Off Work, Then I Become a Magical Girl
Chapter 89: First Conversation with Bai Jingxuan

"Although this is our first meeting, there's no need to be so reserved. Have a seat."

"Yes, teacher."

"You don’t need to call me ‘teacher.’ You can just call me Veronica."

"Understood, teacher."

"Why do you insist on calling me ‘teacher’?"

"The caretakers said that addressing someone who teaches you as ‘teacher’ is more polite."

"Magical Girls don’t use master-disciple titles. We only refer to those with more experience as ‘senpai.’"

"Got it! Senpai-teacher!"

"…Just call me teacher."

This conversation took place in the afternoon of the same day.

At Lin Xiaolu's home—who was also Veronica—while the other two girls were practicing magic, Veronica left the living room with Bai Jingxuan and led her to the dining area for a one-on-one conversation.

This was Veronica’s first time speaking directly with the newcomer and also her first time seeing Bai Jingxuan’s true appearance.

Contrary to her delicate and frail look, with her bobbed hair and medical eye patch, Bai Jingxuan gave off a subtly boyish vibe when she spoke.

Perhaps it was her simple and clean-cut pants outfit, or maybe the sharp gleam in her right eye, or even the subtle steadiness in her tone. Whatever the reason, when all these elements combined, it felt as though one were speaking to a quiet, mature young boy.

Veronica had assumed that, given Bai Jingxuan’s past experiences, the girl would be withdrawn and reserved. But contrary to her expectations, Bai Jingxuan seemed perfectly normal.

And yet, when paired with her past, this sense of normalcy felt strangely out of place.

Of course, this wasn’t something that could be resolved through mere conversation. For now, Veronica's main task was simply to get to know Bai Jingxuan as a person and evaluate her potential as a Magical Girl.

There was no doubt that Bai Jingxuan was a rather unique case, even among Magical Girls, given her identity as a "Deviator."

As for her personality and mannerisms, they matched Veronica’s first impression—this child showed no signs of any problems.

However, after their conversation had flowed smoothly for a while, just as Veronica was considering what to ask next, Bai Jingxuan suddenly spoke up.

"Um, teacher, there's actually something I’d like to ask you."

"Go ahead?" Veronica responded casually.

"You introduced us as Fangting City's Magical Girl squad just now, right?"

"Mm-hmm."

"Is there… a Magical Girl here who wears a pink dress and has pink hair?"

Veronica's gaze snapped up at the question.

There was no doubt—Bai Jingxuan was describing Aya.

Hearing such a familiar description from a stranger caught her off guard, but she quickly suppressed her emotions and kept her expression neutral.

"Why do you ask?"

"Because… if she’s still in Fangting City, I’d really like to meet her."

Bai Jingxuan looked at Veronica, her only remaining eye clear and bright.

"Three years ago, when I was caught in a Ravager attack, she saved my life. I've always wanted to thank her."

This child… was saved by Aya?

For a moment, Veronica was stunned.

But then, she realized—it was entirely possible.

The records showed that Bai Jingxuan had indeed survived a Ravager attack three years ago. At that time, Aya had still been alive and was actively operating in Fangting City. Given Aya’s strength, saving a child in the midst of a disaster wouldn’t have been difficult at all.

Yet, after confirming this, Veronica found herself at a loss for words.

Because Aya was already dead.

Should she tell Bai Jingxuan the truth right here and now? Would it be too cruel for her to learn that the Magical Girl she wanted to meet had already perished?

But if she chose not to tell her, how long could she keep it a secret? It wasn’t exactly classified information.

Veronica thought about Bai Jingxuan’s past—how her parents had died at the hands of Ravagers. She also recalled Liu Wenqin’s request to help this child process her experiences in a healthy way.

Veronica realized… she would have to lie.

She could sense that Aya—Sakura—was likely the main reason Bai Jingxuan was embracing her identity as a Magical Girl so positively. If she cut off that connection too suddenly, then all that would remain to sustain Bai Jingxuan's motivation would be her power… and her hatred toward the Ravagers who killed her parents.

Veronica had seen Magical Girls like that before—those who fought because their loved ones had been taken from them. Consumed by vengeance, they eventually burned themselves out.

She couldn’t let Bai Jingxuan end up like that.

So, maintaining a nonchalant tone, she said, "Yes, there was once a Magical Girl like that in Fangting City, but she left two years ago."

"Two years ago?"

Bai Jingxuan's expression visibly dimmed. "I see… I thought that after becoming a Magical Girl, I’d finally be able to meet her."

Veronica remained silent.

She couldn’t bring herself to say, "Someday, you’ll see her again."

Because even she couldn’t believe those words.

If she could, she would want to see Aya again, too.

And yet, she didn’t want to keep lying to this poor child any longer.

By this point, Veronica already had some thoughts on how to guide Bai Jingxuan—not just in developing her powers as a Deviator, but also in ensuring that she maintained a positive outlook on being a Magical Girl.

She had to make sure that Bai Jingxuan saw this life as something fulfilling, something joyful.

That way, when the truth about Aya eventually came to light, she wouldn’t be swallowed by despair.

Given Bai Jingxuan’s past, Veronica had to prepare for the worst. No matter how normal she seemed now, she couldn’t let her guard down.

Besides… perhaps it was just her imagination, but Bai Jingxuan’s eerie calmness felt like that of a dormant volcano. It seemed peaceful on the surface, but beneath it, molten fury still simmered.

Veronica could only hope she was wrong.

"That pink-haired Magical Girl… I remember she called herself Sakura, right?" Bai Jingxuan asked, her tone curious. "Miss Sakura—where did she go?"

"Where… did she go?"

Veronica’s gaze drifted to Bai Jingxuan before lowering slightly.

"A place where Magical Girls can live without worries, I suppose."

At least, she hoped that was true.

If there was a place for souls to go after death, then Aya—who had saved so many—surely deserved to rest somewhere peaceful.

A place with beauty and tranquility, where she would be honored for all she had done.

Veronica could only wish that Aya had found everything she had ever wanted there.

And with that thought, she realized—

Tomorrow was Aya’s death anniversary.