For a while, things started to slow down. I started to spend more time with my friends, since Rufus insisted on taking things easier. I wonder if he misjudged my talent. At any rate, the signs that something fishy going on in Luminaire city were becoming more visible. Rufus also decided that I should see the other magical girl even sooner, but I couldn’t because not only was she busier fighting evil, but I also had a new challenge at home.

One day, my father was at home when I got home from school. Since middle school, class ended late, so sometimes he would wrap up his work at his office job and stay home, so I was used to this. However, as the week was closing off, I saw him directly after school twice in a row. Mother also started to avoid me, and when I tried to indirectly ask about Father’s job, she would deflect me.

Friday afternoon, they pulled me from the door as I was about to leave. They saw I was in a hurry (though my “project excuse” was just about done) so they let me off quickly.

“Lilly. You understand that there’s been some strange occurrences lately, right?” said Mother.

“Sweet cakes. That means that it’s not always safe out. In fact, even we adults sometimes feel afraid,” echoed Father.

“Yes, I understand,” my parents were not from this city. We moved in from a farther place, but it would still be the Luminaire city municipality. When I heard this, I thought it was them being afraid of the big city, but then Father croaked.

“Well, Lilly. I guess you’re old enough to know. At my company, at least five different employees have gotten sick. The office manager went and talked to some of the people, and for a few days, I’ll be at home while the public safety guys work it out. It’s not something to worry about.”

Well, I was glad they told me that nothing was happening to our livelihood, but if it was the truth, then it should’ve been okay for my younger siblings too. Actually, Blake’s mother was sickened too. That was the worse realization.

“We’re letting you go as you please, but that’s only because you’re a smart girl. Please, get home early and don’t be afraid to take a taxi.”

Huh. I thought they were worried about a health risk. I think they know more than me, and I would have loved to press them, but I was running late for the magic training for the evening.

“Rufus, Rufus,” I didn’t bother with the usual signal. I needed to ask urgently if he would out what kind of sickness might be spreading.

“Little girl, Little girl. Don’t ever call me like that again,” I heard a distant voice.

This time, he walked up to me at the park, where normally he would appear. He said that not only does such a call break his focus, it also consumes a bit of magic, and he would have needed more for teleportation.

“I’m in full conservation mode. I’ve decided. Our fighting force may not be as impressive and I might have to fight myself.”

I’m all Rufus withholding information for my ease, but knowing that you could exhaust magic was a big deal, “Rufus, do you know what’s happening with some of the townsfolk.”

“I’ve been spending entire nights with the encyclopedia. There are at least eight different materials that can be produced by causing malaise in populations. Seventy-one spells require similar rituals. There are four distinct summoned beasts across two biological orders that like to drain the mana of others.”

“Mana?”

“I’d love to tell you if it was important. You see, mana is what we magicians use to cast magic, but mana was affected by the criminal’s activity, we’d be in trouble.”

“Hey, just curious. Could you tell me what that would mean,” I’m not sure if Rufus is actually as smart as he thinks he is.

“Well, not only would we see cases of mild malaise, but also things like extreme discomfort, disorientation, maybe even a sense of dread. A nonmagical race like you humans don’t even need that much mana. You generate it, and it mostly passes through your body. Now, if you kept it, then having so much sapped away would be really bad.”

“Oh,” we both exhaled simultaneously.

Rufus shook, “Okay. Maybe let’s not do the lessons tonight. Instead, we’ll see the other recruiter-recruited pair. ‘kay?”

Before I responded, the nice field he created shattered and we were somewhere else. I looked and saw the street signs were still of Luminaire city, but I didn’t recognize the street names.

On the street, a small blue avian rested on the shoulders of a tall girl. Not like a schoolgirl like me, but not quite an adult. She had black hair and light eyes and she smiled. They didn’t notice us teleporting in, but even when the avian turned to face us, the young woman walked on.

She turned her attention to her shoulder, wondering why her avian friend turned, and her eyes fell on us, but at that precise moment, she walked into a street pole.

Rufus was trying to flutter to eye level, “Come. Let the humans talk. We need to share information quickly.”

I knew instantly that they disliked each other, but also, Rufus must’ve been wondering about how I’d get home in time.

“Huh, are you a magical girl too?” asked the ditzy adult.

“A magical girl? I am,” I supposed.

“Good. Good. I’m a real magical girl. My name is…”

“Excuse me. I didn’t get your name. My name is Lilly.”

“Hello Lilly. I just, hit my head a little hard on that pole. My name will come back to me.”

I’m sure that that was an excuse.

“My name is Rose, Rose McStar.”

Well, at least she’s not that bad.