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

Ikki

The train pulled into the station at last, the doors sliding open with a whoosh. I stepped out into the platform and immediately felt a shift in the air. There was a palpable sense of magic all around me, a low hum that seemed to vibrate in my bones. I couldn't help but feel a little out of place, stepping into downtown Shoreline City.

When I'd arrived in the morning a couple of days ago, it'd been sunny, warm, and bright. The streets had been alive with activity, and the atmosphere was upbeat but no-nonsense.

But now, as night had fallen, the city had undergone a dramatic transformation. Neon lights cast colorful reflections onto the damp streets, the sky overhead was obscured by thick, swirling clouds, and a steady fog now filled the streets. I pulled my coat closer as a chill wind swept through the city, cutting through the fabric and making me shiver.

The fog seemed to seep into every crack between the towering skyscrapers, giving the entire scene an ethereal quality. I made my way through the crowds, long coats, and brightly-colored jackets mingling together in an ocean of color.

Despite the weather, the city was still buzzing with life. Downtown Shoreline was a vivid contrast to Greenhaven.

The skyscrapers towered above, their glass and steel facades reflecting the vibrant lights of the city. People from all walks of life crowded the streets, their conversations a cacophony of different languages and dialects. Street vendors hawked their wares, offering everything from exotic foods to intricate magitech gadgets and smartphones from Earth. The air was filled with the smells of cooking and the distant hum of magical energy being channeled into various devices and spells in demonstrations

The fog swirled around my ankles, giving everything an otherworldly glow.

My eyes wandered over the scene, trying to take it all in. This was the heart of Shoreline City, a melting pot of cultures, magic, and technology. It was so different from anything on Earth, yet there was a familiar rhythm to the chaos, a universal sense of life and energy.

"Which way to the Exchange, Rai-chan?" I muttered.

"Allow me to mark some waypoints on your HUD, Ikki," Rai-chan chirped.

I grinned as a pale white light appeared on my HUD, and a beacon rose to the sky. Having her around was way too convenient sometimes. Unbelievably so.

Following her directions, I walked through the crowded streets towards the Aetherium Market.

Elio had sent me a map of the area earlier, highlighting it as a hub where charged crystals and scavenged Chaos Cores could be exchanged. I could feel the weight of the two cores in my bag as I walked, hoping to get a decent exchange rate. I needed this money to survive and make a new life here on Terra. I still felt guilty about leaving my dad and sister back on Earth with less than half our savings, and it would take me a long while to feel better about that.

I hoped I'd find a way to bring them over here one day. But I also felt the exhilarating freedom of being in this new world, a place where anything seemed possible.

The Aetherium Market, as I'd come to find out, was the heart of the magical economy in Shoreline City. Here, merchants and traders from all over the city gathered to exchange goods, conduct business, and trade in magical commodities. The market was a sprawling complex of stalls and shops, each offering a dazzling array of items. Glowing crystals, intricately carved talismans, and bottles of shimmering reagents were displayed next to expensive-looking gadgets with Knave, Knight, and Baron cores embedded in them.

I slowly navigated through the market, my eyes wide with wonder at the sheer variety of magical items on display. I paused at different stalls, marveling at items whose purpose and function I could only guess.

I followed the path Rai-chan set for me out of the corner of my eye, gawking at the goods on display.

I was so distracted by the sights and sounds of the market that I didn't even notice when I slammed straight into someone. I stumbled back, a quick apology ready on my lips, but I immediately tripped over a small, uneven part in the sidewalk.

My feet slipped out from under me and I yelped in surprise. But as my legs left me, I felt a gentle hand grab my arm and palm my back, steadying me before I could hit the ground.

"Hey there! Please be careful! ...Are you alright?" a voice chided gently.

I looked up to see an older girl staring down at me curiously, and my breath caught in my throat.

She had some of the most beautiful eyes I'd ever seen.

Ocean blue eyes and long, pale white hair that cascaded down her shoulders in waves. Her skin was the color of honey, and her features were soft, round, and elegant, like a statue carved by a master artist. There was a certain grace and femininity about her that was immediately noticeable.

I felt a wave of embarrassment wash over me as she supported my balance and pulled me to my feet.

"S-sorry," I mumbled, feeling my cheeks heat up. "I wasn't looking where I was going."

She smiled a warm and understanding smile that completely eased my embarrassment. "It's alright. Happens to the best of us," she said, tilting her head with that same sunny smile.

"I'm Talia," the girl quickly introduced herself as she stared at my uniform. "Are you a first year at St. Antonia's?"

"Yeah, I am," I replied, recovering my composure. "My name's Ikazuchi."

I looked her over, fully taking in her appearance for the first time.

She was around my height and wore a navy cardigan emblazoned with the St. Antonia's emblem. She was wearing a navy skirt that fell just above her knees with white sneakers, revealing a hint of toned and shapely legs.

Talia was a picture of elegance and sophistication, but there was an underlying sense of warmth and friendliness that drew me in. Her presence was calming, and her body language seemed earnest and genuine. She had an American urban accent with a faint Middle-Eastern lilt, adding to her unique and captivating aura.

"Oh, a first year? That's exciting," Talia said with a twinkle in her eye. "I'm a third year myself. We don't have orientation, so I'm here with my partner for some last-minute shopping. We got split up in the crowd, though."

"Must be nice being a third year, knowing your way around and all that," I said, feeling a bit out of my depth amidst the bustling market.

Talia laughed softly, "It has its perks, but every year brings its own challenges. You'll find your way soon enough. St. Antonia's can be overwhelming at first, but you'll get the hang of it."

There was a brief pause as I noticed her gaze drifting to the bruises on my face, still visible despite my attempts to hide them. I self-consciously touched my cheek, feeling a twinge of discomfort.

"Hey... are you okay?" Talia asked, her tone laced with concern. "I couldn't help but notice..."

I hesitated, then decided to be honest. "I got into a bit of trouble last week," I admitted. "But it's healing up fine. I'm from Earth, you know? Right across the portal. It's been a bit rough out there."

Talia's expression softened. "I'm sorry to hear that. If you ever need help or someone to talk to, don't hesitate to reach out, okay? Hey. Why don't we swap our contact information?"

"Sure, that would be great," I said, grateful for her kindness.

"Talia! There you are!"

I turned at the sound of a new voice, and my eyes landed on a girl striding towards us with purpose.

She had shoulder-length black hair and blue eyes that sparkled with intensity. Her grin was mischievous, and she exuded an air of confidence that demanded attention. The girl wore a cardigan that matched Talia's, but she had a white crop top underneath, some form-fitting dark navy tech wear pants, and practical black combat boots beneath to match.

There was a sweet, tomboyish toughness about her, apparent in how she moved, with a sense of purpose and a hint of danger. It was like she was daring anyone to mess with her. She exuded an almost palpable confidence, contrasting Talia's gentle, graceful demeanor.

"Hey babe," Talia greeted her with a bright smile and a giggle. "Seems like I found us a lost first year."

The girl's gaze flicked to me, and she gasped.

For a moment, her confident demeanor faltered. Her eyes widened as if she'd seen something unbelievable, and all the color drained from her face.

She dropped the small bag of goods, and the contents spilled onto the cobblestone floor. A wide array of emotions flashed across her face in an instant — surprise, confusion, and then something akin to disbelief.

"Hey, are you alright?" Talia's voice was concerned as she glanced between the two of us.

She seemed to snap out of her trance, bending down to hastily gather her items. "I-I'm fine," she stammered, avoiding my gaze. "Just… sorry, I was surprised. Those are really some nasty bruises there. Like damn, did you get hit by a truck or something?"

But I couldn't help but chuckle at her comment.

"Something like that," I said, trying to play it off. "It's been a rough week."

What's up with her?

The shift in her demeanor was jarring and left me reeling, but I did my best not to let it show on my face.

She forced a smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. She seemed to be struggling with something internally, but she quickly regained her composure. "Uh... hey there," she finally managed to say, a nervous edge to her voice. "I'm Midori."

"Nice to meet you, Midori," I said, extending my hand. "Name's Ikazuchi, but everyone calls me Ikki."

She hesitated for a moment before taking it, her grip a little shaky. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of curiosity about the girl, wondering what had caused her sudden change in demeanor upon seeing me. However, I didn't want to pry or make things uncomfortable.

I glanced at the scattered items on the ground. "Lemme help you with that," I said, reaching down to gather up a small bag that had fallen from her shopping.

Our hands brushed as I returned her stuff to her, and I felt a strange tingling sensation that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. I tried to shake it off, but it lingered, making me feel strangely off-balance.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

Midori cleared her throat, breaking the awkward silence that had settled over us. "So..."

Talia glanced between Midori and me, a hint of curiosity in her eyes. "Oh! Um, yes. As I was saying, Ikki. Midori here is my partner. We were just doing some shopping for school supplies."

Midori chuckled, regaining some of her composure. "Yeah. Erm. Gotta get ready for the new term. Hey, you said you're going to St. Antonia's, right? What brings you to the Aetherium Market?"

"I'm here to exchange some Chaos Cores I have," I explained, feeling self-conscious about my errand.

Midori's eyebrows raised, and Talia looked impressed.

"Chaos Cores? That's some serious business for a first-year student," Talia commented.

"Yeah, well, it's a long story," I said, shrugging slightly. "But I just crossed from Earth and I need some credits, so here I am. You guys don't exactly take dollars for tender here."

Midori gave me a once-over as if reassessing me.

"I can imagine," she said with a smirk. "Don't worry, we'll help you find what you need at the Exchange. We're practically experts in navigating this place."

Sure, Rai-chan could always light up the way for me, but it was an opportunity to make an acquaintance or friend or two. And it would probably help to get a local perspective on where I should go and how much I should expect for these cores.

We began to walk through the bustling market again, and Midori immediately began to pepper me with questions.

"So Ikazuchi, where did you find those Chaos Cores? They can be hard to come by, especially for someone from Earth."

"Oh, please," Talia chided her gently. "Don't pressure him."

"I'm just curious!" Midori protested, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "He doesn't seem the type to go gallivanting around on Earth hunting monsters for their cores. Although if he's here with a face full of bruises like that..."

"It's okay, Talia," I said, appreciating her concern. "It's fine."

I turned to Midori. "It's our main way of getting money across the portals these days. This is basically my family's life savings right here." I patted the backpack hanging off my shoulder.

Midori and Talia exchanged a look of concern.

"That's quite the burden," Talia remarked.

"Yeah, I'm gonna need every last credit I can squeeze out of these things to get me started here. It's a new world, after all," I replied.

"What's it like on the other side of the portal these days?" Midori asked.

I had to think for a moment, trying to find the right words to describe my home. "It's... different, I guess," I said. "More chaotic, less magical, but it has its own charm. It's just… real, you know? Raw in a way that Terra isn't."

Midori nodded, her eyes still showing that mix of curiosity and something else I couldn't quite place. "Sounds tough, but interesting. Do you miss it?"

"I mean, I've been here for less than a week," I admitted. "I already feel a bit homesick, but I'm here for a reason. I want to do well at St. Antonia's and help my dad. Lock in a better future for my sister, you know?"

Talia smiled sadly at that, "That's a good attitude to have. It's never easy leaving your home — I didn't quite hop into a new world like you did, but I am quite far away from my family these days."

Midori smiled, "Family is important," she said with a surprisingly soft tone. Her eyes seemed distant for a moment, and then she focused again on me. "You're doing a great thing for yours. I sure as heck wish I could've done more. And hey, who knows? You might find a new family here. A home away from home, if you will."

Talia quirked an eyebrow, and Midori seemed to catch herself. She shook her head, chuckling, "Sorry, I know you just got here. I'm getting a bit ahead of myself. I just know how it is to feel homesick."

I smiled sheepishly at her. It seemed like people really weren't that different no matter where you went. These two were friendly enough, and I was already starting to like them. "It's alright. I appreciate the sentiment, Midori."

The conversation flowed naturally as we walked through the market. Talia and Midori shared stories about their experiences at St. Antonia's, offering me advice and insights.

Midori's questions never ceased, ranging from what urban cuisine from the USA tasted like to how we managed without magitech. Her curiosity was infectious, and I found myself opening up more than I usually would.

"So you're telling me you still don't have much magitech in your world?" Midori exclaimed, clearly fascinated.

I laughed. "Nope, not a single bit. We had regular cars and buses, and our phones only needed charging once a day. We just started to port that stuff over for real in recent years, starting with neg-entropy generators to suppress Chaos Events."

Midori shook her head in disbelief. "That's so weird. I can't imagine a world without magitech. It's like... I don't know, it's just so ingrained in everything we do."

Talia chimed in, "It's like when you're so used to something that it becomes a part of you. It's hard to imagine what life was like before it. I mean, the internet only became a thing here after it was brought over from Earth when we were little kids."

I nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it's crazy to think about. But I guess that's what makes this whole experience so unique, right?"

We continued chatting for a while longer until we finally arrived at the Exchange. Talia led us through the busy crowds, expertly weaving through the throngs of people. She seemed to know everyone, greeting merchants and sellers with a smile and a nod as we went along.

"Here we are!" Talia said, her voice cutting through my thoughts and bringing me back to reality.

We'd reached an imposing, intricately decorated building made of white stone, towering above us. Large stained-glass windows and ornate spires decorated the exterior.

The building was impressive, its facade adorned with intricate carvings and glowing runes. The sign above the entrance glowed soft, inviting light, beckoning customers inside.

"The Mana Exchange. Well, one of them. But the largest in the city. You should be able to get a good rate for your cores here."

I nodded, feeling a mix of relief and nervousness. "Thanks for guiding me here. I would've been lost for sure."

Midori chuckled. "No problem, Ikki. It's always nice to help out a fellow student. Especially a new one."

I reached into my backpack and carefully pulled out the cloth-wrapped Chaos Cores. The cores pulsed with a soft light, their energy almost tangible in the air around us.

"Ohh, those are Viscount-class cores, aren't they?" Midori asked, her eyes wide with admiration as she leaned in curiously.

"Yup," I answered, "We had to scrounge and save a whole bunch to trade for these back home. My family barely clears two hundred thousand Terran credits' worth in our local currency on a good year with me pitching in an extra hand, so sending me here was a huge cost."

Talia whistled softly. "You must have worked hard for these. Well, just in case, I think we should accompany you inside. The Mana Exchange can be a bit overwhelming for first-timers."

Grateful for their company, I followed them into the building.

Midori's teasing questions buzzed around my head as we walked through the packed Mana Exchange, the air filled with the hushed conversations of dozens of vendors and customers lining up. She nudged me playfully, her eyes gleaming with a mix of mischief and genuine interest.

"So, Ikki, got any special skills? Or are you just a regular ol' kid from Earth?"

I chuckled, feeling oddly comfortable with her prying. "Well, I'm pretty good with tech, and I've had some... unique experiences lately. My dad's a mechanic, and I've helped him with that sort of stuff since I was big enough to carry a wrench. It's like a second nature to me now."

Midori's eyes sparkled with more curiosity. "Unique experiences, huh? Like what?"

I hesitated for a second. "Oh, you know, the usual stuff. Fixing things, tinkering with gadgets. Nothing too out of the ordinary," I said, trying to keep it vague. "Maybe a run-in with a gang attack and a Magical Girl or two before I came over. But other than that, just a lot of studying and helping my dad out."

Midori raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying my understated version of 'unique experiences.'

"Right, because fixing cars, gang attacks, and run-ins with Magical Girls on Earth totally equals 'the usual stuff'," she said with a playful smirk. "You're holding out on me, Ikki boy. But that's okay, we've got plenty of time to get to know each other."

I couldn't help but laugh at Midori's gentle prying. "Okay, okay, you got me. It's a long story, but let's just say that my life hasn't exactly been normal lately."

Midori, honestly... reminded me a lot of my younger sister. Curious, full of life, and unafraid to speak her mind. She was easy to talk to, and I soon found myself telling her more about my life on Earth. About my mom, who had passed away when I was barely self-aware, and how it had affected my family. About my struggles with school and fitting in with my peers, and how my dad had always been the family bedrock, even when it was obvious he struggled so much.

When I finished, she reached out and squeezed my arm gently. "That sounds really tough, Ikki. You're a pretty tough guy for getting through all of that, you know that?"

I shrugged, feeling a mix of embarrassment and gratitude. "Thanks. I don't know if I'm that tough, though. I'm just doing what I can."

"Well, that's all anyone can do," Talia said, smiling reassuringly. "And hey, you don't have to do it alone. That's what friends are for? I mean, we've just met and all, but I like to think we're on our way there."

I smiled at her, feeling my heart swell with warmth. "Yeah, I think we are. Thanks, guys. It means a lot."

I yawned, realizing that I had been talking for a while now. We had just reached the center of the Mana Exchange, and I was amazed by how large and bustling it was. People were shouting out their wares or bargaining over prices in a rainbow of colors everywhere we looked.

But a nagging feeling started to pull at my senses.

Something felt... off. I glanced around, my eyes scanning the crowd.

"Rai-chan..." I reached out mentally. "Something feels off to me. I don't know what, but..."

She answered immediately, her voice calm and collected in my head. "You're on to something. It's hard to make out with all the mana crystals in the background, but I'm reading some anomalous energy fluctuations. It's hard to pinpoint exactly where it's coming from, but it's there."

I glanced at Talia and Midori, but they didn't seem to notice anything unusual.

It was hard to tell with so many people and so many magical objects around us.

Suddenly, a single man on my HUD lit up red, drawing my attention. He was standing about thirty feet away from us off the side, his hooded cloak obscuring his face, but his body language gave off a tense energy.

"There. He's not the only one, though," Rai-chan confirmed. "Stay sharp."

"Rai-chan, what's the deal?"

She paused for a second, "From what I can detect, the man is cloaked in some sort of magical energy. What's more — I've detected no life signs from him. Please run an [Analysis] on your current environment."

I frowned, noting the mana approximation on my HUD. I was down to 54% from all the times I'd used it today, so I needed to be careful. But I nodded at Rai-chan's suggestion and closed my eyes, calling up the [Analysis] function.

As the mana flowed around me, I could see a complex web of prismatic energy forming the Exchange and its various vendors.

And then, my HUD began to populate with a flurry of activity. It started gradually initially, but suddenly, my vision lit up with a flurry of red markers. I glanced around discreetly, trying not to draw attention to myself as Rai-chan labeled them rapidly. The people marked in red were giving off mana signatures but no life signs – something that was definitely not normal.

"Is something wrong?" Talia asked, noticing my distracted expression.

I hesitated, not wanting to cause alarm. "I'm not sure," I whispered, trying to keep my voice low. "But something feels off."

Midori caught on quickly, her playful demeanor shifting to alertness.

"What do you see?" she asked, eyes scanning the room with newfound suspicion.

It was surprising how quickly her demeanor had changed, like someone who was used to danger. I filed that away for later.

I subtly nudged my head towards the individuals marked in red. "Those people over there... they're not... normal. I can't explain it, but they're setting some mental alarms off for me."

As we watched, the marked individuals slowly began positioning themselves strategically around the room. It was subtle, but to a trained eye, it was obvious that they were up to something.

Talia, Midori, and I exchanged glances, our senses on high alert.

"Shit..." Midori swore, reaching down to her waist in what looked like a reflexive motion. Almost like she was reaching for a pistol.

Just as I was trying to figure out my next move, a burst of gunfire shattered the market's relative calm.

Several men, their faces hidden behind full-plated masks, fired rifles into the air, causing a wave of panic to sweep through the crowd. People screamed and ducked for cover, chaos erupting around us like a storm.

"Everyone on the floor! Now!" one of the masked men barked. "This is a robbery! Anyone who doesn't want to get hurt — get on the ground, stay still, and quiet the fuck down!"

I felt Talia's hand on my arm, urging me to take cover.

My mind was racing, trying to devise a plan as chaos unfolded around us. The three of us huddled behind a merchant's booth, our hearts pounding with fear and adrenaline.

"Are they insane?!" Talia hissed. "Downtown's always swarming with Magical Girls. They'll never get away with this."

I could see the situation quickly beginning to escalate while peeking around the booth. The assailants were now grabbing anyone and everyone they could and, forcing them to the ground and dragging them to the middle of the Exchange, waving their weapons around menacingly.

"No," Midori muttered, shaking her head. "This is the only day they could do this. Today's the day that most of the Magical Girls in town will be attending the Assembly Ceremony. Especially all the active ones. These guys know what they're doing."

Talia's eyes widened in disbelief. "A-all of them?!" she sputtered.

Midori nodded. "Yeah... We're shit out of luck. Shoreline City is a designated Global Cooperative. The Assembly Ceremony is an annual event designated and planned separately in Global Co-op. It's... where most of the Magical Girls — both active and retired convene to meet each other and get acquainted. It's a big deal, and its existence is kept hush-hush outside of the community."

I frowned, feeling the gears turn in my head. "So, if they knew about this event, that means they must have inside information. Which means they're not just some random gang," I said, my mind racing with possibilities.

Then, if she knew about it, did that mean Midori had ties to the Magical Girl community?

The fact she was here and not there was notable. And I didn't miss that it was a hush-hush event. But why wasn't she at the event then?

I filed that thought for later, knowing we had a bigger problem. We needed to figure out a way to get out of this situation before things took a turn for the—

"YOU THREE!" a loud, distorted voice barked, interrupting my thoughts. The three of us froze, slowly turning our heads to face the source of the voice only to see the barrels of multiple assault rifles pointed at us.

"HANDS UP IN THE AIR! NOW! NO SUDDEN MOVEMENTS!"

My heart leaped into my throat, a million possibilities of what could happen next running through my mind. But I knew that there was no escape.

I slowly raised my hands in the air, turning to share a look with Midori.

I wasn't sure if this would turn out to be the single most eventful day of my life... but I had a feeling I was about to find out.