"Qiugui, they're really good at performing at fireworks shows."
Huatianli Community, rooftop terrace.
Many residents gathered on the terrace to watch the fireworks show, and Nan Xiaofeng was no exception, as were Hua Ling and Lin Muyao beside her.
"Hmm? Hua Ling, have you never seen Christmas Eve fireworks before?"
Lin Muyao asked curiously.
She was busy taking pictures with her phone, and when she heard Hua Ling's exclamation beside her, she immediately asked curiously.
"It's not like I've never seen them at all... but I've never specifically come to watch them like this before."
The girl pushed up her glasses and said with a wry smile.
Fireworks bloomed in the sky, and everyone in the city could clearly see the magical flames blossoming in the firmament, imprinting this scene deeply into their minds.
"The Birthday Festival is the New Year for foreigners, which means it's a new year again."
"Yes... time really flies, it feels like we just met not long ago."
Nan Xiaofeng sighed with emotion,
"I never thought we'd already be companions who've experienced life-and-death events together."
"Does that mean we get along pretty well?"
"Of course, I heard we've been rated as this year's Best Duo and Best Newcomers. It seems there's also a bonus and specially customized prizes."
"Really?!"
Lin Muyao was overjoyed, and Nan Xiaofeng was full of confidence. The two immediately began discussing what kind of prize would be best for the Best Newcomers.
Hua Ling stared blankly at the blooming fireworks, pressing her lips together, as if deep in thought.
Tianqing and Jia Yu... were they also watching the fireworks show together?
She really hoped the two of them could stay together until the end. The girl thought.
But this thought was quickly interrupted by her phone vibrating. Nan Xiaofeng and Lin Muyao also received messages. The three of them simultaneously opened the texts and looked at the new message.
"Hero Association? ...Oh, it's reminding us to attend the annual meeting tomorrow." Nan Xiaofeng said.
"Annual meeting? What's that?" Lin Muyao asked.
Hua Ling was also confused. The two new Magic Girls simultaneously looked at Nan Xiaofeng, their senior, trying to get some information from her.
Being stared at by the two, Nan Xiaofeng was momentarily at a loss, shaking her head and sighing helplessly.
"Why are you two looking at me? I've never attended a Hero Association annual meeting before, so I have nothing to tell you."
"But Xiaofeng, weren't you the only Magic Girl in Rong City before this? They didn't invite you?"
"How would I know! ...Bai Ling! Stop being so clingy with Miss Yue Tianxin over there! Come over and tell us about the annual meeting!"
Nan Xiaofeng looked not far away, towards the two Observer Spirits sitting side by side on the edge of the rooftop.
The White Sable Spirit shuddered and flew back with the Fox Spirit, pouncing on Nan Xiaofeng's head and chattering like a sable for a while:
"It's all your fault for disturbing me! I finally got some alone time with Xiao Yue!"
"There will be many more opportunities in the future, Bai Ling." The Fox Spirit replied with a sweet smile, radiant like the bright moon.
The White Sable Spirit's anger immediately dissipated by more than half.
"Since Xiao Yue said so... then I'll let you off the hook for now, Xiaofeng."
"The Hero Association doesn't hold annual meetings every year, unless there's a major event that year, otherwise they won't specifically summon Magic Girls for a meeting."
"The events that happened this year were quite significant—several new Magic Girls appeared in Rong City, the Monster attack rate greatly increased, yet the casualty rate was close to zero. It's certainly worth holding an annual meeting for."
Yue Tianxin said with a laugh.
Everyone deeply agreed with her.
Since Xin Yuehu appeared, the Monster attack casualty rate in Rong City has indeed decreased significantly compared to previous years.
As for why there are Monster attacks? Don't ask, it's rude to ask again.
"In short, we just need to attend the meeting tomorrow afternoon. The fireworks show still has one last section left, so let's hurry and watch the performance!"
The White Sable Spirit reminded them, and the few of them looked up again, expressing heartfelt admiration towards the sky.
Tonight, there were no Monster attacks.
Tonight was peaceful.
...
The next day.
Rongcheng Hero Association Headquarters, main conference room.
Six resident S-Class Heroes were seated in their respective places.
Moira sat at the head, Messiah and Scalpel sat beside him, each holding a game console, as if playing some game.
"Liu Mu! Don't steal my headshot!"
"You wish, One-Handed Kid."
"Shrimp Head Katana!"
The cheerful atmosphere of the three filled the conference room with laughter, and the remaining few also, by common consent, began their pre-meeting slacking time.
Meteor, Steel, Electromagnetic.
The three field S-Class Heroes took a sip of the tea in their cups.
Meteor opened today's meeting agenda and looked at the few girls sitting upright at the conference table.
"Don't be so nervous, everyone. Today is just to invite everyone to share some information and future plans, there's nothing big to talk about."
"Is... is that so...?"
Nan Xiaofeng breathed a sigh of relief.
"That's why I said, Xiaofeng, you don't need to be so nervous. It's just a regular meeting." The White Sable Spirit said.
The round orange cat spirit beside Bai Ling also nodded.
"That's right, and don't look at Xiangrui and the others as seniors, they haven't actually attended many annual meetings either."
"Big Orange! Shut up!"
The orange cat spirit wisely shut its mouth, but its face still couldn't hide its smile.
The meeting concluded with the Monster Hunter trio's celebration and quickly moved on to the main topic.
"Today, we've invited the Autumn Osmanthus Squad from Shancheng to participate in the annual meeting. Hyacinth, your two squads have already met, right? So I'll skip the introductions."
Moira, seated at the head, said,
"First, the Rongcheng Hero Association thanks the Autumn Osmanthus Squad for their assistance in defense during this period, and hopes for more cooperation in the future to jointly ensure the safety of Shancheng and Rongcheng."
"Not at all, it's what we should do. We've also received everyone's care, and we should thank you."
Jin Xiangrui, the true form of Magic Girl Qiugui, naturally accepted the thanks and politely returned the gratitude.
"Next is the second agenda item, congratulations to the Hyacinth Squad for winning the National Best Magic Girl Squad award this year, taking home the Best Squad of the Year award."
Applause erupted in the conference room. Nan Xiaofeng scratched her cheek, a little shy.
"In addition, Iris also won this year's Best Newcomer Award. Afterwards, staff will contact you to discuss the customization of merchandise."
"Next is the third, and most important, agenda item of this meeting."
Moira composed herself, becoming a little more serious, and the Magic Girls also straightened their attitudes accordingly.
"The Rongcheng Hero Association has received a special request for assistance, and we hope your two squads can participate."
"Hmm? What kind of request is it specifically?" Lin Muyao asked curiously.
"This is a mission dispatch from the National Hero Association Headquarters. The specific source of the information is... the London Association in the UK."
Hearing this name, everyone was awestruck.
The Hero Association is an international organization, with branches established all over the world, and foreign countries are no exception.
However, cross-border mission requests like this are quite rare. Most issues can be resolved within their respective countries,
Unless there's a real problem, cross-border relations won't be used.
"According to intelligence from the London Association, a dangerous villain Magic Girl recently came to Rong City."
"But we have never observed her appearance, nor do we have any means of detecting her. We hope your two squads can help investigate her whereabouts and, at critical moments, prevent her from damaging the city."
The person speaking was Messiah, who sat beside Moira.
This white-haired, red-eyed girl, unlike a human, continued:
"This target's actions are extremely heinous. She has been accused of participating in multiple malicious Monster attacks in London, causing a large number of casualties."
"Her danger level is much higher than even Xin Yuehu or Hellcat. Please be sure to prevent her in time to avoid large-scale destruction in Rong City."
The Magic Girls looked at each other in silence, all understanding the importance of this matter.
"Then... may I ask a question."
Hua Ling said,
"Does that villain Magic Girl have any specific codename? Or more related information?"
"Relevant information will be sent to your respective divine code stones later, and can also be checked in the archives."
Messiah replied,
"And for her series of actions, the London Association gave her a fitting codename—"
"Jack the Ripper"
"Or, Jack the Ripper."