Chapter 52: Sparring and a Strange Request

On Wednesday evening, within the underground training ground known as ‘The Jungle’, two magical girls stood in a tense standoff.

Lily of the Valley crouched low, like a leopard ready to spring. Her muscles were taut, and the dagger in her hand glinted with a fierce, dangerous light.

Fireworks, by contrast, stood casually on the opposite side of the arena. Serene, flickering flames drifted around her form.

She conjured a small wisp of fire at her fingertip, playfully waving it towards her partner from a distance.

“Come on,” she beckoned.

Lily of the Valley’s expression sharpened, and she lowered her stance even further.

With a powerful stomp, she shot forward with lightning speed. The girl’s form vanished from her spot, weaving and darting between the towering steel beams, leaving a trail of emerald light in her wake.

Fireworks slowly lifted her gaze, her face calm as she surveyed her surroundings.

A resounding ‘thump!’ echoed through the chamber.

After the explosive sound of a foot striking steel, Lily of the Valley burst from Fireworks’ blind spot, lunging towards the red-haired girl’s exposed flank with blinding speed.

However, a burst of flame erupted instantly, melting the dagger in Lily of the Valley’s hand with unerring precision. A searing, bone-deep pain flared in her palm, causing her movements to falter.

At the same moment, Fireworks had already turned, nocking an arrow to her bowstring with astonishing swiftness.

The fiercely burning arrow shot from the bowstring, stirring a gust of wind as it flew unerringly towards Lily of the Valley’s brow — only to flicker and vanish just before reaching her forehead.

Lily of the Valley’s shoulders slumped, and she exhaled a breath, a hint of frustration clouding her eyes. Wiping sweat from her forehead, she bowed deeply to the red-haired girl.

“Thank you for the guidance,” she murmured.

Fireworks put away her fiery bow, offering her partner a faint smile.

“You did very well. Both your speed and strength have improved remarkably since our last spar.”

“…But I still couldn’t even touch you. This is my twenty-seventh loss.”

As they spoke, Lu Chen quietly approached Fireworks, carrying two bottles of iced mineral water. The girl cast him a grateful look, took one bottle, and tossed the other to Lily of the Valley.

“This training is meant to help you ‘blossom,’ so there’s no real win or loss here. So, did you find any tricks?”

Lily of the Valley caught the bottle, her brows furrowing a little tighter. She sighed softly, offering Xia Shi a somewhat bitter smile.

“I’ve found a bit of a feeling, but it always feels like I’m just a wall away from a breakthrough… You and Morning Star are truly incredible, Miss Xia Shi.”

When a magical girl’s power surpasses a certain threshold, they gain the opportunity to ‘blossom’ when their love overflows, unleashing an immense power that is incomparable to their usual state. This formidable strength can even prove troublesome for Ling Wei.

To put it simply, it’s like a love-powered Super Saiyan transformation.

In the past five years, only Morning Star and Fireworks have been able to blossom freely.

However, Fireworks’ blossoming form comes with severe side effects. She would incinerate herself into ashes within minutes, and the overflowing power would become uncontrollable, harming anyone nearby.

Therefore, she rarely uses it when fighting alone in the city. There’s no need for Ling Wei to even consider how to mimic this person’s second stage.

However, if she were to cooperate with Morning Star, who can reverse others’ time—as was the case when they once thrashed Ling Wei—Xia Shi could freely abuse her body and transform without fear of overload. It was utterly devious, pure cheating.

Silently grumbling about those two malicious, score-hungry teammates, Ling Wei clipped her hairpin back into place, dispelling her transformation.

“It’s alright, just take your time. Our session is almost over, so let’s end today’s sparring here.”

“Understood. Thank you again for your guidance.”

Lily of the Valley put on her earrings, returning to her usual appearance.

Ling Wei gently nudged Lu Chen’s shoulder, walking with him towards the changing room, intending to tidy up their belongings before leaving.

“Excuse me. Um, that, could I trouble you for a little longer?”

However, just as they reached the doorway, Lily of the Valley suddenly spoke from behind them, her voice tense and hesitant, calling out to the two.

Ling Wei and Lu Chen exchanged a glance, then responded with a smile.

“Of course. What is it?”

Lily of the Valley pressed her lips together.

“Miss Fireworks,” she began, “I heard you’re quite knowledgeable about magic theory, aren’t you?”

‘Is this girl trying to start a battle of academic credentials? Bring it on, who’s afraid… No, I’m in Xia Shi mode right now,’ Ling Wei thought.

Ling Wei replied.

“I wouldn’t call it research; my knowledge of magic isn’t even as extensive as Lu Chen’s.

“If you have any theoretical questions you’d like to discuss, I recommend you visit the logistics department and find an available sorcerer.”

Lily of the Valley shook her head gently. She glanced left and right, then scurried forward a few steps to stand before them, her eyes flickering nervously.

“…It’s probably best not to alert the New Dawn Group. It’s, well, do you know of any magic that can resurrect the dead?”

Ling Wei nearly burst out laughing, while Lu Chen immediately frowned, his expression turning grave.

“Miss Lily of the Valley, without reversing time, ‘resurrecting the dead’ violates the most fundamental principles of magic. It’s as much a fantasy as a perpetual motion machine.

“Throughout history, many sorcerers, both mediocre and brilliant, have attempted to achieve this magic. In the end, they either gave up, or they succumbed to madness, becoming lunatics or even criminals.

“As your friend and cameraman, I strongly advise you not to delve into this area.”

Lily of the Valley hastily waved her hands.

“It’s not for me, really. I have that much common sense; I wouldn’t overestimate myself and challenge the principles of magic. It’s for Old Nie.”

The image of a middle-aged man with a scarred face flashed through Lu Chen’s mind. He spoke with surprise.

“Old Nie… the sorcerer who researches magic at the amusement park? What happened to him?”

“Yes, he’s my collaborator. In his quest to find a way to track Envy, he’s been collecting new and old documents from various sources.

“Yesterday, when I went to see him at the amusement park, he told me he had unexpectedly discovered a ‘resurrection of the dead’ ritual in an ancient text.

“Old Nie was so delighted he was practically dancing, as excited as if he’d shed twenty years. I’m quite worried about him.”

Lu Chen’s frown deepened even further.

“Miss Lily of the Valley, if I may speak frankly, you should really work with a current sorcerer from the New Dawn Group.”

“Uh, is it that serious?”

“At the very least, you should have a serious talk with him.”

The young man’s tone was solemn and earnest, and Lily of the Valley nodded gently.

“I understand. Thank you for your advice.”

Seeing that the situation was about to become less entertaining, Ling Wei intervened in the conversation at just the right moment.

“Please wait a moment, Lily of the Valley. The Old Nie you’re referring to, could it be Mr. Nie Weifeng?”

“Yes, that’s him. He used to be a sorcerer for the Candlestick Council, but he was dismissed later due to some private matters. Do you know him?”

The girl nodded.

“His theoretical prowess seems quite formidable. My mother… my adoptive mother spoke highly of him, calling him a genius.

“I don’t believe someone like that would speak carelessly or easily fall for fabricated magic.”

Xia Shi’s adoptive mother was the Chief Sorceress of the Candlestick Council. Among humans who hadn’t awakened as magical girls, she was undoubtedly among the most exceptional.

Ling Wei looked up at Lu Chen.

“I think it might be better if we go take a look, don’t you? We don’t have any plans tonight anyway.”

The young man pondered for a moment, then nodded.

“You’re right. All magical principles have their limitations, and perhaps Mr. Nie truly has made a discovery. I apologize for jumping to conclusions just now.

“Miss Lily of the Valley, how about we go to the amusement park together now?”

****

“Four seasons of wealth, five champions, six six six, seven skills! Taishang Laojun, God, Buddha, Aminos, Ultraman, Doraemon, by my command, open!”

When the trio arrived at the amusement park, Old Nie was circling a stone pillar.

He was clad in a grimy Taoist robe, beating a rattle drum, and chanting lines of indeterminate meaning. Completely absorbed in his own peculiar art, he seemed blissfully unaware of his surroundings.

Lu Chen remained silent for a moment, then looked at his girlfriend.

“Is this the genius sorcerer?”