The year 2100.

The Tokyo nightscape spreading beyond the window was completely different from the one shown in old history textbooks.

Magnetic levitation high-speed vehicles ran soundlessly between rows of towering skyscrapers.

Massive three-dimensional hologram advertisements covering entire building walls shone as brightly as daytime, promoting new cosmetics and beverages.

What supports this city—no, all civilization on this planet—is an unknown resource discovered in space half a century ago: 'Magic Stone'.

The benefits brought by 'Magic Stone' are immeasurable.

Clean energy approaching infinity.

It saved humanity from an energy crisis and turned technologies that once existed only in imagination into reality.

But where there is light, shadow is always born.

When extracting energy from 'Magic Stone', or from the residue of exhausted stones, invisible energy known as 'magical power' can sometimes leak out.

That stagnant magical power combines with substances in the atmosphere and materializes into what we call 'monsters'.

Wolves, bears, or even large wild boars.

They take on forms resembling animals long native to Earth, yet possess bodies tougher than steel and destructive instincts.

‘…Well then. Time for work.’

I stepped away from the window and reached for the crude lump of iron resting on my desk.

My name is Himuro Shizuku.

I attend a public high school in Tokyo. I’d like to say I’m just an ordinary girl—but that wouldn’t be entirely accurate.

I was born with magical power inside my body and have the aptitude to control it on my own.

Occupation—state-operated idol magical girl.

That is my title.

In old stories, magical girls may have been mystical beings who saved the world.

In the modern era, however, it is a licensed profession managed by the state—and at the same time, a popularity business ranked by public support.

I stood before the mirror and operated my smartphone.

Opening the dedicated app displayed my current status alongside cold, unforgiving numbers.

【Magical Girl Ranking: 158th】
【Overall Evaluation: D】
【Subjugation Score: B+】
【SNS Popularity: E】

‘Overall D, huh. Well, that’s fair.’

There are about 200 magical girls registered in Japan.

Among them, my position is overwhelmingly closer to the bottom.

The reason is obvious.

The line reading ‘SNS Popularity: E’ says it all.

In today’s magical girl industry, it’s not enough to simply defeat monsters.

How beautifully you fight, how cutely you behave, how sweetly you smile toward drone cameras.

These ‘camera-friendly’ elements are valued just as much as—sometimes even more than—the number of monsters defeated.

The ranking is announced monthly by the state organization.

That ranking is everything for a magical girl.

The higher your rank, the greater the government salary bonuses, the more likely you are to become a major corporate spokesperson, and the more priority you receive for the latest equipment.

Conversely, an unpopular magical girl like me can barely maintain everyday life.

“Transform.”

As I muttered the word, my smartphone authentication activated and my body was enveloped in pale light.

A moment later, the high school girl in uniform vanished from the mirror, replaced by a ‘magical girl’ clad in a sleek black defensive suit.

Magical girl battle outfits are self-made.

Top-ranked girls prefer idol-like costumes adorned with frills and ribbons, but my suit strips away all unnecessary elements in favor of pure functionality.

Prioritizing mobility, defense, and above all my own fighting style, it looks closer to special forces powered armor than a magical girl outfit.

And my weapon.

Unlike the wands or swords typical magical girls carry, mine are heavy knuckles covering both fists.

‘Firing magic from afar just isn’t my style.’

I clenched my fists, confirming their weight.

For me, fighting monsters is work.

Physical labor—sweating and pulverizing targets.

When a monster is defeated and its magical power disperses, it flows directly into my body and further strengthens my base abilities.

That sensation alone is the one moment that makes everything worthwhile, no matter how unpopular I am.

The hovering drone waiting in the corner of the room activated in response to my movement.

A sphere about the size of a softball floated silently, a blue lens pointed at me.

“Recording settings. Manual mode. Standby until combat begins.”

At my command, the drone’s indicator changed from green to yellow.

This drone is the ‘eye’ that broadcasts our battles to the world.

But I only permit recording at chosen moments.

I refuse to sell my private life just to gain numbers.

If it means letting my daily life be filmed and commented on, I’d rather remain unpopular.

Beep.

An electronic alert sounded.

An emergency notification from the Monster Countermeasure Division.

“…Warehouse district. Accidental spontaneous occurrence, huh.”

The screen displayed abnormal magical power detected near warehouses in the harbor area.

No civilians nearby.

Which means no need to worry about fan service.

“Alright. Let’s go.”

I threw open the window.

Wind struck my skin through the suit.

One step into the night.

Channeling gravity-control magic into my ankles, I kicked vertically off the building wall.

It’s not that I don’t want to raise my ranking.

Higher pay would be nice, and good food too.

But I don’t have the courage to fake myself just to curry favor.

‘…In moderation is fine. I’ll just do my job my way.’

Knowing it was self-persuasion, I accelerated.

A single black shadow racing through Tokyo’s night.

Thus began the night of Magical Girl Ranking 158th—Himuro Shizuku.