Swarms of Magical Girls! / Astral Mark Girl Ling Mengxue

Chasing After the Magical Girls Who Turned Me Into Their Enemy After I Became Their Enemy

Author: sf Han Ruxue

Synopsis:

Ling Feng was originally just an ordinary salted-fish high school student who should have been able to quietly rest his head on his desk like a waterlogged salted fish just like any other day~

Because of an unexpected accident, however, Destiny Sign chose her to become an Astral Mark Girl, completely altering her dull sophomore life and setting her on a path of combat against magical girls~ Whether it was the magical girls or...

Volume 1: Prologue Arc

Chapter 1 Swarms of Magical Girls!

In Linzhou City's Blue Mountain Park, bright sunlight poured down as a white-haired girl in a school uniform and short skirt disciplined a girl of a similar age standing before her.

The other girl knelt with tear-filled eyes, her knees and stockings scuffed and torn. Beside her lay a wooden stick resembling the magical wands from anime.

If not for the meter-long Tang Dao and the COP357-A pistol the white-haired girl held, a casual glance might have mistaken the scene for school bullying.

"Y-You, what will it take for you to let me go?" the kneeling girl asked tearfully, completely devoid of her previous arrogance.

"Are you going to try ambushing me again in the future?"

"I won't, I won't do it anymore."

Watching the girl's pitiful expression, Ling Feng fell briefly silent, then flicked her hand in a shooing gesture and spoke.

"Fine, get lost."

Upon hearing this, the girl scrambled up. With no desire to linger for even a second, she snatched up her magical wand from the ground and scampered away at top speed. As she fled, she still remembered to turn back and hurl insults.

"Damn it, you just wait! This lady is not going to let you off!"

After the girl left, Ling Feng shook her head and let out a silent inward sigh.

These magic-users come to ambush me the moment school lets out, and they won't even give a person a moment of peace.

The white-haired girl was named Ling Feng, a sophomore at Dragon Soaring High School. She was a boy—yes, a boy, so don't ask why she was currently wearing black silk stockings, a white skirt, and a chest.

This was a tragic tale, but it all began a few months ago.

It was a bright and sunny morning, and Ling Feng was walking to school as usual.

Along the way, she kicked at a rock blocking the middle of the path. Was she doing a good deed, looking at it that way?

Later on, however, she kicked a tough one; the moment her foot connected, the stone rolled right back. Initially quite startled, Ling Feng stubbornly kicked it back and forth over and over.

Just as she readied another kick, that stone miraculously let out a whoosh and flew straight up, smashing right into Ling Feng's head!

Look at that—didn't they say spirits aren't allowed to become sentient after the founding of the nation?!

Struck by the stone, Ling Feng didn't feel any pain at first; instead, a massive influx of memories flooded her mind in an instant. What was this about being chosen by Destiny Sign to become an Astral Mark Girl?

After carefully filtering through the information, Ling Feng discovered she was apparently meant to fight magical girls. The reason wasn't specified, but everyone chosen was female!

Ling Feng considered herself to be a damn male! Recalling the sensations of her very first transformation now, it was both utterly humiliating and profoundly cringe-worthy!

Later on, Ling Feng discovered that certain girls in her class could also transform. They made no secret of wearing transformation bracelets and necklaces; ordinary people might not see through it, but how could Ling Feng, fellow chosen of Destiny Sign, not know?

Ling Feng usually buried her Astral Mark Necklace deep within the innermost layers of her clothes, though she had once used her transformation abilities to save a few teenagers who had almost been struck by cars.

Hah, you want to try time travel?

As for the ostentatiously dressed girl from earlier, that was Ling Feng's female deskmate, Tang Ling. Tang Ling used to constantly brag to Ling Feng about being a magical girl, though back then Ling Feng naturally took no stock in it, merely dismissing her as suffering from ninth-grade syndrome and brushing her off with a few words.

Having lived through all this, however, Ling Feng felt the entire world had changed during that period. She felt as though she no longer recognized this reality.

Was this still the world filled with scientific truth that she knew?

Finding an empty spot to cancel her transformation, Ling Feng finally set off for home. Suddenly, that transformation chant flashed unbidden through her mind, causing her to shake her head violently as she sighed with profound emotion!

The moment she stepped through her front door, a delicate face poked out from the kitchen.

"Xiaofeng is back. Dinner will be ready in just a second, go sit in the living room for a bit."

This girl was named Ling Xiaoyu, Ling Feng's older sister. Because their parents worked away from home year-round, the house was occupied by just the two of them most of the time.

Ling Feng gave a casual acknowledgment, tossed her school bag onto a chair, slumped sideways, and collapsed face-down.

"What's wrong? You look like you have something on your mind," Ling Xiaoyu asked with concern.

"Sis, do you believe there are magical girls in this world?"

"This..."

Seeming to think of something, Ling Xiaoyu fell silent for a moment before offering reassurance. "Xiaofeng, stop watching so many anime shows."

"..."

Seeing Ling Xiaoyu give that reply, Ling Feng didn't know what to say for a moment. She couldn't very well tell her that her own deskmate was a magical girl, could she?

Just a few nights ago, Ling Feng had witnessed an Astral Mark Girl being chased and beaten by three magical girls armed with magical wands and spellbooks. If not for her own intervention, that girl might genuinely have been beaten to death!

These magic-using crowds were vicious, flying on magical wands while wearing colorful dresses, constantly launching fireballs, lightning, and other spells from their books. They had outright blasted apart an entire street!

During dinner that evening, Ling Xiaoyu questioned Ling Feng about everything as usual, mostly regarding school grades. Although Ling Feng felt somewhat annoyed, she didn't say anything.

After taking a shower, Ling Feng returned to her room early.

As an Astral Mark Girl, her true identity remained completely unknown, making her a thorough and absolute lone wolf. Whenever invitations from other Astral Mark Executors arrived, she turned every single one down.

How could she possibly take action alongside others? If her identity were ever exposed, the social death would be unbearable!

"It's almost time. It's seven-thirty now, which will get me there right on schedule."

As a top-tier expert among the Astral Mark Girls, Ling Feng operated exclusively at night and had thus been honorably dubbed Star Dream Beneath the Moonlight by the others!

Even after countless experiences, Ling Feng still harbored a strong aversion to the transformation chant, as it was truly embarrassing!

Hoo, here we go! Following a fierce mental struggle, Ling Feng let out a long breath, seeming to steel her resolve.

As a flash of light crossed her eyes, Ling Feng gently stroked the Astral Mark Necklace at her chest and whispered the incantation.

"Oh night representing stars and moon! Astral Mark That Ends Darkness! Transform!"

At her command, countless shimmering stars instantly materialized around her, swirling upward in a revolving orbit. Beneath the spot where Ling Feng stood, a white hexagram array abruptly expanded.

The starlight converged into streams of white light flowing into every corner of her body, passing through every location as if exposing her completely to the open air. This sense of humiliation forced a soft hmph past her lips.

"Cough..."

Though the transformation process lasted merely a few seconds, it felt to Ling Feng's perception as though centuries had passed.

Ling Feng naturally possessed delicate and handsome features, her clean, fair face yielding nothing to any girl. With slightly flowing short hair, receiving love letters at school due to her striking looks was a regular occurrence.

Ling Feng walked up to a mirror to check her reflection, and she remained quite pleased with the result. Cascading, snow-white hair spilled downward, and icy-blue eyes were breathtakingly beautiful. At first glance, she almost fell for herself.

Simply perfection!!

Combined with a JK outfit and slightly sheer black silk stockings—tsk tsk—even she herself almost failed to keep composure, leaving her with no choice but to indulge in a bit of daydreaming.

"It's just that this strange physical sensation feels so humiliating, and why are these stockings so tight..."

Still, compared to the flashy dresses of the magical girls, Ling Feng much preferred this sort of minimalist attire. Wasn't pure and cute the way to go~

Prying open the window, Ling Feng leaped outward like a classic martial arts hero, darting across the rooftops. Her figure instantly melted into the darkness, leaving no trace behind...

They set the location at the nearby Blue Mountain Park. Fine by me; hopefully after this, they won't keep pestering me. Ling Feng thought to herself, accelerating her pace a fraction.

At dusk, along the riverbanks of Blue Mountain Park, weeping willows swayed while the evening breeze blew cool and refreshing.

By the park's pond murmured the gentle waters of the Meijiang River, accompanied on the other side by the graceful swaying of various tree branches. The evening scenery grew increasingly gorgeous.

Reaching the head of Clearwater Bridge, Ling Feng remembered this as the designated meeting spot, yet currently, not a single person was in sight.

Just as she felt a flicker of confusion, a flash of fire cut through her peripheral vision. Ling Feng tightened her core and instantly sprang upward.

"What the hell!"

Sure enough, the moment she turned back, a basketball-sized fireball exploded right where she had stood a second before. Sparks scattered in all directions, shining brilliantly against the night and stinging Ling Feng's eyes enough to blur her vision.

"Miss Mengxue's footwork is as sharp as ever~"

A slightly spoiled feminine voice drifted out from behind the smoke, followed by the approach of three figures.

All three wore outfits resembling magical girls from anime—golden tunics, white silk sashes, and ethereal bearings. Step by step, they walked closer, dressed respectively in gold, blue, and pink skirts.

As the smoke cleared, Ling Feng finally recognized the newcomers and couldn't help letting out a gasp.

"Shit!"

Once they drew near, the three suddenly struck a joint pose reminiscent of Masked Riders. Oozing eighth-grade syndrome energy and chanting under their breath, it was a display too much even for Ling Feng to bear.

"Ta-da! Magical Girls, making a dazzling debut!"

With three women creating quite the commotion, they called out in unison. The spectacle—tsk tsk—truly made Ling Feng feel as though she had stepped right into an animated cartoon, and believe it or not, they were actually glowing from behind!

"I am the Magical Girl, Illusory Voice!"

"I am Illusory Spirit!"

"I am Illusory Xin!"

"We are the Dragon Soaring High School Magical Girl Special Forces!"

Yet another simultaneous, resounding slogan left Ling Feng utterly speechless. Her inner self had long since given up on complaining, and not for any other reason than the fact that she knew every single one of them: they were her deskmate, her vice monitor, and her class monitor!

Chapter 2 Astral Mark Girl Ling Mengxue

Upon closer inspection, however, Ling Feng did notice a few distinct characteristics.

The girls chosen by Destiny Sign were exceptionally pretty and possessed a fresh, refined elegance.

The magical girls in their colorful dresses were radiant and eye-catching; dropped anywhere else, they could genuinely pass for idol celebrities.

"What are you staring at, you flashy little vixen? I'm talking to you. Weren't you acting so fierce this afternoon?" Tang Ling (Illusory Spirit) charged forward first to yell.

"Don't rush, Xiaoling. Tonight we'll help you settle the score."

At that moment, the magical girl known as Illusory Voice spoke up.

This magical girl called Illusory Voice was Ling Feng's class monitor, Liu Yinxuan. Liu Yinxuan had originally won the city violin championship, and right now her grip on her magical wand mirrored her stance on a violin.

"Rest assured, those Astral Mark Girls were our enemies to begin with." Illusory Xin chimed in.

That was the vice monitor, Lan Yuxin. To be frank, Ling Feng had previously received a love letter written by her, and after rejecting her, she had tried to beat Ling Feng up on the spot!

In short, within Ling Feng's mind, none of these magic-wielding people were any good. Disagree with them slightly and they would try to cripple you!

"Everyone be careful, since she's known as the strongest Astral Mark Girl, she definitely won't be simple!" Illusory Voice warned, and upon hearing this, the two of them nodded simultaneously.

As soon as her voice fell, several destructive spells directly blasted toward Ling Feng.

Flames, musical notes, water bullets, lightning... Magic of all colors was dazzling, grand, and mighty.

Timing it right, Ling Feng used a few spatial shifts, her movement technique as fast as lightning, and easily dodged their magical bombardment; even so, she did not dare to lower her guard, for she was very well aware of the power of these spells.

The magical power was so great that even the entire stone bridge was blasted apart raw!

This was also why Astral Mark Girls were at a disadvantage most of the time; this bunch playing with magic not only had strong ranged attacks, but could also fly—ordinary Astral Mark Girls stood no chance against them at all!

Was Ling Feng ordinary, though? Following several spatial shifts, the magic couldn't even touch the hem of her skirt!

"Hey! Weren't you pretty badass this afternoon? Why the hell are you dodging?" Seeing that none of her spells could hit Ling Feng, Tang Ling opened her mouth and began cursing.

Upon hearing this, slight anger arose in Ling Feng's heart.

This bunch of Magical Girls started fighting at the drop of a hat, and if she got hit, would she still be in one piece?

And now they wouldn't even let her dodge?

A blade and a gun suddenly flashed out of thin air in Ling Feng's hands, and an aura surged for a time.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Her gaze condensing, Ling Feng took aim with one hand and fired three consecutive shots, directly knocking all of their magic wands down to the ground; to avoid injuring them, Ling Feng also shifted the angles as much as possible.

Messing around like this left the three of them flustered and dumbfounded on the spot.