Off Work, Then I Become a Magical Girl
Book 2: Chapter 57: Chat

Vol 2 Chapter 57: Chat

The weekend passed in a flash.

Even though the increasingly cold weather made people more reluctant to go outside, most still had to leave their homes and head to work to make a living.

Lin Yun was, naturally, one of them.

Though becoming a Magical Girl again meant he no longer had financial concerns, as the Director of the Countermeasure Bureau in Fangting City—especially during these turbulent and perilous times—he had no choice but to be on the frontlines, steering the ship.

—“Alright then, we’ll get going.”

At the entryway of the villa, Veronica stood with Asou Madoka, giving a few last instructions to the girls behind her.

“Bosetsu, make sure to take good care of our guest. Xiaojin and White Rose still have classes to attend, so I’m leaving things here in your hands. If anything comes up and you’re not sure what to do, just give me a call.”

“Got it,” Bai Jingxuan nodded.

Veronica called out the names of the Magical Girls from Bo’an City, then turned slightly and added, “I’ve already given you the spare key to this base. You’re free to come and go as you like. Hope you enjoy your time in this city. You’re not obligated to help with the Ravager extermination tasks, but we’d be grateful if you could pitch in.”

Seeing all the girls nod in agreement, Veronica said no more and left with Asou Madoka.

Today, she had to bring her old teammate to the Countermeasure Bureau. As for the girls’ curiosity, she just said, “We’ve got something to take care of together.”

Obviously, none of the girls were convinced by that explanation, but they also weren’t in a position to press her further. So, they just let it go.

Since their destination was the Countermeasure Bureau, both were dressed formally. Lin Yun, of course, was always impeccably dressed on workdays. Asou Madoka, on the other hand, was wearing a women’s suit, sunglasses, and had tied her long, striking hair into a bun—looking every bit the powerful career woman.

To avoid any slip-ups with hidden identities, Veronica had already taken on Lin Yun’s appearance. They also didn’t take the car assigned to “Veronica” by the bureau, but rather Asou Madoka’s own car—just to be safe and not raise suspicion.

—“So, Lulu agreed?”

While driving, Lin Yun noticed the traffic ahead hadn’t moved for a while—clearly a jam—so he brought up the topic.

“I saw she seemed in a much better mood this morning.”

“Buddy, you clearly underestimate my communication skills. With me handling it, you think there’d still be a ‘no’?”

Asou Madoka yawned. “Relax, she agreed. I’ll start training her tonight if I get the time.”

She looked half-asleep, like she might doze off any second. Who knew if it was from staying up late or just not being a morning person?

“What about her Ability Blooming? Did you notice anything?”

Lin Yun frowned slightly. “Is there any chance of solving it soon?”

“No clue.”

Asou Madoka rubbed the corner of her eye. “Told you already, I’m only good at practical combat. I’m not an expert in ability development. If you can’t figure it out, how would I?”

“...I’ve been out of it for nineteen years.”

Lin Yun shook his head. “You know how quickly research in the Kingdom progresses. Nineteen years is more than enough for a bunch of new breakthroughs I wouldn’t know about.”

“Then why not go ask His Excellency Chief?”

Asou Madoka glanced over. “They’re in town, right?”

“Emerald... huh.” Lin Yun fell silent.

It wasn’t like he hadn’t considered that option. In fact, he had a strong gut feeling that if they asked Emerald, they’d probably get a solution.

But that also meant letting his daughter come face-to-face with the Jewel Scepter, and that would undoubtedly bring a whole host of complications.

He’d always done his best to keep Lin Xiaolu away from Kingdom affairs. But reality never quite cooperated. The further she walked down the Magical Girl path, the more it felt like something was deliberately drawing her into all this—bringing her closer and closer to people and matters of the Kingdom.

Should he keep trying to shield her, or just let things unfold? Lin Yun still didn’t have an answer.

“You’re still just as overprotective as ever...”

Seeing him go quiet, Asou Madoka sighed, guessing what was going through his head.

“Even though I don’t know His Excellency Chief that well, from what I do know, Emerald’s probably the easiest one in the Jewel Scepter bunch to talk to. Is all this caution really necessary?”

“I don’t know what kind of person she is. But dealing with the Jewel Scepter? I can't help overthinking.” Lin Yun replied softly.

“Just because you were supposed to be the Sapphire?” Asou Madoka suddenly asked.

Lin Yun went silent again.

He couldn’t argue, because she’d hit the sore spot dead on.

“...Anyway, I’ll think about it. But unless we’re really out of options, I’d prefer we figure this out ourselves.”

After a pause, he spoke again, switching the subject a bit stiffly. “I’ll try a few other things in the coming days. In the meantime, I’ll be counting on you to guide her. When it comes to combat skills, you’re probably the best we’ve got.”

“Trying to dodge the topic, huh? Just because you buttered me up doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten what you just said.”

Asou Madoka smirked. “Still, since it’s rare for you to give a compliment, I’ll accept it.”

That wasn’t flattery, Lin Yun thought silently.

Because it was the truth. Asou Madoka had always been the one in the old Fangting City squad who studied combat techniques the most seriously.

She once said it wasn’t a matter of talent, but more like “a desperate move when you have none.”

In the old team, Cornflower had outrageous progress in Ability Blooming, Sakura had an inherently powerful skill, and Lanxiang was basically a walking encyclopedia of rituals.

Only Margaret—Asou Madoka—was just average. Her magic wasn’t outstanding, her abilities weren’t especially strong, and she had no particular talent for learning rituals.

So in the end, the path she chose was “technique.”

It was a tough road. Even before Lin Yun retired, Madoka’s achievements as a Magical Girl weren’t anything impressive. Most people who heard the alias “Margaret” just thought of her as “that teammate of Sakura and Cornflower.”

But just like when she resolutely left Fangting to become a singer, Asou Madoka had a level of persistence that was beyond most people’s imagination.

And in the end, her persistence paid off—she earned a Flower Card of her own.

Not for military merit. Not for academic breakthroughs. Just as a recognition of having reached the pinnacle of skill in one particular field.

A Flower Card that stood for one thing only: mastery.