We were now inside éclair’s cardboard home. It was nice as always, surprisingly warm despite the cold. The food I brought served to put me in the good graces of the lesser magical girl. Apparently, since the blood moon she’s had to deal with éclair and her, peculiar diet.

  “Next time I stop by, I could bring proper groceries if you want.” I offered.

  “Oh, please do! I mean, we ate badly back in the fortress, but… I don’t think I can keep eating out of the trash like she does.” I couldn’t blame her.

  Though, surprise, surprise, éclair could be a decent cook if she wanted to. Her Back Alley Surprise, even if it engaged every fight or flight response I had, it was still edible. Time flew by between going to the police station and walking here, so I joined in with the meal, and while we ate we shared our experiences.

  Every once in awhile, éclair would nod and hum along with my story, while hers was just a bunch of, Hoh! Wah, HUMPH! Not exactly a very descriptive story, though… She did draw a quick comic of it and well, I wasn’t sure how exaggerated it was. Or if it even was exaggerated.

  “Have you considered visiting the police station? I’ve heard they have a program to process and naturalize magical girls like yourself.” I asked the lesser magical girl after we both finished with our retellings.

  “I’d much rather not.” The lesser magical girl said. “éclair told me that it was an option, but… trusting authority? Putting my life in the hands of another so soon? I think, for the time being I’d like to be here.”

  “Even if it means eating from trash and constantly being given bad names?”

  “Even then… Back at the fortress we didn’t have much freedom. Not only that, but depending on who your boss was, well, life could be torture.”

  “I’ve heard some of that before, a lesser magical girl survived the fight with me, and she’s currently being process by the police.”

  “Is that so? I doubt I’d know her. We were all segregated according to who our boss was after all.”

  “Mm… seems like bad leadership.” I said.

  “It was.” éclair followed up with. “It’s a rather common misconception, but well, let me ask you. If you had a huge startup of coins, bronze, silver, gold, the works, what would you do?”

  “Establish a base, a means of production, and ramp it from the ground up most likely.”

  “Yes, but if you had the choice, what would you focus on more? After all, you can do a lot with gold coins, even create Lesser Magical Girls. More specifically, with a single gold coin, you can get ten rabbits, 3 dogs, or a single fox. How many, and of which type would you recruit?

  I had to pause and think about that. “Depends, I’d probably do a mix of each type, though, I’d probably lean more towards rabbits. Ultimately though, I’d still stick with building my base up.”

  “Oh, and why is that?” She asked with a knowing smile.

  “Well, if all you have are dogs and foxes, whose doing the menial labor? Not just that, but even if rabbits lack, well, a lot, they still can fit many roles and niches the dogs or foxes wouldn’t be able to. Plus, having a proper means of production means I can outfit and equip everyone outside their uniforms.”

  “And that’s the bingo!” She said, waving her spoon about. “It’s very common for a Tiger to focus on firepower and completely forgo building a proper base, as you just said. Nobody knows why exactly, but it might be arrogance on their part. They think they’re entitled to victory, and thus, they often spend a minimum on their base and just spend the rest on powerhouses, like foxes and Dogs.”

  “I… huh… and what happens if they actually build a proper base?” I ask.

  “Trouble usually… fortunately, or perhaps, unfortunately, most Tigers are arrogant idiots. And well, this city isn’t normal by any means.

  “I wasn’t aware, and… I suppose it would be unfortunate, I mean, weren’t they recruited like us?”

  “To an extent… there is a bit of hearsay on the specifics of it, but its believed Tigers are given a choice. They can choose to use the coin on themselves, use the coin to build a base and take over a city, or use the coin to invest in a city and become a permanent resident.”

  “Does that mean, Tiger’s that invade during Blood moons are?”

  “Yes. Those that made the first choice, as for the second and third choice, rumor is that Lucre belongs to the third type. And the second choice, I don’t think I’ve ever seen it in action, but again, I’ve heard rumors and yet… Imagine appearing in the city, as a full-fledged platinum rank, worth a platinum coin.”

  It wasn’t hard to imagine how that would go… “I can’t imagine anyone would make that choice…”

  “Right? Now, back on topic. The main issue the Tiger made was focusing on Dogs and Foxes and not even making any Rabbits to act as the baseline. Plus, it’s obvious they never built up any proper manufacturing, and probably had the bare minimum created just to have everything functioning. The smart thing wold have been to invest some coins into expanding the base, or adding resource points to the base for the siege.”

  “Something the leader never did.” The lesser magical girl said, cutting in. “At best, she stuffed coins into the leadership to bolster their abilities, while leaving the rest of us in the wind, or forcing us to do menial labor. Sure, we could rely on homunculi and chimera to do some of the work, but somebody has to supervise. And it wasn’t like any of the foxes would lower themselves to do the grunt work. And it didn’t matter your rank, or if you were a fox or dog, if you weren’t one of the top four, you were considered no better than a slave.”

  “I can’t say I’m unfamiliar with such workplaces.” I say after a pause, “And… I would like to hear more, but I do have questions for éclair before I have to go.”

  “Ah, right, well don’t mind me and thanks for bringing food.” She said after a moment. “Didn’t mean to interrupt.”

  “It’s not a problem, and as I said, I don’t mean to be rude, but I am on the clock.”

  “Well, you’re not being rude, just… I’m still processing everything, you won’t believe how it’s been… and I thought the food they gave us in the fortress was bad.” She muttered the last part.

  “I understand… anyway, éclair.” I say and look at éclair licking her spoon and scooping the last of her stew out of the pot. It was a lot of stew and she was rather petite. Just how exactly did she put it away so fast?

  “Yes?” éclair asked back, her lock of hair that stuck up was flicking about as if it had a life of its own.

  “I had a few questions. First, I wanted more information on my uniform. I also wanted to ask questions in regard to…” I paused and looked over at the lesser magical girl, who was currently savoring the dessert I had brought. éclair had taken hers, as for mine, well, I didn’t need it more than this poor girl. And even if it looked bad, éclair’s cooking wasn’t THAT bad… though, I’d rather not try it again any time soon.

  Truthfully, I was wondering how to phrase my question, but in the end… “I managed to preserve a lesser magical girl’s corpse. Specifically, the attacking fox I killed.” The lesser magical girl didn’t even bat an eye at my words.

  “Oh, and let me guess, you’re planning on reanimating them or some such?”

  “Yeah, I am.”

  “Your knowledge should cover this, right?” éclair asks.

  “Yes, but… I have questions.”

  “Not unexpected. I imagine you were considering just raising them, right?”

  “I did, yes, but… it feels like a waste.”

  “It would be. The body itself would be considered a gold rank material. But not preparing it properly could severely damage the end product. Sure, it would still be gold ranked, but the quality of their magic would be horrific.”

  “I’m guessing you know that through your alchemy knowledge?”

  “Yup, that’s precisely why. I may not know necromancy and all those extra stuff, but I know a bit of a lot of things. Though, where to begin exactly…” She hummed.

  “Well, the bronze minotaur you met. It felt oddly stronger, right?”

  I nod. “Yes, and I wanted to understand why, especially when it felt so much, more compared to even my captains. Especially since they were the same rank. And I don’t think it was just a rank issue.”

  “That is a bit of a pickle. And frankly here isn’t an easy way to categorize how it works, but… plainly, the better the material used, the better the end product.”

  “It doesn’t affect the ranking at all?” I ask.

  “No, not really… The rankings are fairly simple, I’m sure you’ve heard of them?” éclair asks.

  “Yes, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and such, followed by Low, Mid, High, and Absolute. So, like Mid-Bronze, or Absolute-Gold.”

  “That would be correct. Are you also aware that the rankings aren’t absolute?”

  “I am. I was told this before.” I say.

  “Good, now, if you were to make a Low-Bronze golem out of iron, and have them fight a similarly ranked golem made of cardboard, who would win?”

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  “Iron?” I ask, unsure if that was a trick question.

  “Correct. That’s because the base is stronger. Sure, you can boost the cardboard to being stronger than iron, but, like, why. Either way, both golems would be considered Low-Bronze, if you were to make them right now. Yet, there is a clear difference in ability. That is what I mean. It also bleeds over to a lot of other aspects. Two bronze ranks can be of similar rank but have entirely different combat potential. Not just because of whatever magic they may or may not use but based on their body or a lot of other factors.”

  “However, that works more towards artificial enemy types. For most things, what really matters when determining strength or capability is their typing and attributes. Does that make sense?”

  “Honestly, I’m not too sure.”

  “Well, since you’re a full-fledged magical girl now, you’ll need to start considering those things. Typings, are broken down into the type of magic, how it works, and more specifically the modifiers attached to them. For attributes, you’d know them as perks. Even more specifically, the combat potential of something or someone can be gauged based on what their potential typing is, and the possible synergy with any perks, or attributes they might have.”

  “That makes a lot more sense… Only, what is the point of the ranking system then?

  “The ranking system is broken into two simple parts. The color, which denotes the possible typing for their magic. Bronze being mostly self-reinforcement with little to no projection. Silver being entirely focused on projecting their magic out, and gold encapsulating both. As for Platinum, that’s a whole other ball game.” She said almost off-handedly. “As for the ranks, Low, Mid, and such denote the quantity of magical power something may have.”

  She takes a moment to produce a bronze coin and a silver coin. “Each coin represents an absolute value, a value that can be broken down into an easily identifiable unit of magic. A single bronze coin is worth exactly one-hundred units of magical energy. A silver coin is worth exactly one-thousand units of magical energy. This makes coins, exceedingly valuable to anything, and everything and is considered a universal currency.”

  I nod along, though… “But, isn’t that an issue? I mean, if only magical girls can make the coins, what’s the market even like?”

  “Ah, but it isn’t only magical girls that can make coins. It’s entirely possible to mint coins through other means, it’s just that magical girls are the only beings capable of efficiently minting coins, thanks to our connection to the mascots. In much the same way, other entities and beings are capable of using coins, much like we do, but they need to create complicated arrays to essentially grant their wish. And unlike us, they don’t have the ability to ask the mascots to act as an intermediary.”

  That… that makes a lot of sense actually… Monster cores, or magic cores are valuable, but their actual value heavily depends on the quantity and quality of the magic contained within. If a coin represents an absolute value?

  “Then I suppose the coins are worth an absolute fortune to those in the know?”

  “Yup, and it also means that some groups and forces will only accept coins as payment for services rendered, especially when it comes to magical goods. So, do keep that in mind. Now, the point of what I’m getting at is simple, a Low ranked entity has anywhere between one magical unit in their body, up to a thousand. A thousand up to roughly ten thousand is the Mid Rank. High rank is from ten thousand up to a hundred thousand. Anything above a hundred thousand, is considered Absolute.”

  I nod along, though… “So, it’s just a measure of how much magic they have?”

  “Yeah, which, I mean, it matters a bit, as it gives you an idea of the actual level of something. As you are now… you’d probably qualify as a Mid rank.”

  I nod again, but still… “But I suppose that’s the reason for the ranking system being unreliable?”

  “Yeah, there’s no good way to properly evaluate and judge someone’s actual combat potential until you face off with them. A Low-Bronze could easily take down a High-Gold if their typing and attributes synergize extremely well. Now, for example, how strong do you think I am?”

  How strong? I mean, I’ve seen what she could do, but… “Well, you’re a Gold at the very least.” She nods. “Absolute-Gold?” I venture, she gives me a toothy grin.

  “Nope! I barely qualify as a High-Gold! As a frame of reference, every rabbit starts in the Low-Gold. Luckily, they have so little magic, you’d likely only get a bronze coin for killing one because of that. Dogs, depending on their typing, being Rescue, Hunting, or Support, will have a different amount of total magical energy, but it will always start in the Mid-Gold area.”

  “I’m guessing, Hunting is the lower end of the spectrum and Rescue is at the higher end?” I ask.

  “Yup, now as to why my magic isn’t higher, is partially because of how low the growth rate of dogs are, and also because using gold coins to increase your limit slows drastically one you hit the High rank.”

  “I imagine it isn’t easy though, passing that threshold. I remember you told me that to elevate things to Bronze rank, I’d need something like, ten times the magic involved with the normal process. I also know this from my own experiences.”

  “You’re not wrong, moving between ranks, isn’t easy. As an example, to mint a bronze coin would normally take about a thousand units of magic. And I don’t mean just any old magic, I mean, pure, extremely concentrated magic. Which is why, when minting coins, monster bodies typically disintegrate, save for extremely potent parts of their body.”

  “And what about silver coins? Would they need ten times the magic too?” I ask.

  “No, a hundred times. Gold, I think, is a thousand times. As for Platinum, I’m not sure, but they also require something else, not just a lot of magic.”

  “That… is insane…” I said aloud. My own thoughts ringing. To mint a bronze coin, a thousand units of magic? I mean, does that mean, potentially I could mint a coin a day? No, probably not. If I had to compare the purity of my magic with that of a bronze coin… yeah, it’s not comparable.

  For a silver coin though, I’d need a hundred thousand? Gold… a million? That… when most of the magical girls I’ve met to this point have been in the Low range, or in the Mid range, what did that say? Though, maybe éclair is above that?

  “You get the point?” éclair says, cutting off my thoughts. “To be fair though, I do think you only just broke into the Mid rank, likely when you nearly died. The sudden surge of strength was likely in part due to breaking through the ranks, and also, probably something innate… though, we’ll have to put a pin in that, I guess…”

  “I… okay, that… when put into that perspective, I think I have a vague idea of what you’re talking about, but… again, quantity doesn’t really matter, does it?”

  “In the end, not particularly. Quality matters more so, and I suggest, heavily, before increasing your energy limits with gold coins, that you first up your quality to its maximum.”

  “I understand.”

  “Good, now, for the actual lesson. When gauging enemies, keep an eye on synergies, specifically, their typing and whether or not they have any other additional features. As an example, what do you think of me? My typing, my attributes, or perks.” She said and presented herself before me.

  “Er, Lightning.” She nods. I think, specifically, to what she just ate, and how much she ate. “Something that involves your eating?” Again, she nods. “And… something else?” I venture.

  “About, I have lightning magic, that much is easy to guess. As for modifiers, don’t have any. Reason being, I haven’t quite figured what would work with my current setup. For attributes, I have an attribute that lets me eat what I want, more specifically, it breaks down whatever I eat into all the nutrients I need.” She pauses, almost like a lecturer awaiting a response.

  “Does that mean…” I start and remember all our interactions. Her obsession with candy and sweets, wait… “Doesn’t that mean you could literally live off candy and cake?”

  “Yup! Not just that, but because of the attribute, I’ll always get the necessary nutrients! I literally have the best diet in the city!”

  That was rather terrifying, only… “That can’t be all, can it? I mean, you heal like crazy, so, surely, you’d have a regeneration attribute, right? And how you move, something to enhance your reflexes too?” I say.

  “Well, you’re not entirely wrong. See, I use my magic to accelerate my biological processes. I literally zap my cells to make them work faster, letting me instantly regenerate from most wounds. I can even use it to heal others, though, I wouldn’t rely on it. I mean, I could even regenerate a lost limb in an instant if I wanted to. I’d just need to eat a candy bar, or two.”

  “But… if what you say is true, how did you recover from before?” The speaker, wasn’t me, but the lesser magical girl that had been sitting at the side this whole time. “After you did that, whatever you call it, I distinctly you remember you had become a literal pile of meat. How do you just come back from that?”

  “Another attribute, Perfect Body, Golden Body, call it what you want. Basically, I have perfect proportions and musculature. Not just that, but I have a kind of blueprint that my body will always pull back to. Which means, I don’t really need to focus on how I heal, just that if I heal, I always know I’ll be back in perfect condition.”

  I mulled that over for a moment… She can eat what she wants… Consuming calorie dense food can be broken down into all the nutrients she needs… she can accelerate her body processes to instantly heal wounds, fueled by shoving food into her face. Not just that, but her body will always restore to full condition… Oh, and the revelation that she apparently survived becoming a literal blob of meat…

  “Do you… jack up your heart rate to restore you magic pool?” I asked as I put the pieces together…

  “Yup, costs a lot of calories though.”

  That… “That’s terrifying… And I’m guessing your heart isn’t a weak point anymore?”

  “Nope, not even my head. As long as a good portion of me survives, or at least a pound of flesh exists, I’ll be able to recover.”

  Yeah, with just that as a criteria, I see what she means…

  “And, I don’t imagine monsters with attributes are normal, are they?”

  “Not particularly, at least, outside Tartarus. Other magical girls though, are a bit of a mixed bag. Which is why, you need to start considering your synergies. Think how you want to modify your magic, or what would work with your current skillset. Think about what you’re aiming for. You don’t need to worry anytime soon, but now that you have your uniform and weapon, you need to start considering how you’ll spend your next gold coin. Upgrading your weapon might unlock additional options, but it will also improve its punch, same for your uniform, only it will also improve its defensive capabilities. What you need to keep in mind though, is the more perks you accumulate, the more it costs to acquire new ones. Whereas, upgrading you weapon and armor, or modifying your magic, even improving the quality of your magic will always cost a single gold coin.”

  “That is a lot to consider… And how do I even begin to gauge different attributes and types?”

  “It is, and that’s what we’ll be doing over the next few weeks, months, or possibly longer! Now, before you have to leave… Your uniform! I’d like to get a look at it before we meet next.” She said, practically dancing in place.

  I didn’t see a reason to refuse. So, I did.

  “I can do that, just give me a moment.” I stood up from the table and gained some distance. Giving myself just enough space so that I wouldn’t hit anything if I flailed about.

  I closed my eyes, brought my hand to my chest, just over my heart. I focused on the beating of my heart. Listened, felt for that echo, that emptiness from deep within. With every breath, I felt it thump. Beat. As if my heart was made of ice, or glass. Little by little, cracking, breaking, until it shattered with a final cry.

  For an instant, my footing failed me. Once again, I fell into the ice. Surrounded by black waters, descending onto a stage. I was under the spotlight, moving under the eyes of many. It felt natural and yet, it also felt like I wasn’t the one doing the movements. More like an old memory was playing, a replay of an old event.

  With a final flourish, A spin, I found myself back in that cardboard abode éclair called a home. At some point, I must have shifted, I came out of a spin with a light tap of my feet. Dazzling fog of rime formed around me, as if I were under a spotlight, as if I were the main character of a play.

  I felt powerful. I felt the eyes on me. Every part of my being and soul preened.

  A whistle broke me out of it. “I think I have an idea what your capable of, but we’ll have to see how that shakes out when I see you in action.” éclair said, a grin on her face. “I think I’ll have you fight her tomorrow.” éclair said, pointing at the lesser magical girl. “In fact, I think it would be a great matchup.”

  The girl in question just looked at me and sighed. “Fine… I can do that.” In a tone that suggested that doing so would be a pain.

  “Now go ahead and revert back to normal. It’s getting late, and you should probably leave. Well, unless you want to get trapped outside after dark. Or, unless you want to spend the night.”

  I wanted none of those things, so, with a bit of effort, I ended the transformation. It felt like, like I was stuffing my emotions into an icebox. Like I was squeezing myself into an old corpse, a skin, only, it felt like I was throwing away who I was and donning a mask again. One that I had always worn and never realized.

  “Strange, right? Your uniform represents your idealized self. A perfect version of you, depicted by your wants and desires. Though, everyone has a different way of dealing with that sensation, which I’ll talk about tomorrow when you show up.”

  “I’ll be seeing you tomorrow then…” I said and walked away. My mind in turmoil. There was an awful lot to process and little time left.