A Certain Magical Haruka

Accelerator opened his eyes, and found himself floating in some kind of white void.

"Where am I?" He asked out loud.

"You are in a dream dimension."

Accelerator looked around wildly. "Who are you and where are you?"

"I am all around you, Accelerator. As for asking who I am, I am the one who is keeping you alive, when you should be dead. I was the one who gave you that power and strength to kill Kihara Amata."

"You're an angel?"

"Yes."

"Am I dead or alive?"

"That last blast of lightning would have killed you and obliterated your body had I not intervened. I kept your body from disintegrating, and kept your life force intact."

"Am I supposed to thank you for saving my life?"

"You don't have to."

"Well, I do recall my body being in a bad shape before going unconscious, so what happens when I wake up?"

"You have been rescued by the English Church, Necessarius. They oppose the Roman Catholic Church, but they are neutral. The one they call Index Librorum Prohibitorum has used the healing arts of the grimoires she possesses to restore your body back to its original condition."

"Original condition as in before I got shot or before I got attacked?"

"Before you got attacked. Do you have any more questions?"

"I'm someone from the Science side. Why are you watching over me?"

"You are extremely special, Accelerator. You will get the full details soon, but what I will tell you is this: the blood of a magician and an esper runs through your veins. Combined blood of this power is a taboo in this world, however. You are very unique, and you will need help from me in the upcoming war."

"I have magic in my blood?"

"Yes."

"Well, if I ask you to tell me about my past, are you going to keep quiet about it?"

"Patience is a virtue. You are waking up, Accelerator. Goodbye."

"Wait! What's your name?"

Even as the void was cracking apart, he heard the merest whisper: "Michael."

***

The magicians reentered the room, where the white light and the magic circle had disappeared. Index turned to Stiyl.

"You should wake him up so he can clean up. Kanzaki, you can let the three back in here."

"Got it."

"Alright."

Index and Stiyl turned to Accelerator, but he was already sitting up.

"How did you wake up so fast?"

He shrugged. "Thank you for healing me."

"It wasn't too complicated. You were almost dead though."

"I know."

"Well, do you want to clean yourself up? I don't know if we have any extra clothing though, but there are a lot of bloodstains…"

"No need, I'm going home." He grimaced in pain as he got up, reaching for his crutch that had mysteriously come with him. "What time is it?"

"1 AM." This came from Touma, who had reentered the room. Accelerator scowled at him. "I didn't ask you."

"Well, I do have a watch."

"Shut up. I'm going back now."

"We should have someone accompany him just in case he gets attacked again," Komoe interrupted.

"Good idea, Komoe-san. Stiyl, you'll go with him."

"Why me?"

"You did rescue him."

"I don't need an escort."

"We're not going to take any chances here. You could get attacked again and die."

"I'm going to die anyway."

"During the war, most likely. Right now, no."

"Fine."

"I'll see you off to your apartment and then you're on your own."

"Tch, fine."

Accelerator went out the door without a backward glance. Stiyl hurried after him.

In front of the apartment.

"Here you are." Stiyl turned to leave, but Accelerator called after him to wait.

"I'm not the best at being grateful, but thank you for saving me."

"Don't mention it. I was told that you couldn't die yet."

"Who told you?"

"A very powerful diviner and magician in Necessarius. He seems to know a lot about you."

"Diviner?"

"Basically, he can see the future."

"I see."

"Okay, I have to go. Stay on your guard at all times." Stiyl turned and strode away, but he paused and turned back. "You know an angel is in your body, right?"

"Yes. He spoke to me when I was unconscious."

Stiyl had a look of surprise on his face. "Did he tell you his name?"

"Something along the lines of 'Michael'."

"You're joking, right?"

"I don't joking."

"Michael is the most powerful archangel in all of heaven."

"So you're saying I have the most powerful angel possessing my body."

"Yes. This, I have to tell Necessarius about."

"They won't kill me, right?"

"No. Goodbye." Stiyl hurried down the dark street, melting into the shadows.

Accelerator stifled a sigh and unlocked the door to the apartment. To his surprise, the kitchen light was on. Stepping into the kitchen, he saw Haruka idly playing with a ball of water, her back to him.

"Welcome back."

"I'm surprised you're awake this late."

"I couldn't sleep." She turned around and her eyes landed on his bloodstained clothing. Before she could let out a shriek of surprise and horror, Accelerator had clapped one hand over her mouth.

"Don't scream, I'm fine," he hissed into her ear. He slowly took his hand away and Haruka stared at him.

"What the hell happened to you?"

"Promise not to tell the adults or the brat."

"I promise."

"I got attacked by a magician and nearly got killed."

"You seem fine though."

"I was about to die, before I got rescued by magicians from another church. They healed me." He was reluctant to tell her about the angel.

"Oh. So you're alright?"

"Yeah. I just need to change my clothes." But before he could leave, he felt a stinging pain across his left cheek. He pressed a hand to the place, staring at Haruka.

"Ow! What the hell was that for?"

"For scaring the hell out of me and Last Order. She was almost close to crying before she finally fell asleep only 2 hours ago."

"Sorry." Accelerator's voice sounded softer than usual. "I just needed some time to myself."

Haruka abruptly leaned forward and quickly hugged him. "And that's for coming back safely."

Accelerator turned and left, but not without seeing the smile that crept across Haruka's face. Entering his room silently, he saw Last Order asleep on his bed again. Quietly, he peeled off his bloody clothes and put on a new outfit, and threw the clothes in the trash. Glancing out at the hallway, he saw the kitchen light turn off and Haruka entering her room. He went to the living room and lay down on the couch, falling asleep quickly.