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Toaru Majutsu no Index ~ Bahasa Indonesia:Volume2 Penutup

2014-09-08T08:25:02Z

36.74.232.16: /* Kata Penutup */

Epilogue: Deep Blood of Corruption. Devil or God.
―I really feel that your injuries every time are really interesting.‖
In the pure white hospital room, the middle-aged looking doctor who looks like a frog said that to Kamijou.
―...‖
Kamijou doesn't know what to say as he can only lie on the table, lowering his head as he looks at the arm that got held in plaster. The sliced-off part was repaired neatly, and this can be said to be the best outcome. The cells on the sliced-off part aren't damaged, after one day of emergency treatment, they managed to fit the arm back onto the body within one day. A little finger that's was sliced off by a delinquent can be reattached back—though there's such a 'knowledge' in his mind, no one ever imagined that such a major re-assembly of the arm can be done. However, if there's such a disgusting 'knowledge', Kamijou really can't understand what kind of person he was 'before his lost his memory'.
―On a side note, you've been hospitalised twice within ten days, and naturally, you became a topic for discussion among the nurses. Don't tell me you have a nurse fetish?‖
―...What are you talking about? I don't have such a dangerous thought as 'being done in on the operation table'.‖
―Really? Pity, I thought I found a compatriot.‖
Kamijou wordlessly stares at the frog-faced doctor. Did this guy choose to become a doctor because of such a reason? If that were the case, he really wants to change doctors. Basically, he wants to press the emergency call button.
―Hn? Please don't be mistaken though. I prefer to 'do it' than to be 'done in'. And I prefer the delivery platform to the operation table--‖
'SHUT UP! NOBODY WANTS TO LISTEN TO THE SPECIFICS! AND STOP DEMONSTRATING IT TO ME, THAT'S DISGUSTING! WHY ISN'T A NURSE TAKING CARE OF ME!?‖
Thus, he really presses the emergency call button. The doctor gives a look of despair and says 'I'm going then' before walking out of the patient's room. What's going on? Why does he look like he really found that to be a pity?
Immediately after the doctor left, another person walks in.
A man who can't fit into the Japanese culture, Stiyl Magnus.
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―Though I don't want to get close to you or be friends with you at all, I came here out of courtesy.‖
―...Let me ask you. Why are you jumping about as if nothing happened? Can you tell me why?‖
Stiyl puffs his cheeks and look rather unhappy, not saying anything at all.
If there's a need to compare them to see who should have more tact about injuries, there is none more than that patient.
All his flesh and bone got broken and scattered, and yet he didn't even have a blood vessel broken. His organs were scattered all over the place, yet he could survive through blood circulation. Not everyone can have such a precious experience.
―I actually wanted to more or less thank you for this time...but thinking about it, there's no need for that. What you did was basically just to let Aureolus self-destruct.‖
―Humph, this is all thanks to this Kamijou Touma's perfect acting skills!‖
That's right. Kamijou Touma didn't have the power to beat Aureolus Izzard.
But the magic Aureolus used was to 'change reality according to one's thoughts'. After that, it was easy; he just needed to make Aureolus himself think--
--That Aureolus Izzard definitely can't beat Kamijou Touma.
In order to achieve that, Kamijou called a bluff...in fact, Kamijou doesn't even remember about the fact that he lost his right arm. Though he thought that he should be 'acting somewhat properly', the actual scenario was more like his mind went blank due to sharp pain and shock. According to what some suicidal people say, excessive blood loss will bring about ecstasy, which could probably explain that mysterious smile of his.
Of course, the truth can't be detected. Since he has to act, he has to pull it up to eleven.
―Speaking of which, it's really unbelievable that we were able to survive. I got my arm cut off, you became a 'human constellation observatory'. It feels like we again start to appreciate the value of life...oi, why do you look like you're about to laugh?‖
―Nothing. Seeing your attitude, I just thought that you didn't realise that I was secretly helping you.‖
Seemingly looking down on others, Stiyl smirks and says,
―After your arm got sliced off, you managed to dodge Aureolus' bullets without even dodging, remember? How do you think that happened?‖
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―...Ah?‖
―Your acting did fool Aureolus. But at the beginning, Aureolus couldn't have believed it right away, right? After you arm got sliced off and you started bluffing him, the main reason why he started to be fooled by your acting was because you managed to dodge his attack twice, wasn't it?‖
―Erm...‖
Kamijou stares blankly at Stiyl like a fool.
―You still don't understand even after I said so much? Basically, the reason why Aureolus' attacks failed the first two times was not because of your acting but because I used my magic to create an optical illusion on Aureolus.‖
―What...?‖
Kamijou stares at Stiyl's face in surprise. Stiyl merely says casually,
―What's so surprising about that? I specialise in fire magic. Using hot air to create a mirage and manipulating the refraction of light to create an optical error, that's not hard for me.‖
―Hol, hold on! I'm not surprised about that! Weren't you blown to pieces and scattered all over the ceiling? How were you able to use magic in that 'human constellation' mode?‖
―'Human constellation', that's an interesting description...but this is nothing too strange, isn't it? I was still alive that time, so of course I could refine lifeforce to create magic. Good thing my rune cards were scattered all over the floor when I exploded!‖
Kamijou blankly stares at Stiyl's Magnus' face.
Though this incident involved vampires and Deep Blood, he's still the scariest one.
―But you don't have to worry about that. I suppose you should know the sin you committed in this incident, right? I'm here today to talk about the developments after 'Misawa Cram School'.‖
Sin.
Kamijou turns to look at the right hand that's covered in plaster. A Dragon King's head. Though that was a 'self-destructive' illusion that was caused by Aureolus' own anxiety, the one who forced Kamijou down the path of self-destruction was definitely Kamijou himself.
―Sigh, no need to show such an expression. What Aureolus imagined was that the Dragon King wasn't physical, but a mental image. It was just like an illusion. Though the body couldn't touch it, something that will swallow a soul will be similar to that.‖
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―???‖
―That means that though you didn't hurt Aureolus physically, Aureolus is mentally broken.‖
―...Is that something worth bragging about?‖
―Of course it is. In terms of the conclusion, we just took away Aureolus Izzard's memory and settled it. In this battle against the magician who defended so strongly, the final casualty was merely that one member of the 13 Knights in front of the lift. In the 2,000 year history of magic, this is the 3rd time such a happy ending occurred.‖
Is this really something worth being happy? Kamijou wondered. He suddenly remembers something. The 'Gregorio's Chant of the Roman Catholics' should be safe, right? Perhaps Stiyl, who had his memory erased, couldn't remember it.
―...Speaking of which, where did that Aureolus Izzard who lost his memory go?‖
Is he in this hospital, Kamijou wondered.
―Oh, is there a need to mention it? I killed him.‖
Stiyl Magnus said it in a matter-of-fact manner, making Kamijou suspect if he heard that wrongly.
―What's with that expression? Listen, Aureolus Izzard first betrayed the Roman Catholics and became an alchemist. Then he imprisoned Deep Blood and turned 'Misawa Cram School' into his base. That's basically going against the entire Academy City, and to the Christian sects that got wiped out trying to hunt him down, he's someone with a huge bounty on him. Of course, 'Necessarius', which mainly carries out witch-hunting, people like Index and I got a mission to kill him.‖
Stiyl seems rather impatient in the room that doesn't allow smoking.
―Look. Going against so many organisations in the world, can Aureolus Izzard who lost his memory even fight against them? To put it simply, since Aureolus Izzard doesn't have any memories and doesn't have anything to protect, does he have the will to go against the entire word?‖
―...‖
―Aureolus definitely won't be simply killed off like that. The enemies will kill him through even cruel methods, and most importantly, Aureolus Izzard is the only magician in the world who managed to cast the Ars Magna spell. Of course, a lot of organisations in the world will
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interrogate Aureolus severely to get this secret skill. But the worst of all is that since Aureolus lost all his memories, he can't even give a testimony.‖
Stiyl says reluctantly,
―Thus Aureolus had only 2 options. One is death, and the other is an even painful Hell. If you ask me, I'll definitely choose the former without hesitation at all.‖
However, Kamijou still can't accept it.
―I still can't accept it. I still can't. Even if this is the only path left, we can't just treat taking away someone's life as a good thing. If we didn't bother about human lives, why did we charge into 'Misawa Cram School'?‖
That's right. The motivation that made Kamijou fight was because there was so many things he couldn't agree with. Deep Blood which was treated as some sort of a trump card, the students who were treated as sacrificial items because of the 'Gregorio's Chant' and the 'Limen Magna', and Aureolus who killed Himegami in a fit of rage. Because of those people who didn't respect the value of life, Kamijou chose to move forward and not away from the battlefield.
And until the end, if they accepted that somebody's death is a 'good thing', Kamijou won't be able to accept the guilt that's brought about by his fists.
―...‖
And even though Aureolus is somebody who's unforgivable, he's not someone who's atrociously bad.
That's because if at that time, even though he may do anything he wants, Index's heart never returned to him. For the only reason is that though Aureolus may be rejected, he wasn't willing to give her the command. That's the final proof of humanity left in Aureolus.
―That's why I said that you're too naïve.‖
Stiyl Magnus looks away and says in a calm tone,
―When I said that I killed him, I didn't necessarily meant that I took his life away, right?‖
Stunned, Kamijou stares at Stiyl's face.
With a disinterested tone, Stiyl avoids Kamijou's gaze and says,
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―Listen, Aureolus Izzard lost all his memories. If I can just reshape his face, wouldn't it mean that his appearance and character are completely different? This person can't be called Aureolus Izzard. Wouldn't it mean to the world that Aureolus Izzard is dead?‖
―...Are you actually a good guy?‖
―What do you mean by that? I'm an English Anglican priest after all. And since I specialise in flames, it's not hard for me to burn the face and treat it to make another face.‖
―......YOU'RE REALLY A GREAT GUY!‖
―Hm? I'm really surprised by that response...HOLD ON! WHAT ARE YOU HUGGING ME FOR!? STOP TREADING YOUR TOES ON MY HEAD!!‖
Just as Kamijou and Stiyl are tugging at each other in the room, the hospital room door opens, and Index walks in without knocking.
"Touma! They're selling honey-flavoured chips at the shops! It's so interesting, I wanna buy it! But I don't have money!...eh?"
Index stopped.
She sees the magician who's struggling and Kamijou Touma, who's looking really touched as he tries his hardest to touch the magician's head.
All three of them froze.
The world stopped.
"...Touma. Erm, sorry for interrupting you."
"Ho...hold on a minute! What are you doing? Why must you look away!? OI! WHY ARE YOU GOING AWAY WITHOUT SAYING ANYTHING!!?"
GYYYAAAAHHH!! Kamijou cried out as he tried to pull Index, who's about to leave the room now. Under such a situation, he can't say to this young-looking girl: Sorry Index, I'm only interested in you, but that will go against social morals. So how is he going to settle this? Kamijou is in confusion.
"..."
Stiyl Magnus stares at both of them.
Kamijou and Index, who're arguing with each other, seem to be rather happy.
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It feels like seeing them together is the most natural state.
Stiyl Magnus stares at both of them.
He doesn't feel envious, nor does he hates them. The reason he chose this path was because he wanted to protect this smile on Index's. Stiyl looks satisfied at the face of the girl who he's protecting.
"Fu. Well, the next mission awaits me. I should go off now."
Stiyl said that in a casual yet satisfied look.
Index again stares at Stiyl's face and frantically hides behind Kamijou's back. She's just like a private investigator who's trailing others as she peeks at Stiyl's face from behind.
Stiyl doesn't feel anything special about it, and raises his foot as he prepares to walk out of the room.
This is the consequence of what he chose.
"Erm."
Just as Stiyl's about to step out of the room, Index spoke up.
Stiyl turns back and looks. Index should be angry for dragging Kamijou Touma into this 'Misawa Cram School' incident. Why wouldn't Index start scolding him?'
"I should start off by thanking you first. Thank you."
But Index said it.
"If Touma knew that it would be like that in the building, Touma will run in even if he was alone. So it's great that you were around. And--eh? What's wrong?"
"It's nothing."
Stiyl chuckles as he said that.
Then, without saying anything again, Stiyl turns his back and silently walks out.
Kamijou feels like he just saw Stiyl smile for the first time.
"Touma!"
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Kamijou turns away from the door and looks at Index. She seem to be rather unhappy that Kamijou wasn't focused on her, as Index puffs her cheeks and stares at Kamijou's eyes.
Seeing Index like this, Kamijou inadvertently smiles. The battlefield of 'Misawa Cram School' was cruel, but at least I managed to survive. Kamijou now has a realistic experience.
But now, Kamijou remembers a doubt he left on the battlefield.
The Dragon King's head that came out of the severed right arm.
That should be a monster created out of Aureolus' 'anxiety' with regards to Kamijou.
Logically, it should be like that...but in that situation, did Aureolus Izzard really think of such a tremendous imagination like 'there would be a transparent Dragon King's Head from the sliced- off part on Kamijou's right arm'?
Though the probability is low.
But what if, just what if, that monster's unrelated to Aureolus' power?
(...)
Impossible. Kamijou thought.
However, Kamijou remembers Himegami Aisa. The 'Deep Blood' Himegami Aisa is a girl with a unique power that can only work on vampires.
But since the power that's able to kill vampires caused her to have so many incidents happen to her, then how valuable is the 'Imagine Breaker', Kamijou's right hand, that can negate even miracles?
Besides, the basic question is.
What is the Imagine Breaker?
"Touma! Honeydew-flavoured potato chips!"
Index's words causes Kamijou to snap back into reality.
"A, ahhh. okay okay...since it's honeydew-flavoured, it should be sweet, right?"
Kamijou tries to match what Index was saying and answers ambiguously.
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Right now, maybe he should maintain it like this. No matter how inexplicable that power is, as long as he can use it to protect this girl in front of him, there's nothing else he can ask for.
So, let's remain it like this. Like this.
"Touma, Touma. Wasn't there a girl called Himegami Aisa?"
While walking on the corridor leading to the shops, Index suddenly asked.
"Ah, that wave loving girlDenpa Kei who liked to pretend to be a spellcaster [3]? What's with her...hm? Index, what's with you? You mentioned her, so why are you looking so unhappy?"
"...Touma, you fought for Aisa this time, right? Not for me, but for Aisa!"
"What?" Stunned, Kamijou tilts his neck. For some reason, Index, who said such ridiculous words, look rather unhappy as she deliberately puffs her cheeks in front of Kamijou, showing an unhappy look.
"Nothing! It's nothing!"
After Index muttered some words, she says,
"Ah, also, Aisa seem like she's staying in this hospital. I just spoke to her."
Oh. Kamijou merely responds passively.
Oh yeah, what will happen to Himegami? Kamijou wonders. She doesn't want to attract vampires again, but the boundary on the 'Misawa Cram School' shouldn't exist now. Though it seems like they can replace it with the 'Walking Church' that Index was wearing, Aureolus Izzard, who agreed to help her make one, doesn't exist anymore.
"I talked to her for a long time, and decided to keep her in the Church."
"...For some reason, I seem to know what happens next. Can I say it out first?"
"GUAH! I actually prepared this for a long time already! And Touma still wants to say out the ending? You really don't know how a script goes! Shakespeare may get a knife and hack you!"
"Stop laughing and saying about hacking!"
Kamijou sighs, and then he says the answer that anyone can predict.
"In conclusion, the 'Walking Church' is a form of Church, right?"
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Notes
1. デンパ少女 or Denpa Otome goes for "wave girl", Denpa is a term to coin someone who has a really strange or eccentric behaviour without any apparent reason (hence "the wave made me do it"); you might recognize the word as it is also the name of a novel, where the titular character is actually quite weird 2. Black Jack 3. 電波系 or Denpa Kei is similar to the term "wave girl" used in the prologue, "kei" goes for someone who is an incredible fanatic of something, for example "Akiba-Kei" refers to someone "who is in love with Akiba products (an otaku)"; in this case Denpa Kei means that Aisa loves to act strangely (denpa) with no apparent reason at all

==Kata Penutup==

Kepada para pembaca yang telah membaca volume satu, lama tidak berjumpa.

Kepada para jiwa pemberani yang membaca dari volume kedua, salam kenal.

Saya Kazuma Kamachi.

Sekarang waktunya untuk kata penutup. Menurut beberapa pembaca, hal pertama yang mereka baca adalah kata penutup. Dengan kata lain, kata penutup adalah sinopsis kedua. Di samping itu, silahkan baca kata penutup, dan jika suka mungkin kau akan membawanya ke kasir dan membelinya.

Tetapi, tolong biarkan saya mengingatkan pembaca yang suka membaca kata penutup terlebih dahulu. Konten berikut ini meliputi beberapa detil plot, jadi bagi para pembaca yang belum membaca isinya, lebih baik tidak membaca yang di bawah terlebih dahulu.

Konten kata penutup berikut ditulis untuk para pembaca yang telah membaca kata penutup sampai akhir dan untuk para jiwa pemberani yang tidak peduli apakah mereka tahu kontennya sebelum membaca isinya.

Konsep utama di balik volume ini adalah 'AKHIR BURUK'.

Intinya, Aureolus Izzard adalah 'versi gagal Kamijou Touma'. Ketika aku menulis, kupikir bahwa jika Kamijou Touma gagal dalam volume satu, dia akan menjadi orang yang demikian. Alasan aku membuat Himegami juga untuk membuat 'gadis tragis tidak akan bisa menjadi protagonis perempuan'.

Sebagaimana cerita berjalan, atmosfer pembunuhan terasa sangat intens. Tetapi, apa yang membedakan dengan volume pertama, bahkan jika mereka musuh, setidaknya mereka masih mendengarkan pemeran utama sebelum bertarung. Tetapi, dalam volume ini, bahkan protagonis pembantu wanitanya tidak suka mendengarkan terlalu banyak, apalagi Big Bad.

Sedangkan untuk sihir, cerita ini berpusat pada kata kunci 'Ars Magna'.

Walaupun dalam cerita, saya membuat 'intisari seorang ahli alkimia', sebenarnya karangan saya saja. Faktanya, dikatakan bahwa orang Bosnia sekte Alkimia (yang menciptakan konsep mengubah logam timbal menjadi emas) muncul di akhir zaman Kerajaan Roma, tapi 'Ars Magna' diciptakan pada abad ke-17, sehingga perbedaan waktu di antaranya sangat jauh. Abad ke-17 adalah masa di mana alkimia tersebar luas, dan itu juga masa di mana 'penyihir palsu menggunakannya sebagai alat untuk menipu bangsawan demi mendapatkan uang'. Dengan kata lain, 'Ars Magna' adalah ibarat religi baru yang menumpang perkembangan alkimia.

Nyatanya, tujuan dari 'Ars Magna' bukanlah untuk menciptakan emas atau membuat elixir keabadian. Konsepnya adalah "Manusia adalah 'Tuhan yang tidak sempurna', Dengan kata lain, dengan melalui pelatihan dan membuat seseorang 'sempurna', manusia bisa menjadi Tuhan". Cocok sekali dengan pandangan sebuah religi baru. Dari kata 'Tuhan' yang digunakan sekarang, orang bisa mengetahui bahwa alkimia telah dicampur dalam budaya Nasrani.

Dalam cerita itu sendiri, mantra Aureolus pernah 'melakukan apapun dengan pikiran di benaknya', lebih dekat dengan sekte ahli alkimia Zurich. Sekte ini bercampur dengan pandangan psikiatrik Jung, dan tujuannya adalah untuk 'melakukan alkimia dengan pikiran', yang mana kedengarannya sangat ambigu.

Sebagai tambahan, ada ahli alkimia lain yang disebut Vienna, tapi sekte ini meliputi ritual 'sihir seksual' yang benar-benar erotis dan tidak bisa diterbitkan Dengeki Bunko<ref>Perusahaan penerbit buku serial ini.</ref> (tertawa).

Salah satu alasan kenapa sekte ahli alkimia begitu melimpah dikatakan karena 'sifat alami alkimia' sendiri merupakan misteri. Tapi nyatanya, mungkin alasan umum yang paling bisa diterima adalah 'ahli alkimia sendiri berbohong pada orang yang kaya bahwa mereka bisa mengubah logam timbal menjadi emas, tapi tidak bisa membuat mereka dan harus memberikan segala alasan yang ada untuk meredakan amarah mereka'.

Setelah menulis begitu banyak, pada akhirnya, apa yang sebenarnya ingin saya katakan?

Apa yang ingin kukatakan adalah setelah meneliti begitu banyak tentang alkimia, saya hanya menggunakan setitik cuil informasi.

Agar menambahkan peran Index, saya bahkan ingin menambahkan plot 'trik dapur alkimia'. Tapi rasanya saya tidak perlu memasukkan subplot kecil seperti itu.

Akhirnya, saya ingin berterima kasih pada orang yang terhubung lewat cerita ini.

Miki-san, orang yang bertanggung jawab atas bidang editing, adalah orang yang sangat mengintimidasi saya untuk menulis cerita dalam 17 hari. Dia terus mengikuti saya sampai akhir cerita ini yang masih ada celahnya, dan saya sangat bersyukur karenanya.

Sedang untuk Haimura-san, sang ilustrator, sekalipun aku belum pernah bertemu dengannya. Sahabat yang belum pernah kutemui, kedengarannya keren, saya ingin bertemu dengannya dan berterima kasih padanya. Namun demikian, aku bisa menulisnya di atas kertas. Terima kasih, Haimura-san.

Dan kepada para pembaca yang telah membeli buku ini, terima kasih untuk dukungannya. Saya harap kita bisa berjumpa lagi lain waktu. Pada titik ini, biarkan saya menurunkan pena.

Misaka Mikoto bahkan tidak punya kesempatan untuk muncul di volume ini (menangis).

~Kazuma Kamachi

===Catatan Kaki===
<references/>

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Toaru Majutsu no Index ~ Bahasa Indonesia:Volume2 Chapter3

2014-09-08T08:22:54Z

36.74.232.16: /* Part 5 */

==Chapter 3: Sang Master Menutup Dunia Seperti Tuhan. ''DEUS_EX_MACHINA.''==

===Part 1===
Stiyl Magnus berjalan menuju lantai teratas bagian utara. Mungkin Kamijou yang digunakan Stiyl sebagai umpan, sedang menarik perhatian pihak musuh lebih dari yang dia duga karena Stiyl tidak mendapat halangan berarti. Dia berhasil bersembunyi dengan sempurna, memeriksa semua pintu masuk rahasia, dan cukup mengetahui situasi gedung ini.

Sepertinya Himegami Aisa si Deep Blood tidak ditahan di gedung ini. Selesai memeriksa sisa debu dan jejak ''mana'' di pintu masuk, kelihatannya baik bagian depan ataupun belakang koin, tidak ada yang memasukinya lagi.

Tidak ada siapa-siapa, tidak ada bawahan, prajurit bahkan Aureolus sendiri, keadaan yang sama sekali tidak mencari tahanan yang kabur. Bila nyatanya seperti ini, hal ini akan menjadi jauh lebih rumit lagi, artinya Himegami Aisa bukan ditahan namun justru membantu Aureolus Izzard. Kalau keadaannya seperti itu, Stiyl harus menghadapi kemampuan luar biasa yang tak diketahui bernama Deep Blood.

''…Sial. Kenapa esper sulit sekali ditangani.'' Berpikiran seperti itu, Stiyl teringat dengan anak laki-laki yang menjadi umpan. Kalau dia sampai tewas, tidak akan berpengaruh besar pada Stiyl. Sejak awal Stiyl sudah memberitahunya kalau mereka tidak menjadi rekan melainkan benar-benar menyatakan dia sebagai tameng. Tetapi, saat dia didorong jatuh, dia terlihat merasa sangat dikhianati.

Ekspresi seseorang yang dikhianati.

"..."

Dia telah menyerang anak itu dengan pedang api pada pertemuan pertama mereka bahkan sampai bertarung mati-matian dengannya. Kenapa anak laki-laki itu memandangnya sebagai teman?

Stiyl gelisah. Walaupun kecil, rasa kesal itu membuat Stiyl merasa gelisah. ''…Sial. Kenapa esper sulit sekali ditangani.''

Stiyl mulai berlari menuruni tangga darurat yang sempit. Mengingat dia telah memakai anak itu sebagai umpan, perbuatannya sia-sia. Namun, Stiyl tidak bisa menenangkan dirinya kecuali dia melakukan sesuatu pada kepalanya dengan cukup keras. Desak sisa rasa kemanusiaan Stiyl.

"Aku tak mengerti. Kenapa kau sampai cemas seperti ini?" tanya suara dingin di belakang Stiyl.

“…” Stiyl perlahan menengok. Dia tahu apa yang akan terjadi kalau dia membiarkan musuh berada dibelakangnya.

Di belakang Stiyl Magnus berdiri...

"Hm. Jadi di sini?" Seraya warna jingga petang bergabung dengan warna ungu malam, Index tiba di Misawa Cram School, yang terlihat normal namun membuatnya terasa aneh. Index sudah melacak pemilik dari ''rune'' yang terpasang di asrama murid. Tetapi, jejak ''mana''nya hilang sampai di bangunan ini.

Jujur saja, ini jelas-jelas gedung tak biasa yang ditutupi dengan penampilan normal. Tujuannya sudah pasti.

Seperti seseorang mempunyai ''mana'', dunia mempunyai "kekuatan."

Kristen menyebut adanya keberadaan rahmat Tuhan. Penciptaan organisasi Golden Dawn berhasil membuat cetak biru sihir barat bernama Telesma. Dalam waktu yang sama, hal yang paling mirip adalah geografi dan astronomi Feng Shui. Seperti namanya, denyut yang tebentuk dari gaya dan arus seluruh dunia membentuk layaknya pembuluh darah membentang ke seluruh dunia.

Kekuatan tersebut memenuhi dunia seperti udara dan orang biasa (termasuk juga penyihir) tidak bisa merasakannya. Hanya penyihir terlatih atau ahli Feng Shui yang mampu melihatnya. Namun, tidak ada energi tersebut di keempat bangunan di hadapan Index.

Walau kekuatan dunia tersebut biasanya tidak terdeteksi seperti udara biasa, bila terjadi hampa udara, bernapas menjadi tidak mungkin. Sama seperti itu, Index merasakan perasaan aneh ini.

Seperti menara kematian yang dipotong ke bentuk kubus, menjadi batu nisan terbesar di dunia. Ini terlalu berlebihan, walau bertujuan untuk menahan ''mana'' tetap di dalam.

Walau tangan kanan Kamijou mampu menghancurkan kekuatan dunia, itu tidak menjadi masalah besar. Kalau kekuatan itu kembali ke tanah seperti daun berguguran, kekuatan itu akan kembali ke siklus kehidupan dalam fase hancur, sangat natural. Sebelum Index menyadari kehancuran Gereja Berjalan, dia belum menyadari betapa harmonisnya tangan itu dengan alam.

Namun, menara sihir ini berbeda. Ini layaknya kota yang terbentuk dari batu dan besi setelah memotong habis hutan dengan paksa. Contoh buruk dari pengembangan kota modern.

Apakah penyihir ''rune'' itu tidak menyadarinya? Mungkin saja dikarenakan penyihir ''rune'' itu seperti pemurnian kumpulan besar ''mana'' berjalan. Mirip seperti cara orang merasakan makanan yang cita rasanya kuat, perubahan kecil terhadap rasanya tidak akan disadari. Kebalikannya, Index yang sama sekali tidak bisa memurnikan mana dapat menyadari perubahan kecil itu.

"Ini bukanlah pembatas yang mencegah musuh masuk melainkan pembatas untuk mencegah musuh keluar. Hm… Seperti piramida Mesir…” gumam suster berpakaian putih tersebut sambil berjalan melewati pintu-pintu otomatis.

Index tidak punya alasan untuk mundur. Berhadapan dengan keberadaan yang tidak normal, dia semakin punya alasan untuk membawa anak laki-laki itu pulang.

Sesaat dia masuk, dia langsung merasakan perbedaan udara di dalam. Bagaikan dia berjalan di tengah teriknya matahari ke dalam toko dengan banyak AC menyala. Suasana ramai dan damai jalan kota berubah menjadi medan tempur yang dingin dengan hawa mengerikan dari kematian. Tidak salah mempunyai kesan seperti itu, jauh di dalam ruang tersebut, di tembok dekat lift terdapat mayat ksatria dengan peralatan Katolik Roma.

Index dengan waspada mendekati ksatria itu dan mengamatinya. Peralatan ksatria itu, baju zirah yang sudah diberi sihir penyerap serangan fisik. Karena terlalu menekankan pertahanan fisik, membuatnya lemah terhadap serangan sihir. Namun, baju zirah itu justru hancur oleh serangan fisik. Ada orang yang tidak mengindahkan kemampuan pertahanannya.

'' Entah orang tersebut tidak tahu apa-apa tentang sihir atau dia benar-benar gila.''

Tentu saja, memeriksa bangunan yang mirip dengan makam firaun, itu hal yang mustahil. Dalam hal ini, keadaannya yang merepotkan. Dengan adanya yang sanggup menghancurkan baju zirah Katolik Roma dengan serangan fisik saja menandakan adanya orang yang mampu memanggil malaikat tingka tinggi atau golem khusus.

Lalu, dia mendengar suara sesuatu beradu. Index berbalik dan menemukan, di samping elevator, pintu masuk tangga darurat. Terdengar suara seretan dan napas yang berat.

"Siapa…" Sebelum dia menyelesaikan pertanyaannya, hal itu keluar dari tangga darurat.

Itu tidak bisa disebut sebagai manusia atau benda. Itu bukan lagi manusia. Bagian bawahnya terpotong, tangan kirinya habis terbakar, dan wajah bagian kanannya lenyap. Bahkan wajah bagian kirinya hangus. Hal seperti ini tidak bisa disebut manusia.

Sisa setengah wajahnya masih bisa bergerak. Luar biasanya, kepalanya tertunduk terlihat seperti sedang memikirkan sesuatu. Selagi Index mulai memikirkan hal-hal yang tidak penting, hal itu mempersiapkan tangannya untuk melompat.

"…!"

Tanpa sepatah katapun, hal itu melompat. Index hanya bisa mundur dengan panik sampai terjatuh di mayat ksatria. Hal itu kehilangan sasaran lompatannya yang kelihatannya berniat jatuh di posisi Index semula.

'''"Hancurlah!"''' Suara lantang laki-laki terdengar di suasana menegangkan itu.

Tembok dekat elevator hancur seperti kertas dan tangan laki-laki itu terlihat dari balik tembok yang hancur tersebut. Tangannya yang besar memegangnya seperti bola, kepala hangus dari hal itu.

Lalu, sebelum Index bertiarap di lantai, tubuh hal itu hancur seperti yang dikatakan laki-laki itu. Seperti mengumpulkan abu, dengan "pak!" tiga retakan muncul di tubuh hal itu, mulai menghancurkannya menjadi kepingan. Lalu meledak seperti bunga salju yang lenyap sebelum menyentuh wajah Index.

'''"Buka!"''' Suara tersebut terdengar lagi dan pintu elevator yang tidak berfungsi itu terbuka paksa dari dalam. Elevator hancur yang tidak seharusnya bisa dibuka lagi, terbuka. Itu adalah sihir tingkat tertinggi yang memaksakan keadaan sekitar penyihirnya sesuai dengan perkataannya.

"Jangan bilang…"

Berhadapan dengan Index yang tercengang dan sedang bergumam, laki-laki tinggi kurus itu keluar dari elevator, terlihat sembrono. Rambut hijaunya disisir kebelakang dan dia mengenakan pakaian Itali berwarna putih dengan sepatu kulit tingkat tinggi.

"Hm. Sudah lama tak bertemu, tapi aku pikir kau tidak akan mengingatku. Sudah pasti, kau tidak bisa mengingat nama Aureolus Izzard.. Tapi, untukku, ini mungkin suatu keberuntungan." Kata laki-laki yang mempunyai bayak bekas gigitan nyamuk di kepalanya.

Bekas tanda Akupuntur, terknik penyembuhan dari Asia yang terlihat aneh digunakan oleh orang barat. Sebenarnya, itu adalah pernyataan yang salah. Contohnya pendiri Golden Dawn, sebuah organisasi sihir barat, menyukai konsep agama Buddha.

"Tapi, walau kau tidak ingat, aku tetap akan mengatakannya. Sudah lama tidak bertemu Index. Kelihatannya kau sudah melupakanku, tapi aku senang melihatmu tidak berubah." Laki-laki itu berkata sambil mengulurkan tangannya, menutupi mata Index. Itu adalah tangan manusia atau mungkin moster yang telah menghancurkan mahluk hangus itu.

Index tidak bisa bergerak seperti yang dia mau. "Ja-Jangan bilang kalau itu… Golden Ars Magna?"

Laki-laki itu hanya tersenyum mendengarnya.

===Part 2===

"Ayo pulang." Kata Kamijou. Tidak bisa melewati emas yang mengalir itu, Kamijou hanya bisa memutar melewati empat bangunan dan menemui Himegami. "Aku mengalahkan laki-laki bernama Aureolus itu. Aku tidak membunuuhnya tapi itu sudah cukup. Dia tidak bisa bertarung lagi, dia terluka parah dan semangatnya hancur."

''Pulang saja.''

Tidak ada lagi yang tersisa untuk dilindungi. Murid-murid yang ikut ambil bagian di Nyanyian Gregori tidak bisa dia selamatkan, dia malah bertarung melawan ahli alkimia itu. Tidak ada lagi alasan agar Kamijou tetap di tempat itu. Dia sendiri ingin keluar dari medan tempur penuh kematian itu dan segera pulang.

Dia ingin pulang dan makan malam dengan Index. Semuanya akan baik-baik saja selama dia bisa keluar dari Misawa Cram School.

''Kalau aku bisa menemuinya, aku bisa kembali ke dunia normal. Sebelum aku terjebak di sini, sebelum aku terbaiasa dengan dunia penuh pembunuhan dan kematian… Kalau aku tidak bisa kembali tamatlah sudah. Dia menyadarinya dengan sangat jelas.''

Iblis muncul di hati rapuh Kamijou.

Pertama, berdasarkan Stiyl, Index harus dihapus ingatannya setiap tahun.

Kedua, berdasarkan Stiyl, Index selalu mempunyai rekan baru setiap tahun.

Terakhir, berdasarkan Stiyl, Index selalu tidak percaya hal tersebut.

Mudah dibayangkan, Index yang tersenyum bertahun-tahun lalu tidak sama dengan Index yang Kamijou kenal. Terlalu banyak orang di sekitar Index yang membutuhkannya.

Dia tidak secara lagsung mengatakannya, tapi Stiyl perkataan Stiyl "ini bukan berarti kami telah menyerah dan menyerahkan dia kepadamu" menyiratkan hal tersebut.

“…” Rasa pusing yang tiba-tiba muncul membuat Kamijou bertumpu pada tangannya. Dia merasa kalau dia memperlakukan gadis itu seperti orang lainnya, dia tidak akan bisa kembali ke kehidupan biasanya.

''…Pemikiran posesif yang buruk.''

Pada keadaan genting, hancurnya percaya diri bisa dengan mudah membuat seseorang melakukan hal seperti pengorbanan atau perbuatan bunuh diri lainnya. Kamijou mengambil napas dalam-dalam untuk menenangkan dirinya, memaksa agar tidak berpikiran seperti itu. Dia sadar kalau pemikiran seperti itu berlanjut, kemampuan berpikirnya akan hancur.

''Bagaimanapun… Sebaiknya aku segera mengeluarkan Himegami dari sini.'' Keluh Kamijou tanpa dipikir lagi.

"Aureolus Izzard barusan itu palsu." Himegami Aisa berkata kenyataannya.

"Apa?"

"Barusan itu hanya klonnya. Aku sudah melihat yang aslinya jadi aku tahu itu. Aureolus Izzard asli tidak akan membunuh tanpa pandang bulu seperti itu."

Tiap perkataan yang gadis itu katakan masuk ke benak Kamijou. Memang benar. Bila dipikirkan dengan baik-baik, ada sesuatu yang salah. Ahli alkimia itu sudah pasti menggunakan Misawa Cram School sebagai tempat bersembunyi tapi mengapa malah menghancurkan murid-murid dengan Nyanyian Gregori? Kalau seperti itu, bukannya malah akan merusak penyamarannya?

Bahkan setelah dipikirkan kembali, Kamijou masih enggan menerima kenyataan. Dia tidak bisa berpikir dengan tenang karena akal sehatnya yang tersisa penuh rasa ingin segera pulang. Dia tidak bisa menerima pernyataan yang membuatnya harus kembali ke medan pertempuran.

"Tunggu dulu! Tunggu dulu sebentar…! Apa maksudmu? Aku baru saja mengalahkan Aureolus Izzard!"

"Seperti yang sudah kubilang, yang barusan itu palsu." Jawabnya dengan cepat. "Yang asli punya banyak bekas tusukan jarum. Yang tidak punya itu palsu, dan yang asli tidaklah selemah itu."

Kamijou tidak bisa menerimanya dan memang dia tidak ingin menerimanya. Pikirannya terus berkata ingin segera pulang dan enggan menerima adanya keberadaan musuh lainnya.

"Aureolus Izzard yang asli hanya tertarik pada hal yang dia inginkan. Kupikir dia tidak akan menghentikanmu walau kau ingin pergi sekalipun." Suara tenang Himegami akhirnya meredakan pikiran Kamijou yang bergejolak. Namun, perkataan gadis itu terasa aneh.

"Tunggu dulu. Kau akan pergi bersamaku, kan? Kalau dia menginginkanmu, kenapa dia membiarkan kita pergi?"

"Kenapa?"

"Apanya yang kenapa?"

"Pertanyaannya bukan 'kenapa dia tidak akan membiarkan kita pergi'. Tapi 'kenapa aku harus pergi bersamamu?'"

"Apa?" Kamijou yang bingung hanya bisa berkata demikian. Walau semua musuh bisa dikalahkan, Himegami tidak berniat untuk pergi dari Misawa Cram School.

"Jangan salah. Aku kemari karena keinginanku sendiri. Aku tidak berencana pergi dari sini. Malah tujuanku hanya bisa terpenuhi di sini. Tanpa ahli alkimia itu, hal ini mungkin saja mustahil diwujudkan. Daripada terdengar menyerah, suaranya terdengar seperti menganggap Aureolus sebagai teman.

''Apa yang sebenarnya terjadi? Ada sindrom psikologi dimana tahanan merasakan perasaan simpati kepada pelakunya. Apakah Himegami seperi itu?''

"Apapun tujuanmu itu, laki-laki itu sama sekali tidak menganggap kau rekan, kan? Kalau kau memang rekannya, kenapa kau malah ditahan disini?"

"Aku sudah ditahan di sini sebelum dia mengambil alih Misawa Cram School." Kata gadis itu. "Apa kau ingin tahu bagaimana aku diperlakukan di tempat ini? Apa kau ingin tahu kenapa terdapat banyak sekali ruangan rahasia? Kupikir kau tidak akan sanggup menerima kenyataan itu.

"..."

"Semenjak ahli alkimia itu datang, ruang rahasia itu sudah tidak lagi digunakan. Aku hanya berdiam di sini. Aku tidak merasa perlu untuk keluar dari sini. Kalau aku sembarangan keluar, aku akan menarik perhatian 'mereka.'"

Kamijou ingat apa yang Stiyl katakan sebelum masuk ke tempat ini. Walau terlihat seperti gedung biasa, gedung ini punya ''barrier'' yang tersamarkan dengan sempurna.

Deep Blood: yang merupakan sebuah legenda bahkan di dunia sihir sekalipun. Seorang gadis yang dikatakan mempunyai kemampuan membunuh vampir dalam sekejap. Mungkinkah itu…

"Apa maksudmu? Jadi kau bersembunyi di sini untuk menghindari mereka?"

"…Darahku mempunyai kemampuan memikat mereka dengan aroma manis dan juga membunuh mereka. Memikat dan membunuh mereka. Aku selayaknya tanaman pemakan serangga: penuh warna dan mematikan. Seperti itulah diriku ini."

Kamijou terbelalak. Bahkan saat Stiyl menyebutkan kata vampir, dia penuh dengan rasa takut dan jijik, sekarang dia tahu Himegami Aisa benar-benar mempunyai kemampuan membunuh vampir. Walaupun, perkataan Himegami terdengar kesepian. Seperti dia sedang berdiri di tengah dinginya hujan.

"Apa kau tahu vampir itu seperti apa?" Kamijou tidak mungkin bisa menjawabnya. Dia hanya bisa membayangkan vampir jahat yang menyerang manusia dari cerita fiksi. Bahkan, menurutnya keberadaan vampir sendiri tidak masuk akal.

"Aku tidak tahu."

"Mereka tidak berbeda dengan kita. Mereka juga bisa menangis, tersenyum, marah, senang, saling menertawakan dan berbuat sesuatu untuk sesama. Semuanya terbunuh tanpa terkecuali." Balas Himegami dangan kata-kata yang hanya bisa diucapkan oleh mereka yang sudah melihat neraka dunia. Suaranya terdengar seperti hati yang tersayat. Kenangan indahnya sudah hancur berkeping-keping.

"Academy City meneliti kemampuan-kemampuan unik. Kupikir kalau aku datang ke kota ini, aku bisa mengetahui rahasia kemampuanku. Kalau aku mengetahui sumbernya, aku akan bisa melenyapkannya. Namun, aku tidak menemukan cara melenyapkan kemampuan ini." kata Himegami. "Aku tak ingin membunuh siapapun lagi. Aku sudah memutuskan bahwa aku lebih baik membunuh diriku sendiri daripada membunuh orang lain."

Alasan seperti itu yang membuat gadis berjulukan Deep Blood menderita sendirian.

"Tapi itu…"

"Tolong jangan meyakinkanku sebaliknya. Ini tidak seburuk itu. Aureolus bilang kalau dia mampu menciptakan pembatas dalam bentuk pakaian, bernama Gereja Berjalan. Kalau aku mengenakannya, Aku bisa pergi keluar tanpa perlu takut menarik perhatian 'mereka.'"

"..."

"Aku punya tujuanku sendiri dan Aureolus juga. Kami saling membutuhkan untuk itu. Jadi, tak apa. Aureolus akan memenuhi kewajibannya menjagaku tetap aman. Aku akan menjelaskannya ke Aureolus kalau kau ingin meninggalkan tempat ini."

"Beritahu aku sesuatu." Dia bertanya karena dia tidak tahu. "Kalau kau tidak mau menarik perhatian vampir, kenapa kau malah pergi makan keluar saat kita pertama kali bertemu?"

"Mudah. Aureolus membutuhkanku karena dia menginginkan vampir. Kalau aku terus berada di dalam pembatas ini, aku tidak akan bisa menarik perhatian 'mereka.'"

"Bukannya itu kebalikan dari apa yang kau mau? Bukannya kau ingin berhenti menyakiti vampir? Kalau begitu, kenapa kau malah menerima peri-"

"Ya. Tapi, Aureolus berjanji kalau dia tidak akan menyakitinya kalau berhasil menangkapnya. Dia hanya ingin bantuan dari 'mereka.'"

"…Apa? Kukira kau sudah berusaha keras untuk kabur dari Misawa Cram School."

"Walaupun aku berniat untuk kabur, kenapa kau kemari?"

"Aku kemari untuk menolongmu tentunya. Apa aku butuh alasan lainnya?"

Mata Himegami terbuka lebih lebar mendengar perkataannya. Ini seperti dia mendapat hadiah ulang tahun yang bahkan dia tidak ingat sendiri. "Luar biasa. Tapi tak perlu khawatir, aku tidak ditahan. Kau bisa tenang dan pulang saja." Senyum gadis itu. "Aureolus bilang dia ingin menolong seseorang, tapi tidak bisa melakukannya sendirian. Karena itulah dia membutuhkan vampir dan karena itulah aku setuju membantunya. Ini pertama kalinya aku bisa memakai kemampuanku untuk menolong, bukan membunuh."

"..."

Apakah perkataannya benar? Walaupun Himegami tidak berbohong, apakah Aureolus murni berniat baik sama sekali tidak diketahui. Karena Aureolus adalah pembunuh dan dalang yang menciptakan medan tempur penuh pembantaian itu. Kata-kata gadis itu berbanding terbalik dengan situasi sampai sekarang.

Dan, walaupun Aureolus Izzard seperti yang gadis itu katakan…

"...Tidak akan bisa."

"?"

"Walaupun Aureolus Izzard sesuai dengan yang kau katakan, kalau dia itu bukanlah monster, kalau dia masih merupakan manusia, kau tidak seharusnya membiarkan dia melakukan hal-hal keji seperti itu. Walau kupikir orang masih bisa diselamatkan saat dia jatuh, kalau Aureolus tetap seperti ini, dia tidak akan bisa kembali seperti semula lagi."

Dia terdiam. Sejujurnya, dia sudah menyadari hal itu. Keinginan Aureolus sudah mulai menyimpang pada kenyataannya. Dengan melihat medan pertempuran saja sudah menunjukkan kenyataannya berbeda dari "tidak menyakiti."

"Atas dasar apa kau menyangkal ideku?" kata suara laki-laki yang menyela Kamijou.

Suara dentingan misterius memecah pembicaraan mereka, membuat mereka berdua terdiam. Terdengar jelas seperti bisikan di telinga, seperti pemilik suara tersebut menyampaikannya bukan melewati getaran udara namun secara metafisika.

Suara derap kaki terdengar di belakang Himegami tepatnya dari koridor sejauh 30 meter.

Seharusnya tidak ada siapa-siapa di sana. Seharusnya tidak ada siapa-siapa di sana. Tapi, dalam sekejap, Kamijou melihat seorang laki-laki muncul. Padahal tidak ada tempat bersembunyi di sana. Belum lagi, laki-laki itu sama sekali tidak berupaya menyembunyikan dirinya.

"Kau…" Kamijou mulai tidak bisa mempercayai matanya sendiri.

Laki-laki yang baru saja muncul itu adalah Aureolus Izzard yang sudah Kamijou kalahkan. Tubuhnya utuh, dia sama sama sekali tidak terluka sedikitpun.

''Apa dia memakai kemampuan khusus untuk menyembuhkan dirinya?'' pikir Kamijou walaupun tidak masuk akal. Sehebat apapun penyembuhan fisik, kepribadian seseorang tidak akan berubah. Seperti melihat saudara kembar dengan kepribadian yang sangat berbeda, laki-laki di depannya sangat mirip tapi menyebabkan suasana yang jauh berbeda.

Belum lagi hawa menekan itu… Dia berjarak sejauh 30 meter tapi Kamijou bisa merasakan hawa luar biasa seperti musuh tersebut menusuk rusuknya.

Putus asa. Hanya itu deskripsi yang cocok kala berhadapan dengan laki-laki itu.

''Berbahaya!'' intuisinya memperingatkannya. ''Orang ini berbahaya! Dia orang yang tidak akan bisa dikalahkan selama berada di dalam gedung ini.''

Karena inilah, Kamijou melangkah maju untuk melindungi Himegami. Sejak awal, mengorbankan diri untuk menyelamatkan dirinya sendiri tidak pernah muncul di benaknya.

"Tenanglah. Jangan ikut campur. '''Aku segera kesana sekarang.'''"

Sebelum Kamijou bisa melangkah maju, Aureolus Izzard telah menempuh jarak 30 meter yang memisahkan mereka.

[[Image:Index v02 219.jpg|thumb]]

"Apa…?"

Dengan kemunculan tiba-tiba Aureolus, pikiran Kamijou membeku penuh ketidakpahaman. Bukannya cepat, dia muncul tiba-tiba seperti pergantian ''scene'' di film.

"Tentu saja kau heran dengan apa yang terjadi. Namun, aku tidak berkewajian untuk menjawab." Ahli alkimia itu berkata dengan tenang.

"Darah Himegami sangat penting jadi aku tidak bisa menyerahkannya. Aku kemari untuk mengambilnya kembali."

Kata "mengambil kembali" berputar-putar di benak Kamijou yang bingung. "Bajingan Kau!"

Bagaimana bisa dia melarikan diri? Dia harus menempuh jarak 2 meter di antara mereka dan menolong Himegami yang ditahan dari dalangnya, Aureolus. Dia lari ke depan.

"Pada kesempatan apapun… '''Kau,'''" Ahli alkimia dengan tenangnya berucap. "'''tidak akan bisa menyentuhku.'''"

Perubahan yang terjadi sangatlah drastis.

Awalnya, tidak ada yang berubah, yang membuatnya terasa aneh. Kamijou terus berlari menuju Aureolus dengan kecepatan maksimal. Namun, jaraknya tidak berkurang, bagaikan mengejar matahari terbenam. Lari, lari dan lari tapi jarak 2 meter itu tidak pernah hilang.

Bagaikan koridornya yang bertambah luas sampai tidak terhingga, Aureolus dan Himegami terlihat menjauh darinya. Penuh dengan rasa cemas, Kamijou teringat keberadaan Imagine Breaker di tangan kanannya. Semua kemampuan supernatural akan ditiadakan, walaupun itu keajaiban Tuhan.

''Tapi bagaimana cara aku menggunakannya!?''

"Beritahu aku," kata Aureolus tanpa emosi. "Kenapa aku tidak bisa mundur?"

Kamijou, bergidik, berhenti. Dia tidak berani menghampiri ahli alkimia itu, tubuhnya memperingatkannya akan bahaya mendekatinya. Aureolus memandangi Kamijou tanpa perasaan seperti mempermainkan serangga dengan jarumnya.

Tanpa peringatan, Aureolus mengambil dari dalam pakaian putihnya sebuah jarum setipis helai rambut yang sedikit tericum bau antiseptik. Aureolus menusukkan jarum itu ke lehernya seolah-olah guna menghipnotis dirinya.

Kamijou bergegas mundur dari deklarasi kematiannya tersebut. Namun, Aureolus mencabut jarum itu dan membuangnya. "Sayangnya, kau sama sekali tidak menarik."

Lalu Kamijou terkejut menyadari, sekeras apapun dia berusaha, dia tidak bisa menjauh dari Aureolus. Dalam keadaan misterius ini, Kamijou tidak bisa mendekat atau menjauh darinya. Jantungnya berdetak keras seperti akan meledak karena ketidakmampuannya dalam bertindak saat Aureolus dengan perlahan menjulurkan tangannya meraih sesuatu jauh di dalam diri Kamijou, seperti akan mengerluarkan jantungnya. “'''Len—'''” ucap ahli alkimia itu.

"Tunggu dulu!" Himegami tiba-tiba menghalangi ahli alkimia tersebut. Kamijou takjub Himegami berani berdiri menghalanginya untuk melindungi dia dari ahli alkimia sebenarnya dengan kemampuan yang luar biasa.

''Bodoh…! Jangan!''

Kamijou dengan cepat memajukan tangannya untuk menjauhkan gadis itu tapi dia tidak bisa mendekatinya satu sentimeterpun. Seperti anak-anak menghadapi pembunuh dengan senapam mesin, Kamijou gemetar dari perasaan ngeri itu.

Lalu, Kamijou mengingat julukannya: Deep Blood.

Kemampuan legendarisnya, kemampuan misterius yang mampu membunuh vampir yang bahkan ditakuti Stiyl. Dengan kemampuannya, sebagai kartu as, mereka mungkin bisa membalikkan keadaan.

''Jangan bilang… Tolong katakan dia punya kesempatan menghentikanmu. Kalau dia tidak punya kesempatan… harusnya dia tetap diam saja…''

Aureolus memandang Kamijou yang tengah berpikir dengan rasa tidak tertarik. Dia terliihat tidak mengindahkan kartu andalannya, Deep Blood. "Jelas sekali, saat ini, kau masih berpikir mempunyai harapan, sesuai dugaan. Namun, Deep Blood bukanlah tandinganku." Aureolus berkata dengan dingin. "Wajar, kau harusnya mengetahui sebutan Deep Blood berasal. Hm. Ya. Dia memangn punya kemampuan membunuh vampir… tapi apakah kau pernah berpikir, walaupun kemampuannya hebat, kenapa hanya terbatas pada vampir? Kenapa mereka tidak menamakannya Overkill Annihilator?"

''…Jangan bilang…'' Dengan harapan terakhirnya sirna, pemikiran Kamijou menyimpulkan kenyataannya dengan mudah.

"Benar, Deep Blood adalah kemampuan yang berpengaruh khusus terhadap vampir. Kemampuan itu sebenarnya tidak terlalu luar biasa. Hanyalah tipe darah yang unik. Darah beraroma harumnya memikat vampir kepadanya dan saat mereka menghisap setetes darahnya saja, mereka musnah. Hal yang mengerikan dari kemampuan itu adalah kemampuannya menarik perhatian setiap dan semua vampir. Mereka tetap meminum darahnya walaupun tahu mereka akan mati. Namun hanya berpengaruh terhadap keturunan bertargin, vampir; bukan manusia." Aureolus menjelaskannya sambil mengambil jarum lainnya, menusuknya ke lehernya lagi. Apa maksud dari perbuatan itu? Ahli alkimia yang tanpa emosi itu terlihat sedikit bersemangat. "Hm? Apa bedanya kau denganku? Pada akhirnya, kau sama sepertiku. Kau membutuhkan Deep Blood."

Perkataannya berbekas di benak Kamijou. Kamijou tahu rasa putus asa itu namun dia juga tetap ingin berjuang sampai tekad di hatinya hilang.

"Itu tidak benar. Orang ini tidak tahu makna dari Deep Blood atau vampir. Dia datang kemari hanya ingin menolong orang asing yang baru ditemuinya pagi ini. Kami bahkan belum berkenalan dengan resmi tapi dia tetap tidak mengaaikanku." Yang berkata ini ke Aureolus tidak lain adalah Himegami, bukan Kamijou. Dia merentangkan kedua tangannya, menjadi tameng dan terus menyerang dengan kata-kata. "Aureolus Izzard, apa yang kau inginkan?"

Perkataan Himegami membuat alis Aureolus bergerak. "Apa kau akan membiarkan orang biasa, bukan penyihir ataupun ahli alkimia, terlibat dan membunuhnya begitu saja? Apa ini akan memuaskanmu? Apa ini tujuanmu?"

“…”

"Kalau hal seperti ini adalah tujuanmu, aku akan pergi dari sini. Aku tahu aku tidak bisa mengalahkanmu, tapi aku bisa saja menggigit lidahku sendiri untuk mengakhiri hidupku." Matanya sama sekali tidak menyiratkan kesabaran. Sulit untuk menentukan siapa yang berkuasa di tempat ini.

Sekali lagi, dia mengambil sebuah jarum dan menusukkannya ke lehernya. "Memang, kita tidak punya waktu untuk di sia-siakan pada hal seperti ini." Jawabnya dengan biasa. "Masih banyak hal-hal yang harus dikerjakan. Berurusan dengan Index jauh lebih sulit daripada penyusup. Mudah saja untuk mengalahkan yang satnya tapi ini bukanlah hal yang biasa aku urus.

Kata-kata acuh Aureolus hampir membuat Kamijou berhenti bernapas. ''Tunggu dulu. Tunggu dulu. Index? Jangan bilang… dia datang ke sini?!''

Jarak tak terhingga di antara mereka mencegah Kamijou meraih Aureolus dan mengubah situasi ini. Tangan ahli alkimia tersebut yang telah diturunkan dinaikkan kembali dan Himegami, dengan pandangan menantang, berjalan menuju Aureolus.

"Tenang saja, aku tidak akan membunuhnya." Dia bilang sambil dengan mudahnya mencabut jarum dari lehernya. "Anak muda: '''semua yang terjadi di tempat ini…'''"

''Sial! Apa lagi ini!? Aku tidak bisa mundur begitu saja sekarang!''

Ahli alkimia tersebut, mungkin mampu melihat pemikiran Kamijou, tersenyum. "'''…Lupakan semuanya.'''"

===Part 3===

Matahari sudah tenggelam.

"…?" Kamijou bangun dari tempat duduknya dan melihat sekilingnya. Bangku? Dia menemukan dirinya berada dalam bus sekolah yang tidak mengarah ke asramanya. Pemberhentian terakhir dari bus ini bertuliskan "Distrik 17: Di depan Misawa Cram School." Kalau dibicarakan lebih lanjut, bus terakhir kali beroperasi jam 6.30. Kemungkinan kalau ini adalah bus bimbel karena bus yang beroperasi pada malam hari teramat jarang.

"Misawa cram school?" Kamijou memiringkan kepalanya. Bukannya ini nama bimbingan belajar? Kamijou bertanya-tanya namun tidak bisa menemukan jawabannya. Dia sendiri tidak pernah mengikuti bimbingan belajar; Kamijou Touma tidak mampu menulis tugas liburannya apalagi bersiap untuk ujian.

Kata hilang ingatan sampai membuat tulang belakang Kamijou bergidik. Dia pikir ini hanya masalah hilangnya ingatan mengenai hal-hal yang dia perbuat saja, tapi, melihat hal ini, mungkin kehilangan ingatan jauh lebih buruk daripada yang dia bayangkan.

"…Sebaiknya segera memeriksanya di rumah sakit." Sambil mengatakan itu pada dirinya sendiri, Kamijou memutuskan turun dahulu dari bus yang dia tidak ketahui menuju kemana. Setelah keluar di pemberhentian terdekat, Kamijou merasa asing melihat pemandangan sekitar.

Dia merasa dapat berdiri dengan seimbang dan sadar. Sekilas melihatnya, dia terlihat sangat sehat tapi lebih aman apabila melakukan pemeriksaan di rumah sakit mengingat dia sampai kehilangan beberapa jam ingatannya hari ini.

''Kalau pergi ke rumah sakit aku butuh kartu kesehatanku. Sebaiknya aku pulang mengambilnya. Rumah sakit masih buka jam segini, kan? Apa aku harus menelpon layanan darurat dahulu? Tunggu, bagaimana aku menjelaskan ini ke Index? Dia pasti curiga kalau aku bilang ingin pergi ke rumah sakit begitu saja. Atau dia malah akan marah karena belum dapat jatah makan malam…?'' Pikirannya terus berkutat memikirkan hal ini, Kamijou berjalan kaki ke asramanya karena tidak ada bus yang menuju ke arah sana pada waktu.

''Malangnya nasibku.''

Dia seperti ada yang memanggilnya.

…?

Kamijou memiringkan kepalanya penuh tanda tanya. Aneh pikirnya. Kenapa dia merasa telah melupakan sesuatu yang penting? Seperti lupa mematikan kompor sebelum pergi liburan, hal yang membahayakan seperti itu.

''Apa yang sebenarnya terjadi?'' Kamijou memikirkan tentang Misawa Cram School yang belum pernah ia datangi dan bergumam.

"Lupakan saja. Kalau aku tidak bisa mengingatnya, mungkin hal ini tidak sepenting itu."

Dengan keputusan itu, dia melanjutkan perjalanannya. Saat ini hal yang paling penting adalah bagaimana cara menenangkan Index, yang sudah pasti sedang marah dan kelapawan. Sepertinya satu-satunya jalan keluarnya adalah puding madu hitam seharga 700 yen.

''Seharusnya aku tidak membeli buku referensi seharga 3600 yen itu.'' keluh Kamijou dan menyentuh kepalanya dengan tangan kanannya...

…Tangan kanannya bisa meniadakan semua hal-hal supernatural, bahkan keajaiban Tuhan…

PAKIN! Bersamaan dengan suara itu dari kepalanya. seluruh ingatan hari itu kembali ke kepalanya.

"…!" Kamijou melihat sekelilingnya secara acak dan hanya melihat pemandangan tertutupi kegelapan malam. Mengingat jarak pemberhentian bus, Misawa Cram School tidak bisa lagi terlihat olehnya dari posisi sekarang. Sudah berapa lama sejak itu? Dia tidak bisa menemukan Stiyl, Himegami atau Aureolus dan tentu saja— Index.

"KURANG AJAR!"

Beberapa jam terakhir ini terbuang sia-sia. ''Walau sendirian, Stiyl mungkin masih baik-baik saja, kan?'' Dengan dia muncul di benaknya, Kamijou mulai berlari menuju Misawa Cram School.

Selama berlari, Kamijou, yang pikirannya kacau, tidak menyadari dia tidak berpapasan dengan siapapun selama itu; bahkan tidak ada orang lain di jalan selain dia. Walaupun sudah malam, ini masih di pusatnya Academy City. Hal yang aneh apabila sama sekali tidak bertemu siapapun.

''Apa yang sebenarnya terjadi?''

Saat Kamijou menyadari keanehan ini, dia sudah bisa melihat Misawa Cram School. Ketiadaan orang-orang sudah pernah dirasakan Kamijou karena ''rune'' Opila yang Stiyl gunakan di pertemuan dahulu.

Namun, saat ini, daripada ketiadaan orang-orang, Kamijou terkejut melihat adanya orang-orang mengepung Misawa Cram School. Kamijou berhenti dan hanya bisa diam terheran. Di kejauhan, dia melihat beberapa orang, yang gendernya tidak bisa dilihat jelas, mengenakan baju zirah perak ketat. Kurangnya orang-orang membuatnya semakin mencurigakan. Dari sudut pandang Kamijou dia melihat tiga orang. Kalau mereka mengepung empat gedung itu, harusnya masih ada kawan mereka lagi.

''…Apa? Siapa orang-orang aneh itu…?'' Orang-orang gereja? Sambil waspada kepada orang-orang itu, Kamijou memutuskan menghampiri salah satu dari mereka. Mungkin keadaannya telah berubah ketika Kamijou kehilangan ingatannya seperti orang bodoh.

"Oi. Kalian ini sedang apa? Apakah kalian orang-orang gereja?" Kamijou mengingat ksatria yang tewas dekat elevator. Orang-orang ini mengenakan baju zirah yang mirip dengan yang digunakan ksatria itu.

Salah satu dari mereka menjawab, terkejut mendengar kata "Gerja." "Aku anggota dari 13 Ksatria Gereja Katolik Roma, ‘Lancelot’ Vittorio Cassera." Katanya dengan tidak sabar. "Oh, jadi kau orang yang selamat dari medan tempur itu? Kami melihatmu berjalan keluar dari sini. Kau sangat beruntung. Kalau kau tidak mau mati, pergilah."

Kamijou heran dengan kata-kata yang diucapkan ksatria itu sambil melihat keseluruhan baju zirah yang dikenakannya.

"Kami tidak ingin menyebabkan kerusakan yang tidak perlu. Kami akan menginstruksikan satuan Pelantun Lagu Suci Gregori memakai Nyanyian Gregori untuk melakukan Mantra Bombardir Suci. Ini cara yang kami putuskan setelah banyak pertimbangan agar hanya menyebabkan kerusakan minimal."

Perkataan ksatria itu mengejutkan. Nyanyian Gregori adalah mantra yang digunakan murid Misawa Cram School. Menurut Stiyl, mantra itu berasal dari Katolik Roma. Nyanyian Gregori memang adalah senjata terkuat Gereja Katolik Roma. Dengan mengerahkan 3333 biarawan yang dikumpulkan dari luar katedral dan menginstruksikan mereka merapal mantra panjang tersebut, hal ini menambah kekuatan dari mantra itu seperti sinar matahari yang dipusatkan oleh kaca pembesar.

"Bombardir?! YANG BENAR SAJA!? SEKUAT APA MANTRA ITU!? BERAPA BANYAK ORANG DI DALAM YANG AKAN IKUT TERKENA IMBASNYA!? APA KALIAN AKAN MENGHANCURKAN GEDUNG ITU SELURUHNYA!?"

"Tepat. Mantra suci ini mengumpulkan 3333 biarawan dari seluruh tempat suci teragung di dunia. Gereja Vatikan dapat dengan pasti mengubah semua hal di dunia ini menjadi debu. Dan, kalau kami tetap membiarkan menara terkutuk itu tetap berdiri, hal itu adalah penghinaan bagi harga diri kami."

"KALIAN INI BICARA APA!? MASIH BANYAK MURID-MURID TAK BERDOSA YANG TAK TERHITUNG JUMLAHNYA DI DALAM SANA! DAN STIYL DAN HIMEGAMI MASIH DI DALAM! BAHKAN AUEREOLUS—!"

Aureolus, laki-laki yang hanya ingin memanggil vampir untuk menolong nyawa seseorang.

"SEBENARNYA SEBERAPA BESAR LEDAKAN ITU SAMPAI BISA GEDUNG SEBESAR ITU HANCUR!? PUINGNYA AKAN TERBANG SEPERTI BOLA MERIAM SEJAUH 600 METER!!"

"Hasilnya akan membenarkan cara ini! Pertumpahan darah hari ini akan menjadi pondasi kehidupan mendatang!"

Kamijou tidak bisa tetap tenang karena amat marah mendengar kata-kata itu. Perkataan terakhirnya telah berlawanan dengan apa yang sebelumnya dia katakan. Untuk membebaskan dirinya dari kesusahan yang tidak semestinya, Kamijou dihimbau agar angkat kaki dari sana. Namun, ksatria itu sama sekali tidak peduli dengan hidup orang-orang yang ada di Misawa Cram School.

"YANG BENAR SAJA!? KAWANMU ADA DI DALAM SANA JUGA!" kata Kamijou, sambil mendoakan ksatria yang tewas di sebelah elevator.

"Percival telah dibunuh di wilayah musuh. Nyawanya akan dibalaskan demi esok hari yang lebih baik.

Perkataan ksatria berzirah itu tidak bisa dimengerti lagi dan penuh kemarahan, sepertinya dia sudah kehilangan kemampuan berpikirnya.

"Kalian! Tunggu dulu sebentar! Satu jam, bukan, 30 menit sudah cukup!"

"Kami tidak punya alasan untuk mendengarkanmu! Mulai penyerangan sekarang!" Ksatria berarmor yang menyebut dirinya Lancelot mengangkat pedang besarnya ke langit. Memancarkan sinar berwarna merah, Kamijou melihat bentuknya seperti antena.

Sebelum Kamijou dapat menghentikannya, antena tersebut diayunkan.

"Pasal 8:7," Ritual itupun dimulai. "Saat malaikat pertama memainkan trompetnya, dan muncullah hujan es dan api berlumur dengan darah, dan dijatuhkan menuju dunia!"

Mungkin karena akibat dari sihir, sebuah terompet terdengar dari pedang yang bersinar itu, sebuah lolongan, suara yang bergema terdengar di malam tersebut.

Semua suara menghilang.

Awan di langit malam dengan cepat terpecah dan dari jauh terlihat petir. Pilar cahaya yang sangat besar turun dari surga langit. Namun, pilar itu berwarna merah. Bagaikan ribuan anak panah berapi yang tersusun berselisih sedikit saja, pilar tersebut mengenai satu dari empat gedung Misawa Cram School.

Teratai merah itu menembus dari atap sampai basementnya, menghancurkan menara itu hingga separuhnya seperti kaleng alumunium. Kaca jendela berhancuran dan barang-barang berterbangan dengan kacau.

Tapi, hal itu belum berakhir. Menara yang terkena langsung menyeret 2 menara di sebelahnya oleh koridor penghubung, membuat satu-satunya menara yang tak terkena serangan seperti batu nisan.

Perbuatan gila ini membuat Kamijou hanya bisa terdiam.

Gedung-gedung itu hancur, banyak retakan di tembok dan orang-orang berjatuhan dari celah yang terbuat seperti debu yang jatuh hasil kita menepukkan celana. Banyak reruntuhan yang jatuh dan menghancurkan lingkungan sekitar seperti hujan meteor. Hal baik dari hal ini mungkin hanyalah sedikitnya orang yang ada karena ''rune'' Opila.

Kamijou mengertakkan giginya membayangkan banyak murid dan pengajar, Stiyl, Himegami, Aureolus, dan bahkan mungkin saja Index masih di dalam.

"BAJINGAN KALIAN!!"

Kemarahan Kamijou meledak seperti meriam, tapi tidak ditujukan ke orang berzirah. Tidak ada waktu meladeninyal Tujuan Kamijou adalah tempat bombardir. Badai debu membuat Kamijou kesulitan untuk pergi ke tempat tujuannya. Dia bahkan tidak bisa membuka matanya apalagi melihat. Walaupun begitu, dia terus maju. Di dalam benaknya, dia berharap ini tidak benar-benar terjadi.

Lalu, ada sesuatu yang berubah.

"?" Awalnya, Kamijou beranggapan debu sudah mulai menipis. Debu yang sangat banyak itu terbang bagaikan terbawa angin yang kencang… menuju reruntuhan bekas Misawa Cram School. "!?"

Debu hanya salah satunya. Puing yang sebelumnya berjatuhan mulai mengambang di udara dan tembok yang runtuh berdiri kembali. Reruntuhan tersebut bergerak bersamaan seperti memasang potongan puzzle, membangun menara itu seperti baru direnovasi.

Hal ini terlihat seperti menonton siaran yang dibalikkan. Menara yang sebelumnya tumbang berdiri kembali dan orang-orang yang berjatuhan ditelan melalui celah retakan. Hampir seluruh kerusakan diperbaiki dan segera, keempat menara Misawa Cram School terbentuk kembali seperti tidak terjadi apa-apa. Bahkan bangunan sekitar hancur akibat puing jatuh kembali seperti sedia kala. Orang pasti akan mengira ingatan Kamijou dimanipulasi.

''Tunggu. Mengembalikan semuanya seperti semula… Jangan bilang kalau…!'' Kamijou melihat ke arah langit. Tombak suci berwarna merah seperti teratai yang dijatuhkan dari langit muncul kembali. Siapapun yang melihatnya dapat menyadari kemana arah tombak itu: mata dibalas mata.

"Ah… ahh…" Kamijou berbalik untuk melihat laki-laki berzirah yang mengerang. Kakinya seperti sudah menyerah dan diapun terjatuh. Tampaknya dia benar-benar mengetahui kekuatan Nyanyian Gregori yang asli.

''Apa yang terjadi?'' Kamijou kembali melihat ke arah langit. Bahkan ketujuh Level 5 Academy City tidak mungkin menciptakan keajaiban seperti ini.

''Apakah itu… Itukah kemampuan sejati orang itu…!!''

Aureolus Izzard. Berhadapan dengan musuh mengerikan seperti itu, bagaimana Kamijou dapat melawannya? Kamijou diam berdiri dengan pikiran kosong.

"SIAL!" Kamijou mengabaikan rasa takutnya dan berlari menuju Misawa Cram School.

Saat dia tiba di depan pintu otomatis, dia merasa ragu untuk masuk. Dengan rasa takut dan keraguan, Kamijou melewati pintu tersebut dan kembali ke medan pertempuran.

Keadaan di dalam gedung tidak berubah dan, karena itu, Kamijou merinding. Belum lagi, murid-murid sama sekali tidak terluka dan terus mendengarkan pelajaran pengajar. Para murid tetap baik-baik saja walau sudah terkena Nyanyian Gregori dan diubah menggunakan Limen Magna.

Melewati suatu kelas di koridor, Kamijou melihat sesuatu yang mengejutkan dan berhanti.

''Cewek itu…!''

Duduk di kursi paling belakang ruangan kelas ada anak perempuan yang Kamijou kenali. Rambutnya dikuncir dan berkacamata… dialah perempuan yang diubah menjadi emas karena Limen Magna Aureolus ketika dia melindungi Himegami.

Dia ada di sana. Seperti tidak terjadi apa-apa. Dia tinggal di dunia biasa itu.

"…!" Situasi yang damai tersebut meruntuhkan rasa takut pada Kamijou. Dibawah pengaruh sihir alkimia, hidup dan mati, keberuntungan dan kemalangan, normal dan abnormal semuanya tertukar.

Kamijou tidak tahu kemana harus pergi. Tiba di koridor lurus, dia akhirnya menemukan wajah yang dia kenali.

"Ada apa? Kenapa kau tergesa-gesa?" Di situ berdiri orang yang sudah mengkhianatinya, menggunakannya sebagai umpan dan masih bisa tersenyum tanpa merasa malu. Di sana berdiri Stiyl Magnus, orang yang Kamijou sangat benci namun anehnya merasa senang melihatnya.

"Hm. Kalau kau masih di sini, sepertinya kita masih berada di Jepang, ya? Pantas saja aku melihat banyak sekali orang Asia sepanjang waktu. Omong-omong, apa pembatas misterius ini? Kekkai? Sepertinya aku merasa pernah mengetahuinya." Stiyl mengabaikan kamijou dan terus bergumam. Kelihatannya ingatannya dihilangkan seperti Kamijou. Malah dia bahkan sampai melupakan tujuan mereka ke Misawa Cram School, artinya ingatan Stiyl lebih banyak dihapus dibanding Kamijou.

Dia bisa mengembalikan ingatan Stiyl kalau dia menyentuh kepala Stiyl dengan tengan kanannya, tapi Kamijou khawatir melakukannya karena bisa saja menghilangkan kebangkitan Stiyl setelah bombardir sebelumnya. Tangan kanannya tidak bekerja terhadap perintah Aureolus saat dia "tidak bisa menyentuh," tapi, kalau hal ini melibatkan nyawa Stiyl, hasil yang tak diharapkan bisa saja terjadi.

"Oi! Kau tadi berada di bagian mana?"

"Apa?"

"Jawab saja!"

"Seharusnya di bagian utara. Kenapa memangnya?"

Kamijou menghela napas lega. Hanya bagian utara yang tidak terkena bombardir Gregori, jadi Stiyl tidak perlu dibangkitkan.

Setelah yakin dengan hal itu, Kamijou tahu apa yang harus dilakukan. "Oi! Stiyl! Mau kuberi tahu jimat untuk menghilangkan kebingunganmu?"

"…Jimat Ketimuran itu keahlian Kanzaki."

"Lakukan saja apa yang kubilang." Mudah kok. Tutup matamu sambil keluarkan lidahmu."

Dengan pandangan curiga, dia menuruti perkataan Kamijou.

"INI OLEH-OLEH KARENA MENGGUNAKANKU SEBAGAI UMPAN DAN KABUR SENDIRIAN, SIALAN!" kata Kamijou.

"...Eh?"

Kamijou memukul dagu Stiyl dengan ''uppercut'' memakai tangan kanannya.

Ingatannya kembali dan lidahnya tergigit, lalu dia bergulingan di lantai.

===Part 4===

Aureolus Izzard berdiri di lantai teratas bagian paling utara. Lantai tempat kantor kepala sekolah, ruangan itu besar sekali sampai menempati satu lantai sendirian. Untuk ukuran cram school, ruangan itu lebih cocok untuk ruangan direktur daripada ruang kepala sekolah.

Aureolus melihat keluar jendela, mengabaikan ruangan mempesona dan dekorasi mewah dalam ruangan itu. Walaupun pemandangan malam di bawah gedung tidak menarik baginya. Dia malah sedang melihat wajah yang terpantul dari jendela.

''…Jalan yang ditempuh sudah cukup panjang.''

Dengan satu kalimat—hanya satu kalimat—seperti '''"Kembali menjadi normal"''' seluruh gedung bangkit kembali seperti mahluk hidup. Dia telah menyaksikan kejadian tersebut tanpa berkedip. Dia melihat ke wajah pantulan itu dan tenggelam dalam pemikirannya.

Di masa lalu, dia tidak seperti itu. Walau dia lebih ke tipe orang yang tenang, dia masihlah manusia yang menampakkan emosinya. Saat ini, dia memiliki perasaan tenang tanpa emosi yg sudah dia abaikan karena dia tidak punya waktu untuk hal seperti itu.

''Tak apa-apa walaupun aku menjadi seperti ini.'' Walaupun dia sadar perubahan itu semenjak awal, dia tak punya waktu untuk menunda. Seluruh dunia adalah musuhnya agar dia dapat mencapai tujuannya.

Aureolus Izzard sudah melakukan semua hal demi menolong satu gadis yang berada di atas meja hitam di belakangnya. Index Librorum Prohibitum. Index. Tiga tahun sudah berlalu sejak dia bertemu gadis tersebut yang tidak tahu nama aslinya. Saat terlibat dengan Gereja Katolik Roma, dia dikenal sebagai Cancellarius. Walaupun ia seorang anggota gereja, dia ditugaskan dalam penulisan grimoir, membuat keadaannya unik bahkan dari yang unik sekalipun. Tugasnya adalah memecahkan teori sihir penyihir jahat modern, menemukan cara untuk melawannya, dan mencatat hasilnya. Dia percaya, dengan perbuatannya ini, dia dapat melindungi orang-orang tak berdosa dari penyihir jahat.

Aureolus Izzard had done everything to save the single girl on the black ebony table behind him. Index Librorum Prohibitorum. Index. Three years had passed since he had met the girl who did not know her own given name. While involved with the Roman Catholic Church, he was a Cancellarius. Though a member of the Church, he was tasked with writing grimoires, making his situation a unique one amongst unique. He was to decode modern witchcraft, discover ways to counter them, and record the results. He had believed, through his actions, he could protect innocents hurt by witches.

Kenyataannya, grimoir yang telah Aureolus tulis berhasil menolong banyak orang. Namun, Gereja Katolik Roma menggunakan grimoir-grimoir tersebut sebagai kartu as. Sekte pagan<ref>[http://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paganisme]</ref> dan bahkan pihak Kristen lainnya seperti Anglikan dan Gereja-gereja Ortodoks tidak tahu menahu adanya kartu-kartu as itu. Orang-orang yang tahu hal itu bahkan diperingatkan untuk pindah keyakinan menjadi Katolik bila mereka ingin dilindungi dari penyihir jahat. Walau ahli alkimia tersebut telah merancang banyak cara menghadapi penyihir jahat, banyak yang gagal, bahkan sampai membahayakan yang melaksanakannya. Sungguh sangat tak masuk akal, seperti pasien yang sudah dioperasi lalu di telantarkan.

Aureolus tidak dapat menahan perasaan itu lagi. Dia dulu yakin kartu as yang dibuatnya untuk menolong orang lain. Alhasil, dia memutuskan menyelundupkan "buku-buku" yang dia tulis. Dia kabur ke Inggris, negara sihir yang penyihir jahatnya merajalela. Aureolus menyamar dengan waspada dan berhasil mengontak Gereja Anglikan via dunia bawah.

Disanalah ia bertemu dengan gadis yang tidak bisa diselamatkan. Dia tahu sedari awal. Dia yang telah diberikan tugas menyelamatkan seluruh dunia tahu bahwa dia bisa menyelamatkan gadis dihadapannya. Gadis yang memiliki 103.000 grimoir dari seluruh dunia, yang masing-masing dapat membuat orang biasa manjadi gila. Tetapi, penjaga grimoir tersebut tetap tersenyum, walau tahu menyelamatkan dirinya adalah hal yang mustahil.

Menyelamatkan gadis itu merupakan hal yg mastahil. Manusia yang mengingat 103.000 grimoir akan berakibat membuat jasmaninya keracunan akibat huruf-huruf pada grimoir dan pikirannya terkorosi oleh pengetahuan tersebut. Itu adalah hal yang membuat ahli alkimia tersebut sadar akan batasan pengetahuannya. Gadis itu terus menghadapi kemalangan dengan tersenyum kepada orang lain. Bila dia bahkan tidak bisa menyelamatkannya, tidak mungkin dia bisa bicara untuk menyelamatkan dunia?

Pada suatu saat ketika dia sudah tidak bisa menghitung jumlah grimoir yang sudah dia tulis, dia mulai bertanya-tanya kenapa dia belum menyerah dan melanjutkan menulis grimoir. Saat itulah dia sadar. Walau menyelamatkannya merupakan hal yang mustahil, dia terus berusaha, memakai alasan memberikannya grimoir untuk bertemu dengan gadis itu.

Ini hanyalah cerita yang biasa. Seorang ahli alkimia ingin menyelamatkan seorang gadis tapi pada akhirnya malah diselamatkan oleh gadis itu sendiri. Dia sadar dia tidak bisa menyelamatkannya adalah akhir dari cerita itu: dia tidak bisa lagi memegang penanya, keyakinan dan kepercayaan diri kemampuan menulisnya sirna.

Tidak bisa menyelamatkan… Tidak bisa menyelamatkan… Ahli alkimia tersebut tidak bisa menyelamatkan seorangpun pada waktu itu. Namun, agar dapat menyelamatkannya apapun akibatnya, dia memilih terus maju, walaupun terjatuh, dalam jalan menuju ke kegelapan karenanya.

Kalau Aureolus bisa mendapatkan kemampuan untuk menyelamatkan semuanya, dia memutuskan untuk menggunakannya ke gadis dihadapannya. Karenanya, Aureolus melawan Gereja Katolik Roma, Kristen dan bahkan dunia. Walaupun gagal. Memakai seluruh pengetahuan dari sekolah-sekolah Hermes dan Zurich dia tetap gagal. Dia dahulu percaya dengan hanya mengetahui anatomi manusia dapat menyembuhkan penyakit apapun. Dia dahulu percaya memahami otak manusia dapat menyembuhkan trauma apapun. Tapi tentu saja, dia salah.

Kalau hal ini mustahil dilakukan melalui metode keyakinan ataupun teknologi, apa salahnya mengandalkan keturunan kaum bertaring, yang kemampuannya melebihi pemahaman manusia? Untuk mencapai tujuan ini, dia bersedia mengkhianati dan memanipulasi siapapun dan apapun. Termasuk Deep Blood. Dan, seperti itu, ahli alkimia itu menyimpang dari jalan yang benar. Keinginan awalnya untuk menyelamatkan orang lain telah menjadi bayang-bayang masa lalu menyedihkannya.

"…"

Aureolus Izzard belum menyadarinya. Gadis berjuluk Deep Blood memandanginya diam-diam dari belakang dengan keinginan menyelamatkan orang lain.

Aureolus belum menyadarinya. Sang penyelamat belum tiba.

"Aureolus Izzard membalikkan Nyanyian Gregori? Bagaimana bisa?" kata Stiyl yang terkejut saat Kamijou memberitahunya ketika mereka main kejar-kejaran. Dengan pedang api berada ditangannya Stiyl.

"Itu sungguhan! Melihatnya seperti menonton film yang dimundurkan! Menara yang hancur kembali seperti semula!" kata Kamijou, sambil berlari menyusuri koridor. Stiyl sebenarnya sudah lebih banyak menelusuri gedung ini dibanding Kamijou, sebelum dia bisa menemukan tempat persembunyian, dia merasa gentar.

"Kalau memang seperti itu… jangan-jangan… tapi alkimia modern tidak mungkin bisa melakukan hal seperti itu…" gumam Stiyl sambil menghembuskan asap rokoknya.

"Dia bahkan menggunakan mantra seperti 'kau tidak akan bisa menyentuhku' dan 'lupakan semuanya.' Apakah sihir sangatlah sehebat itu sampai apapun yang kau inginkan terwujud!?"

"…Bagaimana bisa? Sihir adalah bentuk pengetahuan dengan aturan dan logika yang ketat. Kalau ada mantra seperti itu, siapa yang mau melakukan pencarian sihir lagi?"

"Lalu apa yang aku lihat? Semua yang dia katakan entah bagaimana terjadi."

"'Semua yang dia katakan…'" merupakan istilah yang mengesalkan. Mengingatkanku pada Ars Magna."

Fokus pada istilah itu, Kamijou mengingat pembicaraan saat Stiyl menyebutkan akhir, tujuan alkimia yang belum tercapai, dimana seseorang dapat mengeluarkan pemikirannya ke dunia. "Kalau begitu. Bukannya orang itu sudah menguasai mantra paling kuat dalam alkimia?"

"ITU MUSTAHIL!" teriak Stiyl dengan nada langka dan kasar. "Sudah kubilang. Ars Magna bukanlah hal yang sanggu dicapai manusia. Mantranya memang ada, tapi perapalannya tak mungkin bisa diselesaikan dalam satu, tidak, dua ratus tahun perapalan terus menerus. kau tidak bisa mempersingkat mantranya dan tidak bisa dilanjutkan ke generasi selanjutnya. Seperti permainan sambung kalimat yang makin lama makin tidak benar. Manusia dengan masa hidup yang terbatas tidak mungkin bisa mempunyai sihir seperti itu!" penolakan Stiyl masuk akal untuk yang mengerti sihir, tapi, Stiyl sendiri gemetar seperti melihat hal yang tidak bisa dipercaya.

"Kau benar." Kamijou merenungkannya dari sudut pandang lain. "Kalau dia bisa mewujudkan apapun yang dia inginkan, kita tidak mungkin masih hidup. Dia tidak akan menggunakan Satuan Pelantun Lagu Suci tiruan untuk memakai Nyanyian Gregori atau Aureolus palsu itu. Bukannya dia hanya perlu berkata 'matilah'?"

Bahkan, vampir dan Deep Blood tidak seharusnya diperlukan. Kalau memang diperlukan, dia seharusnya bisa langsung membuat vampir. Bila keinginan ahli alkimia tersebut dapat membuat pemikirannya menjadi kenyataan, kenapa mencari vampir masih diperlukan?

"Omong-omong, apaakah tujuan dia sebenarnya? Aku dengar dia ingin menyelamatkan seseorang tapi malah berakhir membunuh banyak orang. Sekarang ini, bahkan Index jadi terlibat… Apakah hal itu membuatnya menjadi seperti itu?"

"Apa? Anak itu juga terlibat?"

"Aku mendengar dia berbicara mengenainya tapi aku tidak benar-benar melihatnya. Mungkin dia berkhayal atau semacamnya." Kamijou berkata dengan entengnya, "Mungkin untuk menghibur dirinya sendiri?"

Ekspresi Stiyl menjadi lebih serius. Lebih tepatnya masam, dia langsung membuang rokoknya. "Cih! Aku tahu apa yang terjadi. Dia menyendiri selama tiga tahun untuk mempelajari alkimia dan tidak mengikuti kejadian terkini." Kata Stiyl setelah merokok dengan rokok baru. "Aku tahu apa yang dia inginkan. Dia ingin Index."

"Apa?" Bingung, dalam pemahamannya, kejadian ini tidak ada kaitannya dengan Index.

Dengar ini, Kamijou Touma. Index selalu dihapus ingatannya setiap tahun. Setiap tahun, hubungannya berubah dan menemukan ''partner'' baru."

"Jadi… Apa maksudnya?"

"Tahun ini, kaulah ''parternya.'' Dua tahun yang lalu aku dan," Stiyl meneruskannya dengan penuh amarah. "tiga tahun yang lalu adalah Aureolus Izzard. Mereka adalah guru dan murid."

Terkejut.

"Takdir setiap pendamping selalu sama. Mereka mencoba menyelamatkannya agar ingatannya tidak dihapus tapi gagal." Katanya dengan sorot mata merendahkan. "Tentu saja hal itu juga sama dengannya. Dan, kelihatannya dia tidak bisa menerima hal itu."

"Apa maksudmu?"

"Mudah saja. Kami pendamping tidak ditinggalkan oleh Index, dia hanya melupakan kami. Kalau benar seperti itu, mereka hanya perlu menyembuhkan Index dan mengembalikan ingatannya. Dia akan kembali kepada mereka, kan?"

Hati Kamijou merasakan sakit seperti dipukul menggunakan palu. Dia tidak tahu apa yang membuatnya merasa seperti itu. Index dapat disembuhkan merupakan hal yang bagus tapi tetap saja masih ada dampak yang tak dapat dilihat dan tidak bisa dijabarkan. Dia ingat senyumannya. Senyuman yang di tunjukkan ke orang lain mengandung beban yang berat bagi Kamijou.

"Tapi itu tidak akan terjadi." Stiyl tersenyum. "Sama seperti menghapus ingatan seseorang sudah merupakan dosa besar, mengubah ingatan juga sama saja. Dia harusnya mengetahui hal ini atauu dia sudah benar-benar lupa daratan." suara Stiyl terlalu pelan. Saat Kamijou menengok agar berhadapan dengan Stiyl untuk mendengarnya lebih jelas, Stiyl hanya menghembuskan asap rokok dan dengan tenang menggelengkan kepalanya.

"Bukan apa-apa. Aku hanya bilang orang itu tidak bisa menyelamatkannya. Itu saja."

"Kenapa? Kamijou tidak mengerti yang dikatakannya, pikirannya hanya terfokus pada kemampuan orang itu. Kalau dia sanggup mengambil ingatan seseorang atau membangkitkan yang sudah tewas, apa yang tidak bisa dilakukannya?

"Alasannya sederhana. Karena kamu."

?

"Bukankah kau sudah menyelamatkannya? Bagaimana bisa seseorang diselamatkan dua kali? Hal itu sederhana, hanya begitu saja."

Anak laki-laki itu mengerti hubungan kejadian ini. Aureolus Izzard adalah ''partner'' sebelumnya Index tiga tahun yang lalu. Semenjak kehilangan Index, dia sama sekali tidak berhubungan dengan siapapun dan tidak tahu menahu kejadian setelah itu.

Artinya Aureolus itu…

"Kami disini. Lihat dia bahkan sengaja membiarkan pintunya terbuka. Baiknya." Stiyl memandang ke depan. Di lantai teratas menara bagian utara Misawa Cram School, pintu-pintu megah menuju kantor kepala sekolah terbuka seluruhnya. Mereka mengundang Kamijou dan Stiyl untuk masuk.

===Part 5===

It's a wide space.
This used to be the room that the ex-branch principal of 'Misawa Cram School', who's also the founder of the religious science, stayed in. Though the room is luxurious, it still lacks class, reflecting those twisted desires. It's like walking into a restaurant that shows proper etiquette yet won't think for the clients; it's really annoying.
On seeing Kamijou walk into the room, Himegami seem to be rather shocked. However, Aureolus doesn't show any reaction. He looks like he expected that to happen.
There's a severe emptiness in the place, an emptiness that's like looking at an old and yellowish photograph.
This isn't the idea of the alchemist.
Perhaps to him, there's nothing in the world he can't do.
But because of that, nothing seems real to this man.
It's like being an esper who has the powerful ability of wiping the minds off others. Even when he sees the people around him smiling, he won't feel happy. That's because the esper can just create these smiles with a flick of a finger. Even if he sees the perfect smile, the significance to him is only equivalent to 'flicking a finger'.
It's the same logic.
To someone who can create everything, what he creates doesn't hold any significance.
This atmosphere doesn't feel like that of a battlefield.
Anywhere Aureolus Izzard appears in will become an empty battlefield.
―Obviously, I can see that you have deduced my goal.‖
The alchemist said calmly,
―If that's the case, why do you want to stop me? Isn't your rune magic meant to save Index?‖
Aureolus glances down.
In front of the alchemist—on the luxurious table, the silver-haired girl lies sleeping.
Kamijou wants to dash forward, but is stopped by Stiyl's long arm.
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―It's simple. This method won't be able to save that child. It's like seeing an operation that will definitely fail on her. However, this child isn't that worthless.‖
―Not necessarily. That's just your envy. I can understand that. Though we were 'comrades' who had the same dreams crushed, you are unhappy that I surpassed you. I don't find that funny, however. I always had this feeling.‖
Stiyl frowns.
That's because Aureolus Izzard said it so naturally, without any hint of sarcasm.
―In the past, Index's mind was overloaded with so much information that she had to have her memory erased every year. That was to be fated, something a human body can't defy.‖
Aureolus sternly says,
―However, by using a power other than that of humans, I can solve this problem. After I got this conclusion, I found it all the more unbelievable. Why is it that nobody suggested that we could borrow the power of vampires?‖
―...‖
―Vampires have the power of immortality. They can store infinite amounts of memories in the brain that's similar to that of humans. However, I never heard of a vampire breaking his head due to information overload.‖
The alchemist says.
―Necessarily, vampires really have such a 'attribute'. No matter how much memories they hold, they won't lose their wills.‖
―Humph. I see. So you intend to interact with vampires and ask them to teach the method to you?‖
Stiyl shakes the cigarette in his mouth and says,
―For safety sake, let me ask you first. If this method can't be used on a human, what do you intend to do?‖
―Clearly If a human body can't do it—I'll move the Forbidden Library outside a human body.‖
Aureolus answered without any hesitation.
It means—
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―Turn her into a vampire? Che! Which Christian in the world will be happy about being a descendant of Cain? This is a common mistake we people have. If we want to save someone, the most important thing is that we have to remove our own thoughts and think from their viewpoint, right? I only learnt that recently.‖
―...Absolutely ridiculous. Such thinking is merely fake kindness. This child once told me at the last moment that she definitely doesn't want to forget me. Even if she defies the teachings, even if she's willing to give up her life, she doesn't wish to forget all these memories. She told me all these with her body unable to move at all, not even realising that she was crying—all of this while holding a smile!‖
Aureolus Izzard seem to grit his teeth.
Of course, Kamijou doesn't know what he's thinking about or recalling.
―Seems like you don't intend to change your mind no matter what. If that's the case, though it's a little cruel, I have to use my trump card.‖
Stiyl suddenly turns to Kamijou and says,
―Oi! Current partner! Tell him! Tell this wreck in front of you what kind of a fatal defect he has?‖
―...What?‖
Aureolus finally turns to look at Kamijou.
Kamijou can't tell which part of what Stiyl said angered Aureolus.
―Just from what age are you coming from?‖
This time, Aureolus Izzard looks perplexed as he stares at Kamijou.
―That's the case. Index got saved, not by you, not by me, but by the current partner. What you couldn't achieve then was achieved by this guy.‖
Stiyl reveals a cruel smirk and says,
―This only happened a week ago. Ah, it's to be expected that you didn't know. You were away from that child for 3 years, so you didn't know that the child got saved.‖
―That's impossible...‖
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―Yeah. I can understand that you can't believe it. Besides, even I who witnessed it couldn't believe it as well. No, I didn't want to believe it as well. This is a declaration to myself, that child will never come back to me again.‖
―PERPOSTEROUS! THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE! HOW CAN THERE BE A WAY TO SAVE INDEX! AND IT'S ONE THAT POSSESSES A HUMAN BODY! AND BESIDES, THIS GUY THERE ISN'T A MAGICIAN NOR AN ALCHEMIST. JUST WHAT CAN HE POSSIBLY DO?‖
―As for that, since it involves Necessarius...no, since it concerns the pride of the English Anglicans, I rather not spread the tale. But I can only tell you this:‖
Stiyl exhales the smoke cruelly and says,
―This guy's right hand has an ability called Imagine Breaker. Basically, it's a terrifying ability that shouldn't belong to any ordinary person.‖
The alchemist is shocked.
He can't remain calm down. The alchemist stares at Kamijou.
―...Hold on a minute. That means...‖
―That's right. It's been tough on you. I heard you betrayed the Roman Catholics and hid underground for 3 years? It seems like all these were a waste of time. Hm, I can understand the pain of not getting anything back in return. However, this child is living a happy life with her 'partner' as you so wished.‖
―--Ha...‖
The decisive sentence.
Everything that was supporting Aureolus Izzard crumbles. He starts to laugh maniacally.
―HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!‖
...This person has completely lost it.
Kamijou thinks about this, blankly but definitely. But unexpectedly, the eyes start to let out a flow. That's because in front of the alchemist—on the huge table, something moved. A girl, the sleeping Index starts to regain her consciousness because of Aureolus' mad laugh.
She can be said to be the last defence to Aureolus' mental state.
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Index widens her eyes slightly, saying softly like a thread being held by a hand.
―...Touma?‖
But what she sees isn't the Aureolus Izzard in front of her.
She doesn't care who, when, where, how she was taken here. She doesn't even care about her current state, and she's not thinking about what happened to her when she was unconscious.
She smiled. She's smiling happily.
It's only because Kamijou Touma exists in her sights.
―--Ah...‖
Kamijou inadvertently backs away.
Kamijou is happy that Index is showing this attitude. Index doesn't care about anything else, only Kamijou's expression. The act that's like a kitten opening its eyes makes Kamijou feel that this is irreplaceable.
But this scene also brings a sharp cold.
Behind Index, the alchemist who was supposed to be the leading man got completely forgotten by the girl he protected. His face is as stiff as though he just saw the end of the world.
Kamijou really can't face this reality.
Aureolus Izzard was once the male protagonist. He betrayed the Roman Catholics, renounced his beliefs and became an alchemist, all just to save this girl in front of him.
But what he got was the worst outcome.
Even if it was Kamijou Touma, had he taken just one wrong step, he may have faced a similar fate.
The girl in front of them is a pure Holy girl that's beloved by people all over the world.
But because she's a Holy girl, she can only love a male protagonist.
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Such a simple purity that borders on cruelty actually causes the most damage.
“I should be perfect!! Why are you so unhurried!? What am I lacking!?”
Suddenly, Kamijou remembers the dummy he beat.
So that wasn't just a flimsily-made clone. In fact, that dummy actually portrayed the true character of the man Aureolus Izzard.
―Ugh—‖
Aureolus Izzard can't say anything.
He's just smiling—a twisted smile that's all frozen, like he just burped out air.
Right above Index, Aureolus raises his hand.
That looks like a blade of a guillotine, but even so, Index hasn't left Kamijou. This causes the alchemist to be even more enraged, and the arm he raises seems to insert even more force.
―Index...!‖
Immediately, Kamijou thinks of running towards Index, but because he was too anxious, he couldn't decide on which foot he should step forward with first. The alchemist is laughing maniacally. Right now, Kamijou is the male protagonist to him.
Kamijou raises his right hand, but it's too late. He can't make it in time. Just like that, the alchemist's arm...
Never swung down.
Kamijou inadvertently stops.
―Uu—‖
Above Index's head, Aureolus' arm that was raising what looks like a guillotine is trembling.
―Uu...uuuuuu!‖
But he can't move.
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He lost everything. He became an alchemist, and even betrayed his past allies just to save a single girl. But this girl was already saved by a stranger he doesn't even know of, and she doesn't even look at this man who gave up everything just for her.
If it were Kamijou in this situation, can he still rely on Index?
Can he convince himself that he wasn't betrayed?
Even so, Aureolus Izzard can't bring himself to hurt Index.
To this alchemist, she's that important to him.
―...‖
Kamijou can't move.
Kamijou Touma doesn't have any memories. Though others have said that he saved Index, he doesn't remember how he did it, and how he felt when he saved her?
Just like that, Kamijou Touma earned the trust of others by saving someone when he has no recollection about it.
Seeing this man in front of him, Kamijou seriously wonders if he has the right to keep her for himself.
But Aureolus turns around and glares sharply at Kamijou.
This man can sentence anyone to death with just a single sentence. Kamijou knows that this is a death glare, but deep inside, he can understand his feelings. Right now, Aureolus is unable to calm himself down. It's just that he can't bring himself to kill Index, and having lost all his sights, he's rampaging.
In such a situation, who will be the scapegoat, who?
Thinking about it logically, one can tell that this is naturally to be expected.
―———「SLAM TO THE GROUND, INTRUDERS!!」."
An angry roar that sounded like an explosion can be heard.
Immediately, Kamijou feels the weight of numerous heavy hands pushing down on him, like a bank robber who has his gun taken away and crushed onto the floor. The term 'intruders' should
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also include Stiyl, and in the corner of his eye, the red-haired magician can be seen flattened on the floor as well.
―Uu...ugh...‖
The feeling of almost having all the intestines flip inside makes Kamijou feel like vomiting. He uses the right hand that feels like it got sucked by a strong magnetic force and drags it forcefully to his chest, bit by bit. If he can use his hand to touch his body, perhaps he can be released like how he got his memories back.
―HA, HAHA, HAHAHAHA! I WON'T KILL YOU SO EASILY! LET ME ENJOY THIS A LITTLE MORE! I WON'T DO ANYTHING TO INDEX, BUT I WON'T BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN MY SANITY IF I DON'T TAKE IT OUT ON YOU GUYS!‖
The alchemist pulls out a thin needle that's as slim as a hair, holding it with trembling hands and aims it at his body. He then stabs it in like he's pressing a button inside the body.
Then, he tosses the needle aside like he's scratching off a poisonous bug that's nibbling at his flesh.
These actions are like signals to declare the commencement of an attack, as Aureolus again glares at Kamijou.
"Hold it!"
At this moment, Himegami Aisa stands between them.
It's the same position when she protected Kamijou, but there's a decisive difference this time. What Aureolus valued was not Himegami Aisa, but Deep Blood. Since his 'aim', which is Index, can't ever be obtained, is there a reason to maintain such a simple 'mean'--!
"Hime--"
But Kamijou is unable to say anything to stop her.
The image Himegami's back presents is that she's really worried. Not just for Kamijou, but also for Aureolus, whose sanity is crumbling. Though she didn't say it out, Kamijou can feel that she wants Aureolus to calm down before he goes down the road of destruction.
Facing this, who can state that cruel truth?
"Out of the way, woman--"
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But that was the greatest failure.
Kamijou sees the eyes that look like gun barrels. Those are serious-looking eyes. Kamijou moves his right hand, or rather, he tried to. If he doesn't step up, Himegami will definitely be killed. Slowly, bit by bit, inches by inches, he continues to drag that right hand that's stuck on the floor. He then uses his teeth to touch that ace right hand like he's about to eat his own right hand index finger.
PA! With the sound of the bones breaking, his body regains its freedom. This is a good chance! Kamijou frantically gets up. Now he just needs to knock Himegami aside and shut Aureolus up.
"----「Die」."
At that moment, Aureolus Izzard said that, and time seemed to stop.
Assassinated, strangled, poisoned, shot, beheaded, slaughtered, hacked, beaten up, burned, nipped, crushed, ganged up, frozen, drowned. No one will be able to tell the method of how Himegami was killed.
No wounds, no bleeding, no illnesses.
She just died.
It's like a battery without power. If there's really a soul, the soul will be drawn from the flesh, leaving an empty shell.
Himegami didn't even cry out.
She sways about, her head tilted back as she collapses back. In other words, Kamijou sees Himegami's face when she fell. Slowly, slowly. Himegami's face that couldn't be seen is revealed in front of his eyes.
Her twisted face is still smiling.
She look like she's about to cry, but she still held back her tears. All these weren't because of surprise or shock. Himegami was already prepared. This expression is of regret, regret that she couldn't fix something that's pre-determined.
Himegami Aisa already knew that she would end up like this when she blocked Aureolus.
Even so, she still held a single bit of hope and tried to stop him.
The girl who wasn't needed by anyone, the girl who's always viewed as a mere item until the end.
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It's like how the alchemist never got to be the male protagonist, this girl was still unable to be the female protagonist until the end. It's like a background that has someone moving away a figure, it's as dead and worthless as ever. The 'Deep Blood', Himegami Aisa.
Seeing this, who can remain silent?
(What are you--)
Kamijou's eyes have completely ignored the existence of the alchemist. He just runs forward at Himegami Aisa, who's about to collapse onto the floor. There's no reason at all. He just has a feeling that if he lets her fall onto the floor, this spell of death can't be reverted back.
"--MESSING AROUND WITH, YOU BASTARD!!"
Right before Himegami lands on the floor, Kamijou finally manages to carry her body with both hands. Himegami's body is extremely light, so light it's like something important was taken away from her.
In his arms, Himegami's body is unbelievably soft.
But through the 'right hand' that's carrying Himegami, a weak but definite beating of the heart can be sensed.
"What...my Ars MagnaImbued with Gold got dispelled by your right hand?"
The alchemist's expression froze, and he says,
"IMPOSSIBLE! HIMEGAMI AISA'S DEATH WAS DEFINITIVE! DOES YOUR RIGHT HAND POSSESS SOME SORT OF HOLY VATICAN SECRET ARTS!?"
"..."
Kamijou doesn't reply.
That's enough. These things aren't important. It's like how he somehow managed to get back the memories, why he could negate the order to 'die' using his right hand, that's not important at all.
The most important thing is that Kamijou definitely can't forgive this man in front of him.
Though he can pity him, though he can feel his feelings, though he got hurt by Index yet couldn't bring himself to hurt her, all these things that the man just did made Kamijou think that there's no reason to go against him.
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But it's different now.
Even when he saw the most important person to him actually betray him, even when he saw the most important person to him get taken away from him, even when he couldn't vent his anger out and even scold himself.
But on facing someone who really cares for him,
How could he just vent his own anger on her to satisfy himself? Kamijou definitely can't agree with that.
Kamijou doesn't understand the Kamijou Touma 'before he lost his memories'.
What kinds of memories he had, what kind of past he had, what kinds of ideas he has for the future. What he likes, what he hates, what he protected in the past, what he wants to protect in the future.
But there's one thing he can be sure of.
'Kamijou Touma' would never agree with what this alchemist, no, what this 'human' did.
The two Kamijou Toumas who were on their own paths finally arrived at a common understanding.
"All right, Aureolus Izzard. If you think you can do anything you want--"
Kamijou Touma gently places Himegami Aisa on the floor, and then stands up. He isn't making any sounds, but the static electricity-like anger on him feels like it will be deflected on a single touch. Without holding back at all, he declares,
"--THEN LET ME DESTROY THAT MESSED UP ILLUSION OF YOURS...!"
It's nobody else's voice. It's the voice of the 'Imagine Breaker', Kamijou Touma.

Between the Lines 2
--That's why I wanted to be a spellcaster.
It was a story 10 years ago. In a certain night, a mountain village at Kyoto was attacked by a vampire. It happened so suddenly, without warning, without a trace.
An ordinary village that didn't even need a police station became a living Hell at night. The young people who tried to fight off the vampire died off one by one, until they couldn't even tell who was a vampire and who was a human. The companions who were supposed to be working together ended up in the mire of killing each other.
Before the sun rose, there were two kinds of people. The first were the dead, and the rest were vampires.
As for herself who could survive even till now, why? The girl thought in her young heart. There were vampires everywhere. All of them were uncles and aunties who were all familiar to her, those who said goodbye to her at night.
The vegetable uncle who once told her 'it's late, hurry up and go back' bit her neck.
--The moment the bite landed, the vampire turned into dust.
Yuzu, who once told her that 'we will play together tomorrow', bit her neck.
--The moment the bite landed, the vampire turned into dust.
Her mother, who once told her 'to run away', bit her neck.
--The moment the bite landed, the vampire turned into dust.
Thus, the vampires started to realise it. It was like a counter to the vampire, as long as they bit this girl's neck, the vampires would die. These had nothing to do with the girl's will. The girl's blood was like acid; as long as it remained in their mouths, the vampires would melt off and die.
Even so, everyone couldn't help but bite her neck.
The girl silently stared at the villagers who became dust that scattered in the wind.
Thus, what could she say?
"I'm sorry."
Every vampire said that to her.
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Some said that they didn't want to become vampires, some said that didn't want others to become vampires like them. They believed, that only by turning into ash, were they able to be redeemed.
The vampires turned into ash.
Sorry. We should have let you bear this sin. Until the end, they continued to weep, unable to reveal smiles, unable to be redeemed.
Unknowingly, the entire village got covered in ash.
The village was peaceful. As no one was around, it was peaceful. Even the vampire who instigated this didn't exist. It's unknown when the vampire bit the girl, and now he got mixed into the ash.
The girl started to realise.
The vampire who attacked the village was a victim as well. The girl whose ability could kill vampires in a single hit must have caused that vampire to be terrified. Trembling everyday with nowhere to go, he could only choose to kill the girl, but he doesn't have the power to kill the girl.
Having exhausted all options, the vampire thought of turning the entire village into vampires to increase the forces.
However, even an entire village full of vampires were easily killed by the girl.
So, I wanted to be a spellcaster.
I want to save those that can't be saved. I want to save those who were abandoned. Whether they are victims or sinners, even if they died, I want to pull them out of Hell. The only magicians who could do these things that defy logic were those that appear in picture books.
No matter what, she must become a spellcaster. She always dreamed of being one. Her mind only thought about becoming one. Therefore, when she met the alchemist, the dream that was impossible to fulfill suddenly had a short-cut, making the girl excited. That night, she was so nervous that she couldn't sleep. It was a comfortable form of tension.
But now, the alchemist stood in front of the girl.
"Out of the way, woman--"
The dream she always wanted got cruelly crushed by the mouth that twisted so much.
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"----「Die」."
At that moment, she couldn't even tell what she was thinking. The girl was unable to maintain her own consciousness. Under such circumstances when she couldn't tell what was going on, the girl's consciousness got dragged into the dark abyss.
But at that moment,
"--MESSING AROUND WITH, YOU BASTARD!!"
She seemed to hear a boy roar.
It wasn't that of the magician nor the alchemist. It was just that ordinary boy.
The boy's really angry.
Not because of what the alchemist did, but because of the girl's death.
He looked really stunning to the girl.
For some reason, she seemed to feel that the dream she couldn't fulfill was standing right there.

=== Notes ===
<references />

Toaru Majutsu no Index ~ Bahasa Indonesia:Volume2 Chapter2

2014-09-08T08:20:40Z

36.74.232.16: /* Part 1 */

=== Part 1 ===

Kamijou memandang ekspresi gadis kecil bernama Index. 

Pengetahuannya mulai mengeluh. Dia memiliki memori sempurna yang tidak akan pernah lupa dan karena ini, dia bisa mengingat 103.000 grimoires. 

Tetapi, kemampuan ini juga tidak selamanya bagus: dia tidak bisa melupakan sesuatu yang ingin dia lupakan. Memori tak berguna dari brosur supermarket sampai wajah semua orang ketika jam kerja juga tertanam di memorinya, tak bisa dilupakan. 

Sihir dibutuhkan untuk menghapuus memorinya setiap tahun. Jika memorinya tidak dihapus, beban yang besar pada otaknya akan membunuhnya. Tapi, pada saat itu, dia, disamping Kamijou, sedang tersenyum dengan riang. 

Menurutnya, yang menolong Index dari keadaan sulit itu adalah Kamijou sendiri. Tetapi, dia tak bisa mengingat apa yang ia pikirkan atau apa yang telah dia lakukan. 

Kemudian, Kamijou mulai berpikir. 

Dia sudah berpisah dengan Styil dan kembali dengan Index ke asrama. Setelah itu, Kamijou perlu kembali ke medan perang bernama Misawa Cram School. 

Tentu saja, membawa Index bersamanya jelas tidak mungkin, lebih baik tak usah memberitahu anak itu tentang Misawa. 

Tapi, kalau dia tidak memberi alasan yang tepat, Index pasti akan curiga dan memaksa ikut pergi. 

"Touma?" 

Tangannya mulai berkeringat. Situasi berbahaya, dia harus menahan Index disini. 

“Aku bilang… ‘Touma!’” 

Dengan itu, yang harus dia lakukan sudah jelas. 

Kamijou, untuk menyembunyikan kegelisahannya, mulai menembaki serangan verbal. 

"AKU MAU PERGI KE INSTITUT BUDAYA UTAMA! TEMPAT SUPER TEKNOLOGI TINGGI! EH? KAMU MAU PERGI JUGA? JELAS TIDAK! KAMU NGGAK TAHU APA-APA SOAL MESIN, KAMU JELAS NGGAK BISA MEMAKAI DETEKSI OTAK SUPER MAGNETIK! KAMU BAKAL TERKUNCI DI PINTU OTOMATIS! KARENA SEKURITI TERMASUK LEVEL 4, KALAU DATABASE TIDAK PUNYA DATAMU, KAMU AKAN DISETRUM! BIRI BIRI ION SUMBU NEGATIF!" 

Sesuai dugaan, dalam pemboman verbal urusan teknologi, kepala Index mulai menguap. Benar-benar sesuai dugaan. Index, yang kurang mengerti soal dunia modern, adalah tipe orang yang keheranan dengan mesin penjual otomatis di stasiun kereta yang bersuara "selamat datang".

"Then I'll say this first. Dinner's in the fridge, just microwave it and you can eat it. Don't put the spoon in the microwave oven, or you'll start a fire. And don't you open the freezer door to cool yourself."
"Eh? Ah, uu...I don't seem to be really capable of using a microwave oven."
Maybe one may suspect how does one misuse a microwave oven. However, Index did microwave a sauce pack of a convenience store bento, and it exploded. She also tried to heat up a half-boiled egg, and it exploded. She even microwaved a bento for too long, and it exploded. In the end, it seemed to her that no matter how she used the microwave oven, it will explode. Perhaps she thought that using a microwave oven is 'a sure-fire way for an explosion'.
(...Seems like she's not suspecting anything at all.)
Kamijou stares at Index, who's staring at the microwave oven and narrowing her wide eyes, giving the look that she won't fail again. He heaves a sigh of relief.
Then, he realises it.
"Oi! What's hidden inside your clothes? More accurately, near the stomach!"
"Eh?"
Index froze. She turns to Kamijou and says,
"No, nothing at all!? I swear to God that sisters don't tell lies!"
The moment she said finished, the abnormally large stomach let out a 'mi--' cat cry.
"OII! SO MUCH FOR YOUR FAITH, YOU BROKE YOUR OATH! TAKE OUT THAT CAT FROM INSIDE YOUR STOMACH!"
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Perhaps it's because he was talking to Stiyl and too nervous that he didn't notice it. It's likely that the reason Index stayed in the alley for so long wasn't that she wanted to look for the source of the rune, but rather that she wanted to look for that stray cat.
"Uu! To, Touma! This piece of clothing is called the 'Walking Church', right?"
"So what?"
"And a Church should open its arms without any conditions to any lost sheep! Therefor, I will protect Sphynx, who was lost on the streets, Amen."
"..."
Kamijou's lips seem somewhat numb as he says,
"...So, you mean that you'll raise the cat inside the clothes, right? I understand! So the cat sand and it's toilet will be shoved into the your sleeves, right?"
"..."
"..."
"Whatever! I've decided that Sphynx will be protected by the Church!"
"Oi! The person who doesn't even think through before doing things! At least think for the one who's being taken care of!"
"It's all right as long as I treat it as a family member!"
"I DON'T WANT TO BE TREATED BY THE CAT AS ITS DAD!"
Though he really doesn't want to do it, Kamijou really feels like dumping the cat while heading to 'Misawa Cram School'...no, he actually wanted to do it, but if he really does so, Index will want to get the cat back and keep following Kamijou all the way.
"IDIOT, TOUMA IS AN IDIOT! I'LL RAISE THIS CHILD!"
"...Say that when you can earn money for yourself."
"But actually, Touma doesn't need to feel sorry. I just said 'idiot' out of frustration, and don't really think that you're a real 'idiot'!"
"Are you speaking alien?"
But on the other hand, if he agrees to it, Index will agree to him.
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(...What can I say, fukou da.)
Kamijou sighs. Thinking about the money needed to raise the cat, it seems like he has to reduce the number of dishes everyday. Why did Index choose to pick a cat up at this time?
".........alright."
"Hm? Touma? What did you say?"
"...............Can't be helped, let's raise it."
But it's good.
Seems like such words can make Index cry out tears of joy. It's worth it to be able to see Index show such an expression.
"Ahh, our Father in Heaven! Your warm light of love hase finally reached the heartless, cruel, cold-blooded, snake-eyed Touma's heart! Thank you for saving this stray cat's innocent soul, I won't forget this for the rest of my life."
...Even though he thought of this, Kamijou Touma's still unable to explain something.
Part 2
After exiting the dormitory room, he sees Stiyl, who he said goodbye to a while back, scattering card-like things all over the place.
"What are you doing?"
"Can't you tell? I'm setting a barrier here to build a temple here."
Stiyl said as he continues to work,
"Before we leave for the 'Misawa Cram School', who knows who will come up with a stupid reason to come here and take Index away? Even though we can only use so much, at least we can be more optimistic if we leave 'Innocentius' here, and if something happens, it can help her buy time to escape."
Innocentius.
Though Kamijou doesn't have any 'memory', his 'knowledge' is telling him that that's a humanoid-shaped ultimate weapon that's made of 3,000 degrees Celsius flames that has auto- tracking ability. The weakness is--
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"--It can only be used in the 'boundary' that has runes on it, and it will be destroyed if the runes are destroyed."
"...I can tell you this."
Hearing this, Stiyl's ears twitched, and says,
"I lost to you the last time not because I was weaker than you, it was just the location. If you didn't set off the sprinklers."
"Eh? Did we fight before?"
Kamijou only had 'knowledge' and no 'memories'. Therefore, even though he knew 'how to beat Innocentius', he doesn't know 'where this knowledge came from'.
"Ku...so you meant that that incident had no value in remembering?"
Seemingly misunderstanding, Stiyl continues on,
"Fine then, I won't squabble with you over that. After I stick this up, the boundary will be complete, and we can head towards Misawa Cram School...how troublesome. I have to set up a boundary to keep off magicians, but I can't make it too strong or else that child will notice it."
Stiyl continued to mutter, and it seems like he's really happy.
Thus, Kamijou somewhat realises something.
"Do you like Index?"
"Eh?"
"EH!?"
Stiyl blushes as if his heart got flipped over, and says,
"Wh wh wh why are you saying such ridiculous words out of a sudden!? She's, she's a target that needs to be protected, not a target for romance--!"
Kamijou chuckles and ends the conversation.
That's because Kamijou feels that if he continues to delve deeper into this, he'll be digging into his own grave. The main point isn't whether 'the current Kamijou Touma likes Index or not', but that 'the current Kamijou's feelings mustn't be any different from the Kamijou Touma' before he lost his memory'.
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Kamijou doesn't know how the 'pre-amnesia' Kamijou Touma viewed Index nor how did he interact with her.
If Kamijou says anything now that conflicts with the 'pre-amnesia' him, Stiyl will realise that he lost his memory.
(It's like I have two of "me"...)
Kamijou sighs deep inside. It's not really accurate to say that there're two of "him". Kamijou even feels that a fake Kamijou entered the real Kamijou's body and is trying to act like the real one. That really feels awkward.
"Before we charge into 'Misawa Cram School', let's talk about our 'enemy'."
Stiyl said this, perhaps trying to prevent Kamijou from asking on.
As they exit the student dormitory and walk on the night street, Kamijou listens to Stiyl's description.
"The enemy's name is Aureolus Izzard."
Stiyl first introduced the enemy's name.
"Speaking of Aureolus, there's one person you'll think of...hm? Are you shocked that he's such a famous person? Don't worry, he's just the descendant of that guy, he's not as strong as the legend goes."
"? Who is this Aureolus?"
"...Oh yeah, you don't know anything from the magic world. But at least you should have heard of Paracelsus, right?"
"???"
"Ku...! He's the most famous alchemist in the world!"
Stiyl said impatiently.
While walking down the evening street, Kamijou asked,
"So, is this guy really amazing?"
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The August sunset is burning. The large number of windows, windmill turbines, everything's dyed orange red. Kamijou thinks that it looks just like a faded photograph. Perhaps that's because their conversation doesn't seem so realistic.
"He shouldn't be strong...but what's worrying is that he must have some sort of 'secret weapon' to force Deep Blood follow him. Also, the worst case scenario is that he may have used the Deep Blood to let this 'certain creature' submit to him."
More than Aureolus Izzard, it seems like Stiyl's more mindful about this.
But Kamijou can't really understand. Even if the conditions are unique, he shouldn't be treating the 'enemy's' ability as second priority.
"Oi, that's not right, isn't it? I don't know how powerful vampires are, but should our primary concern be the enemy boss? It's like fighting in a fire, we'll be beaten badly if we are concerned only on the flames."
"Hm? Oh, you don't have to worry about that. Aureolus' name may be familiar, but his descendants aren't as powerful as he was. And in the magic world, there actually aren't any roles called Alchemist."
Stiyl said nonchalantly,
"Divination, alchemy, summoning, these sounds like your language, mathemathics and history. Even Japanese language teachers won't stop learning mathematics completely, right? This so- called magic is to learn a part of everything and then choose a direction that's most suited for himself."
Stiyl also mentions that the reason Aureolus Izzard became an alchemist is because he's not talented enough for the other roles.
"And also, this alchemy isn't a refined knowledge."
"..."
Even if Stiyl says so, Kamijou doesn't have any idea of this at all. That's because to Kamijou, alchemy's 'only a fraud that was widespread in the 16th century and will come up with scams to fool royalty' and other sorts of knowledge that's like a history calendar.
―Alchemy—especially the late Zurich branch of alchemy can be said to be a subset of the Hermes school. Normally speaking, the main motivations are to turn lead into gold and create an elixir of immortality, and so on--‖
Stiyl sounded rather unmotivated, probably because it's not what he specialises in.
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―But these are all experiments. It's like what you people call scientists, always looking for the '...basis' or '...rule'. They don't care about what they will get from the test tube, it wasn't their initial aim. The same theory applies here, alchemists weren't supposed to be focused on 'creating', but 'pursuing knowledge'.
―...It's like how Einstein was only researching on the theory of Relativity, and the atomic bomb was just a by-product of the research?‖
If one views it from this angle, scientists are really arrogant, never thinking of what their creations will do to society.
―Yeah. But besides researching on the 'formula' and the 'principle', they have a final goal.‖
Stiyl pauses, and then continues,
―--It's like a simulation of the world in his mind.‖
―...‖
―If one can understand all the laws of the world, one can imagine the world in the brain. Of course, if even a single law is wrong, the simulated world in the brain will have flaws.‖
―??What? What do you mean by that? Are you talking about abilities similar to those of 'espers'?‖
It's said that on the primitive islands in the South Pacific like Fiji and Melanesia, one has to have the talent of 'being able to accurately predict the weather the next day with just a single glance to the sky' in order to be a leader.
Though this 'weather forecast' ability seems like some esper ability, it's actually just a result of computing the window flow, cloud shapes, temperature and humidity in the brain and making a rough estimate out of the vast amount of calculations in the brain. These island leaders never realised that their brains were doing calculations, thinking that they 'just listened to the voice of the wind' to accurately predict the weather'.
What Stiyl meant was similar to this example in meaning.
It's true that in the 'leader's mind, they may have completely simulated 'tomorrow's weather'. However, this imaginary world will be miles away from the actual one, if there's a tiniest error in their supposedly-perfect formula.
―...Hold on, but what can such an ability do? Are they trying to create some sort of calculator that can get everything in the future like a weather report?‖
―No.‖
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Stiyl said nonchalantly,
―What if they can bring out what they thought of into the real world?‖
That's really a shocking proclamation.
―For example, spells that involve ectoplasm, or spells that uses telesma to summon Angels; it's not uncommon to see one 'pull the thoughts in the brain back to reality' in the magic world.‖
Stiyl folds his arms in front of his chest and says,
―Thus, it's important to have an ability to 'use the brain to accurately imagine the real world'. Basically, with this power, one can 'control the world'. Any celestial beings or devils will bow down to that person.‖
―...Oi oi...‖
―Of course, it's hard to do this. The flow of the river, clouds, humans, blood...there are an unlimited number of 'laws' in a world. If one messes up something, he won't be able to create an accurate 'world'. One distortion in the world is like a distorted pair of wings, even if they're summoned, they will be vanquished.‖
This should be similar to a computer process, Kamijou thought. No matter how perfect the process is, if someone forgets to input an extra line, there will be an error, and it can't be executed.
―But on the other hand, if he really managed to do it, won't anyone be unable to go up against him? If he goes against the entire world, how can the entire world win?‖ Perhaps deep inside, Kamijou's still unable to believe this completely.
But he's right, humans can't beat 'everything in the world'. This doesn't mean that the Gods or devils are strong or not; no, that's not that case.
The point is that 'everything in the world' also includes the people living on this world, including Kamijou himself.
A simplest example. There's a mysterious mirror that can reflect everything it shows into reality. In this situation, no matter how strong Kamijou is, once the opponent pulls out an identical Kamijou duplicate, the end result is that the duplicate will die off together with the real one.
But Stiyl doesn't look that anxious.
―I said it before, just relax. Alchemy isn't a refined knowledge.‖
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―Let me put it this way. If I want you to explain everything in the world, including every grain of sand on the beach or the stars in the night sky, how long are you going to take!? I don't think you can finish explaining after one, two hundred years?‖
―That's the case. Actually, the incantations were in existence for a long time, but the human life is so short that they couldn't finish incanting it.‖
Stiyl continues nonchalantly,
―Though they tried all sorts of things like removing the unnecessary parts to shorten it or like breaking it up, letting each generation say 10 lines and letting each descendant say 10 lines, and so on.‖
But even so, there hasn't been a case of success.
A complete incantation won't have any excessive points. And when each generation passes down an incantation, it will be like a telephone game, there will gradually be errors in the incantation.
―However...‖
Saying up till here, Stiyl finally shows some battle intent and says,
―...If those were living things that don't have any limits in lifespan, they can recite finish the super long incantation. Perhaps it's because of this, that 'certain creature' is a rather huge threat to magicians.‖
Perhaps this is also an aim of why the enemy decided to get a vampire, Kamijou thought.
To a scientist, it's painful when they know 'an answer' but yet can't 'prove it'.
And if their bodies of flesh can't fulfil it,
Can't they just get some creature that can surpass a human's limits?
―It's true that this alchemy is still rather threatening, but right now, Aureolus Izzard shouldn't be able to do this. The most he can do is to create a few things and turn this 'Misawa Cram School' stage into a fortress, and then set up numerous traps to prevent outsiders from entering.‖
―...?‖ Kamijou feels that something's not right. Why is Stiyl so confident?
―Oi, do you know that what Izzard guy?‖
―Of course we do. We were from Church organisations after all.‖
Stiyl casually said,
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―I belong to the English Anglicans, and he belonged to the Roman Catholics...we did meet each other before even though our sects were different. Of course, we aren't friends.‖
To Kamijou, it's really hard to imagine the terms Church and magician together.
Necessarius, the organisation Stiyl and Index are affiliated to, is aimed at learning magic to counter magicians. But this is the radical among the radicals. Even if the English Anglicans have such an organisation, will the Roman Catholics, who's of a different sect, be something like this?
Hearing Kamijou's question, Stiyl frowns and says,
―Necessarius is an exception amongst exceptions, there can't possibly be similar Churches.‖
Stiyl sighs and continues,
―But even if we're exceptions amongst exceptions, the secret recorder he was tasked to do should be a unique example among unique examples. Basically, he writes grimoires in place of the Church. Even though it's a grimoire, the purpose is of the complete opposite. It's like some teaching guide for 'which line in the Bible can be used to handle the spells those witches use.‖ Stiyl stretches his arm out and shakes it about,
―Of course, it's not rare to see people of the Church write grimoires as teaching guides, and those pope Honorius III or the King James I's grimoires are rather famous.‖ ―...I see. So that's why you said that Aureolus Izzard's power isn't really much.‖ ―That's right. He may be knowledgeable about this, but he can't fight. It's like a quiet social club member that's not in a sports club. However, he's another tough opponent. That's because he's one of the few secret recorders of the Roman Catholics and had much power. The Roman Catholics are planning to fight hard against him in order to punish him for being a 'heretic'.‖
―No, I don't mean that. I'm saying that that Aureolus should be something worth mentioning with the name of top religious people and kings, right? Are you jealous of him?‖ ―...I can treat that as a taunt, right?‖
―I'm up for it if you want to fight me, but don't mistake me as your opponent now.‖
Kamijou stares forward and says,
―We arrived at our battlefield.‖
Kamijou and Stiyl stopped.
Under the burning-like sunset, that building's waiting for them.
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Part 3
"I say."
Kamijou looked up at the building and muttered.
This can only be described as a strange building. The building itself is rectangular and nothing special. However, there are 4 of such 12 storey tall buildings, each taking a corner of a cross junction and forming a 'ta' (田) word. Also, the linked pathways are actually overhead like an overhead bridge above a road as they link the buildings.
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Such a building plan should defy the Land Area Planning Adjustment Project, right? Kamijou thought as he looks up at the corridors in the sky. Basically, the authority of the 'sky' is of the 'land's owner. In other words, the area above the roads should be a 'public area'.
"Never mind, that's not important."
Kamijou muttered and again stares at the 'Misawa Cram School Academy City branch'.
Looking at this building, it's really hard for people to think of this 'religious science' term that surpasses normal understanding. This really looks like a very 'ordinary cram school', there will be students who will walk in and out occasionally. It's nothing abnormal.
"Anyway, our initial target is the 5th level of the South building--beside the restaurant. There seems to be a secret room over there."
Stiyl said casually.
The location diagram was burned after Kamijou read it. In that case, has he memorised the entire map?
"A secret room?"
"Ya. It should be some trick that uses some illusion or distortion to make people unaware of this secret room's existence. This building's interior is like a kid's toy blocks, there are many 'spaces'."
Stiyl stares at the building and says,
"...I could find 17 secret rooms just by looking at the location diagram. And the one beside the restaurant on the South building's 5th level is the closest one to us."
"...Ohh, but that doesn't look like those ninja houses that are booby-trapped."
Kamijou muttered, and Stiyl muttered viciously.
"...Yeah, sure doesn't look like it."
"Eh?"
Kamijou turns his head to look back at Stiyl. Stiyl stares at this building that looks like it penetrated the sky and the earth, and after a while, shakes his head and sighs,
"Nothing. In fact, as an expert, I can't find any abnormalities, nothing at all even after looking at it as an expert."
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Though Stiyl said this, he's not looking relaxed at all. The expression is that of a doctor who managed to spot something wrong through an X-ray, but unable to spot the source of the illness.
"..."
It's suspicious, too suspicious. Though he doesn't know what's going on inside, it's way too suspicious.
Stiyl just said that 'he couldn't find anything wrong inside'; he never said that 'this building is safe'. Inside this building, there may be numerous mines hidden inside, it's just that they never found out. Maybe there's really nothing. They can't even confirm this, so they're basically going in blind.
To be honest, is it really safe to enter a building that a magic expert can't even tell whether it's safe?
"Of course we shouldn't."
Stiyl replied without even dragging this on,
"But we can only go in, right? Our aim is to save people and not to kill. I would be really grateful if I could just burn everything from the outside."
Stiyl's words must be more than half serious.
"Hold on...what do you mean we can only go in? Are we going to go in through the main entrance like that? No tactics? Like no way to avoid being detected or beating the enemy safely?"
"What, don't tell me you have some ideas?"
"...ACK! Are you kidding me!? Are you really going to charge in like that? How is that any different from charging into a building that's occupied by terrorist!? Even if it's just a low-level trick, can't you just throw in some bait!?"
"...Hm, using a knife to crave a rune 'AnsuzGebo' can hide a person's presence."
"THEN DO IT! HURRY UP AND DO IT!"
"Listen to me!"
Stiyl said with an irritated tone,
"Even if we get rid of our presence or become invisible, I will leave a mana signal that 'Stiyl Magnus just used magic'."
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"...What?"
"You have no concept of 'mana' at all. Seems like I have to explain it to you."
Stiyl sighs and says,
"For example, what if there's a map that only has red colouring on it?"
"...Psychologically, I think that's a bad omen."
"Shut up and don't butt in. This red colouring is an indication of Aureolus' magic in the entire building. What if I colour this map with blue colouring?"
"...I don't really understand, but you're basically a walking transmitter, right?"
"That's sort of correct, but it's more than you think."
Just as Kamijou's about to ask why,
"Your Imagine Breaker is like an eraser that removes the red colouring. If one's painting is being eaten into, anyone will realise that something's amiss. I won't be detected if I don't use magic, but your ability is always active."
"...Alright, so it means that we're like walking transmitters, we don't have any tactics, and we're entering a building that's filled with terrorists. Do we press the doorbell first?"
"So that's why we need your power. If you don't want to become a beehive, use your right hand to act as a shield."
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME! WHY ARE YOU ACTING LIKE IT DOESN'T CONCERN YOU!? IT'S BECAUSE YOU'RE USELESS THAT I HAD TO DO THIS!"
"Ahahah, no need to be so nervous. It's just alchemist's magic. Your right hand that managed to block the St. George's Dragon Breath should be able to handle it. And it's useless to rely on me. I sent 'Innocentius' to protect that child, and right now, I can only use a flame sword."
"WAAAAAHHH!! YOU REALLY DON'T THINK THROUGH!"
Kamijou stares at the exit--the automatic doors that aren't looking abnormal.
In fact, Kamijou really doesn't want to enter that place. This is to be expected. Who wants to enter a battlefield that the enemy booby-trapped and is waiting? Besides, this is a main stronghold of a fanatical religion nobody knows the truth about.
However,
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Because of that, they have to enter.
If a man can tremble on seeing such a place, how can they let a girl remain in there just because she's called 'Deep Blood'?
"Let's go."
The magician Stiyl Magnus said.
Without saying anything, Kamijou walks towards the automatic doors.
After entering through the glass doors, the scene inside is extremely normal.
A lot of glass is used inside the hall to bring in more sunlight. The hall is extremely wide, and the room's about 3 storeys tall. Somewhere near the lift, there's a staircase over there. This seems to be an unrenovated staircase that's meant to be used as an emergency escape.
Perhaps since it's during the evening, it would be a rest time for an ordinary school. The length should be as long as an afternoon break, and there seem to be a lot of students who're heading out to buy dinner.
Kamijou and Stiyl aren't really attracting attention, perhaps because the manager hasn't memorised every student's appearance. And even if they're discovered to be 'outsiders', since this is just the entrance hall, others will just think that they're just transfer students who are here to settle the administration.
(...Forget about me, does this guy even look like a student?)
Kamijou sighs. Though the person beside him can be called a 'teenager', this is a priest that smells of cologne, red-dyed hair, earrings, rings and such a ridiculous build. But nevermind, since a cram school is a service, they won't reject any customers.
Anyway, looking around, they can't find anything wrong.
The people who're walking about don't seem to be anything wrong.
"Eh?"
Therefore, the only abnormality is extremely obvious.
At the 4 elevators, between the 1st and 2nd from the right, there seem to be some human-shaped robot lying there, or rather, placed there. The limbs are severely twisted, and it looks like a pile of scrap metal that makes one think that it got into some serious traffic accident.
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In terms of build, it's similar to a full Western armour. However, the figure is extremely modernistic like a fighter jet. It has quite an intrinsic design, and the texture that's reflecting a silver light doesn't seem to be of an ordinary metal hide.
There's a 80cm long bow dropped nearby; perhaps it's a piece of equipment for the robot.
The robot's right wrist has a word 'Parsifal' on it. Perhaps that's the name of the unit.
But anyone can tell on first glance that this robot can't fulfill it's original function.
What's supposed to be limbs are severely twisted, and there's tar-like slick black oil oozing out from the broken limbs.
The rusty smell in the air causes Kamijou to frown.
What in the world is that?
First, where did this robot come from? Though there are security robots and cleaning robots in Academy City, they look like large metal containers. Kamijou never heard of such a humanoid- looking robot in Academy City that doesn't have much mobility.
Next, why did this robot break down? Though Kamijou doesn't know how strong this robot originally was, it looks like it got hit in a car accident. There shouldn't be a need for such force, right? What happened in this cram school hall?
And finally,
(...Why hasn't anyone nearby noticed it?)
The final point made Kamijou feel that something's amiss.
Everyone here didn't even treat this robot as something that should be talked about, not even looking at all. That feeling doesn't feel like they deliberately refused to look or remember, but something that isn't necessary to be noticed like a stone on the road.
It's like.
That damaged robot just mixed into their everyday life.
"What? There's nothing here. Anyway, either we find Himegami or beat Izzard. Hurry up."
Stiyl said casually.
"Ah, oh."
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Kamijou finally managed to look away from the robot. That's because nobody other than himself noticed the robot, so Kamijou had a feeling that he just saw a phantom.
But that's not a phantom.
That robot really exists in front of Kamijou's eyes.
"What? Are you interested in that thing? Oh well, that's true. It may be considered rare to you."
Stiyl seem to finally notice what Kamijou's looking at.
"We, well yeah...eh. Hold on, robots should be something from our science side, right?"
On hearing Kamijou's words, Stiyl immediately frowns,
"What are you talking about? That's just a corpse."
That's really a shocking reply.
"Wha...?"
Kamijou can't understand at all.
"A caster's incantations and a Heavenly bow's duplicate--this should be the 13 knights of the Roman Catholic Church. They should be here to execute the heretic, but it seems like they were crushed. Really, the knights were England's speciality, and these guys just loved to copy and ended up with something like this."
Stiyl shakes the cigarette in his mouth and says,
"...Cheh, speaking of this, that guy in formalin is too sneaky. There was already another Church helping out, and yet he made us enter separately. Was he deliberately trying to make us fail...? It's true that the people who are here to settle this mess are the elite forces of the Church, and it'll be good if he can make even one die..."
Stiyl muttered angrily. But Kamijou doesn't understand what's going on, so he basically ignored it.
Kamijou chooses to stare at the thing that's lying on the floor clearly. The limbs are twisted, it's a pile of scrap metal that looks like it got into some sort of serious accident, the silver metal body was crushed, there's a reddish-black oil oozing out from it. The wreckage of a robot.
No.
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What if that's not reddish-black oil, but something even redder and black.
No,
What if that's not a robot, but a human in armour?
"Why are you so surprised?"
Stiyl said it as per normal,
"This is a battlefield. What's so strange about seeing one or two corpses on the way?"
"..."
Kamijou is speechless.
He already knew. He should have known. This is a battlefield where people kill each other. The 'enemy' had already set up traps for 'intruders' like Kamijou, and waiting for them to walk in. Also, Kamijou and Stiyl have no intention on negotiating with a vicious 'enemy'.
That's right, they should have known it.
But even if they should have known it, Kamijou's still unable to ignore it.
―Damn it!‖
Kamijou dashes forward. Though he doesn't know what he can do, maybe bandage up here and there, the amateur Kamijou doesn't even know the correct emergency procedure. Besides, with the armour severely damaged like that, he can't tell whether the person is alive or not. Also, Kamijou can't think of any ways to get that person out of the twisted armour.
Even so, even without a clear proof, the person inside the armour is dead.
If so, perhaps he can still save the person inside the armour if he does this quickly.
Kamijou spent only 10 seconds to run from one end of the hall to the other. As the casualty's face is completely covered by the helmet, Kamijou can't see his expression. He can only hear the slight air flow between the gap of that metal-block like helmet.
(He's still breathing!)
Just as Kamijou's feeling relieved, he realises that he can't move that body randomly. Just as he thinks that they should call for an ambulance, a sound can be heard as the metal doors slide apart.
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Many similar-aged teenagers walked out of the lift, failing to notice that person at all. It's like they just saw a normal scene as they continue to talk about things like 'the food in the restaurant is so expensive and so bad that I get sick of it, how about we get some from a convenience store'.
―You guys--!‖
They should be saving the injured. Though he knows this, Kamijou's still unable to maintain his silence.
He inadvertently tries to grab a nearby student on the shoulder.
―--WHAT ARE YOU DOING? HURRY UP AND CALL AN AMBULA--!‖
However, he stopped before he could finish,
That's because Kamijou hand got forcefully dragged forward.
No,
It's not enough to describe it as a 'drag'. It's like using a hand to grab a driver seat of a moving truck; it's of a completely different level of 'impact'.
―WHA--!‖
His arm nearly got dislocated.
But what really shocked Kamijou is that the student didn't grab Kamijou's hand at all. The hand that was placed on the shoulder felt like a balloon that's tied onto a car.
Also, the person didn't even seem to notice that Kamijou put his hand on his shoulder. Nobody in the hall even reacted to Kamijou's roar.
They're just like the twisted armour in front of them.
―--What's going on?‖
Kamijou remembers the feeling on the hand.
What was supposed to be a soft fabric texture of clothing felt like the hand passed through instant glue; extremely hard. He can't even let his fingers touch the soft fabric, let alone the student's body.
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―It should be this kind of a boundary, just like a front side and back side of a coin. The people on the 'front side of the coin' are the students who don't know anything, and can't detect us 'people on the back side'. And as for us 'people on the back side', the intruders from outside, we can't interfere with the students 'on the front side' who don't know anything. Watch.‖
Stiyl sounded like he's chanting as he raises his finger and points at a girl who walked out from the elevator.
Kamijou's eyes are following the girl's back. Her feet aren't soiled at all, and there's no reddish- black footprints. That pool of blood looks like one huge pile of hardened plastic.
―Hm.‖
Stiyl nonchalantly takes off the chewed cigarette in his mouth and presses the burning red front tip of the cigarette against the plastic elevator button.
However, the plastic button isn't even burned, let alone melted.
―I see, so the entire building's 'on the front side of the coin'? I guess that's how it should be, since this is more suitable to be a fortress that protects against magic. Kamijou Touma, it seems that with our power alone, we may be unable to open even the single door, even the automatic entrance doors. We're stuck.‖
―...‖ A boundary.
Though this term is really alien to Kamijou, who's residing in the science side, since it's a type of 'supernatural power', isn't this the chance for Kamijou Touma to step up?
Kamijou clenches his fist tightly.
Imagine Breaker. As long as a supernatural power comes into contact with his right hand, it will be negated, even if it's God's miracle. It's a unique ability among unique abilities.
Kamijou clenches his fist and raises it high up into the air.
He then slams his fist hard onto the floor, wanting to smash the boundary into pieces--
--That's right, he hammered it down, but he just let out a dull sound.
―WOAH! AHHHHHHHHH!!!!‖
―What are you doing?‖
Seeing Kamijou roll about on the floor like that, Stiyl seems like he can't take it and sighs.
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―It's probably like my Innocentius. If we don't destroy the 'core' of the magic, we won't be able to break out of this boundary. And most likely...the 'core' should be safely placed outside the boundary. The people who are locked inside will then be unable to get out. Hmm, we have some trouble now.‖
Kamijou's really somewhat puzzled about what they should do now, and says,
―...Damn it, so what should we do? We got a casualty here and we can't call a doctor nor send him out...‖
―We don't have to do anything. That person's dead.‖
―WHAT ARE YOU SAYING? CHECK HIS BREATHING! HE'S STILL ALIVE!‖
―Yeah, he's definitely alive if we look at his heart. But his fracture ribs punctured his lungs, his liver got crushed, his pulses are all crushed...he can't be saved in this situation. This guy's name is called 'corpse'.‖
It's unknown whether he found that out through the rune magic, but Stiyl's words are as cold- hearted as a doctor declaring that a patient got a terminal illness.
―...!!!‖
―What's with that expression? You knew that right from the start, tight? Even if he's breathing, he won't be saved at all.‖
Immediately, Kamijou pulled Stiyl's chest up with both hands.
He can't understand it. Kamijou can't understand it. How can this person in front of him remain so calm? Why can he say such words even in front of a dying person?‖
―MOVE ASIDE! THIS PERSON DOESN'T HAVE MUCH--‖
But Stiyl calmly pushes Kamijou aside.
―--We don't have much time. I'll let you cast what you think is pity on the dead. It's a priest's job to send the dead on the last ride. You amateur, step aside.‖
Releasing his hands, Kamijou finally realized. Stiyl, whose back is facing Kamijou and staring at the 'knight' who's bordering on the edge of death, is...
(He's...angry...?)
It's really hard to imagine that from his usual mockery, but it can't be mistaken. Right now, Stiyl Magnus isn't a magician. His back seemed to bring about some static electricity, as everything
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that touches his back figure seems to be deflected away. Yes, this is the back of the priest Stiyl Magnus.
Stiyl didn't do any special ritual.
―...‖
He just said something really intelligible. Kamijou doesn't understand what it means as it's of a foreign language.
The words came out of the priest, and not a magician.
Though Kamijou doesn't know how much significance this is, but the knight who wasn't able to move trembles as he raises his right hand and stretches it out at Stiyl like he wants to capture something in the air.
―.....,.....‖
The knight said something as well.
Stiyl nods his head. Kamijou doesn't know what this nodding meads, but the knight's body seems to relax from the tension. It's like he handed over what he wanted to hand over...he doesn't have any worries left, relaxing as he lets go in relief.
The knight's right hand drops.
The metallic right hand lands on the floor. It sounded like a knell.
―...‖
As a priest, Stiyl Magnus finally draws a Cross in front of his chest.
At this point, there's no difference between an English Anglican and a Roman Catholic. This is the last rite of sending someone off.
And then, Kamijou finally realises something.
This is a real 'battlefield'.
―Let's go!‖
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Stiyl Magnus said in a magician like voice, and not a priest like voice.
―--Seems like we have one more reason to fight.‖
Part 4
He's feeling really bad now.
Anyway, their initial goal was to look into the gaps all over the building—the secret rooms. And the nearest secret room is in this building—near the 5th level of the South Block. Thus, both of them are moving up the stairs.
Why do I feel in low spirits? Kamijou wondered as he climbs up the narrow emergency staircase. At first, he thought it was because of that knight. Then, he thought it was because this staircase was narrow and dark.
However, there's also another physical reason besides these psychological reason.
―My legs...‖
Kamijou looks down at his legs that are showing fatigue for some reason.
The 'front' and 'back' sides of the coins—the magician who knew everything from the 'back' side, yet can't interfere with the citizens on the 'front' side. Stiyl said before that this is the rule of the game. Also, this entire building's on the 'front' side.
This means that the impact caused by the stepping on the floor will be reflected back onto the feet.
Basically, it's like the difference between punching people and punching a concrete wall. As they're walking on an 'overly hard floor', the fatigue build-up is 2,3 times faster.
―We, can only- pray...that the- enemy is in- the same situation...‖
Stiyl seems to be bothered by this 'fatigue' that arrived too early. Though Stiyl's really huge, it seemed like he hasn't done much physical training and isn't used to physical activities.
"Che...if I had known, we should have taken the lift."
"We're on the 'back side of the coin', how can we press the button that's 'on the front side of the coin'? If you can, teach me."
"..."
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"Even if we enter the lift when the students 'on the front side of the coin' use a lift, we'll be crushed if a large number of people walk into the lift."
The people 'on the back side of the coin' can't interfere with the people 'on the front side of the coin'.
For example, even if a car on the 'back side of the coin' slams hard into a person on the 'front side of the coin', the car will be wrecked while the human will be completely alright.
If the lift is crammed full of people,
It will be like a raw egg that's in a crammed train, it will be crushed.
(...Uu, this is really getting more and more depressing.)
Kamijou lowers his head dejectedly. He's already tired, and with the dark and murky thoughts, he starts to feel that he should give up.
Think about happy things, hurry up and think of something happy--Kamijou's heart is in urgent need of rest.
"Oh yeah, where's that phone?"
"What?"
"You just mentioned the 'front side of the coin' and the 'back side of the coin', right? Can't the phone work?"
Kamijou said as he pulled out the phone.
Though he said it, Kamijou realises that this is just an excuse he made for himself. As too many abnormal things have happened, Kamijou has to do some 'normal things' or he may go crazy.
As for who to call, Kamijou doesn't need to think at all.
His room--in other words, a girl who's in his room waiting for him. Just as Kamijou intends to call, he realises something.
"...Hold on, wouldn't the enemy detect this call signal and attack us?"
"Who knows? But our existence may have been discovered. We did enter from the front door."
"If so, why weren't we attacked?"
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"Heavens know. Maybe that's because they're overconfident, or maybe they intend to destroy us in one move. That alchemist's that kind of person. Right now, he should be preparing all sorts of means to prepare a counterattack."
"..."
If so, why in the world does your God exists? Kamijou wonders. But since their whereabouts are most likely exposed, there's no need to fidget around. Thus, Kamijou decides to brazenly make a call.
3 call tones.
(So it can't work...?)
6 call tones.
(...Seems like I can only give up.)
9 call tones.
(HURRY UP AND PICK UP!)
Though he's feeling impatient, Kamijou doesn't want to hang up the phone. While waiting, Kamijou has another though. What if this isn't related to what 'front side of the coin' or 'back side of the coin', but Index unwilling to pick the phone up? Or what if it's not that she won't pick it up, but she can't?
Don't tell me.
Something happened to Index?
(In--!)
Just as a mysterious chill rises up Kamijou's stomach.
The phone was picked up.
"Erm, hello! This is Index Libror--excuse me, I'm sorry, this is Kamijou speaking, that, hello, hello?"
...What came next is Index's extremely nervous voice.
"Oi, let me ask you--"
Kamijou lethargically asks as if he just tried a wrong method of slimming,
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"--Is this the first time you're picking up a call?"
"Uweeh!? This, this voice is Touma's. Eh? Do all the voices in the phone sound the same?"
Then, a knocking sound can be heard.
It should be a puzzled Index tilting her head and knocking the receiver against the floor.
"INDEX! STOP KNOCKING THE MACHINE WHENEVER YOU FEEL THAT A MACHINE HAS A PROBLEM! THAT'S WHAT AN OLD GRANNY WILL DO EVERYTIME SHE'S FIXING A PHONE!"
"...That's strange, the only one who should be saying such stupid words is Touma."
OI!!! Kamijou retorted deep inside.
That's to be expected. It should be Index's first time picking up a phone (but it seems that she seen others pick up the phone before, judging from her first sentence 'hello'). It seems like she was walking around frantically in front of the phone, but the phone continued to ring, so she had to pick up the phone?
The 'magic' expert who has knowledge of 103,000 grimoires doesn't understand anything about science at all, and this amuses Kamijou. However, he remembered something else. Kamijou's 'knowledge' is telling himself that Index doesn't have any memories since she only has one year's worth of memories.
Such a funny action is actually a deficiency caused by the loss of memories. Thinking about this, it's really heartaching.
"Niyai? Touma? Why must you deliberately use such a troublesome, exaggerated and excessive and unfriendly thing to the phone? Did something serious happen?"
"Ah, nothing--"
It seems like to Index, the telephone isn't something ordinary.
"Ah, is it because one of the two lasagnas in the refrigerator was Touma's!?"
"You eaten it? Oh well--"
"Ah!"--Before Kamijou could continue, the voice can be heard again,
"Ah, there was pudding in the fridge...!"
"YOU ATE IT!!? THAT WAS MY PUDDING!!!"
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"But there was only one!"
"CAN'T YOU SPARE ANY THOUGHTS FOR THE OWNER OF THE HOUSE! THAT'S BLACK HONEY PUDDING! ONE COSTS 700 YEN!!!"
Kamijou cried,
"~~uu, oh, oh well. Never mind, I almost went out of topic. Since the phone managed to link, never mind."
"?? Touma, are you looking for me for something?"
"Ar. I'm just testing if I could get to you through the phone. I'm hanging up."
"???"
Right now, Index should be tilting her head in confusion, right? Kamijou thought. He then says,
"Ah, oh yeah. Did you know, Index? For every single minute you use the phone, your lifespan will be shortened by one day accordingly?"
WAAHHH! The phone line was cut. It seems like the entire receiver dropped onto the floor.
"...Such a simple minded person."
Having taken revenge for his pudding, he muttered to himself after hanging up the phone.
However,
"......"
The magician beside him looks like he wants to say something.
"Wha, what?"
"Nothing."
Stiyl sighs, and continues,
"It's just that I feel that you might be too relaxed. This is a battlefield, and yet you're chatting away nonchalantly with a girl. I don't really care if you die because of carelessness; in fact, I'll be dancing in joy, but please don't drag me down."
"Are you jealous?"
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"Ku...uuu..."
Stiyl remains silent, and it seems like he burst about 60% of his blood vessels. Kamijou starts to understand how he should handle this person in front of him.
"...Yeah, that's right."
The shock Stiyl's words gave to Kamijou is even more than what he expected.
Kamijou doesn't know why he was so affected. However, Stiyl continues,
"...Don't be mistaken. I'm not treating that child as a target of romance."
Without looking at Kamijou's face, Stiyl continues,
"You should know that up till now, that child had to erase her memories once every year or else she would die. If so, you can imagine how many people were in your position."
"..."
"Many have wanted to be her father, some, her older brother, others, her good friend, and even some wanted to be her teacher."
Stiyl continues on,
"It's just like that, just that simple. I failed in the past, and you succeed. That's the mere difference between me and you."
Stiyl stares at Kamijou's face.
He looks like he's facing a future he can't fulfill.
"However, I'll be lying if I say that I don't care."
Stiyl sighs and continues,
"Besides, I didn't really get abandoned by Index, it's just that she forgot. If she recovered her memories, she'll come running at me and hug me."
Kamijou can't say anything.
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If there's a person, a very important person to me that lost her memory, not knowing anything, and somebody just steps in and accompanies her, how would I feel? Can I still remain calm? Kamijou asked himself. No, this isn't just a problem of 'somebody else' standing beside her.
Wouldn't he feel that he got betrayed by this most important she?
But this person in front of him still believes in himself, thoroughly following his belief.
So strong.
Kamijou looks back at his phone. That meaningless 5 minute conversation; someone actually gave up everything he had to protect this person that's most important to him, even after knowing that he can't turn back.
These's people's hearts.
Are all crushed under the current him's feet. What right does the current Kamijou has to have that girl for himself?
(...I don't know.)
If this were Index's only wish, Kamijou will protect it until the end.
But the main point is that Index 'merely forgotten'. How can a girl who doesn't know that she has other options be expected to make decisions?
(I don't know. But if Kamijou Touma really save Index.)
Yes. If that's the case, he has to take up the burden of saving her.
It's like giving cat food out of enthusiasm, but not bringing it back home even after knowing that it will die of hunger. Instead of giving it the hope that 'this person may keep me', it's better to give her despair right from the beginning.
However,
(The one who saved her isn't the 'current' Kamijou Touma--)
In the end, they're back at the starting point.
(--What Index needs is the Kamijou Touma 'before he lost his memories'.)
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Part 5
After climbing up to the 5th level, Kamijou and Stiyl arrived onto the corridor.
The location diagram of the 'Misawa Cram School' is memorised completely in Stiyl's brain. There's a reason why they came to this level. That's because from the parameters of the location diagram and the actual measurements done through the infrared and ultrasonic means, there are errors in the spaces.
While walking down the middle of the straight corridor, Stiyl lightly knocks on the wall that doesn't look abnormal.
―...Even if we're here, if we can't open it, we have to give up, right?‖
―Yeah.‖
Even if it's not a 'secret room', to Kamijou and Stiyl, who're on the 'back side of the coin', they can't even open a door 'on the front side'. If they want to enter the room, they can still wait until a student on the 'front side of the coin' opens the door and slip in. However, if it's a 'secret room', there may not be students going in and out so often.
―But it's best to check the situation out. No matter how strong the boundary is, the caster's Aureolus. We can just force him to remove the boundary by threatening him—or by killing him.‖
―...‖
Kamijou inadvertently stares at Stiyl.
This is a 'battlefield', and Aureolus' the 'enemy' they must beat; Kamijou understands this. Thinking about the imprisoned Hiemgami Aisa and the knight Aureolus took down, one can imagine that the situation right now is really precarious.
But even so, Kamijou still can't just say things like 'kill Aureolus'. It's because the way Aureolus took down that knight can also be considered proper self-defense.
He said 'kill him', not 'beat him' or 'stop him'. He just said 'kill him', no ambiguity in the words.
They head down the closest wall closest to the 'secret room'. Then, both of them arrive at a student cafeteria. It seems like they're mixing the distances between the people in the wide room to hide the existence of that small secret room. This uses an illusion, and there are no doors at the entrance of the student cafeteria.
Trying to prevent themselves from getting caught in the crowd, Kamijou and Stiyl walk into the cafeteria.
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The people on the 'back side of the coin' can't interfere with the people on the 'front side of the coin' at coin. The boys are fighting for the few seats available, the girls who are carrying their trays of food and chatting away as they walk on; everyone's rushing in like bulls. And unlike a corridor, everyone's movements in the wide restaurant is unpredictable. Kamijou and Stiyl are already on their toes trying to avoid the crowd.
Besides, since it's evening, there are many students in the cafeteria.
It's actually a refreshing experience for others to 'be unable to see himself'. This is different from moving in a traffic jam. Those who have gone through this should realise that the surrounding people will consciously try to avoid them to prevent themselves from knocking into each other.
There's a counter at the secret room, and behind it is a small kitchen. The large freeze and the utensils make the kitchen even more cramped. With this, others can't tell 'how big the space really was', so outsider can't tell.
―...hm, this is the first time I actually seen some religious science, but it doesn't seem much. I thought they would put some photo of a Bishop.‖
―...It's true that it doesn't look dangerous.‖
Kamijou looks around.
In the realm of science, there's an indicator of 'fanatical religious rating'. For example, there's the 'level of taking in gold' from the believers, 'the expansion level' when they force new believers in, 'the absolute orders level' where believers will accept all orders even if they end up having to self-destruct, the 'dangerous items creation level' of creating poison gas or explosives', and so on. The religions with higher points will be counted as 'a more dangerous religious science.‖
From the 'science' viewpoint, Misawa Cram School won't be a really dangerous religion. As the members are students, they can't possibly take in too much money. And since it's a cram school, this place isn't suited to create any chemical weapons.
However,
"...No, this is really a deadly scientific religion."
Kamijou said with disdain.
Though it's a cafeteria that has many students gathered there, the atmosphere there is unexpectedly heavy as if they're taking an elevator. That's to be expected, Kamijou thought. That's because everyone here may be talking loudly, but the content of the conversations are anything but. They could only talk about things that belittle others, like 'how many people I beat in the last mock exam', 'how many marks I improved by', or 'I don't understand how there are trash who won't study even at this time', just to make themselves happy.
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Kamijou looks at a poster on the wall of the cafeteria.
This is an extremely ordinary cram school poster. Written on it are two extremely different sentences, 'if you study hard now, you will get into a good school and have a great future for yourself assured', and 'if you don't study now, you'll end up at the bottom and meet misfortune'.
This is really not much different from a 'lucky letter', Kamijou thought. The 'lucky letter' is a gimmick derived from an 'unlucky letter', some prank mail that is like those 'if you send this mail to 7 people within 7 days, you'll get happiness' mail. On the other hand, the person will get misfortune if he doesn't do so. This threatening intent isn't any different from a radical religion.
"Humph, the motto of this school should be something like 'those who study here should be extremely smart', right? Besides, the teachers must be brainwashing the students, telling them things like 'this is something that will definitely be tested, I'll tell you that, those who didn't study here in the summer vacation are inferior people' or something like that, right?"
How infuriating. Kamijou muttered.
Really, he feels disgusted.
Kamijou is really disgusted that he could actually slightly emphasize with them.
Besides, this thing called exams is easily associated with superstitions, Kamijou thought. No matter how hardworking the students are, they will try some 'unscientific food to increase their concentration'. There are many students who will even bring 'talismans to pray for top scores' into the exam hall.
It's a gap called 'insecurity'.
The scientific religion of this 'Misawa Cram School' uses a knife and stabs it into this gap.
"Hm, seems like you got caught by the fanatical poison gas, eh? But don't forget our aim, we have to find where the secret entrance is."
"Oh, okay okay! I got it!"
Kamijou takes a deep breath and tries to calm down.
Then, he turns to look around the entire cafeteria.
Immediately, about 80 students in the cafeteria turn to stare at him.
At first, Kamijou thought that he spoke too loudly and ended up attracting everyone's attention.
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"Well, doesn't look good here...is this the first pass?"
So even after hearing Stiyl's serious voice, Kamijou was still unable to react.
"Ah, eh?"
"Haven't you understood the situation? The people 'on the front side of the coin' shouldn't be able to see us 'on the back side of the coin'. I see, so the area around the secret room has such an alarm system?"
"..."
Kamijou looks around.
About 80 students are definitely looking at Kamijou and Stiyl. The human looking action disappeared, and everyone's standing around blankly and having glass like eyes.
"Don, don't tell me--"
Kamijou looks around. It's true. 80 students are now on 'the back side of the coin'. And that means--
"--magician!"
Just as Kamijou shouted out meaninglessly, Stiyl abandoned Kamijou and jumped back.
However.
"The wings of the seraph shines brightly, and the bright light is a pure white colour that reveals all sins--"
One of the students who're standing around start to mutter something ambiguous.
"The pure white colour 'is the proof of purity, the mark is the result of one's actions'--"
Another voice overlaps the first one.
"The re'sult is the future, the future' is 'time is uni'form--"--"
A second voice, a third, a fourth, fifth sixth seventh eighth ninth tenth eleventh twelfth thirteen fourteen fifteen sixteen seventeen eighteen nineteen--!!
"Uniformity is 'all, all is created by the past, the past is the ca'use, cause is 'one', one is 'sin, sin are humans, humans fear, fear' is gu'ilt, guilt' resides within oneself, oneself if there is
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something one despises within, the wings of the seraph shall 'reveal your sins', and remove it from within you--!"
A 80-persons chorus--no, rather, a verbal maelstrom of the 'battle' that's created by the several thousand people in this building echoes throughout.
On every single student's forehead, there's a ping-pong sized blueish-white glow. Maybe the things are starting to gather as they float about in the air and lands on the floor beside Kamijou.
Then, like a strong acid fizzing and explosives giving off white smoke.
He will merely be burnt if he only touched one, but...
"Oi! Strongest ShieldImagine Breaker! Time for you to step up!"
"Wha?...oi!"
Looking back, the numerous balls are closing in, blocking Kamijou's sight.
"U, wah--so many, HOW DO I TAKE THEM ALL ANYWAY!?"
Kamijou chases after Stiyl and overtakes him, dashing madly to the exit. Stiyl, who thought that Kamijou would act as a shield, panics somewhat as he dashes behind Kamijou and out of the cafeteria.
"Wha...what are you running away for!? You're the shield! Your right hand was able to fend off a Dragon Breath attack? And you're not using your right hand ability while running away with your back exposed!? Are you crazy!?"
"WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT!? I DON'T WANT TO HEAR THAT FROM SOMEONE USING ME AS A SHIELD!? THIS ISN'T A CASE OF QUALITY BUT QUANTITY! HOW CAN I FEND THEM OFF WITH JUST A SINGLE RIGHT HAND!!"
It's like fighting with someone that has 4 arms. Even if he guards against 2 of them flawlessly, the other 2 can still wave at him. An 'individual' power isn't going to match up to a 'group's.
BOOM, a large number of balls move out of the entrance, and then rush out of the floodgates as if the cafeteria was filled completely with water. Kamijou and Stiyl can only run down the corridor.
"Che, but speaking of which, this may be a replica, but to be able to replicate the 'Gregorio's Chant', it seems like I underestimated that Aureolus Izzard."
"What's with that Gregorio whatever?"
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Originally, it was the ultimate weapon, a grand spell that that requires 3,333 monks in a cathedral and gathered their prayers. It's like focusing sunlight on a magnifying glass, and can magnify that power."
Stiyl grits his teeth and says,
"Though it's a replica now and they have only about 2,000 students, but as the saying goes in this country, 'pile up sand and you can build a tower'. The power can't be underestimated."
Kamijou is stunned.
Even though he knows that he can't understand what Stiyl said, basically--doesn't it mean that he's fighting against 2,000 people now?
This is a 'battlefield', and he's in the midst of the 'enemy's camp'. He can understand all these in his brain. But on thinking that this means that he's 'fighting against 2,000 people', he starts to feel a sense of despair.
"Then there's no way we can beat that head on! Though it's big here, we'll still get caught in this building if we're going to play hide-and-seek with 2,000 people!?"
"Not quite,"
Stiyl said as he continues to look in front,
"The main emphasis is the 'core'. 'Gregorio's Chant' requires the simultaneous control of 2,000 people, or else it won't work. If we can find the 'core' of these 2,000 people and destroy it, we can destroy the 'Gregorio's Chant'."
Both of them continue to run down the long corridor, and finally arrives near the staircase. At this moment, they see that there's a large number of blueish-white balls flooding in.
They're attacked on both sides.
"The stairs--move it!"
Kamijou and Stiyl frantically duck into the stairs beside them. Just as Kamijou intends to ask Stiyl whether they should run up or down the stairs, he suddenly realises that something's amiss."
"You...you've been looking so calm up till now. Do you have some sort of secret move?"
That's right. To someone who finally managed to escape from the claws of death, Stiyl's really being too calm.
"Hm, I do have a secret plan. It's just that I'm wondering whether I should use it now."
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"ARE YOU KIDDING ME!? IF YOU HAVE IT, HURRY UP AND USE IT!"
With a 'oh', Stiyl happily looks at Kamijou's face.
Facing this abnormal smile, Kamijou inadvertently holds his breath, becoming even more alert. At this moment though,
Don. Stiyl pushed Kamijou down the stairs.
"Wha..."
Before Kamijou could react, he loses his balance and tumbles down the stairs. The numerous bits of pain surround him at the same time, and he can't even let out a cry. It's if he lets out a voice, he will bite his tongue."
"Bad luck, scarecrow♪"
Stiyl's happy voice can be heard from above. While dazed, Kamijou can see Stiyl running in the opposite direction, which is upstairs. Then, the 'flood of balls' came coming over, splitting upstairs and downstairs, and like a water flow, it naturally moves down at Kamijou--!
"That Bastard...!"
Kamijou barely drags his body that's in pain and runs downstairs.
What Stiyl said passes through his mind.
This is Aureolus' hideout, it's filled with his mana. It's like a picture that's only covered in red. If Stiyl's blue colouring is used, the enemy will realise that something's not right.
But on the other hand, if Stiyl doesn't use magic, nobody will detect his presence.
However, Kamijou's situation is different. His Imagine Breaker continues to erase the red colouring. Stiyl can decide when he wants to use magic, but Kamijou's like a transmitter that's always working.
Basically, the reason Kamijou was brought here was to be a decoy that's to be abandoned.
He thought that Stiyl's lack of planning was too rash, but to think that there's such a reason behind it.
(...Damn it! Eh, hold on, something doesn't seem to be right.)
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Kamijou's heart is ringing an alarm. However, he doesn't know why this alarm is ringing, not at all.
Since it's not something that Kamijou, who 'doesn't have any memories', can think of,
It means that this is the 'pre-amnesia' Kamijou, the 'knowledge' part telling him something.
At this moment, another fresh set of footsteps interrupt Kamijou's thoughts.
And it's coming from below, blocking off his getaway.
"...!"
'The flood of ball-like things' continue to close in, but Kamijou can't possibly stop. He dashes down and peers downstairs.
There's a girl downstairs waiting for Kamijou. A girl he never met before, one whose uniform he doesn't even have an impression on.
Perhaps she's a 'candidate' who's older than Kamijou by one or two years. Black braids, round spectacles, the girl looks like she can't even 'fight', let alone use 'magic'.
"The flames punish sin, Purgatory governs the flames. Purgatory was created to burn sinners, as the only violence God recognises.--"
But what came from her cute lips made him really unhappy. It's like the sound of rusted gears.
Every time she says something, the ball of blueish-white light between the girl's eyebrows will increase in size bit by bit.
It seems like the front and back sides of the coin were flipped around. The girl who should be on the 'front side of the coin' is now a magician and standing on the 'back side of the coin'. Perhaps every student in Misawa Cram School is the same now.
But on the other hand, Kamijou can easily knock the girl down now.
(I can win this...!)
Kamijou clenches his right fist. Though he definitely can't beat numerous thousand people, one or two of these ball objects aren't much of a threat. Kamijou clenches his fist even tighter, as if he's trying to confirm the existence of his Imagine Breaker. At this moment,
Crack!
The girl's face explodes as if firecrackers were placed underneath her skin.
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"What...?"
Just as Kamijou's shocked, the girl's fingers, nose, inside of her clothes...let out mini explosions one after another. Though the explosions are so small that they only burned holes that are a few centimetres wide on the skin, but,
"Violence...is the affirmation of death. Affirmation, is--recognition. Re--cog,ni--"
Every time the girl said a single word, her body would start to crack. Her talking lips are cracking as well, and blood flows out of her lips as it seems like her insides are severely damaged. Even so, the girl continues to talk. No, it's more like she can't talk. It feels like she's being controlled by a machine and yet also like a frog being electrocuted. Her leg muscles are twitching, ignoring the frog's will.
(Don't tell me...)
The anxiety rises up Kamijou's stomach. His 'knowledge' is telling him something. Not knowing where it's coming from, the ridiculous 'knowledge' is telling him something.
Espers can't use magic.
Though espers and magicians are similar in that they can use 'supernatural power', the concept is different.
The 'circuit' in espers is different from that of an ordinary person. Even if they try to imitate a magician, they can't use magic.
However, this is Academy City.
All the students here should have taken some esper development program.
Then, assuming that,
What will happen when espers who can't use magic try to use magic?
"Stop, it--"
Kamijou muttered, forgetting his own situation now.
The circuits are different, his 'knowledge' is telling him that. Kamijou doesn't know anything about the basis behind magic, but that feeling may be like a generator that's to be powered by batteries, and forcefully charged with alternating current.
Though the 'current' flows and the 'circuit' works, such a crazy method will end up burning the 'circuit'.
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"--STOP IT! YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT YOUR OWN BODY IS IN TROUBLE!!"
He even forgot to clench his fist. Right now, even though it feels like he's being pointed at with a gun at his head, he still dashed down the stairs without any care.
"...tion, re--st wit,thin. Within, refers, to--the world. Connect your inner self with the outside world."
The girl that was muttering suddenly let out a deep voice, and went silent.
The bridge between her eyebrows exploded. The blueish-white ball that she summoned disappear, leaving behind a fresh red wound.
The voice just now many be a fatal wound. The girl's body sways about and tumbles towards the stairs.
Kamijou's mind is telling him.
A human body is heavy. Even a petite girl can be really heavy if she's treated as 'luggage'. If she carry this several kilograms weight about, he definitely won't be able to avoid the 'flood of balls'.
Kamijou's mind is telling him.
Also, this girl is an enemy. He can't get any benefits even if he save her, and he may even be attacked. If he considers his life as the biggest priority, he should just leave this enemy behind and run away.
Kamijou's mind is telling him.
The most important thing is that a severely wounded person like her can't possibly be saved. Anyone can tell that her wounds are fatal. Besides, her soul got poisoned by the religious science.
(...)
Hearing the voices in his mind, Kamijou inadvertently gnashes his teeth.
"STOP MESSING AROUND--!"
Even so, Kamijou still rushes down the stairs and reaches his hand out to save the girl who's about to collapse on the stairs.
It's true that this girl is heavy. It's already hard for him to escape, and now that he's carrying someone, he definitely won't be able to escape the 'flood of balls'. It's true that this girl is an enemy, he understands this clearly. It's true that the girl is severely wounded and is even more wounded emotionally. Kamijou understands this without anyone needing to tell him.
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Even so,
Even then, there's no reason to abandon a girl who's wounded, to let her get involved in the 'flood of balls' that's coming in from behind. Even if he looks around the entire world, he can't find a reason to allow this.
It's likely that this girl didn't intend for this to happen.
She probably thought that this would be just an ordinary cram school when she enrolled, and soon got brainwashed by religious science unknowingly, before being used as an abandoned pawn without knowing it.
Kamijou remembers the 'knight' who fell in front of the lift.
Any kind person can't possibly leave him alone injured, even if he's an enemy.
"Guu...damn it!"
Don! The girl that collapsed on Kamijou's chest is a lot lighter than what he expected. However, that's when she's viewed as a 'person'. If she were viewed as 'luggage', she can be considered extremely heavy. Also as this is midway down the stairs, Kamijou can't maintain his balance as he almost falls down.
Carrying the bloodied girl, Kamijou intends to continue running down the stairs as he looks behind.
At this moment,
(...)
The flood of balls have already arrived in front of Kamijou's nose like a landslide.
Kamijou frantically uses his right hand to knock away the balls in front of him, carry the girl with his left hand and rush down the final steps. However, an unconscious person is a lot heavier than what Kamijou expected. It feels like a metal ball is tied at his feet as he swims.
He wants to jump, but his body is tied up by the gravity.
Just that little lag cause the thousands of balls to form a vortex around Kamijou.
".........!!"
Kamijou inadvertently closes his eyes hard.
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Kamijou thinks. As for the girl who he's about to protect, he can block one or two of them with his body, but he's out of luck with all the thousands of balls coming at him. Right now, Kamijou's body will be eaten away by the balls like a strong acid, bitten at by numerous worms--
"...?"
--This didn't happen. After a while, nothing happened.
There's a strange feeling that time has stopped. Kamijou doesn't dare to open his eyes recklessly. He's in some strange fantasy that the moment he opens his eyes, time will start to flow again.
Even so, he has to open his eyes.
WIth a fearful feeling that's like that when someone removes the wires of a timed bomb, Kamijou carefully opens his eyes.
"...ah?"
But even after opening his eyes, Kamijou still doesn't understand what's going on now.
It feels like time stopped. That's because the phenomenon now can only be explained by a time stoppage. The numerous balls in front of his nose nearly swallowed him full. However, the vortex of balls seem to be paused in a record as they remain in mid-air.
After a while, the seemingly impatient balls finally start to move.
However, they aren't swallowing Kamijou whole, but dropping down onto the floor like an apple in the hand being dropped slowly. The balls that land on the floor then vanish as it they sublimed.
Then, a set of footsteps can be heard.
Kamijou doesn't understand the situation. Even though he doesn't, he knows that the footsteps are coming from downstairs. Looking for the answer, Kamijou stares downstairs as he looks for the source of the footsteps.
The stairs is linked downstairs to the entrance of the corridor, and the sunset sun is shining on the dark emergency stairs. Over there,
The 'Deep Blood' Himegami Aisa is looking up like she's watching from the bottom of a well.
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Part 6
At this moment, Stiyl Magnus is seeing the used-up flame sword vanish.
Cards of runes scatter about in the air like sakura petals.
This is a corridor that's a level above Kamijou. It's an ordinary long corridor, but Stiyl knows that the core of the Gregorio's Chant is over here.
He's a magician. To him, detecting the 'mana' flow is his speciality, so it's not difficult at all. Even though the magical power of the students here is extremely weak, with the power of 2,000 people being managed at a single point, it's hard not to detect this 'core'.
"...I see. So this is considered 'hidden', huh?"
Smoking casually, Stiyl muttered.
The 'hiding' on the 'front side of the coin' is considered an absolute defense to the people on the 'back side of the coin'.
Thus, the people on the 'back side of the coin' can't even do anything to things on the 'front side of the coin', even if it's just removing a Christmas wrapper.
Thus, by putting a 'core' into an ordinary wall, a strongest defence will be formed.
Even if the enemy magician finds the place, as long as the enemy can't touch the core,it should be safe.
"But first, I have to cover the core in this wall up first."
Stiyl looks bored as he puffs out smoke. His 'flames' don't have any shape. For example, if there are some slight distortions in the walls and windows that creates a gap that's not even a 1mm, he can let the flames flow through that 3,000 degrees celsius temperature.
The knowledge on the 'front side of the coin' isn't suited for the 'back side of the coin'. IF he wants to create a perfect defence, the best option is to put the core into a plastic bag and tie the bag up.
Anyway, without even seeing the 'core', Stiyl destroyed it.
Thus, it seemed like he managed to destroy the 'Gregorio's Chant'.
"...Speaking of which."
Stiyl shakes the cigarette in his mouth and says,
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―Looking at this bloody path, it seems like even the alchemist has fallen after we haven't met for so long. The real 'bloody road' should be made with one's own blood, right?‖
An esper and a magician's 'body setup' is different. If espers even try to use magic, the unstable mana will rip through the blood vessels and nerves in his body.
In fact, there are many fallen students on this corridor—including the area around his feet. Some are still trembling, and some can't move anymore. It's unknown where the thick smell of rust came from. Looking around in the rooms, there should be a Hellish sight 10 times worse than what he described.
Even Stiyl is amazed at himself for saying such bitter things.
It's like he still has some human feelings inside him.
(...That guy really seems to believe in me.)
Recalling that esper boy's, Stiyl looks like he can't take it any more.
At this moment, Stiyl can hear a very clear sound of footsteps coming over from the other side.
Not anxious, not intending to suppress the volume, not intending to hide the killing intent, and yet not intending to hide and make the killer blow.
If there's a need for an illustration, it's like facing an enemy and intending to attack, and yet knocking on his door; it's extremely daring and arrogant. Absolute confidence. It's a 'declaration of war' with a firm belief that he will win, and also like a 'declaration of victory'.
The owner of the footsteps says,
―Naturally, it's true that by using the 'fake Gregorio Chant', I can lure you to where the 'core' is no matter where you're hiding.‖
The footsteps never stopped, and he continues,
―Certainly, there should be two intruders...where's the other one? Clearly, was that familiar of yours swallowed by the 'Gregorio's Chant'?‖
―I'll be really happy if he really got swallowed.‖
Stiyl said,
―But that guy has a longer life than what you expect. Also, he's not such a cute thing like a familiar.‖
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Stiyl chuckles and turns to face the owner of the footsteps.
His eyes are no longer smiling.
This set of footsteps come from a pair of Italian leather shoes. The long legs above the shoes and the 2m tall frame are wrapped in an expensive and white Western suit.
The name is Aureolus. 18 years old, male.
His hair is green. This dyed colour means that this man controls one of the five elements 'Earth'. The slick hairstyle makes this white-skinned man in white clothing all the more unique.
Perhaps others would be laughed at if they wore such a ridiculous getup, but to the middle-aged looking man, wearing such a shirt is obviously logical.
―What now? What do you intend to do luring me here when you aren't good at fighting? You should know that you alone can't stop me. Or rather, how many magical tools do you have on you? You antique salesman?‖
―...‖
These words seem to be taboo to Aurelous.
For an alchemist to step onto the frontlines and fight, he has to equip himself with weapons and spiritual tools. Aureolus must use tens, even hundreds of magical tools just to match up against Stiyl.
―Idiot. Can't you tell that I don't have any magical tools on me?‖
―I guess so. Besides, this entire building itself is like a sacred city—a huge magic tool in itself. Even if you don't use any magical tools to protect yourself, the surrounding environment will automatically help you. Hm, the problem is, why did you come out? If you just stayed put, the sacred city would have fought for you. And even if you come out, you're just relying on the power of the sacred city. So what are you doing here? Or rather, what can you do here?‖
―You bastard--!‖
Like a snake slithering out of a hole, swoosh, a cold knife shoots out of Aureolus' right sleeve.
(A dart...?)
Stiyl frowns. Though it looks like a dart, it's about the size of a dagger. Just as Stiyl thinks that this is a hidden throwing weapon,
―--Transmute!!‖
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Immediately, the dart flies out like a bullet, and flies right at Stiyl's eye.
The tip of the huge dart is attached to a golden chain.
Stiyl bends his body down and sees the large golden snake-like dart fly past. The gold chain flies out of Aureolus' sleeve, ripping through the air and grazing Sityl's face.
'Tch'.
With the sound of a fruit being sliced open, the tip of the dart stabs into the back of one of the fallen students.
(…)
Just as Stiyl's wondering what he should say,
(…?)
BAM. Like a knife piercing a balloon, the student's body burst into bits and fluids.
It's as if someone just a strong acid to corrode the huge body, but yet somewhat different. That's not an ordinary liquid, but shiny golden--
Pure gold that melted due to high heat.
Swoosh, the chain rewinds back, and the dart flies back into Aureolus' sleeve.
―Naturally, why would you be so shocked?‖
Aureolus again raises his right hand and says,
―I'm an alchemist, and I suppose, that you know how I got this name.‖
Stiyl can't reply.
The representative magic called alchemy, which can convert lead into pure gold, really exists.
However, if such a 'project' is to be carried out using modern materials, it will take 7 trillion yen and 3 years.
It can be said to be 'a spell with a hefty price'.
However, the Aureolus here actually managed to use this magic in less than a second.
It's incomparably fast, and it can be said that nobody can surpass this record.
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―Anyone who gets touched by this Instant AlchemyLimen Magna of mine will be forcefully converted into pure gold. It can't be defended against nor avoided. Now, show me your ace, your Innocentius. I'm really interested in seeing whether the flames that don't have shape can be converted into gold.‖
The gold dagger sneaks out like a snake from the alchemist's right sleeve.
―...‖
But Stiyl doesn't say anything.
It's like he can't believe what's happening in front of him, completely rooted to the spot.
―Hm, Inevitably, it's to be expected that you would be shocked after seeing my 'Limen Magna'. But don't get killed by me so easily. I'm not satisfied yet. That attitude of yours 5 seconds ago can't be compensated even if you die 10,000 times.‖
Surprised, Stiyl Magnus mutters like a child who just saw a ghost.
―So, why must you do just a meaningless thing?‖
―What...?‖
The alchemist is shocked.
―What's so surprising about these words? The main point of magic is to 'experiment', and not get 'results', isn't it? Even if an expert can make a magic drug within 5 seconds, what's the difference if the drug effects are the same?‖
Looking like he just saw something really dumb, Stiyl sighs and says,
―It's the same with what you did. Limen Magna? How stupid. How is this any different from spraying strong acid on someone?‖
―...Just...‖
―I know that you're really trying hard, but it's too much of an overkill to use 'Innocentius' to beat this. Besides, it's watching a house, and I have no need to use it here.‖
―...JUST SHUT UP!!!‖
Trying to shut of the mockery, Aureolus lets out the 'Limen Magna' from his right sleeve. The dart flies out, showing the alchemist's rage. As the attack and rewinding speed is too fast, it
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looked like the afterimages of several gold lasers. At the barrage of 10 attacks every second, the magician Stiyl's body of flesh and blood can't keep up to this speed at all. In the end, among 10 shots, 6 of them stab through the face and the abdomen like a sewing machine head.
The runic cards on Stiyl's body are flying about in the air.
However,
―And what's with this? Haven't you realised that you're just a magic tool?‖
His upper body got pierced through like a hive, and there's an arm-sized hole that can pass through the face. However, Stiyl Magnus' extremely bored and unenthusiastic tone can still be heard.
―WHAT, ARE YOU SAYING!?‖
Extremely stunned, Aureolus continues to fire the 'Limen Magna' . Stiyl's tattered upper body continue to be pierced, and the lower body that was originally unhurt is now being pierced through as well.
However,
"Using basic materials and a Germanic Cross to create a soul, it really does look like what the Roman Catholic priests would do. But I just want to look for the real Aureolus Izzard. Will the Aureolus Dummy please step aside?"
Stiyl's body is swaying about in the air and gradually becoming transparent, looking it it will disappear anytime soon. But even so, he still continues to remain standing.
"What are you saying!? These words defy the basic premises! Obviously I created 'Limen Magna'. Or else where would this power come from?"
"Of course it came from the real Aureolus Izzard. I believe you're starting to feel that something's wrong, right? Alright, let me ask you a question, Aureolus Dummy. Why did you start to learn alchemy?"
"...Do you need to ask that?"
Aureolus raises the Limen Magna and says,
"The aim of alchemy is only to seek the truth. And I specialise in 'humans'. Maintaining a humane concept and seeing how high I can reach, this is the answer I seek."
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By consuming a poisonous plant that causes hallucinations, it can cause the assimilation and reciting of incantations be a lot faster even though it will wreck the body. One can hibernate for thousands of years by going into the frozen land of the South Pole.
But what Aureolus wants to know isn't this breakthrough that's made by 'sacrificing oneself for humanity'. What he wants to know is the 'how humans can maintain their form and pride', and how much it can be ascended to. That's his aim in alchemy.
Aureolus, who's the descendant of the famous so-called magician-doctor Paracelsus, has this as his goal in life. That's also what he's most proud of.
"If that's the case, why do you want to get near 'vampires' that are said to 'surpasses human concept'?"
But the magician's words crushed all his belief.
"..."
"Humph. See, you don't understand. You don't understand anything at all. You don't know what Aureolus Izzard is doing, and you don't know what Aureolus Izzard is thinking of doing. You're just a fake that only has his basic ideas in his mind, so you can't understand why Aureolus Izzard would go against his initial beliefs and do all that."
If he really doesn't know anything, how can he be the real magician Aureolus Izzard?
The magician that should be battered really badly is actually talking in an even more arrogant tone than the alchemist.
"Also, about that Limen Magna of yours, since magic exists for research, how can Aureolus Izzard be so proud that he completed such a spell? Only a kid will be happy about being cured after taking a flu medicine, right?"
"U, ah..."
There are too many points Aureolus can argue about.
However, Aureolus can't stop himself from listening. That's because the words the magician said are like a jigsaw puzzle that patched up all the deficiencies in his heart. Thus, he really couldn't ignore it.
"I can say it as many times as you want. You're a fake. I'm only looking for the real Aureolus Izzard and not you. Though it's really too easy to destroy one or two of these security functions of yours, I'm not too willing since you have a familiar person's face. Get away as far as you can."
The Aureolus dummy can't take it any more.
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It's not about whether he's a dummy. The main point is that he spent a lot of effort just to create this one and only spell. How can it originate from somebody else?
The Aureolus dummy intends to use his full power to crush this enemy in front of him, and raises his blade.
"Also, you should understand this clearly. How can the real Aureolus Izzard lose so easily?"
The voice came from behind.
At a moment, the warm stove-like air brushes past the Aureolus dummy's face. Then, at a place that was empty, Stiyl Magnus appeared.
(A mirage...!?)
The Aureolus dummy immediately tries to back away.
This so-called mirage is a phenomenon that's caused by the expansion heat, causing a refraction of light. Thus, he can do things like letting his body seemingly melt into the air or let himself look like he's at a place where he's not really at, just like a movie screening.
It was a fake image that was speared through many times by the Limen Magna. The real Stiyl hid himself in the air sneaked behind Aureolus.
The Aureolus seem to see through Stiyl's tactic thoroughly in an instant.
It's through that he can avoid his attacks by moving about.
However,
The illusion that was speared by that Limen Magna seem to cause a false sense in the Aureolus dummy's mind--at that less than a second moment, the image overlaps with his body, and that's the biggest mistake.
If he stops thinking, he will show fatal holes.
Just as the dummy Aureolus drags his thoughts back to reality, the flame sword appears on Stiyl's right hand. The flame sword swings directly down and hacks Aureolus' left hand and leg away.
The cut's extremely smooth like a hot knife cutting butter.
The parts that were sliced by the 3,000 degrees celsius flame aren't even bleeding.
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"U, ah."
But what dominates Aureolus' mind isn't the pain of the body.
"Also, you should understand this clearly. How can the real Aureolus Izzard lose so easily?"
The magician's words echo in his mind, shaking his brain. That's right, Aureolus Izzard is definitely invincible and overwhelming. He never knew what failure was, what retreat was. He can only be called a perfect saint.
But what's with his ugly state now?
Right now, how is he any different from a scaredy cat that uses all sorts of tools to protect himself and with tremble on taking every single attack?
"A, AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!"
The Aureolus dummy finally loses all sanity.
Even after losing a hand and a leg, the Aureolus dummy still uses the 'Limen Magna'.
Stiyl reamins wary of the golden dart and raises his flame sword. However, the Limen Magna flies off in a completely unexpectedly place. The students who are gathered all over the floor are stabbed by the Limen Magna.
Immediately, the entire floor is filled with molten gold.
Then, Aureolus stabs the Limen Magna into the molten gold and activates the Limen Magna. Perhaps the Limen Magna has the ability to manipulate pure gold like magnets attracting iron sand, as the molten gold splatter all over the place.
Of course, it includes the area surrounding Stiyl Magnus.
Stiyl casually blocks the splatters of molten gold. He then lets his flame sword explode. Though the numerous droplets of gold can't be blocked altogether, a storm can send them flying.
Stiyl again creates a new flame sword and slices the surrounding smoke apart.
He doesn't see any signs of the Aureolus dummy, who may have escaped during the explosion. Stiyl hesitates on whether he should chase after him, but decides the give up.
Right now, the corridor in front of him is covered completely with high temperature lava-like molten gold. It's 5m long, and he will be burned if he can't jump over successfully.
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It seems like he can only make a detour. But luckily for him, 'Misawa Cram School' is made of 4 buildings, and each building is linked through an overhead corridor. There's no place I can't get to as long as I doesn't mind making detours, Stiyl pondered.
Part 7
"It looks bad, but the injuries aren't serious. Treatment will suffice."
Kamijou dragged the 'Misawa Cram School' student--the girl with braids--onto the corridor. And the 'Deep Blood' Himegami Aisa said calmly to Kamijou.
"Bu, BUT SHE'S COVERED IN BLOOD!"
Kamijou placed the girl on the floor, and can't help but roar on seeing her. That unknown school's summer uniform was already dyed fresh red. Her face, hands and other exposed parts of the skin are damaged and look like a layer of plastic is wrapped over them.
"Only her skin that was damaged caused damage to the capillaries. Had her arteries ruptured, it would have been worse. The blood would gush out like a fountain."
"How, do, you--"
You're not a doctor--and even if you're are, you need to thoroughly check this. How can you make such a prognosis like that? Kamijou thought.
"I'm more informed about the flow of blood than others."
Kamijou is stunned, and inadvertently thinks back to Himegami Aisa's 'ability name'.
"Help me!"
However, Himegami herself didn't seem to notice Kamijou's reaction, probably because she's giving emergency treatment. She undresses the wounded in front of the boy Kamijou.
"Uboah, hold on..."
"Don't overreact. This will be too disrespectful to the injured."
Though Kamijou is panicking about something else, but thinking about it, there's something wrong about thinking what 'this is a girl's naked body', right? It's like how a doctor who'll get excited on seeing a patient's naked body will get fired.
What Himegami does next can be compared to doctors and paramedics. She first uses a handkerchief to stop the bleeding thoroughly, and since she can't stop the bleeding at the wrists with the cloth, she uses Kamijou's belt to tie them and stop the blood flow.The abdomen muscles
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that were ruptured are sewn together by the injured girl's hair and some needles from a sewing box.
Kamijou can't do anything. He can only follow Himgami's directions and lift the hands higher than the heart or use the handkerchief to press the wound down. But doing this causes his hands to be stained in blood. It's not because he hurt others, but because he's saving others, and that is a remarkable feeling in him.
"Anyway, she's alright."
Himegami, whose miko outfit got stained in blood, said it as if it were nothing,
"We managed to stop the blood. It'll take 15 minutes for the blood to clot, and at that time, the wounds will patch up. However, the sterilisation is incomplete. Even though there won't be any danger in the next 2 hours, it's better to send her to the hospital just to be safe."
"..."
Kamijou against stares at the injured person on the floor. This girl is about as old as Kamijou, but her wounds are so serious that it's hard to imagine that. Psychologically, she shouldn't be faring any better as well.
It's true that he should be happy that they managed to save her life.
However, she lost everything, and this bothers Kamijou.
"We did what we could, now...we can only leave it to Academy City's technology."
Kamijou stared at the girl's face as he said this, As the wounds are created from the inside, the damaged skin is stuck on her flesh like damaged plastic sheets.
"Only plastic surgery will be required. She just needs the skin on the arm."
"..."
Himegami Aisa merely replied according to modern medicine knowledge. However, Kamijou still find it's unbelievable that the 'arm' can be used as the 'skin of the face'.
"Speaking of which, you're amazing just now. Are you a certain doctor that operates without a license?" [2]
"I'm not a doctor."
Just as Kamijou's about to ask 'what are you then', Himegami replies,
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"I'm a spellcaster."
",..."
Kamijou recalls that she did say something like that, and says,
"Eh, on what basis are you like a spellcaster?"
"I have a magic wand."
"O...oi, hold on! That's a police baton!"
"New material."
"STOP MESSING AROUND!"
Kamijou, who was arguing loudly about such ridiculous words, finally realises something.
The injured person in front of him is alright, so he could think about all these.
Kamijou collapses onto the floor.
Just all these causes Kamijou's remaining strength to be seemingly released. It's a really comfortable feeling, and one can even find it weird that nobody's crying.
In some unknown place that can't be seen, lots of people are killed. Even if they saved one or two people, that Hellish sight that's even worse than what he sees now should be even trivial.
But no matter what, it's still something that's worth being happy over.
"If that's the case..."
No matter what happens, they can't let this injured person remain here. No matter how they intend to deal with 'Misawa Cram School' and Aureolus Izzard, they have to call for an ambulance first.
"I'm going back. We can't leave the wounded here. And it's better to let the ambulance wait at the entrance."
"Mn, that's true. There's not just one casualty. We can cut down on the time it takes to take them to the hospital by calling the ambulance here first."
"...Stop talking about it like it doesn't involve you."
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"?"
Himegami stares at Kamijou with an inexplicable look. Perhaps its because she got locked up for so long that her brain doesn't have the thought of 'running away'.
"Eh, what I mean is that you don't have to be locked up over here. Let's get out of here. In fact, we came here to save you."
Himegami doesn't say anything.
She just reveals a surprised look that seems frozen, unable to move at all.
"What is it? Did I say something weird?"
"..."
Himegami says in a soft voice,
"...Why?"
"What why? Do I need a reason to save others?"
Himegami's shocked again, remaining stiff.
And this time, it seems like she blushed--or maybe that's just a feeling.
"But, I..."
Himegami Aisa seem like she intends to say something.
But at this moment, there seems to be the sound of something being dragged about as it interrupts Himegami. Then, there's a heavy breathing sound. Though he doesn't hear any talking, one can feel the negative feelings of hatred and anger in his breathing, and it seems to echo in his mind.
"Damn it! Damn it! Absolutely, Why am I so injured! He's supposed to be material, yet he's dragging me down...kuku, hoho, dragging me down? Dragging me down? That's interesting, isn't it, Aureolus Izzard! You don't even have any rear leg for others to pull! Kuku! Kukuku! You bastards looked down on me! Inevitably, I'M GOING TO MELT YOU ALL DOWN...!"
An abnormally loud male voice can be heard, sounding like echoes that got blasted too loud.
Then with an extremely loud swoosh, with the sound of something being dragged, the sound of something being can be heard, and the man escaped down the stairs and made it to the corridor.
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Kamijou is inadvertently stunned. That's a green-haired foreigner in white western suit. However, his left hand and leg got sliced off on the joints, and there's a slanted golden stick that's attached to the damaged parts, one of which is used as a crutch. It should be painful, but the man doesn't look in pain at all. Perhaps he has a lot of anesthetic in him, as all the anger, hatred, happiness and craziness overwhelms his pain. The sweaty face is obviously showing an exaggerated expression.
Also, the man's right hand and the prosthetic left hand.
His hands look like they're dragging rubbish, grabbing the collars of bloodied boys and girls. 3 on each side, 6 altogether.
"Wha, what's going on?"
The man stares at Kamijou with bloodshot eyes, and says,
"Kid, what are you doing here? Only magicians are allowed to be here! Are you an intruder? That flame magician's friend?
3m away away, the man continues to let saliva fly, but Kamijou remains unmoved.
"You...these people."
"Naturally, these are just materials! Alchemy requires materials! Why are you looking at them? That's too strange! This Aureolus Izzard and his Limen Magna is standing before you. Why are you still looking at the materials!? I should be perfect!! Why are you so unhurried!? What am I lacking!?"
The name Aureolus Izzard shocks Kamijou, causing him to back away.
However, Himegami Aisa, who's beside him, maintains her expression.
"Poor thing"...
"If you didn't realize the truth, you could have continued being Aureolus Izzard."
"Ku...!? Damn you!!"
As Aureolus growled, a large golden dart flies out from the remaining right sleeve. It spins around the alchemist quickly, and the gold chain looks like a boundary.
--The dart pierces through those bloody students that Aureolus was dragging around.
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The six students that were stabbed through by the dart are immediately melted into something golden. That's not an ordinary fluid. The mercury like metallic shine hisses, and the steaming sound that sounds like a beast breathing proves that this fluid is molten metal.
"What...DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING, YOU BASTARD!?"
But on seeing this, Kamijou Touma's only worried about the students that were melted.
Facing Kamijou, who completely ignored his 'killer technique', Aureolus' as angry as ever.
"Of, course--ACCEPT YOUR FATE!"
With that cry, the gold dart and chain starts to spin around the alchemist even faster, The surrounding golden dirt is flying in mid air like a tornado. It looks like a wall, yet like a tsunami, and yet like a meteor landing on the sea. It whips up waves around Aureolus and extends out to the ceiling.
At this moment, from the corner of his eye, he can see Himgami moving.
She silently bends down and carries the injured girl away before backing away. Though she's staggering back unsteadily, she wasn't anxious at all. It's like she's clear about what she wanted to do, that if she backed away, she can get away from the attack range.
Luckily, the 'fluid' formed by the molten metal isn't like water, but a 'sticky fluid' that's like melted chocolate. Even if a tsunami crashes in, there won't be too much splash damage.
Kamijou follows Himegami, who's carrying the girl, and backs away.
But at that moment, a hole got pierced through the golden tsunami, and the golden dart flies over at a terrifying speed.
"...!?"
Though he wants to dodge it, Kamijou's backing away and can't obtain balance under such a situation. He can only choose to use his right hand to grab this attack that's flying at him.
The sound of muscles ripping can be heard in his hand.
The golden dart isn't so easily caught. It backs away and returns back to the golden storm. The palm that got cut feels hot, like it got scalded on a hot metal plate.
After a while, the golden tsunami starts to rise.
Kamijou jumps backwards and then rolls away, before finally avoiding this scalding molten metal attack.
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The golden sea separates Kamijou and Aureolus, and the width's about 3m.
(...Ku, damn it, I don't have, any feeling in my hand--!)
Kamijou grits his teeth. It's hard for him to clench his 5 fingers on the right hand. This right hand that can negate any miracle can't even deal with a small knife.
"...What, what's going on?"
But after the tsunami of gold subsides, Aureolus, who appeared again, seems to be more anxious that Kamijou. One can even say that he's more than confused now.
The golden dart in Aureolus' hand starts to disintegrate like it was made of sand.
The Imagine Breaker of Kamijou's right hand starts to work.
That dart should be something that's imbued with some 'supernatural power', so it got destroyed after Kamijou's hand touched it. The wound on Kamijou's hand was caused by the blade just before it got destroyed.
"Naturally, What's with your right hand? Certainly, Why can't it change? Inevitably, My 'Limen Magna' is the pinnacle of alchemy! It's a miracle that 2 schools of thought, Bohemia and Vienna, gave up on after thinking that it couldn't be fulfilled! This is unbelievable! Entirely, What did you use to negate my theory!?"
(Limen, Magna...?)
Kamijou feels that the wound is pulsating according to his heartbeat. He inadvertently frowns and think. Was the 'change' he talked about referring to that molten metal?"
"Ha, how satisfying! Haha! THIS IS SATISFYING! YOU'RE REALLY INTERESTING THERE, BOY! WHAT'S WITH THAT SECRET OF THE HUMAN BODY? LET ME, THE MAGIC DOCTOR, DISSECT YOUR BODY AND SOLVE ALL THE QUESTIONS!!!"
Aureolus swings his right hand across, revealing a new dart tip. It's aimed between Kamijou's eyebrows, matching the killing intent in the alchemist's eyes.
(He's coming...!?)
Just as Kamijou frantically uses his right hand to cover his face, the dart almost touches Kamijou's forehead. He quickly uses his right hand to knock it aside, and the fist feels like it got sliced as a sharp pain can be felt.
"Che!"
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Aureolus wanted to use the gold chain to counterattack, but it got affected by Kamijou's right hand before he could catch it, and shatters like glass.
Another golden dart tip appears in Aureolus' right sleeve.
As as Kamijou's intending to dodge,
The golden dart continues to fire out like a machine gun from Aureolus' suit.
It's fast. The firing, the wrecking, the preparing of the next shot; All these actions took less than 0.2 seconds. This isn't something that a human can handle anymore. However, he can't choose to run away like that. He can't even turn his back on others, as the tiniest slip-up will allow the dart to spear through his chest or other critical areas.
Luckily, though the dart is moving fast, the trajectory's relatively simple. It will continue to shoot out in 'a straight line'. It's a lot easier to predict the trajectory than against a boxer who can send in straight punches and hooks.
"Ku, ahh--!!"
So even though Kamijou knows that his right hand will get cut, he can only choose to use his right hand to deflect them. Seeing the dart's 'changing ability', it seems like he will be melted into gold if he uses anything other than his right hand to block it.
Thus, in a while, there are remains of darts and chains all around Kamijou.
"HAHA, HAHAHAHA! SUCH AN INTERESTING HUMAN SPECIMEN! IT'S NOT USING A CHANT THAT ABSORBS THE MAGIC POWER, NOT THE LANCE OF LONGINUSGod Slayer! IT JUST USED A BARE HAND TO DESTROY ALL MY LIMEN MAGNA!"
Seeing that he couldn't kill the enemy no matter how many times he attacked, Aureolus still seem really happy as he laughs. He's like an adventurer who reached some mysterious place that no one entered before.
"IT'S NOT ENOUGH! HAHA! BOY! THAT'S NOT ENOUGH TO TEST YOUR LIMITS!"
The golden dart destruction and regeneration speed increases to more than twice. It continues to rip the air and fly at Kamijou.
Kamijou's right hand is already stained in blood, and he can't even clench his fist.
(Da, damn it...!)
MY FINGERS MAY BE SLICED! Just as Kamijou feels this scary thought invade his body, the gold dart unexpectedly misses, and it flies past the slow moving Kamijou.
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The enemy missed--it'll be too optimistic to think like that.
Standing behind Kamijou is Himegami Aisa, who's carrying that injured girl!
"HIME--!"
Kamijou turns his head about, trying to cry out. But facing the dart that passed him, this is too slow. The golden dart is aimed between Himegami's eyebrows. Aureolus seem like he got mentally confused, and can't even show mercy on the Deep Blood he worked so hard to get.
In front of him is a shocked look on Himegami Aisa's face.
Just as Kamijou wants to shout out, the dart can be heard landing on flesh.
There's a cry of shock, and Kamijou isn't clear about whether he was the one who made it.
He can't even tell, because the scene in front of him is too pitiful and unexpected.
The golden dart didn't hit Himegami Aisa.
The thoroughly injured girl that Himegami was carrying, the girl that couldn't possibly move a finger, actually pulls her hand out to protect Himegami's face.
The golden dart lands deeply into her soft hand.
But the girl doesn't reveal a look of pain, instead using her other hand to gently push Hiemgami's chest. Himegami's body sways and takes a step back, separating from the girl.
The girl seems to be muttering something. It's an extremely weak voice, and one can't hear what she said.
But the girl smiled.
This isn't a smile for herself. This is a feeble smile that's forced out to comfort others.
Then, just like that, the anonymous girl got 'transmuted' into molten gold.
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For that moment, Kamijou seemed to shout something.
Kamijou doesn't even know what he was shouting. He nearly burst his throat. The alchemist also seems to be taken aback, probably due to luck or lack of it, and the golden chain stops rewinding for a while.
Kamijou uses his hand to grab the golden chain, not with the sure-kill right hand, but with the left hand.
Kamijou's instincts are telling him that only the dart can carry out the Limen Magna. The chained parts shouldn't have any ability to carry out the Limen Magna. If the chain has a similar ability, the enemy wouldn't have 'shot the dart straight out' but 'swing the chain'. That's because if he did that, the attack range will obviously be wider.
"Ugh...!"
Aureolus naturally wants to pull the chain back to himself. The chain's being held straight like a rope in a tug-of-war match. However, Kamijou uses his foot to hold it tight.
Aureolus himself is the one who ends up being pulled.
And in front of him is the scalding molten gold that he created--!
"GUOAAAAHHH!!"
Stepping into the golden fluid, Aureolus tries to back away, but he can't do it. That's because the golden chain became a bind, causing him to be unable to move move.
Aureolus roared and releases the chain that's hidden in his suit. He finally manages to drag himself out from the molten gold. Although it was only 2 seconds, this causes smoke to come out from below his foot.
Perhaps knowing that he can't use the chain as a bind, Kamijou's bloodied hands let go of the chain.
Now, should he run, or should he attack?
Just as Aureolus' hesitating, he sees an unbelievable sight.
Kamijou bends his body down, looking like he wants to increase his jumping ability to the maximum and jump over the golden stream to attack the alchemist opposite.
Letting go of the chain doesn't have anything to do with binding.
But anyone can tell the Kamijou can't do it.
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The golden stream between Kamijou and Aureolus is 3m wide. He may be able to jump over it if he does a running start, but he definitely can't do that without a running start.
Even so, Kamijou's eyes don't have any hesitation.
It's like saying that it's alright even if he fails and jumps into the molten gold, that he must beat this enemy in front of him before his body gets burnt.
This intense 'emotion' that's unrestrained causes Aureolus to feel that he's in danger.
The next moment, Kamijou jumped without hesitation.
It seems like a suicidal jump, but the direction's not at Aureolus.
But at a window on the corridor that's shining the sunset sunlight in.
Kamijou's foot lands on that slightly protruded platform and flies at Aureolus!
"...!"
Just as Aureolus frantically tries to counterattack, Kamijou has already jumped--from a position much higher than the floor and above Aureolus.
Aureolus' survival instincts are telling him to quickly attack back and use the golden dart to shoot that guy down. But just as the alchemist frantically raises his Limen Magna, he realises something.
Kamijou Touma jumped over Aureolus' head.
If he uses the Limen Magna to shoot him down--the scalding hot molten gold will rain down on Aureolus!
"Apparently, I didn't foresee that...!!"
The action, pride, and even the burn on his foot, he can't even care about them now.
Aureolus frantically rolls back and avoids Kamijou's attack, running away.
Compared to the shame of 'losing to some ordinary folk who's not even a magician', what Aureolus can't take is a great fear.
He can only run with his battered legs in the darkness, crashing about as he runs.
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Part 8
The Aureolus dummy continues to tread through the corridor. It feels like this corridor is long, and that there's no end to it.
After the alchemist was grabbed by that boy, he lost all his strength, but this isn't much. The golden dart was just a tool that was materialised. Limen Magna's actual identity is actually that of the entire 'Misawa Cram School' base.
Even if the tool's mana supply got cut of, as long as the main body is supplied with mana and the shape of the tool is recreated, he can use it again.
Thus, that's not the reason why the Aureolus dummy ran away.
The reason why he ran away was because of the power of that boy's right hand. It seems to be limitless. No matter how much he absorbed mana from the main body and into the golden dart, it still continued to get eroded by that boy's right hand. If that kept up, the main body would have ran out of mana. Such a crisis sends chills down Aureolus' spine.
"Ku, damn..."
But the Aureolus dummy's still thinking of the next step. Whether it's Stiyl or that boy, even though 'Limen Magna' are ineffective against them, they will still try to avoid the molten gold as much as they can.
"...In other words, if there's so much gold that they can't hide, they won't be able to do anything. Ha, I have 1,982 materials beside me, naturally, that's definitely more than enough to get rid of them!"
Though this place is huge, they are still within a building. If he pours out a large amount of gold like a dam bursting from the top level, he can easily flood all the corners below.
Just imagining it alone is fun. Just imagining it is enough to sweep aside all unhappy feelings.
"HAHA! DESTROY DESTROY! DESTROY DESTROY DESTROY DESTROY! THAT'S RIGHT! I CAN'T DIE! THERE'S STILL DEEP BLOOD AND ALL SORTS OF RESEARCH MATERIALS THAT'S INCOMPLETE! HOW CAN I DIE! NO, NOT JUST THIS! THERE ARE STILL 50,000 HUMAN SPECIMENS IN THE WORLD WORTH RESEARCHING ON! HAHA! IT'S ONLY A PITY FOR THAT BOY, I HAVE TO KILL HIM BEFORE I CAN EVEN UNDERSTAND THE SECRETS IN HIS BODY!"
Luckily, he summoned all the students in the cram school onto the 'back side of the coin', and now he just needs to gather these materials. At that point, he just needs to pierce the Limen Magna through them. But after thinking about it, the core of the 'Gregorio's Chant replica' that could manipulate all the students actions was destroyed by Stiyl.
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"These guys, really want to go against me regardless of anything..."
The anger rips through the air like a hot blade.
But the sound of footsteps behind him sound like a sharper blade.
"...!?"
Anyone can tell that Aureolus' back seem to shrink after hearing the footsteps.
Normally, ordinary people will choose to run away when they're afraid. That's normal. Everyone wants to run away, they don't want to endure those irritating and painful events. If possible, they wouldn't even want to look at it.
However, these footsteps don't even allow Aureolus to act on the primitive instincts that's so associated with ordinary people. That's because the footsteps contain killing intent, bringing a sense of despair. It seems like if he looks away, his body will be diced into 100 pieces.
Thus, Aureolus could only choose to turn back. His heart is telling him to run crazily without even looking, his mind is already unable to endure such pain anymore. But Aureolus could only turn back like a puppet being manipulated.
Over there, right over there.
10m away, Kamijou Touma is standing there, looking like a savage beast that just escaped from an experimental lab.
"Wh, what's going--"
Aureolus doesn't understand. He's supposed to be perfect, so why can someone force him into such a state?
But in reality, Kamijou Touma's standing over there.
"...Did you have enough fun?"
Hearing Kamijou mutter, Aureolus frowns. That's a voice of one standing in the midst of an icy cold rain. Nobody can tell who's being forced into despair.
Kamijou saw Hell. He saw people die right in front of him, and he understands that some place where he can't see, a lot of people must have died, but at least he managed to save an injured girl. However, this alchemist in front of him just took away the only saving grace in his heart.
But as for that, Kamijou doesn't say anything, and of course he doesn't have any views. That's because if he has the time to talk, he might as well do something else.
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Kamijou's eyes are glaring at the enemy.
His eyes are filled with burning iron-like killing intent.
"Ugh."
Aureolus frantically raises the Limen Magna, but the action's not out of battle intent, but out of fear. However, this action causes Kamiijou to be even more determined.
He doesn't say anything. Kamijou's feet explodes with strength as he dashes at Aureolus.
Filled with fear and anxiety, Aureolus shoots out the golden dart at Kamijou's face to prevent him from closing in. Kamijou crouches down like a spider and easily dodges it, even taking a step forward.
"!?"
Aureolus' anxiety continues to increase. However, even if the anxiety causes the Limen Magna to be less effective, it can still regenerate 6 times within a second. Aureolus easily recovers the dart into his hand, and shoots it again at Kamijou's face.
Having bent down, Kamijou has no other place to go.
However, Kamijou uses his right fist to smash an uppercut at the abdomen. The golden dart and chain immediately shatters. The perfect counterattack looks like it was predicted right from the beginning where the dart will fly to.
Bending down his body was an act. If there's no way to retreat, and with that huge of an opening, the enemy will definitely attack there. A straight attack that's straightforward is way too easy as compared to fighting in the alleys where anything goes.
Ten metres distance, dodging the first attack alone isn't going to cover the distance. Thus, Kamijou thought of this tactic. That's because if he could dodge the second attack, he can get near the enemy--!
"Wai!"
Stunned, Aureolus roared with a twisted expression and tries to fire the third attack. However, before that could happen, Kamijou's right fist lands on his face. Then, without slowing down, and even though he's one head shorter than the enemy, Kamijou uses his forehead to smash into the enemy's jaw.
Having taken two direct hits in the head, Aureolus can't help but tumble on the floor. He wants to roll away to avoid the attack, but Kamijou won't allow him. He stamps hard onto the prosthetic that's made from gold and moves his foot to pull it out.
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Like the sound of a fruit being crushed, the wound that was barely patched up lets out a ripping sound.
"GYYYYYAAAAAHHHH!!!"
Aureolus screamed out in pain and releases the Limen Magna at Kamijou, who's intending to sit down on him. However, Kamiijou actually uses his left hand to grab the golden chain so as not to destroy it.
It seems like he never thought that he would turn into gold if he made the slightest mistake.
Kamijou then twirls his left hand and ties the golden chain on his arm.
The Limen Magna attack is completely sealed. Then, Kamijou looks down at the alchemist's face from above.
(Stupidly,...if this keeps up, I'll get killed)
Aureolus' judgement was quick. He chose to cut the golden chain that's linked to the inside of his suit. Having maintained his balance with the resistance of the chain, Kamijou sways. Using this opportunity, Aureolus rolls away and escapes from Kamijou's clutches. Aureolus' crying out in his heart. The Limen Magna that he so believed in wasn't destroyed, but abandoned under his own will. His own belief got wrecked.
He expected that he should be able to save his life if he gives up everything. It can be said that it would be all for naught if that doesn't work. But in front, Aureolus can't run away any further. That's because his prosthetic leg got ripped out, and he can't even walk.
Also, Kamijou even raises the golden chain and whips it on the crawling Aureolus like a whip. The heavy hit causes all the air in Aureolus' lungs to be forced out, causing him to roll about on the floor in pain.
"..."
Kamijou wordlessly closes in on Aureolus and steps on his back, and uses the golden chain to chain it around the original owner's neck. Then, he can hang him by pulling this chain. However, since it's not the right hand that he's not used to, he can't break the bone up.
Kamijou doesn't carry any emotions to his own actions. Or rather, he can't. His mind and blank and hot, and reality is nothing to him.
"I, gya...sp--spare me."
However, these words causes Kamijou's brain to seem like it got dunked in cold water, causing him to lose all his anger.
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It's an unreasonable request. How many people this person killed? Thinking of it, one can tell that there's only one choice. Even in those superhero special effects movie that are shown to children, nobody will hesitate over killing such a person.
But Aureolus isn't like a human.
He knows he can't run, but he continues to reach his arm out and struggle.
Kamijou starts to recall. The 'knight' who was abandoned in the hall, the students who still continued with the incantations of the 'Gregorio's Chant' even with their bodies breaking, and the anonymous girl who turned into molten gold while protecting Himegami.
He knows that there's only one choice.
Kamijou wordlessly tugs at the golden chain.
But in the end, he can only choose to let go.
Aureolus continues to climb away on the floor. He can only escape from this person who caused his downfall, wondering about the misfortune that happened around him, and relieved that he's still alive.
He's still a 'human', how can Kamijou kill him?
The Aureolus dummy doesn't even know what floor this is anymore.
Though he managed to roll down a few levels, he doesn't even have any strength to roll. There's no strength left in his body. His back is resting on the wall of the dark emergency staircase, and he's staring at the remaining hand.
Ever since he got hit by that boy, he started to feel that the strength that was supporting him seem to be taken away. That sense of powerlessness seems like a certain mana source was cut off from him.
Now, Aureolus Dummy realises it.
He's not a human. If the boundary isn't there to provide him with energy, he can't even stand up.
It's like Limen Magna, a tool that's among numerous substitutes.
"Ahh..."
Aureolus sighed as the feeling in his fingers gradually fades, and yet he's feeling satisfied.
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What is that? No matter whether it's Limen Magna or this body, magic would be negated on contact. What is that boy's right hand? Thinking about this, Aureolus' like a teenager who's looking through a telescope, his eyes sparkling with the thirst for knowledge.
The greatest question in his heart is. How much can a person maintain and raise his form and pride?
Aureolus seems like he saw the answer. It's not just because of that boy's abnormal power. It's also because that even though the boy had such a power, he would get angry and feel sad like a human.
Thinking about it, it seems like his tragic fate is nothing.
That's because a scholar who knows the answer doesn't need to live on and think.
Footsteps.
Aureolus weakly looks up the stairs, and sees Stiyl standing there.
"Naturally, I can see...you haven't gotten sick of killing me?"
The alchemist mocks himself and says,
"Even if you leave me alone, I'll certainly die anyway, so why do you still want to kill me?"
"Yeah. It's true that I have no interest in killing you. Besides, 'that child' didn't interact with you."
Stiyl says with an uninterested tone,
"Speaking of which, there's a member of the 13 knights that was killed. I suppose you didn't do that, right?"
The Aureolus Dummy leans on the wall and stares up at Stiyl.
Aureolus Dummy's weapon is Limen Magna. Even though it can turn everything into gold, it can't possibly turn the casted armour of the knight in a vented shape like that.
"...Humph, speaking about that. Certainly I never killed any of them."
"What?"
"Inevitably, since I lost, you can just go ahead and think of the reason."
Aureolus smirks and says,
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"Speaking of which, since you're not interested in me, why are you here? Naturally, Can't I just die alone?"
"It's the complete opposite, idiot. I'm here to send you off. Can you endure yourself dying off like that?"
"..."
For a while, the Aureolus Dummy stares blankly at Stiyl's face.
Then, he smiles.
For this man, it's really rare, but he did smile.
Though he's a fake, Aureolus is a scholar. And right now, he's extremely satisfied that he managed to obtain the answer to 'human's biggest limit'.
However, there's still some time till Aureolus dies off.
Less than 10 minutes.
Aureolus' is a scholar. In this spare time, he will think of a new question to think about. Those are research topics that are waiting for him to ponder about.
However, Aureolus doesn't have 'time' to ponder about them.
To a scholar, it's Hell to have a doubt yet unable to research on it before dying. That's definitely an unhappy feeling and regret that can't be avoided.
That is why Stiyl said that.
Before you find that sweet question and ponder hard into it, let me send you off while 'your mission is complete'.
"Humph."
Thus, Aureolus smiles and says,
"I can't tell if you are an Angel or the Devil."
"These are two beings of similar natures, the difference is where they take their orders from."
Stiyl slowly walks down the stairs.
"I prove why my name is the strongest here Fortis931"
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Stiyl's black coat flips out, and numerous runic cards scatter out like sakura petals.
"Sorcery name, huh?"
Seeing Stiyl walk down the stairs, Aureolus muttered to himself. If so, what is his sorcery name?
Aureolus starts to recall.
"Oh, I remember."
My honor is for the worldHonos628
Having finally remembered his 'name' and 'purpose', Aureolus narrows his eyes.
"Do I need to make a final prayer for you as a priest? Alchemist?"
Walking down the stairs, Stiyl Magnus said as he arrives in front of the alchemist.
"Stop dragging this on. You're just a mere magician."
The moment the Aureolus dummy replied, Stiyl's flames enter him through the mouth, quickly burning through the insides of his body. The flames burst out from all the openings. The abdomen then start to break, splitting him into two parts. Large amounts of flames continue to spur out, causing Aureolus' upper body to shoot out like a rocket.
Part 9
At this moment, in a certain student dormitory, or rather, a certain student dormitory bathtub, the girl Index, who's watching the house, is exchanging looks with the stray cat Sphinx. This calico cat seemed like it was a domestic cat, so it doesn't have a cute personality. It doesn't chase after a thrown ball of yarn, it continues to nest under a table even after its name got called, it will snatch other people's food when eating. The last point is really a serious thing. To Index, who has a voracious appetite, it's significant that Kamijou Touma cooks for her.
It seems like she has to train it. Having decided to stop giving the gentle treatment, she's now battling with the calico cat who's covered with bubbles. On a side note, Index read through Kamijou's elaborate explanation on how to use the automatic hot water supply in the bathroom, and gingerly managed to work it out.
(...But, where did Touma go?)
There're a few questions in her mind. The first is what was said during the conversation. It's not because Kamijou said that he 'just wanted to test whether the phone could work', but that Kamijou actually said so easily 'forget it' even after having his pudding eaten.
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Speaking of which, it's the same thing for this cat that's covered with shampoo bubbles and having its fur standing up.
Basically, Kamijou won't do anything he doesn't like.
Even if he knows that there's no other way, if he really doesn't want to do it, he will think of another way to solve it.
Such a Kamijou didn't even pursue on those two things that he didn't agree in. That's really too weird.
Having made up her mind, Index nods her head. She walks out of the bathroom and puts on her nun habit 'Walking Church'. At the corridor, before she even opens the door, she realises that even if she wants to question Kamijou she has to know where he is. Of course, calling Kamijou is not an option. To be honest, Index doesn't know how the phone works at all, and since the Kamijou's residence phone has a 'fax function', there are so many buttons that Index doesn't know how to start using it.
Will she give up? Just as Index is about to return back to the room, she suddenly sees something.
There's something that looks like a tarot card stuck on the wall.
That's the runic imprint that the magician Stiyl Magnus uses.
"..."
Index stares at the card without looking.
Something's definitely going on. He definitely left Index alone to deal with something alone.
Index recalls it. A few days ago, she met that teenager who doesn't have any feelings. The despair and anxiety Index feels causes her to be extremely restless.
Run. She can only run.
Luckily, Index has the knowledge of 103,000 grimoires in her mind. She knows the workings of Stiyl's magic. The runes require magicians to continuously provide mana and maintain it.
For example, when a soul is lost, there will be something thin string-like that links the soul and the body. Though Index can't use magic, she can trace the mana, so she won't get lost.
Just like that, Index runs off the the 'battlefield' without even locking the door.
She doesn't know that such an act will bring about the biggest trouble.
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Notes
1. デンパ少女 or Denpa Otome goes for "wave girl", Denpa is a term to coin someone who has a really strange or eccentric behaviour without any apparent reason (hence "the wave made me do it"); you might recognize the word as it is also the name of a novel, where the titular character is actually quite weird 2. Black Jack

Toaru Majutsu no Index ~ Bahasa Indonesia:Volume2 Chapter1

2014-09-08T08:17:14Z

36.74.232.16: /* Di Antara Baris 1 */

== Chapter 1: Sebuah Menara Kaca. ''The_Tower_of_BABEL'' ==

=== Part 1 ===

Di ruangan ini tidak ada jendela.

Tidak ada pintu, tangga, elevator, atau koridor. Meskipun merupakan bagian dari bangunan ini, ruangan ini tidak memiliki fungsi apa pun. Satu-satunya cara memasuki ruangan ini adalah dengan menggunakan kemampuan esper Teleporter Level 4. Dapat dikatakan bangunan ini adalah benteng terkuat.

Di dalam menara yang dibuat dari material yang dapat menahan serangan dan dikatakan lebih kuat dari bunker serangan udara ini berdiri seorang penyihir.

Dia adalah Stiyl Magnus.

Stiyl, ahli dalam sihir ''rune'', terutama sihir api, dia juga merupakan pendeta Anglikan Inggris. Dia dapat dianggap seseorang pengecualian sebagai seorang berusia 14 tahun yang bisa membunuh penyihir lain.

Seharusnya dia tidak berada di sini.

'Di sini' tidak mengacu pada 'bangunan ini', tapi kepada 'kota' secara keseluruhan. Dia adalah salah satu anggota Kristiani 'Necessarius', dan Academy City merupakan lingkungan sains ilmiah yang menolak semua ide supranatural, serta menghasilkan esper dengan obat-obatan, hipnotis, dan pengontrolan tubuh.

Sekarang ini kehadirannya di sini setidak wajar mencampur kartu tarot dengan 52 kartu poker.

Tapi, dia memiliki alasan untuk berada di sini.

Saat ini dia bertindak sebagai seorang 'perwakilan Anglikan Inggris', untuk 'bernegosiasi' dengan Academy City pada tingkat yang setara. Tetapi, sebagai seorang wakil, dia memiliki kekurangan pada sifatnya.

Stiyl Magnus adalah orang yang akan membunuh tanpa ragu.

Dia dapat memerintahkan apinya untuk menelan orang hidup-hidup tanpa keraguan.

"..."

Walau demikian, orang seperti itu pun masih tidak bisa terbiasa dengan pemandangan yang ada di depannya.

Ruangan ini terlalu besar untuk disebut dalam-ruangan, dan tempat yang seharusnya tidak ada pencahayaan ini diterangi lampu mirip bintang. Ini karena tembok diisi banyak lapisan layar dan tombol-tombol yang berpijar. Peralatan berbagai ukuran, ribuan kabel, dan tabung berpusat di tengah ruangan seperti pembuluh darah di lantai.

Ada sebuah tabung besar di tengah ruangan.

Diameternya 4 meter dan tingginya lebih dari 10 meter. Tabung kontainer yang terbuat dari kaca tebal yang telah diperkuat berisi cairan merah di dalamnya.

Katanya warna ini mewakili sebuah cairan penyembuhan basa lemah. Tentu saja, bagi Stiyl si penyihir, benda sains seperti ini bukan bidang keahliannya, jadi dia tidak akan mengerti walau dijelaskan.

Tampak manusia dengan pakaian bedah yang melayang terbalik.

Tidak ada kata yang lebih tepat untuk menggambarkannya selain 'manusia'. 'Manusia' berambut perak ini tampak seperti pria tapi juga wanita, dewasa tapi juga anak-anak, seorang Saint<ref>Santo, orang suci</ref> tapi juga penjahat.

Mungkinkah dia telah mendapat semua kemungkinan yang 'manusia' hanya bisa impikan? Ataukah dia telah membuang semua kemungkinan yang 'manusia' miliki?

[[Image:Index v02 029.jpg|thumb]]

Bagaimanapun juga, satu hal yang pasti adalah hanya kata 'manusia'-lah yang tepat untuk mendeskripsikan dirinya.

"Semua orang yang datang ke sini mengamatiku dan membuat respon yang sama denganmu..."

'Manusia' di dalam tabung bicara. Dia terdengar seperti pria tapi juga wanita, dewasa tapi juga anak-anak, orang suci tapi juga penjahat.

"...Kenapa membiarkan manusia melakukan ini kalau mesin bisa?"

Beginilah cara 'manusia' ini hidup.

Hidupnya dibantu oleh mesin, sehingga sia-sia baginya melakukan semua ini. 'Manusia' yang sepertinya telah hidup selama 1700 tahun itu sekarang berada di depan Stiyl.

Stiyl ketakutan.

Dia tidak takut pada teknologi sains Academy City yang bisa menopang kehidupan manusia, tapi pada cara 'manusia' ini ada. Karena dia bisa menggunakan mesin untuk mempertahankan hidupnya, dia bisa langsung membuang tubuh dari dagingnya tanpa ragu dan menyerahkan hidupnya pada mesin.

Benar-benar mengerikan melihat seorang 'manusia' yang cukup gila untuk terus hidup seperti ini.

"Kurasa kau tahu alasan aku memanggilmu ke sini..."

Direktur Umum Academy City, si 'manusia' Aleister yang melayang terbalik berkata dengan nada tegas.

"Situasi sudah jadi merepotkan sekarang."

Menyaksikan Aleister mengatakan hal ini, Stiyl tidak bisa menahan dirinya untuk tidak mengernyit. Karena dia tidak mengira 'manusia' di hadapannya menunjukkan kelemahan seperti "situasi sudah jadi merepotkan sekarang."

"Ini mengenai Deep Blood, 'kan?"

Stiyl, yang biasanya tidak pernah menggunakan honorifik, menggunakannya di sini.

Tentu saja, itu bukan hanya karena Stiyl adalah perwakilan dari Gereja, tapi juga karena dia sadar bahwa sekali saja Aleister merasakan niat bermusuhan darinya, dia akan dipotong seperti dadu. Tidak peduli seberapa kecil niat buruk darinya.

Bahkan jika itu hanya kesalahpahaman atau salah kata belaka, sekali Aleister berpikiran begitu, nyawa Stiyl akan melayang.

Karena ini adalah markas besar musuh, pusat komando 2,3 juta esper.

"Fuu."

Menyadari Stiyl gemetar, Aleister berkata,

"Tidak akan jadi masalah jika hanya esper yang terlibat, karena mereka adalah milikku. Selama warga kota ini yang berbuat kericuhan, ada 70.632 cara untuk mengatasi dan menutupinya..."

"..."

Stiyl tidak peduli sama sekali mendengar ini. Dia tidak tertarik dengan prosedur darurat yang Academy City miliki, lagipula dia juga tidak mengerti bagaimana sisi Sains 'bekerja'.

"...Yang jadi masalah adalah seorang penyihir telah ambil bagian dalam sesuatu yang seharusnya tidak."

Maka Stiyl hanya bisa berpikir ini,

{{Furigana|Deep Blood|Pembunuh Penghisap Darah}}. Kata itu tidak berasal dari pusat data Academy City, tapi dari Perpustakaan Besar Inggris. Dari kata yang menyusunnya saja, orang bisa membayangkan kekuatan ini digunakan untuk membunuh 'sesuatu' yang mungkin nyata atau tidak. Tidak ada yang tahu kemampuan seperti apa ini. Yang mereka tahu hanyalah ada seorang gadis yang memiliki kemampuan seperti ini.

Dan pada saat ini, perempuan dengan kemampuan 'Deep Blood' itu sedang ditawan oleh seorang penyihir.

Pada dasarnya, situasi ini hanya sesederhana itu.

"Fu. Tapi karena musuh saat ini berasal dari luar Academy City, masalah ini telah menjadi sedikit merepotkan."

Aleister masih melayang dengan posisi terbalik dan mengatakan,

"Tentu saja tidak sulit menggerakkan 2,3 juta esper untuk mengalahkan satu atau dua penyihir. Tapi bukan itu masalah utamanya. Yang jadi masalah kalau kami melakukan ini, artinya kami, para ilmuwan, mengalahkan penyihir."

Academy City dan Necessarius masing-masing mengatur 'dunia' mereka sendiri.

'Academy City' dan 'Sihir'... karena masing-masing memiliki teknologi yang pihak lain tidak punyalah mereka bisa berada dalam posisi sejajar sampai sekarang. Jika Academy City yang mengontrol 'esper' menyatakan bahwa mereka telah mengalahkan 'penyihir', maka orang-orang dari sisi Sihir tidak akan duduk diam dan tidak melakukan apa-apa.

Misalnya, jika jet tempur dengan teknologi terbaru jatuh di wilayah musuh, maka puing-puingnya mungkin akan menampakkan teknologi rahasianya.

"Tampaknya akan sulit bagimu untuk menurunkan bala bantuan."

Kata Stiyl tenang.

Esper dan penyihir bekerja sama... itu mustahil. Sudah masalah besar antara pihak Sains dan pihak Sihir ketika mereka memutuskan siapa yang akan memimpin serangan ini. Ini karena mereka ingin menggunakan alasan mengecek kemampuan bertarung sisi mereka sendiri untuk memata-matai teknologi pihak lain.

Memikirkan hal ini, Stiyl punya pertanyaan. Dua pekan lalu, dia datang ke Academy City dan bertarung dengan seorang esper. Kalau dipikir-pikir, kenapa pertarungan itu didiamkan? Mungkin tanpa sepengetahuan Stiyl, Academy City dan Gereja sudah membuat kesepakatan. Atau mungkin bocah itu dipandang sebagai seorang Level 0 yang tidak penting.

Tapi situasi kali ini berbeda.

Kebanyakan esper dan penyihir yang terlibat dalam ini dipandang sebagai 'orang penting'.

"Aku paham. Jadi itu kenapa kau memintaku, seorang 'pengecualian', untuk hadir di sini."

Dalam kata lain, Stiyl Magnus merupakan pengecualian. Akan ada masalah jika esper dari pihak Sains mengalahkan orang dari pihak Sihir. Namun tidak akan jadi masalah jika Stiyl, yang dari pihak Sihir, mengalahkan penyihir lainnya. Dan atasan Stiyl juga beranggapan penyihir ini dikalahkan oleh seseorang dari pihak Sihir dengan alasan membereskan masalah dari pihaknya.

"Ini adalah cetak biru lokasinya."

Entah teknologi apa yang digunakan ketika sebuah gambar muncul dalam kegelapan.

Gambar itu adalah hologram yang seperti grafis komputer, dan gambar itu menunjukkan sebuah bangunan yang tidak mencurigakan. Lalu, muncul sesuatu yang merupakan peta diagram 'medan perang'.

Di pojok diagram tertulis: Misawa Cram Shool.

"Dengan cetak biru awal gedung itu dan dari berbagai foto satelit, kami berhasil menganalisa interior dalamnya."

Suara Alesiter tidak memiliki nada.

"Tapi kami tidak bisa melihat peralatan sihir. Lagipula, kami tidak mengerti apa-apa tentang sihir."

"..."

"Tapi 'Misawa Cram School' ini unik."

Aleister mulai menjelaskan.

Nyatanya, Academy City adalah sebuah perusahaan edukasi yang terdiri atas ratusan sekolah dari ukuran berbeda. Dan juga, kurikulumnya menyertai hal paranormal seperti 'pengembangan esper'.

Katanya 'Misawa Cram School' yang tersebar di seluruh negeri akan mendirikan sekolah di Academy City untuk mempelajari rahasia 'pengembangan esper' yang merupakan hak eksklusif Academy City. Ini akan mengarah pada insiden mata-mata perusahaan besar.

Meskipun begitu 'Misawa Cram School' yang tidak memiliki informasi apapun mengenai pengembangan ESP tetap terasa aneh. Mungkin sekolah itu adalah sebuah pemujaan Sains hingga mereka mulai menggunakan ide bahwa 'hanya mereka yang tahu tentang teknologi ilmiah' untuk menjelaskan kenapa 'mereka adalah manusia pilihan Tuhan', dan akhirnya malah menciptakan semacam kepercayaan baru.

'Misawa Cram School' dalam Academy City bahkan mulai memberontak dan menolak perintah cabang utama, dan bahkan memenjarakan gadis 'Deep Blood' sesuai 'kepercayaan' mereka.

"Tapi kenapa 'Misawa Cram School' harus menawan Deep Blood? Apakah ajaran mereka itu tentang ajaran fanatik di abad ke-16 untuk memperoleh keabadian?"

"Tidak. 'Misawa Cram School' tidak memiliki alasan apapun. Pada dasarnya, mereka hanya ingin 'seorang esper yang kekuatannya di dunia ini tidak dapat ditiru'. Siapa saja tidak masalah.”

"?"

"’Level’ di Academy City dibedakan menurut ‘bakat’ dan ‘kekuatan’. Karena itu, mereka ingin mendapatkan Deep Blood dan menelitinya. Selama mereka bisa menggunakan slogan ‘kami berhasil menduplikasi kekuatan super langka’, para murid yang mengeluh karena mereka hanya memiliki kemampuan biasa atau Level 2 atau 3 akan tertarik dengan sekolah itu... Dasar kumpulan idiot. Mereka tidak bisa mengubah kekuatan yang telah dikembangkan bahkan jika otak pemiliknya diganti.”

Tapi ini tidak terdengar benar. Bahkan jika ‘memiliki kemampuan langka’ adalah budaya umum di Academy City, bagaimana bisa ada orang percaya ‘sesuatu’ dari dunia Sihir itu ada di dunia ilmiah?

Tepat ketika Stiyl memikirkan hal ini, Aleister telah mengatakan jawabannya dengan santai.

“Satu hal akan jadi lebih berharga bila langka. Selama logika dasar ini ada, akan selalu ada yang bisa dibicarakan. Ada ‘banyak esper yang rahasia di balik kekuatannya tidak diketahui’ selain Imagine Breaker. Beberapa esper mungkin punya kemampuan yang begitu luar biasa hingga orang itu tidak akan pernah dilihat orang lain benar-benar serius sebelumnya.”

Lagipula, jika hanya Deep Blood yang ditawan, keadaan sebenarnya mudah. Seperti apa yang Aleister katakan, jika hanya ‘konflik dalam kota ini’, ada 70.632 cara untuk mengatasinya.

Tapi bukan ini masalahnya.

Karena sebelum masalah ini muncul, seorang penyihir datang dari ‘dunia luar’ dan memasuki ‘Misawa Cram School'. Dia menargetkan ‘Misawa Cram School' dan ditambah lagi, dia tidak menghancurkan ‘Misawa Cram School', tapi malah mengontrolnya dari dalam. Jadi keadaan sekarang menjadi serumit ini.

"..."

Stiyl menatap sunyi diagram lokasi ‘Misawa Cram School’.

Dari diagram itu, dia tidak bisa melihat sesuatu yang sudah diubah oleh ‘sihir’. Ketegangan yang seperti menerjang langsung ke dalam kegelapan itu menyerang punggung Stiyl. Walaupun tidak nyaman, Stiyl sudah terbiasa dengan itu. Kali ini, pertarungan sederhana antara hidup dan mati, satu atau nol.

Namun dia agak ‘senang’ bahwa dia adalah satu-satunya pengecualian di kota yang memiliki 2,3 juta esper ini.

"Tidak juga."

Seperti tahu apa yang Stiyl pikirkan, Aleister berkata. Tampaknya ada alat yang bisa membaca pikiran seseorang melalui temperatur atau aliran darah.

“Aku juga memiliki esper yang merupakan musuh alami penyihir.”

Stiyl langsung terdiam.

Imagine Breaker. Anak yang bertarung dengannya dalam pertarungan hidup atau mati melawan Stiyl dua minggu lalu. Kekuatan supernatural apa pun, sihir atau esp, bahkan mukjizat Tuhan sekalipun akan dihapus bila tersentuh tangan kanannya. Kekuatan ini bisa dianggap pengecualian di antara pengecualian.

“Tapi bukankah katamu kau tidak bisa menggunakan esper untuk mengalahkan penyihir?”

“Kau tidak perlu khawatir tentang itu.”

Aleister berkata dengan nada seolah dia sudah menghapalnya,

“Pertama, dia seorang Level 0, maka dia tidak berharga. Bahkan jika aku membiarkannya bekerja denganmu, tidak ada resiko bahwa dia akan mengungkapkan informasi tentang rahasia kami."

"..."

“Kedua, otaknya tidak cukup pintar untuk bisa mengerti teknologi sisi Sihir dan menduplikasikannya. Maka, bahkan jika dia pergi denganmu, teknologimu tidak akan dimengerti oleh pihak kami.”

''Dasar rubah tua...'' Untuk pertama kalinya, Stiyl merasa dendam terhadap Aleister.

''Apa yang ‘manusia’ di depanku pikirkan?'' Stiyl tidak benar-benar yakin. Tidak peduli apa, Imagine Breaker jelas tidak mungkin selemah Level 0. Stiyl merasakan itu dalam pertarungannya.

Memang benar cara kerja Imagine Breaker bukanlah sesuatu yang bisa dimengerti dengan melihatnya sekali atau dua kali, dan dia jelas tidak bisa menirunya dan membawanya kembali ke Gereja. Tetapi, seharusnya sama halnya bagi Academy City. Tidak, setidaknya Stiyl berharap hal yang sama terjadi untuk saat ini. Jika Academy City punya cara untuk menduplikasi kemampuan Imagine Breaker, Gereja akan musnah. Bahkan senjata dengan riwayat seratus atau beribu tahun akan dihancurkan dengan tangan kanannya.

Tapi Aleister tidak kelihatan melindungi Imagine Breaker yang sangat berharga ini sama sekali.

Seperti dia sedang memberikan seorang Saint pelatihan dengan berbagai rintangan.

Seperti dia menggunakan palu untuk menempa besi panas menjadi pedang yang tajam.

"..."

Dan yang lebih penting lagi, anak itu punya pengetahuan 103.000 grimoires bersamanya. Apa ini benar-benar tidak apa-apa?

Pikiran bawah sadarnya bertentangan dengan kata-katanya. Walau Stiyl menyembunyikan kecurigaan, dia tidak menunjukkan itu di wajahnya.

Dan dia berhati-hati untuk tidak menampakkannya. Bila berhubungan dengan gadis itu, Stiyl tidak mau membuat masalah.

"...Deep Blood."

Stiyl menggumam. Ekspresinya seperti seorang akademisi yang menemukan sesuatu yang tidak dapat dia jelaskan.

“Apakah Deep Blood benar-benar nyata? Jika benar, itu berarti—“

Stiyl tidak bisa melanjutkan.

Deep Blood. Jika Deep Blood ada, maka 'spesies' yang harus dibunuhnya pasti juga ada. Dengan kata lain, jika dia mengakui keberadaan Deep Blood, itu berarti dia juga mengakui keberadaan ‘sesuatu’ itu sebagai fakta.

“Hmm, hal supernatural seperti ini bukanlah keahlian kami, para ilmuwan, tapi kalian para penyihir—bahkan duniamu harus mengakui adanya hal-hal supernatural itu nyata, bukan?”

''Tentu saja,'' kutuk Stiyl dalam hati.

‘Energi sihir’ yang digunakan penyihir bisa dianalogikan seperti bensin. Dengan kata lain, menggunakan energi kehidupan dan umur mereka, 'minyak mentah'-nya, untuk dimurnikan melalui pernapasan, aliran darah, dan pikiran mereka menjadi 'bensin' yang lebih mudah digunakan.

Dengan demikian, penyihir itu tidak mahakuasa. Tidak peduli seberapa keras mereka mencari sihir yang tingkatnya lebih tinggi, jumlah bensin mereka terbatas.

Namun, 'makhluk’ ini tidak memiliki batasan seperti itu.

‘Makhluk’ ini memiliki karakteristik 'abadi', yang berarti bahwa mereka memiliki kekuatan sihir yang tak terbatas. Bahkan jika sumber daya di Bumi habis suatu hari, kekuatan sihir 'makhluk’ ini tidak akan pernah habis.

Keturunan Cain—vampir.

Mereka pastinya bukanlah makhluk lemah yang digambarkan dalam cerita-cerita yang dapat dibunuh dengan menggunakan 'salib' dan 'sinar matahari'. Sebenarnya, satu saja dari mereka cukutp untuk menyebabkan 'bencana dunia' setingkat bom nuklir.

"Hm."

Dalam tabung silinder besar, ‘manusia’ itu masih mengambang terbalik, tatapannya datar pada Stiyl.

"Omong-omong, apakah kau tahu apa yang kami maksud dengan ‘kekuatan esper’?"

"... Tidak"

Stiyl tidak mungkin memahaminya, dan dia juga tidak berpikir bahwa Aleister akan memberitahunya. Karena saat dia mengetahui rahasia musuh, itu berarti bahwa dia akan kehilangan kesempatan untuk keluar dari tempat itu hidup-hidup.

"Sebenarnya, kekuatan esper hanya perbedaan dalam pengetahuan."

Tapi Aleister berkata dengan santai,

"Pernahkah anda mendengar tentang ‘Kucing Schrödinger'? Ini adalah kasus penyiksaan hewan yang paling terkenal di dunia."

"...?"

"Aku tidak akan menjelaskan rinciannya untukmu. Bagaimanapun juga, kira-kira artinya 'realitas akan terlihat berbeda antarmanusia'. Tentu saja, hukum-hukum mikrofisis dan makrofisis berbeda, jadi ini tidak dapat menjelaskan semua itu.”

Aturan dunia ini dapat dilihat sebagai mikroskopis (mikro) dan teleskopik (makro). Sedangkan hal apa yang mikro dan dan hal apa yang makro, dikatakan bahwa ini adalah juga ada dalam jangkauan penelitian Aleister.

"... Aku tidak benar-benar mengerti apa yang kau maksud."

"Itu tidak apa-apa, kau tidak perlu mengerti. Jika kau mengerti, aku harus membunuhmu sekarang.."

Aleister tanpa peduli mengatakan,

“...Omong-omong, akulah yang tidak mengerti. Apakah Deep Blood benar-benar ada? Dan apa bedanya? Itu sama seperti si kucing di dalam kotak.”<ref>Kucing Schrödinger</ref>

Aleister mengatakan bahwa esper itu berubah seperti kertas lakmus yang berubah warna.

Inti utamanya bukanlah untuk mengagumi kertas lakmus berubah warna dari merah menjadi biru, tapi memikirkan kenapa, apa alasan di baliknya, dan memikirkan apakah ada cara untuk memanipulasi hukum ini. Walau Aleister mengontrol 2,3 juta esper yang cukup untuk memerangi dunia, tapi baginya esper-esper ini bukanlah ‘tujuan’-nya, tapi salah satu ‘cara’-nya.

Stiyl gemetar.

‘Manusia’ di depannya adalah seorang yang percaya mesin bisa melakukan segalanya untuk manusia.

Bagi manusia ini, mana yang ‘mesin’?

Bagi manusia ini, mana yang ‘manusia’?

“Itu benar.”

‘Manusia’ itu berkata, manusia yang kelihatan seperti pria namun juga wanita, orang dewasa namun juga seorang anak-anak, seorang Saint namun juga penjahat menampakkan ekspresi yang bisa dianggap sebagai ‘senyuman’ dan berkata,

"—Jika Deep Blood membuktikan keberadaan vampir, maka apakah yang keberadaannya dibuktikan oleh Imagine Breaker?"

=== Part 2 ===

Dalam hatinya, Kamijou Touma sedang berteriak:
"Apaan!"

Ini adalah lantai 2 sebuah restoran cepat saji, zona dilarang merokok yang penuh pengunjung. Di ruangan dengan meja empat-kursi yang penuh pengunjung, Kamijou, Index, dan Aogami Pierce duduk di sana.

Hmm, sampai di sini tidak ada masalah.

"--"-Aku menghabiskan semua uangku dan merusak diriku sendiri."

Tapi kenapa ada seorang miko yang tiduran di meja dalam toko yang penuh dan mengatakan kata-kata konyol itu--!?

Miko itu seumuran Kamijou dan mengenakan seragam miko biasa. Rambut sepanjang pinggangnya membuatnya kelihatan seperti miko yang sering dijumpai di kuil.

"..."

"..."

Suasana berat itu seperti suasana di dalam lift. Sebaiknya apa yang kulakukan? pikir Kamijou. Pada saat ini, tiba-tiba dia menyadari Index dan Aogami Pierce sedang memperhatikannya.

"...Apa, kenapa?"

"...Kami-yan, kalau seseorang sedang bicara denganmu, kau harus hargai dan menjawabnya, ya 'kan?"

"...Itu benar itu benar! Touma, kau tidak bisa mundur begitu saja hanya karena penampilan luarnya. Kau harus mengikuti ajaran Tuhan dan maju, amen!"

"...Oi, kau bercanda!? Paling tidak kita harus janken<ref>Suit gunting-batu-kertas</ref> biar adil! Oi, Index! Kau pasti berpikir aku akan kalah, kan!? Oi, kenapa kau menggambar tanda salib di depan dadamu!?"

Pada akhirnya, mereka bertiga melakukan janken untuk menentukan siapa yang akan menjadi martir.

Batu, batu, gunting, Kamijou kalah.

Intinya, Kamijou Touma tidak beruntung.

"Erm, permisi?"

Kamijou, satu-satunya yang memilih gunting dan sekarang sedang kebingungan, hanya bisa bicara dengan si miko. Bahu si miko tersentak.

"Ah, erm... Apa maksudmu ketika kaubilang kau menghabiskan seluruh uangmu dan menghancurkan dirimu?"

Bagaimanapun, lebih baik menjaga percakapan yang paling natural, pikir Kamijou. Dan karena si miko sendiri memang mengatakan itu, kemungkinan dia berharap ada orang yang bertanya kenapa.

"Karena aku punya banyak kupon gratis, dan hamburger harganya 580 yen..."

"Uh hm."

Bagi Kamjou, yang baru saja kehilangan ingatan, dia lupa bagaimana rasa hamburger. Tapi dia tahu kalau hamburger adalah daging gepeng dan timun, temannya orang susah.

"Jadi aku ke kasir dan pesan 30."

"Kau memesan terlalu banyak, gadis bodoh."

Tepat katika Kamijou menjawab refleks, dia menyadari sang miko tidak bergerak. Karena miko tidak mengatakan apa-apalah orang bisa tahu kalau dia mengeluarkan mimik bahwa dia terluka secara batin.

Suasananya buruk. Kamijou tidak berpikir dia akan menganggapnya dengan serius. Suasananya benar-benar buruk. "Ah, aku tidak bermaksud begitu! Aku belum selesai bicara! Sebenarnya aku ingin mengatakan 'gadis bodoh, kenapa kau pesan terlalu banyak'. Ini maksudnya hanya supaya pembicaraan kita hangat. Walau aku kedengarannya bicara kasar, ini hanya tanda keakraban, tidak ada maksud buruk! Ah, maaf, aku harus bicara dengan klienku dulu. OI, BIARAWATI DAN ORANG BERAMBUT BIRU DI SANA, KENAPA KALIAN MELIHATKU SEPERTI ITU!! TUNGGU SAMPAI KITA BICARA DI LUAR!!"

Tidak tahan berada di bawah tekanan, Kamijou mulai berteriak keras-keras.

"Makanan frustasi."

Sang miko yang sudah setengah mati dan tidak bergerak akhirnya mengucapkan ini.

"Hah?"

"Ongkos pulang ke rumah, 400 yen."

Menghadapi kalimat misterius dari miko, Kamijou menelan ludah. Dia tidak punya ingatan 'naik kereta', tapi dia tahu 'naik kereta atau bus di Academy City sangat mahal'.

"Apa hubungannya 400 yen untuk pulang ke rumah dengan makanan frustasi?"

"Total uangku, 300 yen."

"...dan sebabnya?"

"Belanja terlalu banyak, tidak membuat rencana."

"..."

"Jadi aku menikmati makanan frustasi."

Kamijou hampir saja mengatakan 'kau idiot', nyaris keluar dari tenggorokannya.

Setelah dipikir, dia bilang,

"Tapi kenapa tidak kau gunakan saja uang 300 yen itu untuk naik kereta? Dengan begitu, kau bisa menghemat jaraknya hingga cuma jarak 100 yen. Kalau tidak, kenapa tidak pinjam 100 yen dari orang saja?"

"--Itu ide bagus."

"Kenapa kau melihatku seperti itu? Ada apa dengan pandangan penuh pengharapan itu?"

Kamijou mundur dari si miko sejauh yang dia bisa. Dia sudah menghabiskan 3.600 yen (tanpa arti, hanya untuk membeli buku referensi), dan bahkan membeli tiga milkshake untuk membuat Index diam, jadi walau cuma 100 yen, itu beban berat menurutnya.

Omong-omong.

Si miko yang ketika itu mengangkat wajahnya tidak disangka adalah seorang yang cantik.

Dia sedikit berbeda dari Index yang merupakan orang asing; kulitnya yang seputih orang Jepang bahkan lebih kelihatan di balik mata dan rambut hitamnya. Walaupun matanya kurang beremosi, itu juga berarti dia tidak agresif. Meskipun dia menginginkan orang lain bersamanya, dia mengeluarkan aura yang membuat nyaman. Bisa dikatakan itu adalah kekuatan besar yang meliputi orang lain

"..."

Index menggertak dan menatap Kamijou.

"Ini, ini mustahil! Kami-yan bicara dengan perempuan... bicara dengan perempuan yang baru dia kenal begitu lancar, ini mustahil!"

Tapi Aogami Pierce bergumam marah, benar-benar serius ingin merusak reputasi Kamijou.

"DIAM! DASAR ALIEN 2 DIMENSI! KLIEN, CEPAT KEMBALI KE BELAKANG NANTI! DAN KAU, MIKO, CARI 100 YEN UNTUK DIRIMU SENDIRI DAN PULANG KE RUMAH! TRANMISI SELESAI!"

"Apa? Ini belum selesai, Kami-yan! Kau sudah jadi orang baik selama 16 tahun, bagaimana bisa kau mendapatkan banyak gadis unik seperti suster dan miko dalam 2 minggu!? Apa ini galge?"

Aogami Pierce berteriak frustasi, dan Kamijou ingin sekali menghadiahinya dengan pukulan di wajah. Tapi, karena mereka duduk di pojok berbeda, dia tidak bisa. Dari posisi duduk mereka saja sudah tampak betapa tidak beruntungnya Kamijou.

"Tolong 100 yen."

Si miko mengangkat wajahnya dan menatap dengan ekspresi menyakitkan yang rumit dan mengatakan,

"Boleh pinjam?"

"Tidak. Aku tidak ada uang."

"..."

Si miko diam sebentar dan berkata,

"...Pelit sekali. Bahkan tidak mau meminjamiku 100 yen saja."

"...Orang idiot mana yang bahkan tidak punya 100 yen!?"

Kemijou bertanya balik.

"Kami-yan! Bagaimana bisa kau merespon begitu natural!? Sebagai orang baik, seharusnya kau gagap di depan wanita cantik!?"

Aogami Pierce berteriak dengan suara seperti dari neraka.

"...Cantik."

Mata sang miko berpindah-pindah dari satu sisi ke sisi lain, membuat orang bertanya-tanya apa yang sedang dipikirkannya.

"Karena aku cantik, pinjamkan aku 100 yen."

"Diam! Kau perempuan parah! Wanita yang menggunakan penampilannya untuk mendapatkan uang tidak bisa dibilang cantik! Dan aku baru saja beli 3 milkshake jadi aku tidak punya uang."

"Itu, itu hebat, Kami-yan! Kau masih berpikir hati orang cantik itu harus baik dan suci, kelihatannya kau belum meninggalkan dunia 2-D!"

"...Tunggu Touma. Jadi kau ingin bilang kalau kau akan memberinya 100 yen kalau kau tidak membelikanku milkshake? Humph!"

Pandangan dan tangisan mulai terdengar dari mana-mana, dan melewati ambang batas kemampuan Kamijou. Kamijou memegang kepala, ke arah mana sebaiknya dia menyelesaikan persoalan dahulu. Pada saat ini, Index, yang sedang minum milkshake dengan sedotan, memelototi si miko dengan penuh permusuhan.

[[Image:Index_v02_047.jpg|thumb]]

"Humph. Karena kau memakai celana merah, kurasa pekerjaanmu adalah meramal, 'kan? Jadi miko yang meramal juga bisa menjual mukanya ya? Bahkan aku pernah istilah 'miko' adalah cara tersembunyi untuk memanggil seorang 'pelacur' di masa Heian, ya 'kan?"

Kamijou melompat dan berteriak ketika mendengar itu, dan Aogami Pierce entah kenapa bersemangat, meneriakkan 'hahaha, si biarawati dan si miko sedang bertanding!'. Baru saja Kamijou ingin membuat Aogami Pierce diam, si miko bicara,

"Aku bukan miko."

"Apa?"

Perempuan berambut hitam yang kelihatan persis seperti seorang miko dan wajahnya bisa digunakan untuk entri eksiklopedia untuk kata 'miko' mengatakan kata-kata seperti itu, membuat semua orang memerhatikannya.

"Eh, kalau kau bukan miko, jadi kau apa?"

Kamijou, yang entah bagaimana menjadi wakil untuk semua orang, bertanya.

"Aku penyhir."

"..."

Semuanya tidak bersuara. Suara siaran televisi di dalam toko seolah jauh entah di mana. Entah kenapa, meskipun Kamijou hilang ingatan, dia punya firasat kuat bahwa dia pernah mengalami ini sebelumnya. Tapi yang lebih penting, kenapa Index gemetar di sana? Dalam hatinya, Kamijou menangis.

BAM! Index menggebrak meja dengan kedua tangan.

Sebelum milkshake di atas baki sempat melompat, Index berteriak,

"Penyhir apa? Kabbalah? Knoch? Hermes? Berhala McCue atau Astrologi Modern? Jangan beri tahu kami sesuatu sekabur itu dan beri tahu spesialisasimu, sekolahmu, nama sihirmu dan nama ordemu, idiot!"

"???"

"Kau berani memanggil dirimu penyihir tanpa mengetahui semua ini? Karena kau miko peramal, paling tidak kau harusnya berpura-pura menjadi seorang astrologis oriental atau semacamnya!"

"Baiklah. Aku akan menjadi itu."

"Kau akan menjadi-!? Kau benaran bilang begitu!!?"

Index terus-terusan menggebrakkan tangannya.

Kamijou mendesah dan melihat sekitar. Walaupun toko itu cukup ramai, Index terlalu menarik perhatian. Dia harus ditenangkan segera.

"Baiklah baiklah, kita mengerti miko ini bukan miko tapi penyihir, lalu memang kenapa? Tenanglah."

"Touma! Sikapmu beda sekali dengan waktu pertama kau bertemu denganku!"

Index memelototi Kamijou seolah-olah ingin menggigitnya, tapi sebenarnya Kamijou benar-benar lupa tentang itu. Tentu saja, dia tidak bisa bilang 'maaf, aku kehilangan ingatan'.

"Kalau menurut dirinya dia adalah penyihir, biarkan saja dia. Lagipula dia tidak mencoba menyakiti atau menipu seseorang, biarkan saja."

"...Uu, saat aku ingin membuktikan sihir itu nyata, pakaianku lepas."

"Hah?"

"Bukan apa-apa! Aku tidak bilang atau memikirkan apapun!"

Index berpaling dengan marah. Di bawah meja, kaki Kamijo sudah diinjak beberapa kali. Tampaknya hanya satu pelakunya.

"Ah."

Index, yang memalingkan wajah ke samping, tampak menyadari sesuatu.

Kamijou pikir penjaga toko akan datang dan mengusir mereka karena berisik. Pada saat ini.

(Nn...seseorang?)

Ketika dia merasa ada sesuatu yang salah, Kamijou akhirnya menyadari bahwa meja tempat mereka duduk sedang dikelilingi sekitar 10 orang.

"..."

Kenapa kita tidak menyadarinya? batin Kamijou.

Mungkin jaraknya sama jauhnya dengan pembeli dan pegawai yang menanyakan pesanan si pembeli. Kesepuluh orang itu menatap ke arah sini, tampaknya mereka ingin mengepung meja ini. Hebat sekali tidak ada orang yang menyadarinya.

Dan juga.

Meskipun sekarang toko sedang penuh, tetap saja tidak ada yang menyadari keanehan ini.

Intinya, orang-orang itu bisa menghapus hawa keberadaan mereka seperti pembunuh profesional.

"..."

Mereka berpakaian setelan ala Barat yang sama, umur mereka bervariasi antara 20-an sampai 30-an.

Jika mereka berdesakan di sebuah stasiun kereta api, mereka bisa membuat orang tidak ingat wajah dan nama mereka. Tapi, ekspresi mereka tidak beremosi sama sekali, dan karenanya mereka tidak menyatu dengan keadaan sekitar.

(Ekspresi tanpa emosi...?)

Kamijou penasaran di mana dia pernah melihat ekspresi ini sebelumnya. Lalu, dia melihat balik ke arah meja.

Miko tak bernama ini.

Ekspresinya masih sama tanpa-emosinya bahkan ketika ada 10 pria yang mengelilingi mereka.

"100 yen lagi."

Si miko bicara.

Dia mengatakan itu sambil berdiri tanpa suara. Tampaknya dia tidak takut dengan mereka. Tingkahnya biasa saja seperti sedang janjian untuk ketemuan dengan seseorang di sini.

Salah satu dari mereka mundur dan membuka jalan. Yang lainnya dengan sopan menyerahkan koin 100 yen pada si miko tanpa berkata apa-apa.

"Eg? Ah, kau tahu orang-orang ini?"

Tidak mengerti situasinya, Kamijou mengatakan itu.

"..."

Si miko melihat sekelilingnya, kelihatan sedang memikirkan sesuatu.

"Nn, mereka guru bimbel."

Suaranya bernada tidak peduli.

Si miko melangkah ke lantai 1. Kesepuluh pria itu mengikuti di belakangnya tanpa suara seperti bayangan dan bodyguard.

Suara berisik dan musik seperti terdengar dari sumber yang jauh, volumenya semakin diturunkan.

Setelah semua orang itu pergi, akhirnya Aogami Pierce berkata,

"Tunggu sebentar, kenapa guru les membawanya pulang? Mereka 'kan bukan guru kepala kedisiplinan di SD."

=== Part 3 ===

Kemudian, di malam hari.

Untuk melupakan si miko misterius dan orang-orang berpakaian jas ala Barat, Kamijou dan yang lainnya memutuskan untuk bermain keras dan pulang seperti siswa sekolah dasar setelah sekolah dan bubar setelah jam 5.

Aogami Pierce mengatakan selamat tinggal seperti anak SD dan menghilang ke jalan di malam hari itu. Dia tidak tinggal di asrama siswa, tapi di sebuah toko roti. Katanya alasan dia tinggal di sana adalah karena seragamnya terlihat seperti pakaian maid.

Di jalan di depan stasiun yang ada di dalam mal, hanya tinggal Kamijou dan Index yang ada di sana.

Kamijou mendesah,

Ketika pikiran bahwa keduanya hanya sedang berdua di sana muncul di benaknya, ketegangan melumpuhkan menyebar ke seluruh tubuhnya.

Tidak perlu menyebutkan alasannya.

"Ada apa, Touma?"

Menghadapi pertanyaan seperti itu dengan senyum polos, dia hanya bisa menjawab bahwa tidak ada apa-apa. Kamijou dengan hati-hati mencoba untuk tidak membiarkan gadis di sampingnya tahu, dan menghela napasnya.

Karena mereka 'tinggal bersama'!

Dan mereka bahkan 'diam-diam' yang tinggal di 'asrama laki-laki'.

Dan yang paling penting, orang ini adalah 'seorang gadis kecil'.

Sudah beberapa hari sejak Kamijou kembali dari rumah sakit, dan setiap hari, dia tidur di samping Kamijou seolah-olah itu adalah hal yang normal. Juga, kebiasaan tidurnya buruk; mungkin karena dia membenci panas hingga dia menampakkan kaki atau pusarnya dari balik piama. Pada akhirnya, Kamijou hanya bisa memilih untuk mengunci dirinya sendiri di toilet, dan karena ini, akhir-akhir ini Kamijou Touma kekurangan tidur..

"-Apakah aku begitu buruk hingga bisa masuk ke tabloid?"

Kamijou bergumam. Bagaimana si Kamijou Touma sebelum 'hilang ingatan' melihat situasi ini? gumam Kamijou. Sebenarnya, 'tinggal bersama' diusulkan oleh si Kamijou Touma 'sebelum kehilangan ingatan'. Apa yang kau lakukan waktu itu, Kamijou Touma! teriaknya dalam hatinya.

"Ah!"

Setengah jalan ke asrama, tiba-tiba Index berhenti, tampaknya melihat sesuatu.

"Eh?" Merasa depresi, Kamijou melihat ke arah yang dilihat Index. Di bawah sebuah kincir angin pembangkit listrik, ada kotak kardus bergelombang, dan ada kucing mendengkur di dalam.

"Touma! Kuc-"

"Tidak!"

- Kamijou menyela Index sebelum ia bisa menyelesaikan kalimatnya.

"Tidak, kita tidak bisa."

"Kenapa kenapa kenapa kenapa kenapa? Kenapa kita tidak bisa memelihara Sphynx?"

"Karena kita tidak diizinkan untuk memiliki hewan peliharaan di asrama siswa, dan aku tidak punya uang -Jangan menamai kucing itu secepat itu! Dan apa-apaan Sphynx-! ITU SEEKOR KUCING CALICO JEPANG, KENAPA NAMA ASING?"

"Why don't you keep a cat! Do as you are told!"<ref>"Kenapa kau tidak mau memelihara kucing! Kerjakan seperti yang diperintahkan!"</ref>

"???...humph! Jangan pikir beberapa kata bahasa Inggris bisa meyakinkanku!"

"Aku TIDAK PEDULI! INGIN INGIN INGIN INGIN INGIN INGIN INGIN INGIN!"

"KENAPA DENGAN SERANGAN TERIAKAN ITU!? TIDAK ADA GUNANYA UNTUKKU! DAN LIHAT, KUCINGMU LARI KE DALAM GANG!"

"SEMUANYA SALAH TOUMA!"

"DAN KAU MENYALAHKANKU!!"

Saat itu matahari terbenam di musim panas, dan keduanya saling berteriak satu sama lain. Kamijou berpikir santai, bagaimana si Kamijou Touma 'sebelum kehilangan ingatan' memperlakukan gadis ini? Mungkin dia memperlakukannya seperti ini?

Jika memang begitu, ini akan benar-benar menyenangkan baginya.

Tapi terasa sedikit kesepian juga.

Selain itu, gadis itu tidak melihat Kamijou yang ini. Apa yang membuat gadis itu rileks sepenuhnya dan tersenyum begitu terang adalah si Kamijou Touma sebelum 'kehilangan ingatan'.

Ini masih menyakitkan.

Meskipun begitu, Kamijou masih bermaksud untuk bertindak.

"Humph! Aku dengar Shamisen dibuat dari kulit kucing? Mengapa orang-orang di negeri ini selalu melakukan hal-hal kejam seperti itu untuk kucing?"

"... Idiot, berhenti mengkritik budaya negara lain! Kalian orang Inggris juga suka berkumpul bersama dan memburu rubah, kan?"

"APA YANG KAUKATAKAN...BERBURU RUBAH ADALAH PERWAKILAN TRADISI DAN KEBANGGAAN INGGRIS-!"

Berteriak di tengah jalan, tiba-tiba Indeks menyadari sesuatu dan bergerak menjauh.

"Na? Apa? Ke mana kucing itu menghilang?"

Kamijou mengatakan itu sambil melihat sekeliling, tapi dia tidak melihat tanda-tanda keberadaan si kucing.

"...Ini aneh, Touma. Aku sepertinya merasa bahwa mana sedang dikumpulkan.."

Indeks menatap Kamijou dan bergumam.

"...Atributnya adalah bumi, warnanya hijau. Ritual ini...menggunakan sebuah medium untuk mengeluarkan mana dan dilakukan dengan intervensi sadar..."

Indeks tampaknya sedang menggumamkan apa yang dipikirkannya.

Kamijou menatapnya, tidak tahu apa yang Index bicarakan. Pada saat ini, Index akhirnya berkata,

"Oi, Index!"

"Sepertinya seseorang baru saja memasang susunan sihir di sini! Aku akan pergi memeriksanya dulu, pulang duluan saja, Touma!"

Seperti itu saja, Index sudah menghilang ke dalam lorong.

"Dia menyuruhku pulang, tapi."

Gadis yang misterius, pikir Kamijou. Namun, dia tidak bisa meninggalkan Index begitu saja dan pulang lebih dulu. Selain itu, seorang gadis baru saja berlari ke sebuah gang yang berbahaya, dan kemungkinan menghadapi sesuatu yang buruk itu sesering sebuah alur cerita RPG kelas tiga.

Kesialan datang lagi. Kamijou mendesah.

Dia menghela napasnya dan mengangkat kakinya, siap untuk mengikuti Index ke dalam lorong. Tapi saat itu,

"Sudah lama tak berjumpa, Kamijou Touma."

Sebuah suara terdengar dari belakang.

Kaki yang hendak melangkah ke lorong harus berhenti.

Kata-kata 'sudah lama tak berjumpa' pada dasarnya 'tabu' untuk Kamijou. Kamijou ingat pengetahuan seperti 'Jepang' dan 'matematika kelas 1 SD', tapi dia lupa semua 'ingatan'-nya. Dia bahkan tidak ingat hal-hal seperti 'kapan aku membeli game ini', 'berapa nilai yang kudapat di ujian akhir semester', tidak ada 'ingatan' sama sekali.

Karena dia tidak bisa mengingat wajah dan nama orang, saat mendengar sesuatu seperti 'sudah lama tak berjumpa', Kamijou hanya bisa memberikan senyum yang palsu yang terlihat paling tulus.

Demi melindungi kebahagiaan gadis itu.

Kamijou Touma tidak boleh membiarkan orang lain sadar bahwa ia kehilangan kenangan.

Dia berbalik untuk melihat ke belakang.

"Ah."

Melihat pria yang berdiri di sana, Kamijou tidak memiliki kesan sama sekali.

Orang itu lebih mirip remaja daripada seorang pria. Tetapi menghadapi pria jangkung yang tingginya lebih dari 2m, kata 'remaja' mungkin tidak terlalu cocok. Lelaki itu seperti Index, tidak memiliki kulit putih yang dimiliki orang Jepang dan mengenakan jubah pendeta warna hitam.

Tapi meskipun dia seorang pendeta, wangi cologne di tubuhnya terlalu kuat. Rambut panjangnya dicat merah, dia memakai anting-anting, cincin di setiap jari, dan sebuah tato barcode di bawah mata kanannya. Kesan 'sudah-jatuh' yang dia berikan adalah seperti kesan dari seorang rahib pembelot atau seorang bidah.

Bagaimana bisa ada kesan seperti itu?

Dan dia tidak ingin memiliki kesan apapun pada dirinya.

"Huh, bahkan tidak mengatakan hai bahkan setelah kita tidak bertemu untuk waktu yang lama? Hm, itu juga bagus. Begitulah seharusnya hubungan kita. Kita tidak bisa hanya menyebut diri kita rekan hanya setelah bekerja sama sekali."

Tapi pendeta dengan aroma cologne di seluruh tubuhnya mengatakan hal ini dengan sungguh-sungguh.

(Siapa orang ini...)

Tenggorokan Kamijou tidak bisa bahkan mengeluarkan suara ini.

Selain keberadaan pendeta yang mencurigakan ini, Kamijou bahkan lebih curiga bahwa "dia sebenarnya mengenal orang seperti itu sebelum dia kehilangan ingatannya'.

Juga, ada hal lain yang dikhawatirkan Kamijou.

Kamijou melirik ke lorong. Indeks lari entah ke mana, dan tidak ada waktu untuk memedulikan pendeta murtad ini...

"Ah, jangan khawatir tentang Index, aku hanya menggunakan rune Opila. Dia mungkin hanya mendeteksi aliran sihir dan lari untuk melihatnya.."

Kamijou tertegun.

Sihir runik. Bahasa sihir yang mulai digunakan orang-orang Jermanik sejak abad ke-2. Intinya, kata-kata ini adalah 'kata-kata yang memiliki kekuatan'. Misalnya, menulis kata 'kenaz(api)' di atas kertas akan menyebabkan 'api' muncul di atas kertas.

(... Apa yang terjadi?)

Tenggorokan Kamijou bahkan tidak bisa mengeluarkan suara apapun.

Bukan karena pendeta di depannya mengatakan sesuatu yang konyol seperti sihir runik.

Tapi karena pengetahuan konyol ini keluar dari pikirannya dengan begitu alami.

Ini jelas tidak normal. Ini seperti meletakkan sebuah lokomotif berkarat di tengah sungai yang jernih. Ada lubang besar pada logika ini. Ini seperti bisa menyeberang jalan saat lampu hijau, harus membayar uang untuk mengirimkan pesan dari ponsel; hal yang disebut sihir bisa menyampur ke dalam kehidupan sehari-hari seperti itu-!

Di dunia macam apa Kamijou Touma 'sebelum ia kehilangan memori' hidup?

Untuk pertama kalinya, Kamijou Touma merasa takut pada dirinya sendiri.

Si pendeta yang wangi itu tampaknya melihat sesuatu dari mata Kamijou, menutup satu matanya dan tersenyum.

Kamijou tidak tahu apa yang terjadi, dan ia juga tidak memiliki mood untuk berbicara dengan orang lain. Dia hanya bisa tersenyum ambigu dan memaksa perasaan misterius itu hilang.

Pada saat itu, si pendeta berambut merah mengeluarkan sesuatu yang terlihat seperti kartu dan mengatakan,

"Don't smile with everything. Are you ready to die?"<ref>"Jangan senyum-senyum melulu. Apa kau siap untuk mati?"</ref>

Pendeta berambut merah itu tersenyum seperti lilin meleleh sementara wajahnya dimiringkan ke samping.

Dingin.

Pengetahuan yang Kamijou miliki 'sebelum dia kehilangan ingatannya' memberitahunya bahwa ada bahaya.

Tanpa memiliki waktu untuk berpikir, Kamijou mengangkat tangan kanannya.

Kamijou dengan cepat mengangkat tangan kanannya ke depan matanya—seperti sedang menghalangi cahaya yang menyilaukan matanya. Pada saat itu, tangan kanan pendeta itu menyemburkan api seperti dia seperti menuang bensin, membentuk pedang api yang menyala-nyala merah.

Si pendeta itu bahkan tidak menunggu sedikit pun.

Tanpa ragu, tanpa belas kasihan—dia mengayunkan pedang apinya ke bawah ke arah Kamijou.

Ketika menyentuh tangannya, pedang api itu meledak seperti bola gas, dan menyebarkan api di dekatnya.

Api menyerap oksigen dan mengeluarkan suara mengerikan. 3.000 derajat neraka yang menyala-nyala membuat pusaran dan menyerang segala sesuatu di dekatnya.

BUM! Api tidak terhenti sepenuhnya.

Dengan kilapan, tapi hanya sebentar, api itu menghilang seperti pecah.

"Ha...hah..."

Kamijou tidak dengan panik menurunkan tangan kanan yang melindungi wajahnya sementara dia melanjutkan napasnya yang berat.

Imagine Breaker.

Kekuatan misterius yang tersembunyi di tangan kanan Kamijou. Tidak peduli kekuatan supernatural macam apa, bahkan meskipun itu adalah mukjizat Tuhan, kekuatan itu akan hilang sepenuhnya ketika menyentuhnya.

"Hah...hah...!"

Melihat Kamijou yang kaku, gemetar dan tidak bergerak , si pendeta akhirnya tersenyum.

"Ya, ya, itulah wajah yang kuinginkan. Hubungan antara Kamijou Touma dan Stiyl Magnus harus seperti ini. Jangan buat aku mengulangi ini, karena hubungan kita bukan hubungan di mana kita dapat memanggil satu sama kawan-kawan lainnya setelah bekerja bersama-sama satu kali."

Senyuman pendeta itu seperti patah dan meleleh.

Namun, Kamijou tidak bisa merespon. Bukannya dia takut pada kekuatan abnormal dalam dirinya, juga bukan pada pendeta di depannya yang menyebut dirinya Stiyl Magnus.

Jika ada pertanyaan tentang apa yang ditakutkan Kamijou, hanya ada satu jawabannya.

Dia takut pada fakta bahwa dia benar-benar bisa merespon dan memblok 'serangan' itu tanpa berpikir, bahkan setelah menghadapi 'serangan' gila seperti sebuah pedang api; 'pengetahuan' yang dimilikinya.

Ini benar-benar menakutkan.

"Ap... kau-"

Kamijou dengan panik mundur dua tiga langkah karena 'pengetahuan'-nya dan si Kamijou Touma 'pra-amnesia' memberitahunya bahwa di sini ada musuh.

Tidak ada waktu untuk melawan 'musuh dari dalam'. Sekarang, hal yang paling penting adalah untuk melawan 'musuh dari luar'.

Mungkin ini adalah 'pengetahuan' yang tercetak di dalam pikirannya. Kamijou menggeram dan masuk ke sebuah postur bertarung yang tidak termasuk gaya bertarung mana pun. Dia kagum bahwa dia begitu terbiasa berkelahi.

Menghadapi Kamijou, penyihir yang kelihatan seperti pendeta terkekeh.

"Hn? Aku hanya ngin memberitahumu sebuah rahasia."

(Omong kosong apa yang kau ocehkan.)

Tepat ketika Kamijou berpikir tentang ini...Stiyl mengeluarkan sebuah amplop.

(Rasanya amplop itu memiliki banyak informasi. Apakah dia benar-benar berpikir untuk memberikanku informasi rahasia?)

Kamijou mengernyit.

(Orang ini baru saja membuat satu ledakan besar di jalan satu arah berlajur tiga yang selebar landasan pacu ini. Dan sekarang dia berusaha untuk menceritakan rahasia?)

(...?)

Berpikir tentang ini, tiba-tiba Kamijou menyadari sesuatu.

Ada ledakan besar, tapi lingkungan sekitar tidak terlibat dalam keributan itu.

(...!?)

Tidak. Baru sekaranglah Kamijou menyadari kenyataan.

Bukannya tidak ada keributan, tapi tidak ada orang di sekitar mereka. Di jalan satu arah berlajur tiga yang cukup lebar untuk menjadi sebuah landasan pacu, ada banyak mal di setiap sisi. Namun setelah berpikir lebih dekat, tidak ada siapa-siapa dan tidak ada mobil di jalan—hanya Kamijou dan Stiyl.

Turbin kincir angin masih berderak, bergema ke jalanan kosong seperti sebuah kerangka yang tertawa.

Dari kejauhan, dia bisa mendengar dering sirene dari persimpangan kosong.

"Saya baru saja mengatakannya sebelumnya-"

Mungkin mencoba untuk memecahkan keheningan malam, Stiyl terkekeh,

"-aku sudah menggunakan rune Opila."

Ehwaz, kata Stiyl dan film kipas-mail besar seperti amplop dari tangannya dengan jari telunjuknya. Sampul tebal berputar seperti frisbee dan perlahan-lahan mendarat di tangan Kamijou itu.

Ada kata-kata misterius di menyelimuti, tampak seperti mereka ingin untuk menutup dokumen dalam.

Para Stiyl saat bergumam ini, kata-kata di menyelimuti mulai bersinar. Segel terbuka tepat di tengah seolah-olah mendapat diiris terpisah oleh pisau.

"Pernahkah Anda mendengar tentang Misawa Cram School, sekolah swasta?"

Stiyl mengatakan seolah-olah dia bernyanyi. Sejumlah besar informasi muncul pada setiap selembar kertas, dan seperti karpet ajaib, hanya informasi yang diperlukan terbang keluar dari menyelimuti dan mengapung di sekitar Kamijou.

Tidak memiliki apapun kenangan, Kamijou hanya dapat memindai nama ini melalui sendiri 'pengetahuan' nya. Namun, ia masih tidak memiliki kesan nama 'Misawa Cram Sekolah'. Sepertinya dia 'pra-amnesia' tidak begitu tertarik pada ujian masuk perguruan tinggi.

"Ini dikatakan sekolah persiapan dengan pasar terbesar di negara ini."

Stiyl berkata dengan melankolis.

Persiapan sekolah. Seperti apa namanya, itu sekolah kuliah. Siswa mengulang Mereka yang gagal dalam ujian masuk perguruan tinggi mereka akan berkumpul di sini untuk belajar.

Namun, 'promosi persiapan kelas di Akademi City memiliki arti lain untuk itu. Itu untuk menyediakan orang-orang yang sudah memiliki potensi untuk masuk kuliah tetapi memilih untuk merebut kembali tahun lagi tempat untuk belajar.

Sepotong kertas mengambang di depan Kamijou.

Sepertinya Misawa Cram Sekolah tidak hanya menyediakan 'kelas promosi', juga menyediakan layanan bagi siswa yang belum menjadi siswa mengulang layanan 'pra-ujian mengungkapkan'.

"... Jadi, kenapa kau bercerita tentang kelas-kelas persiapan Apakah ada diskon yang diberikan ketika Anda memperkenalkan teman di?"

Kamijou tanya Stiyl dengan tampilan yang jelas menunjukkan bahwa ia tidak percaya padanya.

Itu karena dia tidak bisa membayangkan hubungan pendeta ini yang berbau cologne akan dengan sekolah persiapan.

Ini seperti ini - Stiyl nonchalently menjelaskan.

"Seorang gadis dipenjarakan di sana, dan itu tugas saya untuk menyelamatkannya."

Terpana, menatap Stiyl Kamijou.

Ini bukan karena 'penjara' kata menakutkan, tetapi karena dia menduga apakah orang ini serius. Tentu saja, bahkan jika itu Stiyl gila, itu tidak ada Kamijou. Namun, orang ini dapat menggunakan api seperti senjata, sehingga akan berbahaya jika dia pergi mengamuk.

"Hm, saya berpikir bahwa Anda akan mengerti jika saya tunjukkan kepada Anda informasi."

Stiyl mengangkat jari telunjuk ke atas. Sampul yang di tangan Kamijou mari keluar cetak kertas yang terus terbang di sekitar Kamijou seperti kepingan salju.

- Salah satu mereka adalah diagram lokasi 'Misawa Cram Sekolah'.

Namun, gambar diagram lokasi memiliki beberapa kesalahan dalam pengukuran ketika membandingkan scan inframerah dan ultrasonik. Jelas, ada sebuah tempat yang tidak diketahui yang menggunakan banyak listrik.

- Sebuah tagihan listrik 'Misawa Cram Sekolah'.

Namun, bahkan setelah menyelidiki semua peralatan listrik dan konsumsi listrik di setiap kamar, jumlah masih tidak cocok. Jelas, ada bagian dalam gedung tempat sesuatu yang 'menggunakan banyak listrik.

- Sebuah entri daftar personil dan keluar dari 'Misawa Cram Sekolah'.

Namun, guru atau siswa jelas jangan mengambil dalam banyak makanan. Beberapa peneliti bertindak sebagai orang membersihkan sampah dan memeriksa sampah, dan menemukan bahwa nomor tidak cocok juga. Jelas, memiliki 'Misawa Cram Sekolah untuk menyediakan makanan bagi' beberapa orang 'di dalam gedung.

- Dan lembaran terakhir kertas.

Sebuah laporan dari penampakan bulan lalu, tentang seorang gadis berjalan ke dalam gedung 'Misawa Cram Sekolah'.

Menurut pengurus asrama mahasiswa, gadis ini tidak pernah terlihat di ruang asrama lagi.

"Sekarang, tampaknya bahwa 'Misawa Cram Sekolah' menjadi sebuah sekte agama palsu yang ditujukan untuk menyembah ilmu pengetahuan."

Stiyl kata nonchalently.

Ilmu ibadah ...? Kamijou mengernyit heran.

"Kau, berbicara tentang hal-hal, yang benar Mereka gimmicks seperti bagaimana identitas Allah yang nyata adalah bahwa UFO mengambang di atas, dan apa DNA Saint penggalian,? Dan mereka dapat menciptakan klon dari Suci, kan ...?"

Gagasan bahwa 'sains dan agama tidak campuran' agak dangkal. Di dunia Barat, ada banyak dokter dan ilmuwan yang beragama Kristen.

Namun, jika hubungan seperti dipaksa, itu fakta bahwa akan ada banyak hal yang mengerikan. Selain, itu umum untuk orang-orang yang memiliki teknologi paling canggih untuk menghasilkan gas racun dan bahan peledak.

Akademi Kota, yang merupakan daya terkemuka dalam teknologi ilmiah dan juga pusat belajar dan pendidikan, biasanya akan sangat berhati-hati dengan ilmu tersebut dan hal-hal agama. Selain itu, jika tempat-tempat yang seharusnya untuk 'tujuan pendidikan' memiliki beberapa masalah, tempat segera akan menjadi sebuah pabrik pencucian otak.

"Saya tidak tahu apa yang mereka mengajar, tetapi harus jujur, itu berarti tidak peduli apa kelompok keagamaan fanatik 'Misawa Cram Sekolah' menjadi Itu karena mereka dibubarkan.."

"...?"

"Untuk menempatkan sedikit lebih ekstrim."

Stiyl berlanjut pada, tidak tampak seperti dia peduli banyak,

"'Misawa Sekolah Cram punya diambil agama yang palsu setengah matang kelompok ilmiah berhasil diambil alih oleh seorang penyihir yang nyata -. Tidak, seorang alkemis dari sekolah Zurich, tepatnya."

"Sebuah otentik satu ...?"

"Yeah, aku tahu kedengarannya mencurigakan ... bertahan."

"Apa?"

"... Sejak kapan kau menjadi begitu perspektif Apakah Anda dasarnya mendengarkan dan membiarkan kata-kata yang keluar dari telinga Anda karena Anda tidak mengerti sama sekali??"

Kamijou terkejut.

Sebenarnya, itu bukan karena Stiyl adalah tempat di. Dia serius mendengarkan Stiyl, dan dia benar-benar mencoba untuk memahami dan menanggapi istilah yang ia tidak mengerti.

Tapi itu karena dia lakukan agar Stiyl merasakan sesuatu yang salah.

Seolah-olah seseorang menyadari bahwa ini Kamijou Touma agak berbeda dari Kamijou Touma "sebelum ia kehilangan memori '.

(Jangan tidak menyadarinya, tidak menyadari hal itu ...!)

Para Kamijou 'Sekarang' tidak tahu apa hubungan pesulap ini dengan gadis itu. Tapi tidak peduli seberapa jauh hubungan mereka, Kamijou tidak ingin membiarkan orang lain tahu bahwa ia kehilangan kenangan.

Kamijou melihatnya. Dia melihat hal itu di kamar pasien. Dia melihat gadis menangis kebiasaan biarawati putih. Air mata kebahagiaan untuk anak yang diperlakukan sebagai Kamijou 'sebelum ia kehilangan memori'.

Dia tidak dapat mematahkan dukungan mental padanya, pernah.

Jadi Kamijou memutuskan untuk menipu seluruh dunia. Bahkan dirinya sendiri.

"Apa, Anda memberi saya bahwa hanya karena aku begitu kebetulan mendengarkan dengan penuh perhatian? Anda bukan masokis atau sesuatu? Apakah Anda tipe yang ingin orang lain untuk mengganggu kata-kata kiri dan kanan?"

Tapi sekarang, 'sekarang' yang Kamijou tidak tahu betapa berbedanya dia dari 'pra-amnesia' yang Kamijou. Ini seperti berjalan sambil melihat peta, meskipun ia tahu ia berjalan dengan cara yang salah, tetapi jika ia melihat sekitar dan menemukan padang pasir di mana-mana, ia tidak dapat mengatakan di mana jalan yang benar adalah.

Untuk sementara, Stiyl tatapan curiga wajah Kamijou itu.

"Baik, apa pun. Ini bukan masalah bahwa percakapan ini akan baik pula."

Stiyl akhirnya beralih kembali ke pembicaraan asli.

"Titik utama adalah alasan mengapa bahwa alkemis mengambil alih 'Misawa Cram Sekolah" Tentu saja, alasan sederhana adalah bahwa ia mungkin merasa bahwa itu nyaman untuk hanya menggunakan ini' Misawa Cram Sekolah 'sebagai dasar.. Sebagian besar siswa dapat tidak menyadari bahwa kepala sekolah persiapan ini telah berubah. "

Namun, kemudian hembuskan ringan Stiyl dan berkata,

"Alasan paling penting mengapa sang alkemis mengambil alih adalah Darah Jauh yang dipenjara di 'Misawa Cram Sekolah'."

Darah yang mendalam?

Kamijou pernah mendengar nama ini sebelumnya, dan ia juga tidak memiliki 'pengetahuan' seperti tentang hal ini. Namun, nama sendiri sudah terdengar menakutkan.

"Awalnya, 'Misawa Cram Sekolah' tampaknya seperti mereka hanya dipenjarakan untuk menjadi seorang miko. Sebenarnya, ide mereka tidak salah, karena itu metode yang layak untuk menggunakan Miko sebagai korban untuk memanggil hal-hal kelas yang lebih tinggi. "

"..."

"Tapi ini sudah Darah Deep ditargetkan oleh alkemis, hanya saja 'Misawa Cram Sekolah' membawanya pergi dulu. Tidak, mungkin dia, tidak dapat membantu. Rencana aslinya harus menculik Darah Jauh tanpa ada yang memperhatikan dan melarikan diri Akademi Kota. Namun, karena 'Misawa Cram Sekolah' meniup hal luar proporsi, rencananya hancur. "

"Jadi dia tegas mengambil kembali apa yang menjadi milik dia dari 'Misawa Cram Sekolah'?"

Ini seperti pencuri menguasai pembuatan segala macam persiapan untuk mencuri sesuatu dari sebuah galeri seni, hanya untuk teroris untuk menempati bangunan. Pencuri dari mencuri lukisan yang ingin mencuri dari para maniak destruktif yang tidak mengerti nilai dari lukisan-lukisan ini, hanya untuk menemukan bahwa galeri seni mendapat dikemas dengan polisi. Tidak melakukan apa-apa, si pencuri guru kemudian memiliki untuk membangun barikade di pintu masuk galeri seni dan bersembunyi di dalam ...?

"Ya. Untuk sang alkemis, itu keinginannya terbesar untuk bisa mendapatkan Darah Jauh ... tidak, lebih akurat, itu keinginan seluruh dunia penyihir. Mungkin itu juga keinginan dunia secara keseluruhan. "

"???"

Kamijou mengungkapkan bingung.

"Ini adalah kemampuan yang dapat membunuh 'makhluk tertentu'. Tidak, bukan hanya itu. Ini adalah satu-satunya kemungkinan menangkap ini 'makhluk tertentu' hidup untuk membuktikan keberadaan. "

Kamijou masih tidak mengerti. "Nah, jika saya harus menggunakan terminologi kami, makhluk tertentu disebut keturunan Kain."

Stiyl terkekeh, dan kemudian dia berkata dengan suara berbisik-seperti,

"Pada dasarnya, mereka vampir."

Dia akhirnya mengatakan,

"Apakah Anda bergurau?"

Mendengar kata-kata seperti, ini adalah tanggapan pertama Kamijou memberi,

Vampir. Kamijou tidak tahu di mana legenda tentang mereka awalnya dimulai. Namun, menurut penggambaran dalam permainan dan manga ...

Vampir takut Persilangan dan sinar matahari.

Vampir akan mati ketika mereka mabuk dengan taruhan.

Vampir akan dikurangi menjadi debu setelah mereka mati.

Mereka digigit oleh vampir akan menjadi vampir.

... Dia hanya tahu tentang semua ini. Dan untuk beberapa alasan, 'pengetahuan' Kamijou belajar ini dari berasal dari manga dan permainan, dan ini semua permainan pertempuran. Salib benar-benar tidak berguna.

"... Mereka yang dapat berpikir bahwa ini lelucon dianggap beruntung."

Stiyl gnashes gigi dan berpaling.

Sekarang, penyihir yang bisa mengendalikan api sempurna tampaknya takut akan sesuatu.

"Huh, karena terdapat seorang spesialis yang bisa membunuh vampir, maka jelas bahwa" vampir-vampir yang harus dibunuh 'ada juga. Ini seperti orang jahat yang ada untuk pahlawan keadilan, itu lingkaran setan. Namun, satu hal bisa saya pastikan adalah bahwa ... jika mungkin, saya tidak mau mengakuinya. "

"... Apa maksudmu? Apakah vampir di buku benar-benar ada? "

Kamijou masih menyangkal hal itu dalam hatinya.

Namun, pria di depannya masih sama keras seperti biasa, membuatnya tidak mampu sikat ini.

"Tidak ada yang pernah melihat vampir -"

Stiyl Magnus terlihat seperti perwujudan kepercayaan diri saat ia mengatakan dalam sebuah nyanyian seperti nada,

"- Karena setiap orang yang melihatnya meninggal."

"..."

"Tentu saja, aku tidak akan percaya pada hal-hal seperti begitu mudah. Yang merepotkan adalah bahwa tak seorang pun pernah melihat vampir sebelumnya, tapi keberadaan Darah Jauh menegaskan keberadaan vampir. Tidak ada yang tahu seberapa kuat mereka, tidak ada yang tahu berapa banyak ada, tidak ada yang tahu di mana mereka, tidak ada yang tahu tidak ada yang tahu tidak ada yang tahu ... bagaimana kita dapat berurusan dengan mereka ketika kita bahkan tidak tahu apa-apa tentang mereka? "

Stiyl terus bernyanyi, tapi Kamijou, yang masih tidak dapat menerima istilah 'vampir', masih tidak dapat memahami apa pun tentang hal ini. Pada akhirnya, dia hanya bisa berpikir bahwa itu seperti mereka berhadapan dengan teroris yang tersembunyi di seluruh dunia.

"Tapi di sisi lain, itu karena tidak ada yang tahu tentang kebenaran di balik mereka bahwa ada segala macam kemungkinan yang tidak diketahui."

Menyeringai sinis Stiyl,

"Kamijou Touma, apakah Anda mendengar tentang 'Kabbalah'?... Saya kira belum, kan?"

"... Apakah Anda berpikir bahwa Anda dapat merusak kebanggaan saya seperti itu?"

"Apapun. Anyway, 'Kabbalah' mewakili 'jiwa tingkat' Allah, Malaikat, manusia dan lain-lain. Sederhananya, manusia bisa naik peringkat dengan pelatihan, tetapi pada beberapa titik, mereka tidak akan dapat naik lebih tinggi. "

"... Kau memperlakukan aku seperti idiot, bukan? Apa yang Anda coba katakan? "

"Apakah melukai harga diri Anda? Yang ingin saya katakan adalah ... ada beberapa disiplin ilmu yang manusia tidak dapat mencapai tidak peduli berapa banyak mereka mencoba. Namun, manusia memang ingin melanjutkan pendakian mereka tidak peduli apa. Penyihir menjadi penyihir karena mereka ingin melampaui batas-batas suatu manusia. Jika demikian, apa yang harus manusia lakukan untuk melampaui batas ini?

Ekspresi Stiyl terlihat seperti dia akan merobek ekspresi sinis nya terpisah.

"Itu sederhana. Mereka hanya perlu meminjam kekuatan apa pun selain manusia. "

Kamijou tidak bisa mengatakan apa-apa.

"Yang disebut vampir abadi, satu hanya dapat rip hati mereka keluar dan menusuk mereka dengan pedang sihir, dan mereka masih bisa hidup seperti alat sihir yang hidup."

Stiyl santai terus,

"Yang penting bukanlah keaslian masalah. Para sarjana adalah makhluk seperti yang akan mencoba hal-hal yang bahkan jika ada hanya kemungkinan kecil. "

Dengan kata lain, ini adalah apa yang dimaksudkan Stiyl.

Keberadaan vampir tidak penting. Yang penting adalah bahwa beberapa orang percaya bahwa mereka memang ada dan membuat keributan dari itu. Karena seseorang yang meniup segalanya, orang lain harus menyelesaikannya. Itulah inti dari situasi.

"Dengan kata lain, tidak ada yang tahu apakah vampir ada atau tidak, kan?"

Ini umum untuk melihat dalam film-film aksi; sekelompok orang berebut harta karun kuno yang tidak ada yang tahu apakah itu ada atau tidak. Namun, itu bodoh untuk hal-hal seperti itu terjadi dalam kehidupan nyata.

"'Hal-hal seperti keberadaan diketahui' Pengaturan adalah tugas kita."

Stiyl tawa sinis,

"Jadi, 'Misawa Cram Sekolah' dan alkemis serius. Mereka benar-benar ingin menghadapi off melawan vampir, sehingga mereka membutuhkan ini ace itu disebut Darah Deep. "

"..."

"Oh ya, apakah anda tahu masa lalu tentang Darah Jauh? Ini dikabarkan bahwa gadis itu tinggal di sebuah desa pegunungan di Kyoto, tetapi suatu hari, semua orang di desa meninggal. Orang desa terakhir yang melaporkan kasus mungkin telah dalam keadaan berantakan, mengatakan bahwa ia akan dibunuh oleh rakasa. Ketika penyelamat tiba, apa yang mereka lihat adalah sebuah desa kosong, dan seorang gadis yang baru saja berdiri kosong di bawah sana-dan seluruh desa yang dibanjiri putih salju-seperti abu di semua tempat. "

Abu.

Dikatakan bahwa vampir akan berubah menjadi abu setelah mereka meninggal.

"Memang benar bahwa vampir adalah semacam eksistensi 'yang keberadaannya tidak diketahui', tetapi berpikir tentang hal itu. Darah dalam adalah kekuatan yang dapat 'membunuh vampir'. Tetapi jika darah Jauh ingin membunuh vampir, Darah Deep bertemu vampir. Adapun orang-orang yang ingin mencari vampir tidak peduli apa, cara termudah adalah untuk menangkap Darah Deep. Namun, sejak Darah Deep seperti kemampuan yang kuat untuk 'membunuh bahkan vampir', bagaimana mereka dapat menaklukkan Darah Jauh? Itu adalah pertanyaan. "

Ini adalah diskusi sepenuhnya supranatural.

Ini berbahaya untuk mendengarkan pada, Kamijou naluri yang mengatakan kepadanya. Jika ia terus mendengarkan orang ini, akal sehatnya akan bengkok. Dan Kamijou memiliki firasat bahwa jika ini terus berlangsung, mungkin berakhir dalam keadaan di mana ia tidak dapat membalikkan itu.

Untuk mengakhiri percakapan ini, ia jelas menimbulkan kecurigaan.

"Baiklah, Anda mengatakan kepada saya begitu banyak 'rahasia', apa yang Anda ingin memberitahu saya sekarang?"

"Nn, itu benar. Kita tidak punya banyak waktu, jadi mari kita akhiri ini cepat. "

Stiyl mengangguk dua kali dan berkata,

"... Pada dasarnya, saya harus membebankan ke 'Misawa Cram Sekolah' dan simpan Darah Deep."

Nn, Kamijou hanya mengangguk sebagai jawaban.

"Jangan pergi seperti itu mengangguk. Kau ikut denganku. "

...

"Apa? Apa katamu? "

"Itu deskripsi akurat tentang situasi saat ini. Juga, kata-kata itu hanya diskusi tentang rencana pertempuran kami. Apakah Anda masih ingat setiap hari? Semua informasi yang diukir dengan rune api, dan akan terbakar setelah Anda melihat mereka. Ini akan menjadi buruk jika Anda tidak mengingat mereka. "

"Tahan ...!"

Apakah Anda bergurau? Kamijou berpikir. Hal ini Stiyl di depannya adalah orang yang daya paling cocok untuk membunuh dan pembunuh tanpa ampun. Jika dia masuk ke kubu beberapa 'musuh' alkemis, tidak akan mengejutkan untuk melihatnya terlibat dalam insiden pembunuh.

"Juga, satu hal lagi."

Stiyl santai menjawab,

"Saya kira Anda tidak punya hak untuk menolak. Jika Anda tidak mematuhi, kita akan mengambil Indeks itu dari Anda. "

Untuk beberapa alasan, kata-kata yang terukir sangat dalam Kamijou.

'Pengetahuan' adalah takut. Sisa-sisa Kamijou Touma "sebelum ia kehilangan memori 'tampaknya takut akan sesuatu.

"Misi yang Necessarius memberikan Anda adalah untuk bertindak sebagai belenggu, suatu belenggu untuk mencegah 'rantai kerah' yang diambil dari Indeks dari mengkhianati organisasi. Namun, jika Anda tidak mengikuti keinginan Gereja, efek yang 'belenggu' tidak akan menjadi sesuatu yang diharapkan. "

Stiyl mendesah, dan terus,

"Omong-omong, ada baiknya bagi saya jika Gereja merasa bahwa Anda 'tidak berharga'. Aku benar-benar akan berterima kasih jika Anda bisa melakukan itu, karena berarti 'belenggu' yang berarti, dan aku bisa kembali anak itu benar. "

Ini adalah ancaman.

Jika Anda tidak mematuhi, kita akan mengambil gadis yang jauh dari Anda.

"..."

Dia gemetar. Jantungnya berdetak bagaikan sebatang kayu yang dipalu masuk Kamijou Touma tidak memiliki kenangan. Orang yang bertemu dengan gadis yang "pra-amnesia 'Kamijou Touma, dan tidak ada hubungannya dengan dia sekarang. Alasan mengapa hatinya berdebar begitu kencang dan otaknya tidak mampu berpikir pasti karena sisa-sisa Kamijou Touma "sebelum ia kehilangan memori ', dan tidak ada hubungannya dengan dia sekarang.

Tapi,

Untuk beberapa alasan,

"... Apakah Anda serius?"

Mengapa ia sangat yakin bahwa kecemasan adalah respons yang benar?

Kamijou keajaiban.

Memang benar bahwa Indeks pertama kali bertemu dengan Kamijou Touma "sebelum ia kehilangan memori ', mempercayai satu dan Indeks tersenyum bukanlah Kamijou' yang berdiri di sini '.

Namun demikian, tidak apa-apa.

Dia pernah melihat gadis di ruangan putih, menangis saat melihat Kamijou belur dan lelah.

Agar tidak membuatnya menangis.

Bahkan jika ia telah menipu seluruh dunia, bahkan dirinya sendiri, itu baik-baik saja. Kamijou sudah bersumpah untuk mematuhi berbohong sendiri -!

"Huh ...."

Stiyl tampak acuh tak acuh pergi.

Ekspresi wajahnya seperti seorang aktor yang berperan dicuri, itu bisa dijelaskan.

"Jika Anda ingin berhubungan dengan saya, tunggu sampai kita berurusan dengan alkemis yang tersembunyi di pertama 'Misawa Cram Sekolah'. Juga, saya lupa menyebutkannya, nama asli Darah Deep adalah Himegami Aisa. Ada foto di sini, dan itu terbaik yang Anda lihat. Ini akan buruk jika Anda bahkan tidak bisa ingat wajah orang yang Anda akan menyelamatkan. "

Sebuah foto slip keluar dari menyelimuti.

Foto tampaknya didukung oleh rune Stiyl serta tarian yang di udara dan berhenti tepat di depan Kamijou.

Kamijou menatap foto.

Ia berpikir, bagaimana hal ini esper dengan judul mengerikan Darah Jauh terlihat seperti?

Tapi di foto, dia melihat wajah gadis yang dilihatnya di siang hari.

"Eh ...?"

Kamijou membeku.

Mungkin foto di buku laporan siswa atau beberapa kartu identifikasi tertentu diperbesar, sebagai wajah itu Himegami Aisa-benar-benar wajah Miko.

Kamijou ingat apa kata Stiyl.

- Awalnya, 'Misawa Cram Sekolah' tampaknya seperti mereka hanya dipenjarakan untuk menjadi seorang miko.

Dia ingat apa yang gadis itu berkata siang hari.

- Aku bukan Miko.

Kamijou ingat apa kata pesulap

-Seorang gadis dipenjarakan di sana, dan itu tugas saya untuk menyelamatkannya.

Dia ingat kata-kata Himegami Aisa itu.

- Nn, mereka guru sekolah menjejalkan.

Tapi mengapa? Kamijou keajaiban. Menurut penjelasan Stiyl itu, Himegami Aisa harus dipenjarakan di 'Misawa Cram Sekolah'. JIKA bahwa Miko benar-benar Darah Jauh, mengapa dia bisa masuk ke sebuah restoran cepat saji dan makan hamburger?

- Kereta ongkos pulang, 400 yen.

Apakah dia melarikan diri? Kamijou berpikir. Satu-satunya alasan yang mungkin mengapa Himegami dipenjarakan Aisa akan berada di luar karena dia melarikan diri dari 'Misawa Cram Sekolah'.

- Total keberuntungan saya, 300 yen.

Jika itu terjadi, itu dapat menjelaskan mengapa Himegami memiliki uang begitu sedikit pada dirinya. Selain itu, jika dia melarikan diri tanpa membawa banyak uang. Uang secara bertahap akan kurang jika ia mengambil kereta api dan bus.

Tapi mengapa ia muncul di sebuah restoran cepat saji. Kamijou bertanya-tanya. Karena ia melarikan diri dari 'Cram Misawa Sekolah', bagaimana ia bisa berdiri di sana?

- Menghabiskan semua uang saya dan hancur sendiri.

"Ah!"

Tiba-tiba, Kamijou ingat ini.

Bagaimana jika dia tidak bisa lari lagi karena dia menggunakan semua uang? Karena dia tidak bisa melanjutkan lagi?

Jadi,

Dia harus setidaknya memiliki satu memori terakhir? Gadis itu berharap untuk 100 yen.

Jadi, jika dia hanya punya ¥ 100 lebih, ia bisa melarikan diri dari kontrol Misawa Sekolah Cram?

Siapa tolol yang menolak keinginan ini salah satu dari gadis itu.

'- Menghabiskan semua uang saya dan hancur sendiri.

"Sialan, itu ..."

Juga, Hiemgami tidak melawan ketika ia dikelilingi oleh 'guru sekolah menjejalkan'. Jelas, dia pasti ingin melawan. Bagaimana dia bisa begitu bersedia untuk kembali seperti itu setelah melarikan diri dari 'Misawa Cram Sekolah'.

Orang lain akan memilih untuk melarikan diri.

Jika ia tidak bisa melarikan diri dengan kekuatan sendiri, dia akan meminta orang lain untuk membantu.

Tapi meminta orang lain untuk membantu akan berarti bahwa ia akan mendapatkan orang lain yang terlibat.

"Sialan ...!"

Kamijou yang sangat bahagia tentang hal itu. Dia begitu frustrasi bahwa ia tidak bisa berpikir. Dia marah bahwa 'Misawa Cram Sekolah' tidak memperlakukan gadis ini sebagai manusia dan mengunci ke atas. Dia memberontak di alkemis yang menyambar gadis itu pergi, dia marah oleh Stiyl yang mengatakan bahwa "Darah Deep as yang digunakan untuk menjaga vampir di cek '.

Tapi satu yang sangat menjengkelkan Kamijou itu tentang adalah bahwa Aisa Himegami yang mengorbankan dirinya untuk menyelamatkan Kamijou.

Itu karena ini adalah salah. Jika Kamijou bisa membayar 100 yen, ia bisa mengubah nasib gadis itu. Namun, gadis itu benar-benar rela mengorbankan semua kerja keras dia dimasukkan ke dalam untuk melarikan diri dari 'Misawa Cram Sekolah' hanya untuk menyelamatkan seorang anak yang dikirim kembali ke dalam keputusasaan. Itu salah.

Meskipun Kamijou tidak tahu apa 'agama baru' semacam itu.

Kamijou tidak bisa membayangkan bagaimana seorang gadis yang terkunci akan ada diobati. Tentu saja, dia tidak ingin membayangkannya,

Nyeri ini seharusnya diambil oleh Kamijou.

(Atas dasar apa yang dapat Anda Anyhow -)

Kamijou menggigit bibirnya, dan rasa darah terasa di gigi taring nya.

(- BAWA ORANG LAIN JAUH kemalangan'S!)

Berpikir kembali, ini adalah di mana benar-benar jengkel Kamijou tentang, yang benar-benar membuat darah kepala Kamijou itu.

Kamijou tidak memiliki 'kenangan'.

Namun, bagaimana Himegami dilihat sendiri adalah bahwa dia selalu merasa bahwa itu baik-baik saja meskipun semua orang memperlakukan dia sebagai alat.

Mengabaikan rasa sakit sendiri untuk membantu orang lain, dan berpikir bahwa ini adalah bentuk kebahagiaan.

Seorang gadis yang masih bisa tersenyum bahkan setelah mengambil rasa sakit dari orang lain.

Di masa lalu, Kamijou tampaknya untuk memenuhi seperti seorang gadis sebelumnya. Mengapa dia tidak bisa ingat? Kamijou benar-benar jengkel dengan dirinya sendiri.

Dia harus menyelamatkannya?

Apa yang harus dia katakan? Kamijou Touma tidak akan mampu meredakan kemarahan di dalam dirinya jika dia tidak pukulan yang egois dan keras kepala Himegami Aisa.

===Di Antara Baris 1===
--The girl's standing in the middle of the sea of ash.
One of the 13 squads of the knights of England, the 1st Lancer squad was set up with the mission of 'gathering the enemy's information before anyone else'.
This time, the 'enemy territory' was a mountain village located at Kyoto. They had to find the reason why 'the mana flow became abnormally large', and eliminate any threatening things. This was their main aim.
--It's been over 6 hours since they lost contact with the mountain village in Kyoto.
--It's been over 3 hours since the police who went there to investigate disappeared.
As every member of the squad could guess, the village in question was completely wrecked. However, this wasn't something rare to them. England did have the fresh blood sacrificial altar that could 'search for every single spiritual tool in the world'.
Compared to the raging soul of some ancient emperor that resides in some treasure, this mission wasn't too dangerous.
とある魔術の禁書目録 – To Aru Majutsu no Index Volume 2
52
In fact, they were just equipped with some casted armour and some Cross-shaped spears, and they didn't even have mass-produced Holy spears. Though the casted armour were holy armours that 'have magical power and could increase the bearer's mobility by 20 times', and that they were 1st class spiritual tool, everyone could tell that the higher-ups weren't viewing this as important.
However, there's something everyone was mindful about.
The last survivor who called said something like this,
―Help...me—that's not, human...that's--‖
Of course, nobody believed him.
The higher-ups of the Church didn't believe that, and didn't give them proper equipment.
But the battle-hardened members of the Knights of England really felt some irritating pressure.
Though there were many remaining records in the English national Library, nobody actually saw it before, and nobody caught this 'certain creature'. As for 'this creature' it seems to exist for some reason, it's a mystery as to why so many people wouldn't admit its existence.
That's because if they admitted that such a creature exists, the world would have been destroyed.
The terrifying thing wasn't the power of this 'certain creature'. If they couldn't match its power, humans could use ways other than brute force to beat them. They could also create all sorts of tools and weapons to beat them.
The terrifying thing wasn't the immortality of the 'certain creature'. If they couldn't even kill the enemy, they just had to find ways other than killing them to beat them. For example, they could just freeze them under the ice of Antarctica or dice the immortal flesh up into 200 pieces and stuff them into bottles.
These weren't the problems.
The problem was the rumoured vast amount of 'mana' the 'certain creature' had.
The mana in the magic world's like gasoline. It's basically about using the fuel like lifespan and lifeforce to refine them and create gasoline that's easier to use. To humans, who orginally already have short lifespans, the strength of the mana was whether their refining methods were good or poor.
However, it's different for the 'certain creature'.
とある魔術の禁書目録 – To Aru Majutsu no Index Volume 2
53
Basically, their original fuel, lifespan and lifeforce couldn't be compared to humans. No, more accurately, their lifeforce is 'infinite'. Of course, the amount of magic they could use is of a completely different level. How could a handgun with limited ammunition beat an unlimited missile strike?
Thus, the members were just laughing at their insecurity, but they couldn't get rid of it completely.
Just like that, he passed through mountains and reached this age-forgotten village. Just as they saw the scene over there, their hearts felt like they were squashed.
Looking around, it's white ash everywhere.
This seemingly age-forgotten Eastern wasteland was covered by a layer of white ash like snow. The roofs of the huts, the land in the fields, the narrow channels were all covered with a layer of ash.
Were these the...remains of the 'certain creature'?
But that's not what they're shocked by. If they were real corpses, the number definitely weren't limited to jut 10 or 20. But looking at this amount of ash, the members were unable to believe their eyes.
At the middle of the falling ash, there was a girl standing there.
She should be about 5, 6 years old, a Eastern style black-haired girl. But on seeing that cute face of hers, the knights who specialise in eliminating radicals still couldn't stop their hearts from beating wildly.
Because among the scene of dancing ash, where the remnants of the 'certain creature' form a living Hell,
That girl still remained unharmed. The wind started to blow, and the ash started to rise.
The ash that covered the entire wasteland scatter about, but only the area around the girl wasn't affected by what seemed like a Holy Sanctuary. It felt like the dead ash was still afraid of her and trying to avoid her.
―I--‖
The girl said,
―--I...killed so many again.‖ It felt like she was describing her everyday life.

===Catatan===
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