Ch.250IF Side Story: From the Beginning (18)

I don’t consider myself a particularly violent person.

It’s not that I dislike fighting. Since coming here, I’ve had plenty of battles with the Magical Girls, so I’m not exactly a perfectly peaceful human either. But of course, I don’t have any desire to grab random people and beat them up.

However, even someone like me feels my blood boiling when told I can hold a hammer and smash anything I want.

BANG!

A loud noise echoed, and a tingling sensation traveled through my fingertips. Strictly speaking, it was probably a kind of pain, but somehow I found it pleasurable.

The thick metal plate completely crumpled, almost folding in half. Well, not quite, because of the hammer’s thickness.

Since I was swinging while thinking about the hammer, the metal plate didn’t split cleanly in half like when Hayun swings her sword, but this was intimidating in its own way.

Combatants wear helmets on their heads. At first glance, they look similar to motorcycle helmets, but they’re supposedly made using alien technology.

Of course, they weren’t indestructible against a Magical Girl, but they were definitely sturdier than the helmets we normally see.

Obviously, I had no intention of crushing someone’s head, but it was certainly a weapon intimidating enough to shock people.

For a brief moment, I wondered if it was okay for a Magical Girl to carry something like this, but thinking about it, there must have been at least some Magical Girls who used hammers as weapons among all the others.

“I made it white. If you ever decide on a personal color later, we can paint it accordingly.”

“Yeah, thanks.”

For now, I think it might end up being black, but that’s something we won’t know until I actually transform.

THUNK.

When I put the hammer down on the floor, it made a threatening sound. It was actually quite heavy, making it somewhat difficult to use without mana.

Well, since I can’t fight Combatants without using mana anyway, I suppose that doesn’t really matter.

“Thank you so much. Honestly, I was feeling a bit lost.”

When I thanked her again, Ju-a scratched her head and smiled sheepishly. Her image is really quite different from the Iris I knew.

If that change is due to my presence or absence, it gives me a somewhat strange feeling… but well, I should think of it as a good thing.

Though it seems like she keeps copying my hairstyle, anyway.

“Now… I just need to be able to transform.”

Since even Hayun hasn’t figured out transformation yet, I’m not too worried about it.

“Alright. Shall we continue with the test then?”

“Yes!”

When I raised my staff and spoke, Ju-a nodded vigorously in response.

*

After working up a good sweat and coming out of the shower feeling refreshed, I ran into Hayun.

I usually shower when the other Magical Girls aren’t around.

Come to think of it, all the Magical Girls had a habit of showering separately. The shower room was clearly designed for multiple people to use at once, but since we weren’t close, we never went in together, and that tradition has continued until now.

Neither Hayun nor I broke that tradition by going in together.

So when I encountered Hayun in the changing room after I had just finished getting dressed, I was a bit surprised. Thankfully, I had already finished dressing; otherwise, it would have been extremely embarrassing.

“Oh, ah, sorry!?”

Hayun apologized without even knowing why she was apologizing. It wasn’t something to apologize for in the first place. If anything, it’s strange that we’re taking turns using a space meant for everyone to use together.

“No, it’s fine. I’m already dressed. I was just about to leave.”

“O-okay. I see…”

Hayun said with a flushed face.

“Oh, right. Jieun.”

As I was about to make way for her, Hayun called out to me. While gathering my changed clothes, I looked at Hayun, who still had a somewhat embarrassed expression.

“J-Ju-a told me that your staff is almost finished.”

“Yeah, it’s almost done. Just needs a bit of adjustment.”

“Then, would you like to spar with me?”

“Spar?”

When I blinked in surprise, Hayun nodded.

Me sparring with Hayun.

Actually, we didn’t spar that often.

Part of it was because Hayun was skilled, but mainly because our fighting styles were different. I preferred to clench my fists and pummel opponents up close, while Hayun fought by keeping some distance and slashing with her sword.

There’s something fighters always say: if your opponent has a weapon, it’s better to just run away.

Especially if that weapon is specifically designed to attack people. A sword with such a long blade has no purpose other than cutting through human flesh.

What’s the point of competing when you can’t even reach the opponent? Unless they’re ordinary people without circuits or Noir Corporation Combatants.

“Yes. Now that you have a weapon, I think you should learn how to fight against armed opponents… Is that okay?”

“Well, I guess it’s fine?”

Even Hayun’s sword shouldn’t be able to instantly destroy a weapon infused with mana. It’s not impossible, but Hayun wouldn’t deliberately do that either.

“You’re right, if I think about who I could spar with, you’re the only option.”

Strictly speaking, Yeonwoo’s staff would be about the right distance assuming she only swings her staff. But that would be unfairly disadvantageous for Yeonwoo.

“Alright, let’s do it. I’ll let you know when it’s completely finished.”

After thinking that far, I felt my fighting spirit ignite for no reason.

Until just before I became a Magical Girl—no, even until now, my goal has always been to surpass Hayun.

I still don’t fully understand the nature of that feeling. Is it because I still harbor feelings of inferiority about not being the protagonist compared to Hayun? Or is there another reason?

Well, since my heart feels much lighter these days, I can take my time figuring that out.

When I nodded with a smile, Hayun also nodded with a smile.

“Then, I’ll be going.”

“Okay.”

That’s how we parted ways that day.

…Though we did end up going home together anyway.

*

When it came to sparring with Hayun, I was a bit relaxed about it.

It wasn’t that I underestimated her. There probably aren’t many people in this world who would underestimate Hayun.

But you know how it is. Hayun has been my childhood friend since we were young, and the Hayun I usually see gives off a somewhat delicate impression. Someone who treats everyone gently.

Hayun was serious about Magical Girl business, but I didn’t think she would be fierce with me.

Actually, I even wondered if she had ever been fierce in the manhwa.

But—

“Um, Hayun?”

After clashing weapons a few times, Hayun’s expression changed slightly.

I’m not sure what she saw in me that caused this change. But somehow, it seemed like she thought I might actually win, and she became a bit more serious.

Was Hayun always this competitive?

“…”

But if she’s going to be like that, I can’t back down either.

Wasn’t I the one who always thought about defeating Hayun someday? Even if I still lack strength, it was clear that at the very least, I needed to be able to clash weapons with her if I wanted to accomplish anything in the future.

So I charged with all my might.

The sound of mana colliding with mana was almost similar to iron clashing against iron. It was even more terrifying with an additional explosive sound mixed in.

Hayun’s mana was a vivid pink color. The color of someone who clearly sees their path, who knows what hope is.

My color is white.

I’m not sure if that’s really a “color.” Maybe it’s because my color hasn’t been determined yet, or maybe it speaks to my identity.

Well, I like it. A hammer glowing white seems sacred in many ways.

Despite my character, purpose, and mindset being far from diligent, it was okay.

Right now, I was fighting Hayun as an equal.

Even if I lose, there will be a next time. Again and again, I will challenge her.

Even if I don’t yet understand the meaning of this challenge, I’ll come to understand it through the process of challenging. That’s what I decided to believe.

Hayun, too, seemed to be clashing with my determination at full force. I’m not sure what she realized. But at least, she could have clearly understood one thing:

I am serious.

Regardless of purpose or anything else, I was sincerely trying to become a Magical Girl. Just as Ju-a was sincere about becoming a Magical Girl, so was I.

What I’ve always wanted. To become one of the protagonists of this world.

That, at least, was a sincerity that even I knew for certain—

BANG!

The magic between us exploded, pushing us both backward. There was an unpleasant screeching sound as our shoe soles scraped against the floor.

“…Haa.”

Exhaling, I smiled.

And then I charged toward Hayun with all my might.

Hayun was a bit taken aback by my smile, but she quickly regained her composure and charged at me with full force as well.

Once again, we clashed in mid-air.