Author's note

Another late update. Though this time it was both of my problem IRL and choosing what to do with this chapter. Follow canon? Curb-stomp Styil? Add Kanzaki to the mix? Or Something else entirely? So many to choose from…

But Like I said before, I suck at fighting scene. While I have the idea, make a wording to describe it is so hard. In the end I don't really satisfied with this chapter If I have to say... But I can't think of any better! Dammit!

XXXXX

July 20, in front of Touma's room, Evening

"You asking if I'm the one responsible to that?" The red-head magician pointed at the injured Index lying on the floor. "Well.. the correct answer is 'No'. That was my partner's doing. Though it was kind of accident, she didn't expected her attack to really work though."

"What? You're telling your partner didn't really intend to attack Index and she end up hurt this much! Is she an amateur or something!?" Yelled Emi.

"Hey, don't be that angry. And Kanzaki is an expert. It can't be help though since she can't even imagined the situation that 'Walking church' was already destroyed beforehand. Normally unless she put a lot of effort, and I mean a LOT, she can't even leave a scratch on it. Only attack at least on the same level of 'Saint George's dragon' will be able to destroy it. That was one of strongest defense magic in this world. I really wonder how anyone manage to destroy it…"

"Cut the crap!" Touma cut in. "I don't understand what magician like you're thinking, but you must be crazy if you think hurting a small girl this much is a right thing to do!"

"Like I said before, that was Kanzaki's doing, not mine." Replied back the magician with a nonchalant tone. "Hurt or not, we have to bring that back anyway."

Emi brow tighten. "You're not even refer to her at human, and just call her 'that'."

"Ah… that was your own misunderstanding, well, half of it. What we have to bring back is not really the girl, but 103000 grimoire that she kept with her."

"103000? Kept with her?" Emi blurt out, and looked back at lying Index and wonder where she can kept that much book with her. Maybe some kind of ability resemble pocket space like Gate of Babylons?

"Yes, 103000 books. Some are dangerous enough that reading it the wrong way it enough to cause many bad things to happen. Which it why we come to receive it back."

"Where the hell is it then, those grimoires you talking about!?" Touma ask in anger.

The red hair magician chuckle a bit before reply back. "It is inside her head, more precisely, recorded in her brain with her perfect memories. You could even say that she is the most knowledgeable person regarding magic in this world"

Hearing that, Emi looked at Index with different eyes by reflex.

"Fortunately, the girl herself can't use most of them or else she would be count as dangerous already. Though in that case, I'm pretty sure the higher up already put some stopper in ready for it. Anyway, that is why we have to put that under our protection before any bad peoples manage to capture it."

"Pro…tection?" Touma can hardly form a word. He can't understand the logic of what magician said at all.

"…" Emi on the other hand quite understand what he said. Simply said, it is necessary evil. Letting Index run along freely may result in a worse thing happen eventually.

But even so…

"Yes, Protection. Is it hard to understand? That girl may have a good intention and generally nice, but with right drug, magic, or other kind of tortures, even a strongest will of persons couldn't tolerate that forever isn't it? Just thinking of her getting captured by those kind of person make me feel disgusting already."

Touma is shaking, of anger, hearing the magician saying as if they have done nothing wrong is more than he can tolerate.

"You bastard!"

He then run straight to the magician, with full intent to punch the face of the latter. Distance between them is 15M which Touma can cover in just a few steps.

"I'm Styil Magnus, but Fortis931 seem better for now-"

Yet, the magician still keep his calm and said non-chalantly. While their distance become lessen. He then throw a cigarette out of his mouth into Touma's way.

"-since magician's true name is used when they release their power!"

With a few more chanting after that, tiny flame from cigarette become massive flame and head straight for Touma.

"Touma-san!" Emi try to warn the boy and quickly thought of tracing some shield that can protect the boy from incoming flame.

It wasn't necessary. The massive flame disappear as soon as it touch right hand of Touma that has been put forward. While there is still some of it around Touma, none of it touch Touma's body at all.

"Did you think I'll be defeated by just that?" Said Touma, to Emi or magician or maybe both. "This is the right hand that destroy that 'walking church', there is no way it can't destroy this mere spell of your." As if to demonstrate, he swing his right hand once, and all remaining flame around him disappear.

"What the…?" Styil murmured. He step back a little, clearly surprise at the scene before him.

Emi also surprise, though probably not in the same sense as the magician. She was surprise that Touma have the nerve to take the flame that massive head on. Even clock tower's most magus will at least flinch if they have to take on something like that unprepared. What a nerve of steel he have? Has he, who should be normal student, face something like this before?

Oh right, city full of Espers. He probably ran in some with power like that already, with that bad luck of his.

Seeing that his opponent having a slight opening, Touma took another step in, his fist ready.

Yet again, Stiyl show that he really is a veteran on this field of work. He quickly chant another spell. "…Innocentius!"

And this time, a demon figure made of flame appear in Touma's way. And quickly get destroyed by Touma's right hand. Or so he thought.

"Behind you!" Emi warn Touma in time, seeing the flame that just been destroy reforming itself behind the boy, who quickly turn back and use his right hand to block it attack.

"What the..!? Didn't I already nullified it?" Touma asked nobody in particular. While the flame demon can't advance to him, he can't put it back or completely nullified it. If he withdraw his right hand, he is pretty sure that it will burn him ASAP. "What the hell is happening!?"

"It is rune"

But answer unexpectedly came, from the lying person behind Emi.

"Index?" Emi asked the nun, who now despite the fatal injuries and the loss of blood that should keep her unconscious, speak in the lifeless voice. And while her eyes is open, it lost all life it once has.

Ignoring Emi, 'Index' continue. "Unless the rune that have been engraved around here are destroyed, it will resupply Innocentius's power, and it will recreate itself infinitely."

"Hey Index! Is that you?" Touma, who now has 'figure made of fire with full intent of killing him' in his way of vision ask desperately.

"Both correct and not, I am associate with the zeroth church sector of English Purist church, the 'Neccesarius'. I am it grimoire library. Official name is Index Librorum Prohibitorum. However, shortened for 'Index' is acceptable. Though I'm on the automatic safety program at the moment" The machine monotone didn't make Emi and Touma feel much better after hearing 'confirmation' that this is indeed Index.

"Ash to Ash-"

Another spell chanting came from behind Touma. Despite the fact that in front of him is a flame demon hot enough to melt him alive, he feel like his spine just frosted. And he is now occupy with keeping said demon from killing him. How can he protect himself from another back attack!

"Touma, move to the right!" Touma heard Emi shouted that and before he can deeply thought on how that will help his situation, he decided to follow it.

And as soon as he take a single step to the right. A hole have been made in what he could call 'abdomen' of Innocantius. And something came out of that hole. He only got a brief glance on it, that it was red in color. Before it flew past his side-

"Ugh!"

And whatever it is, it hit the magician and seem to hurt him, halting whatever spell he was trying to unleash.

"Aghhhhh… What is this… spear? How can it past Innocentius without being melted first!"

Touma give a glance to his back and almost have to avert his eye when saw a red spear stabbed through the magician's stomach, and his clothing in the area around stabbed wound become deeper in color because of blood that start to leak out. That gotta hurt!

"You seem to forget that this is not a one on one fight, Magician. I'm here too" Because the hole on Innocentius already heal, Touma didn't get a chance to see what happen on the other side.

But He can imagine Emi, in a pose after spear throwing, quite clearly in his mind.

XXXXX

Gáe Dearg: Crimson Rose of Exorcism, A weapon of Diarmuid Ua Duibhne, a two meter long red spear that renders magical enhancements and projections useless by severing all ties with magical energy.

Or simply said, a magic nullifier noble phantasm, is what Emi just used to rescue Touma from the red haired magician.

Somehow, she feel that even if she didn't helped, Touma will figure something of his own, and that would be even riskier. Jumping out of balcony and hope to land on something save enough for example.

Anyway, she already took her side on this battle. And it is no surprise that she took Touma's. Though she has thought a lot during a short time she has. She didn't quite expect that she have to decide on her action against this world's magic organization this fast.

On the wider scope, let Index go with the magician seem to be better choice since they seem to be more experience with handling the girl, she could just rescue Touma and escape from there. And if Index is really that dangerous that seem to be the right choice. And she didn't want to be enemy of the 'Organization' whether it is big or small.

But that is big emphasis on 'IF'. How long has she know Index? Less than a day. How long has she know that magician, Styil? Only a few minute at most, while he keep acting hostile to her and Touma. Yep, definitely trustworthy.

So she will take advantage of the doubt and act on her best interest. Which is protect someone she at least been on a good term before.

Another point, Even if it is for better good, a necessary evil still need a limit or else the person who do it when eventually gone too far despite don't really want to. Her father (She can call Kiritsugu that now right? Her current body is really his daughter's) is one prime example. Her old self is also another one when she almost kill Sakura for greater good. But what is the point of saving everyone but lose your own self in the process?

Anyway, she already declared herself that magician's enemies. Time to take some action.

"That spear…" Despite the expressionless face and monotone voice, Emi feel that 'Index' surprise of what she briefly saw.

"Talk later, I will take care of him first." Emi declare. Then trace another weapon on her hand.

What appear in her right hand is a jagged dagger that is thin, brittle, and blunt. Its effectively nonexistent capacity as a weapon is that of a regular dagger at most, and it would not be suitable for even killing a single person.

"You said that this 'Innocentius' will be recreate itself by the power it get from the rune around here right?" Before anyone answer, Emi then throw the knife at the Fire abomination that was in stalemate with Touma. "What if I use this then, Rule Breaker!"

As soon as she said that, a faint purple light growing from the jagged knife, just in time for it to land on the back of the fire demon. Result in another growing purple light from the stab wound, follow quickly by Innocentius getting destroy by either the knife's power or Imagine breaker, this time for real.

"The power supply from the rune has been destroy." While still monotone, Index's eye has widen by a bit.

"What the..!" Styil, still struggling with spear in his abdomen, wonder out how it can be destroy while his rune still completely intact.

"Touma" Emi call to the boy who still dazed from what just happen, whom look at her face confusing. "Punch that bastard in the face."

Hearing command, Touma then gain his sense back and then turn around, running straight to the magician, who nervously trying to chant another spell. But vomit a blood during chant due to wound in his abdomen, slowing the process enough that Touma's fist easily found it place on Styil's head first, right below the chin that is. Sent him flying to the metal bar on the back. Knocked him out cold.

Which is actually better for him because that impact also affect the spear in his abdomen and that will hurt a lot if he still conscious.

Touma keep his fist in front for a few more second before let it down and say "Is he…?"

Emi take a confirm look at magician once before say "He is still breathing, just knock out."

"I was worried a bit that I may overdid it… Ahhhhhh! He has a spear stabbed through him! Emi, did you try to kill him!" Touma's 'normal sense' suddenly come back as soon as the emergency situation seem to be clear.

Well, he is a normal(?) student that's suddenly drag in to a world that people trying to kill each other with magic. His reaction is quite justified.

"I didn't, I already aim the part where it will not hit any serious vital organ inside when I threw that spear." Emi reply back.

"You really aim for that? Wait! That Innocen-whatever is blocking your view isn't it? How can you aim through that then!?"

"Let's say I can." Explaining is a pain, since Emi use a lot of factor to aim that throw, reflect on nearby surface, feeling of magic from the guy, and change in surrounding air for example. "More importantly, we have to treat Index's injuries and that guy's. Both will eventually die from blood loss if we leave them like this."

"And you said you didn't try to kill him!"

"It will take at least hours before he reach that point" Emi said calmly. "Just don't pull the spear out or he will bleed faster. Help me with Index first, her condition is more severe. Is there any kind of bandage in your room?"

"… I really want to ask how you still keep calm after all of that. But I will find the first aid kit first. I actually have one you know? For in case of any bad luck I may have when I wake up."

"Figure."

Touma then head inside his room to find first aid kit. While Emi looked back at Index, and saw that she still being surrounded by the cleaning robots that try to clean the mess.

Emi sighed. How will she take care of this then?

"That is not a trash, just leave it" When she said that all of the cleaning machine leave the lying nun and go elsewhere. "Wait.. that easy? They really are intelligence-"

Then all of them go to where the Magician lying unconscious, and try to clean him too. Good that he was unconscious

"-or maybe not" Emi roll her eyes and approach lying nun.

Kachink

Then a sound of iron being cut happen.

She quickly turned back, just in time to saw the incoming attack from behind!

"What the!" Emi managed to trace Kanshou and Bakuya to block attack from.. wires?

"Even I did hold back, to block 'Nanasen' that came in surprise from behind… you're indeed skill little girl." A female voice came from where the magician was lying. Though now there stood one tall woman.

She is around 170 centimeters in height, with long black hair tied up in a ponytail that reaches her hips. She wears a short white T-shirt tied into a knot at the bottom, revealing her navel; her jeans have one pantsleg cut off to be very short. In her hands is a two-meter-long nodachi in scabbard.

And with reinforced eyes, Emi can see that there is a wires attached to the sword in her hand with also cover a part of the balcony, prevent her from getting close in. Also the cleaning machines was already been hold in place with a part of the wires.

"Huh? Why can't open the door? Don't tell me the door just have to be jammed as soon as I find the first aid kit? Such misfortune!" Touma shout from inside the room, which the doorknob also currently hold in place by wires.

"His partner?" That's only conclusion about the woman that come to her mind.

The woman just nod, glanced back once before say. "It seem you did my partner quite a bit of favor." She flick her hand a little, and part of a wire that cover the corridor change into a shape that resemble small magic circle.

Emi was prepare to trace some defensive item in a heartbeat if need, but didn't expect that all it does was create some mass of water to pour on the unconscious magician's body.

"Wake up Styil." Said the swordwoman.

"Geho… Kanzaki? You're all right already?" As soon as Styil woke, that is what he say.

"Better than you, you have a spear stabbed through you." 'Kanzaki' deadpan back.

So, this is that Kanzaki? Emi thought, and then notice that there is a small cut on her cheek, with blood slightly on the wound. That Nanazen did get through my defense. She is strong!

"Gah… You're right. Careful, I'm still not sure how but that girl can bring weapon out of nowhere. And it have magic cancel ability or something like that, else it wouldn't get pass my rope that easily." Styil give his partner some caution.

"Understood. Now little girl, I will retrieve Index back, please step away." She draw her sword a little to show the blade inside scabbard as if to threaten Emi.

"Hey! What's happening out there? Is that guy awake? Are you all right Emi? And I hear another voice isn't it!?" Touma shout while trying to open the door. Emi decide to ignore him for now. He is safer in his room.

"Sorry, but no. I can feel that you're at least stronger than that guy. Like he said, you're professional." Emi replied. "And the odd is on me since you already cover the area with wires and that Styil is recovered. I better not hold back." With that said, Emi continue. "Trace bullets on."

A swords, of all shape and style then quickly appeared in the air around Emi. And all of their pointy end aim for the magician on the opposite end of Emi's.

"What the?" Kanzaki can't hide her surprise on the massive number of swords that suddenly appeared.

Same go for Styil who widen his eyes. But that quickly change in to eyes of pain, now that spear in his abdomen suddenly vanish, and with it gone, blood start flowing in the wound hole with a more alarming speed. "Damn.."

"With his wound open, if you don't treat him quickly he may not make it past this night." This time it was Emi who threaten back. "My instinct told that even with this much projectiles, you can still protect yourself, if that wires can work like I thought." She remember how Illya manage to create familiar from her hair in the time she need to fight, with she adapt from her mother Irisviel who use wires instead. Emi doubt that Kanzaki's wires will work the same, but at least it give her general idea.

The swords in the Air then shift it angle slightly.

"But what about protect him then? He can't dodge a single projectile and now injured. What if I launch another 50 of them at him at the same time?"

"You.." Kanzaki tighten her hand, her face show fury.

"Kanzaki, that girl is dangerous, too DANGEROUS. Maybe we should withdraw for now." Styil offered quietly while holding his hand to his stomach. His face pale, both of worry and blood loss.

"Tch! … you're right, this is more than we prepared for. Even though I haven't see any that can pose a real threat to me yet, ALL of those weapons around her is one with magical attribute. She may have one that manage to hurt a saint"

Their voice was merely a guite gossip but Emi get all that though reinforced ears. She make no move when they were conversing since it could be a trap waiting her to show opening, also that while they're dangerous, she didn't want to just kill them before knowing the full story from both side.

"I'll create a distraction. Then you bring us out of here." With that last muse, Styil bring out a rune paper and chant a spell. Emi tense, prepared for an attack.

But nothing happen.

After an awkward moment of silence, Styil curse himself and, slightly embarrassed, slightly angry, mutter. "Your water make my ink on my rune paper dissolve."

"Sorry."

With a sigh, Styil reply. "Plan B, I have another rune paper prepared on the other floor." He move his hand a bit.

And then, from the different floors of the building. A small explosion can be heard, soon follow by automatic fire splinkle activated. Took Emi off-guard for a seconds.

"We will be back." It was enough for Kanzaki to left her parting word, and with Styil in her arms in a princess carry style (If not for the tense situation, Emi found the scene quite hilarious), jump to the other building. It was something that Emi didn't think she can do easily even with her reinforcement. That is something of a servant power level.

Seeing that magicians has gone, she dissolve all the traced weapons, just in time for Touma to came out of the door in a hurry.

"Finally… what happen? Why did the splinkle activated? And where is that guy!?"

Emi sighed, not sure where she should start explain.

XXXXX

Since staying under splinkle that keep spraying water isn't a very good idea no matter how you think about it, they decided to move Index out to the other area nearby. Also to avoid being find by fireman, It would be a pain how to explain a cutting wound on Index's body to authority.

They also use Imagine breaker to erase tracing spell in Index's headpiece that she left in Touma's room, before bring it along

"Now then, what should we do?" Touma ask. "We can't take her to the hospital because she have no ID though…"

It was quite a pain that Academy seem to really hate outsider. Index will probably get treat if they bring her to the authority. But a lot of problem will happen after that.

Emi then ask the Nun that is lying on the couch nearby "Are you still there Index? Or that safety program of your?"

"I'm still here" The monotone voice reply back. Though it is a bit softer, on the sense that the girl losing her strength from blood lost.

"…Program then, well it is better for now." Emi can't hide her dislike this machine like version of Index, but she keep asking. "Can you use any sort of healing magic to heal yourself in that condition?" Straight to the point is the best here.

"Can't. Index is only a keeper, I can't use any spell myself except a few that didn't need magic power"

Emi frowned. "Why is that? Did your magic need some kind of talent to use?" Like in her universe.

"Negative. Magic is actually made for the non-talent one. Though Index is an even more special case, which is why she was choose as a keeper."

"That.. does make sense." Though it feel somewhat lame excuse. "How about teach me or Touma to use it then?"

"Negative. A talent person, which also known as Esper can't use magic. Because a different of magic circuit in their body. Magic is create for a non-talent person's. Any cases know about talent person try to use Magic is record to end badly." Index pause a bit before continue. "Though in both of your case it is more complicate. Touma's power will probably cancel the magic anyway. And for you…"

Emi somehow feel that Index… no… Program's eyes, look at her with an intent to analyze the anomaly.

"Your ability is something that was very close in nature to magic, yet still different. I don't sure what will happen if you try to use our conventional magic, and I recommend you not to take the risk."

"It is like that huh?" Emi sigh. And she can't even use her world's magic to heal the wound because she hasn't figure how yet. She can only heal herself with Avalon inside her body. The cut wound on her cheek is already heal. But using it on other is quite hard.
And it is not that she can just take Avalon out easily. Her current body actually NEED it to function normally. Due to a modification of Einzbern on Illya body that grant her more magic capacity but wearing her physical body down in exchange. Without Avalon she will quickly become bedridden in time.
Making a trace copy of Avalon is not going to work too. Avalon's copy will disappear so fast that it only last a mere minutes at most and make it healing power almost useless in practical.
"Damn! What can we do then… wait! You say that any non-talent can use magic right?" Touma suddenly say and when Index nod slightly, he continue. "Not everyone in this city is an Esper. Though almost every students are. But no adult here is an Esper…"

"And I just know one that may be able to help us and may even let us stay there for a while too." Emi cut in before Touma can continue. "It is dangerous to stay here after all that since they already know that you lived here. And my dorm isn't that good either…" Emi slightly shudder. "But we may kill two bird with one stone with this move. Let me try call her."

Emi then bring a phone out of her skirt's pocket, and dial on the name of that person. 'Tsukuyomi Tomoe'

"Hello, Emi-chan? Why did you call me this late?" Komoe's voice came from another side of the phone.

Emi wince a bit for the '-chan' thing. But there is no time for chit-chat here. She then decide to straight to the point. "Teacher, I have a bit of problem right now." She decide to call her teacher to make her feel the seriousness of situation. "My friends and I are having a trouble and can't go back to our place right now. Would you mind if I stay at your place for a night? We are sorry for causing trouble-"

"Okay, you can come."

"-But we really have no… did you just said OK? That easily?"

"Yes, it is teacher's job to help student in need. You better tell me the circumstance later though."

"Thank you. We really own you. We will be right there as soon as possible. Oh, there are three of us here."

"Understood. Well, I have to clear the place before you guys came though…" With that said, She hang the call.

"And I'm not even student in her school… Isn't that a bit too easy?" Emi say to herself.

"Whoever you call, she's a woman with really big heart to agree to help someone that easily." Touma praise from his heart.

"Yay. A really big heart for someone her size. Anyway, you carry Index and follow me. Her house isn't that far from here."

XXXXX

Around fifteen minutes later.

"Here is the place." Emi said when lead the two to Komoe's room. Her room is at the end of the hallway, on the second floor of an old-style apartment building.

"I hope she will help with the healing spell…" Touma reply.

Index face is now pale. They have doing some first aid beforehand. But her wound was quite severe, and the blood just won't stop.

"I'm sure she will. She is a really nice person." Emi then ring the doorbell. "Komoe-san, we've arrived."

"Komoe?" Touma mutter.

"Coming!" A childlish shout come from inside. Then the door open, reveal the petite teacher in an… animal pajamas that really suit her outside appearance?

Before Emi can say anything, Touma yell from behind her. "It is really Komoe-sensei from my school!"

"Hm.. Isn't that Kamijou-chan?" Komoe tilt her head a bit and then widen as she realize something. "Wait a minute… why does a boy and a girl being alone together this late at night! Sensei won't approved of it."

"Um… Technically we weren't alone. Index was also with us?" Emi point at the Nun who's now on Touma's back.

Komoe switch her look between the nun and then Emi a few times before finish at Touma. And seem to find out something that horrified her, her eyes widen again, this time in strange kind of fear. "Ahhhh! So Kamijou-kun was really into smaller girl! Wait! Does that mean you also interest in me... and get all those detention at school on purpose! That's no good! Sensei won't approved of it!" Komoe said all this while blushing.

Both Touma and Emi lost for word. It took them another minutes to make Komoe aware of how urgent the situation is before she finally let them in for real.

XXXXX

After note

Despite being a 1 year anniversary chapter of this fic (Yeah… it is already a year, friends). I feel a bit depressed. From the start of this fic, I was planned to end it in one year. But In reality it was only past the first half, 60% at most from what I planned.

And my fighting scene isn't getting better. This chapter is actually shorter than other chapters by 20%. /heavy breathing.

Well, at least I have a new plan for how to end this fic in a better way that I like more now. Time to lighten my mood with Neptunia Re:birth 3.

Lady Plutia, I'm coming!