"So, you mean we're going to place a person with magical abilities in Academy City? That will break the delicate balance between the two sides, won't it?" Aleister's voice, as calm as a lake, rang out in the Windowless Building.
"The reason the magic and science sides can maintain peace is that neither side can understand the other's technology. This keeps the two worlds separated, ensuring there is no reason for them to interfere with one another. Once one side deciphers the laws of the other, the balance will be broken, leading to unpredictable conflicts. I am naturally aware of this outcome," Laura Stuart's charming voice replied over the comms.
"To prevent this from happening, I've implemented a protective system on the Index Librorum Prohibitorum that will retaliate if its knowledge is accessed. I don't believe science can decipher this defense mechanism."
Their thought-provoking words echoed in the dark room. The two leaders seemed to treat the girl they were discussing not as a human being, but rather as an object—a chilling realization.
"I see. But I cannot understand why a grimoire library so important to Necessarius would end up in the Far East," Aleister said calmly.
"The reason is simple. It is to collect the grimoires scattered around the world and held by various magical cabals. Originally, these grimoires were to be sent to the Vatican for sealing, preventing unscrupulous individuals from abusing their power. However, in order to ensure the grimoires could still be read if necessary, the knowledge is stored within the minds of believers with special constitutions, and their memories are cleared regularly."
The stunning blonde Archbishop on the screen spoke eloquently.
"However, when she arrived in your island nation a year ago to collect the latest grimoire and undergo her memory erasure, she escaped due to the negligence of her guardians. She mistakenly believed she had been captured by an evil sorcerer who wanted to exploit the grimoires in her memory."
"That child has been on the run ever since. Because of her misunderstanding, those of us trying to protect her cannot do so directly and must act in secret. Coincidentally, the direction she is fleeing towards is Academy City."
Aleister watched the screen calmly. "I see."
"That child will require another memory erasure in twenty days. To prevent opportunistic factions from taking advantage of her, the personnel protecting her will temporarily enter Academy City. To avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings, I will issue a formal notification to all magical factions regarding this matter."
"That is acceptable. Academy City also needs a channel to communicate with the magic side. This benefits us as well."
"Furthermore, I've decided to leave the Index Librorum Prohibitorum in Academy City."
"Is there a reason?"
"Board Chairman Aleister, you must know very well what the Index Librorum Prohibitorum means to the magic side. To prevent malicious factions from constantly targeting her, I believe it is necessary to place her in Academy City—a place where magic cannot be used," Laura Stuart said with a slight smile.
"Academy City also needs a partner who won't disrupt the balance of power, but can still deal with magical intruders. The Anglican Church can use the pretext of protecting the Index Librorum Prohibitorum to purge invading magicians from your city. I imagine you would be very interested in such a collaboration."
"It is indeed a mutually beneficial arrangement. However, if the magic side believes Academy City is using this opportunity to acquire magical technology, they will likely launch a large-scale invasion."
"This problem is easy to solve. We just need to find a guardian who is absolutely incapable of learning magic to look after the child. Then, the magic side can rest assured." Laura smiled and winked.
"If the prerequisite is someone who cannot learn magic, I do have two trump cards up my sleeve. Please, choose one."
In Lambeth, London, deep inside St. George's Cathedral, Laura looked at the two photos displayed on her screen.
"Ideal Exile! Takahashi, the original Gemstone esper. And Imagine Breaker, Kamijou Touma. Are they both right hands specifically designed to deal with magicians? How interesting." Laura squinted, smiling slightly as a demonic presence shimmering with starlight seemed to slowly emerge from behind her cascading golden hair.
'Are they manifestations of the wishes and ideals of the Magic Gods, used to measure the two extremes of the world?' she pondered.
'There's no need to elaborate on Imagine Breaker; it appeared in the 9th century and then reappeared in the 19th century as a spiritual item crafted from the arm of a saint. It was obtained by Edward Alexander, the most evil magician of the 19th century, before he was eventually defeated in a magical battle.'
'In the 21st century, it was unexpectedly drawn to Kamijou Touma, manifesting in the form of his right hand.'
'And this other right hand, "Ideal Exile," only appeared in this century, didn't it? Did the Magic Gods have a disagreement about their ideals?'
'Each right hand acts as a ruler used by God to measure and balance the world.'
'Interesting. There are already three right hands in this era: the Holy Right of the Son of God, representing the collective ideal of magicians; Imagine Breaker, the benchmark by which gods measure the world; and the newly emerged Ideal Exile, representing the extreme opposite.'
Laura saw through the overarching design in an instant. 'If it is Edward Alexander, he would be far more interested in Ideal Exile than Imagine Breaker, which he had previously possessed.'
'So, when will we finally be able to catch your tail, Edward Alexander?'
Laura blinked and gave a slightly playful smile.
"Board Chairman Aleister, judging from the options, I believe the gentleman possessing Ideal Exile is more suitable as the guardian of the Index Librorum Prohibitorum. It is common knowledge that Gemstones—those born with innate supernatural powers—cannot use magic. This fact should be much easier for the various magical sects to accept."
Magic was originally designed for those without talent; in fact, magic initially imitated the miracles produced by Gemstones. By its very nature, those with innate talent cannot wield a system specifically designed for the talentless.
"Are you certain?" Aleister asked.
"Yes, Chairman. I hope we can have a pleasant collaboration in the future," Laura said with a smile.
"The pleasure is mine," Aleister replied.
The communication link was severed.
The Windowless Building returned to its usual quiet atmosphere, but Aleister's gaze shifted to the person slowly stepping out of the shadows.
"It seems this development is something you find pleasing," Aleister's calm, synthesized voice rang out.
"I never expected to hear such wonderful news so soon after arriving." Takahashi put his hands in his pockets and smiled, unable to hide his unexpected joy.
He had initially come to "discuss" handing Index over to him, but he had unexpectedly overheard something far better. The Archbishop of the Anglican Church across the ocean had actually chosen him to be Index's guardian.
'Well, now I can even save myself the trouble of wasting my breath,' Takahashi thought.
"However, I'm curious why you offered my name to the church across the ocean. Wouldn't it be better for your plans to let me return to the position of 'The One' later?"
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