This Magical Girl Isn't A Hero

1. This World? Brand New!

1

"Great hero... welcome to our world. Please help us."

Those were the first words I heard upon finding myself in that cramped, dark chamber.

It was just so sudden. I hadn't been able to prepare myself. There were stones jutting from the walls and floor, and a row of torches on either side of me. It could've been a basement.

But what really caught my attention was the person kneeling across the room.

If there were words to describe him, I'd call him a wizard.

He was more than just powerful like the magicians in Vegas—no human could be as ancient.

He had a gray beard the length of a very, very long broom. It dragged behind him.

He looked older than dirt.

His dark-brown robe covered everything, from his arms to his feet. He was wearing something that you would call a "wizard hat," an accessory like the ones in the Henry Patterson films.

This great wizard stared at the ground with eyes the same light-gray as his beard, blinking away tears.

I tried to remember what had happened.

2

Normally I battle monsters and alien warriors. Maybe even a few familiars. But today, for once, I stayed in bed. I wanted to read the recent volume of my favorite manga series that had been released the day before, so I ignored the call of duty and lazed around.

Yeah, I'm what people would call a "magical girl," someone so unbearably innocent, they're given special powers, fighting against those who wish to harm others. Adults call me an "irresponsible vigilante" or "costumed degenerate" or "cosplaying terrorist." Whatever. I pulled out the volume and was finally starting the first chapter, super excited. Then, it happened.

The sun must have been setting outside my room, which was starting to get darker and darker. Which was strange because, according to my internal sense of time, it was afternoon.

Odd. But not enough for me to stop reading.

The birds stopped chirping, and a heavy silence filled the air. I barely noticed the sudden change in my environment.

Until I saw the circle appearing beneath me.

It had to be a magical portal, glowing brighter and brighter with each passing second.

I managed to grab my wand before everything went white.

And then...

3

With a calm that surprised even me, I said quietly to the wise man before me:

"... What seems to be the problem?"

He paused. "I-I'm sorry?"

"Has there been a monster attack? A demon attack? Why have you summoned me?"

This was important. A magical girl needs to know what she'll be facing, and what situation she is going to be entering. She has to be prepared. An unwise decision could mean the difference between life and death.

I needed to ask questions. I needed answers.

But the great wizard just knelt there, eyes blinking in confusion. He didn't say a word. I waited for him to explain.

Then, he looked up at me, and his eyes went wide.

"Oh. Wait. Sorry. But there must've been some kind of a mistake."