The interplay between Magicians can spark conflict, or conversely, combine knowledge to unlock possibilities akin to miracles; the final outcome rests entirely upon the philosophies and beliefs of the two practitioners.

To be frank, Lin Luo knew very little about magic. Everything concerning it, both knowledge and power, he had acquired by replicating Rin’s abilities. Using magic presented no issue, but when it came to the underlying principles, he was utterly clueless.

In truth, neither superpowers nor magic were Lin Luo’s inherent strengths; they were external ‘equipment’ forcefully grafted onto him by the Book of Contract. It was like owning a handgun: anyone can pull the trigger, but truly understanding the mechanism is the purview of only a select few.

And external equipment cannot grow. His true strength lay solely in the Rules, or so Lin Luo had always believed.

However, through his discussions with Touko Aozaki, he learned that the contractual attributes of the Book of Contract were not static. If he could grasp superpowers and magic more profoundly—not through replication, but through personal comprehension and learned application—the attributes of his contracted state would strengthen. This, he realized, was a form of self-cultivation.

Of course, achieving this goal was still a distant prospect for now… Perhaps this was an alternative form of qualitative change?

Although Lin Luo listened intently to all of Touko’s pronouncements, he was not merely a passive recipient. Otherwise, their interaction would be less a communion between Magicians and more a mere lecture from Teacher Aozaki to Student Lin Luo. Thus, at times, he offered his own perspectives on Touko’s insights—opinions forged from a fundamentally different vantage point.

The value system of Magicians in the Nasuverse differed vastly from that of ordinary humans, and it was a chasm separating them from Lin Luo.

“What is magic to you?” Touko Aozaki fixed her gaze upon Lin Luo and asked.

“It is power. Purely a tool to protect my life,” Lin Luo answered without hesitation. This was the core difference between him and the Magicians of the Moonlit World.

Magicians of the Moonlit World held the continuation of magic as paramount; they would sacrifice everything, even life itself, in pursuit of magecraft. While this might not apply to every single practitioner, it certainly held true for the vast majority, especially those who were pure-blooded Magicians.

Lin Luo’s values were practically the inverse. As stated by the individual in A Certain Magical Index: A Certain Scientific Accelerator’s side story, life is the most crucial element.

Opinions offered from such a position naturally gave Touko a refreshing sensation. Regardless of right or wrong, it represented an entirely new theory. Diversification of direction could never be a bad thing.

Though Touko held the pursuit of magic as her foundation, she was not stubbornly closed-minded. She would not outright dismiss opinions that stood in complete opposition to her own. While she could not accept everything, she was capable of embracing diversity.

“And for you, what is magic?” Lin Luo countered.

“It is pursuit.” The tone was equally firm, yet the answer was radically different—that was Touko Aozaki’s response. Having been raised as a pure Magician, magic was her everything, intertwined irrevocably with her existence.

“If… well, I’m just hypothesizing,” sensing this dedication, Lin Luo recalled an event scheduled for the future and couldn't help but ask, “What if, hypothetically, you had not inherited your family’s magic?”

“…” Touko froze. She had never considered that question.

Lin Luo sighed inwardly. The current Touko Aozaki lived entirely for magic; that was why she hadn't contemplated such a scenario. Consequently, when the fated moment arrived, she committed the act of patricide and rebellion against her clan. Though it appeared monstrously disloyal, Lin Luo could vaguely understand it.

For Touko, who had lived as a Magician since birth, the failure of the family magic to pass to her would negate everything about her—not just her magic, but her very self. When stripped of all that, taking such drastic action wasn't unimaginable.

In retrospect, the Aozaki family was the first to betray their principles. Setting aside the morality of the decision, their actions were fundamentally irresponsible.

Lin Luo did not press the issue further. These were not matters he could prevent. As Touko herself had said, the price required to drive the world forward was incalculable. If he tried to alter everything, it would be profoundly unfair to Aoko, and the fates of countless others would be drastically changed. He lacked the capacity, nor did he see the need, to reach that extent.

As the sun began to dip toward the horizon, Lin Luo departed Touko Aozaki’s cabin. Her words had forced him to re-evaluate his judgment of this world. Whether concerning the Root or Magicians, she possessed a coherent theoretical framework that seemed alarmingly close to the world's true essence.

To possess such insight at only fifteen—was she simply a genius, or was she, after all, Touko Aozaki?

Well, the question was irrelevant. Lin Luo didn't waste brain cells contemplating it, as he didn't even have time to organize his thoughts before an unexpected person appeared before him.

“Didn’t you already head down the mountain? Why are you still here?” Lin Luo spoke with a hint of exasperation, looking at the small figure waving frantically at him from a short distance away.

“Of course, I came to wait for you,” Aoko Aozaki walked up to him and stated as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

“Wait for me?” Lin Luo blinked, slightly unable to grasp it. “Why wait for me?”

“Hmph, you! I’m waiting for you because I have something to say,” though she said this, she neglected to specify what that matter was.

“You… you aren’t perhaps afraid to come down the mountain alone, are you?” Lin Luo scanned her form with suspicion.

“How… how could that be?” Aoko retorted loudly, yet her expression resembled a rabbit whose tail had been stepped on—a clear sign of guilt, and her tone lacked conviction.

“…” Lin Luo was instantly speechless. Seeing her expression confirmed his guess. Still, he couldn’t help but think—the future one of the Five Great Magicians, a pinnacle figure in this world, now too scared to descend a mountain alone… Come on, this isn't a joke.

“Um…” Feeling slighted, Aoko blushed and tried to defend herself, “Well, actually, strange things have been happening on this mountain frequently lately, it’s quite unsettling… Of course, I’m absolutely not scared. It’s just that I was worried you might run into trouble by yourself, so I specifically came to warn you.”

Does she take me for an idiot?

Lin Luo grumbled internally. To claim concern for him when she was clearly the one frightened—ah, this was speaking what one did not mean. Was this tsundere behavior?

“Fine, then I thank you here and now,” Lin Luo sighed, unwilling to dwell on the issue. He'd chalk it up as one of those things; she was a loli, and they sometimes had certain allowances.

“Yes, you’re welcome. I’m relieved you understand. That’s all that matters,” Aoko nodded, accepting his thanks with an air of entitlement that gave Lin Luo a strong sense of defeat.

“…” You actually have the nerve to say that. Lin Luo realized the girl, despite her inherently cheerful nature, was by no means dull; a truly naturally ditzy person couldn't be this quick-witted.

“Then let’s go. Oh, and I’ll walk ahead and show you the way.”

You mean, you’re afraid to walk behind me, don't you… Lin Luo couldn't help but roll his eyes, but he said nothing, falling in behind her.

“Speaking of which, if you say this mountain is dangerous now, why did your sister let you descend alone?” On the path down, Lin Luo inquired. While Aoko Aozaki would be formidable in the future, at thirteen she was merely a little girl with combat power less than five. She’d be doomed if she ran into a weird uncle. Logically, Touko shouldn't have been so careless as to let her go alone… unless she already had foresight and intended to eliminate this usurping sister beforehand.

Nah, probably not.

“That… there’s a reason for that…” Aoko diverted her gaze elsewhere, appearing slightly guilty.

“What reason?” Lin Luo stared straight at her.

Aoko lowered her head, replying softly, “Actually… I overdid it while playing on the mountain.”

“What do you mean?” Lin Luo was perplexed.

Aoko glanced at him, then explained, “This mountain isn’t dangerous before four in the afternoon; going up or down is fine. But after four, strange things sometimes happen. Um… I was playing and completely missed the safe time to go down, hahahaha…” As she spoke, she scratched her head and laughed foolishly.

“…” Lin Luo was mortified. What was this nonsense? Even being naturally ditzy has its limits.

“So, you disobeyed your sister, didn’t go down the mountain, played alone instead, missed the safe departure time because you were absorbed in play, got scared to face your sister’s reprimand, and finally waited for me out of fear to accompany you down, is that it?”

“The first part is correct, but I wasn't scared! I was just worried you didn't know the situation here, so I came specifically to tell you—yes, that’s it,” Aoko stated with absolute seriousness.

...Forget it. I won't criticize today.

“By the way, what were those strange occurrences you mentioned?” Lin Luo was genuinely curious about that part.

“Oh, that, it’s nothing much, it’s just…” Midway through her sentence, Aoko suddenly stopped talking, dashed to the side of the path, and exclaimed with overwhelming excitement, her tone reminiscent of someone discovering a new continent, “Wow, what’s this? What a beautiful stone!”

“…” Lin Luo found himself utterly unable to retort. Hey, what about the previous question? Could you please not change the subject so abruptly?