"Quick, Index!"
Grabbing Index, Ruizi ran desperately toward the research institute. She regretted leaving so early now. If they had stayed there, Fang Zheng would definitely have been able to protect Index. Maybe she had been too lacking in vigilance, which was why this had happened.
Come to think of it, who exactly were those people? She had initially thought they were delinquents from the Armed Unskilled Group, but that guy just now... was he an Esper?
Then why were they attacking Index?
Ruizi's mind was full of questions, but she continued running forward with Index. Yet as the two turned the corner, the tall figure before them forced them to stop.
"Oh, sorry about that."
The two-meter-tall red-haired man, a cigarette dangling from his mouth, watched Ruizi and Index with a cruel smile. Then he extended a hand.
"Could you hand her over to us? Retrieving that thing is our mission, after all."
"Retrieving... you said retrieving?!"
At that, Ruizi glared furiously at the red-haired man.
"This child isn't some object! I'll never let you take her away!"
"Is that so..."
Hearing Ruizi's answer, the red-haired man closed his eyes, then opened them again.
"Although I don't really want to come into conflict with people from the scientific side... it seems there's no choice."
As he spoke, the red-haired man raised his hand.
"Stiyl Magnus, Fortis931."
"Huh?"
Ruizi was baffled by his actions, unable to understand why he had suddenly announced his own name. But at that moment, Index hurriedly spoke up.
"Watch out, Ruizi! For a Magus, declaring their magic name is equivalent to declaring war!"
"Boom—!!!"
Before Index had even finished speaking, enormous flames erupted from the red-haired man's hand. Ruizi jumped in fright at the sight.
Was that magic? No—was he an Esper who controlled flames?