 25 balls past the opponent’s line.

What’s different from normal Roll the Ball is that participants from both sides will have to touch all the balls at least once. In other words, during this event, participants can use their powers to obstruct the opponent.

Like the other students, Kamijo places his hand on a white team’s ball that’s 2 metres in diameter, as he smells sweat and dust. Before the shot is fired, the atmosphere is tense. Although the nature of this match is similar to a game, the surrounding atmosphere makes anyone feel serious.

But in this situation, Kamijo is worried about another thing.

He’s thinking about the conversation he had with Stiyl and Tsuchimikado 20 minutes ago.

“Because Academy City is busy hosting ordinary tourists, so they had to neglect security?”

“Then a magician saw a loophole and decided to exploit it.”

Kamijo’s class is responsible for 3 large balls, and there are three groups: one for boys, one for girls, and one for both boys and girls. Kamijo is in the boys only group. From nearby, Himegami Aisa gives him a wordless stare, like she’s trying to say something. But Kamijo, who’s too busy thinking about the conversation, doesn’t notice her staring at him.

“But, what’s the reason? Are these people here to kidnap Index? I won’t sit back and watch if it really involves her!”

“Don’t panic, Kamijo Touma. The enemy’s target this time isn’t her. To the enemy, if she gets involved, it’ll only make things more difficult for them.”

“Ah? What does that mean?”

“I’ll explain this to you later, Kami-yan. Let’s talk about the main issue, which is the main reason why the magicians snuck into Academy City.”

“Everyone, get set,” the loudspeakers in the campus blare.

Everyone is holding their breath, bending their bodies slightly over. Kamijo takes a glimpse around. Tsuchimikado, who’s wearing sunglasses, places his hands on the ball like everyone else.

“Those magicians……? There’s not just one?”

“Right now, we can confirm that there are at least two of them. Lidvia Lorenzetti of the Roman Catholic Church and the courier that she hired, Oriana Thompson from England. Both of them are women. There should be at least one person they’re dealing with, but right now, it isn’t clear. Rumours have it that the biggest suspect is Bishop Nikolai Tolstoy of the Russian Church, but we can’t confirm it as of now.”

“Courier? This deal, what’s it all about?”

“Exactly what it says on the tin, Kami-yan. Those guys intend to trade some spiritual stuff that the Church passed down.” BAM!! The gunshot signalling the start of the match is fired.

Kamijo Touma, who is thinking about these things, is late by a second.

“Why here……isn’t Academy City the least associated place with magic?”

“That’s right nya. But this is the reason. Neither the guards of Academy City and Judgment can catch magicians from the magical world anyhow. Also, the Cross Army and Necessarius of the magical world cannot anyhow step into Academy City, which belongs to the science world. So now, this has become a situation where both sides are unable to take action.”

“If it wasn’t for Daihasei, the actions of Lidvia and everyone else would be limited due to the tight security. Only in this extremely busy period will Academy City loosen its guard. That’s why they’re able to act.”

In order to keep chase with the large ball, Kamijo frantically runs forward.

The sound of footsteps and balls rolling continue to rumble the earth. Because the inside of the ball is just air, one won’t feel that it’s too heavy, but rather the ball is so light like a balloon that it’ll be affected by the wind, and will roll sideways if one doesn’t pay attention.

“Then can’t you guys send in many Necessarius members like Stiyl to arrest them?”

“The reason why I can be here is because of the proper reason that ‘I’m your friend, and I’m here personally to sightsee.’ If the situation changes such that ‘A group of British Puritans’ is here, other magical organisations will use this opportunity to request that ‘we want to come in.’ Do you think that all these people are friendly to Academy City? There will definitely be people who would do some sabotaging. Do you think that these people will protect this place that’s completely different from the magic world?”

“As the leader of the scientific world, Academy City’s voice is a lot louder than any small and nameless magical group, nya. But at this moment, if they reject the proposal, larger groups will then request to go in. Thus, this situation with Lidvia and Oriana is rather sensitive, Kami-yan. In this troublesome situation, if we call in other comrades, Academy City will be swallowed in chaos. In order to limit the number of people who know of this issue, the only people allowed to get involved are ‘magicians who are familiar with the people of Academy City.’ There are few magicians with links to Academy City. So this time, we can only use a few elite troops to get in.”

The large balls are moving even faster now. The one that Kamijo’s group is pushing is the furthest in front. In other words, the first one to touch the enemy’s ball will be in the most danger.

“??? Isn’t Kanzaki Kaori another person who’s familiar with us? Isn’t she supposed to be some superhuman called a Saint? Isn’t it better to have more people?”

“Kanzaki cannot be here, especially in this situation, because this spiritual item is rather special.”

“Ah? What does that mean?”

“Kami-yan. Speaking about this spiritual weapon called the ‘Stab Sword’, its effects are—”

Because the ball is too big, Kamijo is unable to see ahead from his position. Hearing Aogami Pierce shout ‘Incoming!’ Kamijo gathers his consciousness.

“It’s said that the sword can kill a Saint with one blow.”

DANGER! A shout came from behind.

Every student other than Kamijo ran away from the ball.

(Eh? Don’t I have to move quite a while before touching the ball?)

Just when Kamijo is puzzled…

An impact came from behind.

“Ugh……WA!!”

From behind, the ball that belongs to the girls’ group is rolling extremely fast, catching up with them and swallowing Kamijo. When the ball that belongs to the mixed group passes by, Fukiyose Seiri coldly says, “What on earth are you doing? Kamijo Touma?” while Himegami Aisa glances at him, her expression seeming to say, “I was right, you were looking troubled.”

Part 2
Saint.

“That’s the one, the humans who are similar to the ‘Son of God’ in Christian teachings. In the ‘Idol Theory’ of Christianity, when duplicating the Cross that the ‘Son of God’ was executed on, the duplicate will have some power as well. By using this theory on the relationship between the ‘Son of God’ and humans, any human similar to the ‘Son of God’ will have power equivalent to him. These people chosen by the heavens are known as ‘Saints’. These people have an inexplicable amount of power. However……”

The Roll the Ball Match is over now (Luckily, Kamijo’s school won). As they’re leaving the arena, both Kamijo and Tsuchimikado are continuing their conversation and drinking sports drinks given by Fukiyose Seiri, who said “You need to replenish your amino acids. This drink includes black vinegar and soy isoflavone.”

“The Saints have a weaknesses.”

“Really? But isn’t Kanzaki strong enough to take on a real angel on her own?”

Angel. This word doesn’t sound very real, but because Kamijo did see it for himself, he has to believe it. That angel who called herself Misha Kruezhev has enough power to destroy the entire world with a single finger, and yet Kanzaki was able to fight the angel till the end. No matter what Kamijo or anyone else does, they can’t match up to her.

Tsuchimikado is gulping down the drink, saying,

“But her powers do have a weakness. Listen closely, a Saint is a human who has the same type and nature of body as the ‘Son of God’, so not only do they have the same amount of power, they have the similar types, characteristics and features.”

Tsuchimikado takes a deep breath,

“—Basically, they have inherited the weaknesses of the ‘Son of God’.”

Ah! Kamijo inadvertently cried out.

“The ‘Son of God’ died once. It doesn’t matter that he resurrected and rose to Heaven; the fact that he died cannot be denied. Kami-yan, do you know how the ‘Son of God’, who was hung on the Cross, was killed?”

Tsuchimikado grins at Kamijo, and continues,

“He was stabbed. After his arms and legs were nailed onto the Cross, he was stabbed through by a spear. Whether the spear gave the critical blow, or whether it was used to confirm that he was dead, is still being hotly debated by Bible scholars. But the fact that he got ‘stabbed’ wasn’t changed, nya.”

Tsuchimikado takes another gulp of drink, and continues,

“The ‘Stab Sword’ has the religious meaning of execution and assassination, a spiritual weapon that can expand and contract at will, to any length. It’s said that it can ‘Stab through a dragon and pin it onto the ground.’ It’s useless against humans, but it’s a sure kill against Saints. No matter how far, just pointing the sword at something is enough to kill it.”

Hearing this, Kamijo broke out in cold sweat.

Seems like Tsuchimikado wants to add on to Kamijo’s imagination, as he proceeds on,

“Sounds scary? When the ‘Stab Sword’ is activated, whether one’s in a nuclear shelter, or in the core of the Earth, or even if the person hides in the netherworld, just pointing the sword at a Saint is enough to kill him or her. It’s much more convenient and ruthless than a nuclear weapon. Because this sword was created to destroy any selfish and greedy Saints, nya!”

“What are these magicians thinking, dealing for this kind of thing……”

“It’s for war, Kami-yan. A Saint is the magical equivalent to a nuclear bomb. After killing the enemy’s Saints and protecting all your comrades in the first place will result in a drastic change of tide in battle.”

War.

To ordinary high school students living in modern Japan, this doesn’t sound sensible. But Kamijo nearly came close to it once. Once, because of the magical ‘Book of the Law’ and the nun who claims to have cracked the code, Ursula Aquinas, the British Puritans, Roman Catholics and Amakusa Catholics had a three-way battle. If there’s a real war, the scale will definitely be much larger. A war that will affect the entire world, a war that will involve ordinary and innocent people, a war that will change the landscape.

“However, there are a lot more magicians who aren’t Saints, right? Like the British Puritans, they can battle on even if they don’t have Kanzaki, right?”

“Kami-yan, the problem isn’t there. It’s not whether we can win. Once we get the wrong feeling that we can win, we’ll provoke a war. Once a Saint, who signifies power, is dead, it’ll likely destroy the balance of the Magical society. It’s like how an entire country grieves when a member of Royalty is killed, nya. People who feel that this is a great chance to succeed will jump into battle without hesitation — these people never noticed, however, that what awaits them is a tragic failure.”

Tsuchimikado’s words have a cold and oppressive feeling in them.

It’s probably because of his status as an agent, working in different places, that he knows the weaknesses of this world.

“A Saint being killed wantonly will destabilize a country and its organizations religiously. If they are attacked from within or from outside by magical organizations, they’ll get destroyed. These situations won’t appear on stage, but they’re enough to cause the countries and the world to collapse. Once the balance of an area is unstable, many different groups will plan and set up a new order, and end up causing war as a result. As an international security maintenance organisation created to counter magicians, sector zero of the British Puritans, ‘Necessarius’, won’t let this off easily, nya.”

This really sounds like a resolve, but Tsuchimikado’s tone at the end is really frivolous.

(Is this tone of his really a relaxed one from the view of a spy, or is he trying to suppress his feelings as a professional?)

The amateur Kamijo is unable to judge this.

Kamijo drinks the drink that’s not so cold now, and says,

“However, in this serious situation, isn’t it better to ask Index for help?”

That’s right, Index is still not around.

After hearing Tsuchimikado and Stiyl’s explanation, he immediately ran to the arena without meeting Index.

If it’s related to magic, she’s a very reliable helper. To Kamijo, nobody knows magic better than her.

However, Tsuchimikado rejects this proposal with just a sentence,

“No way, we can’t use Index. Not only must we not allow her to be near the scene, we can’t let her know anything about this.”

“……Why?”

“Hm. Because there are a lot of complicated reasons. Alright, I’ll explain everything from the beginning.”

Tsuchimikado seems to find this bothersome as he scratches his head.

“Like what I just said, the science side cannot cross over to the magic side. Right now, there are many problems inside and outside Academy City…do you understand if I say it like this, nya?”

“Ah? I do know that security guards and disciplinary members cannot face off against magicians directly.”

He seemed to have heard of this before when he first snuck into ‘Misawa Cram School’ with Stiyl to find the alchemist hiding himself inside.

The science and magical worlds are two different worlds on their own, two completely different sides. In this situation, if any policing agency of Academy City is to catch a magician, it’ll cause the risk of information regarding the magical world being leaked to the science world.

“For example, it’s like our newest and most advanced fighter jet fell into the hands of the enemy?”

“That’s right. And if there are a lot of magicians who stepped into Academy City as a group, the situation will be much worse. Because in this case, the magicians who intend to do the trade in Academy City can do whatever they want. How can anyone leave them alone?”

Kamijo feels that this is a rather stupid structure. Everyone has the same intentions, but are unable to move because of this kind of reason.

“So this time, we have an exception. We’ll have me, Kami-yan and Stiyl, the three of us working together.”

Tsuchimikado grins.

“Of course, some organisations will be unhappy about this. These people are observing, but are unable to get into Academy City. Some of them want to solve this case, but for the wrong intentions. These people are using spells that act like radars, sensing any magical flow. Once there’s movement, they’ll rush in.”

“Hmm……so that’s what it’s all about?”

Kamijo can only say this, since to be honest, he is unable to imagine what a magic flow is like.

“But, what has this magic detection got to do with Index? She can’t use magic! Even if those guys can use radar-like spells, there’s no need to hide Index.”

Although Kamijo Touma lost his memories, he still has this knowledge. Although Index is the keeper of 103,000 magic texts, she can’t use it. This is to prevent her from getting into trouble by using them.

Facing Kamijo’s doubts, Tsuchimikado bitterly laughs,

“This is the difference in values. Hear this, Kami-yan. For the past few months, there had been quite a few magical occurrences—and you were able to settle them perfectly—but in the magical world, nobody knows that you’re involved.”

“It doesn’t matter. I’ll have a larger headache if too many people know. But why?”

“What I’m trying to say is that in comparison, Index’s name is a lot more noticeable. The people in the magical world won’t feel that this is ‘Something that happened around Kamijo Touma,’ but rather ‘Something that happens around Index, the keeper of the 103,000 magical texts.’”

Kamijo thought — So that’s it.

Tsuchimikado seems to be able to sense something from his face. He happily says,

“So these people will think that ‘everything happens around Index.’ So, using common knowledge, they’ll focus their search on Index, right? But in reality, a sensing spell that can cover Academy City entirely doesn’t exist. Even if an organisation like the ‘Gregorian Chant’ uses this spell, the maximum range for them is around 500 metres. So by putting Index away from this case, those guys outside will focus on her. This way, if there’s a magical war somewhere, it’s likely that it won’t be found out, nya. On the other hand, if we get her involved in this, we’ll be in for a lot of trouble.”

“In other words, we cannot allow Index to sense any magical presence, or anything related to it?”

Kamijo thought, this sounds easy, but is actually difficult. Index memorised the 103,000 magical books in order to counter all magicians. She won’t let go of any tiny clue easily. Once she finds one, she’ll spring into action.

That said, even if he explains it to Index first and tells her ‘not to move,’ she’ll likely not agree to it easily, won’t she? Normally, she hates getting others involved in any magical related cases, so she will definitely not agree to having others take care of this for her.

As Kamijo is thinking about this, Tsuchimikado gently shakes the empty bottle.

“However, Kami-yan, this is another ‘misfortune’. I guess you won’t be happy since Index’s been getting all the credit?”

“Idiot. I’m worried for her. Really, that Index is too much. My troubles are already so much!”

Kamijo sucks his tongue as he continues his thoughts. Seeing his face from the side, Tsuchimikado laughs. That laugh has no sense of irony or mockery.

“Anyway, this is how it goes, nya. Kami-yan will take care of Index, and try to hide any hint of what’s happening in Academy City. Oh yeah, you can go shopping with her; try and get her away from any place where there might be a magical battle.”

“Ah, what are you saying! You’re making it sound so easy…!”

“There’s no problem! To this unfortunate Kamijo Touma, this is but a trivial matter!”

“Where is this confidence coming from!? What’ll happen for our next match? Fukiyose will go berserk if we play hooky! Isn’t this much scarier?”

“I’ll leave this to you! Right now, the most important thing is Index. However, that Index, she can be easily controlled with food, nya. If anything happens, throw the food in the opposite direction, nya!”

“……You rascal, if Index hears this, she’ll bite till your skull breaks. Wait, that’s not right, I never saw her bite a human other than me……”

Tsuchimikado pats Kamijo’s shoulder hard as Kamijo says this listlessly.

Part 3
The asphalt road under the hot sun is really hot.

This is what Index, who’s hungry and lying on the road, thought.

After the tour was over, the female security guard, Yomikawa Aiho, who is removing the ‘no access’ sign, can’t take it anymore. She stopped what she was doing and carried Index up. Although it’s not going to cool Index down, Yomikawa places Index on the long bench under the tree. The calico cat follows behind Yomikawa before jumping onto the bench.

Komoe-sensei, whom she contacted just now, has finally arrived. This teacher, who’s older than Yomikawa-sensei, is wearing a light green sleeveless vest and a short white dress. This get-up probably means that she wanted to cheer for her students, and it’s really scary that this attire is suitable for her even for her age. Deep inside, Yomikawa sighs.

“Hi! Yomikawa-sensei! I got a call saying that someone I know is with you now. WAH!”

Seeing Index act like this, Komoe-sensei cries out.

“Sister……Sister-san!? Why are you as listless as a shrunken vegetable? Don’t tell me that you got heatstroke because this Komoe-sensei came late!!”

Hearing her high decibel scream, the calico cat gives a disgusted cry as it’s fur stood up.

Er……Yomikawa looks at Index, who’s lying on the long bench, and thought. It looks like she got heatstroke, and no matter what anyone says, fainting when she’s wearing such thick nun robes in such hot weather, it’s not weird for anyone to think that she got heatstroke.

“Komoe-sensei. SENSEI!! Okay okay, calm down, will ya?”

“How……can I calm down! Although Sister-san isn’t from my class, a teacher should act as the guardian of the children.”

“Okay okay, you can talk about what you think an ideal teacher is later! That’s the child, she doesn’t have heatstroke, she’s just hungry.”

What? Komoe-sensei tilts her head, puzzled.

She then continues,

“That’s……that’s why I can’t calm down! Malnutrition can be dangerous, you know!!”

“What? Being unflappable in such a situation, Komoe-sensei is really a sempai I respect. However, this child has eaten three packets of rations already.”

Hearing Yomikawa’s irritated tone, the calico cat seems to say, “Ya ya. I got some biscuits too,” as it gives a comfy cry. There’re still some crumbs around its mouth.

“……Then it isn’t that she’s hungry, but she ate too much! I say, as a teacher, you should manage a person’s diet and nutrition……!”

“Then shouldn’t you ask this child directly?”

Seeing Yomikawa point with her finger, Komoe-sensei said “Don’t point at others like that” as she grabs Yomikawa’s finger and points it down. She then inspects Index’s face.

The white nun, now all weak and wobbly, speaks in a soft voice,

“I……I’m hungry……is……is Touma not here yet?”

“You’re really hungry?”

“Didn’t I tell you? Ah, can I hand her over to you?”

Okay, it must be hard on you. Komoe-sensei gave a polite greeting, as Yomikawa walks away, waving her hand behind her. Although this is a bit too sloppy, Yomikawa feels that Komoe-sensei doesn’t really need to care so much for the girl.

Komoe-sensei reinspects Index.

Index is lying lifelessly on the bench, trembling as she says,

“The……the smell of sauce……I’ll reach my limit if I continue to smell this……”

Komoe-sensei finally lets down the burden on her shoulders (Not because she feels helpless, but because she’s relieved). Hearing Index mention ‘sauce’, she starts to sniff around.

“Hm? Is it that store?”

She looks around. Opposite the road where Yomikawa Aiho removed the ‘no access’ billboard, one can see an entire row of stores set up and manned by students like a carnival.

“Sister-san, I bought something back.”

Seeing Komoe-sensei chose a few types of food at the hawker stores, Index, who’s lying on the bench, suddenly jumped up.

“Ooo……Oooo……OOOoooooooooooooo……”

She lets out a cry that’s like an archaeologist discovering something that isn’t excavated yet. The calico cat in her arms lets out a similar cry.

“I bought fried noodles, okonomiyaki, smoked sausages, takoyaki……ah, can Miss foreign nun eat octopus?”

“I’ll eat! I’ll eat! Even if it’s natto or dried salted fish, I’ll eat them!”

Seeing the food that the students cooked packed into transparent plastic containers, although they don’t look very tasty, Index’s eyes are glowing brightly as she eyes them greedily. The calico cat in her hands slightly trembles. Maybe its animal instincts can sense that Index has a strong attachment to eating.

Komoe-sensei bitterly smiles,

“Ah……ah ha haha. Then let’s use this opportunity to learn how to use chopsticks. One shouldn’t use a fist to hold chopsticks……ahhh!!”

Before Komoe-sensei can even explain, Index has already bit onto her target, gobbling down the food in large mouthfuls. The food that’s as tall as a mountain vanishes in an instant. The calico cat follows suit, but its critical weakness is that its tongue can’t take scalding stuff.

Komoe-sensei dropped her shoulders dejectedly.

“Uu……uuuuu. I wanted to……use this opportunity, to let Sister-san experience a bit of the Japanese culture.”

“(Chewing) Eh? Komoe, what did you say?”

After stuffing the last piece of okonomiyaki into her mouth, Index blinks her eyes. That pile of food is now reduced to nothing.

Komoe-sensei, who’s passionate about teaching, has a weakness. It’s that she’ll feel extremely dejected once she loses the opportunity to teach others. But Index, who’s too full and satisfied, doesn’t know this.

Komoe-sensei’s shoulders tremble as she says,

“Nothing! Sensei does not regret it! I won’t cry because of something like this.”

“??? Ah, I haven’t thanked you yet. I’m full now; thanks for your hospitality. Eh, weird? Why do you look like you’re about to cry?”

Index tilts her head slightly.

“……Come to think of it, where did Touma go? It’s almost lunch.”

“……About that, speaking of lunch, you just……?”

But Index does not hear Komoe-sensei’s words at all.

“Where did Touma go……? I’ve been feeling that Touma’s been separated from me quite often today……”

VRROOM!! Komoe-sensei’s passion for teaching is reignited again.

The nun in front of Komoe-sensei doesn’t seem to belong to any school (That should be the case). In other words, it’s hard to go out with Kamijo during Daihasei. Although the visitors can take part in competitions, they’re ‘only for visitors’, and thus not allowed to compete with the ‘students’. The girl in front of Komoe-sensei is unable to attain her dream of taking part in the competition together with Kamijo.

Komoe-sensei feels that she can understand what Index is thinking.

Being abandoned alone in such a large-scale activity, although one can’t see it, the emotional damage done to her should be rather big. On the other hand, if there’s some way for her to take part in some event, she should be able to feel a sense of satisfaction. Why can’t Kamijo understand this? To abandon this child like this? Komoe-sensei is disappointed in her useless student, and wonders whether there’s a solution.

Not a compromise, but a solution.

“No problem, there’s an event which Sister-san is able to take part in as well.”

The answer emerged. If she’s unable to help this child who looks so helpless, then she has no right to be a teacher, yes? Thinking about this, Komoe-sensei giggles before letting out fits of laughter.

“Eh? What did you say?”

“I’m saying, that there’s a way for you to enjoy Daihasei with Kamijo! Sister-san won’t be abandoned and be all alone now!”

Hearing this cheerful voice, Index is initially stunned, before calming down, even forgetting her hunger. The calico cat does not care as it gives a yawn.

“Wha……what? What must I do?”

“It’s this, this!”

Komoe-sensei smiles as she gently pulls her sleeveless vest.

She’s wearing a cheerleader uniform.

“He……hehe. Although you can’t take part in the competition, there’s no problem if you’re a cheerleader. Of course, we still have this option. I feel that you’re suited for this! You may find this embarrassing if you do this alone. Don’t worry, Komoe-sensei will accompany you!”

Komoe-sensei continues to smile. Her capability as an educator is radiating outwards, her face shining brightly like never before.

Seeing Komoe-sensei like this, Index is naturally wary of what's to come.

“Wh……why is Komoe-san so happy?”

“Don’t ask that kind of trivial question. Although it’s an unexpected find, this sensei will still be very satisfied at being able to teach Sister-san. Hehe, I’m not thinking about repaying that debt from being unable to teach how to use chopsticks!”

Komoe-sensei disregards the fact that Index is an acquaintance, and pulls Index, who’s all stiff now, to some place.

Part 4
Kamijo Touma finally got back to where he was denied access. There’s no sign of Index, the ‘no access’ sign has been removed, and the security guard nee-san isn’t around.

Though Tsuchimikado said,

“Although finding Lidvia and Oriana is important, it’s also important that Index doesn’t find out about what’s happening in Academy City, Kami-yan. We’ll take care of the safety of Academy City and see whether there’s any trace of magic, while you’ll meet Index regularly to keep her busy. Otherwise, if she finds something fishy with our actions, she’ll rush to the centre of this incident.”

According to how things are going now, he can’t do a thing.

(There’s no one I can ask regarding Index’s whereabouts, and there aren’t any clues either. Her zero-yen phone has no power, so it’s impossible to contact her……no way, don’t tell me she got lost?)

To Kamijo, who’s used to life in Academy City, this doesn’t seem like anything. But if Stiyl were to know that Index is missing, he’d probably say, “I understand; go die now,” and attack him indiscriminately.

(Hm. Of all these places, where would Index go……)

Kamijo looks around, suddenly fixating his eyes in front. Opposite the road is a group of students manning many food stores.

“No……no way? Don’t tell me she can’t handle her empty stomach and decided to rush all the way over without having any money? If this is the case, a corner may be blown off by the ‘rampage of a hungry girl’……!!”

Kamijo’s expression is all greenish now. His right hand has the ‘Imagine Breaker’ ability’. No matter whether it’s esper powers, magic or even miracles, he just needs to touch these with his right hand in order to negate them. But facing that girl who bites onto others, he’s just a powerless level 0.

Even so, he has to stop her with this hand of his.

Kamijo decides to walk towards the stalls.

Suddenly, somebody taps him on the shoulder.

Turning around, Himegami Aisa, who’s wearing a short-sleeved shirt and shorts, and Tsuchimikado Maika, who’s sitting on a cleaning robot and selling bento, are staring at him. Himegami was having a conversation with Maika, who’s still selling bentos.

“Up till now, you looked like you’re about to face a demon king. Why put on a brave warrior look?”

“Why do you look so dead? Are you hungry? Do you need a bento?”

Kamijo, who was intending to head out to battle, is shaken by the duo’s smooth voices.

“I say. That’s because I left Index, who was hungry, behind, and couldn’t find her when I got back. The nearest source of food is at those stalls. I’m thinking whether that girl is creating a riot down there……!!”

Hearing his tearful complaints, both of them are stunned.

“That nun, I just saw her down there.”

Himegami points in a direction completely different from where the stalls are.

“Seems like she was pulled aside by that famous miniature-sized teacher in Kamijo Touma’s school.”

Maika is still sitting on the robot as she tilts her head up, recalling as she says,

“??? She’s dragged forcefully……that’s impossible. Komoe-sensei knows Index. What’s the deal? Is she going to introduce Academy City to her? Never mind about this. Anyway, thanks girls; I’ll find them on my own.”

After Kamijo finished speaking and heads towards where Himegami pointed, Tsuchimikado Maika gives a long ‘Gambate!!’, while Himegami remains silent.

(Hm……since when did Himegami and Maika became such good friend? Ah, did she know Maika when Maika came over during the summer holidays?)

He thought as he walks along the road. The pedestrians on the streets are admiring the wind turbine rotor blades that generate electricity. This scene does give a fresh feeling.

Suddenly, a cat’s ‘meow’ mewing can be heard.

One will know just by hearing the sound—it’s the cry of a calico cat.

“Index?”

Kamijo stops and turns around in the direction where the cry came from. It’s a little park that’s surrounded by buildings. The wired fence is a lot taller than usual, and it looks like it’s rejecting and oppressing anything within a large radius. It’s hard to see anything if one looks in from outside the entrance because the lush foliage of trees blocks the line of sight.

Kamijo thought, this can’t be helped.

Strictly speaking, this isn’t a park. There’s a sign hung on the wired fence, saying ‘Property of Tadayama University Botanical Department.’ This is a place where they collect data on plant growth. Even during Daihasei, where the security is much tighter, nobody’s patrolling around here. Though this place is open to the public, it doesn’t mean that anyone should go in.

The familiar calico cat sticks its head out. After seeing Kamijo’s face, it hides back into the bushes.

(Only the calico cat……? No, Index won’t let go of that cat so easily. In other words, she’s inside? Hm, if they’re growing apples inside, maybe Index just went in unknowingly.)

Thinking like this makes Kamijo go berserk, and he thought that he should check it out. He carefully avoids the branches blocking his way as he enters.

“Index? Are you there? Shout out if you hear me—”

He continues forward, widening his eyes when he sees what’s in front.

Index is right in front of him.

But why is she changing?

“……………………………………………………………………………………”

Kamijo and Index stopped what they were doing.

Komoe-sensei, who’s wearing the cheerleader uniform, is facing Index, and her back is facing Kamijo, so she has no idea that he’s here.

Kamijo thought — strange.

In his memory, the last time he saw Index, she was wearing a white nun robe with gold embroidery that’s like a teacup. For some reason however, her robes are folded neatly on the floor. Also, why are there similar coloured undergarments stacked on her robes?

And why is she wearing a cheerleader uniform, a white sleeveless vest and a light green short skirt that’s similar to what Komoe- sensei is wearing?

However, Index only got an arm halfway in, as the slanted tail of the vest is covering Index’s small breasts. The most surprising thing is that Komoe-sensei is at Index’s feet, helping her put on a pair of underwear that’s used for cheerleading (it should be the same type as those worn with tennis skirts), and Kamijo just so happened to witness all these.

Index has already pulled her underwear through one leg, and was about to let it through her other leg, as she maintains this posture, not moving at all.

Of course, in this situation, a skirt won’t be able to fulfill its usual purpose. Furthermore, the attire of a cheerleader doesn’t have a ‘cover’ function.

Let me repeat again, Index’s nun robes are folded and stacked neatly on the floor.

There’s similar coloured underwear placed on top of it.

Komoe-sensei is helping Index put on some underwear. If her head wasn’t blocking Kamijo’s field of vision, he’d see something that he won’t forget easily.

“……ah……ah……”

Her facial expression went from shock to ‘I’m going to kill that guy.’ Kamijo is absolutely terrified, breaking out in a cold sweat, and is unable to move. Komoe-sensei, who’s wearing the cheerleader’s uniform, is talking to Index casually, not knowing what’s going on.

“I’m so sorry. Only students are allowed in the schools’ proper changing rooms. I’m sorry to ask you to change here……eh, ya!?”

Index isn’t listening at all. The underwear still hanging on her thigh, Index rushes madly onto Kamijo.

“TOUMA!? HOW MANY TIMES HAS IT BEEN!?”

“WAHHH! I’M REALLY SORRY! PLEASE DON’T BITE ME AGAIN!!”

Kamijo twists his body, wanting to dodge Index’s ‘bite the head’ attack. Index, who leaped over, pounces onto Kamijo with two hands and sticks tightly onto his body. She’s unable to aim at the head however, as her target started to move suddenly.

Chomp! Index’s small mouth bites onto Kamijo’s face.

“WAA……!!”

Kamijo can feel the soft texture of the lips, as well as the hard jagged teeth. That warm thing between the two rows of teeth should be the tongue. The breath warmer than Kamijo’s body temperature blows onto his face. Feeling Index’s saliva, Kamijo can’t help but tremble.

“……WA, Index!!”

“……”

Kamijo, whose face is all red now, shouts out, but is unable to hear Index’s reply.

Shua!! Index got away from Kamijo in a fast yet silent manner. Normally, Index would be shouting, but this time, she silently keeps her head down, her facial expression cannot be seen as even her ears are red. He wonders if she’s having any special thoughts about biting others subconsciously? She seems to have taken a huge blow, not even noticing that her attire is untidy.

Kamijo looks at Komoe-sensei. She’s just places her two hands on her face, giving a vague “Wa……aaaaa……” sound, which doesn’t sound reliable at all.

“It’s……it’s not, that, Index-hime? It’s alright, this is an accident! An accident! This is unexpected! Please don’t be so serious……eh, WA! Wait a minute, Index, why are you flushed red with anger now? You were shy all over just now! Don’t tell me I said something inappropriate!?”

Seeing the cheerleader girl trembling silently, Kamijo took one step back, two steps. Just when he’s about to take a third step.

“—Kamijo.”

A woman’s cold tone pierces through his back.

Kamijo pays attention to Index carefully as he nervously turns around.

Fukiyose Seiri.

Wearing a thin committee jacket over her sports attire, she says,

“I’m here to look for Tsukuyomi-sensei for some administrative work, and came over to check it out because I heard voices……you’re here again?”

She sees Kamijo together with Index, who’s half naked and is trembling slightly, and then sees Komoe-sensei, who’s flushed red now, then the neatly stacked clothes and underwear, and finally on Index—or more accurately, the underwear hanging on her thigh.

“WHY ARE YOU STANDING AROUND HERE!? YOU SCHOOL REBEL!? GO CHEER FOR EVERYONE!!”

Taking a hard punch that doesn’t have any powers in it, Kamijo Touma flew out, rolling on the ground.

Part 5
Kamijo Touma, who’s covered in bruises and injuries, finally walks out from the park (more accurately, it’s a botany test site). More accurately, he’s being dragged out by an angry Fukiyose Seiri, not by his hand, but by his collar. Inside, Index probably allowed Komoe-sensei to help her change clothes.

“Really. Do you have any intention to make this event a success? I know that as a committee member, I should be the one putting in the most effort, but I’m angry upon seeing people like you act like it has nothing to do with you!”

Fukiyose says this as she pulls out a packet of milk from her jacket pocket. Maybe her anger led to lack of calcium.

From the atmosphere, one can tell that she’s not hiding anything when she’s saying “I hate Kamijo Touma,” but rather, words from the bottom of her heart.

Kamijo, who’s being grabbed by the collar and dragged around by her, says,

“Fu……Fukiyose-san. Wha……what event is our school participating now……?”

“You can’t even remember this? It’s because your brain lacks nutrition. Oh yeah, right now, the highest priority should be in getting enough sugar intake!”

After saying this, she tosses the empty milk packet into the rubbish bin, and digs through her pockets before finding a bar of sugar that’s used for coffee.

“Ugh! To think that it would be ordinary, unprocessed sugar!”

Just when Kamijo’s about to sneak away, trembling, Fukiyose locks his head under her left arm, and tucks it’s under her armpit.

“Your sleepy head better wake up now. Otherwise, do you want some soy isoflavone? Maybe some soy bean pudding?”

“Uuuu! If you offered soy pudding from the beginning, this Kamijo Touma would be especially grateful! There should be some sugar content in it, right?”

Facing Fukiyose, who’s about to stuff sugar into Kamijo’s mouth, Kamijo’s arms and legs start to move about wildly, but is unable to move away due to his head being stuck under her armpit. He continues to resist until he feels something soft touching his right cheek.

It’s Fukiyose Seiri’s ample breasts.

(WAAAHHHH……!?)

Kamijo’s resistance multiplies by 3. Fukiyose doesn’t seem to realise this, frowning slightly as she holds the sugar bar with one hand.

“Wait a sec! Wait a sec! Even if I eat that, my goofiness can’t be cured!!”

“……Don’t you feel sad just saying that?”

I’m not sad at all! Kamijo quickly tilts his head sideways, only to feel the elastically of Fukiyose’s breasts. His body went stiff immediately.

Fukiyose gives a surprised look, and finally lets Kamijo out of that lock.

I’m saved, Kamijo thought as he gasped for air.

Fukiyose then grabs him by the collar again.

“Right now, our school is participating in the second-year girls tug-of war, and three events on the guys side. Which side do you want to cheer for? I guess you want to go to the girls side, because you’re that kind of person!”

“Why are you saying something so vicious? Why are you so cold to me, Fukiyose? Are you promoting internal CoolBiz sports?”

(Note: CoolBiz is a campaign originally launched by the Japanese. It’s made up of two parts, ‘Cool’ means ‘cooling’ and ‘Biz’ means ‘business’. Workers are encouraged to wear short-sleeved shirts without jackets or ties, and air conditioner temperatures are to be set at 28°C. Right now, Kamijo is mocking Fukiyose for purposely showing such a cold front.)

“Sorry, my defence isn’t that thin.”

This is exactly like a WarmBiz that’s as thick as an iron wall! Kamijo thought. He feels that she won’t find it funny anyway, and does not say anything.

(Note: WarmBiz is the opposite of CoolBiz, and that it’s done during the winter instead. Air conditioner temperatures are to be set at 20°C, and people are to wear more clothes. Kamijo is mocking Fukiyose’s defence for being as thick as those clothes worn during WarmBiz.)

“However, Fukiyose, is there any problems with your committee work?”

“……Why do you have to worry about this for me?”

“This so-called feeling of helplessness should be like this, I guess……isn’t organising this event very difficult and tiring? Although I’m not sure regarding the details, is it right for me to only bother about my own things?”

A committee member has to do all sorts of various things in Daihasei, like preparing a match, refereeing, carry out broadcasts before, during and after the events, taking care of lost children and giving basic road directions. Not only that, they have to take part in the competition as participants. Compared to an ordinary student, their free time is so little it’s pitiful. Fukiyose stares at Kamijo’s face.

“It’s alright. I’ve already passed on a message to Tsukuyomi-sensei. And in order to cope with unexpected events, there’s a certain amount of free time in my schedule, so there’s no worries!”

“Too bad. How about you leave me alone and go shopping with your friends?”

“There’re many ways to create memories. They should be able to understand this!”

Fukiyose only realises that what she said is insensitive after saying these words.

Kamijo, whose collar is still being grabbed, says,

“Okay okay……what you say is correct, but can you please stop pulling me by the collar?”

“Then let’s hold hands.”

Fukiyose unexpectedly let go of Kamijo’s collar, and extends her small hand out. Seems like she applied some hand cream over her soft hands; it’s either the Coenzyme Q10 or some popular health product that’s highly recommended.

“Ah? Erm—then if you don’t mind.”

He hesitates, before holding Fukiyose’s hand. He thought that her hand would be cold, but it’s unexpectedly warm. Kamijo’s feels his heart thumping crazily just like this.

Fukiyose glances at him.

“You’re too slow.”

“……”

Kamijo, who’s lamenting “Why is my heart beating so violently,” is pulled away by the iron wall girl, who’s not in the best of spirits.

Part 6
Kamijo is dragged along the street by Fukiyose, who’s holding onto his hand.

There are a lot of people here. Maybe it’s because this is a place where the subway trains and the automatic buses meet. From the train to the bus, from bus route A to bus route B……just like this, the passengers arrive and then proceed on.

It’s been quite a distance from where he got separated from Index. Fukiyose seems intent on bringing Kamijo back to school to cheer for their schoolmates, but he has to get to work once Tsuchimikado and Stiyl, who are searching for Oriana, contact him. This is bad, what can he do? Kamijo continues to worry on his own.

“Oi, Kamijo, is Daihasei really that boring?”

Fukiyose, who’s holding hands with Kamijo, suddenly asked.

What?

Kamijo frowns.

“I’ve been feeling that you seem absent-minded, it’s like something’s on your mind.”

Kamijo is startled inside.

Fukiyose stares at Kamijo,

“I can’t force you to focus entirely on Daihasei. I can’t stop you if you want out of Daihasei.”

From the looks of things, it seems that Fukiyose is purely suspicious about Kamijo’s concentration, and not that she found out something about Daihasei.

“As an organiser of this event who worked so hard for this day, even if it’s just my own stubbornness, I hope that everyone can get some wonderful memories. I’ll be happy if everyone can laugh happily……but you seemed bored today. No matter what, it seems that there are still some shortcomings in my preparations.”

“……Your sense of responsibility is really strong. I’m not feeling bored at all; it’s interesting when everything’s so hectic.”

Kamijo doesn’t understand for what reason is Fukiyose a member of the Daihasei committee. She’s not forced by anyone to be one, and since she volunteered herself, there must be a reason for her to want this event to succeed.

But she doesn’t know.

She doesn’t know that there are magicians that want to take advantage of her hard work, she doesn’t know about the secret plot regarding the ‘Stab Sword’ trade, and she doesn’t know about the clash of ideas inside and outside Academy City.

I have to work harder, Kamijo thought.

Not just Fukiyose.

The other committee members want to make Daihasei a success. The students and the visitors from outside would also like to make wonderful memories out of this event.

Because of this, he has to work harder.

Seeing Kamijo’s face like this, Fukiyose gives a surprised look as she stares at him.

“……There is something on your mind.”

“Ah? There’s nothing! I’m really motivated. Why are you so worried, Fukiyose-san?”

Seeing that Fukiyose looks so down that her glory is all gone, Kamijo panics and runs in front of her while still holding onto her hand, staring at her face as he said this.

Dong!

He was pushed on the back.

In this busy road, it seems that someone’s shoulder knocked into him.

Kamijo is knocked forward by this unexpected accident, and because of this, the distance between Kamijo and Fukiyose, who’s staring at him, is shrunk in an instant.

The distance between their faces is merely about 30cm.

“GAH……!!”

“Eh……!!”

Just when both of them cried out, the distance between these two became zero. Bong! Kamijo and Fukiyose’s foreheads gently knocked into each other. Their noses touched each other, and although their lips didn’t meet, Kamijo can feel her soft breath blowing onto his lips.

(Wha……?)

Kamijo’s inadvertently stopped breathing.

“Move away, Kamijo Touma!”

The next moment, BAM! Fukiyose rams in hard at Kamijo with her head.

“WAH!?”

Kamijo’s upper body swings backwards. The hand he was originally holding onto is let loose. He knows that his head is hot. Fukiyose’s expression doesn’t seem to change, but she’s becoming more irritated.

“……To think you’ll do this even when people are talking to you seriously. You really can’t change your habits.”

“No……it’s not that. I’m really thinking seriously about this situation!!”

“Let me say this to you, I won’t reconcile with you ever in this lifetime.”

“Uuuuu! Why is Fukiyose-san even colder now!!?”

Kamijo cries out. Fukiyose slaps him hard on the back of his head with her hand. If this is an act of rebuttal, it might be a bit too unaffectionate. Just when Kamijo bends down and gently rubs the back of his head…

Poof!!

This time, his head hits something rather soft.

After he calmly confirms it, he realises that it’s the breasts of a female.

“WOAAAHHHH!!?”

Kamijo frantically moved backwards. What’s with this sudden series of events!? Facing Kamijo, who’s really scared, the female who collided with him only said “Aiyaya,” and doesn’t seem to mind.

Beside Kamijo, Fukiyose gives a low bellow “……Kamijo,” her tone full of vengeance.

The person who knocked into him is a female, about 18-19 years old, who’s wearing plain working clothes. Her age should be similar to Kanzaki Kaori.

She’s taller than Kamijo, and although she’s taller for a Japanese, after seeing the eye-catching blonde hair and blue eyes, he can’t say that this is an accurate guess. Fukiyose is considered to have a rather good body compared to his classmates, but it’s lacking in comparison to this lady’s beauty. Not only are the curves of her breasts and waists wicked, she’s giving an invisible flirtatious sense.

The lady’s hair seems to be either curled or waxed, and it seems like a lot of effort was put into it. She separated her hair into many small bundles, and curled them using an electric perm, before she tied them into bundles of three. She also put in quite a bit of detail in other small areas, so this should be a hairstyle which she spent quite some time creating. Although there aren’t any decorations on it, the hair itself looks like a refined gold ornament.

She is most likely a painter, as there’s paint all over her uniform. She’s holding a 1.5m by 0.7m billboard that’s covered by a white cloth. The tip of her fingers barely managed to grab the bottom of the board even after she stretched her other arm.

But.

“Wa……”

The one who cried out isn’t Kamijo, but Fukiyose, who’s right beside him.

The woman is wearing a rather clumsy looking work uniform, but her clothes are wide open. It’s not that she didn’t button up the second button, but rather, ‘beside the second button, all the other buttons are unbuttoned.’ The cleavage of her breasts and navel are wide open for all to see. Kamijo feels that it’s like she’s wearing a swimsuit.

Her pants are rather loose, and it’s seem like they’re hanging onto her waist. Although Kamijo didn’t purpose to go behind to confirm it, it’s likely that he will see her butt on the loose side of the pants.

Not only is this get up revealing quite a bit, there’s also the danger of her clothes dropping off if she move in the slightest bit. Unlike the busty security guard nee-san who’s dressed up in sports attire, this woman is rather conscious of her wonderful body.

The painter nee-san makes a random movement to show her apology with the other hand that’s free, and speaks in unexpectedly fluent Japanese.

“Ehyaya. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m not used to so many people around me. Is there any place that’s hurting? Ah, here? Is the back of your head still hurting?”

“Uu… Although this isn’t the case, your warmth has infected my entire body. I really feel like handing myself over to you……”

Seeing Kamijo complaining like this, Fukiyose closes one eye before smashing a fist into the back of Kamijo’s head, causing his head to sink into the breasts of the painter nee-san. That nee-san didn’t shriek, as she gently pushes Kamijo’s head aside, saying,

“Haiz. Let me see, are you alright? You, cannot, fight, on like this forever. It’s rare to have such an activity, so of course you have to make some wonderful memories.”

Wah, Kamijo’s looks like he’s going to cry.

“So magnanimous! So completely different from those girls who bite others and those who give others a punch! I’m about to sink in this warmth!”

“Aiya, to say that you like someone for your own benefit, isn’t this a bit too childish?”

Fukiyose gives an ‘you idiot’ look at Kamijo, while the painter nee-san smiles and nods at her.

“Ara ara. That Miss over there, I’m sorry about this.”

Fukiyose looks surprised, and asks,

“Wh……why are you apologising to me?”

“Because this onee-san seems to be the main reason why you’re so angry, right?”

Hearing this direct adult speech, the girl inadvertently cringed.

Kamijo shouted out, “Watch closely, this is a mature woman; watch and learn, you iron wall girl!”

Fukiyose then gives him an overhead akido throw, slamming him onto the ground.

“Ah, are you alright? If you still can fight, you should be fine, I guess.”

Seeing the boy pinned onto the ground and the girl pinning him in front, the painter nee-san said this. She then extends her hand out, requesting a handshake with Kamijo.

“This is an apology for knocking into you. Normally, you Japanese would lower your head to apologise, but we normally do this.”

“Ah……that’s how it is?”

“Ara ara. Do I need to give a kiss?”

Poof!! Kamijo does a spit-take.

After trembling for a while, the pure and innocent Kamijo Touma shouts,

“I WANT A KISS!!”

Fukiyose Seiri’s fist instantly smashes into Kamijo’s solar plexus. The painter nee-san stares at him, who’s still shaking his head, laughs, and extends her hand out again.

It’ll be great if Index were to be have such cultured habits and not bite others. Kamijo uses his right fist to shake the painter’s hand.

Pacha!!

A wonderful sound is heard, like something fell and broke into pieces.

“Eh?”

The one who made this sound isn’t Kamijo nor the nee-san, but Fukiyose Seiri, who’s staring at them. As both sides understood what happened, they didn’t make any noise.

Kamijo Touma suddenly remembers the power that his right hand has.

The painter nee-san is trying to confirm if anything’s broken.

“Ara ara.”

The nee-san tries to force a bitter smile, and fails.

“I should be going back to work. Can I go now?”

She said this, but left before Kamijo and Fukiyose can respond. Though her actions aren’t any different, that regal feeling up till now is now lost.

“……What, she didn’t shake hands with me? Why, Kamijo Touma!?”

“Ah? Maybe she doesn’t want to be friends with you!?”

When he finally snaps back, his head got smacked again.

Deep inside, Fukiyose sighs. She grabs Kamijo’s hand, wanting to pull him away. At this moment, her handphone suddenly rings. Seems like she got a call from a committee member, as Fukiyose starts to speak in a formal tone. Hearing her speak so softly, it seems like something cropped up. Fukiyose stares at Kamijo’s face, then turns to her watch, before saying, “Don’t be late for the ‘Bread Eating Race’!” She leaves behind this typical committee member sentence, leaving with her handphone still in her hand. Kamijo looks at her back, and thinks as he touches the face that was punched hard with one hand.

The thing he just broke, is it ‘magic’ or ‘esper power’?

After thinking about it for a while, Kamijo concludes that it’s less likely to be ‘esper power’. The espers in Academy City are all students. During Daihasei, they would be participating in competitions. Of course, he can’t make this conclusion easily because there are exceptions like Tsuchimikado Maika. But the dress up of the painter, just looking at the label of the company gives a sense that it’s an ‘outsider retailer’. He has an impression on it because it’s a name he saw on television advertisements. Of course, students in Academy City would have no chance to wear clothes like that.

So this means……

Kamijo Touma takes out his phone, and scans around to see if Fukiyose is around. It’ll be troublesome if any of the guards or discipline committee members were to take action, so he doesn’t want her to hear this. He then proceeds to press Tsuchimikado Motoharu’s number.

“Har Low. Kami-yan, have you tricked Index properly nya? We were checking security loopholes that Oriana may use as a trading point, there’s quite a lot in sector 7. So please don’t let Index near—”

“Wait a minute, can I check with you something, Tsuchimikado?”

Tsuchimikado seems to have realized that Kamijo’s tone sounds urgent, and lowers his tone,

“……What do you want to ask?”

“It’s that thing. We’re trying to prevent the deal of that tool……er, the whatever sword, it’s our objective, right?”

Kamijo looks back at the crowd, and can still see the back of that woman who’s wearing loose work clothes.

“It’s the ‘Stab Sword’. Also, it’s not a tool, but a spiritual armament. Eh, what now? You chickening out, Kami-yan? But there’s no other reinforcements besides us, you know.”

“Really?”

“What’s that supposed to mean, Kami-yan?”

Kamijo straightens his back, trying not to lose sight of the woman. But the woman is turning around the corner.

“When I shook hands with someone, the Imagine Breaker seems to have broken something. I don’t know what that is, but that person doesn’t look like a student. From her attire, I’m guessing she’s from outside Academy City.”

“Wait a second, Kami-yan. Let me ask a question. Is that person holding some large baggage? The ‘Stab Sword’ is 1.5 metres long, and each side of the cross guard is 35 centimetres. If anyone is to try and hide such a large sword……what would that person use? It can’t possibly fit into a luggage bag.”

Hearing Tsuchimikado’s words, Kamijo turns green.

“She’s holding it.”

“Holding what?”

“She’s holding a billboard. That woman is carrying a billboard like thing that’s covered in white cloth……”

“Kami-yan, where are you right now?”

“Eh? Wait a sec…… in front of the Bank of Ichizai.”

After saying a ‘Wait for me there,’ Tsuchimikado hung up the phone.

Seeing the phone which was cut off, Kamijo wonders whether he should chase after that woman or wait here for Tsuchimikado. After thinking about it for a while, he decides to dash towards where the woman disappeared. They’ll definitely lose her if he wait till Tsuchimikado arrives.

Kamijo has a premonition that some things are going to occur.

He thought about it at the same time, and it’s not something to be happy about.

Part 7
The blonde lady wearing loose clothing tucks the large billboard underneath her armpit as she moves through the crowd. At the same time, she feels aware of herself. Although she has to admit that she noticed what she was doing, her feelings are unable to handle anything that’s unplanned for completely.

The lady places her empty hand into the pocket of her pants. At this moment, her pants dropped slightly, but she doesn’t seem to mind. She pulls out something from her pocket. It’s a flash card used for memorising English words, but there’s nothing written on it. It’s just thick white pieces of paper passed through a metal ring.

“Ugh……”

The lady bites a card with her teeth, and pulls it from the metal ring. At this moment, the words appear on the paper like it’s a litmus paper. In print font, the yellow words ‘Water Symbol’ appears on the card. They’re written in yellow ink and are in English.

The lady puts the other flash cards back into her pocket, and places the card she was biting on near her ear, like a seashell.

“Ah—ah—hello hello. I’m Oriana Thompson. Can anyone hear me? Please respond.”

Though it seems like she’s talking to herself, the flash card that’s near her ear transmits a voice that’s so soft it doesn’t seem to vibrate the air at all.

“Don’t say your name aloud. Be careful, your voice may be heard throughout the surroundings. It’ll be more difficult if your real identity is exposed.

It sounds serious.

Hearing this, the woman named Oriana bitterly laughs, and says,

“I’m already in trouble now. This onee-chan prefers an improvisational performance. But this isn’t a situation you’ll like, right, Lidvia Lorenzetti?”

The other person on the phone, the one identified as Lidvia, remains silent for a while,

“Don’t speak to me in such a wretched expression. For religious reasons, I can’t keep in line with your tone.”

“I guess. To a nun who likes to use endurance to cause people to panic, it’s hard on you to punish others verbally. Do you know? The illusions of the Angels that those martyred Saints saw before their deaths may be seen as an abuse of ecstasy from the viewpoint of science.”

“……”

“Aiya? Don’t tell me you don’t like to hear anything from science’s viewpoint? You’re the type that’ll check for those who are rejecting the Word when you’re using mass psychology?”

“……The one that’s mindful is actually you……”

Hearing the other party say this, Oriana unhappily kept quiet. She’s starting to panic, as this call would be meaningless if this keeps up.

“Is it that I played with a bit too much fire, Missy? Then this onee-chan will apologize to you now.”

“I remember that you’re younger than me.”

“Even so, you’re still a Missy. No matter how old you are, you’re still a Missy. Isn’t the greatest wish of a nun to age while retaining the identity of a Missy?”

“To people who advocate the Gospel to the poor, it’s inappropriate to call someone older a Missy. You must have received the word of the Bible, once a nun becomes a member of God’s family—”

You’re going to nag on? Oriana sighs.

A typical Roman Catholic, Lidvia Lorenzetti will get emotional the moment she starts to talk about praying to God or the truths about spreading the Gospel.

Oriana listens to her nagging without paying attention, as she tries to find an opportune time to butt in.

“Then, regarding this trouble that I was talking about just now……”

“—We nuns are the brides of God, thus having a relationship with others is like being disobedient to God……what I want to say is……”

“Maybe another time.”

Oriana simply changes the topic,

“Basically, the spell that this onee-chan cast on herself is now broken.”

That spell.

The name of it is called ‘Chaos and calm on the surface.’

This spell that Oriana uses is used to ensure her safety. It’s a spell that absorbs the mentality ‘to chase after her’ from her pursuers. It’s useless when one is facing her in a conversation, but by turning her back on the other party, the other party will feel, ‘there’s no reason to call her,’ ‘I’ll talk to her next time,’ and not call her. This is a spell that uses the ‘Repel bystander’ spell and expands on it.

While this spell is working, even if Oriana is holding a fireball or anything dangerous in her hand, ‘nobody will want to call her.’ Because of this, she’s able to carry out the plan and the ‘deal’.

But for some reason, Oriana is unable to reconstruct that spell that was broken.

“Then what’s the reason?”

“I don’t know.”

“Any countermeasures?”

“I have no idea either.”

“……”

“Oi, don’t hang up the phone! This nee-chan has no interest in sinking and drowning in this painful silence.”

“Then what will you do now? Come up with a countermeasure.”

“About this……”

Oriana Thompson chuckles.

“……First, I have to get away from that little kid behind me.”

Part 8
In front of Kamijo Touma, the lady in workers’ clothes—likely to be the courier, Oriana Thompson—turns at a corner.

(……Have I been found out!?)

Anyway, he can’t lose her. Kamijo gives up on stalking her, something he’s not good at anyway, and starts to run among the crowd. He doesn’t know whether there’s a television interview somewhere, as this path isn’t crowded with people.

He runs along the building, and turns around the right-angled corner.

Kamijo can see the blonde hair swaying about in a location further than he expected. He passes through a child holding a balloon and a couple holding hands, and begins to speed up. He thought,

(Luckily, I’m wearing sportswear for the competitions.)

Although these clothes aren’t made from some high-tech material that uses aviation mechanics to reduce the air-resistance, it’s better than the school pants.

Though he’s trying his best to run hard, nobody’s looking at him like a weirdo. The pedestrians may think that he’s in the Scavenger Hunt. He’s moving faster now, and he’s 1 kilometre away from where he collided with the blonde lady and split up with Fukiyose.

Not to mention that Botany test field where Index was changing clothes, it’s now bothersome for him to even walk back.

A handphone ring can be heard from the pants in Kamijo’s pants.

It’ll be tiring if he talks while he runs. Kamijo wonder if he should answer the phone as he’s keeping his eyes on the target. The caller is Tsuchimikado Motoharu.

He hastily picks up the phone.

“Kami-yan, where are you!? Why aren’t you waiting for me there!?”

“Sorry, I’m afraid that I’ll lose her if this keeps up!”

As they were talking, the figure wearing worker clothes turns again at a corner 20 metres in front.

“Bastard, where now? Where are you right now?”

Turning around the corner, Kamijo gives a low moan. The street in front is split into 3 different alleys. He pricked his ears, and can hear where the footsteps are headed. It’s the middle alley.

“The location……There’s no road sign around!! I’ll send my GPS password to you through SMS. Look for me there!!”

The GPS function of the handphone has this service of ‘showing where one’s friend is,’ but they have to use the special password sent over by the target. The code will change automatically every 30 minutes.

Kamijo sends the required code to Tsuchimikado’s phone, and hangs up. Of course, the power must remain on in order to allow the GPS function to work effectively.

He continues to run in this alley. This stretch is really long, as the small space between these towers soon becomes a gradual arc. Rushing forward, he finally hears the voices of the crowd and their footsteps in front.

“Eh!!”

Running out of the alley, he finds another road. Kamijo looks around, before spotting Oriana running away on the right side of a trail that extends to both left and right of him.

The distance is rather long now, about 50 metres. It’s considered pretty fast for her to run while holding such a large billboard (or it’s disguised as one, it should be something else though, right?).

Kamijo frantically chases after Oriana.

Luckily, that billboard of hers is rather large, and obvious, so she can’t mix into the crowd easily. In this situation, Kamijo will lose sight of her the moment he loses a teeny-weeny bit of concentration, meaning that he has to focus on her. This psychological thought narrows Kamijo’s vision, as not only did he nearly knock into the people walking around, he didn’t notice the unevenness of the ground and nearly fell down.

“Damn it!!”

Kamijo shouts out. As he’s about to run forward, someone taps him on his shoulder.

It’s Tsuchimikado Motoharu and Stiyl Magnus.

They’re fast.

They didn’t chase him from behind; they came out from the side alleys. It’s likely that after they looked at the GPS map, they were guessing where Kamijo would be after looking at where Kamijo was and where he’s running.

“Which one, Kami-yan? You just said that the ‘Stab Sword’ was disguised as a billboard, right?”

“It’s that……that person……that blonde lady wearing workers’ clothes.”

Tsuchimikado and Stiyl then proceed to run where Kamijo was pointing at. The reason why they left him behind is because they’d say that it’s the work of the experts now. But Kamijo didn’t bother adjusting his breathing as he proceeds to run after Stiyl and the rest.

(Cheh, they’re tough……!)

Oriana mutters as she continues to run while glancing backwards. Though the distance between them is about 50 metres, conversely, they only need to run 50 metres in order to catch up to her. She continues to run, and often runs into several alleys where it’s easy for them to get lost in, as she tries to shake them off, but there doesn’t seem to be any effect.

The reason why she’s disguised as a painter holding a billboard is because she wants people to think that she’s ‘working’. No matter whether it’s a hotel, department store, or a restaurant, if there’s no billboard, others will think that ‘she’s here to rest in the shop.’ She’ll be questioned by the employees if she walks into a shop together with the customers like this. Even if they were to ask for an explanation, she won’t have time to reply. She’ll be noticed if she gets away from the employees several times.

Even if she disguises as a worker and walks in from the back door, she’ll need keys and an ID card. Thus, she can only run on the streets outside. This is one of the reasons why she can’t shake them off though.

Even so, with this distance, it’s abnormal for the other party to catch up with her so accurately.

And, the moment she turned back, the number of people chasing after her is now three!

The first one looks like an amateur, but the precision required now has increased by a lot now that two more people are chasing her. They’re likely experts. The opponent should have read her trail of thoughts and predicted how she’s going to escape.

(Although I heard that Academy City and various Christian organisations cannot take action on these busy streets now, it seems that I was too naïve……!)

Suddenly, Oriana stopped moving. There seems to be a television broadcasting crew doing an interview ahead, as there’s quite a group of people around. Oriana, who’s holding the large ‘billboard’, is unable to pass through. The billboard is jammed inside the crowd, as she can’t move about freely. Of course, she can abandon this billboard, but doing so will defeat the entire objective as to why she’s running about with it.

She looks around, and thinks,

(Although it’s difficult, looks like that road is the safest……)

After thinking, calculating and making a decision, Oriana runs onto another road on the side.

Tsuchimikado is running the fastest, who is followed by Stiyl, then Kamijo. That is because Kamijo used up quite a bit of energy, as he should be running faster than Stiyl.

Right now, Oriana, who’s 30 metres in front, stopped in the middle of the road. Looking around, she decides to run into another road on the side. Tsuchimikado frowns as he runs,

“What now, it’s different from her usual modus operandi nya……did she change her mind?”

He continues to maintain his breathing as he runs after her, feeling that he’d lose her if there’s a slight error. Kamijo increases the power of his legs as well as he chases after Tsuchimikado.

Arriving at where Oriana stopped just now, they found out that there’s a broadcasting agency carrying out an interview. One can hear the reporter reporting the news excitedly, and to the residents of Academy City, it seems that he’s confusing the situation. The people around him are packed together as if he was in a train. Oriana must be afraid of getting blocked by them, so she changed her direction.

Kamijo’s view turns towards Oriana.

“……Where is this place, a bus depot?”

It’s an empty place with asphalt on the ground.

This is an enclosed rectangular area that’s surrounded on all sides. It’s seems like they bulldozed and levelled the abandoned buildings that were originally here during their preparations of Daihasei.

It’s 30 metres wide, and several hundred metres long. There’s no impression of it being ‘wide’, though. Many large buses are stacked tightly together like oil tankers. At first glance, there are about 50–70 of these buses. There are metal pillars everywhere, and the entire place is covered with a galvanised iron roof. There are robotic arms that are used in car repairs hanging from the ceiling.

All the vehicles are unmanned automatic buses.

This should be a temporary depot for automatic buses. There has to be a place to refuel the buses, to wash them, and do all sorts of repairs when needed. Maybe they’re using a three-shift rotation system or some other measures during this period. So all the buses here are on standby.

The automatic buses are only in use during Daihasei, and such a large of preparation is done for this. Kamijo re-realises the scale of this operation.

The auto-bus marked as ‘return’ silently passes by Kamijo and company into the depot. Tsuchimikado follows the auto-bus that’s slowly moving, and just as he’s about to step silently into the depot—

BOOM!!

Suddenly, blue and white explosions occur underneath the ceiling.

This unnaturally-coloured flame continues to fall directly onto Tsuchimikado’s face like a transparent cylinder. It may be a magical attack — although it’s a magical flame, it’s definitely not caused by Stiyl. If so, who did this?

“Bastard, is she trying to stop us by using runes? Get down, Kami-yan!”

Tsuchimikado jumps backwards, and is about to push Kamijo down, but—

“What are you saying? Shouldn’t we be relying on him in this kind of situation?”

Stiyl grabs Kamijo’s collar and tosses him in front.

“Ah?”

Tsuchimikado rolls sideways, not knowing how far he will roll, and in place, Kamijo is standing under the blue and white flames.

Looking up, Kamijo sees a flaming pillar that’s coming down like a guillotine swinging downwards.

“Eh? WHAT ARE YOU DOING?? AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!”

Kamijo frantically swings his right hand up like a hook. The blue and white flames disperse in many different directions, and vanishes before it can spread.

Stiyl shakes the cigarette in his mouth, and says,

“My my, to think that even I couldn’t think of this perfect teamwork. To be able to share the work like this, you can really understand the situation and take action.”

“You……you……you……!!”

Kamijo is trembling, and without hesitation, is about to hit the red-haired priest.

“Hurry up and finish your work.”

Stiyl kicks him, and pushes him backwards.

PEW!! The sound of wind being cut can be heard, as the blocks of rocks that are as big as baseballs passes through the underside of the auto-bus that’s moving forward. Suddenly, the surface of these rocks becomes sharp and edgy, like a sea-urchin, as they bounce up towards Kamijo’s jaw.

“Wait……wait a sec!!”

Kamijo quickly stretches his right hand out, and the rock bullets vanish in the air like an ice sculpture breaking. Tsuchimikado and Stiyl are using the auto-bus parked nearby as a shield, and jumped away left and right respectively. Kamijo, who’s unable to trust them any further, jumps in Tsuchimikado’s direction.

Tsuchimikado, whose back is resting on the bus, says to Stiyl, who’s leaning his back on the bus opposite,

“Stiyl, stay here, set up the runes, and stand by. I’ll catch the courier inside.”

“Roger that. Do I have to use the ‘Repel bystander’?”

“I’ll leave it to you. Though I don’t want to use too much magic, it’ll be bad if this uproar is to build on. It’s alright as long as Index doesn’t arrive here.”

I see, Kamijo just realised this. Right now, they aren’t fighting in a ‘win or lose’ battle, but a war about ‘arrest or escape’. Once the objectives are different, the ways to tackle it are different.

Tsuchimikado stares at Kamijo’s face, and asks,

“Oh yeah, Kami-yan. What do you want to do? I feel that it’s safer for you to stay here……”

Stiyl stares at Kamijo, and grins,

“Yeah, to me, it’s better if you stay here. Not for your safety, but mine.”

Kamijo picks up an empty can on the ground, and throws it at Stiyl, wanting to proceed on with Tsuchimikado. From a blind corner of the bus, Tsuchimikado stares inside the depot, and dashes out.

Kamijo followed him, thinking, if I have the Imagine Breaker ability, shouldn’t I be using myself as a shield?

BOOM!!

As this sound is heard, a yellow flame flies towards them. 10 metres in front, a flame appears out of nowhere.

Right when Kamijo stretches out his right hand, a high pressure wind cuts between the buses on the left and right side of him like a scalpel.

“!?”

Just when Kamijo is unable to respond, Tsuchimikado grabs his collar avoids the scalpels that are flying over, and runs in an arc to avoid the flames. He then let go of Kamijo’s collar, and says,

“Kami-yan, you don’t have to take them all on! These are traps that the enemy set up. She’ll escape if you take them on seriously!!”

“Although you say this……!!”

Five blocks of ice that are as big as balloons come descending from the ceiling. Kamijo tries hard to resist using his right hand as he dashes forward. The shockwaves and sounds created by the heavy blocks of ice landing cause him to feel chilly on the back.

Passing through a row of auto-buses that are parked, he sees a large machine that’s used to wash the buses. It’s about as tall as two storeys of a building, and there are machines that are used for washing. It’s not those drum-shaped brushes, but rather a flat sponge that uses ultrasonic vibration.

Oriana seems to have ran into a dark corner, and he can see her blonde hair swaying about.

“Over there!!”

When Kamijo jumps out from the blind corner, the ground starts to uplift in a row, as if it’s trying to get in between him and the huge washing machine. It’s a 5 metre tall ground wall, and it sweeps his legs over like a tsunami.

The wall extends from one end of the depot to another. This is unavoidable, as he’ll be crushed even if he hides behind a blind corner. What’s more dangerous is that if the metal pillar supporting the ceiling is broken, the entire depot will collapse.

“Kami-yan, I’ll leave it to you. It’s some provisional material that’s like ectoplasm. Your right hand will definitely settle it!!”

As Tsuchimikado shouts out, Kamijo came forward. Facing this large target, his teeth starts to clatter, but this is not the time to run away crying. He reaches the base of the wall, and hits it with his right hand.

POW!!

With the sound of glass breaking, the 5 metre tall wall came collapsing. The wall seemed to have dissolved in the air, and there doesn’t seem to be any changes. The asphalt ground returns back to its original state as well.

Kamijo is about to pull back his right arm when Tsuchimikado ran past him to the place opposite the large washing machine.

He stopped.

Oriana isn’t there anymore.

A thick piece of paper that’s as big as a chewing gum wrapper is stuck on the body of the machine. Kamijo rushes past Tsuchimikado, and looks around. There’s a backdoor in the corner of the machine, but further down, a manhole is opened, and the windows of the buildings are broken. Basically, it’s impossible to tell which way she escaped.

“‘Tracking sealer’ Oriana Thompson huh……what a joke!!”

Tsuchimikado angrily tears down that piece of paper. The ordinary boy Kamijo Touma can tell from his actions how critical the situation is.

(Ara ara. I don’t know if I lost them……)

Oriana Thompson looks behind for a while, and walks on the road.

She stopped running the moment she lost sight of her pursuers. Since the opponent lost her, it’s more important that she’s not found than to put distance between them. It’ll be very obvious if she’s to run in the crowd.

Even so, she’s rather satisfied. Oriana holds on to the billboard that’s covered with white cloth, and reconfirms everything again.

(……Even if I lost them for now, it doesn’t mean that the matter is over. I have to set up the next piece.)

Oriana, who’s only caring about what’s happening behind, knocks into someone in front. The exposed navel feels not human skin, but metal. Two boys that seem to be committee members of the Daihasei are setting a pole horizontally for a ball tossing contest, and she knocked into them.

“Aiya, I’m really sorry.”

Oriana gently apologises and leaves, leaving the boys dumbfounded as they stare at her huge breasts.

Too soft, she says softly, forcing back the urge to laugh.

(I’ve just set up my next piece, it’ll likely give them some hell.)

Tsuchimikado pulls out his phone and is talking to someone. It seems to be Stiyl. Although both of them are magicians,

Tsuchimikado can’t use magic, or strictly speaking, he can use it, but it’ll cause a rejection due to his esper powers, which is the risk of a small-scale explosion.

Tsuchimikado says “come quickly,” and hangs up the phone.

Kamijo looks at the piece of paper that Tsuchimikado is holding.

“Oi, what’s that?”

“O, that’s the spiritual tool that Oriana uses.”

Tsuchimikado says this in a frustrated tone, and let Kamijo see that paper. Some blue coloured words are written on it in a hard to read the font, ‘Soil Symbol.’ Of course, Kamijo, whose English is atrocious, doesn’t understand what it means.

“It means, ‘the Symbol of Soil.’ You’ve probably heard of the five main elements in RPGs, nya? Fire, water, earth, wind, whatever. It’s referring to this.”

“So this is a ‘Soil card’? I don’t understand this.”

“No, not only that. The colour of earth is ‘green’, but this is written in blue.”

Tsuchimikado turns the card around, saying,

“‘Blue’ is the colour of water, and normally, it won’t be used on earth-based magic. If one wants to use earth, they’ll put matching features like ‘green’ or ‘disc-shaped’. It’s like how Stiyl uses red cards to control flames.”

“……Did that woman make a mistake?”

“Impossible, she’s doing this on purpose. She’s using incompatible colours and uses the reaction as an attack. Basically, this is risky, as a bad mix will result in a bad effect.”

As Tsuchimikado says this, Stiyl runs over from the other side of the depot.

Tsuchimikado waves the thick piece of paper, and says,

“I found her magical spirit tool. If Oriana is to use this while she’s running, this will receive it like a cellphone. I’d like to use this method, can you guys give me a hand, nya?”

Part 9
Tsuchimikado Motoharu cannot use magic.

Strictly speaking, if he uses it, he’ll lose control of his body. As the human body isn’t numerical, it can’t decide how many times can he endure it. He can endure it up to 4, 5 times, or he may die in one use.

It’s like playing Russian Roulette; there’s a chance where he will die. In this situation where he’s uncertain, Tsuchimikado is trying his best not to use it. If he’s to end up being unable to take action, one can expect what will happen after that.

Thus, Tsuchimikado is unable to use the ‘Seeking Magic’.

He places the thick piece of paper that Oriana left behind on the floor, and draws a perfect circle around it. He then positions many different coloured paper, and that’s all. Basically, it’s Stiyl’s job to activate it.

“The name of the spell is called an ‘all-around reality array’ — it would have been easy if I used it during the ‘Angel Fall’ incident nya……in order to prevent any interference, I only used a single defensive spell, and got damaged really badly. Kanzaki nee-chan isn’t good at setting up a boundary either, so it was really troublesome. Of course, I can’t possibly teach the important figures of the Russian Orthodox Church this……”

“Stop yapping and start working. I heard that the effective range is about a 3 kilometres radius?”

“Ah, to interrupt me like this. Ahhh, Kami-yan, please move away bit. What if your right hand breaks this ‘all-around reality array’?”

Hearing Tsuchimikado mention this, Kamijo frantically backpedals. Tsuchimikado continues to make some markings on the ground, and after he’s done, moves back to where Kamijo is.

A black circle with approximately 50cm in diameter was drawn on the ground, and the piece of paper that Oriana stuck on the bus washing machine. The blue, white, red and black pieces of paper divide the circle into four equal quadrants, each set at 90 degrees. Seems like this is to represent north, south, east and west.

Stiyl kneels halfway down in front of the circle that Tsuchimikado drew, claps his two hands together, and closes his eyes. A drop of sweat flows down his forehead.

“―Through the wind, but not through air, but to convey thy will.”

As he recites this, the four pieces of paper start to float in the air. Like a clumsy puppet being pulled by invisible strings, the coloured paper stood up. The edges of the pieces of coloured paper reminds one about the sharp edge of a sword blade.

“This so-called rune is the idea of magic by adding and removing colours.”

Tsuchimikado stares at the circle on the ground, saying,

“First, one has to imprint something that’s of significance, and forcefully input some energy to activate the spell, and deactivate it by removing the stains. For Stiyl, he uses ‘pre-prepared dyed cards’ that were printed, so the spell activates extremely fast. When the card ‘burns’, the removal of the colour will be over in an instant nya. So normally, people will use spells that ‘are pre-prepared’……

The four pieces of paper continue to draw a spiral. As the papers continues to draw, they continue to draw a line that’s of the same colour. The line continue to get closer and closer, and the circle gets smaller and smaller, as they get closer to the middle, where the card that Oriana left behind is.

As long as we follow the basic rule of ‘adding and removing colours’, even if it’s Futtark, which doesn’t follow the normal regulations, one can activate a rune spell nya. In fact, different types of ‘rune words’ formed during different ages.”

―There’s only 15cm to the centre of the circle.

Kamijo stares at the fast rotating pieces of paper.

“If we use this, we can accurately determine where Oriana is?”

“Um. If we use it, we should be able to determine it in a 3 kilometre radius. However, we won’t get anything if she leaves the perimeter.”

“……3 kilometres. It’s rather far. But if we find her at exactly 3 kilometres from here, wouldn’t the enemy move somewhere else?”

“One more thing. After activating an ‘all-around reality array’, it’ll take fifteen minutes for us to set it up. However, it’s no problem if it works once.”

Tsuchimikado says this, but if they fail……

“Although 15 minutes sounds short, wouldn’t it be bad if the opponent takes a bus or tram?”

“I don’t care where she runs off to. Kami-yan, have you forgotten? I’m a magician too. Don’t I have the ‘Red technique’ as my last resort? Although I only have one shot.”

―There’s now only 10cm to the centre.

Kamijo reveals an irritated look, and says,

“What you are talking about……is that gimmick that you used to bomb my house from the seaside resort to prevent that ‘Angel Fall’? It’s alright if we can use such a long range strike……wait a minute, if everyone knows about how someone used magic brazenly in Academy City, wouldn’t the many magicians waiting outside be using this as an excuse to invade?”

“No, they won’t. Kami-yan, because their excuse is to ‘protect ordinary civilians from those bad magicians that invaded Academy City.’ As long as we settle this with a single strike, take the ‘Stab Sword’ back, and announce that “the danger is gone, so we don’t need your help,” isn’t it alright nya?”

―5cm left.

Tsuchimikado grins at Kamijo, and says,

“Even so, I’m not comfortable with solving this as a magician. So I used that ‘Red technique’, and not my speciality, the ‘black technique’ nya. If anyone is to ask who’s the one who used magic, I just lie to that guy and say that it’s Stiyl, the fire manipulator, who launched that strike.

“……This……this is a bit too bold. Can you really trick them like this?”

“I can. Because ‘Necessarius’ is keeping the knowledge of 103,000 magical books. It’s not weird for them to even learn any spells that are not of Christian origin. Stiyl’s runes themselves have no relation to Christianity. However, they can’t use these spells the Eastern way, so they have to refine it such that it looks western.”

“……”

“What’s with your expression? Anyway, we win if we can confirm Oriana’s position. The ideal case is if we can capture her, and force her to talk about Lidvia’s deal with this other party. Right now, the main priority is to prevent the deal of the ‘Stab Sword’ from taking place. In other words, it’ll be alright even if we blow up the ‘Stab Sword’ or Oriana to pieces.

―The distance is now 0cm.

The four pieces of paper touches the thick piece of paper that Oriana left. With a crisp ‘BAM!’ sound, the pieces of coloured paper are flying all over the place, drawing an intricate map quickly on the ground. At first it’s as blurred as a camera with the lens not at the focal length, then it gradually becomes even clearer.

This map shows everything, from the roads, constructs, trees, benches, vending machines, and wind generators, to each and every single empty can on the ground. Maybe it’s more accurate to call it an ultra-high resolution photo taken from a satellite than a simplified or marked map.

Finally, the place that appeared is……

Oriana looks up suddenly.

With one hand, she’s holding a billboard-like thing that’s covered with a white cloth. She slightly raises her ample breasts, as if she’s trying to add to the pressure on the second button, which is the only button she buttoned. She looks up at the sky.

In this late September blue sky, there’s white smoke from the fireworks that were fired, and one can feel the cool breeze in this ruthless summer. The mottled clouds continue to move in the same direction, and everything seems calm.

Even so, Oriana’s skin feels a sharp sense of tension.

It’s like trying to get into a bank that had been overrun by robbers and strongly fortified.

Oriana Thompson starts to take some time to wonder what’s approaching her.

“―Through the wind, but not through air, but to convey thy will — this onee-chan heard that, you know.”

Then, she cracks a smile.

“Roar……kakakakakkakakakakkakakakaka—!?”

Suddenly, Stiyl seems to be hit by something in the chest, as he bends forward.

Picha! The map on the ground is scattered around like how someone sneezes and blows a sand painting away. A loud breaking sound can be heard, and Kamijo is so scared that he instantly took a deep breath, wondering if Stiyl’s bones are broken.

“This is a space-bending sound due to him losing control of his power — it’s just the sound of air molecules colliding with each other! Kami-yan, hit Stiyl’s body! It’ll probably stop!!”

Hearing Tsuchimikado call out like this, Kamijo is shocked. Anyway, it’s rather scary when ‘he doesn’t know what’s going on.’ Kamijo rushes into Stiyl and frantically smacks his back that’s now bent. As he’s thinking about doing this fast, he forgot to adjust his power.

Suddenly, the sound of air being depressed is heard.

Stiyl relaxes his body as he lays on the ground, but the strange situation seems to be over, and he can’t hear that sound just now. Stiyl pants heavily, and finally pulls his hand away from his sweaty hair—

“What’s this? Is this……some spell to prevent being snuffed out……?”

The pieces of coloured paper aren’t moving anymore, so Tsuchimikado picks one of them up with his fingers, places his fingers on the paper, and folds several creases on it.

“If so, since I used the ‘all-around reality array’, I should be affected as well……but there’s no such phenomenon.”

He waves the neatly folded coloured paper, and says,

“Stiyl’s magic should have been read by the opponent, and the opponent probably used a counterspell that will cause a reaction in Stiyl. That Oriana, I thought that she suddenly decided to counterattack, so this is her goal. She’s trying to force us to use our magic, read and analyse them, and set up a magic array that sends signals nya.”

Kamijo does not understand what Tsuchimikado, who’s folding the paper, is talking about, as he extends his hand out to Stiyl. Stiyl irritatedly waves Kamijo’s hand away, and swaggers as he tries to stand up.

Stiyl spits onto the ground.

“Is it a spell that identifies a person and seals him up? Really, to think that she could come up with that.”

“……What’s that? You mean it can target Stiyl and attack him directly?”

Tsuchimikado sighs.

“This thing called magic……because of the approach of the caster, the quality and quantity will be different……but, I don’t think that this is enough to create a perfect counterattack nya.”

As he speaks, Tsuchimikado places his hand into his pocket, and pulls out a red pen……or maybe it isn’t.

According to his explanation, this thing called magic is like gasoline. It was originally like the gasoline that we rely on so heavily, and is refined heavily through sects or religions like an oil processor.

“For Stiyl, if he were using the Aztec method to train his magic, the type of magic formed will be vastly different. Like using crude oil, one cannot refine it into gasoline, but into heavy oil and light oil nya.”

Tsuchimikado said.

For an Amakusa Saint like Kanzaki Kaori, besides Christianity, there’s still some essence of Buddhism and Shintoism. So they can freely adjust the type of magic and quality of the spell according to the situation.

What Tsuchimikado is suggesting is that, to Oriana, in order to take on Stiyl himself, she’ll try and grasp what type of magic that he can possibly use, and try her best to focus on sealing Stiyl’s magic. It’s hard to imagine Oriana having peace of mind now, as she probably doesn’t have all the information about Stiyl’s power. No matter his strength, one will normally consider about that.

“That……Oriana, what did she do?”

“About this……I guess, it should be something like this.”

As he speaks, Stiyl stands up, his legs still wobbly.

“This thing called magic has multiple forms of existence. But the previous stage is no longer the same. The methods we can use to refine this talent will be dependent on religion, spells, and one’s own lifeforce. After that, it’s like a math problem. As long as one calculates it backwards, the answer will be out.”

Imagine if there’s 20 pounds of magic A, and a way to process magic called B. By comparing the two, if a person uses the magic procession B needs to process 20 pounds of magic, how many pounds of this lifeforce will be required—this way, one can calculate the original ‘lifeforce’.

Stiyl irritatedly pulls out a cigarette stick from a pack with his mouth, and stares at Tsuchimikado. Tsuchimikado is using something like a red pen to draw some markings on the coloured paper in his hand.

“In order to overcome this situation, I’m making a new array.”

Tsuchimikado told Kamijo, still focusing on the paper.

Stiyl’s gaze returns to Kamijo.

“Although magic doesn’t have a personality, lifeforce does. In other words, my lifeforce was read by Oriana. Bastard, I shouldn’t have set up the rune cards so easily……no, if the opponent is using a underground large-scale interrogation facility for magicians, like an execution tower or the basement of Windsor Castle, it’s still possible. To think that it’s possible for a magician to be able to do every single step—research, analysis, reverse calculation, application, and engagement all by herself—as expected of the ‘Tracking Sealer’, Oriana Thompson.”

Stiyl unhappily says this as he pulls out a matchstick, a rare sight, and strikes it against the soles of his shoe. It’s likely that he’s wary of using magic to light a stick. Right now, he can’t strike back, and can only wait for Tsuchimikado to finish his preparations. For such a man who has such a high self-esteem to ‘be cautious’, one can see how unfathomable Oriana is. Hearing him say this, during that battle at the depot, Stiyl was the only one who outrightly used ‘magic’.

“If she’s doing a reverse calculation and counterattacking, the one hurt should have been Tsuchimikado, who set up the ‘all-around reality array’. Since nothing like that happened, I guess it reacted to my lifeforce.”

Stiyl continues. Tsuchimikado is working hard on some weird project, so only Kamijo and Stiyl are conversing with each other.

“Which means, that Oriana can still analyze Stiyl’s magic while she’s escaping?”

Kamijo tilts his head, not knowing what’s going on.

Seeing Kamijo like this, Stiyl can’t help but blow out some smoke irritatedly. Maybe it’s because he lost his cool after being damaged, or maybe he feels that it’s troublesome to talk about things that are straightforward to magicians.

“If she knows this move, then it should be even more potent……than your right hand.”

He inhales some smoke deeply.

“Oriana’s counterspell……which are on par with those spells used for execution, requires a magic array — no, something that’s even higher than it. Oriana didn’t just use a spell, she set up an entire area of effect. It’s like setting up a high-speed computer, and letting it do all the analysis. This way, Oriana can focus on running away, but……”

“But what?”

When Kamijo said this, Stiyl replies in a bitter voice,

“……No, maybe I’m thinking too much. I feel that I have seen this inhuman ‘auto-processing’ before……no way. Even if she’s Oriana, she can’t possibly have that……”

It’s like he’s muttering to himself.

Kamijo, who doesn’t understand the situation at all, frowns. Tsuchimikado, who’s beside them, is drawing something on the paper. He opens his mouth, and grins.

“No, Stiyl, I’m thinking the same thing as you.”

“Really? …If so, it can explain why Oriana is able to let it work despite being someplace else. But if so, she’s not a magician, but a sorcerer.”

“Aiya, is this really the case? I always felt that there’s something wrong about Oriana. If she’s really a complete warlock, there should be some magicians whom she taught that will act as her underlings. Shouldn’t that be something that Lidvia should be doing?”

As he speaks, Tsuchimikado continues to create markings on the coloured paper. It’s like a marking is add on another marking.

“??? What is that?”

The two magicians continue to mutter among themselves, causing the amateur Kamijo to be confused. Seeing Kamijo like this, Tsuchimikado gently smiles.

“Oh yeah, Kami-yan probably hasn’t seen an actual situation. But, just having knowledge of it means that you know it. By stuffing any knowledge related to magic into someone, the knowledge will form a magic array without the caster’s will. Even if the caster doesn’t use magic, it’ll cause the ‘power’ released by nature and lifeforce to multiply, making it active semi-permanently.”

Tsuchimikado’s smile now has a deeper meaning.

The lens of the blue sunglasses are reflecting light.

“You still don’t understand? It’s the person closest to Kami-yan nya. ‘That’ Index that memorised 103,000 magical texts, isn’t she with you?”

103,000.

Index.

Even if he doesn’t understand completely what Tsuchimikado meant, he knows what that refers to.

“No way?”

“That’s right, Kami-yan.”

Facing Kamijo, who’s muttering right now, Tsuchimikado gently shakes the coloured paper in his hand, and casually says.

“The original copy of the magic book.”

The original.

A book that has the secrets of magic. At first glance, it doesn’t look impressive, but any ordinary human will get a nervous breakdown if they just read the contents only. Also, the chapters, paragraphs and words of the book will become a semi-permanent magic array that will automatically counterattack if anyone is to try and destroy it.

Nobody has the power to destroy the ‘original copy’ of a magic book, so they can only use emergency measures to temporarily seal it. This is why people like Index, who had memorised 103,000 magical texts in her head, and Ursula, who tried to analyze the original ‘Book of the Law’, do this to counter these dangerous magical books.

Kamijo is a complete novice when it comes to magic. And he has never seen a real ‘magic book’ before. Even so, there’s quite a few incidents around him that involves magic or magical books, so in this sense, he has quite a bit of knowledge.

Tsuchimikado exhales deeply, and makes the four corners of the folded piece of paper with a pen.

“A magic book has a similar nature as a magic array, since the secondary effect of a magic book originates from the effect of a magic array.”

Kamijo frowns. He doesn’t understand what Tsuchimikado is talking about.

“How is a magic book similar to a magic array? Isn’t a magic book something ancient? And isn’t a magic array some star painted circle symbol that commonly appears in RPGs?”

After Kamijo asked this, Stiyl looks somewhat frustrated as he narrows his eyes.

“……You’re using such a stupid analogy again; that’s the star of Laksami. This isn’t a single product, but a Middle age magic array that’s used within a circular array.”

He stares at something beside Tsuchimikado’s hand.

“First, we’ll explain from the ‘array’……the first magic array was just an ordinary circle. It’s just like that.”

As he says this, he picks up a stone, sits on the ground, and draws a circle with approximately 50cm diameter on the asphalt road. Though it’s hand-drawn, the circle is rather accurate. Kamijo looks surprised, but Tsuchimikado, who continues to draw on the coloured paper, didn’t bother to even look. Seems like a magician who has to create his own magic array or rune cards have very dexterous hands.

“The pentagram or the Star of David that you novices can think about is used to add an additional effect. In order to add on to the basic effect of the circle, we add the seal of King David or the seal of King Solomon.”

Stiyl puffs out a cloud of smoke, and continues to add a pentagram on it. The five tips of the star divides the circle neatly into five different parts, and there’s no deviation of any straight lines.

But what has this got to do with the magic books? Kamijo tilts his head, thinking.

Seeing Kamijo like this, Stiyl gently clicks his tongue. Besides his irritated feelings to Kamijo and his own injuries, the reason why Stiyl is all panicky now is that Tsuchimikado is taking too long to plan (or so he thinks) a way to break this status quo.

“Then, there’s the last step of setting up a magic array……it’s too troublesome to explain it a few times, so watch carefully.”

Stiyl shifts the small rock away as he says,

“The last step of setting up a magic array is to add other things, like words. Most of the time, we write something outside the circle to declare which Angel we want to borrow power from.”

While speaking, he continues to write some things along the circumference of the circle. Because it’s a scary magic array, Kamijo thought that he’ll use an unknown ancient language. But he’s just writing English.

Stiyl continues to engrave words on the asphalt floor.

“Just like this case, I’ll have to write down the name of the Angel whom I want to borrow the power from. I’ll then have to specify the type of power I want, like ‘fire’ or ‘wind’. I will also have to write down what kind of ‘Angel’s power’ I need, and how much power. The quality of the power is important, but what’s more important, and maybe surprisingly, is the quantity. If it’s too little, I definitely won’t be able to activate the spell. But if it is too much, the excess will go out of control, so it’s difficult to find an optimal amount.”

It was only a while, but there’s already a line of words around the circumference. Stiyl’s hand continues to work as he starts to write another line of words on the circumference.

“Once I get the correct amount and quality of ‘Angel’s power’, I’ll have to write down how I’m going to use it. Maybe the caster will input this power into his staff and get some special ability, or maybe he will set it up around the magic array for defence, etc. With that—”

The second line, the third line, the fourth line, the words continue to pile up like a Swiss roll.

Maybe one should call it a magic array that has markings that are continuously added onto it.

“—Doesn’t it look like the page of a book?”

Stiyl puffs out some smoke at the magic array.

In reality, it’s as Stiyl says. Although the way it’s written isn’t conventional unlike ordinary books, where there’s a specific rule that one has to write horizontally or vertically. But what if one is to read the text along the circle in a horizontal manner? If it just ‘requires any type of quality and quantity to mix and match before getting some effect’—isn’t it like a formula or some sorts?”

The formula of a spell.

This is basically what a magic book is about.

“But there’s still a weakness about using this type of magic array. The more complicated the picture is, the more difficult it’ll be to control it. Like the word ‘front,’ besides the meaning of facing forward, there’s also the meaning of ‘promenade.’ If there’s a difference in what the caster intended and what is interpreted incorrectly on the magic array, the spell will go out of control and cause the caster much trouble……but if it’s one’s own misinterpretation, the caster must be pretty talented.”

Stiyl finished speaking, and slowly stood up.

He tosses the small rock in his hand away.

Seeing this, Tsuchimikado speaks up,

“In the end, the amount of information given for this magic array has a direct relation with its power. The complicated look and the lines added are just details that are added onto it. The reason why I used four pieces of coloured paper for this ‘all-around reality array’ is to add decorations that signify that I want to collect information from every single direction. With this, how much power does a magic book that’s entirely stuffed with magical knowledge? —Basically, an original magic book is a high-intensity magic array. Even specialised magicians find it tough to handle nya.”

Tsuchimikado brings this conclusion. The coloured paper in his hand is somewhat wet as he was continuously making some markings on the coloured paper with his red pen.

Kamijo remains silent for a while.

“If so, in preparation of Daihasei, Oriana actually prepared an original magic book to form this auto-activate counterspell?”

This is something that makes people freeze up.

Once, because of the magic book that’s called the ‘Book of the Law’, Kamijo himself was involved in a battle started by three magic factions. Of course, there are differences in the value and tiers between the magic books, but no matter how anyone thinks, this isn’t normal. To say that the scale is too big, one may say that it’s so big that it’s almost a waste.

Stiyl disagrees with Kamijo’s views.

“……Is this really possible? The alchemist Aureolus Izzard was also a magic book author. Even if the fastest person in the Palace of Secret Records is to write on without sleeping or resting, it’ll take three days to write up just one thin book, and probably a month to write a thick one. I don’t think she has time to write up an ‘original book’ while she’s spending her life running around. Or maybe the enemy had set up an ‘original’ beforehand……”

“I don’t think so. It’s true that one needs a lot of time to complete a book. But this isn’t Oriana’s objective.”

Tsuchimikado spoke in a relaxed tone.

“To her, she just wants the effect of the magic book that strengthens her magic array. She doesn’t care about the genre. Doesn’t it feel like nobody can read her cursive handwriting nya?”

Tsuchimikado said this with a thoroughly red piece of paper in his hand.

“……You’re implying that it’s a ‘shorthand original’? I still feel that’s impossible……no, alright. Right now, we have to consider all the possibilities no matter what.”

Kamijo lowers his head, as the words of these magicians continue to echo in his mind.

Finally, he raises his head.

“This original, it means that nobody can destroy the magic book, right? If there’s a need to create originals for every battle, wouldn’t the world be filled with originals?”

“That’s right nya— ‘Necessarius’ never got this kind of report as well. This is just my guess, Oriana’s ‘shorthand original’ is definitely not perfect. A real original can turn each page into a semi-permanent magic array. But because Oriana’s one is sloppy, it’ll crumble in a short time.”

Tsuchimikado smoothly replies as he continues to write on the wet piece of paper. Not only the surface is important, the order the markings are added, and the type of markings added are also important.

Tsuchimikado bitterly laughs,

“In the past, there were many magicians who wrote flawed originals, and ended up losing control over them before dying. Oriana may have used this the other way to destroy the ‘shorthand original’ on her own. If so, it’s better to consider her as a spellcaster. A hybrid that involves the original and a magician — in other words……it’s not to pass on the techniques and knowledge to the future generation, but to destroy this original instantly when needed nya.”

Hm — Kamijo folds his arms.

“Right now, I still don’t understand anything about the original or the magic array.”

“……Explaining this to someone like you is really useless.”

Because he’s injured, Stiyl’s face is somewhat green, as his mouth is slightly twisted.

“With the counter, it means that Stiyl is unable to use magic on Oriana?”

“Yes. If we don’t settle that counterattack spell, we can’t use any magic spells. That spell should be ‘ready to strike when it senses that I’m about to use magic.’ It won’t differentiate each spell on ‘what purpose it does,’ and besides, it’s useless to add this order.”

Stiyl sounds like he’s confessing his own weaknesses, but though one can tell from his tone that he’s having some reservations, there’s no sign of giving up. It’s like he’s trying to say that it won’t end like this.

“So how? Stiyl is unable to use magic, right? That ‘all-around reality array’……right? Wouldn’t it be hard to find out Oriana’s position? Since Tsuchimikado can’t really use magic well.”

“No.”

Tsuchimikado shakes his head. That coloured paper he’s holding, which is drenched in red ink, it’s a miracle that it’s not torn after all the liquid added on it.

Kamijo and Stiyl stare at him.

“I said this before. This is an auto-counter spell created by the ‘shorthand original’, so we just need to settle it. If we are successful, we can use some talismans to prevent her from doing it again. Still, the most important thing is to destroy the ‘original’ that the enemy has, so that Stiyl can safely use his magic nya—”

Kamijo stares at his right hand. The ‘original’ is definitely a magic book that cannot be destroyed by any means, but his Imagine Breaker may be able to deal with it.

Stiyl puffs out some smoke.

“It’s alright if we destroy the ‘shorthand original’, but wouldn’t Oriana use this time to run outside the perimeter where the ‘all-around reality array’ is effective?”

“It’s possible. But don’t you guys think that the enemy won’t use these counterspells if she can escape fast enough? It takes a long time to prepare that. In this tight schedule, one won’t do this to add on to her workload.”

Hm, Stiyl folds his arms.

Kamijo frowns, thinking that it’ll be fine if this is what she’s planning. “That……that ‘shorthand original’ that you mentioned just now, where is it?”

“I’m guessing it’s set up somewhere.”

“Is it possible that Oriana is carrying it with herself?”

“I’m not too confident about it if I’m clear about the conditions required to use this ‘shorthand original’. But in order to check out the type of lifeforce that Stiyl has, Oriana set up quite a few traps. She then sent some lifeforce that she got from those traps to the auto-magic array. To set up something like this from the beginning to the end, one has to do it all in the same system……is there such a possibility nya?”

“Then where did she set up this ‘shorthand original’?”

If they don’t know where she ran off to, it’s impossible for them to find out where did she set up the counter magic spell book.

“We’ll be looking into this next nya.”

What should we do? Tsuchimikado didn’t reply immediately to Kamijo’s question.

Tsuchimikado breathes out a small amount of air to adjust his breathing. He then places the red pen he was swinging about into his pocket, and with both hands, he carefully carries the coloured paper that’s all sticky and wet now.

He then says,

“Stiyl. It doesn’t matter what kind of magic it is, just use it. I’d like to know where the interference came from.”

Such cold words.

“After Oriana read Stiyl’s lifeforce, she used the ‘shorthand original’ to hinder our work. That counterspell should involve some magic as well, so I set up this ‘divination circle array’ that acts like a litmus paper around you to react to her magic. This is a yet unused magic array that doesn’t have any magic power yet. The ‘divination circle array’ will activate when there’s magical force from a counterspell. It can also calculate where the spell came from, and the direction and distance.”

Tsuchimikado said as he kneels down on the floor, still holding onto the coloured paper that’s dyed red now. He then shifts the paper around like he’s wiping a table with a cloth. A red circle with diameter of 2 metres appeared immediately on the ground. When he finished this, he stood up, looking bored.

Like he’s reading a manual, Tsuchimikado’s voice was emotionless, leading Kamijo to wonder whether Tsuchimikado’s brain is alright. He frantically grabs Tsuchimikado’s shoulders,

“But this isn’t the way to go, Tsuchimikado! You should know what will happen if the counterspell arrives!? If we do this again, Stiyl will fall again!!”

“Again?”

Tsuchimikado inexplicably frowned.

“Who said that? It can’t possibly end once, right? Stiyl can’t possibly fall here. At least if we destroy that counterspell, we’ll have to activate the ‘all-around reality array’ to look for Oriana. Before that, if one ‘divination circle array’ isn’t enough to find out where the spell is, I can only allow him to retry as many times as it takes.”

Kamijo’s expression changed.

“……Are you serious?”

In contrast, Tsuchimikado gives a straightforward answer.

“Kami-yan, you seemed to have forgotten, so let me remind you again. Even if Oriana Thompson isn’t in front of us, even if there’s no swords or bullets flying around, this is still a war that concerns human lives. Countries, or even the world, may be overturned as a consequence, you understand?”

“But……!!”

Kamijo stomps onto the ground.

“I can understand if we’re able to win as a result of Stiyl getting injured. But why can’t we get this clear!? If so, there’s a possibility that it won’t be effective no matter how much damage he takes! Also, even if we find out where the counterspell is, and destroy it, are you going to drag Stiyl around to battle? STOP JOKING WITH ME!! I CAN’T POSSIBLY AGREE TO THIS!!”

Until here, Kamijo swallowed down his final words at the last second.

……Tsuchimikado, you’re asking Stiyl to use magic because you hate getting hurt in a battle……

“I got it. Let’s do this.”

Stiyl accepts this proposal that nobody would find it sensible to agree with.

“But you……!!”

“Kamijo Touma, this is gross, stop acting familiar with me. If this can solve everything, there’s no problem.”

After saying this, he glares at Tsuchimikado.

“Conversely, we have to find out where the spell is no matter what. Also, we have to do this on our own, and we can’t let it develop into a bigger problem, got it?”

Being glared at by Stiyl, Tsuchimikado didn’t look away.

“OK. I promise not to escalate this incident and cause Index to forcibly return. I’ll protect her life while she’s still in Academy City, is this your condition?”

Hearing Tsuchimikado’s words, Kamijo is at a loss of words.

No matter how injured he is, Stiyl is only thinking about a certain girl’s happiness.

Even if that happiness doesn’t involve him.

Even if where he formerly was is now occupied by Kamijo Touma.

He won’t pull back because of this fact.

The magician Stiyl Magnus turns his back at Kamijo and Tsuchimikado, and pulls out a rune card from his torso.

‘Divination circle array’.

Without hesitation, Stiyl steps into the red circle that Tsuchimikado drew on the ground.

“Kamijo Touma……I’m unhappy that you’re here right now.”

The red-haired priest says in a firm voice,

“Why aren’t you beside that child? It’s your fault if that child is unhappy because of this.”

After that, the rune flames explode, and the counterspell activates.

With a scream, one can hear someone fall onto the ground.

This is how Stiyl Magnus lives his own life.