It seemed silly now, for a Puella Magi of Hanako’s caliber to be taking fencing lessons in high school. Her natural and magical abilities eclipsed anything an underpaid physical education instructor could provide. But Hanako found something in these classes. Technique, for sure, proper form, and a bit more dexterity. None of which mattered in a Witch’s barrier or for the prospect of Balancings, of course, but it gave Hanako confidence nonetheless.

Confidence that quickly wavered, however, as a strange lightheadedness took hold over Hanako on one particular afternoon. Dizziness. A ringing in her ears. Lights fading and swirling, then a view of the ceiling, fading into a blur of color, then nothing at all.

When she awoke, the Aria was in a familiar field of flowers, engulfed in mist. She rose slowly, taking in the familiar sight of her domain in the Dreamscape. She could see the trees on the horizon, which told her that her emotions were calm. And it was true, Hanako hadn’t had much to deal with, aside from the usual conditions that plagued her. But nothing external. No stress, aside the presence of not one but two Balancers. Ueno was alive and even living with her. Her days and nights were peaceful, everything Hanako would have wished for and then some.

So why was the Aria here now? 

Her answer came as the domain shifted. First fading to a white void, then to a small Italian village, complete with a small river flowing between stretches of buildings. The Aria didn’t recognize the location, but she knew enough to identify its owner. Hanako was not aware, however, that she was the first to set foot in this domain. The Forte hadn’t. The Diva hadn’t. But the Aria was invited?

Hanako: …Why have you brought me here, Oracle?

The voice that responded from behind the Aria was expected. Her reply was not.

Cecilia: …That’s not who I am anymore. You should know that much, at least, if you truly are one of us now… “Aria”.

Hanako: (The Aria turned to face the Oracle woman addressing her with a neutral tone.) …I don’t know what else to call you in this circumstance, Cecilia. 

Cecilia: (She stood before the Aria, wearing a light blue jacket and fading dark pants, and more prominently, an eye patch over her left eye.) An Oracle who cannot truly see is no Oracle. By our terms, I am called “Libretto” now. 

Hanako: Fine… Libretto. But what am I doing here?

The question was calm, yet pointed. The Aria wasted little time in ascertaining that it was the Libretto that summoned her here, and given both of their predisposition to the titles of old, the meaning had to be Conductor business.

Cecilia: You should have some idea, Hanako Sasaki. I am a remnant of the Conductors that came before Yui’s time. You are the newest to dive into their history. Our history. You are given a title, you are taught under Yui directly, and I would wager you have read from her Artifact by now.

Hanako: …So what, then? This is a test, Conductor to Conductor? (An ivory rapier appeared in her left hand) A fight, perhaps, to earn my place?

But the Oracle Libretto did not visibly react, nor did she transform. She stayed calm, hands folded behind her back.

Cecilia: Yes, and no, in that order. A fight would do neither of us any good. Though, should you wish to kill me here, I would awaken. You know this. No… your curiosity for what I have to say, and why and how I summoned you here outweighs any animosity you may have towards me, misplaced as it may be. I have not wronged you, Hanako—

Hanako: Again with this! (Her voice cracked, wind swirling around her) Again with this… baseless assumption that I am somehow too naive or sheltered to understand! Yui said the same thing, you know… that I did not “get it” as she put it. And while she had a point, you both missed mine. Do you both think that I did not struggle against Moonlover? That my mind does not still replay scenario after scenario, waking nightmares of what almost happened to Koharu, or to Shinju, Yasu, or any of my friends? Or what did happen to those two-hundred three people who died in an attack that had no meaning or purpose, aside destroying my friends and me?! (Her wind intensifies into her personal cyclone, the water from the little village’s creek rippling into waves) I did not lose anyone, this is true! But do not think for a moment that I, nor my friends emerged unscathed, Oracle!

Cecilia: …I told you, I am not the—

Hanako: But you are, are you not?! Besides an injury to your body, which has not healed, and the loss of your power, what has changed about you, Cecilia Ambrosi?! Even now… you are trying to pull our strings. You can no longer pull at Yui’s, she no longer dances to your melody. But you need to pull at someone’s then? Is that what brings you peace of mind, “Libretto”? Is this how you sleep at night?

A sigh. The Libretto seemed pushed beyond what she had prepared for. Her clothing gave way to sleek, silver armor, her arms coming from behind her back, and a silver staff flowing seamlessly into her left hand. She took a few steps forward, then stopped, as if stopping herself. And again, this time seeming to freeze in place completely. As if she were dissociating. A look Hanako recognized all too well. The wind began to calm as Cecilia spoke again.

Cecilia: …I see it now. Why Yui allowed you into the fold. …That we both underestimated you for so long… 

And her transformation vanished as quickly as it came.

Cecilia: I summoned you into the Dreamscape to take measure of the newest Conductor.

Hanako: …And see on which side of the tracks I choose to walk, correct?

The wind calmed a bit more, the cyclone surrounding the Aria dissipating until all that remained was a calm breeze.

Cecilia: No, Aria. That is your choice, and yours alone. It is not my place to judge. Only to caution. I have much to learn, even now… but I brought you here simply to see how you held up. When first we met, you were so meek, ignorant, and so, so green… and with no control over anything in your life. But given you wished only for the strength to face the struggles of your life, I should have known from the start how you would grow, were you to survive. It almost surprises me that Kyubey even granted your wish. I suppose he must have gambled that you would have imploded, regardless of your wish. 

The wind fades completely.

Hanako: …Another miscalculation of Kyubey’s, I suppose. (The rapier vanishes from her hand) …So you have your answer. May I resume my life on the other side? This was… troublesome, to say the least.

Cecilia: …You were doing too well, Hanako. Back there, I mean. You were a physically meek girl before making your wish. You need to be aware of your progress. New Eden is where you train at full force. But in the human world, you need to mind a modicum of weakness. I gave you a cover. 

Hanako: …I need no strings pulled, nor favors granted. But I’ll keep your words in mind. …How did you do this, anyway? Is there anything I can do to prevent this in the future?

Cecilia: The four Puella Malefica that live and exist within this domain can manipulate it freely. This includes manifesting one’s domain to force them here. The Forte does not yet know this technique. Only I and the domain’s owner know this. By which I mean, the owner of this barrier, not the owner of the Troubadour’s Masque.

Hanako: …

Cecilia: But worry not. I will not summon you like this again, Aria. …I must learn to stop falling back into old patterns, or I risk never fully moving on myself.

The Aria was silent for a long while, then slowly began to rise into the air.

Hanako: …You’re a strange woman, Libretto. I mean no offense, but… may we not meet again. Any time soon.

High enough, the Aria turned, head pointed towards the ground, and let herself fall. She only caught a blur of pink hair rushing towards her, brass behind the blur before her vision faded in an instant.

When Hanako awoke, she was surrounded by various other students, murmuring about the prodigy extending herself too harshly, stretching herself too thin. This gossip, at least, was more amenable to Hanako than what she was used to hearing the year before. Her instructor helped her to her feet, and Hanako shook the cobwebs from her head, Cecilia’s words still lingering within it.

Hanako: …S-Sorry, everyone. Um… 

Freeze.

Hanako: M-May I have a moment? Perhaps I should sit out this round, catch my breath… have some water…

Juggling three lives was never an easy task.