Since the “Judgment Scales” who once protected the city has been slain and her all-encompassing “judgment” has vanished, North Blossom City has seen a sharp rise in villain activity lately.
Because of this, in addition to the Magical Girls who patrol the streets, The Association recently arranged for a team of Magical Girls to remain on standby within the Association’s headquarters at all times, prepared to handle sudden emergencies.
In fact, Xiaoxi and Ye Xinglan had just arrived in North Blossom City yesterday and hadn’t been assigned a shift yet.
But today, it happened to be Qiuli’s turn on duty, and the two had specifically come to figure out a way to create an opportunity to interact with Qiuli.
The Astrologer had agreed that she would assign them to work alongside Qiuli.
However, the two of them couldn’t spot Qiuli among the Magical Girls on standby inside The Association.
Trusting her instincts as a shut-in, Xiaoxi led Ye Xinglan through to the very innermost room of the Association’s lounge—and sure enough, there sat Qiuli alone in a chair.
“Amazing, Xiaoxi!” Ye Xinglan’s eyes went wide. “Are you clairvoyant or something?”
“Hmph, it’s just experience. Anti-social shut-ins who don’t like interacting with others always spawn in these places at random.”
But Xiaoxi herself wasn’t actually a shut-in. She’d picked up this trick from a former teammate who was extremely socially anxious.
Yesterday’s chance meeting and brief conversation with Qiuli had already saved Xiaoxi a lot of trouble.
Now, going up and talking to Qiuli wouldn’t seem suspicious—at worst, it would just make her seem overly familiar.
“It really is you. What a coincidence.”
Autumn had set in. Today, Qiuli wore a deep brown woolen coat, thick black leggings that looked especially warm, and platform boots.
When she saw Xiaoxi push open the door and come in, she simply replied, “Mm,” and said nothing more.
Xiaoxi felt a headache coming on. For a moment, she truly didn’t know how to continue the conversation.
Qiuli’s personality wasn’t like that of the socially anxious; when a socially anxious person was suddenly spoken to, they’d get nervous and uneasy, but Qiuli was simply aloof.
Qiuli didn’t start any topics herself, nor did she seem impatient.
If it were dealing with a socially anxious person, Xiaoxi still had experience—but as for this type, she honestly didn’t know what to say.
It was a stroke of luck that Qiuli’s Communicator, lying on the table, rang at that moment.
A villain robbery had occurred nearby on South Commercial Street, and Qiuli was needed on standby to assist.
With a wave of her hand as farewell, Qiuli stood up, ready to head out.
“Wait! Wouldn’t it be a bit unsafe for you to go alone? How about I go with you?”
Xiaoxi immediately realized this was a great opportunity.
Although Qiuli’s abilities could be found in the records, every Magical Girl or villain had a different combat style.
If Qiuli really was the culprit, then now was the perfect chance to observe her fighting style.
Xiaoxi also remembered that on the high-speed train yesterday, Qiuli hadn’t joined the other Magical Girls in battle.
Even within the Association, which operated by squads, Qiuli seemed a little too much like a lone wolf.
“You two aren’t scheduled for duty today, are you?”
“We were just planning to come get familiar with the Association before officially starting work. Just so happens we ran into this, so I’ll trouble you to let me, the transfer, get an early taste of how things work in the Magic Girl Association of Xiahai City.”
Qiuli didn’t refuse, merely replied, “Let’s go together, then.”
It seemed she didn’t mind working with others, nor did she make much of the matter.
Truthfully, Qiuli had no great interest in getting chummy with the pair.
“Yay! Finally, I get to stretch my legs!”
Ye Xinglan perked up. This was her first time joining an operation since entering The Association—she could finally go all out in public!
But just as she hopped up, Xiaoxi pressed her back into her seat.
Xiaoxi knew the Commercial Street where the incident occurred was always crowded.
Out of a sense of caution, she didn’t really want Ye Xinglan using her powers in such a busy place.
Besides, from the look of her, this little rich girl would probably go all out if she got the chance.
Xiaoxi was here to observe Qiuli’s fighting, after all.
“What do you mean? I’m part of the Magic Girl Squad now too! Besides… besides, if you two go out, it’s just the two of you!”
“Huh? What’s the problem with that, Xinglan?”
“The problem… the problem is Qiuli’s way too good-looking!”
Ye Xinglan puffed out her cheeks and stared at the two. Xiaoxi was wearing a coat today too, and Qiuli, tall and cool, actually looked pretty well-matched standing next to Xiaoxi, who was petite… T-this, how is this any different from going out on a date!
“We’re just going on a mission, that’s all. Didn’t we agree that you have to listen to your guardian when out in the field?” Xiaoxi patted Ye Xinglan’s head.
“Don’t worry, you’ll definitely get your chance to show your stuff soon. You think you’ll get less work?”
Xiaoxi thought Ye Xinglan was just like a fresh college graduate—full of curiosity and energy for her new job. Give her a few more days, and she’d learn better.
Qiuli even cracked a rare smile. She couldn’t tell if Ye Xinglan was complimenting or insulting her. These two really were a more interesting pair than she’d thought.
“Relax, I’ll bring your girlfriend back to you safe and sound.”
—
At this moment, chaos reigned in front of a jewelry store on South Commercial Street in North Sea City.
A Sharkman, a beastly villain with a shark’s fin and tail, clutched a heavy bag of gold and silver jewelry, facing off against a Magical Girl in a blue-green dress in the middle of the street.
The jewelry store’s entrance was smashed, and the inside was a mess.
“Surrender quietly!”
The Magical Girl, Qingluan, gave a sharp shout. A Long Blade materialized in her hand, its edge formed by azure feathers.
She swung at the Sharkman, but he dodged the light blade with ease; it crashed into the storefront behind, sparking a chorus of panicked screams.
The Sharkman, holding his heavy sack, flashed a smug, toothy grin. As expected!
Without the “judgment” laid down by [Judgment Scales], these Magical Girls were just a bunch of pretty vases!
At a time like this, he had no reason not to be bold!
“Tsk tsk, looks like your aim’s a little off. Better be careful not to hurt anyone, huh? This boss isn’t playing with you anymore!”
The Sharkman’s taunts, along with the shouts of the crowd, made Qingluan flush with embarrassment and anger… Damn it, it was all because there were too many people around—she couldn’t fight freely!
Qingluan raised her blade to close in, but as she rushed forward and brought it down, the Sharkman just chuckled and, as if he’d planned it all along, suddenly dove into the ground.
The solid asphalt around him rippled like water, leaving only his shark’s tail fin exposed above the surface.
“Magical Girls aren’t much after all, heh.”
The Sharkman could have just escaped, but seeing Qingluan thrown off by her missed strike, he suddenly felt mischievous and surged toward her beneath the surface!
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