On how PhDs become human evil

"That's a magic circle? Huh? Magic? That guy said he was some kind of magic king? Eh? Eh?"

Misaka Mikoto, who has lived in Academy City since childhood, is bewildered by her current situation. Is magic really a thing?

"A human villain and magic king passing by... Who exactly is that man? I'll have to investigate him properly later."

--------------------------------

Academy City, District 7, inside a windowless building.

Looking at the situation on Misaka Mikoto's side transmitted back through the airborne circuit, Aleister couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

"The third person learned of the existence of magic, which is much earlier than planned, and the impact is huge."

[Compared to this, that otherworldly beast is the real problem, Aleister.]

"An outsider, huh? That power is undoubtedly magic, yet it's different from magic... Heh, interesting. It seems the plan needs major revisions. I can probably keep Imagine Breaker on the shelf for a while longer."

You're going to use that beast? That's not a wise decision.

“I know, but there’s a saying in China: ‘Fortune favors the bold.’ The greater the risk, the greater the reward.”

I hope you won't regret it; he might make you lose everything.

“I have nothing left to lose, Aiwass.”

Section 502.3. Duel Links is so much fun!

Misaka Mikoto attends Tokiwadai Middle School, one of the five prestigious schools in Academy City. It is a true aristocratic girls' school with an entrance requirement of level 3. Its policy is so extreme that it almost escalated into a diplomatic dispute by deeming the children of a certain royal family member unqualified.

Tokiwadai Middle School is known for its strict rules, which require students to wear school uniforms at all times and stipulate that students must return to their dormitories at a certain time. If they are late, they will be punished with a terrifying strangulation technique called the dormitory supervisor.

So here's the question: Last night, Misaka Mikoto played a chase game with Kamijou Touma until late into the night, and then she was knocked unconscious by Bai Jie and taken to a hotel, completely staying out all night. Under these circumstances, if she returns to her dorm, the first thing she'll naturally do is—

"You've got some nerve, Misaka, staying out all night."

The dormitory supervisor of Tokiwadai pushed up her reflective glasses, her face as cold as ice. Even Misaka Mikoto, a renowned esper, couldn't help but feel a sense of dread at this moment.

What a terrifying aura and gaze!

"Um...dorm supervisor, I think I can explain why I didn't come home all night..." Misaka Mikoto tried to make a last-ditch effort.

The dormitory supervisor sighed softly at Misaka Mikoto's desperate struggle: "You've even learned to make excuses now. Since you've made a mistake, you should take responsibility for it. That's the responsibility a Tokiwadai student should have. Don't you think so, Misaka?"

Well, I'm doomed. I'm definitely going to die.

Misaka Mikoto lowered her head, tears welling in her eyes, and forced her eyes shut, preparing to accept the strangulation punishment from the dormitory supervisor.

However, after closing her eyes and waiting for a while, Misaka Mikoto still didn't feel any pain in her neck or ears. When she slightly opened her eyes, she found that the dormitory supervisor was just standing there without moving.

"That...dorm supervisor?"

"Let me make this clear first. Personally, I really want to punish you, but unfortunately, a very important person from Academy City is coming to visit today. As one of the two Level 5s, if you don't attend, it will likely cause a lot of misunderstandings. So, regarding your punishment for violating school rules this time... you'll have to clean the toilets and corridors for a week next week."

Clean the hallways and toilets for a week.

Although it was still a severe punishment, it was extremely lenient compared to hanging. Misaka Mikoto didn't want to experience the feeling of having her neck broken, so she immediately nodded hastily: "Okay, I understand. But... a big shot in Academy City? Who is that?"

"I don't know either. The principal just notified me ten minutes ago that the chairman's direct staff were coming to visit and told us to be prepared."

Does this include the chairman's direct subordinates?

Misaka Mikoto was stunned.

————————————————————————

Rewind forty minutes to the time after Bai Jie left the hotel.

"Hmm... Although it was 100,000 yen taken from Misaka Mikoto's wallet, 100,000 yen won't last long in Japan."

Having lived in Japan in various parts of the world, Bai Jie knew very well the value of 100,000 yen in Japan. Even for a student living at a certain standard, it would cost between 30,000 and 50,000 yen a month. If one were to live a more luxurious life, it wouldn't be impossible to reach 80,000 or 90,000 yen. 100,000 yen? At most, it would only last for two months.

"Does this mean I'm going to eat expensive bento boxes and canned drinks from the supermarket every day from now on? As for accommodation... I guess the park allows sleeping outdoors."

Although Bai Jie could survive until the end of the world even without eating or drinking, he would still like to satisfy his appetite if possible. No one would complain about delicious food and a comfortable bed, right? Food, clothing, shelter, and transportation are the most basic needs of a person.

After putting away the 100,000 yuan, Bai Jie turned his gaze to a building in the distance. Although it looked like an ordinary building, incredibly, it didn't have a single window or even a door, making one wonder if it was just a large block of iron.

Of course, that's how it is in the eyes of ordinary people, but it's a different story in Bai Jie's eyes.

"Hey, putting aside the building's structural strength, it's also inscribed with so many magical spells! Let me see, there are those big charlatans from Christianity, Japanese ones, Chinese Taoism... oh wow, even Egyptian ones! What a hodgepodge!"

In Bai Jie's eyes, the building without doors and windows was shrouded in hundreds of magical spells. Each spell was not very offensive, but its defensive power was extremely strong. It was obvious that it was designed to protect the building. It was estimated that even if a nuclear bomb fell, the building would not shake.

According to the knowledge Bai Jie obtained from Misaka Mikoto's brain, this Academy City is a city of pure science, but now Bai Jie sees a building closely related to magic, which is really contradictory.

(Is it something they're hiding from the students, or from everyone? And judging by the location, that building is in the very center of Academy City, this is really...)

Various guesses flashed through his mind, and finally Bai Jie clapped his hands: "Okay, I'll just go ask directly. It's the fastest way to ask them directly."

A spatial teleportation spell flashed beneath his feet, and Bai Jie found himself in a wondrous space the moment he opened and closed his eyes.

The surrounding area was filled with cables and instruments. In front of them was a test tube filled with red liquid, which looked like a pillar. Inside the test tube, a person wearing green surgical scrubs was floating upside down.

"Wow, your hobby is quite unique. You actually like hanging yourself up. Are you perhaps a tarot card enthusiast?"

"Those who have met me have reacted in various ways. Some are surprised, some pretend to be calm, and some are panicked. But I have never seen anyone as calm as you," the Hanged Man said. "I am Aleister Crowley, the General Director of Academy City. It is truly an unexpected first meeting, a visitor from another world."

"Ha, so those strange nanoscale devices scattered throughout the air are your eyes and ears, huh? 24/7 surveillance, isn't it? Spying isn't a good habit."

The moment Bai Jie arrived in this world, he sensed the anomaly in the air. The air in this Academy City was filled with countless nanodevices. After learning about them through the corruption of the evil of this world, Bai Jie understood the purpose of these devices—surveillance.

Therefore, Bai Jie understood that someone had already noticed him the moment he came into this world.

"As you can see, this building has no way to communicate with the outside world. The only way to enter and leave is through spatial movement. Therefore, I need to obtain information from the outside world in this way."

"Ha, you must have nothing better to do." Bai Jie sighed. "Well then, I won't waste any more words. Since you are the chairman of the board of directors of Academy City, could you help me make all the preparations for living in this city?"

"Oh? You're the first one to make a request of me right off the bat." Aleister laughed. "I think you understand that Academy City isn't a charity. Everyone has to give something to survive in this city. So, what can you give?"

What can Bai Jie offer?

With a wide grin, Bai Jie unleashed his magic.

"——————"

Aleister's eyes widened suddenly, then he closed them: "I admit, compared to what you've given, your demands are insignificant."

"So, that means we've reached an agreement?"

“I will prepare your identification documents, arrange accommodation for you, provide you with living expenses, and arrange employment for you if needed.”

"Thank you so much,"

“But I have a request,” Aleister said, his voice trembling slightly. “Please be kind to this city.”

"...We'll see. I'll try my best."

After saying that, Bai Jie teleported away from there, and right after Bai Jie left, bright red blood flowed from the corner of Aleister's eye.

That was the price Aleister paid for confronting the beast of humanity.

P.S.: My friend recommended Yu-Gi-Oh! to me, so I downloaded Duel Links and found it to be quite fun. However, my phone can't download from the Google Play Store, I don't know why.

Section 503, Question 4: Aren't teacher-student couples popular?

Ten minutes after meeting Aleister, Bai Jie, who was walking on the street, was picked up by Aleister's private car and also received the identity that Aleister had arranged for him in Academy City.

"A teacher at Tokiwadai Middle School, responsible for teaching English and advanced mathematics, living in a villa in the 7th school district, and already has one million yen in his bank account... Wow, he's quite well prepared."

Bai Jie wasn't unfamiliar with teaching. In the Kamen Rider world, he was dragged into teaching for a while by that idiot Gentaro Kisaragi, and he tormented the class he was in charge of, deducting credits at the slightest provocation. No matter how unruly a student was, they were guaranteed to become more obedient than the most honest people under his tutelage. In fact, Bai Jie once taught a graduating class full of problem students. For some reason, the class assignment went terribly wrong, and the entire class was full of delinquents. On the first day of school, seeing that Bai Jie didn't have much muscle and was easy to bully, they tried to cause trouble.

Then Bai Jie showed them what the dignity of a teacher meant. The first class of the semester was a free-fighting class, and he beat up the whole class until they were yelling, "Dad, I'm sorry!" before starting the lesson. And naturally, under Bai Jie's tutelage, that year all the students in that class graduated with honors.

"Well, fine, let me see how these young ladies of Tokiwadai experience the fear of being dominated by mathematics."

Laughing, Bai Jie tossed aside the document confirming his teacher appointment and opened his identification.

"Bai Jie, a Japanese citizen of Chinese descent, is eighteen years old. He graduated last year with the highest score in the computer science exam and works as a subordinate of Aleister. His ability is level 4 physical regeneration... This really has nerfed me beyond recognition."

Although I know that ignorance is no excuse, weakening one's own abilities to the point of being immortal is what they call "each version is stronger, and each version nerfs Bai Jie"?

"Uh, there's a note here: [There is no magic on the surface of Academy City, so please control your use of magic. Thank you for your understanding.] -- Okay, okay, I know, OK."

He openly resides in a magical fortress within Academy City, yet he forbids Bai Jie from using magic freely, offering words of thanks and understanding. If he didn't want to cause trouble unnecessarily, Bai Jie would have struck him with lightning on the spot. Is it a case of "the magistrate is allowed to set fires, but the common people are forbidden even to light lamps"?

Just then, the driver in the front seat spoke up: "Um, Lord Bai Jie, we've arrived at Tokiwadai Middle School."

"Oh, thank you for your hard work."

Bai Jie packed all the documents into the prepared briefcase, then got out of the car.

(Oh wow? Someone came to greet us. Looks like Aleister's direct subordinates have pretty high status? Should I just put on an act and say hello to everyone?)

Just as Bai Jie was thinking this while looking at the Tokiwadai executives who were lined up in a welcoming gesture, he suddenly noticed one of the two girls who were being shielded by the Tokiwadai principal.

If Bai Jie remembered correctly, he was in the same room with that girl about an hour ago, and now they were meeting again.

Coincidentally, Misaka Mikoto also discovered that the person who came was Bai Jie.

"It's you?!" Misaka Mikoto looked at Bai Jie, who got out of the car, with a look of astonishment.

"Don't use such a disgusted tone. Although the process wasn't very friendly, we've still had some close contact, so calling us friends isn't an exaggeration."

"What intimate contact?! And I don't believe the guy who tricked me and tied me to a chair is a friend!"

"Oh, there's an old Japanese saying, 'To be completely honest with each other.' Although I've never seen you without clothes, I know all your secrets. Doesn't that count as being completely honest with each other? After being honest with each other, aren't we friends?"

"What kind of twisted logic is that?!"

Misaka Mikoto felt that she and Bai Jie were really incompatible. Why did it feel like they were always bickering every time they met?

"you--"

"Misaka."

Just as Misaka Mikoto was about to say something, an old woman who had been silent spoke up.

"How dare you treat the chairman's distinguished guest with such rudeness? Is this how you represent Tokiwadai?"