Lu Ren felt as if he had been in a long, deep dream.
In the dream, he saw a dazzling and warm light, and he saw countless Magic Girls, some he knew and some he did not, waving to him.
He moved toward them, toward that brilliant source of light, but they waved him away just as he was about to reach them.
Those Magic Girls smiled at him and whispered softly, appearing to say something important, but he could not understand a single word.
He could only guess their meaning based on their expressions, assuming they were telling him to keep persevering and to remember something that was very important to him.
But as for what that something was, he could not remember.
Ultimately, he could only stand there, watching as those Magic Girls drifted further away, eventually stepping into that gentle sphere of light.
Once they entered the sphere, the ground beneath his feet suddenly vanished, and he fell into an abyss.
“…Ugh.”
Slowly opening his eyes, the first things he saw were a gray ceiling and unfamiliar walls.
Lu Ren wanted to sit up, but his body felt as if it were filled with lead. It hurt to move even an inch, so he simply gave up.
Strangely, in this unfamiliar environment, the scent drifting into his nose was not the pungent odor of disinfectant, but the faint, sweet aroma of fruit.
“Yo? You’re awake. Want an apple?”
A familiar voice sounded beside his ear. Lu Ren turned his head with great effort and saw his roommate, Xu Wenxing, sitting next to him, greeting him with a smile.
Lu Ren looked at that gentle face, momentarily unsure of what to say, so he simply nodded slightly and spoke.
“…Yes.”
“Alright, here you go.”
Opening his mouth, he bit off a small piece of the apple. He chewed while taking in his surroundings, his mind recalling everything that had happened previously.
After dealing with the Mist-person, Lu Ren had felt an inexplicable weight in his body.
Then, his eyes had closed, and he had collapsed on the ground, losing consciousness.
Looking at it now, Sapphire must have sent him to the hospital, and he was currently recuperating in a hospital bed.
“The Doctor said your recovery ability is amazing. You can be discharged after resting for one or two days.”
“How are you? Do you feel any discomfort?” Xu Wenxing asked as he sliced the rest of the apple into pieces and placed them on a nearby plate.
After a few seconds of silence, Lu Ren shook his head slightly and replied.
“Aside from feeling exhausted all over, everything else is fine.”
“I see. That’s good then. It’s a relief that nothing serious happened.”
Xu Wenxing replied casually, then looked at Lu Ren and opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something. In the end, he shook his head and kept his silence.
Watching the shifting expressions on the other man’s face, Lu Ren could vaguely guess what he wanted to say.
He was well aware that the price he paid this time was likely extensive; otherwise, Xu Wenxing would not be wearing such a worried expression.
‘Really, this is my private business. What does this guy have to worry about?’
“…Brother Ren.”
“What is it?”
Sure enough, after a brief silence, Xu Wenxing spoke up, his gaze fixed intently on Lu Ren.
Lu Ren’s expression remained calm, showing no surprise as he asked his own question.
“I have one piece of good news and one piece of bad news. Which one do you want to hear first?” Xu Wenxing asked.
“The bad news. I really want to know what price I paid.”
Lu Ren made his choice without any hesitation.
Since Pandora was not by his side and he had not yet encountered anyone affected by the price, it was better to ask Xu Wenxing directly and let him say it.
“Well, the bad news is, um… some people at the university have developed accidental amnesia. There might be some people who don’t really remember who you are.”
“Some people? It should be everyone, right?” Lu Ren asked back with a smile.
“…Aren’t you sad?” Xu Wenxing bit his lip, asking Lu Ren instinctively.
“What is there to be sad about? I knew long ago what I would eventually face.” Lu Ren smiled.
“If anything, I’m quite satisfied with this deal. Being able to settle that troublesome Monster by paying only this small a price is a bargain.”
“I see. Then I have nothing left to say…”
Xu Wenxing’s words of comfort stopped halfway as he suddenly fell into silence.
He took a deep breath, his hands clenched into fists and his teeth gritting hard as his body trembled slightly.
Ultimately, Xu Wenxing looked at the smiling Lu Ren lying on the bed, then looked down at his own open palm and whispered.
“Why… why is it you who had to pay the price?”
“You’re clearly a good person. Why did this have to happen to you?”
Seeing Xu Wenxing’s indignant reaction, Lu Ren could not help but laugh.
After thinking it over, Lu Ren gave his answer.
“There is no why. As a Magic Girl, making this choice isn’t strange at all, is it?”
“But…” The frustration still lingered in Xu Wenxing’s heart.
“Alright, don’t dwell on this problem for so long.” Lu Ren’s expression was placid. “It has already happened, so just accept it. There’s no need to be sad for me. I’m not afraid.”
“…Okay.”
“Fine, fine. Let’s stop discussing these boring things. Come on, tell me your good news.”
Seeing Xu Wenxing nod, Lu Ren timely changed the subject, pulling the other man’s attention elsewhere.
Under Lu Ren’s urging, Xu Wenxing thought for a moment before speaking.
“The good news is that I joined the Monster Response Department. I signed a contract and I’m already an official logistics staff member.”
“Oh? Does that mean you’re on the permanent staff? Congratulations. Remember to treat me to a meal. Let’s go to that Chicken Hot Pot place at the campus gate.”
“Let’s pick somewhere else. I’ve already taken a leave of absence from school. Also, Brother Ren, your student ID is gone too. Neither of us can probably go back to the university.”
“That really is a shame. The restaurants near universities are always the best. Even cheap delivery won’t give you an upset stomach. Now that I can’t eat there, I actually miss it a bit,” Xu Wenxing joked.
“Then how about we rent a house near the university?” Xu Wenxing suggested tentatively.
“Forget it. I’d rather find a place closer to a hotel. At least then I can have Morning Tea every day. University breakfast is honestly not fit for human consumption.”
Lu Ren shook his head, declining Xu Wenxing’s offer.
After a bit more thought, Lu Ren continued, “Is there any other good news? Did they just brush you off with a single official employee contract?”
“I think you’d be better off going back to school. At least you could enjoy a few more years of peace.”
“Well… I’m responsible for the logistics of you three Magic Girls. Does that count as good news?”
“That’s not bad. Being able to see two beautiful girls is eye candy; I’ll give you that. But that might not be enough.”
“Then… the veteran employee responsible for my pre-job training is Sapphire. And I know Sapphire’s real name is Jiang Yuening. Is that enough?”
“Oh!? You actually got Sapphire’s name?” A smile instantly broke across Lu Ren’s face.
“As expected of you! You always manage to surprise me! I’d say the day you win over Meteor and start a Magic Girl harem is just around the corner!”
“No, no, no, don’t do that. I haven’t even met Meteor yet. How could I possibly start a Magic Girl harem? Do you think I’m some kind of god?” Xu Wenxing waved his hands frantically, denying the claim.
“Don’t be afraid. I believe in you. Strive to win over Meteor in three dates and have a lightning wedding. Be sure to invite me for the wedding wine when the time comes,” Lu Ren teased.
“Get lost, Brother Ren. Do you think this is Wu Xiong Gei Mu?”
Hearing this, Xu Wenxing could not help but laugh and curse, calling Lu Ren’s words completely unreliable.
Just like that, under Lu Ren’s guidance, the heavy atmosphere that had previously filled the hospital room vanished completely.
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