Mr. Magical Girl

Chapter: 193. Magic Train (2)

When I opened my eyes, it was dark.

Just like every time since I entered the Otherworld. But it wasn’t an empty void.

An alien presence stood before me.

A black mist resting in the darkness spoke to me.

•••”Today, there are many entities to classify.”

It spoke in a gentle voice, contrary to its appearance.

No, it must have been talking to itself.

It wasn’t just me it was addressing.

Obscured by the darkness derived from that existence, it wasn’t clear, but countless beings existed in this place.

The wavering mist in front was declaring this to all of them.

“Welcome to the artificial world of Demiurgos. To you, stowaways.”

At the mention of “stowaway,” the mist restrained us.

Hrrrgh

“What the hell…?”

As the mist moved, the interference between us vanished.

Through the momentary thinning fog, I caught sight of others groaning in distress.

There was a being that looked like a beastman. In front of it, a shadowy and formless presence. A dimly shining back.

Tiny mist particles crawled over all of them like bugs, tightening their movements.

Of course, I was the exception.

“Is this what you call restraint? It doesn’t feel that tight or painful.”

Since I wasn’t responding, the mist bugs tried to creep inside my clothes as if to bind me.

“Get lost.”

I shook my body, and the mist shattered, scattering around me.

At the same moment.

“Hmm? There’s a pretty strong one here. Then please comply with the examination. I won’t be too harsh.”

The mist’s gaze shifted towards me.

Without eyes, I wasn’t sure if it could be called a gaze. But at least that mist bug squad recognized me.

“‘I won’t be too harsh,’ huh?”

The wolf beastman over there seemed to be choking to death.

Though the sound was muffled, I could feel its desperation just from the sight of it scraping its throat with claws to get rid of the restraining mist.

It was tearing its own skin to survive, pulling at its flesh.

Yet, the wolf persisted in its actions.

• •I don’t like that.

That misty creature didn’t seem that strong. Shouldn’t I just knock it over?

Thinking that, I waved away the surrounding mist.

Whoosh

Sounds of rustling came from around me.

The mist’s attention shifted to me.

And I too locked eyes with it, glaring with hostility.

“Hmm. The examination isn’t even over, yet does the stowaway mean to fight? Very well. If you intend to make all beings of Demiurgos your enemies, that could be entertaining.”

Entertainment, my ass. I’m already annoyed. Why don’t you just die first?

With such feelings, just as I was about to summon my hammer…

‘Haram, lower your weapon and comply with the author’s words.’

A familiar voice halted my actions.

“Al’sel?”

‘Yes, I am currently communicating through magic… You’ve already caused a problem, haven’t you? It would have been better to explain beforehand.’

Hmm. Explanation beforehand.

Hearing that made me look back at the mist.

“What? Aren’t you going to attack?”

The mist thickened slightly and swayed its giant form as it responded.

I’ll ignore that.

•••Looks weak, so shouldn’t I just smack it?

I whispered quietly so no one could hear.

‘The author is definitely weak. However, the passengers of the Magic Train are different. So, please comply with our words; we can pass through the author.’

Pass through.

At that statement, I lifted my gaze to observe the distant darkness.

A space where only profound darkness existed.

Nothing else. A perfect place for thinking.

And then, I made my decision.

“It’s a bit annoying, but…”

I dusted off my hands and lowered my battle stance.

“I’ll comply with your words.”

I spoke loud enough for the mist on the other side to hear.

Of course, I was also speaking to Al’sel. I left the judgment to him.

“Very well. Then I will continue with the explanation.”

The mist seemed satisfied with my actions and returned its density to normal, continuing its explanation.

However, it no longer constricted the bodies of the surrounding beings.

As if it was considering my presence, only a weak force supported me, like a weightless chair.

My body floated, and even though I couldn’t feel much support, I could still sense comfort.

And amidst my critiques, the mist’s explanation rolled on.

•••Originally, stowaways, that is, you all, do not possess the qualifications to board this Demiurgos. You would merely become nutrients for our world, gaining the glory of being a unique existence.

It sounded like they meant to kill us and use us as fertilizer, yet they were putting it so grandly.

“However, there is a saying from the one who created Demiurgos: the great Sophia.”

Hehehe

Wait a moment. Did the mist just smile?

“Those who are qualified to board, let them pass.”

As soon as that statement ended—

Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang. Boom.

The noise continued endlessly.

From the ceiling, black pillars began to fall.

So many pillars, I couldn’t even count them.

They exceeded my reaction speed, falling at a pace matching the Infinite Architect’s creation speed.

And then, one of the pillars fell right beside me.

It grazed past without hitting me.

Instead, it crushed the beastman who had been gasping for breath just moments ago.

It left behind its last remnants, fur scattered in the aftermath.

“Now, the test of knowledge has concluded. Anyone who can’t understand this word isn’t an entity. Just a mere beast.”

And, as if nothing had happened, the mist stated in a tone that sounded joyful, filled with happiness.

Thus, I whispered.

And Al’sel, as if it were a certainty, replied immediately.

“I’ll tolerate this time.”

My teeth felt shattered.

The white pillar bounced back.

“If you pull this kind of stunt again, don’t think there’ll be any promises or anything.”

‘Thank you for your patience…’

Even as I was suppressing my emotions.

“Hmm. It seems someone is somewhat displeased, so let’s proceed faster than usual this time.”

The mist spoke with a mischievous tone and continued its actions.

“Enveloped in emptiness…”

The wind blew, and the mist embraced everything around.

Perhaps infused with some special power, for a moment all my senses were taken away.

About five seconds passed by my estimation.

“Those who forget their divine master are unnecessary.”

With those words, the wind blew.

The mist cleared away.

And along with that mist, countless colored particles danced in the air.

The colorful particles scattered like a rainbow, beautiful, but soon, I could see what they were.

The beings that were originally around us.

What had they suffered at the hands of the mist to end up like this?

“The test of will has concluded. Indeed, many are being filtered out here.”

As it spoke of will, it seemed the mist had interfered with others just as it had with Mozaic.

I quietly gazed at the mist.

Watching the dispersing particles.

“Hmm. Though this is my duty, I feel like I’m going to die. Let’s wrap this up quickly.”

Damn mist, it continued to chatter excitedly even in that situation.

“Now then, let’s skip all the annoying bits and get to the final procedure. I hope to meet you alive! The trial of strength begins!”

Vroom.

A blue light enveloped my vision.

Startled by the light, I reflexively closed and opened my eyes, only to find myself in a blue place.

Not a refreshing sky blue, but a gloomy cobalt mixed with black.

And within that endless blue, only two things stood out in different colors.

Myself.

And the red version of me standing opposite.

The red me was in a battle stance, though I couldn’t sense any intent to pounce.

I stared at my likeness for a moment, deep in thought.

The trial of strength.

So that’s my replica or something, huh?

I’d seen such scenes often in cartoons, games, and movies.

Fighting against a copy of myself.

Just a passing glimpse, yet it clearly contained immense power from the Otherworld, enough to induce a sense of dissonance.

It felt as if that presence before me was entirely detached from this world.

Indeed. When someone else sees me, it must feel this way, right?

That’s that.

How trivial.

With a sigh, I spun my arms without summoning my hammer.

Was that seen as an aggressive action? The red me swung a hammer and charged at me.

While I continued to spin my arms, the red hammer flew toward my head.

Striking swiftly and simply.

I focused on that hammer, watching straight as it approached.

Just before it crashed into my head and blocked my vision, I didn’t take any action.

And then.

Thud.

The hammer slammed into my head.

Since I had taken no action, if all the force was behind it, it would make sense for me to shatter completely.

However, I wasn’t hurt.

Pain of about 71-卜 caused my vision to blur for just a moment, but that was it.

My head was not shattered, nor was it caved in.

“Where’s my emotion gone?”

That is my essence.

That is my power.

Without it, I would only be a lump of Otherworld’s power.

So, I quietly reached out my arm, with the hammer still embedded in my head.

Towards the being that was slower and weaker than me.

Filled with burning anger and annoyance. I extended my powered fist.

The one without that.

That unemotional being was—

“Get lost.”

Nothing at all.

Thud.

It felt as though I was pressing against thick rubber with my fist.

Bang.

With a sound like a bursting balloon.

Blue light erupted from within the red being.

And once again, the blue light embraced me.

Once again, I returned to the mist-filled black chamber. Here, there were only three of us left, including me.

Eyes closed, silently holding hands was Al’sel.

“Get lost! Disappear! This fake! That’s my date palm!”

Unho, chewing on its own tail, singed half of its fur.

And myself.

As I clicked my tongue at them, just about to speak—

“Congratulations. You’ve passed all the trials – albeit barely.”

The black mist appeared and spoke to us.

Not knowing how to respond, I looked at Al’sel and Unho.

But Al’sel remained expressionless, still with eyes closed, showing no reaction.

“Uh? Where did the black mist go?”

Unho was still lost and just babbling.

I had no choice.

“Well then, is it over?”

“Yes. Now, you are no longer stowaways, but officially passengers dwelling in Demiurgos. Please exit and live your lives.”

At the mist’s words, from beyond the dark chamber, rectangular light began to seep in.

That place was both the entrance and the exit.

Anyway, the mist had called us passengers.

As if confirming that, the tone of the black mist had strangely become polite.

There was no arrogance or mocking sentiment toward us.

Void of feelings, acting like a civil servant doing their job.

To that mist, I opened my mouth.

“You mentioned an examination?”

“Yes. That’s my role.”

“How many typically pass?”

“Certainly 0. It’s rare that even one makes it out.”

“Then how many of those who were just here were there?”

“Perhaps the number you get when you multiply four by four and then multiply again by four. Is there a problem with that?”

•••I don’t know how many that amounts to, but I understand one thing.

“Last question. How is the duel between passengers handled?”

“Feel free to do as you wish. Outside certain zones, we do not interfere.”

“This place, is it then a specific zone?”

“No.”

After receiving that affirmation, I turned back to Al’sel.

Al’sel, seeming to understand what I was trying to say, slowly opened its narrowed eyes to look at me and nodded quietly.

“Hey, mist.”

“My name is…”

“Not that I care about your name. I’ve killed too many already.”

No, I didn’t wait to hear its name before swinging my hammer.

It struck the mist, and its energy rapidly diminished and vanished.

And then, the dark arena became a little cleaner.

At least, the scattered ash no longer swirled around.

“…Is it dead?”

“No. It’s a mist type, so it’s completely immune to physical attacks. However, having lost most of its body, it will require thousands of years to regenerate.”

What a disappointment.

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