Off Work, Then I Become a Magical Girl
Book 2: Chapter 131: Tulip

Vol 2 Chapter 131: Tulip

Tulip used to be a well-known figure in the Rune Nore City Defense Corps.

It wasn’t just because her mother was the legion commander. In fact, very few people in the legion even knew Tulip’s real name or her relationship to the commander.

The reason she became a renowned member of the city defense force—once even praised as the “Angel of Command”—was due to her dedication and work within the military.

The “angel” part referred not only to her striking blonde hair and beautiful looks, but also to her empathetic, gentle demeanor, and the nature of her work as a medical and logistics officer—saving lives and healing the wounded.

She was the most skilled medical officer in the entire logistics and medical division, and also the one best at handling emergencies and allocating resources. She had personally treated countless severely injured soldiers, brought back lives hanging by a thread, and saved many from permanent disability. She had also successfully organized multiple post-battle mass treatment operations. Even when the medical corps was stretched to the brink, she managed to keep things running, ensuring more wounded soldiers could be treated in time.

Such achievements naturally earned her deep respect and admiration from the troops. On top of that, her gentle manner and soft-spoken comfort while treating patients were known as “the best mental therapy.” Many frontline soldiers claimed that after being treated by her, they felt “soothed by an angel.” That reputation only fueled the mystique around her, and the nickname “Angel” continued to spread.

However, due to different job roles, Veronica and Tulip were little more than acquaintances at the time. They had only met a few times, mostly within the legion commander’s command center or the medical logistics department. Since Veronica rarely got injured on the frontlines and never received Tulip’s treatment, they barely knew each other.

Now, Veronica felt thankful for that lack of familiarity.

Thanks to her keen eyes and sharp memory, she had recognized the girl before her at first glance. But hidden behind her identity as "Gentian," it appeared Tulip hadn’t recognized her.

“You’re here this late—were you looking for someone?”

The blonde Magical Girl, who by all accounts should’ve had the codename Tulip, gave Veronica just a quick glance before turning to the curly-haired girl beside her. “Do you know her?”

“Nope, never seen her.”

With a yawn-induced tear in her eye, the curly-haired girl covered her mouth and shook her head. “She said she’s looking for ‘Mohe.’ Must’ve come to the wrong place?”

“Mohe…”

The blonde girl’s expression froze for a second. Her face grew noticeably more serious as she looked back at Veronica, her gaze now sharp and alert. “Who are you?”

Veronica noticed that although the girl hadn’t moved much, one hand had already slipped behind her back—a classic pre-transformation gesture.

The readiness and wariness in her reaction made Veronica question herself: Did I say something wrong?

In her memory, Tulip had always been a kind, gentle Magical Girl. Why was she now acting so hostile?

“I’m Mohe’s teammate. I came to borrow her car.”

Not wanting to escalate things, Veronica pretended not to notice the other girl’s defensiveness. She kept her explanation simple and direct: “But the young lady beside you said she doesn’t know ‘Mohe.’ Did I come to the wrong place?”

“Borrow a car?”

The blonde narrowed her golden eyes, locking them on Veronica’s face as if trying to read something hidden there. “Then why did you come here?”

“Because I came here with her two days ago.”

A cold breeze blew against Veronica’s back, making her legs involuntarily shiver twice, but she still maintained her innocent façade. “She told me she was staying here. I figured I didn’t remember the address wrong. Did she move?”

The blonde girl fell silent for a few seconds but didn’t take her eyes off Veronica. She seemed to be thinking. However, the hand behind her back gradually relaxed and dropped back to her side—apparently letting go of the thought of transforming.

“You remembered correctly. Mohe does live here.”

She closed her eyes, and the sharpness in her gaze vanished as she spoke. “But she’s busy with work right now. I’ll go get her.”

—“Huh? So there really is a Mohe?”

The most surprised one turned out to be the curly-haired girl. “Wait, don’t tell me the ‘Mohe’ she mentioned is Bl—”

She didn’t finish the sentence. Before she could say the last part, the blonde reached out from inside the house and pulled her in. Her voice cut off instantly.

Now alone outside, Veronica stared at the small house as the barrier spell reactivated around it, lost in thought.

She didn’t know exactly why, but it seemed that by speaking plainly and concisely, she had managed to defuse what could’ve been a dangerous situation.

Judging by Tulip’s reaction, if she hadn’t made her intentions clear within three sentences, the girl might’ve started a fight right there in the Rainbow Wetlands.

Veronica was confident she could hold her own in a fight, even now. But she hadn’t forgotten why she’d come here. Getting into a conflict would waste time and completely defeat the purpose.

She didn’t want to fight, which was why she tried to defuse the tension. But even though she succeeded, a new doubt had surfaced:

Is this girl really Tulip? Why is she with Mohe, and why has she changed so much?

Visually, there was no doubt—this was the same blonde Magical Girl she remembered. But her cold, hostile attitude was worlds apart from the warm, gentle Tulip Veronica once knew.

Veronica already knew that Mohe and her “team” were involved in activities the Kingdom would consider borderline betrayal. It made sense that the team members would be more guarded to avoid exposure. But even with that in mind, would someone once known for kindness really display this level of hostility?

She didn’t get it. But she also didn’t have time to figure it out right now.

Her priority was to borrow the vehicle and resolve the identity conflict with Lin Xiaolu. She’d already spent five minutes outside the house. She needed to hurry.

So when Mohe finally stepped out of the house, Veronica didn’t ask about Tulip. She decided to deal with the Lin Xiaolu issue first, then circle back to questions later.

“Sorry to bother you so late, Mohe, but I need to take care of something in the Mana-Free Zone. Could I borrow your car?”

Mohe was still wearing that black school uniform and knit cardigan, clearly not resting. Once she confirmed the visitor was Veronica, she stepped outside and approached:

“You’re going to the Mana-Free Zone? I’ll take you.”

“…Thanks, but that won’t be necessary.”

Veronica shook her head. “I’m not exactly sure of the location. I need to drive around to find it, so borrowing your car is less trouble than making you escort me. It’ll take up too much of your time.”

Mohe glanced back at the house and saw that the curly-haired girl had poked her head out, clearly trying to eavesdrop. With a snap of her fingers, Mohe reactivated the barrier spell, sealing the girl back inside.

“I have plenty of time,” she said calmly. “Just think of it as a night drive.”

“Your companion told me you were still working.”

Veronica didn’t buy it. “Also, I’ve been thinking about what we talked about this afternoon. Maybe we both need a bit of time apart.”

“Time apart… I understand.”

Mohe nodded without emotion. “If that’s what you need.”

She didn’t ask further, nor did she press the matter. She simply took a step closer, slowly raised her hand, and took off her cardigan. Spreading it out, she smoothed the wrinkles and then stepped behind Veronica, gently draping it over her shoulders.

“It’s cold tonight. Let me lend you this too, or you’ll be uncomfortable.”

Her hand lingered on Veronica’s shoulder for a moment, then fell away as she turned and walked ahead.

“Come on. I’ll take you to get the car.”