Xia Zili

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Xia Zili (夏子梨) 2
Alias(es)	Magical Girl Ember; Xiao Li 2 14
Species/Race	Magical Girl 2
Gender	Female 2
Affiliation	Magical Girl Company; mentored by the “Three Magical Girl Titans” 2
Occupation/Role	Magical Girl and prospective A-rank operative 2
Status	Active 18 44
Danger Rating	B+ 2
Age	16 2
First Appearance	Chapter 2

Background / History

Xia Zili is Ke Mingqing’s younger sister; although they are the same age, their family considers her his little sister. Under the family’s naming rule, girls take their mother Xia Wenna’s surname. As children, she was notably attached to Ke Mingqing. 2

After reaching puberty and becoming a Magical Girl, Xia Zili grew cold and reclusive. She routinely shut herself in her room, left home without explanation, and ignored messages from her family. Her secret identity and power placed pressure on her while leaving her unable to confide in those around her. 2 21

She had worked as Magical Girl Ember for two years by the time White Jack exposed knowledge of her civilian identity. Ember’s killing of a criminal also provoked widespread online condemnation, despite her belief that magical girls are judged more harshly than heroes for doing similar work. 3 4 15

After killing someone for the first time, Xia Zili began seeing a red-eyed black shadow in mirrors. Fearing this to be an early sign of witchification, she concealed it from the other Magical Girls and eventually confided in Ke Mingqing about her fear of becoming a “lunatic.” 18 22

Appearance

In civilian life, Xia Zili is a delicate-looking schoolgirl with an icy demeanor, medium-length black hair, and a high ponytail secured by a black hair clip. 2 4

• Often wears a blue-and-white school uniform or casual T-shirts and shorts. 2 23
• Wears a flax- or linen-colored nightgown at home. 4 49
• Has long bangs that often obscure her eyes. 4 21
• Her Magical Girl form is built around a dark gothic aesthetic. 2 14

Magical Girl Ember

• Wears a jet-black gothic ceremonial dress whose skirt resembles a black rose. 2 14
• Has black leather gloves and clear, aurora-like eyes. 14
• Carries the dark-gray patterned umbrella Cinderella. 2 14
• Transforms through a dark cocoon of light that shatters around her. 14 18

Personality

Xia Zili initially presents herself as indifferent, cold, and easily irritated, particularly toward her family. She is private about her feelings and reacts strongly when others intrude on her identity as Ember or treat Magical Girls as shallow idols. 2 4 11

Behind this reserve, she is sensitive to public condemnation and deeply lonely. Ke Mingqing’s defense of Ember online affects her strongly, but she resents being briefly cared for only to feel neglected afterward. 8 11 21

She is protective of people she cares about, including Little Red Riding Hood, whose home life she asks about despite their distance as teammates. She also shows a teasing, mischievous side in her exchanges with Ke Mingqing. 18 27

Abilities & Skills

Magical Girl Transformation

Xia Zili can instantly transform into Magical Girl Ember, summoning her ceremonial outfit and weapon regardless of where she is. 14 23

• Her transformation takes less than a second. 14
• She can return to her civilian form by dismissing her magical attire and umbrella. 18

Flight

Ember uses magical power through Cinderella to fly at high speed. 14

• Magical ripples beneath her feet launch her into the air. 14
• She can pursue aerial targets across the city and travel above the clouds. 14 17
• Her speed exceeds White Jack’s Theater Puppet. 14

Magical Combat

Ember is an experienced combatant, though she can be outmatched by stronger opponents.

• Fired a magical bullet at White Jack during their confrontation. 15
• Pursued White Jack after discovering it knew her true identity. 15
• Fought the A-rank vampire Stro at Zero Overpass, but sustained injuries before Red Lotus and Rain Crow intervened. 24
• Her B+ danger rating and prospective A-rank status place her among the stronger Magical Girls, though not at the level of Xi Ziyue. 2 14

Witchification Risk

Magical Girls who have killed may fall into witchification, losing their true nature and becoming targets for other Magical Girls. 2 18

• Xia Zili’s recurring vision of a black, red-eyed shadow began after her first killing. 18
• She fears becoming a witch, being hunted, and dying alone. 18 22
• Her fear of this fate contributes to her emotional isolation and reliance on Ke Mingqing’s reassurance. 18 22

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Cinderella — Dark-gray patterned umbrella and Ember’s primary magical weapon; classified as a mutated magical weapon. 2 18
• Protective charm — A charm given to Ember by Xi Ziyue, used on Xi Ziyue’s instruction when confronting White Jack. 15

Relationships

• Ke Mingqing — Younger brother by family role and same-age sibling. Their distant relationship improves after he defends Ember online and reassures her that she remains family despite her feared mental decline. She later becomes suspicious that he may be connected to White Jack. 2 8 18 22 35
• Ke Mingwei — Father. His strict no-killing principles and criticism of Ember’s actions intensify Xia Zili’s frustration over society’s treatment of Magical Girls. 4
• Xia Wenna — Mother. Xia Zili shares her surname under the family’s rule that daughters take their mother’s name. 2
• Xia Ningzhi / Red Lotus — Older sister. Red Lotus learns that Ember is her younger sister after White Jack reveals Xia Zili’s identity. 25 34
• Xi Ziyue — One of Ember’s three mentors and a leader in the Magical Girl Company. Xi Ziyue reprimands Xia Zili for bringing trouble to their meeting and temporarily withholds missions after the Dawn Capital Square incident. 2 14 18
• Little Red Riding Hood — Fellow Magical Girl and teammate. Though their relationship became distant, Xia Zili expresses concern for her welfare and asks to visit her as an ordinary friend. 13 18
• White Jack — A hostile figure who stalks Ember, reveals knowledge of her civilian identity, and becomes the focus of Xia Zili’s suspicions toward Ke Mingqing. 14 15 34 35

Story Role / Major Arcs

Ember Controversy

A video of Ember killing a superhuman criminal goes viral, bringing intense criticism and forcing Xi Ziyue to publicly apologize on her behalf. Xia Zili privately argues that Magical Girls should not be condemned for fighting criminals as heroes do. 3 4

White Jack Encounter

White Jack tracks Xia Zili to a meeting with Xi Ziyue and reveals her name during an aerial confrontation. The disclosure shocks her because no enemy had known her identity during her two years as a Magical Girl. 14 15

Witchification Fear

Following the White Jack incident and continued public pressure, Xia Zili sees the black shadow in mirrors and fears she is becoming a witch. She seeks Ke Mingqing’s acceptance, asking whether he would still consider her family if she became someone unrecognizable. 18 22

Zero Overpass Battle

Ember confronts Stro, an A-rank vampire associated with Deathbird, but is injured and overwhelmed. Red Lotus and Rain Crow arrive, allowing Ember to escape unnoticed. 23 24

Suspicion of White Jack

After White Jack reveals Ember’s identity to Red Lotus, Xia Zili begins questioning Ke Mingqing about White Jack and whether the puppet is truly dead. Her suspicion remains unresolved. 34 35

Trivia

• Xia Zili is illiterate and has never added a book to the family bookshelf, despite wanting to place her favorite Charlie IX detective novels or shoujo manga there. 41
• She memorizes English vocabulary while waiting for the school bus. 11
• She dislikes Rain Crow’s appearance and considers White Jack less ugly by comparison. 10
• She is intensely embarrassed by Ember merchandise and initially forbids Ke Mingqing from buying Ember fan shirts or figurines. 11 20
• She later accepts Ke Mingqing’s interest in Ember and permits him to wear Ember fan T-shirts. 44