Chapter 1: The Indifferent Genius and the Magical Girl’s Appearance

Hailin Middle School, Tiangong City.

Bright sunlight streamed into the classroom, illuminating Bai Li as she sat, one hand propped against her cheek, covertly using her phone behind an upright textbook.

Her pure white hair, crimson eyes, and exquisitely emotionless (TL Note: ‘Sanwu’ refers to a character archetype that is expressionless, quiet, and generally lacking in outward emotion) face and demeanor made her appear strikingly out of place among her classmates.

“I trust you’re all feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension about the upcoming ability awakening ceremony.

While the abilities and directions each of you might awaken will differ, and some may even fail to awaken at all, I firmly believe that every one of you will, regardless, shine brightly in the future and forge your own path.

Innate talent for abilities is secondary; what truly matters is your mindset and dedication, much like our classmate who has already awakened and joined the front lines… and…”

The middle-aged man on the podium paused abruptly at this point, then reached for a piece of chalk by the blackboard.

“Bai Li, pay attention in class!”

No sooner had the words left his lips than the man hurled the chalk in his hand like a dart, sending it flying in a straight line to strike the white-haired girl squarely on the forehead.

While her abilities prevented any actual harm from the impact, the blow carried a pronounced knockback effect, snapping the girl’s head back so forcefully that she found herself staring up at the large ceiling fan.

Without a flicker of change in her emotionless expression, the girl simply lowered her head once more, the chalk dust from her forehead scattering onto the desk.

“Bai Li, I know your grades are more than satisfactory—even exceptionally good, in fact—but that doesn’t excuse using your phone during class!”

The middle-aged man, still holding the chalk, pointed it at the white-haired girl named Bai Li, his voice laced with reprimand.

“This is especially true for classes related to abilities; you won’t simply sail through them with your current cavalier attitude.

Take your childhood friend, Lin Xi, for instance.

At her young age, she’s already joined an Ability User organization, contributing her part to combating Anomalous Beasts (TL Note: ‘Yìshòu,’ supernatural creatures that appeared after the worlds intersected).”

“Lin Xi? Who’s that?”

Hearing the teacher on the podium utter that name, a girl in the classroom turned to her classmate with a puzzled expression.

“Seriously, how out of touch can you be? Lin Xi is the most exceptional Ability User in our entire middle school!

Rumor has it her parents were once powerful Magical Girls themselves.

While we’re still diligently attending class, Lin Xi has already awakened her ability ahead of schedule and become a Magical Girl.

Her seat is empty now precisely because she’s out on a mission, dealing with Anomalous Beasts!”

The student who had been asked gazed at the empty seat with a flicker of envy, but her expression swiftly shifted to one of dejection.

“Ah, it’s maddening to compare yourself to others.

Those with a background can awaken early, but for us, who need instruments just to awaken, simply having an ability would be a blessing.

If we even manage an F-tier ability, that’ll feel like striking gold.”

“I see.

Looking at it that way, despite being friends who are always together, one seems utterly lacking in ability, hardly a match for the other.”

“Hey, keep your voice down!”

The girl quickly clamped a hand over the other’s mouth; fortunately, Bai Li, the subject of their whispers, seemed not to have heard, her face still perfectly emotionless.

“Ahem! There’s no need for you to worry.

As for the reason… Bai Li, perhaps you’d like to enlighten us.”

The middle-aged teacher, having already awakened his own abilities and possessing enhanced hearing, cleared his throat, reassuring the anxious students before posing the question tentatively to Bai Li.

“‘…Huh? Oh, well, besides the abilities one awakens naturally, there are also universal types that can be learned through acquired training.

And, similarly, one’s ability strength can also be enhanced through later effort.'”

“You… hmm, very good.”

Observing Bai Li, who, despite her indifferent demeanor, had provided a precise answer to his question, the middle-aged teacher could only sigh.

He harbored a complex mix of affection and frustration for this particular student.

After all, Bai Li had once been the quintessential academic overachiever, even a genius, consistently ranking first in her studies.

She was remarkably self-reliant, the kind of stellar student who never caused any concern, and among her peers, she was regarded as a ‘high-mountain flower’ (TL Note: ‘Gāolǐng zhī huā,’ an idiom describing someone admirable but unapproachable, like a blooming flower on a distant mountain peak).

Yet, it seemed to him that not long after her friend Lin Xi awakened her abilities, Bai Li had begun to let herself go.

She started playing games during class, sleeping through lessons, and even scribbling casual answers on exams.

Though even with such a relaxed approach, she still managed to score above average, she had now been completely surpassed by Lin Xi.

Compared to her past self, her current state was a genuine pity.

If only she were willing to apply herself, she could potentially achieve D-tier… no, even C-tier.

“Bai Li, please take your seat.

From now on, I expect you to pay closer attention.

Let’s continue with the lesson.”

The middle-aged teacher stated, then returned his focus to the lesson.

Yet, as Bai Li settled back into her seat, she flicked a distracted glance at her phone.

“‘…The time… two o’clock in the afternoon.

It should be almost time, shouldn’t it?'”

Having confirmed the time, Bai Li lifted her gaze to the sky visible from the corridor outside.

Empowered by her awakened abilities, which granted her extraordinary senses, Bai Li could discern distant sights even from within the classroom.

Indeed, she, too, had awakened her abilities a long time ago.

Just then, several grotesque, winged creatures suddenly materialized, letting out guttural roars that sent anyone who glimpsed them scurrying away in terror.

These monsters were none other than the Anomalous Beasts they had been discussing.

Many years ago, when the world known as the [Otherworld] converged with their own Earth, these Anomalous Beasts began to emerge.

Their appearance coincided with the awakening of various Ability Users: from Magical Girls and Kamen Riders to Cultivators and Mechanized individuals, a myriad of different types.

By now, a comprehensive system related to abilities had been fully established, even allowing ordinary people to utilize lesser abilities.

The conflict between humanity and Anomalous Beasts had gradually reached a state of relative stability.

High-level Ability Users and powerful Anomalous Beasts were now a rare sight, replaced mostly by minor skirmishes, much like the one unfolding at this very moment.

“Stop, Anomalous Beasts!”

Just as people scattered in frantic flight, a girl materialized: her pink hair was styled into twin half-ponytails, secured on either side by white ribbons, and she wore a pink, blue, and white off-shoulder dress, delicately adorned with white flowers.

“—Kwah! It’s Magical Girl Shio Kaze (TL Note: Japanese for ‘Sea Breeze,’ implied to be Lin Xi’s Magical Girl name)!”

“It’s a Magical Girl! We’re saved!”

At the sight of the girl, the people’s panic slowly receded.

Even the Anomalous Beasts facing her flinched back slightly.

“‘…Don’t be afraid! We are numerous!'”

The Anomalous Beasts uttered their garbled speech, then charged at the girl.

Yet, the girl simply conjured a shotgun with a flash of magic.

With a few sharp reports, the Anomalous Beasts were swiftly vanquished, dissolving into ash and vanishing.

“‘…Xi Xi…'”

Bai Li’s gaze was fixed intently on the girl wielding the magical shotgun.

She murmured a name, too soft for anyone else to hear, and a faint smile gradually bloomed on her usually impassive face.

She couldn’t tell if it was a side effect of her awakening, but her affection for Lin Xi felt as though it were swelling uncontrollably, rendering things like school increasingly of little consequence.

In truth, she had always had little need for formal schooling.

Her presence at school was solely because Lin Xi had complained of loneliness if she had to attend alone, clinging to her and whining for her to accompany her.

However, with Lin Xi spending half her time away from school, Bai Li no longer felt the need to keep up the pretense.

Compared to attending classes, Lin Xi held far greater appeal and energy for her.

“‘Heh heh, still so adorable…'”

Bai Li rested her hand on the desk, and the screen of her phone revealed her photo album.

It was filled with images, exclusively featuring the Magical Girl named Lin Xi.