At some point, an item resembling a satchel had already appeared at Yang Mo’s waist.
But on closer inspection, it was clear that it wasn’t a satchel at all, but rather a book slung over her shoulder with a strap, just like a satchel.
The heavy white cover looked like it was made from cowhide, adorned with exquisite carvings, and a round orange gemstone was set in the center.
Yang Mo reached out her hand to the front, and from the void she pulled out an object shaped like a table knife.
Like the book’s cover, its main color was white, with a material close to solid wood, and on the blade, the unique wood grain was faintly visible.
Though it was shaped like a knife, the blade and handle of this “knife” were connected by a smooth curve, and the edge was not sharp at all.
Qianling had seen it in the setting collection before; the prototype of this thing should be a paper cutter.
Yang Mo drew out her “Heart’s Armament” in full view of the public, but no one so much as glanced at her—they just hurried past her.
Even though Qianling knew this was a certain setting from the original work, experiencing it in person still felt utterly unbelievable.
So this is the “Underlying Logic No. 2” of the original work… “Cognitive Interference Magic.”
This is also the setting that left the deepest impression on me, a fan of the original.
Because of this, even without deliberately recalling, Qianling could instantly recite all the relevant details.
In short, this magic, like Restoration Magic, is constantly cast upon Magical Girls. Its effect is to prevent others from recognizing the true identity of a Magical Girl—once the Heart’s Armament is summoned, it activates.
While watching other Magical Girl anime, Qianling once pondered a certain question.
Namely—these people’s appearances don’t actually change after transforming, so why can’t anyone around them recognize them?
In , this question could be explained by Cognitive Interference Magic.
Under the influence of this magic, people couldn’t connect the Magical Girl’s appearance before and after transformation, nor would they notice the Magical Girl during the process.
It even goes as far as… if a Magical Girl were to transform in front of someone and then leave immediately, that person’s cognition would be altered, and the reason for the Magical Girl’s departure in their memory would be replaced with another logical explanation.
Truly, it was an absurdly unreasonable magic.
It was because of this that a certain tragedy occurred—but that wasn’t something Qianling needed to worry about now; there was a looming crisis right ahead.
Yang Mo glanced at Qianling beside her and then said, “Qianling, this should be my first time transforming in front of you, right?”
“Mm.” Qianling nodded.
“Then you’d better watch closely.”
After speaking, she raised the paper cutter high, determination shining in her eyes.
“Magical Girl Amber, Transform!”
It was an exceedingly short and powerful declaration—nothing like a Magical Girl, and more like the slogan shouted by a tokusatsu hero.
As the paper cutter was swung down from above her head, it felt as if something in the air had been split open. Brilliant orange flames spread from the tip of the blade to envelop Yang Mo entirely.
She danced with the flames, spinning lightly forward. The fire did not burn her or the book at her waist; instead, everything it touched was renewed and transformed.
Her original outfit was replaced by a dress with an academy-style uniform collar, a shirt underneath, and an orange bow that fastened a darker gemstone at her collar. The sleeves of the dress, rolled up like cuffs, were orange as well.
Compared to the ornate decorations near her collar, the skirt’s design was much simpler, with a nearly straight opening.
But the biggest change was in Yang Mo herself. On her head was a white cat-eared domed hat, and her hair and eyes seemed to have absorbed all the flames, now gleaming with dazzling amber light.
That’s right—this was Magical Girl Amber, a Magical Girl of the orange spectrum.
If someone saw her for the first time, they might be left with an impression reminiscent of a “literary girl.”
Qianling had complained about this before: How could there be an orange literary girl? Besides, she had almost nothing in common with the transformed one.
But after getting to know Yang Mo, she found that Yang Mo could indeed be somewhat connected to books, so she simply watched this supercharged transformation sequence with admiration.
In the blink of an eye, Yang Mo’s transformation was complete. She turned back, giving Qianling a final briefing before battle.
“Remember? My magic gives life to paper. Even though you said you’d cover me, my magic is actually better suited for ‘support’—so call me if you need help.”
“I will.” After answering, Qianling also reminded her, “You too, don’t forget, I’m fighting with you.”
Yang Mo nodded silently with a serious expression.
At that moment, the flow of magic became even more chaotic. Within the mall’s interior, a point of starlight suddenly appeared, from which two green claws emerged, tearing the point into a rift.
Seeing this, Qianling shouted as loudly as she could, “It’s coming!”
“I know! I’ll make it pay for letting me go hungry!”
With that, Yang Mo charged straight at the Bad Witch.
Qianling couldn’t help but sigh.
“Is that really the first thing you’re going to say? Where did all that transformation atmosphere go…”
Afterward, she followed right behind Yang Mo.
On the other side, what first crawled out of the rift in the void was a bizarre mask, seemingly carved with a weeping woman’s expression.
The mask crashed straight to the ground, along with its wriggling body.
Only then could it be seen clearly: what looked like claws before were actually two vines. Countless vines were bundled together, loosely tied with dried straw to form a human shape.
As it landed, it raised its head and let out a muffled roar from who knows where, the vines on its body beginning to writhe restlessly.
In that instant, the atmosphere inside the mall shifted again.
Turbid magic filled the entire space, and plants began crazily sprouting along the walls. In just a few seconds, the walls were blanketed in moss as if years had passed in an instant.
Realizing what was happening, the people panicked and began desperately fleeing in the opposite direction from where the Bad Witch had appeared.
Yet at the same time, they also noticed a vivid orange figure racing toward the scene of the Bad Witch’s arrival.
As she ran, Yang Mo called out to the fleeing crowd, “Leave it to me!”
“Oh oh! It’s a Magical Girl! We’re saved!”
Everyone’s gaze was fixed on her, unaware that a shadow brushed right past them.
Qianling, with her Stealth Magic activated, was following right behind Yang Mo.
So this is a “Reality Marble”?
As she moved, she silently analyzed the current situation.
A powerful Bad Witch would use magic to shape the environment to her advantage—this is what’s known as a Reality Marble.
Although this particular Bad Witch never appeared in the original, being able to use a Reality Marble just meant it had crossed the threshold into elite-monster territory.
No Magical Girl in the original ever lost to this type of enemy in a one-on-one battle, so for Yang Mo and me—or rather, Magical Girl Amber—we’ll win this fight beautifully!
Qianling resolved herself as such.