Chapter 321: A Slight Blush (Second Update)

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The Apostolic Cross—according to legend—was modeled after the cross erected over the tomb of Saint Peter, one of the Twelve Apostles. It is considered the highest-grade spiritual equipment ever created.

As long as this artifact is planted into the ground, the area within its effective range is transformed into territory of the Roman Orthodox Church. Everything and everyone within that range falls under the Church's control.

Even the most unreasonable decisions made by the Roman Orthodox Church will be accepted without question. People will willingly and happily comply.

Furthermore, all believers within that radius will experience overwhelming happiness. Even if they work all day long, even to the point of death, they will feel nothing but joy.

To George, this spiritual artifact seemed like a large-scale mental hypnosis device.

"So their real target is Academy City?"

At that moment, George came to a realization.

The Roman Orthodox Church had fabricated a fake Stab Sword as bait. On the surface, it appeared they were targeting a Saint from the Anglican Church. In truth, the ploy was a diversion. Their true plan was to sneak the Apostolic Cross into Academy City and claim the entire city as their own territory.

"The target isn't just Academy City. They plan to seize Academy City first, consolidate its power, and then use that power to wipe out the remaining magical organizations. From there, they'll go on to rule the entire world."

Aleister bluntly revealed the Roman Orthodox Church's true ambition.

Academy City houses a vast number of espers, including Level 5s like Accelerator, who surpass even Saints in power, along with a wide array of advanced technologies that far exceed modern standards.

If all that were to fall into the hands of the Roman Orthodox Church, the balance of global power would be completely upended.

Such an outcome was something Aleister could never allow. So, abandoning any further efforts to train Kamijou Touma, he decided to send George to act immediately and retrieve the Apostolic Cross.

"No problem."

George nodded in agreement and was just about to move when he caught sight of Oriana. She had begun stripping off her battle-worn clothes, standing completely nude as she retrieved a pre-prepared duffel bag from below the stairs and calmly began changing.

"...Maybe I should wait a moment."

"The marker's already been reclaimed, and the Stab Sword incident has likely been exposed.

But it's all right. Leave everything to your big sister. I'll take care of this.

In the end, things will turn out just the way we imagined. This city will become happy, and so will the entire world!"

Oriana finished adjusting her skimpy camisole and wrapped up her conversation with Lidovia.

Just as she was about to leave the underground stairwell and continue luring the pursuers, a figure suddenly appeared behind her.

"Excuse me, beautiful—mind telling me where you've hidden the Apostolic Cross?"

"You tracked me down this fast? It seems the Necessarius really does have some skill."

Oriana's body stiffened for a moment before she turned around.

"No wonder... it's you."

As a mage highly skilled in tracking and counter-tracking spells, being located this quickly—without even noticing someone so close—truly surprised her.

But when she saw who it was—Misaka Mikoto, one of Academy City's Level 5 espers—she understood.

It must've been Academy City's technology that detected her presence and sent a Level 5 esper to investigate. That would explain why she hadn't sensed it.

"In that case, let me see just what kind of level a Level 5 esper really operates on."

Without wasting any time, Oriana bit down on a card and immediately began casting a spell.

"Symbol of Earth!"

A massive wave of earth, five to six meters high, surged toward George, aiming to bury him beneath its weight.

A flash of electricity sparked in George's hand, and the wave of soil was blown apart on the spot.

Unless absolutely necessary, George avoided using overt magic. He preferred to fight using his esper powers and physical strength whenever possible.

If the magical world were to discover that he could use both esper abilities and magic, it would cause a seismic shock throughout the community.

At present, the fragile balance between science and magic was maintained by the belief that espers could not use magic and magicians could not use esper powers.

If someone capable of wielding both were to appear, it would suggest that the two forces could be fused.

In that case, magicians might be able to acquire esper powers, gaining access to both systems and becoming exponentially stronger.

However, after observing Oriana's earlier fight with Kamijou Touma and the others, George concluded that his esper abilities alone would be sufficient.

He was now classified as a Level 5 esper, on par with Misaka Mikoto. Moreover, he possessed the genes of Magneto, making his esper abilities even more powerful than Misaka's.

His electrical output exceeded hers, and he could manipulate metal just like Magneto. Currently, his magnetic control could exert force up to 1,000 tons—a hundred times stronger than before.

This leap was due in part to the massive gap between Level 4 and Level 5, but it was also thanks to his integration with Dragon Crystals and mastery of Dragon Slayer Magic, which had drastically enhanced his physical body.

"Impressive strength, but not much going on up top!"

As the wave of earth dissipated, Oriana was no longer in sight—she had reappeared behind George.

The earth attack had merely been a diversion to conceal her movement. She was well-informed about Misaka Mikoto and knew full well that the earthen wave would be ineffective.

Her real goal was to circle behind George and launch an unblockable spell from close range.

"Symbol of Earth: Bloodline Rupture!"

This spell targeted the opponent's bloodstream, causing their blood to expand within their veins and ultimately burst them open.

Most magicians and espers didn't have bodies much stronger than ordinary people. Even if they didn't die instantly from ruptured blood vessels, they would be seriously injured and unable to continue fighting.

She had used this spell before to defeat many powerful magicians who were stronger than her.

As long as the opponent wasn't some physically monstrous being like a Saint, the spell almost always worked.

"Interesting spell."

George turned to look at Oriana, a faint flush appearing on his face—but it quickly faded.

He had felt the magic attempt to affect his bloodstream, but his body was practically that of a humanoid dragon. A little turbulence in his blood wasn't nearly enough to rupture his veins.

At the very least, the spell would need to be dozens of times stronger to even pose a threat.

Still, he found the concept of a magic that directly manipulated blood quite intriguing.

Truth be told, this delivery girl of a magician really did have quite a few tricks up her sleeve.

"How... how is this possible?"

Oriana was stunned. George's face had merely reddened for a moment, then returned to normal—completely unscathed.

According to the intel she had, Misaka Mikoto—a Level 5 esper—had an electric-based ability, not one that reinforced the body. There was no reason someone with such powers should be able to withstand this kind of magic.

(End of Chapter)