"Esther... our experiment is on the verge of success. With the help of these so-called 'allies of justice,' hahaha... a bunch of fools. We'll soon complete... the experiment to elevate Hirumi to Level 6. So, Esther? Aren't you excited?"
In a laboratory within Academy City, high-tech screens hummed with activity. A handsome young man with yellow hair, dressed in a scientist's white coat, wore a gleeful smile. His tone dripped with sarcasm when mentioning the "allies of justice."
Esther, a blonde girl in a white blouse and red skirt, was a "necromancer"—a mage who commanded the bodies of the dead.
"Hm... Mikihiko... I'm happy... it's just... I'm thinking about something else..."
Esther forced a smile, her gaze drifting to a figure submerged in a formalin tank behind her, connected by numerous cables.
Hishigata Hirumi was Hishigata Mikihiko's deceased sister.
"Zzt, zzt, zzt~~"
A burst of static crackled from the computer in front of Hishigata Mikihiko, and a call connected.
"Hello, Mr. Hishigata Mikihiko. I'm very interested in your experiment. Why not switch partners? No need to associate with those self-righteous sewer rats."
"Hah! Impressive—interfering with my defenses using electromagnetic abilities? And with such a bold tone... it seems you, or your backers, are no small fry. But those 'fools,' as you call them, have the Board of Directors' shadow behind them. Even if you're part of the Board, I'm not keen on crossing them."
Hishigata Mikihiko remained unfazed. He didn't need to be. The caller clearly needed him—or rather, his research—so they wouldn't interfere.
"Hahaha... Mr. Mikihiko, no worries. Take your time to consider. What they can offer, I can offer. What they can't, I can still provide. I'm just demonstrating my sincerity. Oh, and... those guys? After today, they might not have anything to offer you at all."
The call cut off.
"Oh~"
Hishigata Mikihiko's expression turned intrigued. He had gleaned plenty from the caller's words.
...
"Full advance! By the end of today, we'll purge all the corrupt elements within Anti-Skill!"
Anti-Skill, Academy City's public-facing core armed force, wielded technology surpassing international standards, tasked with safeguarding the city's security.
Fully armed Anti-Skill operatives converged from various school districts, launching a coordinated assault on certain "private enterprises."
With a deafening blast, a warehouse door was blown open.
"All units, deploy energy shields!"
Yomikawa Aiho, the operation's leader, issued the command. At her order, Anti-Skill activated devices on their arms, generating invisible electromagnetic barriers.
"Charge!"
Anti-Skill stormed the warehouse, equipped with standard infrared goggles, commencing the assault.
"Rat-tat-tat-tat~~"
The first burst of gunfire from the darkness revealed their target.
DA, a shadowy organization composed of former Anti-Skill members disciplined for excessive force or other infractions, had formed a self-proclaimed "justice" underground group.
That morning, Anti-Skill's leadership received orders from the Board of Directors to eradicate this dark organization.
Shockingly, over eighty percent of Anti-Skill personnel had been unaware of its existence until the command came.
"Damn these guys!"
"How did they find this place?"
"Those idiots who don't understand our justice!"
...
"Crush them!"
"Advance!"
The battle was a foregone conclusion. Anti-Skill had not only upgraded to cutting-edge technology far beyond their usual arsenal, but for some reason, several combat mechs had been deployed from above.
This demonstrated the resolve of their superiors, as Yomikawa Aiho could see.
It wasn't a battle—it was a slaughter. Combat mechs unleashed relentless barrages, and Anti-Skill, in sync with their armored support, tore through with unstoppable momentum, facing no resistance.
...
"Hey! Isn't this a bit much, my Number One?"
In Academy City, within the enigmatic Windowless Building, a visitor arrived.
"Greetings, my dear Director! Hm? Doesn't hanging upside-down get tiring?"
Fresh from his return, Samuel immediately set his plan in motion.
With his growing influence, he could no longer tolerate the previous treatment...
"Underwood came to me complaining. You've gone too far, haven't you?"
Aleister regarded Samuel with an unflappable gaze.
"Oh? Are you standing up for him? Or rather... does he have enough value for you to confront me on his behalf?"
Fear? Unlike before, Samuel was no longer the pawn Aleister could casually launch into the "Tree Diagram." Now, Samuel was no longer a piece on the board—he was a player.
The kind of player who, if the game went south, could end it for everyone.
"Of course, he has no such value... But I'm here to warn you: some things aren't yours. Don't reach for them."
Aleister's gaze remained steady, as if everything was under control.
"Oh, my dear Director... rest assured, I'm quite honest. I wouldn't dare reach for what isn't mine. (But if I believe it's mine... then it's mine.)"
A smile that didn't reach his eyes—this was the current dynamic between Samuel and Aleister.
They clashed, yet they needed each other.
Aleister needed Samuel to stabilize Academy City and intimidate the magic side.
Samuel, in turn, needed Aleister's methods. Through Aleister, he could obtain what he desired.
For instance... the living embodiment of wisdom, the Index Librorum Prohibitorum, containing 103,000 grimoires.
If Samuel tried to acquire it himself, he'd likely have to confront the magic side head-on.
And the odds of success would be slim.
But by staying in Academy City, Aleister, the Director, would handle it.
Not that it would be handed to Samuel...
But if he could intercept it, even Aleister wouldn't be able to force Samuel to relinquish it.
When that time came... they'd compromise, wouldn't they?
Compromise is an art, a skill. In the end, Samuel would get what he wanted, and Aleister would achieve his desired outcome.
Wasn't that a win-win?
***
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