Chapter 336: Advice

When will the 103,000 Grimoires ever be finished? Li Mo didn't know.

Recording the Grimoires was easy, but understanding and erasing the knowledge within them was a difficult task.

In a single day, Li Mo didn't have enough time to read through an entire Grimoire. Yet, he had managed to finish the **Book of the Law**.

With Aiwass's explanation, if he couldn't fully grasp the **Book of the Law** in a day, then Li Mo might as well give up on mysticism and stick to swordsmanship.

"Do as thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law."

Personal reality?

Li Mo stroked his chin, feeling as though he had touched upon the key to esper development.

Index had said that espers were people with talent, while magic was a path explored by those without talent. So, did "espers" here refer to all espers in Academy City? Or did it refer specifically to **Gemstones**?

The reason the **#7** was ranked seventh wasn't because his combat ability was weak. It was because his esper ability had no developmental value. Even the mysterious **#6** had more research potential than the #7.

Gemstones were quite different from ordinary espers. So, could espers who gained their abilities through artificial development be seen as… another form of "magic" explored by those without talent?

"What a bold idea."

If he had access to the historical data on esper development, he might be able to deduce something. But that information was all stored in the **Library**.

Aiwass's words suddenly resurfaced in his mind.

He had to admit, it was a tempting offer. But Li Mo still chose to decline. **Aleister Crowley**, floating in his life-support tube, was a rational being—he didn't even crack dirty jokes.

Now that Aleister saw him as a factor that wouldn't disrupt his plans, it was best not to cause unnecessary complications.

Li Mo knew very well that he only had one chance to cause complications—when he could leave this city, this world.

The next time he came here, it would be a matter of the future.

Who knows? By then, he might be able to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Aleister.

Or maybe, by then, Aleister would have become **Laura Stuart**? Hah.

With his hands behind his back, Li Mo walked out of his small room.

Then he saw Frenda returning through the door.

"I thought this was your safe house? Coming here every day, aren't you afraid it'll stop being safe?"

"With Mr. Li Mo here, this is the safest place."

A magician.

Frenda had only learned about the existence of such people in this world a couple of days ago.

She had seen his combat abilities—he was at least a Level 5. The fact that he had fought the **#7** and only suffered damage to his clothes was already impressive. Not to mention his subsequent use of spatial movement.

With someone like him living here, Frenda was brimming with confidence.

"Oh. Right… In a few days, Academy City will become turbulent. Be careful then."

"Huh?"

"What do you mean, 'huh'? War is about to break out."

Even without stepping outside, Li Mo knew that **Aqua of the Back** had been driven back by **Kanzaki Kaori** and the **Amakusa Church** last night. What followed would be internal strife in England and the **Third World War**.

The conflict between the **Roman Orthodox Church** and Academy City was reaching a boiling point.

"War? Like the previous Dark Side War?"

"No, not the Dark Side War. A world war. You can think of it as a large group of magicians from the magic side declaring war on Academy City." Li Mo stretched lazily.

With an escape route secured, his energy and spirit had noticeably changed. Li Mo didn't need to worry too much. Even if a **Magic God** attacked, he could still make his escape.

It's not like those Magic Gods could shatter the system, right? They couldn't even travel to other universes.

Besides, most Magic Gods were still hiding in the **Hidden World**. **Ideal Disposal** hadn't appeared yet, and **Othinus** hadn't regained her power. Why panic?

"Huh?"

"The **September 30th Incident**. On that day, Academy City came to a standstill. Three of the **Board of Directors** died. That was the work of **Vento of the Front** from the Roman Orthodox Church. Her spell was quite troublesome—anyone who harbored malice toward her would be attacked. That was the cause of the entire incident. Anyway, that's enough for now. Go cook, I'm hungry."

Seeing the bags Frenda was carrying, Li Mo gave her the order.

"Oh, understood, Mr. Li Mo."

"How was your meeting with your friend today?"

"It went well. She's a Level 0, just like me."

"Is that so?"

Li Mo didn't press further about who Frenda's friend was. As she had said, she had around a thousand friends. Who she met today had nothing to do with him.

It's not like it was someone he knew, right?

Transforming into a couch potato, Li Mo lay on the sofa and waved his hand, summoning a tablet from across the room.

With an identity in Academy City, he also had access privileges. Interestingly, his access level seemed quite high.

So high that he could even see the damage caused by **Vento of the Front** on September 30th. One line stood out clearly:

**Three members of the Board of Directors deceased.**

Out of the twelve directors, they seemed to hold power, but in Aleister's eyes, they were replaceable.

If Kamijou Touma had been in mortal danger that day, Aleister might have personally stepped out of that building.

"Later, when **Mugino Shizuri** and **Hamazura Shiage** clash, you can stay here. I can still guarantee your safety."

Although he couldn't fully understand Aleister's stance, as long as the man didn't make a move against him, Li Mo had nothing to fear in this city. Even **Accelerator**… he still lacked the necessary conditions to cross the abyss. With just his **Black Wings**… he probably couldn't defeat Li Mo, but he certainly couldn't kill him either.

**Pseudo-Immortality** was no joke.

As a couch potato, Li Mo enjoyed the meal Frenda prepared. The girl's cooking skills were actually quite good, though she had a habit of sneaking mackerel cans into the meal—something Li Mo couldn't stand.

At least it wasn't **surströmming**. Frenda had Nordic blood, so one day she might develop a taste for fermented herring, and Li Mo wouldn't be surprised.

"By the way, Mr. Li Mo. Is there really no way to avoid the conflict between Mugino and Hamazura?"

"Do you think **Mugino Shizuri**, the #4, will let this slide? She's someone who's still bitter about her ranking." Li Mo said, "But don't worry. Hamazura… I've seen him. He'll become someone like Kamijou Touma or Accelerator."

"Huh? No way! Hamazura's just a Level 0!"

"I'm not talking about abilities, but the choices he makes when faced with challenges." Li Mo said with a smile.