*
What constituted escaping? Usually a Trace wouldn't be intelligent enough to see retreating as a better way to for self preservation. Low level Traces wouldn't even know they could attempt an escape, and would fight until their pack was annihilated.
The more intelligent a Trace is, the stronger they were. At least that was the general trend. This was a reason why there is no indefinitely extending 'Event' when the {Anxiety} Remnant retreats every time. When the world deems that the Trace has retreated, which is fulfilled by the magical girl's inability to immediately subjugate the Trace, it will allow the 'Event' to end.
The Ogre Trace was B ranked, it knew enough to fight and it learned at the end. The fact that it could learn was enough of an anomaly.
Lastia continued to lay upon the ground, her body was barely being sustained by the forcefulness of Pelenia's healing, {Gratitude}. It was a healing power on the basic principle of rejuvenation, to allow a withered and scarred body to return to which it was before. It boosts the target's cells ability to multiply and specialise, as well as transmuted nutrients and building material via magical energy.
Her body was overloaded with magical energy, flooding her sense with so much stimulation that no human could interpret. In other words, some her nerves and the parts of her brain concerning pain have already died. Of course, it was not just that. Her body was full of dead organs, disfunctional blood vessels, unresponsive nerves, and cells that stopped all operations. Her consciousness barely holds in, like a spectre clinging to the land due to unresolved grudges, only that she is clinging onto her own body and she was immobile.
She didn't even notice how she was staring blankly at the sky, unable to comprehend the sight that was blurry beyond reason. Her mind was so fogged up with noise stemming from her bodily agony, that it could no longer process information from her senses. The only thing she could sense and think about now is the volume of space that {Feed} has engulfed.
Blood dripped silently over her puffy peach lips with cherry red, spilling over the ends and drizzling over her skin. Her dress was all back, so it sufficiently hid the numerous blood stains. It was practically drenched, it was a silver lining that she could no longer feel with her skin, otherwise it would have been physically uncomfortable.
'Once more, I can't give up here.' (Lastia)
The amount of magic she needed to release only increased exponentially as the area she had to engulf only grew.
'Ah... I'm getting sleep... py...' (Lastia)
"Tch, I'm not getting to her. Is it because she can no longer hear me...?
I can't do anything more... So please, just keep listening... " (Pelenia)
Desperate, she could only keep trying her best even if it were to be in vain. Trying was better than not doing anything.
***
Her senior Lavaliy was unbelievably kind, yet she wielded immense strength and empathise with the weak. At least that was the image that everyone had of her.
In her normal form, she had straight black hair, and was a little taller than others. Her uniform was prim and proper, at this one's school they wore sailor uniforms with large collars and long sleeves, and cardigans that go under their collars. An undeniable model student with top grades and accolades. Her only flaw would be that she wasn't perfect in sports, even then she was still above average.
"Why? Why do you still risk yourself so much?! Haven't I been telling you! Stop pushing it even if I could heal you!
It still hurts doesn't it!? You can still feel pain and cry, right!?" (Pelenia)
One day, she couldn't hold it in any longer. She released her grievances, a naive cry and concern for her friend. Even when she was infuriated, it was for the sake of her friend. Lavaliy had almost died, she fought in the middle of the night. The Trace was vanquished, and she was fatally poisoned, left alone to writhe in torment the entire night. She was on the verge of death, until Pelenia found her when she thought her absence from school was strange.
If Pelenia were like the others... If she had dismissed Lavaliy's absence and left her alone for a moment longer... Who knew how long Lavaliy had left.
"... I couldn't risk it. I had to defeat it, before it reached any of you. It's the very reason I train." (Lavaliy)
"... So it was because you were scared of losing us. Senpai... We're magical girls. Risk is just a part of how we live." (Pelenia)
" It doesn't have to be... If I'm stronger... If I'm strong enough that I don't have to rely on your healing...
Then I alone will be enough. You guys are just first years, you don't have to risk your lives! I... I can't lose anymore of you!!" (Lavaliy)
That's why Lavaliy was the only magical girl there despite being a second year. The general assumption was that the previous generation had graduated and gone on to live normal lives. However the reality is that... All magical girls met their end while on duty, didn't they? Were they destined to die after a certain amount of time passes?
After all, the awakening of a magical girl is a mystery. Individuals awaken with varying levels of power, some are stronger and some are weaker. In that case, could it really be assumed that magical girls were spontaneously awakened? Or were they intentionally chosen? Just what was the extent of this intention? Did it have the ability to choose how much power they should have? What magical powers they will use?
Not a single clue on these laws exist. Not that knowing even a single truth would solve any matter.
"Losing us... I'm sorry you felt that way. It must have been really painful, not being able to see some you deeply care about anymore.
I... I can roughly sympathise... I don't want to die either. I want to live a long and fulfilling life, even if that means abandoning my duties as a magical girl to you. It never mattered much to me, the best plan I've ever concocted was to simply run and survive. " (Pelenia)
" Pelenia... I... I can protect everyone, with your help. With your healing, I would be unbeatable. Please... Let me continue... Keep believing in me. " (Lavaliy)
"... I don't want your protection... If sacrificing you was necessary to survive, I don't know if living on would be considered to be fulfilling anymore. At least these are my foremost concerns.
I'm weak, I can't fight. The first time Traces showed up and I moved during an 'Event', you saved me. " (Pelenia)
Like a knight in shining armour.