Chapter 15: The First Morning of Training: Erosion and Ranks

Jasmine continued her discourse, her explanation now delving into R-rank entities, spanning from mere wandering spirits to truly malevolent specters.

“Upon reaching this rank, they gain destructive capabilities,” Jasmine elaborated. “Wandering spirits merely cause objects to shift, while coalesced forms inflict actual damage. But malevolent specters… they are genuinely perilous. They typically possess unique abilities or employ basic tactics, demanding a serious response.”

Several illustrative diagrams appeared on the presentation slides. They depicted the silhouettes of three R-rank monsters, each annotated with its threat radius and typical destructive outcomes—collapsing shelves, fractured walls, and even crumbling buildings.

“What about SR-rank, then?” Su Xinxin inquired.

“Starting from SR-rank, things become much more serious.” Jasmine’s expression grew somewhat graver. “They can unleash an ‘Erosion Domain,’ altering the rules within a localized area. For instance, they might plunge a region into eternal night, or cause temperatures to plummet below freezing. Moreover, they possess intelligence and will set traps. This level usually requires team cooperation to handle effectively.”

Regarding the higher SSR and UR ranks, Jasmine offered only a brief overview. “Those are calamity-level threats, beyond anything I’ve personally encountered; I’ve only heard tales. Each appearance is a major event, demanding the combined efforts of an entire region, or even all Magical Girl organizations working together.”

Having finished her explanation of ‘Erosion,’ she transitioned to the ranks within the Magical Girl hierarchy.

“You are currently an apprentice, which is the initial stage. Once you pass the basic assessment, you can advance to a Budding Bloom—like me.” Jasmine gestured to herself. “Beyond that are: Blossom Weaver, Guardian Bloom, Floral Sovereign, and Flower Herald… With each ascent, your authority grows, and so does your responsibility.”

“Is it difficult to advance?”

“It depends,” Jasmine mused, considering her words. “Some rely on accumulating mission experience, others require completing specific assessments, and still others… must make the correct choices at critical moments. But don’t worry, you have plenty of time to take things slowly.”

Outside the window, the virtual sea of flowers shifted in color, transitioning from soft lavender to vibrant orange, as if time itself were accelerating.

The floral scents within the room mingled—the subtle elegance of Jasmin and the delicate grace of Jasmine—like two distinct tendernesses gently intertwining in the early morning.

Su Xinxin listened with intense focus, her face mostly devoid of expression, save for an occasional slight furrow of her brow, as if silently processing the influx of information.

Across from her, Jasmine, while calling up more diagrams, spoke to Xiao Li in her mind:

‘She seems… to be listening very attentively.’

‘And her questions are quite insightful, too.’

Xiao Li’s reply traveled from Jasmine’s phone directly into her mind; naturally, only Jasmine could hear it.

Su Xinxin’s gaze occasionally drifted to Jasmine’s white phone on the desk.

She couldn’t locate Jasmine’s Spirit Companion, yet she subtly sensed something around the phone.

Xiao Ming gently shifted position on the table, friendly wagging its ears toward the phone. Though it couldn’t see, it could perceive its own kind.

‘This Instructor Jasmine,’ Su Xinxin thought to Xiao Ming, ‘explains things very clearly.’

‘That’s good,’ Xiao Ming’s tail swept lightly across the table.

Virtual petals from outside the window passed through the glass curtain wall, gently shattering into points of light on the table between them. Before dissipating, these light points faintly revealed the outlines of a Jasmin and a Jasmine flower, rotating and falling intertwined, finally merging into the wooden grain, vanishing from sight.

The training progressed smoothly in this manner.

Jasmine continued to impart fundamental principles, occasionally weaving in a personal anecdote or two—naturally, omitting any real-world identities.

Su Xinxin listened quietly, offering only slight nods at crucial points. Her flaxen hair cascaded over her shoulders, swaying gently with her occasional leans forward.

Sometimes, Jasmine would get carried away in her explanation, gesticulating with her hands, causing her silvery-white hair to flutter. As Su Xinxin watched, her initial sentiment of ‘young people truly have such vitality’ gradually transformed into ‘she genuinely teaches with dedication.’

Jasmine, too, slowly relaxed. This newcomer, Su Xinxin, despite her unique demeanor, listened attentively, asked pertinent questions, and nodded at appropriate moments—as a mentor, there was no student more reassuring.

Time flowed by unnoticed.

When the lesson concluded, and Jasmine turned off the presentation, allowing the glass curtain wall to revert to the garden scenery, she checked the time. An entire morning had simply vanished.

“How was it? Was it too much information?” she asked, a hint of worry in her voice.

Su Xinxin shook her head. “No, it was explained very clearly.” After a brief pause, she added, “It’s much better than me trying to figure things out on my own.”

Jasmine’s eyes brightened. “Really? That’s wonderful!”

She stood, stretching her body, her skirt and long hair swaying gently. “Then we’ll stop here for the morning. This afternoon, we’ll move on to practical exercises: trying to guide magic and observing how I eliminate ‘Erosion.’ Don’t worry, it’s very simple, as natural as breathing.”

Su Xinxin also rose. Xiao Ming gracefully leapt onto her shoulder.

They walked toward the door. Jasmine pushed it open, and the hallway’s light streamed in, illuminating her silvery-white hair with a brilliant glow.

Su Xinxin followed behind, observing Jasmine’s back. This young Magical Girl instructor exuded a comforting approachability. Her earnestness during lectures, her natural demeanor in casual conversation, and that subtle hint of conviction in her eyes when discussing the Purification faction’s ideals… all made one feel at ease.

“See you this afternoon then!” Jasmine turned at the doorway, smiling at her. “I’ll notify you of the exact time through the system. Remember to eat a good lunch; practical lessons are quite physically demanding.”

“Alright,” Su Xinxin nodded. “See you this afternoon, Instructor Jasmine.”

“I told you, you don’t have to call me instructor,” Jasmine laughed, waving her hand before departing ahead.

The door closed behind her. Silence settled in the corridor, broken only by the faint scent of flowers and murmuring voices from the distant hall.

Su Xinxin stood there, feeling the ‘lesson’ slowly settle in her mind. The information about ‘Erosion,’ factions, and ranks, like seeds, fell into her heart, awaiting future germination.

Xiao Ming rubbed against her cheek. [‘How do you feel?’]

Su Xinxin pondered for a moment, then offered a very practical assessment:

“She explained things quite clearly. And…”

She looked toward the direction of the hall at the end of the corridor, where light shone, flowers bloomed, and the faint figures of other Magical Girls could be seen.

“And the people here… they’re quite professional.”

Xiao Ming’s ears twitched. [‘Of course, we are a legitimate organization. Oh, by the way, Jasmine’s Spirit Companion secretly told me that her master thinks you’re a good student.’]

“Is that so?” Su Xinxin paused slightly, then a faint smile curved her lips. “Then I certainly can’t disappoint them.”

The two walked back the way they had come. Light strips on the floor guided their path, and warm light halos flowed gently along the walls.

Upon reaching the wooden door at the exit, she paused, turning back for one last look at this underground space, filled with the fragrance of flowers and light.

Then she pushed the door open, stepping into the ordinary world outside, the world that belonged to ‘Su Xinxin.’

The morning sun was perfect, spilling through the glass roof of the scenic garden and casting bright patches of light on the ground. Tourists were taking photos, children were running, and elderly people were sunbathing on benches.

Everything was utterly normal.

No one knew that, not far beneath their feet, a world of flowers and magic was in operation.

Nor did anyone know that the young woman who had just emerged from the flower cultivation room, dressed in a creamy white dress, appearing delicate and gentle, was in fact a Magical Girl apprentice with a seventy-year-old soul.

Su Xinxin walked through the garden, slowly leaving like any ordinary tourist.

The wind carried the scent of early summer, along with a faint, elusive fragrance of flowers from an unknown source.

She took a gentle breath, feeling that this morning had been rather pleasant.

The afternoon’s practical lesson probably wouldn’t be too bad either.

As she thought this, her steps unconsciously lightened. Xiao Ming, sensing her mood, also gently wagged its tail.

The first morning of training concluded peacefully.

And those discussions about factions, ideals, and different choices, like pebbles cast into water, spread a shallow ripple in her heart.

She knew this was just the beginning.

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