[b]“Studying as always.”[/b]

The Contractor said this aloud as it watched Miyako in the classroom from its perched spot. Out of all the wishes it had granted, hers had to be one of the most interesting in recent times. A Magical Girl that strived to be the very best was one that was rife with all sorts of opportunities and possibilities.

[b]“Apologies if I’m interrupting your concentration Miykao Komatsu, but why not use your magic to excel in your scholarly pursuits? What good is a wish to be perfect if you don’t take advantage of it?”
[/b]

Back at Miso High, Akame noted the Contractor’s sudden vocalization with a neutral expression. She didn’t know it, but this was preaching much the same thing as its counterpart near Miyako. Crossing her arms, she looked up when the bell began to ring.

[color=f26522]“Apologies Contractor, but some humans would rather obtain their goals without external influence.”[/color]

[b]“Is that so? You humans are all the same then. Confusing and redundant. I just don’t understand,”[/b] the Contractor mused before bounding off into the unknown. With that said, it was time for classes to begin. The first half of the day went relatively smoothly without incident and soon enough the lunch bell ringed. It was the signal for all the Magical Girls to gather and Akame hoped Nanako and the others had remembered her message.

When Akame entered the meeting place, she immediately noticed Rose’s sullen expression. Her concern only grew all the more as she noticed that Emiri was still not among them. Quickening her pace, she sat beside the water Magical Girl before asking, [color=f26522]“What’s wrong?”[/color]

Her question would not be answered as the shrill scream of a girl filled the air. One of the students had collapsed right in the middle of the lunch area, a large puncture wound shown on their side, fresh blood seeping out. Akame sensed then the presence of a Primordial and tensed.

Why here and now? And how had it gotten past her detection? Either these things were getting smarter on where they struck or they were evolving. Or maybe the Magical Girls were losing their edge. Whatever the case, they couldn’t reveal themselves in public as the other students began to be worked up into a blind panic.

Akame saw a glimpse of their enemy in the resulting chaos, the flash of a rapier catching her attention.