I groaned, fluttering my eyes open to a world swimming in darkness.

Memories of the burning marketplace flooded back in an instant — the roaring flames, the screams, the metallic taste of blood in my mouth. I remembered the gang members, their faces twisted in cruelty, the kids... God, the kids.

My heart sank, and a lump formed in my throat.

Stellaris Vortexia.

A new magical girl had descended like a guardian angel or maybe a vengeful goddess. I couldn't tell which. Her arrival had been like something out of a fantasy novel — only it was real, too real.

But… what had happened after? There were flashes — shouts, the sound of combat, the gang members retreating. But it was all a blur. How had we gotten away? What had she done to them? Where was I?

I tried to sit up, but my body protested with sharp jabs of pain. It felt like every muscle, every bone had decided to go on strike. I heard my dad's voice again, closer this time, laced with concern. "Hey. Easy does it, kid. You've been through a lot."

In the dim light, I could make out the familiar contours of our living room. I looked down to find layers of bandages wrapped around my torso, the faint smell of antiseptic in the air. Dad was sitting beside me, his face etched with worry lines I hadn't seen before.

My dad's hand was on my shoulder, gently but firmly keeping me down. "Don't try to move too much. You took a pretty bad beating out there."

Rai-chan's voice chimed in my head. "Administrator. Please take it easy. You have multiple severe contusions and cuts, and the existing injury located on your third rib has been exacerbated. It is advisable to minimize action."

"Yeah, thanks for the update, Rai-chan," I muttered under my breath with a mix of sarcasm and gratitude.

The door from our kitchen creaked open, and a familiar figure stepped into the room. Jae’s silver hair seemed to shimmer even in the dim light, and I flinched as he stared at me with serious, piercing purple eyes. When he focused on someone, they always seemed to see right through them.

"Ikki," he said, his voice calm and measured. "How are you feeling?"

I tried to shrug, but even that small movement sent a fresh wave of pain through me.

"Been better," I managed to get out. Jae nodded, his expression unreadable as always.

He pulled up a chair and sat down, keeping his gaze fixed on me. "Yes… anyway. I wanted to speak about the incident earlier. Do you know why we’ve been able to help your citizens re-settle this city over the last month with only a few flare-ups of gang violence and border incursions by wandering Knave and Baron-class chaos beasts?"

I frowned, the pain momentarily pushed to the back of my mind by curiosity. "I guess it's because of the magitech and stuff you guys set up around the city?”

Jae nodded, his eyes reflecting a hint of approval. "Partially. The Terran Volunteer Force, in collaboration with your country's National Guard, has established an extensive network of these wards. They're not just for detecting human threats like gangs but also for picking up any chaos beasts that might wander into the city from high entropy zones. It's been a crucial part of our rapid response strategy."

"But," Jae continued, his tone turning serious, "the gang attack at the market didn't trigger any alarms. It's as if they found a way to bypass or block our detection systems."

My mind raced. That was a game changer. "Do you think it's the same gang from the other day? The one at the food processing facility in North End?"

Jae's eyes narrowed. "I believe so. And there's something else. Do you remember that female mage? The one that bested me in the duel?”

I nodded slowly, the memory coming back to me. It had been chaotic. A quick flurry of spells where Jae had come out the victor. And then, Jae’s skill, experience, and strength was rendered meaningless in a moment by whatever she’d done to knock us out in an instant.

"Yeah, I remember," I said, recalling the fierce battle. "You won and then… she just bypassed everything you had."

Jae leaned forward, his eyes intense. "Precisely. She’d tapped into something unconventional, something not aligned with the standard magical doctrines of Terra. It's concerning. I am more than certain she is the orchestrator of the attack today.”

He paused, looking away. “Ikki… I’d hoped as you certainly did that the incident would be buried away so that you may depart in peace. However, I must know what happened after we were taken captive. The details and exact actions taken. Particularly hers.”

I hesitated for a moment, not wanting to reveal too much about Rai-chan. “Well… after we were captured,” I began, choosing my words carefully. “I… somehow woke up in a cage. I immediately went to try and pick the lock on the cage. When I got free, Magical Girl Yomotsu-Shikome arrived.”

Jae nodded. His expression remained serious, but there was a flicker of interest in his eyes. “Yes. That corresponds with what you said when I’d woken up in the aftermath. And what did you do after she arrived?"

I shifted uncomfortably, aware of the parts of the story I had to leave out. "Well, after she distracted the gang members, I managed to pick the lock of the cage. I found a pipe and took out one of the gangsters who tried to stop me. It was... pretty intense."

"And then?" Jae prompted, leaning in slightly.

I took a deep breath, remembering the adrenaline of the moment. "Then, I found a downed Terran mech nearby. I've always been interested in them, read a lot of manuals and stuff. Somehow, I managed to get it started and control it, at least rudimentarily."

Jae raised his eyebrows, clearly impressed. "That's no small feat, Ikki, from what little the dashcam managed to capture. Terran mechs are complex machines, and not easy to pilot without training."

I nodded, feeling a mix of pride and anxiety. "Yeah, it was pretty much hit and miss, but I winged it and managed. With Yomotsu-Shikome's help, we drove off the gang members."

Jae was silent for a moment, then he said, "And the mage, the one who knocked us out. What were her abilities like?"

I hesitated before nodding. "Yeah, she was there. She… she disappeared when I tried to attack her, and bombarded me with a whole bunch of red energy attacks. When we disabled the gang leader, she took off with him. Literally flew away with him at a breakneck speed."

"Flew away?" Jae repeated, his voice tinged with disbelief. "You mean, actual flight? Not wind manipulation or space manipulation. Flight."

I shrugged, continuing to recap what I’d seen. "That's what happened. She just... took to the air and flew off. It was like something out of a comic book."

Jae sat back, his expression thoughtful. "This is significant. More than significant, Ikki.”

“How so?” I asked.

“You see,” Jae started again. “True flight is incredibly mana-intensive, and even the skilled Terran mages can barely manage it in small bursts. There are methods that mage families use to approximate flight through wind and void manipulation, but what you're describing sounds like genuine, unassisted flight. Typically only mature Magical Girls use the brute force, commonly known method because of the drain incurred.”

Jae paused, looking down at his hands. “Moreover, there’s the fact that not only did she bypass my personal defenses, but she also may have bypassed the wards we’d established around the city. Which is… highly suspicious. Her spellcraft seemed sloppy at best, yet she was able to neutralize me with ease. It suggests she has access to unconventional sources of power."

I frowned. “What kind of sources?”

Jae shook his head. “I’m not sure. It’s hard to say without seeing her in action again. But… it’s clear that we need to find out more about this mage and the gang she is aligned with. If they’re able to bypass our defenses without detection, they could cause untold damage to the settlement.”

The mage that bested Jae in a duel, the same mage that had orchestrated the attack on the market, was powerful and had abilities beyond what was normal. And she was still out there, somewhere.

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I was going to leave soon. The paperwork had been filed, and our deposits had been placed. I was going to leave my family to deal with this on their own. And the week I was going to leave, a gang attack had happened. Now, I couldn't help feeling a sense of responsibility to stay, to do what I could to help. But I didn't know how much I could do, how much I was willing to risk.

Jae seemed to understand my hesitation. "Ikki, I know you wish to do something, anything given the circumstances. I've known you long enough to see it in your eyes. But... Please, rest assured that your family can make do here without your help. I have no wish to participate in politics if I can help it, but you are one of only a dozen candidates selected to mingle with the elites on the other side. Both worlds require a symbol of unity, someone like you who can bridge the gap between them. Your departure is important for the stability of both worlds, and I will do everything I can to make sure your family remains safe."

I nodded slowly, still unsure if leaving was the right choice. But I knew I had to trust Jae and the other adults to handle the situation. "I know that, Jae. But... if there's anything I can do to help before I go, please let me know. I just don't like feeling helpless like this."

Jae nodded, his expression grateful. "Thank you, Ikki. I will keep you in the loop if anything develops. But for now, focus on your preparations to leave once you've rested up."

As if on cue, a knock on the front door interrupted us, and a familiar man stepped in with my dad. The man looked like he was in his late twenties, although I knew he was far older than he looked.

His appearance more or less hadn't changed in the decade or so since he and my father became friends. He was a brunette with Eurasian ancestry, tall and lean with handsome features and amber eyes framed by a pair of wire-rimmed glasses.

He was dressed in a sharp suit, the fabric of which looked expensive and tailored to his every contour, and he moved with the confidence of someone who knew their place in the world.

"Doctor Hinokawa!" I shouted as he stepped in, a surprised smile crossing my face.

"Ikki, good to see you," the doctor said, flashing a grin as he greeted us. "Jae, always a pleasure. I heard there was some... unfortunate excitement in town today."

Jae nodded gravely. "Yes, there was an attack at the market. Luckily, the damage was minimal thanks to the quick thinking of the two Magical Girls present."

Two Magical Girls? I remembered Stellaris Vortexia showing up before everything went to hell. I looked at Doctor Hinokawa, curious to know if he knew anything more about the attack. But before I could ask anything, my father stepped forward and shook hands with the doctor.

"Thanks for coming, Doc. We're glad to have you here," my father said.

The doctor chuckled. "Of course, Zane. It's always a pleasure to visit an old friend. Although, I wish it was under better circumstances."

Doctor Hinokawa was supposed to be my chaperone to Terra when I left for school this weekend. He and my dad had made it out of New York City together when it fell twelve years ago, and apparently he owed my dad a life debt. The Doctor was a polymath through and through and had gone on to be an ambassador of sorts for Earth. From what I'd heard, he'd grown to become highly respected in both worlds in the span of a decade.

He had taken a liking to me when we met a few years back and realized I had a talent beyond just passing the wrench to my dad in the workshop. I'd absorbed everything he placed in front of me like a sponge, from fiction books to textbooks. The Doc was my mentor and teacher, and I looked up to him as a bit of a role model. He was more than instrumental in nudging me towards applying to the new cultural exchange programs.

My father nodded, looking worried. "Yes, we're all still a bit shaken. Could you please check my son over? Make sure he's alright?"

The doctor raised an eyebrow, looking at me appraisingly. "Of course, Zane. Ikki, would you mind?"

I nodded, dragging myself up to sit on the couch with a wince. The doctor approached, pulling a stethoscope out of his bag and placing it on my chest. As he listened to my heartbeat, he asked me a few questions about how I was feeling and if I had any lingering pain from the attack. Then, he took out a flashlight and carefully looked over my body, before testing my reflexes and range of motion.

After a few minutes of examination, the doctor straightened up and gave me a small smile. "You're looking good, Ikki. No signs of anything serious. Just make sure to rest up and take it easy for a few days."

I nodded, feeling a sense of relief flood over me. "Thank you, Doctor Hinokawa. I appreciate it."

I turned to look at my Dad, "Hey, where are Izumi and Mina anyway? My little sister would normally be all over me with injuries like this."

My dad sighed, "Mina actually bolted when the attack happened, and your sister ran out in her pajamas chasing after her. Worried me damned sick, but they did call in after. They made it to Malina's place safely, thankfully."

I nodded, glad to hear that my little sister and her new friend were safe. "That's a relief. I'll have to give them a call later and see how they're doing."

"Izumi, huh?" Doctor Hinokawa asked wistfully, walking to our family picture on the wall and gently tracing the face of the young girl in the photo. "She's growing up so fast... I remember when she was just a little one."

My dad chuckled, putting an arm around my shoulders. "Yeah, she's getting to that age where she thinks she's invincible. And likewise for Ikki over here."

I rolled my eyes, playfully pushing my dad's arm off my shoulder. "Hey, I'm not that bad."

Dad chuckled, ruffling my hair. "Sure, sure. Just don't go getting yourself hurt again, okay?"

Then, he leaned back, sighing. "You know, I never thought I'd find myself raising two beautiful children in a world like this, but I wouldn't have it any other way. They're my everything."

Doctor Hinokawa smiled when he heard this. He seemed to be lost in his own thoughts for a moment before turning back to us with a far-off look in his eyes. "I understand, perfectly. I still remember the day I held my first daughter like it was yesterday," he whispered. "She was so small and fragile; yet so full of life and energy. I remember feeling so proud that day, knowing that my life would never be the same again."

My father frowned sympathetically, realizing who Doctor Hinokawa was talking about.

"Shit man, sorry for bringing that up," my dad muttered, looking apologetic. But the doctor just shook his head, a gentle smile on his lips.

Doctor Hinokawa waved his hand dismissively, a small smile on his face. "It's alright, Zane. I remember the family I never had every day. But, life must go on, mustn't it? We all have to make the most of it while we can."

The doctor was apparently in a weird throuple situation with his wife and her best friend, and they had a second daughter on the way when everything went to hell.

It was a tragedy that had shaped him into the man he was today, but it was also something that he only started talking about recently. Seeing Izumi always seemed to bring out a softness in him, a reminder of what could have been because both his daughters would've been around the same age.

I watched as Doctor Hinokawa's expression became distant, and I could tell he was lost in thought.

Despite all he had been through, he still carried himself with an air of refinement and elegance, like a man who had seen everything there was to see in the world and still appreciated the beauty in it. I had always admired him for that, and I knew that he had been through more than most people could ever imagine.

After a few moments, Doctor Hinokawa shook his head and refocused his attention on us. "But that's all in the past. We should focus on the present," he said, his eyes returning to their usual sharpness. "Ikki, I'm sure you have a lot to do before your departure. Don't hesitate to let me know if there's anything you need. I'll pick you up at eight o'clock sharp Saturday."

I nodded, feeling grateful for his offer. "Thanks Doc. Seriously, thanks for everything."

Jae stood up from his seat, stretching his arms. "I should probably head out, Good seeing you gentlemen," he said, nodding at everyone in turn.

As Jae made his way to the door, the room fell silent once more. I could feel the weight of the upcoming journey bearing down on me like a ton of bricks. I had never been out of the country before, let alone on an extended academic trip to Terra.

It was exhilarating and terrifying all at once.

But the truth was, I wasn't sure if I could handle the pressure. Growing up on an Earth that was progressively going to hell one year at a time had made me tough, but going to a new planet for an academic exchange program was a whole different ballgame. I didn't know if I was ready for it.

Doctor Hinokawa must have noticed my apprehension, because he walked up to me and placed a comforting hand on my shoulder as he bent down. "You'll be fine, Ikki. You're a talented and resourceful young man, and with the knowledge and skills you've acquired from your father and me, there's nothing you can't handle."

He paused, looking at me intently. "You're capable of so much more than you realize, Ikki. You just have to believe in yourself."

I felt a sense of gratitude wash over me as Doctor Hinokawa spoke. He always seemed to know just what to say to make me feel better.

"You're right, Doc. I can do this," I said, feeling a newfound sense of determination. "I won't let this opportunity go to waste."

My dad grinned, slapping a hand on my back. "That's the spirit, kiddo! I have a feeling you're going to do great things out there."

Doctor Hinokawa smiled, giving me a final pat on the shoulder before he turned to leave. "Goodnight, Ikki. Goodnight Zane," he said as he made his way towards the door.

As the doctor reached for the knob, my dad called after him with a warm smile on his face.

"Good night Elio, take care of yourself."

The doctor turned around, adjusting his glasses with a warm smile before leaving the room and closing the door behind him.

I smiled, feeling a sense of admiration swell up in me for Doctor Hinokawa and all that he had done for me. He was an incredible teacher and mentor who had taught me so much over the years.

Without him, I wouldn't have been where I am today. The events that'd occurred in the last couple of days were troubling to say the least, but I couldn't help but be grateful for the opportunity I'd been given.

Looking out into the star-filled night sky, I felt a newfound sense of purpose and determination fill me. No matter what challenges or obstacles lay ahead of me on Terra, I was ready to rise up and face them.

My family was counting on me, and it was time to rise up to the challenge and make something out of myself.