Magical Girl and 1<4
This is the third time transforming into this form, but why am I still able to transform even in simulations?
The supply of magical power is active, but how is this happening?
However, at this moment, such concerns are trivial.
With a time limit in place, there’s no leisure to deliberate.
(Well then, let’s give it our best shot.)
"Even though this is a simulation, you're not fully recovered yet, so don't overexert yourself."
If my memory serves me correctly, I recall a battle like this where a Demon was involved...
Let’s consider it as mere rehabilitation.
Since becoming a Magical Girl, I’ve had a proper rest for the first time in a while.
The field is nothing but a barren wasteland, and the distance between me and the four opponents is barely within sight.
A large number "5" appears in the air, signaling the countdown has begun.
…Even knowing it's a simulation, anticipation builds because of who the opponents are.
Magic leaks from my body, spreading out.
Though the battle hasn’t started yet, it’s impossible to suppress this.
While the surroundings filling with my magic may provide an advantage, since it isn't considered cheating, it should be fine.
3...2...1…
The sound marking the start echoes.
In an instant, plants grow wildly, and Momotoko charges forward.
I can feel Thalagong's magic spreading around me, ready to explode the moment I move.
Of course, or rather inevitably, despite individual quirks being prominent, their coordination is solid.
They must have practiced team battles multiple times like the one I previously had with Thalagong and Blade.
"Disappear!"
I forcibly cancel Fleur’s magic and overwrite Thalagong’s magic with my own.
I block Momotoko's charge with one orb.
Though I'm worried the orb might break, it should hold up.
"There is none who shall obstruct my path!"
From the other orb, I fire a heat ray towards everyone.
Columns of fire erupt in its wake, creating visual interference.
High above, Arongante readies a railgun, surely waiting for any opening on my part to strike.
As retaliation, the ground beneath me explodes, sending debris flying.
Having anticipated the explosion, I take flight simultaneously, avoiding direct impact.
Momotoko - the damage dealer.
Thalagong - the disruption specialist.
Fleur - the defense expert.
And Arongante - the finisher. That’s how it seems.
Each has their role, but all of them are moving with the intent to kill me.
Momotoko will likely arrive soon, so I'll use my ultimate technique early.
"Open! The Gate of Condemnation."
A massive magic circle resembling a gate appears overhead.
"To the deeply sinful, the punishment of oblivion."
The gate opens, and a colossal sword advances toward Momotoko.
This is a concept-based magic similar to what Blue Colette used.
Despite unlimited magical power, infallible hits or instant kills are impossible.
But making the opponent think avoidance is difficult? That much I can manage.
Given its size, even if avoided, the aftermath would be catastrophic, so Momotoko will likely try to defend somehow.
Though I assume Fleur will offer support before that happens.
Iron-like plants rush toward the sword.
Momotoko takes a stance, seemingly preparing to counterattack.
It’d be fine to observe how this unfolds, but this is 1 vs 4.
Though Fleur and Momotoko are delayed, two remain.
Glancing at Arongante, her railgun gleams brilliantly.
Clearly, she's charging a lethal strike.
Just in case, I retrieve the orb aimed at Momotoko.
I send the remaining orb toward Thalagong to buy some time.
Among these, the ones with devastating single-hit firepower are Momotoko and Arongante.
Though Momotoko is troublesome, I want to take down Arongante first.
Besides, taking them out in numerical order feels aesthetically satisfying.
While shielding myself from Thalagong’s explosions with barriers and orbs, I turn toward Arongante.
A laser of overwhelming scale fills my vision, more powerful than the one I saw during Doppel, thanks to the charging.
There’s hardly any time before it reaches me, but there’s no need to panic.
Might as well blow it away with a similar magic.
"Divine Strike: Deviation."
I temporarily channel all my magic into the orb.
Adding the magic accumulated in this battle, I release it toward Arongante's beam from the orb.
Though the battle has been short, the stored magic is equivalent to about ten times my usual capacity.
For a brief moment, we're evenly matched, but my attack breaks through Arongante's beam.
Arongante mustn’t have expected a frontal breakthrough; her defensive measures were too late, and her reaction fades.
First one down.
The Divine Strike clears the way, keeping Fleur and Thalagong at bay.
Next is Fleur, numerically speaking…
But Momotoko and Fleur should still be dealing with my earlier magic.
Trying to look that way, a thunderous boom shakes the air, and I realize my magic has vanished.
I didn’t expect to outright defeat her, but I didn’t anticipate her nullifying it head-on either.
Thanks to Fleur’s support, there seems to be no visible injury.
Restoring the expended magic, I aim at Fleur when suddenly, a massive tree sprouts.
(What is this?)
"It's called the World Tree. Its effects include pursuit, buffs, and promotion of magic recovery. Since it's an autonomous magic, you'd better deal with it quickly."
Such a bothersome thing.
There's still some time left, so let's surprise them a bit more.
(I'm using your power now.)
"Understood. Let's go all out!"
"Number 15, Devil Liberation"
Clad in tattered black armor, wielding a scythe, I descend.
I deflect Thalagong's explosions, using the World Tree as a foothold to confront the advancing Momotoko.
Her gaze is colder than her appearance suggests.
Her inner thoughts are unclear, but outwardly, she shows no signs of unease.
Truly, a warrior's demeanor.
"Crushing Shockwave!"
A shockwave cuts through the air. Getting hit would likely disintegrate my body, but I protect myself by covering it with the armor.
Following the shockwave, Momotoko’s punch comes rushing in, which I deflect with the scythe before falling toward Fleur.
Aware she's targeted, Fleur counters with various plants and the World Tree, but I slash through everything advancing.
"Look out, Momotoko's coming from behind!"
(I know that.)
I want to stop Momotoko after bringing Fleur into range.
This form shines precisely because it's unfamiliar.
Though I intend to take down Momotoko, it won't be as clean as with Arongante.
If I can slash at her with this weapon, it’ll create an opening.
Deflecting her earlier was necessary to make her believe my weapon lacks special abilities, increasing the chances she doesn't dodge.
Branches assault me, using them as leverage, I lightly jump and turn back.
Dodging Momotoko’s punch, the wind pressure creates holes in the wall of branches.
It's harder than inferior metal, yet what incredible strength.
Making eye contact with Momotoko again, her intent is clear.
I meet her blade-to-blade as desired, aiming for a decisive strike within ten seconds—no, five seconds.
Channeling magic throughout my body and scythe, I lunge at Momotoko.
First exchange: Her dodge of my downward slash results in a right straight punch, which I deflect with my armor.
Second exchange: My spear thrust is blocked by her gauntlet, but I spin the scythe to push her back. She ducks under it and kicks.
Third exchange: Avoiding both Fleur’s magic and Momotoko's kick, I slash down again. But Momotoko... blocks it.
Confirming her strained expression, I knock her back with a powerful swing. I wished to end it with this strike, but she narrowly defended.
About 4 seconds... negligible difference.
Thinking to proceed to Fleur, I sense something amiss and look up.
A massive fireball floats above.
What a crude technique.
I want to handle it immediately, but annoyingly, countless branches attempt to entangle me from all sides.
Plants surround me on all sides, a fireball looms above. They're determined to kill.
But that suits me just fine.
"The Devil gracefully reverses."
Not as strong as Orneas' second form, but this form is quite resistant to magic.
A blade made of magic forms at the tip of the normal blade.
About 10 meters long—difficult to wield properly, but weightless, so no problem.
I slash through the surrounding plants and send a cutting blow toward the fireball without confirming the result, closing the distance to Fleur.
Cutting through plants tougher than any fortress with ease, I’m almost there.
Through the gaps in the plants, I see sweat streaming down Fleur's face.
Getting cut this easily must be rare.
Though the simulations with Blade and others were tough, this time the advantage is mine, so I'll settle this here.
After dispelling the magical blade, I throw the scythe at Fleur.
She dodges in surprise, but…
"…Liberation."
I transform from Devil to Fool.
The scythe transforms into two orbs.
"The Bell That Announces the End."
The orbs glow brightly, causing a massive explosion.
"Fleur's reaction disappeared. Two left."
A spell that condenses the sound of the beginning into a concentrated area, but its power exceeds expectations. Without a barrier, I'd have been blown far away.
Leaves and branches are blown away, leaving only the World Tree standing.
It seems to be a stationary magic type.
Though somewhat bothersome, it can be ignored for now.
Anyway, two remain.
Time is roughly two and a half minutes.
Tight, but manageable.
Exchanging glances with Thalagong, who's slightly distant…
—I somehow understood what Thalagong was thinking.
Her fiery hair shines brighter, melting and dissolving the ground.
Cruel, considering Momotoko is still alive.
"Perish, all living things."
Though I understood her thoughts, I have no intention of indulging her.
After all, there's a time limit. If I don't take down Thalagong within a minute, things will get tough.
Ice appears in the sky and on the ground, attempting to crush Thalagong.
The dull sound of ice colliding resonates, shattering into fragments that swirl into a tornado, violently attempting to pulverize Thalagong at its center.
Her reaction hasn't disappeared, and she's gradually approaching.
I also sense Momotoko reviving far away, so it's best to hurry.
Seriously, with such a large-scale magic, why isn't she taken down already...?
Approaching carelessly would mean getting burned by the heat, and magic is blocked by the thermal barrier.
Moreover, close combat is possible, and her long-range magic is quite potent.
Extremely troublesome, but I won't lose now.
All I need is a magic stronger than Thalagong's defense.
"I announce the beginning and bring the end."
Using a brief incantation in the limited time.
"Approximately 6 seconds until Momotoko arrives."
Six seconds… enough.
Countless magic circles spread across the area, all aimed at Thalagong.
Though incantations aren't strictly necessary, the slight reduction in load is helpful as it's starting to get tough.
Five minutes… unsurprisingly, pushing limits seems to reduce available time.
"Comets Shatter the Sun."
All deployed magic circles unleash their spells toward Thalagong.
Each spell is comparable to a celestial strike.
Hundreds of them—this is the end for Thalagong.
Next, Momotoko will probably find Devil easier to fight against than Fool.
Well, no need to confirm.
Shifting my gaze from Thalagong to Momotoko, she's approaching at an incredible speed.
‘Thalagong disappearing… avoid!’
Following the Demon’s words, I evade, but an explosion occurs near my left arm, piercing through the clothing's defense and blowing me away.
—Never expected my arm to be blown off.
Thalagong truly is tough.
Regenerating my arm, I switch from Fool's ability to Devil's and land on the ground.
Finally, the last ranker, Momotoko stands in my way.
The oppressive aura emanating from her small frame could make lesser Magical Girls cry, couldn't it?
Vast magical power rages around Momotoko.
Mutual desire is undoubtedly for a quick decisive battle.
Prolonged feints are merely a waste of time.
Kill or be killed—a simple and appealing scenario to me.
"Words unnecessary, huh..."
"Show through strength alone. Nothing more. —Let's go!"
It would be easy to defeat her with magic.
Hitting her once with the spell I used on Blue Colette would decide the match.
Overwhelming her with sheer magical power would easily land a hit.
But that would be boring.
I already did that with Thalagong, so I genuinely want to try a different approach.
The straightforward punch carries a demonic intensity.
Though overwhelmed by the sheer spirit, I've escaped death many times.
Besides, pure, unadulterated killing intent is incredibly sweet.
I’d love to fight her seriously again sometime.
Perhaps, in a true life-or-death struggle…
—No, my thoughts are straying too far.
First, I must end this battle.
Momotoko and I cross paths.
Momotoko's blow tears through my side, but it was anticipated.
I swing the scythe down at her.
Knowing defense would be a bad move, Momotoko tries to retreat, but her movement halts momentarily in surprise.
Apparently, my blood activated the magic as intended.
Good thing the simulator is advanced.
Momotoko attempts to launch another attack instead of defending, but I'm faster.
My wounds are healing rapidly with the Devil's ability.
Moreover, this technique is impossible to defend against.
The scythe passes through Momotoko's body.
And Momotoko collapses like a puppet, motionless.
This isn't a technique meant to kill but to cut off the source of magical power.
Without magic, transformation ends, and in the simulation, it counts as a loss.
This technique might be a bit cunning, but a decisive strike is still a decisive strike.
Thus, I win.
Consumed magic power is roughly equivalent to fifty of me—an amount unimaginable under normal circumstances. In my regular state, not even a hundred of me could win.
Remaining time is approximately thirty seconds, but I've already reached my limit.
Though performing this a few times is manageable, recovering such vast amounts of magic remains challenging.
(Well, let's head back.)
"Great job. Though I doubt it, please avoid intentionally receiving attacks like in the final bout with Momotoko."
That action was to imbue my blood with magical effects, but bleeding unnecessarily in reality is disadvantageous for me.
I won't do it intentionally ever again.
Incidentally, I torched the World Tree left behind by Fleur as a parting gift.
