Chapter 18: Lemon’s Challenge!

Su Tang’s words dropped, and the class went dead quiet.

She instantly sensed something off.

Her intent: link to the true first monster who defeated a magical girl, remind of that senior’s warning—”live in worry”—to caution against complacency. Basically, give monster-Su Tang some face.

But rethink: Association sealed that info; only few knew.

Sudden mention—suspicious?

Turned out overthinking.

“No link. ‘Queen’ is a newly discovered independent entity.”

Teacher Lin answered seriously, then stressed to Su Tang: “What you said—keep confidential off-campus. Dongyang student duty.”

“Ah… yes.” Su Tang nodded, sat back.

So, the first defeat wasn’t secret at Dongyang.

Makes sense—largest joint school; Fruit Pie told her.

“Though Su Tang transferred and is now Dongyang, you knew beforehand—must be Ningliu.”

Teacher Lin eyed Ningliu darkly: “Violated ‘no leaking to outsiders.’ 5000-word reflection—to my office.”

“Not me!” Ningliu wailed.

Actually Tao Lian’s story.

But Teacher Lin ignored, left.

Ningliu teary, turned to Su Tang—wronged yet resentful.

“My bad…” Su Tang awkward, “Help write the reflection?”

“No need.”

Ningliu sniffled, pulled prepped reflection: “Stocked up.”

Su Tang: ?

Recidivist calm?

“But wronged—compensate me.” Ningliu continued.

“No problem…” Su Tang paused, “How?”

Ningliu whipped out console: “Su Tang, one match!”

Classic you.

As Su Tang nodded, classmates swarmed.

“Su Tang so pretty, cute—friends?”

“Skin fair, rare silver hair—foreigner?”

“Dorm assignment? Lunch together? Tour school~”

Earlier ban: suppressed; her arrival drew eyes.

Ban lifted, acceptance—attention skyrocketed.

“Hey hey, I was first—back off!”

Ningliu nearly squeezed out, stomping.

“Ah, Ningliu challenging Su Tang?”

“Yep.”

Seeing: classmates tacitly cleared space for Ningliu.

“Huh?” Su Tang confused.

“Don’t misunderstand—we wanna chat.”

“But Ningliu wants battle—let her first.”

Why?

Ningliu class boss? Gaming throne?

Explanation:

“Ningliu challenged everyone—never won.”

“Curious when she’ll win. Your turn, Su Tang.”

“Let’s go! Duel!” Ningliu fired up.

Hearing, seeing her spark—Su Tang speechless.

…Kinda don’t wanna crush her.

…

Dongyang High, Grade 11 Class 1.

“Little Peach, got word: transfer student assigned to our dorm. Pick up later.”

Post-meeting, Mei found Tao Lian.

Same class.

As president, Mei to emergency Association meet—pickup to Tao Lian.

“Transfer? Our dorm?”

Tao Lian blinked surprised, “But we reported Fruit Pie no new members?”

Dongyang magical girls: teams cross-grades, shared dorms. Stop recruiting: report to school.

Fruit Pie: four, full roles—reported day two post-debut.

Now random transfer in?

“Details unclear—school decision.”

Mei pinned council armband: “Yours now. I’m off.”

“Ah… got it.” Tao Lian no choice.

They left class, opposite ways.

En route pickup, Tao Lian pondered—not “why into reported dorm.”

But—

“Transfer… cute kid? Big sis type fine too.”

For factory-lesbian Tao Lian: person > logistics.

Team full, but missing ideal “archetypes.”

Mature senior sis; cute clueless junior.

Senior: yes—Xia Qingli sole senior.

But useless.

Junior: Ningliu freshman.

Zero cute.

Newbie filling one? Bliss.

Worst: peer like Mei—acceptable.

Tao Lian excited, cheeks cupped, grinning murmur:

“Ara… can’t wait. What kind of kid~?”