Ch.2424. Contradictory Villain

“… So, why have you come here again?”

Yes, why is the Association President out here?

“Ah, well. Bine, I’ve prepared a gift for you.”

“A gift? Ha, I’m truly looking forward to it.”

Why is such a visitor ruining my day from the morning?

I was planning to finish work early and get some more sleep.

“Yes, I originally intended to give it to you when you came to the Association, but I thought it might be better to give it to you now.”

“You’ve interrupted my precious rest time just for that gift? Hah, really. So what is it?”

“You’ll like it when you see it. Open it yourself.”

The Association President took out a box from the briefcase she was carrying.

Inside was a collar identical to the one I’m currently wearing.

What is this supposed to be?

“What is this? You brought this kind of thing as a gift? Is it some new model with a bomb planted inside?”

“Nothing like that. It’s something we were developing when I came a few days ago. I made a new one with some slight modifications.”

“So what am I supposed to do with it? Isn’t this just the same dog collar?”

“No, it was originally made for training monsters. What’s the point of practicing with monsters that have no abilities? So I added various functions.”

“Ah, so why are you giving this to me?”

“I want you to help train the magical girls, as you well know.”

“Ha, me? Why should I do that?”

“I’m not forcing you. If you help, I can assist you too. Like giving you access permission to Eden Headquarters, things like that.”

“…Are you threatening me right now?”

“No? I’m just talking about how I can help you.”

“Did Blanc tell you?”

“Yunseul? Hmm…”

“She did tell you. Hah.”

“Well, so. Will you do it?”

A villain for magical girl training.

To be honest, I did want to help with Arin’s training.

But that was for later. For now, I wanted to stay as I am.

“Hah, I’ll think about it.”

“Good, come here. I’ll switch it for you.”

“…What if I try to escape during the brief moment I’m released?”

“Will you run away?”

“No. I won’t do that, but…”

“Then it’s fine.”

With that, she removed the seal from my neck without hesitation.

It feels strange to have something that’s been tormenting me for years removed from my neck.

“…Did you really release me?”

“No, you need to put this one on.”

“Do you really think I won’t run away?”

“Yes, so hurry up and come here.”

“…Alright.”

I don’t understand why the Association President trusts me.

Hah, I don’t want to wear it again, but…

“I paid attention to the inner lining on this one. It should be better than the previous seal.”

“I don’t particularly need such consideration.”

“Still, it’s better than nothing. So, how is it?”

“The feeling of regaining power only to lose it again isn’t particularly pleasant.”

“Yes. That can happen. That concludes my business. Where are Yunseul and Yuri?”

“They’re both sleeping. Should I wake them?”

“No. I’ll be going then. Think it over and let me know. Understood?”

“Yes. Please leave quickly.”

Hah, really. This just makes things more complicated.

* * *

“What? Big sister Bine will help with my training? Great! Right away! Let’s go to the training grounds now!”

I thought I should tell Arin about this, so I did.

But I didn’t expect her to be this enthusiastic.

“So that was the gift the Association President said she’d give you.”

Blanc pointed at my collar as she spoke.

“Ha, it’s still choking me all the same. And they call this a gift.”

“Well, she said it’s still a prototype, and if you want, some functions can be disabled. Isn’t that good for you, Bine?”

“Ah, it was a prototype? Ha, really.”

“She said now that she knows your neck size, next time she’ll custom make one… or something?”

“What, hah.”

“So, do you want to go to the Association with me tomorrow?”

“No. Doesn’t Arin have school tomorrow? And she has important exams coming up.”

“Bine, you really care about Arin. Alright. Then I’ll look into another day.”

Arin, who had been listening to our conversation, cheered.

“Yes! I can wait that long! Me, training with Big sister Bine…”

“Arin, you need to finish your exams first. This is contingent on good grades.”

“Yes! That’s easy! Hehe… with Big sister Bine…”

Then, the crybaby who had been listening from behind asked me.

“But, will Bine and Arin be a good match…?”

To that, Arin answered instead.

“Huh? Ah, since Big sister Bine lost her powers, she might be weaker than me.”

“No, Arin. That… Bine is…”

Seeing Arin’s concerned look, I interrupted the crybaby and informed Arin.

“Arin, this collar the Association President gave me has a function that partially restores my abilities. So, Arin, you should be worried about losing instead.”

“What? Big sister Bine? You’re saying I’ll lose?”

“I’m much stronger than you think, Arin. I should ask Blanc to adjust the output for your sake.”

“What? Big sister Bine is going easy on me? You’re wea—, I mean… umm…”

“Ah, but there’s one place I need to visit first. Blanc, will you come with me?”

“Where? Oh, perhaps.”

“Yes, I need to visit headquarters.”

“Hmm… I think we should check with the Association President first about that.”

“I don’t have my weapon, do I? I need at least a weapon to fight a magical girl. I wasn’t particularly good at hand-to-hand combat.”

“Your weapon is probably stored at the Association.”

“What, are you suggesting I should retrieve my precious gun that’s been stashed away in a museum?”

“No, the weapon confiscated during ‘Ragnarok.’ Isn’t that enough?”

“Ah, my tail was also confiscated then. That red-haired magical girl over there came and tried to forcibly tear it off, which was painful.”

The red-haired girl I pointed at jumped in surprise and retorted.

“No, that was because you kept attacking with it…”

“Red-hair, please be quiet. Don’t you have studying to do today? Ah, should I help you again today?”

“Bine, sorry, I just remembered I have something urgent to do, so I’ll go in first. Sleep well, Bine! Bye!”

The red-haired girl, making a pathetic excuse, hurriedly went into her room.

That really hurt.

It was connected to my nerves, and she just forcibly… hah.

But I don’t remember hitting her that hard yesterday, so I don’t understand why she’s so startled.

“Hah, that red-hair, really.”

As I watched the red-haired girl going upstairs with a sigh, Blanc asked me.

“So, you’ll do it?”

“Hmm, I plan to spar with Arin first…”

“Starting with Arin… how about trying with Hyewon first? Hyewon has grown a lot, and you can gauge your abilities again.”

“Then I’d rather spar with you. There’s no way the crybaby is on my level.”

Right? No matter how much time has passed, I should be able to beat that yellow-haired crybaby.

“Besides, you haven’t won against me in one-on-one combat that many times either.”

“…Bine, I’ve become much stronger than you think.”

“No matter how strong you’ve become.”

“Hah? Bine, what did you just say…”

“Hah, rather than becoming a punching bag for 20 magical girls attacking me at once, this is better.”

“Bine, you need to explain what you just said that I can’t let slide.”

“Somehow, I’ve become a villain helping magical girls. If I knock them down mercilessly, that wouldn’t be helping, would it?”

“Bine, are you ignoring me? I think I just heard you say I’m weaker than you.”

“Yes, fine. I should face you before Arin. I need to warm up and control my strength anyway.”

“Ha, are you not listening to me?”

“Blanc, it’s been a while. Really.”

Yes, good.

I was going to help with Arin’s training anyway.

It’s not bad to warm up and reminisce about old memories at the same time.

“Magical Girl Blanc. It’s been a very long time. Hah.”

“Hah, alright Bine. So that’s how you want to play it?”

“Yes. That works. I’ll need some preparation time. Let’s see, Arin’s training schedule… right after her exam ends the day after tomorrow. It would be refreshing to defeat you and then observe Arin’s training.”

“Go ahead and try if you can.”

“Very well, Magical Girl.”

Perhaps our conversation had created an atmosphere reminiscent of the old days, as Arin looked at us both with somewhat fearful eyes and asked.

“Um, excuse me… Yunseul… Big sister Bine… please don’t fight…”

“Ah, Arin. Are you worried?”

“Arin, we’re not fighting. Right, Bine?”

“Well, it felt like old times for a moment. But yes, we’re not fighting.”

“B-but…”

“Arin, you’re the one who needs to prepare. I’m strong, you know? So first, make sure you’re ready for your exams. I’ll help you study today too, so bring your materials.”

“Yes, yes! I’ll bring them right away! J-just a moment!”

Watching Arin rush upstairs, I spoke to Blanc.

“Hah, I’m doing this training together because it’s Arin. Why should I be a sparring partner for magical girls?”

“Yes, let’s go with that. The day after tomorrow… we should visit the Association President tomorrow.”

“What? Do we need to go earlier?”

“Of course. We need to get your training facility access pass.”

“I see.”

“Ah, and Bine, we should also get you a mobile phone. I can’t always accompany you when you help with training.”

“I don’t need a mobile phone. I’ll always be with Arin or the others anyway.”

“Still, there will be times when you need it.”

“Alright. Let’s do that then.”

A villain helping magical girls.

How contradictory.