Chapter 130

The magical girl falls asleep.

“Has it been a while… since we last met?”

“Whatever you say, I don’t mind.”

Is her lack of a surprise attack like that time an indication of her seriousness, or does she realize it would be meaningless?

“How many people are here? And by the way, how do we解除 this barrier?”

“I’ll tell you if you win. So…”

晨曦 transforms into her Enhanced Form and points the Azure Dragon Saber at me.

She’s going all out from the start… good. I dislike the uselessness of probing attacks as well.

(Demon)

“…I’ve jammed the images already. Would you at least unleash my power?”

Though the Demon’s abilities would suffice, I want to defeat her in her second form.

For now, I can still control myself, and there shouldn’t be any risk of losing control.

But this is only for now. If I get too excited during the fight, who knows what might happen.

(I’m fine for now. Let’s go.)

There’s no response, but they say silence is consent, so it should be fine.

Switching my focus, I dye myself black.

Suppressing the rising emotions, I take a slow breath.

I draw the Black Sword but leave the red one sheathed.

Fighting with two swords would put me at a disadvantage anyway.

Besides, just like last time, I want to fight as myself. Any other thoughts are unnecessary.

“Well then, shall we begin?”

Circulating magic throughout my body, 晨曦 charges.

I sidestep her downward slash and swing my sword upward.

She dodges back, but I step forward and swing again.

Her shield blocks the blow, and a fiery dragon emerges from her sword, forcing me to create distance before dispelling it with a slash.

Never stopping my feet, I avoid her attacks as much as possible.

After all, not only can she wield a sword, but she also uses magic.

If I stop moving carelessly, I might fall victim to her spells.

Blocking her spells with my sword, I close the distance once more.

Sword and shield.

As the Demon once said, simple yet strong.

Defend with the shield, attack with the sword. Use magic to keep your distance if necessary.

One hit from her magic could be fatal.

A surprise attack like last time won’t work.

That much is clear from her eyes.

Each time our swords clash, the surroundings tremble, but I have no time to worry about that now.

I’d like to keep fighting forever, but I can’t afford to waste more time.

Not only because of the chaos within me, but also because the monsters appearing in Australia need to be dealt with quickly.

“Hazy Moon Mirage Slash”

Infusing magic into my sword, I create illusions.

Without surprise, 晨曦 attempts to block them with her shield, which proves to be a mistake.

While the illusory swords are absorbed by her shield, the real me strikes from behind.

Attempting to counter, 晨曦’s stance is disrupted by the shockwave from the shield collision.

This creates a small opening as her defensive sword slightly wavers.

“First Strike: Moon Flash”

I sever the arm holding her Azure Dragon Saber.

Attempting to return the favor and cut off her torso, she evades.

When I try to deliver the final blow, a dragon conjured by magic pushes us apart.

During the brief moment spent slaying the dragon, a change occurs in the magic emanating from 晨曦.

Just like Orneas, her magic swells, transforming her appearance.

“Did you drink it…?”

“Yeah. No complaints about unfairness from me. Yours isn’t exactly fair either.”

Indeed, this isn’t solely my power.

In fact, this body isn’t even mine anymore.

All that remains of me is my heart.

“It doesn’t matter. Whether you transform or not, winning is all that matters.”

“That’s right. Before you ask, if you beat me, I’ll tell you something useful. The barrier will automatically lift once the monsters appearing now are defeated. Though, chances are everything will be destroyed before that happens.”

A new arm sprouts from her shoulder, gripping a different-looking Azure Dragon Saber.

Her shield changes shape, transforming into a spear.

The scenery shifts, turning into a barren wasteland filled with embedded blades and swords.

Barrier… While this one is helpful in context, I feel pressure from 晨曦 far beyond that of Orneas.

It’s as if a dragon has forcibly taken human form.

Remaining vigilant, I ready my sword.

Though I know attacking first is best, every angle seems to lead to defeat.

Impressive… Defeating someone this powerful isn’t possible for just any magical girl.

Even though nothing has happened yet, my legs feel like they’re trembling.

Yet, instead of fear or dread, joy wells up inside me.

As I take a step forward, something runs through my body, causing me to leap to the right.

晨曦 appears where I was, her sword deeply carving into the ground.

She was completely invisible… Had I not relied on instinct, I might have been reduced to a bloody mess with one strike.

There probably won’t be another chance. I must keep attacking.

Further enhancing myself by channeling more magic into my body.

I think the Demon is trying to say something, but I’ll ignore everything for now.

My foot shatters upon stepping forward, healing instantly, but clearly my body’s durability can’t keep up.

If I push myself to the limit, my body will break first… It’s frustrating.

Confirming that she raises her sword to block mine, I jump into the air, creating a barrier above to ambush her from above.

However, she blocks with her spear, sending me flying into the sky.

Regaining my posture immediately, a black dragon rises from the ground.

“Sky Sealing Magic Disruption”

Channeling the Demon’s ability into my sword, I thrust it towards the black dragon.

Normally, this should disrupt its magic and scatter it.

However, while I manage to weaken its power, I can’t completely disperse it, and the black dragon engulfs me.

An unbearable pain courses through my body, nearly causing me to lose consciousness.

Trying to recover using magic, it fails, and the little magic I had left doesn’t replenish.

Is it the barrier, or this spell? Either way, this is a pinch.

But as long as my limbs remain attached, I can continue fighting.

Somehow managing to land safely after taking a roll, I immediately charge towards 晨曦.

Though I don’t see the dramatic transformations like with Orneas, her strength is several levels higher.

Most importantly, she tracks all my movements with her eyes and always anticipates my next move.

Setting barriers to delay her attacks proves futile; even when I narrowly evade, the magic imbued in her sword and spear continues to wound me.

Come to think of it, the Demon did warn me not to be hit by a magical girl under the influence of drugs, and they were absolutely correct.

This pain, as if being eaten from the inside, is unbearable, and each time I’m struck, my ability to use magic deteriorates.

Maybe I can’t win…

Unable to fully dodge her sword, I manage to block it but am blown away by the force.

“What are you laughing at?”

“I’m not laughing. But don’t you understand why?”

Fighting a formidable enemy. That’s all I desire.

Winning or losing, life or death—those are merely results.

If I can perish in battle, that would be my wish fulfilled.

Moving my creaking body like a rusted machine, I raise my sword.

If only she would attack recklessly like before, I could aim for a counterattack, but she remains vigilant.

The Demon’s scream echoes in my head.

Unlike Orneas, she shows no signs of losing control despite my provocations.

This way, there’s no doubt I’ll lose… In fact, I’ve already lost.

In my current state, there’s no way I can win no matter how hard I struggle.

This is my limit… solely with my own strength.

Then, I should compensate for what I lack beyond “me.”

Releasing the suppressed emotions.

As my consciousness fades and I feel myself disappearing, I barely hold on.

I’ll lend my power, but the one fighting will be me and only me.

Something overflows from my body, covering me entirely.

The red sword appears in my hand, allowing me to wield two swords.

“What… What is… that?”

晨曦 says something, but I can’t make it out clearly.

Feeling her approach, my body moves on its own.

The sharp clang of metal. Each swing causes fierce winds to rage.

The surrounding blades fly and scatter everywhere.

Normally, I wouldn’t stand a chance against such an opponent and would simply be blown away.

But now, I’m fighting on equal or even superior terms.

Though I cannot see, images flow into my mind, informing me of the situation.

The sole purpose of the sword is to kill.

Breaking through magic, deflecting spears, and clashing with swords.

Though my consciousness remains intact, it’s not me controlling my body.

The Demon’s consciousness has likely faded, forced into sleep.

I somewhat regret it, but even unlocking Arcana might not be enough to defeat the current 晨曦.

Compared to Blue Colette, the difference in class is too vast.

If only it were Lockwert, it might have been better luck.

Though the event lasts mere seconds, it feels incredibly long.

Can anyone reach this realm in their pure state?

Black substances cover my flesh, repairing broken bones and torn muscles instantly.

Even though my physical strength should increase while I’m a magical girl, I’m still in this condition… No, it’s strange that enemies this strong appear in the first place.

Both our wounds heal instantly, but gradually, I start gaining the upper hand.

The reason is simple: 晨曦 is gradually being consumed by the monster.

Though her power and magic have increased, her skill, her forte, has started to falter.

Perhaps realizing this herself, she looks troubled.

This endurance match is boring. Whether I win or lose, I want to meet my end in the best possible state.

Thus, these feelings are hindrances. I am me, and the past is the past.

If they interfere, I’ll consume them.

Driving away the raging emotions, my self-awareness resurfaces.

Regaining control of my body, I notice the surrounding devastation and 晨曦’s transformation.

Even though I’ve deviated from humanity, 晨曦 has begun mutating into a monster.

Exploding the magic infused in my sword, I create distance.

晨曦 seems to contemplate something from my actions and stays put without advancing.

Spitting out blood that had accumulated in my stomach, I recover enough to speak.

“One more time… let’s finish this.”

“…Yeah.”

My voice didn’t come out as well as I hoped, but it seems she heard it.

We probably don’t have much time left to maintain our rationality as humans.

What’s needed isn’t quantity but a decisive blow.

Vanishing the red sword, I grip my usual sword with both hands.

We lunge at each other, swinging our weapons.

Passing by 晨曦’s side, I realize my sword tip is gone.

Ah… I see.

Kneeling down, my sword slips from my hand.

“That was a satisfying fight. I gave it my all. No regrets.”

“Is that so? But it seems we have a draw this time.”

“Haha… then… in the next life…”

晨曦 dissipates into dust.

I emerged victorious.

But with my weapon broken and no strength left to move, there’s nothing to boast about.

As the colors fade, I revert to a White Mage, but a feeling of losing something important overwhelms me.

Though I think it’s due to the broken sword, I can’t identify what this important “something” is.

“Haruna! Haruna!”

At some point, the Demon must have disengaged and is calling out to me, but I can’t see them… Ah, my eyesight is gone. I can hear sounds, but I have no sensation in my body, and there’s no sign of my magic recovering.

Soon, the transformation will wear off, leaving me just a girl… or rather, a corpse.

Is this the end of my dues?

I wanted to fight more, but this seems to be my limit.

With the barrier dissolving, a cold wind brushes against my skin.

It’s becoming difficult to maintain consciousness.

Sorry… everyone…

I hear footsteps approaching, then my consciousness fades.