The Girl Who Hacked The Magic System

"Master? Who is that master you're talking about?"

"If you're too stupid to infer that by yourself, then you don't deserve to hear the answer."

The first guy who appeared launches himself towards Yaci as he answers her question, but she deftly dodges him.

He quickly regains his balance and chases after her, his hands transformed into huge claws. He strikes over and over again, aiming for Yaci's vital points.

She parries his attacks with her spear while looking for an opening to strike back. But all she is able to see is the blur of his claws coming and going.

This is not looking good.

"Can I at least know your name?"

"Oh, there's no need, foxy lady. After tonight, you'll only call me 'Master,' after all."

"In your dreams."

:::

The second one unsheathes his sword and goes straight for Ingela.

This is it. This is a real battle against a real opponent. He's coming with a sword, so I...

Before she can even decide her course of action, she sees a flash of light and feels a sharp pain on her chest.

Looking down, it's possible to see a dark red liquid soaking her clothes.

"Huh. I thought that you would be more fun to play with."

Ugh... this pain... Did he cut me? Damn. DAMN!!! I can't die here. I can't. Not like this. This is too stupid. So stupid. I'm so stupid. AAAAAAARGH!

A burst of emotions and anger rushes through her body and mind, coalescing into the form of an aria she had trained so many times before.

Only then does her mind click on the movements repeated over and over again during her training, bringing it all forth.

"DIE!!!!!"

A huge ball of soaring heat forms in front of her and envelops her adversary.

His screams aren't heard by anyone, as Ingela sealed the space around him. No sound, heat, light, or anything can exit or enter that bubble, where an inferno rages.

:::

This is so different from fighting monsters... His attack patterns are methodical and flexible at the same time.

"So this is what fighting a human is like..."

"I'm sorry for bursting your bubble, foxy, but I'm not human."

"Whatever."

Yaci takes a step forward and ups her tempo, forcing the guy to back a step. As she adapts her footwork, she takes the initiative, and soon he's the one being hard-pressed to parry her attacks.

After a couple of jabs that almost hit him, he jumps forward with open arms, and Yaci easily impales his abdomen.

"What the hell? Do you want so much to die?"

"I'm already dead... and soon you'll be as well."

He forces himself forward, closing the distance as the spear trespasses his body, technically rendering it useless.

Tsk.

Yaci releases one hand of the spear and unsheathes her shortsword that is at her hip, chopping his head off in one swift motion.

"It's always good to have at least one spare weapon."

His body drops to the floor, lifeless, so Yaci finally looks around.

:::

Ingela is unconscious in Lovelace's arms as she heals her.

There is the body of one of the guys neatly slashed in half from the head down on the floor. Near him, the only thing that remains of the other is a pile of ashes.

"What happened?"

"She probably hesitated, so the guy managed to land a hit on her, and then she overdid it and spent too much mana at once."

"It was her first experience of real-life combat, right? It seems to have been a valuable lesson."

"How did it go on your side?"

"Oh, it was weird fighting a human in real combat. But he said something about not being a human, so I don't know."

"They are vampires. Spawn of Martius."

"Oh, so he's the master they were talking about. It seems that if we don't clean this, it will become a huge problem for the whole city."

"Yes, indeed. He has had too much free rein within the city, and now we have a whole den of vampires and possibly even worse stuff."

"Worse? Demon stuff?"

"Yes."

"H-huh? We'll have to fight demons?"

"Oh, you woke up, sleeping beauty."

"I'm sorry, Lovelace. I didn't pay enough attention. Thank you for patching me."

"How are you feeling, Ingela?"

Ingela slowly sits up and tries to rise to her feet, but Lovelace stops her.

"You lost too much blood. If you stand too fast, you'll black out again. Go slowly."

"Okay. Thanks."

Yaci helps her to her feet, giving her support so she doesn't fall back again. Their gazes meet for an instant, but Ingela quickly looks to the other side.

"Th-thank you, Yaci. I'm well."

"You sure?"

"Y-yes. I'm okay. Anyway, I'm sorry, you two. I let my guard down."

"It's okay. Let's keep going."

Lovelace walks as she speaks, following towards the door that leads further into the complex.

"I just wonder how big this whole thing is."

"Wait, Lovelace. Are you hearing that?"

"The chant? Yes, it started halfway through our fight. It seems to be a summoning spell. I'm surprised you can hear it, as it's so faint, Yaci."

"Hehe. We fox beastkin have great hearing."

"I don't hear anything. You two are awesome."

"You're awesome too, Ingela. You're the one who reduced that other guy to dust, right?"

"Yeah... but that wasn't anything impressive, Yaci. Just a little spell I developed..."

Lovelace heads back from the door until she stands in front of Ingela.

"That was anything but not impressive, Ingela. You took the magic school Aurea just invented, mixed it with your own element, and developed a spell so powerful that it reduced a vampire to dust in a matter of seconds. If that's not impressive, I don't know what would be."

"But I still got hurt... and I spent too much mana."

"I agree that in the context of the combat and enemies it wasn't the best strategic choice, BUT the mere fact that you're able to do it is impressive. Don't sell yourself short."

Lovelace then turns her back on Ingela and heads to the door again.

"Enough chatting. We have a vampire to slay."