Getting smacked into the mat, Alex held her ribs that groaned in pain.

As she wallowed in pain, an arrogant voice rang out. “Come on, you're not done yet. Anastasia said you had some talent, but with the way you’re crying like a bitch, I just don’t see it.”

Just when you’re crawling up in life, it kicks you back down to hell.

Letting out a pained chuckle, Alex winced at her pained ribs.

“Hey, gringo, did I kick your ass too hard? If ya wanna puss out, you can. Though, everyone here will think you're a weak ass bitch.”

Pushing through the pain, Alex dug her hands unto the mat and forced herself to a standing position, as the numbers ran along, showing the damage to her body. It showed she could take way more of a beating before she’d collapse.

Eyes somewhat blurry, she managed to put up a half-decent guard, as she faced her teacher/abuser.

The tan girl had thick black wavy hair tied up in a ponytail, showing off her ice-blue eyes. She, like Alex, was wearing easy to move in clothing, going bare-knuckled mixed martial arts.

Flashing a grin at her student, the teacher taunted Alex, “That’s the spirit, white girl. Even if you look like a mummy with all those bandages, I'll beat the basics into your skinny ass. Or my name isn’t the Devil Desert Moka. Now, since your ready, here I come~.”

Gritting her teeth, Alex then roared at the top lungs and rushed towards Teacher Moka.

***

“My everything hurts... And fuck, it’s cold.”

Groaning in pain, Alex lay in a bath of ice water, wearing nothing but a look of depletion.

Next to her was Moka, who lay naked and relaxed in her own tub.

“It’s not that bad once you get used to it, white girl. In fact, you’ll enjoy it after you get used to it.”

“Remind me how and why we alone are taking a cold bath together. I mean, in different tubs.”

Eyes closed, Moka replied with a smile, “That frost bitch called in a favor, so consider it a special privilege for my current number one student. Despite your average as hell combat ability, you score top marks in getting your ass kicked and having the will to keep getting back up.”

Alex snorted, “I’m just not made for close combat, like Armor or Sugar. Should just stick to guns.”

“You say that, white girl, but you were holding back on me. After all, you didn’t pull out that fire style you’ve been learning from that boy toy. And don’t think I didn’t notice how clunky you were fighting. You were studying me, weren't you?” Moka's sudden deceleration caused Alex’s body to suddenly stiffen, as her pained voice suddenly turned cold.

“How did you—”

“I’ve trained a LOT of magical girls, and the teachers are always monitoring the students. I see what you’re trying to do, and it can be considered smart.”

“You that I’m—”

“Trying to lay low in the physical battle prowess, as to look weak, after the power move you pulled the other day. All while trying to sharpen your physical battle prowess and use it as a hidden trump card? All for a plate of good fucking food. Did I guess correctly?”

Gnashing her teeth, Alex responded, “Yeah, that’s the plan. What's it to you?”

“I could blackmail you for some easy drugs, but that sounds like a bore. In fact, I’ll make more training for you for the examination. Tell you what, I was called in to beat the basics into you for a week. But I’ve changed my mind. Every morning, I’ll train you personally. The only thing you must do is not tell a soul.”

“And why would you do that?”

Getting out of the tub, Moka stood confidently in the nude, showing off her numerous scars with an outstretched hand towards Alex.

“To gamble, obviously. That snarky bitch Wio always thinks she raises better talent, and you're just that good of a material to stick her good right in the pu—”

Alex interrupted her by standing up suddenly, and shook her hand, “I get the message and accept the deal. My only question is, how we’ll keep this a secret.”

With a mysterious smile, Moka looked deep into Alex’s eyes, “Don’t worry your little head, white girl. I’ve got it covered.”

“Great, then can you put some clothes on?”

“No.”

“Why?”

“I like walking around naked after a workout.”

***

After making an agreement with Moka, Alex bandaged up, got dressed and walked her way towards a nearby D-Rank Library. She gave Fei a head nod as they passed each other, as Fei headed towards the dorms to rest.

Entering the library, Alex sniffed the air that gave off that old book smell.

Although I only spent a little time here yesterday, this place really has a nice atmosphere.

Basking in the sense of silence, she didn’t notice the man waiting at the counter.

Seeing her stand there like a fool, the old man lightly coughed to gain her attention.

Startled, Alex slightly jumped, and looked at the old man who began talking.

“Excuse me, Madam. Do you need help with anything? I am here to serve.”

Alex just shook her head, “No, thank you. You were such a help yesterday that I know my way around now. Thank you for asking.”

With a slight bow, the old man replied, “If you need anything else, don’t hesitate to ask.”

Nodding to the old as a goodbye, she moved along her way. Walking along the aisle, she headed over to the section listed as history. Having already scoped the place out, she picked out books one by one. Soon enough, she had picked out a dozen books, and found a couch to sit on.

The first book she picked out of the pile was titled The Rule Of G. It was a book the size of two fingers thick, and was old and worn, seemingly having been held by many people. Alex ran her hand over the leather-bound cover and the faded golden words, as if it held some power.

She opened the book to be surprised that there wasn’t an index, only a blank page. Turning that page, she found the words and began reading.

Rule Number 1: Thou earn Your Keep.

Those of a gang must rely on and help one another. That said, if there's a leech that doesn't contribute to the betterment of the Gang, then they have not earned their keep. Those that don’t earn, don’t eat, don’t sleep and, most certainly, are given no protection.

Rule Number 2: Thou honor is not dead.

Those of the gang must honor agreements, no matter how absurd the deal, as business is business. Those that shit the bed must clean up for themselves, and live with the repercussions.

Rule Number 3: Thou does not consort with cattle.

All men, with the exception of wizards, are to be considered cattle, and used as seen fit by their owners. In another vein, cattle may be taken by force if a magical girl duel is declared for the rights of the cattle, as business is business.

Rule Number 4: Thou does not allow emotion to destroy the gang's influence by thy actions.

You bear the mark of your gang, and with it, their will and integrity. You carry on your back the reputation that has been built. If you tarnish it emotionally or otherwise, your peers are encouraged to make you recover it. By any means necessary.

Rule Number 5: Thou shall not sell dreams to make a profit.

A magical girl does not use lies to make a profit. All business deals must be made fairly, based on the power and knowledge of the parties involved. Failure to do so and, if found out, is a smear on the reputation of your gang. And with it, your head.

Rule Number 6: Thou shall help when an ending is called for.

As your duty as a member of the gang you will, without hesitation, kill another member when an ending is called. Remember, the time comes for all magical girls.

Those six embolden rules each had their own pages, and were outlined with more guidelines and detail, but basically boiled down into those points. The rest of the rules that followed were the rules set up by the Gang leader personally, that expanded on the core rules, and showed the list of rewards and punishments.

Even with the numbers helping her sort the information it still took her an hour to get through the two hundred page book. Putting the book down after finishing it, Alex sat back and digested what she had just read.

So magical girls are like that, how unexpected of them to use law when they seem to be all chaotic and lazy. Whoever wrote this must have been an idealist, and powerful, if every gang follows these main laws.

No matter what, I can more or less use these rules to my advantage as long as I become strong enough. If I don’t, then if I consider rules two and five, I won’t have any way to negotiate good deals. It may seem like rule five is made not to screw someone over, but rule two states that bad deals can be made. Fairly in rule five really means: it’s based on power and knowledge of both parties. Lack knowledge, and you can be screwed over with no fault of your own. Lack the power, and the deal will be more against you than for you. The only thing you can’t do is lie about the deal, really... But what magical girl will care about that?

I mean, the rules our gang leader put in seems pretty harsh, with the harshest being of her ripping your face and soul out, and adding them to the pillar of shame. I wonder if all magical girl gangs have similar enforcement. Well, I'll figure it out from experience or ask Anastasia for a more detailed explanation.

Having made up her mind, Alex went to pick up another book, titled history of the Blackcard gang—retracted version.

***

“Now, class, your first lesson will be to make some basic drugs that can be sold to mortals. It’s quite easy to mix up a batch.”

It had to be a drug class.

As Alex stood in her borrowed, white lab coat, she studied the teacher in the black lab coat. She seemed quite like an airhead, with her wild hair and large rimmed glasses. Her face was quite plain, with a few knicks and scars, seemingly from chemicals.

She was white to an almost albino degree, and her hair was platinum, which made her pitch-black irises stand out in an off-putting way.

Of all the magical girls I’ve seen, she is by far the weirdest looking.

“Now girls, follow after me, step by step. Those that mess up five out of their ten batches will be stripped naked and whipped in the middle of the academy. Ah… Good times, I remember that my old enemy got constantly sent there. But of course, it was because of me tampering with her mixtures... It always brought a smile to my face. Oh, yes, forgive me for going down memory lane. Let’s begin, shall we?”

But like all the rest, she’s bat shit crazy.