Chapter 12: Current high school female student.

The Magical Girl Support Team isn’t a large department.

Support is mostly indirect, and there aren’t many major tasks otherwise.

The gate detection system is essentially the core of their operations.

When incidents occur, they’re swamped, but it’s a relatively relaxed department in peacetime.

The main hardship might be the rotating shifts.

Since vigilance can’t lapse for even a moment, someone must always be on duty in the support room.

“That octopus was tougher than it looked,” a young male staff member muttered, flipping through a report.

The “octopus” was the nickname for the monster the fifth-gen magical girls defeated recently—a tricky creature that regenerated its tentacles instantly.

“Call it Hydra Tentacle. That’s the official name,” senior supporter Kim Taehyun said, leaning back in his chair with a mug.

“Come on, ‘octopus’ rolls off the tongue better.”

“Get in the habit. Call it that in a meeting, and you’ll get an earful.”

“You think I’m that clueless? Besides, you’re usually the one presenting.”

The junior staffer quickly flipped pages, pretending to work under Taehyun’s glare.

“What was its rank again?”

“Hmm… D. The bigger one was C.”

“Another system error, huh?”

Lately, system errors have been frequent.

If they hadn’t reinforced their response due to a bad hunch, they might’ve been mourning a magical girl’s death.

“Contacting Scarlet Lily was a stroke of genius, like you said,” the junior said.

But Taehyun looked dissatisfied.

“This can’t go on. If it’s really an error, we fix the sensors. Worst case, we overhaul the entire ranking system.”

Since the “dinosaur” monster appeared, incidents have piled up.

More precisely, since the massive gate event.

It’s as if someone’s deliberately jamming the system, with analysis results consistently off.

“Wow, this octopus is no joke. The core tentacles had a paralyzing effect. That’s how it catches prey?” the junior said, skimming the analysis.

“What happens if you get caught? Bet someone’s drawing manga about—”

Cold stares from female staff cut him off.

“…Sorry.”

The junior bowed, regretting his careless remark.

“Didn’t they take down a few without Scarlet Lily?” Taehyun asked, resting his chin.

“Probably. D-rank’s tough, but the fifth gen’s growing fast.”

The fifth generation lacks field experience.

They’re used to E and F ranks, but to hunt D-rank monsters without help?

“There was a C-rank too, right?”

“Yeah, the first one they took out.”

“Who got it?”

“Scarlet Lily. Clean one-shot with Scarlet Beam, as usual.”

The junior shrugged.

It’s not surprising anymore, but still impressive.

“What’s her deal? You know something, don’t you?” the junior asked.

“I don’t. And I don’t plan to find out.”

“Feels like a top-secret thing.”

“If I had the authority, I’d make it ultra-classified.”

Taehyun sipped his coffee.

“That important?”

“It’s like opening Pandora’s box and gutting the goose that lays golden eggs.”

Magical girls are best left as magical girls.

That’s been Taehyun’s long-held belief.

“Fair point. If Scarlet Lily sticks around, Korea’s safe. Though the monster analysis team’s probably dying.”

One-shot kills, regardless of rank.
No chance to collect data.

Taehyun nodded in agreement.

“Maybe so.”

“Kyaaa!”

A piercing scream echoed through the downtown area.

A monster’s appearance sent people into panic, turning the streets into chaos.

Some fled to the subway, others ran far from the monster, emptying the area in moments.

A bipedal bull-like creature, resembling a mythical Minotaur.
Wielding a hammer in each hand, the muscular monster began its rampage.

It smashed building walls and crushed cars.

Furious, it terrified those trapped inside buildings, who could only watch from windows.

“Grrr!”

Snorting hot breath, it searched for its next target when the guardians of peace arrived—magical girls!

“Ready? Let’s go!”

Led by Parfait Alpha, three girls charged the monster.

All wielded spears.
Alpha and Beta took the front, Gamma the rear.

“This thing’s tough! Be careful!” Gamma warned, her spear grazing its back without piercing deeply.

Its muscles were hard and resilient.

“Combo attack?” Beta suggested.

“Good call!”

The others agreed, spreading out from the monster.

Fire, ice, and lightning.
Elemental magic shot from their spear tips, making the monster writhe in pain.

“Aqua, now!”

All eyes turned to Aqua, hovering above.

“Water Bullet!”

Her signature magic unleashed a barrage of water bullets.

The monster’s hammers were close-range weapons, ill-suited for aerial targets.

They might win if they kept the pressure on.

But suddenly, the monster hurled a hammer.

“Ugh!”

It grazed Aqua’s thigh.

Pain disrupted her focus, breaking her magic control and dispelling her levitation.

My cue to step in.

I’d been on standby for this.

From the ground, I flew toward the falling Aqua.

I caught her with ease, princess-carrying her to a safe landing.

“…Thanks.”

No major injuries—she stood on her own.

The monster charged with its remaining hammer, but slowed by accumulated damage.

A concentrated barrage from all four of us brought it down quickly.

“Great work, everyone!”

We high-fived, celebrating the victory.

“That was a strong D-rank, almost C!” Aqua said, checking the magical girl app at a quiet spot away from the scene.

“We’re growing this fast!” Parfait Alpha cheered, the others nodding in satisfaction.

The four here live nearby, forming a tight-knit team with excellent synergy.

Feels nostalgic.

It reminds me of my rookie days.

A time when small growth brought joy.
The purity only fresh magical girls have.

My youth shines dazzlingly in comparison.

“Hey…” Aqua spoke to me mid-chat.

“What’s up?”

“It’s kinda late, but I need to say this…”

She fidgeted with her hair, hesitating.

Why’s this usually lively girl acting shy?

I waited, and she spoke.

“Sorry for the harsh words last time. I didn’t mean it…”

Oh, that’s it.

Our first meeting, Aqua came at me hard.

Picking fights over nothing, then getting schooled by Parfait Alpha…

“I forgive you. Let’s get along from now on.”

My response.
I chose “forgive” for Aqua’s sake.

Saying “it’s fine” or “no big deal” might feel dismissive.

“Forgive” clearly signals the bad blood’s gone.

If I act petty later, it’d just prove I’m small-minded.
A bit of delicate consideration, you could say.

“Yeah, let’s get along.”

Aqua smiled, relieved I accepted her apology.

“All made up now?” Parfait Alpha teased with a playful grin.

Aqua looked shy but lighter.

Despite a rocky start, I’ve bonded with the fifth-gen girls.

It began with friction but smoothed out.
The ups and downs might’ve even strengthened our ties.

One small issue remains, though.

Around 3 PM, we parted ways.

“I said I was going to the bathroom, but what do I tell the teacher?” Aqua wondered.

“Should’ve said you’re going to the nurse,” Beta replied.

“I was fine just before; it’d sound fake.”

“Say your stomach hurts.”

“Ugh, next time.”

They brainstormed alibis.

The fifth gen are active high schoolers.
Balancing magical girl duties and school requires excuses for absences.

“What do you usually say, Lily?” Aqua asked suddenly.

“I’m prepping for the GED…”

I slipped up.

Added another fake detail.

“So that’s why you can stream during the day~.”

They bought it.

They fully believe Armo’s claim that I’m a recent 5.5th-gen contractee.

“I’m off then.”

“Bye-bye.”

“See ya.”

They left, leaving me alone.

“…”

Admitting I’m a teen, huh?
Self-loathing hit.

No wonder I couldn’t get mad when Aqua picked a fight.
She’s a high schooler.

The look Parfait Alpha gave me before we parted—knowing the truth—lingers.

I just want to jump into the Han River.*