Arata appeared in his apartment. The television was still on.
Academy City was far quieter at night than during the day. The area where he lived was a student dormitory district, while the truly bustling zones were in the commercial areas. However, there was a curfew before 10 p.m., so District 7 became especially quiet after that hour.
"Is it almost ten? I'm off tomorrow. I'll go visit Komoe-sensei." Arata thought of Komoe-sensei's gentle smile.
When he first visited Komoe-sensei's apartment, it had been in complete disarray. Since then, during holidays, he would often drop by as a guest and help her tidy up.
Before gaining his power, he had been a model student. Without any special ability to rely on, the only way to improve his circumstances was through discipline and performance.
Today had been truly extraordinary. He had imagined countless possible scenarios for meeting Aleister Crowley, yet reality had been far more surreal than any of them.
Not only had he felt no fear, but the conversation had proceeded smoothly. And there was that biblical designation, "111."
Did the Void Star Tai Sui hold a similar symbolic position within biblical mysticism?
"Aiwass, are you there?" Arata opened the refrigerator, took out a chilled cola, and asked softly. As a Secret Chief, Aiwass possessed knowledge far beyond Arata's limited understanding.
Asking her was the most reliable option.
"I am always here, Arata. I am observing your power. No matter how I attempt to analyze it, I cannot perceive its true name. This seed of the cosmos surpasses the framework of this world."
The luminous projection of Aiwass manifested above him, her presence resonating directly within his consciousness.
"This seed of the cosmos can develop according to your will. At present, it is a flawless blank slate, akin to the primordial blueprint used by God to create the universe."
Arata felt a surge of admiration. Simply through observation, she had nearly grasped the essence of the Void star: Tai suu. It truly was a cosmological template, capable of nurturing an entire pantheon across multiple universes.
Its functions included sealing deities, Star Spirits, and divine lifeforms, as well as reducing the power output of other entities by half.
"Aiwass, why did you say I am the biblical '111'?" Arata asked.
"The answer is simple. You possess the authority to divide eras. You yourself stand as the boundary between ages."
"My authority, Void Star Tai Suu?" Arata raised an eyebrow. Void Star Tai Suu was indeed formidable, but did it truly carry such meaning? On the surface, it did not appear so.
The Void star : Tai suu was a complete cosmology, capable of establishing gods across layered realities.
"Void Star Tai Suu represents the image of the sovereign. Tai Suu presides over the celestial cycles, governs directions, commands the seasons, and completes the yearly mandate. Thus, you are the one who divides eras."
"Is there a source for that explanation? I don't fully understand." Arata frowned slightly. In his previous life, most of his knowledge had come from scattered information online. When it came to deeper metaphysical systems, his understanding was superficial.
Fortunately, he could master any knowledge without obstruction. If he did not understand something, he would simply learn it.
"The Jupiter cycle described in the Tao Te Ching reflects an Eastern system of calendrical time. Twelve cycles return to origin, similar to the Ouroboros within biblical symbolism, endlessly recurring. After twelve eras, the remnants of the previous age are erased, and a new era begins. In that transition, there exists one additional individual beyond the fixed count, known as the Jupiter Over-the-Center. That individual divides the era."
"In biblical esoteric symbolism, Jupiter's transit is also referred to as '111.' Different terminology, identical principle."
Aiwass transmitted this foundational knowledge directly into Arata's mind.
"So that's it." Arata exhaled softly.
Void Star Tai Suu had granted him an identity on a level entirely different from Imagine Breaker or Divine Right.
If the universe were compared to a computer, then when fully matured, Void Star Tai Suu could send all corrupted data into the recycle bin, restoring systemic order. That recycle bin would include high-tier existences such as demons, angels, and devils.
It would resemble formatting the universe, though not absolute annihilation.
Of course, such authority required growth. Only when the seed of the Void star: Tai suu matured into a towering cosmic tree could such restructuring occur. For now, he remained merely a Level 5 esper within Academy City.
"I'm going to sleep, Aiwass. Even if I carry this identity, I'm still a mortal at present. If I bring you to the place you seek, will you become an angel within my universe?"
Arata switched off the television and lights, then lay back on his bed, continuing the conversation in his mind while Aiwass's radiant silhouette hovered above him.
"If you find the place I seek, it will prove that you are the one I am searching for."
"Then it's settled." Arata smiled faintly. A being like Aiwass could not be deceived by falsehood. Only sincerity could reach her.
He closed his eyes and gradually drifted into sleep.
Aiwass watched him silently before her projection slowly faded.
The next day was Saturday, and Academy City was lively. Few students chose to leave the city temporarily, as doing so required complicated inspections and approvals.
Arata got up lazily, checked the time 9:00 AM, purchased fresh ingredients at the supermarket, and headed toward Komoe-sensei's apartment.
Since Komoe-sensei had become his homeroom teacher, he frequently brought groceries to cook at her place. Eating alone was dull, and it strengthened their teacher-student rapport.
Over the course of more than a year, he had become the student most familiar with Komoe-sensei.
It was worth noting that a Level 5 esper received a monthly stipend of 150,000 yen, plus an additional 200,000 yen allocated for research and testing participation.
Even if a Level 5 did nothing else, financial concerns were nonexistent.
Komoe-sensei's apartment was located in a narrow alley near District 8 within District 7. It was an aging two-story building. A shared washing machine sat in the hallway, and the iron staircase was visibly rusted.
Carrying a bag of groceries,Arata walked to Komoe-sensei's door and knocked.
Knock knock knock.
"Komoe-sensei, I'm here."
...
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