Linhai City, the Central Republic’s hub for economy, finance, trade, and shipping, was also its largest metropolis.

Situated on the southeastern coast, it fell directly under the Magic Committee’s jurisdiction.

And here, at the headquarters of the Magical Girl Association.

This morning, after strolling the resort’s beach, Alicefiel felt that visiting Linhai City without shopping would miss most of the fun.

So, she changed into a light summer outfit and had the puppet Lu Xin drive her to the city’s most bustling commercial street.

Dressed in breezy summer clothes, Alicefiel walked the pedestrian path in the commercial center.

Her flowing silver hair, refined features, and perfect figure drew stares from passersby.

A few bold young men even mustered the courage to ask for her contact info.

Each time, Alicefiel linked arms with the Lu Xin beside her—who looked just like her father—and told them, “Sorry, I’m already married.”

The youths would back off, no doubt thinking, Rich people really can do anything. An old man snagging such a young wife.

They’d sigh at their lack of funds and move on, hoping for a romantic encounter in this city of glamour and excess.

But alas, in this city, their dreams were doomed to fizzle.

Money made the city famous—without it, progress was like trudging through mud, inch by agonizing inch.

By now, nearing noon, Alicefiel’s phone buzzed with a message from Lu Ming.

It briefly recounted the training mishap and her own fault.

Of course, Alicefiel knew Lu Yue was afraid of heights but had forgotten to mention it to Lu Ming.

Upon learning of the incident, she ached for Lu Yue but knew a flower in a greenhouse couldn’t withstand storms.

She had to let Lu Ming teach her.

Besides, Lu Yue had many protective measures from Alicefiel—no need to worry about her life.

Just like how Lu An had kept things from her, making her once think her luck was just that good.

“It’s about lunchtime. Let’s try some local cuisine,” Alicefiel murmured.

For high-tier transcendents, eating was no longer necessary.

But since having Lu Yue, Alicefiel had revived the habit of three meals a day.

Not just for Xiao Yue’s nutrition, but because this ordinary routine made her feel truly alive.

Following her phone’s GPS, Alicefiel reached the top floor of a shopping center.

There was a highly rated all-you-can-eat barbecue restaurant.

Due to its popularity, a long line snaked ahead—she’d have to wait a bit.

Once inside with the puppet, the two—no, one person and one puppet—entered a room with floor-to-ceiling windows.

Alicefiel sat on a stool, propping her cheek with one hand, her gaze drifting to the window.

One of Linhai City’s landmarks: the Magical Girl Association Tower.

The tower stood about 412 meters tall, like a faceted staff piercing the sky.

At its tip, a mana-gathering gem housed the president’s office and living quarters.

Alicefiel glanced once and looked away—not for any other reason, but to avoid trouble.

She knew too well the abilities of the one inside that gem.

Since you’re here, come up for a visit.

The words echoed directly in Alicefiel’s mind.

She pretended not to hear, casually picking a thin slice of beef from the plate the puppet brought and searing it on the oiled grill pan.

I know it’s you, Alicefiel. Though your secrecy outranks mine, my intuition doesn’t lie.

Alicefiel didn’t rush a reply.

She rolled the beef with her chopsticks, dipped it in sauce, and savored it in her cherry lips before responding mentally:

Got it. Let me finish eating first.

Fine, I’ll wait.

The exchange ended.

The outcome was both expected and surprising.

For that old friend, Alicefiel hadn’t formally met her since retiring seventeen years ago.

Though she, like Alicefiel, had been gravely wounded in that battle seventeen years prior, her bug-like telepathic ability had sharpened over the next decade-plus.

Watching the puppet Lu Xin fetch plate after plate, filling the table’s sides, Alicefiel thought her old friend would have to wait a bit longer.

What followed was over an hour of leisurely eating.

In the Magical Girl Association Tower’s ground-floor lobby, Alicefiel approached the front desk with Lu Xin, stating her purpose.

“Hello, we’re here to see the president by invitation.”

“Understood. Are you Miss Alicefiel?”

“Yes. Here’s my ID… and my magical girl ID card.”

Alicefiel handed over the two cards as required.

The receptionist froze at first sight, her eyes wide with disbelief.

“You’re…?” She sought confirmation.

The other half of the Twin Stars, once paired with Corona—Yuehua—appearing at the Magical Girl Association Tower after seventeen years.

“Shh, keep it quiet,” Alicefiel said, a finger to her lips, then pointing at Lu Xin.

“And confidential. This is my husband; he’s coming up too.”

“Of course. Please use the president’s private elevator. She’s been waiting,” the receptionist said, glancing at the bearded middle-aged man beside Alicefiel.

She led them to the elevator.

As they entered, the doors closed.

The space was stark—no extras, just one floor button, like a metal box with inner lighting.

As it ascended, Alicefiel used the reflective walls to tidy her appearance, then stood at the doors, awaiting the designated floor.

Ding~

The doors slid open.

Alicefiel’s first sight: a blonde, red-eyed loli girl leaning on a cane, dressed in a JK uniform under a trench coat.

Before Alicefiel could speak, the girl beat her to it: “I spotted you the first time you peeked at me, sister.”

“I still remember that look when you eyed my legs.”

“We haven’t seen each other in years—let’s catch up properly.”

The blonde red-eyed girl glanced at the middle-aged Lu Xin, then continued to Alicefiel:

“Ditch that soulless thing aside. No more playing house. Let’s chat like old times.”

“I’ve missed you dearly.”