Happy times always pass quickly.
After spending an entire afternoon playing games without gaining a single point, feeling completely dazed, Lu Ren immediately canceled the matchmaking queue, stood up from his chair, and planned to head to the cafeteria for some food and a proper rest.
“Ren-ge, you’re going to eat so soon? Not playing a few more rounds? I already ordered takeout,” Xu Wenxing said without turning his head, still busy with the game.
Lu Ren put the Dormitory Key, adorned with the red Star Pendant, into his pocket and responded with a casual “Mm,” as acknowledgment.
“Alright then. So, Ren-ge, will you be back tonight? If not, I get the dorm to myself.”
“Depends on the situation. If things there get handled quickly, I’ll come back. If not, I’ll find somewhere outside to stay overnight.” Lu Ren packed his things and walked to the dormitory door.
Before leaving, he glanced at Xu Wenxing. “Don’t stay up too late; there’s an 8 a.m. class tomorrow. If I end up staying out, set an alarm for me.”
After finally defeating his opponent, Xu Wenxing stretched and turned to his busy roommate. “Don’t worry, Ren-ge, with my skills, I won’t be playing this long.”
“Alright then, I’m heading out.” Lu Ren nodded and opened the door, about to leave the dorm.
“Wait, Ren-ge, can I ask you something?” Xu Wenxing suddenly called out.
“The red Star Pendant on your key—where’d you get it? It looks nice. Send me the link; I want one too.”
Lu Ren was momentarily stunned, then took out the key and pointed at the Star Pendant with a joking tone. “A rich lady gave it to me. If you’re interested, I can introduce you to her so she can send you the link.”
“Seriously, Ren-ge? Your Star Pendant is a gift from a rich lady?” Xu Wenxing shook his head quickly. “I’m not feeling well. This kind of thing you should enjoy yourself. Remember to exercise and don’t let a 350-pound rich lady crush you…”
“Ren-ge? Ren-ge? What’s wrong?”
Xu Wenxing originally wanted to joke around to lighten the mood before Lu Ren left on his errand. But as he spoke, he noticed Lu Ren’s expression suddenly turned serious, as if something major had happened.
“…Wenxing.” Lu Ren took a deep breath, looking seriously at his friend.
“Yeah, Ren-ge? I’m still alive. What happened?” Seeing Lu Ren so serious, Xu Wenxing dropped his teasing and listened carefully to what he had to say.
Lu Ren stared at Xu Wenxing with a grave expression. “If I get crushed to death by the rich lady, remember to collect my body.”
“Ren-ge! Cut it out!” Xu Wenxing was both annoyed and embarrassed, never expecting to be pranked like this. “Go eat already; stop joking around.”
“Alright, alright, no more teasing.” Lu Ren closed the door behind him and stepped outside. “I’m going to eat.”
“Okay, bye!”
Xu Wenxing waved as Lu Ren disappeared from sight after closing the dorm door behind him.
“Sigh, Ren-ge really is carefree.”
After Lu Ren left, Xu Wenxing sighed and murmured with envy.
* * *
Instead of turning right toward the school cafeteria, Lu Ren dashed straight toward the main school gate.
Dodging one student after another on the way, Lu Ren panted heavily, finally reaching the school gate.
Without time to wipe the sweat from his forehead, he swallowed dryly while swiping his Campus Card to exit the school.
The Security Uncle nearby was used to this. Every night, some university students rushed out to meet girlfriends from other schools.
As a security guard, he didn’t bother advising them to take care of their health and just pretended not to notice, treating it as their evening exercise.
“Beep.”
As the sensor beeped, Lu Ren swiftly pocketed his card and sprinted outside, vanishing like a streak of smoke beyond the school gate.
The Security Uncle shook his head, thinking how impatient young people are when it comes to love nowadays.
…………
“Huff, huff, huff…”
Once in a quiet alley outside the school, Lu Ren leaned against the wall, gasping for air, heart pounding fiercely.
When his breathing steadied somewhat, he took out his Dormitory Key, watching the red Star Pendant flicker and glow.
“Another monster… Looks like dinner will have to wait tonight.”
“Well, whatever. Saving people is more important.”
Without hesitation, Lu Ren gripped the red Star Pendant tightly and shouted firmly,
“Generate Attire!”
In an instant, the dark, empty alley was bathed in dazzling orange-red starlight swirling around Lu Ren like butterflies fluttering around nectar.
As the starry light settled, intricate patterns appeared on the dull concrete ground beneath him.
The magical array centered on Lu Ren, casting fierce light onto his face.
“Blazing Flame Attire has been assembled. Please touch your Magic Fairy to complete Authorization.”
A cheerful female voice rang out from the array, then the rotating pattern stopped.
The red Star Pendant in Lu Ren’s hand detached and transformed into a locked black hexagonal box, hovering before him.
According to the Monster Response Department’s public videos, Lu Ren should reach out to touch the Magic Fairy following him, letting it transform into a key to open the box, thereby completing Authorization and transforming into a true Magic Girl.
Without the Magic Fairy turning into a key, the Magic Girl Attire cannot activate.
But Lu Ren had no Magic Fairy by his side, nor had one come to him after he obtained the strange red Star Pendant.
In other words, this was a Magic Girl Attire without a Magic Fairy.
Equivalent to a super cool special effect but completely useless.
“…Blazing Flame Attire has been assembled. Please touch your Magic Fairy to complete Authorization.”
After the pleasant prompt sounded again, Lu Ren closed his eyes, took a deep breath, drawing energy into his dantian, his entire body gathering strength.
The next moment, he grabbed the hovering black hexagonal box with both hands, gritting his teeth, desperately trying to pry open the locked box.
If any other Magic Girl saw this, they would think Lu Ren was crazy for trying to transform by physically breaking open the box.
It was like trying to crush a plastic water bottle—utterly unreasonable.
But Lu Ren didn’t care.
From the moment he got this red Star Pendant, he knew what he had to do.
As for lacking a Magic Fairy, no key to open the box, and all the other troubles—that was just small stuff.
Even though his rational mind told him to give up, and despite not being able to transform no matter how much he pulled, even as his body grew weary, Lu Ren refused to quit.
He no longer wanted to run away.
He was sick of living in shelters, scared all the time.
He wasn’t going to give up this rare, unexpected gift.
Even if his power was small, he wanted to help those he could!
This feeling was absolutely genuine!
He wouldn’t give up. He would move forward!
Even if the power changed his gender, even if he faced countless misunderstandings…
He would still do his best to save those hurt by monsters!
“Click!”
Hearing the dreamy crisp sound, Lu Ren looked at the crimson light emanating from the box and without hesitation made the choice he had to make.
“Transform!”
At that moment, the pleasant girl’s voice echoed again in the alley, celebrating Lu Ren’s success.
“Authorization confirmed!”
“Magic Girl Attire—Blazing Flame, fully assembled!”
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Hmm, a true hero fr