While I often referred to girls capable of manipulate magic as MahoShojo, they actually have an official name: “Mage”.
Although the majority of Mages featured in the news are girls, there are indeed young boys who successfully become Mages. I’m not sure why their power seem weaker than those of girls; perhaps it’s because the guys skilled in magic prefer to become the pilot of mana-powered Mecha, avoiding direct battle with just a few thin layers of clothing.
Mecha, an Electro-Mana hybrid technology invented to combat the dark forces that Mages focus on, doesn’t seem to function as intended. Instead, it has become a tool for government and private entities to explore Chro forest, teeming with dangers.
By the way, some part of this world have settings reminiscent of those Isekai anime. There’s an unconquerable forest inhabited by magical beast, known as the Chro forest, covering about one fifth of the land. I haven’t paid much attention to that part, as I not interest in investigating the forest.
Most aspect of this world are similar to my previous life, but the concept of “army” or “military” is nonexistent. Everything related to combating enemies with force - soldiers, Special Forces, police, and the Mage squad specialized in fighting off dark forces – is consolidated into one department called “Armed forces of the world”. The idea of “countries” exists only in history. Currently, there is only one country in this world, and the one-country situation had persisted for almost a thousand years. According to my recollection from history class, the concept of army has evolved into a broad concept of “armed surveillance forces”, later strengthen their power to combat the strange forces invading this world.
What I want to highlight is that those underage Mages, whom I call MahoShojos, are indeed part of the “Armed forces of the World”. If they perish in duty, their family received death grants from government. I seriously believe that we shouldn’t allow underage individuals to fight on the front line. We even have Child Protection Law to safeguard underage, but it seems like these legal provisions don’t apply to Mages.
Moreover, Mage auditions aren’t based on magical talents or knowledge but depend on a set of stones called FayOra. I thought it was a joke when I discovered this during high school, but people in this world genuinely believe that “The one chosen by FayOra will definitely have the power to protect us”. It seemed ridiculous, and all I could do was accept this fact, akin to following rules in a video game.
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Mages retire after 10 years of service. The team soon to retire is the “Precaria Gem Squad”, consisting of five members with code names named after a gemstones. Their team leader, the teenage girl with bright pink double ponytails, is called Morganite, named after the only fantasy pink variety of Beryl.
I’m unsure about the fame of Mages in other cities, but I know the Precaria Gem Squad is the most renowned in our city. Most citizens are familiar with their official details, and I’m well aware of this because my sister is a huge fan. I heard that the team leader became a Mage at the age of 15, and the other team members are all 1-2 years older than her. I’m not sure why the youngest became the leader; perhaps it’s because of her color – Mage squads in other cities all have leaders in red tone. Doesn’t this sound ridiculous?
A 15-year-old girl would now be a 25-year-old young lady, but the FayOra magical weapon might have maintained their youth since then because they still look like teenage girls. If Morganite had aged, she might look exactly like the unknown girl right in front of me.
I sensed a moment of stiffness when my gaze returned to her from the TV news, but she quickly relaxed after the bald Minister appeared. So my guess was correct; she does have something to do with Morganite, but I can’t fathom the reason beyond their similar appearance.
“Well, how can I help you?” I looked at her, and she replied with a clueless expression. I had to explain, “Though I’m sure my parents don’t mind having a guest in our home, it’s not appropriate for you to stay in a stranger’s house. What I should do now is send you home, but you seem to have some problem that I might not be able to help with…I mean, you don’t know you name, so I guess you have some memory damage? Then I should bring you to a police station and make a report, but I would be worried if I left you there alone…”
She frowned when she heard the words “police station”. Though she didn’t say much about it, she thanked me and said, “Thanks for your help last night, I should be going now.”
“No, wait! I’m not asking you to leave. I just want to know how I can help you!” She walked very fast, reaching the doorstep in just a glimpse. I couldn’t help but reach out my hand and grab her wrist. “Wait, where are you going?”
She didn’t say a word, just gave me a look and freed herself in one easy swing. I knew how tight I held; it wouldn’t be easy for any female to just swing away my hand. Her strength was so immense that I had to step back a few times just to stand firm.
Then, she opened the door and disappeared from my sight. I tried to chase after her when I finally managed to stand still, but she was gone and nowhere to be seen.
I lived in the countryside, with a wide garden full of flowers and veggies. Nothing was blocking my sight, but I couldn’t seem to find the lady with long dark-pink hair.
She had just vanished, into thin air.