Magical Girl with Demonic Time Magic-Chapter 71: Plans of a Genius

Chapter 71: Plans of a Genius
"...Setsuna, you seem worried," I murmur to Setsuna, who is sitting at the desk next to me, as soon as I arrive at school and see that she appears concerned and restless the whole time.
This is unusual, as she is normally never anxious. I wonder what is troubling her at the moment.
"Ayane, do you notice anything wrong?" She says, gesturing towards the outside where a strange number of students are passing through the hallway. This has happened several times, which is unusual given how strict the school is.
"Is something secret happening?" I say, not understanding.
"Ayane, I think there’s a monster in the school," Setsuna suddenly says, not in response to my question.
"..."
"Before anything else, I have a plan, but it requires your help. First and foremost, you must not become a magical girl. The monster won’t notice that you’re a magical girl if you don’t summon the uniform and your weapon," Setsuna whispers to avoid drawing attention.
"What you need to do is guide people to safety, stay calm, and when our class starts to leave, you should go with them and ensure the students’ safety. You can keep me informed through a cell phone call."
"S-Setsuna, why not call the base?" I whisper, looking to see if the teacher is watching.
"The cell phone signal is strangely limited. We can make calls, but only to nearby devices. I think there’s a monster in the school, and it’s controlling the civilians’ minds while blocking long-distance contacts," Setsuna says with precision, as if it’s nothing out of the ordinary.
’She’s so calm...’ It seems plausible the low cell phone signal, the students walking outside, and the slight unease I feel seem to fit with a monster attack.
’Setsuna noticed so quickly, she’s incredible.’ I think about becoming an angel. I need to do good deeds, but I shouldn’t be stupid. When I become an angel, things like this won’t be a threat to people anymore.
’Setsuna noticed the changes first. I should be more alert like her.’ It’s really exciting to have someone as incredible as her around. I wonder if being a genius also makes you a better magical girl.
"Setsuna, what should I do now?" I ask to better understand the plan.
"Just follow the students. I think the monster plans to hold the school hostage, but I doubt it can affect a very large number of people at once, so it will take some time."
"Your duty during this time is to find other magical girls and inform them that there’s a monster in the school. Tell them to search in places where the monster may have full access, like the administration, the principal’s office, and the school’s camera room."
"The monster will probably gather the students in the gymnasium, as it’s one of the few places that can accommodate all the students and still have space. But don’t become a magical girl under any circumstances unless it’s absolutely necessary."
"I also want you to calm down any scared or confused students. They won’t remember anything afterward, but panic can interfere. Remember, a magical girl’s duty is to keep people safe and well."
"If they panic, it will be more work, and we won’t be able to focus on the real problem. Also, try to contact the base every now and then," Setsuna whispers, but I understand the whole plan.
[All students from class A-2 in block 3, please follow to the school gymnasium calmly. This is not a drill. All students must go to the gymnasium immediately.]
An announcement is made over the school’s intercom system. Some students seem confused by the simple announcement, but Setsuna and I notice that some students are acting strangely, with overly mechanical movements as they get up and head for the door.
"Setsuna, do you think they’re being controlled?" I ask with doubt.
"Probably. I think the monster is controlling a number of 1 to 3 students in the class to create a rhythm. Look, the other students have decided to follow as well," Setsuna says as several other students stand up, some irritated by the poorly explained announcement.
’There are magical girls in this class. I’ll ask them for help.’ When I try to go to one of them, Setsuna grabs my shoulder.
"Wait, don’t alert anyone yet. Wait until they get to the gymnasium."
"W-Why?" I ask, confused.
"I’m going to try to catch the monster in a surprise attack. It’s better if I’m alone. I’ll sneak out of the line and through the corridors. Just inform the other magical girls once they’re in the gymnasium."
"Also, Ayane, remember that magical girls can also be controlled. It may be much more difficult, but it’s still possible, and if this monster can control the minds of so many people, it may also be able to control magical girls. Be on the alert."
"Y-Yes, I will!" I say as almost everyone has already left the classroom, following the line of students outside.
’How does Setsuna seem so prepared? Geniuses are incredible.’ She already seems to have thought of everything. I wish I could be as brilliant, but as she said, the civilians are the most important.
"Good luck," I say to Setsuna as I join the line outside. She simply nods and heads up a bit, turning the corner, and disappears no one even notices.
’She’s scarily stealthy!’ It’s impressive, but also frightening to see how she can just vanish. I guess her weapon now makes more sense.
"Haaa... now everything depends on me following her plan correctly," I murmur, following the students. I notice more and more students seeming to have mechanical moments.
’I don’t feel different...’ I don’t know how being mentally controlled works, but I must resist if I start to feel anything. Setsuna would hardly be controlled.
I gently tap the back of the person who is being controlled, poking them several times, but the person doesn’t react, which is quite unnatural, as if someone is poking your back, you’d normally look.
’Setsuna was right on the mark mind control.’ It’s undeniable now. I wonder if I can cure this. I try to use the healing magic cautiously, just moving my hand, but nothing happens.
’I’m still too weak for that...’ It’s a shame. I need to train more to strengthen the healing branch of my magic to the point where I can handle this kind of thing.
I can only follow while looking for the magical girls. In my class, there are two of them, and I’ll need to ask for their help. I quickly spot the two, and they seem normal, even a bit annoyed that we’ve all been called.
I slowly approach them as we arrive at the gymnasium, where there is a gigantic number of students waiting, some sitting in the chairs in a mechanical manner.
’M-My god, more than half are already being controlled.’ This is terrible, but I remain calm as I hold the hands of the two magical girls from my class.
"What do you want?" Hoshikawa Nozomi says, looking at me as if evaluating me, while the other girl also just looks at me, a bit annoyed.
"There’s a monster in the school. It’s brainwashing the students in mass!" I say, and the two seem completely surprised. They soon look at the students as if assessing what they’ve let slip by.
"...Tsk," The other, Hinageshi Akari, clicks her tongue and then practically drags me and the other girl to an empty spot in the gymnasium where the students haven’t gathered yet.
"Okay, so tell me what you know," Hinageshi says a bit coldly and hurriedly, but her concern is evident.
"I don’t know much, just that there’s some kind of monster in the school. My friend went to find its location. She told me to stay here and take care of the people, so as not to cause unnecessary panic or confusion."
"She also said to inform other magical girls that the monster is possibly in one of these three locations: the administration, the camera room, or the principal’s office," I say, a bit nervously.
"...Let’s put together an impromptu team for now. What’s your magic?" She asks, as if wanting to take me with them.
"Oh, no, I’m not going," Setsuna made it clear that I should stay here and only use my uniform and powers in an emergency.
"What?"
"Setsuna made it clear that I should take care of the people here, because extra things could happen, like the monster deciding to use everyone as hostages. Someone needs to stay here taking care of everyone, and that will be me. Besides, I’m not good at fighting, I would just get in the way."
"You need to go help Setsuna. She’s a beautiful girl with white hair and pink eyes. Her magical weapon is a gun, and she’s..."
"We know, we know, she’s the school’s genius darling," Hoshikawa interrupts me before I can finish describing her.
"So, stay here protecting the civilians. Me and Hoshikawa will go help your friend," Hinageshi says, while seeming to think of a plan.
"Other classes also have magical girls, but most of them are probably support types like you, so they won’t want to take risks. But if you need help..."
"The cell phones work at short distances, so we can communicate through them," I interrupt, taking out my phone.
"Give me your numbers," I say, showing my phone, and the three of us exchange contacts.
"You’re smart," Hinageshi compliments me with a smile.
"It was Setsuna’s idea. She figured everything out so quickly and made a plan," I say with a proud smile.
"Yes, it could only be a genius. Even as a magical girl, she’s so showy," Hoshikawa mutters, dissatisfied.
"Don’t mind her, Ayane. Hoshikawa is upset because her boyfriend broke up with her," Hinageshi says with a little smile.
"H-Hey!! You weren’t supposed to say that!" Hoshikawa says, blushing with embarrassment and anger.
"Okay, okay, save your complaints for later. We need to act quickly before the monster controls more people," Hinageshi says, already starting to pull Hoshikawa with her.
"Setsuna, the help is on the way! Just stay safe," I murmur as I run to a student who seems confused. I’ll make up some excuse to calm the general panic and confusion.