(2025 Edit) Technomancer: A Magical Girl's Sidekick [Post-Apocalyptic][Mecha][Magical Girls]

We arrived at a remote part of the campus near the auditorium — a secluded area, hidden from view by tall, thick hedges. As soon as we arrived, we saw the signs of a struggle. The ground was torn up, leaves scattered everywhere, and a large, heavy potted plant had been knocked over, the dirt spilled across the path. But that wasn't the worst part.

A crowd had formed around a single girl with luscious, long raven-black hair, deep purple almond-shaped eyes, and luscious long lashes in the middle of another group of students. She stood over the scorched remains of a charred and broken acoustic guitar. She wore the same uniform as all the other female students but had a tear off the top of her blazer, revealing a tight-fitting top that hugged her tall, slim, and perfect figure.

A stone fountain lay in ruins next to her, shrapnel surrounding her feet.

Even in the middle of this spectacle, the girl's aristocratic poise was unmistakable. Her expression was one of cold indifference, but there was an undercurrent of something more there.

Whispers and speculative remarks floated around us from the other students.

"Did you see how she blasted that guitar? Savage..."

"That's the Princess of Void for you. Don't mess with Caroline."

"That girl ran off like a little mouse. Pathetic."

"She's from one of the Old Families. I heard her mother was…"

The girl named Caroline ignored their whispers and focused her attention on a small, silver ring with a pink gem on her finger.

She muttered something under her breath as she gazed at the ring, a frown tugging at the corner of her mouth.

"Pathetic little... Why am I not surprised?"

I stepped forward, my eyes fixed on the girl with the raven-black hair. "Hey. What's going on here?" I asked, trying to keep my voice calm and measured.

The girl turned to me, her eyes flickering with disdain. "None of your business," she spat, her tone laced with venom. "Just some puny little rat trying to make a name for herself and draw some attention."

I couldn't help but feel a little taken aback by the intensity of her reaction. She looked like a lioness, poised and ready to pounce on any perceived threat. Her posture was regal, almost imperious, and she had an air of superiority that seemed to surround her like an aura. It made me a little uncomfortable, to be honest.

But the way she dismissed me only made me more curious about what had happened here.

"What did she do?" I pressed on, determined to get to the bottom of this.

She looked like the type who would bully someone. I was used to seeing those sorts of people in the hallways, back at my old high school.

She rolled her eyes and huffed, looking like I had wasted her time with the question. "It doesn't concern you, peasant," she snapped. "Go on. Run along and mind your own business."

My cheeks reddened at the insult, and I felt anger start to bubble up inside of me. Dior stepped forward, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Ikki, stay calm," she said, shaking her head.

I felt a surge of irritation at the raven-haired girl's dismissive tone, but I kept my composure. She had an air of confidence and a commanding presence that made it clear she was used to getting what she wanted.

"I may not know what's going on here, but destroying school property isn't exactly the kind of behavior I would expect from someone at this school," I said. "Whatever is going on, I'm sure there are other ways to deal with it."

Her gaze shifted from Dior back to me. She was silent, studying my face with narrowed eyes, as if searching for any sign of fear.

The girl shrugged. "I was just practicing my spells," she said, her voice trailing off as her gaze settled on Dior. "Good enough?"

Her eyes narrowed as if trying to read something in Dior's expression. Did she see Dior as a potential threat? That was a little weird. The girl had already blasted a stone fountain apart with some kind of magic.

What did Dior have that could intimidate her?!

I couldn't let it go. "That doesn't explain why the guitar is broken."

The girl's eyes flicked back to me.

Her eyebrows were raised in surprise, but there was no other emotion on her face. She definitely didn't expect me to press her for more. The girl sighed, as if resigned to having to deal with me further.

"Are you seriously going to try to pin me for a crime?" she asked. "Do you know who I am?"

I took a deep breath. "It's not about who you are or who your parents might be," I said, crossing my arms in front of me. "It's about right and wrong."

Her expression hardened. She looked like she wanted to say something more, but instead, she just shook her head. She glanced at the silver ring on her hand again, then back at the guitar, and sighed.

The crowd of students that had gathered around us was getting louder. Their whispers and murmurs were growing in intensity, and I could feel their gazes boring into my back.

She scoffed, tossing her hair over her shoulder with a shake of her head. "It was old and broken anyways. What's the big deal?"

The remains of the guitar spoke a different story. It wasn't just old and broken; it was destroyed with intent, carelessly discarded like it meant nothing.

I was probably making a mistake, putting her on the spot here. I was challenging her in front of everyone. But I absolutely abhorred people like this.

I glanced at Dior, who was silent, her expression unreadable. It was clear that she didn't buy the girl's story either. I looked around the scene and noticed the remains of a music stand suddenly highlighted by Rai-chan's HUD, with bent and twisted metal shards scattered around.

"You know," I began again. "I can't help but feel like there's more to this than just 'practicing spells' — Seems like someone was playing that guitar. Someone who cared for it a great deal."

The girl turned back to me. She had a look on her face like I had said something incredibly offensive.

"Are you some kind of detective now?" she sneered. "Look, if you must know, that girl was irritating me with her constant strumming. I simply... put an end to it."

My heart sank at her casual admission, and a picture began to form in my head.

This girl wasn't just some entitled brat with a penchant for destruction. She was a bully, someone who thought nothing of hurting others to get her way.

And that was something I couldn't stand.

"I don't think you understand," I began, my voice rising. "That girl worked hard on her music, and you just came along and destroyed all her effort. That's not right, and you know it. You should apologize to her and replace her guitar. That's the least you can do."

Her eyes flashed with anger, and I could feel the tension between us building. She looked at me with such contempt that it was clear she wanted nothing to do with me. She didn't say a word, and for a moment, I thought she was going to storm off, leaving me to stew in my anger. But then she spoke.

"You don't even know who I am," she said haughtily. "You have no idea what I can do or what I'm capable of. You should be careful who you cross, Earth Boy. You never know when you're going to get burned. I can make your life here a living hell for the ages, or worse."

The girl's threat hung in the air between us, a tangible reminder of the power and privilege she wielded.

I didn't know who this girl was, but I had a feeling I was getting a glimpse of the worst of the gentry in Terra.

And it made me angry.

I was just an average kid from the Earth, a nobody who had stumbled into this magical world by chance.

And yet here I was, standing up to someone who was born into power and wealth. It was like David and Goliath, except without a slingshot to take the giant down.

I should back down. I really should, because she was clearly not the type to back off from a fight. And yet, something kept me from doing so.

Maybe it was the injustice of it all, or the fact that this girl had the nerve to threaten me after she had destroyed someone else's hard work. Or maybe it was because I knew what it felt like to be powerless and vulnerable, to have everything taken from you by those with power and influence, and the willingness to use it on others. Fighting off bandits back on Earth for my entire childhood and living in fear of them was something I couldn't shake, and it made my blood boil at the thought of this rich girl doing it again here on Terra, a world so much better than mine.

I clenched my jaw. I knew what was at stake. She was a powerful mage, a member of a noble house, and I was nothing but an ordinary human from Earth. She had magic on her side and the resources to back it up.

I stood my ground and stared back at her defiantly, determined not to let her bully me or anyone else into submission.

"I don't know who you are," I said slowly, my voice steady. "But I know what you've done. You've destroyed that guitar, and that was fucked up. I'm not afraid of you. You're just another person who thinks they're above the rest. Well, let me tell you something, you're not. You're just another asshole with a superiority complex. And if you're trying to scare me off with your empty threats, it's not going to work."

I was probably being an idiot, but I didn't care. I was done letting people like her walk all over others, just because they could.

The girl glared at me, her eyes burning with fury. And suddenly, a gust of wind whipped around her, and her hair and clothes billowed in the sudden breeze. I could feel the energy building around her, crackling in the air like an electrical storm. The wind swirled around us, whipping our hair and clothes as if we were caught in the eye of a hurricane.

The other students backed away, their faces filled with fear and awe as they watched the scene unfold before them. Even Dior flinched, raising her arms.

She was a mage after all.

"You weren't paying attention during Lady Escathos's lecture, were you?" she spat. "Let me give you a piece of advice, Ikazuchi. In this world, power is what matters. Those without it, like you, need to learn their place."

I felt a chill run down my spine at her words, a sense of foreboding settling over me. This girl was dangerous, and I knew I needed to tread carefully. Despite the warning signs, though, I couldn't help but feel a sense of defiance rising in me. She could probably kill me in a blink if she wanted to, but I refused to let her bully me or anyone else. The crowd around us began to panic, and about half the students began to back away from the escalating situation.

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"Ikki…" Dior cautioned.

I looked around as more students began to flee outright, sensing the imminent danger. The girl's body was now enveloped in a blinding dark purple light pulsing with powerful magical energy.

I couldn't let it go.

I couldn't believe that someone could be so callous and heartless.

"Look, I'm not here to fight," I said, shaking my head and trying to keep my voice steady despite the terror. "I just don't want things to get any worse and cut things off at their roots."

The girl snorted, rolling her eyes in exasperation. "Oh, spare me the heroic speeches," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You think you're so righteous, coming in here and trying to play the savior? You don't know anything about me or this situation. Or who that damned girl is."

That was true; I didn't know anything about her situation.

But, by burning someone's guitar... I wasn't a musician myself, but the people I knew who were musicians guarded their instruments before anything else. They were extensions of themselves, a way of expressing themselves when words weren't enough. Destroying that was like taking a piece of them away.

From what I could gather, whatever happened here had hurt someone deeply. Someone who wasn't strong enough to fight back. And she had to know just how badly it would impact her target.

Perhaps I'd jumped in this a little too rashly.

"You're right," I conceded. "I don't know the full story or the history behind all of this. Maybe there are two sides to the story. But, regardless, that was cruel. I'm sure there's more to it than meets the eye. But still..."

The girl glared at me with a look that could have melted ice. I couldn't tell if she was surprised or just annoyed that I wasn't backing down, but she didn't say anything for a long moment.

"This was personal, wasn't it?" I asked, cutting to the heart of the matter. Her facade faltered for a moment, revealing a flash of vulnerability.

The winds died down, and the dark aura dissipated, revealing her slim form as she composed herself and masked herself with a sneer.

"It doesn't matter," she said flatly, glaring at me. "This is how things are done here. If you don't like it, then you can leave."

She was trying so hard to maintain this facade of cold, haughty indifference, but I could see the cracks forming. I knew that there was some deeper meaning behind this outburst, something that went beyond just wanting to silence an annoying musician.

"That's the problem," I said, taking a step towards her, my voice firm. "You can't keep getting away with things just because you can. You can't just hurt people and destroy their property without consequences. It's not right, and it's not okay. It's a slippery slope, you know? After we just got an impromptu lecture about power and how to use it for good..."

The girl scoffed. "Spare me the moral lecture. This was just a stupid instrument. I already planned to compensate her, but the rat just scurried away with her tail tucked between her legs. It's not worth getting all riled up over. It's just a guitar," she repeated, rolling her eyes in annoyance. "And who cares about that wench's little toy, anyway? I've got bigger things to worry about than some loser's feelings. Besides, I'll just get her something better."

"It's not just about the guitar," I said, feeling the frustration build within me. "It's about the fact that you think you can get away with anything, and it's wrong. Like I said, it's a slippery slope. First, you do this. The next thing you know..."

The girl glared at me and I felt the hairs on the back of my neck rise in response.

"Is it really worth getting killed over this, Ikazuchi? Because you're not just pissing me off, you're making me lose face in front of everyone. And that's a dangerous thing to do here."

I was probably being stupid.

It was probably a bad idea to push this girl further. She had magic powers and could blast me to ashes, but I couldn't help myself. I didn't know if I had a death wish or what.

"I know it looks that way to you," I said, keeping my composure despite the icy stare she was giving me. "But this isn't just about the guitar or whatever petty squabble you two have going on. This is about respect. Respect for yourself, your fellow students, and your surroundings. Look, I don't know what happened between you and that girl, but this... this isn't the way. Hurting someone like that, destroying something they care about... it's just going to make things worse."

She clenched her fists by her sides, shaking as she tried to control her anger.

"Shut. Up," she growled. "Seriously, what are you, some kind of psycho?!"

That's when I saw a hint of regret flash across her eyes.

And then I felt an invisible pressure wave knock into my chest and take the wind right out of my sails. I staggered a step and struggled to inhale as the winds erupted around us again, kicking up dust and debris.

"What the hell do you know about it?!" she shouted, her voice echoing through the courtyard as Dior and I were buffeted by winds. "You think you can just waltz in here and tell me how to live my life?! You have no idea what I've been through!"

I took a step back, caught off-guard by the sudden ferocity in her voice. "I'm not trying to tell you how to live your life," I said carefully. "I just want to help. I was correct, wasn't I? It's personal with that girl. Let's talk it out, and fix things. Take this... somewhere quieter."

I'd screwed up. I was desperately trying to salvage this, and stop this situation from going even further off the rails. She was on the edge of lashing out in a big way.

"That girl deserves everything she gets and more! She thinks she can just play her guitar and be happy, while I suffer in silence. She's been nothing but a thorn in my side since the day she got to this city. Always playing her music with that stupid smile, always getting in my way. And you... you're just like her! With that stupid sense of self-righteousness, thinking you know it all?!

I stepped back, surprised by the sudden outburst. It was as if a dam had burst inside her, revealing the tumultuous emotions she'd been holding back. Her anger, her jealousy, her frustration — they were all spilling out of her in an uncontrollable torrent. She was like a storm raging on the horizon, her emotions wild and untamed, and yet...

There was a sadness in her words, a sense of pain that made my heart ache. Behind her haughty demeanor, there was something fragile, vulnerable.

"You think I wanted to destroy that girl's guitar?! Why does she have to be so talented, and happy, and... and have everything, while I... I! I can't even have one good day, without having to be reminded that she exists! What did she ever do to me to make her so special, to get her life to be so easy, while..."

I could feel her rage building, the wind picking up speed as the air around us crackled with energy.

I moved to speak again, but Dior held a hand up, signaling me to stop.

"She has canceled the noise outside..." Dior said, briefly shifting her eyes without taking them off Caroline.

I looked around and noticed the other students were still moving, still talking... and the air was shimmering like a heat haze, warping everything outside of our immediate area. A magic bubble surrounded us.

The girl had erected some sort of shield around the three of us.

"I just... I just..." Caroline snarled.

Dior took a step forward. "You are Caroline, yes? That is you. This one understands you are hurt, but... Dior truly understands," Dior said, her gaze never leaving the girl's face. "Hurting others will not heal your own wounds. It will only deepen them."

The girl, now identified as Caroline, looked at Dior, her eyes shimmering with unshed, furious tears as the debris continued to spiral around us.

"You think you know anything about me? You don't know anything!" she spat out, her voice thick with emotion.

Her magic sparked around her, the air crackling with energy as she stepped forward.

Dior nodded, her expression twisted into compassion for the first time since I'd known her. "Perhaps this one does not know the specifics. But this one knows pain. The pain of loss, the pain of betrayal. It eats at you, day and night, until there is nothing left but anger and sorrow. But this path, this need for retribution, will only lead to more pain."

Caroline's eyes flicked to me and then back to Dior, scowling.

"This one knows nothing of your life," Dior admitted. "But this one knows the weight of carrying revenge and hate. It is a burden that will crush you if you let it. Dior struggles with it herself."

I watched, impressed by Dior's calm demeanor and ability to empathize with Caroline despite her behavior.

Caroline looked at Dior, then at me, but her expression remained hard.

For a moment, it looked like she might listen. Like she might actually hear what I was saying. But then she shook her head violently as if to cast out the thought.

"Fuck this," she spat, her voice laced with bitterness.

"We're not trying to tell you how to feel," I said softly. "I'm just saying that there might be a better way to deal with whatever's going on. Destroying someone's treasured belongings, chasing them away in front of the whole class while dumping on them... it won't bring you peace. Far from it."

Caroline's eyes flashed with a mix of anger and something else - vulnerability, maybe.

"Peace?" she hissed venomously. "Peace?! Let's be perfectly clear here. There will be no peace."

And then, without another word, she turned and stormed off, waving her hands as the winds died down and the barrier dissipated.

As the last traces of her magic faded, she glanced back over her shoulder.

"You and that stupid girl," she hissed at Dior. "Stay out of this."

Dior and I were left standing alone in the courtyard, surrounded by the destruction Caroline's outburst had left behind.

I let out a long breath, feeling frustration and sympathy. "What a mess," I murmured, running a hand through my hair.

Dior nodded, her gaze still following Caroline's retreating figure. "This one thinks that she is in a lot of pain. But this one also thinks that Ikki did the right thing in trying to talk to her."

I looked over at her, grateful for her support. "Thanks... I just hope she finds a better way to deal with it. And… thanks for sticking by my side. I have a strong feeling I just put us on her personal shitlist and she seems like someone important. So uh, sorry about that."

Dior gave me a small smile, her eyes reflecting understanding and concern as she tilted her head.

"Dior will always stand by Ikki's side as long as Ikki does not betray her. This is what friends do, yes?"

I balked, staring at the small girl.

"Seriously? All I did was share some of my sandwiches with you. And now we're friends?"

Dior's eyes smirked. "However. One must always be on guard against people who are nice to them, and who give them ham sandwiches without wanting something in return."

I laughed, shaking my head at her odd, but somehow comforting, words.

Dior looked at me seriously for a moment, and then her face softened as she extended a hand. "Friends, Ikki."

"Right. Friends." I took the handshake.

Dior smiled, then reached up and pulled something from my head.

I flinched and stepped back. "What was that?"

"Debris, from the gust. This one did not mean to startle," she explained, holding a twig out in her palm. I laughed sheepishly, taking the twig from her.

"Sorry, I guess I'm just a little on edge after all of that," I admitted. "I mean, I did almost get killed by a girl who probably has a ton of power and influence around here. She's not exactly the type I'd want as an enemy."

"Indeed. But that is not something for you to apologize for, Ikki. It is perfectly understandable to stick to principles," she said.

"Yeah... I guess you're right," I replied.

Dior had her poker face back on and gestured to the broken guitar, the stone fountain, and the scattered leaves.

"It is not every day that this one has the privilege of watching an heiress from one of the Old Families blow a guitar to smithereens in a temper tantrum. It is an experience to treasure, if nothing else," she stated neutrally.

I felt the tension in the air start to dissipate.

"Seriously though, you went through that just because of ham sandwiches?!" I asked incredulously.

Dior nodded, the faintest trace of nostalgia crossing her eyes. "It was very delicious, and Ikki shared with Dior."

I laughed again, this time with more humor than nervousness. "Alright, alright. I'll remember to make you some more. And thanks for having my back there."

She nodded again, before that same look of nostalgia crossed her face. "Ham sandwiches mean something to Dior. What it means, she will not say."

I blinked in surprise, staring down at her again, but she just shrugged.

I coughed in response. "So, should we try to catch up to Caroline and smooth things out with her?"

She shook her head. "No. This one believes that Caroline needs to process things first, to think things over. Dior thinks that she is not ready to talk, and this one does not think it is a good idea to force the issue."

"Yeah, that's what I think too. Just thought I'd ask."

"This one has another question for Ikki. Why would he choose to do this?"

"What do you mean?"

"Why did Ikki risk himself to stand up to a powerful mage like Caroline for the sake of someone else he has not met?"

I thought about her question for a moment. I could feel a sense of determination and anger at the injustice of the situation, a need to stand up for what's right, and an overwhelming sense of empathy. But it wasn't until I looked at Dior, at her sincere and caring expression, that I really understood the true reason.

"I guess... I guess it's because I didn't want to stand by and do nothing. Someone needed help, and I couldn't just turn away and pretend it didn't happen. I didn't do it for recognition or praise. I did it because it was the right thing to do."

She looked at me with a mixture of awe and understanding.

"This one understands. But this one is concerned about Ikki's tendency to rush in without thinking things through. He may not always have someone to step in and help him out in the situation he finds himself in. Had Ikki been alone, Caroline would have no doubt been less willing to talk or back off."

"I... yeah. You're right."

Dior looked at the remains of the guitar and sighed.

"Let us depart from this place, Ikki. It has grown a bit too cold."

She didn't have to tell me twice.

Together, we left the courtyard, and I found myself thinking about the girl who'd been playing that guitar, the one whose hard work and effort had been so cruelly destroyed. What was her name? And where did she go? How would she fare from now on, knowing that she'd been targeted like this?

I hoped she'd be okay. It was hard not to worry, especially given how upset Caroline was, and I found myself wondering what the future might hold for all of us, given that we'd all end up stuck in the same school for the foreseeable future.

And then I remembered her last threat, and how I had made a potential enemy out of one of the more powerful students here. And she wasn't exactly the forgiving and forgetting type.

The more I thought about it, the more I wondered if I had indeed bitten off more than I could chew, and how it would come to affect my stay here. Maybe it was best to not dwell too much on the past and focus on what lay ahead.

At least, that's what I kept telling myself.

But the worry and anxiety refused to go away.

I just hoped I hadn't screwed everything up before it even began.