Chapter 30: Demons, Deals, and the Death of My Afternoon Plans
(In Which I Almost Become a Magical Girl and Somehow End Up with Homework)
You ever have one of those conversations that starts weird and just keeps leveling up until you're no longer sure whether you're living in reality or trapped inside a particularly aggressive school recruitment advertisement?
Yeah.
That was this.
Sora Kurotsuki—Student Council President, Queen of Ice-Cold Glares, and apparently a member of the hidden Demon world—sat in my living room drinking Mom's tea like we hadn't just had an argument about her vice president using magic on my mother.
Beside her sat Mizuki Takahara, still watching me like she'd personally volunteered to stab me with a pencil if I annoyed Sora too much.
Which was unfair.
I'd barely started.
Sora folded her hands neatly.
"We're here to talk about what you are."
Cue dramatic pause.
Okay.
I'm not particularly proud of what came out of my mouth next.
"What I am?"
I blinked.
"Pretty sure I'm human. Teenage. Hopeless at Earth mathematics. Terrible at being normal."
I gestured at myself.
"That about cover it?"
Mizuki did not laugh.
She looked at me like I'd insulted several generations of her ancestors.
Sora, however, remained completely composed.
"You are human."
"Great. Mystery solved."
"But you are not an ordinary human."
Oh.
There went the easy answer.
"You also possess what appears to be a Soul Armament."
I froze.
"A what?"
Sora's eyes narrowed slightly.
"You genuinely don't know?"
"Nope."
Interesting.
Very interesting.
The voice I'd heard before flashed through my mind.
Deep.
Calm.
Regal.
I will observe for now and see where this leads. Do not disappoint me.
I still had absolutely no idea what that had been.
Apparently Sora did.
Sort of.
"There is something bound to your body and spirit," she explained. "A supernatural construct. Dormant, mostly. I cannot determine its exact nature from observation alone."
Well.
That was comforting.
I had a mysterious supernatural object inside Kaito's body.
Because apparently being trapped in another guy's body wasn't complicated enough.
Sora continued.
"But that is not why I came."
Of course it wasn't.
Why would my mysterious soul weapon be the biggest problem in my life?
That would be too convenient.
She adjusted her glasses.
"My older sister encountered you recently."
My attention sharpened.
There it was again.
Older sister.
The same person she'd mentioned earlier.
The person who might—
possibly—
be the sparkly Magical Girl who destroyed my knife and healed my hand.
I still didn't know.
And Sora apparently had no intention of giving me a name for free.
"She found you interesting," Sora said.
"That doesn't sound ominous at all."
"It wasn't intended to."
"That makes it significantly more ominous."
Mizuki's eye twitched.
Sora ignored me.
"I began investigating afterward."
"Stalking."
"Investigating."
"Fancy stalking."
"Kaito."
"Fine."
She continued.
"I can say with reasonable certainty that the person sitting in front of me does not match what Kaito Hoshino should be capable of."
My stomach tightened.
Careful.
Sora leaned slightly forward.
"You became physically stronger very quickly."
"Training."
"Your coordination changed."
"Also training."
"Your speech patterns changed."
"Books."
"Your personality changed almost completely."
"…Really good books?"
Mizuki stared at me.
Okay.
Maybe not my finest defense.
Sora's gaze became sharper.
"More importantly, your spiritual energy is abnormal."
That got my attention.
"My what?"
"Mana is spiritual energy shaped and used through various magical systems," she said. "You are not consciously using Mana."
Good.
That matched what I had already figured out.
Earth was different from my world.
Back home, physical and spiritual energy naturally combined into Ki.
Here?
Physical energy became Ki.
Spiritual energy became Mana.
Two separate systems.
Which was honestly incredibly inconvenient.
"But your soul," Sora continued, "contains far more spiritual power than your body should naturally possess."
Oh.
That wasn't good.
"Some of it is leaking."
I stared at her.
"My soul is leaking."
"A crude description."
"But accurate?"
"Yes."
Wonderful.
I leaned back.
Apparently I'd gone from body-swapped Ninja to mystical radiation hazard.
"What does that actually mean?"
"The body you're inhabiting is not accustomed to containing that much spiritual energy."
I went very still.
Sora paused.
Mizuki noticed.
Neither said anything.
Had she meant that literally?
Probably not.
Please don't let her have meant that literally.
Sora continued.
"Most humans develop gradually. Their bodies and souls adapt together."
She looked directly at me.
"Yours do not appear properly synchronized."
…
Well.
That was terrifyingly accurate.
I laughed awkwardly.
"Puberty?"
Mizuki actually looked offended on behalf of logic.
Sora merely sighed.
"No."
"Worth trying."
"What interests me," she continued, "is that despite your strange condition, you remain stable."
"Mostly."
"You recognize Mana."
"Apparently."
"You immediately identified that Mizuki used magic."
"Still angry about that."
"And according to my sister…"
There it was again.
"…when you encountered supernatural power previously, you reacted with curiosity rather than panic."
I studied her.
Definitely sounding like the Magical Girl.
But until somebody actually told me, I wasn't assuming anything.
For all I knew, Sora had twelve sisters running around healing people with sparkles.
Earth had already proven itself ridiculous enough.
I folded my arms.
"Okay. Your sister is mysterious, my soul is leaking, and apparently I have a Soul Armament I didn't know existed."
Pause.
"Still not hearing why you're sitting in my house."
Sora's expression didn't change.
"I am here to invite you into the hidden supernatural world."
I blinked.
Then pointed at myself.
"Wait."
Sora waited.
"Are you recruiting me to become a Magical Girl?"
Mizuki's eyes narrowed so hard I thought something might snap.
"Show some respect, Kaito Hoshino."
"Hey, you're in my house."
I pointed toward the kitchen.
"And you already brain-jacked my mother once."
"It was a mild suggestion spell."
"That's not helping your case."
Sora raised one hand.
"It doesn't matter, Mizuki."
Mizuki reluctantly quieted.
Sora looked back at me.
"And no, I am not asking you to become a Magical Girl."
"Shame."
"I am asking whether you would consider becoming my subordinate."
…
I stared.
Actually stared.
Because this calm, calculating Student Council President had just asked me to join what sounded suspiciously like a supernatural corporate hierarchy.
"…Interesting."
Sora waited.
I leaned forward.
"What's the catch?"
"There is no hidden catch."
"That's exactly what somebody with a hidden catch says."
Mizuki muttered something under her breath.
I chose to believe it was praise.
Sora continued.
"I am a Demon. My family holds considerable standing in the Demon World."
Okay.
That part I had already suspected.
"If you accepted a full position under me, I could arrange for you to become a Demon as well."
I stared.
She kept going.
"You would gain access to Demon magic, increased lifespan, greater physical potential, protection through my family, and an official position within the supernatural world."
I slowly raised one hand.
"Hold on."
Sora stopped.
"You want to turn me into a Demon."
"Yes."
"Like completely?"
"Yes."
"As in stop being human?"
"You would retain your personality, memories, and identity."
"Still not human."
"No."
"Yeahhh…"
I leaned backward.
"…I'm gonna pass."
Mizuki raised an eyebrow.
Sora didn't even blink.
She'd expected that.
Apparently this wasn't her first supernatural recruitment interview.
"I have only recently figured out how to be this particular human," I continued. "Changing species seems like a level ninety-nine side quest."
"You're certain?"
"Pretty certain."
Sora nodded.
No pressure.
No threat.
Interesting.
"In that case, I have an alternative."
Of course she did.
She leaned forward.
"You remain human."
"Already better."
"And work with me as an agent within the Human World."
I paused.
That was different.
"I would provide you with access to supernatural information, resources, protection when necessary, and compensation for your work."
I narrowed my eyes.
"Compensation?"
"Yes."
"Money?"
"If appropriate."
"Information?"
"Yes."
"Training?"
"Potentially."
"Magic?"
Sora paused.
"Within reason."
I leaned closer.
"No monkey's-paw nonsense?"
"No."
"No mysterious wording where I accidentally sell you my firstborn child?"
Mizuki finally spoke.
"Why would she want your firstborn child?"
"I don't know. Demons have a reputation."
"We do not buy babies."
"Good policy."
Sora pinched the bridge of her nose.
I was beginning to feel like I was winning.
"So," I said, "you want me working for you."
"Yes."
"In exchange, I get access to the hidden world."
"Yes."
"Information."
"Yes."
"Potential training."
"Yes."
"And I stay human."
"Yes."
I rubbed my chin.
Honestly?
Not terrible.
Which meant I immediately became suspicious.
Because experience had taught me that whenever something sounded perfect, somebody was either lying or hiding the enormous monster behind the curtain.
"How about this instead?"
Sora blinked.
Mizuki straightened.
Interesting.
Apparently they hadn't expected negotiations.
"I don't become your subordinate."
Sora remained silent.
"But we can be allies."
Her eyes sharpened.
"When you actually need me for something, you hire me."
"Hire you?"
"Mercenary arrangement."
I pointed between us.
"You give me a job."
Then at myself.
"I decide whether I accept."
Another finger.
"If I accept, we agree on compensation based on difficulty."
Mizuki looked toward Sora.
Sora didn't interrupt.
"No permanent obedience."
I continued.
"No secret contracts."
Another finger.
"No commanding me around just because your family has a fancy title."
"You know nothing about my family."
"Exactly. Could be extremely fancy."
Sora's mouth moved slightly.
Almost a smile.
"But before any of that…"
I leaned forward.
"…I want information."
"Regarding?"
"My spiritual energy."
That erased the humor.
"I need to understand what's happening to my body."
Technically true.
Extremely true.
"And I want to understand Mana."
Sora watched me.
"Why?"
"Because ignorance is dangerous."
That answer came without hesitation.
"If there are Demons, magical cats, Magical Girls, Soul Armaments, and who knows what else running around this planet…"
I spread my hands.
"…I'd prefer not to remain the idiot who knows nothing."
Mizuki's eyebrows rose.
Sora studied me for several long seconds.
"You surprise me."
"People say that a lot."
"You are not intimidated."
"Should I be?"
"Yes."
"…Good to know."
"Nor do you appear particularly tempted by what I offered."
"I like being human."
"And you're negotiating despite knowing almost nothing about the political structure involved."
"I've negotiated under worse conditions."
That slipped out.
Sora noticed.
Damn it.
I immediately smiled.
"School clubs."
Mizuki stared.
Sora stared.
"…Very intense school clubs."
Neither believed me.
Moving on.
Sora finally adjusted her glasses.
"I understand why you are cautious."
"That makes one of us."
"My goal is not simply acquiring powerful servants."
That got my attention.
"I want to change Demon society."
I raised an eyebrow.
"That's ambitious."
"Yes."
"How?"
"The circumstances of birth, family status, and inherited power determine too much of one's position."
Interesting.
"I believe ability and merit should matter more."
She paused.
"And I want the people working with me to have opportunities they would otherwise be denied."
That sounded…
actually respectable.
Sora continued.
"Human society has made attempts toward similar ideals."
I stared.
"Humanity achieved equality?"
She frowned.
"I said attempts."
"Oh."
I nodded.
"Because I was going to ask when that happened. Thought maybe I was out sick that day."
Mizuki looked deeply tired.
Sora—
actually chuckled.
Tiny.
But definitely real.
Score.
"Very well," she said. "Your arrangement is acceptable."
I blinked.
"That easy?"
"I did not say it would be informal."
Ah.
There it was.
"Terms will be written."
Of course.
"Responsibilities defined."
Naturally.
"Compensation agreed before assignments."
Reasonable.
"Confidentiality regarding the supernatural world will also be required."
Also reasonable.
Sora extended her hand.
"We will operate as allies."
I looked down at it.
Then up at her.
"And I work for you only when I agree to a specific job."
"Yes."
"No permanent subordinate status."
"Yes."
"No becoming a Demon."
"Unless you later change your mind."
I grinned.
"Persistent."
"Practical."
I shook her hand.
"Deal."
Sora's grip was firm.
"But," she said, "my original offer remains open."
"I'll put it in the maybe-never pile."
Mizuki sighed.
I released Sora's hand.
"One more condition."
Her eyebrow rose.
"I want a cool magical outfit."
Silence.
"I've heard Magical Girls get excellent capes."
Mizuki closed her eyes.
Sora stared at me for several seconds.
Then—
"No."
"Worth asking."
And just like that…
I had somehow become a freelance supernatural mercenary for a Demon Student Council President.
My life choices were becoming increasingly difficult to explain.
So.
Turns out magic isn't all sparkles, dramatic poses, and shouting attack names while explosions happen behind you.
It's math.
Literal, terrifying, honor-student math.
Sora Kurotsuki stood in my living room like the world's most intimidating private tutor.
Mizuki made a small gesture.
A whiteboard appeared.
I stared.
"…Where did that come from?"
"Storage magic," Mizuki said.
"Pocket dimension?"
"Effectively."
"I want one."
"No."
"You people are incredibly selfish with the useful magic."
Sora picked up a marker.
"Pay attention."
I immediately sat straighter.
There was something about her tone that awakened ancient student survival instincts.
"Magic," Sora began, writing several neat symbols across the board, "is not simply wishing for something to happen."
Good.
That already sounded familiar.
"It is the controlled application of Mana according to understood principles."
She drew several lines.
"Intent determines the desired outcome."
Another symbol.
"Knowledge determines whether that outcome is possible."
Another.
"Calculation determines the required energy and structure."
And another.
"Control determines whether the spell actually succeeds."
I stared at the board.
Then at her.
Then back at the board.
Something clicked.
"So…"
I pointed.
"It's basically science."
Sora nodded.
"With different underlying laws, yes."
Okay.
Now that made sense.
Very familiar sense.
Back home, techniques worked the same basic way.
Knowledge.
Understanding.
Application.
Power.
Want to manipulate wind properly?
Understand pressure.
Flow.
Resistance.
Compression.
Want healing?
Learn anatomy.
Want poison?
Learn biology and chemistry.
Magic apparently followed the same universal truth:
Reality hated people who tried skipping homework.
Sora continued.
"Different magical traditions developed different methods of achieving effects."
She began listing examples.
"Elemental systems."
Writing.
"Demon magic."
Another.
"Spirit-based traditions."
More symbols.
"Ritual systems."
Another.
"Various pantheon-derived magical structures."
I raised my hand.
Sora looked at me.
"Are there Fire and Water types?"
"No."
"Missed opportunity."
"Kaito."
"Continuing."
She stared for another second before returning to the board.
"Humans can also learn magic."
That interested me.
"Anyone?"
"No."
She capped the marker.
"Nearly everyone possesses some spiritual energy. That does not mean everyone has the necessary sensitivity, capacity, discipline, or aptitude to manipulate Mana consciously."
Fair.
"Some people are naturally gifted."
"Of course."
"Others require years of training."
"Also of course."
"And some will never develop useful magical ability."
I nodded.
"So talent matters, but training matters too."
"Correct."
Good system.
Sora looked directly at me.
"Your case is unusual because you possess enormous spiritual potential…"
Uh-oh.
"…but apparently no training in Earth-based Mana control."
Very carefully phrased.
Still terrifying.
"You'll need to discover how your spiritual energy responds naturally."
She began listing possibilities.
"Elements."
"Okay."
"Physical reinforcement."
"Useful."
"Formations."
That got my attention.
"Wait."
Sora paused.
"Formations?"
"Yes."
"How advanced?"
She tilted her head.
"Advanced in what sense?"
"Triggers? Conditional activation? Multiple linked functions? Detection systems? Energy routing? Remote activation? Communication arrays?"
Silence.
Mizuki slowly looked toward Sora.
Sora looked at me.
I realized I'd made a mistake.
"…Books?"
Sora's eyes narrowed.
"What books?"
"Good ones?"
Silence.
"Foreign?"
More silence.
I coughed.
"Continue."
Sora absolutely filed that away for later.
Great.
Eventually she reached into her bag and placed a thick book in front of me.
I looked at it.
Then at her.
Then back at it.
The cover read:
A Beginner's Introduction to Mana Theory and Practical Magic
I exhaled.
"Oh, thank goodness."
Sora frowned.
"What?"
"For a second I thought it was going to say Magic for Dummies."
Mizuki's mouth twitched.
Sora did not understand why that was funny.
"This is your first step," she said.
I lifted the book.
Heavy.
Very heavy.
"Read the theoretical sections first."
"Okay."
"Do not attempt any exercise marked intermediate."
"Okay."
"Do not attempt to force Mana circulation."
"Okay."
"Do not improvise."
I paused.
She narrowed her eyes.
"…Okay."
"I mean it."
"I heard you."
"You look like someone who improvises."
"That sounds judgmental."
"It is observational."
Fair.
"If your soul truly contains as much spiritual energy as I believe," she continued, "forcing too much Mana through an untrained body could seriously injure you."
That removed my smile.
"Understood."
No joke that time.
Sora noticed.
Good.
I wasn't suicidal.
Curious?
Yes.
Occasionally reckless?
Maybe.
But there was a difference between calculated experimentation and blowing up Kaito's body because I got impatient.
I had promised Mom I'd protect it.
And somewhere in another universe, Kaito was currently running around inside mine.
I'd be pretty angry if he exploded it experimenting with some random Art.
Fair was fair.
It was getting late.
Normal people were probably preparing for bed.
Meanwhile, I had spent my evening meeting a magical cat, getting investigated by Demons, negotiating mercenary employment, and receiving magical homework.
Perfectly ordinary Tuesday.
Sora and Mizuki prepared to leave.
At the door, Sora glanced back.
"We will speak again soon."
"Because we're allies?"
"Yes."
"Oh, good."
I lifted the enormous book.
"Does being your ally come with a student discount on replacement brain cells?"
"No."
"Healthcare?"
"For mission-related injuries."
"Better than nothing."
She almost smiled again.
Then stopped.
"One final thing."
I waited.
"My sister."
My attention sharpened immediately.
"What about her?"
Sora studied my face.
"She'll probably want to meet you again."
There.
Again.
That confirmed it.
The mysterious person Sora kept mentioning really was almost certainly—
I leaned forward.
"What's her name?"
Sora opened the door.
"Good night, Kaito."
My mouth dropped open.
"Kurotsuki."
She walked outside.
Mizuki followed.
"Seriously?!"
Mizuki looked over her shoulder.
For just a second—
she smirked.
Then the door closed.
I stared at it.
"…Everybody in the supernatural world is annoying."
From somewhere outside came a distant:
Meow.
My eye twitched.
"Kuroha!"
No answer.
Cowards.
All of them.
I eventually went upstairs, dropped onto my bed, and opened Sora's book.
Page one.
One sentence stood alone beneath the opening heading:
Magic begins with intent.
I stared at it.
Then smiled.
Intent?
I had plenty of that.
I intended to understand Mana.
I intended to find Ryūseikan.
I intended to get Red Dawn under control before somebody destroyed another microwave.
And most importantly—
I intended to figure out the name of that ridiculous sparkly Magical Girl.
Because apparently everyone else already knew it except me.
I turned the page.
This was going to be a long night.