Multiverse: Why does the world show a health bar? !

The Security Officers of Academy City are the police force and security apparatus of Academy City. However, unlike police forces in the outside world, Security Officers are not a formal profession. Their members are all volunteer faculty and staff. They do not receive salaries. 

In other words, on the surface, Academy City's security force is a group of volunteer teachers. 

"The role of Security Officers is quite awkward. You are not espers and lack strong individual combat capabilities. Compared to the dark side, you don't have access to the most advanced equipment. Rather than being police, you're more like security guards. Most of your work involves dealing with armed Skill-Out groups and cooperating with Judgment to maintain daily safety. But when it comes to the troubles caused by higher-ups, you're powerless." 

"For example, a few months ago, you were unable to stop the actions of Therestina Kihara Lifeline. Political pressure prevented you from doing the right thing." 

Li Mo calmly laid out the reality. As a board member, the secrets of Academy City were no longer hidden from him. 

"Miss Tsuchimikado, don't you want to change this?" 

Tsuchimikado replied, "The difference between the Chief of Security and a regular Security Officer isn't that significant. The political pressure you mentioned can't be countered just by the position of Chief of Security." 

"What if I, as a board member, support you? With authority second only to the Board Chairman, I can resist political pressure." 

"What about the pressure from the武力层面 (force level)? Do you need Security Officers to protect you? Security Officers can't do that. Or are you relying on the dark side?" 

Tsuchimikado Maika knew about the existence of the dark side. 

In a city as vast as Academy City, how could there not be a dark underbelly? 

Li Mo shook his head and said calmly, "Force level? I actually hope someone would try that. It would give me a legitimate reason to retaliate. Unfortunately, since I took office, there have been quite a few attacks, but they've all been small fry. Should I use this opportunity to get injured and lure out bigger fish? It's probably too late for that now." 

"Do you have significant conflicts of interest with others?" 

"Probably. In the midst of the current war with the outside world, I'm likely seen as a hindrance." 

A hindrance? 

Tsuchimikado Maika watched as the young board member shrugged, seemingly indifferent. 

Li Mo continued, "A hindrance to whom? Do the interests of the board members align with those of Academy City? The answer is clear—the interests of the board members do not represent the interests of Academy City. To be precise, the members of the Academy City Board of Directors, including myself, are primarily driven by personal gain. Though, in my case, I've already achieved my personal goals after becoming a board member." 

"The internal conflicts are too complicated to explain in detail. Miss Tsuchimikado, are you willing to become the Chief of Security with my support?" 

Tsuchimikado Maika brushed a strand of hair from her face and asked, "What would you need me to do as Chief? Become your 'white glove'?" 

"No, no, no. The main reason I became a board member was to gain access to the Library's permissions. Now that I have that, I don't have many other ambitions. But looking at the current chaos in the dark side, I can't help but feel it's a waste. Espers like the #1, #2, and #4 have immense research value, yet they're being used as tools." 

"To put it simply, I think the dark side is too chaotic right now. Most board members are, to some extent, connected to the dark side. The intertwining of various interests has created the current situation. It's frustrating. Just a few days ago, I was living in a Diamond-class apartment when a rogue dark side organization attacked me." 

Li Mo would always remember the name "Anti-Skill." Honestly, he had been enjoying his life in the Diamond district, savoring the pleasures of life while slowly digesting the grimoires and keeping an eye on Frenda's actions. He had planned to step back once the new "ITEM" was formed after Mugino Shizuri was taken down by Hamazura Shiage. 

But then, the story took a different turn. 

"Although I wasn't a board member at the time, and my identity was unremarkable, the Diamond district is the core of the commercial area, right? For the dark side to act so boldly there—betrayal, exchanges, assassinations—it's too chaotic… I don't like it." 

Tsuchimikado Maika frowned slightly and asked, "What are you suggesting?" 

"If you become the Chief of Security, I will support you in taking action against the dark side. We may not be able to completely eliminate the dark side, but at the very least, we can reduce the chaos." 

Li Mo said, "On October 9th, there were many conflicts. The large-scale dark side battle threw the entire underworld into chaos. With the current war, this is the perfect opportunity. Miss Tsuchimikado, after all my explanations, can you give me an answer?" 

"One last question—why me?" Tsuchimikado Maika asked. 

Li Mo gave his answer: "Because you're a good person. 'I will not use weapons against children. Regardless of whether they are espers or not, I absolutely will not use weapons. That is a rule I have set for myself.' That's your philosophy, right? I admire that." 

Tsuchimikado Maika said, "You've done your homework, Board Member. In that case, I am honored that you're offering me this opportunity." 

"Good. I will take action soon. Please wait for my instructions. Your job will be simple—when the time comes, I hope the Security Officers can protect certain students. Miss Stephanie, I hope you can cooperate with Miss Tsuchimikado." 

Hearing this, Tsuchimikado Maika roughly understood what the board member was planning. Cleaning up the dark side would inevitably affect many students. How would these students be handled? If the board member handled it personally, it would give others leverage, framing it as dark side infighting. But if it were handed over to the Security Officers, it would be different. 

At the very least, that was the impression he gave. 

Tsuchimikado Maika, dressed in her suit, and Stephanie, fresh out of prison, left the room. 

Once they were gone, Li Mo called out, "Come in, Musujime Awaki." 

"Move Point" Musujime Awaki appeared in the room. She said, "Board Member Kaizumi Tsugutoshi has agreed." 

"Kaizumi Tsugutoshi's agreement is expected. Among the board members, he's one of the rare good ones. Additionally, his advisor, Kumokawa Seria, is a woman with sharp instincts. She can see that my actions are for the greater good." 

Li Mo put his hands in his pockets and said, "While Aleister's attention is focused on Russia, I can do whatever I want in Academy City." 

With Kamijou Touma and Accelerator gone from Academy City, the world's focus is on the frozen lands of Russia. Aleister's plan… as long as I don't interfere with the Sisters, everything will be fine. 

Li Mo didn't know the full details of Aleister's plan, but he knew its purpose and methods. That was enough… His own plans were always changing. As Aiwass put it, the plan had been patched up so many times that it was full of irreparable gaps. 

But in the end, Aleister failed to achieve his goal. All Li Mo needed to do was wait for the day Lilith returned. 

Li Mo asked, "Musujime, any results on the matter regarding the #3?" 

"She has already accessed the part of the Library related to Kamijou Touma. Board Member, why are you doing this?" 

"Of course, it's to get all the Level 5s to leave this city and head to Russia." 

He knew that even without his intervention, Misaka Mikoto would go to Russia. In that case, why not give her a little push? 

"Musujime, please make sure that whatever information Misaka Mikoto receives, Shokuhou Misaki also gets." 

If the #3 is going to act, then the #5 might as well join in, right? By then, Academy City would only have the crippled #2 and the hot-blooded #7 left. 

Li Mo didn't care that Kakine Teitoku had become a refrigerator. As for Sogiita Gunha, with his one-track mind, no one would be able to use him. 

And the #6? 

Since there's no information about them, they might as well be considered dead. 

"Board Member." 

"What is it, Musujime?" 

"A girl claiming to be the #6 has come to see you." 

"Oh?" 

Did the slap in the face come this quickly?