Changes to the Morning Star

(Bai Ziye)

The acceleration was deactivated, and Ceruno also collected the layers of bubbles.

"Um?"

Shi Yi, lying in my arms, opened her eyes. She seemed unfamiliar and strange about the current situation.

When "Rewind" was activated, I failed to apply the deceleration effect immediately, causing her to lose some of her memories during the rewind.

"Xiao Yi, what's the last thing you remember?"

"Am I... writing in my diary?"

Fortunately, not many collapsed.

I handed her the thick diary and said, "Look, the diary is finished."

However, I tore out the last page.

"Oh! It really is! The magic has been dispelled!"

Although she claims not to be a child, she still inadvertently reveals a pure childlike innocence; at least the joy she feels now brings a childlike smile to her face.

Ceruno was genuinely happy.

She cuddled and rubbed against Xiao Yi on the sofa, as if letting go would mean losing her. Perhaps she'd even forgotten that she was actually male?

On the contrary, Xiao Yi's face flushed red, Ceruno felt completely limp, especially a certain part pressed against her body, which was not only soft but also quite large. This precocious girl already understood many things...

"Alright, Ceruno- chan, are you trying to suffocate Ichi-chan?"

Sirius stepped forward and rescued Xiao Yi from Ceruno's arms.

He then asked, "Is there any way to apply that nested-doll-style super acceleration to actual combat?"

Is this the first thing you asked?

I shook my head in denial.

"No, the magic consumption can't keep up, and I can't move in this Super Acceleration state. At most, I can use it as a time machine, like to catch up on homework on the last day of summer vacation."

However, Ceruno can use this technique to trap some Monster or witches with weak destructive power... Are there any witches with weak destructive power?

"That's a real shame."

Sirius shrugged and asked again, "Is the 'Rewind' completely lifted? After midnight today, Xiao Yi won't turn back into her original form?"

Although I heard a cracking sound, I'm not entirely sure.

"It has indeed been lifted."

However, Xiao Yi nodded her little head.

"I can feel that the long-decayed magic is no longer within me."

"Great! I thought you were going to be stuck here forever... Wait!"

When her gaze fell on me, Sirius's expression of emotion suddenly froze, and she stared intently at my chest.

"Miluno- chan, do you sense anything unusual?"

"... No, what's wrong?"

"Your Star Crystal has changed."

Sirius is the embodiment of the Star Crystal.

Therefore, she can see the Star Crystal inside magical girls and know their Star Crystal.

Since she said so, she's probably right.

"What changes?" I asked.

"It got bigger, and its shape changed..."

Originally, it was only the size of a coin, so it could be hidden in a wristband. If it becomes too big, that's not good news.

"Don't you even know what's going on?"

Sirius also shook his head.

"I don't know. I'm not sure about the other Star Crystal, but I've never encountered this situation myself."

Having recovered from her joy, Xiao Yi wondered, "Sirius, could this be a legacy of magic?"

"What's the meaning?"

"She inherited my Star Crystal."

"Are you saying that Miluno inherited the 'Rewind' magic from you?"

"Our magic originates from the same Star Crystal, and we both manipulate time, so it's not impossible for her to master it."

"Evolution of Star Crystal is something I've never even seen before... Alright! Let's give it a try!"

Sirius picked up a glass from the coffee table and smashed it on the floor. Xiao Yi covered her mouth, looking surprised; she seemed to really like the glass.

Then she said, "Miluno- chan, restore this."

Even if you say that...

I don't know what to do.

My magic has no effect on stationary objects; no matter how I speed up or slow down, the glass remains the same.

"Try to recall how it broke and where it should have been, then turn back time."

Xiao Yi received guidance from her "senior".

I did as instructed, but it still didn't work.

"That doesn't seem to work. Perhaps the changes in the Star Crystal are manifesting elsewhere?"

There have indeed been changes in other places.

The magic power that had been completely depleted has now recovered by some extent, and the space inside the Crystal has also increased, perhaps enough to store all the clothes in the wardrobe.

Xiao Yi, however, was relentless in her pursuit of this.

"Try again, maybe you just haven't mastered the technique... I quite like this cup."

Does she really want me to inherit her magic?

"I'll look into it further later; I should probably be going now."

"Leaving already? How about we grab a bite to celebrate?"

"Yes, I have something else to attend to, it's urgent."

Sirius blinked, as if he understood.

She leaned close to my ear and whispered, "Hey, are you going to get dinner ready before Ceruno- chan goes back?"

"My parents are also Skyreach City for the next couple of days, so I can't be away for too long."

"Alright, then I won't keep you any longer."

She patted me on the back and added, "I won't tell Spica about the Crystal evolution yet. If she finds out, she'll definitely drag you into the experiments. If you discover anything unusual, contact me. I'll help if I can."

"That's a huge help... Xiao Yi, how about moving to Skyreach City from now on?"

She said in a serious tone, "Yes! I am Miluno's senior! I have the responsibility to mentor you!"

I patted Xiao Yi's head and then looked at Ceruno.

"Miluno, then see you another day."

She seemed to want to stay a little longer.

I sped back to Chaiqing City, still enveloped in bubbles, and ran into the railway station. In the empty smoking room, I deactivated my transformation, but then another anomaly occurred...

The Morning Star Crystal did not leave my body.

It seemed to have become one with me.

I don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing, but Shi Yi's experience made me realize a truth: the magic of Crystal is not a power without a price; if used improperly, it may also cost you your life.

I don't want to be imprisoned in the cage of time.

In addition, a new feature has been unlocked.

Even in male mode, I can now use the Crystal's One-Click Outfit Change!

However, only women's clothing was stored in the Crystal.

Because it's a popular line, this intercity rail line runs every ten minutes or so. Although the journey takes nearly two hours, it feels more like a comfortable subway ride.

After the bus departed, I leaned back in my seat, closed my eyes to rest, and took the opportunity to review Xiao Yi's guidance from earlier.

"Recalling the process and the trajectory..."

If possible, I'd also like the magic of "Rewind".

Unlike my simple acceleration and deceleration, that magic can reverse time to a certain point in time, which is equivalent to an unlimited number of undo moves, making it an extremely powerful magic.

But it seems unlikely at the moment.

"Well--"

Xiao Yi wasn't the magical girl who gave me the Star Crystal. So who was the magical girl who stole the Morning Star Crystal from the Association a year ago?

Why did she choose me?

Is that related to the evolution of Crystal?

These questions remain unanswered.

However, today's trip wasn't a complete waste.