Chapter 66

The magical girl was carried away.

Marin and Mika, having finished watching an unimaginable simulation battle between Thalagong and Inie, discussed what they had just witnessed despite feeling slightly unwell.

Marin felt her chest tighten at the sight of someone who continued to advance even after their limbs were blown off.

If asked whether this was an ordinary simulation battle, everyone would surely answer no.

Even though the pain should be no different from reality, Inie didn’t even flinch, let alone cry or scream.

“How was it?”

Marin asked Mika. Of course, Mika too found much to contemplate in that simulation battle. The relentless fighting spirit, despite being injured, reminded Mika of the time when Inie helped her against Lockwert, changing form and relentlessly pursuing Lockwert until the end.

Inie threw herself aside to save Mika, transforming into a horrifying figure. Though Inie has not taught Mika anything since then, Mika would still like to know.

She wants to understand why Inie possesses two forms: one with clouded eyes, the other filled with hatred. It’s completely different from Enhanced Form—almost as if Inie becomes an entirely different person—and Mika wants to know why.

“I’d probably be dead after the first hit. Even if I dodged, I’d writhe in agony from that punch and that’d be the end.”

Spitting blood while being blown away, yet continuing with follow-up attacks as if everything was expected.

Just because recovery magic is available doesn’t mean it’s easy to use recklessly.

However, Mika has seen another side of Inie, which gives her a certain prediction.

This simulation battle shows Inie’s true strength. However, Mika believes that when facing magical girls, Inie’s darker form could fight better.

As widely known, magic worldwide is generally ineffective against magical girls.

In Inie’s case, there are limitations such as needing incantations to cast spells and non-offensive magic becoming weaker.

Though Inie can still fight decently against magical girls, the darker form would likely be more effective.

Why hide it? Mika wondered.

“If only I could reach Enhanced Form… No, it’s still not enough.”

“We’re rookies, after all. I understand your eagerness, but rushing won’t get us anywhere.”

Mika shook her head with a sigh.

Indeed, rushing gets you nowhere.

The result of rushing leads to mistakes, and a single mistake invites death.

To grow stronger, steady training and defeating monsters is the best approach.

As Marin and Mika rested a bit, the monitor switched, showing Inie and others.

“That Thalagong is Inie’s sister. Poor thing.”

Marin recalled Inie being taken away by Thalagong earlier. Unlike the energetic Thalagong and Blade, Inie is just an average magical girl who got dragged into things.

“But she must be evaluated as having the power to fight alongside rankers at the very least.”

“Yes. Oh, it seems to be starting.”

Arongante fired a railgun, and Glint discharged a rifle held in his right hand. Even one of those shots would be devastating if it hit.

However, Thalagong deflected it, causing sand to fly due to the aftermath.

During this, Blade rushed forward, and Inie released magic.

“I wish I could use lightning like that.”

The thunder magic Inie used was more powerful than Mika’s maximum output.

Of course, Inie’s magic did not affect the opponent and was completely blocked, but it showed enough firepower to warrant a defense.

When Mika tried using lightning during the middle of the simulation battle against Blade, it was said to merely relieve Blade’s shoulder tension.

Fleur deployed wooden walls, but Blade sliced through them effortlessly and attempted to attack Fleur. Arongante blocked with a high-frequency blade.

Glint launched missiles at Blade, but Thalagong detonated them.

Due to the explosion’s aftermath, Blade and Arongante took a step back, allowing Arongante to fire the railgun rapidly.

Thalagong managed to evade somehow, but Fleur’s magical plants sprouted from the ground to impede movement.

Inie destroyed these by releasing magic from her wings and restrained Fleur by casting additional spells.

Some attacks grazed Thalagong and Blade, but minor injuries were healed by Inie, keeping everyone in perfect condition.

“Amazing…”

“Aye. This is what it means to be a ranker.”

The ground was gouged by Glint and Thalagong, slashed endlessly by Blade, scattered with plants and ice by Inie and Fleur.

The previous simulation battle between Thalagong and Inie was already bad, but within minutes, this surpassed it.

In the midst of the evenly matched battle, Inie began casting a spell and planted large icicles on the ground in a circular motion.

“What is that?”

“Considering the video earlier, I think it does something, but what exactly?”

As Inie began chanting, a charged railgun blast from Arongante created a massive hole in the ground.

Blade’s sword cut through the air, and Fleur caused lush greenery to grow in the wasteland.

Thalagong blew everything away, and Glint’s mount Lind crushed the debris.

A magic circle appeared in response to Inie’s chant, forming layers in the air.

“It’s beautiful.”

The geometric patterns of the magic circles were mesmerizing from afar.

But Marin noticed something odd.

“If that magic circle defines the range of the magic, aren’t Thalagong and Blade outside of it?”

“Huh?”

The monitor showed a vast magic circle encompassing everyone except Inie.

‘End of the World Atheism’

The monitor turned white with countless beams of light.

However, at the moment Inie’s magic was unleashed, everyone else entered Enhanced Form to defend themselves.

Inie’s apocalyptic magic tore a massive crater in the wasteland, but the three opponents and the two allies remained unharmed.

But Marin and Mika faintly heard Thalagong’s shout and wondered why Inie had done such a thing.

It was a complete friendly fire incident, and although everyone was unharmed, it was generally unforgivable.

Marin thought perhaps Inie had snapped, but there was no sign of that, and the simulation battle continued.

Blade, who got caught up in it, only laughed, and Thalagong only made a brief comment.

Entering Enhanced Form accelerated the combat speed.

Explosions and railgun trajectories constantly appeared on the monitor, Fleur’s magical range expanded, occasionally creating forests.

“One day, I’ll…”

Marin carefully observed Blade’s fighting style and simulated it in her mind.

Despite using different weapons, Blade and Marin both wielded dual blades. There couldn’t be a better textbook example.

At one point, Inie was struck directly by Arongante’s charged railgun and received a death judgment.

Blade defeated Arongante but was felled by Glint when immobilized by Fleur.

Thalagon fought valiantly and defeated Fleur but fell to Glint’s attack when exhausted, resulting in Inie’s team losing.

As Marin and Mika discussed the previous simulation battle, Thalagong returned carrying Inie under her arm. Blade followed behind, trying to suppress her laughter.

“You’re back. How was it? Why is Inie being carried?”

“Don’t worry about it. Besides, it’s not Inie’s fault, but Thalagong’s.”

Blade laughed and sat on the sofa.

Although Thalagong had agreed to allow collateral damage, she hadn’t anticipated Inie using such powerful magic. As soon as the simulation ended, Thalagong grabbed Inie’s cheeks with both hands and scolded her.

And thus, Inie, whose cheeks were pinched and couldn’t speak properly, was carried back under Thalagong’s arm.

“Who would have thought she’d use such magic?”

“Well, almost all of us nearly became Buddha statues. But hey, our bodies warmed up nicely, so it was a good start for going all out.”

“She supposedly had permission, right?”

“Don’t be cheeky.”

Listening to the conversation, Marin and Mika understood most of the situation.

In Inie’s case, high-powered magic tends to cover wide areas.

So when Inie uses such magic, there’s a risk of involving close-range fighters like Blade and the mobile Thalagong.

Although Thalagong had given permission, she hadn’t expected Inie to actually involve everyone, leading her to let out a scream-like sound during the simulation.

“Well, we’ve done our work today. Now, let’s go shopping as Inie’s punishment. What do you say?”

“I’m in!”

“I’m coming too!”

Both answered in harmony, causing Inie to shake her head with a sigh.

Marin was excited for her first shopping trip with Inie, though technically it was her second, a fact only Mika knew.

Inie glanced at Mika subtly to ensure it stayed secret.

Mika nodded slightly in response.

“Sorry, I have something to do, so I’ll pass. Today was fun though.”

“Understood. Thanks for today. Let’s battle again sometime.”

After bidding farewell to Blade, Thalagong and the others left the simulator room. Inie was only set down once they reached the teleporter.

1

Shopping with Thalagong hasn’t happened since before entering the academy, but if this were just regular grocery shopping, I wouldn’t have to endure so much trouble…

I see the same shopping mall I visited once during a demon’s punishment game ahead of me.

By the way, the mall’s name is still being decided.

“I’ve always wanted to come here.”

I wish they had gone without me, but my hand was held tightly to prevent escape. The other hand was held by Marin.

Should I swing my arms around?

‘So lucky to have a second chance so soon.’

(Not really lucky for me.)

Surely, I’ll be dressed up like a doll again?

What’s enjoyable about that?

I think someone like Thalagong would look better wearing these outfits than this bald stone body of mine.

And so, I was dragged along, being forced to try on various clothes repeatedly.

“White and black are nice, but blue might also suit you.”

“Perhaps this kimono next?”

Is this ever going to end?

Today, I’ve already fought to exhaustion, leaving me with no motivation.

That last 3v3 battle was beyond apocalyptic—it was pure hell…

(Are there any details about the participants for the New Demon War?)

“The identities of the competitors are confidential, but the countries participating include America, Russia, Canada, Australia, China, the Arctic, the African Union, and the emerging country Miguria, plus one representative from the Fairy Bureau.”

(Most of those places I recognize, but is Miguria really the country formed by victims of monsters?)

“Yes, it’s been around for about 20 years. They’re heavily focused on cultivating magical girls.”

On the contrary, I’d like to know which countries don’t focus on magical girls.

If magical girls lose, it results in casualties.

Especially if they lose within barriers and reinforcements arrive late, the consequences are dire…

“Kimono is good, but how about some Gothic Lolita styles?”

“This frilly one looks great!”

(By the way, haven’t I received any messages from the demons’ group?)

“There’s no need to worry about them. Their passes have been cut off, and they have no intention of coming. Anyway, they only think about fighting. Haruna isn’t someone I want you to meet.”

True, if they don’t win, they will perish. I think that’s fine.

While I somewhat understand the desire to run away, delaying the inevitable won’t lead to a good outcome.

(Just confirming, but after the New Demon War, we move, right?)

“That’s right. Depending on their movements, we’ll leave the academy around that time.”

I’ve obtained a staff, and my identity is provisionally secured. Moreover, if I’m the target, I can’t stay with others.

Let this participation in the New Demon War settle my debts of gratitude.

“Since we’re here, why not try pajamas?”

“What about this bunny-themed onesie?”

(Hey, Demons.)

“Yes?”

(Are we buying all of this?)

We’ve been playing around for about two hours now, and I’ve tried on countless outfits. Marina’s closet is filling up, but I doubt all of this will fit…

“Well, financially, Thalagong has plenty of money, and she’ll manage storage somehow, so it should be fine.”

Thinking about all of this going to waste makes me feel a little disheartened, but there’s nothing I can do.

Finally, after about two hours and thirty minutes of being toyed with, I was freed.

For dinner, I quietly ate with the demons at the dormitory.

Tonight’s dinner tasted slightly saltier than usual.