Chapter 16: Reunion with the Magician
To be honest, it takes a lot of guts to let a cute loli walk alone these days.
After all, there are plenty of criminals out there, and they’re getting even scarier.
Advanced technology has made society better but also empowered miscreants. So, caution is key.
Especially for someone like Night Star, who looks so harmless with her pretty silver hair, she’s an easy target for certain people.
“What should I eat later? Junk food isn’t always great, you know. If I get as round as a ball, my mind will definitely explode.”
Night Star wasn’t worried about safety—she runs super fast after all. She just worries about becoming a blob if she keeps being lazy.
“Should I really keep exercising a bit more?” Night Star mumbled.
Before, going to work was her only workout, and once home, she’d lay flat. These days she’s home all the time with nothing to do.
Another body got a decent job, but Night Star remains unemployed.
Oh no, scratch that, she’s a freelance worker now!
Alright, fine, unemployed and identity-less, she can’t even freelance.
“Meh… being a blob isn’t so bad. Holding someone squishy feels better anyway, let’s embrace the blob life!”
Little did Night Star know, after turning into a loli, some mysterious power fixed her physique, so eating too much won’t make her gain weight.
Worries are pointless.
Suddenly, someone blocked her path.
She looked up, seeing an unfamiliar guy grinning at her.
“Hey, kid, where are you headed? Can you tell me?”
A shiver went down Night Star’s spine. She was already prepared to high-tail it outta here.
“Who are you?”
“Not important. Seeing you walking alone seems dangerous, so I came over to ask if you might be lost and if I could help find your parents.”
Hearing this, Night Star knew things were heading south.
d*mn, being so cute is clearly a flaw.
“No thanks.”
Just as she was ready to flee, several others stepped in front, blocking her path.
Is this a group operation? Even at night! How bold can you get?!
“Meh…”
Night Star was pushed into a dark alley, getting scared by the moment. She wasn’t as brave as she thought. Why else would she wish for speed?
She didn’t want any fighting—violence is banned.
The main guy laughed.
“What luck, finding such a choice target. Who let you wander late at night? Guess your parents don’t watch you very well, heh.”
The mention of parents visibly dimmed her mood. She had none.
But regardless, she needs to get away. She doesn’t want to become a plush toy.
There are still gaps between them; she can try bolting through full force. She doesn’t care about the consequences.
“They’re making me do this…”
But then came a heavy footstep, echoing through the shadows.
Night Star turned around to see a tall figure slowly approaching from the darkness, exuding overwhelming pressure.
He wore a fancy hat and a black tailcoat, blending with the shadows.
He took off his hat and held it out.
“Caw-caw”
Crows on the wires flew toward him as if summoned, one by one entering the hat.
The shadow held up the hat.
“Behold, observe proper etiquette for the audience.”
Dark feathers burst out with a low voice, floating into the sky like a spray.
All eyes focused on him, utterly silent.
Yet unbeknownst to them, their minds were enslaved.
“Hmm?” Except for the confused silver-haired loli.
Night Star felt another weirdo had shown up.
Performing modern art in a gloomy alley?
It’s too dark to see his face, though.
His voice sounds familiar.
These black feathers drifted down, landing on a few men surrounding Night Star, merging into them.
Next, all the feathers vanished like smoke, disappearing completely.
Night Star’s eyes widened in shock.
Wow!
“Amazing! Am I caught in an illusion?”
The shadow inched closer, and Night Star finally saw him fully.
“Huh? Magician sir? What are you doing here?”
“I came to find you, miss audience. Though you’ve changed a bit, I’d never mistake you.”
It was indeed the magician from Wan Yu Square whom Yelan met before, known for vintage tricks.
While it’s great to meet a “familiar face,” now isn’t the time for chit-chat.
“Magician sir, there are bad guys, call the police quickly…”
However, when she turned back, the men surrounding them were gone.
She was puzzled, scratching her head.
“Huh? Where’d they go?”
“They were the spectators. They scattered once my show was over.”
Night Star pondered.
She gets the gist—they dispersed after witnessing the magic’s scare factor.
Laughably easy to spook, huh?
“Miss Audience, how did you find my act?” the magician asked.
“Wonderful! Amazing visual impact, really shook things up. How did you do it? Super impressive!”
Night Star applauded enthusiastically, genuinely impressed.
Such a pure soul is rare nowadays.
“Oh, glad you liked it. Excellent…”
Then, the magician extended his hand as if inviting her.
“Magician sir?” Night Star was confused.
“I once did comedy and even clowning. Magic is just one trick. You can call me ‘Group Leader.’ Want to take a look at my troupe?”
Night Star hesitated, unsure whether to go.
She believes he leads a troupe, given his superb performance skills.
But she’s hungry. Should she eat first or follow him to the troupe?
She weighed the pros and cons.
Though taught not to go with strangers, he saved her from the thugs.
And troupes are rare nowadays.
Seeing the rare troupe beats staying home, and she could always escape if trouble arose.
“Sure.”
—
Hope you enjoyed the translation in a comedic tone!
