Chapter 512: Successful Recognition
Oh ho~ That's a bit much; you can even retire here.
Ye Yao found it somewhat unbelievable.
She had thought that with Mo Qiuli's passion for Magical Girls, she would remain one for her entire life, no matter what.
But what did she mean by 'retired'?
What would happen to the Magical Girl Alliance?
Ye Yao simply couldn't believe that the unbreakable alliance had crumbled so easily.
Ye Yao was certain that if she told the Mo Qiuli from the original timeline about this, she would definitely transform into a Mysterious Archer Girl to correct her future self.
How could a Magical Girl of love and justice forget her roots?
Ye Yao wouldn't allow it!
She wouldn't accept it!
Just as Ye Yao was pondering what could have caused Mo Qiuli to change her mind, Mo Qiuli grabbed her small hand and pulled her into the room.
"Mom, we're chatting in the room. Remember to call us when it's time to eat."
"No problem, you two take your time chatting."
Ye Yao was abducted into the room by Mo Qiuli before she could even react.
How bold!
She then naturally began observing the layout of Mo Qiuli's room three years into the future.
She had originally thought it would have matured along with her age.
But after looking around, it didn't seem to be the case.
Familiar Magical Girl posters, and familiar Magical Girl figurines.
And even more familiar Magical Girl outfits.
Looking at it this way, Mo Qiuli's passion for Magical Girls hadn't faded; at most, she had simply 'retired' from her identity as a Magical Girl.
The young girl sat on the edge of the bed, her expression looking very helpless.
"Though I don't know how you found out about this, I indeed haven't been active as 'Magical Girl Mercury' for a long time."
Mo Qiuli seemed to feel that making excuses was pointless and could only confess.
Facing Ye Yao's sudden 'doxing,' she seemed to have lost all her means and strength.
If this were some unhealthy work, she might have already been threatened into doing this or that.
However, with the Countermeasure Bureau around, a heavy-handed response was more likely.
Ye Yao decided to find out the reason.
The Mo Qiuli of this timeline wasn't considered family members yet, so she couldn't use the system to organize information and could only ask verbally.
"I can still feel your passion for Magical Girls. Why did you suddenly retire?"
Mo Qiuli showed a hesitant expression, appearing a bit embarrassed to state the reason.
"Because... I've expired. It's probably not appropriate to be a Magical Girl after growing up, right?"
Ye Yao: "?"
What do you mean you automatically retired because you expired?
Is it possible you can't be a Magical Girl if you're not a loli?
Then what does the 'Girl' in 'Magical Girl' mean?
I reckon you're still in your youth; isn't this your golden age?
Ye Yao's urge to complain grew stronger and stronger.
She now knew why the Mo Qiuli of this timeline had retired.
Her passion for Magical Girls still hadn't faded; it wasn't like chuunibyou that automatically disappears.
She just felt her age was no longer appropriate.
According to what the Mo Qiuli from the original timeline said...
She also seemed to think that childhood was the best time to be a Magical Girl.
Growing up any further would make one too old.
Even a beautiful girl like Xia Lian wouldn't do.
I'd say Mo Qiuli is the extreme lolicon!
Ye Yao was terrified that if someone wanted to join the Magical Girl Alliance in the original timeline, Mo Qiuli would blurt out something ridiculous like, "Go back, you're too old."
Ye Yao wore an expression of frustration at her failure to live up to expectations.
This Mo Qiuli must be strictly corrected!
Perspective shifts back to the Countermeasure Bureau dormitory in the original timeline.
Ye Yao stared seriously at the Mo Qiuli in front of her.
"Little Mo, when you grow up in the future, will you still be a Magical Girl?"
"Of course! With Ye Yao here, I'm going to be a Magical Girl for the rest of my life, because Ye Yao will always support my dream, won't you?"
Mo Qiuli didn't even hesitate for a second.
Ye Yao nodded thoughtfully.
"Then according to Little Mo's previous thoughts, it wouldn't be appropriate to be a Magical Girl after growing up, right?"
After all, in Mo Qiuli's eyes, even Ye Ge was a bit 'expired' and couldn't become a suitable candidate for a Magical Girl.
She would eventually grow up as well.
To this, Mo Qiuli was even more self-righteous.
"Since when are age and body type such inconvenient things?
Just use Transformation magic and it'll be fine. Even if I grow up in the future, as long as I still harbor love and justice in my heart, I'll still be a shining Magical Girl after transforming!"
The plasticity of Mo Qiuli's Superpower really could allow her to change into various forms.
Never mind outfit-changing magic, she could even turn from a young girl back into a loli!
This was 'Transformation' magic!
"Hiss—"
Ye Yao gasped.
Yes, yes, yes!
This is what a qualified Magical Girl looks like!
The Mo Qiuli who had experienced major events was truly different.
With the corresponding life experiences, there was no way her heart could waver.
In the timeline without Ye Yao, Mo Qiuli likely wouldn't encounter so many incidents.
In the end, it would probably only be a roleplay of a house-playing nature.
It seemed normal for her to start doubting herself over time.
Ye Yao quickly switched her perspective back.
"That's an excuse. The Mo Qiuli I know wouldn't give up her identity as a Magical Girl for such a reason."
Mo Qiuli: "?"
What was going on?
Even though she felt she was being scolded, there was a sense of being recognized and encouraged; she actually felt a bit happy inside.
To think that someone actually still needed her?
Mo Qiuli began to believe a little that the girl before her was her fan.
Perhaps someone she had helped before in her identity as 'Magical Girl Mercury.'
She must have left a deep impression on this child.
It was just that she didn't have any impression of it herself.
How shameful.
Mo Qiuli indeed wanted to continue being a Magical Girl, but those adults always thought it was a waste of time.
"But... I don't have power. If a Magical Girl can't help others, then what's the difference between her and small fry...?"
"Ah, this."
Only then did Ye Yao recall that the reason the Mo Qiuli of the original timeline maintained absolute confidence was that she had noble combat stats.
Stats were precisely the reason to become a Magical Girl.
In the original timeline, who would dare speak loudly to Mo Qiuli?
I bet they'd want a 'Mercury' to the face.
Naturally, there would be great scholars to defend her scriptures.
Ye Yao fell into deep thought.
It seemed the Mo Qiuli of this timeline had encountered some setbacks.
This had severely damaged her self-confidence.
It wasn't that she forgot her roots, but rather a matter of self-awareness.
Was it the Flame Demon Incident at the beginning?
If Ye Yao hadn't been there at the time, she indeed could only have watched everything happen powerlessly.
Ye Yao didn't plan to ask about these things so soon, but instead prepared to further 'recognize' Mo Qiuli.
She wanted to test an idea.
Ye Yao extended a small hand toward Mo Qiuli, not mentioning anything about the parallel timeline, her expression exceptionally firm.
"Little Mo, let's form a lifelong Magical Girl Alliance together."
"Eh?"
Mo Qiuli was stunned for a moment.
She completely didn't expect this white-haired girl to say something that sounded like fooling around so seriously.
And 'Little Mo'... wasn't this address a bit too intimate?
Ye Yao wasn't finished yet.
"I can become your companion. What do you think of the title 'Magical Girl Nursery Rhyme'?"
Mo Qiuli's eyes lit up.
The feeling was here!
Even though they had only just met, this feeling of being 'kindred spirits' couldn't be wrong!
"Okay!"
In a moment of passion, Mo Qiuli agreed.
Just as her voice of agreement came out, the system's voice rang in Ye Yao's mind.
【Successful Recognition】