It took a few seconds for their eyes to adjust to the brilliant light that illuminated the room. As their vision cleared, Yoshino and Nozomi were met with the sight of slightly rusted metal walls. The walls were worn from age yet still standing firm. The room itself was a grim tableau of past technology and research—a jumble of tables, chairs, and old computers, most of which were broken and charred beyond recognition.
At the far end of the room, stark in its tragic grandeur, stood the remnants of a giant test tube. It was large enough to hold a person, now shattered and forlorn. "Sorry for the wait. Let me show you around the place... or at least what's left of it," Seiza said, his voice cutting through the silence of the lab.
As they began to explore, Nozomi's eyes were drawn to a pile of half-burned books, shards of broken glass, and thick layers of dust in one corner. The mess was unsettling. "Yeah, this place wasn't the cleanest when I woke up. There were glass shards, burned books, and dust everywhere. I had to jump from table to table just to reach the stairs. I eventually cleaned up as best I could once I figured out how to levitate stuff," Seiza explained, answering the unspoken question as he hopped onto one of the few remaining intact chairs.
Nozomi's gaze shifted between the stairs she had descended and the nearest broken table. The distance seemed too great for Seiza to have made the jump unassisted. She was about to voice her doubts when Seiza continued, anticipating her thoughts. "Yes... I'm aware the distance is too far. It was actually how I remembered I could heal. It might not have seemed like the best decision, but it was either that or starve here."
Nozomi glanced at Seiza, feeling a mixture of concern and amazement. Before she could delve deeper into her thoughts, Yoshino interjected with a question. "Wait, that raises a good point. Seiza, what did you eat and drink before you met us?"
Nozomi wondered where Yoshino was going with this seemingly random inquiry, but Seiza's discomfort was evident. "Well... I might have been forced to use my newly acquired powers to... borrow from the more fortunate," he admitted, avoiding eye contact.
"I see..." Yoshino responded, though her voice carried a faint note of disappointment.
Nozomi quickly jumped to Seiza's defense. "Hey, hey, come on, Yoshino. It's not like he had a choice! He did it out of necessity. I mean..." She turned to Seiza. "Did you... hurt anyone when you 'borrowed' what you needed?"
Seiza shook his head firmly. "No, thankfully it never came to that thanks to my magic."
Nozomi breathed a sigh of relief. Despite her initial concerns, she chose to believe him. "See? No one got hurt, so no real harm done."
Yoshino nodded slowly, the logic resonating with her. "That's fair. If it was for survival, I can't blame you... sorry for pressuring you," she apologized, and Nozomi's smile widened at the peaceful resolution.
From the corner of her eye, Nozomi noticed a bulky, unfamiliar machine standing in stark contrast to the surrounding decay. Its imposing frame was cluttered with an array of knobs, levers, and buttons, some of which had long since lost their original luster. The machine's body was a patchwork of metal panels, riveted together with a mix of precision and hasty repairs, hinting at a history of both meticulous design and urgent maintenance.
Curiosity piqued, Nozomi felt an irresistible pull towards the enigmatic device. She quietly slipped away from the conversation, her steps tentative as she approached the machine. The closer she got, the more details she could make out. Layers of dust covered most surfaces, disturbed only by small handprints and scuff marks suggesting recent interaction. Parts of the metal gleamed under the dim light, while other sections were tarnished by the passage of time.
As she approached, Nozomi could see faded labels beneath the grime, though the text was too worn to read. Wires snaked out from every direction, connecting this apparatus to hidden conduits in the walls and floor. Small lights flickered occasionally, indicating some latent power or functionality still at work.
When she reached the machine, she hesitated for a moment. Her fingers itched to press the myriad buttons and flip the switches, but she resisted, wary of causing damage. Her eyes scanned over it, trying to understand its purpose. The control panel, positioned at her eye level, dominated her attention with its mesmerizing array of functions.
"What's this thing, Seiza?" she finally asked, her voice filled with genuine curiosity and a touch of awe.
Seiza, noticing her interest, walked over with a small smile. "Well, I don't know the exact name of it... but it did help me create that arcade game you both played," he explained, his tone warm.
Nozomi marveled in surprise. "Wait, you made that? Why?" she asked, turning to face him, her intrigue deepening.
Seiza explained, "Yes, it took a bit of magic and me using an existing arcade machine as a template. I created the 'Shiny Constellation Guardian Sagittarius' arcade machine. I figured it would be an effective way to identify potential magical girls by having something that could identify them in an area where plenty of people come and go."
"Wow," Nozomi murmured, her fingers tracing the edge of the control panel. She could almost envision Seiza laboring over this machine, blending magic and technology into a single purpose. The machine now stood as a silent testament to his ingenuity and determination.
As she stepped back to take it all in, she couldn't help but feel a surge of wonder and respect for what Seiza had managed to achieve with such limited resources.
"Wait... what about the poster ads? Didn't anyone question the new machine and ads?" Nozomi raised a finger to her chin as she asked.
Seiza shrugged nonchalantly. "As far as I know, not really? Even with the ads, I never had issues with the staff. My best guess is they aren't paid enough to care." His explanation made a strange kind of sense, leaving Nozomi nodding in reluctant agreement.
"In any case, would you like to see it in action?" Seiza queried. Nozomi nodded eagerly, and Seiza approached the machine.
Nozomi and Yoshino watched as a barely visible aura of yellowish energy enveloped the machine. After a few seconds, it powered on with a loud whir. "Now, let's see..."
Within moments, the machine began producing circular targets with white and red stripes, dropping them onto the floor. When the fifth target appeared, Seiza stopped the process, admitting, "This should be enough."
He levitated one of the targets to the other side of the lab, positioning it at Nozomi's eye level. "Okay, Nozomi, this is where your training starts. Are you ready?"
The realization of why they were there dawned on Nozomi, her eyes widening before her face set into a determined expression. I need to get stronger to protect those I care about. No matter what, I'll give it my all!
"Er, Nozomi? Didn't you hear me? I asked if you're ready to start," Seiza said, still waiting for her response.
Nozomi quickly snapped back to reality. "Y-yes, sorry, I'm ready!" She raised her hand, preparing to transform. "By the power of the constellations, transform!"
Light engulfed Nozomi from the pendant, transforming her and momentarily blinding everyone. When the brilliance faded, Nozomi stood in a dramatic pose, her determination palpable to everyone around.
Yoshino, who had shielded her eyes, now saw her fully transformed friend. "Hmm..."
"Huh, what is it, Yoshino?" Nozomi asked, noticing her friend's contemplative gaze, which made her blush.
"Oh." Yoshino blushed in return. "Sorry, it's just... this is the first time I've got a good look at you after processing most of what happened yesterday. You look good, by the way."
"O-oh, thanks!" Nozomi said, nervously scratching her cheek while looking away.
"Er... I don't want to pressure you, but I can't hold this target up forever," Seiza interjected, beads of sweat forming.
"Y-yeah, just a second..." Yoshino backed away to give Nozomi space, then sat on a relatively stable chair. "Okay, you can start!"
"Okay, since my knowledge is limited, this might take a while," Seiza admitted. "So don't be discouraged if we don't succeed today. First, can you explain how you defeated that monster yesterday?"
Nozomi thought back. "Let me see, from what I remember, I... restrained it with the lid of a trash can, and reflexively pointed at it, shooting a beam of light from my finger." She mimicked the motion of a finger gun firing with one of her hands. "Does that help?"
Seiza nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, it's a good start. Now we know you remember using the powers. Tell me, how were you feeling just before shooting the light bullet?"
Nozomi looked down, recalling the moment. "I was scared... and thought I was going to die, but, I also felt something else, something stronger..." She clenched her fists, turning to Yoshino with a small smile. "The desire to protect someone I care about."
"That should be enough," Seiza affirmed. "Close your eyes and focus on that protective feeling while aiming at the target. If I'm right, we might see results... Yoshino, keep an eye out for any reactions from Nozomi's finger!"
"Got it!" Yoshino said, giving Seiza a thumbs-up that he couldn't see.
Silence blanketed the room as Nozomi focused, aiming at the target with unwavering intensity. The air felt heavy with anticipation, as if time itself held its breath, waiting for what would come next. For a moment, nothing happened, and the stillness seemed almost oppressive. Then, a faint glimmer appeared at her fingertip, a delicate spark that gradually grew in intensity.
The light swelled, evolving from a mere flicker to a brilliant, radiant white energy that emanated from her finger. Yoshino watched in awe, captivated by the ethereal glow. The light reflected in Nozomi's eyes, turning them into shimmering pools of determination and power. Yoshino's heart swelled with a mix of admiration and amazement at seeing her friend wield such extraordinary abilities.
Suddenly, a deafening bang shattered the silence, snapping Yoshino out of her trance. The sound reverberated through the lab, signaling the release of the intense energy that Nozomi had channeled. For Seiza and Yoshino, the light's journey was a swift flash, a brilliant streak that zipped across the room.
For Nozomi, however, the world seemed to slow down. She watched in what felt like slow motion as the light bullet traveled toward its target with unerring precision. It struck the center and passed through effortlessly, continuing on its path until it rebounded off the metallic lab wall and hurtled straight back toward her.
Panic seized her as she realized the imminent danger, but her body refused to respond. It was as though she was trapped within her own skin, imprisoned by the same magical force she had unleashed. The light closed in, and an instant before it made contact, she braced herself for the inevitable.
When the energy hit, it was like being pierced by molten knives. Pain exploded in her shoulder, a searing, excruciating agony that felt like it was burning her from the inside out. Her mind was a cacophony of silent screams, her inner voice wailing in desperation, but her body remained locked in place, unresponsive and paralyzed.
As time resumed its normal pace, the sheer force of the pain caused Nozomi's legs to give way. She crumpled to the ground, falling face-first onto the cold, hard floor of the lab. Her voice finally found release, pouring out in a raw, anguished scream that echoed through the room. Tears streamed down her face, mingling with her cries for help, each breath heavy and labored as her heart pounded frantically in her chest.
Gradually, the intensity of the pain began to ebb away, retreating into the corners of her mind like a fading nightmare. The burning sensation dulled, becoming a distant, throbbing memory. Through her tear-blurred vision, she saw Seiza beside her, his expression focused and intent as he worked to heal her wound with his magic. The gentle warmth of his healing touch contrasted starkly with the earlier agony, providing a soothing comfort.
Yoshino knelt by Nozomi's side, her face etched with deep worry and concern. Her hands hovered uncertainly, wanting to help but unsure how. The worry in her eyes spoke volumes; she had witnessed her friend's suffering and felt helpless to prevent it.
As the healing process completed, Seiza looked up, his gaze filled with a mix of relief and lingering concern. "Okay... can someone tell me what just happened?" he asked, his voice tinged with confusion.
Nozomi struggled to sit up, still shaken. "It—" she tried to speak, but memories of the pain made her choke on her words. After taking several deep breaths, she managed to continue. "I saw the light... watched it hit the target, pass through, and come back at me. It... it felt like time slowed down, and I couldn't move. When it hit, the pain was unbearable," she confessed, shivering at the memory.
Yoshino, sensing her friend's distress, awkwardly wrapped her arms around Nozomi in a comforting hug. Nozomi clung to her, crying into her shoulder. "Shh... it's okay. I think we both understand... right, Seiza?" Yoshino said softly, rubbing Nozomi's back, trying her best to provide solace.
Seiza took a moment to absorb what Nozomi had described, then nodded solemnly. "Yes, I understand now. In future training sessions, we'll make sure there are no reflective surfaces to prevent this from happening again. For now, let's call it a day."
"Yeah, just wait a second," Yoshino replied, continuing to comfort Nozomi until she calmed down. When Nozomi finally composed herself, wiping the tears from her eyes, she managed a small smile to show she was okay to leave.
"I'm alright now. We can go," Nozomi said, although her voice still quivered slightly.
Yoshino remained skeptical but nodded. She stood up and offered her hand, helping Nozomi to her feet. They began to make their way back when Seiza suddenly halted, sniffing the air, his body tense.
"What's wrong, Seiza?" Nozomi asked.
Seiza's expression turned serious as he faced them. "It's another darkspawn. They found us!"