Chapter 32: Let’s Achieve the Fusion, Part 1 – The Mental Training

— “Taiyaki, wake up, it’s time for breakfast. It’s already 6:30 in the morning. Get up, we have to eat.”

I woke up at that moment. It was Mizuki, trying to get me out of bed so we could get dressed and head to breakfast. Still half-asleep, I yawned and replied:
— “Alright, Mizuki… I’m awake. Let me get dressed. Just give me five minutes.”

She answered calmly:
— “Fine, Taiyaki, but hurry. We don’t want to look bad in front of the other Magical Girls. I’ll wait outside with Mizu and Akane.”

She left the room, and I was alone. I got out of bed, fixed it, and put on my clothes for the day.

After five minutes, ready for breakfast, I walked outside and saw Akane, Mizu, and Mizuki already dressed neatly, waiting. I was dressed too, so Akane said:
— “Alright, since we’re all ready, let’s go eat.”

Mizuki added:
— “Yes, I’m starving. I want something tasty to give me energy for the whole day.”

Mizu, excited, chimed in:
— “Then let’s not waste time. Let’s head to the Guild’s dining hall.”

We went downstairs to the dining hall. We each grabbed a tray with toast, butter, dried meat, a cup of coffee with milk, and a glass of orange juice.

The smell was divine, like finally finding a treasure after wandering endlessly down a road, hunger gnawing at you, only to be rewarded with rich, juicy meat.

We sat at our table. Before eating, we put our hands together and prayed:
— “Thank you, Goddess Aqua, for these offerings. We thank you for this food, and for the farmers who worked so hard to bring it to us. Amen. And thank you for the meal.”

Then we began eating. Every bite felt like a divine feast, delicious and energizing. After about thirty minutes, at 7:25, we finished, returned our dishes for the cook to clean, and headed to the Mental Training Room.

It was a large chamber, covered in illusions that gave the sensation of floating in space. No sounds, only silence. A soothing calm filled the room, like the warmth of a bed after a great night’s sleep.

The Leader of the Elite Magical Girls saw us and pointed to cushions arranged around her, instructing us to sit and copy her posture.

We obeyed, sitting on the cushions and imitating her stance. Then, in a soft voice, she told us to close our eyes and meditate.

I followed her guidance and soon felt as if I were completely alone, with nothing around me. Then she spoke:
— “Now, sisters, connect your mind and spirit with the mana, the universe, the spirits, and the calm of this place. Remember, the Goddess Aqua always watches over us, protecting us from the evils of this world. Accept her greatness, and she will grant you true happiness. Breathe slowly and peacefully. Let this aura embrace you, filling you with the warmth of the mana you use for your Elemental Magic. In the name of Goddess Aqua, she is the one who guides humanity on the true path of salvation. She is the answer to our questions, the one who knows what we truly need—not just what we think we want. Breathe in, breathe out. Release all negative mana within you and let it be extinguished here in this chamber filled with her grace.”

I felt something leaving my body, something dark. It was wonderful, as if my past sins were being forgiven.

The Leader then said:
— “Good, my dear sisters. Now open your eyes and breathe gently.”

I opened my eyes and saw everything just as before, as if nothing had changed. In a calm tone, she said:
— “It’s now 9:00. Time for Reading and Written Study. Please, walk slowly to the next room. Thank you for joining today’s meditation. I am Reine, with pleasure.”

We stood and left for the next room. I noticed Mizu, Mizuki, and Akane looking calmer and happier than ever. I asked them how they felt, and they all told me they felt better than ever—excited for what was next.

The next room was a vast library. A woman with green hair greeted us:
— “Alright, choose a book from that shelf, according to its color.

Dark Magic – Black

Water – Blue

Fire – Red

Wind – Green

Earth – Orange

Lightning – Violet

Light – White

Once you have your book, sit by the circle and read in silence.”

I picked a black book and sat down. Akane, Mizu, and Mizuki chose theirs and sat together. Then, a girl with violet hair sat beside me, holding a violet book. She looked at me and smiled.

— “I see you’re still new at this. Right, this is your first year. I’m sorry about what happened with your ex-teammate. I never thought Kori would betray us like that. I know it must be hard for you… but believe me, you have to stay strong if you want to grow as a Magical Girl.”

Her words caught me off guard, but I replied:
— “Thank you for the support. I’m fine… I just don’t want to talk about it right now. By the way, what’s your name?”

She smiled.
— “My name is Rem. Nice to meet you, Taiyaki.”

Then the green-haired woman spoke:
— “Read five pages silently. Once you’re done, wait quietly until everyone else has finished.”

I began reading. The book explained many things I already knew, but also revealed new knowledge—like how to open portals to pocket dimensions, something only Dark and Light Magic users could achieve. Each element had strengths and weaknesses: fire was weakened by rain, water-users struggled in deserts, and so on. The more mana we used, the faster it drained, and every person had a daily limit. Surpassing it meant shortening one’s life.

That must have been what happened to me during the battle with the Demon Ogre Boss in that dungeon. Even after nearly a month of training, there was still so much I didn’t know. But my goal was clear—learn everything necessary to achieve Fusion, and then defeat the Demon Queen… and Kori, the traitor. Whatever her reasons, I would never forgive her for what she did to me and my friends. She would pay.

Then I found something especially interesting:

“If you wish to achieve something special, a unique technique, you must take the hands of those closest to you. When pain arises, use that pain together, unite, and you will accomplish what you seek. With this mindset, you will achieve great things.”

Reading that, I realized—it might be the key to Fusion.

I finished my five pages, closed the book, and waited. The green-haired woman noticed and gestured for me to stay quiet. I blinked twice to show I understood. She smiled back and turned her attention to the others.

Once everyone was done, she spoke:
— “Good, that’s enough for today. It’s 10:30 now. Time for a short break. Take these thirty minutes to relax your mind. I’ll see you tomorrow. May Goddess Aqua guide your lives.”

We left the room. Mizu, Mizuki, Akane, and Rem (the girl who had spoken to me earlier) all headed to the dining hall together, ready to sit and chat about the things we liked.