episode_0024

“…So, why have you come back again?”

Yeah, why is the guild leader here?

“Oh, well. I’ve prepared a gift for you, V.”

“A gift? Hah, I’m really looking forward to it.”

Why does this annoying guest have to ruin my day from the morning?

I was planning to finish work early today and catch up on some sleep.

“Yeah, I was originally going to give it to you as a gift when you came to the guild, but I thought it would be better to give it to you now.”

“Just for this gift, you’re interrupting my precious rest time… Ugh, really. So, what is it?”

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

The guild leader took out a box from the bag of documents he brought.

Inside was a collar similar to the one I’m wearing now.

What is the meaning of this?

“What is this? You call this a gift? Is this some kind of new model with a bomb planted in it?”

“No, it’s not like that. It was in development a few days ago, so I made some modifications and created a new one.”

“So, what do you want me to do with this? It’s just the same dog collar, isn’t it?”

“No, it was originally made for training monsters. To simulate battles with low-level monsters. That’s why it has various functions.”

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

“I hope you can help with the training of the magical girls.”

“Me? Why me?”

“I’m not forcing you to do it. If you help, I can do something in return. Like granting you access to the Eden headquarters or something like that.”

“…Are you threatening me?”

“No? I just mentioned what I can do to help.”

“Did Blanc tell you about this?”

“Yunseul? Hmm…”

“She did. Ugh.”

“Well, so, will you do it?”

A villain for the training of magical girls.

Honestly, I did want to help with Arin’s training, but that’s something for later. For now, I just wanted to stay as I am.

“Ugh, I’ll think about it.”

“Come here. I’ll change it for you.”

“Why are you changing it like this just because I loosened it for a moment and might run away?”

“You’ll run away?”

“No. I won’t, but…”

“Then it’s fine.”

With that, he unhesitatingly removed the seal from my neck.

The feeling of the thing that had been tormenting me for years disappearing from my neck felt strange.

“…Did you really remove it?”

“No, I have to put it back on.”

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

“Yeah, come here quickly.”

“…Fine.”

I don’t know why the guild leader trusts me.

Ugh, I don’t want to put it back on, but…

“I paid attention to the lining as well. It should be better than the previous seal.”

“You don’t need to care about that.”

“Still, it’s better than nothing. Now, how does it feel?”

“It doesn’t feel good to have the returned power drain away.”

“Yeah, that can happen. My task is done with this. What about Yunseul and Yuri?”

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

“No. I’ll go then. Think about it and let me know. Got it?”

“Yes. Please go back quickly.”

Ugh, really. He just makes my head more complicated.

* * *

“What? Vinnie unnie is going to help with my training? Great! Right now! To the training grounds!”

I thought I should let Arin know about this, but I didn’t expect her to be so enthusiastic.

“So, the gift the guild leader mentioned was that.”

Blanc pointed to my collar.

“Hah, it’s still the same as being imprisoned, but oh well. Calling this a gift.”

“Well, it was still in the prototype stage, and if you want, some functions can be deactivated. Isn’t it a good thing for you, Vinnie?”

“Oh, it was a prototype? Hah, really.”

“Since I found out about the collar this time, maybe next time we can have a custom-made one… what do you think?”

“What, ha.”

“In that case, do you want to go to the association with me tomorrow?”

“Oh no. Arin has to go to school tomorrow. Plus, she has an important exam coming up.”

“Vine really cares about Arin. Okay then. We can figure out another day.”

Arin, who was listening to the conversation from the side, cheered upon hearing it.

“Yes! I can wait for that much! I really can’t believe I’ll be training with Vine unnie…”

“Arin, you need to finish your exams first. This is a conversation for when your grades are good.”

“Yes! I’m totally fine with that! Hehe… with Vine unnie…”

At that moment, Ubul, who had been listening from behind, asked me.

“But, would Vine and Arin end up fighting…?”

Arin, instead of answering, replied.

“Huh? Oh, since Vine unnie lost her powers, she might be weaker than me.”

“No, Arin. Vine is…”

Seeing the worried look in Arin’s eyes, I interrupted Ubul’s words and informed Arin.

“Arin, this collar that the association president gave me has a function that partially restores my abilities. So, Arin, you should actually be worried about losing, right?”

“Huh? Vine unnie? I’m going to lose?”

“I am much stronger than what you think. I’ll have to ask Blanc to adjust the output for you, considering you.”

“Vine unnie will look out for me? Stronger than me, no. Ugh…”

“Oh, but first, there’s a place I need to visit. Will Blanc come with me?”

“Where to? Oh, maybe.”

“Yes, we need to go to headquarters.”

“Um… shouldn’t we go to the association president first?”

“I don’t have any weapons. At least I need a weapon to fight against magical girls. I’m not good at hand-to-hand combat.”

“There might be weapons stored at the association.”

“Are you telling me to take out my precious gun that was confiscated and stored in the museum?”

“No, the weapons confiscated during ‘Ragnarok.’ Wouldn’t that be enough?”

“Oh, my tail was also confiscated at that time. The red-haired magical girl over there tried to forcefully tear it off, and it hurt.”

The red-haired girl pointed at me, looking surprised, and retorted.

“No, you attacked me with it so aggressively…”

“Red-haired girl, be quiet. Aren’t you supposed to study today as well? Oh, should I help you today?”

“Vine, sorry, I have something urgent to attend to, so I’ll go in first. Goodnight Vine! Bye!”

The red-haired girl, who always made similar excuses, hurriedly went into her room.

It really hurt.

To forcibly… like that, it’s connected to the nerves. Ugh.

But, I don’t remember hitting her so painfully yesterday, so I don’t understand why she’s so shocked.

“Ugh, that red-haired girl is really something.”

As I sighed and looked at the red-haired girl going up, Blanc asked me.

“So, are you going to help her?”

“Well, for now, I’m planning to have a match with Arin…”

“Let’s start with Hyewon instead of Arin… How about having a match with Hyewon? Hyewon has grown a lot, and it’s a good opportunity to gauge your abilities again.”

“In that case, I’d rather have a match with you. Ubul is not at my level, right?”

Isn’t it true? No matter how much time has passed, I should be able to beat that yellow-haired Ubul.

“Besides, well. You haven’t beaten me in a one-on-one battle that often.”

“…Vine, I’ve gotten a lot stronger than you think.”

“Huh? Vine, what did you just say…”

“Ugh, Vine, you need to explain the story that can’t be overlooked.”

“By chance, I ended up becoming a villain who helps magical girls. If I mercilessly beat them down, wouldn’t that defeat the purpose of helping them?”

“Vine, are you ignoring me? It seems like you just heard that I’m weaker than you.”

“Yes, alright. I should focus on your opponent first, rather than Arin. It’s important to adjust your strength and warm up.”

“Hah, are you not listening to me?”

“Blanc, it’s been a while. Truly.”

Yeah, sure.

Since I was trying to help with Arin’s training anyway.

It wouldn’t hurt to warm up and reminisce about old memories.

“Magical girl Blanc. It’s really been a while. Hah.”

“Hah, alright Vine. That’s how it goes, right?”

“Yes. Alright. We’ll need some preparation time first. Hmm, Arin’s training schedule… it’s right after the exam the day after tomorrow. If I can defeat you while observing Arin’s training, it’ll be a refreshing feeling.”

“Sure, if I can do it.”

“Alright. Magical girl.”

As we chatted a bit, it seemed like the old atmosphere was flowing back. Arin looked at us with a slightly fearful expression and asked,

“Umm, Yoonseul unnie… Vine unnie… please don’t fight…”

“Arin, are you worried?”

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

“Well, it felt like the old days for a moment. Yes, we’re not fighting.”

“But…”

“Arin, you should focus on preparing. I’m strong? Then make sure to prepare for the exam first. I’ll help you study today, so bring your books.”

“Yes, yes! I’ll go get them right away! Just wait a moment!”

Watching Arin rush up the stairs, I turned to Blanc and said,

“Hah, I’m training with Arin because she’s my partner. Why should I be the sparring partner for a magical girl?”

“Right, let’s do that. Tomorrow… we’ll meet the guild master and then come back.”

“Huh? Do we need to go back earlier?”

“Yeah. We need to get training hall passes.”

“Is that so.”

“Oh, and Vine, you should get a cell phone too. I can’t always go with you to help with training.”

“Do we really need a cell phone? I’ll always be with Arin or someone else anyway.”

“But you might need it at some point.”

“Alright, I understand. Let’s do that then.”

An antagonist helping a magical girl.

It’s contradictory.