Epilogue

What were dreams?

Scientifically speaking, dreams were no more than a series of thoughts and memories that occurred while a person was sleeping.

However, setting the definition aside and embracing subjectivity, the dream world could be a place of wonders where anything was possible.

A place for indulgence, an escape route.

An expression of wishes and desires.

A dream has its roots deep in the person's mind. Exploring your dreams was the same as exploring your subconscious. Perhaps that was why it was said that dreams had various meanings or was a supernatural means of communication.

But what made dreams good? Simple, it was the fact that they were fiction, thus not limited to the rules of reality. As mentioned, everything was possible in a dream.

Would you rather live in a happy illusion or a harsh reality?

This question is one of the most fundamental philosophical questions.

It was not about which one was better; it was about which one was the "less bad."

*****

Two people were facing each other in that old training room, a boy and an aged lady.

The old woman exuded an air of authority, her arms crossed as she gazed coldly at the boy before her. His tear-filled eyes betrayed his pain, his battered body bearing witness to the grueling training he had endured.

"Grandmother, I can't do this anymore!" the boy cried out, gesturing angrily, his voice trembling with frustration.

"Quiet," she responded calmly, her tone carrying the weight of a thousand experiences. The boy flinched, feeling the weight of her words pushing him back.

"I can't be what you want me to be!" he pleaded, desperation etched into every fiber of his being.

"I don't care how long it will take. I will make you my successor," she said, pointing at the exit with her chin and looking down at him. "Now, go. We're not over yet."

The boy's heart burned with anger, yet the tears he yearned to shed were imprisoned within. Contempt flashed in his eyes as he looked at the old woman, her stoic demeanor only fueling his frustration. Clenching his fists and gritting his teeth, he turned away and left, his steps heavy with unresolved emotions.

Loud voices and fighting were always part of that familiar training room, but it was dead silent that day.

*****

"...ki-chan...zuki-chan!"

Suzuki Ren lay on hard, cold ground. His head ached a bit, but it seemed like he had something cushioning it. A sudden brightness assaulted his closed eyes, making him grimace. 

"Aghm"

He felt something hitting his chest repeatedly, like a professional massage, except it was heavier and more painful. He heard a muffled voice but was too dizzy to comprehend what it was saying. 

He could not move his body. 

Memories of him fighting a man with sunglasses flashed in his mind. He remembered the feeling of his blood boiling, the ecstasy, the pain being erased from his body. 

And he remembered everything suddenly going dark.

And also some unpleasant moments.

Oh, right, I passed out.

Did he push his body to its limits? What is this, a generic comic where the protagonist has a hidden power and loses consciousness every time he awakens it?

Suzuki Ren was a boy with no hidden powers...and no beasts sealed in his soul.

Time passed, and Ren felt control of his body returning to him. 

He mustered some strength and briefly opened his left eye.

Airian was using Ren's chest as a trampoline.

He was even doing stunts like front flips.

"Suzuki-chan! Suzuki-chan! Suzuki-chan!"

"A-Airian...?"

"Ah! You woke up! Suzuki-chan! Suzuki-chan! Suzuki-channn! 

Ren tried to lift his body, but he felt his strength waning. He forced his core, but he only managed to lift his neck. He cracked his head around to look at his surroundings without any choice. He spotted a bed with a pink blanket, then pink walls, then a white-pink wardrobe, then a wooden desk with pinkish decoration, then a familiar feminine uniform from his school...

Sweat started dripping from his forehead as he concluded where he was. Mixed feelings began brewing in his head. 

"This is Master's room," Airian confirmed his suspicions.

"What!?"

Wahhh!? Hirawa-san's room?! This is the first time a girl invited me to her room. No, wait, I wasn't asked, she brought me here!!

Strength seemed to return to Ren's body for a moment.

Hold on... This thing cushioning my head, could it be!!??

In a moment of ecstasy, Ren, taken over by delusions, forced his neck to move, ignoring all the pain that resulted from that. He got into a weird position but could finally move his eyes and see what it was.

What he saw crushed all of his dreams.

It was a pillow—just a plain old pillow.

"Gahh...!"

Ren tumbled to the side.

"You okay, Suzuki-chan? Hey! Don't cry! I know your body hurts, but you're stronger than that!

Of course, there were no tears in his eyes. Nothing. Not a single drop. Nope, he would not cry over that. It did not matter that it was a mere pillow. Yes, it was just because of the pain.

Incidentally, a teenager's mind could not be underestimated. Their ability to create delusions was greater than you think.

Another thing, when Ren looked at the disappointing pillow, he spotted Otohime, who was also sleeping. She leaned against a wall, using her knee to support her head. It was a rather strange way to sleep. 

"Oh, I should wake up my Master, too."

As he said that, Airian hopped off Ren's chest and walked to Otohime. He pressed his back against her leg, pushing it away, which made her head fall. She instinctively woke up, raising her head.

"Master, Suzuki-chan's awake!"

"Um, Suzuki-kun?" Otohime said with a sleepy voice.

She glanced at Ren, who was totally not curled up like a sad child. When their eyes met, Ren twisted his body like a cat in the air, readjusting his posture.

"Ah, Hirawa-san."

"Are you feeling better?"

"Not much. But, well, I woke up, at least."

"Good. Then, Suzuki-kun, let me report what happened after the fight."

Otohime said that after Ren passed out, she called for help. She had Japanese Anti-Magical Organization reinforcements apprehend everyone and take care of Ren's injuries, also casting some healing magic on his body. When they finished, she brought Ren to her apartment. She also told him about a complex machine or whatever she had to destroy but had trouble getting past its barrier. 

"And what happened to the sunglasses guy?"

"We searched for him in the area but couldn't find him. The Magical Organization agents also encountered a stronger mercenary who fled when they were distracted. Though I don't know the details."

"I see. Is this over now, then?"

"You mean the stuff with Mystikos? No. But they'll most likely slow down their movements for now."

"Well, that's nice."

Ren had wrapped himself into this Mafia thing, frustrating their plans. He would have been targeted if everything he had seen in movies were true. Hearing that they would step into the shadows was truly a relief.

"Anyway, Suzuki-kun. You're staying here tonight. I've already contacted your sister. She was mad that I was calling her at this hour, but she was overjoyed when I told her you'd stay at my house for some reason."

"You told Kuriko what?! Oh, man...! It would be such a hassle to clear up this misunderstanding."

"A-as I expected. You don't really want to sleep here."

Otohime's cheeks reddened, and she averted her eyes from Ren, who opened his mouth wide. He shook his head repeatedly while also blushing. He suddenly felt a gun pointed at his head, ready to blow his brains off. 

"I-it's not like that, Hirawa-san. I-I'm glad you're letting me borrow your room."

"I-Is that so? Okay. It can't be helped. Because of the situation."

"Y-yeah..."

The pink atmosphere could pressure any bystander.

But a white squirrel was smugly shifting his eyes between the two humans in the room. 

Airian smiled, exposing his tiny fangs.

"Heh, heh, heh! This is the perfect moment!" He jumped in between Ren and Otohime, then raised his paws (?) upwards. "Partner program!!"

"W-what!? No! I told you I wouldn't do this!"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk," Airian loudly clicked his tongue in disapproval. "You're naive sometimes, Master. Didn't you see how strong Suzuki-chan is!? You'll be staying in this city for some time, so he's perfect to be your partner!"

"Partner?" Ren tilted his head, puzzled. "You mean someone to..."

"Yeah. A partner! A professional magical girl needs a partner to help her in battle. Every Valkyrie has one, except Master!"

"I've told you I don't want to involve anyone in my work, Airian!"

"You need him, Master! He'll help you grow, and you'll help him grow, too. Aye! There are no negative points! Suzuki-kun! Do you want to become Master's partner and aid her in battle?"

"Ahmn? Sure, why not."

"Then, Master! Do you want Suzuki-chan to become your partner, reaching a hand to you when you most need it?!"

"Uh...."

Otohime's gaze drafted toward Ren. Her face turned pepper red, and it seemed like steam would come out of it. She looked down, conflicted, muttering the word partner.

Then quietly, she said.

"O-okay..."

"What?!" Airian gestured, putting his paw on his ear. 

"I-I said it's okay..."

"Whaaaaaat!? I caaaaan't hear yoooouu!?"

"Ahh, damn! I said it's okaaaaaayy!!!!"

Otohime placed a hand over her mouth, realizing she had raised her voice too much. But it was too late. Her gaze met Ren's, and they shared a pepper-red face before averting from each other's eyes.

Airian was the only one totally composed.

"Then it's settled! Partner Program, start!!!!"

Airian bit his paw, drawing a small circle of blood on the ground. The circle took the shape of a magical circle, then started brightening bluish-white. The light engulfed both Ren and Otohime. A gentle warmth invaded their bodies.

"Ahahahahaha! Radiant Virtue Otohime and Ren! By the power conceived to me, I declare you, Partners!!!!"

The warmth lasted a while. Otohime seemed happy and confused, and Ren felt a strong urge to stand up and hug her, but the pain in his body prevented him. 

Hirawa Otohime and Suzuki Ren were now partners.

*****

Some moments before.

Hirawa Otohime liked to be on high ground. Seeing the city lights contrasting with the moon and stars passed a relaxing vibe to her. She would go there if she wanted privacy.

Although total privacy was difficult for her due to her contracted spirit.

The phone tower had little space, but it was enough for her. She stood up, gazing down at the city. The wind fluttered her hair and clothes.

Otohime needed to organize her thoughts.

However, a beep rang out in her ear.

"They're calling me now, seriously?"

It was a call she could not refuse, so she reached her hand and pressed a small button in the intercom attached to her ear. Whoever was on the other end began talking as soon as the call started.

"Valkyrie, Hirawa Otohime, you have new orders."

"What are they?"

"To supervise Suzuki Ren."

"What?! Why would you do that all of a sudden?"

"This is a direct order from the Board Chairman. Your report has piqued her interest.

"How? I don't think I've reported anything worth mentioning...

"This is not my place to speak. If you have questions, you shall contact the Chairman yourself.

"But...what about my previous job?

"It will be your job to confront Mystikos and supervise Suzuki Ren."

"Easier said than done."

It was then that the call cut off, making a loud sound of static that hurt Otohime's ear. It only lasted for a quick second.

What happened?

Otohime had a bad feeling about this.

"Hello, Otohime-chan. How are you doing?"

[No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no! What are you doing?!

Otohime's instincts proved itself precise again, not that she was happy about that at this moment.

She would have recognized that voice even if she were miles away.

"Is that how you answer your superior?"

"Kh. Sorry, Chairman."

"Hahaha! You're shaken, I assume?"

"Of course I am! What's with that order you gave me?"

"What? Do you find it strange? It's true, though. The boy you mentioned in your reports interests me for some reasons. Besides, if he has a talent for magic, I'd be glad to bring him to my academy."

"He himself says he got no magical power."

"That's not a problem. In reality, that's what interests me. Anyway, Otohime, they'll recover the call soon enough, so I'll be short. Observe this boy. You don't need to go as far as to stalk him but try to get closer to him to get information. That's what you have to do.

"...Understood."

The call was cut again with the static sound.

"Valkyrie, your orders are that. Good luck."

And so they finished the call. Otohime was left confused, with question marks popping out of her head.

She had seen that Suzuki Ren was not as ordinary as he constantly affirmed himself to be. It seemed as if common sense did not apply to him.

"I mean, who smiles when they're fighting for their life? It was almost like he was used to battling."

Otohime knew that her questions would not be answered right away.