Phases stacked layer upon layer above the reality of the universe, together forming the whole of this world known as the A Certain Magical Index universe.
Natsume-san hadn't the faintest idea how she'd suddenly managed to find a clue related to dreams amidst that vast, dense ocean of phases.
But this discovery was, without a doubt, a rather pleasant experience for her.
In fact, each phase represented a facet of the entire world, allowing one to view this reality—altered by countless filters—with greater clarity.
For someone as lacking in ambition as Natsume-san, it was like stumbling upon a fascinating new toy. She'd been intensely curious about the world of dreams for the longest time.
--+--
District 7, The Windowless Building.
Suspended upside-down within a massive glass container, Aleister controlled the Direction of Energy Manipulation apparatus in secret, inputting AIM diffusion field parameters into the Personal Realities of certain key individuals, his face an expressionless mask.
Altering an esper's Personal Reality wasn't an impossible feat.
Even something like Indian Poker, developed by a subordinate research institute, could achieve similar effects, let alone the man who stood at the pinnacle of the entire scientific side, the Board Chairman.
However, besides inputting AIM diffusion field values, effects similar to telepathy and duplication weren't bad either—perfectly sufficient to transmit the necessary information directly into some people's minds.
'Simply by conveying the right information to the #8, we can guide her development in the desired direction. This has proven true in practice as well.'
'Comparing this with the previous data on the Shrine Maiden, the #8's current changes align with the expected degree of progression.'
'We can confirm the existence of a power external to her Personal Reality. We can also confirm that the Shrine Maiden has found a way to adapt her power for use on the science side, transmitting it via a soul-based link.'
As these thoughts crossed his mind, Aleister silently observed everything within Academy City.
He hadn't told Natsume Sonoko the location of the dream phase. Such heavy-handed guidance often led to complications; he preferred to let things unfold naturally.
Or perhaps it was more accurate to say that Aleister had merely input some of the Shrine Maiden's own past research on her abilities—the part she had left behind.
In Aleister's view, that Shrine Maiden had, through unknown means, obtained this world's forbidden fruit, gaining the power to perceive the true nature of things.
This allowed her to progress from an ordinary shrine maiden to a powerful magician, perhaps even enabling her to see through his own true identity.
But in reality, her understanding of the fruit's power wasn't thorough.
Of course, Aleister was an outsider. Looking at it from Natsume-san's own perspective, one might better understand the Shrine Maiden's initial feelings.
Anyone would be curious about strange phenomena manifesting in themselves.
Be it the identity of a 'transmigrator' or a bizarre perceptive ability, it would put anyone on edge, creating a desperate urge to find the source.
That Shrine Maiden had likely chosen to investigate using scientific methods, unlike a certain 'bun head' who was a pure pragmatist, remaining carefree and unconcerned to this day.
Moreover, it seemed Natsume-san's recent intense focus on dreams, combined with the dual catalysts of stray thoughts and sleep, had triggered the emergence of some of the research results Aleister had input, directly connecting her to the Dream Phase.
Although the research data input via the AIM field existed within the brain, it wasn't directly perceivable by conscious thought.
It was like a book left on a shelf—if you never open it, you'll never know its contents.
Instead, it was like a buried spark of inspiration, requiring excavation by an inner force.
'The conflict is arriving a bit sooner than anticipated, but it's of little consequence. Many plans are nearing their activation point anyway.'
'While the existence of that Shrine Maiden is merely one optional plan among many, I will utilize everything at my disposal to achieve my goal—even kin or beloved ones are no exception.'
Aleister's long silver hair swayed slightly with the bubbles rising in the liquid of his glass vessel, his eyes hollow and utterly calm.
He couldn't guarantee his plan's success rate, but it was enough that events progressed in the direction he desired.
It seemed nothing in this world could ruffle him. He had an objective he would stop at nothing to achieve, facing the onslaught of malice and tumult with profound, unfathomable resolve.
Simultaneously, the Underline brought him information from the darkest corners of Academy City.
Vento of the Front, from the Roman Catholic Church, had already breached the outer walls, paralyzed the city's external defenses, and was now pushing deep into its heartland.
As a member of God's Right Seat, she was undoubtedly a top-tier combatant on the magic side.
Therefore, he naturally had to deploy a corresponding force from his side, allowing for a preliminary test of the Artificial Heaven's power.
At this moment, Aleister's thoughts drifted to those individuals following behind Vento of the Front—the ones previously restrained by the Shrine Maiden's Archetype Controller.
Using the Archetype Controller in reverse... now that was an interesting idea.
Be they god or man, all were part of this world. If their very existence was denied by the rules of this reality, everything would come crashing down.
Of course, this didn't include the Magic Gods who had transcended the limits of magicians and the physical universe, and could only seal themselves away in the Hidden World.
Their very concepts had long been obscured and blurred. This universe was merely a form they had modified; there was no way to pinpoint their original prototypes.
Only by utterly eroding the existence of all magic, deducing the world's true form, could one possibly find their correct history and mythology, and thereby interfere with or even erase the rituals they used to ascend to Magic Godhood.
And currently, the one with the potential to accomplish this was Natsume Sonoko, who possessed a certain means of observing the world.
--+--
Outskirts of Academy City.
A massive breach gaped in the towering perimeter wall. Security robots and Anti-Skill members who had rushed to the scene were locked in a desperate struggle.
Vento of the Front, clad in her punk-style attire, walked nonchalantly through the chaotic battlefield, her body effortlessly ignoring the concentrated fire of thermal weapons.
And around her moved a number of 'beasts' that only barely retained a vaguely human shape.
But Vento of the Front paid these helpers little mind. She was merely pleased to see it happen.
Her actions were hastening the destruction of Academy City and the science side, attracting even more of its enemies. It was a welcome bonus.
The paralysis of the outer wall's defenses also meant the measures restraining those 'beasts' had failed. A number of grotesquely shaped entities had already broken into Academy City.
Though, to be accurate, neither 'beasts' nor 'youkai' were quite right to describe them. Even in their fallen state, those existences still possessed a station surpassing that of mere humans.
--+--
T/N: If you want advance chapters, you can find it at [email protected]/AspenTL