From the window of her bus, Madoka gazed at the light pink building she would be living in these next few months. Behind her, a convoy of similar vehicles carried the other 'Magical Girls' to their destination, all of them engraved with the words "MAGIA LOCK".

As she took her first few steps and split off from the group, Madoka observed her surroundings. She held her packaged, pink striped, dark purple jersey close. It was etched with the number '296' and letter 'Z'.. "Is this… Magia Lock? It's huge!" She looked around in awe, taking a few more steps before spotting a door with giant, illuminated text reading 'ROOM Z' on her left. "I'm 296Z, so this is probably the place…" She took a few deep breaths, trying to calm the rapidly growing bundle of nerves gathering in her stomach. She wasn't going to back down, not now that she had come all this way.

The door slid open before her, and she took her first baby steps in. Almost everyone in this barren and empty room snapped to attention, watching her like hawks. The first people she spotted were a girl with back length, bluish-gray hair, her dark blue eyes piercing through her being; a petite pink haired girl with long pigtails and… an eyepatch? One girl had neck length, whitish-gray hair. She was facing the wall and had her knees against her chest, seemingly not faring any better than Madoka was at the moment. Eventually, she spotted a familiar head of blue hair- wait, was that...

"Sayaka?!"

Said girl turned her head around at the sound of both a familiar voice and a near-ground shaking leap. The first and only thing she saw was Madoka's ear-to-ear smile before she was tackled into the ground. Madoka held on tight, and now everyone's attention had been drawn to them. "I can't believe you're here! I had no idea you played Soccer!"

Sayaka wheezed as her bones were flattened by the crushing embrace, though she couldn't quite keep the smile off her face.
"I-I'll tell you all about it… Just… l-let go…" After Madoka reluctantly agreed some moments later, she began to speak. "I haven't played for nearly as long as you have, Madoka… but when I saw you break down after that game…"

Sayaka found herself sitting back on that bench, where she had comforted her friend. Someone who she had never seen so thoroughly broken.. "I don't care what that weird creature says about becoming the best. If it means I don't have to see you like that ever again, I'll become strong... strong enough to support you at the world stage." Sayaka held out her fist, her lips turning up into a confident grin. "We won't lose again!"

Madoka's smile grew as she nodded, raising her fist and giving Sayaka a fist bump.

"Didn't you hear what that thing said about playing with your friends? We're here to win!"

They both turned their attention to the girl with dull red hair in a high ponytail that had interrupted their reunion, Madoka with apprehension and Sayaka with annoyance. Sayaka stood up, facing the one who had the nerve to interfere.
"Yeah? We aren't on the field right now, are we? What's it to you?"

The girl leaned in closer, a scornful expression on her face as their foreheads came within inches of each other.
"What's it to me, huh? That attitude of yours is going to get us booted from here, that's what! We're here to become stars, not watch a couple make up for lost time."

Sayaka's face turned red with embarrassment, her expression twisting into a scowl as she slammed her forehead against the stranger's.
"Watch it, you bitch!" The girl donned a smug grin, her sharp red eyes glaring right back at Sayaka's blues. "Sorry! Did I hit a nerve? It just proves you won't survive out on the field." Madoka, who stood before them nervously, could have sworn she had watched sparks violently clashing between them. She held her hands out, pushing them apart and doing her best to placate the situation.

"C-Come on guys… We're gonna be a team! It wouldn't do good to fight…"

Madoka yelped in surprise when a hand smacked her back, stumbling forward a bit. "Kaname-chan's right! We'll fall apart before we get out of here if we're at each other's throats! Nice to see you again, by the way." Mito exclaimed, while the three of them turned their gazes towards her.

"Isn't that the girl you lost to, Madoka? What're you being buddy buddy for?" Sayaka questioned, having personally experienced just how devastated Madoka was after said loss. She rubbed her sore back, backing up a bit to lean against the wall.

"Well… I'm here now, still able to play soccer. It'd be better to be friends instead of holding a grudge."

The red haired devil scoffed at that, crossing her arms. "If you were to lose a game alongside your career at the world cup, would you forgive the one who trampled over you just like that? Hopeless, I say…"

She turned around and sat by a lone corner, digging into a chocolate bar. After everyone had finished putting on their jerseys, the TV in the center of the room turned on and revealed the form of Kyubey.

"Hello there, 'Magical Girls'. The people you find yourself with from this moment and on are both your roommates and rivals, tailor-made to help you improve. Your abilities have all been ranked by me and my assistant. The numbers on your uniforms represent your standing out of 300, and your rank can change based on the results of your training and matches." Kyubey revealed, Entirely ignoring the dejected looks on the faces of those ranked lower.

Madoka frowned as she looked at the number on her arm. "296? That's not good at all…"

Was she really that weak?

The top five players will be guaranteed a spot in the tournament being held six months from now. They'll be forwards for the U-20 Women's World Cup. Surprise rapidly spread through the room. Would they really be allowed to play in the World Cup?

"Anyone who loses in Magia Lock… will never get to play for Japan."

Like a switch, surprise and cautious optimism burned away into dread. "...What? I-If we lose, that's really it?"

"That can't be true…"

Madoka shuddered as imagined losing her career and chance to advance in the sport. Just imagining the disappointed looks from her friends… from her family…

…

It was almost too much to bear.

"So how do we prevent that from happening? It's simple: Ego. In you don't want to be sent home, you'll need it! So let's run a little test. It's time to play tag." Kyubey finished, tilting its head. It was joking, right?.

…

A timer replaced its face on the TV, and a tile in the roof opened to drop a ball. "You have 136 seconds. Whoever's struck by the ball is 'it'. Whoever's 'it' when time runs out will be 'locked off'. You are not allowed to use your hands."

"WHAT?!"

The screen shifted to show who was 'it'. It was the lowest ranked player at #300, Reira Ibuki. There were two minutes left.

"M-Me? There's no w-way I could just… ruin someone's career!" The girl wailed, her long and split pink hair bobbing in the air. The others murmured to themselves.

"This isn't soccer." The girl with the eye patch stated simply, staring up at the TV screen.

The redhead in the corner grinned, dropping the wrapper of her finished chocolate bar.

Reira suddenly froze in place.

Something dangerous was lurking in her blind spot.

Within an instant, the girl was behind her, sliding her foot between the gap in her legs and stealing the ball.

She looked at the stunned girl from the corners of her vision.
"Can't decide, Coward? Don't worry. I have someone in mind." The screen shifted to show who was currently 'it'. It was #290, Kyoko Sakura.

Before Sayaka could even think to react, the ball was rocketing towards her, slamming into her gut and forcing all of the air out of her lungs. She fell harshly on her back. The ball bounced off of her stomach from the push back, bouncing on the ground until it stopped in front of her.

Ranked #297, Sayaka Miki was 'it' with a minute and a half to spare.

Almost everyone winced in sympathy, but Sayaka was quick to get back to her feet, holding her chest and wheezing in pain before she drew her leg back for a powerful shot. "IT'S ON THEN, YOU RED-TINTED SHIT-STAIN! LETS SEE YOU DODGE THIS!"

Kyoko could practically see the fiery blue aura surrounding her foot as it connected with the ball, the force of Sayaka's strike producing sharp gusts of wind as it rocketed towards her. Kyoko only smirked, a devious expression on her face. Springing off her feet, she dashed towards Madoka. Plucking her off the wall, she spun around, shielding herself with the girl's body. Madoka's eyes widened in fear as she realized far too late what was happening, Kyoko's grip on her shoulders too strong for her to break out of easily.

The ball crashed into her face, blowing her head back and crumpling her stance as Kyoko released her, letting her slide down the wall. #296, Madoka Kaname, was 'it'.
"SHIT! MADOKA!"

Madoka held her free hand out to signal to Sayaka that it was okay, wiping the blood pouring out of her nose with the other elbow. It wasn't okay, not really. Her head was spinning, her ears were ringing, and she was seeing double of everyone around her. Slowly, she stood up and put her foot on the ball.

"Kaname-Chan! Go for the girl sitting in the corner! Do it before it's too late for you!" Mito gestured to the girl with whitish-gray hair, who 'eeped' at the focus being put on her.

Madoka looked at that girl, that girl who cowered away from the spotlight.

That girl who had the same eyes she did just a few days ago.

"No… I came here to change! To become stronger! If I picked on someone who could be going through the same despair I did… how will I ever manage that?! WHAT KIND OF HERO WOULD I BE?!" She lowered her head, her expression hidden.

"No way."

Mito could feel the manifestation and pressure of Madoka's will, a fiery light pink aura surrounding her. Her red pupils shifted and contorted into black and white spirals. Abruptly, she turned around, focus squarely on a player ranked higher than her.

Kyoko grinned, her eyes shifting in a similar manner as she pounced on and stole the ball from Madoka. Almost instantly, her trancelike state faded.
"You're starting to get it, pigtails," Kyoko said, one of her transformed eyes on Madoka. "I kinda feel bad for using you as a shield now. If we're gonna win, it should be against the strongest here! Watch closely. I'll show you how it's done…" Only 15 seconds were left. She struck the ball and sent it curving on a perfectly telegraphed path, as if it were a spear thrown at an angle that found itself accelerating in only one direction.

Mito watched the ball fly towards her, eyes progressively widening as they filled with shock and despair.

The ball struck her in the cheek and sent her stumbling back. The timer buzzed once it reached zero, signifying the end of the match. Kyubey's face came back on screen.

"Mito Aino is disqualified."

Her lips quivered as she stood up, eyes glued to the screen.

That... couldn't be true, right?

"Hey… come on… that's not possible. My career… my future... gone, just like that?" Her pupils shrank as she questioned Kyubey, her tone one of confusion and disbelief rather than anger. "All because of one silly game?! What does this even have to do with soccer?"

Kyubey didn't understand this childish outburst.
"In Magia Lock, everything has to do with Soccer. Take a look around you. This room is the same size as the penalty area. 75% of goals happen within these confines. If you can't function in this space, you simply aren't a striker."

"S-So? Tag isn't soccer!" Mito continued, spiraling with every passing moment.

"If you were the one running away, you'd need a sense of interpersonal space, tactics, and positioning. If you were the one chasing, Your dribbling, your aim, and the quality of your kicks must be precise. It would've been an excellent training drill had those two not decided to take control of the game." Behind it, Kyubey's tail lashed in a rare sign of irritation. "Do avoid allowing personal issues to interfere like this in the future. Anyways, when the ball struck you, there was still one second left. You would've survived if you hadn't given up and chose to shoot at any one of the unsuspecting players here. This is the reason you're eliminated.

"You ran from the selfish obsession with victory that isn't ailed by common sense. This is the 'ego' a striker needs."

Finally accepting defeat, Mito clenched her teeth before turning and making her way towards the door in silence. Reira walked over and tried to comfort her, but her hand was thrown off by Mito as she stepped outside and disappeared behind the sliding door.

"W-Was it… me that ended Mito's career? I unwillingly assisted her there…" Madoka clenched her fists, two sides of her consciousness clashing. "I feel terrible for being pumped up right now… but I really did it! I… survived!"

Slowly, Madoka walked over to Kyoko, unsure of what to say.

"U-um..." Kyoko turned her red eyes onto Madoka, rattling her resolve. She shook her head, regathering her nerve.

"W-Why did you… help me there?"

Kyoko stared at her for a moment before huffing and looking away. "I was just a little surprised at you growing a pair… I did that for me, alright?! Don't question it."

Madoka smiled a bit at this before her splitting headache roared back to life. A wave of pain washed over her head, her knees buckling before giving out as she collapsed onto her back. Madoka held her head in her hand as she tried her best to soothe the searing headache. Sayaka came to her side, glaring up at Kyoko. "This is far from over! Don't cry when I crush you…"

Kyoko leaned down to return her glare, her smug expression radiating fury. "I'd like to see you try. It's amusing you have that much fight left in you after I dropped you." She turned around and went off to relax in her solitary corner.

"Those world-class strikers you adore put their lives on the line like this constantly. What are you feeling now? Joy that you survived? Anxiousness for the times ahead? Excitement for the new challenges in your way? This is what victory feels like. Remember it, and use it to grow your 'ego'. Congratulations. You eleven have passed the admission exam!" Some of those present cheered, mainly giving thanks to Sayaka and Kyoko's squabble for carrying them through.

"From now on, you 'magical girls' will be living together. Sometimes you'll work together, and sometimes you'll betray each other. You all will be rivals who wreck each other's dreams. You eleven... are Magia Lock's Team Z. For now, do try to get along. Go off and get some rest." Kyubey tilted its head.

"You'll be needing it."

#300 - Reira Ibuki

#299 - Ashley Taylor

#298 - Ren Izuru

#297 - Sayka Miki

#296 - Madoka Kaname

#295 - Seika Kumi

#294 - Himika Mao

#293 - Sana Futaba

#292 - Hanna Sarasa

#291 - Ayame Mikuri

#290 - Kyoko Sakura

Day 1

Dining hall - 6:40 PM

The Dining hall was bursting with activity.
Amid the chatter, Ashley went around asking the groups at separate tables more information about 'kawaii culture'. Predictably, no one knew what the hell she was talking about. Elsewhere, Kyoko and Sakura were locked in a deadly staring contest. The price? Whoever won this ultimate test of will would be taking the other's dinner.

Madoka was sitting alone at a table, lost in thought about the day so far. It was difficult to push down feelings of guilt for what happened to Mito.

"U-Um… Kaname-San, right?" Madoka found her solitary, introspective world shattered to pieces as a quiet and meek voice entered her ears. She turned her head to see who had taken a seat next to her.

Seeing that it was the girl she had spared earlier, she relaxed and smiled.
"Madoka's fine. I don't think I've learned your name, actually. Or, well, mostly anyone's for that matter…" She rubbed the back of her head abashedly.

Comforted by Madoka's warm smile, the girl cleared her throat. "I-Its… Ren. Ren Izuru. I wanted to… thank you for sparing me back then."

Madoka blinked. Sparing... her?

Ah. That. She had nearly forgotten.

"I… wasn't really thinking clearly back then…"

Ren shook her head, a smile of her own forming.

"You did it because you wanted to be stronger, right? That's also why I also came to Magia Lock. To change. To… be able to stand up for myself." She averted her gaze shyly. "I love soccer, but I'm not so sure about standing all the way up at the top…"

Madoka nodded in understanding, a light smile on her face. "You'll find your way… If it makes you feel better, I believe in you!" Ren couldn't hold back her blush at the unexpected support, her smile growing larger. "Thanks, Madoka. I won't disappoint you… oh and by the way, are you, um… okay? That hit to the face was... unpleasant to watch."

Madoka winced at the reminder. "It hurt for a while, but I'm fine now…"

They ate in silence and then went their separate ways. Madoka felt just a bit better.

She had managed to make a new friend!

...?, 12:30 PM

"Mami Tomoe. You were a genius midfielder for the academy of one of the world's top teams, Bastard München. Do you have any intentions of staying in Japan to play in the domestic league?"

"I just came to visit. As unfortunate as it is, I simply don't believe there's a forward in this country good enough for my passes." The curly-blonde hair girl sighed, disappointment heavy in her voice.

The interviewer shuffled nervously at this. Did Japanese soccer have a chance without her?

"Um… Do you have any intention of representing this country at the international level in the future?

Mami hummed in thought, before standing up.
"No, not particularly. I don't think this country's national team will ever be the best in the world. My dream is to win the Champions League." She left the room and closed the door before walking off, not at all interested in further talk. A small girl with wavy white hair tied in pigtails followed her out.
"Mami-Chan… the media won't be happy if you keep doing this."

She shrugged.
"Maybe so… but it's my honest opinion, Nagisa. I'm not going to sugarcoat it for the cameras." As they continued down the hallway, Mami stopped in front of a set of opened doors and turned her attention to the press conference ongoing beyond them. Nagisa's eyes widened, as if reminded of something.
"Oh, right. I did hear something about the JFU holding a press conference today."

Mami narrowed her eyes in interest as she watched the old man seated at the front desk explain a new soccer project to the press. He was joined by… was that a white colored, green highlighted… cat? Must've been an exotic species.

"This is how we plan to train a striker who can lead Japan to a World Cup win. Through this 'Magia Lock' project!" The TV behind him highlighted the logo, the text 'MAGIA LOCK PROJECT' illuminated in pink.

"Even if a top striker is born from this project, how can you guarantee Japan will win the Women's World Cup?"

"Are you saying it's okay to derail the lives of 299 people for the benefit of one person? Don't their parents have a say in this?"

The man was like a deer caught in highlights, suddenly unsure of himself in the face of seemingly undisputable allegations. "Well, uh, that's…"

"Ruin the lives of…?"

The 'cat' sitting on the desk spoke up, startling everyone but the man next to it. It got up from its resting position and raised its voice, its beady green eyes roving the room.

"For Japanese soccer to advance, this project is necessary!"

…

"D-Did that thing just…?" Nagisa pointed at it with a shaky finger. Next to her, Mami seemed almost mesmerized as she looked on.

It titled its head. "Don't you want to see it? The moment the hero who will save Japanese soccer is born? Soccer in this country has improved at a rapid rate, even when compared to the world standard. We only need to take one more step to be on par with the world's top teams."

"And to take that step...

...

the current state of Japanese soccer needs to die!"

Disbelief at the creature speaking to them morphed into surprise and dumbfoundedness. Just what was this thing talking about? Did it recognize how extreme these suggestions were?

"The dream of simply playing in the World Cup has served its purpose. Now is the time to dream big, to dream of winning! It's all here… in Magia Lock!"

"…This press conference is over." The creature jumped off of the table and walked off.

…

"This isn't how you treat young talent!"

"Total bullshit!"

"The JFU's lost it!"

Nagisa looked at the clock on the far corner of the room, noticing the time. "Mami-chan, we have to get going! The flight back to Germany is-"

"Cancel it."

"...Eh?" Nagisa tilted her head in confusion, an almost visible question mark appearing above her head.

Mami had a genuine smile on her face, and Nagisa swore she could spot a faint yellow aura starting to burn around her. Nagisa took a step back, overwhelmed from the sudden pressure radiating from her. Her eyes were aflame, burning with the excitement of finding someone, anyone who could handle her plays.

"I need to see the hero born in this country with my own eyes."