Inside the Windowless Building…

Amid a bizarre space formed by countless test tubes and machines, Aleister Crowley floated within a life-support device. Through the faint green fluid, his closed eyes observed the intruder who had suddenly appeared in this supposedly impenetrable facility.

"Interesting," Aleister's electronically modulated voice echoed through the apparatus.

"You're the first person ever to enter here silently."

His voice reverberated across the empty control room. Meanwhile, a figure took a step from midair. A black coat fluttered even with no wind, strands of hair gently swaying.

Thus, Rei Ao abruptly appeared in the most clandestine heart of Academy City.

"Impressive security system," Rei Ao remarked, glancing around. His eyes passed over the faintly glowing arrays of runic or technologic formation, then settled on Aleister.

"Since you've been monitoring me ever since I arrived, it'd be rude not to pay you a visit."

"Aleister Crowley, the General Superintendent of Academy City," Rei Ao continued, his voice cool with a hint of amusement.

"Or should I call you… Edward Alexander?"

A slight ripple coursed through the life-support fluid.

"It looks like you know quite a bit," Aleister responded, still calm.

"So, won't you introduce yourself, trespasser—or rather, visitor from beyond this world?"

"Rei Ao," the young man answered succinctly, his gaze sweeping every corner of the room.

"I come from another world."

He wasn't surprised Aleister had identified him as an outsider. Rei Ao's line of sight shifted to a shadowed portion of the room, and a faint smile played on his lips.

"And isn't there another friend hiding out there, perhaps ready to say hello?"

"…"

[…]

From that patch of darkness came ripples in the air, and a hazy figure gradually emerged. A golden light traced a humanoid outline, though its exact features were indistinct. This was the "Physical Angel," Aiwass.

[Indeed, you are not of this world.]

Its voice was like countless people murmuring at once.

[Your existence itself contradicts this world. You aren't found in any phase we know, yet you haven't distorted this world's laws. How curious.]

Aiwass drifted over to Aleister's side, tilting its head to study Rei Ao with eyes that glowed like streams of data.

[Your composition is unreadable. Your form of being exceeds the physical laws of this current world.]

Rei Ao gave a slight smile.

"As expected from a top-tier phase existence, the Physical Angel. You can sense how I'm different."

Aleister went quiet for a moment. Even with his centuries of wisdom and experience, he couldn't immediately comprehend this self-proclaimed "visitor from another world." What alarmed him more was that the stranger not only knew his true identity, but also recognized Aiwass at a glance.

"Visitor from another world…"

Aleister's voice was as tranquil as still water.

"Your arrival has upset many of my plans."

"Oh? So you want me to apologize? Or maybe compensate you somehow?"

Rei Ao teased, spreading his hands.

"Then I'm afraid you'll be disappointed."

"…"

Aleister didn't address his banter but continued to analyze Rei Ao's temperament.

"Otherworldly visitor," he said plainly, "what exactly is your goal?"

"At first, I came because of a certain person," Rei Ao answered, meeting Aleister's gaze.

"Mikoto Misaka. Of course, that also includes the people she's gotten involved with."

Bubbles churned in the life-support apparatus.

"What is your relationship with her?"

Aleister asked.

"I never observed any connection between you two… although… she has undergone a certain change."

Rei Ao's lips curved slightly.

"That part's unimportant."

He guessed they couldn't perceive the existence of the chat group anyway.

"What matters is that, as of now, she's no longer your pawn."

Suddenly, the air pressure in the room seemed to plummet. Aiwass's golden form began flickering, poised to act at any moment.

"Shall I take that as a threat?"

Aleister's voice went icy.

"If that's how you want to interpret it," Rei Ao replied evenly, his tone laced with irresistible authority.

"Not just her—everyone connected to her as well: Kuroko Shirai, Misaki Shokuhou… all of them are off your board."

Aleister's mind raced. It appeared this "visitor from another world" had a thorough grasp of Academy City's entire layout.

"How much do you know?"

he asked in a low voice.

Rei Ao sighed softly, as if pitying Aleister's ignorance. He took a few steps forward, the click of his shoes on the metal floor echoing sharply.

"I know you were once the leader of the Golden Dawn. I know how you fell into despair after your wife died. I know why you built Academy City."

He paused, his gaze keen as a blade.

"I also know you plan to eliminate all 'Magic Gods' and annihilate magic from this world entirely."

Rei Ao's grin widened.

"The greatest magician of the 20th century, leader of the Golden Dawn…

And now you're holed up in the bastion of the science side, scheming to destroy all magic—how ironic."

Aiwass suddenly floated before Rei Ao, raising a golden arm.

[Warning. Keep your distance.]

Rei Ao halted, his eyes settling on Aleister past Aiwass's form.

"Relax. I like to negotiate before fighting. What about you, Aleister?"

The fluid in the life-support device churned wildly. For the first time, Aleister's face showed obvious agitation. These were his most secret plans—even Academy City's top brass knew none of it.

"Impossible…" he muttered, "I shared those plans only with Aiwass…"

Aiwass's golden aura flared, turning brighter.

[Crowley, his source of information goes beyond anything in this world.]

[Crowley, this man… is extremely dangerous.]

~~~

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