Magical Girl: Human Rebellion

I squeezed Shin’s hand as we entered the room, and by how tightly he squeezed back I could tell we were thinking the same thing: this situation was already worse than we had anticipated.

The last time we had met these two demons, they incapacitated all four of us without even attacking. Their level of power was orders of magnitude greater than ours the first time round. I had my doubts that we had closed that gap enough to stand a chance in head-on combat.

“Fear not, humans. We will not be using mental attacks today. The Lord Baal Zebul has forbayed them, on account of the fragility of the human mind.” As if seeing right though us, Maxwell spoke those words to the silent four of us.

“Does that mean you’re not planning to kill us?” Asked Saki.

“Not exactly. You will face three challenges. Each will result in the death of the losing party. However, our Lord Below has instructed us to operate with fairness and consideration for the human condition. As such, we will not be fighting you to our fullest extent,” explained the demon.

I heard Shin breathe a quiet sigh of relief, though I personally felt it to be a hollow victory. If our enemies had to neuter their own abilities just to give us a fighting chance, this war was likely over before it started. I saw no way forward other than a desperate plea for mercy upon reaching the audience of Baal Zebul.

“As for the trial itself, it is up to our discretion. Though now that I’ve had a chance to look upon you all, I believe I’ve already decided what I wish to test. Or rather, to whom I will administer said test.” It was Laplace that spoke next, his voice no less grating than his partner’s. Anticipating a difficult trial for whoever was chosen, I used my analysis to search for weaknesses to exploit, and in turn I immediately figured out who it was that Laplace wanted to test. “You there. Step forth and face me.”

The hideous demon extended his bony hand and pointed his decrepit finger at his chosen target: me.

“Mai? What do you want with her?” Shin went to take a step forward in my defence, but I extended an arm to keep him back.

“I know why it is he wants me, Shin,” I said to my angered fiancé. “It’s because he and I share the same exact power.”

Yes, the thing that analysis had revealed to me: my 「Claivoyant」and Laplace’s 「Akuma」were dead ringers for one another.

Knowing that denying the challenge wasn’t an option, I stepped forward to face Laplace directly.

“Your body is weak, but your mind is sharp. There are yet hidden depths you have yet to discover, human.”

“Should I take that as a compliment?”

“Take it as a challenge. This shall be your trial: face me in combat. If you find the depths of your power, you will be able to defeat me. If you fail to do so, I will eventually wear you down and defeat you. Only by unlocking your hidden power will you complete this trial.”

Hidden power… he was talking about the third level that was supposedly possible to obtain for all magical girls. Though not exhaustive, my analysis of Laplace yielded no such result: demons must have been unable to develop the same final stage as magical girls. That was my sole advantage, and my only possible win condition.

Among the 300 members of Hana’s sisterhood, only three had ever reached the final level. In fact, they were the three waiting at the entrance: a truly exceptional group in every sense of the word. Was it possible for me to force my own growth in a single match? I didn’t have enough data to compare and draw a reliable conclusion.

That being said, both Nao and Shin had awakened too. If my theory about their awakenings was correct, forcing my own could be possible.

Not probable. Not even reasonable. But possible.

“Will I be allowed to use my own weapon?”

“I would implore you to do so.”

“In that case, I accept your challenge. Let’s get down to business.”

***

The hall we had been received in was enormous, easily large enough to host hundreds of people. Now, though, it was being used as a colosseum.

Behind me stood my Fiancé and two best friends, their lives entirely in my hands. The weight on my chest grew heavier and heavier as I thought of the responsibility thrust upon me, but if my theory was correct then this could actually benefit me.

Across from me stood my foe, a demon standing at more than a full metre taller than me. I didn’t need magical analyses to tell that I was outmatched in raw strength and skill: he simply exuded the aura of a battle hardened veteran.

Behind him stood his partner, the demon Maxwell, who had begrudgingly accepted Laplace’s choice of trial.

And there stood I, practically dead centre of the hall, rapier in hand and sweat dripping down my face.

Even if I could take an educated guess, I had no concrete answer as to what caused the awakening of a third level. It was essentially a coin flip as to whether I would pass this challenge. And if that coin happened to land on tails, the lives of my three favourite people in the world would be forfeit.

Fate was cruel. My only chance at survival was to be crueller.

“Human challenger, are your prepared?”

“I’m ready.”

“Then I hereby declare the match begun. Do not disappoint me.”