Mana vs. Pukin

7753 was about to take one more step forward when she was hit from behind and thrown to the ground.

“Wh-what are you doing?!”

“You’re in my way. Run. Now.”

Mana smacked 7753 aside with the end of her staff. “Don’t start thinking you can take responsibility by fighting and dying here. You do the most important job you can right now—get out of here, on your own. I’ll fight. This is for Hana.”

There were three syringes stuck in the back of Mana’s neck, already emptied. Mana stuck another three syringes in, then trembled, spasming. “Come get me, you fucking fencer!”

“Insolent cad.” Pukin acquiesced to Mana’s demand, about to step forward, but Mana made the rush first. Using her staff like a spear, she showered Pukin with stabs, taking Pukin by surprise. Pukin blocked with her rapier, no lesser in speed or strength. Rapier and twisted staff struggled for domination. Just how long would Mana’s doping last? Fifteen seconds, by the calculations 7753 read from her goggles. With that much time, 7753 might indeed be able to run. She understood that she couldn’t even afford to hesitate. She dashed off.

Martyring herself was a stupid idea. It seemed like a good one up until the moment Mana had smacked her aside. But Mana was right. Even if she did die, it wasn’t as if she would earn forgiveness from it.

7753 went to leap on Pukin’s left arm and held it down. Mana was putting everything she had into it, but that was just Pukin’s right arm vying against Mana’s whole body. So 7753 restrained Pukin’s left arm from its attempt to stab Mana in the side and was rewarded with her own arm getting slashed, blood spurting from it.

    - Magical Girl Raising Project: Limited, Chapter 12