I felt my breathing start to rapid, and I wondered if I had finally lost my mind.

[You'd better stay calm,]

A woman's soothing voice enveloped me.

[Hyperventilation will only further aggravate your wound.] While not a fatal injury, it's best to keep you as fit as possible in perfect health. ]

"You...... What are you? I whispered, my voice shaking. It paused for a moment, then one ear twitched.

[Maybe some explanation is needed after all.] Very good. I am an entity created by an alien race that you call "Zenith". As for me, the closest thing to a human being is a highly advanced artificial intelligence. While the correct explanation is much more complicated, you might think I'm an artificial intelligence made up of magic and unparalleled technology. I was born to assist humanity in its fight against the curse. Humans have begun to call us "acquaintances". Ha ha. ]

I suddenly realized. They always seem to have some weird little mascot animals and advertise with them. Even in the few Magical Girl shows I've watched, there are some weird but cute creatures that end up empowering girls.

A sharp pain reminded me of that moment, and I suppressed the tremors. I started to feel cold, aching, I was sweating all over. I looked back at the rabbit.

"I don't understand," I whispered. "Why me? I...... I'm not special, I'm not strong, or anything like that. So why me? ”

The devil's fox tail swings back and forth.

[On the contrary, Zenith not long ago decided that you are suitable for magic and can play an important role as a guardian of magic.] Otherwise, I wouldn't have been created. Each retinue is personalized from the start to match their potential Guardian, you know! I've even been watching you for the last twenty-three days, gathering more information and making a final assessment. After your recent actions, I decide. ]

"Oh......" I replied weakly. The pain in my stomach was getting stronger and more painful in my body. I'm starting to feel exhausted, and taking a nap sounds really good. If it weren't for the intense pain, I'm pretty sure I would have passed out long ago.

[Perhaps more questions should be left for later.] He made the devil's ears stand up slightly. [You're injured, although I'm limited in my ability to judge how serious the injury is without signing a contract first.] I strongly advise you to make a decision on my proposal as soon as possible. ]

This...... It all came so suddenly that it felt surreal. No fanfare, no gradual build-up, just a bang, fighting the curse, almost dying, and now an alien creature is providing me with a power that most people would die for. It's too much, and I want to ask a thousand questions, pinch myself, and make sure I'm not dreaming.

However, the Demon Pet was right. I don't have much time to think. I lay on the ground, helpless, bleeding, monsters roaming around. If I want to live, I have to accept reality and move on.

So I bit my lip and forced my brain to think about it.

Become a Magic Guardian, right? Isn't that what everyone dreams of? Except, of course, for the wound of the abdomen with an open abdomen. If I accept it, I'll be able to use magic. Magic, such as fireballs and flying ...... Well, pretty much anything, really. The laws of reality will become more like guidelines and advice that I can laugh at. Make me a superhero, an idol that modern society worships.

I also survived the mortal wounds. As far as sign-up bonuses go, that's pretty good.

Of course, I only saw the benefits and knew there must be a problem. There is no free lunch.

"Any questions?" I asked in a whisper.

[There are three provisions in the contract. The first one is generally the biggest reason why people don't accept it. In becoming a magical guardian, you pledge to use your powers to fight the curse and protect humanity in its struggle. This means that for the rest of your life, your destiny will be entangled with pain, suffering, and death. You have to realize that you can't be the light in the darkness without immersing yourself in the same shadows. Even if you don't directly confront the curses, you will still somehow try to alleviate the pain they cause, and in doing so will expose your soul to a never-ending tragedy of war. ]

Her words made me shiver, accompanied by painful frowns and hisses. I flipped through the words in my head, and it only took me a second to think about them. It was such a simple decision that I felt a sour taste rise deep in my throat when I realized why.

"Okay. The next condition. ”

There was a meaningful pause.

[Fear of death may influence your decision, but-]

"I did think about it!" I let out a faint cry and slammed my fist weakly against the tiles. "I don't think you understand. My life...... It's not going well, okay? But at least it's going to be a fight! This time, I will have the power to change the status quo and not just survive! ”

Tears began to blur my vision, and I gritted my teeth.

"Every day, always doing the same thing over and over again. Take the blow and roll with them. All I could do was live. I defend myself, but that only makes things worse. Can you imagine what that would look like? How helpless is it to face yourself? How futile is all this? Really wondering, what's the point of being alive if it's just never-ending suffering? ”

Hysterical struggle. How many times have I lied to myself that everything was fine? Will things change one day? Will I finally stop waking up every morning feeling utterly disappointed?

"I'm just tired of being helpless," I whispered. "I can't...... I can't anymore. I can't keep trying and failing. ”

The fox's tail behind the pet hung down to the floor, and it slowly lowered its head. I wiped my eyes with my sleeve and, after a few seconds of silence, continued in a gloomy tone.

[The second condition is vagueer, but it stipulates that you will not abuse your new powers.] Such as harming other humans needlessly, obstructing other magical guardians for no reason, or using one's own powers in a tyrannical way. You should be a beacon of hope, not a monster. Due to its far-reaching implications, the rule is more flexible and a warning is issued if it is deemed that you may have violated the rule. ]

"That's good," I shook my head. "In any case, I don't have plans to rule the world."

[Yes,] the female voice in my head had a hint of dry sarcasm. [Although your friend's desire to conquer Australia may be worrying.] ]

I blinked. Is it just...... Wait, how does it know -

[The last rule,] it interrupted my thoughts, [is that you agree that you will not try to break the laws of magic no matter what. There are a few, but they just cover the uses that you can and can't use certain magic. Time and mind magic are examples. In general, don't actively try to disrupt reality or enslave others, and you'll be fine. A more detailed explanation will be provided if necessary. ]

Rational. It's just that...... All of this sounds bad news.

"Okay...... I'm happy with all three rules. ”

[Excellent.] Know that violating any of these regulations will result in the deprivation of your powers and any assets you may have acquired during your time as a magical guardian. If all three of these provisions are agreed, then the last question I ask me, you will answer. Then we can start saving your life. ]

"Wait, what do you mean by 'we'?" I asked. "What happens when the contract is made?"

[The retinue acts as a personal assistant to the magical guardians, not only guiding them through new abilities, but also providing them with any assistance they may request.] Essentially, you will have a magical artificial intelligence in your head whose sole purpose is to help you for the rest of your life. That's why the Magic Pet is tailor-made for each Magical Guardian candidate. Extensive information gathering has been done to ensure that our personalities complement each other so that I understand every aspect of your life. ]

"Oh......," I said, a sudden wave of paranoia rising in my chest. What do you really know about me? ”

After a pause, I felt my throat tighten.

[It is no exaggeration to say that the zenith is beyond the capabilities of humans.] Any information relating to you has been obtained and researched. Once you start actively watching, it's safe to assume that if there's an electronic device that's able to spy on you, then it's hacked. Record conversations, film your activities, and much more. The only place that is not directly monitored by me, spells, or technology is your home. ]

Anger and panic rose in my heart, but the demon's voice soon continued to sound.

[I know privacy has to be valued.] The main purpose of gathering information is not to find out, but to determine if you are a suitable magical guardian. The power that comes with being a candidate is too great to give them much power unless you first make sure they don't abuse it. If this makes you feel a little better, I promise not to bring up anything that could be seen as crossing the line. My purpose is to help you fulfill your duties as a guardian of magic, not to judge or snoop on your personal life. What you choose to share with me and what you bring me in is entirely up to you. ]

I swallowed. I...... Really don't like this stuff and seems to know too much about me, but it makes sense.

"All right," I whispered, frowning bitterly. "I think it's going to work."

The creature's head bobbed up and down.

[So, if you accept the rules explained earlier......] a gentle voice urged.

When I met the gaze of the demon, I took a deep breath. I could feel the fear inside, but I didn't quite understand why. I ignored it because I knew it didn't matter anymore. I've already made a decision, well, everything. There was a gasp, and then it asked questions.

Are you willing to sign a contract? 】

"Yes," I replied.

Then I fell off the floor.

I screamed as the sensation of falling filled my throat with fear and plunged into absolute darkness as shadows clouded my vision. My back painlessly bumped into something, making a shattering sound. I saw shards of glass glittering in the shadows, and they began to descend with me, but everything suddenly stopped, frozen in mid-air.

Then I started to go back the way I came. Instead of flying through the hole I crashed into, I fell face down into the warm water. Is it a bucket? I was out of breath when the liquid filled my nose. I propped myself up and coughed a few times, trying to figure out where I was. All I could see was darkness, and when I stood up—

My eyes widened and I quickly looked down at my stomach. There were no wounds, and even my clothes didn't look torn at all. I frowned and gently touched my belly, and there was no unusual sensation. I took a few tentative steps forward, and the only sound was the soft rustle of water parting around my shoes. There was nothing around me but endless emptiness and shallow water.

In the next second, the lightning crackled, and a purple light suddenly bloomed in the shadows, like color TV lightning.

I could see a blurry pillar shape, a blinding purple glow rising from the water and shooting straight into the sky. There was something in the light that called me, called me to ignore my confusion, and I walked towards it.

As I got closer, my gaze adjusted, and I saw that the pillar was formed by an electric current shaped like a thorny vine. The core of this energy is pitch black, and the outline is purple, giving it an unnatural and eerie aura.

While the frozen, perfectly carved lightning bolts are beautiful, the shape of the thorny vines in each arc gives me a deep ...... Isolation, maybe? Emptiness? The vines were tightly wound together, almost as if they were trying to stop something.

I gazed at the amethyst lightning vines and found myself slowly moving around the columnar shape they formed. Even though they are tightly intertwined, I can still see the deep part of the column, and there is a strangely colored shape poking out of the hole. I finally reached the place where the vines didn't have so many clusters, and I stared at the small window formed by the vanishing vines.

My heart stopped beating.

A young girl is suspended a meter above the ground, covered in a barbed electric current. She was naked and petite. The skin is smooth and fair, like a porcelain doll. She was wearing nothing, ashamed, but lightning wrapped around her, as if artistically placed.

Her hair was jet-black, straight and silky, down to her hips, and a black veil accentuated her soft sleeping face.

Suddenly, she took a sharp breath and trembled. Her body spasmed slightly against the vines, but the vines clung tightly and crackled like electric shocks. Slowly, her eyes opened and met mine.

Cyan and scarlet heterochromatic eyes met me

My reflection? It's just that she has longer hair, alabaster skin, and—

Suddenly I was lying on the floor of the mall. Sharp pain erupted in my skull, and I screamed, closing my eyes tightly and trying to chase it away.

System updates

The Soul Gem was successfully formulated.

The reflex chamber stabilizes.

The signing ceremony was completed.

Mana resonance was recorded at 124%.

Access to the system has been granted.

Door access has been granted.

The voucher has been updated.

Error: Unable to unlock Astral Transformation.

The agreement has entered into force. See Help.

Discover pre-contract achievements. The reward has been applied.

The information that appeared in his head sounded in a discordant voice, followed by a female voice that excited the demon. For some reason, its text also appears like a subtitle:

[Get the Magic Guardian Starter Reward!] Welcome to the wizarding world! 】

[Earn 150 points]

[Rescued: 1 unarmed child]

[Reward: 10 points]

[Sacrificing Yourself to Save Others, Achievement Unlocked!] ]

[Reward: 100 points]

[Defeat (Troll Hound - Level 1)]

[Reward: 10 points]

[Total Points: 270]

[Unique enhancements available!] ]

I looked to the left and saw that the demon was still sitting in its same position. To my surprise, its pure white face changed. On each of its tails and near the tips of its ears there is a black fur that forms a ring. Between its eyes, more black fur forms the symbol of the crescent moon, and the original seven-pointed star-shaped pupil also changes.

[The contract succeeded," said my acquaintance. [As a close acquaintance of yours, I will begin working as a companion and advisor, answering questions and making recommendations based on your personality, background, and requirements.] I've now connected with your senses, so give me a moment to check your lifeform - oh......]

There was silence, I raised my eyebrows, and fear rose again.

"What?" I asked in a panicked voice. "How bad am I?"

[The injury is severe, but manageable.] It's just that...... Your pain tolerance is unusually high. ]

I felt my heart rate go down, I glared at the creature, it almost gave me a heart attack.

[Very good.] You should use your points to buy items that will heal your injuries. I'll explain your new abilities in more detail later. Is this acceptable? ”

"Of course?" I frowned. "But what do you mean by buying?"

[Magical Guardians are rewarded with "Points" for various activities, such as defeating monsters, completing quests, and saving people from danger.] With these points, you'll be able to access the "Arcane System" and buy everything from spells and abilities to more mundane physical items. Clothes, weapons, and technology beyond your imagination can now be obtained for just spending points! ]

"Wait," I stammered. "Task? Defeat the monsters? Didn't that notification have the level of the curse I killed? Isn't that like a video game? ”

[Very yes! In fact, I think you'll soon be pleasantly surprised by your new abilities. Regardless, your health and safety come first. It's been less than thirteen minutes since the first rift formed, and less than two minutes before you defeated the Troll Hound. It would be ideal for you to heal as soon as possible and get to the shelter. ]

2 minutes!? That's impossible! We had a full conversation, so brief!?

[I sense your confusion,] my demon said with some smugness. [We are in a time-sensitive position, and I have chosen to send my words to you as instantaneous blocks of information, and a quick conversation ensues, only to be interrupted by a brief silence.] ]

"Oh-oh," I stammered. "This ...... Very useful actually. ”

[This does make your brain a little nervous, so I'll "talk" to you normally outside of combat situations.] We can talk about that later, though. Now, let's start by saving your life. ]

"So what the hell are we supposed to do?" I asked. "Can you teach me healing spells or something?"

[No,] the woman's voice replied with undisguised joy. [At the moment we have only one way to save you.] ]

I raised an eyebrow, curious at my demon's excited tone.

[Let's go shopping!] ]