Chapter 38: The Magical Girl

——"As I previously stated, although the existence of the magic source allows magical girls to use magic almost instinctively, that doesn't mean we can't refine our control. Your excessive rate of magic consumption stems not only from insufficient magic reserves, but fundamentally from using magic without any restraint."

It was two days after the parent-teacher meeting, that night, at Lin Xiaolu's home.

Senior Cuique sat on her own sofa giving a lesson to the two newcomers.

Because of some special arrangements today, she had informed her daughter in advance—two days ahead—using Lin Yun's identity, saying she would be on a one-day business trip to the neighboring city and wouldn't return home that night.

Then, using Senior Cuique's identity, she notified the two newcomers that the next lesson might shift indoors, and that she would request a venue from the Strange Affairs Bureau, asking if they had any objections.

She hadn't considered how these two messages might interact, but the result was Lin Xiaolu volunteering to host the first indoor lesson at her own home.

After thinking it over and finding no issue, Senior Cuique readily agreed.

Today's lesson focused on refining basic abilities: how to plan the use of one's magic.

The four fundamental abilities of a Seed-grade magical girl are flight, enhancement, magic output, and magic perception. Since they are still in the initial stage of ability awakening, their techniques are extremely limited.

As they advance to Bud-grade and gain magic constructs, and then to Leaf-grade and learn to use incantations, magical girls' combat techniques will gradually diversify, and their stylistic differences will become increasingly pronounced.

But regardless of the stage, the basic abilities acquired from Seed-grade remain the most frequently used, and from them, numerous advanced techniques have been derived.

For example, the ability of flight has spawned many techniques: "levitation," "magic impact absorption," "cannonball launch," "perpetual flight," "ultra-speed flash," among others. Using these techniques can alter the effects of flight and allow finer control over magic consumption.

Lin Xiaolu's control over magic is atrocious: when flying, she constantly wastes magic—not only consuming it too quickly, but also moving at a slow speed. The excess magic she expends creates effects like fireworks: loud and flashy, yet utterly impractical.

Senior Cuique's lesson today aims to correct this flaw, at least to establish a clear goal for future improvement.

After speaking continuously for two hours, even a magical girl's physique felt thirsty, so she picked up the teacup before her, took a small sip to moisten her throat, and then spoke again:

"In short, I've covered the technical aspects for now, but to forge steel, you must first be strong yourself. Besides consciously controlling magic consumption during combat, your own magic reserves are also critically important."

Setting down the cup, she extended her right hand flat: "You mentioned earlier that your school has final exams, so I didn't ask—but today, I must check your progress in magic growth."

Several Fav runes scattered from her palm, forming a halo around her arm, their patterns flickering on and off like a magical array from a fictional tale.

Clearly, this was a special incantation.

Senior Cuique's expression remained calm as she gestured to the two newcomers: "Now transform, then release your magic toward my rune array. This is your stage-by-stage exam for magic cultivation."

When she first taught them, she had already emphasized to Lin Xiaolu and Xia Liang the importance of daily cultivation, and had taught them methods to improve themselves.

A magical girl's core power lies in magic and soul; her talent for cultivation is measured by her soul's sensitivity to magic and her innate total magic capacity.

But the power of soul and will only manifests in the later stages of ability awakening, so in the early phase, magic is the more important indicator.

A magical girl's total magic is not absolute, because magic can be increased through effort. A genius who is content and unmotivated will be surpassed by an ordinary person who trains diligently.

This self-driven method of growth is primarily divided into two types, called by magical girls "Forge Power" and "Soul Thought."

Forge Power focuses on rapidly increasing magic.

As its name suggests, this method increases magic through constant use—not only in battle, but even in daily life, one can actively release and practice magic.

Forge Power significantly boosts magic, but has virtually no effect on the soul. Moreover, using this method is more exhausting; sustaining it long-term requires immense willpower and perseverance.

Soul Thought can simultaneously enhance both magic and soul, making it a more balanced approach.

Its specific principle involves using the magic source within the Heart Seed to stir the soul, allowing the soul to drive magic, merging and refining both forces to achieve mutual growth.

Of course, in terms of magic growth efficiency, Soul Thought is far weaker than Forge Power—but it excels in steady, sustained progress.

Neither method is superior; they are not mutually exclusive, merely suited to different purposes. Forge Power is better for magical girls seeking rapid, short-term magic boosts, while Soul Thought is for daily cultivation.

Only through persistent, daily Soul Thought, until both magic and soul meet the requirements for advancement and their fusion is sufficient to form the true form, can a Seed-grade magical girl further awaken her abilities and reach Bud-grade.

Under Senior Cuique's gaze, Lin Xiaolu and Xia Liang each transformed, then released their magic with hesitant expressions.

Light blue and hibiscus-purple magic formed two luminous paths, connecting to Senior Cuique's rune array. As the patterns flickered, countless pieces of data became known to her.

To be honest, it was better than she expected.

If a precise number must be given, using a single minimal-effort magic release as the unit, Lin Xiaolu could release approximately 50 times, Xia Liang 90 times; compared to their numbers during the battle against the cavity-type residual beast—around 40 and 75 respectively.

Achieving such noticeable progress in under a month while balancing daily life and magic cultivation was enough to surprise her.

"Hmm. Pass."

She dismissed the incantation array, crossed her arms, and a faint look of satisfaction appeared on her face: "Your performances were both excellent."

At these words, the two nervous newcomers exhaled deeply.

In fact, for children who dislike studying, Senior Cuique's evaluation was more nerve-wracking than their school final exams.

Lin Xiaolu knew well: earning satisfaction from the ever-strict Senior Cuique was already something to be proud of.

But for her, this wasn't enough. Merely satisfying Senior Cuique was not her true desire.

So after passing this exam, after several hesitations, she chose to speak: "Senior Cuique."

"What is it?" Senior Cuique turned to look at her.

Meeting those calm, translucent eyes—like blue gems—Lin Xiaolu felt an indescribable pressure; the words she meant to say instantly stuck in her throat.

Would what she was about to say sound presumptuous? Would she think Lin Xiaolu was overreaching?

A flood of doubts arose, making her regret her impulsiveness; she instinctively wanted to retreat.

But as this urge to retreat surfaced, she remembered the man standing in the rain several days ago—and the feeling she'd experienced upon seeing him:

My lord, in truth, is not as composed as he appears.

Has Senior Cuique, who has always presented herself as a senior and adult, truly been as carefree as she seems?

So Lin Xiaolu clenched her fist, resolved once more, met Senior Cuique's gaze, and declared firmly:

"How strong must I become to fight alongside you when crisis strikes?"