“You can actually see my true form? You’re really not lying to me?”
The little creature looked at Blazing Flame suspiciously, as if it still didn’t fully trust her.
“Why would I lie? Aren’t you just a little snow-white animal right now?”
“And why do you switch between calling me ‘I’ and ‘we’? Is that some kind of strange habit?”
Blazing Flame stood there, pressing a hand to her chest that could pass for a cutting board, unable to understand why this little creature was reacting so strongly.
She also took the chance to complain about its odd way of referring to itself.
“…Don’t ask! It’s my hobby!”
The little creature froze for a moment, then suddenly arched its back like a cat warning an intruder, facing Blazing Flame.
But since it was purely imitating, its movements were hollow—there was no cat’s hiss or spirit behind it.
So Blazing Flame gave it a zero.
“There really are such strange hobbies in this world…”
Blazing Flame rubbed her forehead, helplessly watching the little creature make such odd gestures.
“The local Magic Girls are really rude! They even mock my personal hobbies!”
Hearing Blazing Flame’s words, the creature—somewhere between a rabbit and a fox—looked displeased and waved its paw at her, as if demanding the bare minimum of respect.
But Blazing Flame saw this utterly unthreatening behavior and thought this guy was just trying to act cute.
“However, considering you’re the first Magic Girl I’ve met who doesn’t attack me on sight, I’ll forgive your offense.”
“Tell me your name.”
After expressing her displeasure, the strange creature spoke again, walking gracefully toward Blazing Flame like a young lion cat.
“A name, huh.” Blazing Flame watched it approach, pondering for a few seconds. “Blazing Flame. You can just call me Blazing Flame.”
“Blazing Flame? That’s an interesting codename for a Magic Girl.” The little creature stopped beside her. “I’m Pandora. By human standards, I guess you could say I’m a Magic Fairy.”
“Magic Fairy?” Blazing Flame looked at Pandora with both surprise and delight.
If the creature really was a Magic Fairy, then she was incredibly lucky!
As long as she could make a Contract with her, she wouldn’t have to force open small boxes to Transform anymore, nor would she have to wait for magic to naturally fade before ending the Transformation!
It hadn’t been easy, but she had finally found her very own Magic Fairy…
“That’s right, I am indeed a Magic Fairy.” Pandora looked up at Blazing Flame calmly. “But I can’t form a Contract with any Magic Girl.”
“…What?”
Blazing Flame couldn’t believe what she had just heard.
If this creature couldn’t form a Contract with her, then she’d still have to live the same old way.
That was unacceptable!
“Strange, isn’t it? I’m a Magic Fairy, but I can’t form Contracts with any qualified girls to make them Magic Girls.” Pandora lay on the ground and licked her paw. “But as long as you’re willing to pay a price, I can provide you with new Power.”
“Oh.”
Blazing Flame felt a little bored, paying no real attention to what Pandora was saying.
New Power, new Form—none of that mattered to her right now.
What she really wanted was the ability to freely decide when to Transform.
If she couldn’t Transform or end the Transformation at will, no matter how strong her Power was, she’d risk social death.
If her identity as a male Magic Girl was exposed, her life would be over…
“Hey, can you show me a little respect? This is Power you can get directly if you’re willing to pay the price! Do you know how amazing that is?!” Pandora looked at Blazing Flame indignantly.
“Fine, then tell me—how powerful are you?” Blazing Flame’s tone was utterly dismissive.
“Hmph, humans work hard every day and might not get results, but I guarantee that if you pay the price, you will get the reward. How’s that? Scared by my ability?”
Pandora’s pride shone through her words, beaming at Blazing Flame as if wanting to hear some praise.
“So that’s all you’ve got?” Blazing Flame sneered. “I thought you were stronger.”
“What do you mean by ‘all I’ve got’?! Do you know how many people long for my help? You ignorant human!” Pandora immediately flared up, angrily declaring her uniqueness to Blazing Flame.
“Yeah, yeah, you’re the best, the greatest.” Blazing Flame sighed. “Let me ask you, how many Magic Girls have actually gotten Power from you?”
“…Guh! Why ask me a question like that?! Just kill me already!”
Faced with Blazing Flame’s question, Pandora was at a loss for words.
She drooped her head and lay on the ground like a defeated child.
“I’m not going to kill you. You’re a Magic Fairy.”
“Even though you can’t form Contracts with anyone, can’t make anyone a Magic Girl, and haven’t gained the trust of other Magic Girls willing to accept your aid.”
“You’re still a Magic Fairy, aren’t you?”
“Keep it up, Pandora. Go find the Magic Girls who can help you.”
Blazing Flame honestly spoke her mind, encouraging Pandora not to give up and to pick herself up.
But after hearing these words, Pandora felt a sharp sting inside.
She let out a low “whine” and lay there motionless like a salted fish.
“What are you doing?” Lu Ren frowned, puzzled.
“I’m so sad! I don’t want to live anymore!” Pandora shouted. “I finally met a Magic Girl who didn’t attack me on sight! Finally found someone to talk to! And yet I got completely crushed! I don’t want to be a Magic Fairy anymore!”
“You, can’t you have some pride?” Blazing Flame was speechless at Pandora’s behavior.
“What’s the use of pride? I’m not human! I only know how to sleep through tough times…”
Pandora’s words suddenly stopped halfway as she snapped upright, like an animal spotting an intruder.
“What’s wrong?” Blazing Flame looked at Pandora oddly.
“Blazing Flame! Take me and run! Other Magic Girls are coming! We have to run!”
“Run?”
Blazing Flame couldn’t understand why.
“Yes, run!” Pandora nodded anxiously, her little paws digging into the dirt. “All the Magic Girls I’ve met, except you, see me as a Shadow Beast and chase me like mad!”
“Please, Blazing Flame! Take me away! Don’t let the others notice me!”
Hearing Pandora’s sincere plea, Blazing Flame thought for a few seconds, then extended a hand to her.
“Climb onto my shoulder, Pandora.”
“Mm! Thank you, Blazing Flame!”
Not long after Blazing Flame and Pandora left, two very familiar figures arrived at this yet-to-be-rebuilt area.
“…Dice. Are you sure Blazing Flame just appeared here?” Sapphire looked around suspiciously. “Why don’t I see any signs of Shadow Beast activity? Are your senses malfunctioning?”
“Well, I don’t know either,” the cat-shaped little beast perched on her shoulder replied awkwardly. “I definitely sensed Blazing Flame’s magical aura and am certain she was here just now, but in an instant, she disappeared again.”
“Disappeared?” Sapphire asked.
“Yes, exactly—disappeared!” Dice said seriously.