Chapter 42
Chapter 42
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: Avatar Battlefield (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "The reply came pretty quick. No, hold on—they're going ahead without even asking for extra confirmation?"
In cases like this, doesn't it usually come back later with requests for revisions?
I wouldn't mind tweaking it then since it wouldn't be a big deal for me, but this involves production all the way to clothing designs. I wonder if that's okay.
Well, they did say it's just a trial run targeted at one academy, so maybe that's fine.
To be honest, a good chunk of it was me going wild with my ideas, so I was prepared to humbly accept any revision requests.
But pushing forward without changes? That put me in a great mood all around.
Even if revisions come later, the fact that they're respecting my vision and rolling with it is something I'm truly grateful for.
"Anyway, they said they'd update me on progress, so I can just wait and see."
The response also included feedback on that policy request I'd half-forgotten about, which caught me off guard.
On the image censorship issue, they just said they'd work to maintain the current system.
Makes sense—this is a tough one for a monarchy to commit to outright, especially with a generational shift on the horizon. The emperor's probably being cautious.
The mere fact that the emperor himself is paying attention to this is a huge win.
And the other part? Pure gold. They laid out their future plans in detail, and I loved every bit of it.
It was their response to my request about supporting commoner mages—though honestly, it was less about the commoners and more about wanting more artists out there.
So, the empire and the exhibition hall are teaming up to let more commoners learn art without financial burden.
Since full-on magic is tough, they're setting up a system where art skills alone can get you evaluated for academy entrance exams.
"This is seriously great."
Drawing naughty pics and feeling not just tolerated, but valued and supported? What a breath of fresh air.
It was like a massive weight lifting off my chest, leaving me genuinely happy.
Things falling into place so perfectly all of a sudden even made me worry something was off.
'Now I can draw the new Avatar series installment with a clear mind.'
The side gig was wrapped up, and it felt like time to drop the next chapter in the Avatar series anyway.
I released Avatar Passion during break, so quite some time has passed.
This next one wraps up the first arc of the Avatar series, so I wanted to get it out sooner rather than later.
I can take my time with what comes after.
"Now that the character intros are done, it's time to kick off the real story."
Through Avatar Passion, I'd unpacked each major character's personality and backstory.
In other words, everyone was primed to dive into the main plot.
So for this episode, I'd pretend to show daily life at first, then pivot hard into the dark stuff midway.
Even in Avatar Passion, to reveal their inner thoughts and mental states, I'd tossed in some tearjerkers and touching moments.
But as I said, that was all about introducing the characters and showing how the leads become trusted comrades.
Beautiful and moving, sure—but the real charm of a magical girl story starts when those comrades who trust each other face near-despair.
"The rising frequency and intensity of Corrosion outbreaks will signal it."
The key to this episode—barring protagonist Albedo—is the 'despair' of every other character.
Albedo watches them suffer but can't help, hating her own weak, ordinary self, sinking into disappointment and loathing.
That despair triggers her awakening, letting her resolve the crisis for now. That's the core flow of this new installment, Avatar Battlefield.
Nigredo was born and raised at Magnum Academy, which manages Avatar bodies—literally born to live as an Avatar.
She started as an empty shell with no purpose beyond her mission to defeat Corrosion as an Avatar.
But in Avatar Passion, her encounters with Albedo and the others gave her something precious: comrades, portrayed as a form of 'salvation.'
Her comrades became more vital than her mission to eradicate Corrosion...
'But she messes up.'
In the heat of battling countless Corrosions, one attack ricochets toward Rubedo.
Rubedo loses an arm to the Corrosion because of it.
Any body touched by Corrosion suffers permanent damage, leaving her practically disabled outside Avatar form.
And Rubedo had aspired to knighthood, dreaming of the swordsmanship club.
Unable to wield a blade, she's tormented.
Nigredo crumbles under the guilt of ruining her precious comrade's future, unable to fight properly.
This spirals, worsening the damage and driving Nigredo to the brink.
"Naturally, no one blames Nigredo here."
One thing I've always been careful to depict is how they save each other in the flow of battle.
They've fought Corrosion that way, protecting one another.
This time's no different—Nigredo swung to shield her comrade, and it backfired. The others don't fault her.
But her prolonged distraction in fights is understandably frustrating.
Finally, Citrinitas snaps at Nigredo's growing downtime, sarcastically raging that she's going to get them all hurt worse than Rubedo.
Nigredo, barely hanging on, shatters completely and gets properly wrecked in the next fight, unable to react.
"Whoa, this is some seriously bleak stuff..."
It's my storyboard playing out, but pouring emotion into the drawings infects me with it too.
Still, this is the concept I wanted, so no stopping now.
The thrill of that reversal scene is the payoff—I need to shove the situation right to the edge.
Nigredo hit by Corrosion turns vegetable-like when her Avatar form drops, unable to move.
Even in Avatar form fighting, she sacrifices her body repeatedly without a word, as if her will means nothing.
Watching this, Citrinitas blames herself and her mental state crumbles too.
Rubedo, dream shattered and suffering, fights on silently, hiding her pain to not burden the others.
Nigredo lies broken, unable to speak.
Citrinitas regrets her last words to Nigredo, sacrificing her own body to cover their gaps.
Albedo rages at her own helplessness as her comrades fall apart.
She curses her ordinariness, wishing she were just a bit stronger.
But she's not there yet.
The Fire God won't respond until Albedo's desperation peaks.
One fighter remains intact, focused on battle.
Viriditas whips herself to carry the team and delivers outstanding results—she's practically solo-carrying.
Maybe Viriditas's seemingly exceptional strength makes Albedo feel even more ordinary.
'But comrades matter to Viriditas—though something else matters more.'
Viriditas is the type who expects nothing from herself, even despising her own worth.
Her catchphrase is basically calling herself a worthless human who could die without issue.
She fights as an Avatar solely to protect her one precious family.
If Corrosion ravages the world, countless die.
She couldn't bear losing comrades or family more dear than herself.
That's why she fought for those she cherished...
'Here, Viriditas's family falls to Corrosion.'
No matter how hard she tries to purge them, the Corrosions multiply, devouring the world.
Despair drags on.
Viriditas, clinging to her usefulness, finally breaks here.
When Albedo snaps to her senses...
Her four comrades are fully Corroded—their real bodies immobilized.
In battle, the Fire God's will turns them into mechanical fighters, but they're essentially dead.
'Albedo, barely holding on, collapses here too, her body overtaken by Corrosion.'
I depict the horrific sight of her pristine nude form stained by filthy Corrosion, bit by bit, conveying emotions pushed to the limit.
Ah, these characters ultimately lost to the evil Corrosion.
They died in such agony.
That emotional swell hits as those feelings build.
In that despair akin to hell, Albedo prays to her pure white flames.
To the Fire God.
You're extraordinary even if I'm ordinary—please help me.
As the girl's final prayer reaches the heavens, a lightning-like beam strikes her down.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇