Chapter 38: Magical girl smells really good

Augustus vanished under Pride’s absolute power.

Not even ashes remained.

Pride stood high in the sky, arms slightly spread, reveling in her infinite magic.

This invincible power was intoxicating.

A golden spear shot toward her back, aiming for her heart.

It stopped half a meter away, halted in its tracks.

Pride turned to see Venus, exhausted and near collapse, her mood—soured by Augustus—lifting slightly.

“I was about to leave, and you do this? Are you inviting me to play a game?”

Vines sprouted from the center of her baton, binding Venus tightly in an instant, pulling her upside-down before Pride.

Pride leaned close, sniffing lightly.

“The scent of a magical girl, as fragrant as ever. Are you the one transferred from another city?”

Her words struck Venus like a hammer.

How did she know Venus was reassigned?

Venus deeply regretted her sneak attack. She’d seen Pride shrug off a calamity-level dragon breath.

Yet she foolishly thought her ambush could work.

She was as stupid as Augustus.

Would she die?

Surely she would.

Venus closed her eyes, tears of fear falling.

Pride reached out, but a voice stopped her.

“Witch!”

A familiar voice.

“We meet again, Jasmine.”

Pride stepped toward Jasmine, closing the distance to a finger’s breadth.

Jasmine’s pupils dilated, catching a faint floral scent from Pride.

Higanbana?

She wasn’t sure.

But she knew Pride wouldn’t let her off easily.

“Jasmine, are you trying to die? Why are you here!”

Venus shouted.

“This is my time with Jasmine. Outsiders, stay quiet.”

Pride’s words silenced Venus instantly.

Holding Jasmine’s hand, Pride spun her gently in the air, her gaze not on Jasmine but on a girl below.

Long Shu, codenamed Rose.

Oddly, Long Shu wasn’t impulsive today.

Had she changed? Or…

No matter. It was good that Long Shu was more cautious.

At least she wouldn’t get beaten black-and-blue by entities stronger than her.

Pride danced an unnamed waltz with Jasmine, asking, “About my last question—do you have an answer now?”

Jasmine stumbled to follow Pride’s steps, her eyes dazed.

She’d come prepared to die, not to dance!

She knew nothing about dancing!

“I…” Jasmine had an answer but hesitated. As a magical girl, could she think that way?

Her face twisted with conflict.

Pride was right: human hearts were sinful.

No one was born purely kind.

But that clashed with Jasmine’s beliefs. She couldn’t say it.

If she did, could she still be a proper magical girl?

“You have your answer but won’t speak. That’s fine. You’ll understand in time.” Pride stopped, cupping Jasmine’s soft cheeks. “I hope you live without worries, not grieving for those who don’t matter.”

Jasmine froze, stunned by Pride’s gentle words.

Was this a witch or a caring older sister?

Pride leaned closer, her nose brushing Jasmine’s lips.

“Jasmine’s scent is so fresh. I love it.”

Her intimate act flustered Jasmine, who flew back a dozen meters.

“Y-you! What are you doing!” Jasmine’s face flushed. She hadn’t expected Pride to do that!

Her nose on her lips… so embarrassing!

No!

Not embarrassing!

Unacceptable!

“Isn’t it obvious?” Pride leaned back, a giant Higanbana forming to cradle her. “I’m savoring Jasmine’s fragrance. Last time, I smelled Rose’s scent. This time, I wanted Jasmine’s.”

Pride smiled as the Higanbana enveloped her, forming a bud.

It burst like fireworks, scattering countless petals.

A curtain call for the battle.

“I hope next time, your heart is firmer.”

Pride’s words reached Jasmine as she vanished.

With Pride gone, the vines binding Venus dissolved.

Exhausted, Venus began to disintegrate, her body fading.

Starlight flickered as she fell from the sky.

Jasmine rushed to catch her, unconscious from magic depletion.

Jasmine and Long Shu took the injured Venus to a hospital.

On the way, Huang Ran, no longer transformed, noticed Long Shu’s flushed face and grew curious.

“Long Shu, are you running a fever?”

“You’re the one with a fever!”

Long Shu shouted.

Huang Ran was used to her loudness.

“Then why’s your face so red?”

“None of your business!”

Long Shu pouted, refusing to answer. Huang Ran didn’t press.

She’d only asked out of concern and curiosity.

Long Shu had clearly heard Pride’s words.

Last time, Pride kissed her, and now it came flooding back.

The memory of being treated like a child by Pride fueled her anger.

And a girlish shyness.

Besides her parents, the first stranger to kiss her was a woman!

A witch!

No one would believe it!

Long Shu’s heart was a mess, frustrated. Why did she meet such a witch?

Why were there witches who loved teasing magical girls!

She’d prepared to die, but the witch had no intent to kill.

“Damn witch! When I become an infinite-level magical girl, I’ll make you pay!”

Long Shu waved her little fist, swearing silently.

Meanwhile, Bai Yao, shaken by what she’d done to Huang Ran as a witch, sat in a corner, muttering.

“What do I do? What do I do?”

“How could I do that to Huang Ran? How can I face her now?”

“I’ve become so weird. Why?”

“I didn’t want this, but I can’t control myself around magical girls.”

“Magical girls smell so good ”