"Will you make a contract?" I scrutinized the black cat, trying to size her up. Tales of tiny mascots accompanying Magical Girls were common knowledge.

"Are you a familiar?"

"We are artificial intelligence created by Zenith to assist humanity in fighting against the Anathema by forming contracts with Magical Girls and Guardians. Humans typically refer to us as familiars. However, since I have not yet formed a contract with any Magical Girls, referring to me as a 'familiar' might be slightly inaccurate."

"You've chosen me? Why? And why now?"

"The truth is, you've been a candidate for becoming a Magical Girl since you were five years old. However, no familiar chose you due to certain... troublesome traits you possess."

"Troublesome traits? I've always been a good girl. What troublesome traits?" I attempted to feign ignorance, though not entirely untruthfully, as I had never intentionally caused trouble. However, it knew. I could see it in her eyes.

"When selecting a Magical Girl or Guardian, there are limitations. Not all teenagers can become a Magical Girl, regardless of their behavior. Their bodies must first be compatible with the Soul Gem and magic, a compatibility we assess as soon as they receive their identification in kindergarten. The second criterion is their willingness to fight Anathema. Lastly, we consider their... ulterior motives," the cat hesitated before continuing, seemingly searching for the right words.

"Ulterior motives? Aren't Magical Girls supposed to be defenders of humanity? They should act without expectation of reward, seen as selfless heroes," I expressed, puzzled by his explanation.

"You see, humans are complex beings. We've learned that it's unwise to take their words and outward behavior at face value. Take, for instance, the incident when boys at your school killed a drone Anathema, the one resembling a small spider. Their willingness to confront the creature might suggest they meet our criteria for becoming Magical Guardians. Yet, their hasty retreat in the face of a larger Anathema, abandoning their peers in the process, led to their disqualification—not that they were considered candidates to begin with," it sighed, providing another example to illustrate its point.

"Consider your friend and teacher. Their affection for you is genuine, but their instinct to flee, leaving you behind at the first sign of danger, also disqualifies them. Such behaviors are difficult to discern," its words cut deeper than expected. A surge of resentment pierced me as I recalled Miss Agathe and Nana leaving me behind without a second glance.

"So, you were aware of this?"

"Hm? Yes. Your demeanor is somewhat too perfect, almost as if it were contrived. Once it became known that we select Magical Girls based on their attitudes, many attempted to manipulate their behavior. While we don't outright condemn this—it does contribute to peace and order in the city—it has necessitated a more stringent evaluation process."

"Then why choose me? You're aware of my facade. I'm not genuinely good," I admitted, my head bowed. Part of me felt I should simply accept the role of a Magical Girl, yet I found this entity unsettling. It was as if it had been observing me, analyzing my every move like a stalker.

"It was somewhat disheartening to hear you think the Anathema should have prevailed. Such thoughts have deterred several familiars from approaching you. However, as I've mentioned, there are those who appear benevolent yet harbor malevolence within, and then, there are those who seem rough around the edges but possess a kind heart. And then, there's you. Humans truly are complex, aren't they?" The cat's gaze fixed on me, its golden, slit eyes seeming to pierce through to my soul.

"I believe you're a good person. It's difficult to ascertain since you're convinced your actions are insincere. But I see genuine goodness in you. That's why I want you to become a Magical Girl. Will you make a contract with me?" It spoke with clarity. A wave of anger inexplicably surged within me at its words. Me, a good person? I'm merely a hypocrite, acting kindly because it's expected of me.

"You might be mistaken."

"Perhaps. But I trust my judgment. So, will you make a contract?"

"What does the contract entail?" My tone was sharper than intended, my words laced with unexpected bitterness. If she knew everything, then it would be fine. The mistake is hers.

"The contract has three conditions. First, you pledge to use your powers to combat the Anathema. Whether directly or indirectly, you must utilize your abilities to aid others, fostering hope and joy. To battle the Anathema is to fight against fear and despair. Will you commit to this?"

"Yes." My affirmation was swift, yet the cat cocked its head, sensing my hesitation.

"Hmm? There seemed to be a hint of reluctance in your voice. May I inquire as to why?"

"What will become of my life if I accept this role as a Magical Girl?"

"Magical Girls and Guardians are Zenith's chosen warriors in the battle against the life-destroying Anathema. Beyond combat, you'll gain freedom. You're a complex individual; it seems you harbor mixed feelings towards Magical Girls and Guardians, perhaps feeling unworthy? Yet, I assure you, you're more than qualified for this role. If direct combat isn't to your liking, you could serve as an operator."

"Alright! I accept," I declared, resigning myself to the reality. She was aware of everything—my envy of Magical Girls, my concerns about fulfilling the role properly, my fear of deviating from the path my parents envisioned.

Stolen story; please report.

"Excellent. Let's proceed to the second condition. You must vow never to use your magic to harm innocents or for selfish gain, compromising the needs of others, or to spread despair and hatred. Magical Girls are beacons of hope and must not become tyrants, monsters, or deceivers. Do you accept this condition?"

I averted my gaze, hesitating to respond.

"Ah, but for the record, self-defense is permissible. As an artificial intelligence created by Zenith, my observations are indisputable and can serve as solid evidence in human disputes. For instance, rejecting that fiancé of yours would pose no issue."

"Really? Your conditions seem rather lenient, don't they?"

"In essence, I've summarized the three core conditions. The full document is more detailed. Zenith prioritizes intent over strict rules. Therefore, the contract fundamentally requires fighting Anathema, eschewing enslavement or the spread of despair and hate, and refraining from violating natural laws with magic. Those are the key stipulations. Given that most Magical Girls receive a condensed version of the contract, it's our duty to alert you beforehand should any actions risk breaching these terms."

"So, the third stipulation is to avoid misusing magic?"

"Yes. The third condition is a pledge not to use magic to violate natural laws, such as reviving the dead, mind control, and altering time and space, except under specific exceptions. We will warn you if you're on the verge of breaking these laws and expect you to heed these warnings," She said, which made me tilt my head in thought.

"Don't worry. New Magical Girls are unlikely to have the capacity to break natural laws with their initial magic. That's the purpose behind our leveling system—it's essentially training for Magical Girls to use their powers responsibly. So, do you accept these terms?"

"I've heard Magical Girls can buy mana generators and mana converters?"

"Yes, they can purchase these items from shops, but such capabilities are far beyond your current level. I understand your eagerness to enhance this frontier city as quickly as possible, but this city's fate may have already been sealed."

"I see."

"Will you accept all the conditions?"

"Yes, I accept."

"Contract accepted."

Then, the world plunged into darkness. It was as if I was floating in a pool on a moonless night—blind and deaf to my surroundings, feeling only a swirling force creeping up from my toes and fingers to my heart.

In the enveloping darkness, a glimmer of white appeared: a white mask, marked by sadness. The mask split in two, and each half regenerated its missing part. Now, the mask had changed—one side smiling, the other sad. With each split and regeneration, new emotions emerged: anger, laughter, smirks, soft smiles, bawling, and tears of joy. These myriad emotions felt simultaneously artificial and genuine. Or were they truly genuine all along? With nothing behind the mask, was its reality ever in question?

Then, black cords sprouted from each mask, linking them together. This connection allowed the masks to shift their expressions dynamically, no longer static but fluid in their emotional display. Their ability to change emotions was uncanny, yet I found myself captivated by it. I was no longer a mere observer as they evolved to express a broad spectrum of emotions, now able to perceive me. The empty eye holes stared back, yet the profound darkness behind them wasn't as intimidating as I had anticipated—it felt comforting.

Gradually, the masks drew closer to one another, the cords pulling them into a single entity. The amalgamated mask now bore an expression reminiscent of human emotion, transcending its previous, uncanny alterations. Black tendrils extended, shaping into a human form—limbs, muscles, and eventually, skin and hair emerged, though the mask remained distinctly a mask.

The mask then offered a smile. My heart tightened as I felt an irresistible pull towards the surface—not of water, but of my own consciousness. The pain in my legs abruptly returned, and the black cat's gaze met mine once again. A message materialized in my field of vision, obscuring the cat familiar momentarily. A sharp twinge in my legs jolted me back to reality, a stark reminder of the physical world.

SYSTEM UPDATE

Soul Gem formulation successful.

Reflection room stabilized.

Contract Ceremony complete.

Mana resonance recorded at 100%.

System access granted.

Gate access granted.

Credentials updated.

ERROR: Unable to unlock Astral Shift. Blacklight Protocols are in effect. See Familiar for assistance.

Precontractual accomplishments found. Rewards have been applied.

[Obtained Magical Guardian Starter bonus! Welcome to the world of magic!]

[Obtained 150 Points]

[Accomplishment rewards received for sacrificing yourself to save another!]

[Reward: 50 Points]

[saved 4 people]

[reward: 40 Points]

[Defeated (Fomorian Wasp- Level 1)]

[Reward: 10 Points]

[Total Points: 260]

[Unique Augment Available!]

"Contract successful. Nyaa," the cat announced, its voice transitioning from somewhat robotic to a higher-pitched, cute tone reminiscent of anime characters. "Now that I am officially your familiar, I will begin advising you. But first, could you give me a name? It's required as a symbol of our bond."

"Sure. What name would you like?" With the contract sealed, I retrieved the first aid box, extracting bandages, antiseptics, and sterile gauze.

"Please choose a name. Do you have a preference for me being male or female?"

"I'd prefer a female voice; it felt more friendly that way," I observed the black cat, contemplating a suitable name. In the darkness, its slit eyes glimmered like moonlight. Considering she's a cat, I aimed for a feline-related name. "How about Felicia?"

"Very well. I am now Felicia. Pleased to meet you, Nyaaa!" I dismissed her overdone act; it felt too late for her to mimic a typical cat now. As I cleaned the blood from my legs, the sting of the antiseptic made me wince. Once the wound was cleaned, I applied a pad, wrapped it in bandages, and secured everything with adhesive tape, regretting missing the first aid lessons taught by my teacher.

"Do you know about the gate and point system unique to Magical Girls?" Felicia inquired, noticing I had finished tending to my wound.

"Yes. Alice, one of the only three Magical Girls in this city, briefly explained it to me. They mentioned using points to purchase weapons or supplies from Zenith?"

"Exactly. We refer to it as the Gate system or Gate access. Now that you have Gate access, let's procure some medicine for your leg, Nyaa."

"Hmm? No need. I could just transform and head out to the shelter. We'll discuss this later. What's it called again? Astral shift, right? If you transform using astral shift, this kind of wound won't be an issue," I replied. Points are incredibly valuable. Whenever higher-ups, like my father or the Shirayuki main family, meet with a Magical Girl, they always discuss points and their current conversion rates. I had given up on my dreams of becoming a Magical Girl, so my knowledge might be outdated, but I still understood their significance.

"Hmm? Fel? What happened to you?" Felicia halted abruptly. She was active just moments ago, but now she's entirely still, her tail frozen in an odd position as if it stopped mid-swing and remained that way.

"I am sorry, but you currently cannot access your astral shift."