Off Work, Then I Become a Magical Girl
Book 2: Chapter 96: Thief

Vol 2 Chapter 96: Thief

There were only two flights of stairs connecting the underground training room to the first floor of the base.

For an adult walking at a slower pace, it would take no more than ten seconds to climb them. Even for the girls, whose strides were shorter, it wouldn't take much longer. Yet, to Veronica, it felt like she’d been trudging up those stairs for hours.

Determined to “favor neither side, and neglect none”—a philosophy of impartiality—she carefully balanced herself between Lin Xiaolu and Bai Jingxuan. Surrounded by the two juniors, it took her considerable effort to squeeze her way out of the stairwell.

Standing at the stairway exit, just a glance to the side revealed the nearby dining room.

Today, the dining table was unusually lively.

It wasn’t just that everyone was present, crowding every inch of the table—it was also that the Bo’an City Squad seemed to be in the middle of a heated discussion. Their arguing voices spilled out from the dining room, loud enough to be clearly heard even from the stairs.

Judging by the voices, the quarrel seemed to be between Bai Ji and Wood Lily.

—"No way! A squad is a whole. Even if we’re splitting up for a mission, it shouldn't be for something this ridiculous. I can’t agree to your request!"

“Why not? It’s not like Bo’an City really needs my combat power, right?”

“That’s not the point! This has nothing to do with combat strength. You should know you’re a very valuable member of our team…”

“Yeah, yeah. The one who always drags the team down and causes trouble. Wasn’t that what you told Madoka-senpai in your report?”

“You—wait, no, I... I did say that, but that’s not what I meant…”

“Then what did you mean?”

“I... I just wanted her to keep a closer eye on you...”

“So in the end, you’re just saying I’m a burden, right? How exactly did I misunderstand you?”

The voices escalated from argument to outright shouting. The tension between Bai Ji and Wood Lily was clearly growing worse. Some of the others tried to mediate gently, while others crossed their arms and watched like it was a show—but nothing was cooling them down.

It was in this heated atmosphere that Veronica and her two companions entered the dining room.

“What’s going on?”

Unaware of the current situation, Veronica immediately turned to Asou Madoka. “What are they even arguing about? And you’re not going to stop them?”

It wasn’t that she wanted to butt in—it was just that Madoka was clearly spectating rather than stepping in, despite both of them being her squadmates.

“Ah, arguing. It’s inevitable when young people form a group,” Madoka said nonchalantly, still leaning back in her chair. “It’s not a big issue. Better to clash over daily annoyances than fall apart on the battlefield.”

“And that’s your excuse for sitting here watching like it’s a drama?”

Veronica’s eyelids drooped. “Even if conflict is inevitable, shouldn’t you at least try to act as a mediator?”

“No need,” Madoka replied, shaking her head. “Trying to smooth things over just delays the inevitable explosion. Don’t treat the juniors like children. They’re in their teens—they have their own ideas. What they like or hate, we can’t decide for them. Sometimes it’s better to step back and let them sort it out.”

She said this meaningfully, her gaze briefly sweeping across Lin Xiaolu and Bai Jingxuan before she casually turned back and gave a small chuckle like nothing had happened.

“You really only get sharp-tongued when it comes to defending your nonsense.”

Veronica sighed, exasperated. “Fine. I’ll be the host and try to break this up. Can’t have guests making a scene. So tell me—what’s this really about?”

“You’re always so enthusiastic when it comes to playing peacemaker.”

Madoka shot her a glance but didn’t object. She clapped her hands. “Alright then. Bai Ji, come explain things to our Inspector-senpai here. We were going to talk about this anyway—might as well clear the air now.”

“…Yes, Mentor.”

Bai Ji stopped arguing with Wood Lily at once. After giving her rival a long glare, she turned back and tried to compose herself before speaking in a formal tone. “My apologies, Inspector-senpai, for letting you witness such an unpleasant scene. We were planning to give you a more proper farewell today.”

“Farewell?” Veronica latched onto that word immediately.

“Yes, farewell.”

Bai Ji nodded. “Since the break is ending, our schools in Bo’an City are about to reopen. Even though academics aren’t that important for Magical Girls, we’re still enrolled students, so we plan to return soon. As for Mentor, she’s staying here to continue supporting Fangting City’s defenses—but that’s her decision, not ours.”

“Oh, I see. If it’s for school, I can’t object. While I’d personally love for you to stay longer, I won’t force it.”

Influenced by Bai Ji’s overly formal attitude, Veronica offered a polite response, then continued, “So what exactly is the disagreement?”

—“It’s because I don’t want to go back, obviously!”

A voice cut in from the side, picking up right where Bai Ji left off. Wood Lily slapped the table and stormed over. “I told you, you guys were just vacationing in Fangting City—I have my own business! Now you’re done vacationing and want to drag me back with you? I’m not done yet! Why should I leave?”

“Then tell me already—what exactly are you trying to do?”

Bai Ji’s temper flared at Wood Lily’s confrontational tone. “Always acting all mysterious, refusing to say anything. You train three days then disappear for two, and no one can find you during missions either. You call this a vacation? You’re the least disciplined person on the whole team!”

“I said it’s a private matter! I’ll tell you once I’m done!” Wood Lily snapped.

“Not telling us means you’re coming back with me.” Bai Ji refused to back down.

“I’m not! I’m not going back!” Wood Lily shot back.

—“And that brings us to what you’re seeing now.”

Asou Madoka turned to Veronica and spread her hands. “It’s a typical fight. Once emotions flare, everything comes out—old grudges, petty complaints. What am I supposed to do?”

“Geez…”

As a mature adult, Veronica could only think one word to describe their argument: childish. But her role didn’t allow her to just walk away, so she had no choice but to figure out how to resolve this now very public conflict.

She could technically make the call and ask Wood Lily to stay as the host—but as Bai Ji said, the Bo’an City Squad was a team. The others weren’t trying to exclude her out of malice, and Wood Lily herself didn’t have a convincing reason to stay. For Veronica to step in forcefully would just come off as meddling.

That, probably, was why Madoka wasn’t interfering—just waiting for the two to argue it out.

After racking her brain, Veronica couldn’t think of a solution that felt fair and respectful to both sides. Hearing Lin Xiaolu’s stomach growl beside her, she finally sat down and changed the subject with a forced tone.

“This isn’t settled. Let’s eat first—we’ll talk after dinner.”

At least that shut Bai Ji and Wood Lily up for the time being.

At the dinner table, Veronica tried to think of ways to mediate while also fending off chopsticks from Lin Xiaolu and Bai Jingxuan on either side. Her head was spinning, and she couldn’t believe how such a stupid issue had her this stumped.

The turning point, however, came the next morning.

Though students were still on break, adults were already back at work. That was especially true for special agencies like the Countermeasure Bureau. As the Bureau Director, Lin Yun was back to his usual grind—endless paperwork and phone calls.

Then, right in the middle of his routine, someone knocked on the door of his office.

Like a muscle reflex, he raised his left hand and brushed his fingers over the sensing threads. No abnormalities.

“Come in,” he called out.

The door opened, and a male staffer from the Intelligence Department walked in, looking serious. “Sorry to bother you, Director. We just had a magical-side incident at the Bureau. I need to brief you.”

“An attack?”

Lin Yun looked up, raising an eyebrow. “A rogue magician? Or another gray magic syndicate acting up?”

He didn’t even consider that it might be Black Cinders Dawn. They wouldn’t be stupid enough to cause trouble at the Bureau in broad daylight.

In the few months since he took office, Lin Yun’s crackdown on Black Cinders Dawn had been wildly successful. He’d rooted out both their public and underground networks. The remaining traces of “The Moth” within Fangting City had also been methodically eliminated.

The only undercover members left were weak pawns used as bait. Not one member above the Ember Guard level remained.

So his first assumption was some arrogant civilian magician biting off more than they could chew.

“No, it’s not a magician, and it wasn’t really a violent attack either. Or at least, ‘attack’ might not be the right word—technically, it was theft.”

The employee added, “But the thief tried to flee and damage the scene when caught, and her identity is… complicated. That’s why we thought you should be informed.”

Lin Yun frowned. This sounded weirdly familiar. He felt like he’d seen this situation before—and had a hunch what the guy was about to say.

“Let me guess.”

He set down his pen and tapped his fingers on the desk. “You’re about to tell me the thief was… a Magical Girl?”

The staffer’s eyes widened in awe and admiration.

“…Yes, Director. You’re exactly right.”

Lin Yun saw the so-called "thief" through the surveillance camera in the interrogation room.

And the moment he recognized her face, it felt like the hope he'd been holding onto finally died.

There she was, sitting in the room with her head hanging low, looking completely dejected—like the world had just ended for her. It was none other than one of the people who’d been sharing a dinner table with him just the night before—Wood Lily.

What the h**l is this now?

Lin Yun frowned as he watched the footage, completely puzzled.

“We’ve already questioned this… Magical Girl, hoping she’d explain her background and purpose,” said the Intelligence Department staffer standing beside him. “We’re trying to clear up any misunderstandings and minimize conflict, but she refuses to say anything.”

“We also tried to get in touch with the Magical Girls from the Fangting City Squad to resolve the issue peacefully, but the girl in there went ballistic. Said that if we contacted any other Magical Girl, she’d accuse us of harassment. Now the whole team’s at a loss…”

Yeah, if Asou Madoka found out, that girl was bound to get an earful tonight.

Lin Yun thought grimly, though his expression remained all business. “Has she offered any sort of compromise?”

“Well, technically yes…”

The staffer hesitated, his face uneasy. “But her condition is that we grant her access to the Bureau’s archives—including the highest security-level files—and let her go immediately.”

It wasn’t hard to see why he looked so distressed. It was absurd: a thief demanding access to classified documents, acting like she was the one in charge. Completely outrageous.

“...Got it,” Lin Yun said with a nod. He turned to the side. “Alright. Take me to her—I’ll talk to her myself.”

“Yes, sir!”

The staffer, who had expected the Director to explode in anger, was visibly relieved when he didn’t. Standing straight, he quickly responded, “I’ll take you there right away!”

Soon, Lin Yun arrived at the interrogation room where Wood Lily was being held.

The staffer opened the door and explained to the girl inside that the Bureau Director had come to speak with her. Then he stepped aside and waited outside.

Lin Yun gave him a quick pat on the shoulder and walked in without a word.

As soon as he entered, his eyes met the girl's.

Wood Lily was dressed unusually formal today—an understated pale blue dress with no waistline, a short gray-blue down jacket, and round-toed white shoes. Her long pale yellow hair gave her a vaguely foreign look—at first glance, someone might even mistake her for being from Western Province.

But to Lin Yun, the girl in front of him was all too familiar. A few changes in her appearance weren’t enough to shake his recognition. He gave her a quick once-over, expression unreadable.

Wood Lily, on the other hand, visibly froze the moment she saw him step through the door. Her already sour expression grew even darker.

“You? Why is it you?” she blurted out.

“Why shouldn’t it be me?” Lin Yun raised an eyebrow.

“So this is your turf… Wait—does that mean everything back in Bo’an City was your scheme too? No, don’t tell me even the rumors online were all part of your plot? Was it all planned from the beginning?!”

Wood Lily crossed her arms and leaned back against the chair, inching away. “What are you really after?”

“…I’m not sure what kind of wild theories you’ve cooked up in those few seconds just now, but I think I should clarify your current situation, little lady.”

Lin Yun took two steps forward, pulled out the chair across from the interrogation table, and sat down. “Right now, you’re under detainment for stealing classified intel from the Countermeasure Bureau. A lot of people here are pretty unsettled about your intentions. And me? I’m the Bureau Director.”

“Director?” Wood Lily blinked.

“That’s right. If I’m not mistaken, we actually crossed paths once when I was on a business trip in Bo’an City last year.”

Lin Yun remained expressionless, keeping his tone neutral to appear impartial. “Although things got a little awkward back then, I had no reason to doubt your identity as a Magical Girl.”

“Oh, right!”

Hearing that, Wood Lily brightened and stood up excitedly. “Even though it was a mess, you know I really am a Magical Girl from Bo’an City! So you can let me go now—”

“Unfortunately, no, I can’t.”

Lin Yun cut her off. “We’re the Fangting City Countermeasure Bureau. We don’t have the authority to handle out-of-city Magical Girls. Even if your identity is confirmed, any resolution and release would have to follow proper procedures.”

“Procedures?”

Wood Lily looked puzzled. “What kind?”

“First, we’d need to notify the Bo’an City Bureau, who would then reach out to your teammates. On our end, we’d contact the local Magical Girls. Representatives from both sides would need to meet and negotiate, then we’d archive the outcome and report it to the Royal Court of the Magic Kingdom. Only after all that would it officially be over.”

Lin Yun laid it all out in perfect bureaucratic rhythm, ignoring how pale Wood Lily’s face was getting. “Of course, once your teammates are contacted, you could leave the Bureau—you wouldn’t have to stay in this interrogation room.”

By the time he finished, there wasn’t a trace of color left in Wood Lily’s face.

“W-We really have to tell that many people?” she mumbled.

“Yes. That’s the rule,” Lin Yun nodded.

What he didn’t say was that while those were the rules in theory, practice was another story. Most cities' Bureaus treated Magical Girls as vital assets. So even when they messed up, the usual response was to sweep things under the rug. No one wanted to jeopardize relations with local Magical Girls. Escalating things to the Kingdom level, even with justification, rarely ended well for a Bureau.

Over time, “rules” became “guidelines,” and “should” quietly morphed into “definitely don’t.”

Lin Yun could say all this because he was familiar with both Magical Girl squads—and was the leader of one himself. He had the clout to throw weight around. But really, he was only talking like this to scare Wood Lily a little.

He had no intention of actually going that far. If he did, her reputation in the Magical Girl community would be toast. “Breaking into the Countermeasure Bureau to steal something” would follow her forever. People would laugh about it for years.

Plus, this whole stunt had clearly been her idea alone. Last night, she’d made it clear she wasn’t going to explain anything. If he blew this up, she’d not only face consequences from her team but might be forced to reveal whatever “secret” she was hiding.

So Lin Yun had chosen to exaggerate the consequences. And it was working like a charm.

“C-Can we not go that far?”

The previously defiant Wood Lily panicked. “I just wanted to check a few things in your archives! I didn’t cause any actual damage! There’s no need to go full crackdown mode, right?”

“I heard that on your way out, you nearly blew up the file cabinet trying to make your escape,” Lin Yun said, pretending to recall.

“That was an accident! Totally an accident! I wasn’t trying to destroy anything!”

Wood Lily made frustrated air grabs and flailed her arms. “It’s your people’s fault! They yelled ‘Hands up, don’t move!’ and freaked me out! I panicked and triggered my Magical Armor to escape. But it’s a Magical Armor! It's got way too much output—I couldn’t control it!”

“So?”

“So I don’t think I deserve this much trouble!”

Wood Lily stood up. “Not notifying the Bo’an City Bureau, and especially not the Kingdom—”

“That’s part of the process.” Lin Yun blinked.

“I mean, can’t you make an exception?!” she practically shouted in desperation.

“An exception? You mean, don’t inform the Bo’an City Bureau?”

Lin Yun tilted his head, feigning confusion. “Funny. I seem to remember someone telling me back in Bo’an City, ‘The Bureau can’t control me anyway.’”

“Well yeah, the Bureau can’t! But I didn’t mean the Bureau—I meant you…”

Wood Lily cut herself off, realizing she couldn’t expose her cards. She stepped forward and gave him a bright smile. “Umm… Uncle?”

“Yes?” Lin Yun subtly leaned back, keeping his face out of her personal space.

“So back in Bo’an City, I was in the wrong. I was just anxious and mistook you for a bad guy.”

But Wood Lily closed in even more, grabbing the sides of Lin Yun’s suit jacket. Her eyes shimmered with tears. “And this time, sneaking into the Bureau was wrong too. I know that now. Please, just give me a second chance. I won’t mess up again.”

“It’s good that you’re willing to admit your mistake. I appreciate that.”

Lin Yun gently pulled his coat out of her grasp. “But this isn’t a follow-up to what happened in Bo’an City. So we’re handling it by the book.”

“Nooo, please don’t!”

Since she couldn’t cling to his jacket, Wood Lily grabbed his hand instead, eyes brimming. “I’m begging you! If you tell our squad leader, I’m done for. My life’s gonna be miserable. Please let me off the hook, Uncle.”

“Even if you say that…”

“I’ll do you a favor! Anything within my abilities, I’ll do it! That’s fair, right?”

Wood Lily had the look of someone ready to fall to her knees. “One favor not enough? Two? Three? I’m a Magical Girl, remember? I can deal with enemies your Bureau can’t! I’m useful! But if you hand me over, I’m totally screwed!”

“…Alright, fine.”

Lin Yun sighed, as if giving in. “Just promise me one thing. I’ll pretend this never happened.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“Then… how about one more? Can you also erase that Bo’an City incident while we’re at it?”

“No way. That’s a bribe.”

“Ugh, stingy.”

“I’d suggest you fix your attitude, young lady. Like you said—if I were just a little less patient, I’d have already filed the report.”

“I’m sorry! My bad!” Wood Lily snapped to attention and gave a salute.

“Seriously, what even is this situation…”

Lin Yun sighed for real this time. Thinking back to last night’s chaos at the base, he forced himself to sit up straighter, putting on a stern face. “Alright. Let’s talk about the one thing I want from you.”

“Okay.”

Wood Lily nodded meekly, but then blushed and ducked her head. “Uh… it has to be legal though, okay? I’m not doing anything too weird.”

“…What are you imagining?”

Lin Yun had to restrain himself from knocking her on the head. He took a breath and chose his words carefully. “It’s legal. And ethical. But for you… it might be a little out of your comfort zone.”

“Eh?” Wood Lily blinked, then instinctively covered her shoulders.

“I said—what are you thinking? You’re twelve!”

Lin Yun finally gave in and smacked her lightly on the head. “Stop that nonsense.”

“So what do you want me to do?” she asked, her voice trembling. “Let me just say upfront—I’m twelve, okay? So the ‘illegal’ line is pretty far back for me… But if it’s really legal, I guess I could consider it…”

Lin Yun was already done explaining anything to her.

He waved at the surveillance camera, and a moment later, the staffer from earlier entered with a stack of files in his arms.

“These are the documents you attempted to access when you broke into the Bureau archives.”

Lin Yun took the stack, slapped it on the table, and gestured at Wood Lily.

“While we could try to reverse-engineer your goal based on the material you were looking at, I’d prefer to hear it directly from you.”

“So, can you tell me: What exactly were you trying to find in these files?”