Chapter 33: The Blue Witch Joins the Fray

The sunlight was brilliant, filtering through dense foliage without making the air too warm. A stroll through the suburban woods felt like a delightful post-apocalyptic adventure.

However, a black laser beam shot forth, shattering the peaceful atmosphere.

“Tsk.” Xu Yiyi retreated two steps, a hint of reluctance in her expression.

To accelerate her spellcasting, Xu Yiyi had apparently made a slight alteration to her method in private the day before.

By combining flight with direct bodily contact during casting, she had hastened her incantations, completely bypassing the verses typically used to calculate release coordinates.

Initially, this approach proved remarkably effective.

Yet, even Xu Yanqing, the attacker, found her brows knitting together in concern.

The undeniable problem was that Xu Yiyi’s own safety could no longer be guaranteed.

Xu Yiyi’s Spirit Gear had yet to acquire her unique [Individuality]. It remained a standard, pink Lolita-style dress, adorned with blooming flowers and rose-red gemstones.

However, after being struck multiple times, while her powerful magic resistance prevented any actual wounds, it left several tears in her dress and scorched marks on her skin.

Consequently, the vibrant girl now looked rather pitiful, a stark contrast to her usual energetic self.

Su Qingyao subtly observed Xu Yiyi’s back.

In her assessment, Xu Yiyi was undeniably a transcendent being of the “Third Tier.”

For the Magical Girl branch, possessing a magic core and being able to cast basic spells qualified one as a First-Tier transcendent.

Essentially, any true-blooded Magical Girl would start at the Second Tier, marked by the ability to manifest Spirit Gear.

If the magic core was a Magical Girl’s second “heart,” then Spirit Gear was undoubtedly another “skin.”

From this perspective, the so-called transformation was, in essence, donning a new…

‘I’m getting sidetracked,’ she thought. The standard for the Third Tier was “developing one’s own unique magic.”

Xu Yanqing’s “Crystal Trick” and Su Qingyao’s “Healing” were both prime examples of this.

The dividing line between the Third and Fourth Tiers was known as [Individuality], where the magic core resonated with the Magical Girl, imbuing them with their own unique color.

At this stage, differences in Spirit Gear would also begin to emerge.

Xu Yiyi hadn’t yet crossed this dividing line, which was why, among the three present, she was the one who looked “most like a Magical Girl.”

“Would you like to rest for a bit?”

Su Qingyao gently shook her head, her face etched with concern.

With a casual flick of her hand, she cast a faintly glowing healing spell towards Xu Yiyi.

A ribbon, seemingly moved by no wind, drifted to Xu Yiyi’s shoulder, significantly accelerating the repair of her Spirit Gear.

“Th-thanks.”

Xu Yiyi, panting heavily, her voice slightly distorted, pressed her trembling hands against her knees.

“I f-feel,” Xu Yiyi managed, swallowing a gulp of air before continuing, “this method might just work.”

She was certainly in a disheveled state, but she had also successfully withstood Xu Yanqing’s “barrage of light cannons.”

“…Perhaps it’s time to consider a different approach.”

After continuous spellcasting, Xu Yanqing’s chest rose and fell subtly, and the mental fatigue she experienced was quite evident.

Yet, Xu Yanqing skillfully masked her exhaustion with a focused demeanor, appearing far more at ease than Xu Yiyi.

As for Su Qingyao…

The young woman sat serenely on a sandbag, though now she held two slender, tapered wooden needles and a ball of yarn.

Su Qingyao was recalling how her mother used to knit sweaters.

During her visits to the prison, her mother would occasionally appear, knitting a half-finished sweater as she walked.

“Su Qingyao, what do you think?”

Xu Yiyi, still unwilling to give up, turned her head, seemingly hoping to garner support from Su Qingyao.

Unfortunately for her:

“Hmm, if you ask me…”

Su Qingyao placed the tangled ball of yarn on her lap. “I believe this method seems to only work against Miss Yanqing’s magic.”

“After all, when you’re casting on the move, Miss Xu Yiyi, you can only maintain your barrier’s extension to about a third of what it would be with chanted spells, can’t you?”

As she spoke, the young woman gestured with her hands. “Not only does it make it difficult to deal with large-area attacks, but once your magic is broken, the damage you sustain, Miss Xu Yiyi, is undoubtedly far greater than if you were casting while stationary…”

Su Qingyao, usually so soft-spoken and concise, had suddenly delivered a fluent, lengthy description. Xu Yiyi’s expression morphed from initial disappointment to surprise, and finally to a stunned numbness.

Xu Yanqing, on the other hand, wore a look of keen interest.

“…And then, when your magic attempted to intercept, it was due to a combination of these factors that you sustained the injury on your left shoulder.”

“In short, that’s roughly my perspective on the matter.”

Su Qingyao let out a small, shaky breath, then tilted her head back and took a deep inhale, her chest rising and falling with a subtle swell.

Su Qingyao deliberately paused, choosing not to elaborate further.

Unconsciously, she had almost completely dissected Xu Yiyi’s and Xu Yanqing’s magic.

In truth, Su Qingyao had inadvertently displayed capabilities far exceeding what ‘the files’ indicated she possessed. However, Xu Yanqing had no motive to delve deeper.

Yet, any more revelations might lead Xu Yanqing to suspicion.

Despite their good relationship, Su Qingyao knew, with a touch of harsh realism, that their bond was nowhere near strong enough for her to reveal everything.

“Wow… Su Qingyao!”

Xu Yiyi’s stunned immobility finally dissolved, replaced by two sparkling eyes. “You’re actually this amazing!”

“Indeed, Qingyao, your observations are far more meticulous than mine.”

Xu Yanqing put away her magic staff, deciding it was time for a break.

“Ah, perhaps it’s simply because onlookers see more clearly,” Su Qingyao said, feigning surprise with only a gentle smile.

Xu Yiyi’s expression shifted rapidly, quickly turning from adoration to disappointment.

“But then again, if even this won’t work, what am I supposed to do?”

“To put it simply, I’m only Third Tier, but Xu Yanqing is Fourth Tier!”

Xu Yiyi had finally voiced the most crucial question.

Hearing this, Su Qingyao exchanged a knowing glance with Xu Yanqing. She then gathered her yarn and knitting needles, allowing them to dissolve into shimmering motes of light that faded around her.

“I’ve been waiting for you to ask that question.”

Xu Yanqing’s lips curved into a slight smile. “If you hadn’t figured it out soon, I was going to bring it up myself.”

“As for the solution, it’s actually been right beside you all along, Miss Xu Yiyi. You just haven’t considered it.”

“I’m not the only Fourth-Tier Magical Girl here, am I?”

Xu Yiyi’s pupils suddenly constricted.

She slowly turned her head, her gaze falling upon Su Qingyao, who had silently risen to her feet.

The young woman’s Spirit Gear was perfectly donned, complemented by a silver-white veil she had chosen for the day.

“Although, Miss Yanqing had actually mentioned it before…”

Su Qingyao shook her head with a resigned sigh, then declared:

“Fourth-Tier Magical Girl, Su Qingyao.”

The Blue Witch joins the fray.