Chapter 348: Planning for the directors

A group of people. At a glance, they were all familiar faces.

Tsuchimikado Motoharu and Kumokawa Seria didn't need much introduction, but the last one, a boy with a sunny demeanor… what was his name again? Anyway, he was the magician who had a crush on Misaka Mikoto, and his system was likely based on Aztec magic.

A double agent between the magic and science sides, a guide for Aleister, and a foreign magician who had become part of Academy City. This combination reminded Li Mo of the dark side organization **"Group."**

Only one member of that four-person team was missing.

"Are you here to look for Accelerator? If so, I'm sorry to say he's probably somewhere in the vast lands of Russia right now," Li Mo said.

Last night, he had unexpectedly and effortlessly defeated Accelerator, even cutting off the electromagnetic waves connecting his electrode to the outside world. At that point, Accelerator couldn't stand anymore and had to admit Li Mo's suggestion while lying on the ground.

To save Last Order, he had chosen to do so. Accelerator, for all his flaws, was decisive once he set his mind on something. He had gone back, taken Last Order, and headed straight for Russia.

Unsurprisingly, the #1 esper had severed all ties with Academy City, including his connections with Tsuchimikado and the others.

Kumokawa Seria said, "So Accelerator went to Russia? But didn't Russia just declare war on us?"

"That's exactly why he went. He needs power different from esper abilities, which is why he's there." After a pause, Li Mo added, "Tsuchimikado should know what I'm talking about, right?"

"You know me? I'm truly flattered."

Li Mo said, "Your identity is… special. This isn't the place to talk. Let's move somewhere else."

He could tell that Tsuchimikado and the others weren't here for Accelerator's whereabouts but for something else.

The group left Heaven Canceller's hospital and found a quiet corner nearby. District 7 was home to many schools, but that didn't mean it was only filled with schools.

They found an outdoor café, and Li Mo ordered a drink while observing the three young people in front of him.

Then, he tossed a few artificial gemstones from his sleeve and said, "From now on, no one will notice us here."

"A spell to ward off bystanders?" Tsuchimikado Motoharu sensed a familiar aura and asked.

"Not exactly. It's a small trick based on that. This space has been temporarily alienated. Our voices and actions won't reach the outside, and no one will notice us."

"Is this… an ability?" Kumokawa Seria asked, clearly puzzled.

Li Mo shook his head. "No, it's magic. Don't think magic doesn't exist. Haven't you seen your companion's methods? An Aztec magician is quite rare."

Tsuchimikado sat across from Li Mo, with Kumokawa Seria to his left and the Aztec magician to his right.

"Mr. Li Mo, may I call you that? My name is Etzali, a magician from **The Return of the Winged One**. Thank you for saving my companion and returning the original grimoire to us," Etzali said.

Yesterday, he had used magic to disguise himself as Oyafune Monaka, preparing to confront another Board member, Unabara Mitsuki. Unexpectedly, by the time they arrived, Unabara had already been killed, leaving only a hole in the shelter. Accelerator had gone in first, and they followed, only to unexpectedly pass out before reaching the final room.

When they woke up, they found the original grimoire of **The Return of the Winged One** and their former companion, Tōkichirō, lying beside them.

"How did you know it was me?" Li Mo asked.

"'Dragon' told us."

It was Tsuchimikado Motoharu who spoke. At this moment, Kamijou Touma's classmate looked unusually serious. The current situation demanded nothing less.

What had happened from last night to today was surreal. Starting from the discovery that Unabara had been attacked, things had taken a bizarre turn. They had passed out midway and woke up to find Unabara dead and Accelerator gone. They left in disgrace, only to receive a message from 'Dragon.'

—Russia's declaration of war now seemed insignificant.

They had been pursuing 'Dragon,' and 'Dragon' had sent them a message saying that they could find all the answers by seeking out the man before them.

"Dragon? Aiwass, that guy. It's said to be close to an angel, but it seems more like a human to me," Li Mo said.

Having faced an angel—**Raphael**—Li Mo felt qualified to make such an assessment. After defeating Accelerator, his mindset had shifted. It seemed he wasn't as weak as he had thought?

"Aiwass?"

"That's Dragon's name. Compared to a codename like 'Dragon,' Aiwass is more fitting. Also, don't ask what it really is. It's fine for Accelerator and me to know, but not necessarily for you," Li Mo said, scanning the three of them. "Now, back to the main point. What do you want from me? Or rather, what else did Aiwass suggest to you?"

Tsuchimikado Motoharu gave Kumokawa Seria a look.

The latter took a sip of her drink and said, "'Dragon' told us that we could seek answers from you for anything we wanted."

"So, what do you want?"

Was this a test?

Li Mo remained expressionless. Why had Aiwass directed Tsuchimikado and the others to him? More importantly, did Aleister know about this?

Kumokawa Seria said, "I want… my friends to no longer be controlled by others."

"Aiwass… this is getting interesting," Li Mo said. "I know your situation. Because your friends are under someone else's watch, you're forced to take on certain tasks, right? A Level 4 spatial ability user like you certainly has that value. To achieve what you want, you'd need to play a game with the Board of Directors. Unfortunately, you've always been a pawn, not a player. I think I understand what Aiwass wants me to do."

Was it to stir up trouble in Academy City?

To make sure Aleister had enough to deal with?

No, Aleister's core was Kamijou Touma and Accelerator. As long as Academy City remained the stage and those two weren't involved, everything would be fine.

Coincidentally… I need to ensure Fremea's safety before I can leave with peace of mind.

After some thought, Li Mo said, "You've already seen it—only a Board member can oppose another Board member. But most Board members would rather use you, as their hearts are mostly black. However… there are exceptions. But that sole exception is too weak to act, only strong enough to protect herself."

Everyone present knew Li Mo was referring to Oyafune Monaka.

That elderly woman was undoubtedly the kindest of the Board members. Despite being a skilled diplomat who excelled at understanding people, she still maintained a kind heart.

But she couldn't influence the Juvenile Correctional Facility.

"Locking those children in the Juvenile Correctional Facility is politically correct. So, the best way is to take over the facility. Of course, you've probably thought of that. The real challenge comes next.

The war has already begun."

"Russia's declaration of war is a turning point, and turning points often mean reshuffling. Coincidentally, didn't a Board member's position just become vacant yesterday?"

Li Mo smiled.

After all, if things went south, he could just leave. By then, even if he offended Aleister, given his status as an outsider from another world, Fremea would be safe.

If he succeeded, Academy City's database might open up to him.

Perhaps he could even find the connection between Thelema and esper abilities.