Chapter 19: The Earth-Shaking Training Ground

In the years since Magical Girls and Corrupted Entities emerged and began their mutual slaughter, Jingping City had always been considered a relatively peaceful and safe urban center.

Although incidents involving Corrupted Entities occurred periodically, no catastrophic events causing extensive casualties or widespread destruction had yet transpired.

Terrifying Corrupted Entities, those that had sown countless seeds of panic, had certainly existed.

Yet, in the end, they were invariably vanquished by the Magical Girls.

Their images could now only be unearthed from encyclopedias and archived documents, and the despair they once inflicted could only be imagined through the desolate ruins they left behind and the stark words of post-event reports.

So, what formidable powers did these Magical Girls wield, capable of annihilating such Corrupted Entities?

Baoyu, through her own recent firsthand observations, had glimpsed just the tip of that immense iceberg.

Construction, as a concept, was never a task completed in a single stroke or within a mere day.

It was an intricate undertaking, demanding specialists with precise skills to meticulously follow elaborate blueprints, collaborating with the rigorous division of labor akin to ants.

Such projects required immense time, effort, and sweat, all while navigating inherent safety risks.

The reality, however, defied this understanding: Xirang, a Magical Girl, had single-handedly manipulated earth to erect a structure approximately three stories high from flat ground in a remarkably short span of time.

Its pale gray walls rose from the earth, effectively shielding Polaris and Baoyu from the scorching sun overhead, casting them into a deep, welcome shade.

Though the building itself was relatively crude in appearance, uniform in color, and entirely devoid of ornamentation—resembling an unfinished shell of a structure—the sheer thought of its earth-shaking emergence and the immense magical power and energy required to manifest it filled Baoyu with a profound sense of awe.

Trailing behind Polaris, Baoyu ascended the steps and entered this training ground, forged entirely from magic and earth.

Inside, a distinct spatial layout was visible, seemingly divided into several specific zones.

Crystals embedded within the ceiling walls diffused a warm, white light, providing ample illumination and alleviating any concern of getting lost in the semi-enclosed space due to lack of brightness or guidance.

“As Magical Girls, the most crucial aspect in battles against Corrupted Entities is discovering methods to leverage your unique strengths and advantages,” Polaris explained.

“Building upon that foundation, you must then master a set of techniques entirely your own.”

Polaris led Baoyu further inward, their small shadows stretching long and thin within the narrow corridor.

“For a powerful Magical Girl like Senior Xirang, battling Corrupted Entities must be quite effortless, wouldn’t you say?” Baoyu ventured.

Confronted with Baoyu’s question, Polaris, who was walking ahead, shook her head after a moment of contemplation.

“Not entirely,” she replied.

“While Xirang has certainly demonstrated her immense magical reserves and highly refined control, her abilities also reveal a significant flaw.”

‘A flaw?’ Baoyu thought, reaching out to touch the nearby wall.

The wall, crafted from magic and earth, felt cold and unyielding, its hardness already proven by her pistol-type Magic Gear.

At least for now, it appeared indestructible.

As for her power to manipulate creations, that went without saying.

Both this building and the various earth golems served as irrefutable proof of Xirang’s mastery.

Perhaps, given the will, she could effortlessly sculpt a colossal earth golem, standing tall upon the land, to smash any Corrupted Entity blocking her path with a single punch.

‘Wait a moment,’ she mused.

As Baoyu envisioned this scene, a flicker of incongruity suddenly caught her attention.

Unraveling this subtle inconsistency, a different idea slowly began to form in her mind.

“Could it be… the consumption of earth as a material?”

“Precisely,” Polaris affirmed.

“There is no such thing as perfect Magic Gear in this world, and a Magical Girl’s abilities are rarely flawless.”

“Xirang’s Magic Gear doesn’t allow her to directly create earth from her own magic; instead, she transforms existing soil into her power using magic.”

“Consequently, the effectiveness of her ability varies significantly depending on the environment in which it is applied.”

“In places like these, with barren mountains and an abundance of soil, it’s fine.”

“But what about in a city teeming with steel and concrete?”

“In such an environment, Xirang would find it exceedingly difficult to quickly gather enough soil for combat, and the complex surroundings would hinder her ability to perform as she pleases.”

“In fact, due to Xirang’s previous battles in the city, the Magic Oversight Department has been summoned for discussions numerous times by agencies like the Environmental Protection Bureau and the Traffic Management Section, who claim her negative impact on urban greenery and traffic conditions is immeasurable.”

As she spoke, Polaris’s expression soured, as if recalling some unpleasant past incidents.

“While Xirang is undoubtedly a reliable and powerful Magical Girl, harnessing her full strength is not as simple as one might imagine, given the various costs and deployment restrictions.”

“I see…” Baoyu murmured.

Polaris’s reminder brought something else to Baoyu’s mind: she had previously seen online mentions of specialized personnel responsible for cleaning up and repairing battle sites after Magical Girls and Corrupted Entities clashed.

She had even spotted such individuals at Ye Xiaoshuang’s school.

Now, she realized it must be an incredibly arduous job.

Snapping back to reality, the two had arrived in a spacious area, where several earth golems could be seen wandering aimlessly within sight.

One particular golem was stuck in a corner, continuously stepping against the wall, much like an NPC in a game that had triggered a bug.

“Let’s stop here,” Polaris announced.

“Now, manifest your ‘Heart’s Lock,’ Baoyu.”

“Alright, no problem,” Baoyu agreed.

A soft glow emanated from Baoyu’s palm, soon revealing a translucent, azure, teardrop-shaped adornment in the young girl’s hand.

At its faintly shimmering core, a golden keyhole was discernible.

The Heart’s Lock—Baoyu had first encountered it through Asherah’s guidance.

At that time, she had only felt a slight warmth in her palm, accompanied by a vague, ethereal outline.

It was only through her conversations with Polaris in recent days that she learned its true name, and understood that this keyless adornment was, in fact, the most vital possession of a Magical Girl.

It served as proof of a Magical Girl’s existence, the wellspring of their power, and a trial yet to be fully understood.

“Whether it’s directly displaying one’s Heart’s Lock to ordinary people, or assessing their suitability as a Magical Girl by transferring magic into their bodies through direct physical contact—all these actions are disciplinary offenses,” Polaris warned.

“So, Baoyu, you absolutely must not act like Asherah.”

“Mm, mm,” Baoyu acknowledged.

Polaris had once told her that the clarity with which a Heart’s Lock manifested could, to some extent, reflect a Magical Girl’s growth.

Currently, while the Heart’s Lock in her hand displayed its basic appearance and shape, it was still some distance from fully manifesting, indicating that she was still a novice, having only recently begun her journey.

“Senior Polaris,” Baoyu inquired, “since it’s called a Heart’s Lock, does that mean this lock can eventually be opened?”

“That’s right,” Polaris confirmed.

“When a Magical Girl’s strength reaches a certain level, they gain the potential to break through their own limits, allowing their Magic Gear to evolve once more.”

“This state of transcending boundaries is known as the ‘True Self Form,’ and at that point, the Heart’s Lock will open, bestowing new powers upon the Magical Girl.”

‘Magic Gear Evolution, True Self Form…’ Baoyu silently committed these distant, unfamiliar terms to memory.

The mention of Magic Gear prompted her to unhook the double-barreled shotgun from her shoulder and examine it in her hands.

This meticulously crafted shotgun had only been fired once since she acquired it, and she knew she needed to become far more acquainted with this power originating from within her.

“The manifestation of your Heart’s Lock is largely as expected,” Polaris remarked.

“Let’s begin by familiarizing you with your Magic Gear.”

“Only by thoroughly understanding your own abilities can you strategize how to best utilize your strengths, mitigate your weaknesses, and maximize your advantages.”

Polaris extended a hand, pointing to a wall standing upright a short distance away, motioning for Baoyu to aim her gun at it.

“First, let’s test your firepower, Baoyu,” Polaris instructed.

“Aim at this wall, try to channel your magic, and find the way that best unleashes your strength—then fire without reservation.”

Baoyu gripped the gun with both hands, feeling its weight, aimed the barrel at the wall, and squeezed the trigger.

Instantly, two bullets erupted from the muzzles, spewing crimson tongues of flame.

Almost simultaneously with the deafening report, they struck the wall, detonating into two small bursts of deep azure fire.

As the bullets burrowed into the wall, their tips were continuously compressed and deformed.

Eventually, halted by the wall’s resistance, they ceased their forward momentum and began to dissipate into shimmering blue dust, leaving fresh bullet holes in their wake.

Having completed a shot, the shotgun automatically broke open its barrels, exposing the chambers.

Two spent casings sprang forth, clattering to the ground with a crisp sound before beginning to dissipate.

As Baoyu felt her internal magic being drawn out, two new bullets materialized within the chambers, and the gun seamlessly reassembled itself, poised for the next shot.

Raising the shotgun, Baoyu continued to fire several more shots at the wall.

Though her bullets inflicted no substantial damage upon the structure, through these repetitive actions, she gradually grew accustomed to the feel of the shotgun and gleaned crucial information about it.

The characteristic of firing two bullets at once, the time it took for automatic ejection and reloading, and the perceived magical energy consumed with each fresh load—all these pieces of information would prove immensely vital in combat.

Truth be told, the sensation of raising and firing the gun was profoundly peculiar.

On one hand, Baoyu understood that the object in her hands was not a true firearm but merely Magic Gear, possessing its outward form—fundamentally no different from the gauntlets Asherah wielded.

She was simply experimenting to find an attack method that suited her.

On the other hand, the sensory stimulation that firing brought to Baoyu was remarkably vivid and realistic.

Her mindset had subtly shifted during this peaceful practice, differing from the resolute determination she felt when pulling the trigger amidst the oppressive atmosphere of facing a Corrupted Entity.

For someone like her, who had grown up in an era of safety and peace, firearms were distant and foreign objects.

They were often depicted as instruments capable of effortlessly slaughtering lives and reaping death, convenient conduits for spreading violence and chaos.

The double-barreled shotgun, as one of the earliest representations of hunting rifles, overtly declared through its appearance and structural design that its very genesis was to embody the aesthetic of “superior firepower.”

In countless films and games, its every appearance heralded scenes of intense bloodshed.

Baoyu lowered her gaze, examining the dagger she had drawn from her waist.

It was light, sharp, and its keen edge glinted with a chilling luminescence.

A double-barreled shotgun, a revolver, and a dagger—three weapons in total.

These constituted the Magic Gear she possessed after transforming into a Magical Girl.

Why, then, did her Magic Gear all possess such dangerous appearances?

While Baoyu repeatedly explored the performance of her Magic Gear, Polaris observed the newcomer’s actions.

She could discern that Baoyu was constantly memorizing and contemplating the sensation of channeling and expending magic with each output.

She also noticed Baoyu’s slight apprehension regarding her Magic Gear.

Unlike Asherah, who fought relying on athletic prowess and intuition, Polaris perceived that Baoyu leaned more heavily on rationality and deliberation.

For a child so adept at proactive thought and summary, Polaris understood that she merely needed to offer guidance at the opportune moment, resolving any confusion Baoyu might harbor.

“Regardless of their appearance, Magic Gear are born to protect everyone,” Polaris stated.

“While Magic Gear like blades, guns, or staffs certainly look dangerous, we never aim them at the people behind us.”

“The only place they will ever fall is upon the Corrupted Entities.”

Polaris took the surprisingly heavy shotgun from Baoyu’s hands.

The girl, who appeared no older than an elementary school student, gently stroked the gun’s body with her small palm.

Then, pressing down on the stock, she pointed the two dark barrels at herself, blinking her pink eyes as if trying to discern something within the black orifices.

During this moment, Polaris exhibited a hint of envy.

As a once renowned Magical Girl of Jingping City, her Magic Gear was known by almost everyone: a shield far taller than herself.

The shield’s lack of offensive capabilities and flexibility had long plagued her, hindering her progress in strength for a considerable period.

“This looks like it could be a very stable and reliable offensive tool,” Polaris mused aloud.

“Honestly, when I first became a Magical Girl, I really admired this type of Magic Gear—it’s intuitive, efficient, and provides the user with a degree of safe distance.”

“The effect it would have on Corrupted Entities should be quite impressive.”

Having said this, she then glanced at the dagger and revolver on Baoyu’s person.

Magical Girls who possessed multiple pieces of Magic Gear from the outset were exceedingly rare; in this regard, the child was indeed very talented.

However, to fully unleash the unique characteristics and advantages of these Magic Gear, Baoyu would need to exert far more effort than the average person.

Whether it was her shooting prowess, combat skills, or her judgment and control over rapidly shifting battlefields, she would need to master all these aspects.

And all this, as an underage child.

Why did this world insist on entrusting the destiny of battling Corrupted Entities to these largely sheltered, budding flowers?

The path of a Magical Girl was never easy, and it never had been.

With these thoughts, Polaris, holding the shotgun with both hands, returned it to Baoyu.

Through Baoyu’s previous attempts, Polaris had already devised a plan for how to guide her.

“Baoyu, next, try to use it more actively,” Polaris instructed.

Seeing the confusion on Baoyu’s face, Polaris proceeded to elaborate.

“Based on its appearance and output mode, your Magic Gear can essentially be categorized as ammunition-based,” she explained.

“The most common characteristic of this type of Magic Gear is the need for periodic ammunition replenishment, creating certain windows of vulnerability in output.”

“From my observations, the effects of your shots have been largely consistent, indicating a relatively stable consumption of your magical energy,” Polaris continued.

“I suspect this stability isn’t primarily the result of your deliberate control, Baoyu.”

“Right now, you’re passively supplying magic to this gun, aren’t you?”

In response, Baoyu recalled the sensation of her internal magic being depleted as the bullets were loaded.

She offered no direct verbal answer, but instead, with the answer already forming in her mind, she completed another shot.

Two fresh bullet holes appeared on the wall with the impact, scattering a small amount of gray debris.

During this process, magic was drawn from her body, much like blood flowing through veins, filling the gun to become ready-to-fire bullets in the barrels.

“Yes,” Baoyu confirmed, “when this shotgun completes its reloading action, I can feel it actively drawing magic from me.”

“Is… is there a problem with that?”

As Polaris had deliberately brought up this point, Baoyu stroked the slightly warm gun barrel, pondering Polaris’s question.

“That’s not exactly a problem,” Polaris clarified.

“Magic Gear, as an inherent part of a Magical Girl’s power, often guides us in how to use our strength and adapt to the style best suited for us.”

“They also subtly influence us to become more compatible with them.”

“Magic Gear are manifestations of our will, extensions of our limbs; with their help, we gain the qualification to fight Corrupted Entities.”

“As tools, they are truly exceptional.”

“However, since your control and output of magic are not yet highly proficient, allowing the Magic Gear to guide the creation of ammunition can stabilize output while conserving magic.”

“But…” Polaris paused, a hint of something more on her lips.

“Baoyu, you could try actively channeling magic to construct the bullets your shotgun needs; you might discover something new.”

After a brief moment of hesitation, Polaris presented Baoyu with a new challenge.