I dont own anything about to aru majutsu index and Transformers
Because he was thirsty and because the heat is killing him, Touma woke up.
"Touma?"
When he realized that he was in Komoe-sensei's apartment, and that he had slept in a bed, he sees Index , Megatron and Optimus are looking at him. But, the one that surprised him was the sunlight shining through the window. He remembered correctly, he lost consciousness in front of the enemy and was defeated.
He didn't know what happened afterward, but the fact that he still alive and in Komoe's apartment. Touma didn't satisfy with the outcome at all. To be honest, he wasn't very happy with the fact that he is alive. He didn't see Komoe-sensei anywhere. It looked like she went to go somewhere. He decided to ask Megatron about the current situation, and he just silent and look at Optimus. Optimus answer his question and to Touma surprise
"So you are a magician" Touma said
"Yes I am" Optimus said .
Touma don't believe is he friend is a magician and most of that he is a hyper a magician can use Esper power.
"I'm sorry for hire you about that" Optimus said.
"Is okay thank for save us"
On the table next to Index, there was a bowl of rice porridge. Index, who asked for food upon their first meeting on the veranda, probably didn't know how to cook. It was most likely Komoe-sensei who made it.
"I feels like I'm a sick person," Touma moved his body. "Ouch… what's this? The sun's already up. Has it already been one night? What time is it?"
"Not one night" Megatron answered seriously while looking him. Touma raised his eyebrows and realized Megatron expression; it showed sadness and regret
"Three days"
"Three days... WHAT! Three days! Why was I asleep for that long!" shouts Touma to everyone there.
"I don't know!" Index suddenly yelled. Her sudden burst of anger made Touma hold his breath and he looked at Index.
"I didn't know. I didn't know. I didn't know! I really didn't know anything! While I was thinking about that flame magician in front of your house, I never thought that you would be fighting against other magicians!" Those sharp words weren't directed at Touma or Megatron. That tone could only mean that she was blaming herself. Touma felt more pressured under these words and couldn't say anything.
"Megatron and Optimus explained everything, why you collapsed right in the middle of the road. It was also them, who carried your beaten body back to the apartment. At that time, I was the only one who does nothing. I didn't even know you were on the verge of dying."
Index stops speaking. In order to think of the best thing to say, she takes a few breathes. "…I couldn't save you"
Index's small eyebrows tremble. While biting on her lower lip, she stops her movements. But Index doesn't show her tears. She is determined to not cry. It was not Touma's place to try and comfort her. He directs his attention elsewhere.
Three days.
If they wanted to charge in and attack, they would have already done so. Actually, they should have 'recovered' Index back when he was unconscious.
'Then why' Touma doesn't know what they are trying to do at all. He gets the feeling that there is a deeper meaning in the words 'three days.' He finally remembers. The time limit!
Optimus looked at bandages that almost warp Touma's entire body, showing how much wounds him received., he explained that Index tried to use the recovery magic to Touma by asking Komoe's help. But it useless ... Touma immediately looked at his right hand. Imagine Breaker... No matter what supernatural power it is, this thing will negate the effects, whether good or bad. Touma looked at Index; she seem worried him a lot.
Touma decided to ask something to Index "Espers who have taken the curriculum can't use magic right? What a hassle."
"…Yeah. They can't use it because Espers and normal people run on different circuits." Index says uneasily.
She look at Optimus "except him" she mummer
"I wanted to try using bandages… Science is inconvenient. I guess Magic is the best after all."
"Well, that could be true. -But it will be fine without magic anyways."
"…What" Index's words were sharp. "You still don't believe in magic after all this, do you? You're as stubborn as someone with unrequited love!"
"That's not what I meant." Touma lies down his head on the pillow and turns sideways.
"If possible, I just don't want to see the look on your face when you talk about magic."
Megatron seemed able to understand what Touma meant. They remembered Index's face when she was explaining the rune magician's magic in front of the dormitory. She was as cold as the moon, and her eyes were as quiet as the ticking of a clock. Her voiced was as polite as a tour guides. Her words lacked human quality, just like an ATM machine. The existence of the grimoire library known as Index. That is who the individual in front of them is. Even now they can't believe it. Rather, they didn't want to believe it.
"What are you guys talking about?" asked Index
Touma looked at her "What…? So you don't remember? You were explaining Stiyl's rune look a doll…"
"…Umm -I see. I… awakened again"
"Awakened? Again?" Megatron seemed not understand what happening.
It was like Index was admitting that the doll-like state she was in was actually her. They didn't want to hear this, "Yeah. But would I like it if you didn't make any jokes about my awakening."
What? – was something they couldn't ask. In fact, before they could ask, Index spoke, "The voice I have when I'm unconscious is similar to sleep-talking, so it's embarrassing. "Besides," Index moves her lips "It feels like I'm gradually turning into a cold machine. It scares me."
Index smiles. Even when she is this down, she will never let someone else worry about her. It was an expression that a machine could never do. A pure smile that only a human can make.
"…Sorry" Megatron and Touma apologized on reflex.
"It's okay " They can't tell if things are good or bad, but all Index does is smile. "Want something to eat? There's rice porridge, fruit and sweets. A patient's full course meal."
It seemed Index worried about Touma and decided to nurse him, Touma's bad luck can't leave him easily just when Index tried to feed him , the rice porridge slips from her hand and fly at Touma's direction. Everyone there can't do anything to stop the next thing. And we can tell what happened next, rice porridge turns Touma's field of vision completely white.
"Fukou Da !" Touma said, Optimus and Megatron laught
Touma's pajamas and the bed are covered in rice porridge. With teary eyes, he continues his fight against the mushy boiled rice until Index hears a knock on the door. But Touma stopped Index immediately.
"You guy! Please take care Index for a while" says Touma as he walked to the door.
The door opens with a click. Touma's turns to take a look. They were the two magicians that he had gotten quite familiar with recently. They looked at Index who is sitting down. This makes Touma feel a little relieved. Touma suspiciously raises his eyebrows. They should be here for Index's recovery but - if they wanted to do that, they could have done so three days ago when he was unconscious. No matter what date the memory erasure takes place on, there is no reason to let Index run loose. Until the time comes, they could have just confined her somewhere.
'Why would they come at a time like this?'
Touma's muscles naturally become stiff when he recalls the power these two magicians' flames and sword. But Touma had already lost any reason to continue fighting with Stiyl and Kanzaki. They are not 'fighters from an evil Magic Cabal' but are 'friends from the same church coming to secure her.' Though Touma worried about Index, all he can do is cooperate with them and send her back to the church.
But that's only Touma's biased reasoning. If they are magicians, there is no need to ask for Touma's cooperation. To put it simple, there would be no problem if they beheaded him and take Index back home by force. With his stiff body, Touma looks at Stiyl's face. He looks like he's enjoying himself.
"Hmph. Looks like you can't even run away with that body of yours."
After hearing that, Touma learns what their real intention is. If Index is alone, she can escape these magicians. She has been running away from these guys for almost a year. Even if she was chased down hard, she could just hide somewhere and slip out when she needs to… if she is alone. She was able to conceal her whereabouts from the church with only a few days left till the time limit. She might have been able to actually lose these people. If they tried to conceal her, she could escape. She could also run away during the ritual.
But if she has to look after an injured Touma, that's a different story. That's why the magicians didn't kill him and let him return to Index. They knew that she would never give up on Touma. That's how they plan to shackle her down. In order to more efficiently and safely secure Index, they became evil. Touma cursed himself, he now the one who become shackle to Index.
"Go away, magicians"
For Touma's sake, Index stands her ground and blocks the magicians' way. Index stands there with her hands spread out wide; like a cross bearing people's sins. This is exactly the situation these magicians have been hoping for. To protect Touma, Index is no longer running away.
The bodies of Stiyl and Kanzaki slightly wavered. Even though it was just what they had predicted, they still felt bad about it. Touma tried to think of what kind of expression Index is showing. Because her back is fully turned towards him, he couldn't see her face. But, to be able to freeze those magicians on the spot there is quite something.
Touma tried to think of what kind of feelings are going through them. They killed people in order to protect this girl; and now that very girl is glaring at them with such eyes.
"…Ah. Stop Index. These guys aren't our enemies…"
"Go away!"
Index isn't listening and still continued, "Please. I beg you… I'll go anywhere with you, I'll do anything for you, anything is fine. I beg you. I seriously beg you…"
Her accumulating hatred mixed with the teary voice of a girl, "I beg you. Please don't hurt Touma or Megatron."
Touma wonders just how much those words hurt these magicians, who were her only 'friends.' For a moment, just a moment, the two magicians show extremely pained expressions. Like they had given up all hope. Their eyes suddenly turn icy. Their icy gazes were not directed at Index. In order to lighten her pain in her last moments, they chose to never meet her.
It was because she was precious to them; they threw away their status as friends, and chose to be the enemy. That was their unbreakable belief. Because they did not have the courage to tell her the truth, they had no choice but to endure this worst case scenario.
"There's twelve hours and thirty-eight minutes till the time limit ... in another word, this midnight" Still said in a tone befitting of a magician. Index don't understand what still meant, but Touma, Megatron and Optimus did
"Until then, I wanted to see how good our 'shackles' worked and if she would escape or not. I guess it worked better than I expected. If you don't want anything to happen to that toy, I suggest you forget about escaping. Got it?"
He is acting. It's because he really considered her as a precious friend and wanted her to be safe. Stiyl's words were harsh, but it showed how much resolution his heart has, to be able to put up a perfect act. Even though he wanted to spread his arms out wide and become Index's shield, he continued to act. Touma couldn't think of how much mental strength it would take to do this. Index didn't answer. Without saying another word, the two magicians leave the room.
"Everything's alright?" Index finally lowers her arms and turns back to look at Touma, Optimus and Megatron. Touma closes his eyes without thinking. He couldn't bear to look at Index who is breaking down with tears of relief.
"If I make a deal with them" Touma heard her voice within the darkness,
"Your daily life won't be damaged anymore. It definitely won't be trampled on anymore. It's ok."
"...so it's...all" says Index for last time before she fainted.
Optimus immediately protected her and laid her to the futon. Touma couldn't give an answer. He could only keep his eyes closed, and gather his thoughts within the darkness. He just shows a warm smile to Index, who is sleeping now
'There's no way I can abandon this girl, right?'
Touma stood up and started chasing the magicians while leaving Index in his friend care.
"What are you going to do" Megatron asked him this single question. Touma only replied with a warm smile
"Wait!"
Stiyl Magnus and Kanzaki Kaori, who just left the apartment, looked back. They could see Kamijou Touma running to their direction.
"What is it? I thought we already finished our conversation" said Stiyl as he looked at him with annoyed face.
"I come to negotiate"
Stiyl and Kanzaki looked at each other, Stiyl looked at him "You finally give Index to us ..."
"No!" A single word from Touma confused them.
Kanzaki looked back and said "… Then ... listen once again, the limit is tonight at midnight. We are preparing our preparation."
"Why are you telling me this?" asked Touma as he didn't understand what's Kanzaki meant.
"Don't you need some time for the farewells? This is neither a conversation nor a negotiation. It is an order. Bid her the final farewell before we come and leave that place."
"You are magicians, right? Will magic really not solve anything? Won't Index able to find the situation using her 103,000 grimores?" asked Touma
"…What does she look like in your eyes?"
"Just a girl"
Rather than surprised, Kanzaki looks rather bored and says, "Do you think that just any girl could continue running away from our pursuit for a year?"
Touma only gave her silent statement
"She ran away from Stiyl's flames along with my Nanasen and Yuisen, just by using her hands and feet. She escaped from magicians without any supernatural power like yours or magic like mine." Kanzaki smiled while making fun of herself.
"By just making two enemies, things have come to this. If I were to be enemies with Necessarius, I wouldn't even last a month."
That's right. Touma finally realizes the true nature of the girl named Index. Even though he wields the Imagine Breaker, which can even turn god's miracles into nothing, he couldn't run away from these people for four days. She, however…
"She is unquestionably a genius." Kanzaki declares, "If she used her knowledge the wrong way, she would be a disaster. It is obvious why the church didn't try to use her. They were scared. Anyone would be."
"That's why she mustn't learn anything about this, the memories deletion" as Kanzaki finished her statement.
Touma asked "Then, your own magic can't solve everything?"
"There is a possibility that magician outside Necessarius would stop this, the Church won't take this risk. More importantly, the act of memorizing grimoires itself signifies the contamination of the brain"
Touma after learned this surprised and looked at them "You guys knowingly let Index ..."
Kanzaki immediately interrupted him "we were only informed afterwards."
The next thing that Touma could feel only regret from them, while Kanzaki kept continuing her speech "Magic ... won't solve anything ..."
Touma finally closed his eyes as he can negotiate with them now after learning several things from them. As he tried to give them hope, he looked at them with determined face, showing that he will resolve this matter
"What about ... us?"
Stiyl and Kanzaki immediately surprised and looked at Touma "Us?"
"The science side. We have many methods of scientifically removing people's memories. We could have a solution, you don't have that could remove the 103,000 grimories from her brain."
Touma swung his hand to the environment around them, like showing them this city "This is Academy City! If what magic can't do, science can do. Also vice-verse. It's too early give up all hope! Are you still give up trying or challenging things and put someone's life in the risk?"
But Kanzaki and Stiyl not responded it, it like they didn't believe him.
'Right! In the end, there is no place for truce.'
"Fine! I will crush you arch-rival! I will definitely save her! Just see!" shouted Touma as he returned to Komoe's apartment.
"See you midnight, then. Show us a sensational struggle to the end." replied Kanzaki as she and Stiyl left him.
When he came back, he saw Index who is sleeping with a smile. He with Megatron and Optimus started looking for a way to save her, using every knowledge they have, every book at Komoe-Sensei's apartment, calling institution and another way. The time kept going and when they realized it, it's already late night. Two magicians, with the backs to the moon, came in through the door which was broken down, without even taking off their shoes.
Stiyl and Kanzaki appeared from the doorway. Of course, Index is no longer blocking their way; neither is she screaming for them to go away. This is because Index suffered a high fever: sweat pours from all over her body and it looks as if she could stop breathing at any time.
It seems the light sound of snow itself would fracture her skull, causing a severe headache. Among the Esper's and the magicians, there were no words to be spoken. Stiyl, who came in without even taking off his shoes, reached out with a hand and shoved Touma off to the side.
Even though the force wasn't great, Touma was unable to support his balance, as if his entire body was suddenly fatigued and collapsed on the old tatami floor.
Stiyl barely gave him a glance. He knelt on the ground, next to the paralyzed Index. As he squat down, he mumbled something to himself. His shoulders were trembling.
Megatron clean his hand in to fist. But he now he can't do anything. Optimus close his eyes but Touma could see he is anger and saddens
Touma had also said to Kanzaki that, if it really were for the sake of Index, there should be no regrets for erasing her memory. No matter how many times her memory is erased, as long as they can make even happier memories next time and promise a better future, she wouldn't be afraid of losing her memories and might even look forward to what "next year" will bring.
However, shouldn't this method be left as a last resort?
Touma subconsciously made a fist with his right hand, almost crushing his fingernails.
'Is this really good? To give up everything just like this? Academy City boasts innumerable neuro-scientists dealing with the mind and human memory, certainly it was possible that there exists some way for Index to keep her memory yet live a happy life.'
Or is this the time to give up? Using these obscure magic methods to take away a person's most precious recollections, is this really the correct way? Using the most primitive, the most brutal method that ever existed in this world…is this really right? Somehow he can feel a sound from his heart, it says
'No, don't try to lie to yourself. These useless theories…they're not what matters. What matters, are you, Touma.'
"You guys don't want to use this method either, right? You guys still pray in your heart, that there is some other method, right? If so, give me a little more time; I promise I will find a way in which everyone can laugh and be happy! Thus…!"
Touma still struggled through the end, even though Megatron seemed unable to do anything anymore. Being one of Level 5 in Academy City, but he unable to do anything about this matter ... he felt that he was useless. Even Optimus he is a Hyper. Know about both magic and science but he can't use is save Index
Stiyl Magnus, who still looked at Touma, said absolutely nothing. Touma didn't know himself why he cared this much. His life with Index hadn't even been for a week. In the past sixteen years of his life, Touma had absolutely no idea who Index was and yet still lived perfectly well.
As such, even if she were to vanish, Touma should still, in theory, be able to live a normal life. However, this was something that he simply cannot do. Not knowing the reason…in fact, a reason was not even needed. He only knew that there will be pain. Her voice, her smile, her every action…will never appear again. This week's memories will be erased not unlike pressing the "Reset" button of a machine. It will all become a mirage. Once he thought of this possibility, the tenderest part of his heart silently began to throb.
A silence filled the room. Even though people are obviously present, nobody dares break the silence. The only sound is the subtle sound of breathing, creating a bizarre sort of "silence". Touma lifted his head. His trembling face gazed at the magician's face.
"Is that all you have to say? You useless little pretender of a benevolent man."
Just this phrase. Flame magician Stiyl Magnus uttered just this phrase. He was completely unable to comprehend anything Touma was saying. Every one of Touma's words which went in his ear was analyzed and scrutinized. He understood everything lucidly. However, Stiyl Magnus was completely unmoved his words.
"Quit talking such nonsense!" Stiyl declared this phrase, shocking Touma to the point where he didn't even know what his face looked like.
"Look…" Stiyl said to Touma without even uttering a sigh. As he said this, he pointed his finger; when Touma glanced at where he was pointing, he saw Index tightly gripping her head, pulling down hard.
"LOOK!"
Directly in front of his eyes, lies the Index. Index, who may stop breathing at any given moment.
"Those words that you just said, can you say them while facing this child?" Stiyl said in a shaking voice. "Facing this person who may die at any second, facing this person who is in so much pain that she in unable to open her eyes! You can tell her that you want to try a method which MAY work, while she sits around and waits?"
Index's hands ceaselessly trembles. It's unknown whether this action was done consciously, or was produced reflexively; Index however perseveres in moving her hands, heavy as lead, reaching up towards to Touma. It's as if she were trying to protect the man who was captured by magicians. She did not care about her obviously tortured body.
"If you can still say those words, you are obviously inhuman! Look at her! You still want to inject some obscure, untested drugs into her body? Let some mysterious doctors play around with her body? Shove drugs into her mouth? That's not something a human being should do!" Stiyl's roar penetrated Touma's inner ears, straight into his brain. "Give me an answer! Esper! Are you still human? Or the shell of a human, a monster taking the shape of one?"
Touma did not answer. Stiyl continued, adding insult to injury like a sword piercing the heart of a dead carcass. From his pocket, he produced a necklace adorned with a small cross, "…this little thing is essential to magicians specializing in brainwashing."
Stiyl held up the necklace, swinging the cross in front of Touma's eyes.
"You can probably tell that this is a 'Magical' tool. As long as your right hand touches it, it will be negated just like my Innocentius."
Like using a 5 yen coin to hypnotize someone, the cross swayedback and forth in front of Touma's eyes. "That is, do you have the courage to do so, Esper?"
Touma's entire body froze. He was only able to stare at Stiyl's face.
"Looking at her painful figure, do you have the courage to take this 'Magic' away in front of her very eyes? If you really believe in your own strength, then just reach out and touch it, you wannabe of a hero!"
Touma looked forward. Forward, towards the swaying cross. The cross is powerful enough to completely erase her memories. If what Stiyl said was true, as long as this thing was destroyed, Index wouldn't need to have her memories get erased. This by itself was not hard: he needs simply reach out his hand, and tap it lightly with his fingers. It was that simple. Touma tightly clenched his right hand, which couldn't stop shaking.
But, he couldn't do it.
Magic was the only way that can save Index…thus far. Looking at her suffering, a mere girl who endures her pain, who can take this "Magic" away from her?
"With the current preparations, the shortest time is…15 minutes after midnight. We'll use the power of the constellation to erase her memories." Said Stiyl in a bored tone while looking at Touma. Fifteen minutes after midnight…there's less than ten minutes remaining.
He very much wanted to shout "Stop!". He very much wanted to shout 'Give me just a bit more time!'
However, if he did that, the one who will be hurt was not Touma. Whatever Touma did, Index would shoulder the retribution.
He only remembered her words. He recognized that he had absolutely no way whatsoever of saving Index. Touma couldn't cry. He couldn't roar out. He could only look towards the ceiling, gritting his teeth hard…tears he was unable to hold back trickled out.
"…Magician…I ask of you…" Touma leaned against the bookshelf, looking towards the sky, and said with a blank expression on his face. "At this final moment…What should I say to her…How should I apologize to her?"
"There's no time for you to do such pointless things."
Touma only replied with a blank expression on his face. To the Touma, who seemed as if he were in despair for eternity, Stiyl simply continued adding insult to injury.
"YOU! Why don't you give up like them and disappeared from this place yet, you monster!" The magician shouts Touma.
"Your right hand can even OBLITERATE my Innocentius… although I still do not understand how you could've possibly done that… but I do not dare use this magical tool in the vicinity of your right hand". Touma once again had a blank look on his face, and replied with an "oh" sound. Just like that, his entire body turned into a zombie, and he lightly began to laugh.
"…When her back was pierced, it was the exact same situation…why am I never able to do anything…"
Stiyl did not reply. He only looked at Touma with eyes which said "And why would I care?"
"My right hand…evidently able to negate even the miracles of god…" Touma said with a strained voice on the verge of collapsing. "Why is it…cannot save…a mere girl who is suffering…"
Touma laughed. He did not curse his fate, nor did he push the blame to misfortune. He simply recognized his own worthless incompetence. Kanzaki looked as if she lost her patience, and said to Touma, "The ritual must be performed precisely fifteen minutes after midnight, which leaves you with ten minutes…"
Stiyl glared at Kanzaki, his face the expression of someone who has just seen something he could not believe. However, Kanzaki merely looked at Stiyl and gave a gentle chuckle. "The first time we decided to erase her memories…didn't we spend the entire night sitting by her side and crying, Stiyl?"
"…!"
For just a moment, Stiyl was rendered speechless. He warned "But…but…who knows what tricks these idiots here might try! If we were to leave them alone with this child, mightn't they do something crazy?"
"If they had planned on doing that, the boy would've had touched that cross you showed him. It was specifically BECAUSE you believed that he had some 'humanity' left in him, that you actually tested him with the cross… and the real one at that. Not the replica… isn't that right?"
"But…"
"Besides, before the time comes, the ritual can't be held anyways. If we let him keep these hidden regrets within his heart, there's a chance that they might disturb us while we are executing the ritual. That's just even more dangerous, Stiyl." Stiyl tightly gritted his teeth. The teeth made a grinding sound; with the attitude of a wild beast biting down hard on Touma's throat, he shouts to them,
"You three have exactly ten minutes. Ten minutes, did you hear me…"
With that, he turned away and walked towards the apartment entrance. Without a sound, Kanzaki followed behind Stiyl. Her eyes showed a cynical and bitter smile. With a resounding "Bam!", the door was closed shut. Inside the room, all that remained were Touma and Index. This was ten minutes which was exchanged with a life on the line.
Index's life.
However, Touma did not know what he should do. "Ah, that's right…telephone…call…" two only looked at Index once again, while Touma started pressing random number.
Index was paralyzed on the ground. Her mouth let out a sound, causing a shudder to run across his shoulders. Her two eyes barely open. Her expression was one that conveyed she was more worried about why she was wrapped on a blanket, when this was Touma's bed. That is, completely not caring about herself.
All of them bit their teeth hard. The lone act of facing this little girl was harder than facing that magician. However, they must never run away.
"Tou…ma…? Me…ga…tron?Op…ti…mus?" Touma, Megatron, and Optimus moved next to the blanket. Index, on seeing they expressions, showed signs of relief on her sweaty and puffy face. It was a sign of relief expressed from the hard; therefore, she breathed it out.
Touma started apologizing "….I'm sorry…"
Touma stood by the bed, next to the blanket and stared into Index's eyes while apologizing.
"…? Touma….the magical symbols…that are on the…walls of the room…"
Index, who had just recovered, did not know that these magical symbols were drawn by those two magicians. She looked at these symbols on the walled, and cocked her head to think about it. For just one moment, Touma bit down hard on his teeth. But the very next moment, he exhibited absolutely no emotions, returning to his original expression.
"…..this magic is meant to help you recover! It's your entire fault for getting such a bad headache!"
"Magic….? Who made this…?" Saying this, Index finally felt a suspicious possibility.
"!" Forcibly moving her obviously immobilized body, Index wanted to jump up. Seeing her pained expression, Touma grabbed her by the shoulders and forced her back into the bed.
"Touma! Megatron! Optimus The magicians came again right? YOU GUYS MUST RUN!"
Index's facial expression showed that she was shocked beyond belief. She was very certain of how dangerous these magicians were, so she worried for them from the bottom of her heart.
"…..that's enough, Index…" says Touma while thinking (/Kamijou! It's over…everything…it's all over.
Index's lips whispered Both of their name, she lost all body strength. Touma did not know himself, he did not know what type of expression was on his face. Megatron gave her a forced smile.
"…Sorry…" Touma said. "I will change to become stronger. I will definitely not lose against them. Wait until I become stronger, I will knock down every one of those people who oppose you."
Crying today would be a despicable behavior. To want sympathy would be even more of a treacherous deed.
"…Just you wait, next time I will definitely save you gracefully!" If Touma were to look in Index's eyes, what expressions would they hold? These words, when they penetrate Index's ears, what type of reaction would they cause?
"Okay, I'll wait for you." If one did not know the entire story, these words would sound as if Touma were giving up to the enemy, as if he betrayed Index to save his own life. Yet, she laughed.
It was a painless smile, a complete smile, a smile which could vanish at any given moment. Yet, she laughed. Touma was completely unable to comprehend.
How could she possibly trust other people? Touma really could not understand. Yet, Touma already felt as if this were inevitable.
Touma told her, "Wait until your head stops hurting, then I will definitely knock down those bastards and liberate you."
Touma told her, "Wait until my summer classes finished and we'll go to the beach and play together."
Touma asked her, "When summer ends, would you like to transfer into our school?"
Index replied, "I want to create more memories between us." Touma promised her, "We definitely will create many more memories."
Optimus only smiles while hearing those two lies. They kept carrying out their own lies. What was right and what was wrong did not matter today. A calm and emotionless justice, although just yet unable to save a little girl, would be utterly useless today.
With a thud, Index's hand lost the strength to hold itself up, instead collapsing down on the blanket. Index, once again losing consciousness, looked like a corpse. "However…" Looking at the feverish Index, Touma slowly bit his mouth. "This sort of conclusion…is way too depressing…"
He bit down so hard, the taste of blood seeped out.
"This probably the best solution" replied Megatron with forced smile. "We couldn't even protect her memories anymore. 85% use for her head and 15% for her memories. We can't keep it, eh."
'Wait a minute…' The originally depressed Touma suddenly felt that something was wrong.
85%?
Very slowly. Touma thought slowly while looking at Index's flushed face. Indeed, Kanzaki had said 85%. 85% of Index's brain capacity is completely used to store the 103,000 grimiories. Thus, her brain's capacity is greatly lessened, so that only 15% of her brain is available to store a year's worth of memories. If this limit of 1 year was breached, her head would literally explode.
But…wait! 15% of her brain's capacity was only able to store a year's worth of memories? Although Touma did not clearly understand the concept of "Absolute Memory", going by this rate, Index shouldn't still be alive. Furthermore, other people like Index who have the "Absolute Memory" ability don't have Index's power to reset their memories with magic. If 15% of brain capacity were only able to store a year's worth of memories…
"…then wouldn't those people live to be around six or seven…? If that really were the case, shouldn't this terrible ability be more infamous?" asked Touma to himself, Megatron looked at him and realized something like what Touma thinking.
"Wait… how did Kanzaki even come up with numbers like 85% and 15%? Just who told her this information? The ultimate question is… This number, 85%...is it really accurate?" asked Megatron.
" What if the magicians outside the room have absolutely no idea how the brain works? They get this information after being told by the higher-ups in the church…then, they did not verify any of this information themselves, and just swallowed whatever they told them?" Said Optimus found out the dark truth of Index's brain.
Megatron suddenly realized strange things to and started looking for information from his stubborn Shockwave while Optimus call Ratchet for some answer. Regardless of what really happened, Touma had a very bad feeling about everything. He rushed over to the little black telephone box in the corner of the room. He was unsure where Komoe-sensei would be at this hour. But her cellphone had been on when she was rummaging for the box of chocolates in her room.
As Touma called the phone, a mechanical ringing sound persisted, causing Touma to feel slightly worried. Kanzaki had said that the definition of "Absolute Memory" had always been misconstrued. What if these "misconceptions" were deliberate indoctrination on part of the church? Just what secrets were hidden in this mess?
A cracking sound later, someone picked up the phone.
"Sensei!" Touma practically screamed the name out. "Ara ara, this voice… It is Kamijou-Chan right? Don't randomly call your teacher's phone in the middle of the night!"
"…Sensei, your voice sounds…very…relaxed?" "Ah, sensei is currently in a huge public bath! Holding coffee milk in my hand, and testing out the new massage chair….ahhhhhh~!" Touma wanted to crush the telephone, but what was important now is that he knows more about Index's condition.
"Sensei! Calm down and listen to me! The situation is like this…"
Touma described everything about the "Absolute Memory" ability to Komoe-sensei. He questioned her, what was that ability? Does it really use 15% of the brain's capacity per year? And if that were so, and people died at the age of six or seven, is it an incurable disease?
"How can such ability even exist?" With that one phrase, Komoe-sensei completely refuted Touma's explanations.
"The ability to keep perfect memory would indeed retain all forms of junk memory—like the words on a supermarket commercial—but the brain would definitely not explode as a result. Those people would only take nearly an entire life's worth of memory with them to the grave, since the human brain is capable of storing about 140 years of memory."
Touma's heart skipped a beat. "B-but…what if a person remembered many things? For example, let's say they used their ability to remember the contents of an entire library…would their brain not explode?"
"Oi…it looks like you need to study harder on your neuroscience, or else you'll start failing," Komoe-sensei responded with a cheerful voice. "Sensei will tell you. A person's 'memory' is not stored in precisely one location. Memory is subdivided into many locations, such as that for language and knowledge for 'declarative memory', sports and physical training for 'procedural memory', and that for recollecting the past as 'memories of experiences'…the list goes on, there are lots of types~"
"Um…sensei…I'm not really understanding what you're saying…"
"Simply said," the student-loving Komoe-sensei quickly replied. "Each type of memory is sorted into a different 'container', just like how trash is organized into combustible and non-combustible. Thus, when a person bumps his head and gets amnesia, he doesn't return to a babbling infant who can't walk, right?"
"…that means…"
"That's right! No matter how many library books a person memorizes to increase his 'declarative memory', it won't impact his capacity for 'procedural memory' or 'memories of experiences'. From the perspective of neuroscience, it is something that will never happen~"
The telephone slid from his hand. The falling telephone hit the "End call" button on the telephone stand, effectively ending the call. But for now, Touma did not even have time to spare on such minor details.
"Hey Touma what wrong?" Megatron stares at him with curiosity.
"The church lied to Kanzaki and Stiyl. Index's ability to keep all memory should not be a problem in her life." explained Touma
"If this were so, then why…?"
Flustered, Touma began mumbling to himself. Why would they want to do this? Why would they force a perfectly healthy Index to reset her memory on a yearly basis to prevent her from dying? Furthermore, the tortured figure of Index in front of Touma's eyes did not look faked. If the reason was not that her brain is exploding from having too much memory, and then just what is possibly causing Index to suffer such unbearable pain?
"Hey Touma! Are you fine, why are you like that?" Optimus started shaking him with a worried face after seeing him mumbled to himself and sweating a lot.
"—Haaaah." Thinking up to here, Touma laughed out loud without restraint while Megatron and Optimus surprised at his reaction. That's right, the church just wanted to put a collar around Index's neck. The church only wanted her to need a memory reset every year to ensure that she is forever bound to the church. That way, Index, carrying all 103,000 grimoires, may never betray the church.
If so, then shouldn't her body need to rely on the magic of the church? If so, then shouldn't her body be able to survive without the magic of the church? Would the church really let her live as she wants? Index, carrying the forbidden 103,000 grimoires with her, can disappear without a trace at any given time; how can the church not think to put some sort of restraint on her?
"Hey guy, can you confirm what my Sensei said?" Touma asks Megatron and Optimus after he tell them about the conversation. Megatron and Optimus nodded as Shockwave and Ratchet also tell them a same thing.
Komoe-sensei said is true. The main point is, the church wanted to restrain Index in some way. Finally reaching this conclusion, the answer was elucidated. Index's brain, which had no problems to begin with, suffered some devious trickery on part of the church.
"—Haha!" It's like taking a bucket of water which could hold ten liters of water, and adding nine liters of cement. Of course, the bucket could only hold one liter now. The church controlled Index's brain, such that it could 'only save a year's worth of memories before exploding' All this was to prevent index from betraying them. At the same time, it allows them to easily control Index's magician friends—an evil tactic based on the manipulation of people's kindness.
"But, all of these things are unimportant." That's right! Everything was unimportant. What was important? Right now, what was important is one small thing: what exact was the "collar" around Index installed by the Church to inflict pain on her? If we say that Academy City was the flagship of the "science" side…then those magicians, what sort of evil flagship do they side with?" Megatron ask.
The answer was obvious: of course, it's "magic". And it must be the strongest of all "magic" has to offer. But even if were a miracle of god, it would be utterly negated by Touma's right hand. Touma's room was unadorned with a clock, so he quickly estimated the remaining time. Then, he turned to gaze at the bedroom door. Even if he and his friend were to tell the magicians about the "real truth", would they be willing to believe it? The answer, of course, is NO.
They are student, and have absolutely no expertise in neuroscience. Furthermore, the relationship between them and the magicians can be summarized as "enemies". There's no way that they would ever believe anything they said.
'Looking at her painful figure, do you have the courage to take this 'Magic' away in front of her very eyes? If you really believe in your own strength, then just reach out and touch it, you wannabe of a hero!'
Remembering the words Stiyl said, and letting himself feel completely useless due to those words, Touma began to chuckle. The world today is no longer the same. Touma laughed. "I don't want to be the hero…" He smiled as he unwrap the bandage around his right hand and revealed the Imagine Breaker. "I AM the hero."
Megatron and Optimus awed at Touma's 'idiotic' bravery and seemed to agree with him too.
"Yes! Touma you are Hero" Megatron said.
Touma started touching Index in several place, tried to look for "the collar" that hurt Index. But nothing happened, not even sound of breaking glasses that always happened when Touma negated any supernatural power.
"Nothing happened?"
"Hey! It be hidden inside her the magic spell is related to her memory, the place where it's sealed should be around her head, or somewhere nearby " Optimus said
Touma looked at Index. Her hands clutching her head in pain, her tightly closed eyes, her runny nose…he didn't stop to look at any of these things. Instead, he continued downwards, to where her harsh breathing came from…her cute mouth.
"No way!"
He stuck the thumb and index finger from his right hand between her lips, and opened her mouth. He looked deep in, to about where her throat was. Although there's no protection from the skull, this place is even closer to the brain. Furthermore, there's a very low chance of being seen by people, and an even lower chance of it being felt. Amidst the dark red color of the inside of the throat, Touma spotted a black symbol. It looked just like the symbols on those television shows about astrology.
"Is that what I think, it is?" Megatron asked as she too looks at the symbol inside Index's mouth while Optimus nodded and said, "Yeah, I think this is it!".
Touma shut his eyes, and decided to stick his hand inside her mouth. With his right hand inside her mouth, he felt something slimy on his hand, something which did not feel human. The saliva inside her mouth was hot, and stuck to Touma's fingers. Upon feeling these things, he hesitated for but a moment, before steeling himself to reach deep into her throat nevertheless.
He felt like vomiting, perhaps due to the repulsive thought of what he was doing. However, he heard a sound, and the index finger on his right hand felt a jolt like an electric current. At this time… Bang! Touma's right hand was flung backwards at a high velocity by some unknown force.
"Ugh…!" Countless drops of fresh blood rained down on the blanket and tatami with a ringing noise. It felt as if someone had shot his hand point blank, and Touma cannot help but take a look at his right hand. The wound he received from his battle with Kanzaki was reopened, and new blood now dripped down on the floor below, making a sound.
"Touma" shouts Optimus as he realized Touma's new wounds.
Behind his right hand, not far away… The Index that was originally lying down on the ground quietly opened both of her eyes, shining a bright red. But red was not the color of her eyes. In fact, it was a blood-red magical seal which appeared in place of her irides.
"Damn….!" Touma was paralyzed on his back, and was unable to stretch out his injured right hand…at that time; Index shot a terrifying ray of bright red light from her eyes, which exploded.
Optimus immediately protected them with his shield .
Stiyl and Kanzaki, who are outside just now, come in. They realized this and immediately entered the room, find a very surprising fact. "W-What the bloody hell happened?" asks Stiyl in his British accent as the cigarette at his mouth fall down to the floor.
Suddenly they heard robotic tone from Index's mouth.
"Warning! Chapter 3, Verse 2. Confirmed the penetration of seal 1 to 3. Attempting to regenerate… Failure. Auto-regeneration... Failure. In order to protect the 103,000 grimoires, the elimination of the intruder will be given priority."
Touma looked at the sight before him. Index moved around slowly and awkwardly. Her two eyes, emblazoned with the red seals, lifted up to glare at Touma.
"That sound not good" Megatron said.
Touma and Megatron looked at Stiyl and Kanzaki, who still surprised and Touma asks, "Ah! Right…I think I forgot to ask something," Touma tightly held his tired and hurt right hand and whispered to himself, "She isn't an ESPer, so why don't she have any magical energy?"
"—Attempting to reverse-engineer the magical attack used by the intruder to destroy the barrier with the aid of the 103,000 grimoires…failure. Unable to locate a match in the database. Initiating preparations to construct an attack used specifically for removing the intruder."
"—successfully prepared a counterattack against the intruder using the most efficient form of magic. Next, deploying 'Sanctuary of St. George for the purpose of removing the target."
Following a loud thundering sound, the two magic seals in Index's eyes enlarged. In front of Index, two circles of approximately 2 meters in diameter overlapped. As if they were anchored by Index's eyes, when Index swayed her head, the floating magic seals also moved with her.
Suddenly, the two magic seals which were projected from her eyes began to emit light, which resulted in an explosion. In the space in front of the center of her eyebrows, it was as if a strong ball lightning was created, with sparks flying out in all directions. However, it was not white sparks, but rather a ball of black lightning.
"Be careful! "Optimus shouted as they prepared for the next thing.
It looked like space itself was being torn apart, creating a ripping sound. Following a thundering clap sounding similar to a shattering glass wall, dark cracks appeared on all the walls of the room. The cracks looked like a turtle shell, and appeared to act as a defense against anyone who happened to be close to Index. The inside of the cracks exhibited some sort of rippling effect, making a sound while growing outward.
From inside the dark crack flowed out something which smelled like a wild beast. At that moment, Touma had a sudden feeling. It wasn't a theory, a logical conclusion, a sensible reasoning, or even an educated guess. It was pure instinct, his mind crying out at him. Although he did not know what was hidden behind the turtle-shell pattern, but he knew that if he even saw it for a second, as long as he even sees it, Kamijou Touma would be instantaneously annihilated without a trace.
As long as he can destroy that "thing" beyond the crack…Touma would be able to use his ability to save Index's life.
"Ahahahahaha!" Thus, he was actually trembling from joy. Fear? No such thing. He prepared himself for this, because his hand was capable of negating the miracles of god. His hand, which cannot fight off delinquent thugs, which cannot be used to improve his test scores, which cannot help him get a girlfriend, which he initially assumed was useless.
When Index was stabbed in the back because she did not want to implicate Touma with the magicians, when she would not be able to recover inside his apartment due his ability, and when he was beaten to a pulp by the woman with the sword and steel strings, Touma had always cursed his own inability to do anything while, hoping that one day he can use his ability so save this little girl. However, he did not think he'd ever actually take such a heroic role. Today, the task of ending his cruel story of his misfortune is hidden in his own right hand!
Suddenly, Index started shining and the floating magic seals between them shot something like a beam to Touma. But, Touma knew that is magic … so he lifts up his right hand and blocked the attack.
"Alright! Megatron! Can you help me?" Touma asks Megatron while holding the attack from Index.
"Help what?" Megatron replies as he can't hurt Index even though Index likes this. Touma took a glance at her and said, "I'm goanna rescue Index!"
After that, he looked at Stiyl and Kanzaki who are surprised to see Index could use Magic.
"It … can't … be! Why can she…use…magic?" Kanzaki asked herself as she stare at Index.
Stiyl turned to Touma and said angrily, "What have you done you piece of-"
But before he can end his words, Touma shouts to the two as he struggles to hold Index attack "What are you seeing is real!"
"Yeah! Your Church has made you believe their lie! So that they will make things easier for them! Can't you see that!" Megatron shouts at them
"She can use Magic! Not like you or her claimed that she cannot use Magic!" Optimus added more. Struggling against the powerful attack, Touma explained the situation to the two dumbfounded Magician while supporting his right hand with his left hand.
"The whole story that Index memory need to be erased every year was a piece of bullshit!" Touma shouted in anger. Suddenly … Stiyl and Kanzaki surprised and Touma tell them the real thing.
"Your Church is planning to use her brain! The Church's Magic is the whole reason for this whole thing dammit!" Touma shouted again as he tries to realize the Magician who have been cheated by their own.
"Erase that magic and there is no need to erase her memories anymore!" shouted Touma to them, every of his words filled with deep emotions.
"Think about it! Did you think … your church that forced Index to memories those 103,000 grimories … Would tell you guys the truth! If not, ask Index personally!"
The Index started speaking again in robotic tone as her attack unable to hurt Touma
"St. George's Sanctuary does not seem to be effective against the intruder. Switching to other spells and proceeding with the destruction of the intruder."
The beam attack that Touma blocked started getting larger and powerful. Megatron and Optimus tried to help him but they can't hurt Index at all, so they only support Touma from behind by putting they hands on his shoulder.
"Urghh!" The attack that Touma tries to hold is still not dissipating.
'Dammit! I don't think my right hand can hold more longer! This is the same with that bastards Innocentius!'
He shouted again to the two Magician that standing there, doing nothing.
"Hey, how long are you going to stand there and watch!" Touma asks. Stiyl annoyed and said back, "Shut up! What the bloody hell do you know!"
"She's waiting for us! Waiting for us all! She has waited for a time that we all can smile and laugh together again! No more fight between us! THAT'S WHAT SHE ALWAYS WANTED FOR ALL THIS TIME!" Touma shouts that make Stiyl silenced.
"If my right hand can reach and touch her, then I can save her!" He shouted as he watched Index attacked him.
"Magician! Things are now going to get serious!" Touma shouted again.
Touma began to feel the pain on his right hand 'This is not good!'
Suddenly a voice that he has been waiting for, "Fortis931"
Then, Stiyl threw many rune cards that filled entire room.
He put his right hand on Touma's shoulder and tried to help him, "Just this once! I will believe that word of your! Esper!"
Kanzaki finally moved "Salvare000!-(/The one that saved becomes the hand that saves/)"
After that, several metal wires appeared and the tatami floor that tears the floor apart, causing Index's beam attack forced upwards, destroying the roof of Komoe's house.
It kept flying to the sky … no … to the space and hit the satellite that happened to be above Academy City.
Many feathers come down on Komoe's house.
"What are these feathers?" asks Touma as he looked at the white feathers.
"These feathers … Don't tell me! This is … Dragon's Breath! Be careful! It's a kin to's dragon's attack according to the legend. If you ever make contact to one of those feathers, you will be doomed!" Optimus explained loudly. Suddenly, Index fixed her attack once more and the beam attack almost hit Touma.
"Innocentius!" shouts Stiyl and the fire monster appeared
"What! Innocentius!" Touma surprised and looked at the fire monster.
"It's not like I believe in that bullshit preach of yours..." He shouted
and paused before he continued, "But if you can save her, then I WILL DESTROY ANYTHING THAT TRIES TO GET IN YOUR WAY!" He said as he ordered Innocentius to block another attack.
"Go ESPers!" Stiyl shouted at Touma.
Touma looks at Optimus and said, "Can you protect me from those feathers as I go to Index?"
Optimus nodded and shout his magic name created a barrier cover Touma's head.
"Even with that those the attack still can past my barrier" Optimus said.
"Let me help that too" Megatron said as he blast those feathers
"Thank you" He shouted charges towards Index.
"Warning! Chapter 6, Verse 13. The presence of new enemy solider has been confirmed. Changing battle logic. Beginning to analyze battle plan according to the situation … Complete" Index began to spoke in her monotonous voice.
Touma began approaching her and his way protected by Optimus shield.
"Prioritizing the elimination of the most problematic enemy, Kamijou Touma" Index continued attacking but Innocentius kept blocking her attack and Touma getting closer to her.
"Warning. Chapter 22, Verse 1. Succeeded in reverse engineering of flame spell. Constructing an anti-Christian weapon."
Stiyl, Kanzaki , Optimus and Megatron are only able to put their hope on Touma's right hand.
Index muttered something creating a spell "Moving 's Sanctuary to Stage
2. Eli Eli Lama Sabachthani? ("My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:45-46))"
Stiyl's Innocentius destroyed, but before Index can fixed her target from Innocentius to Touma; Touma's right hand immediately touches the barrier around Index and stop the attack.
'God! If this world is a system which You created and moved by your own will... Then ...' He thought.
" I'LL BREAK THAT GODDAMN ILLUSION APART FIRST!" He shouts as his right hand managed to pierce through Index barrier and touches her.
Suddenly large sound like glasses breaking can be heard.
The stage before suddenly become blue and no sound at all.
Index started fall to the ground while saying something like broken robot "War… ning… Final Chapter… Verse… 0…"
The blood color seal at Index's eye started disappearing "Necklace"… suffered fatal destruction… Regeneration impo-"
Index hit the ground and she fell to sleep. Touma could finally release his breath after this incident; he immediately ran towards Index.
"Index!" heshouted and Index and Optimus discarded the barrier that he use to protect Touma from the feathers. The Magician just sighed at the two but inside their heart, they are glad to see Index safe. Index began to wake up and saw Touma. Index in her view, smiling at her.
"You did it!" Megatron shouted to him.
"Yeah" Touma said as he began to look at her, face but a feather is coming dangerously close to his head. Stiyl and Kanzaki started warning Touma .
Without warning, the feather exploded and Touma felt very painful attack and cannot hold his consciousness for much longer and fainted with Index near him. Just before another feather hit Touma's head again, Optimus create a barrier to shield him while Megatron blast that feather.
The others just stunned and shocked seeing him injured by the feather
"Touma!" Index shouted at him as she slowly approaches him with very little energy she has.
"We gotta get him to the hospital!" Megatron said as he requested the Magicians help to get him to the hospital.
Tomorrow morning at the hospital
"So, how is he?" Megatron asked to a slightly fat doctor who looked like a frog after Touma admitted to the hospital right after he saves Index. He now with Optimus as how is Touma while Index go to meet him
"So far his injury is very critical but he's now stabilized and getting better." The frog faced doctor explained as he read Touma's medical report.
"But his head is damage" he said.
"How is damage" Optimus ask
"His brain cell has been damage so he has lost most of his memory" the doctor said make two of them eyes wide.
"Can is cure?" Megatron ask.
"No" the doctor said "But he still remember some of his memory"
Then they hear someone shout "Fukou Da" and three of them go to Touma room.
At they approached his room he same Index walk out from the room. They come inside and see Touma is there with a few bite marks in his face.
"She teeth is still very sharp" Touma said "Oh! Optimus, Megatron" He said .
"You still remember us?" Optimus ask.
"Yeah! " Touma said.
"How many you still remember?" Megatron ask.
"I remember the day I first meet Index and every thing happen after that " Touma said
"So you forget every thing happen before you meet Index" Megatron point out.
"Yeah! Even just that I still knew you guy are my friend" Touma said.
"Don't worry we will help you went you need" Optimus said. Megatron nod
"Thank" Touma said.
The two decide leave Touma rest. Megatron and Optimus walk out the hospital.
"Well! I hope he is alright when he come to school" Megatron said.
"Don't worry Touma well definly okay" Optimus said.
"I hope with this! He will stay out of trouble" Megatron said.
"With his luck I think not" Optimus said and Megatron laugh.
Well the end of the Index arc. I still let Touma lost his memory but he still remeber every thing after he meet Index.
The next is Deep Blood Arc with Optimus and Touma is main charater and Poltergeist Arc with introduc Wheeljack, Arcce, Shockwave, and the famus
Constructicon team and Prowl true power. What power I should give to Arcce and Constructicon team please tell me if you guy had a idea.
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