The night was long, and the air in the MAGIA headquarters felt heavy with the weight of Chihaya's bold decision. She had walked away from the meeting with more than just a chance to prove herself—she had a target on her back.
Chihaya stood outside the conference room, her thoughts spinning, but her body locked in place. She could feel the cold air bite at her skin as she waited for the others to join her. Her mind was still reeling from the higher-ups' responses. Some had agreed to give her a shot, but there was still that dangerous uncertainty hanging in the air. If her plan failed, the consequences would be dire.
A sharp sound of footsteps broke the silence, and she turned to find the rest of the team arriving. They were quiet, their expressions unreadable.
Yukina was the first to speak, her voice low but firm.
"So, what's next? We've got the green light, but there's still the matter of… everything else."
Chihaya nodded, taking a deep breath. "We prove the concept. We start with smaller-scale trials and see if we can create a magical weapon—something that doesn't go beyond the bounds of what Koyomi can handle."
Mayu, usually the more optimistic one, frowned, her hands gripping her jacket tightly.
"And if it doesn't work? What happens then?"
Koyomi, who had remained silent until now, looked away, her eyes clouded with unease. She had never wanted to be at the center of this war. To her, magic was supposed to be a gift, not a curse. But now, she had no choice.
"I don't know what will happen," Koyomi said quietly, her voice carrying a quiet weight. "But… I agreed to this, didn't I? It's not just about me anymore. It's about everyone."
The team fell into a heavy silence, each person processing the gravity of the situation. They knew Koyomi's words were true—her involvement had taken the stakes to a new level. But the fear still lingered, like a cloud hovering over them all.
---
Later that evening, MAGIA Research Facility
Chihaya sat in front of a sleek desk, surrounded by a group of researchers who had been assigned to her project. They were eager, yet hesitant, their eyes occasionally flicking toward Koyomi as if they were waiting for her to protest. But Koyomi remained silent, seated at the back of the room, her gaze distant.
Chihaya leaned forward, her fingers pressing lightly against the desk. "Our goal is simple. We need to harness Koyomi's magic in a way that won't exhaust her or destabilize her. A weapon that doesn't leave her vulnerable. We'll start with simulations first, and once we have something workable, we'll move to live trials."
One of the researchers, Dr. Tanaka, spoke up. "And what kind of weapon are we talking about, exactly? We've been told to prepare for something big, but we need parameters."
Chihaya thought for a moment, choosing her words carefully. "We need something that can handle high-level critical beasts—something versatile, capable of engaging in both ranged and close combat. It should be powerful, but not overwhelming. It must be sustainable for Koyomi."
The room buzzed with the sound of typing and murmurs of agreement as the researchers began to scribble notes, but Koyomi remained still, her eyes flickering with apprehension. She didn't want to be used this way, but she wasn't sure what choice she had left.
After a few moments, Dr. Tanaka addressed Koyomi directly. "Koyomi-san, how are you feeling about this? We understand that your abilities are… unique, but we need your cooperation if this is going to work."
Koyomi looked up slowly, meeting the eyes of the scientist. "I'm not sure I want to do this, but if it's the only way to protect people, I'll try. But if I go too far… what will happen to me?"
There was a pause. Chihaya opened her mouth, but the words felt stuck in her throat. What could she say to that?
"Chihaya," Koyomi continued, her voice quieter now, "you're asking me to be something I'm not. But I… I'll do it, for you."
Chihaya felt a pang of guilt in her chest, but she steeled herself. "I won't let anything happen to you, Koyomi. I promise."
---
Meanwhile, in the Colonel's Office
Colonel Kurosawa sat behind his desk, his fingers steepled together in thought. He had been observing Chihaya's actions from the shadows, silently evaluating her decisions. His approval wasn't easily won, but he couldn't deny that she had ambition. And that was something he respected.
A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.
"Enter."
A subordinate stepped inside, holding a tablet. "Sir, the first round of simulations has started. Chihaya is moving forward with her plan, but there are concerns about the long-term effects on Koyomi's magic reserves."
The Colonel nodded slowly, his gaze narrowing. "Keep an eye on her. This plan has potential, but if it goes wrong, we may be looking at more than just a failure. We could be looking at a disaster."
---
Back in the Team's Quarters
Chihaya stood in front of a large whiteboard, sketching out the initial designs for the magical weapon. The others were scattered around the room, the air thick with unease.
Yukina leaned against the wall, arms crossed, her voice filled with skepticism. "I don't know, Chihaya. You're putting so much on Koyomi's shoulders. We don't even know if this will work."
"I know it's risky," Chihaya admitted, looking over at Koyomi, "but this is the only chance we have. The higher-ups won't back down. They'll want results, and we can't afford to fail."
Hazuki spoke up, her tone softer. "I trust you, Chihaya. But I don't want to lose anyone. Koyomi's already been through so much."
Chihaya turned to Koyomi, her eyes searching for any sign of doubt. But Koyomi gave her a faint smile, despite the weariness in her eyes. "I'm okay, Hazuki. I want to do this, for all of us."
There was a silence that followed, a moment of clarity between the group. They knew the risks, but they also knew what was at stake.
Chihaya nodded, determination setting in. "We'll make it work. We have to."