CH 55

Chapter 2 — Expand, my world! • Episode 2-5 • Preparation ⑤

Translated by KaiesV

Edited by KaiesV

It has been several days since I continued training with Elephant-san and the others while defeating the appropriate Diests in Sakira Town. Today, Samurai Peach-san and Knuckle-san were absent, so it was just me and Extend-san supervising, when suddenly, a warning tone started playing from Extend-san’s magiphone, and she left, saying she had something urgent to do. I thought it might have been a Diest appearance on Junkoi Town and didn’t pay much attention to it at the time, but only now, when Extend-san came back, did I realize that the urgency was about this『induction course.』

「It’s been a while since the Tea Party, Sylph-san. I heard from Extend-san that you were here, so I came to apologize for the other day, as well as to introduce you to my apprentice.」

Along with Extend-san, was the Devil, Wigs Crosseau, the Thread Witch, appeared with three Magical Girls who were strangers to me.

I could see myself that my expression was tense.

「I apologize for being a little late in informing you of this. I had no idea that there would be an attack at that point in the day. But I am glad that nothing happened to you all.」

「You have Extend who’s neighboring to Sakira Town! You can’t let them get away with this so easily.」

「Yes, the Witch lives up to her name. As expected of Extend-san.」

「You’re right, you’re right!」

Extend-san’s nose is puffed up with praise from the Devil, and she is puffing her chest. Extend-san is not supposed to be a member of any faction, so I guess she is not taken in by the Devil, but she seems to be fooled by her outward appearance.

As Rabbitfoot-san said, this Devil only shows its true nature when and to whom it needs to. I am probably the only one here who knows the true nature of this Devil.

「…Thanks for the other day. When you say disciples, do you mean the three behind?」

I don’t know what the purpose of her visit is, but since she was ostensibly here to apologize and introduce her disciples, please get that over with and leave. Just having this Devil in the same room gives me chills.

「Yes. As I told you before, I am teaching three Magical Girls. Girls, introduce yourselves.」

「Okay! I am the Magical Girl Kanon! Nice to meet you!」

「M–Magical Girl Barrier. Nice meeting you…」

「Magical Girl Operate. Best regards.」

「Tyrant Sylph. I’m pleased to meet you.」

The energetic one is Kanon, the timid one is Barrier, and the quiet one is Operate. They all look about the same age as me in appearance. Do they have hidden talents that the Devil is going out of her way to teach them personally?

「Then, everyone, I’m going to have a few words with these people, so please begin your training in your usual settings.」

I followed the Devil’s words and gave a three-way reply before heading to the training room. I see, so she came to this place to teach those children. I guess she usually play the good guy move to fool those around her.

「From the viewpoint of Thread Witch-dono, did you sense something shining in those children?」

「No, I chose those girls not because of their individual talents, but because I felt the three of them were a good match.」

「Their chemistry, you say? You wouldn’t say it’s because they seem to get along well and work hard?」

「It’s a magical affinity. I’m teaching those kids how to use magic and how to move in battle, as well as Collaboration Magic.」

「Ohh! That would be another interesting experiment, wouldn’t it? Can it already be activated then?」

「I have only recently started teaching these girls. They haven’t yet been able to activate those yet.」

「Umm… Excuse me.」

「Yes? What is it?」

「What is Collaboration Magic?」

I didn’t want to talk to the Devil as much as possible, so I was silent as a Jizo statuewhile they were talking, but then a word popped up that caught my attention and I couldn’t help but open my mouth.

「Have you not heard it from the fairies? I remember it being in the basic knowledge category…」

「Wind Witch-dono is a bit special. There are some gaps in her knowledge.」

「Is that so? As the name implies, Collaboration Magic is magic that is invoked by multiple Magical Girls working together.」

「The Collaboration Magic is far more powerful than normal magic. It is said that even Phase 1 Magical Girl’s collaboration are more powerful than Phase 2 Magical Girl’s normal magic, and Phase 2 Magical Girl’s combined magic is said to be comparable to a fully liberated witch.」

「Because of this, it’s extremely difficult to handle, and just because you can use it once does not mean you can use it anytime. There are perhaps fewer Magical Girls than Witches who can be called to have mastered it, not to have used the Collaboration Magic. To begin with, the premise is that Magical Girls who use combined magic must have good magical compatibility with each other, otherwise they will never be able to use it.」

「Magical affinity, is it?」

「For example, a Magical Girl with Wind, Rain, and Thunder would use Storm Magic in a combined magic. Maybe Wind Witch-dono can call up a storm by herself, but it’s an easy analogy to understand, isn’t it? However, I’ve never heard of a joint magic used by the three of them, though.」

「I’m sorry, that was a little complicated to say. Of those kids, it was Barrier and Operate who can actually use the Collaboration Magic. Kanon is a Magical Girl who is expected to synergize with that combined magic, so I’m teaching her together.」

「What the, I was expecting to see the first ever Three-person Collaboration Magic, but I guess that’s what it’s all about.」

「It’s said that Collaboration Magic requires a deep understanding of each other’s magic. It would be unrealistic to ask for three people when even two would be difficult.」

Is that a Joint Magic? Maybe he was going to teach me eventually, but Jack was putting this off because he didn’t think I needed it, or that it didn’t make sense.

The level of magic that is on par with a fully liberated Witch with the combined magic of Phase 2 Magical Girls may be attractive to Magical Girls who are not competent enough to become Witches, but for Witches who are actually fully liberated, they can expect to be as powerful as a Witch just by using their own magic. Considering that even the actual highest ranking Duke-class distinctions can be defeated by a few Witches, there is little merit in Witches going to the trouble of taking a long time to learn Collaboration Magic.

In addition, at the time I had no intention of getting along with other Magical Girls, let alone getting involved with them at all. In such a situation, it is a waste of time to teach magical knowledge that at least two Magical Girls must practice for a long period of time to master, or even if they do practice, they will not be able to master it.

「Hmm, but I’m amazed that those girls listen to you so honestly. It’s a common reason for young, underdeveloped Magical Girls to learn Collaboration Magic, to reach beyond their limits, right? I don’t think those girls already hit their heads, though.」

「The prestige of the title “Witch” is that great. They won’t regret it. I will make sure they learn it.」

「Ohh, very, very scary. Just like a Spartan.」

「Now, I have to see those girls, so I will leave you now. Sylph-san, I expect a good answer from you anytime before this one.」

「Don’t get your hopes up.」

「That’s unfortunate, then.」

What a shame when she keeps a straight face throughout and her voice tone doesn’t change. She applied pressure at the last minute. This is why the Devil is so tricky.

「Did she recruit you to her faction?」

Extend-san asked me this after I watched the Devil enter the training room. Well, I’m sure Extend-san has been invited to do the same, and I can guess.

「A little pushy. Extend-san had the same, too?」

「I was like, “Well, I’m fine if I can.” The Law Faction is more stable than the Natural Faction, and I probably could have gone either way.」

「Is Extend-san not interested in joining a faction?」

「Honestly, it doesn’t matter either way. I was just following in the footsteps of my now retired seniors who were Factionless. But, well, it would not be interesting for the Magical Girls of that faction to join a Faction as soon as they become Witches, even though they were previously unaffiliated. The lower you go in these things, the heavier the burden, and the higher up you go, the sweeter the juice. Of course there is a return for the heavy burden, but if we could control our emotions through logic, we wouldn’t have a hard time, would we?」

「I–I see then.」

What can I say, I didn’t think she was thinking that far ahead. I’m refusing simply because I don’t want my time with Elephant-san to be interrupted, but should I take it more seriously?

Even the Devil was cunning, insidious, and repulsive in her ways, but her purpose was to balance all Magical Girls, so am I to blame for being selfish?

「U–Uhm, is it not good to not join a faction for selfish reasons? I don’t know if this is something to get upset about…」

My words became fainter and fainter as I went on to the second half of the session. I can’t imagine if Elephant-san finds out about this and be disappointed, angry, and abandoned by me because of it… that’s not good, I absolutely don’t want that.

「…It’s not something that a child thinks about. Let those who want to do such things do them. It’s the fault of a few Magical Girls who can’t control themselves in the first place, and you don’t have to sacrifice yourself for them.」

I was so caught up in my anxiety that I asked the question unintentionally, and Extend-san patted my head and said in a gentle voice, “I am very happy to hear that.”

「P–Please don’t treat me like a child!」

I was so embarrassed that I just brushed her hand away, but to be honest, I was a little relieved. That’s about right! There is no need for me to put up with this for the sake of other Magical Girls! I feel like an idiot for even worrying for a second! This is all the fault of that Devil!

「Oops, I apologise. Well then, lady, come dance with me today?」

「I’ve been thinking about that for a while, but that phrase is lame.」

「Lame!? Ha–hahaha, Knuckle told me it was cool, though…」

I got a little relaxed and slipped up a little, but he seemed more shocked than I expected and mumbled something in a whisper. I didn’t hear her very well, but I’m sorry I did what I did after she encouraged me to do so.

「I’m just kidding. It was very cool.」

「Eh!!? Kukuh, I knew it was a joke, of course.」

When I mentioned the social situation, Extend-san easily regained her energy. She was a simple person.

I start walking after Extend-san, who has regained her composure and started heading to the training room. Today is the day we won’t lose.