Multiverse: Why does the world show a health bar? !

Transactions.

Transactions have been a fundamental human activity since ancient times. At their core, they involve exchanging something one has for something another lacks.

In modern times, the ancient tradition of barter has been replaced. It was simply too cumbersome. The advent of money as a universal equivalent brought about significant development in commerce and trade.

—Should I agree to this?

Ladylee Tangleroad has lived for over a thousand years, a relic spanning several centuries. Whether it's ancient magic or the modern magical knowledge pioneered by Aleister over a century ago, she must know a great deal.

For a magician, time is the accumulation of knowledge and the embodiment of power.

"This deal is very tempting. But... does Kihara Noukan have no objections?"

"Oh, what does your transaction have to do with me?"

"This is your territory. I should at least respect your presence. I'm still puzzled as to why I ran into such an odd pair as you two."

The golden retriever tossed the finished cigar to a nearby cleaning robot and said, "I've met quite a few magicians, but ones like you are rare. Whether it's the Right Seat of God from the Roman Catholic Church or the dark-skinned magician from the Anglican Church, they all came uninvited."

"Is that so? Religious figures naturally see themselves as orthodox. Ordinary magicians like us aren't so arrogant."

"Then which magical society do you belong to?"

The magical side of the world can roughly be divided into two factions: the major religions with strong religious overtones, like the three great orthodox churches and various smaller sects, and the various magical societies, such as the once-famous "Golden Dawn."

Li Mo replied, "Sorry, I don't belong to any magical society."

Questioning and probing.

Academy City's "Library" stores data on all its students and personnel. Aleister's database goes even further, recording information about the entire world.

Magical societies, big and small, gather through various channels. Kihara Noukan's question about which society Li Mo belonged to was an attempt to trace the origins of this mysterious magician.

Was it simply that he didn't belong to any society, or was he unwilling to say? Kihara Noukan suspected the former.

"Mr. Kihara, what is your relationship with Miss Ladylee?"

"A safety valve," Kihara Noukan said. "Not everyone is as cautious about Academy City as you are. Having someone as dangerous as her living here requires countermeasures."

Is that so?

Li Mo blinked.

Just as Academy City's artificial espers—like Rensa, the countermeasure against Level 5 espers—Kihara Noukan served as a countermeasure against dangerous individuals like Ladylee?

Ladylee clapped her hands. "Young magician, have you made up your mind? How do you feel about this deal? If you miss this opportunity, it won't come again."

After understanding the relationship between Ladylee and Kihara Noukan, Li Mo reconsidered the deal.

It seemed worth trying.

...

...

Half an hour later, Ladylee and Kihara Noukan left the park together.

The combination of a young girl and a dog was quite novel in this city. Most residents were students, and students rarely had the time or resources to keep pets. Owning a pet was a luxury.

Not to mention, the dog was dressed in ornate, religious-style clothing.

"In the end, did you fail?" Kihara Noukan asked.

The golden retriever spoke only when no one was around, to avoid causing a commotion. Otherwise, Academy City would have one more urban legend about a "talking dog." Others might not care, but the parties involved certainly would.

Ladylee Tangleroad, who was being questioned, walked slowly, breathing in every breath of air, a smile on her face.

She replied, "What do you think?"

"How would I know? It wasn't me who made the deal with him."

"As a scientist, take a guess?"

"Sorry, today is supposed to be my day off," Kihara Noukan said.

—Yes, today was supposed to be its day off. A rare chance to take a stroll with its younger sibling.

As a member of the Kihara family and Aleister's top enforcer, Kihara Noukan was usually very busy. The rational Chairman, floating in his life-support pod, assigned numerous tasks that required its attention.

"To answer your initial question, I succeeded, but only halfway."

"Oh."

Kihara Noukan wasn't surprised. It had some knowledge of the magical side as well. Earlier in the park, the transaction between Ladylee and the young magician was simple. All the former did was place her hands on the latter's shoulders, and it was done.

With its shallow understanding of magic, there was no ritual, no symbolism, no incantation. How could it have succeeded?

The events surrounding Endymion a month ago had caused quite a stir. Even then, she hadn't died.

How could a mere touch today lead to her death?

"Do you know what I gave him when we parted?" Ladylee said lightly. "It was my books. Before coming to Academy City, I hid the books I'd collected in a certain place."

When she decided to initiate the Endymion project, Ladylee had hidden many things outside the city. Even for a long-lived being like her, this city was fascinating. It wasn't fear of danger but the worry that if she failed to die, she'd have to start from scratch.

In the face of profit, humans could be called the greediest of beasts.

"So, you're no longer immortal?"

"That's right, Kihara. If you pierce my heart now, I'll die immediately."

"How did he do it?"

More than killing the troublesome individual before it, Kihara Noukan was interested in the method. What had that young man done?

"I simply returned to a time over a thousand years ago, before I ate that fruit. It's funny—when I was immortal, I wished for death. But now that immortality is gone, I'm not in a hurry to die."

Ladylee murmured to herself.

The information contained in her words made Kihara Noukan understand.

Had that young magician stripped away the "fruit" from Ladylee's being?

Could he even strip away esper abilities?

Kihara Noukan realized it might have underestimated the threat posed by that young magician.

—But since it wasn't assigned to deal with him, it decided not to worry about it.

The Chairman would handle this matter in his own way.

The golden retriever promptly put the matter out of its mind. It had more pressing concerns.

...

...

Meanwhile, in another corner of the street.

Li Mo looked down at Frenda, who was curled up in the corner, and whispered, "You've heard so much. What should I do with you, little girl?"