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

"Rensa, how are things going? Has she made any excessive demands of you? Like asking to dismantle something?"

"Director Yakumi, he and Director Kihara have only been collecting data about me."

"Is that so? It seems our young colleague is quite serious about cooperation."

Upon hearing Rensa's answer, Yakumi Hisako spoke with a meaningful tone. As someone who had lived for decades, even with the curiosity of Kihara Yuiitsu implanted in her, it didn't mean her "political instincts" had changed.

Li Mo, the youngest member of Academy City's Board of Directors. Officially, he was only twenty-one years old, but Yakumi Hisako sensed a familiar aura from him.

In a way, he was like her—someone who appeared young but was old at heart. After all, he was a magician. Although she only knew about magic as "the laws of another world" without fully understanding it, she was aware of its existence.

She also knew about Ladylee Tangleroad. Even the "Imagine Breaker" had managed to uncover traces of her existence. Ladylee was an immortal being. How could the Board of Directors of Academy City, with their vast resources, not know about her?

They even knew that this young director was from the magic side. He had never tried to hide it.

Yakumi Hisako tapped the table and asked, "Rensa, from your perspective, how does our youngest director fare in his understanding of science?"

"He's about the same as an average person. Whenever Director Kihara talks about scientific theories, he seems confused. But… even without understanding the theories, he can still utilize them. To put it metaphorically, he skips the process and goes straight to the result."

"Rensa, that's magic for you," Yakumi Hisako said. "It doesn't require meticulous conditions or extensive preparation. As long as the conditions are right, it can be activated… Ah, it's a shame that magic isn't mainstream in this city."

As a veteran of Academy City, she understood deeply that as long as the Board Chairman in the windowless building was still around, magic would never be able to cause waves in the city. Even during the September 30th incident, Kihara Gensei hadn't taken any action.

The three directors who died that day were all fools. Why would Aleister allow anyone to ruin his achievements? If he did, it must have been part of his plan.

Plan. Yakumi Hisako thought of this term. As an old-timer in Academy City, she more or less knew that the Board Chairman had his own plans. But what were they? The only one who likely knew was Kihara Gensei.

She even suspected that the young director's plans aligned with Aleister's. For a long time, he hadn't interfered with the Board's actions, whether it was the dark September Project or the Level 5 Shift Project. The Board Chairman hadn't lifted a finger.

Yet, he had allowed a young man to become a director.

"It doesn't matter… As long as he can provide me with the data I need. A body created using AIM diffusion fields. Magic… truly is convenient."

If possible, Yakumi Hisako also wanted to explore magic. The curiosity implanted by Kihara Yuiitsu made her eager to learn about the unknown.

Rensa asked, "What should I do next?"

"If he makes any requests, fulfill them. For now, we'll wait and see. Once the war is over, we'll execute the plan."

The cooperation she had discussed with the young director was a transaction. Yakumi Hisako had verbally stated that she needed his help to become an AIM being, but how could she entrust her future entirely to someone else? All she needed was the data.

—And then, she would make him her "wedge."

...

...

"Rensa…"

After leaving Kihara Yuiitsu's place, Li Mo was still thinking about Rensa. She was a bio-engineered being, capable of wielding the powers of the top six Level 5 Espers. In other words, powers could be replicated.

—But the cost was steep. Even Li Mo, who didn't care much about money, couldn't help but feel a headache when he saw the resources required for Rensa.

Even for a behemoth like Academy City, it was a significant expenditure.

The matter of the Drive Suit would have to be handled by him later. A Drive Suit based on Accelerator's power and the Solo Run Formula would be enough to combat Level 5 Espers.

Kihara Yuiitsu, the brain of the Kiharas, was astonishing. Just by making a request, she could deliver tangible results.

A monstrous mind.

Li Mo reluctantly opened the system interface. In truth, he could have just walked away. But there were still many loose ends to tie up in Academy City.

Currently, there were two things that needed to be resolved: the reform of the Dark Side and the transaction with Yakumi Hisako. Looking back on their conversation that day, the old fossil who appeared young had repeatedly claimed that she needed his sincere help to become an AIM being. But in reality, all she needed was the data from when he used AIM diffusion fields as a vessel for the angel during the Angel Fall incident. But that couldn't have been her true goal…

The Density Computer? You've already shown this to me. How could I not know?

Li Mo speculated about Yakumi Hisako's true intentions. The director wanted to become an immortal being, something akin to a data entity—a completely digital existence. Where would she store her data? AIM diffusion fields? She wouldn't dare, as that would interfere with Aleister.

The Density Computer…

Li Mo vaguely remembered that Yakumi Hisako's fate hadn't been a good one. But he couldn't dig up more details from his memory.

Forget it. When the time comes, she wouldn't dare lay a hand on Fremea Seivelun. The Human Resource Project?

As for the Dark Side…

October 30th wasn't far off. By then, the conflict between Fiamma of the Right and Kamijou Touma would erupt and come to an end. Misaka Mikoto and Shokuhou Misaki could be sent away at that time.

—That would leave only Kakine Teitoku, Aihana Etsu, and Sogiita Gunha among the Level 5 Espers.

The backlash from acting forcefully was within expected limits.

"There will be bloodshed…"

Even with the directors standing behind him, the Dark Side, whose interests would be harmed, would retaliate. The Dark Side was made up of people who risked their lives for profit.

Later, Li Mo pushed aside all the messy thoughts. Looking at his residence in District 7, he walked straight in.

Tonight, there was still some time before bed. He thought he'd spend it playing with Fremea.

Originally, that's what Li Mo had planned.

But…

When Li Mo opened his front door, he saw two unexpected guests.

Musujime Awaki and Maidono Hoshimi were in his house, playing a board game with Fremea and Frenda.

Seeing the two high-level Espers here, Li Mo knew that work would always follow him.

He felt like he had become a corporate slave.