As Touma-san prepared tea, Tsuchimikado and Kanzaki cautiously examined the antiques scattered throughout the house. These magical artifacts, while generally not powerful, were causing a magical distortion due to their placement, connecting the Upper World with the Mortal World.
They also regarded Touma's mother with suspicion, as the arrangement of these antiques was highly unusual and not something a typical person could accomplish.
"Should we destroy them?" Tsuchimikado asked.
"No, the Joker ordered us to wait," Kanzaki replied.
"But if this continues, a catastrophe might manifest," Tsuchimikado cautioned.
"Even so, we need to consult first," Kanzaki insisted.
Murmuring, the magical duo quickly brainstormed countermeasures for this world-scale spell. Even Tsuchimikado, who often jokes, wore a serious expression.
Listening in, Touma couldn't help but shiver. His house was the source of this global distortion.
"What do you suggest then... wait?" he asked.
"For now, let's focus on finding the culprit. The change in this woman's appearance indicates she's not the culprit," Kanzaki observed.
Except for a few variables like Touma, Yuki, and the girls, whose powers were unaffected, almost everyone else had their appearance altered. Thus, the one who cast the spell would not have changed appearance.
"I'm home," a middle-aged man announced as he entered the house.
"Darling, just in time!" Touma's mother called from the kitchen. Based on her voice, Touma deduced this was his father, so there was no surprise.
Everything seemed fine until Touma suddenly tensed.
(Impossible...)
Touma was stunned, realizing something incredible. His father's hobby of collecting antiques was the reason the house was filled with them, but there was more to it than that.
(What if... the reason behind these antiques is something else?)
Touma's thoughts raced. He couldn't believe it, but the evidence was clear. His father had been involved in the occult for a long time.
Touma panicked. The more he thought, the more complicated his expression became. He wanted to talk to his father, but Tsuchimikado and Kanzaki's hostility grew. They would soon discover his father was behind all this. With photos of him around the house, it was only a matter of time.
*Gulp*
Touma swallowed hard, contemplating his options. He needed to convince the magical duo and talk to his father.
"Hey, Tsuchimikado... You said that apart from a few exceptions like us who didn't change appearance, the other person would be the one who cast the spell..."
"Nya? That's right," Tsuchimikado replied, a bit surprised by the question.
"I think... I've found the culprit..."
"Haa?!"
This time, not only Tsuchimikado turned his head, but Kanzaki did as well.
-------------
"So, it's that guy's father, huh? Touya Kamijou," Yuki mused, watching the group through the Apocalypse virus.
As expected of those bearing immense Karma, heroes are also called 'Children of Misfortune' due to their significant positive karma. Their destiny twists, often leading them into dangerous situations and attracting people with negative karma or sinister plots.
This is the greatest entertainment for the World's Will, which plays with destiny. It's also why heroes' parents are rarely ordinary people.
Yuki wasn't surprised. He was prepared for this. Being a Champion without a predetermined Destiny, the World's Will couldn't play with his fate. Despite his immense positive Karma, his life was chaotic due to the destinies of his women. They must break all Karma to be 'free' from the World's Will.
Yuki couldn't help but worry a bit. The Angel in the sky made him feel pressured.
This Angel wasn't using its power, but its presence was overwhelming. Even from a considerable distance, Yuki felt it very close.
Yuki also wanted to know what kind of Angel was cast out of heaven. This Angel hadn't moved yet, making it difficult to determine its power or origin.
If it attacked, Yuki would be forced to act. Without setting the trap, the Angel would escape, and all efforts would be in vain.
*Shiii*
As Yuki pondered, a spatial distortion formed beside him. Yuki smiled, realizing a big fish had arrived.
"So, you're the one Aleister sent. Not bad, you're the only reliable option," Yuki remarked.
"As expected of someone who controls Destiny, you detected me instantly," replied a voice from the spatial distortion. The voice lacked gender, and a completely silver figure with both masculine and feminine features appeared before Yuki.
"Aiwass, it's good to see you again..."
Aiwass, though an angel not belonging to the Bible, was more of a science-side angel and remained one of the most powerful beings in the Mortal World, restricted by its laws.
Aleister's plan was simple: send one angel to deal with another, adding the Joker variable, increasing the chances of capturing the Biblical Angel.
Thanks to the Apocalypse Virus, Aiwass's material form was more solid, and its powers were greater than expected using the Misaka Network.
Aiwass's form was more visible, with a silvery shine that couldn't hide the facets of its beautiful face and long golden hair.
"This is interesting. You were expecting me. Should I assume you also controlled my Destiny?"
Aiwass showed no emotion toward Yuki's comment. It seemed unbothered by the notion of being controlled. Yuki smiled, knowing controlling Destiny was beyond his capabilities. Though he could interfere with the Dojutsu of Limits, he lacked the ability to control it at will like all Champions. He couldn't kill, destroy, or twist destinies. He was merely using a basic concept to reach Destiny. However, this was not something Yuki would admit. If Aiwass had a misconception, it was its problem, and Yuki wouldn't correct it.
"Not exactly, but I have a proposal for you... Are you interested in hearing it?"
"Your proposal suggests you don't want Aleister to know... Are you trying to break the treaty between you?"
"You're mistaken. I never intended to break the treaty with Aleister. Besides, this has nothing to do with you... correct?"
Yuki was telling the truth. Even if he and Aleister cooperated, it was based on benefits. Moreover, Aiwass was a separate entity from Aleister. Although they had a contract, it was still a different entity, so Yuki hadn't violated any treaty.
"Hm, you're right. I'm listening..."
Aiwass pondered for a few seconds before speaking. Everything was correct, and there was no harm in listening to Yuki. After all, Yuki was someone Aiwass was very curious about.
As an existence like Aiwass, curiosity was the definitive factor that kept it alive. Without Aleister's Anti-suicide device, Aiwass would have long been bored to death.
But now it was different. Yuki was special, and Aiwass was curious as to why.
Of course, Yuki wouldn't disappoint. He smiled and spoke.
"I want you to form a contract with me..."
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TN: Oh now I get it! So its like that