— — — — — —
Inside the Mental Space—
"Tch! So, that dimensional travel tech you all wanted? I've finally got my hands on it and fully figured it out!"
"Come on, everyone, let's share it. Honestly, I'm curious whether your worlds have anything like the parallel universes we see over here."
Ultraman Renzo, after wrapping up the crisis in the Land of Light, wasted no time. He'd studied dimensional traversal at lightning speed, and now he was back in the shared space, ready to hand out some gifts.
To be honest, even he was a little shocked—and thrilled—by how fast he could learn these days.
This supercharged, almost addictive rush of learning… he couldn't get enough of it.
He was already planning to go back and dive into more technology research. In fact, he'd even started sketching out ideas for things like Ultracapsules and Ultrabracers.
Being a tech tycoon in the future sounded pretty great. And of course, designing his own personal ultimate equipment was definitely moving up his priority list.
"Oh?"
Gundam Renzo and the others looked genuinely impressed.
"Damn, that's some serious speed!"
"Quick, quick—let me sync with you!"
"Me too!"
"Ultra bro, you're on fire today! That efficiency!"
A moment later, everyone reached out to share the knowledge Renzo was offering. Then they each settled back into their seats to process the flood of new information.
"Tsk tsk… poor Belial. Of all the times he could've shown up, he picked the exact moment you awakened your shared space. That's next-level bad luck," Pirate Renzo whistled.
"Seriously," R-18 Renzo agreed, shaking his head.
"Although," Uchiha Renzo said, tapping his chin thoughtfully, "I'm not so sure it was just coincidence."
He looked around the group. "Think about it. All of us awakened right around critical turning points in our timelines. Ultraman bro's awakening probably happened precisely because that crisis was about to hit."
Everyone fell quiet for a second, considering that.
"Yeah… fair point," Hero Renzo nodded. The others murmured in agreement.
"By the way," Eevee said, licking a paw, "doesn't that mean Zett won't get his moment in the spotlight now? Won't this mess up his growth? And can we even expect Ultraman Saga to appear anymore?"
"Shouldn't be a problem," Ultra Renzo said, shaking his head. "That kid heard about what happened and has been training twice as hard ever since. Some people are just destined to be protagonists—you think a little interference from me is gonna stop him?"
If anything, it would just motivate Zett more.
And the timeline was sacred for a reason in the Ultraman universe.
— — —
Toaru Majutsu no Index
In Academy City
While Toaru Renzo sat cross-legged, eyes closed, digesting all the new power he'd just shared and received, his energy levels steadily climbed higher and higher.
...
At the same time, in a windowless skyscraper somewhere in the city, the Silver Star himself—Aleister Crowley—suddenly opened his eyes.
His expression flickered with surprise… and a hint of confusion.
"What is it?"
Aiwass, standing nearby, noticed immediately. Anything that could unsettle Aleister was worth asking about.
Aleister didn't answer out loud. Instead, his voice sounded directly in Aiwass's mind.
"…An unexpected variable has appeared."
His tone was calm, but even through telepathy, Aiwass could sense how serious it was.
"Someone I can't read at all. Not long ago, he was just an ordinary human… and then, out of nowhere, he became something completely unfathomable."
Aleister's gaze darkened.
"And the energy radiating off him—it's absurdly powerful. Even though he's suppressing most of it, what's leaking out is enough to be terrifying."
"I get the sense," Aleister added softly, "that he might actually be able to threaten us."
Aiwass's eyes widened.
"You're serious? A threat to us? What, did a Magic God show up in the flesh?"
Even a Magic God wouldn't necessarily dare claim they could take Aleister, the Greatest Magician in History, down.
"My perception doesn't lie," Aleister murmured. "This… this is a real game-changer. Things are going to get very interesting. Who knows… maybe he'll be the one who can finally wipe out all the Magic Gods."
There was a strange glimmer of anticipation in Aleister's eyes.
"Who knows..." Aiwass was about to say something but was suddenly interrupted.
"Hey there! Aleister, Aiwass—nice to meet you both! Sorry to drop in unannounced!"
A voice rang out unexpectedly inside the room. Moments later, a figure emerged from the air itself—Renzo.
"Oh-ho?"
Aiwass raised an eyebrow in surprise. "I didn't even sense your arrival. How did you manage that? Your control over spatial magic is better than mine! Impressive!"
Then, narrowing its eyes slightly, it added, "And you know who I am right off the bat. Seems like you're carrying quite a few secrets."
Renzo just shrugged. "Come on, who doesn't have a few secrets?"
Aleister finally spoke. "So, what brings you here? I doubt you just came by to say hi."
Renzo got straight to the point. "I'm here to propose a deal. I want access to all of your technology—especially the research related to psychic powers. In exchange, I can offer you several power systems from other worlds. You can pick whichever one you like. Sound fair? There is a different magic system here you're gonna love."
Sure, he could've just stolen it all by force...But why bother, when a clean trade would do the job?
"Oh? Power systems from other worlds?" Aleister mused. "You really are a wild card, huh? What is this—one of those transmigration or soul-possession things straight out of a novel? Doesn't look like it, though."
He shook his head. "Whatever. Doesn't matter. I accept the deal—but first, let's evaluate the value of what we're exchanging."
Even though he was clearly curious about Renzo's origins, Aleister didn't press for answers. Instead, he steered the conversation right back to business.
The negotiation went smoothly.
Renzo successfully traded some systems and several manuals in exchange for all of Aleister's tech—everything, including the top-tier psychic development data.
To make his life in Academy City easier (and avoid unnecessary trouble), Aleister even gave Renzo an official position as one of the city's Board of Directors—and threw in a private estate as a bonus.
Of course, Aleister had other motives. He hoped Renzo would stay in Academy City, making it easier to work with him—or study him—in the future.
Naturally, Aleister was cautious. Unless he was absolutely certain of victory, he wasn't going to pick a fight.
For now? They were on mutually beneficial terms.
"Whoa there!"
On the way back, Renzo happened to "accidentally" bump into Index, who had just escaped to Academy City.
She crashed right into his chest, nearly knocking herself off balance.
"You should really watch where you're going," Renzo chuckled, reaching out and lifting her by the collar.
Looking at the cute, pitiful little thing in front of him, he couldn't help but reach out and pinch her cheek.
"H-Hey! What are you, some kind of pervert?!" Index yelled as she struggled in his grasp.
Renzo sweatdropped. "Oi, is that how you treat someone you just ran into?"
"Sorry!" she blurted out in a small voice, instantly deflated.
She was about to say something else—when her stomach let out a loud growl.
Her face turned bright red as she awkwardly looked up at him, clearly embarrassed.
"You poor thing," Renzo laughed. "Sounds like someone's starving. Well, I'd say fate brought us together—how about I treat you to a meal?"
"R-Really? Are you sure? Isn't that a bit much...?"
Index looked shy and uncertain, but deep down, she thought Renzo might actually be a really good guy. Just a moment ago, she was cursing him under her breath—and now here he was, offering her food without holding a grudge.
"There's nothing wrong with it. C'mon, let's go."
"Thank you! You're a really nice person!"
"Well... thanks for the 'nice guy' award, I guess."
.
.
.