Nan Xiaofeng was doing her homework in her bedroom.
Nan Jiayu supervised her with a teaching whip in hand.
Xiaofeng's father, who had just finished washing the dishes, was suddenly called to his company to handle some business and left in a hurry.
In the living room, only Golden Fox and the obediently sitting girl remained, along with the sporadic dripping sound from the kitchen and the sound of a Magic Girl anime playing on the TV.
Su Tianqing leaned against the armrest of the sofa, her mind not at all on the TV, glancing at the girl beside her out of the corner of her eye.
Hua Ling.
One of the girls with the highest Magic Girl compatibility on the secret codex, and also the girl she had chosen as a development target for a righteous Magic Girl, was now right beside her.
What a rare moment of solitude!
At this moment, she was staring intently at the Magic Girl anime on the TV, her pupils reflecting the scene of the anime protagonist defeating a Monster with a magic cannon, showing no particular expression.
The secret codex stated that Hua Ling was an introverted literary girl. Although Su Tianqing wanted to know more about her, the secret codex was very stingy and provided nothing. It seemed she would have to investigate herself.
“Hua Ling, classmate.”
“Huh? Yes, I'm here.” Hua Ling was startled for a moment, then replied.
“Are you staying at Xiaofeng's house these days?”
“Mhm, Xiaofeng said my foot was injured, so she let me stay at her house temporarily.” Hua Ling answered honestly.
Su Tianqing nodded gently.
“You two have a pretty good relationship, to the point where you can stay over. But if you stay for several days… won't your family worry?”
“…………”
A sudden silence.
Su Tianqing suddenly realized she had said something wrong and quickly shut up.
What's going on? What's happening? Do all Magic Girl candidates have broken families?
A drunken father, a gambling mother, and maybe a young sister in a broken home?
Or… nothing at all?
“I'm sorry, I made you remember something unpleasant.” After a long while, the little Fox Fox finally drooped her ears and whispered.
Although she was a villain, she was definitely not chaotic evil; she would not derive any pleasure from others' scars!
Hua Ling only then snapped out of her memories. She turned her head and saw the Golden Fox beside her, with drooped ears and a dejected expression, as if she had done something wrong. The melancholy in her heart instantly vanished.
“No, no, no, it's okay! Tianqing Jie, you didn't do it on purpose! Besides… I'm used to it.”
“Living alone, huh.”
Su Tianqing replied, looking up at the chandelier on the ceiling. The tip of her tail slowly tapped the sofa cushion a few times, then she continued:
“I understand that kind of life; it must be very difficult.”
“...Huh?”
Hua Ling hadn't expected to hear such an answer. She blinked, looking at the little Fox Fox in surprise.
“Oh? Tianqing Jie… you…”
“It's surprising, isn't it? Actually, I haven't seen my parents since I can remember. Fortunately, with the help of the Beastmen Mutual Aid Association, I was able to study at Rongcheng Medical College.”
“Jia Yu's experience is similar to mine, except she met her grandparents, and I… I, back then, didn't meet anyone.”
Su Tianqing spoke calmly. Sometimes, such a plain narration can best evoke empathy in others.
Especially for a literary girl like Hua Ling—since she likes to read, her empathy and understanding must be excellent.
As expected, after a brief moment of blankness, the literary girl beside her also pursed her lips slightly, lost in thought.
The girl didn't notice the faint smile on the Golden Fox's lips.
“Hua Ling, classmate, do you like Magic Girls?” Su Tianqing asked, breaking the silence.
“Magic Girls… I'm actually indifferent, but Xiaofeng really likes them.”
Suddenly called out, Hua Ling was flustered for a moment, but quickly adjusted her emotions to a normal conversation atmosphere.
“Is that so? When I was your age, I also liked Magic Girls quite a bit.” Su Tianqing replied.
This was not a lie. In her memory, when “Su Tianqing” was studying, there was also an active Magic Girl in Rong City. However, that Magic Girl later disappeared, probably moving to another city, and never appeared in Rong City again.
The merchandise she collected back then still had two pieces hidden deep in her cabinet.
“Tianqing Jie likes them too?”
Hua Ling asked curiously:
“Actually… actually, I think their clothes are very cute, and after transforming, they can use very powerful magic… it makes one very envious.”
“Sometimes I also wonder, what would I do if I became a Magic Girl someday? Could I also use those powerful spells?”
“Or, if I became a Magic Girl, would I be able to protect those who need protection?”
Listening to Hua Ling's words, Su Tianqing did not rush to speak, but just listened silently.
“Tianqing Jie, what do you like most about Magic Girls?”
The topic was suddenly thrown back to her.
Su Tianqing paused for a few seconds, turned to meet Hua Ling's gaze for a while, and showed a thoughtful expression on her face.
“Me, huh…”
“How should I put it… maybe I'm a bit different from most people. I prefer the Magic Girls'… 【will】.”
“Will?” Hua Ling blinked. This description was clearly beyond her comprehension.
“Yes, will.”
Su Tianqing nodded, saying earnestly,
“Magic Girls fight Monsters and protect citizens; they won't stand by and watch innocent people get hurt. Even villainous Magic Girls are just mischievous; Xin Yuehu has never caused a single casualty to this day.”
“Hua Ling, classmate, haven't you encountered it too? When the school was attacked, wasn't it Magical Girl Hyacinth who protected you?”
The girl slightly opened her mouth, then silently closed it, recalling the scene where Hyacinth stood in front of her with a greatsword and shield, and gently clutched the hem of her skirt.
—It's working!
Su Tianqing cheered inwardly.
Yes, this was her plan!
Hua Ling didn't have a specific understanding of Magic Girls. Her knowledge of Magic Girls was probably all from daily news reports or Nan Xiaofeng's recent promotions to her, and she hadn't established a reliable understanding.
And what she needed to do was simple:
Know her background, then use her own background to relate, giving her a sense of familiarity like “we are the same kind,” but not completely, to set the stage for future conversations!
Then, since she couldn't directly induce her as Xin Yuehu, she would subtly change her perception as a caring older sister!
As long as she could make her interested in Magic Girls, plus with Nan Xiaofeng, a righteous presence, by her side, wouldn't developing her into a legitimate Magic Girl be a piece of cake?
But then again…
Watching Hua Ling fall into a state of conflicted introspection, Su Tianqing stroked her tail while pondering.
Were her words just now a bit too obscure for a naive girl?
Even if Hua Ling was a literary girl, her literary foundation at this time shouldn't be very deep. Was it setting expectations too high to expect her to understand the meaning of her words by herself?
“...Though it's sudden…”
Hua Ling's voice once again drew Su Tianqing's attention away from the TV.
“But, Tianqing Jie, can I ask you a few questions?”
“Go ahead! Leave it to me!”
Su Tianqing released her tail and confidently puffed out her flat chest.
【Task: Expansion · Phase One, Completed】
The secret codex's whisper echoed in her mind. Su Tianqing was slightly stunned, then suddenly understood something.
The secret codex displaying the task as complete at this moment meant her persuasive words were effective! Hua Ling had completely entered her rhythm!
Or rather, her image in Hua Ling's eyes had completely transformed into a “caring older sister with similar experiences”!
Next, she should actively enter Hua Ling's narrative and act as a listener, carefully listening for the hidden meaning in her words, which would further push this perfect candidate onto the path of a Magic Girl!
Seeing Su Tianqing agree so readily, Hua Ling moved closer to Su Tianqing, leaning towards her fluffy fox ear, and whispered:
“It's just… if I accidentally learned a friend's secret, how long should I keep it for my friend?”
“This, huh…”
Su Tianqing hesitated for a moment.
This so-called “secret” was not hard to guess; it was probably about Nan Xiaofeng's true identity.
The little Fox Fox sat up straight and said seriously:
“Hua Ling, classmate.”
“If I knew your secret, as long as I still considered us friends, I would always keep her secret for my friend.”
“No matter what happens, it should be kept strictly confidential.”
Hua Ling's mouth slightly opened, and she remained in a daze for a long time.
Then she gently bit her lower lip and nodded forcefully.
【Task: Expansion · Phase Two, Completed】
Another task completion sound echoed in her mind. Su Tianqing hadn't even had time to open the secret codex to see what task it was, and it was completed so haphazardly.
Su Tianqing turned to look at Nan Jiayu, who walked out of the bedroom with a dark face, and Nan Xiaofeng, who had a tear-streaked face, diverting Hua Ling's gaze from herself.
So, next… is the final step.
Become a Magic Girl, Hua Ling, classmate.