Something's off about this magical girl.

Chapter 19 The Show Ends, The Journey Begins

Before the person inside could speak, the door was pushed open a crack.

But that was all. The door didn't open further; instead, it closed again, and then a series of footsteps quickly faded away in the corridor.

Tao Zhuo looked around the room.

Three women and one man sat on the table with an open lunch, the aroma of food filling the air. The scene created an indescribable, eerie atmosphere that seemed to lie somewhere between a psychological counseling session and a family dinner.

"..." Tao Zhu then put down her chopsticks and said thoughtfully, "I have a feeling that classmate will write something in his diary when he gets home today."

"For example?" Gu Bai continued the conversation.

"For example... I went to the counseling room to talk to the teacher today, only to find that they were having a social gathering. It was already dark outside."

Gu Bai remained silent, going over the possibility in his mind, and felt that it made some sense.

"Next time, add a doorplate," he said.

"Add what?"

"[Talk therapy in progress, please do not disturb]"

Tao Zhuo almost spat out her food with a "pfft," but she still covered her mouth and tried her best to maintain her composure: "Okay, okay."

"Teacher Gu, I'll be leaving now."

As the atmosphere relaxed, Xia Zhi stood up, straightened her collar, and spoke in her usual tone, returning to her previous state.

"Sister Xia, don't go!"

Tao Zhuo put down her chopsticks, her face full of reluctance: "It's only just started, and you're leaving already?"

Xia Zhi looked up, her gaze lingering on Tao Zhuo's face for a moment, before reminding her again: "Tao Zhuo, the Academic Affairs Office has statistics on extra volunteer points. You haven't applied for the 047 Disaster Zone last week. It seems the deadline is today."

"Wait." Tao Zhuo froze, quickly looked down, pulled out her phone, opened the Qi Xin app, and scrolled down to the relevant section: "There's no automatic reporting?!"

"The situation is rather complicated; I'll probably ask you some simple questions."

Xia Zhi had already picked up the lunchbox and added in a considerate tone, "Go to the first floor of the administration building as soon as possible."

Tao Zhuo took a deep breath and looked at Xia Zhi with a sorrowful and complex expression: "Thank you so much for reminding me, Sister Xia!"

"Let's go early," Xia Zhi added, "but in special circumstances, the time shouldn't be too tight."

"I'm a points slave, I'm going now!"

Tao Zhuo immediately set off, using her magic to clean the lunchbox, then weakly glanced at the two people beside her:

"I'm going to submit the missing documents now. You'll have to wait for me until the afternoon, okay? Don't you dare run off with me!"

"No guarantee." Gu Bai delivered a heavy blow, but it was just a joke.

"Bad man." Tao Zhuo saw through it, but still turned and stood in front of Dong Chun: "But Dong Chun would love someone like me, an optional character!"

"The deeper meaning of 'selectable characters' is that they are optional."

But Dongchun's attack became even sharper.

Tao Zhuo seemed to have been struck a heavy blow. She abruptly retreated to the doorway and spoke as if on cue:

"So cunning! Aitao District, you win, I'm running away!"

The door closed.

Her hurried footsteps soon echoed in the corridor as she headed towards the stairwell, gradually fading into the distance.

Xia Zhi took the lunchbox, stood up, paused in front of Gu Bai, and then walked towards the door: "The vehicle is ready in the underground garage and we can leave at any time. If needed, just contact me."

"Okay, thanks."

"It's my duty." She nodded, turned around, and walked out of the counseling room with unhurried steps.

The door closed again.

Only Gu Bai and Dong Chun remained in the room, and the environment became quiet for a moment.

Dong Chun picked up her teacup, took a sip of warm water, and said nothing. She simply took her phone out of her pocket, glanced at the screen, and then put it back.

Gu Bai continued the conversation with Dong Chun, then inquired about more details: "About our destination?"

"In a small town on the edge of the border between Qixin District and the Federation, there is an abandoned village a short way in from the town. That's my hometown. Near the village is a valley with a lot of Type 8 grass."

Dongchun didn't feel there was anything to hide about her background. Taking a breath, she continued:

"I've also been researching retrospective magic lately. If the magical girl you're looking for has been to that valley recently, you should be able to detect any traces she left behind. If not, you can also inquire in some of the surrounding villages where there might still be people."

"it is good."

For Gu Bai, although he knew the chances were slim, something was better than nothing.

Perhaps Dongchun saw something else, but in any case, it has definitely helped her now.

The assessment of her is more mature, and in some ways she doesn't conform to common sense, but magical girls seem to be like that.

There was more to talk about, but with Tao Zhuo not around, the increasingly cold atmosphere made it difficult for either of them to speak.

Outside the window, the last morning of the Qixin Academy exam week was quietly coming to an end.

A cheerful voice drifted from afar, scattered and light, carrying that unique feeling of relief or bewilderment that comes after finishing an exam.

Gu Bai went to the windowsill and looked at the crowd in the distance.

Dongchun remained seated in the same spot, her phone resting on her lap, the eight-shaped grass ornament hanging quietly in the sunlight from the lanyard.

"Winter jasmine," Gu Bai began.

The girl looked up.

Gu Bai continued, "If you need anything in the future, you can come to me."

Dongchun thought for a moment and gave a concise reply: "I understand."

Time slipped by quietly and leisurely for an hour and a half.

dong dong!

Tao Zhuo pushed the door open again, her hair a little messy, probably from running all the way up. She was carrying an extra bulging cloth bag, which she put on the ground and clapped her hands.

"After submitting the materials, I also went to the supply station and bought some travel supplies."

"You still have money?" Gu Bai remembered that this guy Tao Zhuo should be in a state of near starvation.

"I gave Dongchun's name, and the password is 123456. Teachers can use it too~" Taozhuo shrugged and replied.

Then, I briefly described the situation when I submitted the materials, and learned more about the abnormal situation in the 047 Calamity Zone at that time.

She guessed that the relevant departments of Qixin should be studying this matter, after all, the appearance of three gray-bronze level alien beasts in a row was already an abnormal event.

After the casual conversation ended, Tao Zhuo tied the bag shut again, put her hands on her hips, and looked ready to go into battle. "So, shall we set off?"

"Let's go get the car first."

The three walked out of the consultation room.

Gu Bai casually closed the door. The corridor was quiet; the exam was over, and most of the students had left.

The afternoon sunlight slanted in, casting long shadows in the corridor.

Tao Zhuo walked at the front, a cloth bag slung over her shoulder, her steps quick and brisk. She was already chattering about today's journey, mentioning the poor signal in the mountains, how she had already studied the Epiphyllum oxypetalum, and how, if there were any major discoveries, the press release credits must be split equally among the three people…

Gu Bai followed behind, occasionally chiming in, while Dong Chun walked beside him without saying a word.

At the end of the corridor, a bright light shone through the stairwell, illuminating the path ahead. What a beautiful day! Let's set off.