I dug up the magical girl's corpse.

Chapter 44 Reversal

These novice magical girls were surprised by Lin Yongxi's fighting style, finding her brutal and even savage.

This is because they are young and inexperienced, having only recently entered the profession, and still harbor some wonderful fantasies about the magical girl role. A glance at Camellia and the referee reveals that the true veterans are unfazed, even displaying a calm and composed demeanor.

...This is what a magical girl should be like.

Some might even have such thoughts.

This brings us to why there is an assessment mechanism like a "preliminary round".

Even though all the magical girls present are qualified magical girls who have passed the certification and possess the necessary skills and heart-shaped charm, only half of them are able to participate in the competition?

Why not just let them all compete on stage together? At worst, it'll just be one more round of eliminations, and we can sell more tickets and make more money.

This is because "knowing magic doesn't necessarily mean you can fight."

For these teenagers, the biggest challenge isn't actually mastering magic; that's like doing homework, which can be quite fun and interesting. But how do they acquire the heart of a warrior? Do they dare to endure pain or bloodshed, dare to throw a punch at their opponent, dare to charge forward in the face of dangerous attacks?

It sounds easy, but it's actually very difficult.

During times of war, magical girls were almost forced to learn these skills because facing monsters meant certain death if they weren't brave; they were all forced to become qualified warriors.

But in today's peaceful times, it's not easy to get these teenagers into the fight.

Some magical girls are exceptionally talented and adept at learning magic, but they are inherently timid and unable to fight. They panic as soon as they enter the arena, causing them to underperform, which defeats the purpose of the fight. There have even been cases where magical girls have fled immediately upon entering the arena.

This is not only irresponsible to the audience and affects the competition, but it will also cause problems for the magical girl herself, and may even cause psychological trauma.

Therefore, the Demon Academy set up a "preliminary round" format, which was not made public, and eliminated half of the candidates who were not suitable for the competition internally.

In this way, the players who actually take the stage will be considered quite qualified.

Coincidentally, Lin Yongxi was the perfect candidate to meet their requirements.

She is a girl with a strong "fighting spirit". Her original disadvantage of being younger and starting later than others has become a manifestation of her maturity. As an 18-year-old adult, she has her own dreams and determination, her own goals and motivation, which is much stronger than these younger girls.

"I will win and prove myself! No one can stop me!"

In addition, the practical training Chen Mu gave her honed her fearless spirit, which also played a significant role here!

boom! boom! boom!

Lin Yongxi swung his fists, punching Yang Yu repeatedly.

Without any mercy, without any hesitation.

She only wanted to eliminate her opponent as soon as possible; she had no other thoughts.

However, the competition won't end so easily, nor will it unfold exactly as she envisions.

Fighting spirit is certainly an important factor, but this is, after all, a magical girl's battle.

It cannot be separated from "magic".

boom!

As Lin Yongxi continued pounding, he suddenly realized... something felt off.

The initial attacks provided clear feedback, but now they are gradually slowing down.

Instead, I felt a hard impact, as if I had been blocked, and the shock was so strong that my hand hurt.

wrong.

"Um?"

Lin Yongxi looked down and saw that a faint light and shadow began to linger on Yang Yu's skin.

Magic enveloped her body, forming a protective shield that blocked Lin Yongxi's attacks.

This is [Magic Enhancement], which is also the most basic application of magic for magical girls.

The Magical Girl [Seed] level requires learning to incorporate magic into herself, tempering her body to gradually meet the requirements for transforming into a [Gemstone Body]. During this process, the Magical Girl's body undergoes an evolutionary experience, with strength, stamina, speed, and explosive power all increasing, as does her resilience.

While it doesn't quite match the effect of transformation, it serves a similar purpose.

This is why it was said at the time that even without transforming, Mu Mian could pose a fatal threat to Chen Mu with just one punch.

Yang Yu is like this now. Under Lin Yongxi's fierce onslaught, if she were an ordinary little girl, she would have been knocked unconscious long ago.

But now, apart from some bruises on her skin and bloodstains at the corner of her mouth, she doesn't seem to have any major injuries.

"Pooh."

Yang Yu spat out the blood in her mouth, sneered, and began her counterattack: "Have you had enough?!"

Before she could finish speaking, she suddenly exerted her strength, using the instantaneous burst of power brought by [Magic Enhancement] to shake off Lin Yongxi, who was suppressing her.

The situation began to reverse.

"No."

Although Lin Yongxi was sharp-tongued, she clearly felt the strain. When her fist landed on Yang Yu again, it felt like hitting a wooden stake covered in thick rubber. Most of the force was absorbed and dispersed by that invisible and intangible magic, having no effect whatsoever, and instead consuming her energy.

"Then keep going, keep being stubborn!"

Yang Yu laughed heartily. Although her movements were still clumsy and sluggish due to her lack of combat experience, far less fluid and fierce than Lin Yongxi's, the power she carried with each punch and kick was now incomparable, creating a whooshing sound.

Using magical fists and feet to suppress opponents—that's the correct way for a magical girl to fight.

Lin Yongxi knew its power and dared not take it head-on.

He could only rely on his agile movements and the force-dissipating techniques taught by Chen Mu to constantly dodge and move around, trying to find new weaknesses.

For a moment, the situation reached a stalemate.

Lin Yongxi's attacks were ineffective, while Yang Yu, despite his strength, could not catch his opponent.

"So annoying! Like a rat!"

Unable to gain the upper hand, Yang Yu became impatient. Seizing an opportunity when Lin Yongxi retreated, she quickly crossed her hands in front of her chest and began chanting a short incantation.

call--!

Instantly, scorching magic gathered and swirled around her, and a blazing ring of fire appeared out of thin air, its flames churning and radiating scorching heat! The ring of fire moved with Yang Yu's body, encircling her like a moving cage of flames, rapidly approaching Lin Yongxi!

...Is this the power of her [Heart Blossom]? What kind of magic is it that can launch such an attack?

Lin Yongxi's expression changed; this sudden magical attack greatly reduced her room to maneuver.

But time was short, and there was no time to think carefully. She could only retreat hastily, narrowly avoiding the licking flames.

The heatwave scorched her skin and hair, causing a noticeable stinging sensation.

"Keep hiding! Keep hiding!"

Yang Yu smugly manipulated the fire ring, pressing forward step by step. She slowly walked forward, enjoying her opponent's expression, constantly pushing Lin Yongxi towards the edge of the arena:

"A violent woman who can't even use magic, can't cast spells, and only knows brute force, dares to participate in the competition? It's laughable!"

With nowhere to retreat and the ring's boundary line right behind him, falling would mean defeat. The scorching heat of the flames was almost palpable; he could practically smell his hair burning.

In this desperate situation, Lin Yongxi suddenly stopped retreating.

She closed her eyes.

There's no going back. In a match, leaving the ring means admitting defeat.

I cannot admit defeat.

The arduous training of the past month, the resolute decision to leave home, not yet fully knowing about his sister's past, and his brother-in-law taking a blow from the magical girl for him.

If I fall here, everything I've done before will have been for nothing!

...The images flashed through her mind like a revolving lantern.

"I must...win!"

So what if it's an epiphyllum? So what if it doesn't have magic? Every flower has a moment to bloom, and capturing that moment is enough!

She suddenly opened her eyes, her gaze burning with an almost frantic determination.

Without the slightest hesitation, he charged headlong into the blazing ring of fire instead of retreating!

"What?!"

Yang Yu was shocked; she hadn't expected the other party to dare to do such a thing.

Sizzle—!

The sound of her clothes and skin being burned by the flames, and the intense pain instantly swept through Lin Yongxi's nerves. But she gritted her teeth, seemingly oblivious to the pain, and using the momentum of her charge, she forced her way through the ring of fire! Her pupils still seemed to hold embers, and her figure, like a cannonball, crashed into Yang Yu's arms!

"Drink it—!"

Lin Yongxi let out an almost screaming shout, channeling all his strength, all his will, and even the magic that had been suppressed!

All of it was poured into this desperate strike!

A white light! It exploded instantly!

boom! ! !

A deafening roar far louder than any previous impact!

It shattered the magic, broke through the protective shield, and even shattered the formation on the arena!

Under the blinding light, it was almost impossible to see what was happening.

The surrounding magical girls only saw Yang Yu fly out—

Like a kite with a broken string, she traced an arc, crossed the entire arena, and crashed hard into the hard wall in the distance.

It made a heavy thud, then slid softly to the ground and lost consciousness.

"...!"

"this……"

"What exactly happened?"

The entire testing venue fell into a deathly silence; no one could answer the question.

Everyone stared in disbelief at Lin Yongxi, who stood upright on the stage. Just moments ago, she had rushed into the ring of fire, and her clothes and skin should have been burned. Yet, she was completely unharmed, as if she hadn't suffered any injury. Her eyes were calm and serene, accompanied by a satisfied smile, and she looked triumphant.

"good."

She murmured to herself, as if still immersed in the afterglow of that attack.

What just happened? What was that white light? How did she do that?

Those young magical girls, of course, could not possibly know.

Only the two on the sidelines, Camellia and the referee, who had remained calm throughout, suddenly stood up at the same time.

For the first time, their faces showed undisguised astonishment. They exchanged a glance, then stared intently at the girl on the stage.