Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Just Believe in Alice!
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"Berta, you'll want to focus your training on increasing the density of your magic power. Your psychological warfare and the quality of your spells already seem solidly on their own path. That said, if I were to offer a bit more advice... it'd be good to try expanding the range of elements you can handle, if possible. The four basic elements—fire, water, wind, and earth—are reliable because they're fundamental, but they can struggle against enemies with unusual forms. Otherwise, honing a small number of elements to the extreme is another approach... but for that, you'd be better off seeking advice from Magical Girls who specialize in elemental magic rather than me."
"By the way, does Alice-nim mainly use the power of the stars?"
"Hehe. I'll leave Alice's true nature up to your judgment. After all, Alice is more charming the more secrets she has."
The power a Magical Girl wields is influenced by her contracted Mascot.
However, the type of Mascot that approaches her is itself influenced by the Magical Girl's aptitude, so the prevailing theory is that the power of the contracted Mascot ends up being the best fit for her.
For example, Alice's Mascot is named Rabbit A. It's a rabbit-shaped Mascot, and the 'A' denotes its type... I don't know exactly how Mascot society is structured, but their full names come with an incredibly long serial number, so when introducing themselves to Magical Girls, they cut it off at the alphabet letter.
By the same logic, Mascots named Cat C, Dog E, Angel B, and so on must have contracted with someone.
By the way, I call mine Ttokkang. Because it's Ttokkang.
It's said to be born from the legend of the rabbit pounding rice cakes on the moon, so it's easy to explain how Alice, who contracted with it, naturally gained abilities related to the moon and stars.
Similarly, you could guess that Black Rose over there fighting contracted with a gun-related Mascot, and Berta with one tied to elements or magic.
"And for Black Rose... while it's flashy, that very flashiness might be causing some wasted effort—something worth considering. It's a mistake many juniors make. Flashiness is fine, but when it comes to defeating Abyss Beings, always give it your all."
"...Hic!"
"But since this is just a spar between fellow Magical Girls today, Alice was dazzled by Black Rose's brilliant display. Keep showing us more cool moments ahead."
"...Yes!!"
It wasn't really meant as a cue for a response, but I saw her expression plummet right after my first comment, so I hurriedly added the follow-up.
That's what Alice would have done.
Anyway, as I just said, Black Rose's issue was obviously her over-focusing on appearances.
With her flashy dress, twintails, and dual pistols plastered everywhere attention-grabbing, she clearly cared a ton about what others thought... Still, I wouldn't tell an idol-like Magical Girl not to fight with some dignity, but maintaining a certain level is important.
After all, the most crucial thing for a Magical Girl is defeating Abyss Beings and protecting civilians.
I really hate those who mess up that priority just to protect their image.
...But she doesn't have much experience yet, and this isn't a spot to take down Abyss Beings—it's a TV program broadcasting a spar between Magical Girls.
That level was still cute.
The number of Abyss Beings I've seen that were gross and filthy—where the Magical Girls failed at their jobs because of it—probably exceeds the number of steaks I've eaten.
...Steaks are expensive, so I don't get them often.
Anyway, there were quite a few.
"Beyond that, for technical improvements... as I mentioned earlier, it comes down to deciding your growth direction. Whether to boost firing speed or the destructive power per shot—think it through and refine it to fit your combat style. Of course, if you can catch every single rabbit, Alice cheers that on too."
"I understand Black Rose's dual pistols aren't commonly used—has Alice-nim ever faced them before?"
"Of course. The one Alice saw multiplied the number of guns, not just firing her own but also ones floating around her with magic power, unleashing an incredible rate of fire. But that was just what worked for her. It's good to reference other senior Magical Girls' paths, but getting too fixated on them can actually hinder your growth. Remember that—your path is one only you can forge."
Ah, I'm getting tired.
I just wish someone would pull out their finisher already and end the match.
They said they already used their finisher, but that's not really the end, right?
A Magical Girl has to have at least one secret ultimate move they don't show others.
Just whip it out quick, yell 'I win! Match over!', grab the trophy, and wrap it up casually.
...Or maybe not?
Am I expecting too much from rookies? No way they started by blasting their one-and-only real finisher right away...
"Magic power density... magic power density... If I do this...!"
"Ahh! Berta! Has she had a breakthrough?! That's a spell formula I've never seen before!"
'...Hold on. If she wins because of my advice, doesn't that count as me winning by coaching? Is this okay?'
Well... I gave advice to both sides.
I properly advised Black Rose too. How quickly and how well they take it in is up to their own abilities—I can't say the match outcome changed because of my involvement.
-Rumble rumble boom!
"Come forth...!!"
-Rooooaaar!!!!
"Ooh! Berta's new spell formula summons a Stone Golem! It's huge too! Is this really the level of a Magical Girl who's only been contracted for a year?! She doesn't look like a rookie at all!"
"This is trouble for Black Rose. Berta hit her weak spot perfectly. With Black Rose already using Dance of Black Wings, her normal attacks won't... pierce that tough rock."
"So... does this mean Berta wins...?"
"We'll have to see how it plays out. You never know in a fight until it's over."
"That's right! The result isn't clear until the end! Now, Black Rose—can she overcome this wall?!"
"Black Rose! This time... this time, I'll win! You always hogged all the attention...! But I'm a Magical Girl too! I can be loved by people!!"
"Urgh..."
From what I could tell, Black Rose was way more popular than Berta.
Makes sense. In this industry where standing out is key, how could she not be with all those eye-catching frills?
Berta, on the other hand, looked timid at first glance, so the picture was easy to paint.
That's why she tried pulling aggro by publicizing her three sizes.
...They were numbers that could easily outshine most Magical Girls, so it'd spark curiosity at least once.
But with that personality, I doubt she'd reveal such sensitive stats herself... Manager's orders, maybe?
"Berta... I can't lose. Not with my fans cheering me on, and not with Senior Alice watching from there!"
...I'm not really cheering for either?
"I have fans too! Don't talk like you're the only one! Sure, y-you have way more..."
Even now, she's playing along with it.
'...If there were no cameras, I'd at least sigh in relief.'
There are ways, but it's too much hassle just for a sigh.
Plenty of living eyes around even without cameras.
"Sorry, Berta...! Dinner after the match—my treat...!"
-Hummm!!
"Ahh!! Black Rose! Magic power is gathering at the gun barrel! What are you planning?!"
"Both of you are growing so fast. Alice is thrilled to see such a wonderful display."
"Alice-nim...? What is Black Rose about to—wha-what?!"
-Boom!!
-Bwoom!!
-Rooooaaar!!!!
When magic power visibly condenses at the barrel of a gun that fires magic bullets, what else could it mean?
The bullets, which had only pierced coin-sized holes before, triggered a blue explosion upon hitting the golem—one big enough to swallow a person whole.
"Ahh! N-no!! Golem!! Get up!"
-Gr...o...
-Thud!
The attempt was good, but what kind of summon could a first-year Magical Girl improvise with instant-cast summoning magic?
The Stone Golem collapsed quite anticlimactically, unlike its impactful entrance.
Berta stared blankly at it, slumping to the ground...
"...Eee-yah!!"
She formed a single colorless arrow with her last scraps of magic power, gripped it in her hand, and charged at Black Rose.
With what little magic remained, barely enough for one arrow—no power left even to shoot it. Her only option was to rush in holding it herself.
...That's what she must have judged.
Black Rose, thinking the match was over and Berta would surrender peacefully, panicked at the sudden charge and hastily raised her gun.
Even for a Magical Girl's sturdy body, and even if magic bullets had less destructive power than real ones, if it hit Berta—who had no magic left for even a single shield—the wrong way, she could take serious damage. That realization flashed through the minds of the safety Magical Girls stationed nearby.
In slowed time imperceptible to civilians, Magical Girls scrambled desperately: some rushing to restrain Black Rose, others trying to erect shields between them, some charging to shield Berta and block the bullet.
By then, the bullet was already fired, and Black Rose, realizing her mistake just before pulling the trigger, thankfully aimed not for the head or heart but the shoulder.
Even the MC nearby had eyes bulging wide at the scene.
Now, final evaluation.
Plus for Berta: refusing to give up even after exhausting all options, fighting to the end. But in real fights against Abyss Beings, she still needs an escape plan as backup. Mutual destruction isn't ideal for Magical Girls.
Minus for Black Rose: letting her guard down before it ended. But since it was a friendly between newbie Magical Girls, I'll pass considering she couldn't predict a life-risking charge. Still, recommend preparing a subduing technique for uncertainties.
Outcome: Black Rose wins. Personal score: tie.
But both showed impressively high-level fights for one-year rookies, with tons of growth potential ahead. That's acknowledged.
With this, Alice's secret mission from her employer—evaluating both Magical Girls—is complete.
And Alice's final official mission from her employer.
"Yes. That's far enough."
-Shhh...
"Huh?"
"Eh?"
"Wah!"
-Thud crash!
[There are safety personnel basically, but since it's the finals, they might not react in time. Both are pretty skilled and competitive... If it gets too heated and safety can't handle it, step in. Honestly, they could use some training anyway.]
With one hand, I snatched Berta's magic arrow and dispersed it. With the other, I caught the incoming magic bullet and processed it within my glove.
For a Magical Girl of Alice's caliber, attacks at this level were child's play to neutralize.
"...Alice-nim?! You were up there just a moment ago..."
"I rushed down in a flash to keep my juniors from getting hurt."
It was a huge hassle, but the reason I did it anyway was simple.
I'd been properly paid and asked to.
And because it's what Alice would do.
She wouldn't slack on a job she was paid for, nor sit idly by watching juniors injure each other in front of her.
Nothing more, nothing less.