Evelyn

  ***

  Hey, it’s me! To think over a year has passed since returning home! It was surprisingly easy to readjust. Well, not everything has been easy. My adoptive family wasn’t exactly welcoming… My stepmother, she’s actually my aunt-in-w but hate’s when I call her Aunty. Barbra Apine is her full name, and Aunty Apine seems to despise me. I’m not exactly sure why, but I hope that it has nothing to do with the family inheritance. Oh yeah, since she married into the family, she doesn't have our signature golden blond hair. Not that I have it either, but more on that ter. She has pale red hair and some lovely green eyes, and she’s a bit on the short side, though being an adult she is still taller than me. As for her personality… Well, she’s an arrogant noble. Yeah, I can’t really find a nice way to put that. If you can imagine a noble turning her nose at the plight of commoners, then that’s basically her. She’s also very eager to spend other people’s money. Luckily Uncle Aaron is strict with money.

  Now, Uncle Aaron. Legally he’s my step father, but he doesn’t seem to like me calling him that, so Uncle Aaron it is! He looks a lot like father but with a bit more muscle and would be the taller of the two. From what I can tell, he did some work with the military. As such, he’s strict. Not strict in a rude way, but… Well, strict. He isn’t mean or anything, but to be honest, he’s a bit intimidating and hard to approach. However, he seems to be a good person.

  Lastly we have my brother Robbie. He takes after Aunty in the looks department and is as childish as any three year old is. He seems to cry a lot and get babied by Aunty. He likes to watch me from afar, so I haven’t really got a chance to talk to him despite living together for over a year now…

  Now finally me. Firstly I was told the reason as to why my hair, and also eyes, have darkened. Instead of having my natural golden blond hair and icy blue eyes like Mom, I have bck hair and dark eyes. I’m not sure if they are bck or very dark brown though. Anyway, since I’m in my growing phase, my magical power has yet to be developed fully. As such serious trauma, such as seeing people dying around me, affected my magic. Not only that but I was in the “Cursed Dark Woods” and “surrounded by death” so my magical power is somewhat reflecting that. Or at least we think it will. Aside from my magical girl powers, I haven’t used magic yet, so we aren’t sure if there are long term effects. If there are, I may not be able to use light magic like Mom and Dad.

  Oh magic! I just learned this recently, but it seems that people’s magic is linked to their physical appearance. Let's take Uncle Aaron for example. Blond hair, green eyes. That means he can use light magic as well as an offshoot of earth magic known as life magic, it actually just maniputes pnts, but don’t worry about it. So, what does that have to do with anything? Well, to put it simply, because of my hair and eye color, I may not be able to use magic like my parents. I can still use my magical girl powers, so I’m not too concerned about it. Well, that’s not entirely true.

  I hear the whispers from the servants and guards. “The cursed child” is what they say. Well, I can’t really bme them for calling me that. Given how pale I am from my various nocturnal activities, I do kind of look like one of those ghost kids from those old horror movies. If only my hair was longer. It’s just past my shoulders, but I wouldn’t yet call it truly long. When it does eventually get that long, then I could pop out of wells and scare people. That would be fun. Anyways, I’m trying not to pay attention to it, but being called a “cursed child” every day is getting a bit stressful. Let’s try to distract myself!

  …

  Tonight I wondered out to the garden. Lin no longer works here, so I’m by myself. Luckily that means no one here will try and stop me. Having found a branch that was mostly shaped like a sword, I practiced swinging it. After all, I’m in a sword and magic sort of world, and I’ve already got the magic part down, so now for the sword! Luckily I have a great tutor so I’m doing a good job!

  Slowly my days, or rather nights, passed with my normal routine being, wake up, eat, practice with my “sword”, eat again, and go to sleep. Hopefully my efforts will bear fruit!

  …

  You know, it’s odd that I don’t have any csses or lessons tely. In terms of education that is. Like book learning and etiquette. As a noble I should constantly be under someone’s supervision, but it feels like I’m being ignored. Maybe I should study in my off time?

  …

  Walking out of the library I used the light of the moon to find my way down the hall. I know that I shouldn’t compin, but someone should really call me when dinner is ready. I should tell Uncle Aaron about that. Knowing him, he probably hasn’t eaten yet either. Walking down to the kitchen, I pulled the door only to find that it was locked. Luckily I’ve dealt with this before. Taking a pair of lock picks, that I’ve made myself out of some scrap metal, I quickly opened it and pushed the door open. Nothing looks to be cooked, so let’s just go for something- Oh! A slice of cake! Don’t mind if I do!

  …

  Peaking out my window, I saw that the sun was about to set. Finally I’ll be able to leave! Given the fact that I’m being ignored, I decided to head out into the city. Not as Evelyn, but rather as Melody! Closing the curtains and once more checking that no light can make it out of the door, I quietly transformed into Magical Girl Melody! It seems like my powers recognized that I was trying to be stealthy and were dimmer than usual. Using a quick spell to turn invisible, I quietly opened up my window, and flew out into the fading light.

  Nissia

  ***

  Sitting at a bench just a few blocks from my home, I look up at the moons. A few days ago, and after long negotiations, the baker’s guild managed to buy the recipe and rights to sell our specialty items at other bakeries. It caused us so much trouble, but now we were free. Traffic slowed down at our pce and the money we got from the recipes means we can finally have some rest. That’s exactly what I’m doing today. Since we were close for the day, and our main oven was being repaired, I was free to do whatever I wanted!

  Was it dangerous for a five year old to be out by herself? Not really. Everyone in this neighborhood knows and looks after one another. Not only that but the guild thinks I’m a valuable asset, so they want to keep me safe. Even if I stayed out past night time, like I am right now, I was safe from kidnappers and perverts!

  “Yeah she's right there sitting by herself…” A whispered voice caught her attention.

  Oh no. Okay, stay calm. I know how to deal with this. Just walk away with my hands in my pockets. If someone tries to grab me, just pull out my knife and stab them just like my brother said. Okay, let’s go. Looking in the direction of my house, I saw an unknown man trying to blend into the shadows. Well, I guess I should run to Aunty and uncles’ house. We aren’t actually reted, but they did help in taking care of baby me when the bakery was busy, so it should be safe enough there. Alright, just wait until he looks away and… Go!

  “Hey, wait!” He called out with a husky voice.

  As if I would! I’m not getting snatched tonight! Ignoring him, I ran as fast as my little legs would take me. Unsurprisingly, an adult hellbent on catching me was faster. Grabbing my arm I was almost knocked off bance. Using my free hand, I pulled out my knife and wildly sshed at his arm.

  “Aah, fuck!” He said, not letting go of me.

  Far from letting go of me, he grabbed my other arm tightly, making me drop my knife!

  “Hel-” I started to yell before he put his hand to my mouth, silencing me.

  NO! I don’t want to be snatched! I don’t want to be thrown in a coal mine to crawl in narrow tunnels for years on end! Yes it does increase my item discovery stat, but that’s horrible! Someone help me! Ah, two kids hiding around the corner! Please get help!

  “Stop right there evildoer!” A cheerful voice called out from the sky.

  A pilr of white light shot down from the sky, and inside a shadow appeared.

  “By the Moonlight Blossom’s glow, no evil shall escape my watch! Justice which shines from the moon bathes all in a radiant light. All evil surrenders to the keeper of justice! Magical Girl Charming Melody!” The beam of light shattered into iridescent rose petals and in its center was a girl, no older than thirteen in a white and gold frilly dress with some sort of moon themed staff.

  “What?” The snatcher asked.

  ““What.”” The two hiding kids asked.

  What?

  “Let her go vilin!” The magical girl commanded.

  Seriously, what is going on? Why is there a magical girl here? Is one of the events a magical girl? I don’t remember this. Am I going to get saved?

  “Okay hang on what’s going on?” The snatcher asked.

  I want to know too.

  “Justice, that's what!” She said. “Let the kid go and I might go easy on you!”

  Who is this thirteen year old calling a kid? Oh wait, me. I am six.

  “Um… No?” He said.

  Right, as if it’ll be that easy.

  “Oh you asked for it!” She stomped her foot. “The power of the moon I call upon you!”

  She pointed her staff at us and the tip started to glow.

  “Light of the summer moon, gather!” She shouted and the light grew more intense.

  Wait, is that a beam attack!? No you stupid magical girl! I’m a hostage! I don’t want to get hit by that! I don’t want to die in this stupid random event! Also I think we’re in fall, not summer!

  “Listen kid, why don’t you just-” The snatcher started.

  “EVILBEGONE!” The magical girl shouted quickly.

  A moon shaped ball of light shot out of the staff. It went so fast! Even though I was looking right at it, I couldn’t see it hit us- Wait, I’m alive?

  “Eh?” I asked, now free from the snatcher’s grip.

  Looking at myself and my direct surroundings, I didn’t see any sign of him. I also didn’t hear him hit anything behind me, so he didn’t go flying. Even if he flew beyond the horizon, I would have gone with him, but I’m still here. Did that attack just disintegrate that guy? Why is she so strong!? I’m scared!

  “Ha! That serves you right!” The magical girl gloated and then struck a pose. “Justice prevails!”

  “What's going on?” I couldn’t help but ask.

  “The day- eh. The night,” She corrected herself. “has been saved by Magical Girl Charming Melody!”

  I couldn’t help but just look at her with my mouth hanging open. This world has a magical girl? Why? This game is stupid. Who thought this was a good idea?

  “Welp!” She said, seeing that I wasn’t responding. “I got to go. Plenty of evil still out in the world that needs to be stopped. No need to thank me!”

  I don’t know if I can.

  “Hurry up and head home!” She said flying off into the sky. “Don’t do drugs!”

  Okay, I’m going home.

  Grayburne