“Hmm, the eighth transformation is complete. My body is still healthy, and the bracelet’s power is fine too.”
“Next, it’s time to eliminate that monster brimming with magical energy.”
After finishing the transformation, Blazing Flame gripped her greatsword tightly with both hands, closed her eyes, and used Soul Investigation Magic to track the direction of the abnormal magical energy source.
After several dozen seconds, a miniature Map of A City appeared before Blazing Flame, instantly allowing her to pinpoint the monster’s location.
“Again in East District of A City? Could there be some kind of curse in the New Commercial Zone? Why do monsters always show up there?”
“Forget it, I’ll go check it out first.”
Frowning, Blazing Flame’s delicate face was full of confusion as she confirmed the monster’s position.
Still, to stop the monster from destroying A City, she chose to fly eastward, planning to purify the monster before it caused irreversible damage.
Under the clear blue sky, the petite girl shot up into the air, flying towards her destination.
High above, Blazing Flame felt a bit nervous, her body trembling slightly.
She didn’t know if she could handle such a dangerous monster alone. She always felt she wasn’t mature enough, and her overall abilities were much weaker compared to other Magic Girls.
But since she had already chosen to transform into a Magic Girl, there was no turning back now.
First, she’d try to win the battle, then worry about other things.
“Phew… I’ve arrived, but I don’t see the monster.”
Hovering in midair, Blazing Flame scanned the tall buildings below but found no trace of the monster.
Strange. Such a powerful monster still hasn’t appeared?
Could it be a malfunction with the Battle Suit’s sensing? Maybe there isn’t actually a monster in A City right now?
No, she couldn’t be that naive.
Perhaps she was facing the world’s first intelligent monster. It knew exactly how to cause the most damage.
The reason it hadn’t appeared yet was that it was just waiting for the right moment.
Since she was the only Magic Girl present, she had to be extra cautious.
After descending from the sky to the ground, Blazing Flame carefully avoided ordinary people as she moved toward the monster’s location.
A few minutes later, she arrived at the place where the monster was supposed to be.
“…Isn’t this the place where we destroyed the Giant Egg last time?”
Looking at the familiar buildings and the still-unremoved rubble on the ground, Blazing Flame was stunned.
What’s going on? Is it really possible in this world for the same place to be struck by lightning twice in a row like a rare coincidence?
Or is this monster a child of that Giant Egg, here to take revenge?
Blazing Flame was at a loss, but she cautiously moved forward, gripping her greatsword tightly, ready to deliver a righteous backstab to the monster.
However, when she finally saw the monster, Blazing Flame felt dazed.
“…Judging by the residual magical traces at the scene, it seems two Magic Girls worked together to eliminate this crazed Bug Monster Brood Nest.”
“Impressive, the Magic Girls of this city.”
“Good, now I can rest easy. I can stay in this city for a few months without worry.”
“Oh, finally found a place to rest. It’s been really tough.”
Because what stood before her wasn’t a monster at all, but a small, pure white creature.
The little creature stood on the rubble, muttering to the air in front of it.
Its pink ears were long, resembling a rabbit.
But oddly, the fluffy tail behind it didn’t hide inside the body; instead, it wagged outside like a dog’s or a fox’s tail.
So, was it a rabbit or a fox?
Blazing Flame was utterly confused. She felt her biological knowledge completely upended by this little creature.
The last time she had such a strange feeling about an animal was with Dice, the Magic Fairy who stayed by Sapphire’s side.
In her impression, only Magic Fairies had such peculiar animal appearances.
But why, then, would a proper Magic Fairy trigger such a strong reaction from her Magical Outfit?
Could this be a monster disguised as a Magic Fairy?
Blazing Flame thought her guess made sense. She gripped her greatsword tighter, softened her footsteps, and tried to stay hidden in the shadows, intending to observe the creature’s movements before making a decision.
She would never let any monster that endangered A City go, but she also wouldn’t harm any Magic Fairy that helped Magic Girls.
If the creature could prove her Battle Suit’s sensing was wrong, she would leave immediately and let the Magic Fairy stay in A City.
“…How long until I can regain my former strength and stand up to the Night Demons?”
“Every day I delay means the Night Demons’ influence on humans grows deeper, and my chances of victory become slimmer.”
“When I fully recover my power, will I even be able to…”
“…Who?! Who’s there!”
The small creature, which had been lying on the stones moments ago, suddenly stood up and scanned its surroundings, its expression tense as if afraid of being chased.
Hidden in the shadows, Blazing Flame was stunned, unable to understand how the creature had detected her presence.
She hadn’t made a sound, and her greatsword stayed still in her hands.
Yet, as soon as she approached, the creature stood up and noticed her?
Hey! How is this different from cheaters in shooting games?!
“Uh, hello?”
Since she’d been discovered, Blazing Flame decided not to hide anymore.
She stepped out of the shadows, scratched her head awkwardly, and waved at the little creature, greeting it.
“Ma-Magic Girl?! Run!”
No one knew why the creature’s first reaction to seeing Blazing Flame was surprise, followed immediately by turning and running without hesitation.
Blazing Flame stood there dumbfounded.
Several seconds passed before she came to her senses and hurried after it.
As she chased, she shouted to the creature, trying to reassure it she wasn’t an enemy.
“Hey! Don’t run! I mean no harm! Let’s talk!”
“No harm? I don’t believe you! First, tell me what kind of image I have in your eyes!”
The creature didn’t slow down upon hearing Blazing Flame’s words. Instead, it ran faster, seeming to be able to shake her off within half a minute.
Yet, despite its incredible speed, Blazing Flame stayed close behind and wasn’t completely left behind.
She realized it wasn’t her speeding up — the creature was the one accelerating.
But she wasn’t far behind; she stayed right on its tail.
This meant…
The creature was testing her?
With that thought, Blazing Flame shouted without hesitation.
“I think you’re a little animal that looks like a rabbit but also like a fox!”
At once, the little creature stopped running and turned to look at Blazing Flame.