“Bye-bye~”
“See you tomorrow.”
Liu Li and Zhou Huanan waved goodbye, each heading home with their purchases, though Zhou Huanan had invited her to come over.
Liu Li had been quite tempted at the time.
But then she considered that they would likely still share the same bed tonight.
She secretly pressed her heels together, unable to meet his gaze, growing indecisive.
Having had the previous experience of transforming into Magical Girl Grey Moon for a night attack, Liu Li wasn’t entirely sure if she could control her desires. It wouldn’t do to accidentally frighten Zhou Huanan.
So, shaking her head, she promised to visit another day. Under Zhou Huanan’s disappointed gaze, she got into a car and arrived at her own doorstep.
Taking out her keys to open the door, Liu Li’s small apartment, though not spacious or filled with many possessions, felt perfectly cozy to her.
Sitting on the edge of her bed, she gazed at the empty room.
A sudden wave of loneliness washed over Liu Li.
She mused about having money now.
She could probably buy a desk and a computer, then she could play games with Zhou Huanan, listening to his voice to ease her loneliness.
Yet, the thought of gaming inevitably brought her back to that day.
She had leaned against Zhou Huanan’s shoulder while they played.
They were close, their communication seamless, instantly understanding each other’s reactions.
Liu Li felt that was the ideal way.
‘If I bought my own computer, how would I find an excuse to go to his house to play games?’
The young girl began to scheme a little.
Though what she truly desired was to transform into Magical Girl Grey Moon and play games with Zhou Huanan, which would give her the courage to be more intimate with the person she liked…
Abandoning the idea of buying a computer, Liu Li opened her phone.
On the video website’s homepage, several videos of people burning Magical Girl Grey Moon figures were prominently displayed.
Liu Li’s eyebrow rose; she hadn’t expected the situation to escalate so quickly.
Clicking in, she bypassed the videos and went straight to the comment section, where she saw many expressing outrage. Some had even launched a “Magical Girl Grey Moon Figure Protection Movement” to counter the “Destruction Movement.”
These protectors were buying Grey Moon figures at inflated prices, their slogan being:
“How could you bear to burn such exquisite and adorable figures? Aren’t you afraid of disheartening Magical Girl Grey Moon?”
“They must be immediately and properly protected!”
The result was a complete standoff between the “Burners” and the “Protectors.”
This drove the price of Magical Girl Grey Moon figures exceptionally high.
Meanwhile, Liu Li also noticed a message from Manager Tian of Magical Girl Sparkle Company. In enthusiastic terms, Manager Tian informed her that all Grey Moon figures had sold out in just one day, and the factory was working overnight on a reprint.
Liu Li read Manager Tian’s projected earnings, counting the long string of zeros that followed.
She tossed her phone aside and lay on her bed, blinking.
The number was so immense that it made her question its reality.
Initially, she wanted to pick up her phone again to see if there was anything she could buy online, but then she remembered Zhou Huanan’s words about not spending money carelessly.
Obediently, Liu Li put her phone down again.
However, seeing such a vast sum in her balance, she felt an unsettling restlessness while staying at home.
A doubt lingered: ‘Do I truly possess such immense value?’
“Transform.”
Anxious, Liu Li transformed into Magical Girl Grey Moon. She pushed open her door, ran to the rooftop, and flew into the sky, staring blankly as the sun dipped below the horizon.
She sought her answers.
At that very moment, Grey Moon heard a familiar voice behind her.
“I was just about to call you out, Grey Moon.”
Turning around.
She found Unohana Ren, also known as Scarlet Magical Girl, flying at a parallel altitude. It seemed Scarlet Magical Girl had also come out to clear her head, to witness the turning of the sun and moon.
At this moment, she spoke to Grey Moon, her head slightly raised.
Grey Moon had seen that posture before, even at school.
Unohana Ren often adopted this air of a senior.
A broad halberd hung loosely in her hand; Scarlet Magical Girl’s weapon was significantly taller than she was. Her ceremonial attire had also changed. Originally, Scarlet Magical Girl’s costume resembled that of an Amazonian warrior, revealing much of her tanned skin.
But now.
Scarlet Magical Girl’s armor coverage had noticeably increased. Moreover, a flowing, dark crimson cape, the color of dried blood, billowed behind her, making her appear even more imposing.
Her formerly youthful, even childish, red twin tails now fanned out with the cape, painting the sky with a vibrant crimson.
It was like a triumphant banner of victory.
At this moment, she seemed more like a Magical Girl tempered by countless battles.
She met Grey Moon’s gaze directly, without resistance, without evasion, neither humble nor arrogant.
Like a re-ignited furnace.
Grey Moon was momentarily dazed. Such a striking Scarlet Magical Girl…
The last time she had seen Scarlet Magical Girl this spirited was in a video from years ago, before Magical Girl Tri-color Azure had left the team.
‘What had…’
‘…suddenly happened to her?’
Grey Moon felt curious, wanting to approach her and ask.
But Scarlet Magical Girl raised her weapon, the tip of her halberd pointing directly at Grey Moon’s face.
“Fight me, Grey Moon.”
‘What is she saying?’
Engaging in combat with another Magical Girl instinctively made Grey Moon uneasy. Her stern brows furrowed slightly; she wanted to ask Unohana Ren why, weren’t they friends?
Yet, Grey Moon wasn’t so naive.
She had observed the changes in Scarlet Magical Girl and knew she wouldn’t act this way without reason.
If she wanted to understand the reason, it wouldn’t be too late to ask after the fight.
Moreover, Grey Moon’s own mind was currently filled with tangled thoughts, and a satisfying fight was exactly what she needed.
“Alright.”
She responded rather coolly, seemingly unfazed by Scarlet Magical Girl’s drastic transformation, not believing she would lose. Seeing Grey Moon like this, Scarlet Magical Girl couldn’t help but grin, revealing sharp canine teeth.
‘She, at such a crucial moment, truly won’t disappoint me.’
Scarlet Magical Girl looked at Grey Moon (Liu Li), her eye twitching as she fought back tears, having suddenly recalled the recently discovered relationship between Liu Li and Zhou Huanan.
She gritted her teeth.
Scarlet Magical Girl chose to refocus her attention on the battle.
From this moment, her eyes held no other thoughts.
She knew her sudden demand was unreasonable, but this fight was one she couldn’t avoid.
The atmosphere between them crackled with imminent battle.
Grey Moon’s gaze at Scarlet Magical Girl suddenly hardened. She swiftly summoned her ‘Heart’s Bulwark’ buckler, hastily preparing for Scarlet Magical Girl’s attack.
Scarlet Magical Girl had learned of Grey Moon’s new abilities through the internet, yet when her halberd struck Grey Moon’s round shield, there was no hint of hesitation in her heart.
Magical Girl Grey Moon had no intention of harming her, and Scarlet Magical Girl did not turn to ash. Their battle quickly intensified.
It was well known that fierce battles between Magical Girls were not a common occurrence.
Citizens who heard the commotion and looked skyward discovered the two battling in the sky. While most ordinary C-City residents cried out in alarm, uttering “Aieeee” and similar screams, there were also those with exceptionally strong wills who could directly watch the fight, even having the courage to pull out their phones and record it.
This incident.
It quickly reached Banjao’s base, and Dr. Zhuge’s ears.
****
In a cluttered office at the Banjao base.
Dr. Zhuge stared at the high-quality edited video Zhou Huanan had returned to her half an hour ago, tapping her fingers, considering when to initiate her plan.
Namely, releasing the execution video of Magical Girl Black Iris to lure Magical Girl Grey Moon to the television station.
But now, Scarlet Magical Girl had challenged Grey Moon to a fight.
This made Dr. Zhuge let out an eerie cackle in her office.
“You truly haven’t disappointed me, Magical Girls.”
If her predictions were correct, that Scarlet Magical Girl must have secretly learned about Banjao’s plan to transplant the magic circle to the television station, right?
Her challenge to Magical Girl Grey Moon was a test of her abilities.
‘You truly won’t disappoint me! Black Iris!!’
‘To think you actually managed to turn Scarlet Magical Girl back to our side under those circumstances.’
[Justice]
“How beautiful.”
The doctor finished her silent thought, then gazed rapturously at the video’s cover, which depicted a confident, powerful Black Iris.
“What a pity, though.”
Dr. Zhuge couldn’t contain her smile, laughing from deep within her chest as her eyes shifted to the video playing on the computer.
The stubborn, fearless Magical Girl Black Iris, emitting ridiculous and pitiful “oh-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho” screams during her execution, her golden vertical pupils rolling back into white eyes from which tears of despair flowed, her entire body convulsing in an undignified manner.
As Dr. Zhuge watched, a perverted flush and smile spread across her face.
While she found it regrettable to execute Black Iris in this manner, executing her according to her own preferences ensured the resulting video would be enough for her to rewatch repeatedly, commemorating the Magical Girl who had been with her the longest.
Most importantly, she had secretly preserved Magical Girl Black Iris’s brain as crucial material for her future research.
She watched it again.
‘Thanks to Captain 19, his editing is so good, so intense.’
‘But the good citizens of C-City won’t have the “fortune” of enjoying this feast for the eyes.’
She pressed the spacebar to pause.
Dr. Zhuge regretfully withdrew her gaze.
Time to get down to business.
She picked up the landline phone on her desk, her eyes dangerous, a smile on her face, like a green venomous snake smiling at a person.
She dialed the office landline of Mo Jiashi, the Snake-Man Demon.
“My apologies, sir, for calling at this hour. I wished to inform you that your plan has reached a critical juncture.”
“The transplantation of the temporal magic circle may require your personal confirmation at the site.”
“Ah, yes, yes, I apologize for the trouble.”
After hanging up, Dr. Zhuge couldn’t suppress a snort of laughter, then burst into unrestrained laughter in the room.
As she laughed…
Her eyes filled with fury and rage. She lowered her head, bent forward, and clenched her fists so tightly that blood welled up in her palms.
A silent, gut-wrenching roar of anger.
‘Mo Jiashi!!’
Her eyes were bloodshot.
‘How dare you kill my Magical Girls, you bastard!!!’
‘And you dare to look down on humans! Even more, you look down on the Magical Girls, who are miracles themselves!!’
‘The trap you planned, the one you believe is for Magical Girl Grey Moon, I will make you taste my pain, returned twofold.’
‘With your life.’
‘Exactly.’
“Please don’t lose, Magical Girls…”
“Well…”
After a moment, Dr. Zhuge realized what exasperated words she had uttered, and shook her head, finding herself amusing.
“In any case, with ‘that person’ present, it’s impossible for them to lose.”