Chapter 447: Protection

Robin's figure recondensed beside Ilya like mist, returning from a spirit form to a physical body.

She looked at Ilya curiously: "Was that just now... a form unique to this world? Such a beautiful transformation."

She recalled Ilya's transformation process, "... how interesting."

"Ah... um... I guess so..."

Ilya scratched her cheek, becoming even more embarrassed.

When Robin described it that way, she didn't know how to explain the concept of "Magical Girl," especially thinking she still had to strike a specific pose and shout a slogan, which made her too shy to speak.

"Woo~☆ That's right, that's right!"

Ruby jumped out again, explaining for the embarrassed Ilya, "Magical Girls are warriors of love and hope! They exist to combat evil and spread goodness! Ilya was chosen by Ruby, the best Magical Girl of this era! Although most people in this world are ordinary folks who can't transform, their rarity makes them even more precious!"

Robin nodded knowingly, though the phrase "warrior of love and hope" sounded very...

... fairy‑tale‑like, she respected the cultural differences of other worlds.

She reached out, gently patting Ilya's head, and smiled, "That's impressive, Ilya. To bear such responsibility and power."

Being praised so gently, Ilya felt a sweet warmth inside, and her earlier shyness faded considerably.

"Then,"

Ruby's gem light shifted toward Robin, and her tone suddenly grew serious, "Miss Robin, I have a very serious question! What exactly is your combat style? Earlier Ilya was too excited to ask clearly. You said you're a Caster who can support through song... that sounds great, but..."

She paused, the light's flicker quickening as if analyzing at high speed.

"But if a situation calls for direct combat, can your song repel enemies outright? Or perhaps you aren't adept at direct attack and defense? After all, although a Caster's Magic is powerful, their melee ability is usually weaker..."

The question suddenly enlightened Ilya.

She had been busy being happy and admiring Robin's gentle beauty, never considering combat aspects.

She looked at Robin, imagining her using that ethereal song to confront foes...

It seemed... indeed not a direct‑combat type?

Robin sister appeared so elegant and delicate, as if she should be a star protected at the center of the stage, not a front‑line warrior.

(If... if an enemy appears and Miss Robin gets injured, what then? Such a beautiful song, such a gentle smile... must never be shattered!)

A strong urge to protect rose inexplicably in Ilya's heart.

Ruby continued, "So, Ilya! In a critical moment, you may have to protect Miss Robin! Don't forget, in your Magical Girl form, your physical condition, Magic output, and the various spells granted by Ruby are extremely powerful! Dealing with ordinary enemies or less‑strong Servants is no problem at all! You must take on the role of a flower‑guardian!"

Ilya's little face tightened.

She looked down at her hand, then raised her head toward Robin.

Under the moonlight, Robin still smiled gently at her.

That gaze further steeled Ilya's resolve.

She nodded vigorously, her red eyes flashing with determination, clenching her little fist, "Mm! I will! I'll protect Miss Robin! With all my might!"

Her voice was soft, yet carried a childlike earnestness.

Robin froze for a moment, then her gentle smile deepened, a hint of helplessness shimmering in her emerald eyes.

(Who is the Servant, after all... this child, why does she act like she wants to charge ahead of me...)

Although she isn't strong in combat and relies more on her song to resonate with hearts, she's far from powerless.

Her "song" itself is a force, the power of Harmony must not be underestimated...

Yet these seem hard to explain clearly to the cute Master before her who is determined to protect her.

Moreover, watching Ilya's sparkling eyes, Robin suddenly thought... this isn't bad either?

"Ilya..."

Robin gently clasped Ilya's clenched little fist, enveloping it in her cool palm, "Thank you. You truly are brave."

She didn't correct the "who protects whom" issue, but affirmed Ilya's intention, "Then, tonight let's watch over each other. I'll use my song to guide you, and you... follow your own path to explore and face things. Okay?"

"Mm!"

Ilya nodded heavily, her little face flushing pink from the praise and handshake, her heart filled with a sense of mission.

At that moment, Ruby's gem flickered rapidly a few times, emitting a faint hum.

"Magic Wave detected! Northeast direction, about one point five kilometers away! Intensity is high; seems to be... a Servant in action!"

Ruby's voice, excited by the find, "How about it, Ilya? Want to go check it out? Might be another Master!"

Ilya immediately suppressed her smile, her expression turning serious.

She looked at Robin, who gave her a slight nod.

"Alright... let's go see!"

Ilya took a deep breath, stepped toward the direction Ruby indicated, taking the first step into Winterwood's night.

The tiny figure carried a steadfast aura of "protecting the gentle sister behind."

Robin followed gracefully, the fringe of her skirt fluttering in the night breeze.

She watched Ilya's back, a flicker of contemplation passing through her lake‑green eyes.

(I wonder how brother is doing...)

At night, Suiqun Yuan Academy shed the day's clamor, leaving only a vast silence.

Moonlight streamed through the corridor windows, stretching the lattice shadows onto the polished floor.

Only the emergency exit indicator glowed with a faint green light.

Fujimura Lixiang hurried down the silent corridor, her indoor shoes making a soft "tap tap" sound that rang especially clear in the emptiness.

(Honestly... how could I forget the workbook... it's due tomorrow morning...)

She felt a bit anxious, mostly annoyed at her own carelessness.

As Fujimura Dahe's foster sister and a top‑performing, highly responsible student, she always set high standards for herself.

Forgetting to bring the assignment, in her view, was an unforgivable oversight.

However, walking alone through the empty school building at night, she didn't feel very scared.

Lixiang is naturally cheerful and resilient, her courage far exceeds that of ordinary girls, she enjoys helping others, and even has a bit of a "goody‑two‑shoes" tendency.

An empty hallway is, to her, simply quieter.

(Speaking of it… lately Lin and Ying both seem a bit strange…)

She walked while unable to stop her mind from wandering, (after Lin returned, although still as lively as before, she always seemed to be hiding something… her eyes sometimes looked on guard. Ying was the same, becoming quieter, occasionally showing a worried expression… when asked, they said nothing was wrong…)

(Also classmate Jian Tong… he didn't come today either. Moreover, the few times I've seen him lately, his gaze at me feels so strange. It's not hatred, nor liking, it's an indescribable, hair‑raising feeling… hope it's just an illusion.)

She shook her head, trying to discard the irrelevant thoughts.

The top priority was to get the workbook and then hurry home.

Although her older sister Dahe is usually carefree, if she knew that she was running back to school alone so late, she would certainly worry.