The next day.
The agreed-upon day had arrived.
All the major media outlets were paying close attention, but unfortunately, besides hearing from Broken Wing Butterfly that the duel would be against the Gray Dark Witch, there was no other news to report.
“Then I should get ready too…”
Luo You was preparing herself.
Just as she was putting on one shoe, Luo Zining suddenly walked out of her room.
She was only wearing an oversized nightshirt, with the top three buttons undone, seemingly without any pants, and her hair was messy.
Looking closer, the style of the nightshirt… damn, it was her old men’s shirt.
“Dad, I got a text from the university today. Come with me to register at the Jiuling Sea University and check out the campus, okay?”
“Huh? Check out the university? You’re already an adult, why do you still need me to go with you?”
“What’s the big deal? Just come with me once. From what I remember, aside from parent-teacher meetings, you’ve never actually been to school with me.”
“That’s obvious. How else would I, an adult, get into the school normally?”
Luo You rolled her eyes, letting her figure that out for herself.
“Well? Are you coming or not? Give me a straight answer.”
It was a false choice; there was only one real option.
Luo Zining stepped forward, her socked foot stepping on the other shoe Luo You was about to put on.
Looks like there was no way around this.
Luo You sighed.
She could delay the duel with Broken Wing Butterfly and go meet her opponent tonight. Nighttime, dark and windy—the perfect setting for a wild fight.
“Fine, fine, just until dusk. I have things to do later too.”
“Then I’ll get ready now.”
Luo Zining dashed off to the bathroom to wash up.
Luo You returned to her room and spent a long time picking from her wardrobe. Finally, she chose a pair of thick cotton stockings, pinching and stretching them to test their elasticity and toughness. They felt great to the touch and, most importantly, the color looked right.
She packed the stockings into her backpack, planning to change into them once they reached Jiuling Sea.
“I told you to come with me to check out the school, why pick such flashy stockings?”
“Hey, when did you sneak up behind me?”
Luo Zining rolled her eyes and opened the wardrobe, pulling out a pair of white long pants and tossing them to Luo You.
“Remember to wear these when you get there.”
“Eh…”
“What’s with the ‘eh’? You can wear stockings under pants too. What’s the problem?”
Luo Zining said seriously, “I’m going to school. I don’t want any weird rumors about me just because you’re wearing too flashy clothes.”
Fine, fine, you’re right! Luo You resignedly packed the pants into her bag.
As long as she could wear stockings, that was what mattered. What others saw was secondary.
“Let’s go, get in my car.”
“No thanks, you drive too slow. We’re taking the high-speed train this time.”
“Why not just have Auntie call a helicopter to take us there… never mind.”
They arrived at the high-speed rail station, bought tickets, waited, and grabbed some snacks. The whole journey felt fresh and almost like a trip.
“There, your share.”
Luo Zining handed over a hand-grabbed pancake.
“No spicy stuff, right?”
“Nope, eat up.”
Luo You took a bite and her expression quickly soured.
“Ugh, what is this? Tastes awful. How can this even be sold at a station stall?”
She thought only the ham inside was decent; the rest was a mess.
“Yeah, really bad.” Luo Zining agreed.
And it cost 30 yuan a piece.
“The train’s here, just throw it away.”
“Wait, I want to finish the ham first!”
Luo You hadn’t taken a high-speed train in ages—actually, she probably never had. These past years, she hadn’t even left Huahai City.
Even after reverting to female, she either drove herself or transformed to fly when traveling far.
That made her feel like a country bumpkin, curious about everything.
“I’ll call Auntie.” Luo Zining pulled out her phone but was stopped midway by Luo You.
“Don’t call.”
“Why not?”
“If you tell her we’re coming, she’ll insist on hosting us. It’s awkward to always be the one being hosted. Besides, her company hasn’t been doing well recently. Let’s not cause her any trouble.”
Luo You said seriously.
It was best not to contact Ji Yue on this trip to Jiuling Sea.
If that desperate Auntie found out she was here, Luo You felt she wouldn’t be leaving today—definitely imprisoned in the mansion, crying on Auntie’s bed!
“Fine then…”
Luo Zining said regretfully.
She’d wanted to stay at Auntie’s mansion for a couple of days.
By the way, how did Old Deng know Auntie’s company was struggling?
Luo You noticed her suspicious look and snorted.
“What are you staring at? With so many people fleeing Jiuling Sea recently, of course the economy is taking a hit. And you’re a college student?”
“Alright! You’re right!” Luo Zining gritted her teeth.”
After a silence, both were absorbed in their phones as time passed.
At the station, Luo You hailed a cab to the university Luo Zining had applied for. The fare was a damn 80 yuan.
Luo You didn’t understand why the university had to be built so far from the city center, in such a remote spot. Just wasting money.
“Dad, you never went to university, right?”
“Why?”
Luo You’s expression soured.
She hated when people brought up her education level.
If she didn’t say something, she’d have to use her achievements to school this college kid.
Luo Zining averted her eyes.
“Nothing, I just wondered if you’d come with me to check out the campus, would that mean you’re thinking of going back to college or something?”
“Impossible.”
“Oh, suit yourself.”
The persuasion plan failed.
Luo Zining felt frustrated—was there no way to make Old Deng interested in university life?
Apparently, there wasn’t.
“Hmph, unless it’s full of magical girls, I’m not going to college!”
Luo You scoffed.
There was no other possibility.
“Stop dawdling. Go find your homeroom teacher.”
***
Meanwhile, in the northwest.
Broken Wing Butterfly was actively preparing for battle.
She steadily raised her fighting spirit to the highest level until even her exhalations carried a faint killing intent, a powerful pressure that kept everyone at a distance.
Bang bang.
At the door, Nightingale smiled gently.
“Sister, want to go with me to the lake we often visit for some fresh air?”
“Fresh air?”
Broken Wing Butterfly frowned slightly.
“At a time like this?”
“Yeah, you look really tense. I just want to help you relax.”
“No.”
Broken Wing Butterfly declined gently.
“I can’t underestimate my opponent. I have to maintain this state. If I relax, there’ll be openings.”
“Then never mind…”
Nightingale lowered her head in disappointment.
It had been a long time since she’d seen Sister so full of fighting spirit.
The last time was five years ago during that Level 7 Sea Tide event.
Back then, the invading dimensional beasts were too many, and many comrades had fallen. Broken Wing Butterfly was constantly filled with killing intent, which worried Nightingale deeply.
She feared Sister might lose her life due to pushing too hard.
It was the same now. Being too tense wasn’t good.
Sensing the worry in her eyes, Broken Wing Butterfly gently stroked her face.
“Don’t worry. I will win.”
“…I know.”
Nightingale nodded but was thinking, How can Elira make sure Sister wins?
Although she believed Sister could win even in a fair fight, Elira’s interference was always an unpredictable factor.
“Sister, when is the appointment?”
“In a little while. She should be arriving soon.”
Broken Wing Butterfly’s hair behind her moved as if stirred by the wind, shimmering coldly like vines clinging to every corner of the room.
Nightingale was entranced.
She recalled what Elira had said.
How exactly did Sister use her hair to serve her so well that Elira praised it so highly?
Nightingale understood she had only experienced the tip of the iceberg.
She and Sister hadn’t reached the deepest level of connection.
She was just a younger sister who had shared more intimate moments than normal.
Elira, that shameless woman, had experienced the full version—the complete set, the truly… deep realm.
“Sister?”
“…Ah, eh!?”
Only when the tip of her hair flicked her cheek did Nightingale come back to reality. “Sister, your orders!”
Whip-like strands of hair cracked down hard on her, the burning sting on her thigh sharp.
Broken Wing Butterfly showed rare displeasure.
“The dimensional beast invasion alarm is blaring so loudly—didn’t you hear it?”
Ah.
Nightingale finally heard it—the alarm signaling another dimensional beast incursion.
Broken Wing Butterfly poked her face.
“Get yourself ready and follow me.”
“Wait!”
“What else?”
“Sister, you don’t have to go. You still need to focus on the duel with the Gray Dark Witch. This time, you can leave it to me!”
“As one of the Ten Seats, in this situation—”
“No! It’s fine! You can leave it to me. Sister, you can’t waste your energy on this.”
Nightingale said firmly.
Waste…? Broken Wing Butterfly’s eyes flickered slightly.
Magical girls fighting dimensional beasts—how could that be a waste of energy?
But her mouth opened for less than half a second before she pressed her lips tight.
The Gray Dark Witch Ariel was no weakling and had Elira’s endorsement.
She had no room for underestimating her.
If she lost, all Ten Seats of the Magic Alliance would be disgraced, drowned in rumors.
“Then go quickly.”
“Okay!”
Nightingale immediately flew out.
Sigh.
Broken Wing Butterfly followed afterward.
Though she wouldn’t personally fight, she chose to oversee the battle.
After all, Nightingale hadn’t been in good shape lately, and if another accident like last time happened…
Fortunately, this time the invading dimensional beasts weren’t very strong.
The strongest were only at Phantom level, just more in number.
Before long, the hunt was over.
After tidying up, Nightingale returned and asked, “Sister, you should head out now, right?”
“Yes, it’s time. You have to watch the place.”
“No problem. Letting you fight without worries is my duty,” Broken Wing Butterfly nodded, then stood and headed toward the duel location.
They had arranged to meet in the mountains of the northwest—rarely traveled by anyone, the perfect spot for a private duel.
“Still not here?”
Broken Wing Butterfly looked around but saw no sign of the Gray Dark Witch.
Maybe a little longer.
She held her breath, sitting quietly among the greenery to sharpen her focus.
But…
The sky darkened, and the forest grew dim and almost pitch-black.
“Why isn’t she here yet!”
Broken Wing Butterfly was at a loss.