Although Xiaohongmao felt a bit confused, since it was a question from a senior, she still thought about it seriously.
But after a long while, she still didn’t know how to answer.
How does a Magic Girl improve her strength? Train hard, of course. What else could there be?
This question was like asking someone how to become a top student, and the answer being “just study hard.” It was true, but also a meaningless cliché.
Xiaohongmao sensed that Eternal Star Senior must have had some deeper meaning in asking this question.
Maybe she was testing her understanding of Magic Girls? So Xiaohongmao dared not give such an obvious and ordinary answer.
“Don’t overthink it. No one spends time pondering such questions casually. Not being able to answer is perfectly normal.”
Xiaoxi shook her head. “If you compare a Magic Girl to a vessel for magical power, then magical power training increases the vessel’s capacity, while combat training improves precision and application of that magical power. Once these two abilities increase, the Magic Girl’s rank naturally rises.”
“Besides that, daily physical exercise enhances basic bodily strength, which is definitely useful. This is how a Magic Girl improves her abilities, summed up in one cliché phrase—train hard and improve every day.”
“But what if I told you there’s another, simpler and faster way for a Magic Girl to enhance her strength?”
Xiaohongmao was taken aback. What was this? Training is so operation-heavy; is there really an easier, more convenient way?
Seeing Xiaohongmao at a loss, Xiaoxi gave an example.
“Remember that Puppeteer Monster you encountered at the theater last time? I got the full report from Miss L about what happened.”
“That Puppeteer Monster was originally not beyond your ability to handle, but it suddenly broke through and evolved into a B-class Monster right then and there, which is why you couldn’t hold it off, right?”
Xiaohongmao let out a soft ‘hmm’ and lowered her head with a hint of shame.
“Monsters feed on negative magical energy, gaining strength from it, and all kinds of human negative emotions produce this negative magical energy. That day, the theater was crowded, and when the Puppeteer Monster unleashed its puppets, it scared all the spectators. The crowded escape routes spread fear rapidly.”
“Since the fear was clearly directed at the puppet monster, it allowed the Puppeteer Monster to absorb a huge amount of negative magical energy in a short time, completing its breakthrough. Correct?”
Xiaohongmao nodded. This was all basic knowledge about monsters that she had learned in the association’s foundational courses.
“Have you ever thought about this? Both monsters and Magic Girls derive their power from magical energy. Since monsters can rapidly improve by absorbing magical energy generated from negative emotions, what about Magic Girls…?”
Suddenly, Xiaohongmao realized something and her eyes widened in surprise.
“That’s right. Exactly as you think—that’s the other way Magic Girls improve their power. People’s directed love, admiration, and other positive emotions generate magical energy that helps Magic Girls enhance their abilities.”
“In other words, the more fans a Magic Girl has, the more famous she is, the faster and easier her power improves. Now you understand why the association’s management of Magic Girls is so… commercialized.”
Xiaohongmao instantly understood. The association held numerous commercial events related to Magic Girls every year, not to mention all the merchandise.
Inside the association, there were clear regulations: Magic Girls who reached a certain level of power and fame would receive promotion from the association, and they would earn a share of the merchandise profits.
Xiaohongmao had initially just thought of it as making money and nothing more.
But now she suddenly realized that many of the association’s commercial activities might have deeper significance—these activities help increase Magic Girls’ fame and fanbase.
Xiaohongmao felt conflicted, unsure how to view this.
It was good that Magic Girls could quickly improve their strength, but who could guarantee it wouldn’t lead to putting the cart before the horse?
She herself was not tempted by such empty fame, but during the association’s selection process, she had seen many candidates who wanted to become Magic Girls purely for the fame.
“If I were in the association’s higher-ups, I would definitely choose this business model without hesitation.”
Xiaoxi sneered, “You get to train Magic Girls and make legit money at the same time. How cost-effective is that?”
“But don’t be too quick to think it’s a good thing. Unlike Magic Girls who improve through training, there is a downside to boosting strength this way.”
Xiaoxi said coolly, “If a Magic Girl’s power comes only from people’s love, then what if one day she falls from grace and no one likes her anymore? Do you think she can maintain her original strength?”
“That’s right. Magic Girls who gain quick power this way are like unstable buildings without solid foundations. Even simply being forgotten can cause their strength to regress.”
Now Xiaohongmao understood why Eternal Star Senior chose not to join the association. Such a truth was hard for her to accept as well.
After learning she could progress quickly, Xiaohongmao was full of confidence about her future career as a Magic Girl.
But she hadn’t expected to find out such a shameful secret of the association right at the start.
No wonder the association never mentioned this method of power improvement.
In that light, the Magical Girl Association itself was the biggest unstable building. If the association ever collapsed…
Xiaohongmao was stunned and suddenly looked up. Thinking back to the A-class Monster attack incident that had caused such an uproar recently, she suddenly realized something.
“That would be senior…”
“That’s right. Xingge is a typical case of a Magic Girl who boosts her strength through her fans. But before becoming a Magic Girl, Xingge was an underground idol. Now these two identities just naturally coexist.”
“Xingge also works very hard. She’s not solely relying on fans to become an S-Rank Magical Girl. Even if she lost all her fans, she wouldn’t have her power wiped out completely.”
Xiaoxi nodded. Her sister was pretty sharp; she quickly realized that the conspiracy in the recent black market mission was specifically targeting Muxingge.
If the A-class Monster really caused major destruction in Summersea City a few days ago, then Muxingge, the Guardian of Summersea City, would bear responsibility. If news of “Guardian of Summersea City Negligence” spread everywhere, the consequences would be serious.
The worst-case scenario was that Muxingge’s strength would regress to A-Rank Magic Girl status in a short time.
That was why Miss L had repeatedly invited Xiaoxi to join the association these past few days.
The association desperately needed positive news to suppress the wave of criticism and suspicion directed at them recently.
“Xingge is already among the weaker S-Rank Magic Girls, so if her strength gets cut down further…”
Xiaoxi shook her head. She wasn’t underestimating Muxingge; anyone who became an S-Rank Magic Girl wasn’t weak.
It’s just that Muxingge’s attribute is Coordination, which leans more towards support. In direct combat, her fighting ability is relatively weaker.
Besides, Summersea City’s overall Magic Girl level is relatively low.
Ordinary Magic Girls can manage, but other cities typically have at least two S-Rank Magic Girls stationed. Summersea City only has Muxingge.
S-Rank Magic Girls aren’t common like roadside cabbages; it’s not like reinforcements of equal level could be sent to Summersea City anytime soon.
And Muxingge just happens to be the type who depends more on fanbase support.
Xiaoxi and Miss both suspected that the Black Rose had targeted this very point to stir trouble in Summersea City.
Thinking about it, the Black Rose’s identity was really mysterious.
She likely knew this secret the association had hidden, which is why she orchestrated so many monster attacks.
Yet she clearly wasn’t part of the Divine Summoning Church, though she possessed quite a bit of their technology…
Xiaoxi sighed and decided not to dwell on it further.
She planned to end today’s training, but when she looked up, she found Xiaohongmao staring in shock behind her.
“Well, well, Xing, didn’t expect you to have a knack for teaching. Gone missing so long, were you off being a teacher?”
A familiar voice sounded behind her, startling her.
After the last time an old man at the park found her, Xiaoxi always set up magical barriers before training there.
Who could have passed through silently without her noticing?
Xiaoxi spun around sharply to see Muxingge, transformed as the Bailing Songstress, smiling as she patted her shoulder.
“Sure, you can teach, but why did you sneak up on me from behind like a bat?”
Muxingge was smiling but wore an expression full of dark lines and annoyance… Wait, how did she suddenly appear here out of nowhere?
Muxingge nodded toward Xiaohongmao. “Sorry, Xiaohongmao, I didn’t mean to follow you. But that bastard won’t tell me the truth, so I have to investigate on my own.”
“I’ve been listening nearby for a while. You’re helping train my team members, so I should thank you. But could you explain what you meant by saying I’m weak just now?”
“Also, you disappeared for three years. I’ve got tons to say to you. Why don’t we find a place to have a proper chat?”
Muxingge’s other hand also went on Xiaoxi’s shoulder, her two hands like pincers firmly gripping her, clearly meaning to pin her down right there.
Cold sweat appeared on Xiaoxi’s forehead. She hadn’t seen Muxingge in this identity for three years, and hadn’t expected their “reunion” to happen under such circumstances… Muxingge was definitely not someone with a good temper.