Magical Girl Heavy Dependence

Chapter 103, Fairy

"Hehe... Haha!"

A clear, childlike voice echoed like silver bells within the tower. Several lively and adorable little fairy/demon girls chased and laughed around a mahogany round table, while a mature fairy/demon girl on the table smiled politely, her gaze fixed on Cheng Chen.

A moment later, she parted her red lips and said, "As expected, you're not the person I'm looking for."

This was the second time she had repeated that sentence.

Cheng Chen's fingers tightened slightly as she held the teacup, unsure of what to do.

From his perspective, whether it was the dancing fairy demon from before, the child fairy demon playing around nearby, or the mature fairy demon in front of him, they were all independent individuals, not clones or anything like that.

You must understand that the 'ball' is a 'miracle' constructed by souls.

The soul can change, be modified, and be disassembled, but it is unique, and the code engraved on the soul can never be altered.

But that's where the strangeness lies. All the fairies and demonesses exuded the exact same soul fluctuations. They clearly possessed the same soul essence, yet they existed in this space simultaneously with completely different forms, personalities, and ages.

"...Time-based?"

Cheng Chen felt a chill run down his spine.

It's like fairies and demonesses from different points in time have gathered together; the past her, the present her, and the future her, all sharing the same 'ball'.

It's getting harder and harder to understand. Just from these details alone, it's enough to show that the 'Balcony' is far more complicated than the 'Girls Who Inherited Hero Weapons'. Complex systems are often more sophisticated and place higher demands on their masters.

The fairy demon clearly didn't notice the surprise in Cheng Chen's eyes, and continued to speak to herself: "I recognize the [Miracle] you used. Long ago, I had many friends, brilliant scholars and gifted researchers. They created many kinds of magic, and finally gradually perfected the concept of [Miracle]."

"When you used that [miracle], I thought you might be the reincarnation of one of my old friends. But now that I've seen it with my own eyes, I realize I was just being delusional."

Cheng Chen quickly calmed down.

His reasons for attending the banquet, besides being unable to refuse the fairy and demones' invitation, were also to learn as much as possible about her.

Whether as an enemy, friend, or collaborator, his understanding of the Fairy Demoness was far too limited.

Rumors heard from others can never compare to seeing things with your own eyes.

He put down his teacup and asked casually:

"Has the fairy lived for many years?"

"It will probably take much longer than we imagine."

The fairy demones didn't shy away from talking about these things, and she smiled with her eyes crinkling.

"When the Moon Palace still existed, I often sat on the glazed tile eaves, gazing at this planet. After the acacia tree withered, I was finally able to come here, spending my days and nights with Yu Nu in the Nine-Story Tower, teaching her to dance. When the Overlord committed suicide, I could only wander the world alone."

"I have been revered by thousands and enshrined on a high altar; I have also been hated by the world and hunted down as a demon. Over this long period of time, I have changed my name many times, so many that I can hardly remember them all. Later, gradually no one called me by my name anymore, and they all called me 'Fairy'."

Cheng Chen fell silent for a moment.

What she said all falls into the category of myths and legends.

Legend has it that the Moon Palace was a place in the Heavenly Palace where the Heavenly Emperor trained dancers. The most famous legend is that a mortal woman was favored by the Heavenly Emperor, who bestowed upon her the elixir of immortality and sent her to ascend to the moon. The Nine-Story Tower was a palace built by the Overlord more than two thousand years ago for his beloved concubine, Yu Nu. It is said that the Overlord was constantly at war, and Yu Nu was depressed because she could not see her lover. So the Overlord gathered all the dancers in the world in the palace and taught Yu Nu to dance.

Later, the mythical Moon Palace collapsed, leaving only a crescent moon in the sky; and after the Overlord died in battle, Yu Nu was burned to the ground along with that palace.

There are countless movies and TV series with similar themes, but he doesn't know whether the stories are true or not.

But since that's what the fairy and the demon lady said, he decided to believe it for the time being.

"The title of 'fairy' is well-deserved," Cheng Chen echoed.

Hearing his compliment, the fairy demon smiled again and looked at him with curiosity.

Cheng Chen paused for a moment, then asked, "Why is the fairy looking at me like that?"

"I heard from Guwu that you're very good at charming girls."

The fairy and the demon tilted their heads. "I thought you would say something like, 'You must be very lonely, but it's okay. Since you can't remember your old name, how about we get to know each other again? What should I call you?'"

Cheng Chen tactfully lowered his head to drink his tea, pretending not to hear.

He's not stupid. He's heard all sorts of flattery from old ladies like Fairy and Demoness who have lived for countless years. Why would he need to fawn over them?

He didn't come here to get closer to the other party.

"Hmph! No matter what Mother's name is, she's still Mother!"

On the contrary, Yaoguang was more proactive and couldn't wait to express his loyalty.

Gu Wu, who had been observing from the sidelines, spoke up at the opportune moment, gently reminding her, "Lady Demoness, it's getting late."

Upon hearing this, the fairy demon's expression calmed down.

In the blink of an eye, her demeanor underwent a dramatic transformation. The initial warm and friendly aura vanished completely, replaced by an unquestionable air of authority befitting someone in a superior position.

"I will add an extra reward for this 'Ten Schools Joint Performance'," she said, getting straight to the point.

Upon hearing this, Cheng Chen's brows immediately furrowed deeply.

Putting aside the fact that Fairy Demoness never interferes with the business of Fairy Dream Group, is it really worth her bringing up a performance of the level of the Ten Schools Joint Performance in this particular setting?

"Since a thousand years ago, I have been a dancer. Whether in the Moon Palace or the Chonglou Tower, I have done only one thing day and night, and it is still the same today." She glanced at Cheng Chen. "I want to take on a disciple. Whether you are an ordinary person or a magical girl, as long as you can win the 'Ten Schools Joint Performance', you can become my disciple and take away the reward."

"Excuse me for speaking out of turn, Lady Demoness."

The lone goose respectfully inquired, "What exactly is the reward?"

"Everything about the ball."

Without turning her head, the fairy demon said, "If she is a magical girl, she will break the fate that magical girls can only be fleeting, remaining forever young and beautiful, and ultimately inheriting all the power and miracles I possess. If she is an ordinary person, then she will first become a magical girl."

Cheng Chen's brows were almost furrowed.

Is she going to use a school-level performance like the "Ten Schools Joint Performance" to select disciples suitable to inherit her mantle? Isn't that the same as a doctoral supervisor choosing the winner of a kindergarten graduation party as his last disciple?

Putting aside these flaws for now, why now? Why a joint performance by ten schools? Why disciples?

He glanced at Yaoguang, who, despite being the Demoness's 'daughter,' showed no dissatisfaction with her 'mother's' decision to let someone else inherit the throne.

That's so weird.

As Cheng Chen relaxed his furrowed brows, a strong sense of unease welled up within him.

If this was the Fairy Demoness's purpose from the beginning, it could somewhat explain why the Fairy Dream Group, which had been lying low for a long time and remained as stable as Mount Tai, suddenly began to expand its business.

But even so, why bother inviting him here specifically to say these things to him?

"Cheng Chen".

While he was pondering, the fairy and the demon called his name.

Cheng Chen subconsciously raised her head and met the other person's gaze.

The fairy and demon looked at him with a kind yet unyielding gaze, and slowly said, "I hope that you and Guwu will be the only two judges for this ten-school joint performance. You will decide in the competition who will advance and who will be eliminated."

……