Magical girls want to rest.
Not too long ago, Marin became overly positive, and the new students in the class were brimming with an unusual amount of enthusiasm. While living among them, I had a thought.
(Aren’t these kids getting too close?)
How should I put it?
Perhaps because I’ve spent my school life as somewhat of a loner, I rarely take the initiative to close the distance with others.
But these kids, when lunchtime comes around, they make feeding gestures or struggle with their bags, and immediately offer help. They even try to bring me to the large bath.
“Isn’t this kind of normal for girls?”
(But this isn’t an anime; there’s no way that’s true…)
Well, turning from male to female is sort of like something out of an anime, but that’s another story.
Even though they are close, they’re also helping me, so it’s hard to refuse.
The only thing I can say is that my SAN value is being severely drained.
However, today I don’t have to worry about them.
Because…
(Today is a day off, and I just want to relax.)
Today is unusually a day off granted by the Demon, so I don’t have any duties.
There will be no monster hunting or magical girl hunting, and the academy is closed because it’s Sunday.
One good thing about being a stray is that unless there’s an urgent request from the Magic Bureau for high-priority monster hunts, once we decide to take a break, we can truly rest.
Yesterday, though, I had to deal with three teams of magical girls, one of which was in China rather than Japan—but since the Demon’s transfer is instantaneous, it wasn’t a problem.
After finishing my daily routine of running, I brewed some coffee from the usual brand I drink, lightly ate breakfast, and opened my SNS account.
I basically leave everything to the Demon, but occasionally I check things myself.
I don’t think he’s doing anything strange, but better safe than sorry.
(Speaking of which, why is he possessing me from the start this morning?)
On days off, the Demon usually doesn’t possess me and gives me quite a bit of freedom.
He handles things like deleting posts on bulletin boards, issuing judgments, replying to SNS messages, and answering emails directed at me.
“You’ll understand soon enough.”
Is something coming up again?
It would be nice if he’d let me rest on my day off…
The desire to fight is strong, but resting properly is equally important if you want to fight well.
That’s the balance between work and rest—something adults need to master.
As I’m spacing out, my phone notifies me of a message.
Who could it be?
(Ah, I see.)
It was an email from Thalagong.
Apparently, she’ll be waiting in the simulator room for ranked players starting at 10 a.m. today.
She probably got word that I’m participating in the Academy Newcomer Magical Girl Tournament… shortened as the New Demon War, right? She mentioned that if I’m going to enter, I should aim to win, so this must be either training or a simulation battle.
To be honest, Thalagong is someone who triggers my trauma, so I’d rather not fight her…
(Is it really necessary to go?)
“You might end up mentally dead later if you don’t go.”
—Yeah, I don’t want to regress to how I was before transferring to the academy.
Looks like I have no choice but to go.
Since I have some time, I’ll do some stretching to get my body ready.
While stretching, slightly more sensitive than usual, the doorbell rings.
What now?
After transforming and checking the monitor, it’s Marin.
…Why?
“Is Inie home?”
“Should I open it? And maybe take her along for the simulation?”
Opening the door is one thing, but taking her to the simulation might actually be a good idea…
If two people come, the potential harm to me might decrease.
“You’re free, so please come in.”
With a click, Marin enters.
She seems to have returned to her usual self after a few days of rest.
I take out the orange juice I bought for the Demon as a courtesy.
“Thank you. Is Inie free today?”
“Actually, my sister asked me to come for the simulation, so I’m not free. But if you’d like, Marin, you can join us?”
“Sister?”
Ah, right, I haven’t told anyone that Thalagong is my sister yet.
“After the M·D·W extermination mission, a series of events led to Thalagong becoming my adoptive older sister.”
“Hmm, so that’s how it happened. Do you live together?”
“We lived together for a while, but now she’s in the dormitory, so we’re separate.”
“Got it… Well, I’ll come along too.”
Great, now I have a sacrificial lamb.
Though it’s awkward, I won’t complain for now.
After chatting casually with Marin for a bit, the doorbell rings again.
(Who is it now?)
“It’s probably Take Mikadzuchi judging by the reaction.”
Alright, since it’s him, I might as well invite Mika along too.
“Who’s there?”
“I’ll check, please wait.”
Although I already know thanks to the Demon, I’ll pretend not to.
“Hey, Inie, you there?”
“Yes, I’m here. Please come in.”
I welcome him into the room just like I did with Marin earlier.
Mika notices the many pairs of shoes and nods slightly.
“Oh, the president is here too?”
Yup, he says something old-fashioned as he sits down, and I bring him an additional glass of orange juice.
“Yeah, I was planning to go shopping with her, but it looks like Inie has something to do, so I’ll tag along with that.”
“Ho? What’s the matter?”
I explain what I just told Marin to Mika and extend the invitation.
“Ah, I see. I came to invite you for training, but this works out perfectly. I’ll come along too.”
This way, the burden on me will lessen somewhat.
I’d like to have a rematch someday, but it’s still impossible for now.
Still, should I tell them about Thalagong?
—Well, they probably already know anyway.
“Then, since we have an appointment, let’s head out.”
After hearing their responses, I tidy up the cups and we leave the dorm.
Using a teleporter, we transfer to a section where tea parties are held, then walk from there.
“By the way, is this Taragon the same Taragon ranked fifth?”
“Yes, I believe so. Didn’t I mention that?”
“…Is that rumor true?”
Mika’s expression darkens slightly, and she becomes a little stiff.
Could she have been thinking of someone else with the same name?
Also, by “rumor,” considering all the things about her, it’s unclear what exactly she’s referring to.
“Well, it’s probably mostly true given it’s about Taragon.”
“What rumor?”
“Some say she lures bad magical girls and blows them up, or that she smiles happily while holding hands with young magical girls… Haven’t you heard?”
…Both of those sound like me, don’t they?
The simulation battle itself was supposed to be private, so it shouldn’t be common knowledge.
Thus, the blowing up part probably involves more than just me.
And the other rumor… yeah, that’s me.
Let’s change the subject.
“Rumors are just rumors. As a ranked player, she wouldn’t do anything strange, right?”
“Is that so? If so, that’s good…”
“Wait, isn’t that young magical girl Inie?”
Please don’t say unnecessary things. Yes, 11 years old is young, but calling me young at 26 is quite damaging…
“Hey, is that white robe Inie?”
As I contemplate punishing Mika for her sly grin, someone calls out from behind.
This somewhat rude tone… could it be…
“Blade. It’s rare even considering the place.”
(Is this perhaps the activation of my terrible luck?)
I’d like to ignore it, but since I’m not alone—I have Marin and Mika with me—it’s impossible to ignore.
“Long time no see.”
“Yeah. Haven’t seen you directly since the tea party, but I’ve heard enough stories from Taragon to make me sick.”
Again… Just like with Arongante, what is that person up to…
Is this what they call a “sibling-obsessed” individual?
“And who are these two unfamiliar faces?”
“I’m Take Mikadzuchi from the Tohoku Branch.”
“I’m Marin from the North Kanto Branch.”
Blade nods several times and taps his fist into his palm.
“Ahh, you’re Marin, the young awakened magical girl. And you’re the one whose life was targeted last time, right? What brings you here today?”
Blade isn’t a bad person, but like Taragon, he loves combat.
Moreover, Blade looks completely idle right now.
In other words, if I tell him I’m heading to the simulation room at Taragon’s request, he’ll definitely follow.
Still, I can’t avoid telling him.
“…My sister called me, so I’m on my way to the simulation room.”
“Ah, yes, Taragon made you call her ‘sister,’ didn’t she? Since I’m free, I’ll come along too.”
“Really!”
Marin exclaims with unusual excitement.
Come to think of it, Blade uses not only swords but also katanas.
Since Marin will awaken to become a dual-wielder, Blade is the perfect reference for combat techniques.
Or maybe she’s simply a fan of Blade’s originally.
“Yeah. Anyway, since Taragon invited only Inie, I’ll train you two instead.”
Oh no, sacrificial lambs number one and two have fallen into Blade’s hands…
“—Shall we go then?”
With renewed determination, I address everyone.
If the sacrificial plan fails, there’s nothing to be done, so I’ll give up and fight.
We arrive at the simulation room and open the door.
In the waiting room with three large monitors, Taragon is already waiting.
Seated on the sofa, she’s watching footage of our previous battle.
“Ah, Blade’s here too?”
“Yeah, I followed Inie since I had some free time. Also, I figured I’d entertain the rookies while I’m at it.”
Blade naturally approaches Taragon, grabs the remote control, and stops the video playback.
It’s not just me—since Mika and Marin are here too…
That video is somewhat… no, extremely intense.
“Um, is that video from the rumored simulation battle involving Inie?”
“That’s right. Blade just stopped it, but it’s quite stimulating content.”
“—Can we watch it?”
I highly discourage watching that video, but why does she want to see it?
The injuries from the Dopple incident would look cute in comparison—it’s grotesque on that level.
“Hmm. What do you think, Blade?”
“Showing it would be fine, but giving it away freely isn’t fun. …How about this: if the two of you can land a hit on me, I’ll let you watch.”
“What is this simulated battle, anyway?”
Mika tilts her head, and Marin explains with delight.
It’s the legendary simulation battle where I avenged myself against Taragon, one that some people wish to see made public.
Its content is so brutal that it’s sparked rumors beyond belief.
What’s that? I’ve never heard of it…
(Did the Demon know about this?)
“The topic has come up quite often on the bulletin board. Kaede hasn’t allowed its release, so it remains private. Haruna received requests as well, but I declined them.”
That battle is too extreme to release… limbs flying off multiple times, and by the end, both of Taragon’s arms were gone.
Even with the realistic settings, it left quite an impact.
“As for you two, I’ll leave them to Blade, but Inie, come with me.”
Taragon stands up from the sofa, takes my hand, and exits the waiting room to enter the pod-like chamber.
She hasn’t said much, but what are we going to do?
The scenery changes instantly, transforming from inside the pod to a plain outside.
“So, I heard from Prizes that you’re officially entering the New Demon War, right?”
“I’ve been asked, so I intend to participate.”
“That’s good. With your current abilities…”
Taragon stares seriously at me and pauses.
“If you win too easily, it causes friction with the Magic Bureau.”
What exactly is she saying with that straight face?
When I tilt my head, Taragon continues.
“If you win too easily, there could be some issues with the Magic Bureau. So, I thought I’d ask you to play with some restrictions.”
Since the host is technically the Magic Bureau, there’s a possibility of complaints.
I’m not affiliated through a contract but am a stray, so…
If I stand out too much, there’s a chance of more nitpicking than now.
Personally, I’d prefer a more enjoyable fight over a quick win.
“Doesn’t Inie use a staff in addition to magic?”
“Yes.”
“How about fighting using only the staff and prohibiting magic?”
…Isn’t that an impossibly difficult game?
