Chapter 317: The Dragon from Another World
"I truly do not belong to this world, but the situation is complicated. Even if I told you, you might not understand."
George looked at the chairman hanging upside down before him, rubbed his chin, and asked in return as he sat on the ground:
"Then who are you?
I could sense the immense magic power you just unleashed—you are definitely a very famous magician.
A magician, yet also the chairman who founded Academy City and the esper system—this reminds me of someone."
With the memories of Shirley, the intelligence officer of the Puritan Church, he naturally came to know a great deal about the magical history of this world and many important figures within it.
Among them, there was one magician who left a particularly deep impression on him. His magic name was Beast666, real name Edward Alexander, hailed as the greatest magician of the 20th century.
The man closest to becoming a Magic God.
Currently, around 20% of the world's magicians are considered his disciples, and roughly 50% have been influenced by him to varying degrees. He was also one of the founders of modern magic.
However, it is said that his character was extremely poor. Later, he suddenly betrayed magic and turned to science, becoming a target hunted by the entire magical world.
According to historical records, Edward Alexander was cornered and killed on December 1, 1947, in a rural area of Britain.
"Footprint Revelation: Edward Alexander!"
To verify his suspicion was actually quite simple. George immediately cast a tracking spell.
As expected, the spell pointed directly to the chairman hanging before him.
Regardless of whether it was a real name, alias, or nickname—as long as it belonged to the person in question, the tracking spell would lead to them, unless they were dead or sealed.
"Interesting magic—no incantations, no magic circles, no runes, no need to imitate miracles—yet it precisely finds its target.
But now that you know who I am, you should also understand that I cannot let you leave here alive!"
A sharp glint flashed through Aleister's eyes.
He had not expected that Clone 9981 could guess his true identity merely by the surge of magical power and then confirm it using a special spell.
Yet George was not afraid upon hearing this. He simply smiled and said:
"Actually, there's no need for this. I'm not interested in your past, nor in your reasons for establishing Academy City. I won't reveal your true identity to the Church.
What interests me is how to improve my own power—for example, advancing to a level 6 esper, or learning the magic of your world."
Since he dared to expose the chairman's identity directly, it was naturally because he had some confidence and a plan in mind.
"Why don't we cooperate? Given your current situation, I assume you don't want your identity exposed. I can help handle certain matters, and all you need to do is teach me your magic.
This would be a win-win for both of us."
If Aleister was indeed Edward, one of the founders of modern magic, then there was no need to go searching for the Church. This man likely knew every magic in the world.
If he was willing to teach, the amount George could learn might surpass even the 103,000 grimoires.
"You're not wrong. But keeping you alive puts me in danger. My plan would be filled with uncertainty. Maybe I should just kill you—that would be more secure."
Faced with George's proposal, Aleister seemed unwilling to accept.
For him, if Misaka 9981's identity remained unclear and he already knew Aleister's true identity—even if he had considerable strength and could be useful to the plan—it was still not a reliable gamble.
The safest choice now was to kill Misaka 9981 and eliminate future troubles, then continue with the original plan steadily.
"The key is, you probably won't be able to kill me that easily. If you expose your presence by fighting me, wouldn't that be even more dangerous for you?"
Sensing Aleister's rising killing intent, George responded calmly.
Aleister merely smiled in reply:
"I don't think our battle would last long. A few seconds would be enough."
Even if Misaka 9981 had the strength of a Saint, Aleister believed he could finish the fight in just a few moves at full power, without overly revealing his aura.
"That might not be the case."
George cast a temporary, seamless expansion spell on the entire hall, instantly increasing the space by several hundred times.
"Animagus!"
The next second, he activated his Animagus transformation—his body rapidly expanding into a massive dragon five hundred meters tall.
In this form, both his physical strength and magic power were greatly enhanced.
Most importantly, dragons have astonishing magic resistance. No matter how powerful Aleister was, he was still a magician. Any magic attacks would be significantly weakened.
"So, do you still think you can deal with me so easily?
And this isn't even my full power—this space simply can't accommodate further transformations.
So, I think you should reconsider my suggestion—we can cooperate and both benefit."
George's dragon roar echoed throughout the hall.
"His true form is actually a dragon!"
Aleister stared in stunned silence at the massive dragon before him, over 500 meters tall.
It wasn't that the dragon's strength surpassed his own.
But rather that such a fantastical creature—dragon—should not exist in this world.
This world's composition consists of a base physical phase with numerous religious mythological phases layered over it.
Magic allows manipulation of energy from those other phases, which is why it can sometimes produce effects that defy physical laws.
But fundamentally, the world does not contain mythological creatures. What can be created via magic—like magical dragons—are essentially energy constructs.
So, this real and living dragon clearly did not belong to this world. It could only have come from another phase.
"Not a Magic God, not a demon, not an angel—but a dragon. Fine."
His instincts told him that even if he went all out, defeating the dragon before him would almost certainly reveal his aura.
Moreover, their battle would likely cause significant damage to Academy City.
"Very well, you've convinced me. I agree to cooperate."
Moments later, Aleister made a new decision.
Indeed, the threat posed by Misaka 9981 influenced his choice—but more importantly, he knew that his upcoming plans would likely face many powerful and unpredictable disruptions.
The presence of Misaka 9981, and the strength he had demonstrated—if used properly—would make many things much easier.
Besides, if the plan proceeded smoothly, his identity might soon be revealed anyway.
As long as he was neither a Magic God nor a demon, they could work together.
(End of Chapter)