Honghai First School, Class 2-C.
The lazy afternoon sunlight spilled over the desks, but Mu Yurou had no time to enjoy its warmth.
She stared at the brief reply from her elder sister Mu Xi on her phone screen, her fingertips unconsciously rubbing the cold glass, which finally turned into a barely audible sigh.
It had been five years. Ever since that incident, her sister had become a different person—moving out alone, building high, impenetrable walls around herself, shutting away the gentle, approachable sister she once knew…
That left a heavy stone pressing constantly on Yurou’s heart.
“I’ll go see her after school.”
She looked at the sunlight-gilded leaves outside the window and made up her mind.
“Xiao Rou—!”
An energetic shout came sweeping in with the wind.
Before Mu Yurou could react, a golden head burrowed into her arms like a sloth finding a warm stove, rubbing against her school shirt so hard the fabric rustled, hot breaths warming her skin through the cloth.
“X-Xi! Don’t mess around, we’re still in the classroom!”
Mu Yurou’s face flushed pink.
She instinctively raised the back of her hand to cover her cheek, trying to block out the intimacy that made her heart race.
“Mmm… low battery, urgent need to recharge with Yurou-energy!”
Huang Xi not only didn’t stop but pressed in even harder, burying her whole face into her friend’s soft, rising chest.
Her muffled voice came through the cloth.
“Don’t… that tickles…”
Mu Yurou twisted slightly, but she couldn’t break free from this enthusiastic “embrace”.
“Has Xiao Rou been unhappy lately? You always look so tense.”
Huang Xi finally lifted her head, her amber eyes sparkling as she stared directly at Mu Yurou, her worry plain to see.
“You’re ignoring me these days. I’m really sad.”
With that, she nuzzled back into that warm “harbor”.
“Xi! Everyone’s watching…”
Mu Yurou’s ears turned red as she whispered a protest.
“All right! Yurou-energy fully recharged!”
Only then did Huang Xi finally let go, taking half a step back, her face lit up with a brilliant smile.
“So, what’s going on? You look so down, like someone owes you eight million. Tell me, when you’re sad, I’m sad too.”
“It’s nothing serious,” Mu Yurou straightened her mussed collar and whispered, “it’s just that my sister didn’t come to school again… I’m a bit worried.”
“Oh~ your mysterious sister again!”
Huang Xi drawled dramatically, winking mischievously.
“You care about her so much, Xiao Rou, could it be you’re a sis-con? Tsk, tsk, I’m almost jealous!”
She puffed up her cheeks on purpose.
“What are you talking about…”
Mu Yurou was finally coaxed into a helpless smile.
She affectionately ruffled Huang Xi’s fluffy golden hair, like soothing a playful big dog.
She knew Huang Xi wasn’t actually jealous—this was just her way of sweeping away the gloom.
“All right, class is about to start. Hurry back to your seat.”
Right on cue, the crisp sound of the bell rang, cutting off their private chat.
A middle-aged male Teacher with thin-rimmed glasses and a stern expression walked into the classroom with his lesson plan.
The room, previously a little noisy, instantly quieted down, leaving only the sound of pages turning.
“All right, everyone, open your textbooks to where we left off yesterday. Today, we’ll continue…”
“Mr. Deng’s class… so boring.”
Mu Yurou rested her chin in her hand, her gaze unfocused, her thoughts already drifting to that little apartment outside the School.
“Beep beep beep—! Beep beep beep—!”
A sudden, sharply rhythmic electronic beep blasted from inside Mu Yurou’s wristwatch!
The piercing sound stabbed into her eardrums like steel needles, yanking her wandering soul back to reality!
The harsh beeps continued without pause, jarringly loud in the classroom that was supposed to be filled only with the Teacher’s lecture and the soft rustle of pages.
But strangely, none of her classmates or Mr. Deng on the podium seemed to notice—they remained engrossed in their own worlds.
This was an Encrypted Emergency Communication, only “audible” to those designated to receive it!
Mu Yurou’s heart sank.
She immediately looked up at Huang Xi, sitting diagonally ahead.
Almost at the same moment, Huang Xi turned as well.
Their eyes met midair—no words needed.
The mirth in her friend’s gaze vanished, leaving only gravity.
The two raised their hands in unison.
“Mr. Deng, may I go to the restroom?”
“Mr. Deng, may I go to the restroom?”
With permission, they quickly left the classroom and slipped into the nearest empty bathroom stall.
Mu Yurou swiftly pressed a concealed button on the side of her watch, connecting to the communication channel.
A middle-aged woman’s urgent yet steady voice came through, tinged with a metallic quality:
“Emergency! Lily of the Valley, Dandelion! An Abyssal Beast has been detected approaching at high speed, target locked on Red Sea City’s Binfen District—that’s your area! Estimated to arrive in…”
The voice cut off as a shrill, piercing air raid siren screamed through the School, tearing the tranquility of the campus like the wail of a great beast!
Right after, the Principal’s urgent evacuation order blared harshly through the corridor speakers!
“Abyssal?!”
Huang Xi’s voice was full of shock and disbelief, low but rapid.
“Now?! That’s impossible! Ever since Disaster Mother fell, attacks of this level have almost vanished!”
“Cause unknown! Your mission: immediately evacuate all civilians in your area! Priority is the safety of School staff and students! After the evacuation, if that thing really tears through the Sky Barrier…”
The voice paused for a second, carrying an unquestionable command and a faint hint of concern.
“Stall it! Remember—stall it! Don’t fight to the death! Reinforcements are on the way, you must hold out!”
“Copy that!”
“Copy that!”
The moment the mission was confirmed, their eyes met again—no need for more words.
Each slipped into a separate stall.
Mu Yurou took a deep breath and quickly pulled a softly glowing Energy Gem from her pocket.
She gripped it tightly, feeling the immense power within, and uttered the decisive incantation in a clear, low voice:
“Transformation!”
“Transformation!”
In an instant, two dazzling yet utterly different lights burst forth from within the stalls!
Mu Yurou’s stall was flooded with a pure, cold white radiance, like countless Lily of the Valley blossoms blooming at once!
When the light faded, the magical girl Lily of the Valley stood firm.
Her snow-white battle dress outlined a slender yet powerful figure, the short white skirt blooming like petals, white stockings hugging her shapely legs, the shoes at her feet gleaming with magic.
The gem in her hand had transformed into a delicate Magic Staff entwined with Lily of the Valley vines, the tip exuding a calm and unyielding aura.
The two of them pushed open the doors and stepped out, eyes resolute.
Ignoring the crowds fleeing in panic under the alarm, they moved against the flow, their clear, commanding voices cutting through the chaos: “Everyone! Don’t push! Stay orderly! Follow the signs and head to the School Underground Shelter! Move!”