Chapter 554

With the opening theme finished, the prologue to this season officially began airing.

That's right, it's not the first episode, it's just the prologue. Just like how the second season of the spin-off aired episode 0 first, the first episode of the fourth season of the main series didn't start directly with the plot of the first episode.

Furthermore, it doesn't follow the story after the side stories. Judging from the timeline in the Sky Screen, it should be before Yu Muqiu went to the Eastern Ocean District to provide support.

Because Yu Muqiu, as seen in the Sky Screen, doesn't seem to have started his holiday yet.

[The beginnings are similar to the previous episodes, focusing on Yu Muqiu, from her getting up, washing up, eating, and setting off.]

Everything seemed to be going exactly the same as before.

The only difference was Yu Muqiu's performance and attitude.

In the beginning, Yu Muqiu always went to school happily with his schoolbag, and this was also the case in the second and third seasons.

But in this season, Yu Muqiu appeared quite composed. She tied her pigtails down a little, making her look rather mature.

Whether eating breakfast or going out, Yu Muqiu behaved like a quiet young girl, completely different from her usual lively self.

Even Yu Muqiu's mother noticed something was wrong:

"Honey, is Xiao Qiu becoming more and more mature?"

While reading the newspaper, Mr. Yu casually replied, "My daughter has grown up; after all, she's already a senior in high school."

"Is that so...?" Mrs. Yu asked with concern. "I always feel like Xiao Qiu has something on her mind... Do you think it might be related to Xiao Ming? Xiao Ming hasn't come back for a year."

"Xiao Ming is a world-renowned creator. He's busy, so it's normal that he can't come back for a while. Don't worry about it."

Yu's father joked with a smile.

Yu's mother tilted her head and thought for a moment, then said, "That's true."

As if their perceptions had been distorted, neither of them had the slightest doubt that Fang Ming had not returned for a long time.

Clearly... this is the effect of magic.

"... We came out a little too early."

On the way, Yu Muqiu raised her wrist to look at the time on her watch. School started at eight o'clock, but it was only a little past seven o'clock, and Yu Muqiu had already left home.

The school isn't far from her home, but if she goes to school at this time, she'll probably have to wait a long time before class starts.

Yu Muqiu thought for a moment, then lowered his wrist. As he passed the intersection leading to the school, he hesitated for a moment, then turned and walked in another direction.

That's Fang Ming's home.

Ding-dong--

Standing in front of Fang Ming's house, Yu Muqiu pressed the doorbell.

After waiting for about a minute, the door was opened, and Song Niandong, wearing pajamas and holding Little Bear, appeared in front of Yu Muqiu. She glanced at Xiao Qiu, then turned to the side, gesturing for Xiao Qiu to come in.

Good morning, Dongdong.

Xiao Qiu greeted Dongdong with a smile.

Song Niandong's expression remained unchanged. She nodded slightly to Yu Muqiu and turned to go back to her room.

Compared to Song Niandong a year ago, the purple-haired girl now seems much colder, exuding an aura that keeps strangers at bay.

This kind of temperament... is very similar to Xiao Bai's.

Yu Muqiu seemed to have long been used to Dongdong's current state. She didn't say anything about Dongdong's attitude, but simply glanced around the living room and asked Dongdong:

"Miss Stella seems to be out?"

Song Niandong curled up on the sofa and didn't answer.

A voice came from the kitchen, answering Yu Muqiu's question:

"Aurora called the bear away to the Eastern Ocean District, saying there's a new Magical Girls or something."

"Huh? A new Magical Girls?"

Yu Muqiu walked to the kitchen door and saw the Black Rabbit Youyou using magic to clean the dishes.

While controlling the plate placed in the sink, Youyou said to Yu Muqiu:

"It seems to be Magical Girls created from Kelly's lost Emotional Force. I'm not entirely sure about the specifics, but... aren't you guys about to start summer vacation? If you're interested, why don't you ask Aurora?"

"Little Red Hong... I feel like she doesn't really like me."

Yu Muqiu scratched his cheek, looking embarrassed.

Youyou spread her hands and said, "She's just not very good at expressing her feelings to other people, um... that's what Stella said."

Yu Muqiu thought for a moment, then stopped pursuing the question. She turned to look at Song Niandong, who was still sitting on the sofa watching TV, and asked:

"Isn't Dongdong going to school today either?"

"Isn't that unnecessary?" Youyou glanced at Song Niandong and said, "Fang Ming... left almost all of his inheritance to you. Even if Dongdong does nothing, she'll never be able to spend all that money in her lifetime, so there's no need for her to go to school, after all..."

After all, Xiao Bai used to be a teacher at the school, and even Dongdong's homeroom teacher.

Youyou didn't say it aloud, but Yu Muqiu understood what she meant.

"Is that so...?"

Yu Muqiu watched Song Niandong's retreating figure. Song Niandong was still sitting on the sofa with her legs drawn up, the light from the television reflected in her glasses, completely obscuring her eyes.

After gazing at Dongdong for a long time, Yu Muqiu finally smiled and said:

"Then let's leave it at that. But... if possible, I still hope Dongdong can go out and make more friends, even if it's just transferring schools, after all..."

Yu Muqiu sighed and said in a voice almost only he could hear, "... Brother Fang Ming certainly doesn't want Dongdong to stay like this forever."

"..."

Song Niandong still didn't react, but her hand holding the remote control clenched unconsciously, her fingertips turning white.

After saying this, Yu Muqiu didn't linger. She said to Youyou:

"Then I'll leave Dongdong in your care. I need to go to school now."

"Why not just skip school? You're Magical Girls, for goodness' sake."

Youyou didn't understand this.

With a world crisis looming and only Magical Girls capable of resolving it, Xiao Qiu and the others should be training even harder to prepare for the impending crisis. Going to school is such a waste of time.

That's what Youyou thinks.

But Yu Muqiu smiled and said:

Even Magical Girls should enjoy life!

Furthermore, if Magical Girls doesn't cultivate her own understanding of emotions on a daily basis, how can she enhance her power?

After Yu Muqiu finished speaking and left, the camera lingered on Song Niandong for the last time before going dark and switching to another scene.

After staying at Fang Ming's house for a while, by the time Yu Muqiu arrived at school, the school had become quite noisy.

The students passing by were chattering about things like homework, but occasionally you could also hear someone talking like this:

"... I heard that there are Magical Girls in our Central Continent District too?"

"Huh? Magical Girls... aren't they just urban legends?"

"No way, Magical Girls seem to have appeared in Americas District and the Eastern Ocean District, and mysterious things have been happening in our Central Continent District for about a year now..."

"Magical Girls, ah, that's wonderful... I wish I could become Magical Girls too."

"Yes, yes, to become Magical Girls, to become a superhero, to save the world..."

"..."

Upon hearing similar discussions, Yu Muqiu couldn't help but stop and linger.

Her gaze fell upon the group of girls who appeared to be first-year students, and in them, Yu Muqiu seemed to see a reflection of her past self.

"Yo, Xiao Qiu, good morning."

With a slap, Yu Muqiu felt a tap on the shoulder.

Turning my head, I saw Chen Xiaoxia, who had grown taller and whose body parts were beginning to develop.

Chen Xiaoxia, her tomboyishness gradually fading, asked Yu Muqiu with a grin, "What's wrong, Xiao Qiu? Why are you spacing out?"

"It's nothing, I just feel... it's so good to be young..."

Yu Muqiu sighed.

"Wow, an old lady is speaking!" Chen Xiaoxia exclaimed in exaggerated surprise, "I didn't know that Xiao Qiu had become an old lady inside?"

"What old lady... really, I just suddenly felt like saying that."

"That's even scarier! It means that Xiao Qiu, you've really turned into an old woman without even realizing it!!"

Chen Xiaoxia's expression became even more exaggerated.

Yu Muqiu sighed and lightly flicked Chen Xiaoxia's forehead, "Don't call me 'old lady,' I'm forever sixteen!"

"... Whoa! A monster's speech is even more terrifying than the old woman's!"

Yu Muqiu made a move to strike, and Chen Xiaoxia immediately assumed a defensive stance and begged for mercy:

"Okay, okay, I was wrong, I'm not joking anymore."

After chatting and laughing for a while, Yu Muqiu asked Chen Xiaoxia, "By the way, where's Xiao Chun? Why aren't you with her?"

"Ah, Xiao Chun has Student Council work to do, so she's leaving first. I also need to go to the Student Council later, after all, I'm a disciplinary committee member..."

Chen Xiaoxia pointed to the armband she was wearing on her left arm.

The words 'Discipline' were written in large characters on it.

"I see..." Yu Muqiu remarked with a sigh, "Student Council is indeed no easy job."

"Yes, after all, she's the Student Council."

Chen Xiaoxia nodded in deep agreement.

Last year, when they had just entered the second grade, Xiao Chun submitted an application to join the Student Council and successfully became the Student Council in the second semester.

Now, half a year has passed, and Xiao Chun has become a well-known figure at school.

In the eyes of some students, Xiao Chun, as the Student Council, was even more terrifying than the teachers.

Volume 6 <Magic Autumn> Season 4: Chapter 594 What exactly was being protected?

"Is Xiaoxia going to the Student Council later?"

After recalling Xiao Chun, Xiao Qiu asked Chen Xiaoxia.

"Of course, want to come together?"

Chen Xiaoxia asked Xiao Qiu a question in return.

Yu Muqiu nodded decisively without hesitation. "Yes, we should go. Perfect... while classes haven't started yet, let's discuss our summer vacation plans."

"Arrangements and such..." Chen Xiaoxia's expression suddenly turned serious. "Has another Pillar-Tier Demon appeared?"

"No, but the ominous aura surrounding the outer reaches of the world is growing stronger, and..."

Xiao Qiu couldn't help but recall the dream she had that morning, and took a deep breath:

"... Also, there are some things I'm concerned about that I need to ask Nino and Ms. Kelly."

"Okay, let's go check on Xiao Chun first. Her work should be almost finished."

Chen Xiaoxia said this.

On the third floor of the new school building, outside the Student Council, Yu Muqiu stood waiting. Chen Xiaoxia went straight in, and then Yu Muqiu heard Xiao Chun's scolding voice coming from inside the Student Council building:

"Xiaoxia! How many times have I told you! As the head of the disciplinary committee, you need to control your own behavior first! Didn't you say you'd be at school by 7:30? Why are you so late!"

"Ah... sorry, sorry, I ran into Xiao Qiu on the way, so..."

"No excuses! Go back and write a self-criticism! Also, Vice President! Please explain what happened with 'the meeting minutes could not be found'!"

"I told you! As these are the last few days before summer vacation, the meeting minutes from these days must be saved carefully, and it's best to have a backup! So why did you lose them again!"