It's nothing like video games ever told me it'd be like, that's for sure.

[ Some of the actual shine has worn off at this point--it's less the actual process that is interesting to Ritsuka, and more who might appear in the summoning circle when the process is over. ]

A lot of them treat me like I'm some kind of representative, at first, so it's easier to shortcut and just say that. If my friend Mash were here, she'd be able to explain it a lot better--she's spent her whole life in that system. I just got involved by accident a few years ago. I thought it was just a normal internship, and then--surprise! Magic! For real.

[ How was she supposed to know that the random flyer she'd seen in the subway, and followed up with on a whim, would have led her to this? ]