To those of you who have purchased one book at a time, hello again.
To those of you who purchased the whole series at once, it’s nice to meet you.
I’m Kazuma Kamachi.
Cut in half!! …You may be wondering why I say that so suddenly, but this time the idea is “cutting in half.” To tell the truth, this point was originally planned to be where A Certain Magical Index, Vol. 21 turned from part one to part two. This same amount of pages actually would have been waiting for you after this…but my editor gave me some sage advice, saying “No can do. It’d get a bit too thick,” and so we hurriedly cut it in half. This afterword, too, was something I tacked on with equal haste.
It may be due to the down-the-middle split, but for Volume 21, I feel as though that girl who showed up in Volume 4 ended up being the main feature. Even though a lot of characters clashed together in rapid succession, I got a little emotional when I thought about how far the people in this universe have come.
One runs toward the problem to resolve it, another still can’t find any clues, and one is beaten into a chaotic hellscape. The protagonists have gotten themselves in a variety of situations, so please look forward to next time.
✦ ✦ ✦
I’d like to thank my illustrator, Mr. Haimura, and my editor, Mr. Miki. With the war intensifying, I think the hurdles demanded on the illustration end have risen. Thank you for sticking with me again.
And a thanks goes out to my readers. It’s a considerable number, twenty-three—but I was only able to keep piling them up because of you. I look forward to your continued support.
✦ ✦ ✦
Now then, as I have you close the pages here,
and as I pray you will open the pages again next time,
here and now, I lay down my pen.
✦ ✦ ✦
But Misha ain’t the only archangel in this universe, heh.
Kazuma Kamachi