Guest Instructors

When the two landed beside the Academy's training field, a practical combat lesson was in progress.

On the field, a dozen or so Apprentice Magical Girls were practicing firing magic bullets.

Behind them, a Magical Girl instructor stood with her hands clasped behind her back, carefully watching each girl and occasionally offering pointers on their movements and use of magic power.

(Head Instructor Taro be like.)

Most of her guidance was actually about using magic power.

After all, the way each Magical Girl fired basic light bullets depended largely on the nature of her own magic, but practicing control over magic power was the same for every Magical Girl.

She had stipulated that their attacks could only scorch the targets, not damage them, to make them practice controlling their magic power.

At the other end of the field stood a row of moving targets. The girls lined up and took turns stepping forward, gathering magic power, and firing.

Hits earned cheers, while misses brought groans.

These Magical Girls had already passed the control test.

These basic exercises were nothing to scoff at. Though they had little to do with the personal abilities the girls would awaken in the future, they were still especially important.

It all came back to that same point.

Fundamentals! Fundamentals!

At the edge of the field, a lecturer held a clipboard and occasionally called out advice.

"Dial back your magic output! That's an artillery strike, not a magic bullet!"

"How many times have I told you? Lock onto their presence before you attack! Don't just go by feel!"

Love and Thousand Blades leaned against the railing at the edge of the field, watching with great interest.

"This is pretty nice," Love said quietly. "They're all taking it so seriously."

"Mm."

Thousand Blades nodded.

For the