Chapter 34: Magical Girl Byakuya

“How wonderful! Bai Li has officially become a Weichangzhe now.”

Lin Xi exclaimed, her voice brimming with delight, after their conversation with the HR staff concluded.

“I remember it took me a whole month to receive my official acceptance notice. Bai Li, you’re truly incredible!”

“It was merely luck.”

While her words might have sounded like a humble-brag (TL Note: A Chinese slang term, ‘fan’ersai,’ referring to a subtle boast disguised as modesty, derived from the Palace of Versailles’ opulence), Bai Li genuinely believed her assessment.

After all, advanced Unusual Creatures were a rare sight, and most that reached such a formidable level possessed both intelligence and a multitude of cunning abilities, rarely revealing themselves.

The one that appeared yesterday was purely a rampage, witnessed right from its inception, and its potent growth potential conveniently led to the elimination of a D-rank pinnacle Unusual Creature.

The rarity of such an event nowadays was akin to stumbling upon a massive Unusual Creature nest during a stroll through the city, only to find their leader inexplicably dead, and then, by sheer coincidence, being embraced by them as their new pillar of support (TL Note: A Chinese idiom, ‘bao datui,’ literally ‘to hug the thigh,’ meaning to cling to someone powerful for protection or benefit).

‘…Though, perhaps it wasn’t all that rare.’

“Hmm… now that Bai Li has become a formal Weichangzhe, she’ll need a public designation.”

These public designations, typically referred to as identification names or Ability User names, were akin to the monikers adopted by heroes or idols.

For instance, Lin Xi’s was “Magical Girl Shio Kaze.”

This practice primarily arose because some Ability Users preferred not to expose their identities directly to the public eye, thus retaining a measure of personal privacy.

However, its origins could be traced back many years, to when the Unusual Creatures from the Otherworld and humanity were locked in fierce combat.

Even now, should an individual choose not to conceal their identity, the public would respectfully refrain from disturbing them during non-working hours.

This understanding allowed Lin Xi to freely roam with Bai Li without being constantly hounded for autographs or attention.

Yet, it was also true that many Ability Users moonlighted as idols or held similar public personas.

Indeed, Ability Users within official organizations were often revered much like celebrities, commanding widespread adoration and even boasting official merchandise.

It was not uncommon, therefore, to witness Ability Users live-streaming their monster hunts.

“What’s this? Are you two discussing Ability User names?”

Qing Lan, who had been lounging idly (TL Note: A Chinese slang term, ‘bai lan,’ meaning to give up, slack off, or intentionally do a poor job) on the sofa, suddenly appeared beside them, interjecting into their conversation.

“Something like that.”

Naturally, Bai Li was not pleased by this intrusion into their private moment.

Yet, considering Qing Lan was Lin Xi’s senior and had previously shown a commendable understanding of boundaries, Bai Li chose not to outright ignore her, instead offering a concise answer.

“I see. Well, good luck coming up with them. From my perspective, you both possess the potential to earn unique honorifics.”

These ‘honorifics,’ though seemingly similar to Ability User names, were in fact bestowed only upon those who had made significant contributions or possessed exceptional power.

They were akin to appellations granted by the populace, rather than self-chosen aliases.

For instance, Shen Jingbing, whose legs were broken last night, bore the honorific “Immovable Shield of Tiangong” due to her proven record in protecting Tiangong City.

Yet, her Ability User name was “Fairy Orb.”

While it might sound a little incongruous, given it was her, it made perfect sense.

Incidentally, Branch Chief Yu Menghua’s Ability User name and honorific were both “Dream Blossom,” reportedly because her combat style was as ethereal and beautiful as a flower found only in dreams.

From these examples, it was clear that honorifics fundamentally symbolized an Ability User’s prestige.

Qing Lan’s belief that Bai Li and Lin Xi could achieve such distinction underscored her exceptionally high regard for them.

“As for an Ability User name…”

Bai Li, however, paid no mind to Qing Lan’s pronouncement, her thoughts still focused on her own Ability User name.

She held little interest in such things, or rather, she wasn’t particularly adept at naming.

Rather than painstakingly concocting one, she found it more straightforward to simply use her given name.

After all, her primary reason for joining the Weichangzhe was to be with Lin Xi, and her work was merely to be performed within reasonable limits.

It was then that a conversation she’d had with Lin Xi some time ago resurfaced in her memory.

“…Let’s call it Magical Girl Byakuya. After all, it’s meant to complement Shio Kaze’s name.”

More than a week prior, Lin Xi had mentioned this very name to her on their way to the food street after work, and Bai Li had not resisted.

In fact, she preferred it, precisely because Lin Xi had chosen it.

“Bai Li~”

Hearing Bai Li utter the name she had casually suggested some time ago, Lin Xi joyfully embraced her.

The two women clung to each other, a palpable aura of sweet affection, like shimmering pink bubbles, enveloping them.

“…Ahem. Speaking of which, what compelled you both to join the Weichangzhe?”

Sensing the atmosphere was rapidly turning saccharine, Qing Lan quickly interjected, eager to prevent herself from becoming a complete third wheel (TL Note: A Chinese slang term, ‘dian dengpao,’ literally ‘lightbulb,’ referring to someone who is unwantedly present during a romantic moment between two others), and posed a new question.

“The reason for joining the Weichangzhe, you ask? Well, it’s nothing profound. I simply wish to protect the everyday lives of people, and the Weichangzhe is the largest and sole official Ability User organization in Tiangong City.”

Lin Xi’s reasoning was refreshingly straightforward, embodying the quintessential ideals of a magical girl: striving for what is good and beautiful.

As for Bai Li…

“I suppose it’s about wanting to keep pace with someone, isn’t it?”

As mentioned earlier, Bai Li’s decision to join the Weichangzhe was solely for Lin Xi’s sake.

Had Lin Xi chosen to align herself with some temple, villainous organization, or anything of the sort, Bai Li would have followed without hesitation.

The fact that she secretly led an Unusual Creature organization was a matter best left unsaid for now; it would not, in any way, impede her being with Lin Xi.

Anyone who dared to stand in her way would be utterly crushed.

“Hmm… what about growing stronger? I’ve observed many Ability Users join organizations primarily seeking powerful backing and a steady supply of resources.”

What Qing Lan described was indeed the common motivation for most Ability Users in the current era.

After all, in an age blessed with ‘abilities,’ the desire for strength was universal.

Joining an Ability User organization was akin to securing an ‘iron rice bowl’ (TL Note: A Chinese idiom, ‘tie fanwan,’ referring to a secure and stable job), making the acquisition of cultivation resources far easier than elsewhere.

“Growing stronger… if I can, then that’s certainly good. After all, the stronger I become, the more I’ll be able to protect.”

Lin Xi, however, wasn’t contemplating strength for its own sake, but rather the purpose behind it.

Bai Li shared the same sentiment.

“If becoming stronger means being better able to protect what I cherish, then there’s no reason not to pursue it.”

Her current strength, in any case, was already sufficient to contend with many Ability Users and Unusual Creatures.

There was no immediate need to sacrifice her time with Lin Xi purely for the sake of becoming more powerful.

“I see. I understand.”

Having heard Bai Li and Lin Xi’s responses, Qing Lan refrained from further inquiry, turning instead and heading towards the exit.

“Keep up the good work, both of you. I have high hopes for you.”

With that parting remark, Qing Lan departed, vanishing completely from their sight.