Unlimited Ambition

When I saw him like that, I thought he felt it was inappropriate to choose too few. I didn't expect that Leonard cared about something else entirely.

"What kind of A Certain Magical Index is this? The Dead Sea Scrolls? The Book of La Hire? The Gospel of Judas? They're all just nameless junk. I just picked a few magic books about Mayan witchcraft to read when I was bored."

When I heard him say that, I rolled my eyes and sent him away. If he didn't leave, Index was about to bite someone again.

However, while Index's spellbooks are indeed high-grade, as Leonard said, there isn't a single top-tier one.

Of course, if there really were top-tier items, they certainly wouldn't be placed with these other classic texts; they would be included separately. I thought this as I reassured Index. After countless sweet words, I finally managed to bring a smile back to her face.

※※※

Roger's amnesia was just a minor incident in my life. The kind I forget in the blink of an eye. These past few days, my adoptive father's health has been deteriorating. He's already ninety-eight years old. In two more years, he'll be called by God.

In other words, we just need to be patient for another two years.

So I made up my mind to stay home as much as possible for a while. I'd just stay in Jerusalem. I'd handle some official business, play with the little nun, practice swordsmanship with Kanzaki, and study those four magic books. Life would be alright.

However, this peaceful period lasted only a little over ten days. Then, Astray from Academy City contacted me.

I heard my phone ring and saw the Academy City area code at the top. At first, I thought it was Mikoto and the others calling me. I didn't bother to look closely before pressing the answer button. But it was that bastard Astray who greeted me.

"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince... or should I address you as Your Grace?" A synthesized electronic voice came from the other end of the phone.

I frowned: "Your Excellency Chairman, this is not funny."

Hearing my answer, Astray paused for a second, as if something was amiss. But he quickly recovered, so quickly that I thought he knew nothing at all.

"Speaking of which, Academy City did receive your help some time ago." Astley's tone seemed to carry a hint of flattery for some reason.

"You're too kind, Chairman." I was also a little surprised that he would say that. So I responded calmly.

“Heh…” Astley chuckled, then cut to the chase and stated his intentions directly: “This time, it is Your Highness the Crown Prince who needs my help. Academy City needs your assistance.”

Help? I sneered inwardly, my tone dripping with sarcasm. "Oh... as far as I know, the seven Level 5s of Academy City each possess power comparable to a Saint. And the Chairman himself is hailed as the most revered (or most despicable) magician of the 20th century. Is there anything you can't handle yourself that you need help from an outsider like me?"

Astray naturally understood the other meaning in my words. However, the synthesized voice revealed no emotion: "Indeed, as Your Highness said, Academy City, aside from other things, does have the ability to protect itself... But this matter concerns one person from A Certain Magical Index. Therefore, after much consideration, I still think it is best to inform Your Highness of this matter."

When he mentioned Index, my expression turned cold. My voice also became much more rude: "One of the characters from A Certain Magical Index is currently under my protection. I want to see who has the audacity to lay a hand on her."

The synthesized voice chuckled and said, "Your Highness the Crown Prince is indeed incredibly brave, but someone as learned as you must have heard of the Golden Great Evolution Technique, this legendary magic."

My tone finally returned to normal, and I said softly, "Chairman Astray, you've piqued my interest. Please tell me more about this matter; I have the patience to hear you finish..."

Chapter Twenty: Another Kind of Fantasy Erasure

Sitting on the plane to Academy City, I couldn't help but roll my eyes. Seriously. What does Aleister take me for? His errand boy? He could handle that himself. Why push it onto me… He's holding a building in Academy City hostage! Not my Jerusalem!!

But not going isn't an option. Judging from Aleister's tone, it seems he has no intention of resolving this matter. He's practically blatantly preparing to watch the show. If I don't go and settle things beforehand, his next target might be Index.

It's best to defuse any threats as soon as possible.

Thinking about this, I calmed myself down a bit. Pshaw, it's just an unfinished Golden Evolution Technique. Just a half-baked alchemist. He can finish it in a minute.

Aureolus Isaac, formerly the "Secret Recorder" of the Roman Catholic Church, was responsible for writing grimoires. His task was to decipher existing witch magic, find ways to resist it, and compile these findings into a book to protect innocent people from witch persecution.

The Roman Catholic Church, however, uses these sorcerous books as its trump card, even threatening that anyone wishing to escape the witch's persecution must convert to the Roman Catholic Church. To save everyone, they decide to secretly smuggle the "books" out of the church.

In England, he encountered Index, a girl beyond redemption, and the two formed a "teacher-student" relationship. Despite constantly writing grimoires, he was unable to find a way to save Index and ultimately chose to fall into depravity, willing to become an enemy of the Church and even the entire world.

To research alchemy, he betrayed the Roman Catholic Church and secluded himself for three years, achieving the "Golden Alchemy," a magical technique never before accomplished in the world. Upon emerging, he targeted the "Vampire Slayer" Himegami Akisa and controlled the Misawa Academy. He sought to use Himegami Akisa to find vampires and find a way to save Index.

They promised to help Himegami Akisa create a simple "mobile church" to seal the "Vampire Killer," thus forming an alliance between them. They also armed Misawa Academy with magic.

That's about it. Besides that, there's also news that the Roman Catholic Church sent Gregorian choir to suppress them, but they were wiped out by him.

But I'm not afraid. It was just a eunuch troupe made up of castrato singers. Aureolus destroyed it, which can be considered a contribution to the world. However, the Golden Great Evolution Technique has thus taken further shape. That's a problem... Hmm, should I find some people to be cannon fodder?

I thought about it, and maybe this idea actually works. Once I get to Academy City, I won't rush to Misawa Academy. Instead, I'll go find Aleister and get him to bleed me a little. That would soothe my terrible mood.

※※※

Three days ago, right after I ended the call, Aleister sighed softly—not in a synthesized voice, but by actually opening his mouth.

"What's wrong? Disappointed?" Aiwass descended once again with immense pressure.

Aleister admitted, "Indeed, it's disappointing. I sensed a moment of awakening in him a few days ago. I thought I would have another ally. But I didn't expect... it seems another angel sealed his memories again."

Aiwass agreed: "Indeed, although his strength is much weaker, he is still an angel after all. But you don't need to worry. His seal won't last long. Besides, he will return to heaven in two years."

Aleister seemed a little disappointed: "So, does that mean I have to wait another two years?"

Aiwass was slightly displeased: "You're being too hasty."

“It’s too early to say that now. Let’s wait until he arrives in Academy City,” Aleister said.

After that, the room fell silent again.

So, three days later, I walked into Aleister's room with a disgruntled expression.

"I need you to send some men with me," I said bluntly.

“Oh… Your Highness, are you unable to complete the mission alone?” Aleister’s words were barbed.

I rolled my eyes. "It's certainly possible to accomplish, but wouldn't that be too easy? Anyone will do; I need cannon fodder, not helpers."

Aleister was silent for a moment: "Then, Your Highness, who is the person you need..."

"Anyone will do, as long as they're basically going to die. That's enough," I replied.

“If Your Highness only needs this level of manpower, I am willing to provide it,” Aleister replied.

So, a day later, at the entrance of Misawa Academy, I waited for a man with an unhappy expression, a black tattoo on his left cheek, and wearing a white coat, along with a group of people in police uniforms who looked like special forces.

"Are you the cannon fodder that Aleister sent me?" I asked.

"Hey kid, you can't be polite when you talk—" the tattooed man said, preparing to throw a punch.

Immediately afterwards, the guy, who hadn't even revealed his name, had his head sliced ​​off by an invisible wind blade.

"Since we're just cannon fodder, it doesn't matter where we die." I shrugged, then kicked over the headless corpse.

Immediately afterwards, the group of guys in police uniforms raised their guns and pointed them at me.

“I hate this feeling. Although I won’t be hurt by these toys.” I frowned. Then I used the “Spatial Reversal” spell to return all the bullets they fired. After a few screams, a pile of corpses appeared on the ground.

Don't ask me why I killed them. I'm not really sure either. I've just been feeling a bit depressed lately. And this world isn't like the last one, where there were cute wars to help me release my stress.

These guys don't seem like good people anyway. Nobody's going to care if they die.

With that thought in mind, I slowly stepped into the Misawa Academy.

"Another rat has infiltrated? It's true... I still haven't found what I need." Aureos, the half-baked alchemist I called him, who already controlled the entire building, spoke arrogantly. Beside him, a girl dressed as a priestess looked somewhat distressed. She wanted to speak up and dissuade him, but didn't know how to begin.

And so, I stepped into the building, ignoring the bleeding metal can beside me, and the students who were ignoring me as well. I walked straight upstairs.

"Oh? This guy who came this time seems quite unusual." Aureos looked at my delighted expression and became slightly fascinated.

"In that case... Grigory Choir, repel the invading enemy!" Aureos shouted in an extremely arrogant and chuunibyou-esque voice.

By then, I had already reached the third floor. A group of students, their eyes glowing blue and looking like living corpses, were walking towards me. My brow furrowed slightly.

“Grigio Hymn Team…replica…Golden Great Evolution Technique…” After realizing what was going on in an instant, the corners of my mouth turned up and a smile appeared.

"Then let me test what you fake eunuchs are really capable of!" I laughed wildly as I drew the Heaven-Slaying Sword and charged towards the group of living dead.

The undead, however, were far more formidable than their zombie counterparts. After a very brief incantation, they unleashed a barrage of blue magic projectiles at me.

"A mere trick!" I snapped my fingers, and immediately cast a constant defensive spell, "Light Shield," around myself. The translucent wall of light intercepted all of the enemy's magic projectiles.

After several rounds of attacks by the Gregorian Chant team proved ineffective, I had already closed in. The extremely powerful close-combat swordsmanship recorded in the *Sword Dao Tong Xuan* was instantly unleashed, the "Ten Steps, One Kill" technique. Blood flowed like a river among the undead, and the group was broken up within breaths.

As expected, it was just a counterfeit product. Its combat power was far inferior to the genuine article. I sighed inwardly. But my steps were not slow; I used the footwork recorded in the Big Dipper Immortal Trail. I leaped up and was almost at the rooftop.

Looking at that green-haired man, it was most likely Aureolus. I rolled my eyes. Before he could even speak, I unleashed a "Divine Punishment" attack.

This move is a magic technique that I developed myself after studying the "Huainanzi" and "Secrets" and combining it with the Cross-Syrian magic I had previously learned.

It combines three extremely powerful single-target attack spells: "Thunder Tribulation" from Eastern Taoist magic, "Heavenly Fire" from Western Christian magic, and "Destruction of Atlantis" from pagan Greek magic. It also possesses the attributes of thunder, fire, and water. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it my current ultimate technique.

As a result, in the very instant they met, Aureos was blasted to smithereens.

I was just about to breathe a sigh of relief when I suddenly realized that the Golden Grand Evolution Technique was still active! That meant Aureolus wasn't dead yet!!

A substitute puppet? A thought flashed through my mind; I knew I was about to face a thunderous counterattack. Without hesitation, I immediately cast "Heaven's Sanctuary" on myself. After that, I cautiously surveyed my surroundings.

...No response?

"Hahahaha..." A burst of arrogant laughter rang out from behind me.

Is it there? No, I can't sense anything. Is it a trap too?

The result was still beyond my expectations. I heard footsteps behind me, and then the half-baked alchemist named Aureos walked past me unhurriedly and stood in front of me.

Isn't he afraid of dying? He just witnessed my close-combat skills, right? Why did he dare to do this?! Is it overconfidence or something else?!

Just as I was filled with doubt and surprise, Aureos spoke up: "Are you Index's current guardian?"

I wasn't sure what he was planning, so I nodded in acknowledgment.

As a result, Aureos, feeling quite self-satisfied, said something like, "If you truly care about Index, then hand her over to me."

……

I couldn't help but curl the corners of my mouth into a sarcastic smile: "Are you an idiot, or have these past few years of living in complete darkness made you lose your mind?"

Aureos's smile vanished: "In that case, I'll have no choice but to take her back by force."

I couldn't help but roll my eyes, then a funny idea popped into my head. I said, "Can we wait a bit?"

Aureos once again revealed his arrogant expression: "What, have you changed your mind?"

I shook my head and said, "That's not it. I just thought of something really funny, something you'd also find interesting."

Aureos was confident, but not afraid of any tricks I might play. He nodded, indicating that he was listening.

"When you say it's for Index's own good, are you referring to her memories? A girl who is destined to be beyond saving... Have you found a solution?" I asked.

Aureolus nodded: "That's right, I've been thinking about this for the past few years. In other words, if the human brain isn't big enough, then becoming a vampire is the solution. Vampires have near-eternal lifespans. The amount they can remember is naturally greater than—"

I interrupted him: "It's already been resolved."

"What's been resolved?" A sense of foreboding welled up in Aureos's heart.

"What I mean is that Index's problem has been solved—solved by me personally."

Seeing Aureolus's smile suddenly freeze, I couldn't help but burst into laughter...