GUARDIAN OF THE MARVEL REALM

The decision for this team formation was purely based on efficiency—the three of them could move far more swiftly.

Kamijou Touma had a known personality profile: tell him Misaka Imouto is in danger, and he'll rush into the flames himself. No convincing needed.

"Are we sure it'll be Misaka Mikoto who comes?" Ryougi Shiki suddenly asked, her tone unnervingly calm. "What if it's Misaka Mikoto Alter?"

"We can't rule that out," Shen He replied, fully aware of the dangers. "Stay hidden in the shadows. If it's the Alter version, don't expose yourselves. Qi Mu, if you're discovered, retreat immediately with the others and notify me. I'll summon you back with a command."

The Alterization process had proven inconsistent. While it typically altered personalities significantly, it didn't always change core behaviors. Misaka's fondness for small animals or adorable objects might remain intact.

One side—Accelerator—remained silent, observing. His eyes evaluated everyone coldly, gauging whether these people truly had the ability to save Last Order. He wouldn't act unless it aligned with his personal directive.

Once plans were finalized, the team split.

Shen He activated a piece of equipment drawn from the system earlier, surrounding himself in spectral energy.

His armor—Moonfall Paladin's Mantle—shimmered into place, an elegant white suit laced with silver edges and a flowing cape. Instantly, his body felt ten times lighter. His level surged as if gravity no longer applied.

Armed with Lunar Marrow Essence, the universal weapon he had reforged in Chapter 86 with Tony Stark and Jeanne's spiritual forging circle, Shen He felt empowered enough to storm a frontline alone.

The trio—Shen He, Jeanne d'Arc, and Shiki—took to the rooftops. From above, the entire Academy City looked like a broken circuit board: flame, smoke, skirmishes—chaos without coordination.

The city's core infrastructure had collapsed.

"Master," Jeanne called as she caught up, leaping from a destroyed broadcasting tower. "The city still seems to have enough control to maintain blockades. Does that mean Aleister is still coordinating operations?"

"Possibly," Shen He replied. "But it's hard to say. The 'Stagnation Loop' aerial surveillance system is gone, and I haven't sensed the Pressure Field technology either. Aleister's plans might've changed. Also—don't forget—Lola is still a wild card. She has access to both magical and scientific knowledge."

His only current edge was the system.

He opened two wooden treasure chests he'd earned from protecting Kushiro's group. One held a Three-Hour Activity Dungeon Extension Card, and the other was a Primary Limited-Time Enhancement Card. Both were invaluable.

Qi Mu Nanxiong, currently at Level 20, wielded a multidimensional ESP ability comparable to a Level 4 Esper in Academy City, albeit far more versatile. If temporarily boosted to Level 40 with the enhancement card, his psychic arsenal would be strong enough to defeat Misaka Mikoto or even defend against Accelerator briefly—despite having mostly passive powers.

"Master, we've arrived." Jeanne pointed downward toward a worn-out building with shattered glass panels.

Revelation guided her—like all Rulers, she received divine insight when her master sought someone. In this case, it brought them to Kamijou Touma.

"Student dorms…" Shen He murmured, eyes scanning the familiar structure.

It matched Kamijou's residence exactly as seen in Toaru Majutsu no Index: unkempt, weathered, but unmistakably his. The cleaning bots had long since stopped working. Still, compared to the collective apartments he'd seen in New York after SHIELD's collapse, it was relatively livable.

"This city... it's sad to see it fall apart." Shen He sighed. "If I ever get the chance in the Marvel Universe, maybe I'll rebuild a place like Academy City. Even if I can't return to my school days... raising children in a city built for knowledge and power wouldn't be bad."

They descended from the rooftop toward the apartment complex.

Boom!

Without warning, invisible flames exploded around them. A magic trap, laced with spiritual energy.

Shen He quickly summoned his Lunar Spear, slicing through the air. But the wind failed to extinguish the magic fire.

"Master, that's no ordinary flame. It's magically amplified!" Jeanne warned, planting her flag-spear into the ground. "This way!"

Light radiated from her banner, holy energy piercing the smoke as it defused the fiery trap. The flames unraveled like illusions, and something fluttered to the ground—a talisman sheet, burnt around the edges.

Out from the shadows stepped a towering man clad in a black monastic robe. His golden hair flowed down to his shoulders. A barcode-like tattoo etched across his cheek, ten silver rings glittering across his fingers. His earrings were shaped like hollow crosses.

"Stiyl Magnus," Shen He said quietly, identifying the fire magus of Necessarius.

As if summoned by name, Shen He sensed another presence at his back.

A tall woman with a ponytail stood calmly behind them. Her black jeans were torn at the thighs as if burned through; her white T-shirt was casually tied around her waist, revealing an abdomen marked with both strength and grace. Her hand rested calmly on the hilt of her nodachi.

Kanzaki Kaori.

A Saint. One of fewer than twenty worldwide.

Stiyl exhaled smoke from his cigarette. "If you know our names... this wasn't an accident."

He scrutinized the group. One—a student Esper in full combat armor that didn't match any known unit. Another, a woman in medieval plate armor exuding sacred power. And the last… the teenage girl with slitted eyes like a hunter's.

Something about Jeanne unsettled him. Not fear—respect. A soul of nobility. He felt it in the pit of his stomach.

Kanzaki's sharp gaze hadn't left Jeanne either.

"So," Shen He murmured, "I should've expected this. You're guarding the Index Librorum Prohibitorum, aren't you?"

If war broke out in Academy City, Inticus—stored here under Kamijou Touma's protection—would be at risk. It made sense the Anglican Church would send elite magicians to defend her.

"Speak," Stiyl demanded, voice low and forceful. "What's your purpose here?"

They had no records of Shen He, Jeanne, or Ryougi Shiki in Necessarius, Academy City, or any magical cabal. No faction should have this knowledge about the Forbidden Index—and yet, this stranger did.

Kanzaki's fingers tightened on her sword's hilt. Jeanne didn't flinch. The wind rustled quietly between them.

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