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

The sky is vast, the earth is vast, but Fremea is the greatest. Li Mo adored her. If he were to have a daughter in the future, he hoped she would be as sweet and endearing as Fremea.

"Big brother, I'm going to bed now. Goodnight, and make sure you sleep early too!"

"Mm, I will. Go on."

Fremea rubbed her eyes and headed back to her room alone. After having the shrine maiden spirit check on Fremea to ensure she was asleep, Li Mo turned his attention to the visitors.

Musujime Awaki and Maidono Hoshimi.

The former needed no introduction. Days ago, she, along with Tsuchimikado and Etzali, had been recruited by Li Mo. Others, like Kinuhata Saiai and Yakumi Hisako, had also been brought under his wing.

Li Mo had long since become the most powerful figure in the Dark Side.

As for the latter…

"Musujime Awaki, when did you get Maidono Hoshimi out of Anti-Skill custody?"

Li Mo asked.

Maidono Hoshimi had been undergoing adjustments at Heaven Canceller's facility. Her arms had returned to normal, and though she no longer possessed the destructive power of a Level 5 Esper, she was still stronger than most Level 4s. She was undoubtedly a capable fighter.

Li Mo had sent her to Anti-Skill's prison. According to his original plan, after undergoing criticism and education there, she would return to a normal life.

Yet, here she was, standing before him alongside Musujime Awaki. It meant she had no intention of leaving the darkness behind.

Was she forced, or was this her own choice?

Musujime Awaki spoke up, "Director, she chose to stay of her own will."

"We're not lacking in combat power, even from a Level 4 Esper."

Li Mo trusted Musujime Awaki's words. "Maidono Hoshimi, didn't you want to return to a normal life with your friends? Why stay? It's not too late to change your mind."

"I won't regret it."

Maidono Hoshimi's tone was resolute.

After leaving the hospital and spending time in Anti-Skill's prison, she had been left alone to think. In the empty cell, with no one else around, the girl named Maidono Hoshimi had been able to reflect on her past actions from a new perspective.

Once, she had been obsessed with her arms being unable to hold chopsticks. But after recovering, when she could hold them again, it felt like it didn't matter as much as she thought it would. Before entering Anti-Skill's prison, she had a meal with her friends, and they all celebrated her recovery. They laughed and chatted, but looking back, it felt like something was missing.

What was it?

Maidono Hoshimi realized she had grown accustomed to the Dark Side.

"Won't regret it?" Li Mo fell into thought. He wasn't good at guessing a girl's thoughts. Then again, in the future—next year, to be precise—after becoming the Board Chairman, Accelerator would take further actions, and they could return to normal life then.

Li Mo said, "Then it's up to you. Awaki, I assume you didn't come just for this, did you?"

"When are we going to act, Director?" Musujime Awaki asked. "We've issued the regulations for the Dark Side, saying we're going to reform it. But so far, we've only announced the rules without enforcing them. Those rules are just empty words."

Without the threat of force, the regulations were nothing more than a piece of paper. At first, when the rules were announced, everyone had held back, waiting to see what Li Mo would do. But now, with no action taken, it was all bark and no bite.

Li Mo didn't explain, remaining steady and unmoving. When he had issued the regulations, he had defeated Gensei Kihara, leaving no visible opposition. The fact that he had defeated the second-ranked Esper was enough to keep the smaller players from acting recklessly.

Musujime Awaki pressed, "What are you still worried about, Director? You've already defeated Kakine Teitoku. He won't stand against us now. Politically, both Mitsuari Ayu and Yakumi Hisako are on your side. The only visible opponent, Gensei Kihara, was defeated long ago. There's no obstacle to enforcing the regulations now, is there?"

Li Mo looked at Musujime Awaki, then at Frenda beside her, and smiled. "Awaki, you're much smarter than Frenda. You can see the current situation clearly."

"Hey! Big brother, how can you insult your sister like that?" Frenda raised her arms in protest.

Li Mo sighed, a hint of sorrow in his voice. "Little Frenda, your sense of danger is too weak. Think about it—if I hadn't shown up back then, wouldn't you have been caught by Kakine Teitoku? Your teammates managed to escape, so why did you end up being the one who got caught? As Kinuhata said, you're too careless and don't pay attention to details."

"But I've completed my missions successfully before!"

"Yes, yes, little Frenda. Is your choice the same as Maidono Hoshimi's?"

"Yes, big brother."

Li Mo didn't ask why. If Frenda was willing to remain in the darkness, then so be it.

He said, "Right now, Academy City seems calm, but Musujime Awaki, have you forgotten? The reason for this calm is that Academy City is still at war."

"Isn't that all the more reason to act now?" Musujime Awaki asked. "Once the rules are established, some of the returning Dark Side organizations will be absorbed, and others will resist, but they won't be a significant threat."

Bloodshed among the Dark Side wasn't uncommon, and physical destruction was undoubtedly the most efficient way to solve problems.

"Do you have a list of the Dark Side groups violating the regulations?"

"Yes. Are we acting now?" The girl, wearing a coat with a chest wrap underneath, grew serious. Just because they hadn't used force against the violating Dark Side groups didn't mean they weren't aware of them.

"We'll act on the night of October 30th."

"Why that day, Director?"

"Because on that day, Kamijou Touma, Accelerator, and Hamazura Shiage will all be on the soil of the Elizalina Alliance of Independent Nations."

There were three protagonists in the world of *A Certain Magical Index*.

Aside from Kamijou Touma, the absolute protagonist, the other two had significant roles. Academy City's #1, a hero who had crawled out of the darkness. And the ordinary boy who, for the sake of others, could bravely move forward.

On that day, World War III would end. By acting then, Li Mo wouldn't be accused of "stirring up internal conflict during wartime" in the future.

Of course, there was another important reason.

—On that day, Kazakiri Hyouka would leave Academy City.

At that time, Academy City's AIM diffusion fields would be in a brief state of vacuum.

"What's so special about those three?"

After leaving Li Mo's residence, Musujime Awaki was puzzled.

The three names were familiar to her. As Aleister's "Guide," she was no stranger to Kamijou Touma. Academy City's control over Espers was extremely strict, and Espers were almost never allowed to leave the city. But Kamijou Touma, the Imagine Breaker, could leave Academy City with ease and was even allowed to stand on the side of other factions.

Kamijou Touma's privileges hinted at something special. As for Accelerator, his uniqueness needed no explanation. And Hamazura Shiage, who had once been under Frenda's command, had defeated Mugino Shizuri twice by sheer luck. Could he defeat her a third time?

As far as Musujime Awaki knew, Mugino Shizuri, after her treatment, was still planning to continue her pursuit…

"Senior Musujime, are you still troubled?"

"Being troubled won't help. We'll just have to wait until October 30th."

So many days had already passed. Waiting a couple more wouldn't hurt.