"What method?" all three asked urgently.
Chen Fan looked at Kamijou Touma. "Even a magician more proficient in magic might not be able to undo it, but Kamijou, your right hand can erase this 'collar.' The instant destruction of the runes won't damage Index's brain."
Kamijou Touma froze at Chen Fan's words and looked at his right hand. Stiyl and Kansai Kazari also turned their gazes toward him. Stiyl felt somewhat frustrated. He was clearly the one most proficient in spell formulas, yet he had no way to save the person he loved.
Seeing Index in even greater pain, Kamijou Touma nodded. He trusted Chen Fan. Though Chen Fan usually acted like a complete rogue, he was the most reliable person when it truly mattered. Besides, being able to save Index with his own hands would also be a form of redemption for him.
Kamijou Touma carefully slipped his index finger into Index's mouth and tapped the symbol shaped like a "4."
"...!"
"Ah!" Kamijou Touma cried out, rapidly backing away as blood flowed from his right hand.
A massive surge of energy erupted from Index's body, and she began to float upward.
[...Warning!...Warning!...Index-Librorum-Prohibitorum... The first through third barriers of A Certain Magical Index's 'collar' have all been damaged!] [To protect the safety of the 103,000 'grimoires,' the intruder will be destroyed!] [Warning! Chapter Three, Section Three! The 'collar' cannot automatically repair itself! The specific magic, George Domain, for destroying intruders has been activated.]
Index's eyes were vacant as several formulas appeared within them. She mechanically recited some sort of command. Cracks appeared in the space around her body, forming a barrier like shattered glass, while two magic circles formed in the void, constructed from rules.
"What's going on? Why is this happening?" Kamijou Touma,