The Teasing Cadre and the Flustered Magical Girl

“I say… are those Magical Girls taking their sweet time? Your Dark Constructs have almost demolished all these buildings.”

Yue Ling asked Maositog, who stood beside her, with a hint of boredom, watching buildings collapse one after another in the distance.

Incidentally, these black humanoid creatures were also called Dark Constructs because each was forged from a single ‘Thought Crystal’ (TL Note: A crystal imbued with mental energy). Since the energy within the Thought Crystal was dispersed among individual units, their strength paled in comparison to a Dark Construct that had fully absorbed an entire crystal. Furthermore, as these Dark Constructs were created by adding only a fragment of the creator’s power alongside the Thought Crystal, their appearance bore a slight resemblance to the evil cadre who fashioned them.

This explained their bovine horns.

Yue Ling had even mused about what her own cannon fodder Dark Constructs might look like… Would they be designed according to her ‘XP’ (TL Note: A Chinese internet slang term, ‘experience points,’ often used humorously to refer to one’s personal preferences or fetishes, particularly in character design or aesthetics.)?

“They… they’re coming…”

After Yue Ling’s question, Maositog remained silent for nearly ten seconds. Just as Yue Ling assumed Maositog intended to ignore her again, this abrupt declaration escaped his lips.

It was then that Yue Ling noticed two flashes, one green and one red, suddenly appearing above the area where Maositog’s cannon fodder Dark Constructs wreaked havoc.

Yue Ling knew without a doubt that these were the Magical Girls’ transformation sequences.

‘I wonder if they have invincibility frames during their transformations; if not… hehe… then next time, I can ambush them while they’re transforming.’

However…

“According to the footage, shouldn’t there be three Magical Girls? Judging by these colors… it seems only Biyu and Akahoshi have arrived. Where’s Magical Girl Youlan?”

“Hmph, who knows? They’re probably too afraid to show up with me here! But it’s better this way. If it’s just the two of them… they’re just waiting to be captured! Alright, stop standing there, go on ahead.”

At this very moment, in the area where the Dark Constructs were causing destruction…

“Gugah! Gugah gugah!”

As the Dark Constructs excitedly carried out their demolition, a red energy blast suddenly struck, blowing them away before they could even react.

“Hmph hmph, you detestable Dark Constructs! You’ve been defeated so many times, yet you still dare to show up! It seems you still don’t understand the might of us Magical Girls! Biyu, let’s go!”

Shifting perspective to the source of the red energy blast, the transformed Magical Girl Akahoshi and Magical Girl Biyu now floated in the air, magic wands in hand, gazing down upon the cannon fodder Dark Constructs who lay scattered on the ground.

“Um… Akahoshi…”

“Hmm? What is it, Biyu? Did you discover something?”

“It’s just… your recent energy blast seems to have almost demolished a building they hadn’t even gotten around to tearing down yet.”

Magical Girl Biyu, clutching her magic wand with both hands, pointed this out to Magical Girl Akahoshi in a timid voice.

With Biyu’s reminder, Akahoshi snapped out of her excited state and carefully surveyed the scene. Indeed, just as Biyu had said, the building had not been damaged by the Dark Constructs, but Akahoshi’s own energy blast had rendered it dangerously unstable.

Upon witnessing her handiwork, Akahoshi’s cheeks first flushed with shame. Then, pressing her palms together and closing her eyes, she offered a fervent apology:

“I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to! When I have money in the future, I’ll pay for the damages~”

Just as Magical Girl Akahoshi was apologizing for her actions, a massive steel axe pierced straight through a building, flying directly towards her.

“’Energy Release! ★Biyu’s Aegis!’”

As Magical Girl Biyu called out the name of her spell, her green magic wand emitted a dazzling emerald light. The next second, a jade-like barrier enveloped Magical Girl Akahoshi, deflecting the flying steel axe.

Well… to be precise, it barely blocked it, for the axe had embedded itself deeply into the barrier, its blade stopping narrowly before Akahoshi’s nose.

“Akahoshi… don’t be careless…” Magical Girl Biyu reminded her again, though her voice still lacked conviction.

“Phew… that was close, thanks, Biyu! I’ll be more careful. This axe… it seems one of the evil cadres, Maositog, has arrived… Where is he?”

Magical Girl Akahoshi gathered her magic, simultaneously searching for Maositog’s figure. At that moment, the giant axe, previously embedded in the barrier, suddenly stirred. Then, as if pulled by an unseen force, it abruptly dislodged itself and flew towards a certain location.

Akahoshi and Biyu had battled Maositog many times and knew this was Maositog recalling his axe. They swiftly followed the axe’s trajectory and spotted Maositog standing atop a pile of concrete rubble.

But… was he alone? Minita had clearly told them there was another unfamiliar face, a suspected new cadre.

‘Where could they be…? Never mind, we’ll deal with Maositog first!’

“I see him! Over there!”

After confirming Maositog’s location, Akahoshi raised her magic wand, aimed it at him, and softly chanted:

“’Energy Explosion! ★Crimson Impact!’”

The moment the words left her lips, a crimson beam of energy erupted from the tip of her magic wand, hurtling directly towards Maositog. This attack possessed immense destructive power against a single target. Even for a strength-type evil cadre like Maositog, enduring this blow head-on in his normal state would prove challenging.

Given his personality, he would typically opt for a head-on clash. However, this time, he was merely accompanying Yue Ling, so he needed to conserve as much stamina as possible to prevent Yue Ling from potentially losing the fight due to his own lack of effort.

The instant Akahoshi unleashed Crimson Impact, Maositog commanded his Dark Constructs to leap forward, using their bodies to intercept the energy beam.

The moment Crimson Impact struck the Dark Constructs, the black energy within them exploded with a ‘bang,’ not only further demolishing nearby buildings but also creating a black smokescreen where nothing could be seen.

“This trick again?”

Magical Girl Akahoshi tightened her grip on her magic wand, her eyes fixed on the black smoke before her, all while preparing to unleash her next spell.

‘We’ve encountered this tactic before when fighting other evil cadres: using the explosion of these cannon fodder Dark Constructs to create a blind spot, then launching a sneak attack while we’re distracted… Hmph! You won’t succeed this time!’

Crack—

With a crisp sound, the barrier Biyu had previously cast around Akahoshi suddenly shattered. Akahoshi couldn’t even see who had broken it, only managing to freeze in place and utter a startled “Eh?!”

Just as Akahoshi intended to scan her surroundings for the culprit, a pair of pale, slender hands suddenly wrapped around her waist from behind.

As Akahoshi’s Magical Girl outfit exposed her waist, she could distinctly feel the shape, temperature, and delicate touch of those hands.

“Hmm… a Magical Girl indeed. Such a perfect waistline~”

Yue Ling’s voice purred in Akahoshi’s ear, her hands ceaselessly caressing Akahoshi’s waist.

“You… you are… wait… don’t… don’t touch there!”

Akahoshi had intended to inquire about the stranger’s identity, but Yue Ling’s hands continued to roam, seeking out her sensitive spots and making it impossible for her to concentrate. A crimson blush swiftly spread across her face, and sweet, heated breaths escaped her lips.

It was unclear if she was struggling, or perhaps… already succumbing to the sensation.

‘So… so lewd!’

Magical Girl Biyu, floating nearby, covered her mouth, her face flushed crimson as she watched the scene unfold. The usually fiery Magical Girl Akahoshi—no, Aimelusen—was now being teased to such an extent by an unknown blonde girl…

‘What a lewd scene! I’ve only ever seen something like this in the secret ‘benzi’ (TL Note: A Chinese slang term referring to ‘doujinshi’ or fan-made comics, often sexually explicit) I read!’

“Biyu! Don’t just stand there! Go help Akahoshi!”

When Minita’s voice suddenly rang in her ear, Biyu was snapped back to the urgent matter at hand. She quickly aimed her magic wand at Yue Ling, chanting:

“’Energy Release! ★Emerald Gale!’”

As she finished speaking, a powerful gust of wind erupted from Biyu’s magic wand. The formidable airflow was strong enough to uproot trees and sweep them into its vortex.

Yue Ling sensed the danger and swiftly darted away from Akahoshi, leaping onto the roof of a relatively intact house.

Seeing that Yue Ling had escaped, Biyu quickly canceled her spell to prevent the Emerald Gale from accidentally harming Akahoshi.

“Akahoshi! Are… are you alright?”

After Yue Ling’s departure, Biyu swiftly flew to Akahoshi’s side, concerned for her well-being.

“Ugh… I… I’m fine… Biyu, be careful. That person must be the new face Minita mentioned!”

“I understand. Let me restore your condition first.”

With that, Biyu placed her hand on Akahoshi’s back, releasing a portion of her magic, and Akahoshi’s condition rapidly improved.

“Phew… thanks, Biyu, it’s a good thing you’re here.”

Akahoshi smiled at Biyu in gratitude, then turned her head to face Yue Ling, who wore an amused expression, and called out:

“Hey! You! Are you the new evil cadre? Even though I don’t know how you shattered Biyu’s barrier, I won’t be afraid! My partners and I will definitely defeat you!”

Listening to Magical Girl Akahoshi’s impassioned declaration, Yue Ling couldn’t help but recall the multitude of hot-headed protagonists she had encountered in her previous life.

‘Well… if such a hot-headed protagonist were to mature, they would undoubtedly become a force capable of challenging the final boss one-on-one. If I were a competent villain, this would be the time to find a way to eliminate her. Unfortunately, this world’s settings are far too perplexing; killing Magical Girls is simply unwise, and I have no intention of committing murder. Magical Girls… of course, they’re only interesting when you play the ‘nurturing’ (TL Note: ‘yangcheng,’ implying growth and development, but in this context, hinting at ‘conditioning’ or ‘training’ for a specific purpose) game with them.’

“Heh heh, I say, don’t you feel a little chill down below?”

“Eh? You mean…”

Watching Akahoshi’s bewildered expression, Yue Ling couldn’t help but grin mischievously. She then pulled a pair of pink, polka-dotted panties adorned with a little bear pattern from her small leather shorts.

“That’s… Eh? Eh!!!!”

Upon realizing what Yue Ling held in her hand, Akahoshi’s face instantly flushed crimson. She simultaneously pressed both hands firmly against her skirt, terrified that something untoward might happen.

“You… you pervert!! Give that back to me!”

At this moment, Maositog, watching the scene from not far away, couldn’t help but twitch his lips.

‘That Yue Ling… she’s truly just like that flirtatious vixen…’