There are many forms of comic conventions.
The most common ones probably involve setting up rows of stalls to sell merchandise and fan-made goods, while larger conventions can even attract official booths to offer trial activities.
As one of the largest comic conventions in Rong City, CD105 naturally attracted many officially recognized or highly acclaimed fan artists, with a very large scale of stalls.
There were also Hero Associations from other cities bringing merchandise from their own Magic Girl squads, and even inviting Magic Girls who weren't too busy recently to perform—
“Good morning, everyone! So happy to meet everyone in Rong City!”
On stage, the orange-clad Magic Girl cheerfully greeted the audience, eliciting a burst of cheers.
Her companions behind her also waved, but clearly left the speaking to their captain.
“Magic Girl Autumn Osmanthus,” Su Tianqing said, naming the orange-clad girl’s codename.
She had met them when she went to Mountain City to catch Monster Pokémon last time; Autumn Osmanthus had even politely greeted her instead of directly attacking.
Perhaps she thought Ben Hu wasn’t much of a threat? Moreover, she was also protecting the residents at the time.
This left Su Tianqing with a rather high impression of her, especially since Autumn Osmanthus's own attire was somewhat different from typical Magic Girls—
The girl sang an insert song from an old Magic Girl anime on stage, accompanied by light dance steps.
Her ceremonial dress was full of youthful energy; whether it was her short sleeves, her culottes, or the hooded jacket with the hood hanging down her back, everything made Autumn Osmanthus herself appear vibrant.
“It sounds quite good, and the choreography is very cute,” Lin Muyao commented thoughtfully.
Nan Xiaofeng watched Autumn Osmanthus on stage, saying little.
As Hyacinth, Nan Xiaofeng had known Autumn Osmanthus for some time, even knowing that Autumn Osmanthus was a student studying at Mountain City University of Science and Technology.
And seeing the Autumn Osmanthus Squad members shine on stage, Nan Xiaofeng’s heart once again filled with passion and longing for Magic Girls.
Indeed, Magic Girls are meant to bring laughter and joy to everyone; that’s what being a Magic Girl is all about!
...
The comic convention wasn't just about Magic Girl performances.
After the Autumn Osmanthus Squad finished two songs, the performance temporarily concluded, and the surrounding audience continued to stroll around the venue, chatting and laughing.
Su Tianqing was no exception.
“Let’s go browse over there!”
Su Tianqing, cosplaying as Iris, pulled Nan Jiayu’s hand, leading the Cat Girl cosplaying as Dandelion towards the nearby vendor area.
The Pink-haired Rabbit Girl was already browsing with interest at the fan-made goods stalls, and when she turned her head to see two people suddenly appear beside her, she instantly shuddered.
“Eh? Tian Qing Tongxue and Jia Yu Tongxue… Has the performance over there already ended?”
“Yes, that’s why we came over to see if there’s any interesting merchandise… Oh, what’s that?”
The White-haired Fox Fox pointed to a piece of merchandise art on a stall, and the three of them looked closely.
The title of the art was “Magic Girl 40K: Di Huang Xin Yue Hu vs. Horus Hyacinth,” depicting a standoff between a large Golden Fox and a large black Iris.
It was a very amusing fan-made merchandise, but surprisingly, it sold very well, with only two left.
“I know this one; this series has been very popular online recently,” Xia Taotao said excitedly; this Rabbit Girl would only change from her usual socially anxious mode and become cheerful and lively when discussing Magic Girls.
“Magic Girl 40K, a large fan-made creation that brings together many Magic Girls; it’s said to have updated to Guilliman Hyacinth coming to the aid of Magical Terra.”
“Sounds quite interesting,” Su Tianqing replied with interest.
The stall’s sign read “White Leaf Shop,” and the shop owner was a young woman in pretty clothes, currently checking out and packing items for other customers.
It seems she’s the fan artist herself; she even remembered to sign it while packing.
Out of admiration and support for the exquisite fan-made goods, Su Tianqing bought a Di Huang Xin Yue Hu badge, and Nan Jiayu bought a Guilliman Hyacinth charm.
These two items were very eye-catching among the many cute-style merchandise, making them interesting in another sense.
...
The Fox Fox trio enthusiastically browsed the convention and bought merchandise.
Meanwhile, Nan Xiaofeng was also wandering around the venue, just to change her mood.
Ever since she found out she had beaten Tianqing Jie, even though it was under Xin Yuehu’s control, Nan Xiaofeng still felt immense psychological pressure.
She had unconsciously beaten Dandelion; this matter absolutely could not be known by Jiayu Jie.
If Jiayu Jie knew that Tianqing Jie was Magic Girl Dandelion, what she might face would not just be the usual tigress roars, but perhaps something even more terrifying—
Nan Xiaofeng imagined the hellish scenario she might face:
“What? Xiaofeng, you’re Hyacinth? And you beat Tianqing?”
“Wuwuwu, Xiaofeng bullied me, wuwuwu.”
“No! Jiayu Jie, listen to me! I was controlled by some bad guy at the time—”
“No more explanations, Xiaofeng, say goodbye to your pocket money and Magic Girl merchandise!”
“No, Jiayu Jie—”
It would probably turn out like that, Nan Xiaofeng thought.
I’ll go browse over there and buy some merchandise while I’m at it.
Not far away, Hua Ling was looking around at the bustling crowd, taking small sips from a bottle of mineral water.
A bit closer, Lin Muyao was secretly appreciating the fan-made book she had just bought from her bag; the title was a strange “Nightingale and Xin Yuehu: Peach-Colored Secret Stories,” with an R18 symbol drawn in the corner.
Nan Xiaofeng curiously leaned over.
“...Mu Yao, what are you looking at so intently?”
“Eek?! …Xiaofeng, when did you get here?!”
“Just got here. What’s this, a fan-made comic? Let me see…”
Nan Xiaofeng casually picked up a thin book from Nightingale’s bag, glanced at the Golden Fox with heart-shaped eyes on the cover, and then at the colorful title.
“Hyacinth X Xin Yuehu, A Forbidden Night of Love”
And, of course, the indispensable R18 symbol.
“Th-th-this is an R18 fan-made book, isn’t it?!” Nan Xiaofeng instantly turned beet red.
Lin Muyao quickly made a shushing gesture, and covered her companion’s mouth.
“Shh! Keep your voice down! I just bought this from a hidden stall, don’t let anyone find out.”
“I see…”
Nan Xiaofeng quickly lowered her voice, and with reverence for the fan-made book, quietly flipped through it.
The content and logic of the book were very simple: Xin Yuehu, while causing trouble, accidentally made a mistake and was captured by Hyacinth, and then came the popular segment, where she was continuously trained until she looked like the cover, sticking out her tongue and showing hearts.
“How exciting… Mu Yao, where did you buy these…?”
“I’m very familiar with a certain artist, that’s how I was able to buy these non-sale thin books from her.”
“...Are there others?”
“I knew you’d get it, Xiaofeng! Look, there’s this one and this one, both are my absolute favorites recently!”
Nan Xiaofeng peered into Lin Muyao’s bag, which contained a thick stack of thin books.
“Dandelion’s Defeat Punishment,” “Bai Lili and Hellcat, The Cat’s Desire is Strong,” and even “Iris X Hyacinth, Turn the Tables!”
Nan Xiaofeng’s eyes almost popped out.
Just as the two were engrossed in discussing certain unmentionable topics, footsteps from behind them made them suddenly turn around, meeting the gaze of Hua Ling, who was tilting her head and looking at them.
“Xiaofeng? Mu Yao? What are you two looking at here?”
““Nothing at all!!””
The two spoke in unison, without hesitation.