The sanatorium they were in wasn't very big, nestled deep in a quiet alley within Beihai City. It was originally the old residence of a minor bureaucrat, with several courtyards, white walls, and black tiles, carrying a touch of antiquated charm.
Jiang Si had passed by here during his training sessions when he used to skip classes, but now it had been completely renovated beyond recognition.
Many staff members who were knowledgeable about Magical Girl affairs had come to the sanatorium, and it was clear they all came from beyond the city.
Their attitude was actually fairly cordial and friendly.
Beihai City was a large city, where regional discrimination was quite prevalent. Most of Beihai City's residents tended to look down upon outsiders.
Even though these people were associated with Magical Girls and had official identities, outsiders were still outsiders, unbothered by the fact that some locals at the sanatorium viewed them as beggars.
So, a child like Jiang Si, who had a good attitude, was still very popular with this group of caregivers.
They weren't stingy about sharing information related to Magical Girls with Jiang Si.
After all, such things weren't secrets elsewhere.
"Magical Girls are born in the darkest times, emerging as a beacon of hope from despair,"
said the nurse who was helping treat his sister, "you need to have the strongest desire for the world's response when the Disaster Beasts bring about despair and calamity."
"Girls who obtain the Magic Seed can transform into Magical Girls."
"It can only be girls, never exceptions."
The glimmer of hope that had just emerged was thus mercilessly extinguished.
However, Jiang Si had grown accustomed to it, but he continued seeking the possibility of a male transforming into a Magical Girl.
He had nowhere else to go; his body had been cultivated to the extreme, and taking one more step was as difficult as ascending to the heavens.
Hoping to rely on the cultivation of the physical body to step onto the Great Path seemed too remote; this might be his best chance.
After continuously asking all the questions over a day or two, no matter how good the attitude, it would still be annoying.
He merely recorded some basic common knowledge about Magical Girls.
The more intricate details like how Magical Girls came into being, cultivation methods, levels, or power sources were either avoided or dismissed altogether.
On the third day, the Magical Girl who had eliminated the Disaster Beast came to visit.
Wearing a blue, fluffy short skirt and adorned with luxurious embellishments, she also brought some snacks and toys.
In the courtyard of the sanatorium, she was surrounded by children and adults, like a big star.
In this world, it seemed that being a Magical Girl was akin to being an idol.
The Magical Girl comforted the adults, coaxed the children around her age, and despite her youthful appearance, conducted herself with mature composure, quickly endearing herself to the children in the sanatorium.
The Magical Girl adeptly changed her position, ensuring each time that the children and adults around her were a different group, making sure that everyone was attended to without neglect.
Jiang Si and his sister were naturally among them, ending up beside the Magical Girl during her fourth position change.
Only upon getting close did they realize that the Magical Girl appeared even more dazzling than from a distance, as if enveloped in a special effects light, and she exuded a calming, faint floral fragrance.
Her tone was slow, gentle, and patient as she answered the surrounding children's questions.
Jiang Si initially thought about whether to strike up a conversation, but his sister beat him to it.
"Sister, if you could have come a bit earlier, then mom and dad..."
The previously joyful atmosphere suddenly turned awkward.
Jiang Si pulled his sister back, "Sorry, she's just too upset, she didn't mean to blame you. She's just a child who doesn't know any better, speaking without thinking."
He patted his sister's head, and she sniffled, lowered her head, and said, "I'm sorry."
Although his sister was young, she was actually quite understanding. The remark was just a child's loss of emotional control.
Fortunately, the Magical Girl didn't get angry, instead bending over, hugging Jiang Si's sister, and gently patting her head.
"I'm the one who should apologize. If I could've arrived a little earlier, you wouldn't be in such pain. I'm sorry, truly sorry..."
"Wah..."
And so, the sister sobbed, holding the Magical Girl tightly, and surprisingly, the Magical Girl cried along with her.
Jiang Si was left stunned, did Magical Girls not cultivate mental resilience?
The scene momentarily turned chaotic.
The Magical Girl cried alongside the little girl, leaving the nearby staff at a loss, only able to watch helplessly.
Eventually, it wasn't until the sister cried herself to sleep that it ended.
As he picked up his sister to leave, the Magical Girl wiped her tears, seemingly a bit puzzled, she glanced around the surroundings.
She sensed the aura of a Disaster Beast.
But after glancing at her Magic Wand, there was no warning, so she wiped her eyes and continued her rounds with the other fans, not giving it further thought.
Jiang Si, intending to ask the Magical Girl more questions after settling his sister for rest, returned to find her gone.
After that, two more days passed, and the Magical Girl did not return.
The other people in the sanatorium also started to actively avoid Jiang Si, finding him too troublesome and unwilling to converse with him.
Once their injuries mostly healed, the sanatorium staff sent them back home.
Only then did Jiang Si realize why the people in the sanatorium were entirely unguarded with him, freely imparting knowledge about Magical Girls.