Whether Aleister Crowley lived or died—
Izumi truly didn't care.
If Aleister were to fall, then Izumi would simply step in himself.
Besides…
That man was far too cautious to die so easily.
He definitely had countless contingency plans hidden away.
So there was nothing to worry about.
For Izumi—
All he needed to do was sit back, enjoy the spectacle…
…and harvest the fruits of this world.
On the sofa—
Othinus sat frozen.
No—
Not just frozen.
Terrified.
Her mind struggled to process what she had just heard.
His goal… is this world?
And not only that—
Aleister wasn't stopping him.
He was cooperating.
Working together.
What is this…?
Selling out the world?
Her thoughts fell into chaos.
For the first time—
The former Magic God didn't even know how to react.
Izumi didn't bother with her.
With a flick of his hand—
A seal was placed upon her.
The next moment—
She vanished.
She was thrown into Izumi's personal world.
The instant she arrived—
Othinus noticed something was off.
Rules.
Boundaries.
Restrictions.
This world… was governed by absolute laws.
She couldn't move.
She couldn't speak.
All she could do—
Was lie quietly on a bed.
Waiting.
Fear crept into her heart.
Because the moment she entered—
She felt it.
She was being watched.
High above—
Two existences observed her.
GaiaAlaya
The two whispered among themselves.
"…He brought another one."
"How many is this now?"
"Seriously…"
"Does he think he can handle all of them?"
"Terrible review!"
Of course—
Izumi knew nothing about this.
Back in the Artificial Workshop—
Misaka Mikoto and Himejima Akeno had arrived.
Izumi explained the situation briefly.
"Now's your chance."
"You've trained enough."
"It's time to settle things."
"If you don't act now… you won't get another opportunity."
Misaka frowned.
She didn't fully understand.
But Izumi had no intention of explaining further.
If she knew that a world war had already begun—
She would panic.
She would think of her parents.
Try to save them.
And that would complicate everything.
So—
He chose silence.
Her father…
Might not make it.
But her mother?
She was inside Academy City.
And as long as she was here—
Izumi wouldn't let anything happen to her.
Misaka hesitated.
Her fists clenched slightly.
"…Now?"
Before she could decide—
Akeno stepped forward, smiling sweetly.
"Oh my~ Misaka."
"It seems you've forgotten what I taught you."
"Perhaps… you need some retraining?"
From nowhere—
She pulled out a whip.
Snap.
A dangerous smile spread across her face.
Misaka shuddered.
"I-I'm sorry, Akeno-senpai!!"
She straightened instantly, turning toward Izumi with determination.
"Izumi-sensei… please give me the list."
"I've made up my mind."
Izumi smiled.
Looks like Akeno's training paid off.
"Good."
"Go."
"I'll have others assist you."
"Finish it quickly."
Snap.
With a snap of his fingers—
The members of ITEM appeared.
Mugino Shizuri and her team.
They didn't even react much anymore.
This wasn't the first time Izumi had casually teleported them around.
At this point—
They were used to it.
Mugino clicked her tongue.
"Just say what you want."
After hearing the explanation—
She shrugged.
"…Troublesome."
"Fine. I'll help."
Then she glanced at Misaka.
A hint of pity in her eyes.
Used like that… how pathetic.
Misaka frowned.
She didn't like that look.
But—
Now wasn't the time to argue.
Izumi tossed them a list.
Then—
Sent them away.
Silence returned.
Izumi sat down.
Akeno moved beside him, smiling.
"Everything's ready, isn't it?"
"Things outside are getting chaotic~"
Izumi nodded.
"Now we just watch."
His eyes gleamed with anticipation.
He wanted to see—
Just how far Aleister would go.
His perception expanded.
Covering the entire world.
The power of the simulated Star Creation Diagram still remained active—
Constantly weakening the Magic Gods.
Combined with the global AIM diffusion field—
Their power had been compressed to the brink.
All that remained—
Was the collapse of their phases.
Meanwhile—
Above the Pacific Ocean—
Aleister stood in the sky.
Now in the form of a silver-haired woman.
Below—
Fleets advanced.
Warships.
Missiles.
An army of nations.
Aleister's eyes glinted coldly.
He raised his staff—
And tapped it lightly.
Instantly—
Academy City's defense systems activated.
Missiles—
Launched.
Within the city—
Everyone saw it.
Streaks of light rising into the sky.
On the street—
Misaka stared blankly.
"…What… is this?"
"Why are there missiles…?"
Then—
The announcement came.
[Attention all units.][A global war has begun. Please remain indoors.]
At first—
People thought it was a joke.
Then—
Screens across the city lit up.
Live footage.
The Pacific Ocean—
Warships advancing.
Missiles descending.
BOOM.
Explosions lit up the sea.
The battle had begun.
Panic erupted.
Students screamed.
Crowds ran.
Chaos spread instantly.
But quickly—
The Anti-Skill forces deployed.
Alongside them—
Massive mechanized units.
Suppressing the disorder.
Misaka stood frozen.
Her mind blank.
"A world war…?"
"Just like that…?"
"Are you moving or not?"
A voice snapped her back.
Mugino stood nearby, impatient.
"This has nothing to do with us."
"Are you going to settle your business… or not?"
Misaka clenched her fists.
Her hesitation—
Was gone.