Golden Hour Inferno: Snow White's Debut
Sunset. It was that time of evening when most people at the company had clocked out, and the students heading to academies were the only ones still out and about—everyone else kicking back at home. In Japan, they call it the golden hour. The time slot from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. when TV ratings peak. Sure, smartphones have tanked those numbers lately, but it's still a solid benchmark. What do people watch on their phones anyway? Video platforms and live streams, obviously. In a world where magical girls exist, that golden hour is also when attention is most laser-focused. Which is exactly why I'd been avoiding mornings until now.
"Kyao!!!!!"
"Fire!!!!"
Thankfully, the wait paid off. Just as I was starting to get antsy, I sighed in relief and warped a few nearby civilians to the shelter.
"A magic beast with a great matchup showed up."
I eyed the beast spewing gorgeous flames from its mouth. It looked like a mini Godzilla from the movies, but at least it wasn't a kaijin. No sign of speech, just rampaging around, torching buildings and hunting people.
"You want me to fight that...?"
Snow White pointed a shaky finger at it, her voice trembling as she asked me.
"Kyao!!!!"
Its roar screamed I'm dangerous, back off.
D-rank magic beast. She gonna be okay?
Hmm.
D-rank. Unlike F or E-ranks that just slaughter livestock or people, these start causing serious civilian damage.
"Actually, this is perfect."
Of course, for our current goal, it was ideal.
"Huh?!"
Obviously, snagging a high-rank beast on debut makes waves. Not to brag, but my own debut—C-rank beast takedown—blew up back then. Sofia said the internet was buzzing with "next S-rank magical girl" hype, but that's overkill. Anyway, D-rank might not sound elite, but it's the grade that hits civilians hard. Few debut with one, and those chasing clout often end up hospitalized.
"Let's do it later..."
Snow White tried sneaking away, but...
"Come back."
I warped her right back to her spot. Where do you think you're going?
It is dangerous, sure. She's a total newbie, three days into being a magical girl. Ordering her to debut against a D-rank? The Association would've slapped the planner silly.
But.
"You can do it, Snow White."
Yeah. From what I'd seen so far, she could handle it.
"You've been practicing your magic hard, right?"
Like I said before, her matchup against this beast was god-tier. A fire-spewer versus a fire-manipulating magical girl? Poor thing never stood a chance. Hell, I almost felt bad for it.
"B-but... I know that much, but I don't know how to attack it...! Look at that thing...!"
She jabbed a finger at the beast strolling casually through the burning streets.
"It resists fire, too! How am I supposed to beat that!?"
Hmm.
"There's a perfect method for that."
"Really!?"
You bet. For a scared newbie like her, the best way was...
"Kyao!!!!!"
"Eek."
...warping her right in front of it.
"You'll figure it out once you fight for real."
No way she'd charge in on command anyway, so sink or swim.
I glanced around. Crackle. Buildings ablaze, some crumbling, acrid smoke stinging my nose. I held my breath, but the carbon dioxide still sucked. And hottest of all...
It was hot.
Even at evening, the inferno lit everything up bright and sweltering. Is this what firefighters see?
"Kyaak!!!!"
"Kyao!!!!!"
In the chaos, Snow White was comically fleeing the beast.
"I hate you, Pronesis!!!!!!"
Still got sass? She's got this.
"Kyao!!"
The beast charged her with manic focus—classic magic beast obsession with magical girls. Probably because killing one nets prime mana. She was booking it, but it'd catch her soon.
"Grab your staff!"
Even in the tiger's den, stay sharp and you'll survive. She didn't want to just run forever, so she pulled out her staff on cue.
"What now!?"
"Manipulate the surrounding flames!"
"Uwaa...! Hold on...!"
Panicking but fleeing, she started gathering the growing building fires at her staff tip. Good girl—does it when told.
I warped away, no more worries.
She cool without more help?
She'll handle it from here.
Honestly, she had killer aptitude as a magical girl. Her unique magic tested great in experiments; now just watch the results.
"Ahh..."
Still running, gathering flames diligently at her staff.
"Kyao!"
But the beast wasn't idle. Magic beasts have "intelligence" tied to survival instincts. It sensed she was up to no good.
So it accelerated.
"Kyao!!!!!!"
Despite its bulk, it closed in fast and spewed flames.
"Ah!?"
Fire engulfed her—but she squeezed her eyes shut in terror.
"...?"
No pain came. She peeked.
"Kya... kyao!?"
The flames—from its mouth, burning buildings—swarmed her, not harming her. Zero waste, all converging perfectly.
It was like...
a galaxy on earth. The Milky Way lit the world beautifully. Does it outshine other stars? Nah.
"This is...?"
She stared at the flames—no, the sun at her staff tip. A sun eclipsing all other lights here.
"Blast it!"
I yelled at the stunned girl to hurl it at the beast. Instinctive cast? Didn't matter now. The beast couldn't touch her anymore.
"Eh!? Ah! Y-yes...!"
Tiger's den? She'd be the tiger.
"Hya...!"
Her cute kiai launched flames at the beast.
"Kyao!!!!!"
It tried fleeing, but no dice—the fireproof hide ignited instantly. D-rank heat resistance? Meh.
"Kya, kyao..."
Snow White's name checked out. Only white ash remained.
Magic stone... phew, intact.
"Great job! Here's three praise stickers as reward."
I warped beside her, thumbs up.
Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap.
Applause too.
"Ugh..."
She puffed her cheeks, pouty despite the praise. Squirrel vibes.
"What'd I ever do to you!?"
"Didn't think you'd fail."
Practice proved she could win.
As we chatted...
"Pronesis...?"
A familiar voice from behind.
"Ah, English Lavender. Long time no see."
I turned, greeting warmly. Two weeks since the doll? She'd been busy, but perfect timing to intro Snow White.
"Who's the kid...?"
Her amethyst eyes dull, she eyed me flatly.