Magical Girl Gunslinger

Chapter 29: Repercussions: Part Two

Chapter 29: Repercussions: Part Two

But I sputtered, mind reeling at the implications. I thought the Anathema werent intelligent like that? That they were like the weather, unpredictable and just a part of life?

That is a complicated subject, Everglaive sighed. The Anathema are a blight, a malice that seeks to cause the most destruction possible. This malice may be best described as a vague and nebulous hive mind, showing at least some coordination in order to effectively accomplish its goal. While weve never seen a worldwide invasion like this before, there are instances of Usurpation Zones or large scale attacks working in sync to accomplish the most damage. Comparing the Anathema to the weather is apt, but only if you modify the definition into saying the weather sometimes decides to try causing the most chaos possible.

Everglaive paused, then nodded to herself as if making a decision.

Some higher level Anathema are capable of commanding and coordinating others of their kind, but weve never seen one capable of operating on this scale. Theoretically, it isnt impossible, but we have yet to discover any real leadership or command network behind the Anathemas actions.

Some of the tension left me as I nodded. I suppose it made sense that some Anathema could get strong enough to command others, but even from what I knew, it didnt seem likely they were organized. If they were, I doubted they would be opening Usurpations at seemingly random locations and intervals, attacking places where they knew they were going to be repelled.

Regardless, the goal of the worldwide attack has come into sharp focus the past few days, Everglaive continued. Taking down the Sanctuary Cities was never going to happen with the level of forces they used, but between the number of Usurpations and Anathema they sent, reality around the Sanctuaries has been drastically weakened. Our early warning system has fallen from being able to predict Usurpations up to an hour in advance to only fifteen minutes. Even worse, weve been experiencing multiple daily Usurpations. All of them have been low level and fairly small in size, but it is clear they are attempting to keep reality weak around the cities with constant attacks.

How bad is that? I asked, clenching my mug tighter.

Well, its actually quite good for Guardians, Everglaive responded. The Zenith recruit new Guardians in giant waves, so right now, there are a lot of new Guardians who can potentially make use of this for easy levels and points. The Usurpations are also weak and small enough that the Magical Soldiers can take care of them on their own if needed. While it has caused more disruptions in the city, most of the Zones are limited to only a building or two in size with maybe two or three dozen Anathema appearing at the most. In the long run, it will be quite beneficial for the growth of new Guardians like yourself.

For now, more experienced Guardians are taking care of it, Naiad said. Just until the academy starts up and the new wave has enough training to actually fight.

Theres an academy for Guardians? I asked, vaguely remembering Error Machina mentioning something about that.

Everglaive and Naiad both paused, looking at each other and then back to me. I felt myself curling up further into myself as Everglaive tilted her head at me curiously.

Excuse me for asking, Everglaive began slowly, but you are in high school, yes?

Um yes? I answered, nervously shifting around.

I see Its just, most people know about the Guardian Academy. Its somewhat of a cultural phenomenon, especially with the annual festival they hold. Theres a few high school classes that also teach about Guardian culture and events if Im not mistaken.

A blush creeped up onto my cheeks. Of course Id heard of the festival they held every summer. It was a huge, city-wide event with days of games, events, and even tournaments. Id just never actually watched it more than stopping on the street to see some of it being broadcast on a TV. I had so much else to worry about and do, Magical Girl things had never really seemed that important.

Oh I didnt realize there was an Academy involved. I, um I havent paid much attention to Magical Girl stuff. Im only a first year in high school, and we havent really gotten into Magical Girl things yet

The last part was a blatant lie. We had talked about various things, but Id mostly used the time to either study other subjects or work on homework. That, or I was resting my eyes for a few minutes

Ah, Everglaive said, nodding. Apologies, sometimes I forget there are people out there who arent as interested in Magical Girls as I was before becoming a Guardian. Going back to your question, yes, there is an academy. One in each Sanctuary City, in fact. While it isnt mandatory that you go, I would highly recommend it. Classes there are taught by either experienced Guardians, Familiars, or subject matter experts. There, youll learn things like proper fighting technique, the lore behind magic, the common types of Anathema and how to recognize them, marketing yourself as a Guardian, working in teams of Guardians, and a variety of other things. The academy is starting up soon, and the knowledge you can learn there is invaluable.

[It is highly recommended that all Magical Girls go through at least one year of the academy, preferably all three,] Selene added. [The survival and growth rate of a Guardian increases dramatically for each year you attend. Additionally, there are many special opportunities that can only be attained by attending.]

It sounded incredible. Id been stopping to ask Selene for explanations constantly, and I was still learning things. Sitting down and actually getting a chance to absorb the information would be a blessing. It already felt like Id forgotten half the rushed answers Selene had given me.

The only problem was

Um. How does it work with regular school? Would I stop attending my normal classes or?

There are a few options, Everglaive nodded expectantly. One is to go to only the academy and receive private tutoring on the normal school subjects. This is something I wouldnt recommend. Immersing yourself with only Magical Girls can be incredibly insulating and skew your perspective negatively. It also robs you of any chance of normalcy, something we as Guardians need to balance out the stressful, combat filled lives we live. No, the normal route is to go to a normal school on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday and then attend the academy on Thursday, Friday, Saturday.

Wait, I frowned. Isnt that the schedule for the special offering students?Updated from

The SO students were a sort of unique phenomenon in Sanctuary Cities. They only went to a normal school half the week before heading to a specialized school the second part. Mostly, it was for students who both already decided what profession they wanted to pursue and had some sort of special circumstance. Things like surviving a brutal Usurpation, losing family, or having the highest level of grades for the school entrance exams were ways to get offered a spot. Supposedly, it helped the brightest of students excel in their field and also gave the misfortunate ones a chance to thrive.

SO schools were known for producing some of the most experienced graduates and were highly coveted. My brother had gotten into one designed around magitech engineering due to his grades, and he was already working at a company as a paid intern with a promise of employment upon graduation.

It is the same schedule, Everglaive confirmed. SO schools help as a sort of smoke screen for Magical Girls, allowing those who wish to keep their private identities secret a legitimate way of hiding what they are. The unique blend of a normal school environment combined with specialized learning helps produce well-rounded individuals for both SO students and Guardians.

I let out a quiet sigh of relief, feeling myself relaxing. My school situation was not great. But it was manageable, and I wasnt willing to lose my friendship with Lily just to escape some annoying bullies. Id handled it just fine since middle school, even if they had gotten more aggressive lately

I shivered, remembering my current predicament with Katie. I still had no idea how I was going to deal with that

Speaking of private identities, I never asked you if you wanted to be a public Magical Girl or keep your personal identity secret, Everglaive said. Not many choose to be public, but some enjoy the fame.

Um. What would you recommend? I asked, already fairly certain what I wanted.

Keep your identities separate unless you want to be recognized every time you go out in public, Everglaive said seriously. Once you go public, theres no going back. Everytime you go out to eat, to buy groceries, or even just walk down the street, theres a good chance youll be recognized. Considering your deeds and the fact that youre a Dark, I would say theres almost zero chance of you ever going outside unnoticed. Linking your two lives together takes any chance you have at normal interactions with non-Guardians.

Some people love the attention, Naiad sighed, shaking her head. They like the full celebrity treatment. Honestly, though? We get enough of that while we patrol around in our outfits. Never having a chance to just be a normal person, to just go outside and not worry about being the symbol of hope Guardians are made out to be Look, unless you are a serious extrovert, I seriously dont recommend it either.

I shivered, shaking my head. That literally sounded like my version of hell. I already got enough looks and stares because of my stature and eyepatch. It was a good day when I got to take the train to school and nobody bothered me about it. The last thing I wanted was more attention.

How does having a secret identity work exactly? I asked. Sorry, I dont know much about the specifics.

Part of your astral shift has enchantment magic weaved into it, Everglaive explained. It affects the part of the brain that recognizes faces for anybody who looks at you. While you may not look any different from your normal self, the magic tricks people into associating your appearance with a completely separate identity. It works through pictures and video, and is potent enough that even if somebody had an image of you in both forms and compared them, they would still think that the pictures didnt match.

The only way to break it is if you directly tell somebody you are a Magical Girl or what your personal identity is, Naiad added. Although, it isnt complete protection. Just because they wont ever see a Magical Girl that looks like you, they can still believe your personal identity is one if you leave enough hints. Going out every night without a good alibi, disappearing whenever something dangerous happens only for a Magical Girl to appear at the scene, and other stuff like that can lead people to suspecting the truth.

It had been really hard trying not to cry when I realized I was going to have to replace some of my clothes because I couldnt get the stains out.

I see Everglaive replied, her voice still cold. Well. There is a levy of possible charges he could be tried with. Criminal negligence for turning the shield on when he knew people were still outside is possible, but his lawyers might argue he acted with reasonable care to protect the students in the shelter due to the rarity of the Anathema he encountered. Involuntary manslaughter is a possibility for the deaths of the police officers who went to turn on the mana generator, but his lawyers would argue the true fault lies with the mall owners.

Everglaive gave a tired sigh, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face.

What he will be charged and convicted of is felony shelter operation for activating the emergency shield against the automated systems recommendation, resulting in civilians or rescue personnel being put into danger, injured, or killed. It more or less covers the previous two charges, and there is no doubt he violated that particular law. With all the facts of the case, I would guess he gets a maximum of ten years in jail and a fine he will be paying off the rest of his life. Its possible he takes a plea deal down to just the fine and parole depending how much his lawyers can leverage the extenuating circumstances including the fight that broke out, but well see.

I felt my brain wrapping itself in knots as Everglaive gave her legal analysis, and Naiad let out a giggle as she saw my expression.

Evers been a Guardian for six years now, she explained. You get to know the specifics of emergency shelter laws when youve been a Guardian as long as we have.

Right Id forgotten that Guardians tended to keep their youthful appearances. Even some of the first Guardians from twenty-one years ago looked like they were in their late teens or early twenties. I wasnt clear if they just stopped aging or how it worked, but I made a note to ask Selene later.

Anyway, Everglaive shrugged. Your teacher will be punished, though not as much as he should be. Because both you and Brian survived, the crime is less severe. It also doesnt help that a lot of the fault of the situation lies with the mall owners for tampering with the mana generator. Well get to that in a moment, but first

She gestured to the second file folder in front of me.

Inside, you will find everything weve set up for your personal identitys cover story. The police officers you interacted with helped us set it up. Officially, you snuck with Brian to the third floor shelter after encountering a hound that you dispatched without injury. Upon learning the emergency shield was activated, you went to the first floor, finding some Anathema patrolling outside the shelters entrance. You lured those into a store and set them on fire, freeing the way for you and Brian to make your way in. Unfortunately, an Anathema swiped your leg when you set off the trap, causing severe damage to your calf muscles. Because the damage would take weeks to heal and months of physical therapy, weve been keeping you in a hospital to be instantly healed by a Magical Guardian due to your heroics.

Its fairly close to what actually happened, Naiad said, which makes it more believable. Weve taken out any mention of you using a gun, though. One thing that helps your cover story is that people in the first floor shelter saw you walking in the hallway. It will lead them to believe you werent the new Magical Girl who went on the Death Wish.

I must have looked confused because Everglaive interjected a moment later.

They saw you injured. A Magical Girl wouldnt be injured and would be in their outfit. As for whats in the folder, we have medical logs corroborating the story, an initial police report regarding the incident that youll have to finalize later, a damages report for you to fill out on what personal belongings were damaged or lost, and a letter.

A letter? I tilted my head.

Yes. Im going to leave that one as a surprise for now, and I recommend looking through that folder on your own time to familiarize yourself with the details of the cover story. Speaking of which, we need to discuss the medias reaction to your story and how theyve been reporting it the past few days.

My mind went blank, the bottom of my stomach dropping as horror flooded my veins.

What? I whispered, my eyes widening in panic.

Its alright, Naiad quickly assured me. I promise, its not as bad as you think.

There were a lot of civilians involved in this, Everglaive explained. The security guards, your classmates, and the people in the first floor shelter it was inevitable someone would tell the press, and your classmates speculating on social media forced us to run with the cover story. A high school girl who risked her life to save a young boy, killing an Anathema and being injured in the process because of an emergency shield activation? The story was too sensational for the media not to jump on it. Thankfully, due to the strict privacy laws of Arcadia, your name and Brians havent been publicized, nor any potentially identifying details. They reached out to your father for comment and permission to interview you, but both were denied. Brians family, meanwhile, said they werent comfortable talking to anybody so long as you wished to remain anonymous.

Nausea bubbled in my stomach like acid, and I found myself clenching my teeth tight as I looked to the ground.

So.

Father knew.

I swallowed down the bitterness in my mouth. I should have realized it, that at least me risking my life to save Brian would get out there. The fact that I also fought and defeated Anathema was just icing on the cake. I had no idea how he was going to react to that, but the first part

And then there were my classmates. God, how was that going to turn out? I knew most of the people in my class didnt think much of me. I was just the weird loner girl with creepy eyes to them thanks to Katie. The rest of my grade I wasnt so sure about. I was sure Katies rumors had spread to them as well, but I wasnt sure how much they believed them. I wasnt in any clubs and didnt really interact with anybody else besides Lily.

I felt a headache building up while the nausea increased, and I looked back up to see Everglaive and Naiad watching me closely. I quickly forced a weak smile, clearing my throat.

So how many, um how bad is this?

The story itself garnered quite a reaction from the public, Everglaive responded slowly, gauging my reaction. Your classmates were quite talkative about the fact you got locked out of the shelter, which we believe is how the media discovered it was you. To prevent any other people from learning your identity, Error Machina has gone and lowered the visibility and reach of any post mentioning your name. In other words, while your classmates will still see posts about you, strangers wont be able to find them. This should prevent anybody else from discovering the truth, and Error Machina is on the lookout for any potential problems just to be sure.

I felt myself relax a little bit at that. If it was just limited to my school and a few reporters who knew, I could deal with it. So long as people werent recognizing me on the street Otherwise, what was the point of having a personal identity separate from my Magical Girl one? I didnt want fame or attention.

Sorry, Naiad gave me a sympathetic smile. Its kind of damage control at this point, but on the bright side, youre going to be pretty popular at school from all this! I bet your friends are going to go wild when you tell them the story.

I forced a smile, trying to keep my face relaxed as I gave her a nod, hoping it looked like I was agreeing with her. Internally, I was torn between wanting to cry and just going back to sleep. I could imagine the chaos of the first few days back at school, and I was looking forward to it about as much as I was dealing with Fathers reaction.

Remember to read the cover story weve prepared, Everglaive said seriously. Its imperative to keep the details straight. Your heroics combined with a new Magical Girl popping up in the mall is very suspicious. Keeping to the story and stressing your injured leg kept you sedated in the shelter are imperative to prevent anyone from making a connection.

I gave her a deep nod, taking her advice to heart. The only way this got worse was if people started suspecting I was a Magical Girl and making a big deal out of it. I couldnt deal with the added pressure, and if Father found out I couldnt let that happen.

With that out of the way, Everglaive continued, the last thing we need to go over is the device you found attached to the mana generator. The investigation is ongoing, and due to the possibility of a Guardian being responsible for supplying the generator, some specialized investigators are involved. As this matter is quite sensitive, there isnt much more Im allowed to say other than warn you to keep this matter to yourself for now. If youd like updates, you can contact Error Machina or me directly. Understood?

I nodded, fidgeting with my cup. I wasnt sure how bad it really was, but the fact that a Guardian might be the cause of what happened was clearly a pretty big deal. I imagined if it became public knowledge, there would be a sharp dive in trust with Guardians as a whole. That would cause fear, and that would just invite more Anathema in

Excellent. Now that weve covered the after effects of your Death Wish, we can begin the true and proper tutorial that you never received. Theres a few administrative things we need to take care of such as getting you registered at Guardian Command, deciding on your academy attendance style, officially choosing whether you are going to be a public or private Guardian, giving you your starting gift bag, and all that. Before anything else, I need to ask you one important question.

She leaned forward, and I felt her stare intensify as she studied my face.

Do you even want to be a Magical Girl?