In the Windowless Building…
Countless informational screens floated in the darkness. Aleister suspended in a life-support apparatus, bathed in a pale green fluid reflecting his perpetually calm features. His gaze was fixed on one particular screen: under the moonlit sky of Academy City's Seventh District, a short-haired girl in a Tokiwadai uniform was facing off against a tall, katana-wielding woman.
[Interesting choice.]
A voice, neither male nor female, resonated in the empty space. A golden glow congealed into a hazy humanoid shape—Aiwass, the "angel" of this realm, appeared beside Aleister.
[You deliberately let the Third Level 5 come into contact with the magic side, and directly against a Saint, no less.]
[This runs contrary to the original plan. 'Imagine Breaker' is the key to equilibrium—so why the Railgun?]
A barely perceptible smile tugged at the corner of Aleister's lips.
"Plans require variables, Aiwass.
Imagine Breaker's involvement is… too predictable."
On the screen, Mikoto Misaka's short brown hair crackled with bluish-white sparks. Her expression seethed with both anger and determination. Beside her, Kuroko Shirai gripped her metal spikes, ready to use her Teleport. Opposite them, Kaori Kanzaki hadn't even drawn her "Seven Heavens Seven Swords," yet the atmosphere was thick with pressure.
[Humans have a term, 'playing with fire,' Crowley. Are you…?]
Aiwass's shimmering form fluctuated.
[Having an esper delve into magic can cause uncontrollable phase shifts, especially a high-level being like the Third.]
"It's precisely that uncontrollable factor that makes it worthwhile," Aleister replied calmly.
"The dividing line between the science side and the magic side must be broken by someone.
And Misaka Mikoto…she may now have that potential."
Aiwass fell silent for a moment, golden light flickering.
[Crowley, what have you foreseen?]
"Possibility," Aleister answered succinctly.
"A different sort of 'miracle,' unlike Imagine Breaker."
…
Nighttime in the Seventh District brought a chill breeze that stirred a few fallen leaves.
Mikoto Misaka's Tokiwadai blazer rustled faintly in the wind, her eyes never leaving Kaori Kanzaki, who stood opposite her.
"She took Index and left, like some kind of teleportation?!"
Stiyl reminded them, still breathing heavily. He glanced toward Kuroko Shirai.
Kaori Kanzaki followed his gaze, eyes settling on Kuroko.
"Hand over Index," she said in a low, firm tone, "and this will be over."
Kuroko stepped forward.
"You gotta be joking! That red-haired bastard tried to kill her just now—why would we hand her over?"
A barely noticeable flicker crossed Kanzaki's face, and Mikoto Misaka caught it.
"Stiyl…" Kanzaki murmured, her voice faintly wavering. "He wouldn't really try to kill her."
But then her tone grew resolute again. "We have reasons we can't ignore."
Mikoto clenched her right hand into a fist, electricity dancing between her fingers.
"What reason justifies killing someone?" she demanded. "She looks younger than us, and she's covered in injuries…" Her voice shook with anger. "What the hell did you people do to her?"
A flicker of pain flashed in Kaori's eyes. Mikoto noticed it but felt no relief—because immediately, Kanzaki abruptly spun around, and "Seven Heavens Seven Swords" flicked partially out of its scabbard.
"Clang!!!"
A slash nearly impossible to track by eye split through the night air, colliding with a wall twenty meters away.
"Boom!!!"
Bricks exploded into a cloud of dust. Even Mikoto, who was on high alert, jumped at the seemingly random attack. Kuroko nearly threw her metal spikes in reflex, thinking it a sneak attack.
"Come out," Kanzaki barked.
Their attention shifted to the dusty haze of shattered masonry. A slim figure emerged, staggering slightly: long golden hair and star-like eyes—it was Misaki Shokuhou.
"S-Shokuhou?" Mikoto's eyes widened. "What are you doing here?!"
Shokuhou Misaki rolled her eyes. "A certain idiot cut off communication, so I had to come see if you'd gotten yourself into trouble again." She shot a glare at Kanzaki, her expression grim. "Seems it's worse than I thought."
Kanzaki's gaze moved between the three girls. "An esper from Academy City…tonight is full of surprises." She returned to her fighting stance. "One final warning: surrender Index. This is not your affair."
Mikoto took a deep breath. Sparks of bluish-white electricity flickered across her body.
"Sorry, but if there's one thing I hate most, it's being told what isn't my business."
She thrust her arm up, and a bolt of lightning slashed through the night toward Kaori Kanzaki. Yet Kanzaki's figure vanished in an instant, leaving only scorched ground where the lightning hit. The next second, she reappeared at Mikoto's left.
"Look out!" Misaki raised her remote, pointing it at Kanzaki. The sword—though still in its scabbard—was aimed directly at Mikoto's throat.
"Onee-sama!"
Kuroko teleported and yanked Mikoto back, simultaneously hurling several spikes at Kanzaki. Kanzaki dodged them with ease. But Misaki had already raised her remote, focusing on Kanzaki.
"Stop!"
Her voice carried that familiar, compelling power—but Kanzaki merely gave her head a slight shake, eyes still clear.
"Mental control doesn't work on a Saint, little girl."
Misaki's face went pale. "That's impossible…"
"Move back!"
Mikoto pushed Misaki aside. An electromagnetic barrier spread out before the three girls, just managing to block Kanzaki's sword aura. The impact forced them all several steps backward.
"H-her power level is insane," Kuroko panted, sweat beading on her forehead. She recalled how Onee-sama had referred to them—magicians.
~~~
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