Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Magic Castle
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Magic Castle
Did the Magic Castle come first, or did Prima?
This is the eternal hot topic in the magical girl industry on the level of "which came first, the chicken or the egg?"
Bullshit? Prima herself said in an interview she was chosen by Ramu?
Why does this topic keep dragging on?
Because the publicly available info on the Magic Castle for civilians is extremely limited.
Humanity only became aware of the Magic Castle's existence after Prima appeared.
So it's no wonder the theory that Prima created it spreads like gospel. Of course, she vehemently denies it herself.
All I knew was that it's the mascots' hometown, existing between the real world and the Backside World, and that it has national-level administrative capabilities.
But whatever the truth is, the brainfarts from basement-dwelling fake experts don't matter.
What matters is that I'm now in a position to check it out myself!
"Let's go."
Following Ramu's guidance, I stepped through the gate in the mirror.
As my consciousness faded, I opened my eyes.
"...Wow."
Auroras draped the sky, with small floating islands drifting below, and at the center, a crystal castle shimmering with every color of the rainbow.
A floating city enveloped in rainbow glow, mascots wandering around adding to the dreamlike atmosphere.
This was the Magic Castle.
"What do you think? Is it what you imagined?"
"Honestly, I'm surprised. It's pretty close to what I pictured."
"That's fortunate."
I'd only registered my code and ID number, leaving details like concept and magic blank.
As we walked toward the castle to register it, Ramu explained various things.
"Before monsters appear in reality, our headquarters assesses their rank and sends the info to the magical girls."
"And we use Imagine Points earned based on the monster's rank we defeat to access Magic Castle services?"
"Oh, did Bella tell you?"
Surprisingly, most of it was stuff I'd heard from Bella and Frost.
So I asked about the long-standing Prima-Magic Castle creation controversy that had bugged me.
"The Magic Castle and us mascots have existed since before, but not in this form."
Ramu said the Magic Castle itself predated Prima, but she was the first to observe it, overlaying her imagination to shape it into its current form.
A decades-old mystery solved.
That's god-level, right?
Conclusion: Prima is a god!
But I'm her successor? Hmm.
Wahh. I'm just a noob!
"Pick up the pace a bit. Magical girls can't stay here long."
"Why not?"
"Pure imagination is like poison to humans. Stay too long, and your sense of reality numbs. In technical terms, your brain melts."
Brain melts? Fair enough, spend too long in a dream and you might not want to wake up.
"You're just here for a tour. Normally, without admin privileges, you can't even set foot here."
"Aren't magical girls and mascots symbiotic? Seems a bit stingy."
"Each must respect the other's life. Mascots don't interfere in magical girls' daily lives much either."
Some beast who knows that...
After about ten minutes of walking, we arrived at the crystal castle's main gate.
Up close, it was even more majestic. Wonder what the inside looks like if the outside's this grand.
Stepping inside with puffed-up expectations...
"...Huh?"
Desks lined up like bank tellers. Beasts sitting blankly after pulling numbers. Even the hum of AC from the ceiling.
Why does this feel so familiar?
"Why is it like this?"
Explanation. Now.
"Efficiency."
"Efficiency?"
"Beauty is one thing, but for us handling the actual work, it's different."
"..."
"Don't just stand there—pull a number. Lunchtime lines are a headache."
I blankly pulled a number and waited, and blankly it was my turn.
Heading to the window, a hollow-eyed Malayan sun bear scanned me up and down.
Then it smirked at Ramu beside me.
"Whoa, Senior. You really reeled one in? Why not just retire comfortably?"
"I wanted to."
"Well, if it gets too much and you quit, not our fault."
What company?
"Here's your membership card. Lost it? Reissue fee 5000 points. Next!"
I finished registration in 5 minutes and was shooed out of the office.
Somehow, their sloppy processing matched Ramu's vibe—hard to rank them.
Thus, a tacky gray card in my hand. Namely, the Magical Girl Membership Card.
In this automated era, this card lets you shop at the Magic Castle mall, settle points, everything.
Yesterday when sending Frost a gift, Ramu handled something with this card, I think.
"That's it?"
"Huh? What more do you want?"
I had plenty to say, but words wouldn't come.
Just...
My Magic Castle got crushed.
Next, dragged to the supply counter for a physical exam.
"H-Hey, move your hand."
"...Ugh."
"No one's watching. Hurry up with the exam, grab supplies, and go."
No humans, but a truckload of beasts.
In the end, teary-eyed, I did a semi-strip show called a physical in front of beasts.
After the exam, a familiar blue short-sleeve draped over my shoulders.
Looks like the one from the draft office.
"This... and this..."
Clothes and school supplies flew into my dazed arms nonstop.
For magical girls, age-appropriate supplies are issued. In my case, mostly stuff I'd never need post-elementary graduation.
"...What the hell is the Magic Castle, really?"
"Aren't you experiencing it right now?"
Feeling empty, I peeked outside the counter.
Suited-up beasts wandering. Beasts on smartphones.
Beasts dating. Fighting. Protesting.
What is this feeling? Aside from beasts everywhere, it's just like downtown Seoul.
At first, wow floating islands! Wow mascots! But beasts' reactions were lukewarm too.
And seeing cafes, libraries, restaurants, clubs, even motels shattered my Magic Castle expectations.
"Ah, scan that QR for the Wi-Fi password."
Stop.
Now I get why magical girls dodge Magic Castle talk in interviews.
If it's like this, Hongdae or Myeongdong's better.
Thus, my long-awaited Magic Castle trip ended after just two hours due to content drought.
I returned to my room, mental fatigue aching, and flopped spread-eagled.
Of course, Ramu explained stuff in between... but the emptiness made it not stick.
"Don't be too disheartened. Convenient's good, right?"
Excuse me. If you seek efficiency even in the Magic Castle, where do I find the romance?
Zzap!
"W-Well then, I'll take my leave. Call if you need anything!"
Ramu left those words and returned to the Magic Castle.
I crawled under the covers, hit by intense reality crash, and wanted to do nothing.
Thought the red pill was only for magical girls, but the Magic Castle has one too.
"I... want some comfort."
Yeah. Intense comfort.
Surely I'm not the only one who felt this filthy disappointment?
I need testimonies from fellow victims whose childhood dreams got smashed.
Whining like a dog unleashed.
Normally, a grown adult whining like this next to you begs for a forehead flick.
But what if the whiner's a Day 2 magical girl noob (8yo, cutie)?
"...Hehe."
As expected, instant pats on the back.
Can't have a noob quitting over this.
Anyway, glad I'm not alone. With this many victims, remodel it already.
Or maybe this is their latest remodel.
While rolling around basking in seniors' remote comfort...
Kuoooong!
The now-familiar, almost welcome vibration hit.
"Huh?"
Who’s the VIP sleeve-stuffing this time? ID says not Sword or Frost.
"Shining, huh."
As expected of an idol at capitalism's peak—clear solution.
Opening the box, amid tons of padding, a single hologram card.
The hologram card got sucked into my Magical Girl Membership Card.
Ding!
"500,000...?"
Five zeros after—eyes spinning. Problem: I have no sense of IP value as a noob.
Is this 500,000 won, gold, mesos? No clue.
Check and see.
Membership card usage was simple.
Hold to phone back—NFC reads, launches exclusive app invisible to normals.
Use Magic Castle services freely via the app.
I admit it. Pretty convenient.
"Oh... It shows like this."
First, exchange rate. Scrolled to bestsellers price list.
Enchanted clothes, artifacts, potions... All unreal stuff, hard to value.
Cash conversion would be nice, but impossible.
Endless virtual currency from monster-smashing would tank won to Zimbabwe dollars.
Then, a mind-blowing item caught my eye.
"?"
No cash, but gift card flipping ok?
Wait... 5,000 won for 50 IP?
Exchange: 1 IP = 100 won.
Simple math...
"...Fifty... million won?"
Factoring fees and cashing process, downward adjust needed... but at least 40 million.
Sudden massive sum—grip loosened, phone dropped on face.
"Ack!"
Nose stung, but no pain.
Fifty million won. How many years of convenience store shifts?
Barely save breathing while working—this sum casually slotted by Shining senior.
? Who was down?
My gloom just vanished?
I bolted up, gave a grand curtsy toward Shining's direction (probably broadcast station).
Loyalty x3.
Senior. No, Mistress. My playlist's now Shining sis themes. Kirakira Shining~
"Ehehe."
Grinning ear to ear.
Wanna bulk-buy gift cards and flip on flea market, but...
Elementary kid dumping convenience store cards? That's report-worthy.
And honestly... with this wealth, she'll spot allowance when I whine later?
Hey! Shameless noob, stop!
Anyway, money for shopping, so conscience says browse Magic Castle mall.
That was super expensive too?
Sword's cool weapon box was ten mil. Dusting in closet corner—better fetch and worship it.
This too...
Frost's outfit wasn't cheap either.
If they toss these casually, how much IP do vets hoard?
Swallowing hard, kept browsing.
Normally watches or belts, but finger lingered on clothing/costume category.
"Hmm..."
Gaze fixed on kids' corner I'd ignore usually.
My body's a super clothes horse now.
Money rotting—tempted to buy varieties, try one each.
Yeah. School next week.
In harsh kid society, first impressions crucial.
Smooth friendships need sharp outfits.
This is investment.
For real.
Anyway, Shining's financial therapy washed away Magic Castle disappointment.
Instead—er, rather—cart piled with clothes.
By checkout with some groceries, window outside darkened.
Got why girls stress-shop. Ahh refreshing. This is shopping.
Hit pay, 3 seconds later—Magic Castle rocket delivery arrived.
"Hehe..."
Stuffed fridge with groceries, then fashion show time.
Mirror front, changing outfits—exclaims burst aloud each time.
They say fashion finishes with face; even a sack on me now is photoshoot-worthy.
Dress my perfect model in my designs? Designer instinct wriggled.
Amid surging creation urge, lost in fashion world momentarily.
"Huh? What's this?"
In Shining's box corner, padding-buried mystery object.
Surface with ? mark... egg?
Crack!
Phone rang timely. Sender: Sponsor—no, Shining Mistress.
Generous Shining follows financial therapy with a magical beast egg gift.
Magical beasts—unlike useless mascots in battle—are magical girls' actual combat familiars.
I'd wanted to raise one someday.
But random? Gambling lives with gacha?
Unacceptable for animal-rights-loving Seol Ha-yoon.
But Seol Ha-rin would accept.
Shining, tamer-type, summons tigers to ride in battle—cool as hell.
Especially standout among pedestrian magical girls.
Wonder if I can ride one.
Touching the egg, felt wriggling inside.
Really?
Not trolling, right...
Means Shining hatched her horde hugging each one.
Her stage charisma vs. basement egg-brooding don't match.
Nah, Mistress wouldn't troll me.
Biologically, body heat maintenance key. Share warmth?
Pondered, then wedged egg near butt. Chickens do this.
But awkward pose, risked weird awakening—stopped.
Belly better.
Lifted loose pajama top, slipped egg between belly and shirt.
Smooth round egg stuck perfectly to tummy.
Wriggle.
Tiny movement tickled skin.
"Oh..."
Better feel than expected.
Egg emitted gentle heat—like electric blanket on belly, cozy.
Hope it's a cute magical beast.
Feeling mom-like, drifted to sleep. Baby beast greets tomorrow, I believed.
And next morning...
Of course, egg didn't hatch.
Logged into World Tree Wiki, searched "Shining/Controversy".
Why no personality controversy?