I Became a New Magical Girl Priest

---

I wanted to become a magical girl too.

…No, I mean, it’s a bit weird to say it out of the blue like this.

Just to clarify, I’ve never thought about it in my previous life as a man. That’s just common sense, isn’t it?

But ever since I came here, I’ve thought about it.

Aren’t the characters from the webtoons I used to read just like that? Plus, since they were portrayed as pretty in the webtoons, it was clear that magical girls in this world must be pretty too.

I thought my appearance wasn’t really lacking since I was younger, and I even had Blossom, who had been my childhood friend since our days in the same school.

So naturally, I thought I could fit in among them too.

Besides, I have my own backstory.

Unlike the magical girls born into reasonably well-off families, my parents don’t exist in this world.

To be precise, I’m what you’d call a “baby box” product in this world.

It’s one of those boxes at churches where a newborn can fit, allowing them to be safely put inside rather than being abandoned on the streets.

Somehow, I ended up in one of those boxes.

However, just because I came from there doesn’t mean the orphanage I’m currently in is a Christian-affiliated one. The one run by that church was overcrowded, so I had to visit several orphanages before finally finding a place with enough space.

I’ve never told anyone this story before.

Even Blossom, who has known me for quite some time, doesn’t know that I grew up in an orphanage without parents. Maybe there’s a chance she picked up on it, but judging by the fact she hasn’t said anything up until now, it’s likely she either can’t imagine it or is just pretending not to know.

Still, up until the year before last, she used to say she wanted to come over to my house many times, but maybe she’s given up on that now.

…Anyway.

The orphanage I’m at is quite decent, with government support and a big company that regularly sponsors us. This ‘big company’ refers to one on Earth. It’s not Noir Corporation, which started sponsoring us as soon as I began working.

However, even with the government’s support and donations, there’s hardly any money left after spending on the children, paying salaries to the staff, covering taxes, and bills.

Saving is nearly impossible, so if something breaks down suddenly or facilities age faster than expected, it’s tough to fix.

That’s why I started working.

Instead of receiving a salary, all the money I earn is donated to the orphanage. Thanks to that, there’s an ‘emergency fund’ at the orphanage now, and the food for the children has become a bit more luxurious.

Since it’s merely ‘corporate support,’ there’s no way for anyone to find out I’m getting help because of it.

What if Blossom… I mean, Ha-yoon hears about this?

She might react by saying it’s corporate malpractice. After all, she’s a righteous magical girl.

Well, this is just a mutually beneficial relationship.

“Here, a new piece of equipment.”

The officer, James, said.

With a name and face so Earth-like, but actually an alien, the officer called me to his office.

The office was quite luxurious. The auditorium earlier wasn’t shabby either, but this truly had the ambiance of a ‘corporate executive’ office.

A spacious room with large windows, and a desk facing away from the window.

In front of the desk, there was a guest table and a sofa, and gratefully (sarcastically speaking), I was sitting in the guest seat.

…Talk about special treatment.

If they didn’t see potential in me, they wouldn’t have called me here. They would’ve just sent me home after that presentation earlier.

After putting me on the sofa, the officer opened a large box on the table.

When the sturdy case opened, various pieces of equipment were neatly arranged inside.

Basically, they looked almost like what I had been using.

However, the design had slightly changed, and above all, the equipment was brand new.

When I made a slightly surprised face, the officer seemed to think it was a positive reaction.

With a smug expression, he began introducing the equipment one by one.

“First is the high-capacity circuit. Ji-eun, you were managing to control your emotions to regulate output during the last battle.”

Seeing him try to gauge me, I said,

“…Courage comes from overcoming fear.”

Using the energy that sprouts from despair is a secret kept from the outside.

And it’s also a secret that we’re trying to develop ‘eco-friendly energy’ with that energy.

To put it bluntly, it’s about sustaining the people’s basic needs while ensuring they don’t die, allowing us to generate a massive amount of energy from the despair felt during that working process.

To be more straightforward, my logic is,

“Everyone feels despair way more, right? If that’s the case, why not use it a bit?”

Naturally, if this story spread to the general public, there would be massive backlash, so it remains a secret.

Additionally, Noir Corporation is planning to siphon that energy for their use.

So, it is indeed an ‘evil organization.’

On the other hand, the Hope Circuit of the Eun-ha Federation was also created for similar reasons.

The sacrifice of a few for the majority, or the fair sacrifice of the many for the whole.

Separating the images of hope and despair from which one is more rational… this was the author’s intention, as the author himself explained directly, but honestly, I consider it that the author just attached a theme to a setting that emerged while writing.

“Impressive.”

James, who had been observing me, nodded and pushed the case toward me.

“Take a look.”

It felt like they were insisting that I wanted that equipment.

Did they seriously not see my expression in the auditorium?

No, that doesn’t seem right. They probably just don’t care about other people’s feelings at all. Or maybe his looks are just hiding the fact that he looks more like an alien than an Earthling.

If it’s not his real face, it’s understandable he wouldn’t be familiar with my expression.

Well, even so, I couldn’t exactly say, ‘there’s no need to show me…’ so I slowly reached out to take the circuit.

It’s heavy.

That was my first impression.

The circuit, which looked like a larger wristwatch, seemed a bit bigger than what magical girls used. So the ‘high-capacity’ part was no joke.

“We’ve also added a charging function.”

That caught me by surprise.

“…Is that even possible?”

Emotions are volatile. No matter how intense the feelings are, they burn out quickly and can’t be sustained for years. There likely isn’t a person in this galaxy who can maintain such emotions.

That’s why it’s called ‘despair’ and ‘hope.’ These two concepts are more like concepts formed by the gathering of specific directional emotions rather than a singular emotion.

“Of course, we’re not storing ‘courage.’ What can be stored are the emotions here,”

As he said that, James pointed to his head.

“And right here only.”

He indicated his heart area.

“It’s about storing transformed energy. We store a significant amount of energy for a moment and use it all in one go at the same time.”

Sure enough.

The concept of dividing usage doesn’t hold meaning for magical girls.

“Press the knob part.”

Upon following his words, I pressed what looked like the knob of a wristwatch.

Click.

The circuit opened like a compass with half the needle.

Inside was a battery the size of a 9V square battery.

Of course, it’s not a real battery; it’s probably high-tech equipment that would leave an MIT professor drooling.

“After using it, you take it out and put in a new one.”

It seems that this is the intended use for that jacket-like part which was nicely designed on top.

“……”

At this point, I started to feel a bit suspicious.

Not that I’m just a combatant.

Sure, it’s true that I’m a rather peculiar Earthling scouted and affiliated with Noir Corporation. But that’s just about it.

If I had any qualifications to be a magical girl, I would have been approached earlier by the Eun-ha Federation.

The possibilities quickly come to mind, and they’re not good ones.

Either they’re trying to train me as a magical girl on their side or I’m a sacrificial pawn.

Both options are incredibly uncomfortable for me.

Just as my friends don’t know I live in an orphanage, they also don’t know I’m a combatant in this company.

I don’t plan to dedicate my life to this kind of company. Why would I stay until the end of a company that’s going to collapse in the latter half of the story? I plan to work just until I graduate from the orphanage and can find a decent job to regularly donate.

Well, I hardly need to worry about the first scenario. That’s close to an overthought.

The latter is what matters.

The company knows I’m on Iris’s radar. After all, they watched the helmet footage.

If that’s the case, wouldn’t it rather be beneficial for them to throw me directly at Iris, letting me get seriously injured or die?

The image would be the worst, but at least it straddles the line between a legitimate company and the ambiguity of being an invading alien in an illegal organization.

The best way to tilt the scales in one direction is to ruin the reputation of the other side.

…Perfectly, I’m pitiful enough and have enough of a justification.

They must be trying to instill ‘courage’ in me.

“……Impressive.”

Of course, I’m not foolish enough to express those thoughts in front of him.

James looked slightly unsatisfied.

Hmm.

“Well, that’s great! Super.”

As I forced a smile and exclaimed, only then did James nod, seemingly satisfied.

Gee, what a bother.

*

“Oh, buddy!”

As I exited the building feeling strangely drained, my Earth Buddy enthusiastically waved at me.

Since the first floor is a shopping mall, it hadn’t been particularly cold. The story I heard wasn’t really that long either.

“How was it? What did you talk about?”

“Get lost, traitor.”

As I grumbled and pushed him away, my Earth Buddy looked genuinely hurt.

Well, I would have stopped him from following me to the stage.

Sigh, I sighed deeply.

“I got promoted.”

“I already heard that.”

“…I also got new equipment.”

“Oh?”

My Earth Buddy slapped my back. Ouch.

“That’s amazing! Then your salary should’ve gone up too?”

“Well, a little.”

But it all goes to the orphanage anyway.

When I turned my gaze, I saw my Earth Buddy looking at me with a sly smile.

Well.

“We should celebrate today! My treat!”

“…Do you even have money?”

“Uh, well…”

He rifled through his pockets.

What came out was a crinkled-up ten-thousand-won bill.

“There you go!”

“…Let’s go Dutch.”

I sighed quietly as I said that.

*

“I believe in the potential of Earthlings.”

I’ve heard that one more times than I can count.

Do you know this?

Earthlings don’t get high on caffeine. In fact, this caffeine is toxic to quite a few animals. Only humans indulge in this like it’s a stimulant.

And this applies fairly similarly to other planets too.

To be precise, it means that my Earth Buddy can’t fully metabolize caffeine.

That’s one of the joys of traveling Earth.

Minors from their planet can’t drink caffeine, but they can drink it freely here on Earth.

Honestly, is it right for a minor to be living independently in a foreign country?

“Did you know how thrilled the Eun-ha Federation was when they first found Voyager?”

“I feel like I’ve heard that story seven times already.”

I let out a deep sigh.

“People from a planet that can’t use magic, shot something into space without magic! And that’s a super silly method!”

NASA people would likely weep tears of blood if they heard that. You guys can just levitate with magic, but for Earthlings, launching a rocket requires tremendous technology. It’s not about shooting it off with force; it’s all about planning the optimal route and thoughtfully considering planetary positions to go as far as possible, even using planetary gravity to stretch the range.

Somehow, those facts seem like a Goldberg device to aliens. They just warp wherever they want.

“Then there’s the Golden Record! A totally unpredictable item that could be found by anyone, at any time, and somewhere in the cosmos, Earthlings filled it with greetings and songs! Just curious if there’s something out there in space, and fueled by pure passion, countless people came together!”

“…Can you lower your voice a bit?”

I sighed again.

Yeah.

This is the reason behind the emergence of ‘Earth Buddy.’

Don’t we have similar prejudices? Some countries’ people this or that. In a populous country, naturally, there are timid and brave people, but breaking out from such stereotypes seems oddly difficult.

And thanks to the aliens who found Voyager while scanning before encountering humanity, the image of ‘Earthlings’ across the universe has become that of ‘those who boldly venture into space against all odds,’ metaphorically the ‘Odysseus of the cosmos.’

Even now, the promotional magical girl videos scattered around the Eun-ha Federation only amplify that impression.

An existence that never loses hope and marches forward, wherever and whenever.

Pretty grand, huh?

“Long live Earthlings! Here’s to that potential!”

As my Earth Buddy raised a steaming mug and shouted, I held my forehead in my hands.

*

“Uhehe. Caffeine is best taken in coffee form…”

“……”

I never thought I’d end up like this over just one cup.

Thinking back, even if it’s the same size, adding a shot increases the caffeine proportionately. Did he sneak some extra shots in while I wasn’t looking?

The snow had stopped, but as expected, it was pretty thick on the ground, making it slippery.

While he was quite a character, that didn’t mean it was okay for the snow to be trampled and changed colors by people.

If I leave it like this, I might seem like a really terrible person. Right?

Alright, let’s just dump it in the company dorm before heading out. After all, there are plenty of empty rooms. Being a part of company welfare means I won’t receive any extra payment. Truly, a big company is still a big company.

Wrapping my arm over my Earth Buddy’s shoulder, and stumbling down the street, I could hardly see where I was going. Well, since it was a familiar route, it shouldn’t really be a problem—but—

“……Ji-eun?”

Oh.

Suddenly hearing a familiar voice, I looked up.

The first thing that catches the eye when I see Ha-yoon is inevitably her striking hair color.

Following that, the next thing that attracts attention is, of course, her similarly colored eyes.

They are beautiful eyes, but they remind me that this world isn’t the place where I originally lived.

“Ji-eun.”

I froze stiffly.

The weather was cold, but it wasn’t unbearable to that extent.

This was entirely due to my emotions. Ha-yoon doesn’t think that just because she’s seen me a little like this, anything strange is going on.

However, what about the friends around Ha-yoon?

“Ha-yoon, who is…?”

Ha-yoon is my childhood friend.

However, just because she’s a childhood friend doesn’t mean we live in the same world. We merely ended up in the same school as classmates by chance.

It’s a coincidence that my neighborhood is split into relatively poorer areas on one side, and on the other side, some quite affluent places across a road that runs right through the center.

Naturally, it’s possible for students from both types to mix in the same school if they haven’t gone to an exclusive private school.

Typically, there’s no need to clash with each other in school. Groups would naturally form regardless.

However, occasionally, like in my case with Ha-yoon, children from slightly different backgrounds do become friends.

And among us, the ‘overlapping friend’ is only ‘each other.’

“Huh? Ah, this is…?”

No, more than that, you’re in the same class.

I unconsciously glared at the one asking me to introduce myself to Ha-yoon.

That one is just doing this on purpose.

Ha-yoon’s face is now known on a galaxy-sized level.

Naturally, it wouldn’t sit well with someone like that being friends with an ordinary person like me.

What does that matter to them?

“…This is my childhood friend, Ji-eun.”

Ha-yoon reflexively introduced me, but noticing the intention halfway through, her face paled slightly.

“Ah, is that so? You’re Ji-yoon, right? Nice to meet you.”

She probably said Ji-yoon intentionally wrong.

“We’re in the same class.”

I said while purposely glaring at that one.

“Seems like your memory isn’t all that great. Or do you have face blindness?”

Oops.

I could feel the already chilly atmosphere grow even colder.

I was usually quiet in class. Naturally, the other side wouldn’t have expected me to retaliate with such an aggressive answer.

No, they probably thought I wouldn’t even understand the teasing.

But right now, I was really annoyed, and the other party had a little… bad luck.

Rather, one could say that the other side was fortunate at this point.

“Ah…”

Even Ha-yoon, who knows my personality to an extent, groaned as if troubled.

“Is it necessary to speak like that to a fellow classmate?”

The other one narrowed her eyes slightly.

She looked slightly amused.

With Ha-yoon, who looked troubled in between, we stared at each other.

 

---