Chapter 1: A Tower of Glass. Part 1

It was a windowless room.

There were no doors, stairs, lifts, or corridors. As a part of the building, the room had no functionality. There was no way to enter the building except via a level 4 esper's teleportation ability. It could have been said to be the most impenetrable stronghold.

It was a tower formed from the materials known the deflect impacts and more defensible than an air-raid shelter. In such a tower stood a magician whose name was Stiyl Magnus.

Stiyl, a well-versed runic magician, especially in fire magic, was also an Anglican priest. A fourteen year old versed in magic and fully capable of killing other magicians could have been said to be a rarity.

Truthfully, he should not have been there.

Instead of the building, he should not have been in the city entirely. He was a member of the Christian sect "Necessarius" while Academy City was a purely scientific body that rejected the supernatural and instead produced espers via drugs, body manipulation and hypnotism.

As of then, his presence was as unnatural as shuffling a tarot card into a poker deck.

However, there was reason for his presence however unnatural it was. He was acting as a liaison for the Anglican Church in order to negotiate with Academy City on equal footing. However, as far as representatives go, he was a flawed one.

He was a man who would kill with no hesitation and could order flames to swallow a human being without a thought.

"..."

Despite it all, he was still fazed by the scene before him.

The area was too large to be described as in-doors and there was supposedly no lighting. However, the room was filled with starry lights because of the numerous flashing screens and buttons. Equips of all sizes, thousands of cables and tubes were gathered at the center of the room like blood vessels on the floor.

An enormous cylinder was centered in the room.

It was four meters in diameter and over ten meters in height. The cylindrical container of reinforced glass was filled with a red liquid.

The color was said to represent a weakly alkaline recovery fluid. Of course, to magician Stiyl, the scientific were not in his field of expertise and would not understand even after an explanation.

A human wearing a green surgical cloak floated upside down.

No word beside "human" could have described him. The silver-haired "human" appeared like a man but somehow feminine, like an adult but somehow childlike, like a saint but somehow criminal.

Had he obtained all of the possibilities that a "human" can only dream of? Or did he give up on all the possibilities that a "human" had?

Whichever it was, the only word that could describe him was "human".

"Everyone who comes here observes me and has a response similar to yours." The "human" in the cylinder spoke. He sounded like a man but somehow feminine, like an adult but somehow childlike, like a saint but somehow criminal.

"...Why let a human do it when machines can as well?"

It was how that "human" existed.

His own life was maintained by machines and so it was meaningless for him to act as he did. This "human" who seemed like he had extended his lifespan to 1700 years was now before Stiyl.

Stiyl felt fear.

He feared not the scientific technology of Academy City that could operate lives for humans but the way the "human" existed. As he had the option of machinery, he could have abandoned his body of flesh without a thought and offer himself to the machines.

It was terrifying to meet a "human" twisted enough to live that way.

"I suppose you want to know why I called you here..." The General Director of Academy City, the "human" Aleister who floated upside-down, spoke with a stern tone. "The situation has become complicated as of now."

Hearing Aleister say this, Stiyl inadvertently frowned. He could not imagine that the "human" before him would show weakness with a statement like "the situation has become complicated as of now."

"It's regarding Deep Blood, am I correct?"

Stiyl, who normally neglected honorifics, used them with Aleister.

Of course, rather than his status as "liaison for the Anglican Church," he also he knew that if Aleister detected hostility, he would be cut into pieces.

It was not an overall issue of hostility; even if it were misunderstanding or misconception, if Aleister decided it, Stiyl's life would end.

It was because they were in the enemy's base, the command center for 2.3 million espers.

"Fuu."

Noticing Stiyl's trembling, Aleister spoke. "It wouldn't be a problem if this were an esper-only issue, because it would be one of the espers I 'had'. As long as it's a citizen in this city that creates a commotion, there are about 70,632 ways to handle it and clean up..."

"..."

The words invoked no particular feeling from Stiyl. He was uninterested in Academy City procedure and lacked understanding of how the Science side operated.

"...The complications are because a magician has taken part in this when he should have not."

Thus, Stiyl pondered it.

Deep Blood: The Blood-Sucking Killer. The name came not from Academy City databases but the Great English Library.

From the wording, one could imagine that its purpose was to kill "something" which may or may not have existed. None knew what sort of ability it was or whether or not it was even genuine. All that was known was that a girl possessed the power.

In particular, the girl with "Deep Blood" was being held prisoner by a magician.

The situation was that simple. "Fu. Because the enemy is an outsider to this city, it has become troublesome."

Aleister remained inverted and spoke. "Of course, it would be trivial to send out 2.3 million espers to crush one or two magicians. But, this isn't the main issue. If we did that, it would mean that the Science side defeated magicians."

Academy City and Necessarius each had its own "world", a sphere of influence.

"Powers" and the "supernatural"... it was because each monopolized technologies that they could keep their positions. If Academy City, which controlled "espers", declared that they had defeated a "magician", those on the Magic side would not remain silent.

For example, if the latest fighter jets crash-landed in enemy territory, the wreckage could reveal the secret technology.

"It seems it'd difficult for you to send in reinforcements." Stiyl said calmly. Espers and magicians coordinating... may have been too precarious. It was already problematic to decide between the two who would lead because of the excuse of checking the other's battle abilities in order to spy on the technology.

Considering this, Stiyl formed a question. Two weeks ago, he entered Academy City, and had a battle with an esper. Why was the battle allowed so silently? Perhaps, beyond Stiyl's knowledge, the two had made an agreement. Or perhaps because he was a Level 0, he held little importance.

The situation at the moment, however, was different. Most of the espers and magicians involved were considered "important people".

"I see. So that's why you specifically asked me, an 'exception', to be here." Stiyl's expression did not change but seemingly had confirmed something.

Essentially, Stiyl Magnus was an exception. There would have been problems if espers from the Science side defeated magicians from the Magic side. However, there would be no issue if Stiyl, a member of the Magic side, defeated a magician. Additionally, Stiyl's superior also felt it important that the magician be defeated by a magician for the sake of cleaning house.

"This is the blueprint of the 'battlefield' in question."

It was unknown what technology was used to form an image in the darkness. The hologram seemed like computer graphics and the image of a building seemed ordinary enough. Then, a positional diagram of the "battlefield" appeared.

The words "Misawa Cram School" were written on the corner of the diagram.

"Through the initial building blueprints and various satellite images, we have analyzed the interior layout." Aleister's voice lacked cadence and tone. "However, we know not the magic equipment inside. Regardless, we have no understanding of magic."

"..."

"This 'Misawa Cram School' is somewhat unique." Aleister began to explain. Incidentally, Academy City was an educational enterprise consisting of hundreds of schools of different sizes. Also, the Curriculum included the paranormal, such as esper development.

It was said that Misawa Cram School catered to all of the levels of society in the country and was set up as a school in Academy City to learn the secrets of esper development exclusive to the city. It had the makings of a large corporate spy incident.

However, Misawa Cram School, which knew nothing about power development, gave off a strange impression. Perhaps it was a science cult that used the exclusivity of the scientific knowledge as a reason they were chosen by God, creating a new religion.

Misawa Cram School had even begun to go out of control and rejected the main branch's orders and did something extreme: they imprisoned the Deep Blood in accordance to the religion.

"But why must they imprison Deep Blood? Are their teachings like 16th century fanatics to achieve immortality?"

"No. Misawa Cram School lacks true existence. Essentially, they simply desire a unique esper whose power cannot be duplicated. Anyone would do."

"?"

"Levels in Academy City are decided by aptitude and power. Thus, they wanted to take the Deep Blood and examine her. As long as they could use the slogan 'we duplicated a super rare ability', students lamenting that they have ordinary abilities or Level 2s or 3s will be attracted by it... Such idiocy. They cannot change their developed power even with a brain transplant."

However, it sounded strange. Even if having a rare ability were a cultural unique in Academy City, how could anyone believe that Deep Blood, from the Magic side, existed in a scientific environment?

Just as Stiyl's considered it, Aleister casually stated the answer.

"Furthermore, objects are more valuable if rare. As long as such basic logic exists, there will be points of contention. There are many espers with unknown truths behind their powers beside Imagine Breaker. Some espers possess such tremendous power that none have seen them in a serious state."

It if it were just that Deep Blood was imprisoned, the situation would be simple. However, as Aleister had said, conflicts in the city had 70,632 solutions.

This was not the issue.

Before the situation was settled, a magician came from the outer world and invaded Misawa. He aimed for Misawa. Instead of destroying it he usurped it, transforming it into such a complicated situation.

"..." Stiyl silently stared at the diagram of Misawa. He could not see any objects modified by magic. A tension like charging into complete darkness enveloped Stiyl. Though an uncomfortable sensation, it was one he was accustomed to. It was a battle of life or death, nil or one.

He was rather unhappy that he was to battle alone in a city housing 2.3 million espers.

"Not quite." Seemingly reading Stiyl's mind, Aleister spoke. Perhaps there was a machine that could analyze a person's mind with temperatures or blood flows. "I do possess an esper who is a magician's natural enemy." Stiyl immediately froze.

Imagine Breaker: the boy who fought a life or death battle against Stiyl two weeks priors. All supernatural powers, regardless whether magic, ESP, or a Godly miracle were negated upon contact with his right hand. Such a power was considered an exception among exceptions.

"But, didn't you say that you can't use any espers to beat a magician?"

"You need not worry about it." Aleister spoke in a tone as if he had memorized it, "Firstly, as a level 0 he carries no valuable information. If I were to allow working with you, there is no fear of an information leak."

"..."

"Secondly, his lacks the intelligence to analyze Magic side technology and duplicate it accordingly. Thus, even if he were to go with you, your technology would not be stolen by us."

That old fox... for the first time, Stiyl harbored tangible hatred for Aleister. What is this 'human' in front of me thinking about? Stiyl did not understand. No matter what, Imagine Breaker definitely should not have been classified as Level 0. He experienced it first hand in battle.

It was true that the functionality of Imagine Breaker was not something that could be understood with an examination or two and he most certainly could not duplicate it and return it to the Church. However, it should have been the same case for Academy City. Or rather, Stiyl hope it was the same. If Academy City had a way to duplicate Imagine Breaker, the Church's existence would have been jeopardized. Even weapons with hundreds, perhaps thousands, of year could be destroyed by contact with his hand.

However, Aleister did not seem to treasure the precious Imagine Breaker at all. It was as if he were giving a Saint a number of trials. He was like a heavy hammer striking a piece of scorching metal into the shape of a powerful sword.

"..."

And, more importantly, the boy had the knowledge of the 103,000 grimoires beside him. Was using him a sound measure? His inner thoughts conflicted with his words. Though Stiyl harbored such suspicions, he suppressed them from appearing on his face. Careful not to show it, because of the girl's involvement, Stiyl did not want to raise unneeded problems.

"...Deep Blood." Stiyl muttered. His expression was like that of a scholar perplexed by something found that was unexplainable. "Does Deep Blood really exist? If it does that means--"

Stiyl could not continue.

Deep Blood. If there were Deep Blood, then the species to be killed must have existed. In other words, if the existence of Deep Blood were to be believed, then the other something had to exist as fact.

"Hm, the occult is not a scientist's specialty. But, you magicians—including your world— have to admit that some truly supernatural exists, right?"

Of course. Stiyl cursed in his heart.

The magical energy that magicians used could have been described as similar to gasoline. In other words, using their lifespan and life-force, the "crude oil", was refined via breathing, blood flowing, and thinking into "gasoline" for simpler use.

Thus, magicians were not omnipotent. No matter how they sought for high-leveled magic, the amount of gasoline was finite.

However, the certain creature had no such a limitation.

That certain creature had the ridiculous characteristic of immortality, meaning that they possessed infinite magic power. Even if the Earth's resources were to eventually run dry, the magical power of the creatures would continue on.

Cain's descendants: the vampires.

They were, for certain, not the feeble creatures depicted in fiction that could be dealt with by a cross or sunlight. In fact, one was enough to initiate a nuclear-level global calamity.

"Hm." In the huge container, the still inverted stared with dullness at Stiyl. "Speaking of which, do you know what do we mean by esper powers?"

"...No." Stiyl could not possibly understand neither did he believe Aleister would tell him. It was because if the moment came that Stiyl knew the enemy's secrets, he would no longer have the option to escape alive.

"In fact, esper powers are but a difference in perspective." Aleister spoke casually. "Have you heard of 'Schrödinger's Cat'? It is the most famous animal abuse case in the world."

"...?"

"I shall gloss over the details. Overall, it roughly experimented that 'reality is seen differently from human to human'. Of course, the micro and macro physical laws are different, so this cannot explain it all.

The rules of this world can be seen as a microscopic (micro) and telescopic (macro). As for which were micros and which were macros, it was said that those were also within Aleister's range of research.

"...I don't really get what you mean."

"It is alright, there is no need for you to. If you did, I would have to kill you immediately." Aleister nonchalantly told him. "...Speaking of which, it is I who truly does not understand. Is there really a Deep Blood? And what is the difference? It is just like the cat in the box."

Aleister stated that espers changed the world like how litmus papers changed colors in different acidities.

The purpose was not to marvel at the change in color from red to blue but to wonder why it had changed and whether one could manipulate such a rule. Though Aleister controlled 2.3 million espers, they were not enough to declare on the entire world. Espers are not an aim but a means.

Stiyl trembled. The human before him truly believed that machines could replace all human actions.

To this human, which parts were mechanical?

To this human, which parts were human?

"That is right." The human spoke, the being that appeared like a man but somehow feminine, like an adult but somehow childlike, like a saint but somehow criminal formed an expression which could have been considered a smile and continued. "...If Deep Blood proves the existence of vampires, whose existence does Imagine Breaker prove?"