Off Work, Then I Become a Magical Girl
Book 2: Chapter 60: Plan

Vol 2 Chapter 60 Plan

This seemed to be the most plausible answer at the moment.

However, as Lin Yun spoke these words, even he found them excessively exaggerated and frowned as if negating his own statement.

—"That's what I thought too, at first."

Madoka Asou picked up the conversation: "After all, compared to organizations like Black Ember Dawn and the Resistance, Claw Marks is relatively young. Yet in recent years, they've demonstrated numerous new technologies, making it hard not to suspect they have research and academic talents among them."

"As for Su Shengzi, that woman has always had weak moral and ethical principles. It wouldn't be surprising if she strayed from the path of a Magical Girl."

"So after losing contact with her for many years, I developed this theory. I've been monitoring Claw Marks' movements, even studying their defection records to confirm each member's identity through cross-referencing," she explained. "But the results surprised me—she doesn't seem to be among them."

"...Seems?" Lin Yun caught the qualifier in Madoka's statement.

"Exactly—seems. If someone joined Claw Marks but never participated in any material world activities, never committed any wrongdoings, and remained hidden in the Boundary, then our Investigation Court genuinely couldn't detect them." Madoka spread her hands. "How can we investigate someone we don't know exists?"

"But is staying in the Boundary really that unusual?" Hong Siyu finally found an opening to interject. "Given that the magic nation is hunting Claw Marks members, hiding there seems safe enough. No one would chase them inside, right? From that perspective, staying hidden isn't necessarily bad."

"That assumes they actually fear pursuit, sisters."

Madoka sighed. "You've been away from the nation for years, so you're probably unaware—do you know how many of the Magical Girls who defected with White Wolf have appeared as Claw Marks members in the past decade?"

"How many?" Hong Siyu clearly didn't want to expend mental energy guessing.

"All of them."

Madoka didn't mince words. "Not just the original defectors—more Magical Girls have joined Claw Marks over time, and from what I know, they've all openly operated under that identity."

"Choosing overt publicity over covert operations that would better serve their goals?" Lin Yun countered.

"Like you said, no one understands their thinking. If I could decipher it, I'd have been promoted to Inspector Envoy long ago."

Madoka smirked. "But regardless, for Claw Marks members, being conspicuous seems to be the norm."

This statement gave Lin Yun pause.

He recalled the two Claw Marks members who had visited Fangting City.

Whether it was Sparrow or Yuan, while their intentions were clearly hostile, their methods of appearance could indeed be described as "open and aboveboard"—both practically challenged people to fights in broad daylight, so blatant it was bewildering.

Was this style personal preference? An internal rule of Claw Marks? Or perhaps, more concerningly, a smokescreen?

It wasn't baseless paranoia—given Claw Marks' leader White Wolf's original identity, he found it hard to believe these actions were meaningless.

As he'd told Madoka earlier, matters involving the Scepter of Gems demanded thorough consideration.

Of course, with limited information, such speculation couldn't yield definitive answers. Combined with his reluctance to suspect his old friend, Lin Yun set aside the question of whether Su Shengzi's disappearance indicated joining Claw Marks.

"After I recover, let's search the Boundary for her together."

He concluded decisively: "For now, let's not assume the worst. We'll proceed on the premise that she's unharmed but lingering there. She's been in the Boundary for years—rushing now won't help. We need thorough preparation before going."

After all, venturing into the Boundary was dangerous even for Flower Card Magical Girls. In his current state, he'd just be easy prey.

"Can your injury really be treated?"

Madoka raised an eyebrow. "Has the Chief confirmed it?"

"If they could restore Hong Siyu from her previous state, I can only trust them now."

Lin Yun gestured toward Hong Siyu. "The treatment plan is set, but implementation isn't possible yet."

"Why?" Madoka looked puzzled.

Her question hung in the air unanswered.

Lin Yun crossed his arms, hesitating to speak, while Hong Siyu also seemed troubled, her expression clouded with concern.

"So why?" Madoka pressed.

When neither responded, she leaned forward until her face nearly touched Lin Yun's, her gaze piercing through her sunglasses: "Don't spark curiosity only to withhold answers! Why?"

After a prolonged stare-down, Lin Yun averted his eyes: "Because we have to go to the magic nation."

Silence filled the office.

"...What? Where?" After a long pause, Madoka leaned back as if needing confirmation.

"The magic nation." Lin Yun remained expressionless.

"...Hah?"

Madoka's astonished exclamation echoed through the chief's office.

Her shock was understandable—had Hong Siyu not already heard about this from Emerald, she'd have reacted the same.

Everyone in Fangting City's team knew Magical Girl Veronica, formerly codenamed Cornflower, had been personally banned from the magic nation by the Queen.

While the Queen never specified consequences for violating this decree, provoking her in the magic nation was undeniably unwise.

"You plan to sneak in?" Madoka suddenly laughed brightly. "Saying this in front of an Investigation Court Magical Girl? Aren't you afraid I'll arrest you right now?"

"It's not exactly sneaking."

Lin Yun remained calm. "According to Emerald's plan, she'll forge an identity for me to blend in during next year's qualification exams. With so many Magical Girls entering then, it'll be easier to slip through."

"How is that different from smuggling? Have you considered the consequences if caught? Would it be any better?" Madoka continued smiling.

Lin Yun sighed inwardly—he knew Madoka's brightest smiles often masked anger or displeasure, and this risky plan clearly displeased her.

"Emerald promised cover. I'll also seek our Court Chief's assistance. If problems arise, escape will be guaranteed."

He pressed on: "I've reviewed the fake identity Emerald provided. Though it reflects her personal humor, it's logically flawless. I can perfectly pose as an ordinary examinee, participate normally, then leave."

"You—a Flower Card—plan to take exams alongside novice girls?" Madoka narrowed her eyes.

*Ahem.*

Lin Yun coughed dryly. "Using an examinee identity means taking exams, but I only need to perform poorly and fail normally—it won't affect others. Many fail qualification exams annually—it's common."

"And then? Entering the magic nation will heal you?" Madoka looked skeptical. "What miraculous medicine could achieve that?"

"I don't know, but I must trust them."

Collecting himself, Lin Yun met her gaze seriously: "I need strength now—for the children, for Anya, even for finding Su Shengzi. Only Emerald can promise this solution. Hesitating changes nothing."

"...I see."

Her expression unreadable, Madoka sat back on the sofa. "But have you considered? Next year is a Queen's Year."

"I know."

"You know? Sister, knowing that and still proceeding with this madness?"

Madoka shrugged. "In normal years, with the Chief and Court Head covering for you, this might work. But do you understand what Queen's Year means? Her Majesty personally observes the exams! If she recognizes you, not just you—they'll be punished too!"

"I'll disguise my appearance."

Lin Yun stated evenly. "From a distance without close inspection, she won't identify me. The Queen wouldn't personally target an insignificant examinee."

"...This is too dangerous. I can't agree, sister." Madoka shook her head. "Your past appointment as Sapphire makes you underestimate the Royal Court. You think the Queen merciful, but actually—"

"I understand perfectly, Madoka."

Lin Yun interrupted. "I've met her—seen her with my own eyes. Our conversation remains unforgettable."

"You think having met her once means she'll spare you if discovered?" Madoka grinned oddly.

"No. For refusing her invitation, she'll retaliate harshly."

Lin Yun was adamant. "Within rules, she'll impose maximum punishment—possibly beyond. Absolute power enables absolute caprice. Revoking my Heart Gem, cutting my magic source...even execution would be normal."

"And you'd still go?"

"Emerald says I must. What heals me can't be brought to the material world."

Lin Yun continued: "I broke our agreement first—not entering the magic nation or using Magical Girl powers was my promise to her. If discovered, I'll deserve the consequences."

His resolve left Madoka speechless.

It was Hong Siyu who spoke: "But Senior, must you go this far? The Chief said your condition can stabilize temporarily. Repairing your Heart Gem could wait another year—even Lulu's group could delay their exams. This year, I can handle Fangting City's threats, and with Madoka's help—"

"Because of this."

Lin Yun's voice suddenly changed.

His steady masculine tone shifted toward a higher feminine pitch, as if two voices spoke simultaneously.

Then, before their eyes, his Heart Gem glowed from his pocket, and the grown man transformed into a young girl—he became Veronica.

"...Transforming here? What's wrong? Is the issue with your true form?" Madoka leaned back slightly.

"No, I didn't choose to transform. My Heart Gem's magic overflow became uncontrollable."

As Veronica, Lin Yun's tone turned colder. "This is the side effect of destroying part of my magical equipment—I sometimes can't maintain my civilian form."

"I'd heard rumors."

Madoka nodded. "Though the Court Head told it as a joke, seeing it is different. Is this severe enough to require immediate treatment?"

"No."

Veronica shook her head. "Even as it worsens, this alone wouldn't make me risk the Queen's wrath."

"Then?"

"The problem is what happened recently when I tried using my magical equipment."

Veronica pulled shimmering blue magic threads between her hands, stretching them taut for inspection: "Do you see the issue?"

Hong Siyu and Madoka examined them before offering different observations:

"The color's fainter?"

"The threads thickened?"

Veronica shook her head again.

She brought the threads closer, pointing to a specific spot with one finger:

—"It's knotted."