Magical Girl’s Transformation

Xingyu secures a chance to gain intel with a costly condition!

“Next time, you’re wearing this.”

Luo You opens a shopping app, pulls up a book, and shows Xingyu the outfit worn by the female lead.

The outfit’s audacity far exceeds Xingyu’s imagination.

Even the most brazen women would feel a pang of shame knowing they’d have to wear it.

Xingyu’s elegant brows knit tightly together.

“…Your taste is so vulgar.”

“You wearing it or not?”

“You’d have to prepare it for me,” Xingyu sighs.

She wouldn’t even know where to begin sourcing such an outfit—Luo You would have to handle it.

“Deal!”

“Next duel’s gonna be a blast~~”

Luo You can’t suppress her grin, already picturing Xingyu—the woman who always carries an air of untouchable mystery—wearing that outfit.

“Now can you tell me about that thing?”

“Since you’re so sincere, I’ll graciously share!”

“Praise the merciful heart of the witch…” Xingyu mutters helplessly.

“Hm, let’s see. You all probably treated it as a Dragon-class dimensional beast, right?”

“Indeed. I’d guess it’s at the peak of Dragon-class.”

“Maybe. But from what I sensed, that thing might be a true Plunder-Light class. A real Plunder-Light! It’s intelligent and can even talk to me.”

Luo You’s impression of it is vivid.

A single fleeting clash was enough to convince her it’s a formidable opponent capable of matching her strength—a first for her.

Xingyu’s delicate frame trembles, as if glimpsing a future turning point, and she asks gravely, “Plunder-Light… is it really a dimensional beast?”

“The Sea of Realms is vast. No one can say it only holds dimensional beasts. The Magical Alliance is proof of that.”

“I don’t know if it’s a dimensional beast. Neither of us went all out, but even in that brief encounter, it felt far stronger than that trash at the Sea of Realms Pass.”

The “trash” she refers to is Wangchuan.

That thing had the Plunder-Light’s immortal traits and immense magical power, yet managed to squander such a strong hand—a true talent for failure.

“That’s all I’ve got.”

“Thanks. That’s valuable intel.”

“…How about one more reward, then?”

“Don’t even think about it.”

After learning this, Xingyu abandons any thought of teasing Luo You tonight.

She’s found a critical factor that could shape the future.

“I’m leaving.”

“Hey! You’re just walking out like that?”

Luo You stares in disbelief.

Doesn’t this woman like me? She’s really not doing anything?

For a moment, Luo You wonders if her charm has failed.

Xingyu turns back with a smile that mirrors eighty percent of Luo You’s own flair.

“You’re meeting Manjusaka, right? I’ve got more important things to do than waste time on you.”

“Wha—” Luo You’s jaw drops.

Last time, she was the one toying with Xingyu, and now Xingyu’s flipping the script!

But does she think I’m someone she can toy with?

Luo You flashes an even more disdainful sneer.

“Oh? Is that so? Go ahead, then. My schedule’s packed lately. If I waste energy on you, I won’t have enough to satisfy the other magical girls.”

Xingyu can’t ignore that.

Other people besides Manjusaka are at risk?

“…Who are you messing with now?”

“Guess~ I’ve been getting pretty cozy with a bunch of magical girls lately.”

“Can’t you just behave?” Xingyu sighs, exasperated.

She fought so hard in the Duel Before the Throne to keep Luo You in check for two or three months, and it’s barely been one before she’s stirring up trouble again.

Luo You shakes her head. “They’re the ones coming after me! It’s self-defense!”

“If you didn’t cause chaos, would they be after you?”

“I don’t blame you. You know how those magical girls look all pure and shiny on the surface, but secretly plot what to do once they catch me?”

Xingyu doesn’t know and doesn’t want to.

“They want to crush me—”

“Stop—don’t say it.”

“Hmph, seems you know exactly what I mean,” Luo You says smugly.

Those vengeful magical girls’ schemes must be too much for Xingyu to stomach, right?

If spoken aloud, they’d hardly seem like magical girls anymore.

“Elera, when you said those things at the Sea of Realms Pass, it wasn’t just about defeating magical girls with raw power and then violating them, was it? That’d be too boring for you.”

“You get me,” Luo You nods.

“And that declaration—was it aimed at all magical girls?”

“Yup. Wanna challenge me too?”

“Of course.” Luo You sounds confident, but her heart skips a beat.

This time, the challenge isn’t limited to direct combat or bedroom duels. It could be music, sports, guessing games, strategic battles… even comparing who has more special books. Anything goes!

The rules can be set by Luo You or the magical girl, with concessions required.

She’s ninety percent sure she’ll win.

But if it’s Xingyu… she’s not so certain.

“I’ll formally challenge you later. Be ready.”

Xingyu’s eyes carry a knowing glint, making Luo You uneasy.

‘Has she figured out some surefire strategy?’

“Let’s exchange proper contact info this time. I don’t want to keep contacting you through hauntings,” Xingyu suggests.

“Hmph, fine. Take it with gratitude.”

After swapping special contact details, Xingyu leaves without lingering.

Not even for a moment.

“Damn it!”

Luo You stomps her foot in frustration.

“You smug woman, passing up a chance like this? Good luck getting another shot with me!”

“You’ll pay for this grudge with the rest of your magical girl life!” Luo You mutters darkly.

Far away, Liyun and Ji Yue shiver simultaneously.

****

Under the starry sky:

“What do those magical girls plan to do once they find you…”

Xingyu muses to herself.

Then a faint smile appears.

“Naturally, they want to return the humiliation tenfold.”

That’s likely the top choice for most magical girls.

Magical girls are pure of heart, but that makes them more susceptible to corruption. Many of those violated by Elera have developed all sorts of inappropriate feelings toward her.

Of course, the Top Ten of the Magical Alliance are different. Their personalities give them an edge over other magical girls.

Ordinary magical girls are bound by rigid ideals and principles, lacking flexibility or pragmatism, which hampers their efficiency. The Top Ten are different.

Imagine a chemical plant hit by a massive fire. On one side, a chemical tank risks a catastrophic explosion; on the other, dozens of workers are trapped in the blaze.

An ordinary magical girl might insist everyone must survive, though they often yield to reality.

The Top Ten, when forced to choose, can make the hard call. Their resolve sets them apart from other magical girls.

This pragmatism, this resolve, this flexibility—it’s a prerequisite for becoming one of the Top Ten.

Feiyu already possesses this, which is why her nomination to the Top Ten is in motion.

Unbound by rigid rules, with her own unique flair, yet still holding true to a magical girl’s heart—that’s the essence of the Top Ten.

[I’ve heard Feiyu even suggested poisoning herself to take down Elera…]

Xingyu chuckles.

‘Perhaps it was Elera’s violation that pushed Feiyu to grow?’

Before, Feiyu lacked the mindset to join the Top Ten. Elera’s actions shattered that “shell,” sparking a more grounded perspective.

This doesn’t just apply to Feiyu—other magical girls, too.

Those whose mindsets veered too far after Elera’s violation could no longer be magical girls.

But those who retained their core essence despite the trauma often advanced, some by leaps and bounds.

Many magical girls violated by Elera retired, but those who didn’t often saw their strength surge afterward.

Not that more violations by Elera are a good thing—that’d be absurd.

“I hope Manjusaka doesn’t run into trouble tomorrow,” Xingyu murmurs.

She wasn’t bluffing Luo You. If Manjusaka is targeted, the Magical Alliance will lose it.

After all, Manjusaka is the one the Alliance has poured its heart into nurturing…

****

The next day:

After work, Luo You heads out at 10 p.m.

She travels to another city.

There, Manjusaka awaits her.

Nearing the meeting spot, Luo You uses her Crimson Authority to eliminate any possibility of an ambush before confidently entering the secluded area.

Tonight’s moon is exceptionally bright and clear.

A profound stillness—

Manjusaka faces the full moon, bathed in its holy white light, like a serene domain where stepping inside would purify the soul’s impurities.

“Manjusaka.”

“I didn’t expect Xingyu to actually get you here, Elera. What exactly is your relationship with her?”

Manjusaka turns, her eyes gently closed, exuding a tranquil beauty.

Luo You’s aura is her polar opposite—provocative attire, unrestrained demeanor, like a succubus invading a sacred realm, the clash of their opposing natures creating a striking contrast.

“Asking such personal questions right off the bat? That’s something I’ll only share once you and I get closer, Big Sister~”

“Let’s skip the pleasantries, Elera. I want to make a deal with you.”

“What deal?”

“Please, stay away from Xingyu.”