After grabbing a quick, overpriced coffee from a corner café—Sarah's severance pay treating—they headed to the Elysium Hero Association Headquarters, a massive glass-and-steel tower downtown. Holographic billboards flashed hero rankings, sponsorship ads, and portal alerts. The lobby buzzed with caped figures, reporters, and wide-eyed civilians.
Sarah sipped her latte, still in borrowed clothes. "This place is huge. Feels like applying for a job, but with more spandex."
Andrey adjusted his box of ex-office belongings. "Efficient structure. Centralized registration, standardized testing. Better than spreadsheets getting mana-fried."
They joined the line for the registration desk. A bored receptionist in a sleek uniform handed them forms.
"New applicants? Fill these out: personal info, known abilities, emergency contacts. Then it's the Awakening Verification Scan, written ethics quiz, and practical demo if needed. Most people with mana powers get fast-tracked these days—portals don't wait."
Sarah whispered to Andrey, "Ethics quiz? After that barrier nonsense? The system better not chime in."
System: Quiet mode engaged. For now~
Andrey filled his form precisely: Name, age, former occupation (logistics specialist—unemployed), abilities (Weapon Mastery, shared Magical Girl buffs). He hesitated at "Team Affiliation," then wrote "Pending: Magical Girl Squad."
Sarah scribbled hers, muttering about the outfit section being optional. "If they make me transform here, I'm blasting the desk with hearts."
The scan came next—a big archway machine that hummed and glowed blue as they stepped through.
A tech in a lab coat read the results. "Whoa. You two lit up the charts. Shared mana link? Unusual, but strong. And this pink energy signature... you're already active independents?"
Andrey nodded seriously. "We handled a Level 3 breach yesterday. Office portal. Casualties minimized, property damage... moderate."
The tech grinned. "Perfect timing. Association's pushing recruitment after recent spikes. Skip the full exam—provisional registration approved. Ranks start at D for newbies, but with verified combat, you'll jump quick."
They got temporary ID badges clipped to their shirts: Provisional Hero License – Rank D. A quick orientation vid played—rules about no unauthorized vigilantism, quarterly activity quotas, sponsorship opportunities, and "Magical Girl variants require costume approval for public image."
Sarah groaned. "Costume approval? Told you."
Andrey studied the badge like a new performance review. "Acceptable entry point. We can optimize from here. Quests for EXP, points for skills."
A nearby board listed beginner missions: Goblin cleanup in suburbs, escort duty, portal monitoring.
Sarah poked one. "Look, this one's 'Assist in minor rift containment.' Pays better than accounting."
Andrey cracked a small smile. "Team's first official quest?"
She bumped his shoulder. "Fine. But if I have to say a catchphrase, you're buying dinner after."
System: Quest accepted! Hero life unlocked. New feature: Guild Team Formation available soon~
As they headed out toward the mission briefing room, Sarah glanced at Andrey. "From fired office drones to licensed heroes in one day. This is still ridiculous."
"Efficient ridiculous," he corrected.
One step at a time.The mission briefing room was a stark contrast to the glitzy lobby: plain white walls, rows of folding chairs, and a big screen showing live portal maps. A dozen other D-rank and provisional heroes milled around—some in full costumes, others in street clothes like Andrey and Sarah.
A cheerful Association staffer with a clipboard clapped for attention. "Okay, newbies! Your first assigned quest: Minor Rift Containment in Sector 7—abandoned warehouse district. Reports of low-level goblins and one mid-size ogre. Standard cleanup. Team of two is fine, but you can pair up if you want."
Sarah glanced at Andrey. "Guess that's us."
Andrey nodded. "Optimal party size. Let's gear up."
They were directed to the equipment locker. Basic hero kits were free for provisionals: reinforced jackets, comms earpieces, mana-resistant gloves, and a few utility potions. Sarah grabbed a jacket that actually fit and some cargo pants—blissfully normal.
"No frills required unless I transform, right?" she asked the quartermaster.
"Correct. Magical Girl mode is optional for combat unless your powers are locked behind it."
Sarah exhaled in relief. "Thank the stars."
Andrey picked a simple tactical belt and a collapsible baton—his Weapon Mastery made anything lethal in his hands. He tested the weight, spinning it once. Satisfied.
As they headed to the transport van, Sarah's earpiece crackled. The system decided quiet time was over.
System: First official quest accepted! Bonus objective: Recruit potential Magical Girl #2 (Lisa the intern—last seen in Sector 7 evac zone). Reward: New outfit unlock (less frilly ver.) + team slot.
Sarah stopped walking. "Wait… Lisa's in the mission area?"
Andrey frowned. "Coincidence? Or the system meddling again."
"Knowing our luck? Definitely meddling."
The van dropped them two blocks from the warehouse. Yellow tape and evacuation signs marked the perimeter. A few Association drones buzzed overhead, scanning.
Inside the chain-link fence, the warehouses looked like a monster playground—broken windows, overturned trucks, goblin tracks everywhere.
Sarah cracked her knuckles. "Ready, manager?"
Andrey gave a small, determined nod. "Let's clear it efficiently. And… keep an eye out for Lisa."
They moved in.
The first wave of goblins came fast—ten of them scurrying from behind crates. Andrey flowed forward like he'd been fighting his whole life, baton blurring. One strike shattered a spear, another sent a goblin flying into a wall. Weapon Mastery made every motion perfect.
Sarah stayed back at first, then sighed. "Fine. Let's get this over with." Pink light flared. The frilly dress returned—though this time the skirt seemed a tiny bit longer, maybe the system listening for once.
"Heartstorm Volley!"
Pink lasers swept the remaining goblins into sparkly dust.
Andrey glanced back, approving. "Good AoE clear."
"Don't get used to the dress," she muttered.
Deeper in, they heard a muffled scream—familiar voice.
Lisa.
They sprinted toward the sound and found her cornered in a loading bay by the mid-size ogre—a twelve-foot brute swinging a girder like a club. Lisa clutched a broken pipe, shaking but standing her ground.
Sarah's eyes widened. "We've got company."
Andrey gripped his baton tighter. "Plan?"
Sarah raised her wand, pink mana crackling. "I distract, you flank. Then we have a very awkward recruitment talk."
Andrey allowed himself half a smile. "Efficient."
As the ogre roared and charged, the two ex-office workers moved in perfect sync—one in tactical gear, one in reluctant sparkles—ready to turn another disaster into the next chapter of their ridiculous hero life.
The warehouse shook with the first impact of pink magic. Somewhere in the distance, the system giggled.