War never begins when you think it should.
That night.
The convergence of two battle-hardened Holy Relic bearers with condensed magic power put the nurous Disaster Beasts on Island 24 on high alert. Small-scale conflicts frequently occurred on the outer periter, helicopters circled precariously in thunderstorms and torrential rain yet dared not relax their firepower to drive them away, while warships continued to approach with guns blazing.
On deck, the current operation group was conducting their first reconnaissance, and what t their eyes was a volcano spewing rolling smoke and dust, occasionally raining down teor-like fire.
"Though I'm blind, just the taste of volcanic ash in the air brings to mind ancient Pompeii." Josh spread her hands. "So the danger isn't just Disaster Beasts, but also unstable geological conditions."
Professor Brunhilde stared at the military map in her hands for a long ti and sighed.
"The volcano is too active. We're having a group fight on top of a powder keg. If we deploy weapons that are too powerful, we might blow everyone sky-high."
"Very unlucky—I'm the power type, which is why I need you to make this trip, Gallup."
"For large-scale group combat, wouldn't Pasha work too?"
"If you hadn't been reckless and thrown away a life while owing favors, I would indeed be working with Pasha."
Their bickering made the surrounding subordinates ignore them. At this mont, the warship had entered the volcanic ash coverage area, with sparks occasionally falling on deck. There were too many to shoot down one by one with ship cannons, but fortunately they had more convenient thods—one of their trump cards for daring to enter Disaster Beast-infested areas.
Crack!
Columns of blood rose from the sea surface, baring fangs and claws, gathering thread by thread into Josh's hands. After she nodded lightly, this blood congealed into blocks yet moved like flexible tentacles, precisely striking and destroying volcanic ash debris—automatically intercepting targets! Only then did Gallup and Brunhilde realize what all that blood around the base ant. Was she storing power? What was the upper limit?
Just as they were pondering, the water surface churned, and in an instant dense swarms of shark Disaster Beasts rushed over, leaping as if to charge onto the deck.
"You'll need to be careful from here on."
Josh made a gun gesture with her hand. The next mont, a red light shot from her fingertip, expanding like a torrent and crushing the Disaster Beast swarm. Blood and flesh flew everywhere, overturning seas, and just the recoil made the warship tremble with creaking sounds. Under such power, the Disaster Beasts didn't dare show their heads.
After all, they were living beings who understood seeking benefit and avoiding harm. Once the enemy was too strong, they would definitely flee. But how terrifying was this? Anyway, Gallup admitted it would be very difficult for him.
He couldn't even achieve complete fusion of relics with his body—or rather, lacked the courage and resisted it.
Thud!
The accompanying secretary lady tilted her head and lay on deck, snoring loudly. The soldiers nearby were the sa, with symptoms identical to being struck by Disaster Beasts.
Josh added: "A few recruits, a few ordinary people—they'll be knocked out by knowledge poison from seeing higher-level relic liberation. This is fortunate, since they don't have to risk going to the island with us."
Brunhilde gazed at the red light extending to the horizon, illuminating a small mountain. With a puff, it hit a cliff, then that position flipped upward revealing a 4-ter diater pupil.
Another Boss Disaster Beast, codena Red Rhino. What was large wasn't the main body but its fusion with the mountain over many years.
The official external claim that Island 24 didn't completely exist was true—this thing was actually an extrely unstable volcanic crater island that had been subjected to land reclamation by Disaster Beasts and was basically unreliable. If they successfully occupied Hermit Island, then it would count as the real Island 24.
He murmured: "Is it too late to say I want to leave now?"
"Professor, we're all on the pirate ship now." Gallup laughed heartily, then beca serious. "Colonel, have you been unable to take this island because of the Red Rhino? Or continuous volcanic eruptions?"
"Both, which is why it's troubleso. Plus it has strong territorial awareness—once feet touch the island's ground, it'll definitely fly into a rage and charge over."
"How about luring it out like this?"
"Very difficult, because Red Rhino will dispatch up to 5 Vanguard Disaster Beasts and a vast army of more commanders. If things get big, neighboring Disaster Beasts will join the fun. So we need powerful assault specialists and large-scale firepower coverage. Gallup, your poison gas is perfect for this."
"Leave it to with confidence."
Josh nodded with satisfaction, still maintaining a stern face but with a sowhat gentler attitude.
She had a secret she'd never told anyone—after the Blood Relic replaced her eyes, it gave her more powerful "vision" that could even faintly perceive ntal power fluctuations, distinguishing truth from falsehood.
When speaking just now, Gallup had finally mustered fighting spirit and regained courage—he could be called a comrade worth entrusting with one's back. As for this guy's dark history of human experints, what did that have to do with her? First, even sneak attacks couldn't escape these eyes' perception. Second, as long as he was willing to fight Disaster Beasts, whether human or ghost, they could be put to use. Even the Salvation Church, which higher-ups generally viewed with wariness, didn't matter...
Boom!
Suddenly waves surged continuously with bubbling that burst with gurgling sounds. Sulfur sll and heat hit their faces as rumbling grew more intense.
Brunhilde grabbed the railing in fright and shouted: "Volcanic eruption coming! Everyone get away quickly!"
Josh stared at the sea surface below with furrowed brows: "No, there are still Disaster Beasts."
"——Retreat quickly!"
Before she finished speaking, Disaster Beasts kept leaping from the water, many with powerful auras giving chase. With no choice, the reconnaissance mission ended early and they had to return at full speed. Even so, so persistent ones followed. Facing such tactless enemies, Josh picked them off one by one, turning them into chunks of at.
"Though I don't study geology, I must interject: active volcanoes will make them increasingly excited. The detection window is very short."
"I know, we all know."
Josh looked at the Disaster Beasts left behind with fierce eyes. Plans really couldn't keep up with changes. Hoping to establish a base through surprise assault and gradually erode territories wouldn't work. They had to consider direct assault. Since they had so many cards, might as well try.
Actually, she wasn't interested in topics like hidden islands or space relics. What mattered was the volcanic island's strategic position—despite harsh natural conditions, it guarded the fallen zone.
A commander couldn't refuse the temptation of a strategic stronghold. If successful, she should be able to get promoted to major general.
"Designate this as a war zone for civilian ships to avoid as much as possible. Also, imdiately replenish ammunition—no matter how much, find it all. We're going to fight a hard battle."
The adjutant looked hesitant: "Being too high-profile will attract dia attention..."
"Don't look ahead and behind. Transmit my orders and act quickly."
"Yes sir."
Witnessing the entire process, Gallup was equally serious. Even rcenaries usually considered undisciplined recognized the grave atmosphere. Now Josh was the commander, and when commanders were determined to fight, there was no avoiding it. No need to guess—the coming period was destined for bloodshed. Would just them be enough?
While pondering, his gaze t the military woman's. She asked: "What do you think?"
"We must win."
...
Ningfeng Harbor University of Political Science and Law, Principal's Office.
In front of the mahogany desk, Nan Zhiyi and Hibiscus sat upright on the left and right, smiling with steady temperants. Both had the unique faint glow of magic power flickering in their eyes, an imperceptible influence on ordinary people gradually spreading.
The principal flipped through two "Withdrawal Applications" on the desk and sighed regretfully.
Looking at the two girls before him, he found them increasingly pleasing to the eye. Not to ntion their province-leading college entrance exam scores, more importantly was their status as self-made entrepreneurs.
"...After all, you already have a dium-sized company under your managent. I completely understand being too busy with work to get away, but surely there's no need to withdraw from school? Why not balance studies and career? As long as you're willing, the school will definitely provide convenience. There are always ways around military training, practicals, and exams."
"I'm a bit tempted." Nan Zhiyi rested her chin in thought.
"Don't trouble the principal." Hibiscus shook her head. "We can't be university students who don't do military training, don't live in dorms, and don't attend classes, right?"
"Indeed."
Their back-and-forth about preparing to withdraw made the principal sowhat anxious, and he quickly spoke to retain them:
"To be honest, compared to promoting a student dropping out of university to do business successfully, I'd rather have the story of successful entrepreneurship during school years, then becoming a model alumnus. Though your company's success has little relation to our school, we could deepen school-enterprise cooperation, targeted recruitnt, joint experints, etc... In any case, I hope Student Mu and Student Nan will seriously consider it."
"But..."
"We have specialized entrepreneurship support programs. Many things won't beco troubles. So could you please withdraw your withdrawal decisions?"
Seeing this, Nan Zhiyi and Hibiscus exchanged glances, pretending to hesitate, then finally nodded after a mont.
"It seems our school will cultivate another lawyer and another doctor." The principal stood up to see them off partway, enthusiastically waving. "Let's cooperate more in the future. I'm very optimistic about your company's prospects."
When the two figures gradually disappeared, he was stunned. How had his usually conservative self agreed to so many favorable conditions? Whatever, as long as the model alumni were recruited.
The university campus in late August was full of figures with large and small luggage, students rushing toward new lives.
Nan Zhiyi suddenly stopped and caught a falling maple leaf.
She whispered to herself: "Though we haven't officially started school yet, my mood is like leaving after graduation."
"Because university life has nothing to do with us anymore. Consider it a farewell." Hibiscus also felt sowhat touched by the scene. "The road ahead won't be easy—much harder than studying, but the upper limit is definitely higher."
She should be most sentintal.
In the original storyline, Hyacinth missed the college entrance exam due to awakening period instability and was judged ntally disturbed, step by step walking toward degradation. Looking back at the unfortunate starting point had beco an obsession. Now she'd completed unfinished business, with a clear mind and high spirits. The stone that had been hanging in her heart was finally set down—when one's thoughts beca open, it was indeed refreshing.
If the night before the college entrance exam I took the step that rewrote my life's turning point, then just now finally completed the entire matter. My body felt unprecedentedly relaxed.
Hibiscus felt that her Origin, which had been accompanying the three in devil training all along, had grown sowhat, even showing a hint of sothing else...
Here it cos!
The Regalia was ready to erge. Fortunately she reacted in ti, or wouldn't that be performing a Magical Girl transformation in broad daylight? No mistake—the magic power in the hair ornant part was undergoing qualitative change.
She reached out to cover the maple leaf in Nan Zhiyi's palm to prevent passersby from seeing.
This movent inevitably involved touching fingers, the soft sensation making the Dandelion girl's face flush as she turned her head away. But her gaze had only moved away briefly when she saw a paper crane appear in her palm. Lifelike, yet folded from brittle, hard dry leaves—simply incredible.
"Your hand didn't move at all... This shouldn't be ti magic either. How did you do it?"
"Magicians never refuse audience inspection."
Nan Zhiyi carefully touched the gift her childhood friend gave her, afraid of breaking it, only to discover she couldn't touch the paper crane. So invisible force firmly fixed that form. No wonder the fragile dry leaf didn't beco debris—it was being forcibly fixed. Could it be ti freezing? Too exaggerated. More like a hand grasping it to maintain its shape—simple, crude, yet effective.
"Telekinesis?"
The mont Nan Zhiyi blurted this out, Hibiscus nodded. As a comprehensive top student, she was naturally well-versed in Magical Girl knowledge and knew the Regalia's next stage manifestation.
After receiving confirmation, Nan Zhiyi was dumbfounded. How do you get stronger like riding a rocket, and comprehensively without weaknesses?
"It's not as amazing as you think. Currently I can only do this much. I won't specifically train telekinesis—as overall strength slowly rises, early-stage skills can also evolve."
"Consider this paper crane a nto."
As soon as she finished speaking, the paper crane in Nan Zhiyi's hand slowly crumbled. Using newly learned telekinesis for high-precision operation was indeed at the limit and difficult to maintain, ultimately flowing away from her fingertips.
"Unfortunately, I'm just a beginner. Even ti magic can't preserve fleeting monts."
"It's fine. I'm very happy you gave your first work." The girl scattered the remaining dry leaf fragnts into the air as if waving goodbye. "Ti to go. Don't keep Jin Yulu and Jin Ruochu waiting too long."
"Right."
After Hibiscus and Nan Zhiyi walked out of the school gate shoulder to shoulder, they saw a familiar red Rolls-Royce.
The pink girl rolled down the car window and loudly greeted them. Nearby passing freshn frequently looked over, unable to help sighing about what true beauty and luxury cars ant.
On the other side, a sunglasses-wearing girl holding a drink got into the passenger seat.
According to Hibiscus's training regulations, after completing Triple Awakening, they should maintain weak transformation state for as long as possible, equivalent to weighted training. Manjusaka's characteristic was pink long hair, Imperial Flower's characteristic was golden vertical pupils. If they randomly walked the streets, they'd definitely encounter talent scouts.
As the two university students got in, they imdiately fastened their seatbelts and sat properly, not daring to move carelessly. The colleagues trusted a certain young miss's driving skills but not her luck.
Jin Ruochu pouted: "Are you really that wary? After special training, I've strengthened control over the Fortune and Misfortune balance."
Splat!
A bird dropping precisely decorated the car emblem.
A mont of silence.
Jin Ruochu cursed as she turned the steering wheel to leave the parking space, carrying the group toward Ningfeng Harbor's seaside district. Fortunately, this journey was peaceful without other incidents, arriving punctually at the Ocean Pearl cruise ship waiting area. Though it was only 9 AM, it was packed with people.
She distributed third-class cabin tickets—processed versions that wouldn't have room service interruptions, with related personnel also hypnotized. They could leave midway.
The four girls looked at each other, took deep breaths, and said in unison: "Smooth sailing."
Ocean Pearl was a 120,000-ton cruise ship that had been operating for over ten years. This voyage would pass the very edge of the Disaster Beast-ravaged fallen zone. If they wanted to reach their target island, there was no more suitable transportation.
Boarding procedures were quickly completed.
Though the four shared one cabin, Hibiscus announced free activities in the spirit of keeping everyone happy. After 10 days of training, they should rest a bit—consider it recuperating before the island's fierce battle.
Her decision was unanimously approved. During this ti, Hyacinth had established her leadership position.
Nan Zhiyi took out a "Criminal Law" textbook and began reading seriously. Obviously, in her view, the vast sky and sea weren't as interesting as the "get-rich manual" in her hands.
Reading was what made people happy.
"Oh my, worthy of being a university student—so studious." Jin Ruochu, who had never attended school, spoke sarcastically.
"Indeed can't compare to your philosophy master's degree with the gold content of donating a library."
Jin Yulu, who had dropped out of high school, had no interest in academic credential topics. After greeting them and saying she was going to check all the ship's escape routes, she left. Indeed, anyone who could beco a Magical Girl had one or two quirks—this one was very typical.
Jin Ruochu very smugly indicated: "I've always taken private yachts, indeed never been on a cruise ship. Must explore thoroughly," then disappeared in a flash.
Morale was all good.
Hibiscus also decided to wander around. When she reached a secluded corner, she could finally take a long-awaited look at the Q&A page.
As expected, comnts and private ssages had accumulated a huge pile, all urging updates and new content, but where did she have ti during these busy training days? To supervise everyone's completion of Triple Awakening, she had devoted her heart and soul, nearly collapsing from exhaustion.
She edited a new status update: "Continuing from before, currently heading to Hermit Island. Do any fellow netizens have detailed related materials?"
Then the girl witnessed more and more comnts.
【Host finally rembered the account password, right? I waited until flowers withered, almost thought you went to play resurrection matches. Hyacinth, don't forget everyone】
【She's still that cold woman, but I just like her】
【Occupying Hermit Island in the original storyline happens 3 years later—a major event where the Salvation Church's frontal conflict with official military forces gets them defined as a terrorist organization. If competing for ownerless land earlier, it could indeed reduce trouble, but is your combat power enough?】
【No, think carefully—the necessity of the original's brutal "Island 24 Siege Battle" wasn't great. Magical Girls just need to stand on the island for ntal power detection】
【From Island 24, lock onto Hermit Island, then take away the natural magic power crystal blocks on it. The volcano will beco dormant, and the Disaster Beast stronghold won't attack itself—no need to send people up to sacrifice needlessly. A little deduction makes it clear: following these steps, the Red Rhino-led Disaster Beasts must first be washed by the volcano before dormancy. The military can wait for geological activity to stabilize, then reap the benefits】
【And our Hyacinth gets the first territory. Win-win—isn't it beautiful?】
【Too idealistic】
【I object. The enemies aren't just Red Rhino—there are also similar Abyssal White Whale and Shadow Sea Demon. However many go in, that many get sent】
【So you must use ntal power detection to directly lock onto Hermit Island and activate the teleportation array to jump over】
【The Salvation Church doesn't currently have anyone good at ntal power, right?】
"I've opened the Regalia hair ornant stage's telekinesis level. Don't know if it'll work. May I ask everyone... according to that chanism, can coordinates be found?"
As soon as Hibiscus said this, the originally lively comnt section suddenly fell silent. Seeing this, the girl was slightly stunned. Did I say sothing wrong? Before she could figure it out, she saw various shocked emoticons.
【This is the strength of Version T0 undergraduate Ti Priestess? The gold content of power scaling is still increasing】
【What do you eat to level up like riding a rocket?】
【Host, generally Magical Girls at most dabble in choosing two of the three elents, enough to support Withering Stage extraordinary power. Though many strong people want to train the one they're not good at, they often don't have ti because they miss the optimal training period. But you're different—you're taking the full skill tree path】
【What about Hyacinth being defeated by insufficient Origin? This ti it's an account without shortcomings. Let's see how Manjusaka handles it】
【A certain pink-hair already swore to be teammates for life? Then never mind】
【Back to the point, Host's current strength is definitely enough to detect Hermit Island coordinates. You'll understand once you stand on the island's highest mountain—direct teleportation, then leave】
Hibiscus understood most of it by now. She didn't need to ask about specific space relic chanisms since that could easily trigger knowledge infection, but following the steps sequentially would be fine. Admittedly, Island 24 was a dragon's den and tiger's lair, but the earlier they got the benefits, the higher the returns.
Absolutely couldn't miss it.
Also helping those who didn't need to sacrifice for this war—if she had spare capacity, she was happy to lend the officials a hand. Making good connections was never wrong.
The stone hanging in Hibiscus's heart fell. At least she knew the current team configuration was workable. Of course, risks weren't ruled out. She bore the absolute trust of three people—teammates had placed their lives in her hands. To say there was no pressure would be lying, but kindness doesn't command armies, righteousness doesn't manage wealth. Things beneficial to the organization's future should be collected one by one.
Since netizens viewed it as a simulated world line, it was different from the original work. Might as well change it thoroughly.
To be safe, she still asked: "All four of us are at least Triple Awakening. Can we clear the Island 24 dungeon?"
Attached image:
The picture showed a ruins background with vines climbing and interweaving into green walls over buildings. Structures collapsed, rubble piled upon rubble—more like a post-apocalyptic atmosphere than an abandoned district, with a dry, sunny air hitting viewers. In the center of the clearing were four girls in gorgeous, bright clothing that clashed with the urban ruins, but looking carefully, they were also travel-worn as if having just experienced a great battle, panting. This wasn't a photo angle but should be a selected fra from training, instead highlighting natural beauty that was vivid and touching.
Most importantly, everyone was in full transformation state!
What effect did the Regalia of the four strongest Magical Girl series present in reality? It was right before their eyes. Appearance, temperant, and clothing ford a harmonious whole, simply like the real people coming to life. Even just from photos, one could see the charm was identical.
"Randomly took a photo during training, no color adjustnt—original flavor version."
【Host: Just casually took it then, didn't expect it to go viral】
【New wallpaper incoming】
【Have to admit, your cosplay casting eye is indeed impeccable. This set of scenery, costus, and photography definitely wasn't cheap. Host put in effort—offering likes and shares】
【I can see Hyacinth and that's enough. When will there be another white whale battle? I want to see single horse breaking through encirclent, heroic spirit frightening enemy courage】
【From configuration perspective, you've already gotten the peak tournant team of Magical Girls that could be assembled in this era—more than enough. Dungeon recomndation: 30,000 regular troops. Current configuration: 4 Triple Awakening plus military and Holy Relics. I have a premonition this wave of team battle will definitely have big action】
【You all be careful. Magical Girls gathering without concealnt will attract Disaster Beast attention】
Hibiscus's heart tightened—indeed there were risks in this regard.
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