Chapter 27: Hidden Surveillance and Magical Awakening

A knock.

“Come in.”

A woman dressed in men’s attire pushed open the door, revealing a woman in white standing in the center of the room, her hands clasped behind her back.

“How has the investigation progressed?”

“We’ve made some headway; we finally have a lead.”

From the tone of their conversation, it was clear they shared a superior-subordinate relationship.

“Give me the report.”

“Based on the blood samples extracted from the man we successfully apprehended a few days ago, the one who went berserk in the food street, we found extremely low concentrations of ‘Compound C.’ What’s more, because he was captured alive, both the accuracy of the data and the subsequent interrogation proceeded exceptionally smoothly.”

“Speaking of which, in the past, didn’t those we encountered typically self-destruct after a period of rampage, their bodies unable to withstand the volatile energy?”

The woman in white recalled previous reports: either the target subjects had self-destructed before they could be subdued, or, after being painstakingly controlled and brought back, they met the same fate due to the unstoppable energy surge, often causing significant destruction and casualties.

“It couldn’t be helped. This matter cannot be publicized, and the number of people capable of acting is extremely limited.”

“As expected…”

The woman in white paused briefly, then her short blade flashed from its sheath, instantly impaling an insect hidden in the shadows beside the doorway.

“To think it could infiltrate even here. Clearly, we cannot afford to lower our guard.”

Using psychokinesis, she brought the short blade with the impaled insect before her, then meticulously examined it.

At first glance, it appeared to be an ordinary small insect. However, anyone with a sufficient level of perception would notice that this creature, barely the size of a finger joint, possessed ‘anomalous energy’ (TL Note: A collective term for the energy wielded by anomalous beasts and ability users).

This unequivocally indicated that the insect was no common creature found anywhere; it was likely a puppet or a summoned entity controlled by an ability user or an anomalous beast.

“Servant-type abilities are certainly troublesome. But couldn’t you have played along a bit longer? Resolving this little bug so quickly might arouse suspicion from the other side.”

“No, this approach is more logical. They are well aware of our capabilities. If I failed to detect such obvious surveillance (TL Note: Literally ‘jiāntīng’, referring to a listening device or act of surveillance), that would be what makes them suspect a trick.”

“Oh, as expected of the branch chief of the Weichangzhe Organization’s Tiangong City division; truly an old fox.”

Upon hearing this, Yu Menghua’s face instantly fell, her gaze sharp enough to kill.

“Why can’t I say it? It’s the truth, and look at the rapport we’ve built…”

“I particularly don’t want to hear it from you. Besides, ours is merely a cooperative relationship; we can hardly call it rapport, can we, Agent Qing Lan?”

“Hmph, how cold.”

Saying this, Qing Lan plopped onto the sofa and crossed her legs.

“Just like that little magical girl’s companion.”

“Are you referring to… Miss Lin Xi’s friend?”

“You actually remembered her. It seems she truly has something special about her.”

No sooner had she spoken than Qing Lan’s previously lackadaisical demeanor instantly shifted to seriousness. It was only then that one could discern she was no ordinary ability user off the street, but rather the elite of the elite.

“According to you, does she also present some anomalies?”

“Let me put it this way: the target we recently apprehended, after evaluation, had been forcibly elevated from F-rank Upper to E-rank Upper. Yet, facing someone strengthened to that degree, she defeated them with a single move, despite being an unawakened ability user without a unique ability. This is precisely why we were able to capture that target so smoothly.”

“I see.”

Upon hearing this, Yu Menghua’s perspective began to shift. However…

“It’s just that, if that’s all, it wouldn’t warrant such attention, would it? After all, E-rank doesn’t necessarily mean superiority over ordinary people; in some cases, unawakened individuals can still defeat them alone.”

Not to mention that even without awakening a unique ability, one can learn general abilities to enhance themselves. Even utilizing the most basic techniques and methods, defeating an E-rank ability user is possible, and there are quite a few actual cases.

“I’m well aware of that, of course. But what if I told you that the target we just discovered again was also handled by her?”

“In that case…”

“That’s why I’m incredibly curious about how much that person is hiding. Perhaps she possesses a power capable of facing anything without ever being at a disadvantage.”

****

“…Haah… Xi Xi… let me rest a moment…”

“No way. Just trust my technique; we have to finish tonight.”

“Wait… ah… it’s coming out…!”

No sooner had the words left her lips than Bai Li’s hand became enveloped in a layer of magic.

“See? Didn’t I tell you to trust me? In less than half an hour, Little Bai, you’ve mastered normal external magic projection.”

For the past half hour or so, Bai Li had been continuously touched by Lin Xi in increasingly intimate poses and movements. Moreover, guiding the use of magic specifically involved injecting one’s own magic into the other’s body to sense and control the flow of their magic. This resulted in stimulation that transcended the physical, reaching into the mental realm.

Though it was already quite a mental experience to begin with.

Incidentally, because Bai Li’s magic reserves were not extensive, Lin Xi, whose magic capacity far surpassed that of ability users at her level, only needed to inject a small amount to completely fill Bai Li’s reserves. This left Bai Li’s magic overflowing even now, making her feel utterly lightheaded.

“So this is how magic enchantment works.”

Bai Li clenched her fist, which, now enveloped in magic, felt not only stronger in striking force but also comprehensively enhanced in attack power, defense, and other attributes. She even felt as though she could crush carbon directly into a diamond.

Previously, she had experienced using magic through materialization, a method she learned from Lin Xi. This allowed her to accurately sense and utilize her own magic.

“Little Bai is using the most basic and versatile ‘Fundamental Enhancement,’ which suits her remarkably well.”

Abilities that enhance physical capabilities are inherently quite similar to basic enhancement enchantments. This means that, to a certain extent, the experience and strength gained from both are interchangeable, making it very convenient for improving the potency of one’s ability.

“Since you’ve successfully guided the magic out, all you need to do now is mentally direct what you want the magic to do. This aspect is more ‘mind-over-matter’ compared to spellcasting.”

“‘Mind-over-matter,’ huh…”

Hearing that phrase, Bai Li gazed at her magic-wreathed hand, seemingly lost in thought.

“Alright, now that the magic guidance is done, let’s hurry to bed.”

With that, Lin Xi lay down on the bed, simultaneously pulling back half the blanket to beckon Bai Li to join her.

However, with her top half-undone from the magic guidance, her body beneath was faintly visible, making Bai Li unable to help but feel as though she was being invited to do something more.