In Academy City, the Paradise Project begins.

Page 44

Index immediately perked up her ears in confusion. Higashino put down the spatula and wiped his hands on his apron: "It's probably the delivery. I've ordered a lot of things recently."

However, standing outside the door was an unexpected guy: the mummy delinquent Stiyl Magnus.

Although he was still wearing the same priest's attire, his body was wrapped tightly in bandages underneath, clearly indicating that his previous injuries had not healed or that he was disfigured.

In any case, you can't see any skin of Higashino's exposed skin at all.

He stood motionless at the door, an unlit cigarette between his fingers.

"Good morning, both of you."

He greeted them lazily, his gaze lingering for a second on Higashino's oil-stained apron.

"Looks like I've disturbed your sweet breakfast?"

His tone was slightly bitter, and his envy, jealousy, and hatred were clearly visible in his eyes.

He would like to have breakfast with Index like this if he could, but given Index's current attitude towards him, it's simply impossible.

Index immediately peeked out from behind Higashino, giving him a disgusted look: "You jerk! What are you doing here?"

Hearing Index's address, Stiyl felt as if his heart had been stabbed.

After taking a deep breath to calm himself down, Steele pulled an envelope from his pocket and waved it in front of the two men: "A personal invitation from the High Bishop of Anglican Church."

Then he looked meaningfully at Index.

"Regarding Index's...legal adoption procedures."

Higashino paused slightly as he took the envelope. He carefully opened the seal and unfolded the letter inside.

"To Mr. Higashino Yu".

He whispered.

"Given your special relationship with Miss Index and your status as a Level 5 in Academy City, the Anglican Church cordially invites you to its London headquarters to complete the formal guardianship transfer procedures..."

Index leaned closer curiously, looking at the letter in Higashino's hand: "What does it say?"

Higashino said helplessly, "The British Puritans invited us to London to process your... adoption paperwork."

Something's not right, something's extremely wrong. This kind of thing is just weird no matter how you look at it.

That guy, who is ostensibly the High Bishop of the Anglican Church but is actually a great devil, is incredibly wicked. Getting them to go and sign the adoption papers is definitely not as simple as it seems.

Could it be that she's imagining something and planning to attack me? But that shouldn't be the case; she shouldn't be revealing her situation right now.

"Adoption?"

Index suddenly looked up and almost bumped into Higashino's chin.

"I'm not a kitten or a puppy!"

Stiyl chuckled. "Pretty much. Those old men in the church have finally figured it out: instead of letting the Index of Prohibited Books run rampant, they should find a reliable guardian."

He glanced meaningfully at Higashino, somewhat resentful.

"Although you are far from being 'reliable'."

Higashino ignored his taunts; he was just a defeated opponent.

For me now, taking down Stiyl is no longer a difficult task.

He read the details of the letter carefully: "The person must bring identification documents and arrive at the Puritan headquarters in London before August 1st... The stay is expected to be two to three days..."

He looked up at Steel.

"So urgent?"

The red-haired priest shrugged: "The Supreme Bishop had a sudden whim; who knows what's going on in that woman's head?"

He paused.

"However, the paperwork is indeed genuine. Once it's completed, Index will officially be under your control."

Index suddenly grabbed Higashino's sleeve: "I don't want to go to England! Those guys might hurt Yu!"

Higashino gently held her hand and softly comforted her, "Don't be afraid. I'm a Level 5 in Academy City. They won't do anything to me if I don't want to start a war. Besides, I'm very strong."

Besides, if he can't beat them, he can't just run away. He doesn't believe that Lola would expose her identity to target him.

Moreover, he felt that he should be able to teleport directly back to Academy City from England, which would be easier than going to the moon.

He turned to Steele, "Do we need to prepare any special documents?"

"No special preparation is needed."

Steele pulled a plane ticket out of his pocket.

"The flight is at 10 a.m. tomorrow. Kanzaki will be there to meet you."

Kanzaki? I really missed her after we last met. I wonder how she'll react when we meet again. I'm really looking forward to it.

Stiyl hesitated for a moment, then added, "The Roman Catholic Church has been very active lately, so be careful on the road."

Index made a face: "I'm not afraid at all with Higashino around! He just said he's really strong!"

Higashino frowned. The opportunity to become Index's official guardian was indeed rare, but the Anglican Church had extended an invitation. Did Aleister know about this? Was there some other motive behind it? And what was the situation with the Roman Catholic Church?

However, it seems that Aleister has tacitly accepted the Puritans' actions, otherwise Stiyl wouldn't have contacted him so easily again.

"We will arrive on time."

He finally answered in this way, while secretly squeezing Index's hand to reassure her.

Stiyl nodded and turned to walk towards the elevator. Just before the doors closed, he suddenly turned back: "By the way, don't misuse your abilities when you get to London. The old fogies on the magical side don't like science-side 'tricks'."

Little trick, huh? If those old fogies jump out on their own, I won't do anything. I'm quite respectful of the elderly and kind to the young. I'll just use them as tools to keep living.

After the elevator doors closed, Index immediately pulled Higashino back to the dining table: "Yu, I... do we really have to go?"

Her voice was so soft it was almost inaudible.

Higashino crouched down to look her in the eye: "Of course you have to go. Only with a formal procedure can you stay in Academy City for a long time."

He gently brushed away non-existent dust from the ends of her hair.

"After that, you will have new friends, happy memories, and say goodbye to the past completely."

Index bit her lower lip, hesitated for a few seconds, and suddenly threw herself into Dongye's arms: "Then you have to make sure you're safe, and never be reckless again!"

Higashino stumbled slightly from the bump, but still managed to catch the hug: "I promise."

I'm not as weak as I used to be. I won't go to the hospital again, absolutely not!

As Higashino gazed at the sky above Academy City outside the window, his thoughts drifted across the ocean. Would his trip to London go smoothly? What were the true intentions of the English Puritans? What exactly were Laura Tuart's plans?

"Yu!"

Index's voice pulled him back to reality.

"My egg yolk spilled onto the table!"

Higashino looked down at the golden egg mixture on the table and suddenly smiled: "Looks like I need to make it again."

No matter what kind of conspiracy or trickery they may plot, I will not let them succeed!

Chapter 59 Embarking on the Journey to London

On the morning of July 30th, the international departure hall of Academy City Airport was bustling with people. Higashino Yu pushed a luggage cart, while Index looked around curiously.

"long!"

She tugged at Higashino's sleeve and pointed to a chocolate counter in a store.

"That one! I want to buy that one!"

Higashino glanced at the price tag, his lips twitching: "Those are liqueur-filled chocolates for adults."

Index puffed out her cheeks: "I'm already in my twenties!"

"Don't lie to yourself, and no one will believe you with your body type."

Higashino relentlessly criticized him, but still put two boxes of regular chocolates into his shopping basket.

"This is enough for you to eat your way to London."

During the security check, Index showed great interest in the X-ray machine and almost stuck her head in to see what it was, but Higashino pulled her back in time.

If it weren't for Higashino's presence, Index's strange behavior would have been enough to attract the attention of the airport security personnel.

Her boarding pass read "Higashino Index," which sounded odd, but no one found it strange. Besides, this was already the background information used when explaining things to Ruiko and the others, and since she would be adopting her as her guardian, this identity was used directly.

"From now on, you are my cousin."

Higashino whispered his instructions.

"No matter who asks, you must say we are family, understand?"

Index tilted her head: "Should I call you Onii-chan?"

"...Whatever makes you happy."

This child is just too cute! The way she calls me "Onii-chan" is so sweet. It seems like it would be a good idea to have her change her way of addressing me in the future.

Boarding went surprisingly smoothly. Their seats were in business class, with window seats offering Index a view of the sea of ​​clouds. When the flight attendant brought her juice, Index curiously poked at the ice cubes in her glass, making a crisp clinking sound.

"Yu, why do you think ice always melts?"

Higashino adjusted the seat back for her: "All ice will melt; that's a law of physics."

"Can you prevent it from melting?"

Index looked at him expectantly.

Higashino thought for a moment. Since using this level of ability wouldn't affect the plane anyway, it wouldn't hurt to cheer her up: "The ice in Index's cup won't melt."

Index stared at the ice cubes in her glass for a full five minutes, then excitedly shook the glass, making the ice cubes clink.

"There really hasn't been any change! Higashino is the best!"

This child is really easy to coax. Of course, she's also quite easy to fool. If we're not careful, she might be tricked away by some strange guy. It seems I'll have to keep a close eye on her when we get to London.

As the plane took off, Index nervously gripped Higashino's hand; this was the first time she could remember flying.

Once the plane had passed through the clouds and stabilized, she immediately regained her energy and leaned against the window to marvel at the magnificent sea of ​​clouds.

“Like cotton candy!”

Her nose was pressed against the glass, and her breath formed a small patch of white mist on the window.

Higashino opened the folder Stiyl had given him, which contained the detailed adoption process and required documents. He noticed a line of small red text on the last page: "Special Note: The Grand Master of the Knights is intentionally testing your strength."

The Grand Master of the Knights? Oh, right... I barely remember him. Hopefully, he's not some guy who utterly despises science...

Just as he was pondering a solution, Index suddenly tugged at his sleeve: "Higashino, that person has been staring at us."

Following her gaze, Higashino saw a middle-aged man in a sharp suit sitting across the aisle. The man wore gold-rimmed glasses and was reading a hardcover book, appearing perfectly normal. However, Higashino noticed a faint fluctuation of magical energy emanating from him.

"don’t worry."

He gently patted Index's hand.

"They might be people sent by the Puritans to protect us secretly."

It could be surveillance, but there's no need to tell Index about that.

After the plane entered the stratosphere, the flight attendants began serving meals. Index showed great interest in every item on her plate, especially the decorative carrot carving.

"It's a rabbit!"

She held up a carrot for Higashino to see, her silver hair swaying gently with the movement.

Just then, the plane suddenly lurched violently. Index's fork flew out, arcing through the air, and struck the "suspicious passenger" squarely in the forehead.

"Ah! I'm sorry!"

Index hurriedly apologized.

The bespectacled man slowly removed his glasses, which had been tilted by the fork, revealing a pair of sharp gray eyes. He ignored Index and looked directly at Higashino: "Mr. Higashino Yu, I've heard so much about you."

Higashino immediately became alert: "Who are you?"

"John Wells, a member of Her Majesty's Magical Advisory Council."