Off Work, Then I Become a Magical Girl
Book 2: Chapter 56: Aso Yuuka's Proposal

Vol 2 Chapter 56: Aso Yuuka's Proposal

“Once you use magic, it's considered going all out. And going all out means it qualifies as ‘combat.’ No matter the outcome, this is the fairest standard to judge whether Magical Girls are fighting among themselves.”

Asou Madoka spoke slowly: “After all, some people are good at creating big effects with a small amount of magic, while others aren’t so skilled at that.”

“…Are you trying to comfort me?”

Lin Xiaolu thought for a moment before finally catching on: “You mean, if that rule hadn’t limited me and both of us had gone all out, I might not have lost?”

“No, I’m just analyzing why you lost.”

Asou Madoka glanced at her and shook her head. “Even if you gave it your all, you still wouldn’t have beaten Bai Ji. Because she’s my most satisfactory student.”

That unexpected answer made Lin Xiaolu freeze for a second, then anger welled up in her: “You—!”

“But I already said, I’m on your side.”

Asou Madoka cut off her outburst. “Not just because Bai Ji started it and was in the wrong, but also because she’s Leaf-tier, and you’re Seed-tier. A duel across two Ability Blooming stages isn’t really a duel—it’s just bullying.”

“…I’m not like other Seed-tier girls.”

Swallowing her rebuttal, Lin Xiaolu calmed herself and muttered, “If we’re just talking about magic reserves, I definitely wouldn’t lose to a Leaf-tier.”

“Because you’ve been stuck at Seed-tier for a long time, but your magic hasn’t stopped growing…”

But before Lin Xiaolu could finish her sentence, Asou Madoka spoke up across from her: “That’s what you wanted to say, right?”

Lin Xiaolu looked up at her in surprise, at a loss for words.

“I was curious about the whole thing between you and Bai Ji, so I asked Veronica about it. She told me your situation.”

Asou Madoka continued, “I acknowledge your uniqueness. In many ways, you’ve already surpassed the limitations of this tier. But even so, Seed-tier is still Seed-tier. The gap between Seed and Leaf isn’t just about magic quantity or combat experience—there’s a difference in capability and technique too.”

“Let me give you an example.”

She held up two fingers. “Say two average people, same height and weight, get into a fight. One knows a bit of street fighting, nothing formal. The other is a trained expert in multiple combat styles, knows exactly how to strike and where it hurts. So tell me—would the result be a surprise?”

“No suspense, right?”

“What’s more, Bai Ji, even among Leaf-tier girls, is one of the most diligent. She’s mastered more spells and magic techniques than most at her level. The gap between you and her is bigger than the gap between a random person and a martial arts master.”

The further she spoke, the more Asou Madoka drifted into her own thoughts. A lot of it sounded like she was talking to herself. But Lin Xiaolu didn’t interrupt. She just stood there, quietly listening. At some point, something she heard made her unclench her tightly balled fists.

—“So why did you come find me?”

Her voice was calm, almost numb, even to her own ears. “If, like you said, I never had a chance of beating her to begin with, then there’s no point in taking the assessment next year. It’s too dangerous anyway. A half-baked girl like me would only drag others down, right?”

“I didn’t say that.” Asou Madoka blinked.

“Then what are you trying to say? An apology? ‘My disciple picked on you and won, sorry for being a bully’? Is that what you came here for?”

Lin Xiaolu widened her eyes slightly. “You dragged me out into the cold where my legs are still shaking, just to say that?”

“Why not?” Asou Madoka shot back.

“Then go back. I don’t need that kind of ‘apology.’”

Lin Xiaolu enunciated each word: “It was a fair fight between me and your disciple. I lost because I’m too weak. Skills weren’t enough. A loss is a loss. I’m not a sore loser.”

“But you—your disciple won, and instead of praising her, you show up here acting all fake and saying she was in the wrong? Who are you looking down on? You think I’m some crybaby who needs comforting after a loss?”

“You came here to apologize? No, you just came to do Veronica a favor. Cut the act. It’s disgusting!”

“Let me tell you, I don’t need your apology. You’re insulting the result of our duel!”

On the balcony where the light didn’t reach, Lin Xiaolu’s angry voice was drowned out by the wind and didn’t carry far. But Asou Madoka, standing right in front of her, heard every word loud and clear.

There was no hint of respect in her tone—not for a “senior” and not for Madoka as a person. If anything, she might as well have shouted “phony” right to her face. The words were sharp with emotion, but the meaning came through perfectly.

A kid more than twenty years younger speaking to her like that—most people would’ve been furious. But Asou Madoka wasn’t.

Her expression showed not anger, but surprise—and a touch of warmth.

“…That’s unexpected. So that’s how you feel.”

She murmured, “Then yes, that was my mistake. I tried to treat you like a child, to soothe and pacify you, without treating you as a proper ‘junior.’”

Saying that, she bowed slightly, a formal half-bow, and her tone turned solemn: “I apologize. I didn’t think it through.”

“I already said I don’t want to see these fake acts and formalities.”

Lin Xiaolu frowned. “If you don’t have anything else to say, I’m heading back.”

“I do have something. I didn’t come out here just to throw around pretty words.”

Asou Madoka straightened, pushing her hair back over her shoulders with a sigh. “I didn’t think I’d mess it up trying to ease you in. Talk about backfiring.”

“So?” Lin Xiaolu stared at her, clearly annoyed. “What do you want?”

“Well, I’m curious—what kind of Magical Girl would Aya’s daughter grow up to be?”

Asou Madoka looked at her gently. “I did hold you once right after you were born, but it’s been so many years. I’m still curious.”

“Disappointed?” Lin Xiaolu asked lightly.

“No, quite satisfied.” Asou Madoka smiled.

“Huh?” Lin Xiaolu blurted out.

“Haha. You’ve got a cute personality, unexpectedly. But you take after your father more than your mom.”

Asou Madoka stroked her chin, thinking. “How should I put it? That ‘everyone’s pissing me off’ vibe, always looking cold or grumpy—you’re just like him.”

“You call that personality ‘cute’?” Lin Xiaolu was stunned.

“Isn’t it?”

Asou Madoka tilted her head. “Both your mom and I found it endearing. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be here, would you?”

“…That sounds weird coming from you.”

“Still, you do have bits of your mom in you. I don’t think I could ever say what you just said to me… I was genuinely touched.”

Asou Madoka theatrically wiped the corner of her eye and held out a hand: “Come here. Let big sis give you a pat.”

“Am I a puppy? No way!”

Lin Xiaolu backed off in a hurry. “Gross! Can we be serious here?!”

“No pat?”

“Of course not!” Lin Xiaolu yelled.

“You could brag about it at school, like ‘Miss Madoka patted my head, I didn’t wash it for three days…’” Asou Madoka suggested.

“That’s disgusting!”

“Come on, just one pat. Let big sis have this.”

“Even if you ask nicely, still no!” Lin Xiaolu crossed her arms in front of her, forming an X.

“Aw, what a shame.”

Seeing Lin Xiaolu’s firm refusal, Asou Madoka gave up with a sigh. “Fine, let’s talk business then.”

As she said this, the lighthearted mood from before suddenly cooled again.

Lin Xiaolu stared at the woman she’d only met earlier that day, struggling to keep up with how quickly she changed gears. She couldn’t read anything from her face, nor guess her intentions.

She could only swallow nervously and wait.

“You’ve been stuck at Seed-tier for a while now,” Asou Madoka said, “and maybe I’m projecting, but I’m guessing you’re pretty anxious about it?”

“You have a way to help me Bloom?” Lin Xiaolu looked at her suspiciously.

“Nope. I’m not that amazing. Even Veronica doesn’t know why your Ability Blooming hasn’t happened yet.”

Asou Madoka shrugged. “But—I have another proposal.”

“What kind of proposal?” At the mention of something related to her biggest concern, Lin Xiaolu couldn’t help but perk up.

“Well, seeing how you’re in this state, can’t awaken your Magical Armor, can’t learn spells… kind of just idle…”

Asou Madoka smiled again. On any other face it might’ve looked casual, but on hers, it was almost seductive: “Why not let me teach you a thing or two?”