Chapter 67: An Uneasy Alliance

Zhang Qingwei was not particularly surprised that Polaris agreed to meet him.

He understood perfectly well that Polaris was a person bound by a profound sense of responsibility.

Her standing before others was not born of any particular enlightenment, but rather from her conviction that there was nothing else she could do.

She might once have been an effective shield, yet from beginning to end, she had proven to be a poor leader.

It was unexpected, however, to acquire an elevator card with such ease, presenting an additional opportunity.

Clutching the card, Zhang Qingwei stood before an orange elevator at the end of the corridor, contemplating how he might leverage it for greater advantage.

The elevator glided to a stop before him.

As its doors slowly parted, he stepped inside, locating a panel of floor buttons on the left-hand side.

The buttons ranged from the first to the twenty-eighth floor, with an additional floor above the twenty-eighth marked by a symbol resembling a flower.

Beyond these, the panel also displayed access to the four basement levels.

‘Could this elevator truly reach every floor?’ Zhang Qingwei wondered, pressing the card against the sensor slot, and observed the panel subtly brighten.

Since the twenty-third floor’s indicator did not immediately light up, Zhang Qingwei tentatively pressed the twenty-second floor button first.

Upon seeing its indicator illuminate, he then pressed the twenty-third floor button, and after the elevator doors closed, he discreetly unlit the twenty-second floor, feigning an accidental mispress.

As the elevator ascended, his tension mounted.

The moment it passed the fifteenth floor, he realized he was steadily approaching the magical girls’ headquarters.

Even within the confines of this relatively enclosed space, he could sense a faint trace of magical girl energy.

“Ding-dong.”

Upon reaching the floor, the elevator doors slowly opened.

Stepping out, Zhang Qingwei felt as though he had suddenly arrived at a luxurious hotel.

Thick, opulent carpets covered the floor, and the overall decor was bright and lively, a stark contrast to the typical office environment he had encountered on the third floor.

‘This is clearly preferential treatment,’ Zhang Qingwei mused silently, glancing around the area near the elevator doors.

On both sides, several closed rooms, resembling guest rooms, lined the hallway.

At regular intervals, the nearby walls displayed framed photographs of various magical girls: some being honored, others participating in training, and some engaged in rescue missions.

The images ranged from dignified artistic portraits and comically posed stylized shots to candid moments captured during battle, many of which featured faces Zhang Qingwei recognized.

He had been told to wait for Polaris on this floor, but where exactly was he supposed to wait?

“Whom are you looking for?”

“!”

A voice abruptly materialized behind Zhang Qingwei, startling him into taking two quick steps sideways.

Spinning around, however, he found no one.

“Up, up above.”

Following the vocal cue, Zhang Qingwei looked up, spotting a girl with her hair tied in a bun, hanging upside down from the ceiling, diligently knitting a sweater.

She was a magical girl.

“Young man, what brings you here, and who gave you your card?” she inquired casually, her focus unwavering from the unfinished sweater in her hands, though her body strategically blocked Zhang Qingwei’s path.

Not only was she suspended upside down, but the sweater she was knitting and the basket of yarn resting on her lap remained perfectly stable.

‘Could it be a gravity-manipulating magical artifact?’ Zhang Qingwei instinctively speculated about her abilities.

“Well, I’m here to see…” He briefly explained his purpose, producing the elevator card from his pocket.

“Ah, a family member of the juniors,” she said. “If you’re looking for Polaris, head left, then turn right at the corner; it’s the second room.”

After taking the elevator card and scanning it briefly, she returned it to him, pointing out the way.

“Understood, thank you.”

Given that she had referred to him as a junior, Zhang Qingwei opted for polite language.

Following her directions, Zhang Qingwei located the room marked “Meeting Room.”

The door was unlocked, and as he approached, he could faintly discern sounds from within.

He tentatively knocked a few times, and receiving no response, slowly pushed the door open and entered.

The moment he stepped inside, he saw the familiar figure he shouldn’t have known, huddled in the corner of the room, kneeling on a chair while on the phone.

“Mom, can we talk about that later? I’m working right now. I’ll tell you when I get home…” The conversation on the other end of the line seemed to put Polaris in a difficult position.

Noticing the footsteps in the room, she turned and saw Zhang Qingwei entering.

The girl in the tattered armor was startled at first, then, in a fluster, quickly put the hand holding her phone behind her back, abruptly ending the call.

Her actions inexplicably gave the impression of someone caught red-handed.

‘They say this one’s true identity is a mystery, yet she goes so far as to hide what her phone looks like from outsiders. How utterly troublesome,’ Zhang Qingwei thought.

Before Polaris could speak, he cast a condescending glance at her, then theatrically stepped back outside to examine the room’s sign.

“This should be it, I haven’t come to the wrong place, have I?”

“No, no, this is it,” she affirmed, hopping off the chair and scurrying over with her short legs. “Um, you must be Jin Shiling’s brother, right? I’m Magical Girl Polaris, the team captain.” She introduced herself, rising slightly on her tiptoes.

“Ah, my apologies, how rude of me. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” In such a situation, a handshake would typically be the standard greeting, but considering their significant height difference, Zhang Qingwei ultimately settled for a simple nod.

Gazing down at her from his full height, he once again marveled inwardly, ‘This one is truly tiny.’

“Thank you for coming all this way today.”

“It’s nothing, it’s what I should do. I’m also very grateful that a magical girl like yourself would take the time to meet with me personally.”

Once upon a time, he too had peacefully coexisted with her at such close proximity.

He never imagined he would have this opportunity to interact with her again.

Observing Polaris, utterly unguarded before him, Zhang Qingwei felt a profound sense of identity displacement.

Through his recent interactions with Jin Shiling, and now confronting Polaris, he finally began to grasp the sensation of protagonists in manga, novels, and games who operate while concealing their true identities.

In this moment, he was like an unrecognized observer, able to safely glimpse another facet of someone familiar.

After they both sat down, Zhang Qingwei noticed Polaris’s small back was ramrod straight.

‘Hmm, has she always been this reserved?’ he wondered, finding it a bit peculiar but not dwelling on it.

Although he was there to discuss Jin Shiling, this was a rare opportunity, so he decided to start the conversation by focusing on Polaris herself.

“Polaris, your name resonates with me. I recall seeing it mentioned in the news and online before. You must be an extraordinary hero, aren’t you? I never imagined I’d have the chance to meet you in person; it’s truly an honor.”

He failed to realize that this wasn’t his usual manner of speaking, nor did he recognize that he was acting with more assertiveness than ever before—perhaps even with a certain… ‘aggressiveness.’

“It’s nothing, I merely did what I could, and those events are long past,” Polaris replied, her tone flat when her deeds were mentioned, as if discussing something entirely unrelated to herself.

“You are far too modest. And if you’ll forgive my candor, I must admit that before coming, I was somewhat concerned about the kind of person who would be my sister’s captain—perhaps even a little unreliable. However, knowing that a magical girl of your caliber is by her side, I believe my worries were entirely unfounded. I hope she hasn’t caused you too much trouble.”

“…No need for formalities with me. Baoyu, Jin Shiling is a highly responsible and exceptionally promising newcomer. It is both my and the Magic Supervision Department’s duty to nurture her into an outstanding magical girl. Now, regarding what you just mentioned…”

Polaris paused, seemingly gathering her thoughts.

“Actually, I sense that you don’t trust me as much as you claim… do you?”

“…”

Zhang Qingwei blinked, offering no denial.

“It’s quite alright, Mr. Zhang. Please, speak your mind directly. The reason I wished to meet you was to genuinely communicate.

There’s no need to concern yourself with our respective positions or identities here.

As a magical girl, and as Jin Shiling’s captain, I have an obligation to answer your questions honestly, and I truly wish to build a foundation of trust with you.”

‘Yes, earnest, unpretentious, and utterly responsible—you truly haven’t changed a bit, Polaris,’ he thought.

“As for trust, I don’t believe it’s something we can truly claim to have, given this is our first meeting. However, based on some information I’ve gathered, I do feel the need to confirm a few things with you.”

“Within a magical girl team, I’m curious about the role of a captain.

Are they simply the strongest member, a guardian to the others, or someone recognized and accepted by everyone?”

“A captain is typically a magical girl designated by the Magic Supervision Department, possessing considerable strength and extensive combat experience.

Such magical girls often fit all the descriptions you just provided.

During battles, they monitor the status of their teammates and issue operational commands, taking responsibility for their safety.

Outside of combat, they also care for their teammates’ well-being, becoming figures whom the team respects and acknowledges.”

“That sounds like a demanding job.”

“Indeed.

However, many magical girls who take on the captaincy also view it as a glorious mission.

To be entrusted by their teammates, I believe, is a profoundly significant form of recognition.”

“May I ask how many members are currently in your team?”

“Including myself, there are four of us in total.

This team has actually been established for a relatively short time, roughly since Baoyu became a magical girl.

One could say it’s a rather young team.”

‘So, the ones I saw that day were indeed the entire team,’ he thought.

‘Polaris, her little sidekick Asherah, Baoyu, and String Moon, who must have just joined.

Overall, they appear to lack effective coordination and distinct characteristics; it’s certainly a very green team.’

Calculating the team’s combat capabilities within the city, Zhang Qingwei continued with his questions.

“During Jin Shiling’s time with this team, how has she performed? I’m particularly interested if she has ever pushed herself beyond her limits.”

“I can responsibly say that her aptitude as a magical girl is even higher than the Magic Supervision Department anticipated.

As a rookie with limited experience, she has handled most situations remarkably well, even stirring a degree of envy among her comrades.

However, perhaps driven by her competitive nature or pride, I have indeed observed her pushing herself too hard on occasion.

I intend to speak with her about this later.”

Zhang Qingwei’s gaze drifted slightly downward, settling on the jagged cracks in her breastplate.

“Do you magical girls often undertake tasks that exceed your capabilities? I believe that at this adolescent age, both boys and girls, upon gaining immense power, can easily develop a misguided self-perception.

They might begin to see themselves as special beings, becoming somewhat conceited because they are hailed as incarnations of hope, love, or miracles.”

Polaris shook her head.

Admittedly, when magical girls were mentioned, people readily conjured such images.

Yet, just like the man before her, once someone close to them became a magical girl, they would inevitably ponder what lay beneath those beautiful impressions.

“I believe it’s not just magical girls; most people in this world, regardless of whether they possess magical power, strive to make the world a better place.

This isn’t a privilege exclusive to magical girls; others can achieve it too.

Magical girls protect people because they also believe that people can create greater good.

Ordinary people have their own ordinary miracles, and you agree with this, don’t you?”

“…Indeed.”

Confronted with such rhetoric, Zhang Qingwei’s own statements certainly seemed like nitpicking.

However, this was, after all, his core value, and the fundamental difference between himself and these idealists.

“Alright then, since you know so much about my sister, I presume you’re also quite familiar with our family situation?”

Hearing this, Polaris nodded silently.

“Our relationship isn’t particularly strong, and I understand my sister’s desire to conceal her identity as a magical girl from me.

At her age, she has endured hardships unimaginable to her peers, and I find it perfectly normal for young people to crave their own space and ideas.”

“Not long ago, she confided these things in me and hoped I would support her choice.

I find her courage remarkable, especially after facing such danger; she’s certainly not as fragile as I imagined.

However, I also believe she probably can’t even begin to fathom what she will truly face.”

“The dangers magical girls encounter are by no means limited to the Corroder alone, Polaris. I trust you understand what I mean.”

People’s expectations propel them onto perilous battlefields, demanding that they forever triumph, forever shine, and forever remain flawless.

This expectation is both the fuel for ideals and power, and an inescapable curse.

Once they possess powers far beyond ordinary humans and special privileges, such conflicts become inevitable.

“Honestly, I don’t care about her future development, nor do I care if she gains any benefits from her identity as a magical girl.

I only wish for her to live safely and healthily.

I feel this is my responsibility as her sole remaining family member; I don’t want her to suffer any more harm or misfortune.”

“Polaris, can I entrust her, can I entrust Jin Shiling, to you?”

Polaris bowed her head in silence for a moment.

Then, she looked up, answering with the same earnest expression he had witnessed before: “I promise you, I will protect her, no matter what happens.”

Upon hearing the latter half of her statement, Zhang Qingwei’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Even at your own expense?”

Polaris froze slightly, instinctively disregarding the incongruity of the man before her uttering such a question.

She suddenly recalled that someone else had once asked her a similar question.

At the time, she hadn’t understood the other person’s thoughts when they posed it, and after she had given her answer, she soon lost that special ally—losing comrades, ideals, and her place of belonging.

No, it must have been from the moment she answered that the other person had already given up on her, standing instead on the opposing side.

And now, it felt like a re-enactment of that very moment.

Gripped by an inexplicable fear that threatened to crush her, the small guardian could no longer offer her usual affirmation and promises.

“I… I will do everything in my power to ensure everyone returns home safely.”

For a family member worried about their loved one, such a vague and evasive answer was clearly not the best approach.

However, Zhang Qingwei showed no dissatisfaction.

He had posed the question deliberately, merely wishing to see if Polaris, this incorrigible magical girl, had changed even slightly after such a long time.

She should know full well how cruel it was to offer false hope and impossible promises.

“I see. In that case, I trust you, Polaris.”

“My sister, I’m entrusting her to you.”

Zhang Qingwei uttered the lie with casual ease.

Regardless of Polaris’s reply, he would never truly entrust Jin Shiling to her.

Ultimately, why was he so fixed on her?

Whether as Black Mirror or Zhang Qingwei, he had always harbored an inexplicable complex concerning her.

When did it begin?

The answers to these questions were, in fact, not difficult to discern.

Because he could not tolerate “perfect” heroes, people who scored a hundred out of a hundred.

Because, Polaris, it was precisely because of you that the story of “Black Mirror” could begin.

The name “Black Mirror” was a gift you bestowed upon “me.”

****

Unexpected yet logical, the elevator card Zhang Qingwei obtained ultimately failed to provide him with further clues.

After politely declining Polaris’s escort and leaving the meeting room, he used the card to swipe for a floor above.

However, shortly after exiting the elevator, he was apprehended and questioned by Magic Supervision Department workers in uniform who seemed to appear out of nowhere on the floor.

Although he successfully bluffed his way through with the excuse of looking for a restroom, the card in his hand was confiscated, and he was eventually escorted to the first floor.

Nevertheless, the day was not entirely without gains.

Having actually visited the place, he had roughly memorized the uniform styles of staff members across different ranks and departments, the types of elevator cards, and the floor layout.

Since ordinary elevators only reached floors one to fifteen, the sensitive secrets pertaining to magical girls must surely be kept either by the magical girls themselves, stashed underground, or on higher floors.

As for what assistance this information might offer him, it remained unknown for now.

Yet, even for someone as pessimistic as he, a glimmer of hope persisted.

He needed to create signs that he was inching closer to the truth, compelling himself to continue his actions; otherwise, he would be swallowed by endless waiting and overthinking.

Walking out of the main entrance, the man glanced back at the towering building that obscured the sun.

He mused that even if magical girls truly existed in reality, their headquarters appeared neither romantic nor fantastical.

Anything touched by reality often rendered such fantasies much the same.

Emotionally, he somewhat relished the feeling of grilling the small, red-clad figure from another identity.

But he always forgot that observation was often mutual.

Just as he judged magical girls for easily becoming conceited after gaining power, wasn’t he himself much the same?

The side you see is not the entirety of that existence.

He had always known this.

The more one presumed to understand, the more one would overlook, and the more subjective and partial one would become.

Standing by the window, Polaris, with her feet on a stool, watched the retreating figure of the man she had just met.

She didn’t avert her gaze until he stepped into the car prepared for him by the Magic Supervision Department and completely vanished from her sight.