First Conversation with Bai Jingxuan

"Although this is our first meeting, you don't need to be so reserved. Please sit down."

"Yes, teacher."

"You don't need to call me teacher, you can call me Larkspur."

"Understood, teacher."

"Why do you have to call me teacher?"

"The caregivers said that it's more polite to address the person who taught them this way."

"Magical girls don't address each other as master and apprentice. We only call those more experienced than ourselves 'senpai'."

"Understood, senior teacher!"

"... You should still call me teacher."

The above conversation took place on the afternoon of the same day.

At Lin Xiaolu's (also known as Larkspur's ) home, while the other two girls were practicing magic, Larkspur left the living room and led Bai Jingxuan to the dining room for a one-on-one conversation.

This was the first time Larkspur had a direct conversation with this newcomer, and also the first time she had seen Bai Jingxuan in her original form.

Contrary to her delicate appearance with her bob haircut and medical blindfold, Bai Jingxuan's speech reveals a subtle boyishness.

Perhaps it was her simple and clean pantsuit, or the bright light in her right eye, or the subtle composure in her voice. In any case, these elements combined made one feel as if they were talking to a quiet, precocious little boy.

Larkspur had assumed that, given her past experiences, the child in front of her would be more introverted and withdrawn. However, contrary to her expectations, Bai Jingxuan seemed perfectly normal.

And this sense of normalcy, combined with her experiences, is so strange.

But clearly, this isn't something that can be resolved through discussion right now. What she needs to do now is simply to learn about Bai Jingxuan as a person, and her talent as a magical girl.

Without a doubt, Bai Jingxuan is quite special even among magical girls, possessing the identity of a "Offsetter".

As for his personality and behavior, just as Larkspur had initially perceived, the child did not exhibit any problems.

However, after the conversation had been going smoothly for a while, while Larkspur was thinking about what to ask next, Bai Jingxuan suddenly spoke up, "Um, teacher, there's actually something I want to ask you."

"Excuse me?" Larkspur replied casually.

"You just introduced us as the Magical Girl Squad of Fangting City, right?"

"Um."

"Is there a magical girl here who wears a pink dress and has pink hair?"

This question made the Larkspur suddenly look up.

Without a doubt, Bai Jingxuan was describing Anya.

Hearing a familiar description from a complete stranger surprised her for a moment, but she quickly suppressed her emotions and asked calmly, "Why are you asking this?"

"Because, if she were still in Fangting City, I would actually like to see her."

Bai Jingxuan looked at Larkspur, her remaining right eye clear and bright. "Three years ago, I encountered Aberrant Beast attack. She saved my life from that crisis, and I've always wanted to thank her."

This child? Anya saved him?

This information left Larkspur stunned for a moment.

But she soon realized that this was entirely possible.

According to the records, Bai Jingxuan encountered the Aberrant Beast attack three years ago, and at that time, Anya was still alive and frequently active in Fangting City. With Anya's strength, saving a child in a disaster would not be a difficult task.

However, after confirming the truth of the matter, Larkspur was at a loss for how to answer Bai Jingxuan.

Because Anya is already dead.

Should we just tell her right here that the magical girl she wanted to see has already sacrificed herself? Wouldn't such news be too cruel for her?

But if I don't tell her, it's not exactly a secret, and how long can I keep it a secret?

Thinking of the child before her who had experienced the deaths of his parents at the hands of Aberrant Beast, and recalling Liu Wenqin's earlier request for the child to view and cope with everything he had gone through in a proper way, Larkspur felt that she might have to lie again.

She could sense that the child's gratitude and admiration for Sakura, who was also Anya, was likely the main reason why she was able to face her identity as a magical girl so positively. If she rashly severed this connection, then all that would remain between her and the magical girl would be power and the hatred for her parents who died at the hands of the Aberrant Beast.

Larkspur had seen magical girls like this before, who became magical girls because their loved ones died at the hands of Aberrant Beast, and who lived in the flames of hatred every day, and would one day be burned to ashes by the flames of hatred.

No matter what, she shouldn't have let Bai Jingxuan become like that.

Therefore, when faced with Bai Jingxuan's question, she could only feign nonchalance and say, "Our Fangting City did indeed have such a magical girl, but she left two years ago."

Two years ago?

Upon hearing this, Bai Jingxuan's expression clearly showed a hint of disappointment. "Oh, I thought I'd be able to meet her after becoming a magical girl."

The Larkspur remained silent.

She could no longer tell Bai Jingxuan, "One day you will be able to see her," because even she herself couldn't bring herself to say those words.

If possible, wouldn't I also like to see Anya again?

Moreover, he didn't want to continue deceiving this somewhat pitiful child.

At this point in the conversation, she actually had some ideas about how to nurture Bai Jingxuan, not only how to develop her abilities as Offsetter; more importantly, she needed to maintain Bai Jingxuan's positive impression of magical girls, at least to make her feel that life as a magical girl would be good and happy.

Only in this way can we ensure that when we tell Anya about her in the future, she will not lose her positive emotional connection and fall completely into negative thinking.

Based on her experience, she had to make the worst-case scenario assumptions, and even if the child was behaving normally now, she still had to be prepared for the worst.

Moreover, whether it was just her imagination or not, Bai Jingxuan's unusual calmness gave her the feeling of a dormant volcano. Such a volcano appears calm and safe, but it still harbors intense and turbulent lava within.

The Larkspur hoped it was just her imagination.

"So, that pink magical girl, I remember she said her name was Sakura? Where did Miss Sakura go?" On the other side, unaware of Larkspur's thoughts, Bai Jingxuan asked with some doubt.

"Where did you go...?"

Startled by this question, Larkspur glanced at Bai Jingxuan, then lowered her gaze, her thoughts drifting. "Is it a carefree place for magical girls?"

At least she hoped Anya was carefree.

If there is a place for the soul after death, then Anya, as a magical girl who has saved countless people, should rightfully go to the place where good people reside.

A virtuous person's final resting place should be one of peace and happiness, and should also be rewarded for their achievements. In such a world, Larkspur hopes Anya can have everything she desires.

This question undoubtedly made her think about tomorrow.

Tomorrow will be the anniversary of Anya's death.

This chapter is from yesterday.