Off Work, Then I Become a Magical Girl
Chapter 72: In Danger

As one of the fundamental spells, the Magical Barrier is a required lesson for most magic users—and even Magical Girls.

The barrier serves many purposes: first, it can be used for defense, blocking magical attacks; second, it can create an enclosed space, which is useful for trapping enemies, protecting oneself, soundproofing, or even serving as an experimental field.

The massive Magical Barrier currently covering the welfare home is another application of this spell.

However, Tian Sheng was far from capable of producing something of this scale. Enveloping an entire complex in a Magical Barrier was impossible even for those at the Controller level—it had to be the work of an entire group.

It was safe to assume that the people chasing him were responsible.

He picked one of the dice in his hand, choosing the one that looked the newest. Clutching it tightly, he channeled his magic, causing intricate glowing patterns to light up across its surface.

Behind him, the black-robed figure’s hands erupted with light. In the next instant, several blazing crimson magic bullets shot forward, streaking through the air toward Tian Sheng’s head.

Just as the bullets were about to hit, he flung the die behind him. In that split second, a hexagonal Magical Barrier burst into existence at his back.

Several magic bullets struck the barrier, and almost instantly, cracks began to spread across it, accompanied by a sharp, metallic screech, as if tearing through steel.

The black-robed figure’s spell was called Flame Bullet, a common energy-based offensive spell. Among spells of its level, it boasted high destructive power, far surpassing that of most small-caliber firearms.

As the battle raged on, both combatants could clearly see the impact—Flame Bullets that missed the barrier slammed into the walls of the corridor, leaving behind deep, gaping craters.

The clash between their spells lasted less than two seconds before the Flame Bullets finally burned out. However, Tian Sheng’s Magical Barrier was also completely shattered.

Boom!

The spell structure collapsed at close range, and the force of the explosion sent Tian Sheng hurtling forward, accelerating past his original running speed. He was launched into the air, spinning uncontrollably.

This was it.

As he soared through the air, a realization hit him.

The moment he landed, the two pursuers would already have another spell prepared. At that point, he and the little girl on his shoulder would no longer have a chance to escape.

He didn't know that their target was Bai Jingxuan, but it didn’t matter. He wanted this unfortunate child, who had only lived for ten short years, to survive.

When it came to spellcraft, he was a novice who barely qualified as a magic user—but in real life, he was a caretaker at this welfare home.

And as a caretaker, his duty was clear:

These children, abandoned to this place because of misfortune, deserved a future filled with happiness.

Summoning the last of his strength, he let go mid-air and, at a low altitude, threw Bai Jingxuan forward.

A moment later, he crashed to the ground, grimacing in pain.

Not far away, Bai Jingxuan landed slightly better than him. She hit the ground on her side and rolled down the corridor several times before stopping.

Lifting her head, her dust-covered face blinked in shock as she stared at Tian Sheng.

"Your condition… isn’t bad enough to be acting like this, right?"

Still lying on the ground, Tian Sheng forced a weak smile.

"Don’t let Uncle Tian’s effort go to waste—run."

Only then did Bai Jingxuan realize that feeling had begun returning to her legs.

Yet, compared to regaining mobility, her heart suddenly felt unbearably heavy.

She was a smart child. She knew what needed to be done in moments like this.

Even if she didn’t want to, she understood what was happening. She understood what Tian Sheng meant. She knew the best way to repay him was to turn and run.

"Thank you."

Without hesitation, she whispered her gratitude. Then, pressing her hands to the floor, she scrambled to her feet and stumbled away.

Behind her, Tian Sheng grinned as he watched her go. Then, clenching the die in his hand, his face hardened with resolve.

He turned back toward his pursuers and unleashed another spell.

A futile battle had begun again.

---

Hearing the ferocious clash of spells behind her, Bai Jingxuan nearly turned back—but she clenched her teeth and forced herself forward.

Soon, she reached the stairwell at the far end of the corridor.

And there, she encountered something completely unexpected.

"…Moko?"

Outside the corridor window, a pink cat-like fairy was frantically pounding on the glass, its mouth open as if shouting something.

There was no time for hesitation—she opened the window and let Moko in.

"Xiao Xuan! Hah… hah… Finally, I found you—RUN!"

Moko leaped inside, shouting frantically. After catching its breath for a second, it continued,

"I overheard them talking! Their target is YOU!"

Its urgent voice carried an outdated piece of information.

"Mm, I know."

Breathing heavily but emotionally unshaken, Bai Jingxuan nodded.

"Huh? You already knew?"

Moko froze, looking embarrassed for a second before straightening up with a serious expression.

"Anyway, the entire welfare home is sealed by a Magical Barrier—escaping isn’t an option, but we can find a place to hide!"

"Where?" Bai Jingxuan asked blankly.

"Wait… you don’t know where to hide?"

Moko was stunned again. More awkward silence. But then, it quickly recovered:

"No matter! Just start running! Those guys are catching up again! And that fight just now is gonna draw in even more enemies!"

It wasn’t wrong.

After all, Moko itself had been drawn here by the explosions.

Upon discovering the Magical Barrier, Moko immediately thought of finding Bai Jingxuan—but on the way, it overheard the black-robed figures discussing their target.

In a panic, Moko rushed to her room, only to find it empty. Then, it ran in circles like a headless fly, desperately searching for her.

With magic signatures surging everywhere, its already weak sense of perception was completely thrown off.

At one point, Moko even thought she’d been captured and nearly ran straight into danger. If not for the explosions, it would have never found this place.

Unfortunately, as a fairy with no combat abilities, even after reuniting with Bai Jingxuan, all it could do was offer outdated news.

So after picking a random direction, they ran together toward the third floor.

When they saw others running downstairs, they changed course and fled to the fourth floor.

Still, as Bai Jingxuan ran, the corridors around her began to lose their meaning.

Tian Sheng’s sacrifice triggered memories—memories of an event three years ago that changed her life.

She recalled the screams, the chaos, and the searing pain in her left eye—and then, the arms that caught her as she fell.

In her fear and confusion, that embrace had been the safest place in the world.

She remembered the girl in the pink dress.

A Magical Girl.

---

And now…

She took a deep breath, her heart clearer than ever before.

"Tell me—what do I have to do to become a Magical Girl?"