An Adult's Arrogance

He Xuan, who had heard that Xiao Qiu and the others had once again escaped official 'protection' and disappeared without a trace, questioned the member of the Investigation Department who was in charge of taking care of Xiao Qiu and the others.

The investigators nodded. "They disappeared after lunch, and we don't know where they went."

"Forget it, since they don't want us to know what they're doing, let's stop looking. They'll come back on their own when the time comes."

He Xuan waved to her subordinate, signaling her to leave, then sat down in a chair and sighed.

The Magical Girls are free to move around, because if they want to leave, the authorities can't do anything about it.

Unless the entire city's surveillance equipment is used to monitor these Magical Girls, it is impossible to detect their existence with the naked eye.

But once they actually use surveillance equipment, their role is no longer 'protecting' the Magical Girls, but 'surveilling' her.

This is something that Minister Xu has explicitly forbidden.

They've already made Xiao Bai lose faith in their Investigation Department; they can't let other Magical Girls lose faith in the Investigation Department too.

So He Xuan chose to ignore it.

"But should I tell them about this...?"

He Xuan muttered to herself, spreading the documents in her hand on the table, her brows furrowed.

The documents were few, just an archive and a few photos. Leaving aside the contents of the archive, what was truly important were the images in the photos that accompanied it.

One of the photos shows two figures, one in red and one in blue, chasing each other between skyscrapers.

In the next photo, the figure in red caught the photographer's eye and suddenly turned its head.

Because the photographer was startled by the subject, the final photo is very blurry, and it can only be vaguely made out that it should be a girl with long red hair.

If these photos are not fake, it is enough to prove that, in addition to the Magical Girls like Xiao Qiu who are active in Spring City, there are indeed other Magical Girls in other cities.

I just don't know if these Magical Girls and Xiao Qiu and the others belong to the same system.

Chapter 125 Adult Arrogance

Wow! So many Xiao Bai!

Wearing glasses that block perception, Xiao Qiu stood in the anime store, her eyes shining brighter than light bulbs as she looked at the various "Xiao Bai" in the front row.

Xiao Bai stood behind her, with Dongdong on her left, arms crossed, and Xiao Chun on her right, who tried to approach but was always deterred by Dongdong's glares.

Seeing the two girls exchanging sharp glances, Xiao Bai sighed. She first ruffled Dongdong's hair to calm her down, then looked at Xiao Chun, who was carrying a cat carrier, and asked:

"Come to think of it, I haven't asked yet."

As Xiao Bai spoke, he pointed to his figurines not far away and asked, "... Shouldn't I charge royalties for these things?"

Because Xiao Bai blocked her and Dongdong's line of sight, Xiao Chun couldn't help but turn her gaze to Xiao Bai as well.

She turned her head to look at the figurine Xiao Bai was pointing to, as well as the Magical Girls merchandise around her, and then said to Xiao Bai:

"The profits related to Magical Girls are currently concentrated in the Investigation Department. We have the authority to allocate funds there, including yours, Xiao Bai. If you wish, the Investigation Department will give you your share."

"I see. I thought they had 'confiscated' my share."

"... No matter what, the higher-ups wouldn't do something so foolish. They wouldn't dare provoke Magical Girls who possesses extraordinary power."

Xiao Chun said in a low voice.

It's true that some people have had inappropriate thoughts about the benefits these Magical Girls bring, but thankfully, the majority of people are rational.

Although the higher-ups didn't pay too much attention to the opinions of Magical Girls, they at least understood the principle that Magical Girls shouldn't be pushed to the opposite side.

"Really? That's good."

Xiao Bai didn't care about that little bit of money. As long as it wasn't misappropriated by certain people, she didn't mind her share becoming a fund for the Magical Girls' activities.

Xiao Chun continued, "The money for buying the figurines and other things later can actually be covered by this..."

"There's no need for that right now. I'll pay for the things."

Xiao Bai rejected Xiao Chun's suggestion.

Once the Investigation Department's funds are used, their whereabouts will become traceable.

Although the Investigation Department seems quiet now, at Xiao Chun's suggestion, they haven't actually issued a warrant for Song Niandong's arrest, and the search for Xiao Bai is very lenient, almost nonexistent.

However, there is no guarantee that some of them might have ulterior motives.

Therefore, just in case, it's better to use the anonymous bank card that Fang Ming prepared for payment.

Safe and worry-free.

"Dongdong, Dongdong! What do you think of this?"

While Xiao Chun and Xiao Bai were chatting, Yu Muqiu handed several figurines of Xiao Bai and Xiao Qiu to Song Niandong.

Both figures are in Magical Girl Form, especially Xiao Qiu herself, Xiao Qiu is in her Shining Form.

Less than a week had passed between the end of the first season and the fifth episode of the second season, and Xiao Qiu in her Shining Form had already appeared here, which is enough to prove the manufacturer's production speed.

Song Niandong didn't look at Xiao Qiu's figure, but stared at Xiao Bai's figure for a while, and finally shook his head:

"I don't like this kind of older sister..."

"Huh? Is that so?" Xiao Qiu flipped the figurine over and looked at it, then nodded in agreement. "Yeah, that's true. This Xiao Bai looks a lot like the real thing, but it's a bit too cold. What kind does Dongdong like?"

"Hmm..." Song Niandong hesitated for a moment, then walked to the display case. His gaze swept over the numerous figures, and when he saw a particular figure on the lower shelf, his eyes lit up. He picked it up and said:

"I like this!"

As she spoke, Song Niandong showed the figurine to everyone.

This is a figure based on the character Xiao Bai, and it has been redesigned.

It's called a secondary creation because the Xiao Bai in Song Niandong's hand is wearing the summer uniform of Spring City High School.

She wore a short skirt, black stockings, and round-toed shoes, and was sitting on a desk with her right leg raised, the shoe half hanging off her toes, revealing the back half of her black-clad foot.

He had an arrogant demeanor, but there was a slightly mischievous smile in his eyes.

It was practically like flirting with someone.

It must be said that Dongdong has a good eye. From the perspective of an "old gentleman," this figure, although a fan-made creation, has a unique and captivating charm.

If... this figure didn't Xiao Bai herself, she would definitely have added it to her collection.

But--

"This won't do." Xiao Bai took the figurine box from Song Niandong's hand, put it back in its original place, and then picked up another one and stuffed it into Song Niandong's arms.

"That's fine."

The Xiao Bai that Xiao Bai picked up again was Shiro in his battle form, holding a scythe, surrounded by chains, and facing sideways.

Compared to Xiao Bai is so obviously flawed that it's easy to spot, Xiao Bai's battle form is clearly a better fit.

Song Niandong watched with bated breath as Xiao Bai put the black-stockinged white figure back in its place, then looked down at the battle white figure in her hand. Without saying a word, she silently put away the figure Xiao Bai had chosen.

But she seemed quite disappointed.

Seeing this, Xiao Bai felt a little soft-hearted. Just then, Xiao Qiu also sided with Dongdong and said to Xiao Bai:

"If Dongdong likes this, then give it to her!"

"No... I meant that Dongdong's toy form after 'Materialization' is the same as its form before 'Materialization'. The previous form would have revealed a flaw..."

"Then why don't we just not use it?"

"..."

I can't very well say that it's just something I find disgusting to look at!

Xiao Bai sighed heavily in her heart, but her expression remained unchanged. She simply picked up the black stockings she had just put back, as Song Niandong's eyes brightened again.

"Alright, if you want it, then keep it."

When it was handed over to Song Niandong, Xiao Bai suddenly solemnly instructed Song Niandong:

"But you're not allowed to do anything weird with my figurines!"

"Something strange?"

Song Niandong tilted her head, not quite understanding.

Xiao Bai was stunned for a moment upon seeing this. Being looked at with such innocent eyes, Xiao Bai couldn't help but blush and feel guilty.

What am I thinking?!

How could a pure child like Song Niandong use her figurines to do anything bad? Probably the worst thing Song Niandong could do is to bring the Xiao Bai figurine to life and use it to sleep.

"... It's alright, let's keep buying."

After ruffling Song Niandong's hair, Xiao Bai turned around and wanted to buy other Magical Girls figurines.

But as soon as she turned her head, she saw that Xiao Chun's face was flushed for some reason, and she kept glancing at Song Niandong. She wondered what was going through her mind.

After suspiciously withdrawing his gaze from Xiao Chun, Xiao Bai prepared to buy the figurines of the other two.

However, when Xiaobai walked up to Xiao Qiu's figurine, Xiao Bai found Xiao Qiu deep in thought, holding her figurine, seemingly lost in thought.

"What's wrong?"

Seeing Xiao Qiu deep in thought, Xiao Bai couldn't help but walk over to Xiao Qiu and ask.

Looking at her figurine, Xiao Qiu looked up at Xiao Bai and asked, "I'm wondering if what we're doing is a bit wrong, after all... isn't this... deceiving Xiaoxia?"

Previously, Xiao Qiu was so happy about going shopping with Xiao Bai that she didn't think too much about it.

But now that I've calmed down and thought about it, what they did seems... no, it really was very bad for Xiaoxia.

Anyway, if it were Xiao Qiu, and she realized that her friends were deceiving her, Xiao Qiu would feel sad even if she didn't say anything.

"I guess so," Xiao Bai, then added, "But we have no choice but to do it."

"Why? Actually, we don't need to be in such a hurry. Xiaoxia will definitely activate her Shining Form, right?"

"I know Xiaoxia will definitely activate her Shining Form, but when? Will she activate it when the Demons officially invade, or sometime later?"

Xiao Bai countered with a question to Xiao Qiu, then said, "We already know that after activating the Shining Form, one's strength will increase dramatically for a period of time, so the sooner this form is activated, the better."

"The earlier we open, the more time we have to improve our strength and prepare for the coming Demons."

"Furthermore, even if I want to give Xiaoxia time, what if Xiaoxia can't activate it after seeing what she looks like in her Shining Form?"

Xiao Bai rarely explained these things to Xiao Qiu.

Just as she couldn't activate her Erosion Form no matter what she did after seeing it, Xiao Bai was worried that Xiaoxia would be confident she could activate it after seeing her Shining Form, only to find herself unable to do so.

Moreover, if you really have to wait until a long time later, when facing a life-or-death crisis, to activate your Shining Form, then the period of rapid power enhancement during that time will be completely wasted!

Xiao Bai looked at Xiao Qiu, who seemed lost in thought, and said softly:

"I could actually protect you all, shielding you from all the storms, but..."

Xiao Bai picked up the figurine from Xiao Qiu's hand, looked at the other Xiao Qiu, and whispered, "... But I always have to be prepared for something to happen to me..."

"!! Xiao Bai, what nonsense are you talking about! You won't get hurt!!" Yu Muqiu immediately became anxious upon hearing Xiao Bai's words.

She didn't want Xiao Bai to say such things, and she especially didn't want anything to really happen to Xiao Bai.

Xiao Bai looked up and met Yu Muqiu's gaze, then placed the figurine back into Yu Muqiu's hands, turned around, and said:

"It's only a possibility."

Everyone will be alright; everyone will live to face a bright future.

Ultimately, this is just a wish.

There are far too many unexpected events in reality. As the old saying goes, you never know whether tomorrow or an accident will come first.

Therefore, Xiao Bai should make all possible preparations whenever possible.

Perhaps doing this would be Pain and heartbreaking for Yu Muqiu and the others, but there are some things she had no choice but to do.

After all...

What if?

What if Xiao Bai can't stop all the enemies in the future? What Xiao Bai dies on the front line against the Demons? What if the Magical Girls have to bear all the burdens in the future?

Xiao Bai must at least ensure that the Magical Girls have the capacity to bear all of this.

Perhaps this will be called adult arrogance.

But so be it. It's better to be arrogant than to regret not doing it back then if that day ever comes.