Chapter 352: Aleister's Question

In the heart of District 7 stood a building with no doors and no windows. Most residents of Academy City didn't know what this building was, treating it as a landmark similar to the Statue of Liberty.

The remaining few knew that this building was the residence of the Board Chairman. But how could one enter such a building?

This was where the **Guide** came in.

Superpowers were one of Academy City's trademarks. Among the myriad of abilities, there were spatial espers. The **Guide** was one such spatial esper.

That would be **Move Point**, Musujime Awaki .

"This building is quite interesting."

After meeting Musujime Awaki , Li Mo accompanied her to the building. He looked up at it, finding it fascinating from his perspective.

Not just in terms of architectural style, but its essence was rooted in mechanics. It could be seen as a defensive structure capable of withstanding nuclear attacks, much like Unabara Mitsuki's shelter.

—This was from a scientific perspective.

From a mystical perspective, Li Mo observed that the building's interior formed its own separate dimension. He couldn't enter using spatial movement magic—likely, most spatial espers couldn't either. Only the **Guide**, Musujime Awaki , had the necessary authorization to enter easily.

"Thanks, Musujime Awaki . You don't have to be so formal. Even though I've become a Board member, it doesn't mean I've changed overnight."

Li Mo ruffled Musujime Awaki 's hair, acting like an elder.

In terms of age, he was indeed older. Musujime Awaki was still a student at Tokiwadai Middle School, while Li Mo was already at the age of graduating from university.

"Respect for Board members is necessary."

"For this city, Board members are just high-level employees. The real boss is the one inside. Alright, enough chit-chat. I'm sure the Chairman is getting impatient."

"Please wait a moment."

Musujime Awaki placed her hand on Li Mo's shoulder.

In the next second, the familiar sensation of spatial movement occurred. Li Mo went from an open area into a vast room.

In fact, if not for the visible walls, Li Mo might have thought he was still in an open space. This room blatantly defied Euclidean geometry, with space stretched far beyond normal limits.

In the center of this expansive room was a four-meter-diameter, ten-meter-long cylinder made of tempered glass, filled with a red liquid. Suspended upside down within it was a figure.

No, it wasn't just a man.

It was a man, a woman.

An elder, a child.

A sinner, a saint.

…Multiple possibilities could be seen, representing every facet of humanity.

This was Aleister Crowley.

The Board Chairman of Academy City.

"Hello, esteemed Chairman."

Musujime Awaki left immediately after bringing Li Mo in. For the young girl, appearing in Aleister's presence likely required immense courage.

In this state, Aleister was no longer human.

By consolidating various possibilities, the being before Li Mo was Aleister in his most generalized form.

Or perhaps his most amplified form?

"Good evening, my Board member."

"So, what brings you to summon me, Chairman? Do you need me to fulfill some condition? Right now, aside from the flesh on my body, I don't have much of value."

Li Mo spoke casually. His confidence had grown significantly since his first arrival in Academy City. It wasn't just the power of his four tails that gave him this assurance.

It was the system. Of course, Li Mo had also considered what would happen if the system failed.

But one must always look on the bright side. Even if that happened, he could just lie down and accept it.

"This is our first meeting, isn't it? Li Mo."

"Of course, my dear Chairman."

"I called you here to answer your questions. If you have any doubts about this city, you can ask me." Aleister's voice echoed.

Li Mo said, "Couldn't you have left this to Kihara Noukan?"

"No, you're special. You're the second person in the world to correctly decipher *The Book of the Law*. In every sense, you deserve this conversation."

Aleister continued, "All humans have their own goals. Whether they're ordinary people, espers, or even magicians, no one escapes this. Li Mo, what is your goal? Often, you take things one step at a time, filled with uncertainty about the future."

Li Mo looked up at Aleister, deep in thought…

The purpose of his magical name was to remind himself not to forget Tamamo-no-Mae. That was a bond formed in the past, and he needed a way to traverse worlds independently. But so far, he hadn't found a method.

"Aleister. Are you truly cursed by the world? Doomed to fail, to never achieve your desires?"

"If you examine my past, then yes, I am such a person."

Li Mo said, "I'll say it again. You can look forward to my performance when I leave. Perhaps it'll be a little surprise for you."

Aleister said, "In that case, I won't press further. I just hope that in the future, you won't easily block the **Underline**."

"No problem, my dear Chairman."

"Tomorrow, I will convene a Board meeting…" Aleister and Li Mo seamlessly shifted the topic, focusing on the role of a Board member.

Scattered throughout, Aleister shared many things.

The conversation continued until its conclusion. With permission, Li Mo used spatial movement magic to leave the building.

As Li Mo departed, the space didn't fall into silence.

"It's confirmed. He knows my past, even the events of the Golden Dawn era. He knows everything." Aleister spoke, seemingly conversing with a presence in the void.

Aiwass's voice echoed, "Interesting. Could he be an observer? Watching the world from some corner, from the past to the present?"

The Golden Dawn of old had long since fallen, its history buried in the sands of time. Ordinary people knew nothing of what had happened…

Yet he seemed to know everything.

"When he said those words, I felt a subtle sense of pity."

"Doesn't that prove he's on your side, Aleister?"

"We can lower his threat level. Moreover, I'm more interested in his mention of 'leaving.'"

"I'm also curious. Where will someone who suddenly appeared in this world go?"

Aiwass spoke thus.

...

Outside the building, Li Mo patted the dazed Musujime Awaki and said, "Let's go."

"Huh? It's over?"

"The review is complete."

Aleister had been testing him. But it seemed the results satisfied the Chairman.

Li Mo's answers showed he had no hostile intentions, and his disclosure of information conveyed that he knew everything.

A magician who knew the plan and didn't sabotage it was essentially harmless.

Next, it was time to prepare for tomorrow's Board meeting.