Halley Went Bad

(Bai Ziye)

Leaving behind the Golden favored by Sirius, I left the reception room and drank the blue potion in one gulp.

There's nothing to be depressed about. Suppressing that mutated state is the top priority. I don't want to find out that it's the same whether I undo the transformation or not after I de-transform.

The green potion is temporarily stored in the Star Crystal so that it can be retrieved instantly when needed.

The potion took effect very quickly; my legs went weak as soon as I reached the top of the stairs.

The most noticeable feeling is that the body becomes extremely weak.

"My strength has decreased... no, has it returned to normal?"

I tried clenching my fist.

So, if that happens, will anyone be able to stop Ceruno when she loses control?

"Hmm? Halley?"

As I passed the tea room on the second floor on my way downstairs, I saw a familiar succubus figure.

She hasn't noticed me yet.

Or perhaps he didn't pay much attention to the man passing by the door, and was busy brewing something on his own.

I glanced at it secretly.

On the tray in front of her were several cups. She threw in some effervescent tablets, added half a cup of boiling water to dissolve them, and then filled them with cool boiled water.

That's still considered normal.

But that's not all.

Her nimble tail secreted a deep purple "misfortune," and a few drops landed in each cup.

Although this isn't a lethal dose, it will definitely bring bad luck that affects performance...

This is undoubtedly a despicable underhanded tactic.

I never imagined that Halley, who is always so confident, would do something like this in secret... Or maybe she was just putting on a confident facade?

Others are unaware of her abilities and are highly likely to fall victim to her.

I need to find a way to stop her...

Who is it?

Oh no! We've been discovered!

I tried to dodge quickly, but found that my body couldn't keep up with my thoughts, and the snaking tail had already wrapped around my neck.

So her tail can grow this long?!

"I asked you, what do you do?"

Halley stroked her delicate chin as she walked out of the break room, raising an eyebrow as she asked, "You saw everything that happened just now?"

"I saw... what you added to the cup?"

Computer accessories.

When she said that, I just listened.

"Oh, it's computer parts? I see. I won't tell anyone. I'll be going now."

As soon as I said that, the tail on my neck suddenly tightened, pressing against my trachea and making it difficult to breathe.

"How could I possibly let you leave? Although I don't want to cause any trouble, I'll have to leave you in the closet until the evening's program is over!"

Before I could even catch my breath, the tail that had been wrapped around my neck was already cleaving away. A cold, ruthless chop to the neck struck the vagus nerve.

Her body went limp and she fell forward, but Halley caught her and carried her all the way to the changing room on the second floor.

That's not all.

She found some hemp rope from somewhere and tied my hands and feet together, then stuffed a fragrant handkerchief into my mouth before locking me in the small wardrobe.

Then, the sound of a door closing came from outside.

I guess he went to deliver tea to Ceruno and the others.

He opened his eyes, which he had been feigning unconsciousness, and peered out through the openings in the bedside table and wardrobe.

Halley was indeed nowhere to be seen.

But my hands and feet were tightly bound, and I couldn't break free with my current physical strength.

The Greenfield Stadium has been closed to the public for the past few days, Ceruno and the others are all rehearsing on the first floor. No one will pass by the locker room on the second floor, so the noise I make is unlikely to attract any help.

Since time is of the essence, there's nothing we can do.

The transformation, taking only 0.2 seconds, is faster than the blink of an eye. A short sword is summoned between the wrists that have shrunk in size, easily slicing through the hemp rope.

Cut the ropes binding his ankles, then raise his knee and thrust it towards the locker door.

Her strength as a magical girl has also weakened.

But the blow, delivered at twenty times the speed, still sent the door flying, sending it crashing directly into the row of lockers across the street.

Oh no, the commotion is too loud.

Attracting Ceruno and the others' attention was a minor matter, but Halley also noticed what was happening here...

That's what I was thinking.

A sharp stinger pierced from behind.

But I grabbed her shirt collar first and threw her to the ground.

"Hmph, were you waiting for me to come out?"

"Miluno?!"

Judging from her surprised reaction, she hadn't actually recognized me.

Indeed, just as the Association's camera drone couldn't keep up with my movements, her eyes also couldn't see me clearly after I accelerated.

This is not the time to talk about this...

I had no intention of letting Halley go, and kept her pinned to the ground.

So, you've decided to be a Monster after all?

"I didn't intend to harm anyone! That amount might cause some minor accidents at most, and no one would even get seriously injured!"

"Does that mean you can use any means necessary to win?"

"... I don't think I'll lose; I'm just trying to make winning more secure."

Her answer annoyed me.

"If you believe you can win through your own abilities, why do such a despicable thing? Don't you have any self-respect as an idol?!"

"Self-respect? Traditional idols all crawled out of the mud. We may look glamorous on the surface, but we don't have much self-respect to speak of..."

She pushed me, but I didn't let go of her.

"One of the judges in the finals is Sirius, and Ceruno is her handpicked disciple. Someone like me will only become cannon fodder, a stepping stone for the winner."

Her statement is probably not just speculation.

You must have witnessed some kind of dirty deal, right?

Traditional idols... Even people outside the entertainment industry have heard about how dirty it was in the Past.

But magical girl idols are different.

"Don't use your outdated ideas to judge Sirius. She may have bad intentions at times, but when it comes to fairness and justice, she's still worthy of being a magical girl."

Although she leaked the questions to Ceruno in advance, revealed the lottery results twice, and was very protective of her own, she will be a fair judge.

Perhaps...

Tsk, why can't I convince myself of that?

"Get up!"

I forcefully lifted her off the ground.

"I won't report you, at least not until the game is over."

"Thanks."

I shook my head and added, "But I'll be watching you, especially your tail."

"Um."

"Win the championship fairly and squarely, and let's pretend this never happened. I know that when you're emotionally agitated, your Dark Energy gets out of control, so calm down first and don't let negative emotions control you."

"Miluno ..."

She brushed the dust off her skirt and whispered, "Your loss to Ceruno was actually part of my scheme. I believe you pose a greater threat than that child."

She did become honest, but I didn't feel comfortable hearing what she said.

"So I guess I'm just not cut out for dancing, am I?"

"Hmm, your aura is static; it loses its beauty when it moves... Ceruno, who can perceive this, is also very talented. Perhaps it was my miscalculation to let her advance... She's grown too fast; she's practically the protagonist."

Perhaps she was meant to be the main character?

"I injected 'misfortune' into you."

These revelations are getting increasingly outrageous.

Where did you get stabbed?

The heart-shaped needle was thicker than a hospital syringe; it was impossible not to feel it when it pricked me. But I didn't feel any pain that day.

She replied, looking aggrieved, "It wasn't on purpose. You stepped on my tail that morning during dance practice."

Hmm, it seems like that's true.