Dreams are unknown depictions of our inner workings. The feelings they bring are unknown. But I feel as if they just grant needless burdens. Am I, Touma Kamijou wrong for thinking that?
The sky is vast. Incredibly vast. As wide as the encompassed dreams of everyone in the world. But what is a dream? What fraction of space does one dream take in this figurative 'sky'? Are all dreams equally balanced in terms of weight or do the ambitions of each dream determine how much space they take up? I wonder what my supposed 'dream' is. Does it even take up space in the sky relative to others beliefs? What is this 'dream' of mine anyway?
The 'dream' that I have is something I fear for some inexplicable reason. It's like an implanted notion of idealism that's been ingrained into me from societal influence. Despite my intentions to save others and my endless stream of involvement in incidents that would normally have nothing to do with me, I have a scarily normal dream.
A dream to be happy.
What does require you ask? I don't know honestly. Happiness is purposely subjective after all. Finding my own definition of it is something I'm still working towards. Even with all the deaths I experienced and the encouragement from the 'Will', my 'dream' of obtaining happiness has come to seemingly no fruition. I guess I'll just be a follower like everyone else. Just helplessly following the flock of disgusting sheep that can't budge or even form a coherent thought of action for themselves.
Geez, what the hell's wrong with me? Was I always this… what's the word cynical, despicable? I don't know. I guess the time in the Phases changed me more than I initially thought.
But I digress with that convoluted string of worthless thoughts. It's already morning and I really don't want to deal with Othinus or Index considering what happened yesterday.
Though I can't just stay in here all day. The thought of staying cooped up in a bathroom all day is pretty cringe worthy, even for me.
I got up and walked out of the bathroom door, lacking the knowledge of what time it was. It didn't seem to matter however as the sun was up and I was greeted with the site of Index chewing on the kitchen counter. Wait what?
"H-hey Index?!" I yelled in alarm over her shocking behavior.
"Tooouuumaaaa I'm hungryyyyyyyy….." Index whined as she kept digging her teeth into the counter.
"W-woah I get it, I'll make breakfast already okay?! So stop eating the kitchen alright?!" I shouted in response.
"Breakfast? What are you talking about Touma, it's lunchtime."
"Wait what? Lunchtime?" I then checked the time on my phone that was in the pocket of my pants which I forgot to take off yesterday.
"Ah crap you're right! It's 12:00! W-what am I gonna do about class?!" I shouted in panic. Damn this is really bad…! If I show up late for class again, I might really get held back! Komoe-sensei, please have mercy on me!
"What are you talking about human? It's Sunday. There's no class for you today is there?" Othinus said as she walked over to me from where the T.V. sat.
"O-oh it is?" Huh. I guess I forgot. That's odd. I've usually been on top on my attendance ever since the incident in Denmark. Though that reminds me, aren't they going to question me about what happened yesterday?
"Human, are you going to make breakfast or not?" Othinus asked in a commanding tone befitting of a queen despite her small stature.
"U-uh yeah sure." I responded hesitantly.
What the hell is going on? Why are they acting like nothing happened? Usually, they'd constantly ask and pester me if I ever looked unwell or ended up in an incident. But maybe I'm overestimating myself. Well I'll just treat today like any other day I suppose. If they act like nothing's wrong, what's wrong with me doing the same right?
After serving them lunch, I got a phone call from a number that I knew meant trouble.
"Hey Stiyl, what do you need?" I answered. The only reason he would call me is if there was a magical incident to help resolve or maybe it has something to do with Othinus.
But man this is kind of nostalgic! That probably sounds a bit random but hear me out for a minute. Ever since World War 3 a while back, I've been getting involved with these top scale problems that involve people from the Royal Family to Magic Gods. So because of that, part of me misses the good old days. The days when Stiyl would call me up and I'd have to simply punch someone in the face to resolve the problem. Orianna Thomson and Aureolus Izzard come to mind when I reflect on those days.
"Kamijou, there's been a powerful magician that's invaded Academy City this morning." Stiyl said bluntly.
"Wow Stiyl lack of greeting much?" I said jokingly. It was Stiyl's nature to avoid small talk but he seemed blunter today in particular.
"This isn't a joking matter Kamijou. This magician is dangerous. Maniacal even." Stiyl said vaguely.
"Uh… Ok? Is….is that all?" I ask in confusion. Don't they have more intel on a guy who's supposedly dangerous? Something about this situation doesn't seem right.
"Yes I'm afraid so. His name is unknown and his abilities remain a mystery. His appearance is unknown at the present as well."
"Wait what the hell? What do you expect for me to do against a guy that you practically have no information on?" I ask in utter bafflement. An unknown magician huh? But wait, if that's the case then…
"How do you even know that there's a magician in Academy City in the first place?"
"We just know Kamijou, that's all you need to know. The details aren't what's vital right now. Besides… do you really want to upset the people in power of the Magic Side?" Stiyl asked in an almost mocking tone.
"What…what do you mean?" I ask hesitantly. Upset the people in power? What could I have done to deserve that?
"Don't be stupid Kamijou. I'm talking about the situation with Magic God. Though your actions have been somewhat justified, you still broke apart much of the trust you've built here. Necessarius included." Stiyl explained. Ah, he's right. I DID end up going against the world not too long ago. That would probably piss some people off.
"Oh you're right… well if that's the case then, what do you expect me to do? Search the entirety of Academy City for someone unidentifiable?" I ask sarcastically.
"Stay cautious. It's also thought that this magician might be hiding out in an abandoned factory on the outskirts of the city to conceal their identity. Don't go after him since your safety isn't guaranteed. That's all I can tell you now Kamijou. Good luck." Stiyl answered as he hung up.
Huh. That phone call was certainly empty to say the least. An unknown enemy lurking in the protagonist's city? A cryptic warning? Sounds like a bad plot for a Shonen Manga.
"Touma, what did Stiyl have to say?" Index asked as she devoured her lunch like she was homeless.
"Well, apparently there's an unknown magician on the prowl in Academy City. "
"Unknown? What do you mean?" Othinus asked.
"Just how it sounds. Unknown. They don't any info on the guy." I answered.
"That's… odd." Othinus responded in an almost… sorrowful tone?
"Is… is something wrong Othinus? You seem a little out of it." I ask in slight concern.
"H-huh? Do I? Oh I apologize. I didn't sleep too well last night." Othinus said in a panic.
"If you say so…" I said back. Though in all honesty, it almost seemed as if she was hiding something but maybe I'm reading too deep into it.
"Alright so what are you guys planning to do today?" I ask in an attempt to alleviate the atmosphere. The fact that they haven't brought up yesterday still bothers me but if they don't want to talk about it then I'm fine with that. I'd rather not remember either honestly.
"Ah now that you mention it, Komoe invited me over to hotpot later tonight so I'm pretty excited!" Index grinned happily while I imagined that she was thinking of devouring Komoe's food compartments.
"Well, that's nice. How about you Othinus? Planning to sleep in your doll house or ride on Sphynx?" I asked seriously. That is nice of Komoe-sensei honestly. It's still pretty freaking cold.
"O-of course not, I have much more important matters to attend to!" Othinus answered back with her face flushed. Huh. So she really DOES enjoy riding around on that calico cat. Good material to tease her later.
"Well, I'm out." I said abruptly as I prepared to leave to face the harsh weather of Academy City.
"Wait, what do you mean 'out'? Didn't you just do shopping yesterday?" Index asked.
"Yeah I did, but I like the winter so walking around in cold weather has recently become one of recent hobbies." I lied.
"Oh well that's fine then. Goodbye Human." Othinus said before turning her back away from me.
"U-uh yeah see ya later." I responded in slight confusion as I left.
Why did she turn her back towards me? That's weird. Is there something going on that I'm not aware of? Possibly, though this may just be a girl thing.
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{WARNING- DEVIATION FROM CANON POPPING UP THIS SECTION}
So I'm going to be honest here. I just completely lied. I don't at all enjoy strolling around Academy City during its prime of cold weather. If anything I absolutely despise it. The cheap coat that I bought doesn't grant me enough warmth to feel even a degree of comfort. Man, it's at times like these where I really wish that I had Misaka's level of wealth. I know that being a Level 5 has its own issues but money is no problem at all right? I mean think about it, if I were a Level 5, the stipends I'd receive from the city would guarantee me the ability to satisfy not only Index's carnivorous cravings but my own desires to have elaborate food! But now that I think about it, I'd probably screw myself somehow if I got that much money. Maybe knock up an ojou-sama that's an heir to a famous corporation? For some reason, that sounds extremely plausible knowing my luck.
But enough bullshitting. If I remember correctly, Stiyl said that the magician is hiding out in a factory on the outskirts of the city right? It's time to kick some ass and break some illusions then!
The description of the site's way to vague though. An abandoned factory? Aren't there like tons of those here or something? I'm not an expert in the geography of Academy City though so I can't really tell. All I can do now is walk through the center of the city and gradually end up at the outskirts no matter how long it takes. I still have to atone for 'that world' after all.
The hustle and bustle of Academy City is still pretty amazing to me. Maybe it's because I haven't been 'alive' for a year yet but despite that I like to think that Academy City that everyone admires to a certain degree.
Actually, scratch that. This city is pretty fucked up no matter how you slice it. From incidents like the Level 6 Project to RENSA, I'm shocked that this city could still hold a falsified illusion of happy-go-lucky grandeur. I wonder if there's any one sole person who rules over this city…
"Kamijou-kun!" A voice that I grew to be familiar with yelled out to me.
"Ah Saten-san, it's good to see you." I greet back.
Saten is something I was first acquainted with during the Daihasei. Even though our initial meeting was very brief and unimportant, we ran into each other pretty often from there on out. Through her, I also met and befriended Uiharu and Konori who are members of Judgment. I remember saving the two of them during a rogue Esper attack or something like that a while back. Not that that actually matters though. The three of them are good friends that I enjoy hanging out with since they make me feel 'normal' to a certain extent.
My meet-ups with them are almost similar to Misaka's. We usually just randomly run into each other but they have my number at least in case something goes wrong.
"I haven't seen you in like weeks! How's life?" Saten asked as fodder for conversation.
"Ah well, you know same old same old. Misfortune with espers, food and my greedy carnivorous roommate. "I said sighing.
"Hahaha. I'm actually kind of glad to see that things haven't changed." Saten responded giggling.
I laugh along with her. I honestly wish that nothing changed but it's too late to ask for unreasonable wishes isn't it?
"Are you still failing?" I ask abruptly.
"H-huh? Why would you ask that all of a sudden Kamijou-kun?! Do you want to make me cry?!" Saten exclaimed in mock sorrow.
"So I'll take that as a yes." I said grinning. This is another reason why me and Saten are at least somewhat similar. Not only are we both Level 0's, but we're both in danger of failing! I mean, it's not a good thing at all but it's comforting to see that someone is suffering with the same implications as me even though the factors leading to us failing are certainly different.
The rest of our talk progressed rather normally. Nothing noteworthy was talked about except for the very end.
"Are you okay Kamijou-kun? You look really pale… like you've seen a ghost or something." Saten remarked worriedly.
"D-do I? Well, I didn't really sleep well last night so maybe that's why." I said as a half-assed attempt as an excuse.
"I-is that so-
RIIIIINNGGG
"Ah sorry Kamijou-kun, I've got to take this."Saten said as she answered her phone and I nodded.
I look unwell? Well, considering yesterday, I'm not that surprised. I thought I had a pretty good poker face though. Usually, on my way to school, I have the 'I don't give a shit' look down. But I guess that looks wearing thin.
"Sorry Kamijou-kun! My mom is in the city and I have to meet up with them! Sorry! Hope you sleep well!" Saten said apologetically before she ran off like a cheetah.
"Oh sure don't worry see ya later." I waved off at her. Her family? We never delved too far into each other's personal lives so I'm not sure what they're like. Part of me wonders if other Level 0's parents are lenient with their kids' lives in Academy City's lives as mine are.
Anyway, I'm not too far off from the north outskirts of the city. I have no idea where the magician is though so I guess I'll just aimlessly wander around until I find something.
I ended up running towards the entrance of a run-down factory in the vicinity and I spotted something that looked strangely familiar.
"A black nun's habit…?" I questioned myself.
A nun? Is the magician disguised as a nun or is there one kidnap-
"You there boy!" Said a voice I knew to be all too familiar.
"A-Agnese? Why are you back in Academy City?" I ask in utter confusion. Why is she here? Stiyl didn't tell me anything about this.
"Well about that… you'll find out right about now."
Right as she said that, I felt my head get smashed by some blunt object.
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Wow, that was pretty freaking random. The day progressed pretty normally and slowly until that scene. Damn! I got hit pretty freaking hard. Couldn't have Agnese's companion or whoever ambushed me gone a little easier? Geez.
Though speaking of that, how am I consciously thinking right now? Where am I?
I try to open my eyes but all I see is darkness.
And for some reason, I hear cheering from below me.
"Let this sacrifice be our guide!"
W-wait what?
The blindfold then fell off and I too late realized that my arms and legs are tied up… on top a cross.
I'm being crucified.
