Chapter 25: The Trap

Jin So-a’s announcement was abrupt.

“We’re going after a Magical Felon,” she’d said. It seemed that hunting rogue magical girls was a regular occurrence, judging by the nonchalant reactions of Ray, Sora, and the other magical girls. Only Si-yool was confused.

Jin So-a, noticing his bewilderment, offered an explanation.

“A Magical Felon is a magical girl who has committed a serious crime. In this case, abandoning their duty and deserting with their personal magical staff.”

So, they were hunting down armed deserters. Jin So-a’s expression hardened, her eyes filled with disgust and killing intent.

“They’re not worthy of being called magical girls,” she spat. No one objected. Some even nodded in agreement. The atmosphere was tense.

“Sora, they look pissed,” Si-yool whispered.

“Of course they are. A lot of magical girls were injured, forced into retirement, or even died because of these traitors. And the regulations wouldn’t be so strict if it weren’t for them,” Sora explained.

“So, they deserve to be ripped apart,” Si-yool summarized.

“Exactly. Now pay attention. This is your first time, so you won’t know what to expect,” Sora said.

Jin So-a continued her briefing.

“Magical Felons will use magic without hesitation. So, we’re authorized to use unrestricted magic as well.”

Her mascot added, [We’ve apprehended several of them already, leaving only eight remaining. But they’re getting more desperate, so be careful!]

Si-yool learned two things: first, magical girls’ magic use was restricted during leave or when off-base.

“So you’re restricted from using magic on vacation?” he asked.

“Yes. We can maintain our enhanced physical abilities and appearance, but we can’t use magic,” Sora confirmed. This seemed like a sensible precaution, given the…unique personalities of magical girls.

The second thing he learned was that these remaining felons were desperate and likely to be extremely dangerous. They were essentially armed and dangerous murderers.

“Are they tough to catch?” Si-yool asked.

“Not easy. They fight dirty,” Ray replied. Si-yool mentally added them to the list of opponents he didn’t want to face without Moonlight Blade.

Jin So-a held up a large bracelet. “As before, we’ll use Magical Handcuffs to subdue them. They’re adjustable, so aim for the arms, legs, or neck. Just don’t accidentally cuff yourself.”

The handcuffs seemed genuinely magical, likely used for restricting magic during leave and for subduing opponents.

“Aren’t they uncomfortable to wear on leave? And what if there’s an emergency?” Si-yool asked.

“They’re surprisingly comfortable. And they can be released in emergencies. But you need to register beforehand, and an alert is sent to base when they’re removed,” Sora explained.

Jin So-a put down the handcuffs and continued, “Losing a limb or two is acceptable. We can heal that.”

She paused, closing her eyes, then opened them, her orange eyes blazing with killing intent. “If absolutely necessary, kill them. The safety of the magical girls here is my top priority.” Her gaze softened as she looked at Si-yool. “We’ll ambush them from designated positions. If things get dicey, you can retreat. No one will blame you. And if they do, I will deal with them.”

Si-yool felt she was addressing him specifically. She was likely worried about his participation since he couldn’t use magic. He wasn’t too concerned. The Kaijin hadn’t been that tough, and these were just ex-magical girls.

“I won’t be participating this time. We have Magical reinforcements from Purple Snake’s unit. They’ll be enough,” Jin So-a added. This explained the larger number of magical girls present.

“Do we need this many people?” Si-yool asked.

“Purple Snake always sends a lot of girls when she helps our General,” Ray explained.

“They’re really close friends,” Sora added. This made sense, given their shared presence at Si-yool’s interview.

“Good luck,” Sora said to Si-yool.

“Meh,” he replied, uninterested.

“Why?”

“Seems like a hassle.” He was essentially powerless without Moonlight Blade or magic. He didn’t see the point in taking unnecessary risks, especially with so many others present.

“Don’t you have a sense of responsibility?” Sora asked, surprised by his apathy.

“You’re a magical girl. You should be more enthusiastic,” Ray added.

“I’m a Warrior, not a magical girl.” He didn’t need to prove anything.

[This mission is particularly dangerous, so whoever plays a decisive role will receive special leave, and everyone in their dorm will be promoted! By So-a’s authority!]

Suddenly, Si-yool was motivated.

“It’s time for Magical Girl Kim Si-yool to shine,” he declared.

Ray and Sora glared at him, but Si-yool didn’t care. His goal was to get out of this place, and promotions were the fastest way to achieve that.

“You’re both going to work hard for my promotion,” he said.

“You’re such a scumbag,” Sora muttered.

“Not human. Just garbage,” Ray added.

“Shut up, both of you,” Si-yool retorted.

“Get your gear and collect your Magical Handcuffs. Then head to your designated positions. We’re not using a gate; it’s close by,” Jin So-a instructed.

“You guys need anything?” Si-yool asked. “I just need to grab a standard-issue staff.”

“I’m good,” Sora said.

“I have enough Magical cigarettes,” Ray added.

“Let’s go then.”

After receiving his staff, Si-yool headed towards his assigned position with Ray and Sora.

“Si-yool,” Jin So-a called out.

“Yes?”

“Be…careful. Don’t get hurt,” she said, her orange eyes full of concern.

“I’ll be fine,” Si-yool reassured her.

Jin So-a smiled. “Good! See you later.”

“Yes, see you!” Si-yool replied, setting off on his mission. To take down a Magical Felon. And to get one step closer to freedom.

“Ugh,” Si-yool groaned. He was exhausted, even before they reached their destination. It was all Sora’s fault.

“What now?” he sighed.

“What’s your relationship with White Phoenix?” Sora demanded.

“I told you, there’s nothing going on.”

Sora had been interrogating him relentlessly since they left base.

“That’s impossible. I’ve never seen her smile like that. And calling you by your first name…it’s just weird.”

“Maybe she’s just happy. Leave it alone.”

“It’s suspicious. There’s something you’re not telling me. Just be honest.”

Sora’s questions were more like accusations, her eyes narrowed in suspicion. She’d even started insulting Jin So-a.

“And don’t get all smug because she smiled at you. You should be worried. You don’t know what she’s capable of,” Sora warned.

“Isn’t that something you should be worried about?” Si-yool retorted.

“She’s a 47-year-old spinster. A hag. You never know what a hag like that might do.”

Even Si-yool’s comebacks didn’t deter Sora. He couldn’t understand her animosity. He didn’t sense any malice from Jin So-a.

“That’s a bit harsh. She seems harmless enough,” Si-yool said.

“No, it’s not! Now tell me what’s going on between you two!” Sora insisted, returning to her interrogation. Si-yool was getting tired of it.

“I’ll only hit you three times if you tell me the truth now. I was going to hit you five times, but I’ll let it slide,” Sora threatened.

“What the hell? One hit from a magical girl could kill a normal person!”

“Well, you’re not telling me anything!”

Si-yool couldn’t figure out what her problem was. She was a self-proclaimed lesbian. Why was she so interested in his relationship with Jin So-a?

“You’re going to dig someone’s grave with all that questioning,” he muttered.

“Want me to start with yours?” Sora retorted.

“Sorry,” Si-yool said quickly, intimidated by Sora’s murderous glare. Even Ray, who was smoking a Magical cigarette, felt the need to intervene.

“Calm down, Sora. It’s okay.”

“Aren’t you nervous? This is more important for you than for me!” Sora said to her sister.

“Why would I be nervous? We’re in the back lines,” Ray replied.

“That’s not what I’m talking about!” Sora exclaimed, stomping her foot. Si-yool was just as clueless about what she meant.

“Sora, want me to roll you a Magical cigarette?” Ray asked.

“I want to smoke, but I’ll hold off.”

Ray was right. Their assigned position was far behind the main force. They were supposed to intercept any fleeing felons.

“Aren’t we a little too far back?” Si-yool asked.

“I…guess so,” Sora admitted. They were practically isolated.

“Whatever. Good spot for smoking,” Ray said, taking a drag from her cigarette.

“Maybe they’re giving us special consideration because you can’t use magic, and there’s only three of us,” Sora suggested.

“Maybe.” Si-yool wasn’t convinced. He was worried this would affect his chances of promotion.

“This doesn’t feel rig–” he started to say, but then he collapsed.

“Huh…?”

He didn’t know what happened. One moment he was standing, the next he was on the ground, his body unresponsive. He could barely hold onto his staff.

“Something’s…wrong…” he managed to say.

Ray and Sora didn’t respond. He saw they had collapsed too, their condition even worse than his. They seemed unconscious.

“Hahahahaha!” a voice cackled. “So, you were here!”

Si-yool couldn’t turn his head to see who was speaking, but he could hear multiple footsteps approaching. They stopped right in front of him. He managed to lift his gaze.

“Who…?” he whispered.

“Who, you ask?”

Several figures came into view.

“We’re magical girls, of course.”

“The kind that government dogs like you hunt down.”

They were face to face with the Magical Felons.