Magical Girl Huang Xing (Part 2)

“You, you…”

Raging Flame was too shocked to speak. Tidal, too, stood frozen in disbelief.

But to Mo Li, their stunned silence read as admiration for her charm.

“Did my cuteness scare you? Hehe.”

She struck another pose—like a model on a fashion magazine cover—spreading her fingers to show off her glittering manicure.

“As if! Stop being so full of yourself!”

Finally snapping out of it, Raging Flame turned to Lao Lin and snapped:

“Why her?! What were you thinking, Lao Lin? You idiot!”

“What are you talking about? What’s wrong with her? Did I miss something?”

Lao Lin looked genuinely confused, his ears drooping as if scolded for no reason.

“Huh? The way you say that… you know me? Wait… are you from Xinwang High too? Hehe, no surprise. I’m famous school-wide, after all.”

“Of course I know you,” Raging Flame growled.

With a flash of light, she de-transformed back into You Xi.

“Wah! It’s the she-ape!”

Now it was Mo Li’s turn to be shocked.

“What did you say?! Say it again!”

“She-ape, she-ape, she-ape!”

Mo Li shouted, then ducked behind Tidal.

Realizing the height difference, she crouched down, shrinking herself behind the small magical girl like a living shield.

“…”

Tidal wore the expression of someone who had given up on life.

She had no idea what sin she’d committed to deserve this.

The second magical girl of the Fifth Ring in Shangjing City—of all people—was Mo Li, her niece’s sworn enemy.

…How was she supposed to lead this team?

Just imagining having to command two teenage girls who hated each other, who couldn’t stand the sight of one another, into battle against aberrations… she felt nothing but despair for the squad’s future.

And right now, the two bickering like children only confirmed her worst fears.

“Why are you hiding behind Senior?! Move! Don’t use her as a shield! That’s so rude!”

“Why should I listen to you? And who gave you the right to barge into my house and shove me to the ground?”

“That was wrong of me. I apologized, didn’t I? Isn’t that enough?”

“Hmph. That attitude? Not accepted!”

“Then what do you want me to do?!”

“Hehe. I haven’t decided yet… For now, your apology is rejected!”

“You’re the worst!”

You Xi glared, her eyes dark with irritation.

“And you’re not one to talk.”

Peeking over Tidal’s shoulder, Mo Li flipped her the middle finger.

—Stare.

Their eyes locked—each filled with contempt, disdain, and loathing.

“Uh… not that I get it… but can someone please explain what’s going on?”

Lao Lin, still clueless, finally spoke up weakly.

“Shut up!”

“Be quiet!”

For once, the two girls were in perfect sync.

“It’s all your fault!”

“Your fault!”

“…S-sorry…”

Still not understanding, but sensing the danger, Lao Lin lowered his head and said no more.

“You two.”

Seeing this devolve into an endless child’s quarrel, Tidal clapped her hands together once—firm, commanding.

“I’ve heard from Raging Flame about the conflict between you two.”

“What? Conflict? Making it sound so serious… They’re just kids. What kind of conflict could they possibly have?” Lao Lin asked.

“You shut up.”

“…S-sorry.”

Tidal shot Lao Lin a glare. He obediently scurried to the side, silent.

“I understand that right now, neither of you can accept the other’s existence. I get it. But I need to remind you both—this is what being a magical girl is.”

“When you accepted this role, you should’ve been prepared for all kinds of situations. Of course, you’re still young. It’s okay if you’re not ready yet. We’ll take it slow. I’ll be here with you. No rush.”

“First, learn to separate your civilian identity from your magical girl identity.”

“You are Raging Flame.” She pointed at You Xi.

“You are Huangxing.” She pointed at Mo Li.

“I won’t force you to get along. That’s your personal matter—I have no right to interfere. But the moment you transform into magical girls, I, as the mentor of the Fifth Ring Magical Girl Squad, have one clear demand.”

“Our enemy is one—the aberrations. As long as we share that goal, I believe you can set aside your personal grudges and face the threat together. At the very least—don’t sabotage each other.”

“Understood? Both of you.”

“…”

At that moment, not just You Xi, but Mo Li too, realized this blue girl wasn’t as childish as she looked.

Her tone, her logic—utterly adult. Calm, measured, like a seasoned leader. Soft-spoken, yet carrying undeniable authority.

“…Huh. Why does Senior sound just like my uncle?”

Recalling the conversation during their trip to Mo Li’s house, You Xi murmured under her breath.

“I feel like she talks just like my dad…”

Mo Li, struck by déjà vu, drifted into her own memories.

“Ahem…”

Tidal felt awkward but cleared her throat and continued.

“In any case, that’s all for today.”

“It wasn’t the most pleasant start, but I want you both to think about what being a magical girl means. Whether it’s protecting the city, protecting peace, protecting someone important… or even just having something to brag about with friends—growing means enduring what you once couldn’t, accepting those you once couldn’t stand. That’s part of maturity.”

“Alright, I’ve said enough boring lectures. You’ll get sick of it. Let’s wrap up.”

“I’ll take Raging Flame home. Lao Lin, you take Mo Li. Got it?”

“Got it.” Lao Lin nodded. “Alright, Mo Li, let’s go.”

“Wait.”

Mo Li stopped him. She walked up to Tidal.

“Senior, thank you for your guidance. I didn’t understand everything… but I’ll try my best to adapt to this new role.”

With that, she grinned. “Well then, see you later! Bye-bye!”

“Goodbye.”

“No matter how I look at it, Senior is so cute… How does she make her skirt float like that? I need to learn that…”

As she walked behind Lao Lin, Mo Li kept turning back, glancing at Tidal and sighing in admiration.

“Ugh… such a suck-up!”

You Xi muttered, annoyed by her fawning.

“Hmph. Tidal Senior is my senior too. You can’t monopolize her!”

“I was here first!”

“So what? I’ll prove I’m way better than you through my actions!”

“Better at what? Talking?”

“Better at everything!”

“Then let’s make a bet—let’s see who defeats more aberrations!”

“Fine. Loser’s a dog.”

…

…Well, competition isn’t all bad.

Tidal tried to comfort herself with that thought.