Something's off about this magical girl.

Chapter 73 A Magical Girl Full of Love and Hope

After parting ways with Xin and Xia Zhi in the corridor, Gu Bai led Tao Zhuo to the signage desk.

The nurse was pragmatic and didn't use rigid rules to reject the idea. After checking the room number in the system, she saw that it was Gu Bai and gave him the room number directly.

Go down from the seventeenth floor to the sixteenth floor.

We successfully located ward 1603. A sliver of light from an incandescent bulb shone through the crack in the door, and the room was quiet and silent.

Gu Bai stood at the door, raised his hand, and knocked twice on the door.

"...Come in."

The sound was soft and slightly hoarse.

Her tone remained Guanlan's characteristic gentleness, as if she were deliberately maintaining that tone.

Gu Bai gestured for Tao Zhuo to open the door, and then he stepped inside after her.

Upon entering the room, the main lights were off and the curtains were half-drawn. It was already early morning, and the morning light slanted in through the gap, slightly softening the room's usual cold white tone.

Guanlan leaned against the headboard, her long blue hair spread out on the side of the pillow. Her complexion wasn't good, but her eyes were bright.

Her usual black umbrella was placed on the bedside table, and her wheelchair was pushed aside.

"Have you come to check on the wounded?"

Seeing Gu Bai enter, Guan Lan's lips twitched. Although she hadn't fully regained her strength, she still managed a smile.

"You wouldn't be the kind of people who make fun of patients, would you?"

"The Witch of Disaster has appeared, and the magical girl Zhenyue is seriously injured."

Gu Bai walked over and sat down on the chair next to the hospital bed. Without any formalities, he said, "Let me share this news with you first."

"Xi Ming had already anticipated this situation."

Guanlan shook his head slightly. A morning breeze drifted in from the window, bringing a touch of coolness.

Seeing that Gu Bai didn't speak, she lowered her eyelashes and tapped her left wrist lightly twice with her right index finger, revealing a little more information:

"The information about the witch appearing in the human world is actually semi-public, and given her methods, it's only a matter of time before she's caught on camera."

"Logically speaking, it would take three Seven-Star Magical Girls to reliably deal with one witch. Zhenyue is lucky to have survived."

A three-on-one situation is the safest bet, while a two-on-one situation can only be considered a possible counter-strategy.

Gu Bai put the number in his mind for a moment.

I had considered the difference between a top-tier magical girl and a witch, but judging from the information Guanlan provided, the pressure suddenly increased significantly.

After all, even including the insects, there are only four Seven-Star Magical Girls here now, while he knows of more than one witch.

Tao Zhuo remained silent, peeled an apple she had brought with her, handed it to Guan Lan, and then consciously retreated to become part of the background.

"Thank you." Guanlan took the apple, her fingers lingering on the edge of the peel for a moment before she steered the conversation elsewhere, her tone neither too light nor too heavy: "The matter of the Witch of Calamity is indeed a headache, but Teacher Gu Bai, the problems you have are no small matter either."

As she spoke, she glanced at Tao Zhuo beside her, as if giving her a reminder.

"It's okay for her to stay here; let's just say it directly without avoiding the question."

Gu Bai didn't take it to heart, but he was quite bothered by the word Guan Lan uttered before losing consciousness and the look in her eyes:

"The previous soul swap... I think that's what that spell was called. After the swap, tell me what you sensed, and how you were suddenly severely injured in that state?"

Guanlan nodded and placed the apple on the bed sheet: "Tell me what I sensed."

"To be honest, there is a considerable amount of magic within you. The magic sword goes without saying, and the magical girl from before must have conducted a long-term test on you. No wonder she reminded me to pay attention to your presence. What a perverted sense of humor. You've really been watched by that peeping tom for a long time."

Guanlan nodded, showing absolutely no respect for her ex.

On the contrary, even after the death of the magical girl, her attitude remained unchanged. In her eyes, the dividing line between right and wrong would not be adjusted because of death.

Beside her, Tao Zhuo clapped her hands in mid-air.

She glanced back at Gu Bai, a fleeting glint in her peach blossom eyes, but she didn't speak, instead continuing to peel the second apple.

"That's not all. A considerable number of basic trigger spells have been embedded in his body. The trigger conditions should have been set in advance, so they will be executed automatically once a specific situation is encountered."

"...I see."

The room fell silent for a moment.

The morning light shifted a little further, slanting in through the gap in the curtains and casting a pale golden edge on the sheets.

Gu Bai went over Guan Lan's words in his mind again.

Based on the description of "trigger magic," the answer is obvious as to which magical girl installed it.

Ink Heart.

Although it's been a very long time since I've seen her, it seems like you've always been by my side, which is why you respond to me immediately when certain special circumstances arise.

Gu Bai calmed down.

Of course, even with such a strange point, it still exists. According to what the magical girl said, it should be that Mo Xin told her to keep an eye on her.

So, it turns out that Mo Xin has encountered some inescapable problem that requires eliminating the magical girl to solve it?

Indeed, finding her was necessary.

Whether it's out of her own conscience or for the sake of the entire magical girl system.

Gu Bai wasn't without ideas; besides the magical girl from the past, Yubi also mentioned the witch of learning who knew about Mo Xin.

If it weren't for the witch causing the disaster these past few days, he might have set off for the witch's world soon.

But now...

"How much do you know about the Witch of Calamity? Do you have a concrete plan to deal with her?" Gu Bai put aside his own affairs and returned to the previous topic.

Guanlan placed the leftover apple core beside her pillow, slightly raising her eyes: "Judging from what you've said, Teacher, you're planning to join in dealing with her too?"

"Yes."

Gu Bai really didn't want to communicate with Guan Lan, but after all, he was the future leader of the Ximing Church.

If it's for the safety of the future human world, I believe she would do the same thing.

"Oh, I see. That's a bit unexpected..."

Guanlan looked at him for a moment, and for the first time in this sickroom, she showed a less composed expression.

It's a strange state that's close to faith, but even more troublesome after you start believing.

Guanlan finally spoke, recounting the information that Ximing's side currently possessed, point by point, in a steady and detailed voice.

Gu Bai grasped the most crucial point: even if he could defeat the Witch of Calamity on his own, he wouldn't be able to completely resolve the matter, because the witch was also immortal. Perhaps only by containing her or using other methods could the matter be resolved.

Throughout the entire process, Tao Zhuo sat to the side, holding the slice of apple in her hand without taking a single bite.

She had been listening intently. Today's matches were all high-level games. Was the so-called high-level game that her classmates were so eager to reach six stars and come into contact with such terrifying beings?

Where has our magical girl world, full of love and hope, gone?!