“It's a deal! We'll see each other again tomorrow night.”
“I also know two children the same age as Muyao Meimei (Muyao Little Sister), and they also love Magic Girls very much.”
“You'll definitely become good friends!”
Lin Muyao stood at the dormitory door, nodding repeatedly, her face full of anticipation.
“Bye-bye~ See you tomorrow!~”
“Goodbye, Tianqing Jie, goodbye, Jia Yu.”
The girl raised the drawing board in her hand and bid them farewell.
The two walked one after another on their way back. Su Tianqing skipped happily, her Golden Fox tail flipping and leaping, and her skirt fluttering like a butterfly.
“Tianqing, you're very happy,” Nan Jiayu said with a smile.
“Of course!~”
The Golden Fox turned to look at Nan Jiayu.
“Jia Yu, did you see it just now? That child was so happy to see us.”
“Yes, and Tianqing, you bought her so much merchandise.”
“Because I also like Magic Girls very much.”
“Hmm... I can't tell at all,” Nan Jiayu answered honestly.
Tianqing usually didn't show much interest in Magic Girls, but perhaps it was because she didn't fully understand the little fox in front of her.
Nan Jiayu thought to herself.
Nan Xiaofeng promised to come with Hua Ling tomorrow night. Getting these Magic Girl-loving children together might actually lead to a new pair of friends.
But if that's the case...
The Cat Girl looked up at the setting sun in the sky.
...Should I postpone the magic replenishment plan?
After all, this is Association High School. Although she could use Star Realm Magic to ignore the superpowers of the Hero Association heroes, in a state of magic depletion...
“Jia Yu—, let's eat nearby tonight~?”
The Golden Fox's voice brought Nan Jiayu's attention back.
Seeing Su Tianqing, who had already walked ahead and was looking around for restaurants, the Cat Girl reined in her wandering thoughts, reached out to stroke her tail, and quickly followed.
.
Meanwhile, at Nan Xiaofeng's school.
The dismissal bell rang, and students packed their bags, inviting each other to leave the classroom.
Hua Ling was no exception.
The girl quietly tucked the sample merchandise given to her by the Hero Association into her backpack. Just as she was about to put on her backpack and leave, she suddenly heard the voice of the girl beside her:
“Hua Ling, are you free tomorrow night?”
“Hmm? Tomorrow?”
Hua Ling looked curiously at the girl at the next desk, meeting Nan Xiaofeng's gaze.
“Yes, I am, but didn't our scheduled plan say...”
—Yesterday, Bai Ling returned from the Star Realm and brought her a comprehensive enhancement plan for magical firepower and mobility.
It was said that this was the essence Bai Ling summarized from the Star Realm library.
And after she trained and improved her magic casting according to that plan yesterday, the effect was indeed outstanding.
“Not that, it's what Tianqing Jie mentioned,” Nan Xiaofeng shook her head and added.
Hua Ling suddenly understood.
During lunch break today, Nan Xiaofeng called her to the rooftop to talk about what Tianqing Jie had brought up:
There was a girl at Association High School with a complicated background and a strange illness. She liked Magic Girls just like Nan Xiaofeng, and Tianqing Jie wanted Nan Xiaofeng to get in touch with her.
“People of the same age will have more to talk about—that's what Tianqing Jie said.”
Walking down the school corridor after school, Nan Xiaofeng explained to Hua Ling beside her.
“Is that so...” Hua Ling murmured to herself.
“Tianqing Jie said a lot about that girl on WeChat. How should I put it... it makes me very concerned.”
“...”
The girl wearing glasses remained silent.
—Hua Ling used to not be very interested in Magic Girls.
But ever since she became Magical Girl Iris, Hua Ling gradually started collecting some merchandise.
According to the Hero Association's publicity department, Iris's popularity was rising rapidly, showing signs of surpassing Hyacinth, and various custom merchandise items were being produced in full swing.
The picture cards in her backpack were samples given to her by the publicity department.
Looking at the pure and elegant Magic Girl on the picture card, who was completely different from her own true form, Hua Ling felt her mood brighten considerably.
“That child has a very strange illness. Tianqing Jie said she can only communicate with people by writing on a drawing board.”
Nan Xiaofeng said,
“Sigh... Not only was she abandoned by her mother, but she also got this strange illness...”
“Perhaps that's why Tianqing Jie wants us to get in touch with her.”
Nan Xiaofeng shook her head, Hua Ling frowned slightly and also sighed helplessly.
“I think so too. Tianqing Jie is so kind and lovely. Didn't you say, Nan Xiaofeng, that Tianqing Jie also bought a lot of merchandise to give her? Those must be worth a lot of money.”
“That's very much something Tianqing Jie would do,” Nan Xiaofeng nodded lightly.
A brief silence.
The setting sun illuminated the girls' way home, a brilliant golden glow.
“Speaking of which, did Tianqing Jie say what that child's name is?” As if remembering something, Hua Ling tilted her head to look at Nan Xiaofeng.
“Lin Muyao,” Nan Xiaofeng said softly.
Hua Ling didn't respond, silently committing it to memory.
After parting ways at the subway station, Hua Ling walked home alone.
Her mind kept replaying the conversation she had just had with Nan Xiaofeng.
The girl named Lin Muyao, Tianqing Jie's request, and Lin Muyao's background.
“She was abandoned by her mother,” the girl whispered, not knowing who she was talking to.
Walking into the empty house, Hua Ling turned on the living room light and stared blankly at the scene inside.
The layout of the house was still the same as four years ago, never having changed.
Hua Ling silently changed into slippers, put down her backpack, and walked to the corner of the living room.
She picked up a slightly dusty photo frame and gently brushed away the tiny specks of dust on it.
A man and a woman, and a laughing child, filled the entire frame.
“...Mom, Dad.”
Hua Ling said to herself.
“I've made a lot of friends recently. They are all very good people.”
“Do you know, Nan Xiaofeng is actually a Magic Girl, a super powerful Magic Girl.”
“I've also tried transforming into a Magic Girl recently. I want to protect others. I don't want... I don't want to see that kind of thing happen again...”
The girl's voice gradually distorted, and her eyes welled up with tears.
Hua Ling sniffled, wiped away her tears, and forced a smile onto her face.
“And, Tianqing Jie said there's a girl whose background is very similar to mine. She also loves Magic Girls, and maybe we can become friends with her.”
“Ah... Tianqing Jie is a very lovely fox sister. Her smile is beautiful, as bright as the morning sun.”
“Tomorrow, I'll go with Nan Xiaofeng to meet that girl. If I can, I hope to help her.”
“At least... make her less lonely...”
In the dim house, the girl's whispers echoed.
Above Rong City, a golden figure floated in the sky as usual.
Su Tianqing did not turn on her camera for tonight's live broadcast routine. Instead, she silently looked at the secret codex in front of her.
Her fox eyes were tightly locked, her gaze sharp.
【Mission: Companion's Secret, Updated】
【Hellcat will attack Lin Muyao this weekend. Please prepare.】
In addition to this updated mission, Su Tianqing also saw a more confusing mission:
【Mission: Magic Replenishment】
【Replenish magic for Hellcat in a magic-depleted state, 0/1】
【Reward: Hellcat Affection +1000】
Su Tianqing calmly gazed at this latest mission, her brows tightly furrowed.
This is not good.
How exactly does this magic replenishment... work...?