“I’m done eating!”
Xue came running back, sweeping up all the Jiehai Substance.
From the outside, there was no visible change in Xue herself, nor any reaction—she looked just like someone who had finished an ordinary meal.
Her body was about to burst.
“Any discomfort anywhere?”
“Take my punch!”
Luo You had expected some movie-like scene—terrifying jointed limbs or tentacles sprouting inside her, twisting this current Xue’s body.
But suddenly, Xue threw a punch at her. Instinctively, Luo You used the Three Lives Ten Directions Pure Land to block it.
The punch wasn’t powerful, only stirring small ripples within the Pure Land, but it still caught Luo You’s attention.
“What are you doing?”
“Nothing, just wanted to try it,” Xue said honestly.
“When we get back, you still have that to do—get ready.”
Luo You thought maybe because Xue had flaunted these Jiehai Substances, the brainwashing and hypnotic effects on her had weakened, so she dared to lay hands on her.
This had to be taught a lesson!
A hard hypnosis!
“Let’s head back then.”
“Mm!”
Xue seemed very happy; Luo You had never seen her like this.
Before, this girl at home neither cried nor laughed, as if nothing could stir her emotions.
The appearance of Wangchuan was an unexpected variable, making Xue anxious and restless for several days in a row.
Luo You guessed it was probably because Wangchuan’s existence was rejected by the world—half human, half interdimensional beast—defying natural law. That was why Xue found Wangchuan disgusting.
***
“Is it… over…?”
Feiyu was already exhausted.
Today, she led her team to slay more than ten interdimensional beasts, all of ghost-rank, including one king-rank, severely depleting her energy.
“Zhou Xi, are you okay?”
“Mm.”
Zhou Xi was also covered in wounds; her magical spirit armor showed several breaks, revealing blood.
But she didn’t care about her injuries.
Today, a magical girl had fallen.
Although this was common at the Jiehai Gate, it was never good news.
“She’s coming down!”
Feiyu suddenly said in a low voice.
“Who?”
Before Zhou Xi could react, Luo You suddenly descended from the sky, kicking up a cloud of dust, followed by a little brat wearing an Ultraman mask.
Everyone, including Feiyu, treated this like an enemy approaching.
This was bad! Why was this witch coming down?
Though the Aurora Witch’s reputation wasn’t significant among ordinary people, within the magical girl community, she was basically the big villain from fairy tales.
Could this witch be coming to “collect a fee” by grabbing a few magical girls to take back for training?
At the very thought, magical girls who knew Elira’s habits turned pale and all stepped back dozens of meters.
Under the sky, after helping magical girls defeat strong enemies, the only person they remained this wary of was Elira.
Most of these magical girls had not competed alongside Elira in her prime and didn’t understand why the elders were so terrified.
“Elira!”
Feiyu immediately ordered all magical girls to retreat and stepped forward herself.
She had too many grudges to settle with Elira.
“Fall back.”
Jin Wang and Xing Yu arrived together, both standing in the front.
Xing Yu’s expression was stiff. Elira had just helped her sister out of a difficult period, so she didn’t want to treat Elira too harshly, despite her sister’s troubles being caused by Elira.
If Elira messed with her sister again and made Liyun revert to being a troublesome “heavy girl,” Xing Yu warned she would truly break down!
Compared to this, Jin Wang was more relaxed.
She was completely different from those heavy girls among the Ten Seats, holding neither hatred nor admiration toward Elira, just seeing her as a woman who once shaped her body and mind.
“Elira, let’s talk it out. If you want payment, I can contact the Magic Alliance and get you the maximum reward,” Xing Yu said stiffly.
Luo You remained silent.
Xing Yu grew increasingly nervous.
If Elira seized a few magical girls for training in front of two of the Ten Seats, it would be a huge embarrassment to them!
She even feared Elira’s target might be the two of them!
Depending on the situation, this might become a confrontation risking the dignity of the Ten Seats.
“You all…”
Luo You finally spoke, making Xing Yu tense and Feiyu clench her fists.
“I heard a lot of the Magic Alliance’s big sisters and little sisters are looking for me…”
She spoke slowly, clearly so everyone could hear.
Suddenly, Feiyu felt her gaze fix on her.
In that instant, her delicate body trembled.
It was as if a gun was pressed against a certain indescribable part of her, instinctively making her squeeze her legs tightly, turning them inward.
[What’s she looking at me for—could she know about the group I created?!]
Feiyu was horrified.
Luo You’s hands were behind her back, looking like a shy girl next door—completely different from the group of magical girls trembling on the spot.
“Hey, is there any big sister or little sister here I’ve ever… slept with?”
Upon hearing this, Xing Yu couldn’t stay calm and hurried to interrupt the bad momentum, asking, “Elira, what exactly do you want to say?”
“Then I’ll just say it straight.”
Luo You’s aura suddenly shifted, becoming fierce and domineering.
“I don’t care whether you were there or not, whether you’ve slept with me or not, listen carefully!”
“If you have complaints about the past, if you’re unhappy, just say it plainly. Stop acting like bitter old hags, always coming to me trying to hold me accountable. I can tell you right now, I, Elira! Will absolutely not be responsible to any magical girl!”
“That was the past, and it’ll be the same in the future!”
Damn!
Xing Yu nearly cursed out loud.
The magical girl etiquette was being tested in this moment.
To be this shameless—unprecedented.
Zhou Xi, Jin Wang, Feiyu, and others all looked stunned, completely unprepared for Elira’s words.
It was easy to imagine this speech would spread through every magical girl’s ears in the next few days, provoking furious rage.
Then Luo You strode forward fearlessly into the crowd.
Her action was like a tiger entering a flock of sheep—the majority of the magical girls stepped back, forming a circle around her, too afraid to move.
At that moment, Luo You’s tone shifted back to a mischievous brat.
“Hey, big sisters and little sisters of the magical girl world, if you’re unhappy with what I just said, I can give you a chance to challenge me face-to-face. As long as you’re willing to schedule it, I’ll accept anytime. Of course, the consequences if you lose…”
“Be careful that in failing to get revenge, you don’t end up with a new mark on your body! But hey, I wouldn’t mind giving your magical girl careers a bit of special experience!”
“Hmm~ I don’t think there’d be any magical girl that arrogant, right?”
At these words, most of the magical girls clenched their fists.
What an annoying little brat!
Speaking the most insulting words in the most provoking tone—who wouldn’t get mad?
They all wanted to pin this brat down and give her a good lesson!
“What nonsense are you spouting!” a magical girl stepped forward and shouted.
“You probably used every trick in the book back then to defeat so many predecessors, right!”
Coincidentally, aside from Xing Yu, Jin Wang, Feiyu, and Zhou Xi, none of the others had any connection with Luo You.
Most of them became magical girls after Luo You retired, and though they’d heard of the Aurora Witch’s name, they hadn’t experienced that era firsthand, so they had grown bold.
“Well, that’s all I have to say.”
Luo You smiled casually, unbothered, but before leaving, she added:
“By the way, I also accept multiple challengers at once. If you can get past this mountain of mine, your magical girl reputation will definitely soar! You’ll also be avenging your predecessors and earning their approval!”
She finished speaking and left.
But she didn’t take Xue with her.
Xue stood dumbfounded in place.
What about me?
Am I just here to be a punching bag for these magical girls?
The murderous aura radiating from so many magical girls made her tremble all over.
Whoosh!
Luo You suddenly dashed back like the wind.
“Sorry, I forgot you were here.”
She scooped up Xue and dashed off again.
A long silence fell over everyone present.
***
“Lady Xing Yu, are we really not going to respond?” some magical girls who saw Xing Yu as their leader asked.
“Yeah, Lady Xing Yu, she’s so arrogant. If we don’t respond, she’ll just keep bullying us.”
“What does Senior Jin Wang think?”
“Didn’t she just say she accepts multiple challengers? If Lady Xing Yu and Senior Jin Wang team up, then—”
The atmosphere began to shift.
More and more people believed the Ten Seats should take the lead and urged Xing Yu and Jin Wang to team up and put that brat in her place.
Though the Ten Seats had once fallen under Elira’s sway, it was a closely guarded secret involving the Magic Alliance’s dignity, so almost no one knew.
To the newly emerged magical girls these years, the Ten Seats were still an invincible authority.
“I think there’s no need to team up with Senior Jin Wang. Lady Xing Yu alone is enough!”
“Lady Xing Yu has probably already decided to challenge Elira, right? Whenever it happens, we’ll all cheer for you!”
“Lady Xing Yu! Lady Xing Yu!”
“I’m not— I didn’t— don’t drag me into this!”
Xing Yu panicked.
She personally wanted to settle the past with Elira, but only in private!
If she lost a public duel with a crowd of cheering magical girls around her… she might as well quit being a magical girl and live a normal life.
But those magical girls had hit a nerve.
“Hmm… indeed, if we don’t respond, we’ll go back to that era of Elira riding roughshod over us.”
Xing Yu whispered.
During the Aurora Witch Elira’s reign, the entire Magic Alliance was under a thick shadow.
Elira was the nightmare of all magical girls; any team going on a mission heard her name and lost morale and fighting spirit.
Now seven years had passed; new blood had replaced the old, and the newcomers brought fresh energy. This atmosphere couldn’t continue.
Jin Wang, seeing Xing Yu’s embarrassment, tried to defuse the situation, but Feiyu suddenly shouted loudly, “All of you, shut up!”
The magical girls fell silent.
The Ten Seats were unattainable to them, but Feiyu, as a Ten Seats candidate, was a target too high to reach.
Feiyu scanned the crowd and said solemnly, “After seeing Elira’s performance just now, do you still think it’s okay to be complacent?”
“Sure, Elira’s power was impressive, but the Ten Seats can handle her too, right?”
“Huh?”
Feiyu blinked.
“Yeah, even though that blue ultimate looked terrifying, the Ten Seats could still go toe-to-toe with her, right?”
The murmurs among the magical girls made Feiyu’s eyes widen.
What on earth are you talking about—huh!?
Feiyu suddenly remembered something.
When Elira fought Wangchuan, she barely showed the overwhelming strength she’d used when hunting Feiyu. It was more like tit-for-tat, finding weaknesses to exploit, ending with a killing blow.
The whole process gave the illusion that the gap between them wasn’t very big.
[Is this all part of Elira’s plan?]
Feiyu’s heart chilled.
Could this be a signal that Elira was about to resume large-scale hunts of magical girls?
Xing Yu stepped forward.
“Everyone, calm down. We must never be careless. Elira’s words just now aren’t the main issue. There’s still a lot we need to clean up here first. Let’s focus on our duties!”
Only then did the magical girls realize they were still in a tense situation, with many matters left unresolved.
“Also, what Elira said today must never be spread. Seal your mouths tight! Understand?”
“Understood!”
The next day, Elira’s arrogant declaration spread throughout the entire Magic Alliance.
***
“Why did it come to this!”
Xing Yu slammed her head on the desk in frustration, turning it bright red.
“Well, it was predictable. Magical girls aren’t a tight organization; management is loose. Expecting those kids to strictly follow orders like a special unit is difficult…”
“Jin Wang, you’re leaving today, right?”
“I’ll leave soon. I can’t stay away from my post forever.”
Jin Wang thought it over, then pulled out a chair and sat opposite Xing Yu.
She seemed to want to open up but hesitated.
“Xing Yu, a question for you. Now that your sister Liyun’s issue is resolved, do you still harbor hostility toward Elira?”
Xing Yu paused her paperwork.
“Why do you ask?”
“Because you used to hate Elira because of your sister’s situation. So I wonder, without that grudge, how do you see Elira now?”
“Of course, I want to capture her and give her the fairest trial!”
Xing Yu said after a brief hesitation.
“Is that so…”
Jin Wang only smiled gently.
She already knew Xing Yu wasn’t telling the whole truth.
“And you, Jin Wang?”
“Me?”
She thought for a moment, then said slowly, “I just want to ask her if I’ve changed from before. That’s all.”
This was her truest answer.
Xing Yu: “Can I rate you?”
“Hm? Sure, I’m curious about what you’ll say.”
“Ahem.”
Xing Yu cleared her throat, her expression serious.
“Have you been dumbed down by Elira? Back then, you had your chest bound and hair tied up. Now look at those two lumps on your chest—you hated those the most, didn’t you? So why are you flaunting them so freely now? And your hair! Too flamboyant!”
“Uh…”
Jin Wang was speechless, not expecting such bluntness from a companion.
“Uh, thanks for the feedback?”
“You see, that’s exactly it. Get a little temper, will you?”
“Can’t help it; this is just how I really am. Those old postures were just a persona I created—an act.”
Jin Wang sighed, changing the subject.
“I formally propose we officially add Feiyu to the new Ten Seats list. She performed outstandingly before. What do you think?”
“Mm, indeed. Later, we can let her try learning first-tier magic. Once she’s mastered it, she can officially become a Ten Seats member.”
“And Zhou Xi—she’s pretty good too. She can be considered the next Ten Seats candidate.”
“Mm, I’ll bring these up at the next Ten Seats meeting.”
Jin Wang took charge of proposals; Xing Yu responded.
After a while, Xing Yu paused her pen.
“By the way, I remember Feiyu also once had an experience with Elira…”
“Mm, that’s true.”
“I heard she faced Elira’s strongest form. Seeing Elira’s attack on her yesterday must have been a big shock.”
“Probably. She seemed a bit emotional yesterday.”
“Hopefully, she can move past this shadow.”
Half an hour later, Jin Wang left, returning to her post.
Not long after, Liyun, who had reverted back to being a magical girl, walked in.
“Sis.”
“Liyun! Come here.”
Xing Yu’s worried face brightened immediately upon seeing her.
No matter how troublesome things were, seeing her sister restored always lifted her spirits.
“Is there a lot of trouble, sis?”
“Mm, Liyun, come look. It’s time you started getting reacquainted with magical girl duties.”
Xing Yu showed her the files in her hands.
The files detailed yesterday’s events.
A giant Wanyue-class megastar ring was damaged, its singularity core lost, and the Jiehai Gate nearly breached. Fortunately, maybe because Wangchuan died there, the Jiehai Gate’s 13th District has seen no interdimensional beasts so far—a small mercy in misfortune.
Relevant departments are urgently constructing a Wanyue-class megastar ring already 80% complete, expected to be delivered soon.
There were still many issues.
Who was behind Wangchuan’s appearance, who supported it… and who was Akabane.
Most importantly, tracing the source of Wangchuan’s magic.
This problem troubled Xing Yu the most, as it meant she had to investigate the Magic Alliance to see if there were traitors inside.
“By the way, you’ll soon go to headquarters at Seideheim to improve your innate magic. Xing Yue and I will accompany you. We’ll investigate this matter on the way.”
“Also, remember to apologize to everyone at the Ten Seats meeting. Everyone’s been worried about you all these years.”
“You’ll be assigned to my team later. Don’t rush to the frontlines—get familiar with things with me first—”
“Sis.” Liyun suddenly interrupted.
Xing Yu was startled, then softened her voice. “What’s up?”
“I want to defeat Elira.”
Xing Yu’s hand trembled slightly.
Fear flickered in her eyes, but she forced a weak smile.
“Wh-why suddenly say that?”
“Sis!”
Liyun grabbed her shoulders, looking into her eyes.
Xing Yu’s fear slowly calmed.
Her sister’s eyes really held her—unlike before.
Now, Liyun’s eyes shone brightly.
Xing Yu cupped her face.
“Tell me your thoughts.”
“Mm, I think we must make a clean break with Elira… ah, of course not now. I mean after thorough preparation, you and I together will take her down.”
Liyun’s eyes blazed with fiery passion.
“This is what I, magical girl Liyun, must do.”
“So, please help me, Sis! The two of us can do this—not with defeat in mind, but with our dreams as the goal!”
Xing Yu was so happy she didn’t know how to respond, just opening her mouth without words.
Her sister’s growth far exceeded expectations.
In “resolution,” she had surpassed her own sister.
Encouragingly holding her sister’s hands, Xing Yu asked, “Can you tell me specifically how you want to make this break with Elira? And what will you do after you defeat her?”
No matter her sister’s answer, Xing Yu decided to encourage and support her.
“Sis! After defeating Elira, I want to put a collar on her and keep her at our house as a pet, owned by both of us… to make her pay for all she’s done to you and me!”
“Mm, ambitious goals. I support you!”
…Huh?
Xing Yu subconsciously gave her encouragement but suddenly had a face full of question marks.
What did her sister just say?
And what had she answered?
***
Ji Ming Sea.
Ji Yue wandered the streets in a daze.
She didn’t even notice Zhou Xi calling behind her.
“Ji Yue! You’re about to run into something!”
“Hmm? Ah!”
Ji Yue clutched her forehead, wincing in pain as she crouched down.
In front of her was a thick concrete pillar.
“You okay?”
Zhou Xi rushed over.
“I’m fine…”
“Thinking about Elira?”
“Mm…”
Ji Yue stood, shaking her hands, frustrated.
“I’m worried about Elira’s declaration yesterday. It’ll definitely lure many magical girls into danger…”
Back then, Elira said, “If you can cross this mountain of mine, your reputation as magical girls will greatly improve! You’ll also be avenging your predecessors and earning their recognition!”
It was easy to imagine, once this declaration spread, some magical girls would seek out Elira.
Not just for ‘reputation,’ but to avenge their predecessors and earn their approval.
Magical girls valued friendship and bonds deeply, especially with seniors who had once cared for them.
Every magical girl had seniors guiding them in their novice period, forming deep friendships and setting seniors as goals.
Many even formed special “big sister and little sister” bonds.
Under such circumstances, countless magical girls unaware of Elira’s terror would throw themselves headlong into a pit, only to crawl out crying and naked.
Ji Yue knew this well but felt powerless to stop it.
What could she even do?