Something's off about this magical girl.

Chapter 34 The Psychological Counseling Room Opens

Qixin Academy held classes as usual on Monday.

The screen in the corridor had a new round of notifications. Gu Bai glanced at it as he passed by. It was a comprehensive score announcement for last week's practical test. The background was dark blue, the font was gold, and the layout was meticulous. But thinking about it, it made sense; for magical girls, this could be considered a second lifeline.

Xia Zhi and Fuyu Tsubaki's names firmly occupy the top two spots.

The third was Jin Jue, followed by a string of magical girls that Gu Bai didn't recognize.

Scrolling down further, Tao Zhuo's name had moved to the early twenties position, accompanied by a conspicuous little gold arrow pointing to the upper right. No wonder that guy was in such a good mood yesterday.

Gu Bai stared at the arrow for a moment, then continued walking forward.

Reaching the end of the corridor, I pushed open the wooden door to the consultation room and went inside. The green plants hadn't drooped much in the days he was away; they were doing quite well.

I guess Xia Zhi has been taking care of me during this time.

The school bell rang precisely on time outside the corridor, its gentle and crisp sound exactly the same as the one I heard on my first day, as if nothing had happened in between.

Gu Bai leaned back in his chair and looked out the window.

I want to rush, but rushing won't help.

Even though Mo Xinzhen was arranged by the Ximing Cult to participate in the longevity plan, she has already staked all the channels she can use on it.

Luoshui is already taking action, and there is also contact with the Magical Girls of the Past. Finally, the cooperation from the official Qixin team is still ongoing. But lastly, given Qixin's capabilities, does it seem like they are trying to deceive us?

I'll contact the person in charge of the Ximing Cult in the Qixin Main District again in a few days.

I remembered that I was worried at first that the magical girls might lead me astray, but now it seems that I should be worried that the magical girls here might lead me astray.

This Tao Zhuo is also a divine being.

Yesterday I heard her say that the stock price of "Epimedium" is still rising, but its momentum has weakened and it will probably start to fall soon.

That girl, she keeps saying she's going to make money to retire, but is that really what she's thinking?

If so, then that's quite easy.

------

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Xia Zhi arrived at lunchtime.

As usual, there were two knocks on the door, and then the door was pushed open a crack. She stepped in sideways, carrying an orange lunchbox, her steps unhurried.

But today, after walking to the table and putting down the lunchbox, she didn't immediately turn around and leave.

"Something wrong?" Gu Bai lifted the lid and glanced at it.

"Yes."

Xia Zhi sat down on the chair opposite her, crossed her hands on her knees, and sat upright.

After a moment of silence, he finally spoke: "Recently, there has been some chaos at the top of Qixin, and the situation is not very stable. I am also sorry that I have not been able to make progress on the things the teacher asked for in a timely manner during this period."

"I know, I know, it's okay, let's go back."

Gu Bai interrupted, saying that such polite words were better left unsaid. However, before he could finish speaking, Xia Zhi had already uttered a rather crucial name.

"Today I'd like to explain to you something regarding Miss Mo Xin—"

"—There's news?!" Gu Bai finally heard that name from someone else; there was finally progress!

Gu Bai's reaction exceeded Xia Zhi's expectations. She cleared her throat lightly and spoke with as much restraint as possible:

"Teacher, please calm down. According to the investigation team's compilation of relevant clues, there are only scattered records of this magical girl. The person who has had the most frequent contact with her is most likely the current leader of the Church of Dawn, the magical girl Wang Zhi."

"Oh, I see. I understand."

The existing clues corroborated each other. Gu Bai paused for a moment before speaking again: "Okay, by the way, Dong Chun, Tao Zhuo, my affairs shouldn't affect their personal development, and the same goes for you."

"Um."

Xia Zhi didn't say much, just nodded and stood up.

There was no sound in the consultation room.

The leaves of the green plants shimmered quietly in the sunlight by the window, and the plant that Gu Bai had just moved there hadn't had a chance to stretch out yet.

Boom, boom, boom.

But just then, the door was pushed open.

A green-haired girl, dressed in the senior year uniform of Qixin Academy, stood at the entrance, holding a short, wheat-ear-shaped hair clip in her hand. Her expression was slightly unnatural, as if she had made thorough preparations, but the moment she stepped in, all her preparations vanished.

Because there was another person sitting in the chair.

"Ah, Xia, what are you doing here again?"

"again?"

"Hey, I already said it... I meant, Natsu, what are you doing here watching the school counselor—"

"I'm leaving now." Xia Zhi didn't linger and left immediately.

He didn't try to persuade her to stay any longer, and instead began to observe the magical girl who had entered.

"Spring jasmine?"

"...You still remember me."

Chunheng was clearly taken aback for a moment, then tried to compose herself, took two steps inside, and sat down properly on the chair, looking just like a proper student who had come to receive psychological counseling.

"Of course I remember," Gu Bai leaned back in his chair. "His face-changing art was superb; it left a deep impression on me."

"Stop, stop, stop!"

Chunheng raised her hand, as if to cut off the conversation, her cheeks slightly flushed, but she tried her best to remain calm: "There's no need to mention that matter again. I've corrected the relevant combat errors, and it won't happen again. I'll never speak my mind again!"

"So you're here today for...psychological counseling?"

Gu Bai spoke, a question mark silently forming in his mind, for he certainly hadn't studied this subject.

"You could call it that way, but it's mostly about relaying messages for others."

Chunheng's tone suddenly changed, carrying a hint of something, as if she had mustered up some strength: "I mainly came to tell you something."

"explain."

"There are already some inaccurate rumors about you."

Gu Bai looked at her, waiting for her to continue.

Chunheng cleared her throat, shifted her gaze slightly away, and spoke in a tone that tried to maintain neutrality:

"For example... there's a rumor that a certain four-star quasi-magical girl disappeared for a whole week, and when she returned, she was directly promoted to five stars. The cause and effect of her promotion is related to a certain new teacher in Qi Xin."

The consultation room was silent for a few seconds.

"And then?" Gu Bai asked, his tone unchanged.

"Adding to Tao Zhuo's previous remarks on the news, this rumor... has spread quite widely, that is, the teacher is actually a woman disguised as a man, hiding her identity to enter the school just to protect Miss Tao."

"ah--"

Gu Bai picked up his teacup and took a sip of water; he was speechless.

The interview that the reporter released, along with the phrase "led by a super powerful magical girl" that was broadcast verbatim, and the fact that Tao Zhuo went out and was promoted from four-star to five-star, all these elements combined make it clear how the rumors originated.

He could only sigh: "Rumors can't be stopped. Did you come here specifically to confirm if I'm a woman?"

"No, no, that's just a preface. I didn't come here today solely to discuss that matter."

After saying that, Chunheng turned her gaze back, her expression becoming much more serious than before, with a very sincere look in her eyes: "Teacher, there is something I would like to formally ask you for a favor."

"Please me?"

"right."

She looked directly at him, enunciating each syllable clearly. Gu Bai could even see her take a deep breath before uttering the next sentence.

"Teacher, please..."