Saturday morning, the sun had already risen.

Polaris chose not to eat at home, instead heading early to the Bureau of Magical Affairs cafeteria.

This way, she could attend her theoretical training and let her parents sleep in.

In her transformed state as Polaris, she leisurely parted the plastic curtain and entered the cafeteria, daydreaming about the lavish breakfast awaiting her.

She’d heard from Jin Yan that the Bureau’s cafeteria offered a buffet with a wide variety of dishes, rivaling the finest restaurants.

As Polaris stepped inside, her eyes immediately caught Jin Yan darting between tables, her mouth glistening with grease.

Jin Yan’s tray was piled high with buns, bacon, fried eggs, buttered bread, and mini sausages.

Polaris, used to such scenes, pretended not to know the magical girl and grabbed a tray to select her breakfast.

After choosing her food, she sat in the dining area, chopsticks in hand, savoring the moment’s deliciousness.

“Lu Yue, Lu Yue, try this pan-fried lamb rib—it’s so good!” Jin Yan scurried over, holding a rib to Polaris’s mouth.

Polaris snapped her chopsticks in half.

Taking a deep breath, she told herself, Stay calm, stay calm.

Turning to Jin Yan with a forced smile, she said, “Jin Yan, in public, use my codename.”

“And stop talking like that.”

“Okay, Lu Yue,” Jin Yan replied, as if missing the point entirely.

She stuffed the rib into Polaris’s mouth while she was speaking.

Polaris froze, then chewed.

The meat was tender yet chewy, the crust crispy and fragrant with oil.

It was, as Jin Yan said, delicious.

But that wasn’t the point.

Polaris glared at Jin Yan, who still looked like a red-haired puppy wagging its tail.

Fine, I shouldn’t argue with an idiot, Polaris sighed inwardly.

What’s done is done. Eat first.

Click.

The cafeteria curtain parted again.

A sophisticated woman with purple hair and eyes walked in.

Spotting the two young girls in the dining area, Yan Huimeng smiled knowingly.

As usual, she picked her favorite foods, then carried her breakfast to their table.

“After I finish your theory class today, a new teacher will come to teach you magic and combat,” Yan Huimeng said.

“Jin Yan, you’d better step it up.”

“Polaris awakened later than you, but she’s already catching up in theoretical knowledge.”

“Otherwise, you’ll be stuck at the Bureau for summer remedial classes.”

Yan Huimeng’s tone was exasperated.

She wanted to finish teaching and free up her weekends, but she was the only retired magical girl at the Bureau qualified to teach theory.

And Jin Yan was just too slow.

“Woof,” Jin Yan whimpered like a puppy.

At least she wouldn’t have to teach magic and combat, Yan Huimeng thought.

She’d only guided new magical girls on mana training before.

Hope they can handle this new teacher’s surprise.

In the master bedroom, Lu Xin sat listlessly on the bed’s edge.

His face was haggard, his eyes red and swollen.

Scattered at his feet were torn cigarette packs and a pile of empty liquor bottles.

Since parting with Corona yesterday, he hadn’t slept, trying to numb himself with alcohol and cigarettes for a good night’s rest.

But the more he drank, the more alert he became.

The ashtray overflowed with cigarette butts, to no avail.

Every time he lay down, Corona’s face haunted his mind.

Damn it! Lu Xin slapped himself.

She was married, yet he still pined for her.

A married man himself, he couldn’t let go of another woman.

A dark thought crept into his mind: At least I had her once, didn’t I? At least someone accepted her, even after her first night.

The more he tried to console himself, the more despicable he felt.

Looking at his disheveled reflection in the vanity mirror, he felt nauseated, as if staring at something foul.

Silently chanting transform, the mirror reflected a silver-haired, blue-eyed girl in casual home clothes.

This form is easier on the eyes, Alicefiel thought, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

But beneath this shell, who was buried?

Lu Xin, the culprit who had wronged Corona?

Or Yuehua, Little Moon, who fought alongside her for years?

Perhaps only on her deathbed, with her chest split open, would she see what her heart truly was.

Ugh! Alicefiel’s face twisted in pain.

Her body collapsed powerlessly onto the cold tile floor, knocking over the ashtray of cigarette butts and spilling the dregs of liquor bottles onto her head.

It wasn’t even evening, yet the full moon’s influence was already this strong?

Alicefiel could barely think.

She couldn’t stay home tonight.

As the pain eased, she propped up her frail body and began cleaning the mess.

What excuse this time? A honeymoon trip, maybe.

Hope Xiao Yue eats well and sleeps well these next few days. She’s such a good, obedient girl.

Oh, and she needed to handle things at the Bureau.

Alicefiel wiped the stains from her hands, drafted a text to Yan Huimeng, and sent it.

That should do it.

Now, a good shower. Gotta look pretty for a trip.

Alicefiel stood, stumbling toward the bathroom.

“That’s it for today’s theory class. Wait here; the teacher for magic and combat training will arrive soon,” Yan Huimeng said, rapping the desk before leaving the meeting room turned classroom.

“Hey, Polaris,” Jin Yan whispered.

“Who do you think the new teacher is?”

“How would I know?” Polaris said, finding Jin Yan’s question absurd.

If she had connections that good, she wouldn’t be sitting here waiting.

“I bet it’s some old, crusty guy,” Jin Yan said.

“Hey, don’t stereotype. Anime’s got you all wrong.”

“Our people live long lives, and high-tier mages can easily change their appearance.”

“It might even be a gorgeous woman,” Polaris said.

Knock, knock.

The meeting room door sounded.

Both turned to look.

It was Lu Ming, their new school teacher.

As she stepped aside, their new classmate, Liu Lian, emerged from behind her.

“Hi! What a coincidence, meeting again, Lu Yue, Xiao Yan,” Liu Lian said with a smile.

“No way, how do you know us?” Xiao Yan said, slamming the table and standing, knocking her chair over.

Lu Yue quietly righted the chair, tugging at Jin Yan’s magical girl outfit to make her sit.

“If I’m not mistaken, Liu Lian, you’re a magical girl too, right?” Lu Yue said.

“Of course. You’re sharp, Lu Yue,” Liu Lian said, chuckling behind her hand.

“How’d you know she’s a magical girl?” Xiao Yan asked.

“Weren’t you paying attention in class?” Lu Yue said, annoyed.

Magical girls in their transformed state have a baseline cognitive veil.

It mentally separates their appearance from their true identity, preventing recognition.

Even with high magical infusion, the veil remains effective.

But there are exceptions: high-tier mages, parents who’ve received a confidential magical girl awakening notice for their child, and, of course, the magical girl herself—though she’s unaware her parents know.

For safety and confidentiality, only the Bureau and the magical girl’s parents know her true identity.

Parents typically act oblivious, as the notice is confidential and destroyed after reading.

There are also two special cases: a magical girl transforming in front of others or another magical girl sensing her magical signature.

“Ugh, so complicated,” Xiao Yan said, smacking her less-than-bright head.

“Let’s reintroduce ourselves properly,” Liu Lian said.

“I’m a magical girl from Jiangbei City, codename: Flash.”

She clasped a hairpin with both hands.

A burst of light, and her outfit transformed into a gauzy gown.

“I’m assigned to Tongzhou City for magic and combat training.”

“Ahem,” Lu Ming cleared her throat.

“I’m Lu Ming, your teacher for the upcoming classes.”

“Though I’m not a magical girl, I have extensive experience sparring with them.”

“I’m also a Tier 7 mage, more than qualified to teach new magical girls.”

“So, please, let’s work well together,” Lu Ming said.