History Recap / ACertainMagicalIndexArc1Index

Touma wakes up in Komoe's apartment, heavily bandaged. Index tells him Komoe found him lying in the middle of the road and carried him back, and the two of them had been tending to him. He's been asleep for three days, causing him to panic when he remembers Kaori's warning. Index is miserable because he got hurt for her sake. Suddenly, Stiyl and Kaori appear at the door. Since Komoe doesn't know who they are, everybody plays along that they are all friends until she leaves. Index tells the two that she will go with them if they promise not to hurt Touma, but they say they are not there for that. They tell Touma that the memory-erasure spell can only be performed at midnight, so they will leave them alone until then, so he can say his goodbyes. They trust that Index won't leave because she won't abandon him. Touma says he will find a way to save Index so she won't have to have her memories erased, and they say he's welcome to try, but if he can't, they will perform the spell, end of discussion.

Touma asks why they didn't just confront Index and reintroduce themselves, instead of presenting themselves as enemies after her knowledge. Kaori goes berserk and proceeds to beat the shit out of him. She screams that he has no idea what it was like. They did try that a few times, even using pictures, but the fact that she didn't remember them was too much. They had to stay separate from her because they now can't even bare to see her smile. He says that's no excuse and that they didn't even consider Index's feelings. If he was in their shoes, he would have never given up and would have tried to find a way to make her memory erasure unneeded. She swings her scabbard, but he catches it and punches her in the face. However, it has no effect and he passes out from his injuries. She is shaken up by his words. In the anime version, after Stiyl removes the people-clearing field, Mikoto and Kuroko look at the damage to the windmill and road and wonder what happened.

One night, Touma Kamijou sees some bullies trying to sexually harass Mikoto Misaka. Touma provokes the bullies and then runs, leading them on a chase through the city. He stops to catch his breath on a bridge, but Mikoto shows up and says she took care of the bullies already. It turns out that Mikoto is The Ace of Tokiwadai Middle School, a Level 5 with control over electromagnetism. Touma knew this and was actually trying to save the bullies' lives, and he complains that he failed. Mikoto clarifies that she's not a killer, so she just fried them with lightning to put them in severe pain. She challenges him to a fight. He refuses, saying he's just a Level 0. She refuses to believe that, citing what she's seen him do in the past. She demonstrates her Railgun attack, where she uses electromagnetism to launch an arcade coin at Mach 3. Depending on the adaptation, Touma either sidesteps the attack or catches it. Mikoto then releases enough electricity to trigger a blackout, but Touma is still unharmed. He quips that she was unlucky.

She explains that she and Stiyl are from Necessarius, and that Index was once their best friend. Touma calls bullshit on this, given how she must have been the one who slashed her back open earlier. She retorts that she had no idea The Walking Church no longer functioned, and she deeply regretted it. She says they need to retrieve Index now, or else she will die soon. He asks what she means, so she explains that 85% of her brain is filled up with the 103,000 grimoires, leaving 15% for memories. When her brain is filled to capacity after about a year, a sure thing because of her photographic memory, she must have her memories wiped before she dies from the strain. This has happened year after year, and it breaks Stiyl and Kaori's hearts every time.

Touma asks why they didn't just confront

She explains that she and Stiyl are from Necessarius, and that Index was once their best friend. Touma calls bullshit on this, given how she must have been the one who slashed her back open earlier. She retorts that she had no idea The Walking Church no longer functioned, and she deeply regretted it.

She explains that Stiyl set up some runes in the area that created a people-clearing field, which causes bystanders to subconsciously turn away from the area and be unable to see or hear what happens inside, so nobody can interfere. Touma is slightly struck by her beauty and her outfit: cowboy boots, jeans with the left leg cut off, and a tied off t-shirt that makes it clear she's not wearing any undergarments. The fact that she's Stiyl's partner and she's carrying a two-meter long nodachi gives him pause. In the light novel version, she briefly comments on how the kanji for Touma's name can translate to "The One Who Purifies God And Exorcises The Devil". Kaori says if he will hand Index over to her peacefully, she will spare him. He refuses, so she demonstrates her prowess by swinging her sword and slicing apart a wind turbine in the distance. She says if he doesn't give up, she will reveal her magic name and kill him. He charges, but she halts his advance by swinging her sword once, creating ''seven'' slashes in the asphalt. She calls this attack "Nanasen", and repeats that she does not enjoy killing, but she will if forced to. There is nothing he can do, because she's too fast for him. Touma steels himself and in his head, says he still has a chance if he can catch her sword with his right hand. He charges, and she swings her sword. He screams as his right hand and arm get really bloody, and he realizes he made a mistake. He squints and sees that Kaori has seven razor sharp metal strings around, controlling them like a puppeteer. Kaori confirms that this is how Nanasen actually works. Neither the wires nor the sword are magical, so Touma's right hand could not negate them. He has no chance of winning, so he has no choice but to give up. He refuses, so she kicks him down and rams her sword's scabbard into his gut.

She explains that Stiyl set up some runes in the area that created a people-clearing field, which causes bystanders to subconsciously turn away from the area and be unable to see or hear what happens inside, so nobody can interfere. Touma is slightly struck by her beauty and her outfit: cowboy boots, jeans with the left leg cut off, and a tied off t-shirt that makes it clear she's not wearing any undergarments. The fact that she's Stiyl's partner and she's carrying a two-meter long nodachi gives him pause. In the light novel version, she briefly comments on how the kanji for Touma's name can translate to "The One Who Purifies God And Exorcises The Devil". Kaori says if he will hand Index over to her peacefully, she will spare him. He refuses, so she demonstrates her prowess by swinging her sword and slicing apart a wind turbine in the distance.

Since Touma's apartment was burned, Komoe allows him and Index to stay in hers for the time being. When he asks Index to tell him a little about herself, she says she has no memories from before one year ago. One year ago, she woke up on the run, knowing only about the 103,000 grimoires and of Necessarius. He gets angry, thinking they must have hurt her and given her amnesia. However, Index misinterprets his attitude and thinks he's angry at her. He tries to explain himself, but she bites him and then leaves to join Komoe at the public bathhouse. He tries to follow her to apologize, but is shocked when he notices there is nobody out in the street, making the area look like a ghost town.

The next day, Komoe leaves to go shopping, while Touma tends to Index. Index explains that she was from Necessarius, aka The Church of Necessary Evil, an ancient organization that strove to use magic as a weapon against itself, referencing how historically, the Church condemned witchcraft. When they learned of her ability, they forced her to read the grimoires in the hopes of using her a weapon, but she eventually escaped. Touma gets angry at their cruelty and misuse of human lives and vows to protect her. He then questions why hardly anybody has heard of magic, given that any normal person can learn it. She explains that the Magic Side is very secretive, hording its knowledge and power.

Touma carries Index to Komoe's apartment and knocks. The inside is littered with beer cans and cigarette butts, betraying her real age. Komoe is shocked that he's visiting her and briefly tries to hit on him, but he barges in, clears part of the floor, and lays Index down on her stomach. The teacher is horrified by her injuries and asks why he brought her here instead of the hospital. He says there's no time and asks her to follow Index's instructions exactly. Still in John's Pen Mode, Index asks him to leave the room, or else his right hand would interfere with the spell, so he sadly walks out. Index asks what time and date it is, saying it is important. Komoe, still confused but desperate to save her, says it is July 20, 8:30 PM. Index is surprised because she didn't look at a clock, so the teacher explains that her internal clock is accurate to the second. Nonetheless, Index gets up and checks the position of the stars, only to confirm Komoe is correct. She then draws a pentagram on a table with her own blood. Komoe says this whole thing is crazy and she's going to call an ambulance, but Index says she would bleed out before it can arrive. Index asks her to help place items on the table until it becomes a mini replica of the room they are in. Next, she has Komoe join her in chanting. Eventually, when Komoe accidentally nudges the table, the whole room shakes. Index says the spiritual link was successful. Now, Komoe must imagine an angel, which will arrive and heal Index. Index clarifies that it won't be an actual angel, but a replica molded from mana and shaped by Komoe's thoughts. Komoe has trouble at first, but eventually, the angel comes, heals Index, and dissipates.

Touma carries Index to Komoe's apartment and knocks. The inside is littered with beer cans and cigarette butts, betraying her real age. Komoe is shocked that he's visiting her and briefly tries to hit on him, but he barges in, clears part of the floor, and lays Index down on her stomach. The teacher is horrified by her injuries and asks why he brought her here instead of the hospital. He says there's no time and asks her to follow Index's instructions exactly. Still in John's Pen Mode, Index asks him to leave the room, or else his right hand would interfere with the spell, so he sadly walks out. Index asks what time and date it is, saying it is important. Komoe, still confused but desperate to save her, says it is July 20, 8:30 PM. Index is surprised because she didn't look at a clock, so the teacher explains that her internal clock is accurate to the second. Nonetheless, Index gets up and checks the position of the stars, only to confirm Komoe is correct. She then draws a pentagram on a table with her own blood. Komoe says this whole thing is crazy and she's going to call an ambulance, but Index says she would bleed out before it can arrive.

After retrieving Index's hood from his room, Touma carries the still bleeding Index away before the firefighters and Anti-Skill (Academy City's main police force) arrive (in the anime version, Mikoto and her roommate Kuroko Shirai are among the bystanders wondering what happened). Touma realizes he can't go to the authorities because nobody would believe a story involving magic. Plus, Index is not an Academy City citizen, and they would wonder how she entered the city undetected. He notes that surely her 103,000 grimoires had some healing spells. Index, still in John's Pen Mode, confirms this, but reminds him that she can't perform magic herself. He can't perform the healing spell because his right hand would just negate it. Furthermore, they can't ask an esper for help. She explains that long ago, espers were naturally occurring. Some normal people got jealous and discovered magic to counter them. Over time, this historical knowledge was all but lost and magic was regarded as fiction by most of the world. Because of differences in how esper powers and magic work, if an esper attempts to use magic or vice versa, he will suffer great damage to his body. Touma thinks and asks if a normal person would be able to perform the healing spell if given the proper instructions. When she confirms this, he says that's good because he knows one person who hasn't gone through the Power Curriculum, his teacher Komoe.

After retrieving Index's hood from his room, Touma carries the still bleeding Index away before the firefighters and Anti-Skill (Academy City's main police force) arrive (in the anime version, Mikoto and her roommate Kuroko Shirai are among the bystanders wondering what happened). Touma realizes he can't go to the authorities because nobody would believe a story involving magic. Plus, Index is not an Academy City citizen, and they would wonder how she entered the city undetected. He notes that surely her 103,000 grimoires had some healing spells. Index, still in John's Pen Mode, confirms this, but reminds him that she can't perform magic herself. He can't perform the healing spell because his right hand would just negate it. Furthermore, they can't ask an esper for help. She explains that long ago, espers were naturally occurring. Some normal people got jealous and discovered magic to counter them. Over time, this historical knowledge was all but lost and magic was regarded as fiction by most of the world. Because of differences in how esper powers and magic work, if an esper attempts to use magic or vice versa, he will suffer great damage to his body.

Touma is baffled by this, so Index explains that she a magician on run. Due to her PhotographicMemory, she has memorized 103,000 grimoires, and now several magical cabals want to capture her to use the knowledge for their own desires. She entered Academy City seeking sanctuary, RoofHopping until she landed on his balcony. Touma scoffs at this, saying that he knows that advanced technology and esper powers are real because they have a scientific basis and structured laws, but magic is just fiction. He asks her to prove that magic exists by performing a spell, but she says she does not have any mana and can't perform magic on her own. Normally, reading a grimoire would cause catastrophic damage to the reader, but since she doesn't have any mana, the texts she read didn't do anything to her.

The man introduces himself as Stiyl Magnus, then declares his magic name: Fortis931 - I Prove Why My Name Is The Strongest Here. A magician traditionally only gives his magic name when the situation is serious. In this case, since Touma has seen too much, he can't allow him to live. Stiyl launches a fireball at Touma, but he catches it with his right hand and it instantly goes out. Shocked, Stiyl conjures up a FlamingSword and swings at him, but Touma grabs it with his right hand and it disappears as well. Touma concludes that his right hand works on magic as well as esper powers. Stiyl says he has no idea how Touma did that; Touma has no magic and Stiyl can't think of any esper powers that could do something like that. However, he is far from defeated and summons his trump card, the fire demon Innocentius, a giant made of 3,000 degree flames. The demon lunges at Touma, but he punches it and it disappears... only to reappear after a few seconds. It forms a massive crucifix of flames and swings it down. Touma catches it, but is nearly brought to his knees by Innocentius' massive strength. Innocentius is so hot that the hallway is catching fire and the door handles are melting. Touma is able to tolerate the heat because of his right hand, but the monster and his weapon are not disappearing. Index suddenly starts talking in a machine-like monotone. She is now in John's Penn Mode, where her mind goes on automatic to retrieve her magical knowledge from the grimoires she read. She explains that to summon Innocentius, special runes must be applied to the surroundings, and as long as the ruins remain, it can regenerate indefinitely. Stiyl tries to blast Touma in the back with his flames, but he swings Innocentius in the way and uses it as a shield, then jumps over the railing.

Stiyl prepares to grab Index and leave, but the fire sprinklers activate. He gets annoyed and comments that his magical flames are designed to not trigger the heat sensors, so Touma must have pulled the fire alarm. He calls out that it's pointless as Innocentius cannot be harmed with such a measly amount of water. Touma appears and says that's not the point. The runes were on paper, and now they are getting wet. Stiyl protests that copy paper doesn't crumple that quickly when wet, but Touma points out the ink would still run. Innocentius appears and attacks, but Touma backhands it in the face and it disappears. Since the runes are gone, it doesn't come back. Stiyl panics and tries to conjure another fireball, but Touma charges up and knocks him out with a punch to the face.

Innocentius gives chase, and Touma notices for the first time that the walls are covered with photocopied runes, attached with tape. Touma makes it outside, and the demon can't follow him because the runes are only inside the building. Touma tries his phone, but it doesn't work. He considers running to get help, but realizes it would take too long. He remembers when Index asked him if he would follow her to Hell, and he says he doesn't want to go to Hell for her, so he'll pull her out instead.

The man introduces himself as Stiyl Magnus, then declares his magic name: Fortis931 - I Prove Why My Name Is The Strongest Here. A magician traditionally only gives his magic name when the situation is serious. In this case, since Touma has seen too much, he can't allow him to live. Stiyl launches a fireball at Touma, but he catches it with his right hand and it instantly goes out. Shocked, Stiyl conjures up a FlamingSword and swings at him, but Touma grabs it with his right hand and it disappears as well. Touma concludes that his right hand works on magic as well as esper powers. Stiyl says he has no idea how Touma did that; Touma has no magic and Stiyl can't think of any esper powers that could do something like that. However, he is far from defeated and summons his trump card, the fire demon Innocentius, a giant made of 3,000 degree flames. The demon lunges at Touma, but he punches it and it disappears... only to reappear after a few seconds. It forms a massive crucifix of flames and swings it down. Touma catches it, but is nearly brought to his knees by Innocentius' massive strength. Innocentius is so hot that the hallway is catching fire and the door handles are melting. Touma is able to tolerate the heat because of his right hand, but the monster and his weapon are not disappearing. Index suddenly starts talking in a machine-like monotone. She is now in John's Penn Mode, where her mind goes on automatic to retrieve her magical knowledge from the grimoires she read. She explains that to summon Innocentius, special runes must be applied to the surroundings, and as long as the ruins remain, it can regenerate indefinitely. Stiyl tries to blast Touma in the back with his flames, but he swings Innocentius in the way and uses it as a shield, then jumps over the railing.

The next morning, Touma wakes up in his apartment slightly miserable. The blackout meant that his air conditioner didn't work, and the food in his refrigerator spoiled. He also stepped on his ATM card and broke it. He then finds a girl with knee-length, silvery hair wearing a nun's habit hanging from his balcony. She incessantly says she's hungry, so Touma offers her some slightly spoiled food, and to his shock, she gobbles it all up. She thanks him and introduces herself as Index Librorum Prohibitorium. He thinks that name is fake, but she protests and also says her magic name is Dedicatus545 - The Dedicated Lamb Protects The Knowledge Of The Strong.

The man introduces himself as Stiyl Magnus, then declares his magic name: Fortis931 - I Prove Why My Name Is The Strongest Here. A magician traditionally only gives his magic name when the situation is serious. In this case, since Touma has seen too much, he can't allow him to live. Stiyl launches a fireball at Touma, but he catches it with his right hand and it instantly goes out. Shocked, Stiyl conjures up a FlamingSword and swings at him, but Touma grabs it with his right hand and it disappears as well. Touma concludes that his right hand works on magic as well as esper powers. Stiyl says he has no idea how Touma did that; Touma has no magic and Stiyl can't think of any esper powers that could do something like that. However, he is far from defeated and summons his trump card, the fire demon Innocentius, a giant made of 3,000 degree flames. The demon lunges at Touma, but he punches it and it disappears... only to reappear after a few seconds.

The man introduces himself as Stiyl Magnus, then declares his magic name: Fortis931 - I Prove Why My Name Is The Strongest Here. A magician traditionally only gives his magic name when the situation is serious. In this case, since Touma has seen too much, he can't allow him to live. Stiyl launches a fireball at Touma, but he catches it with his right hand and it instantly goes out. Shocked, Stiyl conjures up a FlamingSword and swings at him, but Touma grabs it with his right hand and it disappears as well. Touma concludes that his right hand works on magic as well as esper powers. Stiyl says he has no idea how Touma did that; Touma has no magic and Stiyl can't think of any esper powers that could do something like that. However, he is far from defeated and summons his trump card, the fire demon Innocentius, a giant made of 3,000 degree flames.

The man introduces himself as Stiyl Magnus, then declares his magic name: Fortis931 - I Prove Why My Name Is The Strongest Here. A magician traditionally only gives his magic name when the situation is serious. In this case, since Touma has seen too much, he can't allow him to live. Stiyl launches a fireball at Touma, but he catches it with his right hand and it instantly goes out. Shocked, Stiyl conjures up a FlamingSword and swings at him, but Touma grabs it with his right hand and it disappears as well. Touma concludes that his right hand works on magic as well as esper powers. Stiyl says he has no idea how Touma did that; Touma has no magic and Stiyl can't think of any esper powers that could do something

After losing Mikoto, Touma heads home to find three cleaning robots surrounding something. He shoos them away, and is horrified to find Index lying face down with a massive slash wound on her back. A man wearing a black longcoat with a barcode tattoo walks up and says he is a magician.

After class, Touma grumbles as he walks home. Mikoto runs into him and says she wants to finish their fight from last night. He walks right past her, and she angrily orders him not to ignore her. He comments that she's challenged him to fights so many times in the past and she's never managed to harm him. She counters that he always runs away instead of attacking her, so they need to decide the real winner. She's also offended that despite the many times they've met, he can never remember her name (he nicknames her "Biri Biri", the Japanese onomatopoeia for electricity; "Sparky" in the manga version; "Bug Zapper" in the English dub). She gets so angry that she releases some electricity that damages the surrounding area. Some of Academy City's security robots attempt to apprehend them, so they run.

Touma goes to remedial class. His best friends Pierce Aogami (this is a nickname that literally means "blue-haired guy with piercings", his real name is never revealed) and Motoharu Tsuchimikado tease him about how their teacher Komoe Tsukuyomi (who looks like a little girl even though she is most likely in her thirties or forties) has a crush on Touma and thus goes easy on him despite his poor grades, and they wish they were in his shoes.

Index wraps herself in a blanket and tries to repair her outfit, and settles for using several safety pins to hold it together. She thanks Touma for his hospitality and food and says she must be going, for until she reaches an Anglican church, her pursuers will never stop chasing her. He says she's welcome to come back and stay as long as she likes. She asks if he would follow her all the way to Hell, hinting that he would be in danger if she stayed with him. He's disturbed by the question and she leaves. As she's walking away, she gets surprised by Academy City's cleaning robots, calling them Agathions ({{Familiar}} spirits. Touma notices she left her hood behind, but when he turns back, she's gone.

Index is annoyed that he won't take her word that magic is real, and asks what kind of esper power he has. He explains that ever since he was born, his right hand negates any kind of supernatural activity on contact, including esper powers and acts of {{God}}. However, since Academy City's System Scan could not detect anything from him, he was branded a Level 0, and he decided not to correct them. It is Index's turn to scoff, because of his BlasphemousBoast that he could negate acts of God. She explains that she's wearing a sacred garment called The Walking Church, which is enchanted to be completely indestructible, except against something sufficiently powerful like the Dragon of St. George, and challenges him to use his right hand on it. Annoyed, Touma touches her on the shoulder. At first, nothing happens and Index mocks him, but then her clothes fall to pieces, leaving her naked. He's shocked and tries to apologize, but she angrily jumps on him and bites him several times.

Index is annoyed that he won't take her word that magic is real, and asks what kind of esper power he has. He explains that ever since he was born, his right hand negates any kind of supernatural activity on contact, including esper powers and acts of God. However, since Academy City's System Scan could not detect anything from him, he was branded a Level 0, and he decided not to correct them.

Index is annoyed that he won't take her word that magic is real, and asks what kind of esper power he has.

The next morning, Touma wakes up in his apartment slightly miserable. The blackout meant that his air conditioner didn't work, and the food in his refrigerator spoiled. He also stepped on his ATM card and broke it. He then finds a girl with knee-length, silvery hair wearing a nun's habit on his balcony. She incessantly says she's hungry, so Touma offers her some slightly spoiled food, and to his shock, she gobbles it all up. She thanks him and introduces herself as Index Librorum Prohibitorium. He thinks that name is fake, but she protests and also says her magic name is Dedicatus545 - The Dedicated Lamb Protects The Knowledge Of The Strong.

Touma is baffled by this, so Index explains that she a magician on run. Due to her PhotographicMemory, she has memorized 103,000 grimoires, and now several magical cabals want to capture her to use the knowledge for their own desires. Touma scoffs at this, saying that while he knows that advanced technology and esper powers are real, magic is just fiction. He asks her to prove that magic exists by performing a spell,

The next morning, Touma wakes up in his apartment slightly miserable. The blackout meant that his air conditioner didn't work, and the food in his refrigerator spoiled. He also stepped on his ATM card and broke it. He then finds a girl with knee-length, silvery hair wearing a nun's habit on his balcony. She incessantly says she's hungry, so Touma offers her some slightly spoiled food, and to his shock, she gobbles it all up.

One night, Touma Kamijou sees some bullies trying to sexually harass Mikoto Misaka. Touma provokes the bullies and then runs, leading them on a chase through the city. He stops to catch his breath on a bridge, but Mikoto shows up and says she took care of the bullies already. It turns out that Mikoto is The Ace of Tokiwadai Middle School, a Level 5 with control over electromagnetism. Touma knew this and was actually trying to save the bullies' lives, and he complains that he failed. Mikoto clarifies that she's not a killer, so she just fried them with lightning to put them in severe pain. She challenges him to a fight. He refuses, saying he's just a Level 0. She refuses to believe that, citing what she's seen him do in the past. She demonstrates her Railgun attack, where she uses electromagnetism to launch an arcade coin at Mach 3. Depending on the adaptation, Touma either sidesteps the attack or catches it. Mikoto then releases enough electricity to trigger a blackout, but Touma is still unharmed. He quips that she was unlucky.

Academy City is an independent city located inside Japan, where advanced technology and esper powers are developed. By going through the Power Curriculum, a person has a chance of developing an esper power. Powers are ranked from Level 0 to Level 5; a Level 0 either has no powers or a relatively useless power, while a Level 5 could potentially take on the world's armies and win.