[center][img] https://i.imgur.com/zQQ6DRA.jpg[/img][/center]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/GuPBplr.png[/img]The mall became a smoldering wreck, more so than it already was. That much was to be expected with Maria finally transforming in who knew how long. Still, the place was already abandoned. From a tactical standpoint it wiped out Roma’s potential hiding spot, Ozma reasoned in her head. If she wanted to come back, she’d have to find a new base of operations. Maybe their faux mission wasn’t so fruitless after all? Of course, none of that mattered if any of the students were hurt. The Crimson Comet appeared in the lingering embers of Maria’s flames.

Still on her broom and having kept her distance from the teacher’s fight, she weaved her hands in motions as red runes and cast spells came forth to put out any remaining fires Maria started as well as fix any damage that seemed too obvious. It would be just their luck humans discovered the existence of Magical Girls. [color=ed1c24][b]“I came back because Valeria asked me to. And to make sure you were alright,”[/b][/color] Ozma finally said. Mentally of course. Maria could handle herself.

[color=ed1c24][b]“The students are protected. I trust Valeria to keep them safe.”[/b][/color] A pause. [b][color=ed1c24]“You can yell at me all you like about all this. [i]After[/i] we finish our work. I suspect we’ll have our hands busy for a while now.”[/color][/b] Her trademark smirk returned, more so to save face than anything else but it grew wider and genuine as she heard the rumbling shot of a boom in the distance. It sounded like one of Valeria’s tanks. [color=ed1c24][b]“Besides, I think you’ll want to have a word with the culprit more than me anyway. Let’s head back to the school.”[/b][/color] And head back they would.

The scenery that greeted them on Marrywell’s grounds was to be expected. It was bittersweet. On one hand, there in lay the destruction and damage, the many Magical Girls afflicted with a poison to their Grimoires no doubt by Roma’s hand. Ozma’s expression steeled momentarily at the sight. Whether it was distress or rage or perhaps even familiarity; it was difficult to say but her gaze remained vigilant. But the closer she observed, the more positives she found.

As it would turn out, Roma truly was crazy enough to attack the Grand Ministry on her own. The end result showed there wasn’t actually that much damage, at least any caused by her own hand. Ozma suspected Tesni was probably involved in some way; the Dynasty Queen could hold a terrible grudge. Whatever Pageless Roma summoned were since left slain by older Magical Girls and even those touched by her perverse Grimoire altering were tended to by Drossel the Tuner. Those first victims were already making a slow but steady recovery, their stories maintained under the librarian’s careful hand and tutelage in skill.

What was perhaps the most uplifting sight was Roma herself, carted and brought in by Valeria. The German easily made it back to the school before Ozma and Maria, as if to bring swift judgement for the sins Roma committed just an hour or so ago. Still, the entire scene, as hopeful as it was, remained off putting. [b][color=ed1c24]“Go and help the students,”[/color][/b] she told Maria, already moving to apprehend Roma with Valeria. Did Marrywell even have a holding center for the insane Magical Girl? It had been so long, Ozma almost forgot if they did. 

Still, even this close to the out of touch girl, it wasn’t Roma’s presence that unnerved her. No, it was rather the lack of one. Where was [i]she[/i]? Of all times to answer her school’s calls and actually do something for once…where was the Grand Minister? A familiar annoyance furrowed Ozma’s features. Now, more than ever, Marrywell, no, every Magical Girl present needed their forthcoming leader in these trying times-

[color=e91e63]“Have no fear my dear wizard. I am here.”[/color]

The Crimson Comet glanced to the school’s main officer where the Grand Minister usually made her residence. There, stepping down from the steps; there she was. Her presence was enough to make other Magical Girls pause, some outright puzzled and others jabbing each other in collecting bets that their leader was, in fact, actually real. Ozma swore the sun shined just a little brighter with each word she spoke.

[color=e91e63]“Ahhh….what’s become of my school?"[/color] the [url=https://i.imgur.com/va0gO9M.png]Grand Minister[/url] said with a smile. Clearly, she already knew the answer.
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