*
Finally putting behind the ordeal with Frena, as she understood we weren't starting a war and we put down our respective goals for a ceasefire, we could peacefully head back to the Sanctuary of the Eye God, the leading faction in the asiatic region. The continents kind of got cramped together with disregard for the plates on the earth's crust, as if something savered all the land mass and cramped them together.
Understandable, it caused a global earthquake, which was a part of The Great Disaster. It opened up the ground to let black pillar like structures to grow out and destroy human infrastructure. The casualties in the more reinforced developed countries had a minimum of 60%,and a minimum of about 80% in less developed countries. Tsunamis and other extreme weather patterns followed, and in Asia people were mostly killed by a new disease that saw no resistance. Roughly 10% of humanity remained without counting the magical girls.
Well, it's been more than half a year since then. Housing had firmly advanced to being made of stone and better materials, with light bulbs becoming rare but accessible. The underground labyrinths were in a better state than a surface due to the magic defenses built into the walls, but it was most likely stealth magic that kept it hidden. That meant that whatever caused The Great Disaster may have had a will of its own and didn't see the labyrinths. It was most likely an attack of a magical nature, since building a contraption to create such destruction is impossible to accomplish scientifically. Farming is also becoming more common with food production and raising livestock as the goal. Similar to light bulbs, meat is now more available, though it is extremely expensive.
5 months have quickly gone by, the syllabus had been crammed into the remaining time and the test had come for us to get our licenses. The license to act on the defense of this faction, in other words, the license to kill. It also clearly defines us as magical girls in the law. When news of our return spread, the law had quickly changed to something more morally suiting, it finally covered the magical girl's that haven't receive their license and prevented their human rights from being violated, at least legally speaking. People could still commit the crime, it would then be a matter for the special force enforcing the law.
Even after 5 months, none of us would quickly forget that change in the law. The person who sold us was in a comfortable position in the governing body, to be able to affect the legal laws. And they did it to hide themselves. Stating our kidnapping as the reason to amend and improve it.
The most likely reason for them to take precaution, we survived Frena. The few months of training in Illnoia administration territory also served to strengthen us severely. It was enough time to build up stamina and slowly get comfortable with our own fighting styles. It was quite rare when considering the fact that magical girls aren't in abundance, for us to surpass C grade and hone some B grade stats. At least 50% and likely more magical girls hit their limit of training and capability at the C grade, these were dubbed the 'low-tier' magical girls. The other tiers of 'mid', 'high' consist of only 1 grade each, B and A respectively. Above that, there has been no classification assigned.
In other words, we were incredibly lucky and have gathered quite a few powerful magical girls. My anti-magic injury is now gone as I recognised it as a substance and sent all of it into Frena's defence. I myself have become much stronger than what I once was. And the rest as well, they have become more confident and more competent in combat. There was progress, a change. The teacher, Jein sensei was surprised at our return, and even more so at our improvement. His jaw hit the ground and his eyes buldge out, this amount of progress was unnatural.
***
It was the day of the test for our license. Roughly a year had gone by since the great disaster. As there was no cake being sold in stores, I had forgotten about my birthday. But now I should be in my third year of high school or 17 years old. In less than a year, I would be 18.
"The test is simple. Fight 2 of these low class D-grade demon panthers." (Jein sensei)
We've been told the day before to gather at the desert over the labyrinth. It was a vague instruction but we somehow managed to reach the right place. After that, we were finally given our objective on how we were earning our licenses. It was simple, defeat 2 low class monsters.
"... You've never taught us anything about these demon panthers before. And you're expecting us to defeat them?!" (Barius)
***(Barius)
Tch, how am I suppose to be perfect if I don't hold all information. It's precisely why I've been working so hard to learn and improve. I delved into the textbook deeply and left little time for myself. Not that there was any form of entertainment since the Internet died out. There have been talks to restore the Internet in a couple years, stating that the interconnectedness it brings will be beneficial for all of humanity, to kickstart the industrial revolution a second time.
In any case, there would be nothing else to spend my time on other than studying for any time soon. Perhaps I could follow the others as an example and relax with my friends. Of course I made some time to be with my friends, at least on the weekends. Even so, most of my time has been spent to perfect my knowledge. Perhaps this feelings of mine stretched deeper into the pass.
..... Kindergarten. The weather didn't matter as we were always indoors. There was playtime in the schedule set to it. That was probably when everything started.
I stood devastated, way more than I should have been. On the sheet of paper I held in front of my face with one hand, I held the deepest grimace I could muster before a close friend at the time awoke me.
"... What... Are you doing? Are you... Okay?.... " (Ikari)
She had short black hair, and usually a mischievous aura around her. For some reason, I've been attracting people with such misfit tendencies since young. She was like any other girl, but for some reason no one can deny it. She had the most beautiful skin, one that reflected the rays of the sun like an elegant crystal. So even if she was a little playful sometimes, people would forgive her when they were caught in awe of her beauty.
In this rare occasion, she held concern for me. She who has always been carefree, she who never bothered to read the room, she who lived as she wanted. She came up and started the conversation, it was how we met and became good friends early in the year. I stuck tightly to her, thinking we would be friends our entire life. You know, those kinds of childish dreams. I had so much fun with her, I enjoyed talking with her, I enjoyed being with her.
But even so, I've always felt inferior to her. I've kept on and persevered, worked hard to do my best in everything. It was something you would write off as a trivial competition between kids. I lost at everything. Every small quiz, regardless of subject, I would lose by a few marks, perform less competently. I was incompetent. Even if I beat everyone else to arrive at second place, what meaning would there be if I didn't beat her?!
"It's okay honey, you don't have to beat Ikari. We're already plenty proud of you and we'll always be." (Papa)
What?...Did people actually think I cared about the test itself? All of it was to be good at something, to distinguish myself from the rest and at least be the best at one thing. But Ikari, she forced my hand. So I had to work hard at everything and fail at being the best at anything. I just wanted to feel special, who wouldn't want to feel special? I've held on to these feelings my entire life! So why wouldn't I be mad that my good friend herself decided to deny me this?
I held deep resentment for it, for the reactions everyone gave. It was all along the lines of what papa told me. No one expects anything, just because I was second place I look the same as everyone else to them. When I'm clearly better than they are, when I've worked way harder than any of them ever did, when I've strives for this way longer than any of them ever did. When it came down to it, I easily calmed myself down and decided to consult her about it. It was the best thing I could think of. I asked her, how she did so well. I desperately prayed that she would at least give me a crumb of her secrets.
"...? I only review my notes some time before the quiz, maybe even right before. There's only one page worth of things to memorise, and the quiz only takes place 3 times a year..." (Ikari)
I wonder what kind of face I made at that time. Was it a ridiculing smile at my own foolishness? Was it an ugly lip stretching cry for my own sadness? But I know my own thoughts at least, 'ah, she was genius huh. Can't beat... That...' All of my frustrations was gone, I could only feel disappointed at myself and at her answer. I was chasing something that was already on a different level. What I bridged with hard work, she did with talent.
In the end, it was just a normal face. She didn't notice much, her own expressions were unchanging, and as always, unaware of my pain. Looks like I only became skilled at hiding my emotions. It's not like I wanted to, I simply didn't want to ruin our friendship from something as petty as this. Yes, even if I recognise how petty and insignificant it was, it still tore at my heart. Because of my wish.
I stared at the quiz paper with the deepest grimace I had. It was the very last quiz as almost 2 years had past since I met Ikari. Kindergarten was soon to be over. Not once had I beaten her, I held on to hope in the first year, only to see the same results in the second year. Just what kind of cruel joke is this...?
"...What are you doing? Are you okay?" ()
There was no need to guess who it was. I looked up from my paper to see that familiar fair skinned princess. That was what she was like when she wasn't playing tricks on the teacher or other students. Maybe some of the students had awakened to something and didn't mind her tricks.
She was usually unconcerned with the feelings of others, imposing her own atmosphere on her surroundings. It was useful at times, but also detrimental to her own socialising. It was why I was her only close friend, only I was skilled enough to hide anything inconvenient to our relationship. Especially some of my own feelings, I grew to only show happiness and what else she wanted to see. I hid everything else as if it was natural.
This was the second time she saw me unable to hide my emotions. Back then when it was exactly a year ago, her voice was still wavering a little but now it seemed she had a little more conviction... Hahah! What am I talking about? A kid having conviction? To do what? Why did she compared to a year ago, now have so much confidence in her own mind? Adding to the list of her talents, this faith in herself would just keep helping her in life.
Last year, she let go of it and never touched upon it anymore. So I suppose it would be the same this year. Well, I think I know what to do. I looked up from the paper and give her a big smile. It may have looked a little odd, but that was because I haven't been this happy in a long while. I wasn't faking it, I found a solution. It was so simple, her influence was clearly getting to me, so I should go to a different school from hers. If I can avoid seeing her all my life, perhaps I could hone a talent and have people recognise me for it.
"... You know, I've learned a lot since becoming your friend. I learned how to cherish someone like you, how to read people's feelings, how to make people happy, how to help other people and much more.
I was... Quite dumb back then. I propably am still a bit now, but I've progressed. I knew, I always knew that I was ruining the mood somehow and couldn't figure out why. So I worked towards that and now I have some idea. And it was all thanks to you.
I could only last this long and be here now because you became my close friend regardless of my faults. And because of my progress, I can tell. You are hiding something aren't you? "(Ikari)
Did she figure it out?