"Yes."
Hibiscus knew there was no point hiding the existence of beings above catastrophic levels, so she answered her childhood friend directly.
"They'll co eventually—beings representing the destruction of the previous era. It's just that they still exist in the Disaster Beast world's holand. Don't worry, we all still have ti. Enjoying the present isn't a bad approach."
"I'm not afraid of those scary things at all, because I know Magical Girls will definitely beco stronger. But I worry about you constantly taking risks."
Dandelion stared at her with an expression of reluctance.
Catastrophic Disaster Beasts represented destroying precious things—that was what was truly frightening.
"Staying here is boring too. Want to take a trip to the street that was attacked by the Vanguard Disaster Beast cat demon? It's being renovated and expanded. Though wandering around battlefield ruins is weird... but for us, there aren't many good sights left in the world we haven't seen."
"I'd be delighted."
"Let's depart imdiately." Before finishing her words, Magical Girl Hyacinth's transformation state lifted, her silver long hair fading away, replaced by shoulder-length black hair.
As her realm improved, the gap between her base form and transformation grew wider. Hair length representing magic power purity could change, symbolizing the vast difference. Of course, Fruition Stage's massive origin still protected her body—the biggest difference was not wearing regalia's defensive layer. In Dandelion's eyes, the familiar image had returned, yet despite seeing it for over ten years, it felt strangely unfamiliar.
She looked at her own outfit and smiled bitterly, realizing she'd instinctively switched to regalia upon entering, only now thinking to release it.
Having been companions for so long as childhood friends, yet gradually leaving behind each other's familiar appearances—both realized this point in their mutual gaze, feeling lancholy despite theoretically having the closest real-world connection.
"Does magic also reshape our lives themselves? Never able to return..."
Before Dandelion could finish, Hibiscus suddenly embraced her, fragrant body scent washing over her, that softness at her chest full of embracing comfort.
A hand slowly stroked her head, giving a thread of warmth.
She knew she had to provide comfort.
Don't think the strongest Domain magic user was rational and rigid, not good at imagination—actually she was quite emotional regarding interpersonal relationships, which also matched Magical Girl theory about strong emotional fluctuations being powerful. Magical Girl Dandelion needed companions; everyone needed each other.
"Don't think that way. It's new opportunities bringing new relationships. Otherwise after graduation we'd probably part ways forever anyway, and all our previous ti would lose aning."
"True, I was considering studying abroad then—probably would have been separated by vast distances."
Suddenly Hibiscus spread Sands of Ti's interwoven kaleidoscope mirrors in her hand. In dangerous spaceti refractions, past childhood photo albums continuously materialized. Using magic power to achieve such precision was divine skill, but for Dandelion it was more moving. She rembered everything—they hadn't taken photos then, but now presented in another way.
Could Sands of Ti even preserve ti itself?
"Dandelion, magic is our second encounter. You and I have gained new relationships and will go to more distant places."
"You're quite the speaker."
"Just reciting facts. It changed many things, but will create much more. In my view, life is about depth. What happened in the past year was longer than ordinary people's entire lives, and we experienced it together."
"I'm just sighing a bit. I don't hate or reject magic—rather, I'm considering Small Universe's new directions, developing toward complete worlds."
While speaking, Dandelion materialized a microscopic starry sky image at her fingertips. Ultimate magic power manipulation was evident, already possessing dual-deploynt characteristics—one sign of Small Universe magic advancing toward Fruition Stage. The battle with Intelligent Subspecies brought her considerable gains; the path was already clear.
Then the black-haired girl took Hibiscus's hand.
"This ti I'll take you."
The next instant Small Universe deployed covering a city district, so fast ordinary people couldn't react—completing internal movent in a flash.
Hibiscus only felt a force pulling, then calmly accepted it, appearing in the reconstruction area the next mont.
Small Universe's operational ability was simply miraculous compared to before.
Magical Girls had long completed all-weather coverage of presence-reduction techniques, so their sudden appearance didn't attract any attention. What t their eyes was mostly ruined scenery—broken walls and ruins surrounded by scaffolding for repairs.
The largest ruins were the once-iconic building, reduced to a battlefield between the cat demon and Hyacinth, severely ravaged, leaving only piles of broken bricks and rubble.
Very ordinary.
But for those who'd personally experienced that life-and-death trial, no matter how much ti passed, their hearts would shake. That was the first truly life-or-death battle between Hyacinth and Dandelion, neither giving ground. If they'd died here then, nothing else could be discussed. Newly debuted triple-awakened Magical Girls dueling Vanguard Disaster Beasts—even in today's talent-rich Church would be considered super-strong talent. The strong always showed extraordinary qualities early.
But few knew, or rather Dandelion deliberately kept it secret, hoping this special experience belonged only to them.
She embraced Hibiscus's right arm, leaning close: "After it ended then, I was so scared my legs went soft. You supported walking the whole way."
"Most people don't like their dark history."
"But with you there, doesn't it count as a beautiful mory?"
Actually then they had no ti to think much, once forgetting to call a taxi—of course there were no cars available either. Newbie Magical Girls couldn't think of many asures, walking ho with minds almost completely blank.
Just as they chatted about those topics, they'd already walked beside the ruins. Long washing had made the magic contamination left by the cat demon disappear—nothing more than a demolition site now.
Who could imagine this place could be called a morial site of Hyacinth's first Disaster Beast victory?
Dandelion smiled: "If it were Jin Ruochu, she'd probably erect a monunt grandly. But I think letting it be washed away by years is fine."
Only when it disappeared to just mories would it belong uniquely to themselves... Though thinking this was a bit domineering, it was indeed so. Let the unknown first battle of the strongest be buried—now they'd returned to glance at their old place, and that was satisfying enough.
"You're right, I also dislike that much attention."
Hibiscus agreed wholeheartedly, because the Hyacinth identity was already troubleso enough. Maintaining Magical Girl cognitive barriers was sufficient—otherwise those reporters would probably harass them daily.
"Like now, belonging only to us is very good."
Unknowingly, they'd entered the forr building ruins—empty of people, without disturbance.
Dandelion, revisiting this place of life and death, felt courage surge. Since Sands of Ti preserved ti, this mont couldn't be missed. With this thought, she went from holding hands to embracing her companion's shoulders, slowly standing on tiptoes for a kiss. Eyes closed, so part of the choice was Hibiscus's—she could completely dodge.
The sudden change made her slightly stunned, almost transforming, but ultimately suppressed her magic power and lowered her head in response.
For a mont, lips parted.
In their mutual gaze, both Magical Girls had complex expressions, but more affection. Rather than sudden, it was natural confirmation of feelings.
Once they'd ford life-and-death bonds in these Vanguard Disaster Beast battle ruins, officially becoming Magical Girls and opening another chapter of fate... Today they t again to clarify feelings—also fitting. This emotion needed no hesitation.
Then Dandelion tightly embraced Hibiscus's waist, whispering in her ear: "This isn't liking—this is love."
After saying this, her face flushed red as she turned her head away.
More impactful than the kiss was unreserved expression from the heart.
Then she felt a hand slowly stroking her head, fingers sliding through hair strands with warmth, accompanied by gentle words: "I knew long ago, just deceived myself for a long ti. But can't pretend it doesn't exist anymore. Thank you, Dandelion. I'll stay with you."
"A promise? What kind of chaotic world is this now—magic infection factors escaping from Fallen Zones, plus even stronger Disaster Beasts coveting... Everyone's promises are powerless."
"I'm different."
"Before, His Majesty the King was the most special one, yet he still sacrificed. So-called strongest is also a kind of shackle—gaining much, but losing more. Hibiscus... lately I've also been thinking about magic's next stage. I'm searching for original intentions. Maybe they're not powerful or gorgeous—just wanting to preserve soone precious."
The next Small Universe deployed at zero distance without warning, so fast even Hibiscus couldn't react.
The scenery before them was replaced by starry sky—drifting planets one by one, with distant galaxy traces faintly appearing, representing Small Universe's breakthrough toward Fruition Stage, self-unstable yet heading toward higher levels.
Boom!
Suddenly her back hit a planet surface—cold and solid. Simultaneously, Dandelion's hands gripped Hibiscus's hands, pressing them to the ground.
Her legs naturally clamped around the waist, controlling core strength in a restraining position, firmly locking the range of movent.
Magical Girl Dandelion full transformation!
In the transformation state, her ntal control moved planetary alignnt to apply gravitational circles, collapsing and restraining toward target Hibiscus. Yet the latter remained unmoved, not even transforming, facing her with the most genuine appearance.
"You want to trap , Dandelion. Think even going to Fairy Realm isn't safe because unstable factors like Dark Fairies exist? You worry too much."
"Yes, completely right. How I wish you wouldn't risk standing at the very front so much."
Expressing her true feelings, she hoped the Hibiscus beneath her would resist, everyone clashing intensely then herself falling to accept reality. But the other wouldn't—clearly acknowledging yet refusing to change behavior. This stalemate was torturous.
"Our danger has no aning on the larger scale of era transformation. Round after round of extinction and rebirth are cosmic laws."
"When did you start lecturing about astronomy? I suppose so."
"Don't worry about ."
Suddenly Dandelion changed topics: "Do you know why I awakened Small Universe? The strongest Domain magic happened to be in a troubleso woman."
"—Because I can give my entire world to you."
The starry sky scenery was rapidly changing, teors crossing orbits like annual rings rotating on the planet's horizon where they stood. The universe was vast yet belonged only to you and . Magic was leaping, celebrating its master pulling open a corner of new heights, the path more determined than before.
But it also ca with pain, after all Magical Girl Dandelion understood clearest that Hyacinth wouldn't stop her steps—she'd known since the Vanguard Disaster Beast battle, just wanted to voice opposition.
"Hibiscus, what's the stronger Fruition Stage experience like? We won't lose even our human hearts, will we?"
Before finishing, under countless gravitational pulls, Hibiscus easily reached out to pull her companion down, making her fall onto her chest.
Gentle embrace accompanied by heartbeat sounds.
"That move really startled . Originally Fruition Stage Magical Girls might not even need heartbeats, but it's beating to your rhythm now, right? Let go of those worries. Having each other, we'll go further."
By now she really couldn't say anything opposing, besides not being firm enough—so pale before Hyacinth's will.
Forget it.
Originally hoping to suppress her, but Dandelion discovered Hibiscus could withstand gravity without even transforming, always looking at this most familiar image made her softhearted instead.
I'm really useless. Thinking this, she simply rolled over to lie on her companion's other side, naturally not forgetting to pull an arm as her pillow—quite forceful movents as if venting anger.
Hibiscus smiled at her childhood friend's tantrum.
"...Did you discover anything new in this divination? Like next dangers."
"So-called Ti Prophecy has already declined—can foresee fewer and fewer things. Because it's not real-ti changes—similar to getting a complex story then modifying based on plot. Our early modifications changed later stages, naturally becoming increasingly useless. Sorry, no effective information exists—just confirming the future will be more unsettled. But if you're willing, I can tell you an original general direction."
"Don't." Dandelion shook her head. "I don't care about endings—I only care how far I walk with you."
"Thank you."
The one person supporting her from beginning to end across two world lines—what more could she ask? Actually Hyacinth already possessed the greatest fortune, worthy of satisfaction.
Human hearts were flesh—facing options of being more conservative to reduce risks, how could Hibiscus not be moved? But walking this far wasn't just responding to her childhood friend—she'd shouldered too much to allow retreat. Right, standing at the front as the strongest was a shackle—so what?
They would only temper Sands of Ti to reach new realms.
A pair of girls with different thoughts lay in this lonely vast universe gazing at stars, knowing it was domain internal scenery yet couldn't help being entranced, until it gradually faded and both fird their resolve.
Dandelion raised her hand to dismiss the domain, but next mont sirens echoed through ruins and even the city.
Woooo—
Hibiscus frowned, murmuring: "No, this isn't ordinary Disaster Beast attack sirens—it's infection breath."
Before finishing, broadcasts indeed sounded: "Monitoring stations observed large amounts of infection factors escaping from Fallen Zone Center to Ningfeng Harbor. Please reduce outdoor activities, take protective asures, beware of infection disease outbreaks. Repeat..."
In her ntal perception, panic emotions spread rapidly as people retreated, so not knowing what to do, pacing in place.
"We need to get back." Dandelion suggested: "Let's go to the transmission point."
Then domain magic instantly opened, bringing them to Fireworks Island base in a blink—this place always maintained transmission to Salvation Church's main strongholds. Ti was pressing.
But next mont both restrained their magic power.
Soone was outside.
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