The magical girl reads a book.
At the academy cafeteria, after being caught by Marin and others and finishing lunch together, I decided to head towards something called the Library Tower.
It’s not a library room or a library building; it’s a Library Tower.
What’s with this tower business?
Isn’t this place like something out of a fantasy?
The Library Tower is located at the edge of the academy, and due to security reasons, one can only enter via a teleporter.
I tried entering the Library Tower from the academy’s teleporter…
(What is this…amazing…)
As far as the eye can see, there are nothing but books. Even above and below…what exactly is going on here?
There are a few search machines available, so it seems possible to find the books I’m looking for, but choosing among them might be difficult.
How many volumes are there?
Let me try searching first.
Searching for [“Magical Girl”][“Weapon”][“Disappearing”] should suffice.
(There are fewer search results than I expected.)
“Because when a magical girl loses her weapon, it means she has also lost her magical girl abilities.”
If you lose your abilities, that’s the end of being a magical girl.
It’s probably too eccentric to even think about compiling studies or books on such matters…
Let me read them all then.
After skimming through five books in about three hours…the information I wanted wasn’t there.
Most of them were about what happens after a magical girl loses her abilities.
There was nothing written about regaining those abilities or weapons.
The stories themselves were quite interesting, which was a little frustrating.
I ended up reading them all instead of just skimming through them.
(Once something is lost, does it never return?)
“Hmm, but since you’re still able to use magic, it means your ability hasn’t completely disappeared yet… Normally, if a weapon is just slightly damaged, it repairs itself automatically… Haruna’s case is confusing!”
(In any case, the staff was meant to be auxiliary. Maybe I should find another form of assistance myself?)
I don’t know much about the inner workings of the fairy realm or magical girls, but it wouldn’t be strange if there were some kind of supplementary equipment available.
The question is whether I can fight at the same level as before with it.
“Weapons for magical girls are usually one-offs. Development of auxiliary items hasn’t really progressed much.”
So it seems there’s nothing that can be done…
I don’t remember clearly because I lost consciousness during the process, but the staff must have disappeared as a result of using magic.
Even though we had no other options back then, it’s ironic that problems arise now that we’ve survived…
Now that I’ve finished my investigation, I’ll head back.
As I stood up from the floor and headed toward the exit, I noticed a familiar-looking magical girl.
Or rather, I remembered her because she’s a well-known magical girl.
(Isn’t that the second-ranked magical girl?)
“That’s right. Sleeping Beauty, the magical girl Free伦Sleep.”
True to her nickname, she’s sleeping right now…
Indeed, this place is quiet, so it’s a good spot for sleeping?
(Should I wake her?)
“Even if you tried, she wouldn’t wake up, so it’s fine to leave her be.”
I see.
Honestly, without knowing anything, seeing this would have been quite surprising.
Let me leave her alone and head outside.
Using the teleporter, I stepped outside and sat down under a random tree to relax.
The sunlight feels nice.
I have two more hours until meeting up with Marin. What should I do?
(If the staff doesn’t return or I can’t replace it, what should I do?)
“Well, you could become capable of fighting monsters even in your second form… Let’s bet on the possibility of awakening?”
Do they think I can awaken?
Awakening requires a certain amount of resolve or desire, right? I don’t possess that.
It’s better to focus on defeating monsters in my second form for now.
After all, I managed to fight against M·D·W.
I honestly don’t understand how I could fight in that state, but since I did once, it’s a possibility.
And I’d like to restore my original body as well… Though it’s unclear what “disappeared” actually means.
Though they say living itself is a blessing, I want to turn back into a man as soon as possible… Even if I currently lack the necessary body.
Awakening… As far as I know, Marin can achieve it, but it’s said to be extremely difficult…
Currently in Japan, all ranked individuals and the top 16 magical girls can achieve it.
Beyond that, only a handful of people have succeeded.
From what I know, every magical girl who has reached that level hasn’t done anything bad as a magical girl… At least not intentionally.
When I got exploded by Thalagong, it was technically in a simulation, so it doesn’t count…
That person seems fundamentally good, but they show no mercy in combat.
(Let me put my power concerns aside for now and focus on Jeanne’s matter and Mika’s appointment next week.)
My own issues are important, but I also need to consider the future magical girls.
Since I’ve passed the time nicely, let’s head to the meeting spot.
‘(Hmm. Considering the timing, I’ll look into it a bit.)’
(Huh? Did you say something?)
“Nope, nothing. But if we keep Marin waiting, she’ll get noisy.”
That’s true… There’s no need to choose such a crowded place like the front of the academy as a meeting spot.
While heading to the meeting spot, I unexpectedly didn’t bump into many people.
On the other hand, at the meeting spot, besides Marin, there were Tsumugi and Sweep.
Tsumugi, as her name suggests, is a magical girl who uses plants and thorns, and as Mika mentioned, she has a very ladylike appearance.
But she’s failing, so she needs to study harder.
A noblewoman failing classes feels off, doesn’t it?
Sweep… Is it okay to call her “gal-like”?
Since I’m unfamiliar with that subculture, I’m unsure, but I don’t dislike it.
She fights with a rapier and thread, using tricky movements.
It’s not that I remember everyone, but thanks to Akuma’s constant updates, even if I forget their names, it’s not a big deal.
“Hey, Inie-chan! Good work!”
“You’ve arrived.”
“Then let’s go.”
Wait… No one cares that there are two extra people here?
Ignoring my feelings, the four of us head towards Numazu.
We arrive at Numazu without any issues.
Here we are…
“So, what will everyone have? I’ll go with my usual.”
Marin ordered the Gunma Three Mountains Set last time.
People who decide what to order when they come to this shop are lucky…
I always take too long deciding because my eyes wander over the menu.
“Hmm, I’ve got a bit of extra cash, so I’ll go with the Forest Pasta.”
Is that even on the menu? Oh, it’s listed under the Western cuisine section.
Since I don’t have anything specific in mind, what should I do?
“I’ll have the Little Marsh Set. The pudding here is delicious.”
Your line sounds like something Mika said yesterday. Aren’t you going to eat something more fitting for a lady?
“Inie, what will you have?”
“…I’ll have oyakodon.”
Since I had karaage set for lunch, I’ll go with oyakodon as it’s somewhat related.
Marin quickly finishes ordering.
“Inie, what did you investigate at the Library Tower?”
“A little about magical girls’ weapons. Currently, I don’t have one.”
“Fighting without a weapon and still being able to do that is nothing short of astonishing…”
With the staff’s support, I could maintain magic in standby mode or use Heaven Strike or Breath of Life in practical combat speeds.
Without it, I’ll need support from vanguards or tanks.
“…Could it be from that battle?”
Marin looks sad, but recalling that battle isn’t something anyone would want.
If I respond poorly here, the atmosphere might sour, so what should I do…
Upon watching the video, it seemed like Marin also broke her weapon for different reasons…
Her weapon broke during the awakening process, but when she deactivated it, it returned to normal. So maybe awakening can repair or provide new weapons…
“One might say so. My clumsiness caused the weapon to break.”
“If anything happens, be sure to consult someone properly, alright? Me or even Mr. Prizes, for example.”
Consulting Mr. Prizes isn’t ideal… He seems scatterbrained and naturally clumsy, so I don’t feel like asking him for advice.
Thalagong is troublesome, so I’ll ask Jeanne when we meet next time. Perhaps instead of repairing, she might be able to heal the weapon.
“How come you two, the class president and Inie, seem so close already?”
“That’s right. Getting along so well from the first day seems odd, doesn’t it?”
Odd? Honestly, I could adjust to working with you guys just as easily, right?
In the workplace, you always need to align with your surroundings or risk being isolated.
Rather, I was usually the one getting isolated…
“Be, it’s nothing special! Inie has helped me a few times, that’s all.”
“A few times? Isn’t that unusual?”
“Ah, inside the barrier, things aren’t normal – I watched the video, but it seemed to end normally to me.”
During the spider-type battle, my body moved involuntarily somehow.
Back then, I intended to flee if victory seemed impossible, but now I’m glad I helped.
I hope these kids won’t be tainted by dirty adults…
While I’m lost in thought, the three of them continue chatting lively.
It’s annoying when they talk to me, but watching them is enjoyable.
An old man’s restless heart gets cleansed.
‘Don’t you sometimes forget that the current Haruna is the same young girl as these three?’
(I’ve got realities I’d rather forget too.)
Just as I was worried about being dragged into their conversation, the food arrived.
Sweep’s Forest Pasta features vegetables arranged like a forest atop the pasta, looking healthy.
“Are you free this weekend, Inie?”
“I’m booked on Saturday as I’ve been called by Jeanne.”
Even if I were free, I’d avoid it due to ominous vibes.
“Maybe you’re going to that thing in Hyogo? The branch office asked me to help with it too.”
“The free medical camp that Jeanne organizes around the world?”
“Yes. They’ve requested my assistance.”
“Is that so… If you have time, I wanted to train with you, but oh well.”
Your disciplined nature is admirable, but I think you should rest whenever you can.
You’ll receive calls from the branch office if something comes up, right?
“Do you know recovery magic, Inie? When did you meet Jeanne?”
I can’t say I was brought back to life from a near-death state… Thinking about it, there are many things I can’t talk about.
Ah, I’ve got an idea.
“I met her during the tea party.”
Oh, right, Marin saw my contact info then, so it’s bound to leak out?
“Inie was invited to the tea party? Even though you’re newer than us, isn’t that suspicious?”
“I’d like to be invited someday too.”
Good.
Before Marin could say anything, Tsumugi and Sweep took over the conversation.
“I’ll be guarding outside, so I might not see Inie on the day, but see you then~”
“See you again tomorrow at the academy.”
While they patiently waited for my slow eating pace, I rested a bit before leaving Numazu.
It was lucky that no emergency calls came during the meal.
After parting ways with Marin and Sweep via the teleporter, I headed to the dormitory with Tsumugi.
“By the way, Inie, are you good at studying?”
“I think I won’t fail my exams.”
Tsumugi groaned and clutched her chest. Out of nine people, six failing seems pretty bad, doesn’t it?
Apparently, the content is harder than regular schools, but failing is still failing.
Well, having a passing score set at 70 points is tough, I admit.
“I’m trying my best, but it’s quite challenging…”
Since I’m cheating with my knowledge, all I can tell Tsumugi is to keep trying.
If she doesn’t understand something, she can always ask Akuma, so studying now won’t make much difference…
“All I can say is to keep trying, but let’s aim to avoid failing, alright?”
“I understand. For the sake of my future, I’ll work hard!”
That’s the spirit.
I’m looking forward to next Friday.
Watching Tsumugi cheerfully wave goodbye, I worry about the young magical girls’ futures.
Please earn grades that match your appearances!
“Hey, Haruna.”
(What is it?)
“About that medical camp, it seems other high-ranking members besides Jeanne will attend.”
(Really… Wait, it’s not Thalagon, is it?)
“It’s a surprise you’ll enjoy on the day!”
Ever since the battle with M·D·W, Akuma seems overly enthusiastic…
But if it’s fun, that’s good enough, I suppose.
