Chapter 8

Magician II

Truth and Reconciliation

Tsukuyomi Residence

"Touka, I suggest that you should go for now." Kouta said.

"But-"

"No buts, every second you dilly-dally is a second she's bleeding out."

"Don't worry about her, she's in good hands. Now go."

Touka sighed and nodded in agreement.

Once, Touka left Kouta's residence he looked at the bleeding girl on his futon.

There was something uncanny about this girl she seemed familiar she almost resembles "her". He was aware of Indexes' he was once a guardian of what he assumes the previous Index holder.

But, her current guardian or guardians are extremely incompetent to let the Index get lost and be badly wounded like this.

Kouta tried to ignore his concerns for now.

"Now, you won't try to kill me." Kouta asked Iris or rather the Index directly.

"Based on the circumstances you are the one only option for the recovery of this body. However, if you attempt to pry any books from the Grimoire Archive with no authorization whatsoever. This Index will not hesitate to eliminate you with extreme prejudice." The monotone voice said.

"Isn't that reassuring."

Kouta walked by the sink and open the faucet. He cupped his hands and began gathering water on his palms.

"For inquiry what school of magic are you planning to use on this Index?" Iris's head shifted and looked at Kouta.

"Celtic." Kouta simply answered.

"The Uisce Beatha, the healing ability of Fionn Mac Cumhaill?"

"Correct."

Kouta gathered enough water and proceeded to walk towards Iris.

"O' Life Scooped with These Hands, let it heal this water heal the wounded." Kouta chanted the water in Kouta's hand began to glow a pale blue.

"Open your mouth." Kouta said.

Iris opened up immediately and Kouta poured the water down on Iris' mouth.

As Iris gulped down the las of the glowing of the water, her wounds began to glow and slowly heal.

Her flesh having accelerated recovery began to reconnect the torn sinew and flesh.

"The body has stabilized and mana recovery is minimal. John Pen Mode will deactivate to let the body rest." Iris' said as the influence of the John Pen is losing its grip. Her lifeless eyes began to teem with its lost vibrancy. And, her tense body began to relax on the futon.

"Thank you." Iris said with a smile.

"No problem, but you need to get out of those bloody clothes first." Kouta said.

Iris' cheek began to redden and she tried to get up.

"No, don't worry I can-" Before she could get up she felt dizzy and lethargic.

Before she could fall to the tatami floors, Kouta caught her. And, Iris' head rested on Kouta's shoulders.

"No, you cannot do it yourself. I won't do anything weird with you, okay."

"I can't get married if you see me." Iris said weakly.

"Stop, your whining you're not the first woman I have seen bare." Kouta said.

Iris could meekly nod from her anemic state.

With Makoto and Misaki

"Misaki, I suggest you run away. You'll get in the way."

"I won't and I don't plan to leave you here." Misaki said confidently despite her legs are shaking.

"I'm not playing around here! You could die!" Makoto said as he gritted his teeth.

"You think I don't know that!? I plan to stay and I don't care what you think."

Makoto sighed.

"Fine, I can't guarantee your safety just stay out of the way."

Misaki nodded.

"So, where were we Mr. Magician. You said you'll kill me, right?" Makoto said mockingly.

He got responses from the man, he remains in his stoic composure.

"Silent types, huh?"

Makoto gathered the Iron Sand into his hand began to form a blade with the length of 2m.

While Shirou was calm and composed as he unsheathed the Nodachi out of the scabbard and pointed it to Makoto.

There was a tense silence.

Misaki just watched from the sidelines the tense staring contest between the two men had.

The first one to move was Shirou, with movement unperceivable to the human eye. He cut the distances almost instantly.

Makoto was shocked at this monstrous display of speed.

Shirou swung the Nodachi at Makoto's neck, but it was stopped by a strong magnetic force enough to repel the blow and pushed Shirou by 2 meters.

From Makoto's left hand he fired a bolt of lightning only for it to be redirected away from him. Shirou used the Nodachi as a lightning rod and the long Japanese katana seemingly absorbed it. He aimed the Nodachi and fired it to a nearby car causing it to explode.

Makoto rushed forward and he swings at Shirou. For every swing was countered by either a block or a parry.

Shirou slashed his Nodachi upwards and shattering Makoto's Iron Sand sword.

Shirou was about to kick Makoto in the stomach but Makoto instinctively summoned the iron sand to block it.

Once, the kick connected and Makoto was sent flying.

The numbness in his stomach was apparent. But, he steeled himself and hardened the Iron Sand to make a pillar to dampen his crash.

He stopped about 18m away from Shirou and hitting the concrete wall of the nearby building.

Makoto massaged the bruise in his stomach as he eyed the man.

Makoto rationalizes his options, his magnetic shield barely held back Shirou's monstrous strength. And, based on his movement this was Magic. CQC was out of the question his sword swing will just overwhelm him.

So the Railgun then.

Makoto gathered more iron sand to himself until it swarmed around him like a dark storm. And, he sends black tendrils of iron towards the sword-wielding Saint.

Shirou with his great agility just bobbed and weaved from the strikes of hundreds of sharp tendrils towards him. He slashed at any tendrils he failed to evade.

While Shirou was busy with dodging the attacks from a swarm of black tendrils. Makoto was using his specialized vision to see the extent of Shirou's speed.

Makoto whipped his arms forward and sent a line of magnetized iron sand. The Nodachi was caught so he forced it down and followed with another bundle of iron sand to force down his free hand.

Now Shirou being restrained by the iron sand. Makoto aimed the Railgun directly at him.

The instant the orange light struck the road surface on the road, the asphalt was blown away like an airplane making an emergency landing on the ocean. Even after traveling a 30-meter path of utter destruction, However.

"Nanasen." Shirou said softly.

And, in a split second his bounds were cut down and with Shirou's sword being freed, he sliced the coin thus bisecting the Railgun in half.

7 seven wires began to travel at impossible speeds towards Makoto.

Makoto raised his arms instinctively, but his magnetic field faltered and it left swallow cuts and minor lacerations on both of his arms.

"Ack!" Makoto hissed.

Makoto now distracted was caught off guard when Shirou sent a powerful push kick. Causing Makoto to be skid on the road about 8 meters away.

"I had enough playing around." Shirou said coldly as he readied his Nodachi to strike again. But, this it was imbued with a strong magical presence and it was so strong that he felt like the area had the pressure similar to the deepest depth of the ocean.

With one quick-draw movement, he uttered, "Yuisen."

As the Nodachi was released out of the sheath the blade was masked in a light blue light.

Shirou swung the Nodachi horizontally and a wide arc of blue raw magic that was heading to the vulnerable Makoto

Makoto saw a glimpse of death and he had nothing to stop this. Even, if he raised up the concrete beneath him it wouldn't have stopped this wave.

But, someone jumped in his way and raised up their right hand.

He heard a familiar shattering sound and the wave dissipated.

It was Touka only wearing her school top and spats?

But, before Makoto could speak. Shirou was already in front of them and stuck the hilt of his Nodachi at Touka's stomach, causing her to stagger. It was followed by a brutal roundhouse that her sent flying to a nearby fence.

"TOUKA!"

"YOU BASTARD!" Makoto shouted in anger as he held up his hand to fire his strongest Electric Lance at Shirou.

The burst of electricity left a large cone-shaped crater in front of him.

But, it was all for naught.

Shirou instantly closed the distance and smashed the scabbard at Makoto's temple. And, all that Makoto felt was pain and numbness. His consciousness was fading. He willed himself to stand up but his vision blurring. The last thing he remembered was a kick to the gut and everything fade to black.

6:00 AM

July 18

Makoto stirred in his unconsciousness as he felt something warm clinging on his arm. His head still felt sore and his arm stung a little. When he opened his eyes he was met with the sleeping Misaki clinging to his right arm and a dingy apartment. He pried his right arm away from Misaki and rose up from the futon he was lying on.

Misaki was wearing frilly pink pajamas. And the buttons of her chest were conveniently open.

Before Makoto could protest about this situation.

Makoto saw Touka by the kitchen. She was wearing short shorts and a black t-shirt with a big Gekota printed on the chest.

"Good Morning, Makoto." Said Touka as wore an apron.

"Morning..." Makoto said as many questions swirled in his mind.

"About last night what happened?" Makoto asked.

"We had an agreement with that man, he'll give us three days before they return again for Iris" Touka pointed towards another girl on a different futon.

"Oh, hello there." Iris said meekly at the brown haired teen.

"Hi." Makoto said.

"I'll tell you over breakfast what happened yesterday."

Misaki began to stir awake as well and she steadily rose up from her slumber.

Misaki without saying anything she hugged Makoto. Before he could pry her off, Makoto felt something wet on his neck. The blonde was crying.

"Don't do anything reckless, I thought you just died, idiot..." Misaki said in a low voice.

Makoto just let her be for now. He just rubbed the back of her head to comfort her.

Misaki shifted her body as she sobs until she was straddling Makoto.

...

After a few minutes, Misaki didn't let go the pace of her breathing increased and Makoto felt her breath on his neck. Makoto pushed her away and was met by Misaki's expression being overcome by lust. Her eyes were half-lidded and eyed Makoto like a piece of juicy meat. Drool began to drip from her mouth as she slowly tries to close the gap between their lips.

Makoto annoyed at this didn't hesitate to electrocute her junior Level 5. He channels as much electricity as he can without killing Misaki.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHH~❤" She moaned loudly as she let's go.

Touka immediately rushed into the living room where the two were sleeping in.

"The hell happened?!"

"Nothing just controlled a woman in heat." Makoto scoffed.

Makoto free from Misaki's grasp finally stood up and stretched his sore muscles.

"So what's for breakfast."

"Do you think I'll just ignore the fact that you just electrocuted a girl?"

"Ignore her, she'll just grab onto me like a dog in heat."

"Isn't it a little rude to call your girlfriend a dog?" Iris intervened.

Iris scratched her cheeks awkwardly.

"I don't mind it. He can call me whatever he wants." Misaki said blissfully.

Touka sighed.

"At least let her join us, I don't appreciate people who don't acknowledge the people who worry about them."

Makoto scratched the back of his head and sighed.

"Fine."

Makoto sat by the futon and looked at Misaki with a serious expression.

Misaki grabbed the sheet and seductively leered at Makoto.

Makoto ripped off the sheets with a stoic expression.

"Kyah~ I didn't take Makoto as the forward type."

"I appreciate your concern, but please act a little serious here. We almost got killed by these Magicians or Mages or whatever."

Misaki pouted.

"You're no fun, Makoto~kyun."

Misaki stood up and dusted herself.

"Being in a rat's den of a filthy old man doesn't do any favor for my complexion. But, being the same bed as Makoto is fantastic, so it's not all too bad." Misaki said as she eyed her dried skin.

"To~chan did you cook up a good meal for us?" Misaki sweetly said as she wrapped her arms around Touka's shoulders.

"Yeah, I just set it up."

"Lovely."

"Umm... Are you gonna let go?" Touka asked.

Misaki's fingers twitched slightly, but she let's go.

"Sorry about that." Misaki said with a slight nervousness in her voice. As she began to awkwardly play with her fingers

This was lost on Touka. But, Makoto seemed intrigued by this.

'Strange? Usually, Misaki is spiteful to any female who wasn't her part of her clique or anyone she subjugated?' Makoto pondered.

"Welp, I'll just help myself to the food." Makoto pats Touka on the head and checked Misaki's reaction.

Misaki was more occupied with her thoughts rather than trying to stick to me.

'Facinating.' Makoto thought.

The three began to take a seat on the kotatsu, the only furniture here in this loft that wasn't buried in beer cans, used clothes, cigarette buts or all of those clustered together.

The breakfast was simple it was rice, kaarage, and miso soup for all the residents here.

"Itadakimasu." They all said in unison.

"How are we still alive?" was Makoto's one simple question.

"Well, it started yesterday in the morning..."

That Night

Misaki's eyes widen when she just saw Makoto and Touka being brutally knocked out by Shirou. Since Touka recently arrived she was still standing. Her eyes couldn't keep up with Shirou's movements and everything happened very fast. One moment Makoto had the upper hand and now he's down for the count.

Her fears keeping rising up as she just looks at the injuries and bruises on Makoto.

'Oh God the blood!' Misaki cringed and felt cold after she saw the bloody battered body of Makoto.

Without thinking rationally she went to Makoto's unconscious form and she didn't know what to do.

Her spoiled lifestyle made everything too easy for her. But, now she was helpless, powerless and worthless in these situations. She knew out of all the Level 5s she was the weakest even the lowest rank, Gunha surpassed her in a physical sense. She was just an accessory in these fights and can't even fight what she assumes was a mid-tier Saint.

And, she knew Touka couldn't match this monster's strength and speed and she will be just be blitzed. Her right arm won't just cut it with this man's insane feats.

"Stop it!" She pleaded to Shirou.

She went between Shirou and both Touka and Makoto.

Shirou just looked at her.

"Please.."

"Very well, I'll spare the three of you for your transgression. But, you must give us back the Index by tomorrow." Shirou said as he slashed sideways to clean the blood on it and finally sheathing the Nodachi.

"If not, I won't hesitate to kill all of you." Shirou said as he glared at Touka and Misaki.

"What's your name?" Touka asked.

Shirou with his piercing stare looked at Touka then sighed.

"Shirou Kanzaki."

Touka also mentioned how she met Iris or the Index just the morning before that.

"After what happened today, all of you deserve an explanation for all of this." Index said.

"I'll start with an introduction, I am formally known as Index but please refer to me as Iris. I am associated with the Anglican Church's 0th Parish, Necessarius or the Hidden Witch Hunting Sect of Britain. I only know certain information about the organization, everything is blank."

"Blank?" Touka asked.

"Yes, I have no recollection of who I am. The first memories I had was waking up in Haneda Airport and nothing else. But, I have memories of my purpose as the Index." Iris said.

"I am very sorry that all of you got involved in this mess. I never intended for all of you to be bothered in my behalf." Index said.

"It's not that much of a hassle and I'm more interested in magic, though." Makoto said.

"Well, do you want a short explanation or a long one?" Iris asked.

"The long one so I can have a grasp of all this." Misaki said.

"Very well then."

"Magic is a power that was created when early espers started to appear as early as the 1st Century around and even before that. We call this era the Age of Miracles where some people seemingly will out miracles. Figures like Jesus and Buddha started to appear during this era of history. People tried to replicate these miracles and succeeded in creating these miracles, at the time there were people called Alchemist. They stumble upon magic rituals and the other group into science, thus they separated pursuing two different laws. That's the basic history of magic, any questions?"

"Can I use magic?" Makoto asked.

"No, it would destroy your body as your mind will collapse on itself. I theorized that the Idol Theory of a Magician and the Personal Reality of an Esper will conflict in one's body. I read enough to understand the basic mechanics of an Esper that their source of power is reasoning and proven scientific facts. Whilst, Magic is based on faith and spirituality is therefore irrational under science."

"I see... So what do we do, for now, we can't really beat Kanzaki-san." Touka said.

"They'll arrive this afternoon, huh." Misaki added.

"I just use my trump card as fast as possible." Makoto said.

"Brute force won't work on a Saint, Misaka-san. A Saint's body has near superhuman capabilities and durability." Iris said.

"They kept insisting they were with you, though. Iris do you know why?" Misaki asked.

"I don't remember and I have no recollection of them." Iris said.

While the three teens were discussing amongst themselves.

Kouta was outside of his house just thinking a thought he couldn't remove.

'That girl's appearance is too uncannily similar to "her". Are they related or perhaps... No, no, no it's not possible it was a long time ago. But, the years add up with the Index's age.' Kouta downed a bottle of cold bourbon and breathed out.

Kouta gulps another drink and spits it out to the air.

But, the dark brown liquor floats softly in the air. Kouta began to write some runes on floating liquor and it began to glow a dim blue.

The floating liquid began to shape like a mirror and an image is slowly being formed.

An image of a blonde woman with extremely long hair like that of Cinderella was showering. Pearly white skin and baby blue eyes complimented her beauty. The woman on the bathtub noticed the water mirror in front of her and saw Kouta through said liquid mirror.

"What made you call me back after all these years, Kou-kun?" Laura smiled warmly at Kouta and her being comfortable with her nakedness.

"Why are your Mages hunting down the Index?"

"The ritual to erase her memories went horribly wrong the John Pen decided warped it's away from London and I smell an interference from a certain beast."

"Is that all?" Kouta glared at her.

"You know it's kind of rude of you call me in my bathing hours and just hound me with questions. Kouta my doors are open just for you. You can come anytime." Laura winked suggestively at the salmon-haired teacher.

"I don't want it."

"Aww, is all our time together mean nothing to you~" She cooed.

Kouta was about to cancel the spell.

"I know why you called Kou-kun." Laura said mockingly.

"You want to know who the Index is. Do you?" A smirk crept up her face as she mockingly looked at the salmon haired teacher.

"I know you'd have suspicions the moment your eyes fell on her. I'll cut to the juicy bits and tell you the truth."

"She's our daughter." Laura grinned a condescending smile at Kouta.

He didn't know what to make of this situation.

"Why?" Kouta simply asked.

"Possession of the Index makes you a formidable force in Magus Society and by freakish luck, she met the requirements to be the Index."

"Even if you were to take her now, she'll always be subservient to mother dearest." Laura said as she flaunted the Index's Collar to Kouta.

"I honestly don't care." Kouta said as he puffs smoke at Laura's general 'direction'.

"Eh?"

"I don't want a connection with that girl and I made it clear the day I left Necessarius that I wanted a quiet life. What a troublesome women you are."

Laura pouted, "You're a hard man to please, huh? I won't hesitate to cut her down if she goes out of line."

Kouta eyed the blonde brit dangerously.

"I prefer you not killing any of those children." Kouta warned.

"Ohh, touched a nerve did I? You've gone too soft where was the man who didn't hesitate to brutally punish young magus for simple mistakes? The man that made the nuns swoon from your dumb handsome face?! The man who took my purity as a nun sullying my fealty to the Almighty? Made me feel pleasures that I never knew existed! Your large hands pinning me down and silencing complaints with your tongue! You're gentle calloused fingers and soft lips upon my skin that made melt like pudding and made me mewl to your whims! Penetrating me with your large throbin- Ahem!" Laura gathered her composure after exposing her more lustful intents.

"Oh, how I missed you it had been too many lonely nights. But, I won't change my mind just because you warned me so." Laura said calmly.

"You know could let the Index stay here in Academy City it seems that old magus has plans."

"Tch, that old geezer could just fuck off! Besides, I have more beautiful hair than him or her. That aside they can't touch the Index without being targeted by the whole Magus Community and the Vatican. Our darling of a daughter is too much of an asset to lose to Academy City."

"I heard that the Roman Catholic Church and the Russian Orthodox Church aren't fond of England holding the Index. I heard they were frequent attempts to kidnap the Index from the whispering of my familiars. And, a certain old magus could help you in ensuring her safety."

"I don't like accepting deals that fuck me over, but I don't mind if it's you. But, I'll consider the offer. The Royal Knights are starting to get on my nerves from their daily complaints of constant attacks from foreign magicians."

But, before Kouta could call off the spell. A loud explosion and a beam of light that caused a sizable hole on Kouta's apartment complex.

"Damned brats." Kouta scoffed.

The Amakusa Saint with the Crimson Witch latched on his back landed in-front of Kouta.

"You see I told you not to trust this beat bastard and those brats!" Stella yelled in Shirou's ear.

"I was bound to honor the wishes Kamijou-san." Shirou said politely.

"You Japanese and your shitty honor!"

"Long time no see, Magnus." Kouta said dryly.

"Oh, it's the deserter no wonder it smells like piss and booze here." Stella cringes upon seeing her former colleague.

"You're Kouta-san I heard a lot from Shisou (Master/Teacher) you're the famed 'Professor' of the London Institute of Magic?"

"Let's forgo the pleasantries, for now we to check for the situation at hand."

Shirou with his inhuman strength bust down the metal door with ease.

Kouta internally cringed upon seeing the metal door the bought with what his measly pay as a public high school teacher could afford. But, he ignored it for now. The children are the first priority for now.

The scene in front of him was her daughter, the Index, and Touka with all her might stopping a red beam of light from the Index.

The beam of pure magic just seemed to intensify with each passing second.

End

A/N: I am sorry it took so long to update to this thing. Not much happens in this chapter since I am trying wrapped up the Index Arc as fast possible. I am not discontinuing this series. I am back for now. I don't if I can update regularly.

I am currently planning to make some edits to the earlier chapters and changing some scene and fixing some stilted dialogue.