Magical Girl Arongante, reporting for duty!
“So, today we will be conducting the planned group training session for newcomers.”
Planned… I remember being surprised on Monday morning when I had forgotten about it, and she hit my face with her wings…
The next morning after I had taken the staff from Kaede, I confirmed with Prizes-sensei, who was also surprised saying, “I forgot about that!”
At that moment of surprise, she spread her wings, and I was struck in the face by them and sent flying.
This body is light… If Marin hadn’t caught me, I would have definitely been injured.
Just because we can heal injuries doesn’t mean we should actively seek to get hurt.
“Will there be someone ranked as a ‘Ranger’ coming?”
In a manner befitting the chairman, Marin asked Prizes-sensei the question everyone was wondering.
Please don’t let it be Thalagong…
—Wait. Can’t we ask Demon?
(Is Demon aware of who’s coming?)
“I know, but telling you would make it boring, so I’ll stay silent!”
…Yeah, that’s how it goes.
Demon wouldn’t tell me something they know I’m curious about just to enjoy my reaction.
By the way, if there’s no S-Rank response in Japan, it becomes an extermination mission in another country.
Since movement through the Fairy Realm takes only an instant and language barriers are resolved by fairy magic, there’s no problem.
“We already have them waiting in the hallway, so I’ll call them in now. Please follow me.”
The classroom door opened, and a woman with brown hair tied in a ponytail entered.
Her outfit resembled robotic armor, with parts glowing here and there.
Ah, this is her, then.
It’s our first meeting… But why does she look so tired?
(She seems exhausted. Is she alright?)
“She’s been busy with work and apparently has been pulling all-nighters.”
From what little I’ve heard, among the rangers, she handles paperwork and administrative tasks alone, and also mediates between the Fairy Bureau and the Magic Bureau.
While her combat ability is quite high, due to her skills in administration and negotiation, she’s often relied upon for those tasks.
Her name is…
“Nice to meet you. I am Arongante, ranked 9th. Today, I will be your guide, so please take care of me.”
That’s right, Magical Girl Arongante. Her nickname is Meteor.
Like Glint, she fights in a way that makes people doubt she’s a magical girl.
Outside of battle, she wears what looks like powered armor, but during combat, she dons additional armaments.
For movement, she has thrusters attached to her back, waist, and legs, allowing her to fly effortlessly.
In one hand, she holds a vibrating sword, and in the other, a large railgun.
The simulated battle I once saw between Arongante and Glint was incredible… but it seemed like they were fighting in the wrong world.
While I lean more towards Glint, I don’t dislike Arongante either.
The way she flies, leaving trails of light, truly resembles a meteor.
The problem lies more in her battles against paperwork rather than monsters.
There are magical girls of various ages, but many retire after earning enough to live comfortably or marry, so there aren’t many who can handle administrative work.
All we can do is pray she doesn’t overwork herself to death.
“As you all know, Arongante is ranked 9th, making her very strong. Does anyone have any questions?”
When Prizes-sensei called out, a few students raised their hands.
I also have some questions, but it’s better to save them for the travel time later.
“Alright, Akatsuki, please go ahead.”
“Yes. I heard that Arongante’s weapons have names. Is that true?”
Akatsuki… One half of the pair of magical girls I mediated a fight between. We don’t talk much, but since that incident, they haven’t fought in reality, which is a relief.
If it happens again, losing consciousness might not be the end of it.
“They weren’t named by me, but yes, they do have names. AMOW. Commonly known as Brynhildr.”
I think the name was given by her sister. They were both magical girls, but the sister has already retired and works at the Magic Bureau.
Originally, it didn’t have a proper name, but the sister posted a naming thread on Arongante’s thread and dropped a bombshell, eventually settling on this name.
Then, without permission, she changed Arongante’s profile, and it stuck.
This question has excited Akatsuki, Mika-chan, and Alice.
I understand why having a cool name for a weapon can be moving.
But that’s more of a boyish thought process, isn’t it?
“Thank you. Next, Marin, please go ahead.”
“Yes. This is less of a question and more of a message, but I’ve been asked by Arongante’s sister to remind her to eat properly and get enough rest if I see her.”
“Oh, that person… Please tell her I’ll handle it. Shall we begin moving soon?”
“Yes. Before that, let’s review today’s schedule.”
Considering I just learned about today’s plans yesterday from Prizes-sensei, it feels a bit late…
If I hadn’t heard about it, who knows what would have happened…
I owe Kaede my thanks.
Well, Prizes-sensei’s explanation isn’t particularly complicated.
We wait in the teleportation chamber at the academy for reports of A-Rank or S-Rank appearances, then move via teleportation.
Under the guidance of Arongante and Prizes-sensei, we decide whether to fight or observe.
Among the newcomers, there are those who can defeat A-Rank enemies alone, so there shouldn’t be many issues.
Now that I have my staff, unless a special monster appears, I shouldn’t lose to an average A-Rank or even a typical S-Rank enemy.
“Then, let’s move. Please follow quietly without causing a commotion.”
With that, Prizes-sensei’s explanation concluded, and we headed toward the teleportation chamber at the academy.
Let me prepare just in case.
It’s unbearable to leave a woman looking so exhausted, and who knows what my bad luck might attract.
So, I quietly approached from behind…
“Arongante-san, you seem tired. Would you like to recover?”
“Huh! Ah, you must be Inie. I’ve heard about you from Thalagong and Kaede. If you can help, could you please?”
“Understood. May peace soothe your spirit.”
Instead of healing physical wounds, I used a spell to rejuvenate her mentally.
The dark circles under Arongante’s eyes disappeared, and her slightly damaged hair regained its luster.
Hm. It seems I can heal mental fatigue as well, not just physical wounds.
Good, good.
“Phew, thank you very much. This is wonderful…”
“It’s inappropriate for someone who will be fighting today to be fatigued. Please take care of us today.”
“You’re quite mature despite your age. Thank you very much.”
She lightly bowed her head before stepping away from me.
One worry has been lifted.
(At events like these, something always seems to happen. Do you think it will this time?)
“This soon after encountering a witch, it’s best to stay vigilant.”
(I understand that, but the location where Arongante is scheduled to fight the monster is random, right?
Surely, we won’t run into an ambush or specially prepared monsters.)
“…Haruna. That’s what we call a flag.”
Oh…
After chatting for a few minutes with Demon, Mika-chan, and others, we arrived at the waiting room.
Considering I’m not officially part of any class, I rarely come here.
Instead of waiting, I usually transfer beforehand and wait on-site for the monster to appear.
Compared to the Tohoku Branch, this place is spacious, likely designed for use by all classes in the academy.
Or perhaps it’s intended as an emergency evacuation area?
Until we receive a notification, there’s nothing to do but wait here.
I grabbed a free drink from the vending machine and sat down casually.
I can see magical girls from other classes here and there, but we have time, so let’s relax while we wait.
“Hey, Inie.”
“What is it?”
I was contemplating blood regeneration magic and high-output spells when Mika-chan sat next to me and started talking.
“Is something wrong?”
“I don’t know how to put it, but my heart feels restless somehow.”
Ah, I see. So this is what Demon meant by a flag.
“This won’t be like last time. Arongante-san is here, so everything will be fine.”
“True, but I still feel uneasy.”
There was nothing we could have done about Lockwert’s abilities.
Once caught in a barrier, you’d need to win the fight to escape.
Last time, I suffered quite serious injuries, so I hope he doesn’t show up again anytime soon.
If they have access to something like Lockwert’s barrier, it would become quite troublesome…
Seeing her maintain such a gloomy expression made me want to comfort her a little…
…But how exactly do you comfort someone?
“If…”
“What is it?”
“Even if Arongante-san couldn’t handle it alone, I assure you I’m fully prepared this time, so please don’t worry.”
I extended my right arm forward and summoned my staff.
Though it hasn’t been long since I parted with it, having it back certainly brings peace of mind.
“After all that’s happened, I’m back to full strength, so I won’t embarrass myself like last time.”
“…Are you trying to comfort me?”
“…Yes.”
“Bu-fu!”
A brief silence fell between Mika-chan and me before Demon burst out laughing.
I get it; Demon knows I’m clumsy at this kind of thing.
No matter how far I go, my inner self remains male.
I have no idea how to handle women…
“That… thank you very much.”
“—I’ll go get a refill on my coffee.”
I dismissed the staff I had summoned and stood up to get another cup of coffee.
Sigh, just like with Marin, it’s clear I’m not cut out for things I’m not used to.
After getting a fresh cup of coffee, I returned to sit next to Mika-chan.
The bitter taste of the coffee seeped into my soul…
“Doesn’t Inie find black coffee too bitter?”
“Do you want to try? Once you get used to it, the bitterness is quite pleasant.”
Come to think of it, I’ve always drunk black coffee.
Back when I was in elementary school, my older sister forced me to drink it for the first time.
The first sip shocked me with its bitterness, and I spat it out, but the second sip revealed that the bitterness wasn’t so bad, and ever since then, I’ve stuck with black coffee.
“Um… Let me try a sip…”
After taking my cup, Mika-chan sipped the coffee, silently placed it back, and drank from her own orange juice.
“This is not fit for human consumption.”
Ah, right.
Well, black coffee is probably too strong for a 12-year-old girl…
Just as we were passing some more time like this, Prizes-sensei called us to gather.
It seems a monster has appeared.
Alright then, let’s head out!
