A month had passed.
During that time, the school had gone on vacation, and the world was in the grip of a heatwave.
“Too hot…”
I stepped outside, fanning myself continuously to cool down from the sweat.
“Just talking at some café would’ve been fine…”
While I understood it was unavoidable, there was nothing I could do about the heat. I just don’t like being hot.
My clothes are all sticky with sweat… Ah, I envy Noah, who can stay comfortably indoors.
While I was complaining, a man approached me.
“It’s been a while since we last met.”
“Ah, Manager Yoo.”
The man with his hair slicked back was none other than Yoo Daeri, the handler for the magical girls team.
“Are you doing alright?”
“Huh?”
“You look tired.”
“Ah… Yeah… Sort of…”
Of course, I would be.
“…We apologize for Miss Naoh’s situation.”
“Huh? No, don’t worry about it—”
“How could we not worry? It’s truly regrettable that we’ve caused so much concern for her guardian.”
Today had started early again with a battle against the magical girls.
But I couldn’t tell him that, so I just nodded silently.
“Miss Naoh—Iris—has appeared several times.”
“Is that so…”
“Yes, we attempted to capture her, but it wasn’t easy. Still…”
Yoo Daeri clenched his fist tightly.
“Our magical girls are getting stronger every day.”
“That’s good news.”
Yeah, naturally they should.
Someone’s been personally pushing them hard.
Over the past month, Iris and I have taken turns dealing with the magical girls.
To the point where onlookers might close their eyes at the sheer brutality of it.
“It’s incomparable to before.”
On top of that, they’ve intensified their efforts in exterminating demons, absorbing plenty of essence.
“We’ll rescue Miss Naoh as soon as possible.”
Yoo Daeri said this with an apologetic expression.
He probably feels responsible.
After all, a high school student has been missing for a month after being kidnapped by a villain. Not only is he likely feeling sorry, but the pressure from higher-ups must be intense too.
Thinking about it made me feel somewhat apologetic.
They have no idea this is all staged.
‘The higher-ups suffering a bit does feel satisfying though.’
And someday, I need to find a way to take these guys down a notch.
‘Focus on Rust first. And…’
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Huh? Oh, no. I was just wondering how everyone is doing.”
“They do seem tired, but they’re fine. Everyone’s working together well.”
I nodded.
Let’s resolve the issue with Iris and the others first.
Rust will appear during the last week of summer vacation…
“…Next week.”
Without fail, they’ll show up next week. This is the final chance, regardless of the outcome.
If I fail this time, I’m planning to send Noah back. Whether their pride gets hurt or not doesn’t matter.
“Are you okay?”
“…Ah, yes. Just a bit tired.”
“Go inside and rest. We’ve said everything we needed to from the Association.”
Yoo Daeri continued to look apologetic as he spoke. Yeah, he’s just another errand boy for the organization.
As I thought about finding a way to shake things up at the Association one day, I headed back to my quarters.
I plan to prepare Noah and send him out at dawn tomorrow.
I wonder if I’ll get Noah back today.
‘Come on, give it your best shot already.’
…
…
…
…
…
…
“Noah.”
“Yes?”
“Do you think you can win?”
At my question, Noah paused briefly.
After pondering for a moment, he responded.
“To be honest…it might be tough.”
“I see.”
“That group has grown incredibly strong over the past month. They almost seem like different people compared to before.”
I agreed.
“It might be getting harder to handle them alone.”
“Will we fight together?”
“No. This time, Noah will go alone.”
Noah nodded.
“Understood. I’ll meet your expectations, Master.”
With a rumbling sound, Noah transformed into Iris.
“Then, I’ll be back shortly.”
Just as Iris was about to fly off, she hesitated momentarily, glancing back at me with a pleading look.
I reached out to ruffle her hair—
“Not now.”
“…Huh?”
“I’ll praise you a lot if you win. Got it?”
“…Yes!”
I retracted my hand.
If you win, I’ll praise you—after saying that—
“Alright, I’m off!”
“Yeah, be careful.”
Whoosh! Iris flew away.
“…Sigh.”
“Why are you sighing?”
“Soon, I need to undo the hypnosis.”
“Even if you undo it, it’ll probably be similar, won’t it?”
“…Don’t make me anxious.”
+++++
…
Yoo Yul—Blackheart—closed her eyes and lost herself in thought.
“Blackheart, are you ready?”
“Sister Stella.”
“Thinking too much isn’t good either.”
“That might be true…but still…ugh, it’s hard.”
Stella stretched her sore body.
“As always, let’s do our best.”
When we reflect on what trials we’ve faced until now—it feels like we’ve been running rampant everywhere.
“Our team now is different from how we were a month ago.”
“Sister Natalie too…”
“But we’re not taking it lying down like we used to anymore.”
Blackheart nodded at her words.
That’s right, it’s true.
What kind of life have we lived over the past month?
Crushed by the Kraken’s tentacles, fighting demons day and night without rest.
Though Iris may not expect us to catch up to her level so quickly after seeing her do this almost daily…
“Still, Iris is alone, and we’re three.”
“…Yeah, it takes all three of us to barely match her.”
Still, this much progress is commendable.
Compared to when we were getting trounced even as a trio.
“…She’s coming.”
Blackheart slowly opened her eyes.
It was a familiar yet ominous magical energy. Her body remembered getting beaten by that power.
Yet Blackheart didn’t entertain any thoughts of fleeing.
“…Hello.”
“Iris.”
“You guys don’t seem to tire, huh?”
“Yeah…well, we could keep going all day if we had to.”
She gripped her magic sword once more with her battered hands.
The other magical girls were the same. Each one released their magic, glaring at Iris.
“I’m sorry.”
“…Huh?”
“I’m sorry, Iris. For running away from you that day.”
Among them, Blackheart stood at the forefront.
The girl summoned dark magic and pointed her sword.
“So, I’ll definitely bring you back to your senses.”
“…”
“And afterward, I’ll sincerely apologize for running away.”
“Alright, I’ll accept that.”
BOOM!
“If that’s possible.”
Iris unleashed her magic. It felt like the area around her grew unusually darker.
Even so, Blackheart showed no intention of backing down.
“A single snake.”
Iris saw red eyes staring at her from within the black mist.
Eyes like those of a predator hunting its prey—sharp and terrifying.
“…Gah!”
Iris shattered the eye with a starlight punch, but…
More eyes sprouted from the broken pieces.
One, then another. In the blink of an eye, countless eyes pierced through Iris.
It was chilling.
“…Tch!”
Iris began to waver.
Had it only been a month since that girl fled with her tail between her legs? And in such a short time, she had grown this much?
However,
‘That applies to me too.’
Iris had pushed herself just as harshly.
“…Explode!”
An immense magical force erupted.
Shattered and scattered.
The crimson eyes.
Like stained glass, the ruby shards crumbled into the air.
“Alright, let’s go all out now. Sisters, cover me.”
“Got it.”
“Leave it to us.”
Starlight blossomed from the fingertips of the young warriors.
Iris, observing this, also lit up her own starlight.
Their starlights clashed and distorted, creating a sea of stars.
“What a magnificent sight.”
And someone watching this spectacle…
“Now it’s finally worth watching.”
Shin Hyun observed with satisfaction.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The deafening explosions wouldn’t stop.
The clash of Blackheart’s sword and Iris’ fists.
“I’ll pray for you.”
Natalia’s buffs.
“Leave the support fire to me.”
Stella’s gunfire.
Catching the Star Arrow, but that was merely bait. Creating openings for Blackheart to attack.
It was an excellent combination. They guarded each other’s weaknesses while targeting their opponent’s vulnerabilities.
Each role was perfectly assigned, leaving almost no gaps visible.
‘Still, ignorance leads to punishment.’
Memories of the past surfaced.
Unfolding tentacles to create a barrage of attacks, occasionally using shadows for ambushes.
Countless battles that felt like turning into mummies as a result.
“Black Star!”
“Gahh!?”
SHRIEK!
Amidst the sea of stars, a particularly dark star appeared. It grew larger, losing its form, and collapsed.
Soon, it transformed into a black hole, pulling Iris toward it.
“Got you.”
“…!”
“Sorry, sister. This time, I’ll definitely hold on to you.”
It swallowed Iris’ starlight.
“…Impressive.”
It was a very satisfying outcome.
The girls had grown wonderfully.
But,
“This isn’t the end.”
Iris slowly got back up.
“…If I win this…Master said he’d praise me…”
Muttering those words slowly,
“Don’t interfere.”
Her starlight began to glow again.
‘Really…’
Noah, hungry for praise.
