A blinding white light, dazzling beyond compare and radiating invincibility, flooded everyone’s vision. When the glare faded and sight returned, the Magical Girl transformation was complete. As for any "perks"? Dream on. There was no way anyone would see anything like that. Who did they think they were? Transformation perks were absolutely off-limits. If they wanted to see it, they could use their imagination.

"Gathered wishes shall become a newborn star of radiance!

Transform into a path of shining light!

The girl summoned from distant starry skies—

I shall now illuminate your future!

Remember my name!

Call out my name!

Stardust Magical Girl—Hero—Melulu makes her debut!"

*Holy crap.* I was just using a Hero Skill. Becoming a Magical Girl was one thing, but why did I have to recite such a cringey script? And it was mandatory! Still… it actually felt pretty awesome. I’d always wanted to shout something like that in front of others.

Everyone’s attention was locked onto Lulu’s Magical Girl transformation—even Zhang Yong’s. His focus shattered; the pain in his wound dulled, his fury cooled, and his shouting ceased.

Her once-silky hair now flowed like twin curtains of midnight, parted high on her head and tied with blue ribbons into twin ponytails, each secured with a cute bow. A bright yellow star-shaped hairpin adorned her bangs.

A cropped jacket with a starry-blue backdrop covered a sleeveless white top that hugged her figure, its lace trim shimmering with faint starlight. Her cute navel peeked out for all to see. Below, a disappointingly short skirt paired with thigh-high white stockings left an alluring expanse of bare skin between fabric and sock—a glimpse of "absolute territory" that drew hungry stares. (Lulu wouldn’t tell them the skirt hid hidden shorts. No peeking, no matter how hard they tried.) Her feet were clad in cute boots.

A flowing cape-like skirt bloomed from her waist, patterned with a starry night sky. The only regret? Her gloved hands held no magic wand.

*What even is this?* Lately, Magical Girls had gotten so weird. Where was the love and justice? Why did they all turn into Magical *Brawler* Girls with mature bodies? What happened to the loli charm?

Lulu glanced down at herself. This was her first time using this Hero Skill—she hadn’t known what to expect. She *did* know the side effects would be brutal. She wouldn’t have used it if she’d had any other choice.

She looked slightly younger now. Ignoring the crowd, she pressed a hand to her chest and squeezed firmly. Her cheeks flushed crimson.

*No wonder I feel heavier… this transformation made my chest bigger too.*

Richard couldn’t take it anymore. "Ahem. I never expected you to be a Hero too."

Lulu shot him a look, then at Zhang Yong clutching his wound. She dropped her hands from her chest, planted one on her hip, and jabbed a finger at Zhang Yong. "You’ll regret not stopping my transformation. I *will* take you down today. Come on! I mean it—let’s destroy each other!"

Zhang Yong, who’d just calmed down, felt rage surge anew at her taunt. His sword wound had stopped bleeding, yet the pain flared sharper than before.

*I’m a Hero. A transmigrator. My cheat template is peak overpowered protagonist material. How can my first battle in this world be so humiliating? Damn it! Why won’t they fall? My power is overwhelming! Fine. Don’t blame me for what comes next. You’ll be the first person I kill in this world.*

"RAAAAAGH!" Zhang Yong roared to steel his nerves, then charged—not at Lulu, but at the battered Richard. Anger fueled him, but not enough to lose sense: Richard looked easier to crush.

Zhang Yong’s fist, wreathed in brighter Battle Aura than before, shot toward Richard’s face. Whether it packed real power was unclear—but if it landed, Richard’s good looks were history.

"Not a chance!" Lulu materialized before Richard like a phantom, blocking Zhang Yong’s fist with her own. "You think you can kill him? Did you even ask *me*?!" Her voice, thick with fury, drowned out the battlefield.

"Since I can’t be a proper Magical Girl… I’ll communicate with you through the language of love!" Her other fist rocketed forward—a Friendship Shattering Punch—smashing into Zhang Yong’s face and sending him flying.

Lulu didn’t let up. She lunged after him, ready to strike again.

*Thwack!*

Zhang Yong caught her fist. "Eat this!"

What started as a clash of Heroes devolved into a brawling mess. They traded vulgar shouts and wild punches like street kids, leaving bruises and broken pride.

Richard watched, dumbfounded—not by the male-female fight, nor their overwhelming strength, nor even their bizarre curses. It was how two *Heroes* fought like toddlers with zero technique. And… yep. Lulu’s guild chat screenshots were right. Nothing to see under that skirt.

*Time’s up,* Richard thought.

Amidst the chaotic haymakers, Zhang Yong—lacking true Heroic combat spirit—gained the upper hand, pinning Lulu down.

"FLY!!!" Lulu seized her chance. An uppercut cracked against Zhang Yong’s jaw. The sharp *snap* of bone told her she’d succeeded.

Zhang Yong arced gracefully through the air—only to be caught mid-fall by a silver-haired woman who’d appeared behind him.

"That was… most enlightening," she murmured, cradling Zhang Yong. "The Hero has gained power. This one takes her leave. My gratitude."

A flash of silver light—and she vanished. But Lulu and Richard, as fellow Heroes, caught Zhang Yong’s parting glare: venomous, burning with hatred.