NOVEL WEB Chapter 22
The awakened magical girl was cornered.
My consciousness surfaces. Did I die? Or am I still alive?
“Hey, Haruna. You awake?”
(What happened after that?)
“The mission was a success. Including Haruna, there were no casualties. And, Haruna, there’s something I need to tell you.”
An announcement? For some reason, the tone of voice sounds familiar, and it gives me a bad feeling…
“First, about the body I had as Hazu Shiro… It’s gone now.”
(Hmm. Hmm? Eh, why!?)
Well, I was prepared to die during the M·D·W battle, so it’s not like I can just go back even though I survived…
M·D·W exploded, and I might have cheated a little? Anyway, since I survived, isn’t that good enough?
What exactly is good about this situation? Sure, it seems like I survived, but my original body is dead!
No… The more I think about it, the less there is anything good about it.
Anyway, I understand the announcement regarding the Demon. It was quite bad news, but right now, I want to know the current situation.
(I understand the announcement, but where am I? My body won’t move, and I don’t have the energy to open my eyes.)
“You’re currently in Kaede’s office guest room in the Fairy Realm. It’s been three days since then, and by the way, Jeanne healed all your injuries.”
Three days… Three days!? I forgot to pay the rent for my apartment. Last month, I also forgot because of work, so there wasn’t any backup plan… I’ll probably be locked out when I get back.
I can’t return to being male, I’ll be evicted from my home, and worse, I don’t even have a registered address anymore…
Since I can’t explain this to my landlord, I’ll have to give up on the things inside my house…
Though I do have money, it’s quite a predicament.
And Jeanne, wasn’t she ranked 8th as the Mad Healer? If she could heal me in such a state, the information on the official website must not be reliable. Healing three arms would have been impossible for her to heal me.
(I need to thank her later. But can I really not go back…)
“Well well. Since you survived, isn’t that great? Tomorrow awaits Haruna!”
With no home, my future looks as dark as ever.
For now, there’s nothing to do but rest until my body moves again.
(Gathering more information will only make me feel sick, so I’ll sleep some more. See you later.)
“Goodnight, Haruna. Sweet dreams.”
Are you telling me to have good dreams after revealing such nightmare-like truths?
For now, let’s rest.
Then, I awaken again.
This time, I can open my eyelids.
A white ceiling and white walls. I’m really not dead after all.
While staring blankly at the ceiling, I hear the sound of a door opening.
“In…nie?”
Is that Thalagong? I knew I was saved thanks to the Demon, but hearing their voice is reassuring.
“Good morning… if I may… say.”
My throat is dry, and my voice doesn’t come out properly. Though my head moves, it seems difficult to move my limbs for now…
Ah, it’s truly wonderful… The order was fulfilled.
Just as I was thinking about that, Thalagong hugged me tightly. Could you ease your grip a bit? It hurts.
“It’s really… really great!”
Thalagong’s tears wet the blanket. If only my hands could move, I’d like to pat them, but it’s not possible for now…
More importantly, I’m thirsty.
“Water… please.”
“Oh, sorry! Here you go.”
Being given water from a cup by Thalagong. Ahhh~ it feels revitalizing.
Still, it’s unfamiliar to be nursed by a woman.
“Thank you very much.”
“Don’t mention it. Actually, we’re the ones who should thank you. How are you feeling? Anywhere that hurts?”
Lifting my head, sitting up, moving my limbs… Ah, I can use healing magic.
“Gentle Recovery”
Hmm. The spell isn’t working perfectly, but there seem to be no major issues for now. By the way, what happened to my staff?
I sit up and lean against the backrest.
“I see, you can use recovery magic too.”
During the battle with M·D·W, after healing everyone before the start, I barely used it afterward. I limited myself to minimal hemostasis and regeneration, allocating all resources to attack.
“I apologize for causing trouble. Embarrassingly, I’ve returned alive.”
“Yes. Welcome back. Thanks to you, no one died.”
Thalagong’s teary smile is blinding. Despite everything, I made it back…
Though coming back brings its own set of problems piled up, it’s troubling.
“If you can move, Maple is here as well. Would you mind telling us what happened?”
Umm… Honestly, I don’t know myself what exactly happened. After the second form, I can only vaguely recall things. What exactly happened in the end, allowing me to survive?
“Hey, you’re awake already while I wasn’t looking. Thalagong’s here too.”
(Ah, Demon. They seem to want a report, but what should I do?)
“For now, it’s fine to say you don’t remember. I’ll fill in the details.”
(Understood.)
“It’s alright. The magic is working, so I can move.”
I stand up wearing the slippers placed under the bed, but something feels off.
Looking around lightly, I realize my clothes have changed from robes to patient wear.
Without a hood at the back of my head, I feel uneasy…
In the next room, Kaede was sitting doing some work. So this is Kaede’s office…
It has a clean design fitting of Kaede. Only the door feels oddly out of place, but why?
“You’ve awakened. How are you feeling?”
“I’ve caused trouble. At least I can move.”
I bow my head aiming for a 30-degree angle. Should I have acted more girlish due to waking up?
Maybe it’s because of the grogginess or lack of blood flow, but my head isn’t functioning properly.
“Please, take a seat on the sofa over there. Thalagong, could you bring tea and snacks?”
“Sure. Kaede prefers it hot, right? How about Inie?”
Inie? Oh, they’re shortening Inny Flowering. Thinking it was long, I’ll accept that suggestion.
“Please, lukewarm.”
“Got it. Please wait while sitting down.”
The sofa in the top-ranked person’s room is surprisingly comfortable. I want to lean against the backrest, but considering this person is somewhat like a superior, I should keep my back straight.
“Well then, could you tell me what happened?”
“At first, it’s fine to talk about it normally. After starting the operation and separating from Thalagong, I’ll handle the rest.”
(Understood.)
Considering the possibility that parts of the story might have leaked from the police officers present at that time, I should recount events in my favor without pushing it too far.
First, I speak about encountering a police officer during solo training in the park and unfortunately getting caught in the barrier.
Then joining forces with Star Nail within the barrier, rescuing civilians along the way, and meeting up with Thalagong.
Afterward, we encountered M·D·W.
At this point, Thalagong brought tea and snacks. Drinking water earlier helped, but talking makes my throat dry. I nibble on a biscuit to fill my stomach. The sweetness soothes my empty stomach.
“Is that so? Marin told me, but I heard you were quite battered by the time you joined forces. What happened before that?”
Ah, yes. The monsters along the way weren’t extremely strong, but rescuing people and Star Nail…
Not that I intend to defend them, but I dislike nitpicking about things that are over.
“Yeah. That part, the person involved gave testimony. Didn’t the report come through?”
“That’s true. Since I just got back, I haven’t confirmed everything yet.”
It seems like the story will proceed without me having to speak. Then, there’s no need for me to say anything.
“Conditionally, the story until meeting up with Thalagong ends here. Shall we continue with the tale of defeating M·D·W?”
“Yes. Ideally, I’d prefer to take a break beforehand, but I don’t have much time either… ”
Not just Japan, but traveling around the world is tough. Even with teleportation, it must be exhausting.
I also need to quickly consider my future plans and want to be free as soon as possible.
“Understood.”
(Alright, it’s up to you.)
“I understand. From after parting ways with Thalagong, I engaged with M·D·W, beginning the destruction of turrets and extermination of monsters.”
“There were video records up to that point, but afterward, the equipment seemed to malfunction, leaving it unclear how M·D·W was defeated.”
(Demon? It seems like videos were taken..?)
“Don’t worry. I’ve got it covered, and luckily, Haruna’s face didn’t appear, so you can relax.”
Ah, I see. I was surprised, but if it’s okay, that’s fine.
“After an arduous battle, midway through, my magic power ran out, and I received a direct hit from artillery fire, leaving me unable to move…”
That’s mostly accurate. At that moment, I was blown away and became even more battered.
A tense atmosphere fills the air. What excuse will the Demon use?
My right arm rises to near my chest under the Demon’s control.
“My ability allows me to use most kinds of magic as long as I follow the rules. So, I used a spell that enables the substitution of magic power.”
“Could it be you…?”
“When my magic power was depleted, I realized I wouldn’t survive to complete the operation…”
Gently, the arm presses against my chest. Looking down at Thalagong and the serious gaze of Kaede feels somewhat intimidating.
“Afterward, I continued fighting by sacrificing my life force.”
Speaking of which, I consumed both my soul and body as fuel for magic, so why am I still alive?
Could it be related to the disappearance of my original body?
“After destroying all the turrets and eliminating all the monsters, I vaguely remember using that enormous magic circle… ”
“The fairies in the analysis team were excited and noisy about it…”
Using myself as the core, I sacrificed my existence to activate the magic. Doing that finally defeated M·D·W—whether it proves how powerful M·D·W was or how weak I was remains uncertain…
One thing is certain: this was not a monster meant for rookie magical girls to deal with.
“That was a spell fueled by my very existence. Therefore, even I don’t understand why I’m still alive.”
I’m omitting the most crucial parts and haven’t mentioned the second form. As for the final details, I’ll ask the Demon later since I want to know.
“I see. Although, honestly, claiming to have defeated it by sacrificing my life force isn’t convincing. There were issues with both the fuel and output, after all.”
Since they saw the initial battle footage, I couldn’t fudge those parts.
“Although I’m somewhat vague, I remember destroying all the turrets and eliminating all the monsters afterward.”
“That giant magic circle, right? The fairy analysts were buzzing with excitement…”
Since the magic used me as the core and sacrificed my existence, it took that much effort to defeat M·D·W—whether it shows how powerful M·D·W was or how weak I was remains uncertain…
One thing’s for sure: this was not a monster rookies like me should have dealt with.
“That was a spell powered by my very existence. Hence, even I don’t understand why I’m still alive.”
I’m covering up the most important parts and haven’t mentioned the second form. As for the final details, I’ll ask the Demon later since I want to know them myself.
“Understood. Much about magic and magical power remains unexplained, and above all, your survival is indeed a joyous matter.”
“Really, I’m so sorry… I… I should have done something…”
Thalagong starts crying again. I somewhat understand her feelings, but I’d rather not see women cry. Moreover, there’s no way I can come up with something clever to say…
“Thalagong, I’ve returned, but the operation isn’t over yet. Give me my final orders.”
Thalagong stops crying in surprise and smiles faintly.
“Fufu. You always do this… Inny Flowering, the operation was successful. Including you, not a single person was lost. So, please rest for now. Thank you so much.”
That concludes Thalagong’s orders.
“This matter will remain confidential to this room for now. Also, Inny Flowering is currently considered deceased.”
“Eh? A lot of people saw me carrying this child here…”
Oh? Things are taking a strange turn?
“No one would recognize that red-black lump as anyone specific. Additionally, the information coming in indicates that Inny Flowering is dead, leaving us in a bit of a predicament.”
“I also didn’t tell anyone I saved Innie… What should we do?”
What should we really do? While I’m not planning to quit being a magical girl, losing my registration is troublesome.
“Once the observation period for Inny Flowering concludes, would you consider starting anew?”
(What does that mean?)
Glancing at Kaede tilting her head, Kaede takes out a terminal and projects a hologram.
“Shall we erase Inny Flowering’s activity records and start afresh as a rookie magical girl?”
Magical Girl Academy Japan Branch? Are you asking me to go to school now?
“You don’t have parents or a permanent residence, do you?”
It’s a bit awkward to say I became homeless just now, and if I can’t return to being male, my registration will be problematic…
Let’s just be honest for now.
“I don’t have parents or a home.”
Please stop with those pained eyes again. This time, it’s affecting me too.
“Don’t worry about tuition fees; I’ll cover them. Regarding housing, the academy has dormitories. How about that?”
“You can also come to my home. I’m rarely there, but if you don’t have anyone to rely on, you could become my adopted child or sister?”
Deciding between living with Thalagong or spending time in the dormitory with other girls…
(Inquiline Demon. What should I do?)
“If it comes to that, you can live without registration here, but it’ll cause problems later. How about becoming Thalagong’s adoptive child and living in the dormitory?”
Becoming Thalagong’s adopted child feels like stepping into a hellish future…
If I choose none, I’ll be homeless and lose my registration. Attending the academy buys me some time…
After much deliberation, I decided to become Thalagong’s younger sister. Until the academy’s preparations are complete, I’ll stay at Thalagong’s house, and afterward, I’ll live in the dormitory.
All my activity records as Inny Flowering will be completely erased, and I’ll restart from scratch.
As agreed during the tea party, I’m still prohibited from dealing with minor enemies, and I should help rescue other magical girls whenever possible.
Keeping my name unchanged feels rather sloppy or casual…
I’ll spend the night in the guest room for now, and after Jeanne checks me, if everything’s fine, I’ll head directly to Thalagong’s house.
Am I really stuck with Thalagong? I miss Glint…