Aleister Crowley's question lingered in the air.
Izumi simply shrugged.
"There's plenty in this world that interests me," he said lightly. "But the thing that interests me most… is this world itself."
For a brief moment, time seemed to freeze.
Even someone like Aleister Crowley couldn't hide his reaction—his pupils contracted sharply.
…He wants the entire world?
That answer was so far beyond expectation that even Aleister fell silent.
Izumi smiled, clearly amused by the rare expression.
"Surprised?" he asked. "Didn't see that coming, did you?"
"…Indeed," Aleister admitted. "I never imagined your objective would be something like this."
He had considered many possibilities—conquest, destruction, observation—but none quite fit. Izumi clearly had the power to dominate or erase this world outright… and yet, he hadn't.
Which made this all the more incomprehensible.
Izumi continued, his tone calm yet absolute:
"Your goal is to destroy the Magic Gods and tear apart their phases."
"But mine… is to claim the authority of this world after that, and merge it into my own."
He looked directly at Aleister.
"So tell me—do you think we'll end up in conflict?"
The question wasn't rhetorical.
If Aleister answered "yes," Izumi wouldn't hesitate to erase him here and now.
This world… he had already decided—it would belong to him.
Aleister's gaze flickered for a moment—then he answered without hesitation.
"No."
"My goal is to eliminate the Magic Gods. Yours is to take the world itself."
"In fact… what I'm doing is effectively helping you."
A faint smile formed.
"So no—we have no conflict of interest."
Izumi clapped slowly.
"Exactly."
"But let me make one thing clear."
His voice turned colder.
"When your plan succeeds, I will take this world."
"And if you try to stop me at that point…"
His smile sharpened.
"I won't hesitate to eliminate you."
Then, just as quickly, his tone softened again.
"Of course, you won't lose out either."
"Do you really want to stay trapped in this world forever?"
"There are countless other worlds out there—far more interesting than this one."
Izumi turned away.
"So… make the right choice."
"Take care of yourself."
And with that, he vanished.
Silence returned to the windowless building.
A moment later, a presence emerged behind Aleister.
Aiwass.
"You're really going to cooperate with him?" Aiwass asked directly.
Aleister closed his eyes.
"As he said… other worlds are far more interesting than this one."
"…Do you intend to remain here forever?"
Even if it meant being under Izumi's shadow, it didn't matter.
Because—
Perhaps, one day… he could reach that level himself.
Aleister's true goal had never changed.
To destroy magic.
To shatter every phase.
To erase the very concept of the supernatural.
And beyond that…
To revive his wife and daughter.
If Izumi's existence could accelerate that plan—
Then there was no reason to resist him.
Aiwass chuckled softly.
"Other worlds, hm…?"
"It seems you've made your decision."
"Then I'll be watching."
"To see what becomes of this world in the end."
And just like that, Aiwass disappeared.
Only the faint mechanical hum of the life-support system remained.
Meanwhile, Izumi had already returned to the Talent Workshop.
Inside, Asagi Aiba was still deeply engrossed in her research.
"Azusa," Izumi called.
"It's time to begin."
She looked up.
"What's the next step?"
"Send the esper development data back," he said. "Let Da Vinci and the others use it to develop abilities for the children."
Asagi nodded immediately.
"No problem."
She smiled faintly, a hint of excitement in her eyes.
"Those kids… once they gain espers on top of their existing abilities…"
"They're going to become terrifyingly strong."
She quickly transmitted everything—both the standard development program and the customized version tailored for the Cursed Children.
With this, the next phase could begin immediately.
"Done," she said with satisfaction.
"Now we just need to start recruiting test subjects for modern magic."
"I've already prepared a universal CAD system. Once we have participants, we can begin trials anytime."
Izumi shook his head.
"No rush."
"Let Aleister announce Shokuhou and the others first."
"Once their Level 5 status is public… people will come on their own."
Then, reaching out, he gently tapped her cheek.
"For now, get some rest."
Asagi froze for a second—then her face flushed slightly.
"…You really don't change, do you?"
Still, she didn't resist.
After all, this wasn't the first time.
At the same time—
Inside Tokiwadai Middle School.
Shokuhou Misaki and Mitsuari Ayu had just completed their enrollment.
And at that exact moment—
The Academy City broadcast system activated.
A new announcement echoed across the entire city.
Two new Level 5 espers had been confirmed.
Their names spread like wildfire.
So did another name—
Talent Workshop.
A research facility that had been silent for so long…
Had now stepped onto the stage.
And from this moment onward—
No one in Academy City would ever ignore it again.