Chapter 342: I Don't Care

"Spatial movement, huh?"

"Correct, but unfortunately, there's no reward for you, Director Unabara."

Li Mo had no idea what Kirihara Gensei looked like because the man had encased himself in a powered suit.

He was that kind of person—cowardly and paranoid. Even though he was already living in a shelter capable of withstanding a nuclear bomb, he still maintained an extremely cautious lifestyle, eating, drinking, and even relieving himself while inside the powered suit.

"I've rarely seen someone as afraid of death as you."

Li Mo had to admit, this was the first time he'd encountered someone like Kirihara Gensei. Even Muzan Kibutsuji, that despicable boss, wasn't this paranoid.

—Or rather, if that despicable boss had been as cowardly as Kirihara Gensei , his reputation might have been slightly better.

A protagonist with persecution complex is far better than someone like that scum.

"Is that so? I'd like to ask you, sir—you're not an esper, but a magician, right?"

"Correct," Li Mo snapped his fingers. "After all, multi-talented espers don't exist."

"You seem quite knowledgeable about espers."

"Because it feels familiar," Li Mo said. "Over a hundred years ago, there was a magician who created the Thelema system. Its core principles align closely with those of espers. Last century, that magician also founded the Thelema Abbey. For some reason, the abbey was later closed. But in this city, I can see the shadow of the Thelema Abbey."

The core principles of Thelema are threefold:

1. "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law."

2. "Love is the law, love under will." 

3. "Every man and every woman is a star."

These three statements encapsulate the essence of Thelema, evoking a sense of complete intellectualism, or Gnosticism—the belief that the human soul can ascend to divinity through cultivation.

Upon closer examination, it becomes clear that Academy City's espers bear a striking resemblance to the principles of Thelema.

—It's quite subtle.

"What are you implying…?"

"Nothing. It's just that I tend to talk a bit more when facing someone who's about to die. After all, as everyone knows, the dead can't speak."

"Aren't you afraid? While you've breached my defenses militarily, as a member of Academy City's Board of Directors, I also hold a political position. Are you prepared to face political retaliation?"

Political retaliation?

The ruling class of Academy City is undoubtedly the Board of Directors. They control the majority of the city's resources.

Li Mo thought for a moment. "Oh, you mean being labeled an enemy of Academy City?"

Yes, in a way. The members of the Board of Directors would band together. If one of them were killed, the others would mobilize all their resources to eliminate the threat, ensuring it didn't happen to them.

"Exactly."

"Being an enemy of Academy City, huh?"

Li Mo pondered for a moment, then said, "Why do you think I'd be afraid of that? Do you think Academy City is omnipotent?"

"The only thing I fear is Aleister. Academy City itself isn't within the scope of my fears.

Secondly… have you ever considered why a magician like me has an identity within Academy City?"

Yes, why indeed?

Kirihara Gensei recalled the earlier situation. When Li Mo appeared at the door, he had checked the database for information on him. A seemingly ordinary college student…

Who had prepared this identity for him?

"Goodbye. If there's a next life, make sure to manage your subordinates better. Don't let them betray you so easily."

"Wait… Are you really going to make an enemy of Academy City?"

"I don't care!"

The powered suit.

To Li Mo, this thing was practically useless. No matter how strong the metal was, it didn't matter.

Not to mention other methods, the Light of Judgment from the fourth tail could adjust the priority of things and solve many problems.

The resentment from the Raid Team's attack had already dissipated. But since he was here, he might as well finish the job. So, he casually killed Kirihara Gensei .

Before dying, Kirihara Gensei seemed to want to say something. It made sense—he had no idea how Li Mo had appeared as an enemy. But given his usual behavior, having many enemies was probably normal.

"Being hunted by Academy City… Does that make me a terrorist?"

Li Mo smiled.

The political protection of the Board of Directors was indeed useful. After all, Academy City was a behemoth on the international stage.

But—

When you threaten someone and label them a terrorist, you should realize that such threats mean nothing to actual terrorists.

Li Mo wasn't a terrorist.

But he didn't mind becoming one.

During this time, he had come to understand one thing.

The relationship between Academy City and Aleister.

Academy City belongs to Aleister.

But Aleister does not belong to Academy City.

A member of the Board of Directors? On the surface, this position seems powerful, but to Aleister, it's nothing more than a replaceable cog. For the Chairman, who floats in a life-support pod, finding a replacement director would be easy, right?

After all… the position of director comes with real benefits. Who would turn down such an opportunity?

"A South American magician? Their system is probably Aztec, right?"

After killing Kirihara Gensei, Li Mo was attacked by the remnants of Kirihara Gensei 's forces. However, he easily defeated them. What was subtly interesting was that one of the unit leaders wasn't from the dark side.

But a magician.

Li Mo forgot the name. He was a weakling, and his magic was mediocre. At first glance, he managed to pierce through the **Thororm Spell**, but the wounds inflicted under **Pseudo-Immortality** were laughable.

Then, Li Mo killed him.

"Really, what a waste. Why not draw the cost of magic from yourself? Making others pay the price is just weak."

This magician seemed to be named Tecpatl, an Aztec magician. His magic involved using others' bones to unleash powerful attacks. It took Li Mo three minutes to deal with him, most of which was spent trying to figure out what kind of magic he was using.

Another female magician was used by Tecpatl as a sacrificial material. For this reason, Li Mo didn't kill her outright but instead knocked her out.

Tecpatl's body also contained a Grimoire original. Unfortunately, the knowledge within was something Li Mo already possessed. After extracting it, he held it in his hand, planning to discard it later or give it to someone relevant.

"Someone's coming?"

"Accelerator?"

"Oh, no. It's the dark side group 'Group'?"