In Academy City, the Paradise Project begins.

Kanzaki Kaori, perched atop a streetlamp, looked down at Higashino Yu, exuding an even stronger sense of oppression than when Stiyl used the Witch Hunter.

"You must be a science-related ability user."

Kanzaki's voice was as cold as a knife.

"You were the one who made that child disappear, weren't you? Hand him over, and I might spare your life."

Higashino smiled helplessly. She knew Kanzaki wasn't joking; while she wouldn't kill indiscriminately, things could get complicated if Index was involved.

The battle with Stiyl had already drained him of a lot of energy, and now, facing the even stronger Kanzaki Kaori, his chances of winning were slim.

But he couldn't back out. He had no intention of handing over Index. Since he had already promised the child, Higashino had no intention of breaking his promise.

Keeping promises is probably one of his rare virtues.

Moreover, he knew that Kanzaki didn't actually have any ill intentions towards Index.

Since I can't win by fighting head-on, it's probably more worthwhile to use my abilities to make her more convinced of my words than to engage in direct combat.

"Kazuki Kanzaki, the female pope of the Amakusa-style Cross Church."

Higashino Yu stared directly into those sharp eyes.

Why are you hunting down an innocent girl?

Kanzaki frowned slightly, clearly not expecting the other party to know her identity. She lightly leaped down from the street lamp, her long black trench coat fluttering in the night wind, revealing the scabbards of swords strapped to her fair legs.

"She is not an ordinary nun."

Kanzaki's fingers lightly stroked the hilt of the sword.

"Do you think you're helping her? The Index of Forbidden Books contains the knowledge of 103,000 grimoires. If her memories aren't periodically erased, this knowledge will overwhelm her brain."

Useful. They so easily told me, a science-based ability user, this relatively important information. So…

Higashino Yu suddenly burst into laughter, the sound particularly jarring in the quiet street.

Kanzaki's eyes sharpened further, and the Seven Days Seven Blades were slightly drawn three inches from their sheaths, flashing with a cold light.

"why are you laughing?"

"I laugh at you for being fooled."

Higashino stared directly into Kanzaki's eyes.

"The human brain has an astonishing memory capacity. What is a mere 103,000 books? If we follow your logic, wouldn't a normal person's brain capacity be insufficient after a few decades? They wouldn't even live to old age."

Kanzaki's body visibly stiffened for a moment, a subtle reaction that Higashino caught. He pressed his advantage: "The Church lied to you. They erased Index's memories not because of any 'insufficient capacity'."

"shut up!"

Kanzaki shouted sharply, drawing all seven swords of the Seven Days.

"What do you know about magic?"

Instead of retreating, Higashino took a step forward: "I may not understand magic, but I do understand science. The human brain's memory isn't a bucket that needs to be emptied when it's full. Index's special constitution allows her to remember magic books, but she will never die because of it."

Kanzaki's blade trembled slightly; Higashino knew his words had worked. He continued, "The Church only wants to control her, which is why they periodically erase her memories. You shouldn't be completely unaware of this, should you?"

"absurd!"

Kanzaki's sword flashed, slicing through the night sky.

Higashino was prepared, activating his ability the instant the blade struck: "The slash cannot hit me!"

Ripples spread through the air like water as Kanzaki's deadly strike suddenly veered off course, striking empty air. A ten-meter-long crack was cleaved in the concrete pavement, sending debris flying.

Kanzaki's pupils contracted slightly: "Interfering with my swordsmanship? Impossible!"

"Nothing is impossible."

Higashino felt that his vision was becoming a little blurry.

“Even your ‘saint’ power, I can suppress.”

For the first time, Kanzaki's expression wavered.

"How about we make a bet?"

Higashino suddenly made a suggestion.

"If I win, you will give up hunting down Index and become my maid for a day."

A flash of anger crossed Kanzaki's eyes: "Arrogant!"

“If I lose,” Higashino continued, “I will be responsible for persuading Index to go with you.”

Kanzaki's sword tip drooped slightly, clearly weighing the pros and cons. Higashino knew she was wavering, not only because of the bet, but also because of the truth that had just been revealed.

"You don't dare?" Higashino provoked deliberately. "Afraid of discovering that the church has been lying to you all along?"

"Shut up!"

Kanzaki's blade flashed again, this time faster and more ruthless.

Seven blades of light simultaneously blocked all of Higashino's escape routes; each one was powerful enough to cut through steel. Higashino took a deep breath and pushed his abilities to their limit:

"The incoming blade is harmless!"

The world seemed to freeze for a moment. The seven deadly blades, upon contact with Higashino's body, suddenly transformed into seven soft feathers, which slowly drifted to the ground.

Kanzaki stared in shock at the scene, her hand gripping the sword trembling slightly: "This... how is this possible?"

“Your swordsmanship is based on your understanding of the ‘sword’,” Higashino’s voice was weary, “and I have temporarily modified that understanding.”

Kanzaki suddenly sheathed her sword, a move that startled Higashino. But the next second, he understood her intention: Kanzaki was about to use a martial art that didn't require a sword!

A long, slender leg swept through the air with a whooshing sound. Higashino barely managed to dodge it, but was still grazed on the shoulder. A sharp pain instantly spread, and he felt as if he had almost lost all feeling in his left arm.

Physical attacks are ineffective!

Kanzaki's next attack, though clearly aimed at Higashino's chest, felt like it hit thin air. Her body lurched forward due to inertia, and Higashino seized the opportunity to grab her wrist, causing them both to fall to the ground.

Up close, Higashino could smell the faint sandalwood scent emanating from Kanzaki and see the panic flash in her eyes. This powerful female pope was now pinned beneath him, her long black hair cascading down like a waterfall.

"Are you admitting defeat?" Higashino asked, panting heavily.

Kanzaki suddenly exerted her strength, and their positions were instantly reversed. Now she was looking down at Higashino, her knee pressed against his chest.

"You are strong," Kanzaki's voice carried a hint of respect, "but it's not enough."

Higashino suddenly laughed: "Is that so?"

His finger gently touched the center of Shinra's brow: "The power of a saint is ineffective."

Kanzaki's body stiffened abruptly as she felt the "Saint" power flowing within her rapidly fading. This unprecedented weakness made her face turn deathly pale.

"You...what did you do?"

“I’ve temporarily blocked your special physical abilities,” Higashino said, taking the opportunity to turn over. “Now you’re just an ordinary girl.”

Kanzaki tried to mobilize the power within her body, but to no avail. For the first time, a wavering appeared in her eyes; the feeling of losing power was more terrifying than she had imagined.

"Are you admitting defeat?" Higashino asked again, his voice gentler than before. "I guarantee Index will be safe. And..." He paused, "you can see for yourself whether what I'm saying is true."

Kanzaki's lips trembled slightly, and she finally lowered her eyes: "...I surrender."

Higashino let out a long sigh of relief and deactivated his ability.

Modifying the power of a saint is more costly than imagined. If Kanzaki doesn't give up, she will definitely be the one who is doomed.

In three seconds at most, I'll be exposed.

Kanzaki immediately felt her power return, but she did not attack again. She simply stood up silently and brushed the dust off her clothes.

"The bet is settled," Kanzaki's voice regained its composure, "but if you lie to me..."

“You’re welcome to come and kill me anytime,” Higashino interrupted her with a smile, “but come back tomorrow, I don’t have much strength left today.”

Kanzaki gave him a deep look, but in the end she just snorted and turned to walk towards the unconscious Stiyl.

As Higashino watched her retreating figure, he suddenly called out, "Hey, remember to get your maid outfit ready! I'll definitely make it!"

Kanzaki staggered slightly, but she didn't turn around; she just quickened her pace.

Higashino couldn't help but laugh out loud, but the laughter quickly turned into a cough.

His vision blurred, and the side effects of continuous high-intensity use of his abilities finally kicked in.

This... this is truly the limit...

Just before he collapsed, Index's silver-haired figure rushed towards him and caught him.

Chapter 38 Genius Nurse Index?

It felt like I had a long dream, a dream filled only with the feeling of fullness and a drowsy sleepiness.

As consciousness gradually returned, Higashino Yu first felt a kind of fatigue after a long sleep, and... a strange burnt taste lingering deep in his throat.

There's no smell of disinfectant... Looks like I didn't go to the hospital this time?

Should I be grateful?

He slowly opened his eyes, and what came into view was the familiar ceiling of his own apartment. A brand-new hole with charred edges was particularly conspicuous, undoubtedly caused by the aftershocks of Stiyl's magic.

"Yu! You're awake!"

A voice filled with surprise and exhaustion rang out from beside the bed.

Higashino Yu turned his head slightly and saw Index kneeling there.

Her once smooth silver hair appeared somewhat messy and dry, her eyes had faint dark circles, and her face was pale and haggard, clearly indicating that she had not had an easy time during his coma.

Index was wearing a large apron over her nun's habit, with suspicious sauce and powder stains on the cuffs and hem, suggesting she had been working hard in the kitchen.

"How long...am I unconscious?"

Higashino's voice was hoarse from just waking up, and his body was still a little weak.

"One day, seven hours, and twenty-eight minutes!"

Index answered immediately, her tone tinged with worry and lingering fear.

“A doctor who looked very kind and had a frog-like face came to my house. He said that I was overusing my abilities and that I would be fine after a good night’s rest. He told me not to worry too much.”

She paused, then added in a low voice.

"But...you slept for a very, very long time..."

The Underworld is chasing after souls… Aleister has indeed been keeping an eye on this place. Higashino felt slightly relieved; it seemed the Hanged Man had indeed "thoughtfully" handled the aftermath, so there was no need to worry about security personnel and disciplinary committee members suddenly arriving to investigate this suspected fire incident. However, the neighbors should have mostly fled by now.

"But don't worry!"

Index seemed to be trying to dispel her unease and pull herself together.

"I've read through the entire 'Complete Guide to Home Care' carefully!"

She pointed to a rather new-looking book on the bedside table, probably one she had found herself or that she had recently bought while Higashino was in a coma.

Higashino tried to sit up, only to find that his left wrist was tied to the bed railing with a rough hemp rope.

"this……?"

He looked at Index with some confusion.

"Ah, this!"

Index quickly explained, her face showing a hint of unease.

"The book says that in order to prevent patients from moving around unconsciously and affecting their recovery, they need to be properly immobilized... so I..."

Her voice trailed off, as if she realized this was a bit odd, especially at home.

Higashino smiled helplessly and did not blame her.

Having read the original work, he knew that she, who grew up in a monastery and knew almost nothing about science, could only clumsily understand the book literally.

It's already quite an achievement that she was able to wake up safely by following the knowledge in the book without anyone teaching her.

As he untied the knot with his still-functioning right hand, his gaze swept across the room.

The bedroom was a mess. Several bowls and plates sat on the bedside table, containing a strangely colored, unidentifiable paste; used bandages, cotton swabs, and several open copies of "The Complete Guide to Home Care" were scattered on the floor, their pages stained with oil and water; a handwritten note on the wall read "Get well soon." Clearly, she had been taking care of herself alone since she fell into a coma.