"Yo. What happened there?"

My response was terse, "Shining Arrow asked me to spar with Sapphire using her staff." I tried to sound indifferent, masking the turmoil and tears from earlier. My chest ached, so I diverted my gaze to the window, observing the burning city in an effort to distract myself.

"Huh? Why?"

"Shining wanted to accentuate that actual combat skill matters, not just stats. I've trained with a naginata in club activities, so she chose me. I'm lower leveled but have real-world experience."

"You won using that staff? Like, you actually hit her with it?"

"I nearly killed her... She suffered her second shield break today..." My voice trailed off as I looked down, reflecting on the incident.

"Why choose now of all times for this? But, I guess it makes sense. Sapphire probably felt doubted seeing Serene. After all, Serene was her junior."

"Did you... spar with her as well?" I asked Red Flame

"Yes, I did. Honestly, she's not great at melee. I even refrained myself from using a skill to make it fair. I've tried addressing it, but she sidestepped the issue, claiming my advantage as a 'Red'. It's understandable, given she's a healer, but that doesn't excuse her poor performance. Hopefully, this wake-up call will show her the extent of training she needs."

"That so?" The memory of that moment flooded back, stirring my frustration. Why did I feel so angry?

Internally, I sought guidance, "Felicia, was it wrong for me to be angry at Alice?"

"Mmm, Shining shouldn't have suggested such a hazardous duel. It was reckless. You have every right to be upset with her. The excess damage after the shield break translates the damage directly to the physical body. Given the distinction in stats, even minor blows can become deadly. So, yes, your anger towards Alice is justified."

"That's not what I meant…" I murmured, gazing out at the sky, awaiting the arrival of the two who had become the center of today's turmoil. Felicia is correct, but somehow, I felt that was not why I was angry. Why was I mad at her anyway?

"Never mind, it's not like anyone would understand…" I closed the issue.

Right on cue, the pair in question arrived. Red Flame, ever the unruffled, greeted them with his typical laid-back charm. As we all settled into the jeep and took to the streets, they delved into the day's events.

"Hey, I heard Black Lily gave you a tough time during the spar. You really ought to take some lessons!"

"Seriously, I can't believe it almost went south for me. I figured I'd at least have 30% of my shield aura left. I had even briefed Blue about my expectations. But she just mopped the floor with me. I didn't land a single hit!"

"What, not even one hit? Man, that's wild. I better up my game, too. Might not stand a chance against her myself." Red Flame threw a glance my way, and I diverted my gaze, preferring the solitude of my corner in the backseat.

"That would've been a match worth watching. I'd love to see that." He smirked.

"I will never do it again."

"Count me out as well. I'd only spar for the rankings!" he laughed it out. He might have a rude mouth, but it sure eased the tension around me.

"Um… Black Lily… whatever it is that's bothering you, I'm really sorry, okay?" Alice made her way to the back of the jeep.

"She's upset because you nearly made her kill Sapphire. Shining, I get you're a Pink, but that was too risky. What if there were serious consequences? A spar outside of Guardian Command with real weapons? And if something had happened to Sapphire, it could've been disastrous. Black Lily's career could've been over." Red Flame interjected.

"I'm so sorry! I'll apologize properly right now! I didn't realize how reckless I was being!" Shining bowed down. Her eyes begged for forgiveness.

"No," I flatly rejected her attempt at reconciliation, continuing to distance myself from the conversation.

"No, please, Black Lily! Forgive me…" I tried my best to cover it up, but a smile still crept up on me. I am such a pushover.

"Black Lily, Alice's intention was to show me that I need to put effort into improving myself, not just rely on stats or skills. I apologize too, and I'm sorry for being so weak that you felt you had to hold back." Sapphire's earnest apology made me reconsider my feelings.

"Sapphire, your style is reckless. You're quick and strong but lack finesse, making it difficult to hold back. You also leave significant gaps in your defense, which I instinctively exploited, resulting in that serious blow. I apologize for that." As I offered my own apology, I felt a sense of resignation. It's always the same; someone makes a mistake, and their plea for forgiveness makes it hard for me not to relent. I wanted to remain angry, but refusing their sincere apologies would only make me seem cruel.

"Alright then, Teacher Lily! Lily sensei!" Sapphire's mood rebounded quickly, her smile returning as if the recent tears were a distant memory. We arrived at our destination and regrouped with Serene's team. Sapphire practically skipped to her position. How she could oscillate between crying and despair so quickly was beyond me. Was this normal around magical girls and guardians, or were they all just incredibly volatile?

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"Let's go meet Serene Night and tackle the next zone!"

I passed by without a word, my internal anger simmering. I'm sorry, Alice, but it seems I just can't bring myself to like being a Magical Girl.

"Looks like she's still upset, huh? Make sure to apologize properly tonight."

"I'm so sorry, Shining. This is all my fault..." Sapphire moaned.

"Listen up, everyone. This zone is dominated by Arachnomantis types, including two D-rank and one C-rank. The Queen Arachne typically ranks in the fifties, and the Chimera in the forties, making the Arachne Empress likely around level 65 or 70 at most," Serene interrupted, bringing our focus to the imminent challenge. Her briefing underscored the danger of the upcoming confrontation.

"Should we pull back then?" I inquired, turning to Felicia for advice.

"Hmm… The Arachne Empress is formidable due to its support from ten Arachnomantis, five Arachnomantis knights or spears, three Arachnomantis mages, and two Arachnomantis archers. The Queen is usually accompanied by five ordinary Arachnomantis. Perhaps the strategy here is to overpower it with a larger force despite being underleveled. We have eight E-rank and four D-rank Magical Girls. We stand a reasonable chance of defeating it. This approach is not uncommon. Level parity protocols prevent higher-level MGs from clearing lower-level usurpation zones, but they don't restrict lower-level MGs from attempting higher-level zones. However, it is strongly recommended by Guardian Command that MGs seek support from appropriately leveled counterparts for their safety."

"If you're unfamiliar with specific enemies, please consult with your familiars for information. Based on that, here's the plan: the usurpation zone is in a residential area with over thirty homes.

"Our familiars have been killed by the Empress, but we've managed to map out the layout and pinpoint their positions. That's the first time it's happened outside of training," they added, eliciting some giggles. "Moving on, we'll commence the operation from the north. Remember, never stray more than 70 meters from one another. We need to stay cohesive to enhance our safety, especially considering we're undertaking a challenge beyond our level. Sticking together will also facilitate a quicker retreat if necessary."

"Understood, ma'am."

"Excellent! Let's move out!"

"Fel, allocate all my stats into strength," I directed. There was a reckless urgency in me today; I just wanted to smash through obstacles.

"I suggest allocating some points into Agility as well. A build that focuses on speed and high damage output, like a speedster or glass cannon, often benefits from a balanced distribution. Allocating all your points into Strength might—"Just do it."—Understood, nyaa. But remember, I warned you. All your points have now been allocated to Strength, bringing it to 125."

"Wait! Black Lily, it's risky to go on your own!" The trio of Magical Girls trailed behind me. Their constant interference reminded me of the constraints I felt at home.

"Watch out, an Arachnomantis!" Red Flame alerted us. The creature targeted me, the nearest threat.

*Boom*

The ground cracked under the force as I struck the Arachnomantis with my naginata. Using the naginata as if it were a poleaxe produced a resonant sound, despite my moderate force. The creature's human torso was left with a deep gash. It attempted a counterattack with its scythe, but I parried the swing with my own. My strength allowed me to not only block but also push it back and complete the parry, distancing it from me. This maneuver showcased the fundamental technique of the naginata.

In contrast to tournaments, where touch and speed are critical due to the uniformity of weapons, the Arachnomantis' scythe fell short. By elevating my naginata, I limited its reach, and as the creature lunged, I countered decisively with a slash. Despite its attempt to defend, it couldn't withstand my strength. It dodged with agility, but the swing from me opened another gash.

Approaching with a ready stance, I prepared for another strike. The spider, driven by desperation, charged. I sliced its body in two, causing black ichor to spray like a fountain. As it fell, two more Arachnomantis appeared, one armed as a knight, the other wielding a spear.

The knight approached, but a swift diagonal slash from me made it leap back, while the spear-wielding foe aborted its lunge. Summoning two clones, they each grabbed a harpoon from my back. Advancing towards the anathema, one clone engaged the spear-bearer, embedding the harpoon deep within its belly before my clone met its end at its spear. However, its sacrifice was not in vain. Yanking back on the harpoon's shaft dragged the creature forward, rendering it vulnerable.

I then executed a decisive blow with my naginata, splitting its body asunder. The knight, sensing an opportunity, lunged at me. But the Zenith-crafted weapon sliced through the carcass without resistance. A fluid motion sent the knight airborne, whereupon another clone secured it with a second harpoon, facilitating an easy kill.

Black ichor splattered, marking me with its dark essence. The silence that followed was palpable, a familiar scene from my school days, yet I felt no desire to play the reassuring role. I was no longer the princess amongst them; I stood as their equal, a Magical Girl.

"Guys! Move! She'll claim all our targets!" Serene's call to action broke the silence, prompting the group into action against their own adversaries.

Despite wanting to label my actions as reckless, Serene couldn't deny the effectiveness of my approach against the advanced Arachnomantis. My performance, unmarred by injury, left her in a state of mixed admiration and contemplation.

"Just ask her not to wander too far. The Empress and the Queen might be overwhelming for her alone," her teammates advised. "Either her stats are exceptionally high due to achievements, or they're extremely unbalanced."

"Regardless of her ignoring vitality stats, her ability to defeat two without taking damage is notable."

"It's not our concern right now. Let's proceed," Serene sighed, signaling Shining, Sapphire, and Red Flame with a glance. Their meaning was unclear to me, but Alice's group swiftly regrouped around me.

"Amazing! You took down two Arachnomantis without breaking a sweat?" Alice's eyes sparkled with admiration, though I remained unresponsive.

"Man, I need to up my game. Time to hit the gym and dojo again."

The tension lingered, only interrupted by our finding and dispatching two more Arachnomantis, thanks to Alice and Red Flame.

"Lily..." Alice started.

"..."

“.…”

"Let's give her some time to cool down. We can talk more tomorrow. I'll join you," Sapphire interjected.

"Right, enough talking. This zone is dangerous. We might handle a D-level anathema till Serene gets here, but a C-level's out of our league," Red Flame added, pressing the urgency.

Acknowledging their concern, I gave them a nod.

"Queen spotted northwest! Serene Night, we need assistance!" Telepathy came right into my head. An MG encountered a queen.

"We're on it. Others, pull back till we've dealt with the Queen. And stay alert for the Chimera!" Serene Replied.

As if on cue, one of my further-dispatched clones encountered it. Unlike the typical chimera of lore, this creature was a grotesque mix, its eight legs ending in scythes, its body a mass of indistinct flesh, topped with a headless female human torso. Its tail resembled a snake, ending in a horned male human head, and several eyeballs dotted the waistline down to its fleshy base.

Even viewed through my clone's window, the sight was revolting. Seeking a distraction, I inquired Felicia about its capabilities.

"Hm... dunno, nyaa."

Her uncertain response made me frustrated.