"Maaan, I'm beat!"

Claw Strawberry stretched out over a wooden bench as she relaxed, her tail swaying back and forth lazily as she stretched.

"And hungry..." she muttered.

"Ooof, I'm tired," Forest Willow added, her bow slung over her back. Her short red hair was damp from sweat, her cheeks red and flushed, her breathing labored.

The magic locker room for girls was full of chatter and noise as they changed back into their normal forms in their private locker rooms and took showers after class. A number of us were in the main area, still talking amongst each other.

The room itself was large and spacious, and made of some sort of snowy white smooth stone that reminded me of a church, with high archways and no windows. The floor was made of a polished marble-like material that was cool to the touch, but also felt like it was alive and pulsing with energy. The air smelled like pine trees, and it made the place seem more like a spa than a locker room.

I'd always gone straight to business, rushing off to classes and meetings after going through the gateway in my stall to change. I hadn't ever bothered to pay much attention to the main area before.

The center of the room had a statue of a regal, long-haired woman with a bishop's hat and staff in a long dress that looked like it had been sculpted from pure emeralds. Her eyes glowed a bright yellow, and I couldn't help but feel a bit of a connection with her. I could feel something in her, and the air seemed to vibrate around her.

"Edith Escathos huh? Any relation to President Escathos you think?" Forest Willow tilted her head next to me.

"Supposedly his ancestor," Elysia answered. "It's obscure, but she was one of the founding members of the Hero's Guild in Florence. I've done the reading on her. Something caused her to stop aging, and she was active for decades before vanishing into the ether."

A scuffed-looking Screen Dream and Aurora sat down next to the exhausted Claw Strawberry and Claw Yuzu, still panting and sweaty.

"Hiya!" Claw Yuzu beamed as we piled in. Her face was covered in sweat and grime, but she seemed to be in good spirits, smiling at us as we all lounged around. I hadn't had much of a chance to talk to Claw Stawberry and Claw Currant's teammates before, and they were quite friendly and welcoming. I liked it.

"You all look so tired," Elysia laughed.

"Oof," Aurora groaned, holding a towel up to her head.

"Sorry..." Luna Noirette fidgeted from the corner of the bench, looking at her.

"It's fine," the golden-haired magical girl sighed, her eyes half-lidded. "We got a bit carried away."

Luna Noirette turned away. "I'm sorry..."

They had fired hundreds of bullets at each other in their sparring match and made liberal use of grenades, magic, and other explosives. The field had been littered with craters and bullet holes when they finished, and the barrier around it was somehow cracked.

But it was mostly one-sided from Luna. Aurora was a solid marksman, but she had an obvious mental block about hurting people. She'd held her own, but had ended up on the ground with Luna looming over her in the end. Our full class had four more rounds after that, but eventually, everyone was either too exhausted or had their auras too drained to keep sparring.

"Don't apologize. Hey wait... are you okay, Luna?"

Luna flinched as Aurora stepped over to reach for her arms. "Let me take a look. I think I landed a few shots. I can he—"

"It's fine," the black-haired magical girl mumbled, turning away and pulling down her cloak. "I'm okay."

"But..."

"Just leave it." She frowned and crossed her arms, stepping back.

I glanced at her with a concerned frown, and Aurora looked over at me.

Then, Aurora narrowed her eyes, glowing with a golden aura. Her gaze lingered on Luna for a second before her lips tightened. Luna seemed to have an extra white aura layer on top of her base aura, one that felt very weak and diminished, and was frayed and thin.

"Okay," the healer murmured.

The blue and black clad girl turned around, walking away.

"Lord, make me an instrument of your peace… where there is injury, pardon; where there is despair, hope. Grand Healing."

There was a flash of golden light, and I felt the warmth spread across my body, the bruises on my arms fading. The other girls in the locker room looked over at Aurora as the golden light grew brighter.

Then, a burst of golden light shot out from her body in a wave of mana, and a shimmering, golden, translucent wave washed over everyone, even penetrating through the doors with our individual aliases inscribed in gold on them.

A feeling of warmth and happiness spread through me, and I couldn't help but feel rejuvenated and refreshed as if I had just slept for a week. The fatigue in my muscles disappeared and the aches in my joints and bones were gone, replaced with a pleasant tingling sensation.

Everyone stared at Aurora, who had her eyes closed in a praying pose.

The golden-haired healer let out a deep exhale and smiled, her eyes opening to reveal that her eyes were now a shimmering gold, with a faint golden halo above her head. They quickly reverted back to their ocean blue color and the golden halo above her head vanished.

A few girls were still looking at Aurora with wide eyes. Even I was surprised.

Luna paused, feeling at her arms and ribs. There was an astonished look on her face. Even the small gash on her head from when she'd gotten blown out of a building by Nova Victoria's spell in a spar was healed. Then she looked at Aurora with a teary smile, before it shifted back to her default aloof, cool expression, and she looked away. She wiped at her face as if there were tears in her eyes and I couldn't help but notice the faint blush that colored her cheeks.

Then, she hurried off into her stall, slamming the door behind her with a bang.

Aurora just stared after her.

"Sis?" Screen Dream murmured, putting a hand on Aurora's shoulder.

"Huh?" the golden-haired girl said, looking up.

I blinked and then looked over to the shower rooms. The sound of movement had stopped, and the running water of the showers had been shut off. There was silence, before a magical girl with light brown skin, light blonde hair, and purple eyes peeked her head out from behind the door. She was visibly topless, her body only barely concealed by the door.

"Um," she muttered.

She stared at Aurora. Her cheeks flushed red and she turned around and disappeared back into the private room.

"That... that spell just healed like forty people. Including me."

Aurora tilted her head, blinking. "Oh! Um, I hope you don't mind."

Screen Dream blinked, before laughing awkwardly.

"Is that not normal? Sorry. I just... I just had a bit left in the tank and thought, 'hey, why not help everyone.' I guess I should have asked for permission."

Claw Strawberry giggled while Elysia sighed. Then, Strawberry and Yuzu stood up, flashing Aurora catlike smiles.

"Not normal? Not normal?" Claw Yuzu said, her ears twitching. "You've gotta be kidding me! Healing arts that can hit multiple people in an area without an artifact and without extended incantations? That's like, unheard of!"

"Hey, don't exaggerate," Claw Strawberry teased.

Yuzu pouted, her tail drooping. "It is!"

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

"I mean, you're not completely wrong. But she isn't be the first. Ain't she?"

"It's not impossible, but most healing spells have serious tradeoffs. Aurora, are you... are you okay?" the Yuzu asked.

"Like what? Does it use life-force? Cause blindness? Is it like a poison?" I added, staring at the girl with concern. I'd been on the receiving end of her healing magic and the idea that it was dangerous made my chest clench. Even Twilight Aster's healing stone drained her physical enhancements until the point she would just be a normal civilian.

"Does she turn evil? Oh, that'd be a good plot twist," Yuzu murmured, her ears perking up again. She had her arms up to her mouth in a sort of fangirl pose and she looked like she was about to squeal.

Elysia and Strawberry stared at her, their eyebrows raised. The smaller catgirl's tail swayed in anticipation.

"Um, no?" Aurora offered. "I don't think it's like that. I just prayed for it to happen and it did. "

We stared at Aurora. The blue-eyed healer didn't seem fazed by the attention, but she was looking at the floor, biting her lip in embarrassment.

"Tch," a voice muttered from behind us.

I looked over to see Valkyrie Ursa standing there, a towel wrapped around her body. She'd cut her spars early to watch the others, claiming she was too drained.

Her arms were crossed over her chest, and she had a scowl on her face, but there was no malice in her eyes. Her purple aura had a pinkish hue that made it seem almost playful.

"What?" I asked.

"Emergency contracts have all the luck. What a ridiculous potential," she muttered.

Then, she turned around, and I saw the flush on her face as she stomped back to the showers. She stopped halfway, turned her head back, and looked right at Elysia with an expression that made my cheeks burn. My sister was too busy looking at Aurora with a contemplative gaze to notice the blushing magical girl staring at her longingly, however.

I glanced back at Ursa, and I saw the girl mouth something to me with a smirk.

Then, she turned around, flicking her hair, and left.

I couldn't make it out, but she'd been staring at my sister the whole time. Elysia just sighed, not paying her any attention.

"I guess that makes sense," Elysia murmured. "You do use some kind of prayer based system of spell casting. I wonder if that is a special power unique to you? Either way, it's an incredible base."

"Hey, hey!" Yuzu interrupted, her tail swaying. "What are your favorite shows, Aurora? Do you watch anime?"

"Uhhhhhhhh... what?"

"What are you even doing, Yu-yu?" Strawberry sighed.

Aurora frowned, her brow furrowing as if she was thinking.

"Well, I don't watch much television at all. I prefer to go out on the weekends and go dancing or swimming. Or I like to visit the local parish and help out. Or I like to read or pray. But... I suppose I do have a favorite anime."

"Oh, what's your favorite?" Yuzu said, bouncing on her feet and leaning in.

Aurora frowned, tilting her head in thought.

"Um... well, my favorite is the 'Sensational Sparkling Shimmering Stars' series," she answered.

Yuzu's ears twitched and her eyes lit up as a smile spread on her face.

"Oh, really? That's a great one! It's one of my favorites too. Who's your favorite Star?! Mine's always been Monarch."

Claw Strawberry just sighed and shook her head, her eyes rolling in her sockets.

"Yuzu, have I ever told you how much you're a lovable pain in my ass?"

"All the time!"

Screen Dream just chuckled at their banter. She had her arms wrapped around herself as she watched the two interact. Her eyes flicked to Elysia for a moment and then back to Aurora.

"Y'all have fun out here, your girl needs her alone time. Gonna get clean and then head out to my dorm," she announced. "I've got a date with some video editing."

"Ah, okay!" Elysia nodded. "We'll catch you later then?"

"You and Lux have my contacts. I'd love to meet out of uniform sometime, if ya know what I mean."

Elysia smiled softly. "Maybe some day."

"No pressure!" Screen Dream beamed. "When you guys are ready. I'll see ya around."

Screen Dream winked, blew a kiss at us, and disappeared into her stall, shutting it behind her.

"I like her," Forest Willow muttered, turning around to watch Screen Dream leave.

"No kidding," Elysia laughed, her voice light. "Good stuff out there, by the way Willow. I was watching you and Vespera. You did well against her."

Forest Willow flinched, almost too imperceptibly to notice, and then forced out an awkward smile that made the corners of her lips twitch.

"Y-yeah... she's a real force of nature, huh?"

"I guess she is. Phosphoros Nightshade's granddaughter, right?"

"Yeah. I think so."

Elysia looked at her blankly. Forest Willow was avoiding eye contact with her.

A tuft of green hair tugged at the edge of my peripheral vision as I glanced to my right, seeing a girl with flowing shoulder-length green hair and matching green eyes pause to stare silently at Forest Willow's back.

Vespera Nightshade didn't say anything as she passed by us, her expression unreadable and her movements calm. But I couldn't shake the feeling of tension and pain in her eyes. Something had seriously rattled her during her match with Forest Willow.

Forest Willow looked up as she passed, their gazes meeting. A faint smile graced Willow's lips, and Vespera's eyes narrowed, as if they were exchanging an inside joke. But then the green-haired magical girl looked away, her expression darkening as she opened a stall and disappeared inside. Her eyes were filled with sadness and anger as the door slammed shut, leaving a heavy, tense atmosphere.

The redheaded girl just watched her, her expression inscrutable, but a sad, wistful look on her face.

The conversation stalled as we all stood in awkward silence for a few minutes.

"So... what now?" Yuzu said, breaking the silence.

"I don't know about you guys," Forest Willow said, "But I'm friggin' famished again. Is that normal?"

"Ah, yeah! The transformation does increase our energy needs. It's less pronounced for people reliant on magic for some reason," Strawberry laughed. "But it's probably a good idea to get food soon. Magical Girl's gotta eat."

Forest Willow raised an eyebrow.

"You're such a glutton, Berry-berry!" Yuzu giggled.

Strawberry's cheeks went red. Yuzu giggled and poked the blushing Strawberry in the stomach.

"I'm a growing girl!"

"Berry, you're already a full head taller than me! How much taller do you need to be?"

"Oh shut it, you!" She growled, smacking Yuzu on the shoulder. "Not all of us have a cute little short stack aesthetic to sell."

"Waaahhh... why must you bully Yuzu?"

"We grew up together. Currant and I we were both smaller than you back then, you little twerp. Now, I'm bigger than you! It's only fair I bully you for a little bit, okay? I'm gonna get my fill in!"

"Meanie," the other girl pouted.

Elysia smiled as the two of them bickered, her gaze softening.

"I think I'm gonna go get a snack in a few minutes myself," she murmured.

I was still staring after the door that Vespera had shut, a strange feeling in the back of my mind. Forest Willow's expression turned somber and distant, and she looked away from the stall, her lips pressed tightly together, and her brow furrowed.

I saw her eyes flick towards Elysia and a small frown formed on her lips, but it was only a moment before she looked away again and sighed.

She seemed lost in thought, and I couldn't help but wonder what was on her mind. It was barely noticeable, but I perked up as I saw Ichigo briefly look her way with a lazy expression, before grabbing Yuzu in a headlock and giving her a noogie.

"So," Strawberry asked while Yuzu struggled in her grasp. "You guys got any plans for the evening?"

"No," Forest Willow said, snapping out of her reverie. "Nothing that I can think of. You?"

"Nada. Wanna grab a bite? We can head into town, get a snack. My treat! Lux, Elysia and I have hung out away from our transformations, but obviously we haven't gotten to hang out with the rest of you yet."

Yuzu stopped writhing and sighed.

"That's not really fair to Yuzu, you know," the short-haired cat girl said, pouting and pulling away from Strawberry.

The other magical girl let her, a guilty look on her face as her ears and tail drooped. Her eyes turned downcast, her posture slumping and she rubbed the back of her head.

"Yeah... you're right. Sorry."

"Noooo, don't be sorry, it was my fault too! I've been feeling a bit down since the whole mess last month. It wasn't anyone's fault," the smaller magical girl apologized. "I'm sorry. But I'd like to meet these new friends you've been making for real this time."

"No, it was my fault," the taller magical girl replied. "I was being selfish. Let me make it up to you, okay?"

"Ooookay," the smaller magical girl giggled. "It'll cost ya!"

"Ugh, fine. What's your price?"

"A kiss," Yuzu said.

I raised an eyebrow and turned to Elysia.

Strawberry bopped her on the forehead with her finger.

"Ouch! Okay, okay. Just feed me."

"You're so annoying," Claw Strawberry laughed.

"Love you too, Berry!" Yuzu laughed. "But um. Hi everyone, I'm Claw Yuzu. Strawberry's teammate and childhood friend. It's nice to formally meet you all."

Strawberry beamed at us. "Anyway, how about it Forest Willow? Figure you could use some R&R too. You've had some pretty intense fights, huh? Wanna go blow off some steam and get some grub?"

"I... I guess that could work. Sure. Thanks for inviting me, by the way."

"Cool, cool. How about you guys?" Ichigo asked, turning our way.

"I'm pretty free tonight," Aurora mumbled, fidgeting in place. "I'd like this too."

"Sure thing," Elysia answered. She glanced my way and I just smiled. She'd also noticed Willow and Vespera's weird exchange.

I nodded along, but my phone vibrated. I opened my Nexus device, eyes widening as I saw a text with a picture attached. Then, I let out a giggle.

"Hey... you know, how about we stay a little closer to campus?"

Strawberry's tail flicked as she put a hand on her hips and raised an eyebrow. "What's up, Lux? What are you suggesting?"

"Let's just say a mutual friend of ours just got an entire care package sent to him by his mom, and is in desperate need of help finishing it," I said. I held out my heart-shaped Nexus and Strawberry and Yuzu blinked as they saw a picture of a spread of prepared raw ingredients.

"Is that... duck?" Strawberry said, her tail flicking back and forth in interest.

"Apart from homemade protein bars... did I ever mention he's a culinary genius?"

"He's a whata who?" Yuzu said, tilting her head and staring.

"I'm in," Elysia giggled.

She gave me a thumbs up and a wink. I rolled my eyes, but smiled back, grateful she had caught on so fast.

Strawberry suddenly flushed bright red as she put the pieces together. Her tail flicked back and forth rapidly as her ears perked up, and I saw a look of disbelief on her face.

"Wait... you don't mean..."

Yuzu just looked back and forth, a puzzled expression on her face.

"He's chopping up some scallions as I type this," I said, sending him another text. "I can ask him to add some steamed turbot to the menu, just for you. How does that sound?"

"You're evil, Lux. Evil."

Yuzu looked back and forth between us.

"What am I missing?"

"Nothing, Yuzu. Nothing at all," Strawberry growled. She grabbed Yuzu, her face beet-red, and her tail wagging back and forth in excitement. "You're so lucky you're cute. But fine, let's go get cleaned up."

"Um, what?"

"We're staying in for dinner. Don't ask. Just share your contacts with everyone and meet at the library."

"I thought you said—"

"I know what I said. But I'm hungry. And frankly, I might break yet another promise to mom at this rate. Why? Why must the world do this to me?!"

She groaned. "Ugh. Let's go get cleaned up."

I smiled, and Elysia laughed as the pair retreated, leaving the rest of us alone.

"That was interesting," Elysia giggled, crossing her arms and shaking her head.

"I can't say no to good food," I teased, and Elysia just laughed. "You don't mind, do you?"

"When it comes to him? Nope, not at all," Elysia laughed.

She looked away wistfully.

"Not at all..."