Hello again Readers welcome to another chap of LoCG. How are you all? Last time we ended on Index getting a bit of a stomach ache… heh. Glad to see people liked that cliff hanger Anyways reviews!
5had0wHand:{It was something I felt just looked cool while also fitting in with the way I set things up. So I agree it was pretty badass when I wrote it.
Touma being a fairy-tale princess… yeah admit it we've all imagined it once or twice
Actually happy you took note of that, It wasn't dwelt upon but that reallyy is a gut punch for Accelerator.
Alliances are tenuous at best here, and based on the personalities. I felt it was how it'd go, they are only working together cause they have literally no other option other than reality ending up Index's midnight snack.
Important but subtle details, this is Uiharu if she sees the darkness she's not telling. Yeah… you are… sorry, not sure how well Kamigino would work.
Nice reference to ACUL0.
Heh, well Baobhan Sith and Galistic are much much more niche.
Elizard will do as Elizard does… take names… kick ass… and complain about not needing to go on death defying quests.
Hey, Ollerus pressed the Othi-button he's kinda asking for it.
You will see…you will see eventually}
Whwsms:{You'd be hard pressed to find another explanation. Hey, I called this Library of Consumed Gods. I was damn sure gonna do my best to deliver exactly that!}
Fencer29:{I know right? Looks like she ate something that doesn't agree with her}
Princegeoge:{Glad you liked it and you'll see….. But first we need to see how Touma got to that point…. SUUUCKKKEEERRRSSS! Okay I'm not that kind of guy to be an ass. But glad you're feeling the suspense}
Remember Constructive Criticism is both Encouraged and Desired. With that out of the way, we saw the pieces placed for the chains of the devourer.
But what's been going on inside the Library's doors? Let this tale of an infinity commence once more.
Chapter 44
Suspicion in the Library
Kamijou walked slowly back to his dorm room. Index skipping ahead and pausing every so often to make sure he was behind her. They had just left Seventh Mist, and Kamijou could not help but feel nervous around Index. He didn't know how long she had been doing it. Or why, but somehow, Index had been manipulating the minds and behavior of others.
The only thing connecting them being how Index's eyes would become purple whenever she did so.
"Touma! Touma!" Index shouted back at Kamijou waving her hand. "Can we get a crépe?" she asked, pointing to a crépe stand.
Quickly checking his wallet Kamijou shrugged "I guess" he said. Index's eyes lit up happily and Kamijou genuinely smiled. She may have been manipulating the world around her. But Kamijou still wanted to protect her smile. He did however want to know why she was manipulating the minds of others.
He bought Index and himself a crépe each and was about to ask Index why she had been manipulating people's minds when he recalled last night.
"could you sleep with me tonight?"
'Didn't… her eyes turn purple when I denied her?' Kamijou realized 'Did she really force me to sleep with her!?' He broke out into a cold sweat, he had no clue why Index would do that. But if that was true, then he couldn't risk Index finding out he knew she was manipulating people.
"Touma, you're thinking again aren't you?" Index's voice cut through his thoughts. He realized he had only taken three bites out of his crépe before pausing and started starring.
"Ah!, It's.. nothing to worry about Index, just this is the first time I've never had to worry about my fiance Issues." Kamijou flashed Index a smile. She giggled and grabbed his arm pulling him along.
"Touma Touma! Come on, let's go to the arcade!" the young nun said
"I don't see an issue, but let's drop off your outfits first," Kamijou said. If he was gonna figure out what was going on, he needed to keep Index happy.
...
After dropping the bags at the dorm room. The two of them entered the arcade and Kamijou got Index hooked on a Dance game. With her perfect memory she'd be distracted for a while trying to get the highest score. In the meanwhile Kamijou played a fighting game he knew well.
This gave him time to think 'Thinking back on today, Index manipulated those thugs too didn't she?' Kamijou frowned as he made a 5 hit combo on his opponent 'That explains why they attacked me last night. And why Trick and his gang didn't attack me.' A swear came from a nearby machine as Kamijou pulled off a finisher on his opponent winning the round.
'What else was there?' Kamijou wracked his brain as he achieved a 15 hit combo finisher. A swear and shout came from the nearby machine. Why was it so hard to figure out? It was almost as if something didn't want him to figure out who Index had manipulated. 'I swear there was someone else, but wh-' However a tap on his shoulder cut his thought short.
Turning around Kamijou saw an exceedingly displeased girl with long tea colored hair and a strained smile. "Can I help you?" he asked her.
"Three...fucking times" she said causing Kamijou to look confused. "You just fucking beat me three fucking times you little shit! Don't you know who I am!?"
Kamijou blinked but then understood "Ooh.. sorry didn't know that was you. But, is it really something to get worked up over?" he asked her, tilting his head.
"It's about my fucking pride you little shit!" She shouted, shooting a beam of energy at Kamijou. He instinctively held up his hand, negating it. This only seemed to piss off the girl more and she snarled. "The fuck did you just do? What level are you!?"
Kamijou tilted his head "0" he answered.
This just caused the girl to roar in anger as she fired five more beams of energy. Kamijou blocked three and the other two destroyed the surrounding arcade machines. "You honestly expect me to believe you after you took my Meltdowner head on!?" She growled out. "Don't fucking lie to me you little shit!"
Kamijou slightly panicked and looked around. Index was frozen, staring at the smoldering wreck of the dance machine. He honestly wouldn't mind if she manipulated the girl attacking him right now.
"Don't blame me! That's just how I am listed! Just ask anyone!" Kamijou shouted back.
The girl merley produced 6 spheres of energy and sneered. "Oh? And why would that be?" she asked. She raised one of the spheres and was about to fire it when.
"Mugino! Why are you trying to kill boss!?" Hamazura shouted as he ran out from behind one of the smoldering arcade games.
Mugino's eye twitched, but Kamijou noticed she had paused. Her demeanor instantly changed. "You know this little shit Hamaaazuraaa?" she asked, smiling unsettlingly.
Hamazura shifted uncomfortably before nodding. "I met him before I joined ITEM, he's actually kinda the reason I did."
This caught Mugino's attention and she lowered the sphere, the other 5 vanishing along with it. "Really now? Did you know he could fucking negate my meltdowner?" she asked.
Hamazura shook his head "nope, he never used an ability during our fight. It was well.. A slugfest between level 0's" Hamazura smiled "He kinda saved me actually"
Mugino sighed "You!" she looked at Touma who jumped. "Explain yourself"
Kamijou instantly stood up straight "Yes!" before pausing and scratching the back of his head. "Or… I would, but I really don't get it myself. My right hand holds something called Imagine Breaker. It's not an esper ability and I've had it my whole life." Kamijou began, he noticed Index walked over to his side. Her eyes were shadowed which made him nervous. As it meant he couldn't tell if her eyes were green or purple. "It negates any form of the supernatural"
Mugino raised an eyebrow "Had I not seen you negate my ability, I'd have thought you were crazy" she began "but that makes sense, It'd negate your AIM as well. And since Esper powers are measured using AIM of course you'd be classified as a level 0" she held her finger to her chin. "But that still feels fishy, anyone with an ounce of intelligence would realize something was off. And they'd be able to figure out what it does, there would be no reason to keep it classified as a level 0 ability." Her eyes widened slightly. "Unless"
"You broke it" Index said, causing all three to turn to her. "You broke my game" She looked up pouting "I was just about to get the high score!" she then growled. "You broke it trying to hurt Touma!" Kamijou felt fear as he saw her eyes become purple. "You should leave Touma Alone!" her eyes slowly became green again.
Kamijou quickly looked at Mugino who snickered and laughed. "Alright then girl! I'll leave your boyfriend alone. Besides" she turned around "I need to look into something" her tone became serious as she left.
Hamazura's eyes were wide and he looked between Mugino and Index. "What… jus-"
But he must have seen the look in Kamijou's eyes because Hamaura paused.
"I'll check up on her, she might blow something up to relieve the stress." Hamazura said before running after Mugno.
Kamijou felt sweat trickle down his brow. what happened there had allowed him to remember something. 'Didn't she say something similar to Misaka?'
"Touma, let's go get something to eat" Index's voice nearly caused Kamijou to jump. But he managed to keep it under control.
"Alright Index" he said, his heart beating quickly. 'She's powerful enough to manipulate level fives?' something about that statement felt off. 'Why does that sound like an underestimate?.' He and Index headed off towards Josephs as he thought. 'Whatever the case, I need to find a way to get Index to allow me to check up on Misaka. If she manipulated her, who knows what Index could have made her do.'
Index walked ahead of Kamijou "I hope we can enjoy the meal without interruptions, don't you Touma?" Index said without turning around.
Kamijou gulped slightly, he couldn't see her eyes so he didn't know if they were purple. But, he saw an opportunity "I wouldn't mind seeing Misaka, she seemed upset. I really wish I could figure out why so I could help her." Kamijou said with a worried look on his face.
Index gave him a backward glance, the look on his face caused her to frown. "Hmph! I don't like short hair." she paused "But, if you want to check on her to make sure she's fine..." She went silent a moment, "I wouldn't mind, that's what makes you Touma"
Kamijou couldn't see Index's eyes, but he knew they had been purple. He could just feel it 'Now I can talk to Misaka, maybe I'll figure out what's going on.'
They entered Josephs and were able to have a meal. Oddly Kamijou swore Index had spent more time staring at him than she did eating. It made him really uncomfortable, especially how she looked at him.
She'd hold her head in her hands as she stared, smiling at him as he ate. She'd even giggle every-so often before going back to eating. But not before stealing a quick glance or two at Kamijou.
'Surely she can't be interested in me like that!' Kamijou had thought to himself. 'First she's a nun she can't have those kinds of relationships, and second.' Once more Kamijou denied the possibility of a girl liking him. 'I'm not lucky enough for any kind of girl to fall for me!'
They finished their meals and went around the city for a while longer until the sun began to set. As they approached Kamijou's dorm, he noticed the bedroom light on. He held his hand in front of Index causing her to stop.
"What is it, Touma?" she asked, in response Kamijou pointed to the dorm. "Someone's in there?" she narrowed her eyes.
"Stay behind me Index" Kamijou said, she nodded and they made their way up the stairs.
Peeking his head around the corner, Kamijou looked down the hall towards his dorm.
Lying asleep, back against his door, a smile on her face as she held a Nodachi next to her. Was none other than Kanzaki Kaori, she was holding her free hand to her chest. She appeared peaceful, Kamijou shook his head as he smiled and approached.
The sound of cooking and the smell of curry entered his nose and he looked puzzled. Shaking Kanzaki slightly, he spoke to the saint. "Hey I didn't know you were here, why are you cooking?"
Kanzaki's eyes flew open and her face became red upon seeing Touma. She had been caught sleeping outside his door like a guard dog. She leapt to her feet and tripped backwards falling onto her ass. Covering her face she muttered "Oh no! I fell asleep! How can I repay my debt if I fall asleep outside the room of the person I'm meant to be protecting?" She sounded almost close to tears so Kamijou scratched his chin.
"Um, I'm not sure what you're going on about Kanzaki, but does that mean you're not the one cooking?" He asked the saint. Who's shoulders jumped when addressed.
She shook her head "N-no… Itsuwa's the one cooking"
Kamijou's eyes widened as he recognized the scent of the curry. "Oh… What happened? If you're both here, something bad must be going on!" Kamijou immediately prepared himself to be lectured. Whatever reason the anglican church had sent both Itsuwa and a saint for. It had to be bad, and exceedingly dangerous, saints were the equivalent of nuclear warheads on the magic side after all.
Index walked over to Kanzaki "Kaori!" She leapt over and hugged the saint who returned the hug before turning to Kamijou.
"W-what?! No! Kamijou Touma" Kanzaki said, utterly baffling Kamijou. "The Anglican church Just felt they needed to repay you for all you've done." She shifted nervously "A-And I happened to be in debt to you s-so…." She went Silent her face becoming bright red.
Index narrowed her eyes "Sooo, Kaori?" she asked.
Kanzaki Swallowed "I..I volunteered to be Kamijou-Touma's personal..b..b..body-guard." It seemed to have taken all her effort to say that as Kanzaki instantly covered her head in embarrassment. "Oh-god! That stupid Spy is getting to my head!" She started slamming her head against the wall. Which caused cracks to start forming in the concrete structure.
In order to stop the saint from accidentally tearing down the building. Kamijou desperately said "I appreciate the offer really, but I've never done anything to earn such an honor!"
"Oh, but me and the Priestess Insist Kamijou-san!" Itsuwa's voice came from behind Kamijou. He had no clue when the door was opened but she was right behind him. "I offered to help with your housework as well. Taking care of Index must have been hard on you so this is the least we could do."
As Kamijou found himself stuck between a Saint, Grimoire-library, and an Amakusa Magician. While he was also still trying to figure out how many people Index had manipulated. He had only one thing to say, one thing that perfectly summed up the situation.
"Fukouuuuudaaaaa!"
