(A.N.: 5000 words. All hail iced coffee.)

Chapter 5

My Dear Sister Fräulein

Fraulein's Diary — dedicated to her dear sister Fräulein.

July 28, 1613

I am writing a diary. Fraulein gave me papers today to draw, but I don't want to.

July 29, 1613

Her name is written as Fräulein. The ä is important, she said.

July 30, 1613

I had a nightmare last night. I went to Fraulein's bed, but got scolded. She told me that privacy is important. But she let me sleep with her in the end. I don't understand her.

July 31, 1613

She read my diary. The ä is super important, she said. I will try to hide this diary better next time.

August 1, 1613

Today Fräulein brought me to the market to buy food. She didn't like the inn's meals. We bumped into a big man along the way. He laughed at her clothes. I thought she would kill him, but she let it slide and even laughed with him. The lofty Fräulein from that night is gone. I only see a weak coward. I don't understand her.

August 2, 1613

Fräulein won't come home tonight. She said she found a good-paying job. We look the same and our ages are the same, but she works harder than me. I'm also a coward.

August 3, 1613

Fräulein came home tonight with food from Coruscant City. She said that she bought it because she did not like the food from the inn. But I think she was trying to cheer me up. She's always like this. She doesn't throw me out even if I am useless. She acts like my big sister. I don't like it. I'm sorry.

August 4, 1613

She doesn't ask what happened to me. I'm thankful for that. But all I do is cause her trouble. I'm sorry.

August 5, 1613

I'm sorry.

August 6, 1613

I'm sorry.

August 7, 1613

Today I tried going outside by myself. I thought that if Fräulein could find a job, so can I. I went to the market and asked around, but nobody took me. Then a man in armor pulled my arm and tried to tie my hands, but Fräulein came in time and made that man's head fly. I asked her why she killed him, and she said that it was shameless for a man to hold a girl's arm. I don't understand her. We came home late because it took a long time to dispose the body. I'm always useless. I'm sorry.

August 8, 1613

Today Fräulein brought me to the park to make friends. She said I won't be sad if I had many friends. When Fräulein went away to buy some snacks, I met a kid named Alice. She was here with her family. We played tag for a bit, but I always lost to her. I'm even weaker than someone younger than me. When she had to go, I found Fräulein and boasted about making a friend. She looked sad and said I was unfair. I don't understand her. But I know she brought me here to cheer me up again because of yesterday.

August 9, 1613

She still won't ask why I was crying that day. I want to tell her, but I don't have the courage to. I really am weak.

August 10, 1613

Today Fräulein brought me a gift. It was a grimoire that her friend gave her. She has a lot of friends. She said that if I was going to be a shut-in, I might as well learn ice magic. Finally, I can start learning magic. I can stop being weak and useless. Fräulein was happy because I finally smiled, and bought more books for me. I thought it was too much, but I couldn’t say anything because she was jumping all over the place.

August 15, 1613

She dragged me out of the house because I was studying too much, she said. But I think it was too little. If I don't learn faster, I won't catch up to her, and I won't be able to protect her. When I said that to her, she laughed. She said there was no point in getting stronger. I remember her face being sad when she said something about death and fate. I don't want to see her sad. I know Fräulein was wrong. There is a point in getting stronger. If I was strong, I can protect the things I love.

August 18, 1613

Today, we moved out of the inn. Fräulein was able to buy a small house in the residential area of this town. How did she find the money to buy one?

August 19, 1613

The house burned. I was lucky I haven't moved my books yet. But I was very sad and I almost cried. We moved back at the inn. I think the innkeeper didn't like Fräulein. She made a sour face as soon as she saw her. But the innkeeper is very kind. She sneaks me food every time there were left overs. Today she gave me extra potatoes. I felt better because of that.

August 28, 1613

It's been a month since I met that girl with the same face as mine. Ever since I started learning magic, I have greatly improved. I am able to cast most of the natural spells. The innkeeper said I was amazing because I was learning magic on my own, but it was not enough. If I wanted to reach Fräulein, I have to aim higher. Speaking of her, she kept pestering me to learn ice magic. Did she not know that ice spells are known as the hardest magic to cast out of all the Natural Spells? When I told her that, she sulked and buried herself straight to advanced natural magic, skipping everything else. I don't understand her.

August 30, 1613

Today, I was in charge of the shopping, because Fräulein has her usual job and wouldn't be able to go home tonight. I don't know what I had in me, but as usual I was targeted again by a group of seedy-looking people in the alleyway. I wasted no time and shocked them all with a Jolt Spellcast. That moment, I finally felt the fruits of my labor. It was the first time I saw people weaker than me. I was so happy I went back to the market to buy the finest meat I could find. I was disappointed when no other people attacked me when I returned. I wonder where my luck went.

September 2, 1613

I saw Alice again today at the park, sweeping the scattered leaves that littered around to a pile. Alice said that I became livelier since the last time we met, but I don't think so. Although I smiled from time to time, I couldn't do it naturally. Today, I still lost to Alice at tag. Even my magic didn't help. I'm really upset. I don't want to lose to a kid!

September 3, 1613

Today, I asked Fräulein how to run faster. She happily agreed and told me to join her in her morning jogs. In the meantime, she taught me the proper form needed to throw a dart. I might need it in my eventual rematch.

September 5, 1613

I found Alice in the park again. I told her to fight me in five days. She said I was taking it too seriously, but I don't think so. I will show her that even I can be strong too.

September 6, 1613

Fräulein's morning jog was abnormal. Every morning, she said she circled the whole town ten times. She was surely joking about that. I tried to keep up with her, but collapsed on the way. I was very embarrassed, even if she told me not to worry about it. To make up for that blunder, I began learning Over Spells, the next branch of magic after Natural Spells. The equations for Over Spells were more abstract and complex, so it was good punishment.

September 8, 1613

I successfully finished a lap today. As usual, Fräulein overreacted and wanted to bring me to the best restaurant in town, but I reminded her that there was no time to be complacent. She insisted at least on buying me a sweet potato on the way back. I agreed. The potato was really sweet.

September 9, 1613

Tomorrow was my fated battle with Alice. My stamina has gone up, and my dart-throwing was perfect. This night, I asked Fräulein to help me in building a good strategy, but I quickly learned it was a mistake. The only thing she suggested was freezing the whole ground with ice magic. Did she not know I would also be affected by it? But I could not turn her away because of how eager she was to help me. I don't know how the battle will unfold tomorrow, but I must believe in all the work I've done. I'm not weak anymore. But if I get desperate, maybe I'll really freeze the ground?

September 10, 1613

She never arrived. I waited and waited and waited but she never arrived. She must've been scared. If she forfeits our battle, it means I won, right?

September 11, 1613

I went to the park again. She wasn't there.

September 12, 1613.

She wasn't there.

September 13, 1613

She wasn't there.

September 14, 1613

The scattered leaves around the park annoyed me, so I used a Jolt spell to fry them all. I almost burned the park. I felt I would've felt better if I just swept it normally.

September 15, 1613

She wasn't there. Why am I even waiting for that coward?

September 16, 1613

Today I had a fight with Fräulein. How dare her! She acted as if she cared about me, trying to cheer me up these days. It's no use waiting for her? I should just find a new friend? Cheer up? Does she think that it's that easy? I almost hit her with magic when she seriously said those words. I hate her I hate her I hate her! Alice is my first friend, and she treats her like an object? Idiot Fräulein! I'm not talking with her ever again.

September 23, 1613

Fräulein tried bringing fruits from Coruscant, but I won't forgive her until she understands.

September 28, 1613

Finished Over Spells. On to Set Spells.

October 5, 1613

Finished Set Spells. On to Conceptual Spells.

October 10, 1613

There was a warm blanket the covered me when I slept at the sofa.

October 19, 1613

I could hear her cry under her blanket. I'm an idiot.

October 20, 1613

I'm having a hard time understanding neurology. Being a magician is hard.

October 24, 1613

She's gone. She left a small letter saying she'll be gone for a few days to try and change her thinking. I don't know what she means by that. I hope she won't leave me. I've decided to forgive her once she came back, no matter what she thinks. I don't like this loneliness.

October 27, 1613

I skipped studying for today and lazed around the inn. I never knew our room was so big. I feel thankful to the innkeeper for bringing me meals in my room. I don't deserve it. Not me.

October 28, 1613

I tried making the cold stale coffee Fräulein always made me when I was tired. I could never get the right temperature, freezing the whole cup no matter what I tried. See, sister? Ice magic is hard, you know? I always hated the taste of your coffee, but now I need it more than ever. I can't make it without you. So please come back. Please. Don't leave me. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry...

October 29, 1613

I haven't touched my books today. That's bad. I must study, so I could be someone she'll be proud of when she returns.

October 30, 1613

There's a festival outside. They're noisy. I want to strike them all with lightning, but sister dear wouldn't like that. I hope they stop soon.

November 1, 1613

Dies Irae. The day of wrath. Today I've learned about the absurd existence called Fräulein Floret. No, that's wrong. I learned that fact three months ago. Today I remembered. That hallowed visage, stained in blood. That immaculate figure that bathed under the moonlight. The feelings I felt. The feeling of madness. The feeling of my existence turned to a pitiful bug. I must've forgotten after seeing her live her everyday life in happiness.

That day, a hail of fire rained upon the town I have lived in for three months. Everything those flaming hailstones touched burned to ashes. Buildings, trees, cattle, humans — in did not discriminate and burned all to a crisp. I knew the magic I have desperately learned for months was overturned by those flames in a moment. It was laughable.

From the sky, it descended — a being that lay waste on the world, a being I have only read in fairy tales and history books. Garbed in the holy garments of pink, blazing red hair tied on both sides — was the dreaded existence of a Magical Girl — a goddess — that broke the minds of those who tried to comprehend its wrath.

Everyone who saw the Magical Girl lost themselves. Many bashed their heads on the walls, seeking peaceful death the creature would not give. Some slashed their throats, others gouged their eyes out — it was a disgusting scene of self-carnage everywhere.

Only I remained sane. Although my legs back then wouldn't support me, I was still sane. All because the madness that Magical Girl gave out could not hope to compare to the madness I felt three months ago. As soon as she saw me, she drew closer, maybe thinking that I was some brave soul that could not be broken by simply existing. I will never know. Because never reached me.

Standing ever bravely between human and goddess was a single immaculate figure. Although I only saw her back, I could not be mistaken at that time — it was her. She did not falter, nor did she fall. Rather, she stood against an impossible foe, gripping nothing but a lone silver knife in her hand. Humans cannot hope to fight against the Magical Girls. That was the moment I realized — Fräulein was a being who disregarded such concepts.

No matter how weak, no matter how strong — all were equal in her eyes. Such was the being called Fräulein Floret.

With speed that was borderline teleportation, she did not even hesitate to approach that flaming goddess. It was crazy. No matter how much flames the Magical Girl spewed out, Fräulein avoided it all with inhuman precision. The silver blurs of her knife were too fast for even the goddess to follow. She tried escaping, up in the air to launch a wide attack. But there was no escape for that cornered rat. Fräulein catapulted herself with a catapult — and shot herself straight to the Magical Girl. I could not see what happened back then. But what seared in my mind was the falling red figure that consumed itself in blood and flames.

I could not believe it. An impossibility. Magical Girls were said to be the most absolute existences that personified the world's wrath. And Fräulein — that lofty being — killed it. But what frightened me the most this day were her actions after defeating such an impossibility.

— She cried. In front of me, a lowly human, her figure crumbled, and she bawled her eyes out. She kept crying, asking for forgiveness, saying that she was too weak to fight against fate, and she could not change the way she thought no matter how hard she tried. She cried out hypocritical words.

A being like her, could not fight against fate? Even when the goddess she slew was something even beyond that?

This day I realized, that Fräulein Floret is a defective person. This day I realized the heavy burden placed on my shoulders. If I were to protect this fragile existence, I had to surpass the unsurpassable. I had to defeat the undefeatable. All to show her that even humans can struggle against the absolute fate that bounded this world.

But back then, the only thing I could give her was a hug, and forgiveness I myself will never deserve in my whole life.

November 2, 1613

More than two thirds of the town's population died. Fräulein said we should move to a new town. I saw the innkeeper's charred remains on the street. I felt sick. I hope Alice is okay.

November 3, 1613

Fräulein decided to throw a party between the two of us to celebrate our long-awaited reunion. It was hard to do so when I thought about all the people who died just two days ago, but I smiled for her. For my hopeless dear sister. I should remind myself to practice smiling.

November 5, 1613

We found a new residence at Siliva Town two days away from the place that was now called the "Town of Wrath". Of course, we stayed at an inn. When will we ever have our own permanent address? I think Fräulein couldn't get over the first house she bought that burned to the ground.

November 6, 1613

Fräulein procured two suspicious-looking papers — our new identities. But our names were still perfectly the same. Fraulein and Fräulein Floret. The only thing different was that we were now officially twin sisters. Today is a happy day.

November 7, 1613

Today I greeted everyone in the neighborhood with some homemade stew. We had to announce ourselves properly if we were to live in this place. My twin sister is a forgetful one who doesn't bother with the complicated things. I feel I had to fill in the gaps she left.

November 29, 1613

After saving enough money from the part-time jobs I took all over Siliva town, I managed to snag a cheap and sturdy house close to the edge of town. I immediately placed fire-detecting Set Spells that sprayed water when activated. Fräulein agreed in moving, but she was rather sad I did things all by myself.

December 12, 1613

Today was our birthday. It seems we even had the same birthday. Fräulein ended up spending all her money buying an all-you-can-eat banquet from a restaurant only nobles could afford. Fräulein was actually rich. Was. Now she's penniless. Of course, the both of us couldn't even finish a quarter of the food on the table, so I was forced to call our neighbors to help us. That may have earned us points from them, but I'm worried about how Fräulein easily spends her money like that. I'll try to lecture her tomorrow.

December 25, 1613

Fräulein celebrated something today she called "Christmas" by cutting a tree and placing it inside the house. I got mad at her for making such a mess inside. But I calmed down after she made her iced coffee. It always calmed me down.

January 1, 1614

It's been 1614 years since the Floating Island of Eli reached for the sky. Fräulein begged me to launch explosion spells in the air, so I did. I admit it was fun, mostly thanks to watching her reactions. One more year to go until we were qualified to take the Fe Safire School of Magical Arts — or more widely known as the Magical Academy — Entrance Examination. I decided to drag Fräulein along with me together. I know she hates magic (except for her ice magic), but maybe she'll learn a thing or two about changing fate.

February 14, 1614

Today Fräulein guarded me all day, watching my every move. She followed me everywhere. Especially in the market, she was giving off a dangerous aura, like a guard dog ready to bite anytime. She would growl at every man who wanted to greet me. If she's like this, not even a god or a goddess could hope to come near me.

April 1, 1614

Today I woke up with my face painted in black. I got back at her by dumping her whole body in the bathtub repeatedly using a telekinetic spell. I wonder where that god-slayer went.

July 28, 1614

It's been one year since we've met. All this time, I have never known where she came from, but it didn't matter to me. She is my twin sister — nothing more, nothing less. Since today was a special day, I asked Fräulein to spar with me in a battle, in order to see how far I've grown. It was a complete victory — by me. She could not even escape from the absolute barrier spell I surrounded her with. But I won't grow complacent. I could see she was going easy on me. No, rather than going easy, it was simply that I wasn't strong enough to trigger her instincts. How weak can I be?

November 1, 1614

Today, I decided to go deeper on my understanding of Magical Girls. There may — no, shall — come a time when I have to battle one. And knowledge is an essential tool of the weak like me. To summarize what I've learned:

There were once seven Magical Girls that were worshiped as goddesses back when humanity lived down below. One had the authority of fire; one had the authority of water; one had the authority of corruption; one had the authority of darkness; one had the authority of the swarm; one had the authority of war; and the last had the authority of both destruction and creation.

Everything was supposed to be in balance — until the strongest of them waged a terrible war against the world: The Magical Girl of Creation and Destruction, Frau Klein.

Her reasons were unknown. But none of the other Magical Girls could stand up against her absolute power. So humanity used its greatest hidden trump card and pointed its blade towards the rouge goddess.

The summoning of a Hero.

Together with the other six goddesses, the Hero confronted the Magical Frau Klein's vile creations — beasts of all shapes and sizes. I realize this Magical Girl was the reason humanity today had to guard the borders from stray monsters that popped out of the great white cloud. Frau Klein was the indirect perpetrator of my parent's death. I hope one day she gets to meet Fräulein.

Anyways, the Hero and the six Magical Girls managed to seal the evil Magical Girl in an eternal prison where no wind blew, or flowers bloomed. As for where that place was, it was never mentioned.

The end. Most of the important information I need — like their powers and weaknesses, or reasons for attacking humanity now — were never revealed. At most, it was just an entertaining bedtime story.

When I told Fräulein this story, she really slept. She was an absurd existence, in more ways than one.

December 12, 1614

It was our birthday today. I managed to stop Fräulein from rushing to a restaurant this year, and instead suggested a peaceful night alone together drinking nothing but iced coffee. We didn't need an extravagant celebration. As long as were together, it's enough.

December 25, 1614

Fräulein's Christmas celebration was again at a full swing this year, as she brought TWO trees inside our house. I burned them all with a controlled fire spell. She was dejected at first, but came back to life when I shot "fireworks" up in the air. She was such a simple twin sister.

January 1, 1615

Five months remained until the Magical Academy's Entrance Examination. It was an exam that tested a person's ability in science, math and general magic. Only the competent ones could hope to pass. And I knew my twin sister wasn't one of them. She was an idiot, after all. I tried convincing her to pass the exam with me, but as expected, she was reluctant in learning any magic except ice magic. I may know why. She finally relented when I begged her to learn the magic I so dearly love. Good. I don't want to spend my five years in the Magical Academy alone.

February 14, 1615

It's that time of the year again where she growls at every man that approaches me. I wonder why she does that. It's not like I would follow some strange man and leave her side.

April 1, 1615

Today, I thought I was fully prepared. I set several Set Spells around me to shock her if she tried to do a prank while I was sleeping. She cheatingly used her inhuman instincts to dodge them all, and painted "Idiot" on my forehead. I got so mad I gave her the bathtub treatment once again.

June 20, 1615

Today was the day of the Magical Academy's Entrance Examination. Fräulein and I had to ride the train to reach Coruscant City, the place where the examination took place. During the testing phase, I accidentally broke their Mana Potential calculator. Because of that, I had to limit my Mana Potential to the highest possible number they could register: three thousand. Thirty times more than the average MP. It was fine. I wasn't here to be humble. I was here to learn. But there was something that surprised me today. Under the suit that Fräulein wore were traces of magical equations she was supposed to memorize.

June 28, 1615

The results came via a letter from the Academy. I got first place in every part of the Examination. But there was no point in celebrating. I aim for an impossible height, after all. This much was a given. But Fräulein surprisingly passed. Not only that, she wasn't last — she was the second last place. I wonder who that poor person is to be surpassed by even Fräulein in academics.

July 15, 1615

Today we leave this house after almost two years. Students of the Magical Academy were required to live in the dorms, and it seemed that Fräulein and I would be separated. How sad. I added several life-threatening Set Spells like Max Jolt and Mist Poison all over the house, so nobody would have the audacity to mess with our memory-filled home.

July 16, 1615

We have finally arrived in the Magical Academy with all our luggage. I think Fräulein was sad she didn't get a personal escort. She may have wanted to go with me, but I did not allow it. I never understood why she didn't bother wearing the official uniform and instead went for her usual suit. But there was something today that got on my nerves. That princess, Clementine. I was quickly notified of a duel that took place on the open field, a duel between my "failure" of a sister and the Princess.

Maybe that was where my irritation began. Everywhere I turned, they mocked my sister as a failure. Someone who should be ashamed to have the same name as me. A laughingstock. I desperately ignored the urge to fry their brains and headed for Fräulein's dormitory room. I knew the battle would be quickly over. That mockery of a princess who dared challenge my lofty twin sister wouldn't last long. And I was right. I tried to be friendly with her, so she wouldn't bother us any longer. But the moment she called my sister's way as cowardly — I snapped. I silently placed a Set Spell that triggered her pain receptors to the maximum the moment we left the room. I also placed a Silence Spell so she wouldn't disturb anyone in her suffering.

My twin sister was eager in entertaining her new roommate, so I had to lie and make her feel like I was worried about her to lessen her guard and shoo her away from the room. Of course it worked. As soon as she was far away, I dragged the princess' body from the bed and threw her out of the window, not before casting an Amnesia Spell that made her forget the whole day. But the sensation of pain should remain. That was enough of a lesson for her.

I'm not sure how much I can last in this place if they kept belittling my sister. Even if I can't really blame them.

July 17, 1615

One more day until the start of school. I didn't feel like heading anywhere today, after those series of stressful events yesterday.

I wanted to visit Fräulein in her room, but Miss Lila said she was summoned by the Headmaster. There was no point in visiting an empty room, so I obediently went back to my own.

I wonder what the Headmaster needed her for. I can always ask Fräulein tomorrow. I just hope she hasn't caused any trouble.

July 18, 1615

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These pages were forcefully ripped.

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July 28, 1615

To my dear sister Fräulein,

I never thought I would be writing a letter to a non-existent person. But I have to. This is the final selfishness allowed for the one called Fraulein Floret.

Humanity has lost.

We were never a match against six Magical Girls.

I was never strong to begin with.

Now the end of the world has come.

Today is a day of wrath.

We shall all crumble and fall.

But you know, sister dear, even in the last of days, I kept reading and reading this diary.

As an assurance, that a person called Fräulein Floret really did exist, and was not just some fairy tale of mine.

I kept reading, and reading, and reading, all the fun times we had. All the sad times we had. Every treasured moment.

Many has given up. But I will fight until the end.

Because there was once a person who could.

I will struggle.

Because I know of an existence that gave me hope. Hope I received from someone who held none.

I will fall.

But at the very least, I did not want the measly existence of those Magical Girls to erase the proof that you have lived in this world.

I shall cast the greatest spell I have on this notebook, and seal it in a place where no wind blew, or flowers bloomed.

This is the final selfishness allowed for the one called Fraulein Floret.

And if fate guides this notebook to you, all I wanted to say was,

I'm sorry.

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Frau Klein vs. Fräulein!? The two strongest existence clash their ideals!

A visit from World Euphonics onee-sama!?

The last chapter of the opening arc?