Date A Live Encore - Volume 4 - Chapter 5

Mana Mission
At DEM's England HQ in the city of London, Mana was sparring in the training room with Jessica. Jessica blocked Mana's attack with her Territory, but realized Mana held the advantage in magic power. Jessica then tried to attack Mana with her cannon at point-blank range. Mana responded by using her Territory to deflect the attack.

 
Before long, Mana's laser blade was placed on Jessica's neck. Jessica accepted her loss by lifting both of her hands. Mana's CR-Unit <Murakumo> then disappeared and she changed back into DEM's uniform. The surrounding scenery is once again a room surrounded by a white wall.

 
Mana stood in front of the mirror in the training room, and saw a small girl aged about 13 to 14 years old with a mole under her eyes staring back at her. Mana's exact age is uncertain. After fixing her hair, Mana tried to leave the room, but Jessica stopped her.

 
"Is there anything you still want?"

 
"Obviously there is! I won't allow you to just win and leave!"

 
"Win and leave... I said I have something to do, but you forced me with your match, and you promised only one match. The bank will close if I don't leave now."

 
"Shut up! If I said one match, I meant one match until I win!"

 
"What kind of logic is that..."

 
Jessica pointed her finger at Mana and complained about how she can't accept an Asian girl being in the Adeptus Numbers. She was even more upset that Mana was Adeptus 2, exceeding her Adeptus 3. Mana said she didn't care, and if Jessica wants to be Adeptus 2 that much, she should ask either the Department Manager or the Company Director for it.

 
"That kind of self-confidence. Don't tell me... you..."

 
"Eh?"

 
"I see… I thought it was weird, so that's what happened. What a dirty girl! You seduced Westcott-sama for your current post…"

 
"Aww... the company director is a lolicon?"

 
"No way he is! I won't allow anyone to insult Westcott-sama."

 
"...I think I know someone who indirectly insulted him just now."

 
After some chatting, the door in the training room opened. A girl with Nordic blonde hair in a black suit then appeared - Ellen M. Mathers. Ellen asked Mana and Jessica what they were doing, since she didn't receive any application for usage of the training room.

 
"This is... a kind of training..."

 
"That's right. Jessica said she won't allow Wizards ranked higher than her, and that whoever won the match will become Adeptus 2. Then, she said she will defeat Mathers and become the world's strongest! Or something."

 
Jessica argued against Mana's accusation, claiming that she didn't say she wanted to become the world's strongest. Ellen took interest in Mana's words and looked at Jessica, causing Jessica to shiver in fear. Ellen informed Jessica that it had been a while since someone challenged her for the title of world's strongest, as she changed into her CR-Unit <Pendragon>. Mana waved her hand and left the room.

 
After Mana left the room, she heard a scream coming from inside. Thinking that she may have overdone it, Mana gave Jessica a Japanese-style prayer. Mana then went to the locker room, changed her clothes and left the building.

 
Once outside, Mana looked up at the DEM building and took out a locket. Inside the locket is a picture of a boy and a girl standing next to each other. The young girl is Mana, and the other person is her brother who was separated from her for life.

 
Mana gripped her locket tightly and mumbled, "Nii-sama...". This locket is her only clue of her past. Mana doesn't have any memories. What's more, she doesn't know why she is in England, or why she has such a high aptitude for Wizardry. All she knows is that DEM saved her and took her in.

 
Mana sighed a little and looked at the locket. The chain had broken, and when Mana was in a hurry to get it fixed, Jessica asked her for a match. Mana put her locket back into her pocket and headed to the bank to withdraw some money before going to the repair shop.

 
Thanks to Mana, Jessica was forced into a training match with Ellen. After they had finished, Ellen rebuked Jessica, saying that the title of world's strongest is not something someone of Jessica's caliber could shoulder. Jessica objected to Ellen's scolding by saying that she had never claimed to want that.

 
After that, they heard an announcement coming from the speaker calling for the 'Three Persons of the Second Execution Department' — an alias for Adeptus 1-3, Ellen, Mana and Jessica — to go to Westcott's office immediately. Ellen and Jessica quickly rushed to the office. Inside, a man in a black suit, DEM Industry Management Director, Isaac Westcott, greeted them.

 
Westcott explained that he had received a call from the police, requesting DEM's help. Apparently, a bank robbery was taking place in the city, and the criminals had taken nearly 100 people hostage. While Jessica was thinking that it would be an easy job — although it must be kept secret — for Wizards with an Emergency Device, Ellen did not seem convinced and questioned Isaac.

 
"Although the head count is small, The Yard also has Wizards. Why did they ask us?"

 
"Because there are a few Wizards among the criminals."

 
"I see. Even still, they could still deploy their own Wizards. If they don't have enough people, they could always ask the SSS. Artemesia Ashcroft alone should be more than enough."

 
"Also, Wizards? Whose Wizards are they?" Jessica asked. Since Wizards have to get a special device implanted in their brain, unless you were in DEM, it was impossible to receive such surgery without being associated with a government agency.

 
Westcott explained that the Wizards involved are Charlotte Meyers and two other partners. Westcott had scouted them right before they were punished by the SSS due to Realizer misconduct. Ellen told him that she had warned him to not recruit someone with such problems.

 
Westcott then asked where Mana was, since he had thought that Mana would be the best person for the job. The criminal would be easily caught off-guard when faced with a girl of her age.

 
"Ah… she left a while ago."

 
"Where did she go?"

 
"Err... I think she said that she was going to a bank... ah."

 
"...So, why did it come to this?"

 
Sitting on the lobby floor of the bank, Mana's hands were tied behind her back, and she was surrounded by a group of criminals equipped with guns. When she had entered the bank to withdraw some money, a criminal group had rushed in and had quickly taken over the floor and shuttered all of the exits.

 
Mana looked around the lobby. The 5 criminals in the lobby were finished with their robbery.

 
Before them sat a Boston bag full of money. However, even though their objective was complete, the criminals were not leaving. The police had already surrounded the building, but they still had some allowances.

 
Mana then noticed that the head count was lower than when they had rushed in. She came to the conclusion that they must have some other objective and a way to escape. "Well, it's no use thinking about it" Mana mumbled.

 
While Mana could have easily defeated them, she wasn't allowed to equip her Wiring Suit since there were witnesses. Mana then decided to simply observe the situation. That moment, one of the criminals became annoyed by the crying voice of a girl and pointed a gun at her. One of his comrades warned him that the boss had told them to not kill anyone.

 
Having heard the warning, the criminal put his gun away. "So it's okay if I don't kill?" he said and tried to kick the girl's head. However, before the kick could reach the girl, the criminal's body stopped moving.

 
"W... what? My body, it can't..."

 
"Just when I thought I'm going to quietly observe the situation..." Mana said while holding his leg with one hand.

 
"What are you?!" said the criminal.

 
"Right, right, please be quiet." Mana then pulled her hand down. The criminal spun around and fainted when his head hit the floor.

 
Mana had used her Territory to defeat the criminal. She could have actually defeated him without ever moving, however since there were witnesses, she had to act a little as an excuse. Other criminals had noticed the situation and pointed their guns at Mana.

 
Mana shrugged her shoulders. "Haa... well, since I started it there is no use thinking." Mana kicked the criminal in front of her to the floor. "Huh?!" the criminal was surprised at her speed. Mana punched him in the pit of his stomach. Mana followed this up by attacking the other criminals.

 
After most of the criminals had fainted, Mana attacked the last criminal in the lobby, made him drop his gun, and then pinned him to the floor. The criminal groaned in agony.

 
"Awwwwww..."

 
"Stop screaming. Before that, let me ask something. There were more of you than this when you came in. What is your objective?"

 
"Ha! No way I'd tell—"

 
"Hoi" Mana twisted his arm.

 
"Aawwwwwww! The strong room... the boss is going to steal all the money in the underground strong room!"

 
Mana questioned him again, asking if he was serious. After all, even if they could open the strong room, there was no way they could transport such a large amount of money. The criminal then laughed and said that their boss knew of a way.

 
"Hmp? What kind of way?"

 
"Are you an idiot? No way I could tell y—"

 
"Tou!" Mana twisted his arm again.

 
"Ahwwwwwwwwwwwwww! The boss is a Wizard... the boss said that after she got the money, she will simply escape from the front entrance..."

 
"...! What?!" Mana furrowed her brows. At that moment, her phone rang. Mana quickly chopped the criminal's neck with her leg, causing him to faint, before answering her phone. "It's Mathers. Mana, where are you?" Ellen asked. "I'm at the bank. What is it?" Mana answered.

 
Ellen then explained that a DEM Wizard is involved in the bank robbery and ordered Mana to get on it immediately. Mana hung up and sighed. "Well, let's finish this quickly."

 
On the way to the underground strong room, two watchmen in ski masks were on lookout. After chatting about how much money each thought was in the strong room, one of two watchmen suggested that he was going to leave the country and buy a house in Akihabara in Japan with the money. The tall criminal asked him why.

 
"Ah... I want to meet Misty."

 
"Misty?"

 
"You don't know Valkyrie Misty? It's a popular show. After its broadcast in Japan every Sunday morning, there is a translated, subtitled version uploaded to the video sites the same day. When in crises those normal girls will use the power of light and be transformed into a Battle Otome in order to defeat the enemy."

 
"So it's a cartoon? They don't exist. It's unrealistic for a small girl to defeat such an enemy."

 
"What are you talking about? Japanese girls are special. Their small bodies are full of the power of love. You would know that if you watched anime."

 
"...is that so."

 
The tall criminal scratched his cheek. He then noticed a girl heading their way. The girl seemed to be an Asian girl. The tall criminal warns the girl to go back to the lobby if she doesn't want to get shot.

 
However, the girl doesn't stop and continues to head his way. The tall criminal points his gun at her. The fat criminal then told him not to shoot. The tall criminal responded by saying that he won't kill her, but only shoot her in the legs. The fat criminal protested saying "That is not what I meant! What will we do if she is a Japanese girl?!"

 
The tall criminal ignored him and pulled the trigger. The bullet landed on the floor. The fat criminal was relieved that it was only for intimidation. However, the tall criminal quickly informs him that it was not.

 
The girl approached the tall criminal and poked him. The tall criminal is thrown against the wall and lost consciousness. The fat criminal pointed his gun at her. The girl simply said that she is putting him to sleep for a little while. The next moment, the fat criminal felt an impact run through his body and he fainted.

 
Before the fat criminal lost consciousness, he mumbled with a joyful face.

 
"As expected... you are a Japanese girl..."

 
Mana defeated the lookouts on her way (one of them seemed happy for some reason) and reached the strong room. After releasing all of the hostages and rushing here, Mana did not meet any Wizards on the way and concluded that other criminals are disposable personnel. In front of her, there is a strong room's door that has been forcibly opened up.

 
Mana tried to peek inside the room, but quickly jumped away. The next moment, a magic spark is seen at the spot where she was standing. Mana quickly realized it was an attack using a Realizer. Two girls in Wiring Suit then appeared behind her.

 
A long haired girl— Daisy— can't believe Mana evaded her attack. The glasses girl— Izabel— told Daisy that it was a fluke, and pointed her gun at Mana. In the next moment, a short-haired girl— Charlotte— appeared from inside the strong room, and suggested that Mana is actually a Wizard.

 
The other two Wizards don't believe that a child like Mana is a Wizard. Charlotte suggests "You can't be tricked by the appearance. If you use a Realizer to manipulate metabolism, you can look like a child forever. In fact, I heard that The Yard uses a Wizard with such an appearance in order to catch criminals off guard."

 
"So this child is the police's?!"

 
"Judging from the timing she appeared, no doubt that she is. SSS won't get involved in this, and there's no way a strong Wizard would get mixed up in hostages by accident like in the movies." Charlotte said and laughed.

 
"...Um, it's hard to say this, but..."

 
"Hey, you. Do you feel like cooperating with us? You will get a lifetime's salary in a second. Also, this is a 1 vs 3, there is no way you can win? Plus, we are all DEM's Wizards. Do you know what that means?"

 
"Is that so..." Mana looks back at Charlotte with her eyes half-open. Since they belong to different posts, Mana has never met them and likewise, they have never met Mana. Charlotte then impatiently urged Mana to answer, saying that it is obvious which is the smarter choice.

 
"That's right. I don't even have to think—— I refuse."

 
Daisy and Izabel who are standing-by behind Mana attacked her the moment she finished her words. Mana quickly expanded her Territory and deflected their attacks.

 
Both Wizards then draw their laser blade and attack Mana. Mana evades the attack from them. Fighting without Wiring Suit, Mana is caught off-guard for a split moment. The laser blade cut her shoulder. Mana quickly jumped back to the wall and held her shoulder.

 
"Hmp. Despite what you said, you seem quite weak."

 
"But it's too late. I'll make you regret that you disobey DEM Wizards."

 
"The legal department will scold me if I overdo it... well, since there's only one Wizard here, I guess it's okay. The other party is also using it."

 
Mana then took out an Emergency Device from her pocket. Charlotte quickly realized what it was and ordered Daisy and Izabel to attack her before she could wear her Wiring Suit. Daisy and Izabel quickly follow Charlotte's order and attack Mana.

 
Mana's speed, however, is much faster than average Wizards, before the attack could reach her, Mana is in her blue and white Wiring Suit with CR-Unit <Murakumo>. Charlotte noticed that and ordered Daisy and Izabel to stop, but it was already too late.

 
Mana orders "<Murakumo> — Sword Style" and turns her shield part on her shoulders into twin swords and stops Daisy and Izabel's attack. When Izabel attempted to attack Mana again, she found Daisy had already fallen to the floor. The next moment, Izabel lost her strength and followed Daisy to the floor. Mana attacked them with her magic sword when she slipped their attacks.

 
Charlotte clicked her tongue "Twin Sword Wizard...? That's an unfunny joke. Why is DEM's Adeptus Number here?" Charlotte asked.

 
"Oya? Do you happen to know me?"

 
"Of course, DEM's second strongest Wizard next to Mathers. I have heard about your rumors, but never thought you were such a small girl." Charlotte frowned and answered.

 
"So... what will you do?" Mana asked her and pointed her sword to Charlotte.

 
"I don't want to fight a fight that I can't win." Charlotte said while raising her hand.

 
"Hmp... smart choice. Then disarm yourse—"

 
Before Mana could finish her words, Charlotte moved her fingers a little. The next moment, Mana's sight is filled with a light and could see nothing. Charlotte used a flash bomb to blind her.

 
Although Mana could easily defend it, she was caught completely off-guard. Mana attempted to use her Territory to track down Charlotte's location but couldn't find her.

 
"Ahaha! You know I was one of the best in SSS with the hiding skills. Even if you are Adeptus Number, you won't be able to find me out easily!"

 
Charlotte's voice could be heard. Charlotte is using her Territory to diffuse the voice. Mana couldn't identify the direction. Charlotte continues laughing.

 
"Fufufufufu. Pitiful! How pitiful! Hahaha. Even Adeptus Number is this level? Hahahahahahaha. Looks like DEM is nothing after all!"

 
"..." Mana heard that word and can't let it pass.

 
"Aannn...? What is that? Have you made up your mind?"

 
"...What a third rate, know your position."

 
"Hyahahahahahaha! Do you even realize your own situation? What can you do with that looks dechuuka~?"

 
Mana then heard a low "un" sound from a laser blade. Charlotte continues "That's enough. Just die already!" Charlotte then approached Mana. Mana didn't know her direction.

 
"I'm going to do this dechuuyo." Mana smiled. Parts on her shoulders and twin swords on her hands changed its form into a cannon pointing in all directions. "<Murakumo> — Blaster Style"

 
"Wh——"

 
The next moment, the strong room is then full of light.

 
In front of the bank, there are police forces and news reporters standing by as well as the onlookers. Several tens of minutes after the robbery began, the hostages that were held inside were released. All of them said uniformly that they have been saved by a girl.

 
Even still, the police still don't break in. That fact gives the event an even larger attention from the public. In the outer area of the bank, a detective is pressing the chief inspector asking why the police are not breaking in.

 
"I don't know. The higher-ups told us to stand by."

 
"What does that mean?!"

 
"As I said, I don't know. They said if we get in now, the police force will be injured—"

 
Before the chief inspector could finish his words, an explosion sound could be heard from the bank. Followed by a shake as if there is an earthquake. Window glasses broke, a dazzling light could be seen from inside.

 
"W-what just happened?!" The detective was surprised and said to the chief inspector "Inspector, we can't wait anymore! Please break in—"

 
However, the detective had to cut his own words. A lot of bank notes are falling from the sky.

 
"W... what? A money...?" the detective mumbles.

 
After being dumbfounded for a second, several hundred people who were gathered in front of the bank pushed and shoved each other trying to gather the money.

 
The next day in the DEM HQ building. Mana is forced to sit on the floor with Ellen questioning her.

 
"—So you release magic power in all directions, and destroyed the strong room?"

 
"...Haa, yes."

 
"Even though they could recover the bank notes to some extent, the total damage including cost of repair reached 5 million pounds. The police and the bank are also complaining to us."

 
"...I have no excuse."

 
"Ahahaha! What an idiot! Why can't you act smarter?"

 
"...The enemy was laughing like Jessica, so I got annoyed..."

 
"What?!"

 
"Anyway. If we use your salary to pay, it would take about 100 years and a little. It would be nice if you could stay in service until then."

 
"Eh? I'm paying?!"

 
"Of course. —However, let's see. If you could defeat a spirit, I will give you a special bonus of 5 million pound each. I'm looking forward to your hard work."

 
"Wai—"

 
Ellen then leaves the room without hearing Mana's words. Jessica stuck out her tongue and followed Ellen to leave the room. Mana who is left in the room alone dumbfounded for a while, then she helplessly falls down to the floor.