Chapter 346: Brother

**Translation:**

"Unlucky, unlucky, unlucky!"

"Why did I have to help that idiot Hamazura Shiage go against Mugino?!"

Frenda Seivelun's situation was dire.

The enemy she faced was her former boss, Academy City's Level 5, **Meltdowner**—Mugino Shizuri!

Of course, thanks to the protective charm she had, Frenda managed to survive the first blast of **Meltdowner** unscathed. But the subsequent attacks pierced through her body.

She lay on the cold ground.

This was the border between Districts 2 and 3, home to Academy City's aerospace center and the city's only airport.

It hurts…

Blood was flowing.

Earlier, she had the strength to yell about how Hamazura was a jerk. But now, she didn't even have the energy to do that…

Why did it come to this?

Frenda began to reflect.

Today was supposed to be a good day. She had planned to celebrate Rikou's discharge from the hospital with Kinuhata and that idiot Hamazura. Then, a new mission came up. She and Mental Out were supposed to clean up the **Raid Team**. After discussing it with Kinuhata, they decided that Mental Out was too annoying, so they went ahead to complete the mission… only to be attacked by armed helicopters along the way.

Later, Kinuhata Saiai and Frenda got separated. Frenda had no choice but to team up with Hamazura. Coincidentally, they heard that the salon in District 3 had been attacked by the **Raid Team**, so they rushed there to save Rikou. Then, they ran into Academy City's #1 esper, who killed all the **Raid Team** members. A small conflict arose between them, but it wasn't a big deal. Surprisingly, Hamazura had the guts to throw a punch at Accelerator for Rikou's sake. Meanwhile, Frenda just hid to the side.

After that, they were attacked by Mugino, right? They fought all the way here. Turns out, Frenda was pretty capable too, managing to hold her own against Mugino alongside Hamazura. Unfortunately, Mugino found an opening and hit Frenda. The first shot was blocked by her protective charm, giving her a chance to dodge and avoid being cut in half.

It hurts…

So cold…

Her thoughts seemed to slow down. Frenda's life began to flash before her eyes. She suddenly thought of her little sister, Fremea Seivelun. In the past, she feared death because she worried about who would protect her sister if she died.

That's why she was willing to do anything to survive.

Now, it seemed she could die without regrets, right? After all, that person would take care of her sister.

"I'm such an idiot…"

She had known about the conflict between Mugino and Hamazura for a while but didn't pay much attention to it after a few days.

Am I going to die?

I really don't want to die…

Has Hamazura not come back yet? That guy's all looks and no substance—he's probably dead, right? So, I guess there's no hope for me?

Actually, if I called that person "big brother" like my sister does, would I get more protection?

So tired…

Her vision seemed to blur, and a figure appeared before her. Frenda thought it was a hallucination. After losing so much blood, it was normal for her condition to deteriorate.

So…

"If only you were really my big brother."

"Oh, that's up to you. But before that, I think I heard someone call themselves an idiot?"

"Huh?"

The world before her eyes became clear again. The girl realized the person in front of her was real, not a figment of her imagination.

Then, she was lightly tapped on the head.

"Huh? What 'huh'? Who did this to you? They went too far. But at least you weren't cut in half, turning into Fren)(da like a certain Honoured One."

"Am I going to die?"

"I've already stopped the bleeding. It's pretty hard to die in front of me."

The person who had arrived was none other than Li Mo, who had rushed from District 2 to get here.

With his **Pseudo-Immortality**, Li Mo possessed a near-immortal body and an immense reserve of life force. Among magical techniques, there were spells that allowed one to use their own life force to heal others. Li Mo did just that, using magic to stop Frenda's bleeding.

"But I can only guarantee you won't die. I can't guarantee you'll fully recover. I'll take you to the hospital later. Can you walk?"

"Um… probably not, sir."

"Didn't you just call me 'big brother'? You can call me that, like little Fremea does."

"Huh, really?"

"Up to you. I'll carry you on my back. Is there anything else you need to take care of? If not, we'll head straight to the hospital."

Frenda understood her current situation.

Her life was no longer in danger. Her… no, her big brother had used some mysterious method to ensure her life wouldn't fade. There was even room to deal with other matters.

"Is it really okay, big brother?"

"Of course, it's okay."

"Let's just go to the hospital! I… I don't want to worry about Rikou anymore. Ugh~ I think I'll just call you 'sir.'"

"Sure."

Li Mo didn't mind. Although he had yet to meet Hamazura Shiage, one of the three protagonists of *A Certain Magical Index*, he was close to completing the set.

"By the way, where's your phone? I tried calling you earlier, but it didn't go through."

"I lost it."

"I see."

"I tried calling you too, but you didn't answer."

"I was under attack. Don't worry, I killed all the attackers. I even took down a Board member as a bonus… Wait, is that a supersonic jet?"

The airport wasn't far from here, and Li Mo could see a jet streaking across the sky.

"Is Hamazura Shiage on that plane?"

"Huh? Why do you say that?"

"If the #4 had won, that plane wouldn't be taking off."

Carrying Frenda on his back, Li Mo slowly made his way toward District 7. When it came to hospitals in Academy City, the first one that came to mind was the one run by Heaven Canceller.

Hearing Li Mo's words, Frenda murmured, "I see. Why did things turn out like this?"

"People always change," Li Mo said. "The future is uncertain. That uncertainty is both the charm and the cruelty of the future. On this path, you never know how the choices at the next crossroads will affect everything."

"Is that so? I understand. Thank you… big brother."

The girl's voice gradually softened until it disappeared. She rested her head on his shoulder, feeling for the first time how reassuring it was to have a solid presence to rely on.

Li Mo could feel the girl on his back falling into a deep sleep.

Her life had been saved, but the mental strain was still there… Frenda was a good kid at heart. That was why Li Mo had been willing to save her.

Letting a child like her step into the darkness was one of Academy City's many sins. Beneath the city's prosperity lay nothing but malice.

Li Mo moved quickly and steadily. Without waking Frenda, he arrived in District 7.

The same nurse greeted him.

Then, Heaven Canceller emerged from the hospital. "You're back?"

"Yes, and this time I really have a patient. I'll leave it to you," Li Mo said sincerely.