The task mentioned by the Astrologer was to investigate a case of missing Monsters; counting today’s incident, this was already the fourth.
Xiaoxi looked over the cases.
The locations of these disappearances were all different, but there were two reasons they were believed to be related.
First, all of the missing individuals vanished inside bustling shopping malls.
Second, all the victims were Monsters.
Xiaoxi frowned. Though these people all disappeared in blind spots not covered by security cameras, just how crowded are these malls during the day?
To abduct four people without anyone noticing could only mean it was a Magic Power incident.
Even though North Blossom City had been turbulent lately, compared to such a vile case, poor public security seemed like a minor issue.
“The Subordinates in North Blossom City told me they checked every part of the malls and found no traces of Magic Power,” the Astrologer sighed. “So I think perhaps the timing is the problem?”
“You want to simulate the scene when those people were kidnapped, so you chose to investigate the malls during the day?”
“Correct~ Members of the Magic Girl Squad will all disguise themselves as ordinary people while shopping, so although we call it an investigation, all you really need to do is act like you’re out on a normal shopping date…”
“Ooh, a date!”
Upon hearing the word “date,” Ye Xinglan’s eyes lit up, but Xiaoxi cut the Astrologer off coldly without mercy.
“So that means both Xinglan and Qiuli are Monsters. Isn’t it even riskier for them to take on this investigation? After all, the ones being targeted are Monsters, right?”
“Don’t worry, the Association will definitely be providing backup in secret. That said…” The Astrologer gave a wry smile.
“But if your little girlfriend really did get kidnapped, it’s probably the kidnappers who’d be the unlucky ones, right? Not to mention you’ll be with her, too.”
The Astrologer’s meaning was clear—if the kidnappers happened to run into both Eternal Star and the Blood Moon Witch and still dared to try anything, then they truly had guts.
Xiaoxi still looked reluctant. Even if this task sounded low-risk, she didn’t want Ye Xinglan to get involved.
“How about we make a deal?” The Astrologer sighed in slight embarrassment.
“If you help me out this time, I’ll also do my best to help Miss Xinglan with her Magic Power Out of Control issue. What do you say?”
Xiaoxi’s eyes brightened. “You have a way to fix the Blood Moon Witch’s Magic Power Out of Control?”
“I can’t say I can solve it completely, but there is a method. It’s a hassle, and I’ll have to call in some favors, but for a deal, I’m willing to put in a little extra.” The Astrologer winked.
Xiaoxi weighed it over in her mind. The more stable Xinglan’s condition was, the stronger their hand would be when negotiating with the Council.
So, exchanging a relatively low-risk investigation for a way to stabilize Magic Power Out of Control was certainly a good bargain.
Just as Xiaoxi was about to agree, Ye Xinglan suddenly spoke up from the side. “Does that mean if my Magic Power Out of Control issue is fixed, I won’t need Xiaoxi to replenish my magic anymore?”
“That’s right. You won’t have to bother your Xiaoxi in the future. Isn’t that great?”
“…Maybe we should forget it, Xiaoxi. Suddenly, I feel like this date isn’t all that meaningful anymore. How about we just don’t take this job?”
Xiaoxi: “……”
A moment later, Ye Xinglan, clutching her face in embarrassment, was chased out of the room.
Xiaoxi and the Astrologer finalized the remaining details of the assignment.
Before the video call ended, the Astrologer winked at Xiaoxi.
“Your group’s location is the Commercial Center of Peony Street, but since you’re a local from North Blossom City, I doubt you’ll have any trouble finding it, right?”
Very soon, over at the Magic Girl Association of North Blossom City, Qiuli—who had been summoned alone to the Office by the department head—received this mission as well.
Seeing that Xiaoxi and Ye Xinglan were assigned to her group, Qiuli calmly looked up at the middle-aged man with a short stubble.
“Usually, I’m not assigned teammates for missions, am I? And somehow, I always end up with those two new transfers.”
“It’s the higher-ups’ orders. Don’t ask me.” The middle-aged man didn’t even look up.
“This Ye Xinglan is probably assigned with you because she’s also a Monster, right? Isn’t that good? Better than you always acting alone, isn’t it?”
Qiuli said nothing more.
She picked up the file on the desk and turned to leave.
She had never been one for arguing.
“Don’t overthink it, Qiuli. At least, when it comes to the Little Elegy matter, I personally believe in you. After all, Little Elegy has always trusted you, and I trust her judgment.”
The middle-aged man’s sigh drifted over from behind. Qiuli paused, then left with a quiet “farewell” as she opened the door.
…
The next morning, Ye Xinglan—rarely an early riser—got up early to prepare to go out.
She stood in front of her wardrobe mirror, trying on outfit after outfit.
It was obvious that she wasn’t thinking about the mission at all—she was truly treating this outing as a date.
“I think this one looks great, too.”
Hearing the same answer for the nth time, Ye Xinglan swung her fist in frustration at Xiaoxi.
“Come on! We’ve hardly ever gone on a date before, and now we finally have a chance. Can’t you take it seriously?”
Xiaoxi felt wronged but didn’t dare say it out loud… Damn it, it’s not my fault we never go out on dates.
Isn’t it because a certain little rich girl loves to stay at home playing games and never leaves the house?
But if she said that, her little girlfriend would definitely get angry, so Xiaoxi could only patiently help Ye Xinglan pick more outfits… only to get scolded again, this time because she was still wearing the same coat as yesterday.
“Why are you dressed so casually? You’re not taking our date seriously at all!”
Xiaoxi really wanted to remind Ye Xinglan that they were supposed to be investigating disappearances, not actually going on a date.
Besides, isn’t clothing just supposed to be warm enough?
But Xiaoxi was wise enough to keep those thoughts to herself.
After finally helping Ye Xinglan get dressed, just as they were about to head out, Ye Xinglan stopped her at the door.
“What now?”
“Nothing, it’s just that your lips look a little dry. It’s been colder and drier lately, so put on some lip balm before we go.”
The little rich girl’s attention to detail was impressive.
Xiaoxi felt her previously helpless heart warm a little.
She was just about to get the lip balm, when a slender tentacle darted ahead of her hand.
Xiaoxi reflexively drew her hand back.
“I’ll help you put it on~”
Xiaoxi thought she could finally leave after putting on the lip balm, but as soon as she finished, Ye Xinglan stared at her shiny lips for a few seconds, then suddenly pounced.
“Mm-mm… Stop, if we don’t leave now, we’ll be late… Now you’ve messed up the lip balm!”
“Sorry, sorry. You just looked so tempting with the fresh lip balm. You even taste like strawberry. I’ll help you reapply~”
After finally getting everything ready, the two walked out the door, one after another.
Xiaoxi let out a long sigh of relief, completely unaware of the way Ye Xinglan frowned as she stared at Xiaoxi’s back.
It wasn’t just an illusion. Recently, Xiaoxi… sometimes really seemed off.