Chapter 58: The Magical Girls Assemble Again
On Saturday morning, after preparing breakfast for Lu Yue, Alice Phil knocked on the master bedroom door, announced she was going grocery shopping, then donned her magical girl attire and teleported to the Magic Affairs Bureau rooftop to await the rookie magical girls.
After Alice Phil left, Lu Yue groggily climbed out of the master bedroom’s bed, patting her waist uncomfortably.
The bed was too soft, and being held by Alice Phil all night made it hard to roll over or sleep comfortably.
Mom’s arms are cozy, but I feel like a baby who hasn’t been weaned.
Recalling her antics in the bathroom the previous night, Lu Yue blushed, her toes curling against the floor.
Not being able to roll over all night was rough!
She shuffled to the dining table, sitting down to slurp the hand-pulled noodles Alice Phil had made.
After finishing breakfast and washing the dishes, Lu Yue took the elevator to the rooftop of their apartment building.
Gazing at the cloudless sky, she paused, then summoned her dagger-shaped transformation device, pressing it to her heart and whispering, “Transform.”
A silver-purple stream of light shot up from the rooftop, soaring into the sky.
A star broke free from gravity, stretching freely in its world.
…
At Lu Ming’s residence, Corona set a plate of reheated fried chicken and burgers from the microwave in front of a hesitant Lu Ming.
Lu Ming picked up her chopsticks, then set them down, unsure how to start.
Watching Corona casually dip a chicken leg in sesame sauce, a wave of unspoken grievance welled up in her.
Maintaining a calm expression, Lu Ming said tentatively, “Mom… maybe you shouldn’t make breakfast anymore?”
“I can handle breakfast, or… we could eat at the stall downstairs.”
Corona paused mid-chew, her mouth slightly agape in disbelief.
“Lu Ming, you don’t like… the breakfast Mom made?”
“No, it’s not that…” Lu Ming shook her head, reaching out to wipe sesame sauce from Corona’s lips.
“It’s just… fried chicken first thing in the morning feels a bit much.”
She sighed, picking up a chicken leg.
It looked crispy, but one bite revealed dry, tough meat—leftovers from last night’s takeout.
“Alright, tomorrow I’ll get up early and buy something,” Corona nodded, admitting she wasn’t much of a cook.
“Forget it, Mom,” Lu Ming said, swallowing the steel-like chicken.
“I’ll cook tomorrow morning.”
“Mom, we need to eat fast,” Lu Ming added, glancing at the wall clock.
It was already 8:30 a.m., nearing the training time Yuehua set yesterday.
“My mentor’s probably waiting at the bureau.”
“Mm,” Corona nodded.
“Let’s hurry then.”
…
On the Magic Affairs Bureau rooftop, Yuehua sat on a white, slender stool conjured through alchemy, exuding her formidable aura as she had the previous day.
About half an hour after her arrival, she spotted two streaks of light—one silver, one red—approaching from the distance.
But at roughly 500 meters from the bureau, they descended.
Yuehua sighed, noticing a traffic enforcement vehicle parked at their landing spot.
Polaris and Jin Yan forgot they don’t have flight licenses yet.
Her daughter and her friend would be delayed by the lecture from the traffic bureau.
Clang.
The rooftop door opened.
Yuehua turned to see Flash and Abyss, standing and smiling kindly.
“You might need to wait a bit. Polaris and Jin Yan aren’t up yet,” she said, pointing to where the two were being reprimanded by traffic officers.
“By the way, Abyss…” Yuehua turned to her.
“How’s the training for the rookie magical girls’ flight licenses going?”
“Teacher,” Abyss replied, “they’ve completed the training. They’re set to take the magical girl flight exam in Linhai City next Saturday.”
“Got it,” Yuehua nodded, understanding the situation.
Her gaze drifted to Flash, who had come up with Abyss.
Catching Flash’s eyes on her, filled with some hidden emotion, Yuehua assumed it was admiration for a legendary magical girl from Corona’s era and thought no more of it.
…
After about fifteen minutes, the rooftop door opened again.
Polaris, looking flustered, dragged Jin Yan onto the rooftop, completing the assembly of the rookie magical girls.
Watching Polaris and Jin Yan’s restless antics, Yuehua had a good idea of what had happened but chose not to comment.
It was a matter for the youngsters.
“Before we start today’s formal training, I need to understand your magical girl traits,” Yuehua announced.
Hearing her get to business, Polaris and Jin Yan stopped their horseplay, listening intently.
“A magical girl’s trait can be understood as the ‘concept’ she wields—a unique, innate talent.”
“Unlike physical or mental specializations, which are fixed upon awakening, a magical girl’s ‘concept’ can expand and evolve with her growth.”
“You can develop your own ‘signature magic’ based on your concept.”
“When you one day become Sublime-tier magical girls, your concept will transform into an ‘authority.’”
“For now, you don’t need to worry about what an authority is.”
“You’ll understand its meaning when you reach that stage.”
“Just know that, for traditional mages, not every Ninth-Tier Sanctum Archmage can wield an authority.”
“As magical girls, you’re born with a ‘concept,’ making you prodigies in the magical path.”
“As long as you don’t fall midway, you could reach Tier-Six just by doing nothing.”
Hearing Yuehua say they could reach Tier-Six by lazing about, Xiao Yan couldn’t help but cheer, drawing everyone’s attention.
“Yay! Yay! We can cultivate by lying around!” Jin Yan exclaimed.
Seeing Jin Yan’s enthusiasm, Yuehua addressed the group, “Talk is cheap. Let’s head to the underground training field. I’ll help you find suitable combat styles and uncover your talents.”
“Let’s go, my lively magical girls.”