First part of three-part chapter.

Chapter 7: Frozen City - Part I

"W-Wait Fukiyose! I say that I could not come that day for serious reasons!"

"A trip? Because of the trip? You call that a serious reason?"

"Well, it was a pretty tough trip. Worse than I expected." Touma laughed a little and sighed. "Such misfortune."

It was the afternoon of November 7th and Touma was desperately trying to explain, or rather apologize to Fukiyose Seiri, why he hadn't come to school on November 6th.

In the middle of a seemingly argumentative, but actually friendly conversation, Touma's mobile phone rang.

"Excuse me, Fukiyose." Touma said while taking his cell phone out of his pocket.

He froze when he looked at the display.

"Um? What's going on, Kamijou? Did something happen?'

"Oh, no, nothing serious. It's just someone I know. And I'd probably prefer if this person didn't call." He said his last sentence quietly, practically muttering it. Then he rose from his chair.

"Sorry, I'm going to the hallway, it's quite noisy here," he said before walking away without even looking at Seiri.

Seiri was a little surprised and suspected that this was probably something unpleasant, but she didn't want to ask about his personal affairs. Touma walked with a quick step away from the classroom while still looking at the display of his still ringing mobile phone. When he went out into the corridor, he picked up the phone, put it to his ear and walked over to the window.

"What do you want, Birdway?"

"Such a cold greeting?"

"You should have been more honest with me. I put Misaka and other people in danger while we chased a phantasm and found ourselves in the middle of a war zone."

"You made it in the end though."

"What are you talking about?!" Touma turned away from the window and started walking briskly down the hall while still talking. "I didn't stop the volcano from erupting, if it wasn't for that girl, both Misaka and I would be dead! Do you know what it was like to stand by her, waiting for the end and knowing that she was there because of me? Gremlin won in Hawaii!"

"I'm sorry for what happened there, but a new player has appeared on the other side, shuffling Gremlin's cards."

"Saronia Irivika said something similar. Apparently, everything in Hawaii was supposed to start on November 10, but she destroyed something for them. I later learned that a flying fortress that appeared over Europe had been torn apart. Apparently it was intended against me. Then Hawaii." Touma slowed his walk and thought.

"Right, the game is getting interesting."

"So, tell me what you want from me this time?"

"Of course. I'm glad you remember what enemy said to you on Hawaii so well. Listen, Kamijou. It's a lot, so listen carefully. That girl, she seems to–"

"Nobilis."

"Huh?"

"Her name is Nobilis. That's how she introduced herself to Index."

"Nobilis... So you know her name? Okay, so Nobilis messed up Gremlin's plans so much that they had to rework it. As you yourself found out, they sped up some parts, probably those that couldn't be postponed due to preparations."

"The Trident invasion of Hawaii and the detonation of a military device. The Trident troops were ready and Irivika was controlling the American forces which controlled the Trigger."

"And after destroying that fortress Gremlin didn't want to risk that she will found out what they were planning in Hawaii and all their efforts would be in vain. And now the main thing, why I'm calling you. According to my sources, Gremlin is planning something in Eastern Europe."

"Something?"

"We don't know their goals. Tell me, does the name Baggage City mean something to you?"

"No, I'm hearing it for the first time. What does Gremlin want to do this time, destroy the whole city?"

"Maybe, but they would destroy their own property. Practically, that city belongs to them, and they started a tournament there, which I would compare to gladiator matches in ancient Rome."

"Gladiator matches? And the rules won't be too different in that city, will they?

"Imagine duels in an arena set in modern city controlled by Gremlin. They certainly don't do it for fun or for money. They are not at such a low level. So their goal will undoubtedly be something big."

During the conversation, Touma had already passed the end of the corridor and started walking back to the door of his classroom. But after looking at it, he turned back. He decided to keep walking and headed down the stairs. Touma didn't want to go back. His class and classmates belonged to another world. A calmer one. A world where magic and mythical objects do not exist, a world where Academy City is the symbolic pinnacle of the world. He did not want to be blurred the line between the life of a schoolboy and the life of a boy, who faces threats that the outside world often has no idea about. That border didn't really exist, he was aware of that. But he still harbored hope for a normal life. While he was walking, he met his teacher Komoe on the stairs.

"Kamijou-chan, where are you going? The class has almost started."

Touma put the phone away from his ear, covered microphone and put on a fake smile.

"Ah, sorry sensei. I'll be there, go ahead."

The teacher just turned and watched as Kamijou walked down the stairs.

"Honestly," she said with a worried expression.

When Touma went down to the lower floor, he put the phone to his ear again and his serious expression returned.

"You think those matches are just a cover?"

"The matter is a bit more complicated. After Hawaii, not everyone appreciated the contribution that the Academy City made to the whole event. That is, you and your group. Institutions gathered under one roof as the Anti-Academy City Science Guardians are the governing body of the entire Baggage City. They belong to the side of science, not magic."

"Birdway, there is no end to Gremlin's hierarchy. At first, the dangerous mages in Hawaii were just consumables for them, now the whole conglomerate is just their tool to control a city created like a big coliseum? And what do you want from me this time? To go to that city?"

"That won't be necessary. I didn't talk about that girl by accident. Since she saved you, I assume you're no stranger to her."

"You're assuming wrong, Birdway. Apart from Index, I don't know of anyone who has met her in person."

"But your rescue and her meeting with Index was no accident. Am I guessing right?'

Touma just stared ahead of himself. He was thinking. Birdway continued to speak, as if she wanted to bring more layers to these thoughts.

"I understand the silence as yes. I just want you to know about Baggage City. And we don't know how to contact her. She was in Academy City for a few days, I know that for sure. You know that too, because the last two days have been rough there. But no one knows when and where she will appear. She is someone who only shows up when she wants to. Someone who must have a reason for it."

"And should I come up with that reason? Are you trying to use me again?"

"I just want her help. And apart from you, there is no clue that I know of on how to contact her."

"What does she have to do with Baggage City?"

"I suppose her connection to the city is the only one. Gremlin."

"Are you saying she belongs to Gremlin?"

"No, no, no. On the contrary!" said Leivinia, her voice rising. "Since she's given Gremlin a solid amount of trouble so far, it's clear she's not their ally. She is their enemy."

"The enemy of my enemy is my friend?"

"The first part of the sentence is true, but I'm not sure about the second part. We don't know who she is or what she really wants. However, she saved you and met Index, without harming any of you. Although beware, I am not saying that she does not pose a danger to us."

Touma stopped and turned his eyes slightly to the side as if to look at his phone. As if he wanted to look into the eyes of the person he was talking to.

"So she supposed to learn about Baggage City with my help. And since she stands against Gremlin and she's shown to be powerful, you think she will go there and tear to pieces their next plan? You're trying to use her as a weapon against Gremlin."

"This is a war against Gremlin, Kamijou. Didn't Hawaii teach you anything? Not even Fiamma? If we don't stop them, the whole world will feel it," answered Levinia in a deep voice.

"I saw what she can do. And I've heard news and rumors about what she has done in Academy City so far. She is not someone you want to antagonize."

"I don't want anything like that. We are actually pursuing a similar goal with her. To stop Gremlin."

Touma thought, his eyes looked across the hall.

"But as I said, I don't know where she is. Even if I knew, I wouldn't send someone to fight instead of me."

"Are you still playing a hero? You may have power with Imagine Breaker, but even you can't tear apart a massive flying fortress or put a volcano to sleep in a few seconds."

"I've already made up my mind, I'll go there myself."

"Just because it's the opposite of what I want you to do?"

"Maybe. But above all, I will not transfer the responsibility for protecting people to someone else."

"You don't even have to. I would have gone there alone, but there were complications. You know how we said that the action in Hawaii can have the purpose of obtaining some kind of weapon? I was with a Valkyrie who is also a Saint. We tried to prevent this, but Gremlin obtained the plans from her to construct an unimaginably powerful weapon.

"A weapon?! What weapon?"

"Gungnir. I told you there was a lot for you to know. Your Imagine Breaker can become our main trump card in destroying that thing. But it's possible that Gremlin is already in Academy City."

"Do you think..."

"Be careful. You can be one of the ways to thwart their plans. Gremlin won't overlook you, definitely not after they sent the whole flying fortress. But that girl became a new figurine on chessboard. Considering her power, we could say she is a queen. She made a few moves and Gremlin was having a bad time. Now I just want to direct her to the next square of the chessboard."

"And that square is Baggage City?"

"We don't know who that girl is, but as long as she is Gremlin's enemy, she can be a great asset. I can't get to Academy City before tomorrow, and if someone from Gremlin is already in city, you're in danger."

"I'm not the only one in danger, but everyone who lives here. Especially Index and everyone who helped me in Hawaii."

"Sure, but you was in Gremlin's sight since third world war. Try to stay close to public places."

"You want me to use people as my cover?"

"I didn't say that, only then the chance of an attack is lower. Good luck."

At that moment, Leivinia hung up the phone.

Touma angrily put his cell phone away from his ear. He just stood motionless for a while, looking ahead. Then he looked at the cell phone he was still holding in his hand. A dilemma arose. He should go to Baggage City, but how? Now he doesn't have the help of Birdway to get him safely away, and leaving Academy City isn't easy. Besides, he might be needed here too, if Gremlin is here, people who know him might be in danger.

. . .

After the phone call ended, Levinia Birdway, who was far away in Europe, had an uncertain look on her face.

"That went as expected."

"We can be in the Academy City maybe tomorrow morning, a more realistic assumption is around afternoon. But we can be in Baggage City sooner," stated Mark Space, who was standing near her.

"I think we'll leave Baggage City to Ollerus. If reports are true, that's where he's headed. It's a shame that at least Silvia didn't go to Academy City. She would protect Kamijou Touma and might be able to find that Nobilis. We will not have such a chance to get more Gremlin members with minimal risk for us."

Then a woman with long blonde hair and blue eyes spoke with a female but deep voice. She had armor resembling a combination of knightly armor and modern military equipment. It was Brunhild Eiktobel, a Valkyrie and Saint at the same time.

"I think that girl can be our sword against Gremlin. We've already covered the risks, but... You'll have to be careful. You don't know how she might react if she understands that you want to use her as a sword against Gremlin, while Kamijou Touma is supposed to be a shield."

As she said this, she took her enormously heavy sword and placed it on her shoulder.

Leivinia smiled. "I think she can be both, sword and shield. We just need to know what her goal is, just to be sure she is not our enemy."

"And if she turns out to be our enemy?"

"We will find out what her weaknesses are."

"Her and Gremlin. Even with help, Dawn-colored Sunlight can't handle it."

Leivinia Birdway just frowned slightly and and the corners of her mouth moved in a small smile. She understand that she and her magic cabal wouldn't make it even with a lot of help. The only possible hope is maximum concerted effort of magical organizations and powerful people.

. . .

The Academy City was no longer flooded with orange rays of setting sun, it was night. But there was still a rush of emergency vehicles in District 7 due to the collision between #1 and the unknown girl that took place a few hours ago.

Touma was returning home late at night with a shopping bag of food for himself and Index. Not far from his dormitory, he was approached by a boy with long blond hair and strange clothes.

"Nice to meet you, Kamijou Touma."

Touma turned around, just standing there in silence for a short while. He then looked down at the ground and said, "I have such misfortune." He then raised his head and looked Thor in the eyes. Touma knew immediately that it was a mage.

"I assume you belong to Gremlin."

"You guessed right. I am Thor."

Touma let go of the shopping bag and prepared to fight.

"What do you want here?!"

"Come on, take it easy. To talk and maybe have a hamburger."

"That's kind of hard to believe."

"It's up to you, but I really didn't come to fight. Yet. I just want to talk."

"Your members in Hawaii didn't want to talk much. You almost caused a disaster and killed people."

"I want to talk about Hawaii. That girl which was there and has been giving Gremlin trouble since the beginning of November, who is she? "

"I have no idea. I saw her for the first time."

"Um, you're covering for an ally. That's sweet."

"I'm not covering for anyone, I don't know who it is."

"That's a shame. Let's say I believe you. You don't even know where she is? You know, I joined Gremlin to finally find suitable opponents. Ollerus has a feud with Gremlin leader, but she is unknown to us. I decided to find out more and test if she is a worthy opponent."

"Who is Ollerus?"

"One powerful mage. So tell me. Do you know where that girl from Hawaii is?"

"You are not the first to ask me that. I have no idea where she is. All I know is that her name is Nobilis. If you're going to fight her, from what I saw in Hawaii, you're probably taking her too lightly."

"Nobilis? So you know her."

"I don't know! I learned her name from someone else who met her."

"Then take me to that person, let him tell me more. He must know something when he was talking to her."

"No, none of you Gremlin will go near anyone in this city!"

"Huh? It was the girl you were running around with all the time? What's her name? Misaka?"

Thor looked up at the sky and then back at Touma. Touma was visibly angry as this rant was potentially putting Index and now Misaka in danger. He clenched his hand into a fist.

Thor continued to speak.

"I can see that it made you angry. Understand that now it's just me. It is I who offer you a peaceful solution. If Gremlin wants to get information, it won't just come to you. That girl has become more of a problem for us than anyone else. Leader of Gremlin focuses too much on Ollerus, but she has no idea who is the girl who destroyed our flying fortress and was in Hawaii. Therefore, sooner or later she may come to get information personally. And she won't have such a friendly conversation."

"Who's coming?"

"Othinus."

"Othinus…?" Touma repeated Gremlin leader's name forcefully.

"So if you don't want her to come after you and your friends, just tell me where that Misaka is. I'll just ask her a few questions."

"I told you not to go near any of them!"

"When you want it this way..."

Thor grinned and punched Touma in the stomach. He didn't even realize what was happening. Then he immediately grabbed him by the hair and threw him to the side. Touma couldn't catch his breath for a moment.

"You know, if you told me more, it would actually be protecting those you know. Are you that selfish? You put others in danger because of your pride. I wouldn't expect that from you."

Touma was lying on the ground, coughing. He raised his head and began to speak in a voice that showed he was in pain.

"That's what Gremlin member is saying?! Ha ha, don't be ridiculous. You are willing to sacrifice thousands of people for your goals. What do you want to blame me for? Why should I ever believe a single word you say?"

"I never said you should trust me. But honestly, I don't like Gremlin approach either. Putting innocent people in harm's way is not my style."

"Then why do you work for Gremlin? Were you threatened? Are they holding someone hostage?"

Touma tried to get up, but Thor kicked him in the stomach and then punched him in the face. His nose began to bleed. Then Thor continued the conversation in a manner as if he were talking at a restaurant table.

"Like I said, I'm looking for a suitable opponent. You have disappointed me so far. I don't know what Othinus is trying to do. She doesn't let me in on her plans. Mages as powerful as her have goals beyond common understanding."

He then looked up at the buildings and wind turbines of Academy City.

"Time is running out. Othinus will soon advance further in her plans. Enemies of Gremlin are also preparing to make their moves. Hawaii was just first round."

Touma quickly got up and tried to punch Thor, but Thor reacted immediately. He kicked Touma in the face and he fell to the ground.

Then rays appeared on the tips of Thor's fingers, as from the torch of a welder's cutter. They were Arc Fusion Blades. The moment Thor made a hand motion to attack, Touma raised his hand and the sound of Imagine Breaker sounded.

"Very well, but let's see if you can continue to be fast enough," said Thor with excited expression.

When he was about to launch another attack, a loud sound was heard that seemed to cut his ears. But it wasn't just a feeling. The asphalt was actually cut behind Thor. Seven slashes headed straight for Thor like a wood saw. Someone would notice that the asphalt is cut by something like thin steel cables.

Thor jumped away quickly and the wires passed around Touma, inches from each side of him.

Thor smiled as he landed on his feet again.

"I would have expected Birdway to be watching over him, but I didn't expect a Saint here."

A girl with a long Nodachi sword came out of the shadows. She looked at Thor with a scowl that showed her anger and determination to protect.

"Is this how the mighty Thor uses his power? To beat the blood of a defenseless boy?"

"You know that if I wanted to, he would be dead by now. I'm trying to prevent anyone else from getting hurt, Kanzaki. Nice to meet you by the way. I will be very happy to measure my strength with the Saint."

Thor immediately used his Arc Fusion Blades at a distance of about fifteen meters. Kanzaki jumped away, but Thor immediately jumped to her side. He tried to hit her with the Arc Fusion Blades from a distance of less than one meter, but Kaori was able to react well in advance. She tried to swing her sword, but Thor dodged it.

Kaori seizes the moment and increases the distance again. A swing of her sword infusied with some glowing magic cut through the Arc Fusion Blades and she created a network of her wires around the battlefield.

"Huh, pretty good. But some wires won't stop me!" Thor happened to look towards the ground. He was surprised for a brief moment. "What—"

Flames erupted beneath him. He was standing in the middle of a magical pattern, and the network of wires that Kaori used to weave the battlefield was just a distraction. When the flames disappeared after a few seconds, Thor was standing on a street lamp. He spoke with a smile.

"That surprised me a little. So now a little more serious!"

Using the power from Mjölnir, he strengthened his Arc Fusion Blades and extended them to about fifty meters. He cut several street lamps and other objects on the street. He used them as several swords, but Kaori jumped a few meters into the air and with a quick movement sent a fireball at Thor, also just as a distraction. She tried to approach Thor in flight. He smiled and prepared to dodge her sword. But something distracted him. A fast flame appeared behind him, flying like a mighty phoenix. Thor turned around with a surprised expression and that gave Kaori a chance to hit him. But without looking, Thor leaned forward and kicked the sword, knocking its blade away. He then jumped away from the oncoming flames. The whole thing happened in maybe less than three or four seconds.

The mage who sent the fire was Stiyl Magnus, Kanzaki Kaori's companion.

"Damn, how could he react so quickly?!" Stiyl said in surprise.

She then flipped high in the air and landed on her feet next to Stiyl. Opposite them stood Thor.

"The moment of surprise is gone, Stiyl," Kaori assessed the situation.

"Hmm, two against one? Well, I'm not mad about it. On the contrary. I take it as a compliment and a challenge. Thor's strength is enough for a Saint and even an experienced mage to stand against him."

"This is not a duel, Thor. As long as it is necessary, we will use all our strength to protect the innocent boy," Kaori replied, holding her sword tightly in her hands and her eyes furrowed, full of determination to attack.

"That's why I respect you. Well, then..." Thor raised his hand in the sky, from it came a powerful beam that illuminated the whole area like a bright lightning illuminates the ocean and hit the ground with his fist with full force. Pieces of the road within a radius of about fifty meters were thrown into the air. A nearby overpass above the road collapsed due to blast wave. Stiyl was thrown and fell on ground, but Kanzaki jumped into the air. She used her wires and wrapped them around Thor's arm. She wanted to pull him to the ground, but he was a bit stronger physically and almost pulled Kaori out of the air instead. She disconnected her Seven Flashes and landed on her feet next to Stiyl, who was rising from the ground.

"One more try, Stiyl," said Kaori.

"I understand."

Stiyl wanted to use Innocentius. But Thor jumped to Stiyl with tremendous speed and threw him several meters away with a single blow to the chest. Stiyl again fell to the ground and coughed.

But Thor put too much focus into his attack and didn't consider the distance from Kanzaki Kaori. She took the opportunity to try to stab Thor with her sword. However, Thor also managed to react this time and caught the blade of her sword with his right hand. Precisely, so that the main gripping force is directed to the surface, not to the sharp part.

Time seemed to stop for a moment for both of them. Kanzaki stood with her sword in a position to stab him in the side. Thor looked into Kaori's eyes while holding the blade of her sword with his right hand. Blood dripped from his hand.

"Let's call it a draw for now," Thor said.

"You think we're just going to let you go?"

"I haven't used my full power yet. If our fight escalates further, we will endanger the people of the city. I'm giving you a chance to take care of your friend."

Thor then let go of Kaori's sword and jumped away from reach of the sword. But she was still ready for a possible attack.

Stiyl stood up slowly, catching his breath.

"Fight while you can," Thor said in a calm voice, "As I told him, Othinus will not be as friendly as I am."

The sound of coughing and as someone is trying to get up off the ground was heard. Everyone looked towards Touma who had finally gained enough strength.

"Stiyl, Kanzaki? What are you doing here?"

"We've been keeping an eye on you from a good distance from time you came back from Hawaii," Stiyl replied, still not quite recovered from Thor's blow.

"Are you alright boy?" Thor asked Touma a bit mockingly.

Touma looked at him with an angry expression. Thor smiled, then jumped up and disappeared into the darkness of the ruined street.

Touma slowly got up. His black uniform was dirty with dirt and drops of blood. He wiped the blood from his nose with his hand. Kaori ran to him and helped him up.

"Thank you, without you..." an exhausted Touma was saying.

"No need to thank. You have your job to take care of Index," Stiyl replied.

Touma smiled. "You know you can count on me."

"Count on you... What if we weren't here now? He beat you and even your hand didn't help until he used magic."

"Stiyl!" Kanzaki admonished him in a raised voice. "He's shown he can protect Index and other people many times before. Don't be so hard on him. Now you lost to Thor too."

Stiyl was a little embarrassed, but immediately began to speak.

"Kamijou, we have to go back to Britain. So it will be up to you and your friends. One more thing. We know that the girl who destroyed Radiosonde Castle is here. Archbishop has her doubts, but if the enemy is a Gremlin, she can be a significant force."

Kaori joined in.

"Let's just hope her goals align with ours."

"Wait! What about Gremlin? Apparently something is happening in Baggage City, somewhere in Eastern Europe."

Stiyl turned to him.

"Other magical organizations are surely already dealing with Gremlin. We will return to Britain, we are already here against the orders of Necessarius. Laura Stuart might know something. Royal family, Roman Catholic Church and Orthodox Church have already reacted to the situation with Gremlin and are preparing actions. For now, we are just gathering information."

These words was instead of goodbye. Immediately after that he and Kaori ran towards where Thor had gone.

"Wait!"

"Sorry, but we have to go!" Kaori yelled back, jumping onto a nearby lamp before jumping onto another.

Touma stood for a moment, still feeling the pain from Thor's punches. He took a few steps, but almost immediately his stomach started to hurt. Crouching, Touma clutched his stomach and looked ahead with an expression of determination. After a few breaths, he stepped forward, determined not to let Gremlin arbitrarily endanger innocent people. But, he heard a girl's voice.

"I'm sorry, I'm a bit late."

Suddenly he felt a touch of fingers on his forehead. And immediatly after that he felt is injuries healing. He was surprised and speechless. He was just touching his face with his hand, on which he no longer felt pain, blood or pain in stomach. Touma turned around but saw no one. He looked around, but he was the only one on the street.

Meanwhile, Stiyl and Kaori caught up with Thor after a while. He stopped and Kaori jumped in front of him with her sword in Koncho-no-Kamae stance.

"I gave you a chance to leave and you still won't rest?"

"You attacked Kamijou and you are dangerous for other people. I am sorry, but we cannot let you go."

"And I let him live. As well as you and that other mage sneaking up behind me." Thor chuckled slightly and continued to speak in a cheerful tone. "Okay, if you like a fight so much..."

"I don't like fighting. But I won't let you endanger him or other people. We are not naive enough to just walk away."

"Don't you like fighting? How ironic, but I love fighting. Keep the fire mage out of the way and it will be just the two of us. Two opposites meet in duels. What do you say?"

Stiyl shouted. "Stop talking nonsense! We'll get you, whether Kanzaki does it alone or with me fight alongside her."

Thor, still smiling, raised his eyebrows slightly.

"I wanted to let you both go. I want to fight that unknown girl, but you decided to be a good warm-up. So let's not waste time—"

Before he could even finish his sentence, a force lifted him into the air and slammed him into the wall of a nearby building with full force and great speed. An unknown force did not allow him to move even a finger. Stiyl and Kaori had shocked expressions. Then a calm but stern voice spoke.

"Did you want to fight me?"

"Khaaa...kch..." was all Thor could get out from his mouth.

Kaori began to look around. She noticed a girl with long two-toned hair standing nearby.

"Is that you? Which one is being talked about so much?"

Stiyl looked in that direction. He said nothing but gritted his teeth and bit down on a filter of his cigarette.

A force holding Thor disappeared and he fell to the ground. He supported himself with his hand, immediately stood up and smiled.

"You... So you came. Finally."

"Why did you attack Kamijou Touma?" Nobilis asked him.

"Because he puts people in danger with his secrets. I just wanted to know where I could find you, but he refused to tell me."

"He doesn't know where I am. No one does. You attacked him for nothing."

"Certainly not for nothing, since you're here in front of me."

"Why does the fact that you don't know where I am endanger people?"

"Because you caused a small headaches for Othinus and she is becoming interested in you. If she starts questioning people who have been in contact with you, whether they're your friends or not, I can't guarantee they'll come out unscathed."

"Othinus…" Kanzaki Koari whispered, listening to the conversation and still ready to fight.

"Gremlin and that Othinus... what did he call her? One-eyed Othinus. Destroying that fortress over Europe and stopping the disaster in Hawaii wasn't enough for you? When will you understand?"

"When will we understand what?!"

"That whatever you are planning is a wasted effort."

"Because you're here?! Do you think you can fight whole Gremlin and Othinus herself?"

"Don't worry about what I think. I don't know what Gremlin is planning, but you were not among my main targets so far. However, you are trying very hard to get among them. If your master Othinus is worried about her plans, let her come. Or let her wait, cause more trouble, and I'll look for her myself."

Thor laughed. "Don't worry, she will come. But I'm here for now. For a long time I could not find an opponent who was worthy. I finally saw such an option in Gremlin and it paid off. Finally someone, finally someone like you appeared!"

Those words belonged to Nobilis, but Kaori frowned in response. "Do you want to fight even now?" Then gripping the hilt of her sword tighter. "Then me and Stiyl are here too. I will never back down from fighting those who seek violence!"

Nobilis looked on with a serious look. Without taking her eyes off Thor, she spoke to everyone present.

"There will be no fight." She then spoke directly to Thor. "If you care about civilians, then leave. Leave this city and leave Gremlin. There is still time."

Thor began to speak in a haughty tone, sounding mocking. "Maybe one day I'll do it. But as you say, I still have time for it. I'll let these two go now. While they... have time. I have come to fight you."

"Forget it!" Kaori shouted.

Stiyl looked at the ground slightly and then looked at Kaori. He called her. "Kanzaki, maybe we should oblige him."

"Huh?! What are you saying?! We will not leave our fight to someone else!"

Thor just smiled.

But Stiyl gave an answer that Thor did not expect. "We will not leave our fight to anyone else because this fight is over. You saw it a moment ago."

Thor scowled at these words. His pride of the warrior was hurt. But he ready to fight and he wanted to prove that the fight is not over. His assumption was that he could use his speed and Nobilis wouldn't have time to use her abilities. His speed was one of the biggest assets he had. He didn't overestimate his own abilities, but he underestimated hers.

In an instant, he jumped closer to Nobilis and beams appeared from his fingertips, resembling a plasma metal cutter. He swung Arc Fusion Blades towards Nobilis, they cut a few centimeters into the asphalt but before these magical blades hit her, he was thrown away by some force. The force was like a shock wave that swept through the place. It traveled a few meters and disappeared in an instant, because if it spread further, it would cause too much damage and also hit Stiyl and Kanzaki standing nearby. The shock wave was large enough to tear apart a human's body like an aerial bomb blast, but Thor's body was far more durable than a normal human's due to the Megingjörð belt.

Thor recovered mid-flight and landed back on his feet. It all happened enormously fast. Kaori and Stiyl, who were standing on either side of the battlefield, were shocked at his speed.

"(We almost didn't even have time to react again!)" Kaori thought to herself.

"I suppose you know that Thor was the god of lightning?" he said with a smile.

Thor then raised his hand, gathered energy and struck the ground with tremendous force. Pieces of asphalt and concrete were thrown into the air. But Nobilis negated all the energy of the pressure wave and it disappeared after a few meters. Kaori and Stiyl covered themselves, but in a moment they found out that it was not necessary. Thor stood in shock like a statue.

"I said there would be no fight. In Hawaii, Gremlin caused a volcano to explode. Why?"

"Because Othinus has plans. What is that question for?" Thor said in a more serious and slower tone than he used to speak.

After saying that, he slowly clenched his fist and tried another attack. He jumped to Nobilis and did a spin in the air. His glowing Arc Fusion Blades from his second hand cut through walls of buildings, asphalt, and distant trees like a knife through butter. But in a moment, Nobilis disappeared and appeared a few meters behind him.

"And what are those plans?"

Thor turned around, gritted teeth, but gave an answer in a moment.

"I have no idea. I'm a fighter, not a spy. If I had known, do you suppose I would have told you?"

"That's enough, I'll fight too!" Kaori suddenly decided.

But Nobilis immediately stopped her. "No. For now your part is over, Kanzaki Kaori." Then she again spoke to their enemy. "So Thor, you're just blindly looking for conflict?"

"Not blindly. You're not a harmless princess after all. You are dangerous, whoever you are!"

Thor shouted the last line before summoning the power of Mjölnir. His hair turned bright white. His speed increased even more. It looked like he was teleporting using lightning bolts. With each sudden movement, his body began to glow for a brief moment. He tried to hit Nobilis with even stronger Arc Fusion Blades, which were white in color, but with the same poor result. She was standing in the middle of a force field.

"And where is your master Othinus?"

"You think I'm just going to tell you?"

But then someone leaned against a nearby lamp and was breathing fast. It was Touma who was running to the place of battle.

Thor looked at him. "Well, well. So you arrived too? Four against one? That's a bit unfair to me too."

"Shut up. I won't let you hurt Misaka, or anyone else."

Thor laughed. "I don't care anymore. Look! The person I'm looking for came alone. It was enough to give you a few blows."

Touma scowled at him and balled his hand into a fist. But Nobilis spoke.

"If I don't find out anything more, I'll end this."

"You haven't beaten me yet!" Thor yelled, attacking Nobilis with his Arc Fusion Blade.

He barely managed to finish his sentence and he fell to the ground with great speed. Or more precisely, he was nailed to the asphalt. He couldn't even move, he couldn't breathe, as if some force was crushing his body. The Arc Fusion Blades disappeared. His teeth were clenched as he felt immense pressure.

"Khhha… if... if you want to protect people, you better go to the other side of the world and hide somewhere. Because Othinus will find you and people who know you. You've done too much."

Nobilis came closer to him.

"I don't know what you Gremlin want, but I won't always be this benevolent. That flying fortress of yours from Iceland, then Hawaii. You are starting to raise the bar and pose a threat. But at least you drew attention to yourself. Your organization and your master seem to be on to something big. So you've added yourself to the list. In that case, there is no turning back. You may tell this to Othinus. You can consider yourself now as my messenger. A messenger heralding the last days of Gremlin."

It was like a declaration of war. Thor could see it in her eyes. All he could think of was a question which was an attempt at warning.

"You think… you think you're stronger than her?" he said every word with effort. But he understood that all his words to her were the last sparks igniting the flame that could have burned Gremlin.

"Everyone in this world will know."

As soon as Thor heard her answer, he found himself outside of Academy City, teleported away. The crushing force stopped affecting him and he could breathe again without any problems. He lay on the ground for a while, breathing hard. Then he slowly started to rise. Struggling to his feet, he gazed toward some city somewhere in Europe.

"(Everyone in this world will find out. What did she mean by that? Is she really sure she can defeat the Magic God?)"

Then he started talking to himself out loud. "Did she mention adding Gremlin to the list? What the hell is she up to?"

Back at the place of battle, everyone was surprised that Nobilis made Thor to suddenly disappear. Touma looked at Nobilis. "You… You're the one from Hawaii!" Touma said in disbelief. "I… I owe you a debt of gratitude. And not just me."

"That's fine," she replied without turning on him.

"You could have stopped Thor in an instant. The whole fight wasn't a fight for you, but an interrogation?" Kaori said a little sternly to Nobilis.

"While he believed that he was fighting me, there was a possibility that he would tell me some more important information." Then Nobilis looked on Touma. "Kamijou Touma. Say, does the name Othinus speak to you something?"

"No. He... he mentioned her when we were fighting, but I don't know anything specific. Just that she is the leader of Gremlin and definitely some dangerous mage."

"Alright," Nobilis said and was about to leave. But at that moment, Touma spoke.

"Why were you in Hawaii?"

"Because it was necessary."

"Index said you were looking for me."

Nobilis was silent for a moment. Then she spoke. "And I did the right thing. Both you and Mikoto would be dead. Now go home."

"Thor wasn't the only one looking for you."

"I have no doubt about it."

"Does that surprise anyone at all?" Stiyl said.

"Stiyl, Kanzaki, I have a request. Keep an eye on the Index, I have to do something," said Touma in a manner as if he had a duty.

Stiyl quickly turned to him and spoke in a raised voice. "What are you talking about?! We entrusted Index to you, so what else do you want to do?!"

"I... I have to go to Europe. Again."

"What?" Kaori said in shock.

"I don't want to say more than necessary."

"Why not?" Nobilis asked.

"Because I don't want other people involved."

"Gremlin has probably already involved other people in this. Tell me what it's about."

"Next information was given to me only for one reason. That person knew that if you found out about it, you would take action."

"Why?"

"Because she sees you as a weapon against Gremlin."

"That's fine. Tell me where it is and what it is about."

Touma sighed. "In Baggage City. I have received information that Gremlin is planning something there. But if you go there, you will do exactly what she wants. Don't make the same mistake I did."

"What's that person's name?"

"Well..."

"If you're worried about her and you don't want to tell me, you don't have to. Still, I'll go to that city. It doesn't matter if someone wants it or not. Gremlin will not stop as long as it is a functional organization."

"I'll go too!"

"That's not necessary."

"She is right, you stay here Kamijou!" shouted Stiyl. "We should go too, Archbishop has ordered us to return to Britain as soon as possible." Then he looked on Nobilis. "Whoever you are, I wish you luck."

Stiyl went into the darkness. Kaori stayed for a short moment and spoke to Nobilis. "I hope we can trust you. Remember that magical organizations have their doubts."

Nobilis only replied with a small farewell, "Take care of yourself, Kanzaki Koari." As if she didn't even care about this warning.

Kaori bowed slightly, turned and walked away.

Touma watched as she walked off into the darkness before speaking to Nobilis standing nearby.

"I should go to that city too."

Nobilis was looking ahead, not even moving her eyes on him. "Return to Index." Then she turned and started walking away. While she was walking, she was speaking to him, while he was just standing. "I appreciate your efforts to help, but you cannot help me there. Leave it to me. Don't try to go there. You don't even have time for that anymore."

She then teleported, leaving Touma in the middle of the night street.