A Sudden Departure and a Fateful Encounter

Chloe, this is…

Just moments before, Night Moon had been envying the intimate gestures between the two, only to be startled the next second by the palpable tension that filled the air.

That’s right, why was Chloe here? When did she get injured? What happened to that demon? Why did Chloe suddenly leave? Emerging from the sorrow of her recent emotional setback, Night Moon realized she seemed utterly clueless about the current situation.

She quietly asked the girl on the adjacent bed, whose face was buried in a pillow: “Senior, are you alright?”

After Chloe left the room, Senior Tia certainly seemed to be in a very bad state. She clutched fiercely at the pillow Chloe had used, still bearing traces of saliva. Her entire body trembled faintly, emitting a strange sound that was both a gasp and a sob, shattering Night Moon’s image of the cool, collected Valkyrie in an instant.

If it were me, I would probably be just as heartbroken. Senior Tia was so good to Chloe, so why would Chloe say such things? It was so hurtful!

After a moment of stillness, Tia finally uncovered her head, her expression still the familiar ice, though her complexion was visibly poor. Had she possessed a pair of ears, they would undoubtedly have drooped at that very moment. Though it was terribly impolite, Night Moon couldn’t help but feel a perverse sense of schadenfreude.

No, no! Such a thought is far too wicked!

“It’s nothing, just a minor disagreement.”

“Ah, a minor disagreement, you say? Senior, why don’t you go and console her? If it’s Chloe, she should be easy to appease, right?”

“No, if I were to chase after her, she might end up disliking me even more.”

What kind of logic is that? Would it make her even angrier? Alas, perhaps these are the things I, who has never been in such a predicament, simply cannot comprehend.

“Um… by the way, what about that wretched bear? Did Senior defeat it?” Night Moon felt the conversation was hitting a dead end; sisters’ affairs were best left to themselves. Thus, she hastily changed the subject.

“That demon? No, it got away. Your injuries were too severe; I couldn’t abandon you. Moreover, it caused civilian casualties during its escape—at least one death, though I’m not entirely certain.” Tia pressed a hand to her forehead, her expression obscured by shadow.

Upon hearing this dreadful news, Night Moon’s heart lurched. She subtly clenched her hands into fists, her head bowing slightly. “It’s my fault. I underestimated that demon, burdened Senior, and even caused the deaths of ordinary people…”

Seeing Night Moon sink into despondency, Tia rose, walked to her side, and placed a hand on her shoulder. Her gaze sharp, she declared, “Do not dwell too much on mistakes. People are always bound to err. If you cannot move past a single mistake, you will lose the very qualities that define a magical girl. Our immediate priority is to locate that demon. With civilian casualties now, your sister has likely already taken action. However, I suggest you refrain from further involvement for now. Focus on recovering.”

Encouraged by her Senior, Night Moon regained a flicker of confidence, but she shook her head, her eyes resolute as she replied, “No, I intend to defeat that demon myself.”

“You… never mind. Have it your way. Just don’t go tattling on me to your sister.” Tia discerned a fierce determination in Night Moon’s emerald eyes.

“Hehe, I won’t tell my sister, Senior, don’t worry.”

Tia stroked Night Moon’s head. Although Night Moon’s hair was soft, it still didn’t quite feel as good as Chloe’s. As her cool hand caressed her, a sense of security bloomed within her.

Reflecting on the failure of this skirmish, Night Moon herself had come to a realization. Chloe was merely an ordinary person, as fragile as glass. To become her companion would inevitably draw her into the conflicts of the magical world. And as a companion, one must possess sufficient strength to shield her from harm. Indeed, only a legendary magical girl like Senior Tia could protect Chloe as if she were a precious pearl. As for herself, she was still far from capable.

That wretched bear, then, shall be the first trial of my training!

Having left the infirmary, Chloe used her magic to travel down a path she hadn’t often taken before. Only unfamiliar routes could distract her. Yet she hadn’t truly expected that Tia would actually not stop her. She didn’t come out to chase me. I should be rather pleased. It showed I had gained a certain degree of freedom.

This street lacked any commercial vibrancy or general foot traffic. Under the glow of the streetlights, the greenery lining both sides of the road became the main actors. With no one to regularly clear them, some vigorously growing plants had already encroached upon the middle of the road. It was unclear whether this was due to neglected maintenance or a deliberate reduction in power consumption. Regardless, once twilight fell, this place would likely become quite eerie.

It was barely late afternoon now, with the sun still above the horizon. I need to leave this area quickly. Although Chloe had merely come to clear her head due to a foul mood, her melancholy could not ward off the fear of night.

“Hey!”

“Ah!” A tap on her shoulder made Chloe jump like a startled cat. She nearly leaped three feet into the air. Of course, the light, airy voice had also somewhat tempered her reaction.

“I didn’t expect to run into you here~”

Chloe turned, finding not a vengeful ghost, but the familiar young woman. “Anna?” Chloe first froze in surprise, then her brows furrowed. “Why, it’s you, you trickster!”

The other girl raised an eyebrow, clearly displeased with the moniker. “What trickster?!” she declared. “You little fox, how rude! Everything I said was true, you know.” Every word and gesture from this young woman exuded an aura of genuine sincerity, like a flower blooming in summer.

Yet, after the initial fright, Chloe’s mind was filled with more questions than answers. Why was she here?