Monice had forcefully assigned Luo Shuangyue the task of retrieving the core Original Magic Power from a Wang-Class Magic Beast.
Feeling wronged, Luo Shuangyue found her way to the Director’s office and knocked before entering.
Inside the office, the Director was not alone. Feiqin sat opposite him, her head bowed as she typed swiftly on a computer.
After Luo Shuangyue detailed the entire matter regarding the need for the Wang-Class Magic Beast’s Original Magic Power, the Director showed no immediate reaction.
Instead, Feiqin looked up first, casting Luo Shuangyue a questioning glance.
“Is that really the case?”
Luo Shuangyue thought silently, Feiqin always seemed to turn into a skeptic whenever Monice was involved.
But since Feiqin was a high-ranking official, Luo Shuangyue—barely even a member of the Magic Department—had to show her some respect.
“Yes, it’s true. If you have doubts, Feiqin-senpai, you can check the laboratory. The researchers there can also confirm what I’m saying,” Luo Shuangyue answered reasonably.
She was confident this time.
After all, the Magic Department had personnel overseeing the experiments in their labs, and the beneficiaries were their own Blooming-Rank Magical Girls.
Why would they doubt such a thing?
Neither Luo Shuangyue nor Monice were stakeholders here; if anything, they were at a disadvantage.
Monice had come to assist the Magic Department’s research without demanding anything, and her abilities were well-recognized worldwide.
Though her specialty didn’t perfectly align with the field, her experience was top-tier.
“But right now, Xinghai City’s Magic Department only has this one piece of Wang-Class Magic Beast’s Original Magic Power,” Feiqin explained with some frustration.
“I’m not targeting Monice specifically, but this particular Original Magic Power is different from the others.”
If it were an ordinary Wang-Class Magic Beast’s Original Magic Power, Feiqin wouldn’t hesitate to let Luo Shuangyue take it immediately.
But this piece was unique—it’s the first-ever Original Magic Power obtained from a Universe Monster in human history!
There might be even more to discover from it.
“I see…” Luo Shuangyue scratched her head; Feiqin’s point made sense. “Then what about the Enhancement Stones? There’s only one Wang-Class Original Magic Power, and it can only be used for one thing.”
“Is it urgent for you? If not, we can pause the experiments for now,” Feiqin said thoughtfully, stroking her chin as she looked at Luo Xiangyue.
“Personally, I think researching Universe Monsters is more important than Enhancement Stones or Spirit Weapons.”
The successful conversion of Ye Lin into Xia Mo’s Spirit Weapon didn’t mean much. That was still a one-off success since purified Demons like Ye Lin were incredibly rare.
Universe Monsters, however, were entirely different—they posed a genuine threat to humanity.
The Magic Department was currently overwhelmed, gathering almost all available experts to understand the threat level of these Demons.
As for the recent fuss over Spirit Weapons and Enhancement Stones, it had mostly quieted down.
Related research continued, and some Magical Girls had started using Enhancement Stones to boost their combat abilities.
But the shortage of Original Magic Power was severe—far from enough to meet the consumption of the Magical Girls.
It was like a skilled cook lacking rice.
And Spirit Weapons? That was even less hopeful. How could they find Original Magic Power to withstand the purifying ritual when even Royal-Class Magic Beasts were so scarce?
“But the research on Spirit Weapons can’t stop,” Feiqin added. “I’ll try to coordinate with nearby cities to get another piece of Wang-Class Original Magic Power…”
Before she finished speaking, an urgent alarm suddenly blared through the office.
At the sound of the alarm, the Director sprang up like a swift leopard from behind his desk and dashed out like a gust of wind.
About ten seconds later, his voice echoed through the Magic Department via transmission devices.
“The Magic Division Satellite has detected three Wang-Class Magic Beasts approaching. Estimated arrival in ten minutes. All non-combat personnel, evacuate immediately. Combat personnel, prepare for battle!”
“Repeat: three Wang-Class Magic Beasts are approaching…”
Three Wang-Class? Luo Xiangyue’s eyes narrowed; the implications behind this were extraordinary.
“Feiqin-senpai, now there are three Magic Kings coming. Asking for a piece of Original Magic Power can’t be too much, right?” Luo Shuangyue bit her lip, nodding solemnly amid the alarm.
“Agreed! Let’s take them down together.”
If Feiqin had worried before about the rarity of Universe Monster Original Magic Power, that concern was now completely overshadowed.
Three master-class Demons arriving simultaneously, targeting Xinghai City’s Magic Department—any fool would know these Demons were organized and commanded!
Humanity was no longer facing scattered foes but a tightly coordinated Demon army.
If those three Wang-Class Magic Beasts matched the strength of the one Luo Shuangyue had fought before, humanity’s situation would be even more dire.
“Alright.”
After quickly confirming her participation with Feiqin, Luo Shuangyue returned to the laboratory to inform Xia Mo and Monice.
When Xia Mo expressed her desire to join the fight, Luo Shuangyue hesitated.
“The three incoming Demons might be very strong…”
“Strong or not, I can at least hold one off!” Xia Mo wore a displeased expression. Although she was only an Initial Bloom-Class Magical Girl and weaker than Luo Shuangyue, she wasn’t a mere decoration.
Facing Wang-Class Magic Beasts, no matter how weak she was, she could fulfill delay tactics.
If worst came to worst, there was still a Full Bloom-Class Magical Girl as backup.
“And we do have a Full Bloom-Class Magical Girl here!” Xia Mo glanced at Monice.
“Exactly. If you can’t defeat those three Wang-Class Magic Beasts, I will step in,” Monice said plainly this time, avoiding the usual “I’m just a scientist” excuses. She was clearly the last line of defense.
Despite the alarm sounding frantic, the situation was far from critical.
Three Wang-Class Magic Beasts were no joke, but the Xinghai City Magic Department was no longer the place of a few scattered cats and kittens.
Counting only those ready for combat, they had three Initial Bloom-Class and one Full Bloom-Class Magical Girl here!
Such a formidable lineup wasn’t something three crickets-sized Wang-Class Magic Beasts could match.
Even cautious Luo Shuangyue could confidently declare, “The advantage is ours.”
“Hey… huh? I’m not needed in the fight?”
“This opponent might be extremely strong. You and Xiao Mimi don’t have sufficient combat power and aren’t suited for participation.” The Director’s stern voice came through the earpiece, leaving Luo Shuangxing a little disappointed.
Being barred from the battle due to insufficient strength was hard to accept.
What made it worse was that she agreed with the Director’s logic—two weak Magical Girls on the battlefield would only become liabilities, forcing the seniors to divert energy protecting her and Xiao Mimi.
That was unacceptable against a formidable enemy.
“Come to the Magic Department as soon as possible. We don’t know if this will be the only attack.”
“Understood.”
The brief call ended. Luo Shuangxing wanted to find a secluded corner to transform but then noticed a flaxen-haired girl kneeling near the stairs by the outer wall.
The girl’s azure eyes stared blankly at the sky, her face a mask of despair.
“They’re coming. They’re coming for me…”
“Stop daydreaming and run!”
Luo Shuangxing was dumbfounded. Now she understood why her sister had been punished by Xia Mo for comforting Xiao Yi a few days ago.
Looking at how terrified this girl was of Demons, no wonder her sister had to be so forceful in comforting Xiao Yi.
Compared to Luo Shuangyue, Luo Shuangxing was worse at consolation.
But she couldn’t just abandon Xiao Yi here.
Everyone else had already evacuated to the basement refuge.
Leaving Xiao Yi alone was unrealistic—her legs probably felt like jelly from fear.
Grabbing Xiao Yi’s arm firmly, Luo Shuangxing hauled her up without caring about the murmurs from the girl’s mouth, then dashed down the stairs.
If Luo Xiangyue could carry Xiao Yi, then Luo Shuangxing, an Initial Bloom-Class Magical Girl with excellent physical fitness, certainly could.
Leaping down the stairs like the wind, Luo Shuangxing dashed into the basement refuge, where worried teachers watched anxiously.
She gently set down the terrified and disoriented Xiao Yi from her shoulders.
The teachers guarding the basement entrance were visibly moved.
In their eyes, Luo Shuangxing’s tardiness was justified—she had saved a frightened classmate!
This was the behavior expected of students in the new era.
“Teacher, Xiao Yi is scared. Could you…?” Luo Shuangxing wanted to hand Xiao Yi over and find an opportunity to transform.
But before she finished, Xiao Yi clung tightly to her arm, eyes filled with fear of abandonment.
Great. The girl had latched onto her. Luo Shuangxing thought uneasily.
No, I have to find the Class Monitor to comfort Xiao Yi, then hurry off to transform.
Thinking this, Luo Shuangxing pulled Xiao Yi along through the sparse crowd.
Fortunately, the school population wasn’t large, and the basement refuge was only lightly occupied.
She soon found the Class Monitor, who was hanging out with other classmates from their homeroom.
“Class Monitor, come see Xiao Yi!” Luo Shuangxing called out loudly.
The Class Monitor paused, then suddenly remembered something, her expression panicked.
“Xiao Yi? I was wondering where you were. So you’re here…”
She hurried over and, flanking Xiao Yi and Luo Shuangxing, helped them sit on a prepared pile of paper sheets.
With the Class Monitor’s arrival, Xiao Yi calmed down somewhat.
She was still frightened but no longer muttering desperate words.
So… can you let go now? I have urgent things to do! Luo Shuangxing looked at the hand gripping her wrist tightly, unsure how to proceed.
Xiao Yi’s hand was like a heated iron clamp, holding Luo Shuangxing’s wrist so tightly she couldn’t break free unless she exerted great force.
And if she used force, her plan to sneak away and transform would be impossible.
Xiao Yi, oblivious to Luo Shuangxing’s anxiety, instinctively clung to anything she could to temporarily ease her fear.
Coincidentally, these days, Xiao Yi had been caught up in two Demon attacks, and each time, the Luo sisters had been her protectors.
This planted a seed in Xiao Yi’s fragile mind that the Luo sisters were her safe haven.
Hence, she clung to Luo Shuangxing like a life raft, unwilling to let her go.
As for the Class Monitor, being an ordinary person, she couldn’t provide Xiao Yi with enough security.
Thus, the situation grew tense—one wanting to leave, the other wanting to stay, neither daring to voice their feelings openly.
Luo Shuangxing moved the hand Xiao Yi gripped repeatedly, silently signaling, “Please let go, I’m uncomfortable.”
But Xiao Yi couldn’t read the hint and only tightened her grip, even pressing closer.
This made Luo Shuangxing uneasy.
Ignoring possible consequences, she forcefully pried Xiao Yi’s fingers apart, freeing her arm from captivity.
If Xiao Yi had clung like an octopus, escape would have been much harder.
Once freed, Xiao Yi looked helpless, like a puppy abandoned by its owner.
“I…I’m going to the restroom!” Luo Shuangxing said, then bolted away as if scared.
Others watching saw this scene differently.
They thought the contact between Luo Shuangxing and Xiao Yi had been overly intimate, with Xiao Yi even showing excessive attachment.
Luo Shuangxing stopped Xiao Yi from advancing further, then used “going to the restroom” as an excuse to flee.
Yeah… it felt like the reaction of a straight girl tangled up by an overly clingy admirer.
Whether this was good or bad luck, Luo Shuangxing’s escape seemed perfectly normal to everyone.
If she didn’t come back, nobody would be surprised.
Watching Luo Shuangxing’s retreating figure, Xiao Yi’s mouth parted, words of longing on her lips, but no one remained to hear them.
At that moment, how she wished Luo Shuangxing would stop for her and be her pillar of strength.
But the white-haired girl had vanished, unwilling to stay for her.
A black and purple beam collided precisely in midair, extinguishing each other in a violent explosion.
A pitch-black Demon King shaped like a triangular aircraft growled in displeasure.
Flames spewed from its rear thrusters as it charged straight at the purple Magical Girl.
Its speed was immense—breaking the sound barrier in an instant.
A layer of fiery light flickered over its dark armor.
The Floating Cannon, used by Xia Mo as a transport, mimicked this, shooting flames backward, granting her enough speed to dodge the Demon’s attack.
Having avoided the attack, Xia Mo’s three unused Floating Cannons immediately opened fire on the Demon’s exposed back.
Several blasts shook the Demon’s body, leaving several dents in its black armor—wounds caused by Xia Mo’s Magic Artillery.
Meanwhile, Feiqin held a violin in her hands, playing as if on stage, eyes closed and pouring her energy into the music.
The sound, amplified with magical power, forced two Demons within range to emit irritated roars.
Their eyes turned blood red as they unleashed aimless attacks on their surroundings.
Yet none targeted Feiqin, as if intentionally avoiding her.
This was Feiqin’s ability.
Compared to brutal combat, she excelled at supporting other Magical Girls.
After these two Nightmare Kings were disrupted by her music, Luo Shuangyue hefted her great sword and began personally visiting them.
Whoosh! A black blade flashed, slashing cracks into the Demons’ tough shells.
They were tough, but far weaker compared to the Demon King Luo Shuangyue had slain before.
Their level of defense was roughly the kind an Initial Bloom-Class Magical Girl’s full-strength strike could damage—a level typical for defense-oriented Demon Kings.
However, these Demons lacked the offensive power and speed of those Universe Demons.
Bam, bam, bam! Luo Shuangyue struck down rapidly on the Demon she held, shattering its hard shell completely.
Then she plunged her scythe into the Demon’s body.
Her Magic Power surged inside, transforming into entwined thorns.
At that moment, Phantom Scythe appeared, brandishing her small scythe and delivering a final, decisive strike.
This time, Luo Xiangyue precisely controlled the Magic Power she injected, so Phantom Scythe used only one-tenth of her usual energy.
The result was excellent—the Demon exploded from within like a firework.
Phantom Scythe cheered joyfully, then transformed into mist to consume the lingering Nightmare Power from the Demon’s remains.
Compared to gnawing the iron-hard shell from outside, explosions from inside were more effective.
Perhaps because these three Demons were somewhat weaker than the first one, Phantom Scythe finished absorbing Nightmare Power quickly and charged at another Demon immobilized by control magic.
While Phantom Scythe fed, Luo Shuangyue had already cracked open another Demon’s shell and completed the Nightmare Power injection.
Phantom Scythe arrived for a killing blow, smoothly sending the second Demon to hell.
After dispatching two Demons, Feiqin’s melody shifted suddenly, rolling like a tsunami toward the Demon fighting Xia Mo.
The Demon’s movements froze instantly, twitching wildly as if an electromagnetic interference disrupted its systems.
Luo Shuangyue was about to deliver a hat trick and defeat the third Demon, but Monice interrupted.
“Let Rosemary handle this one. Let’s see how tough these Guang Kings are without internal attacks.”
The battle was completely under control.
No matter how the last Wang-Class Demon tried, it couldn’t turn the tables against four Magical Girls.
Monice wanted to take this chance to probe the Demon’s defenses.
These three Nightmare Kings looked identical, their strengths nearly equal.
Compared to the first Nightmare King, these three seemed slightly downgraded.
Monice felt a bad premonition.
Such Demons couldn’t have appeared naturally—they looked like manufactured weapons.