Chapter 2: The Truth's Revelation isn't Always Pleasant.
To_BELIEVE_is_your_CHOICE.
Kamijou and I walked to back to the dorms. I still remember the commotion that my classmates created when Komoe-sensei announced that I was a Level 5. There were some students asking me to demonstrate my power. There were some girls that I don't know who asked to be my apprentice. There was also someone who challenged me for a duel. In the midst of the confusion, Kamijou took my hand and we escaped from school.
"Thank you, Kamijou. I'm really grateful for your help."
"It's okay. We're friends right? And I have to pay you back for the other day."
"I said I was treating you. Why are you-"
"No can do. This Kamijou-san pays all of his debts!'
I let out a smile.
"…It's that so? Then, I shall do my best to increase your 'debts' to me."
"You're joking right~?"
We looked at each other faces and laughed. It has been long time since I laughed this hard with a friend. I instantly remembered my past friends, Junpei, Kenji, Kaz and Ryoji.
"Yuki, you haven't gone exploring Academy City yet, right?"
"Yes, I didn't have the time to."
"So, then let's go! I will be your tour guide today."
"Sure."
We visited every district in Academy City. He also introduced me the underground mall. When we finished, it was already late.
"Looks like we have to get dinner at a family restaurant."
"Agreed. There's not enough time to cook."
"I feel good today so I going to withdraw some my saved money."
"So it's true you're saving some money. No wonder you were buying all that cheap food."
"Ha ha ha,"
We enter a decent looking restaurant. It's not too eye catching but has a calm atmosphere. We occupied a table and ordered food. Let's see how good the food here is. I ordered a variety of food that caught my attention. The dishes amounted to 8 plates. After eating all of the dishes I can make the conclusion that the chef is quite good if the amount of sugar and salt balanced. He should soak the meat with a little honey as a base and mix the desired spices for a night to make it smoother and fry that meat with olive oil. When I gave that advice to chef, he was quite happy that his long-term problem in cooking was finally solved. He gave me some discount coupons. Huh, I shall use it if I have time. Kamijou looked at me shocked look.
"Where do all the dishes go with that thin body of yours?"
"Fast metabolism, I guess?"
"Why did you just casually give the professional chef that kind of critique?"
"Well, he's no good. I supposed I should just tell the truth."
"And why did he accepted so easily?"
"He is reasonable, I guess"
Kamijou just sighed. Looks like he had also finished his food. I called the waiter. After counting our food, she entered the amount we were supposed to pay to the machine. Kamijou looked like he spotted something.
"Yuki, please pay the meal for me." said Kamijou. He placed his money at the table. "There is someone that needs to be saved."
I paid for our food to the automatic cashier. Then, the machine printed out the receipt. I looked over to the corner of the store. There was a tea-coloured haired girl that was wearing Tokiwadai Middle School's uniform. She just occupied a table alone while slowly sipping her drink. A drunk delinquent was pestering the girl. She just ignored the guy. Then, Kamijou entered the scene.
"Hey, you. Can't you see that the girl is bothered?"
That was truly a scene where 'a knight in shining armour saves the princess' like in Fuuka's books. Just as I was thinking about that, a group of delinquents got out from the toilet to see a spiky haired student bothering their comrade.
"Ha, what up with you little punk?"
"Do you want a beating, huh?"
Kamijou turned his back towards the door and exited the store while running. The rest of the delinquents started to chase him. I swear I could hear him yelling.
"SSUUUUUUUUUUUUCH MIIIIIISFOOORTUUUUUUNEEEEEE!"
What kind of luck must he have? Only the girl and the drunk delinquent remained. After finished her drink, the girl stood up. The drunk was still pestering her even after his comrades were gone.
"…Huh, what a pain."
Her hands let out some blue-ish sparks and render the drunken man unconscious. She is… an Electromaster. An esper that controls electricity. So, why hadn't she done that earlier?
"If that idiot didn't interfere, this could have been resolved faster. It can't be helped. I'll have to go by myself."
She knows Kamijou. That can only mean that Kamijou also knows her. If that's true, he must know about her power. So, why is he is protecting her? Or he's not. I get it. He was actually protecting the delinquent from her!
"After that, I can challenge him again."
Challenge? Why would someone want to challenge him? I forgot to ask what his level is. I'll ask next time. Wait, the girl is from Tokiwadai Middle School so she's a middle school student. And with that blue-ish sparks that are emitting from sound like *biribiri*. Ah, so she's that biri-biri middle school student that's always chasing Kamijou.
She walked toward the door and glanced to me for a second, then, she exited the store. I proceed to exit the store too. I prepared myself to use a certain skill. I could barely use that skill because it's not very stable. I just completed the rough edit of the skill because I didn't have much time to adjust it. I also had to research a bit. I couldn't blindly edit the skill like that. It might lead to my death. Thanks to the Academy City Calculation technique, I found a way to edit my skill. It's supposed to be a return skill for escaping from Tartarus's upper floors but I manipulated it to teleport me to a certain distance by imagining the destination to be a temporary Tartarus using Personal Reality. I muttered the skill's name.
"Trafuri,"
I teleported to 100 m from my location. 100 m; that's the limit for a stable Trafuri. Look like it's still far away. Trafuri. Nothing. Trafuri. Trafuri. One person was unconscious. Trafuri. Three people were unconscious. Trafuri. Four people were unconscious. Wait. Something is not right. Those people were the delinquents from earlier, right? So, all of them were already electrocuted by her. It's a terrifying sight. Look like I have to change to a Persona that has resist and absorb electricity when I arrive in the case something happens. I activated the skill again. Trafuri.
Then after a number of Trafuris , I arrived to a bridge. Just how far did Kamijou run? When I arrived at a bridge, I'm reminded of the Moonlight Bridge. This bridge strangely looks like the same bridge that held a special meaning to me. On that bridge, we fought the last Shadow Arcana and Strega. On that bridge also Ryoji revealed his role as Nyx's avatar. [1] If I think back, I could only remember bad memories about it. But I can't help to think that that bridge is special to me somehow.
In this night, on that bridge, there were two figures. One of them was a spiky headed boy that wearing summer uniform of A Certain High School clenching his right fist.
The other one is a girl with a short tea-coloured hair that was wearing the summer uniform of Tokiwadai Middle School, grinning at the boy with blue-ish sparks coming out from her body. Then, she spoke out.
"Good grief. Who do you think you are? Pretending to be a humanitarian, protecting the delinquents… Are you a certain enthusiastic school teacher?"[2]
So, it's true that he was protecting them…
"…that's the issue, I guess. The company from behind came afterward."
"Uhh, because they were troublesome, I fried them."
Kamijou was stunned. He looked like he imagined the electrocuted faces of the delinquents. Then, he sighed. He asked the girl.
"Hey, what did I ever do to you?"
"I can't allow someone stronger than myself to exist. That reason alone is more than enough."
That was it? So, she thinks that Kamijou is stronger than her? So, what is the level of this girl and what is the level of Kamijou actually? I'm getting more curious.
"Hey! Hey! Haven't you seen the yearly body examination results? My level is 0 and yours is 5."
So, she is one of a Level 5 like me. But that's strange why does a Level 5 feel that a Level 0 is stronger than her?
"Zero, eh?"
Her hand slipped into her skirt pocket and takes out a coin. Looks like it's from an arcade.
"Hey, have you ever heard the term 'railgun' before?"
Kamijou made a dumbfounded face. Looks like he doesn't really know. But what is the point asking that kind of question in this serious situation?
"Huh?"
"The theory of launching a metal shell via an ultra-powerful electromagnet is the same as that of a linear motorcar – except for the fact that it's a warship weapon." explained the girl.
The girl flipped the coin into the air with her thumb. I don't know why but if the rotating coin lands on her hand something bad will definitely happen. I activated my skill.
''Trafuri,"
I teleported in the air above them. Good. Look like they didn't notice me yet.
"Right, something like this?"
It's now!
"TRAFURI!"
I teleported in front of them. They looked shocked. Almost instantly and without sound, a blue spear of light horizontally was piercing through the air towards Kamijou. I whispered in my heart.
Change Persona: Dominion
I readied my hand towards the spear of light and reflected the railgun with my bare hands while changing the trajectory towards the river. I sighed. What power. I was relieved that the 'Reflect Elec' is working. It has a possibility to not working though. If the reflect skill not work, I could still take it with natural Dominion's elemental resistance, 'Resist Elec'. Even so, I can feel that I would fall unconscious though. I looked at her shocked face.
"Right, something like this?"
Just the coin about to land on my fingers, I accidently stumbled my legs. This is bad. The output is increasing. The trajectory is altered. And now that attack is heading toward his chest. It's true that I was pissed with this idiot but killing him is too much. I don't know how he had blocked all of my attacks in the past but I don't know if he could block a railgun strike that surpasses the speed of sound aimed towards his chest in time. What I'm going to do? I closed my eyes. I guess I have to take responsibility for whatever happens to him.
After several seconds, I opened my eyes. I didn't see the supposed idiot's corpse, but instead I saw another figure extending his right hand toward the railgun and reflecting it towards another direction.
"Yuki?!" that idiot yelled.
When the smoke was disappeared, I could see a blue haired man with his hair covering his right side of his face standing in front of the idiot. Where I had seen him? Oh, right! He is that guy in the store before. He looked at me with an angry look.
"What are you doing?" asked him. "If I didn't interrupt, he would have died you know."
"I-I-It's nothing. I'm sure that he would've blocked it anyway."
I averted my eyes. I know very well that if that attack hit that idiot, he will certainly die. That blue haired boy continued to glare at me. I give up. I sighed.
"S-Sorry. I didn't have any intention to unleash that powerful of an attack. I just s-slipped. Sorry."
The idiot placed his hand on the boy's shoulder.
"It is okay, Yuki."
"Be grateful to Kamijou, emm... err..." That boy hesitated a little then ..., "Biri biri middle school student-san."
"Why're you calling me that!?"
The Yuki person pointed his finger towards that idiot. "Kamijou always called you that so I assumed it's your nickname..."
"You! When exactly you will learn my name?! I already said before that my name is Misaka Mikoto!"
"Misaka Mikoto?"
He he he. Be surprised! This is the genuine Misaka Mikoto. That's what that I was thinking before the boy with a genuine puzzled look asked me an unexpected question.
"Are you supposed to be a popular person?"
I was utterly shocked. I don't expect for someone to remember my face but at least residents of Academy City know my name as one of the Level 5s in this city. That idiot interrupted us.
"Sorry, Biri biri. He is a transfer student."
A transfer student, huh? Not really my thing but, I suppose I should introduce myself. He has my gratitude for preventing my attack from killing that idiot. I-It isn't that I really care about that idiot at all!
"I'm Misaka Mikoto. 3rd Level 5, Railgun."
The boy sighed. Then, he stared at my face and started speaking.
"Normally, I want to avoid attention but, you will discover it soon enough because you're the same so, it's better for me to introduce myself properly."
Same? What's he talking about?
"-My name is Yuki Makoto. 8th Level 5, Omnipotent."
"Y-Y-You're that guy who had been introduced as Level 5 today?!"
I never expected him to be a fellow Level 5. That explains why he could reflect my attack. Why I can't believe that he's a Level 5? Level 5s' usually have an unstable personality because of their tremendous power. I had be referred to as the most stable Level 5 before but, ... Never mind having a stable personality, he isn't even showing any expression!
"...So, why are you actually attacking, Kamijou? I don't know why a Level 5 feels inferior to a Level 0. It's usually the other way around, right?"
Looks like he didn't know about it yet.
"Come here, err, Yuki-san. I will show it to you."
He walked towards me and stood behind me. I quickly raised my hand toward that idiot.
"Biri biri, what are-?"
"You!"
He really treasures his friends. If someone threatened Kuroko, Saten-san or Uiharu-san, I'm sure to do the same thing. Look like the newest Level 5 is a good person.
"It's okay. I will not use my earlier attack. I promise." I assured him.
"Let me show me instead the attack that I used on those delinquents!"
At that moment, bluish white sparks shot out from my forelock like horns and, like a spear, the lightning raced head-on towards that idiot.
It's an unavoidable attack. It's lacking power compared to my earlier attack but it's enough to render a normal person unconscious. It's sure-hit attack. Normally whatever someone does, they can't escape from my attack.
But something strange is happening. The attack certainly hit him at his raised right hand, but he stood firm bravely receiving the attack head on. Then, a creaking sound could be heard and the spear of electricity dispersed in the air like nothing happened.
Even receiving the attack head on, he didn't have any visible wounds or scratches on his body at all.
"So, I wonder: Why don't you have a single injury?"
The high-voltage current, scattered throughout the surroundings, had the power to burn the steel frames of the bridge; in spite of that, that right hand, which received a direct hit, wasn't affected. It didn't bear even a single burn mark.
"Really, what's with that? Such a power doesn't even appear in Academy City's databank. If I am a 1-in-328,571 prodigy, then aren't you, the only one in Academy City, a 1-in-2,300,000 disaster?" I muttered bitterly.
He tried to smile.
"What to say? Such misfortune, right?"
Kamijou and Misaka's confrontation last night ended up with a lightning strike that rendered more than 80% of the city's electrical appliances inert for an hour.
It was really mysterious why Kamijou's household appliances broken permanently. I looked at the television. On the news channel that exclusive in Academy City, there was some report about that. But there is a topic that more popular discussion ongoing on the TV. It is about my status as Level 5. Seriously, please stop it.
If it just a simple news, I don't mind but with a forum, talk, discussion that about me, it's too terrifying. The information that revealed to public is only my name and name of my power. Despite of the lack of information, discussed about me since last night.
Suddenly, a loud noise could be heard. Then, I could hear 'SUUUUUUUUCH MISFORTUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUNEEEEEEEEEEE!' from my neighbour's room. What's happened? Even when he stayed at his room quietly, his misfortune could be invoked. What with that skill? Auto-Misfortune? [3]
I wore my school uniform. There's a remedial lesson today. I just transferred so there's many things that I don't know about, so I made the decision to join the lesson. Komoe-sensei also entrusted me with the task to bring Kamijou to class. The child-like teacher said if he was left alone he will arrive late or not arrive at all. I sighed.
I knocked on his door.
"Kamijou! Let's go to school!"
A voice could be heard behind the door.
"Y-Yuki? Oh, wait. I'll get ready."
After a few minutes, someone opened the door. It is a familiar-looking silver haired nun. Eh? What is she doing in Kamijou's room?
"Index?"
"Oh, it's Makoto!"
"Index, you know about Yuki?'
Kamijou appeared from the room.
"Yes! He is the person who gave some food to me other day."
Index gave a cheerful smile. Look like she still wears that white nun uniform. Is she not feeling hot wearing that in the summer? Wait! There is something different with her nun uniform.
"Index, why you are wearing those safety clips?"
Then, Index glared at Kamijou. He averted his eyes. Did something happen? Oh, I just remembered. I unlocked my room and came out with a plastic bag with food in it.
"Here. You must hungry, right? I had bought some snacks beforehand in case I meet you again."
"Wah! Thanks, Makoto."
Kamijou just complained 'You have eaten already' and sighed. Then, he asked Index a question.
"Ah erm… I have to go to school now. What do you want to do? If you want to stay here, I'll give you the key."
Index looked at Kamijou and let out a forced smile.
"…no need. I'm leaving."
After muttering that words, her face returned to that distressed look.
"Ah… erm… that…"
"Hmm? Don't think about it so much!" Index turned her head around and says, "I'm not leaving because I'm angry; it's just that if I continue to stay here, those people may come back. You don't want your room to be destroyed, right?"
Is Index still playing that game? But destroyed? I'm not sure that a group of kids can do that. Wait! This is city of espers, so it might just be possible.
"What's wrong Kamijou? "
He ignored me and instead continued to speak with Index. It feels like they're in their own little world. I feel bad for disturbing them so I'll just quietly listen to their conversation.
"No, I'm not talking about that! You… do you have any place to stay after you leave here? My house is safer. Do-do you want to stay here?
"I'd lure the 'enemies' here if I stayed. This clothing is called the [Walking Church]. It's maintained by magic. In other words, the enemy can use the magical signature of the [Walking Church] to locate me."
Walking Church? Magic? Emm, I really want someone to explain to me what they are talking about.
"Kamijou?"
"…Come to think of it, since your [Walking Church] was destroyed by my right hand, they shouldn't be able to track it anymore, right?"
I had been ignored by him again.
"They'll still know that my [Walking Church] was destroyed. Like I just said; The [Walking Church]'s defensive capabilities are Pope-class. In other words, it's just like a [Walking Fortress]… if I were an 'enemy', even if I didn't know why the [Walking Fortress] was destroyed, I definitely wouldn't let such an opportunity slip by, would you?"
I turned on my mp3 player while observing them. I adjusted the volume so I could hear their conversation and listen to the music at the same time.
"Hold on! That's even more reason to not let you go off by yourself! If there really is an 'enemy' chasing after you, how can I let you risk your life outside?"
Index was stunned with Kamijou's words.
"…you mean that even if I'm to descend into Hell, you'll accompany me there?"
She smiled a smile that leaves Kamijou speechless. A helpless smile. So, there is really something happened to her.
"Index…"
"Don't worry, it's not like I don't have companions. As long as I can escape to the Church, the people there will protect me."
Kamijou looked at his right hand.
"Oi! If you get into any trouble… come find me."
"Mn, I'll come back if I get hungry again."
Index revealed a smile like the morning glory. Then, she waved to us.
"Bye, Touma. Bye, Makoto."
Index walking toward the stairs and leaving us just like that. I turned around and asked Kamijou.
"So, can you explain what happened with Index?"
And Kamijou explained everything to me. About how he met that girl. The girl's identity. About she had been chased by someone. Magicians. 103,000 grimoires. Magic, huh?
"So, did you ask where she's going next?"
"That's awesome. You don't look surprised at all, Yuki."
Sorry, Kamijou. I had lived a 24 hour day with an extra hour between days. I had defeated a god-like being with my friends. So, comparing that to a different set of laws of supernatural power, this is trivial.
"I recall that she was going to a church that's affiliated to her organization."
"It's that so?"
Well, if she's going to be okay, so be it. I looked at Kamijou's right hand. Imagine Breaker. When that right hand comes into contact with any supernatural power, be it a large fireball or a tactical railgun, even a miracle of God, it can be dispelled. That's how Kamijou described his power. Hmm, I should test it to make sure.
Change Persona: Pixie
"Kamijou, give me your right hand a while."
Kamijou obediently lends his hand to me. Hmm, let see. How about we try to invoke an explosion skill? When I joked about that, his face instantly paled. I just try to invoke a simple healing skill.
"Dia."
A white light surrounded his right hand. Then, a creaking sound could be heard and the white light vanished. I see. That why Misaka really wants to defeat him.
"That's awesome. But Kamijou if what you're saying is the truth then, your terrible misfortune is just your power's by-product, right?"
Kamijou looked dejected with my statement.
"…Yes. Index also said the same thing… Such misfortune…"
Ugh. I feel bad for saying that to him.
Because Kamijou didn't pay attention in Komoe-sensei's class, he was detained until the normal dismissal time.
"…Such misfortune."
"…Honestly, what are you doing? I know you're worried but at least pay attention to her class."
"Ha, ha, ha. Sorry. So, why are you waiting for me?"
"It's nothing. I just didn't feel like going back early. Because of that, I could do some shopping at the underground mall."
Right now, we are walking down on a shopping street. We didn't manage to catch the bus in time. So, we had to walk to the dorm. Then, I could see a familiar tea-colored haired girl approaching Kamijou.
"Ah! Finally found you, you! Oi… hold up! Stop! I'm calling you! Hurry up and stop!"
"….."
Kamijou just ignored Misaka. Looks like he's still thinking.
"…Misaka."
"…Oh, Yuki-san. Why is he ignoring me?"
I let out a light laugh.
"He is thinking about something probably."
Kamijou just continued walking down through the street. He completely didn't realise that Misaka is calling him. Then, he turned around.
"…Ah… you again, the biri biri middle school student."
"Stop calling me 'Biri biri'! My name is Misaka Mikoto! Why haven't you remembered this? I remembered you called me 'Biri biri' since the first time we met!"
"I'm really curious about how you two met…"
"Sorry, Yuki. I don't want to recall that."
Eh? Is that terrible. Just what did you do Misaka? Kamijou just stared at the sky.
"The girl is staring at Kamijou. The girl was the Railgun girl from yesterday. This girl has a tough attitude and doesn't admit her loss, but she's really scared of being alone, and she's the leader of a group of animals."
"Stop designating people as weirdos!"
Ha, ha, ha. Who are you talking to now, Kamijou? Reader?
"Eh? What's up, Biri biri? Isn't it the 20th of July? Why are you still wearing your uniform?"
"Ugh…you…IGNORE THAT! JUST FIGHT ME!"
Misaka stamped hard on walkway. In that instant, the phones of the passer-bys let out a breaking sound. The cable televisions on the shopping streets were immediately cut off, and even the security robots let out a weird cracking sound.
"Humph! How's this? Does this clear your mind-Mmm…!"
Kamijou frantically used his hand to cover Misaka's mouth. Look like he is whispering something to her. After a few seconds, Kamijou heaved a sigh of relief. Emm… Kamijou. Misaka is suffocating from your hand.
"-Alert, Alert! Error Number 100231-YF. Detected an offensive electromagnetic wave that defiles the laws of electromagnetism. Confirming system abnormality. May be an electrical terrorist attack; please don't use any electronic equipment."
The metal cylinder let out a code that no one seems to understand. I can sense danger approaching. The next moment, it lets out a loud and shrill siren.
"Kamijou! Misaka!"
Those two looked at me. Then, I smiled.
"Stay strong, you two."
I dashed from that place quickly. Sorry.
"Ah, Yuki! You're traitor!"
"Yuki-san!"
Those two were running while avoiding the security robots. I could hear Kamijou shouting to Misaka.
"Uuu… SUUUUUCH MISFOTUUUUUUNE! ALL BECAUSE I GOT INVOLVED WITH THIS SORT OF PERSON!"
"STOP CALLING ME 'THAT KIND OF PERSON' MY NAME IS MISAKA MIKOTO!"
The last time I had seen them running into some alley.
After I escaped, I went to a café at District 7. That café had a neat and calm atmosphere. I ordered some coffee and 5 pieces of cakes. They made really delicious cake. I'd love to visit this café again. But not with this kind of situation.
My companion quietly sipped her coffee. Her tea-colored hair fluttered by the wind. Misaka just stared at the sign on her right side.
I didn't know how but when I leisurely ate the cakes and drank the coffee, she appeared in the cafe. She found me and sat the seat in front of me. She didn't muttered a word since then.
"Err, Misaka?"
"..."
"I'm sorry."
"..."
Ah, no good. She doesn't want to answer. What am I going to do? Or is she actually daydreaming? I tried shaking her shoulder.
"Misaka!"
Then, she looked at me.
"Yuki-san, what's wrong?"
"I just wondering if you are mad at me for leaving you earlier."
She chuckled a bit then spoke to me.
"It's okay. I didn't mind at all. I have done that to my friends many times."
"..."
Okay. We conversed finally but this awkward atmosphere isn't disappearing soon. Actually, what's happened to her? She looked so down. I just continued to sip my coffee. After a few minutes, she started a conversation.
"Yuki...-san. Is that idiot is really strong?"
Then, she told me what happened when I left her with Kamijou. When she arrived at a valley, she challenged Kamijou again. Kamijou threatened her that he will battle her seriously. Misaka who felt intimidated by Kamijou's threats, just left Kamijou alone and came to this café by herself.
Ha, ha, ha. You're good, Kamijou. You used Misaka's lack of information of you to your advantage. Well, it couldn't be helped if she believed that. She didn't know what Imagine Breaker is.
"No, no. He is just bluffing!"
She looked unconvinced. Well, of course I can't tell her what his power. It not really a secret but I don't feel that she will believe me either.
"Actually, Misaka. I really meant to ask for a while but why exactly are you always challenging Kamijou?"
Misaka was silent for awhile. Then, she spoke. "Initially, when I came to Academy City, I was a Level 1. I had worked very hard to achieve Level 5. So, I can't forgive someone who claiming he is weaker than me but can dodge my attacks. It's like my hard work is denied."
So, Misaka is a Level 1 a long time ago. I wonder how long it takes her to reach Level 5. Three years? Four years? But Misaka even with how much you practiced, I doubt you can beat that unless Kamijou is in a disadvantaged situation for him. The right hand even can negate the God's miracles as claimed by Kamijou.
Seeing my silenced reaction, she continued to speak.
"Yuki-san, how can you be that strong? I could see you reflected my attack with ease."
What I am going to say? If I tell her the truth 'I used a skill', I am sure that she will be confused.
"I just got lucky. Honestly, it was a gamble. When I stood in front of Kamijou to block your attack, I felt afraid a bit. What if I failed to reflect this attack? What's going to happen to me? I am not strong as I was in the past. But I cleared all of my doubts, just to save the first friend I made in this city.
I am not a strong person. I'm confident if I have to duel you in a battle, I will lose if it's strictly with electricity. When I have an advantage towards something, I most likely will have a disadvantage towards something."
Misaka just stared at me with her shocked face.
"Yuki-san, what are you doing!? You just revealed your weakness to me, a fellow Level 5."
"It's okay. I trust you, Misaka."
"To trust someone who you just met yesterday and also in the worst condition so easily... Yuki-san, are you an idiot?"
"Ha, ha, ha. I'd like to say the same thing to someone who just revealed their situation to me just now..."
Misaka's face looked like she just realized what I said.
"That didn't count! I was just going through with the flow."
Then, we just laughed together. Misaka just looked at me and smiled.
"Thanks, Yuki-san. I feel alot better now."
To you who had endured universe and yet resolved for another chance,
We of the Strength Arcana give to you our blessing.
"You are welcome, Misaka."
When I arrived at the dormitory, the sky was already dark. But what is weird with the situation is, none of lights were turned on. Of course, the majority of the residents in this dormitory were back to their respective homes because of the summer vacation. But even Kamijou and Tsuchimikado's room were dark.
What happened? Did Misaka call forth a large lightning like last night again? Or are they all partying somewhere together?
I just head upstairs. When I arrived at the 7th Level, I could see a boy with spiky hair clutching his fist and a man wearing a black priest robe with a barcode below his right eye.
"Kamijou? Who's that? Your friend?"
"Yuki... That man is a magician." Kamijou pointed his finger towards the bloody Index. "He did that to Index."
I looked at the body. Even now, the blood flowed out from her tiny body.
That priest-look a like magician looked at me with unbelievable face that sighed.
"I thought this boy was an exception but another one has shown up. Were espers successful in developing way to avoid the people clearing spell? Oh, well. The thing that I have to do is unchanged."
"What did you do to her!?"
The magician looked at us then continued.
"My name is Stiyl Magnus. But at this moment, I should call myself Fortis931…"
The magician seems unmoved as he just slightly smiles, shaking that cigarette.
"That's my magic name. For some reason, when we magicians use magic, we're forbidden to use our real names. This is an ancient tradition, so I don't know the reason exactly…"
The magician stopped for a while then continued.
"'Fortis'—when this word is translated to Japanese, it means 'strong'. However, what's important is that between magicians, shouting a magic name doesn't just mean we're about to use magic, it even means…"
The magician's smile didn't disappear even when Kamijou was approaching him.
"…A killing name."
The magician Stiyl Magnus pulled out the cigarette from his mouth as he flicked it aside with his fingers. An orange line followed the trail of smoke, hitting the wall and letting out sparks. It seemed that he started to whisper something.
"Kenaz (oh flames)-"
The orange line exploded. The temperature was gradually increasing. The paint on the walls turned black. There's no need to touch it, one can just look and feel like their eyes are going to be burned.
I looked at Kamijou who was raising his hands to protect himself. He looked hesitant. I know he has doubts that his right hand works on magic. I placed my right hand on his shoulder.
"It's okay. We will get out through this and make that magician pay for doing that to Index."
Kamijou nodded then shifted his attention toward the magician.
That attack is fire-based. I quickly changed to appropriate Persona. Kamijou readied his right hand.
Change Persona: Pyro Jack
"-Purisaz Naupiz Gebo (Grant the gift of the giant's suffering)!"
Before it touches Kamijou, the flame sword loses its form and everything around exploded as if it's a volcanic eruption. I just took all of the heat, flash, explosions, and smoke like nothing. Kamijou's right hand can't take this after all. That right hand destroyed the flame sword, so it's my turn to take the rest.
I could hear the magician mutter to himself.
"Did I overdo it a little?"
The magician sighed again. I looked at the fire wall in front of me. In a few seconds, all of the fire will be cleared.
"Sorry for bothering you, but you two failed. Looking at your standard, it seems like you two can't beat me even if we fought 1000 times."
"Ha, ha, ha. Who says that… we can't beat you?"
All of the fire dispersed finally. I looked at the shocked face of the magician and smiled. Kamijou was standing behind me and readied his fist.
"…Really, that's right, what was I afraid of-"
Kamijou irritatedly twisted his lips as he muttered to himself.
"-Wasn't this right hand the one that destroyed Index's [Walking Church]?"
Whatever supernatural power it is, this right hand never fails to neglect it. So, magic is a type of supernatural power. The magician in front of him is starting to show fear like a normal human, probably due to this unexpected result.
I just leave it to Kamijou temporarily. Even for me, absorbing so much fire is too much. But weird, my stomach filed. Am I absorbing the fire or eating the fire? Kamijou started to proceed forward.
With the right fist that's clenched hard like a rock, Kamijou slowly moves towards Stiyl, taking a step forward. Stiyl created new flame sword and swing toward Kamijou. This time it not exploded but Kamijou smacked the flame sword away as if he's shooing a fly away. It was breaking apart like glass and just disappeared.
Kamijou had shortened his distance with Stiyl when he was still thinking. Only more step and within range for a punch. He started to chant something.
"…MTWOFFTO (One of the five elements that build the earth), IIGOIIF (o great creator of flames)…"
Kamijou raised his fist in the air. I could feel that hot air was gathering in front of Kamijou. I went to approach him. Look like my turn is up.
Change Persona: Sati
"IIBOL (The light of salvation that gives birth to life), AIIAOE (the light of judgement that punishes evildoers)… IIMH (While bringing peace and stability at the same time), AIIBOD (it also destroys the cold and dark misfortune)… IIZF (Fire is the name), IIMS (Sword is the title)! (Show yourself), MMBOP (Swallow thyself, turn it into power)-!"
Umm, can you please speed up your chanting? It's too long! Huh. I feel sleepy. Can we just end here? Well, it is not the time for a joke. Part of Stiyl's priest robes started to part, and an inner force caused the buttons to pop out. Just what spell is he chanting now?
BOOM! A huge explosion can be heard. A giant fireball flied out from inside his coat. Also, it's not an ordinary fireball.
At the centre of that fireball, there's a core that looked human and this ever-burning core is too dark in colour.
This I found out later but that fire being's name is 'Innocentius', the intention 'to kill'.
I went in front of Innocentius and held that being with my bare hand. Stiyl looked shocked. His face looked like he wants to say, 'who is this person?' Oi, I was here since the beginning.
"Kamijou!"
"Okay. Thanks, Yuki!"
Kamijou swing a punch toward the giant flame god. The Innocentius scattered on the floor in puddles, as if a needle was used to piece through a water ball.
We had crushed his trump card! Finish him, Kamijou! However, Kamijou didn't take a step forward. I looked at the magician's face. What's happening? We just destroyed his trump card so, why he still smiling? Or-
Kamijou took a step back. At that moment, the black foam gathered around from all over the place, and reformed back into a humanoid shape. Damn it, auto-regeneration. If this keeps happening how we are going to beat this thing? Just how much it life does it have? Or is this thing immortal?
The oil in the flames started to move and changed shapes and finally, it took form of a giant wielding a dual-handed sword. No, that's not a sword, that is suitable to be called a giant Cross that can easily crush anyone to death.
Innocentius raised the cross and slammed it down onto Kamijou's head. Kamijou immediately used his right hand to block. The Cross and the right hand collided. This time, the giant didn't vanish. It's auto-regeneration speed suppressed Imagine Breaker's neglecting speed. If this continued, Kamijou's life will be in danger.
"Kamijou, fall back! Let me deal with this!"
"I don't know what happened but please!"
I punched the giant with my bare fist. Luckily, I had raised my Str status high enough to push back Innocentius. It raised the cross to attack me. I avoided the attack by using Trafuri and teleported over the thing and kicked it. I continued to use Trafuri as I attacked Innocentius. My SP is continuously be drained.
However, I could not deal any damage to it. I couldn't use my Persona's skills because I only can use fire skills right now. I clicked my tongue. This thing is immortal after all... No, wait. There's no such being in the world. Even the messenger of Nyx is not immortal. What I can think of is it has a limited immortality. I might be able to deal damage to Innocentius under certain conditions. I have to find out what is that conditions are.
"-Rune…"
A someone's voice…? Look like Kamijou noticed it too.
"-The 24 runes which symbolises 'mysteries' and 'secrets' …the Germanic people started to use magic language ever since the 2nd century AD. It's said that was the origin of English."
Runes? Origin of English? Wait, I know this voice, but no way… How she can talk calmly with such condition?
"-It's ineffective to attack 'Innocentius' head on. Without removing the 'rune seals' on the walls, floor, ceilings and all sorts of places, it will continue to regenerate."
If that is true then, the origin of Innocentius's auto regeneration are from the runes that are located in places around this building. But how does she know about it? I looked at the girl. The girl's still lying down there with emotionless eyes like a robot. With every word that girl said, the wound continued to bleed. Kamijou tried to ask her.
"You… you… you're Index, right?"
"Yes. I'm the magical library that's affiliated to sector 0 of the English Anglicans 'Necessarius'. My proper name is Index Librorum Prohibitorum but just calling me Index would be fine."
She is a human-shaped magical library, huh? I also wondered how she kept 103,000 grimoires when Kamijou explained it to me but from this situation I can guess how… The grimoires are literally with Index in her memories. Kamijou looked terrified with her.
I reviewed back the conditions that revealed by Index. Runes that located somewhere in this building. We have to remove runes to stop Innocentius's auto-regeneration or we can't damage it at all. The one who suitable to do this is…
"…Kamijou, search for runes and do something about them! I will deal with this thing! I'm counting on you!"
"Alright, Yuki!"
"Do you think I will allow him escape so easily?"
"Let's find out."
Then, Stiyl started chanting.
"Ash to Ash…"
Behind the giant flame god, Stiyl created a flame sword with his right hand.
"Dust to Dust…"
A whitish-blue flame sword appeared on Stiyl's left hand, not a single sound was made.
"…Squeamish Bloody Road!"
The swords cut in horizontally from both sides, as if it's trying to cut Kamijou together with the giant flame god like a pair of scissors. And an explosion occurred.
Kamijou succeeded in escaping from the explosion by using his right hand and jumping over the railings. Stiyl frantically summoned the flame god again.
"Innocentius!"
The surrounding flames again gathered back into a humanoid shape, trying to follow Kamijou. I use Trafuri to teleport in front of it then kicked it forward.
"Your opponent is me!"
"Tch!"
Innocentius turned around and started to attack me with its cross. Then, Stiyl smiled. Why?
"However…that's alright. He escaped. So, what? He can't do it. He won't able to destroy all the runes in this building."
After a few seconds, I could hear Kamijou shouting.
"DAMN IT! WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?"
I just smiled to Stiyl.
"W-Why are you still smiling?! You're in a hopeless situation! There's no way can you escape from this."
I chuckled a bit.
"Let me ask the same question: So what? Do you think I will give up? I trusted Kamijou to find a way to destroy your runes. He trusted me to deal with you and your flame god. That's enough for me. We will win even overwhelming odds against us with our bonds!"
So, what I am going to do? Based on Index, the runes is the source of Innocentius's auto-regeneration. But thinking backwards, the runes will not activate if Stiyl isn't chanting that spell. It's simple logic actually. If Stiyl is rendered unconscious, the runes will become inactive and Innocentius will be vulnerable to my attack.
I used Trafuri to teleport in front of him. I hold out my hand toward him and…
"Maragi!"
5 ball of flames appeared in the air and attack Stiyl. He successfully avoided two of them but he couldn't do anything to another three. He screamed in pain.
"Agilao!"
A single larger fireball appeared and quickly attacked him.
"W-What? What are you trying to do?!"
"Hey, magician. When you created that wall of flame in the beginning, I wondered why you didn't cross the fire and take Index. If you did so, you might have avoided this continuous battle." He looked surprised. I just continued. "For a magician that uses fire as his power, he isn't really immune to fire, huh. He, he, he."
What with his-or-my attitude!? No, that's not mine. It is Sati's!
"A-A monster."
"What are you saying now? You are in Academy City where most of the esper population gathered. In conclusion, the gathering place for unnatural people. I don't know much about your 'magic' but when you had called flame swords with your spell and a fiery god with killing intent to fight for you, you still have the guts to call yourself a normal human?"
At the same time, all the fire alarms inside the building rang at the same time.
A fire alarm? But-? Oh, you are genius, Kamijou.
The Innocentius vanished.
'DING', a microwave oven like sound can be heard from behind. A rattling sound could be heard from behind and elevator doors are opened. I looked at the person inside the elevator and smiled.
Kamijou Touma was standing there.
And to top it all, revealing a peerless expression.
"…This rune, it has to be 'carved' onto the walls and floors, right?" Kamijou smiled. "You're good. If your runes were carved into the walls by using a knife, I wouldn't have a chance of winning."
It can be assumed that Stiyl carved those ten thousands of runes through usage of papers. Once the paper touches water, it becomes limp. Even if he used a high quality paper, the ink will run off when the paper's wet.
"-INNOCENTIUS!"
But once Stiyl shouted this, the giant flame god gathered again and formed into humanoid shape again.
I decide to take action.
Change Persona : High Pixie
"Mabufu!"
Multiple tornado that composed by the cold winds surrounded Innocentius and froze it.
"Thanks, Yuki."
Kamijou smashed the frozen Innocentius into pieces. The magician's face looked terrified. Innocentius which scattered all over, didn't revive.
"INNOCENTIUS…!"
"And right now, all that's left is…"
Kamijou's feet took a step forward.
"INNOCENTIUS… INNOCENTIUS…!"
Kamijou Touma's feet were now dashing towards Stiyl Magnus like a bullet.
"Ash to Ash…! Dust to Dust! Squeamish Bloody Road!"
Now Stiyl started to cry out, but forget about the giant flame god, even the flame swords won't appear. He clashed his fist. Finish him off, Kamijou. Finish that bastard.
Kamijou buried his fist into the magician's face. The magician's body span about in mid-air and his head hit the metal railings.
I walked toward Index.
Change Persona: Sati
"Diarama."
A warm and calm white light appeared from my right hand and engulfed Index. The medium-sized wounds stopped bleeding and the light bruises healed up. The larger wounds didn't stop bleeding. Just as I went to heal the larger wounds, the light vanished.
"I guess I run out of SP, huh?" I whispered slowly.
" Yuki, what are you doing?"
"I'm using my healing skill to give Index some first aid but look like I run out of e... ner... gy."
"Yuki!"
I smiled.
"Don't worry. I'm just tired. Please take Index to a safe place."
Kamijou looked at me.
"Please..."
"Okay, I understand. I will. I promise."
He carried the girl's lifeless body and went downstairs.
My vision was blurred slowly then I fell unconscious.
I sighed. Huh, I am tired. I don't believe that I spent that much time searching for one person. Well, it's vacation after all.
I just realized that the only information that I have about Yuki-senpai are his name and his affiliated school.
When I went to his school hoping for his presence at there, I asked a blue- haired student with piercings and a blond haired student with Hawaiian shirt beneath his school uniform about his whereabouts but no avail. They just laughed and I was ignored by them. I eventually learned that he was loitering at the underground mall. I went there also, but I didn't find him. I ended up eating at some nice café before there was some commotion by security robots.
I wanted to ask about his powers actually. Well, I also heard about his status as Level 5. As expected from him.
Firefighters and ambulances arrived at a student dormitory in District 7. I looked at the people whose gathered in front of the dormitory. I spotted someone familiar.
"Misaka-senpai!"
"Natsukawa-san."
"What's happened, senpai?"
"I don't know. I also want to know. Forget about that. What are you doing here, Natsukawa-san? You're going to break the curfew, you know?"
"W-well... "
I averted my eyes. I can't say. I can't say that I was searching for Yuki-senpai for half a day.
"... Senpai too, what are you doing here this late?"
"N-Nothing... "
She also averted my eyes. Hmm...
Then, I could hear a familiar voice shouting.
"ONEE-SAMAAA!" Shirai-san appeared suddenly in front of Misaka-senpai and hugged her. Amazing. Well, she is a teleporter after all.
"K-Kuroko. Why are you here? Judgment work?"
That's amazing. She doesn't flinch at all.
"Yes. So, why are Natsukawa and Onee-sama are here?"
"W-We just passing by here and saw that people are gathering here for unknown reasons. What actually happened here, Shirai-san?"
"It looked like a student was attacked by someone. Looks like the attacker is a kind of esper too. But weird thing is that student doesn't have any injuries at all. We haven't confirmed the student's identity. "
I curiously asked her. "There's not even any slight bruises?"
"No."
"That's amazing."
From the dormitory, two peoples were carrying a stretcher with that student's unconscious body. Then, my heart stopped. The student is familiar to me. In fact, he is the one who I was searching for today. Misaka-senpai looked shocked too.
"Yuki-senpai!", "Yuki-san!"
"Onee-sama and Natsukawa know this person?!"
I ignored Shirai-san and approached the peoples who carried Yuki-senpai.
"What's wrong, miss? Do you know this student?"
"Yes, he is..."
Misaka-senpai appeared behind me.
"...our friend."
That person talked to his colleague and asked us.
"If you don't mind, would you please follow me you two?"
Social Link
Fortune, Kamijou Touma – Level 1
Lovers, Natsukawa Harumi – Level 1
Priestess, Index Librorum Prohibitorum – Level 1
Magician, Aogami Pierce – Level 1
Strength, Misaka Mikoto - Level 1
Next Chapter
Chapter 3: Friendship is not a Fragile Thing.
YOU_or_HER_wish.
Next Between The Lines Chapter
Between The Lines 2: SEES
Author Notes
Hi, I'm Miracutor. How do you do? Finally, this chapter is published successfully.
If someone noticed, this chapter title was changed than the title in preview last chapter.
For now I will answer generally the questions in the review.
Why Makoto is called 'Omnipotent'?
If you take a look on the profile that featured in BTL SEES 1 (formerly on Chapter 1), there are many information restrictions about his power. If the restrictions are released that will describe well why he called Omnipotent.
The test System Scan in Chapter 1 is only one of the tests. There are many test before System Scan Result can be issued.
There's also a device that still existed in this timeline of story that can calculate well his powers. I'm not saying what is the device.
I want [character] to be have a Social Link!
There are some characters that I planned to have it. Some reviewer guessed it right for some characters. Although I can't exactly give all the characters a Social Link.
For this chapter, I honestly sorry because of lateness.
Sorry for my random incorrect food trivia I don't know if it's right or not. In this chapter, we meet Stiyl as an antagonist.
The battle scene is not my specialty so sorry if it seems unlogical. Emm, I don't really have to comment, am I?
Thank you for my beta reader, FoolsandTools. Your work is magnificent! Thank you also for readers and reviewers.
Well, for the next chapter is a Between The Lines chapter so it's more short than usual.
Until we meet again!
Miracutor.
And please review too.