Obviously, this story taking its place in Academic city which is said to be 30 years ahead in technology, compare to the rest of the world. Whit its population over two million and 80 percent ratio of student vs adults, the scene starts in one of the TV shows hosted on local TV station. Or we shall directly head into certain TV studio whit stage for the "show host" behind the desk, the "show guest" on comfy sofa and auditorium for spectators. (moderator, an entertainer and the audience).
Today guest of the show was relative young stage actor who probably just entered the show business. He was acting like a show magician doing tricks and other spectacular stuffs. As he finished his latest "magical trick number" and received rewarding applause, he sit down to the sofa and had a chat whit the show moderator.
For a certain time the duo on stage had a conversation to fill the gap between the 'artperformance' numbers, where the moderator was asking the guest some questions, so the audience can learn about him and his art. This take a few minutes and then the artist declare his next number: "A (summoning) ritual to summon a fairy".
Of course this is the city of science and the artist make a short explain speech using scientific terms; what he will do and how. He even go so far to involve the audience when he say; That for this stunt of his, he need them to imagine a harmless fairy. His theory worked on principle to materialize the phenomenon though collective imagination and involvement of personal reality of many individuals directed by single direction. I other word; They will give the fairy the form.
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The audience got a time to prepare (they) image of the fairy, while the artist himself draw an (old school magical circle?) on two meters wide cardboard sheet spread on the floor using a chunk of white chalk. It was some funny locking symbols and the lines connected points as if they followed some hidden rules.
Host observing his work, make a commentary that its feel like they were back at school. Because like then, even now: He didn't understand a single thing that was on board.
When the show guest finished drawing, he make his last preparation for the summoning ritual making something like a (dance?). Then he crouch down, land his palms onto the magical circle, and vent to recite some (mystical?) chanting in (ancient language?). As for the trick, one can imagine that he was aiming to use the collective AIM field to materialize something like a small gloving orb, that will fly around. Whit a lot of imaginary power that can be called a: (will-o'-the-wisp) a mystical creature from fairy books, that are in some folklore called a fairies of the forest. But mostly it was a reference to some gloving night insect for the little kids to wonder.
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But… something got wrong.
Or we shall say that the trick went off the plan.
Artist eyes got wide open, when the circle actually light up whit glove. Then there was this (wuush) sound of air being sliced by something that moved very fast and instantly stopped, as if someone was teleported in. Next, as if someone dropped a smoke bomb whit ninja style (puff) sound; the chalk magic circle drawing explode into white cloud as if something actually (landed?) or dropped onto that circle from above.
Whit this sudden change of outcome, the artist himself got shocked and fall on his back.
Not just the moderator but even the audience went silent in expectation what come next.
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And so…. As the cloud starts to settle down a two human shaped silhouettes emerge from it. They were a (middle high school?) girls... As if the sudden summoning was confusing even for them, the two begin to look around. But when the chalk white smoke settle down a little, and they manage to glance at the audience… because for some reason they were facing the crowd… and for some reason they dint wear a nothing that can be described as causal or students uniform type of clothing that was standard for academy city, that they shall be normally wearing:... both of them froze in place whit a sweaty face of sudden realization where they are.
The magic of success of many TV show had its root into a lot of improvisation and the moderator was well experienced in it and swiftly give a commentary: "Wow, fairies those days really grow up into a healthy height. I'm right? For a moment, I thought we will get a word from a border control and customs office, when you managed to (isekai) [move to another world] a (battle hardened amazon warrior in shell bikini armor) and a (shy cleric in robe…) Wait!… Is that, the legendary naked hoodie girl robe??! Did the prophecy tales, spread only in spoken tongue, were actually telling the truth?" Then the moderator flick his finger as if he figure it. "That, or someone went on graduation adventure to fulfill some honorable guests. But they needed to expand the range of the teleport spell to find a client."
Only now the audience wake up from silence and awarded the quartet on the stage whit a healthy applause… No mater if the event was real or scripted show, they like it.
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But… In mere few second the brown haired girl snapped. [Misaka Mikoto, #3-Level 5, the 'Railgun' – violent tomboy and big sister like tsundere, (Anger/Kindness)] In her bikini shell armor, she stamp the stage whit her foot in clear show of aggression, and bark at her platinum haired companion. "Hey long-haired!! To (where?!!) are you send us?!!" She glanced at the hoodie nun who was without any expression already looking around; observing, analyzing like a machine, golem or specialist investigator. She even look directly down at the remains of the (magic circle?). Then directly up as if she was capable to see the stars through the solid room roof. Next at the curious moderator, then at the artist who had this dummy expression as if he somehow managed to realize that an accident occurred and he may be in trouble. But tsundere dint pay the duo any attention as she got serious glaring at the shorter girl in hoodie, realizing that her companion is onto something: "What it is?"
This finally make the other one, to snap from her (routine?) when a blood vein starts to pulsate on her forehead. Holding her hoodie thigh so it will not accidentally open and reveal the hidden truth, she make this sudden movement of her head that make the hood on top of her hoodie to fall back revealing her head whit platinum silver hairs. [Index (of forbidden books), the Grimore Library (magical books about magic itself plus they act like spell-books) – nun whit big mouth and bottomless stomach, (Gluttony/Temperance)] "Short haired… Shall I remind you the reason of (Why?) you had been honored with a title: (Zero manna melee gorilla.)?…"
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This reply went directly under the skin of the taller girl as she clicked her tongue in clear disgust. "Tsc!…"
But the nun finally barked back at the warrior girl. "To easy, not just yours confusion, but the confusion of everyone around, I declare that (the spell) worked as was intended. We were safely returned to our original world and to the city we call home. The condition of (safe return to our world) is quite unclear, when it is connected to spell witch reach transcend the world, that dint specified the exact location. Especially when the safe condition can be compromised if I insert a condition: (return to exact location of origin). You know that not just planet travel through universe, but even this solar system. Then…" She glanced at the artist still on the ground. "Because this one amateur, tried to make a stage show trick by making a cricket insect level of summoning… Then willing to claim, that the glow ball is a mystical (will-o'-the-wisp)... This circle was marked as safe landing spot." She returned her sight back onto her companion. "In possible case that you already forget; please try to remember, that no one from the previous world understand the concept of mental damage and social image. I must state that you adapted to that harsh and bluntly plain environment pretty well. The main prof to that claims is a simple fact, that you ignoring the obvious absence of our third member who got stuck on the exit gate. In other words he probably hit the road-sign pole by his forehead, when he failed to make the turn as we do."
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Only now the tsundere hastily look around in slight panic. "Hey!! This is supper bad!! We must save him!!"
But the nun was sour toward that idea. "Don't bother! I noticed that before the window closed for us, someone from this side sneaked in and went toward him as if someone on our side expect this will happen. So~o... He will eventually drop out somewhere. Like onto some woman in bath, who don't like him and will try to exploit the (I was in shock from the sudden appearance of trespasser and though he is an assassin.) excuse to its fullest."
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That explanation don't easy the worries of warrior in shell bikini armor. "Why did you make that theory so specific!!?"
But the naked hoodie cleric got a lite depressed. "Face it, its something that will probably happen to him. Or he will disappear onto another of his adventure as the supposed hero in another story. Or what ever will drag him around for exploits, like if he was kidnapped by kidnapper. Anyway, he shall pop out somewhere any moment. I will tell you when the gate open."
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As for the strike of destiny, the moderator received a message to his ear piece radio in his ear, and got surprised. "That's interesting… Someone already contacted us in regards of the two fairies that has been summoned to our show. Its?-- an encrypted message?"
The taller from the duo of girls was quick to declare she will not deal whit it and received a deep silent stare from the shorter.
But the moderator continued. "Okay?… It seems that we having an audio message for our fairies. Lets play it!"
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As he commanded; from the speaker echoed a melody voice of (tricky/foxy young woman whit girly aspects?) spiced up with (malice hidden behind a smile, honey sweet voice and cute silly girl pronunciation). One can on spot imagine that this voice belong to a politically powerful person whit too much power and free time in her hands, who do a lot of trickery. (Possibly having juicy young woman body whit ridiculously long blonde hairs.) "Oh Index cha~an♪, where is my 'walking church'?♪" [chan – suffix/label for a (female or close friend) name] At first glance, that simple (rhetorical question) or commentary, seems innocent.
But the eyes of the platinum-silver haired girl in naked hoodie, got wide open (Oh shit!) and her eye pupils got tiny like a single beans on dinner plate. Whit half voice she uttered a desperate comment of defeat: "You really shall take that one…"
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The taller girl notice that (Oh shit!) gesture and sincerely asked her companion if she okay. Then she thought about that message and just spoke her question: "What is a walking church anyway? When we arrived at that world I don't see anything like that."
The shorter girl was like in shock, as she reply. "Do you remember at my white tea set robe whit golden highlights?"
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Brown haired girl tiled her head at side as she thought. "You mean the cosplay blanket that boys used as campfire fuel, whit the rest of our clothing? What's up with that anyway?"
The platinum white girl gasped for air as if she was near to get a hart attack. For second or two she was shacking but then she made up her mind as she bark at her companion. "Short haired!! Because you don't understand the common, let me explain about the importance of this affair we just got into! First of all; a walking church, is an accurate replica of the (Holy Shroud of Turin) and offered ultimate protection from most attacks. Its a relic of high importance capable to connect the believers of the entire church, transmitting the power of they faith. As a symbol status its a property that represent the position of the head of christian branch."
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This knowledge acted like a shock of realization for the bikini warrior. "What? Are you some kind of pope of some sect?!!"
But that hasty question only enraged the naked hoodie nun. "How dare you, to call one of the tree main branches of christian denominations [religion (Christianity)] of the world; (a sect)?!! My position in the church is irrelevant to the position of person who send us that short question as if it was a voice of angel from heavens!" She lower her voice... "(On other side of coin, by yours language; she shall be something like my direct boss.)" Then she barked again... "But that only the secondary problem!! Because the head of the Anglican Church, a Laura Stuart, already figured out that we had returned from the (other world) and she already managed to reach onto us as if she was a border control officer for this planet. We are talking about a woman of questionable age and morality, who as rumors goes; shall be capable of waging a planetary wide war between the worlds. A trickster fox, thirsty to make a power move, whit to many tricks in her sleeves and a too long reach of her executive powers. (Moreover, I am a member of one of the groups dealing whit executive tasks.) And I shall specifically remind you that some wars were fought over less meaningful reasons, that just scratched national pride by some punks on field trip. Not to speak out about something so lame as a revenge prank as a symbol of defiance about enforced order in the group." Suddenly she was just angry and must spoke up her complains toward her companion. "Before you make any excuses, I shall clarify the facts and mentioned; that we will not have this particular problem, if certain (zero manna melee gorilla) and other power house girls; were not such a violent tsunderes."
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Of course the taller girl feel the raising temperature of her blood. "Don't think that I will not zap you, if you continue to call me that." But this warrior still manage to state up her defense before the court. "They were asking for that life importance lesson for a quite long!"
But the shorter prosecutor was holding her ground. "Unnecessary violence led to the fact that they felt wronged and had the urge to take revenge against preventative collective punishment."
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Brown haired girl stomp the floor again. "That's not the point! Waging a war over silly things is ridiculous!…" Then she realized something and cool down. "Wait!… Speaking of ridiculous, you robe was already a tore up mess, even before we got there. Whats more it was like that for a quite of time and you even tell me that you like the breeze. What are you hiding?"
Suddenly the platinum-white girl gets very depressed as if she remembered at some trauma. "Against (the most precious treasure for all mages), sometimes called (Anchor of the world)... The walking church honorably stand its ground for like a half minute... Then it exploded to pieces like my pride. Everything was on clear display as I was standing whit closed eyes in priggish pose like an unequipped mannequin in a clothing store window."
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Bikini armor bristled to the point one can imagine that her own body hairs stood up. "A commando?!" [no panties under the clothing] But the nun obviously dint know what that terms means in this context as she look at taller girl whit question in her face. So the warrior averted her blushed face and gritted her teeth in annoyance. "She doesn't know!..." It take her one roll of her eyes to get back into herself, changing the theme. "So how long until the idiot get here?"
Naked hoodie girl tiled her head in confusion. "Here? A safe landing point is a very illusive concept, especially for him. I only staying here so I can observed the connection behind this window to see when he will drop out..." Then she stop herself whit (Oh?) as she noticed something and look up. "The spell is done, connection is dissolved and the gate vanish. That's means he already drop out somewhere. God news is that is somewhere in Academic city. If we are lucky he dropped out somewhere onto the forest park in mountain."
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There was a hint of hesitation but she asked anyway. "And if we don't?"
The answer was nearly in a dry voice. "I think: one of those buble-buble spa baths tubs. Then he will tried to act confident to fight back his panic attack, when someone walked into the bath room to take that particular bath. But on contrast that person stared at him like a fox onto a rabbit."
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The tsundere dint bother to give a proper comment to that theory whit passive aggression. "Then lets go!"
But the big mouth nun was hesitant. "Quick question: Do you want to go out on street wearing that outfit? We are no longer in a world without a sophisticated concept of social dressing culture. I suppose that you can play it out as one of those cosplay thingy. But i can clearly imagine, that certain people in blue uniforms will definitely have complains against what I am wearing. And I don't think that being a nun will help me anyway."
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This make the taller girl to stop whit a question on her face. "He?"
"Maybe we can sell those clothes you wearing. As I can see that in contrast with the obvious, still many eyes are pinned on you, as if you had been a model on catwalk, wearing the latest end-game armor model, during fashion exhibit in front of the audience of high level collectors."
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She instantly got red as the feeling of embarrassment returned from first time when she was wearing this because like others she had no other choice. "You mean, because the material from which this thing is made it. Right? Right?... Because it isthe other world materials that can have an explicit science value, I am right? Not because I am famous and they already putting a collectors auction for some costume just because you mentioned it. Not that what you are wearing will have more value..." Then she realize something. "Wait. That hoodie had enough material to be turn into two or tree regular clothing. And if we combined it whit others, it will be just fine… Damn it!"
Suddenly the shorter of duo was out of emotions. "And you dint disclose this information to me for this entire time, because...??"
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Brown haired girl gritted her teeth trying to bring up some excuse. "It dint come to mind?… Because environment?... The initial shock?… The boys put so much effort onto the costumes that the lack of any resources dint left any space to even thought to modify something that was custom made... A-- and why you suddenly asking for money?"
Silver haired girl continue to stared at her companion. "Do you have any, or not?... Or any other valuables?"
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But the warrior was hesitant to answer that question. "Kinda... Do-- you have any?" It was obvious that she doesn't expect the positive answer.
The nun girl starts to (search?) her hoodie robe and pulled out some seeds. "I have only those not recorded seeds and roots that I though I shall bring for the botanic expert in the library. But because of the circumstances of emergency, I have only half of the original pack left, as they were sacrificed."
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The taller girl raised her eye brows. "You made pockets in that coat and don't though you can use you saving skills to turn it into a regular clothing? And it was actual gold that was on yours previous robe? I can see that, when nobody cared to steal it, you just collect it from the ashes of the campfire and store it in handmade pockets at bottom. And I though you are just desperate when you dig into the burial. But more importantly, how can you tell from the entire forest that those are seeds not know to our world? Its not like you just decided to bring an unknown species to get rich, just to realize that this one already existed here for a long time."
"Lissen, I read a lot of books. But to make it for you easier; I read all books I could get my hands in that multi-store public library and bookstore, and probably all bookstores on side roads on this city. But they don't allow me to enter the sections whit the red circle. Because of that, there is a possibility that there is a book where those plants and trees are described."
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"You don't trying to sneak into this world that big one? You don't thought about the environmental impact it can bring on this planet, don't you? And do you actually realize about how big mountain of book you are talking about? That's a pretty hardcore NEET statement you just made. [NEET a young person who is no longer in the education system and who is not working or being trained for work.] How can you or anyone possibly manage to read them all? Is you talent a book worm?"
But shorter from the duo tilled her head on side. "What are you talking about? I am still nun in training with unique specialization. Plus I having a perfect memory."
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For a short moment the brown haired girl made a sound as if she was chocking. "Are you something like a walking library, or what?"
"Do you never bother to thought what my full name actually means?" [Index Librorum Prohibitorum. Literally: "Index of Prohibited Books" (Index – record of set of books) She read them all and don't get affected by them, other that got bottomless stomach. Original grimoire are (magical entities?) who wants to spread they TABOO (not safe wisdom). But many people get hurt, because they don't been worthy/(strong?) to wield it.]
Then the moderator, who probably got the entire picture of the situation, decide to improvise and call for them. "Ladies, ladies please. I can guarantee that many here wishing to know yours names and the adventure you made. Lets sit down, so everyone can get to know you!"
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But the warrior in bikini armor bark at him without a hesitation. "Get the picture already! We are not a part of this show!" Then she stomp the floor once again. "That's it, we raiding the costume dressing room for something more suitable for this realm." -and she just start angry walking out of the stage.
Of course the naked hoodie raised her voice too, in rebuke tone. "And here we going again: Unnecessary barbaric violence. That world really put its marks onto you." But she redirect her attention to the summoner. [the artist] "And (you!). Because you are an amateur, you will probably got out of this only whit admonition. [rebuke] But, stop putting an actual public exit points on such obvious or public place. You really messing whit the transport network that depends on dark corners and access codes."
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The violent tsundere heard that, stop, turned bark and yell at the other girl. "Are this long range teleportation a wide used thing?"
Without a delay the big-mouthed nun went after the taller girl. "You just experienced a different world full of different sets of world level phenomenons, while taking it as a normal excursion in foreign country. And you questioning a traveling not bounded into a distance and time, which you roommate doing daily on smaller scale. Speaking about annoyance, we shall include onto our to do list a real bath."
And those girls just left.
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With the female duo gone, what left on the stage was only moderator and artist. As the show guest finally stood up from the floor, whit expression of person who survived an encounter whit an amazon warrior or (wild animal?); the one behind the moderator desk make a commentary. "Well, from my perspective; this was an unexpected success. I though that those rituals about summoning a mighty warriors to other world, who will save the world in danger, are just a fairy tales, that are described in some old books about heroes and dragons to spend a time by wondering. But seeing two of those fairy's on my own eyes was something unique, indeed. I suppose we had enough of culture shocks for a day and we shall say that its nearly a time to end this episode." Then he redirect his attention to the artist who just join him and the moderator ask him for his final thoughts.
Bot had a short conversation witch lasted to the end of today's show episode. And as they bot stand up; on the end, the moderator asked the audience for one last big applause for his guest.
End
[By Dretnoth 28 April 2023. Edit 22 Aug 2024]