A Reluctant Alliance Under a Monster’s Shadow

Sera approached the two with her hands on her hips, a look of disdain on her face, her eyes now gleaming with a superiority that hadn’t been there before.

“I wondered what kind of background you had. Turns out you’re a Magical Girl! Well, now I am too!” she crowed with a triumphant smile, her eyes swirling with the distinctive ripples of magical power unique to Magical Girls.

Night Moon’s expression darkened, and her fists clenched.

“I don’t know what connections you used to become a Magical Girl, but at least in my eyes, you’re unworthy!”

Chloe felt the air around them grow heavy, the atmosphere thick with tension. Considering these two sworn rivals were now Magical Girls on the same side, she couldn’t help but want to laugh. Is this truly how Magical Girls greet each other? Oh, wait, I’m one too. Never mind then.

Untroubled by Night Moon’s provocation, Sera plopped down onto Night Moon’s desk, her face still bearing that infuriating smirk. Chloe watched as a vein throbbed on Night Moon’s forehead, making it evident she was moments away from throwing a punch.

“Oh dear, hating me won’t do you any good,” Sera purred. “The organization requires you to be my mentor, and mentors aren’t supposed to hit their students.”

That’s not necessarily true. Chloe mused, drawing from her own past experiences. Tia had certainly given her a beating back then, one that hurt more than even fighting a Tentacle Monster. Her stomach still ached faintly.

Just then, Sera’s expression shifted, becoming serious and tinged with fear, as if a terrifying thought had suddenly crossed her mind. She glanced around nervously before whispering, “These past few days, I’ve felt like someone’s been following me. No, not quite ‘someone’—it doesn’t feel human.”

Not human? Could it be a monster? Chloe pondered. Only monsters could truly instill fear in a Magical Girl; ordinary people wouldn’t be able to exert such psychological pressure, not even on someone as brazenly opportunistic as Sera.

“Are you saying you think a monster is tracking you?” Night Moon asked, her voice laced with skepticism.

“A monster… yes, that kind of thing. But I haven’t seen it, I’ve only felt its presence.” Sera, for once, shed her air of superiority, clutching Night Moon’s hand as if it were a lifeline. “Consider this me begging you. Can you provide me with some protection these next few days? It’s your duty as my mentor, isn’t it!”

It seemed whatever was tracking her had truly frightened her.

Chloe narrowed her eyes, a wave of disdain washing over her.

Hmph, someone like this actually became a Magical Girl? She might as well be eaten by a Tentacle Monster. After all, what value is there in her living?

After this sudden surge of negative emotion, Chloe realized her thoughts had taken a sinister turn. She vehemently shook her head, trying to dislodge the idea.

How could I think such a thing? I’m a Magical Girl, after all, an embodiment of love and justice. I must always stand with humanity. Moreover, after being saved by Yilan, she had chosen to become a Magical Girl precisely to uphold Yilan’s will to sacrifice herself for the protection of others. Regardless, Sera was still human, utterly incomparable to a monster.

“Even if I weren’t your mentor, I would still protect you,” Night Moon stated, pulling her hand away from Sera’s grip. “When a monster is involved, it’s my mission, and that doesn’t change based on who you are. Of course, this doesn’t alter my disgust for your bullying behavior.”

A flicker of anger crossed Sera’s eyes as her hand was flung away.

So self-righteous! It’s just her duty. Who is she putting on a show for?!

“Then I’ll be in your care, Night Moon!” Sera breathed a sigh of relief. Regardless, she needed to resolve the crisis as quickly as possible. After that, she would still be the one calling the shots, especially since her father had invested a substantial amount of money into the Magical Girl organization.

Sera had never actually seen a monster, but the mere thought of those grotesque, slime-covered creatures depicted in films and TV shows filled her with revulsion. She merely wanted to hold a title, gain an additional identity, and acquire more privileges. A supernatural existence like a Magical Girl inherently implied privilege.

Initially, she had only considered trying it out at her father’s urging. To her surprise, she actually possessed a slight aptitude for becoming a Magical Girl. Although she still didn’t meet the established standards, the remaining gaps could be filled with money. The Watchtower was currently short on both personnel and funds, so why would they refuse?

It was only then that Sera noticed Chloe, who had been listening from the sidelines. Pointing at her, Sera asked, “Can she know about these matters?”

Huh? Why is this about me again?

The mention of Chloe instantly sparked a peculiar idea in Night Moon’s mind. Under Night Moon’s smiling gaze, Chloe felt a surge of foreboding. Just as she was about to make her exit, Night Moon seized her by the collar.

“Chloe, you’ll come with me too~”

“Huh? No, I can’t! I’m just an ordinary person; I’ll only be a burden!” Chloe frantically waved her hands in protest, her light golden eyes trembling slightly, wide with the panic of a small animal.

Seeing Chloe’s delicate demeanor, Sera grew concerned, asking in confusion, “She’s just an ordinary person. What can she do besides hold us back? We’ll probably end up protecting her instead.”

Exactly, exactly! Chloe certainly didn’t want to get involved in such troublesome affairs. Tia at home was already enough to handle; she had no energy to spare for being Sera’s bodyguard. Furthermore, if anything went wrong and forced Chloe to reveal her true form, the situation would become even more complicated.

Night Moon, however, thought differently.

“I want Chloe to see a Magical Girl battling a monster. Who knows, perhaps Chloe will suddenly want to become a Magical Girl herself?”

As soon as Chloe becomes a Magical Girl, I can request a student transfer and get rid of this annoying young lady, Sera. Night Moon kept the latter half of her thought to herself.

“Her?” Sera scoffed, surveying Chloe from head to toe. “I’d say if this little brat doesn’t wet her pants when she sees a monster, that’ll be an exceptional performance.”

Chloe instantly bristled. Who was it that got so scared they swallowed their pride and sought help, even before seeing a monster? I, Magical Girl Chloe, am a super-strong probationary Magical Girl who punches Tentacle Monsters and kicks Demon-Men! With the great Magical Girl “Magic Sword” as my guide, how dare a nepotism baby like you talk down to me!

She desperately wanted to transform right then, drawing her Demon-Slaying Bow to show Sera who the true scaredy-cat was. Alas, Chloe had resolved not to reveal her identity. She now felt a pang of regret about this decision, but confessing now would make explaining her reasons incredibly complicated. Chloe disliked trouble, so she could only continue to keep her secret.

Night Moon watched Chloe’s face, which had initially flushed red like a ripe tomato, her brows furrowed and faint veins throbbing on her forehead. Gradually, it cooled, returning to the smooth, pale hue of a peeled egg, as if she had come to terms with something. One could only imagine the rich tapestry of psychological shifts Chloe had just experienced.

“I apologize, but I truly am terrified of these so-called monsters,” Chloe declared, her gaze fixed firmly on Night Moon. “So, please, stop bothering me. I’ve made myself perfectly clear: I don’t want to be a Magical Girl, and I’m not fit to be one. If this disappoints you, then I can only offer my apologies.”

Her eyes, locked with Night Moon’s, shone with unwavering resolve.