"A Witch's mana is 'negative emotion.' A Magical Girl's mana should logically be the opposite. But if I'm not mistaken, the 'soul' is a very important condition or medium here. You using mana feels like an oil lamp to me. Even using 'Grief Seeds' is just adding oil; it doesn't solve the fundamental problem. Naturally, you never know when it'll go out. The mana I speak of is a special 'substance' produced by the body. What I use is even more specific. While recovery isn't slow, it's impossible to fully restore in just half an hour..."
Lancer specialty was undoubtedly spearmanship; regarding "magecraft" or "magic," he was more of a user, but he understood the basic principles. He gave Kyoko a brief science lesson, but she looked utterly baffled. It seemed she was even less knowledgeable than him, simply using her powers without ever understanding the mechanics behind them.
The theories Lancer considered simple left Kyoko in a daze because she hadn't even heard of most of the terminology. Fortunately, she understood the gist: Lancer "mana" was different from hers, and it took a significant amount of time to recover.
"Is there really no way to recover mana quickly?"
"Of course there is, but it's better if 'kids' don't know about certain things."
Lancer words made Kyoko look annoyed. Though young, she had experienced things most people couldn't imagine. She never viewed herself as a kid—especially since a side effect (she assumed) of becoming a Magical Girl meant her physique hadn't changed in years. Unsurprisingly, she would likely still have this "legal loli" appearance in five years. Thus, she was exceptionally sensitive to the word "kid."
"Hmph! I'm not some little brat like Mami who just wastes time at school..."
Halfway through, Kyoko paused. Her mind couldn't help but summon an image of Mami Tomoe's curvaceous figure, which rivaled that of an adult. She felt like ten thousand arrows had pierced her heart.
"Anyway—tell me!"
Anyway? Where did the previous logic go?
Lancer felt her words lacked any coherence. But having known many women—forceful female colleagues, three drunks who were impossible to talk to after a drink, and a princess who looked like a Yamato Nadeshiko but was actually a NEET...
He had learned one thing: never try to reason with a woman, as it only overcomplicates a troublesome problem.
"It's simple: 'Mana Refilling'."
"Refilling?"
"Exactly. Two people with mana perform a 'body fluid exchange' to restore it. That said, our magic systems are completely different; there's no point in you knowing this. Besides, judging by your look, you don't plan on going after Kyubey immediately?"
Although Lancer expression was dead serious, Kyoko narrowed her eyes slightly.
This guy changed the subject...
Lancer subject-changing skills were definitely not top-tier; even Kyoko could see right through him. However, Lancer was just signaling an attitude: he didn't want to talk about it anymore. Kyoko wasn't going to go looking for trouble, and more importantly, there was Lancer other question.
"Now that I've calmed down, I know going after it like this is meaningless..."
Sitting on Lancer bed, Kyoko hugged her knees and lowered her head, lost in thought. Lancer shook his head.
Humans are simple creatures. After a surge of anger, they often enter a period of lethargy, much like Kyoko now.
He walked to the bedside and sat down directly beside her.
"I think that Kyubey fellow should have taught you one thing: to obtain something, you must pay a corresponding price. You gained the power of a 'Magical Girl,' but the price was your 'soul.' So, what is it you want to obtain now?"
Faced with Lancer question, the silent Kyoko thought for a long time before looking up, seemingly having made up her mind.
"I want the power to get 'revenge' on that bastard!"
She then sat up straight and looked Lancer in the eye.
"So, what do I have to pay this time?"
"Sweat!"
Kyoko froze for two seconds upon hearing this. Her slightly lowered eyes scanned Lancer body. Eventually, her serious expression crumbled into something subtle. Finally, she seemed to resolve herself, her face flushing as she looked up again. But just as she was about to speak, a finger was placed in front of her.
"Wait! Don't speak yet! Let me make this clear: the only way to gain strength is through hard work. So, answer my question again."
Classic Lancer. Having been misunderstood so often for reasons he didn't understand, he had long ago learned to "habituate." It was a bit sad, but at least he mastered the solution: explain things clearly, word by word, and there would be no problem.
Looking at Lancer "I see right through you" expression, Kyoko face—already a bit red—turned even redder because her thoughts had been guessed. She glared viciously at him.
"Of course I meant that! Did you think I misunderstood something?!"
With her head held high, Kyoko was like a kitten that had its tail stepped on, waving her non-threatening claws at Lancer with a "I'm going to bite you to death" expression.
Kyoko was still too young; a more experienced person would have thrown the question back at him, but she chose the most unwise method. Fortunately, Lancer didn't intend to tease her further.
"In that case, let's begin—morning exercise."
"?"
Seeing Kyoko baffled look, Lancer was actually surprised.
"Don't tell me you've never done morning exercises?"
"Of course not. A Magical Girl's body can be reinforced with mana. Why bother training?"
Users often fail to cherish power that is obtained too easily. A "normal person" like Lancer, who understood the importance of strength through life-and-death struggles, cherished it all the more. He would be ecstatic just to see his strength increase by 0.001 after a morning of training.
"That's why you lost to me. If you want to get stronger, get to training!"
Flicking the earring on his right ear, a red spear appeared in his hand. Seeing Lancer draw his weapon, Kyoko realized he was serious. She scrambled out of bed.
It looked like she wouldn't be escaping "morning exercise" from now on.