Off Work, Then I Become a Magical Girl

Book 2: Chapter 192: Summoning the Wind

Vol 2 Chapter 192: Summoning the WindXia Liang had no idea what effects the smoke her opponent was using this time might have, and naturally, she had no intention of finding out through "personal experience."

So she continued activating her Displacement ability. Several mirror surfaces transformed into what seemed like exhaust fans, continuously drawing in the smoke created by Drunken Fishweed and transporting it elsewhere.

However, this method ultimately couldn't cover everything.

Not only because transporting the smoke didn't actually reduce its existence, but also because gaps still existed between the mirror surfaces of Displacement, making it impossible to completely prevent the smoke's spread. To counter this, Xia Liang had even deployed a magical barrier behind her magical equipment—a technique she'd only recently begun mastering. Yet even this barrier seemed unable to fully stop the smoke's infiltration.

Should she follow Calla Lily's approach and violently disperse it with massive amounts of magic power?

The thought crossed Xia Liang's mind, but she quickly dismissed it.

Setting aside how this method would consume an unreasonable amount of magic energy, even if she succeeded once, as long as her opponent's magic consumption for this ability remained lower than hers, Drunken Fishweed could simply repeat the tactic.

Rather than confronting it head-on, finding a way to escape seemed more sensible.

Just as Xia Liang was pondering this, another voice suddenly sounded beside her ear.

"Let me help!"

It was Tiger Lily.

She and Mountain Lily had already doubled back to Xia Liang's side, having somehow produced the folding fans they always carried.

Both sisters possessed identical fans, which they'd demonstrated before Xia Liang multiple times. However, their plain appearance had led Xia Liang to assume they were merely decorative accessories.

But when the twins channeled their magic, causing crimson floral patterns resembling blooming petals to spread across the fan surfaces, Xia Liang realized: these folding fans were their magical equipment.

As twins, these magical girls' equipment wasn't just identical in appearance—even their magical resonance when activating abilities was nearly indistinguishable.

The sisters exchanged a nod before stepping forward. With a synchronized "snap," they opened their fans simultaneously, their arms sweeping through the air as their bodies swayed rhythmically.

Every fan movement, every motion of their bodies seemed to follow some mysterious pattern, creating an enigmatic beauty. Closing their eyes, they began circling Xia Liang in a slow, ritualistic dance reminiscent of ancient ceremonies.

If one sought a comparison, it resembled how ancient people in the material world would perform sacrificial rites to heaven and earth, seeking divine protection and blessings. Sometimes these rituals served more specific purposes—like attempting to alter weather patterns.

Praying for favorable winds and rains, for clear skies, for thunder's wrath to cease, for rainbows to bestow blessings...

And now, Mountain Lily and Tiger Lily's dance was precisely a ritual to "summon the wind."

Magic intertwined with the breezes generated by their fans, swirling through the air before expanding rapidly into chaotic currents within moments.

Realizing their intention, Xia Liang chose to trust her teammates. She simultaneously dispersed the surrounding mirrors, removing Displacement's obstruction.

Then, the gale arrived.

The sudden gust nearly blew Xia Liang off her feet, but she'd prepared herself, using magic to stabilize her stance. The smoke filling the corridors, however, lacked such capability. The wind swept it away to unknown corners.

Drunken Fishweed's face showed surprise—she'd somehow closed the distance to within five paces of Xia Liang.

Behind her, the two teammates who hadn't coordinated with her lay motionless on the ground. Though their eyes remained open, their bodies showed no signs of movement. Were it not for the maze's lack of reaction—which would have teleported them out—Xia Liang might have thought them dead.

This realization was alarming enough—it meant Drunken Fishweed had been completely serious. Her indiscriminate smoke attack aimed to reduce Xia Liang's group to the same state as those two fallen teammates.

"How unexpected," Drunken Fishweed murmured after her brief astonishment, her lips curling into an excited smile. "To think a randomly encountered team would have three members with such fascinating abilities."

"Let me reiterate—we have neither the intention nor reason to conflict with you," Xia Liang responded seriously, her tone now devoid of the previously feigned naivety. "But if you insist on fighting, we'll have no choice but to ensure mutual destruction."

"Isn't that wonderful?" Drunken Fishweed's voice softened. "You carry such an intriguing scent. Though I don't know its origin, its intensity suggests you're deeply connected to its source... How fascinating."

"Scent?" The word made Xia Liang's eyes widen slightly, but before she could ponder it further, Drunken Fishweed's movements put her back on alert. "She's attacking again!"

"Yes, attacking again," Drunken Fishweed giggled, raising her hand with narrowed eyes. "Since smoke didn't work, perhaps we'll try something different this time."

"Something other than smoke..." Mountain Lily, who'd thought they could finally counterattack after resolving the smoke threat, tightened her grip on her fan.

As Drunken Fishweed spoke, deep purple liquid began oozing from the incense in her hand.

The fluid overflowed down her arm, splashing onto the ground like water from a fully opened faucet, instantly spreading outward from her position.

"Fufufu~ Let's see how you handle this poison," Drunken Fishweed teased, pushing back a curly lock of hair with her free hand as her smoke-ringed eyes studied Xia Liang with interest. "Or perhaps... it's time you showed your true capabilities—"

"You're right." Xia Liang's usual smile vanished as she abruptly nodded.

"Hmm?" The brief response gave Drunken Fishweed pause.

She'd grown accustomed to her soliloquies going unanswered—it was unexpected to receive acknowledgment now. Was this playful banter? Or genuine friendliness?

Her mind briefly raced through possible intentions, but then she saw Xia Liang suddenly raise her hand, which now glowed with a vivid purple magical light.

Any magic girl with formal training would instantly recognize this painfully bright radiance.

—Explosion.