In Academy City, the Paradise Project begins.

Page 46

Kanzaki Kaori's body completely lost its balance due to inertia, and her full curves pressed heavily against Higashino Yu's arm through the thin fabric of her shirt.

The touch was incredibly clear and warm, with an unforgettable elasticity and a substantial weight.

The faint, refreshing scent emanating from Kanzaki, like a forest after the rain, instantly filled Higashino's nostrils.

"Well!"

Kanzaki let out a short, embarrassed groan, her cheeks instantly flushing red, even her ears turning bright red.

She tried to jump away as if she had been electrocuted, but her body was still caught in the aftershocks of inertia and she couldn't get up for a moment.

Higashino Yu thought to himself, "What a great driver! His driving skills are excellent!"

This unexpected "benefit" was simply too good to pass up! However, he maintained his composure on the surface and even let out a muffled groan in cooperation.

Almost subconsciously, with a hint of barely perceptible greed, he lingered his arm on that soft touch for a few more seconds, fully savoring the wonderful elasticity and pressure, before "weakly and powerlessly" falling to the side with inertia.

"Feel sorry!"

Kanzaki finally steadied herself, her voice filled with obvious panic and shame. She quickly sat up straight, instinctively protecting her chest with her hands, and turned her head to look out the window, not daring to look at Higashino.

The atmosphere inside the carriage instantly became incredibly ambiguous and awkward.

She could feel her cheeks burning; the sensation of the impact was still etched on her skin.

"Are you okay?"

Higashino Yu forced himself to sit up straight and looked at Kanzaki with concern, a weak smile in his eyes, as if the blood-pumping contact just now was just an unexpected little episode.

He even "thoughtfully" reached out and lightly supported Kanzaki's arm.

"No...it's okay."

Kanzaki's voice was very soft, and her eyes darted around, but she dared not meet Higashino Yu's gaze.

She felt her heart pounding so hard it drowned out the engine's sound. That bastard… he must have done it on purpose, right? But he really looked so weak… Kanzaki was torn between her inner turmoil, a mixture of shyness and a barely perceptible sweetness.

Did Kanzaki and Yu bump into each other?

Confused, Index turned her head, blinked her big eyes, and looked curiously at the two people in the ambiguous situation.

"Ahem... a small accident."

Higashino Yu coughed lightly, changed the subject, and looked out the window.

"Are we almost there?"

"Hmm...it'll be soon."

Kanzaki took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart and flushed face, but the blush on her ears lingered. The car started moving smoothly again.

The car finally stopped in front of a magnificent Gothic building. Index visibly flinched as she got out of the car, instinctively hiding behind Yu and clutching his clothes tightly with her small hands.

Higashino gently held her slightly cool hand: "Don't worry, I'm here."

Behind a long table inside the hall were a dozen or so dignitaries dressed in formal attire, while at the very center stood a beautiful woman with exceptionally long blonde hair, the High Priestess of the Anglican Church, Laura Stuart.

"Oh my, our little Index is finally back!"

She stood up gracefully, her golden hair flowing like water with her movement.

Higashino bowed slightly: "Higashino Yu, it is an honor to meet you, High Bishop."

Laura walked around the long table and stood in front of Higashino, looking him over curiously. She was smaller than she had imagined, and when she looked up at Yu, a hint of doubt flashed in her blue eyes.

This guy gives off a really special vibe. No wonder Aleister likes him so much. If I were to take him away, his expression would definitely be priceless!

But what's going on? The feeling I get when I see this guy...

That's a bit strange.

"Hello, Higashino-kun, all the formalities on my end are ready."

Pushing her thoughts aside, Laura waved the parchment document in her hand.

"But before that..."

She suddenly moved closer to Higashino, her body emanating a faint scent of lavender.

"Someone is eager to meet you."

As soon as he finished speaking, the side door of the hall was pushed open, and a man calmly walked into the hall.

He was tall and well-proportioned, with neatly combed blond hair that shone brightly. He had a handsome face and exuded an elegant aristocratic air. He was the Grand Master of the Order of the Queen of England.

He wore an elegant knight's uniform that allowed for easy movement, and at his waist hung a longsword with an antique design, the magic sword "Frentine".

His blue eyes, sharp and deep like an icy lake, calmly fell upon Higashino Yu.

The atmosphere in the hall instantly became heavy. Index instinctively gripped Yu's clothes, while Kanzaki took a half step forward without making a sound, her hand already on the hilt of her sword.

Laura smiled even more sweetly, as if this were just a fun game: "The Knight Commander just wanted to confirm that you are capable of protecting our little Index."

She tilted her head, and if you ignored her identity, she was quite cute.

"It's just a small exhibition match, you shouldn't mind, right?"

Higashino looked around and found that all the exits were guarded by knights. This was not a request, but a carefully designed test.

"rule?"

He asked calmly, his voice devoid of any emotion. This was something he had prepared for long before arriving in London.

"Simple."

The Knight Commander spoke, his voice steady and magnetic, carrying an undeniable authority.

He did not draw his sword, but his fingers were already lightly resting on the hilt of Florentine's sword, assuming a posture as if ready to attack at any moment.

"If you can withstand my sword for three minutes, you'll pass."

Kanzaki immediately objected: "That's not fair! You used that sword..."

"I accept."

Higashino interrupted her and gently pushed Index toward Kanzaki.

"Please take good care of her for me."

A circular area was quickly cleared in the center of the hall. Dongye took off his coat and looked at his opponent with a serious expression.

Although I don't have much of an impression of this guy, he should be somewhat useful. However, it's not convenient to change his perception in front of Laura like before, but leaving an anchor point is still fine.

When enough anchor points are established in London, or rather, around the Church of Necessary Evil, to form a network, then one will have a better chance of success in the future confrontation with Laura.

The Knight Commander elegantly drew his sword, Frentine. He didn't strike any exaggerated pose; he simply stood casually with the sword in his hand, yet he seemed to blend into his surroundings, exuding a powerful sense of oppression.

"start."

Suddenly, complex magical runes lit up the tip of Freuntin's sword, instantly weaving into a three-dimensional light array. A condensed, tangible beam of pale golden light, silent yet as fast as lightning, shot straight at You's face!

Higashino's eyes narrowed, and he used his ability as he retreated:

"The procedure was ineffective."

The pale golden beam of light struck an invisible wall less than half a meter from You, causing the runes to instantly become disordered, collapse, and vanish without a trace. Suppressed gasps came from the audience.

The Knight Commander's handsome face remained completely expressionless, as if everything was within his expectations.

With a slight twist of his wrist, Florentin drew a graceful arc in the air, the tip of his sword glowing once more. This time, it wasn't a beam of light, but dozens of fine, silken golden rays, like a woven net, enveloping You from all directions, sealing off all avenues for escape!

Higashino spoke again: "Spatial displacement!"

Just as those deadly golden rays were about to touch Yu's body, they seemed to be thrown into a distorted mirror, eerily refracting and shooting towards the surrounding ground and ceiling, leaving deep burn marks on the hard granite. Higashino leisurely dodged all the attacks.

"One minute has passed!"

Laura announced cheerfully, her hands supporting her chin like a little girl watching a circus performance.

However, she wasn't just watching the show; she was also carefully observing Higashino's abilities. The more she observed, the more novel it became to her. This feeling of power was very different from the scientific abilities she knew.

The knight commander did not rush to attack. Instead, he held the Frantin sword upright before him, the runes on its blade flowing like living water, constructing a more complex magic circle that exuded an ancient aura. The magical energy of the entire hall seemed to converge towards him. He no longer pursued speed, but prepared to unleash an even more powerful spell.

The pressure has increased dramatically!

A few beads of sweat appeared on Dongye's forehead. Despite his seemingly effortless performance, the continuous use of his abilities to counter such a sophisticated and powerful technique, while also subtly influencing the other guy, had taken a toll far beyond his expectations.

With the last thirty seconds left, the Knight Commander's gaze sharpened, and the tip of Freunding's sword pointed in the direction of Kanzaki and Index!

The magic circle on the sword shone brightly, and a golden torrent, several times thicker than before and carrying an aura of destruction, roared out! Its target was not to attack the two directly, but a huge stone pillar supporting the dome of the hall not far in front of them.

Clearly, he intended to create chaos with the rubble and shockwave from the collapsing stone pillar, testing Higashino Yu's ability to respond to extreme situations while protecting others!

"You guy!"

Higashino hadn't expected him to do this, but it wasn't a big problem. Even without him, the two of them wouldn't have been harmed. However, if Ishii got close to them, he had already lost.

"Harm is prohibited!"

Time seemed to stand still. Just as the terrifying golden torrent was about to touch the stone pillar, its speed decreased dramatically to almost a standstill, as if it had crashed into viscous amber.

All the flying debris and surging shockwaves were forcibly frozen in the air several meters away from Shinrai and Index, creating a breathtaking still scene.

"time up!"

Laura clapped her hands to announce, her voice as clear as a silver bell.

"What a brilliant performance!"

The frozen scene shattered instantly. The golden torrent of magic vanished like a phantom, and rubble clattered to the ground. The knight commander gracefully sheathed his sword, his movements fluid and natural.

He gave You a deep look, his handsome face still calm and composed, but his eyes held a hint of approval: "To have withstood the effects of Florentine's spell to this point and completed the protection, you are indeed capable of protecting her."

He turned to Laura, bowed slightly, and performed the gesture perfectly.

"The Knights have no objections."

Higashino staggered, and Kanzaki immediately rushed forward to support him. Index broke free of her protection and buried her face in Yu's arms: "Yu! You're bleeding!"

"It's nothing, just overuse of my abilities."

He wiped the blood from his nose, 'barely' stood up straight, and 'weakly' asked, "Did we pass the test?"

Laura walked over gracefully and handed over a document: "All the formalities have been completed."

She suddenly leaned close to Dongye's ear, her warm breath brushing against his earlobe.

"However, I suggest you stay in London for a few more days..."

Her voice was so soft that only Higashino could hear it.

"I have something very important to tell you."

Higashino took the document, which bore the official seal of the Puritan Church and the official British certification mark. Index curiously poked the seal: "So, I'm a member of the Yu family now?"

"Theoretically yes."

Laura blinked and gave a charming smile.

"Higashino Index, that sounds cute, hehe."

She glanced meaningfully at Higashino.

Kanzaki handed her a handkerchief: "I've arranged accommodations nearby, Higashino, why don't you go and rest there for a while?"

"Um..."

She definitely needs to rest. It must be tough to keep looking so weak.

Kanzaki looked at Higashino stuffing tissue into his nose and hesitated before asking, "Do you need me to help you?"

"Yes, I think it's very necessary."

She's still too shy; she needs more physical contact. Higashino can't let any opportunity for close contact slip by.

As they walked out of the hall, Index skipped and hopped ahead of them.

"Where to go next?"

Index turned around and asked, her face full of pure expectation.

"Can we have scones now?"

Higashino smiled and nodded: "Of course, you can eat whatever you want."

"Great!"

She ran back cheering and grabbed Higashino's other hand.