The night life of a magical woman

Liyun, have you managed to recover your former rhythm?

“Mm… these past few days my sister has been practicing with me. I’ve pretty much got it back now. Ah… I’ve really been troubling everyone all this time… I sincerely apologize!”

Liyun bent into a deep bow.

Xingyue didn’t mind. She reached out, helping her stand, and teased,

“You’re different from your sister. After all, like me, you vanished for seven years.”

No! You’re not like me at all! I only—only wasted seven meaningless years of my life. Xingyue, I’m sure in your case it was the complete opposite!

“Well, I did make some preparations during those years,” Xingyue admitted, “but I never intervened in outside affairs. In that sense… maybe we’re closer than you’d think.”

She brought over a chair for Liyun and sat down.

“Thank you.”

“I’ll take you to Sidhheim to forge your Psychic Manifestation Pillar. Your sister must have explained what that is, yes?”

Liyun nodded quickly. “It’s the externalized core of one’s unique magic, right?”

“Exactly. For you, it should be a natural process. But you didn’t come only for that, did you?”

“Ah—um… right.”

The real reason Liyun had come was to pass on what was discussed at the recent Ten Seats conference.

“It’s about the Anti-Herrera unit. Manjusaka has proposed that this time, we bring Herrera down for good. And with the Sea of Realms’ Tides receding, the pressure on the passes has lessened. Since Herrera made such a public challenge, we must give a strong response.”

“So it’s come to this…” Xingyue pressed her lips. She hadn’t expected the order to arrive so soon.

The Anti-Herrera unit had been conceived before she ever uncovered Herrera’s true identity, and the decision had been unanimous. No one had imagined that, within days of finalizing it, she would come face to face with Herrera herself… her true self.

[We can’t exactly dissolve the operation now, can we?]

She rubbed her cheek, troubled.

And yet, another thought surfaced—maybe it didn’t matter.

The operation was never really about capturing Herrera. It was always a show of force—to rattle her, to remind her the Magical Alliance wasn’t her personal garden to pluck flowers from, play with, and plant back at her whim.

As for whether Herrera could truly be caught? Few really believed it.

Xingyue certainly didn’t.

Herrera was not an opponent who could be beaten by numbers alone.

If cornered, she’d slaughter magical girls without hesitation.

But Xingyue also feared the opposite—that if this show of intimidation weren’t executed strongly enough, it would only fuel Herrera’s arrogance, provoking her into hunting magical girls more recklessly. The strike had to be fierce enough to sting, yet subtle enough not to incite her into outright reprisal. Achieving that balance was near impossible.

In contrast, Liyun brimmed with determination.

She was running out of time.

She had to capture Herrera before the witch came to drag her into shooting another shameful film.

“Xingyue, we want you as the spearhead against Herrera. We’ll provide support. What do you think?”

Xingyue frowned slightly. “That won’t be so easy.”

“But you defeated her seven years ago, didn’t you? If there was a first time, surely there can be a second!”

The shine in Liyun’s eyes made Xingyue falter, unsure what to say.

A second time, yes… but in the end, I failed.

She had never fought Herrera in direct head-to-head combat.

[Her ‘Three Lives, Ten Directions’ and other techniques I can handle. But the white coral… and that impossible speed…]

A headache welled up.

If she wanted to face Herrera directly, the only option was to use that.

But it hadn’t been meant for Herrera—it was for something far further ahead.

“Tell me,” Xingyue asked at last, “have you made any plans… in case we lose?”

“Fail? Impossible,” Liyun replied stiffly. “With so many Ten Seats, and with you among us—even if we can’t win, surely we won’t lose outright.”

When she had fought Herrera at Jiuming Sea, she knew how powerful the witch was. But her reasoning was pragmatic.

“A single Ten Seat is already formidable. Especially you, Xingyue—you’ve defeated her before. And Second Seat Manjusaka’s power is bottomless. With everyone together, how could we possibly lose?

“If we really lose, wouldn’t magical girls everywhere be nothing but prey for Herrera to pluck? That future is too terrifying.”

“But no matter how many gather, if we can’t counter her speed, it’s pointless,” Xingyue countered.

“Then barrier magic?”

“Not much use, unless multiple Seats join in to construct a grand-scale domain.”

“And she won’t give us the chance. She’ll pick you off one by one at blitz speed.”

“Then—”

Liyun frowned. Nothing seemed viable.

How had Xingyue beaten her seven years ago?!

But today, her words felt almost… evasive.

“In a few days, Manjusaka will come herself. She’ll explain to you better.”

“She’s coming? Manjusaka?”

“Yes. She said so herself.”

“That shut-in… leaving Sidhheim!?” Xingyue was genuinely surprised. In all the years she’d known Manjusaka, the woman had almost never left headquarters. She had spent her time condensing her strength into unfathomable depths.

“She wants me as the spearhead? That’s her idea?”

“Exactly.”

“I see… then fine. If it’s her proposal, it must have some merit.”

Knock, knock.

“Come in,” Xingyue said.

The door opened—Feiyu stepped inside.

“Forgive me. Were you discussing… how to deal with Herrera? I only overheard by chance—”

“Mm. Just as you heard. Herrera issued a declaration, and we must respond.”

Xingyue decided to test Feiyu’s ability to make Ten Seat-level judgments.

“Feiyu, what do you make of Herrera’s speech at the Realm Pass?”

“Eh?” Feiyu froze, startled. To be consulted on such matters was a sure sign she was close to ascending as one of the Ten.

After consideration, she answered,

“At a deeper level… perhaps she has a particular target in mind?”

“Oh? Who?”

“…Maybe a magical girl who angered her?”

Me? Surely not, Xingyue thought.

In their duel 2.0, Herrera had technically won—but she hadn’t seemed happy about it, especially when her stockings ended up torn…

And afterwards, she’d even kept her word and guided Liyun.

Blaming Xingyue? Unlikely.

Besides, Xingyue was certain she had given Herrera both voluntary and involuntary satisfaction during that encounter.

“Has anyone here done anything recently that might provoke her?”

“…Perhaps me,” Feiyu admitted honestly. “I proposed creating a network of magical girls who had suffered under Herrera, to combine forces and share intelligence. Maybe she discovered that, saw it as a threat to her daily life.”

“I see. But unless you were very close to the truth, she wouldn’t go to such lengths just to deal with you. Don’t overthink it.”

Feiyu couldn’t be sure. Then how else could I have provoked her?

At Luo You’s home—

“Inspiration! Found it!”

Luo You suddenly sat upright, eyes sparkling. She finally had inspiration for her next film.

Until now, with just her and Liyun, the script always felt lacking.

But add one more person—and everything changed.

“The third role is decided… you, my dear Aunt!”

Her laugh was chilling.

The plot? A girl born with an Innate Poison Body.

Her family savaged by an evil witch. The women locked in a harem, the men exiled to dig potatoes at the borders.

One day, an immortal fairy descended, vanquishing evil. She rescued the toxic girl, taking her as a disciple, teaching her to harness her poisonous nature.

The girl swore revenge, refining countless venoms until every fluid in her body carried lethal toxins. Years later, her cultivation complete, she stormed the witch’s lair.

But there—her belief shattered.

Her beloved teacher… was beneath the witch, moaning in bliss!

It turned out the fairy master had long ago been bent and enslaved. Even rescuing the poisonous girl had been part of the witch’s will, grooming her into a plaything.

And worse—the venoms she had cultivated had been switched. Instead of deadly poison, her constitution now carried only sultry allure.

In the end? Both master and disciple fell, caged songbirds whose voices lingered forever under the witch.

“Brilliant. I’m a genius!”

Luo You cackled wildly. This was perfect.

The Innate Poison Body? Ji Yue.

The master? Liyun.

And the witch? Herself!

Ever since that time Ji Yue suggested poisoning her, she had wanted to give the girl “special attention.” Casting her as the poisoned one was too fitting.

But after her excitement cooled, she realized… script aside, how to get Ji Yue to cooperate?

For true magic, the girls had to willingly immerse themselves in the roles. Otherwise, the outcome would be no better than cheap island flicks. Luo You wanted something worthy of a Nobel Prize!

Liyun was handled. But Ji Yue… she’d never play along of her own accord.

The only way—was to use what she valued most.

“Zining? …Ugh, no, useless. Doesn’t work.” Luo You grimaced.

In truth, Ji Yue only cherished a few people—Ji Meng and Luo Zining.

But Ji Meng was a Ten Seat, and they didn’t even know the other’s identity. That route was hopeless.

Which left…

“It has to be me. I’ll step into the role myself,” Luo You muttered as “Luo Youyou.”

She’d infiltrate her aunt’s heart, become someone Ji Yue treasured.

Then—with herself as the hostage—Ji Yue would have no choice but to obey.

If their acting faltered? No matter. Brainwashing hypnosis would do. With enough conditioning, the perfect actress could always be made.

“Should I gift Auntie a pair of stockings too?” she mused.

She didn’t seem like the type to fall for simple seduction…

But still—better gift first, think later!

Before that, though, there was the matter of setting up with Liyun.

“By now… timing should be just right.”

She checked the clock.

Ten hours since the fire.

It was already nine at night.

Normally, Liyun wouldn’t reach out this late. But if she took the initiative—

She opened WeChat and sent a voice message.

“Big Sis, Big Sis! I met Sixth Seat today! The real magical girl!”

Ten minutes later, Liyun finally replied.

“Uh… you did? I’m jealous… ah-ha-ha…”

Even after ten minutes’ deliberation, her words dripped with nervous awkwardness.

Then Luo You delivered the killer blow.

“To thank her, I even gave her the stockings I was wearing at the time~ You’re not mad, are you?”

“Huh? Why would I be mad? It’s not like I can control who you give stockings to.”

On the other side, Liyun blushed furiously, staring at the black stockings lying beside her. The smooth fabric tugged at her thoughts.

“No! Stop it! I can’t think such things!”

She forced herself to change the subject.

“Youyou… you live in Huahai City, right? Well, as it happens, I’m here too. There’s something I want to talk over with you… do you have time?”

The words were out before she realized her mistake.

Idiot! She had just met Luo Youyou in her magical girl form today, and now she was exposing her current location. Suspicion would be unavoidable!

She nearly tried to retract it, but Luo You fired back instantly.

“Of course~ But it’s awkward for you to come to my house, right? Where should we meet? Don’t tell me… a love hotel?”

“Wh-what! Absolutely not! Somewhere normal!”

She hurriedly sent a location.

Huahai’s seaside square—a sprawling square with a vast viewing lake. At nightfall, it was a well-known dating spot. Rumor had it the bushes whispered strange noises past midnight…

“Should I dress up pretty and alluring?” Luo You asked.

“No! Just wear whatever you’re wearing at home!”

“Eh…? That won’t look good, will it~?”

A photo followed. Luo You mid-shower, skin slick with foam.

Liyun must have screamed aloud when she saw it.

After that, no replies came.

Luo You calmly finished her bath, put on stylish clothes, and this time skipped the stockings. Instead, she wore a pair of ultra-short denim shorts, her long white thighs out on full proud display— a clear reminder that the stockings that once wrapped them had already been gifted away.