Mikoto Misaka: "We've run into a massive problem."

Shokuhou blinked, her golden eyes narrowing slightly. She might have a lofty attitude as the "Queen of Tokiwadai," but the word "problem" immediately made her recall their recent run-in with magicians. Indeed, her psychic abilities had proven inadequate against that unknown power. Still, she quickly recovered her proud demeanor.

"Oh? And why does he get to fix something we can't?"

She looked Rei Ao up and down.

"He just looks like some poser."

Rei Ao paid no mind to her provocation. Instead, he stared right back at her, quite intrigued, particularly by the "fuller" area compared to Mikoto. He mused that her ability must have stimulated certain parts of her body to grow.

"Level 5 Mental Out, Shokuhou Misaki. You could try using your ability on me if you want."

An unexpected flicker of surprise flashed in Shokuhou's eyes. He knew so much about her—did Mikoto tell him? She let out a cold laugh, though:

"If you're so eager—"

She pressed a button on her remote. Stars shimmered in her golden irises as she unleashed a powerful mental assault aimed at Rei Ao's brain—an attack that would devastate an average esper.

Yet… it was like hurling a stone into a bottomless lake. There was no reaction whatsoever.

"Impossible…"

Shokuhou stumbled back a step in disbelief. Since acquiring her ability, this was the second time in a single day she'd met someone who was totally immune to her power.

Rei Ao watched her calmly.

"Are you done? Then it's my turn."

He slowly raised his right hand. Suddenly, Shokuhou found herself unable to move. Not just physically—her very thoughts were grinding to a halt. Horror dawned on her as she realized she was in serious trouble.

Mikoto noticed Shokuhou freeze.

"What's with her?"

"I stopped her time," Rei Ao explained casually.

"To her, it'll feel like an instant. But for us, it can last as long as we want. I can unfreeze her thoughts whenever."

He snapped his fingers. Shokuhou's awareness returned. Mikoto's eyes widened with curiosity. She walked over to poke Shokuhou's cheek.

"She's totally not reacting! Whoa…"

She pressed and pinched those cheeks.

"I never get a chance to do this…"

Kuroko, having somewhat recovered from her own shock, was once again stunned by the sight.

"T-time stop?! That's impossible! There's no record of an ability like that in Academy City!"

Rei Ao snapped his fingers again, and time resumed. Shokuhou stumbled backward, face pale. She remembered everything that happened during the time-stop—including the conversation and Mikoto squishing her cheeks.

"Who… what are you?"

Her voice trembled, something quite rare for her.

"That's not an esper power… no way."

Rei Ao didn't answer directly; instead, he turned to Mikoto.

"That's not really the point right now. We're here to deal with your problem—why I came to this world in the first place."

"Th-this world?"

Kuroko echoed, utterly confused.

Mikoto looked to Rei Ao, who nodded, then explained, "Rei Ao-kun's from… another world."

"Another… world?!"

Kuroko and Shokuhou both gasped in unison.

Rei Ao inclined his head.

"Simply put, I came from beyond this dimension to help Mikoto handle the crisis."

A complicated gleam flickered in Shokuhou's golden eyes.

"So, you have power surpassing Level 5… even the power to manipulate time?"

Kuroko suddenly rushed up, tilting her head back to glare at Rei Ao.

"I don't care who you are! If you try anything weird with Onee-sama, I won't let you off easy!"

Amusement flickered in Rei Ao's eyes as he looked down at the fierce twin-tailed girl.

"Relax. I'm just a friend of Mikoto right now."

"Really?" Kuroko eyed him warily.

"Really."

Flustered, Mikoto pressed down on Kuroko's shoulder.

"Hmph, we really are just friends."

Kuroko relaxed fractionally, though she still eyed Rei Ao suspiciously. Shokuhou resumed her queenly bearing:

"Fine then… mysterious Rei Ao-san."

She shot a steely gaze at him.

"Since Mikoto trusts you, I'll accept your presence for now. But…"

She narrowed her eyes.

"If you pull any funny business—"

Rei Ao cut her off.

"No need for threats. I'm here to solve a problem."

At a casual wave of his hand, the sleeping nun—Index—floated from the sofa to Rei Ao's arms. Again, Shokuhou and Kuroko could only marvel at his abilities.

"Then let's go," he said, gently opening a portal in space.

Kuroko gaped.

"That's not Teleport… you're creating space?!"

Even Shokuhou's expression grew grave.

"Looks like we really are dealing with someone extraordinary…"

Mikoto, though, was quite used to it by now. She stepped through the portal without missing a beat.

"C'mon, time's short."

Rei Ao followed her. The other two exchanged looks and then went after them.

…

In an abandoned factory in District 3…

"Cough… cough!"

Leaning against a wall, Stiyl coughed violently.

"How's your injury?"

Kanzaki Kaori asked.

"It's fine," he waved her off with his cigarette. The cough wasn't from injury, but from the smoke.

He tilted his head back slightly and gave a bitter laugh.

"Some 'genius magician' I am, losing to those science-side people I always looked down on…"

"You didn't lose for nothing. That girl's one of the top espers in Academy City," Kanzaki said, peering out the window into the distance.

"Is that so?"

Stiyl blinked.

"Then taking Index back is going to be complicated…"

At least he couldn't manage it alone.

"I'll do it," Kanzaki replied with firm resolve. Even though she found it painful to raise her hand against those trying to protect Index, she still had to—because time for Index's memory purge was running out, and if they didn't do it, she'd die.

"Sorry to interrupt," a voice suddenly echoed, jolting both of them into combat stance,

"Were you talking about this 'Index'?"

"?!!!"

They whirled around to find four new figures in the room as if they'd appeared out of thin air.

Leading them was a tall man holding the very person they sought—Index!

~~~

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