Chapter 22: Let Me See Your Determination
Three days later.
The purple magical girl stood in a messy warehouse, frowning as she picked up a piece of metal from the ground.
The mark on the metal shard puzzled her; it belonged to the organization ‘Snake Fang’, and their sphere of influence did not include Xinghai City.
Could it be that ‘Snake Fang’ wants to extend their reach here?
“Using the essence of magical beasts as weapons, these guys really are…” Thinking about the bizarre weapon the opponent had used in the previous battle, Xia Mo’s expression became more serious.
Throughout history, all experiments attempting to control the power of magical beasts had failed. Numerous cautionary tales warned people that the power of magical beasts could not be controlled.
Yet, there were still those who did not believe this superstition and dared to touch this forbidden domain.
One of the magical girls’ jobs was to find these madmen and send them to prison for judgment.
“Miss Rosemary, that magical girl has appeared again.” A combat officer from the Magic Department dressed in a black uniform approached Xia Mo and pointed towards the front door.
Xia Mo looked up and indeed saw the pure white girl who resembled an angel.
‘That person has a sharp tongue, but her heart is as soft as tofu. If you talk to her a little more, she’ll recognize you.’ Xia Mo remembered the Director’s evaluation of Bai Ye.
Although her senior had coldly told her that she was disappointing, she was still by Xia Mo’s side, keeping an eye on her.
Xia Mo’s heart warmed slightly as she took a step toward Bai Ye.
When Xia Mo approached, Bai Ye remained still in her original position. It wasn’t until Xia Mo was right beside her that she raised her eyelids to look at her.
“Bai Ye Senpai!”
Bai Ye remained silent and turned to walk outside.
Her pace was not fast, and Xia Mo could easily keep up with her.
Is Senpai letting me follow her? Xia Mo speculated in her heart.
In the past, her senior had vanished in a flash of light, but this time, she did not disappear, which meant that she was intentionally allowing Xia Mo to follow her.
Hastily keeping up with Bai Ye, who had already taken a few steps, Xia Mo anxiously gazed at her familiar yet unfamiliar senior.
She didn’t know where Bai Ye was taking her or what she wanted to do, but she was willing to believe that Senpai would never harm her.
Because this is Bai Ye Senpai.
Following Bai Ye to a deserted corner, Xia Mo saw her stop.
Have we arrived? Just as Xia Mo was about to ask, a white magic circle suddenly lit up beneath her feet.
Her vision was engulfed by a bright light, accompanied by a dizzying sensation, and Xia Mo fell to the ground with a thud.
“If I were the bad guy, you would have died.”
A cold voice came from beside her. Xia Mo turned her head and could only see a delicate foot wrapped in transparent crystal shoes, clad in white socks.
The socks were adorned with dark patterns of stars and flowers, captivating Xia Mo’s attention until an annoyed cough came from above.
“Get up.”
“…Okay.” Xia Mo realized her earlier behavior was a bit odd and quickly scrambled to her feet.
Looking around, she found herself standing on the rooftop of a tall building, able to see the entirety of Xinghai City at a glance.
This is… the rooftop of Xinghai Tower?
“Senpai, why did you bring me here?”
“You’re too weak right now.” Bai Ye walked past Xia Mo to the edge of the rooftop.
She raised her right hand and gestured towards the front, softly saying, “You are not qualified to become a true magical girl.”
Xia Mo remained silent; she knew Bai Ye was right and that she still had some way to go before becoming a true magical girl.
Budding, budding, initial bloom, and flourishing—within the four stages of a magical girl’s growth, those in the first two stages were referred to as rookie magical girls.
Only by reaching the Initial Bloom stage could a magical girl shed the rookie prefix and truly be recognized as a magical girl.
However, Xia Mo was still in the budding stage. Though she had awakened a portion of her power during recent battles, she had not yet reached that level.
“Senpai, perhaps I may not be strong enough right now to earn your recognition, but I will continue to work hard so that you can truly acknowledge me!”
Pressing her hand gently against her chest, Xia Mo took a step forward, gathering her courage to shout at her idol.
She would strive; she would make her senpai witness her determination and courage, and earn her sincere acknowledgment!
Bai Ye still did not turn back, but she did not continue to discourage Xia Mo. Instead, she asked in a melancholic voice, “You can still turn back, return to the life you are familiar with. Why are you fighting with your life on a battlefield that is not meant for you?”
“Because I want to protect those I love. I don’t want to be in a corner crying one day when everyone is in danger, watching my loved ones get killed by terrifying magical beasts for my sake!” Xia Mo’s voice grew louder, and tears shimmered in her eyes.
“I know there are many magical girls in the world. Without me, the entire world may not be much different, but I just want to do my part to lessen the tragedies in the world and ensure fewer people experience the same parting of life and death that I have!”
“Senpai, it was you who saved me back then, and now I want to be like you and save those who need me!”
So… this is what she thinks in her heart? Luo Shuangyue sighed quietly in her heart.
There is a kind of person in the world who, after experiencing the rain, does not want others to suffer the same pain. Xia Mo is one of them, as are those magical girls.
“In that case, let me see your resolve.” Luo Shuangyue turned around and fixed Xia Mo with an intense gaze, “In ten minutes, fly ten laps around the entire Xinghai City!”
“Eh?” Xia Mo was momentarily stunned, then quickly realized this was the test her senpai was giving her.
If she could pass her senpai’s test, Bai Ye’s opinion of her would surely change!
“I’m on it!”
The purple girl transformed into a shooting star, soaring into the sky, while the white girl, after the purple girl left, immediately retracted her radiance, and the splendid attire of the magical girl vanished without a trace.
Bai Ye disappeared, leaving behind only a white-haired girl gasping for breath while holding her chest.
“Ha… even without using power, I can only last this long.” After catching her breath, Luo Shuangyue retrieved a disguise tool hidden in a corner of the rooftop.
Next, she would be pretending to be Bai Ye to meet Xia Mo.
