The Magical Girl’s Journey ~It Seems the TS Magical Girl Has Bad Luck~

Magical Girl. Challenging the tutorial battle.

Glint’s “Lind” was spectacular.

The shine of glossy white armor. The motions of switching each weapon.

There’s nothing quite like it to stir the heart of a man. But, with my excitement running high, I ended up tuning out Thalagong’s “Let’s fight!”

As a result, I found myself ranked 5th among Magical Girls, set to battle in a simulation against Explosia, also known as Magical Girl Taragon.

(Akuma, please provide information.)

“It’s completely your own fault, you know. Sure, that mech caught your eye, but to give such a half-hearted reply…”

(I’m a boy, so it can’t be helped, right?)

Akuma had been concerned about this place and Kaede, but ever since I was told about the rewards, all I could think about was “Lind.”

There’s also a similar magical girl ranked 9th, but her equipment is more like a powered suit than a robot.

Sure, it has its appeal, but I prefer the real deal when it comes to robots.

(Later, I’ll buy something to cheer you up.)

“Well, whatever. Taragon specializes in explosive abilities and is a magical girl focused on firepower. She can also create bombs and is strong in close combat, so she’s without flaw at both long and short range.”

I’d like to say I’ll win, but there’s too much difference in skill and experience. Though she’s an adult inside, her experience doesn’t go beyond a month.

“So, we’re heading towards the simulator, but are you really going to fight? Not to be rude, but Taragon is dangerous,” said Glint, who had become unusually kind after being informed I was a fan. However, breaking a promise once made is unacceptable no matter the situation.

“I’m fine. There’s no problem.”

My face isn’t visible to those around me due to the hood covering it again, but I’m sure I have a smirk on my face.

Though I’ve been encouraged to aim for the top rankers, their strength hasn’t fully clicked with me yet.

If I can fight a top-ranked opponent without any disadvantages, it would be ideal.

“Probably, your opponent will hold back somewhat, but it would be interesting if you could win anyway.”

(At any time, defeating someone ranked higher is popular.)

It wasn’t far from the tea party venue to the location of the simulator—just a few minutes’ walk. Along the way, I drew strange looks from fairies and other magical girls we passed, but that’s to be expected. Anyone hiding their face while hanging out with a celebrity would attract attention.

“This one here is ours. It allows us to fight with non-disclosure settings, so anything goes.”

“That thing looks bulkier and has better performance than the one at the training facility,” Glint commented.

(I only know the headgear type, but this thing resembles a cocoon.)

In the room we were led to, there were countless cocoon-like objects and cluttered control panels everywhere.

In the waiting room, three large monitors were installed so we could watch the simulated battle taking place.

“The setting is deathmatch, pain sensation remains unchanged, and the location is random, so do your best.”

Before I realized it, I was pulled by Taragon and laid down in a cocoon, where I was informed of the rules.

“Just to add, this cocoon sends your spiritual body into a space akin to a barrier. It’s fairy magic, so it will hurt like hell if you die, but you won’t actually die, so don’t worry.”

I’m not sure what exactly I should feel reassured about, but if I can’t die, then I can experiment freely. After all, it’s bound to be a losing battle, so I might as well enjoy it.

Glancing at Kaede and Glint, I waved and adjusted my hood deeper over my face. As I felt a dark transition akin to when Akuma uses teleportation, I suddenly found myself standing in a vast wilderness.

I lightly moved my body to check. It feels entirely different from using the headgear; it’s just like having my physical body here. Scratching my cheek slightly caused some pain.

“A reaction confirmed about 200 meters ahead. First move wins,” came a voice.

Surprisingly, Akuma was here too. Narrowing my eyes, I looked toward Thalagong. I faintly saw a figure, and if I can take the first move now, let’s go for it.

Switching my mindset, I readied my staff.

Alright, let’s make a splash.

“O flames, pierce through!”

I fired about five spears of fire, but they all exploded midway.

“Magic countered by annihilation. Even if delayed, it was easily scattered.”

So that’s Thalagong’s explosion ability. Simple, but incredibly troublesome.

“Wind, fly forth!”

As I prepared to cast another spell, I sensed something amiss ahead and quickly launched myself into the air. At that moment, a dynamite-like explosion occurred where I had been standing.

“You’d be out in one hit if that got you.”

(This was probably just a probing attack.)

With a loud explosion, she charges forward. Since there’s still some distance between us, I use a non-fire spell for my next move.

“Break and shatter!”

“You’re trying, aren’t you? But that’s too weak!”

Creating a large crack in the ground centered around Thalagong, she jumps to avoid it and heads toward me.

But that’s all within my expectations.

Rather, it’s more convenient if she flies into the air.

“Rage, O ice! Roar, O wind!”

From the surface, I send a barrage of icy gravel toward Thalagong, but she jumps to dodge and comes straight at me.

“One shot first. Don’t worry, you won’t die! Explode already!”

I was struck in the abdomen as if being ripped apart and flung into the sky.

Blood came out of my mouth, but it’s better than having my insides spilling out.

“Heal!”

This takes care of things for now, but thanks to her throwing me up here, I can put this to good use next.

Cutting off the magic used to fly, I follow the inertia and fall into the fissure.

“O flames, confuse!”

An adapted version of “O flames, dance!” to extend the time it takes for Thalagong to counterattack. While it likely won’t cause damage, it serves perfectly as interference.

While falling upside down, I meet Thalagong’s gaze.

Her eyes seem excited about what I’ll do next, but to distort that expression, I activate my trump card.

“In the name of my identity, let the breath of life end!”

Starting from the magic I sent skyward, I generate a block of ice so vast its edges can’t be seen.

Thalagong sees the ice appearing in the sky and ignores all other ongoing spells, charging directly at me.

Her face appears somewhat flustered.

Falling straight into the fissure and the massive ice covering the sky.

The battle between magicians may be crude, but it’s part of the charm.

“O rocks, close!”

“Idiot!” With that shout, Thalagong continues chasing me as I sink into the fissure. When the fissure closes, I feel vibrations and thunderous sounds even though I’m buried underground.

(Well, I’m not ending it here.)

“O world, rise!”

Starting from beneath my feet, I cause a wide area of the ground to rise. Piercing through the surface, it extends about 20 meters, and in my line of sight, Thalagong appears.

“That was a bit nerve-wracking. Good magic.”

Breaking explosions into smaller bursts mid-air, huh? That’s impressive.

“I’ll finish it next time.”

She’s a little dirty but completely unharmed… How did she handle that earlier?

“Then, I’ll step up my game too.”

With those words, Thalagong’s hair gleamed brighter, and the surrounding temperature rose. Unlike before, I could clearly sense a genuine intent to kill.

Even though I’m still new at this, isn’t that a bit excessive?

(I don’t like pain, but does she have to wrap herself in it?)

“Don’t push yourself too hard even though you won’t die.”

(If I die instantly, there’s no point in pushing or anything.)

“Come on, go wild!”

“O lightning, surround me. Swift wind, show me the way!”

By layering two support spells that reduce power, I gain a decent speed. As I escape from the spot, explosions follow in pursuit, but I zigzag through the air to evade them.

However, the number of explosions coming from behind keeps increasing, gradually cornering me.

No matter how I run around recklessly, I’ll be swallowed by the explosions if I keep this up.

I’ve managed to put some distance between myself and Thalagong, but it’s like pouring water on hot stones. Looks like I need to make the first move…

I still have plenty of magical energy left, so water would be the counter to fire for now…

“Water bullets, strike as desired!”

I fire off a large number of water spheres encircling Thalagong.

Each hit would likely break bones…

(No, come to think of it, wasn’t that clever?)

“All those water games won’t defeat me! If you’re going to fight, do it with everything you’ve got!”

Tracing back, explosions are essentially heat, so tricks like that are possible, right?

All the water bullets evaporated before hitting.

No matter how many I shoot, they’ll all turn into steam.

“Such water play won’t defeat me! Come at me with all you’ve got!”

A B-rank level spell would easily take her down, but for top-ranked individuals, it’s probably just child’s play…

That’s great. Battles truly make the heart race.

It feels pleasant as my lips naturally curve upward. Though I harbor hatred only for magical girls, let’s forget all that for now.

“Freeze and pierce. Fulfill my will!”

Summoning giant icicles from above, I buy some time.

Initially aiming to create distance, I adjust the trajectory to target above Thalagong’s head.

Looks like she can’t melt the ice spears completely.

Though it’s not absolute zero, solidifying them was worth the effort.

Now, I subtly correct the landing position of the ice while rushing forward at full speed.

“Something feels off. Annoying, but let’s end this. Explode!”

Catching a faint sound of her saying something, intense heat and pain travel from my left arm.

“Left arm explosion. Treat it before the bleeding gets worse!”

(Goddamn, it hurts, but I can still endure.)

“Wounds, close!”

Compared to ones I’ve taken in the past, this isn’t enough to scream about.

Instead of regeneration, I focus on stopping the bleeding. It’s fortunate that the arm holding my staff wasn’t blown off.

Moreover, because I took a direct hit, I can vaguely sense the fluctuation of magical energy before an explosion.

While avoiding direct explosions aimed at my body, I rush toward the designated position.

Some shots graze me, but I limit recovery to prepare for the next spell.

On the way, my hood disappears, and my hair flutters wildly in the wind.

My white robe is stained with soot and blood.

But preparations are almost complete.

The preliminary work of ice spears embedded in the ground is fine.

The explosions being unleashed are quite tough, but Thalagong is also being restrained by my spells.

“I thought this before, but you’re really good at connecting one spell to another.”

(I used to work as a designer and engineer, so assembling and combining things is my forte.)

Though my left leg was blown off at the last moment, I managed to reach the designated position.

Alright, can I endure this time?

“In the name of the master of magic, I command!”

Starting from the ice spears stuck in the ground, magical circles form.

“By the terms of the contract, unleash the power within you!”

The light overflowing from the tips of the ice spears begins gathering into the staff I hold.

Due to resource constraints, I stop the portion of magic I was directing at Thalagong, and I see her charging toward me at high speed.

But, I believe our magic will connect just in time.

Using the preliminary setup and remnants of my previous spells, I cut 80% of the incantation. Protective spells to mitigate damage have also been deployed.

“Vanish into the void beyond. Divine Strike!”

From the magical circle formed at the tip of my staff, a thick beam of light resembling thunder is released with a thunderous roar.

I can feel resistance, which means Thalagong is countering with some ability.

“Magic power reduced to 40%. Also, the bleeding is pretty bad.”

(Of course, I know that! I’m enduring excruciating pain here!)

Even with resources allocated to defense, the power of this compared to the initial sound is over ten times stronger. And yet, she’s blocking it as if it’s normal. Magical girls are crazy.

(So even then, I don’t want to lose. I’m technically a boy after all!)

Due to the resources allocated to Divine Strike, I can’t cast any more spells. But since I won’t die anyway, it’s fine to venture beyond my limits.

“O deep abyss of demonic power!”

Suppressing the headache akin to boiling with sheer willpower, I fix my crimson-tinged vision on where Thalagong should be.

“Bright radiance of the heavens, destroy those who oppose!”

“Perhaps you should give up and admit defeat,” Akuma suggests.

Physically, several limbs have been blown off, and my current state includes a missing leg due to blood loss. Consciousness is fading due to blood loss.

Still, I’m enjoying myself immensely right now.

No, a fleeting distraction crept in. Anyway, if this doesn’t work, it’s literally over.

(Literally, this is the final blow. I’ll accept defeat if this doesn’t work.)

“Perish alongside the stars!”

Adding another spell to Divine Strike, I compress the energy cannon and trigger an explosion. Without creating a wall, I get caught in the blast and am thrown back, but it can’t be helped.

(My body won’t move like last time…)

“My remaining magic power is zero. Since I’ve used everything, including what was reserved for stopping the bleeding, I’ll bleed out if this continues. My magic won’t help either, so I don’t know what happened to Taragon.”

Consuming a massive amount of magic at once, the consciousness I barely maintained fades into darkness. Unable to confirm whether I defeated Taragon, I lost consciousness upon receiving the death verdict.

“Are you alive?”

Suddenly transported back from the apocalyptic wasteland, it seems I’ve returned to the cocoon.

“You’ve got a nosebleed, so wipe it off.”

(Somehow, I’m not feeling the pain from before, but my body feels heavy, like after enduring a sauna to the limit.)

“Even in a simulation, your magic reserves were depleted. It couldn’t be helped.”

Getting out of the cocoon with a “yoink,” I head toward the waiting room where Glint and the others are.

The sliding door opens, and I enter the waiting room.

There, Taragon sits in seiza, being scolded by the other three.

What kind of face should I make in a situation like this?

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