August 28, 493 U.C.

I slammed the door as I walked out of the house on Monday morning. It echoed up and down the corridor. Dad was still giving an endless rant about being behind. They drank a hundred potions this weekend! How is that my problem?

With an unrelenting fury inside, I wanted to scream. Instead, I waited for Daniele and tried to calm myself. Breathe. Just breathe. Rotten terrors. I waved at Daniele and headed for the exit.

“Good morning. How are you?” Daniele asked.

“Okay. I kept busy.”

Daniele’s smile quirked up. “I bet.” Daniele giggled.

“Work on that poker face,” I said and booked it for the exit.

“Are we trying to avoid them?”

I nodded. “I sure am. If another girl gives me a death glare, I’m going to chuck something at them.”

“I can’t argue with that.” Daniele followed me.

We exited and began a high-speed walk towards the school, darting up the concrete walk. I continued to speed up, not wanting any part of the swarm.

“Casey?” Daniele said.

“Yes?”

“Thanks for telling me.”

“Thanks for telling me.” I giggled.

“I’d love to be at command with you,” Daniele said softly. “Maybe I could clear things up?”

“Maybe. If you qualify, find out what they do to your genetic code first. They will change it,” I said, locking my eyes with hers.

Daniele nodded. “That’s true. I’ll find out.”

“Good, but don’t tell them. We need to figure this out without ending up dead.”

Daniele went quiet again. I think she agreed with that. I heard footsteps, so I picked up my pace.

Daniele giggled. “You are walking so fast.”

“I have to avoid them.”

“Casey!” Spen’ze yelled.

I groaned audibly, venting my frustrations up to the clouds above. I willed the rain to come. It would give me an excuse.

“That was rude,” Daron said as he sprinted up with his cohorts.

“Sorry,” I replied. “We’re just trying to avoid the claws.”

“Claws?” Spen’ze asked in confusion.

I turned to him. “You do know that every girl in school wants you three, right? And you are talking to us. That makes them act mean. They get all jealous. Can’t you go flirt with them? I’m innocent and tired.”

Zriulth grimaced. “But it’s not like that. We aren’t even the same species.”

“We know that,” I replied. “They don’t care about that fact. They want you and magic.”

Daniele nodded. “It’s true.”

I turned as I heard the swarm approaching. My temptation to sprint grew. I looked up and sent another prayer for the rain. The rain, like time, made a different choice. It smirked at me, sending a breeze to mess with my hair instead.

“You three are fast,” Lucy said as she jogged up with several others.

Daron turned toward her. “We had to check in with the criminals.”

“She’s not Platinum or Viper. She’s just a bitch,” Lucy said and glared at us.

“Lucy, go kill a rotk,” I replied, flipping her off.

“I can afford lunch,” Lucy retorted. “There’s one over there. Why don’t you go get it?”

Daniele looked over and saw the bird. “Does it hurt as much as they say?”

“Want to find out?” I nodded.

Daniele shook her head. I turned to see a girl, Tabitha, running full bore at the group. She didn’t slow either, running right into Daron who grabbed her.

“Thanks, Daron,” Tabitha said with a smile. She fluttered her eyes. “Want to go out this weekend? We could visit the mall.”

I picked up my pace, moving into a jog. My two escorts replied in kind.

Daniele chuckled. “Did you two do something fun over the weekend?”

“We studied,” Spen’ze said. “Humanity is interesting. Then we took some time to visit friends and family.”

“How many are moving here?” I asked. “A thousand? Ten? Hundred? There are pictures of your city plans online now.”

“Not too many initially; ten thousand is likely. It will be a guardian and fae city. It will have a portal to Fael.”

I contemplated that fact. If it weren’t for the protections, I would have loved to take a trip there. “That’ll be interesting. Why Vuln?”

“It was the agreement. We are trying to make others,” Spen’ze admitted in a strange moment of honesty.

“Your technology is interesting,” Zriulth said. “We want to try some of it.”

“I can tell you about it,” Amy said with a scowl. “Why don’t you two freshmen run ahead? We’re busy. And I am going to be a candidate.”

I started running. “Sorry, Guardian Amy,” I called with all the sarcasm I could muster.

Daniele sprinted after me. “So bad.”

“So annoying. And we need to be in shape.”

“That’s true.” She paused. “Where can I recharge my mask?”

“I’ll show you. Haven’t done it yet?” I asked. My feet flew as we ran up the streets, passing several homes and a few shops.

Daniele raced after me, tearing up the streets. “Do the fae need one? I haven’t seen them wear one.”

“Probably not. Mine’s not on,” I said quietly.

“That answers that,” Daniele said with a worried look on her face.

I nodded. “I told you that they are turning us into them.”

Daniele nodded and continued. We turned a corner.

“Casey, hold up!” Spen’ze called out.

“No!” I yelled. The ground shot by me as I raced for the school while wondering if I could frame someone else. If they had a Viper, my problem would go away. A crooked smile spread across my face. Sometimes you need to give them a new target. A small vial of healing potion in the right spot could go a long way. Then the doubt hit. My hastily made choices hadn’t been great. They’d just do a blood check. I chucked the idea out. It would never work.

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Turning away from my musings, I bolted down the street, through the door, and raced over to the airlock.

“Good morning,” the A.I. said as we walked through.

I ignored it. Then I pointed at a rack next to the airlock. “Over there, Daniele.”

“Thanks.”

She walked over and took off her mask. Then she popped out a small canister and placed it in a machine. A moment later, a canister appeared in the slot. She grabbed it and put it back in her mask. “That’s handy.”

“Yes. They go out of the way when it comes to the air.”

“They should.”

“Stop running off, Casey,” Spen’ze said half-heartedly as he walked inside.

I shook my head. “Forget that. You guys draw people like honey draws bears.” I headed for class.

“Does honey draw bears?” Daniele asked.

“No idea. I just assumed.” I giggled.

“Just admit it, Casey,” Zriulth said. “We’ll forgive and chat.”

“Forgive what?” I asked. “I didn’t do anything.”

“Nice try.”

I groaned. “This is harassment. I’m getting a restraining order.”

Daniele giggled. “Sorry. She’s just frustrated with the entourage.”

“I can understand that.” Spen’ze sighed.

One of the older boys approached. “Hi, Spen’ze. Want to hang out tonight? We’ll be playing some football.”

“He would love that!” I said.

“You have to come with,” Spen’ze replied with a smirk.

“I’m busy. Take him with you, Chuck!”

Chuck walked closer. “I’m trying. Come on, man. It’ll be fun.”

“I’ll think about it.” Spen’ze followed me.

I scowled and walked faster. He did the same. Then we dashed into the room. He snaked Daniele’s seat.

I moved so that she was between us. Then I groaned as Zriulth took the other side.

“You’re on the watchlist,” Zriulth said with a chuckle.

“Do you take bribes? Offers? Plea bargaining?” I asked.

“Yes. We’ll take you to guardian command after class.” He smirked at me.

“I don’t have magic.”

“We’ll find out. Did you know that you can feel mana around those who are strong? And that using spells sends out a burst of it?” Zriulth asked.

“No.” Is that true? Maybe if I smashed it into him. It would need to be more than the ambiance. Is it high in here? I began debating that news. Then I tried to sense it from them.

“It’s true. Care to rethink your answer?” Spen’ze asked.

“You think I have magic?” I grinned at him. “I need to get tested! Can you waive the wait time? Please!”

“Yes.” Zriulth frowned. “But it’s already waived. Why is it that you haven’t done it?”

“I’ll do it! I want to be a magic girl. Can you make Daniele one with me, please?”

“Back to that?” Zriulth asked.

“Yes! Please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please…” Embracing my sheer willpower, I kept it going as the seconds ticked by at a glacial speed.

“Stop!” he bellowed after a minute of me repeating the word.

“Please.” I gave him puppy eyes. “You can make me a magic girl.”

“Casey, stop.”

“You first,” I said with a grin. “I wonder what kind of magic I’ll get. I’m so excited. Daniele, want to celebrate with ice cream after?”

“Celebrate what?” Sun-young asked.

“Zriulth is going to make me into a magic girl!” I proclaimed as loudly as possible, slapping my hands on my desk.

“Shut up!” Sun-young said with a look of surprise. She spun. “Zri, please.”

“You just have to ask him a lot,” I said. “That’s what I did.”

“Casey!” Zriulth yelled. “Stop that.”

I gasped. “I am so sorry, Zriulth. What can I do to make this right? I didn’t mean to. Should I slap her? I can slap her.”

Sun-young stared at me. “What?”

I kept my tirade going. “I didn’t realize that I was supposed to keep it secret. I’m so sorry. Forgive me, please.”

“You are terrible!” Ela said while shaking her head. She was sitting in the corner, huddled into a little ball of sadness.

“He deserved it!”

“Turn yourself in.”

“No, Ela. And stop pouting!”

Ela looked up. “Summon me! I’ll talk to them.”

“Not a chance.”

“Do you have a familiar Zriulth?” I asked.

“Yes. It’s a very useful spell. It’s a staple in the fae world.”

“Can I see them?” Sun-young asked with a grin.

“Please?” I batted my eyes.

Zriulth groaned. “I’ll think about it. And stop that, Casey?”

“Sorry, sir. It won’t happen again as long as you promise.”

“Stop.”

“Sorry.” I let my natural blushing state take over. Hopefully that would buy me a week of respite. Then I turned. “Daniele?”

“We have our next villains!” Daniele gestured at the screen.

I locked onto the video feed and began watching.

A man and woman in their early twenties smashed out of a shop, staggering out onto a concrete walk. Glass rained down around them. They both had bags filled with things. A drone above whirred down and fired. A burst of electricity cracked through the air. The two dropped to the ground, twitching. Their bags of possessions tumbled and spilled. Officers surrounded them while the drones continued monitoring.

Raptor: Get them out, now!

Me: I’m going to kill them.

Raptor: Fine by me! Just get them out.

I winced as he said that. He isn’t going to kill them, right? Time came to a halt. I headed over, used the spell to see, and sent out teleport spells. Then I appeared back in class.

After a moment, I sent another message while praying the fae didn’t notice the mana I’d released.

To Raptor: Warehouse 13.

“What did they do?” Bill asked.

“Robbed some electronics store.” Daniele frowned. “They smashed up the place too.”

The officers moved closer. The two winked out of existence without a trace.

“Wait? Where are they now?” I asked.

“They teleported somehow.” Daniele shot me a look. I shrugged at her and tried to keep the rising guilt in check while our instructor walked to the front of the room. I tried to sense any mana that I may have released, failing to do it. Maybe they are messing with me? Or maybe I’m not strong enough? I prayed that it was one of them.

Me: Dad? What the hell was that about?

Dad: Put your phone away and don’t let someone read this.

I rolled my eyes. Rotten rebels. Stashing my phone, I turned and began listening to the lesson. The minutes slowly ticked by while I finished classes for the morning. Then I headed to lunch.

Wishing that I wasn’t so tall, I ducked low and pulled out my sack lunch. Attacking it with the ferocity of a raptor, I began rapidly devouring it. Someone set down their tray next to me.

I turned and swallowed. “How are you, Ryan?”

“I’m okay. Can I sit here?” he asked.

“Sure.” I smiled at him and resumed attacking my meal.

“In a hurry?” he asked.

“Yes! I need to ditch the swarm. They are hostile.” I gestured to the ball of people.

“Stop!” Zriulth yelled loudly. “The next person who asks for magic is blacklisted!” he barked. The cafeteria went quiet.

I can’t blame him for that. It quickly faded. People began talking and became more discreet with their plans.

Ryan giggled. “Can you even taste that?”

“Nope. I have to hide.”

“You can’t hide,” Zriulth said, taking a seat.

I groaned, letting him have it by turning it into a loud wail. Then I turned back to my food.

“That won’t work either.” He chuckled.

“Ryan, beat him up for me,” I said.

Ryan shook his head, looking at me like I was out of my mind. His long blond hair swung as he did. I giggled and resumed inhaling lunch. Then the swarm hit. With stinging barbs and an annoying buzz, they irked me until I fled to the safety of the library.

I finished school in relative safety and headed home at a nice sprint, dashing down the streets like a mana-infused raptor. Shooting into the house, I dashed towards Dad’s room. “Dad!”

“Casey, catch up! We need those potions,” Dad yelled.

“Who were they?” I demanded. “Why did they do that?”

“Some rebels who got overeager. Don’t worry, we have it handled. If you see another, inform Raptor. We can’t have that.”

I let out a breath of relief. Good.

“But you need to prepare yourself, Casey,” Dad called. “This is going to get worse, a lot worse. We need them gone. They may not go without a fight either.”

I swallowed. “I’m not killing people, Dad. I can’t do that,” I said softly.

“Be prepared. Revolutions are bloody, Casey,” Dad said through the door.

I shook my head and walked to my room. As I made potions, I wished that things had taken a different turn. After all, I did not want to start some horrible war. Maybe we can get them to leave without that. I clung to that thought as I worked.

Current Level 11 Current XP 6.76% Current Max Mana 8737.45 Regen per minute 13.24 Reputation 7000

Tier Skill Cost Tier 11 User Time Dilation (Haste)

- User experiences 256 seconds for 1 earth second.

- Force transference limited to 25%. 1 mana per earth second. Tier 7 Pocket Dimension

- 128 cubic meters of pocket space.

- Rapid stash and rapid draw.

- You may tether objects to your pocket space.

- Your pocket space cleans, preserves and organizes items inside based on your will. 32 mana Tier 7 Time Stop

- Caster leaves spacetime. They may remove and place things back in spacetime.

- You may control the flow of time in the demiplane.

- You may summon in willing living creatures.

- This automatically triggers if you take significant damage.

- Recast to gain vision. 200 mana to cast.

Variable cost to move items in and out. Tier 7 Teleport.

- Teleports the caster or a willing creature.

- You may cast this on a willing or unwilling creature if they are within fifty meters.

- You may teleport inside an object, causing the matter to push outward.

200 mana for the caster.

400 mana for a willing creature.

1000 mana for an unwilling creature with no resistance.

- Short range casts cost less mana.

Tier 3 Attire Swap

- Locked to a single outfit. Current outfit set to Magical Girl Uniform.

- Attire cleaned on swap.

- Attire repaired on swap. 20 mana. Tier 3 Enhanced Body

-Caster’s body is enhanced by a factor of eight. 2 mana per caster second. Tier 2 Enchanting.

- Enchantments last twice as long. Variable cost. Tier 2 Potions.

- Potions last twice as long. Variable cost. Tier 2 Familiar Manifestation. 20 mana to cast. Tier 1 Free casting

- Cast any spell you can replicate. Variable cost. Penalty of 8x mana.