Chapter: 149. Magical Girl Vivid Cure Star (2)
“Chris? What was that pet’s name again?”
“Smil!”
In the clamor of girls chattering away in the chilly room.
“Can I touch it once?”
Filled with curiosity as if looking at an animal, Baek Sihyeon reached out her hand.
“Of course! Here… um… I mean.”
In response, Chris held out the falcon hanging from her hand but stumbled over words.
“Baek Sihyeon. Call me Sihyeon!”
“Yes! Sihyeon Unni, can I touch it too? Oh, but make sure to stroke the fur the other way. It doesn’t like it otherwise.”
“Got it!”
Once the conversation wrapped up, the falcon named Smil carefully spread its claws and clung to Baek Sihyeon’s arm.
Reaching out cautiously toward the falcon, it was Baek Sihyeon.
I expected the falcon to flail like it did during meal time when it got stuck to my head, but this time it seemed calm.
“Chirp.”
With a short chirp, the falcon tilted its head, adjusting its position to make it easier for Sihyeon to touch.
“You’re smart, huh?”
“Of course! It comes when I ask it!”
Even without it, the enemies…
…then why did it cling and shake my head?
What about me bothered that falcon so much?
“Is there more than just Smil?”
“Yes! There’s also a fox and a bear!”
“Really? Oh, but it might be a bit cramped here! Show me later; it sounds fun.”
How crazy is it for a child nearly ten years younger than herself to be so close? Maybe their mental ages are similar?
Thinking that, a bitter smile unconsciously appeared on my lips.
Mental age, huh.
If it really is an issue of mental age, then Han Abin shouldn’t be getting along either.
But look, Han Abin is also friendly with Chris.
It’s probably just because I’m so twisted.
In the past, watching the magical girl anime that aired in the old days, all I could think about when I saw their magic was this:
‘Can I fight with that?’
‘What’s the combat power of that summon? Surely it cannot be similar to a simple falcon, can it?’
‘Is that truly a tale bestowed by the end’s existence? What are they truly wishing for?’
I couldn’t enjoy the magic purely.
There wasn’t even a feeling of wonder.
I just calmly reflected on the combat value of that magic.
…What would I have said if I were in that nation’s state before becoming a magical girl?
My trail of disjointed thoughts came to a halt when…
“You look like you’re deep in thought?”
Han Abin interrupted.
…I was just briefly pondering that magic.”
“What were you pondering?”
…It’s a method I’ve never seen before.”
It would be better not to include the doubt on combat power.
“Isn’t there more than you think? Even Infinite Architect himself…”
“That’s true; superhumans and magical girls often have their own unique powers.”
Just like the magic of your bloodline.
They probably don’t even know that they possess such powers.
“Then it doesn’t seem like something for you to worry about…”
Hmmm. How should I explain this?
Bing!
As a cat popped into the air, my thoughts briefly wandered.
And once that cat climbed onto Baek Sihyeon’s shoulder, my thoughts settled, and I finally spoke.
“There’s a problem with powers that don’t belong to the standard system.”
“The standard system?”
“Yes.”
“Reinforcement, telekinesis, future sight, healing. Those kinds of things. Anyway, those unique powers don’t belong to that standard system. It’s not necessarily bad, but…”
“What sort of problem is there with that?”
Since I stretched my words out, Han Abin quietly asked back, her emotions slightly serious.
It wasn’t all that serious, but…
“Abin, do you think you can predict how that power fights and its strength?”
…Uh… it should be stronger than usual animals, right?”
“Then can you quantify it? Like, ‘I’m in this stupid transformation suit before transforming, but after transforming my power is one million mana’—something like that.”
By the way, that’s something I heard directly from a broadcast.
One million mana? Please, even a passerby could knock me down.
Ugh!
Was Baek Sihyeon holding onto its tail? That sound came from afar.
“We might be able to gauge the strength of that cat’s scratching, right?”
“Chris’s power itself can’t be measured.”
…Well, that’s true.”
“Here’s the thing. You can’t exactly know how strong it is, and there’s no curriculum on how to strengthen that power, plus how to combine with other heroes. Ah, I’m not saying it’s weak. Just look at Oxymoron and Infinite Architect; having a unique ability doesn’t mean you can’t grow.”
Just that it’s unsuitable for use as a soldier.
Thinking that, along with my complaints and teachings, Han Abin’s response came back, soundly indifferent.
“It doesn’t seem like a problem you should think deeply about, senpai?”
Abin’s returning response was just so subdued.
“Since Chris isn’t even your disciple… We’re having a regular conversation with each other; there’s no reason to have to become stronger like us.”
“If that’s the case, wouldn’t having such a cute power be better? If it’s a violent power, it wouldn’t be good for that child’s mental health, right?”
At those words, I couldn’t answer.
I felt a clear line separating me from her.
An instinct that no matter how long the discussion went on, our opinions would never overlap.
That’s why…
…Well, that’s true.
I wet my lips, spitting out a lie.
“By the way, aren’t you interested in animals? Why don’t you play with them like Sihyeon?”
And quickly changing the subject to hide that lie.
“Just watching Sihyeon play with animals looks fun!”
Is that so?
Well, it is kind of amusing seeing her move surrounded by animals.
One falcon on her wrist.
An owl atop her head.
A cat around her neck.
Birds roosting on both shoulders.
A deer licking her right hand.
And in her left hand, a…
…hamster?
Does that hamster even survive in the Siberian wilderness?
“Looks like Unho.”
“No, that’s not it.”
At Han Abin’s words, I involuntarily retorted.
Unho? How can you compare that cute creature with Unho?
Compare properly!
“What’s wrong with Unho?”
“No, that’s very rude. Unho and that creature are as different as this world and the Otherworld.”
I should honestly apologize to that hamster right now.
Comparing it to one of the most disgusting creatures on Earth isn’t fair at all…
…Senpai, you need to improve how you treat Unho.
I thought I had been treating it quite well. Just the fact that I didn’t throw it away with the food waste proves that my patience and generosity are as vast as the universe!
“Look at Unho; you can tell, that’s how it should be treated.”
…But if the mascot runs away, I won’t even know.
Where could it run off to? With just me, it’s overloaded!
I thought that with a brief smile, but soon shook off that thought due to the grim feelings I sensed beside me.
…Wait a second. Could it be? Did I step on a landmine?
“What’s wrong, senpai?”
“Just a question out of curiosity…”
“Senpai?”
“Let’s drop that topic.”
Leaving just that remark, Han Abin turned towards Baek Sihyeon.
Probably to touch the animal’s fur.
Last night was surprisingly quiet.
Unlike expected, there were no special excursions, and the defense force didn’t bother us.
There were no loud cannon sounds either.
The only thing that could be heard was that Chris almost changed clothes in front of me, not realizing I was a guy, a little incident.
On top of that, I swore to the Divine One and Linshua that I bolted out of the room before that scene could appear.
Afterward, Baek Sihyeon and Han Abin probably pacified things.
Whatever the case, with expectations of a relatively easy mobilization training, I headed to the first assembly.
A day after the entrance ceremony, the auditorium was filled with friendly greetings.
“Nice to meet you all. I’m Li Shuguang, from the Munin Alliance.”
And there, before us stood a man, probably a Munin, casually dressed, a spear on his back.
When he bowed, everyone echoed back, “Nice to meet you!”
The remaining five behind Li Shuguang bowed as well.
“Nice to meet you!”
“Nice to meet you!”
“Nice to meet you!”
We greeted them as well.
It wasn’t a deep bow like theirs, but we managed to convey enough feeling.
After our greetings ended and they raised their heads…
“By the way… I have a suggestion?”
Li Shuguang immediately opened his mouth.
“What do you mean?”
“Ah, are you the representative?”
“That would be me.”
“Oh, then that works out perfectly. Regarding the squad formation…”
As if choosing his words carefully, he fidgeted, momentarily swallowing hard.
“If it’s not too much trouble, how about we don’t create any separate squads and just split into the six of us, along with the four magical girls? Ah, of course, we would move in squads during summons or operations, but train separately…”
Wow. That’s quite an interesting suggestion.
Nodding in agreement with his proposal, I scanned the five behind him.
Unrefined energy, crooked postures.
Hmm. I can guess somewhat.
“I can make an educated guess, but may I ask for your reasons?”
“Ha ha. You seem to have caught on already… those behind me…”
He trailed off awkwardly, the man momentarily gathering his thoughts.
“They’re my students, and they aren’t well-polished yet… The magical girls might find it difficult to understand, but the Munin, well…”
Ah, I see.
Before this conversation drags on, it might be best to cut in.
“I’m aware of how Munin trains. My comrade is a Munin, after all. If that’s the case, we should certainly accommodate them.”
Do I just know? Their leader is a friend of mine!
“I truly appreciate it!”
Was my answer that delightful?
Li Shuguang bowed even lower than before, expressing his joy.
That’s a bit excessive.
“Ah, there’s no need to thank me so much. Heroes should help each other.”
“No, as a Munin, one has an obligation to repay a debt of gratitude. Is there anything you wish for?”
Hmm. What do I want?
To answer, I briefly considered.
I don’t need money.
I don’t need labor.
Buy me a meal? That sounds a bit…
Continuing my thoughts led to a good idea.
“Ah, is this kind of thing possible?”
“What kind of thing are you referring to?”
“You know the squad duties, right? Like writing work logs, patrol time recordings, and inventory logs.”
“That’s right.”
“How about you take care of that during the mobilization period?”
I thought that might be a fair deal. No money exchanges, not too much burden, and mutual understanding.
Truth be told, I find such paperwork infuriating…
Even if I gained some capability, my fundamental dislike hasn’t changed.
“Will that truly be okay?”
“Heroes should help each other.”
“Thank you so much!”
And once again, cheers erupted.
What could be so joyous?
Bowing his head, a voice ringing out, pouring out all emotions.
This is why I dislike Munins.
It’s not because they’re annoying.
It’s just that their straightforwardness always strangely unsettled me.
“Well then. I look forward to working with you.”
Saying that, I extended my hand.
Li Shuguang momentarily gazed at my hand in confusion while bowing, but soon enough seemed to understand.
“Likewise!”
We shook hands vigorously, bright smiles on our faces.
Yeah. This is awkward.
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