Special-Grade Esper Fantasy—Special Ability: "Omnipotent."
In theory, Omnipotent can alter the very rules of reality, reconstruct matter, and rewrite its essence. It is a Special Ability with an unimaginably high ceiling.
However, with Meng Xingyao's current strength only at Level Three, she naturally couldn't reach its theoretical limits yet.
Even so, her current abilities were far from weak.
As long as she had sufficient energy, Meng Xingyao could analyze, create, construct, and combine independent objects out of thin air.
Its greatest advantage was that, so long as her imagination was vast enough, she could bring things that didn't exist in reality into existence.
By her own power alone, she could rapidly advance the world's overall technological level.
Its flaw, however, was that she couldn't achieve true creation from nothing.
In other words, she still couldn't completely break free from the laws of physics, nor could she construct objects that vastly exceeded her own capabilities or create living beings.
...
Time returned to the present.
Meng Xingyao stared at the metal sphere in her hand with a look of astonishment.
Despite having shown nothing but disdain for this so-called Magic Wand moments ago...
She now understood one thing.
The technology contained within this metal sphere had unquestionably surpassed the technological level of this world.
Simply because her Special Ability couldn't fully analyze its structure or the technology used to create it.
In fact, the only parts she could successfully analyze most likely originated from the Magic Wand that had originally belonged to her.
Because of this, Meng Xingyao couldn't help but ask Cipher how this item was supposed to work.
She collected herself before asking again with an unusually solemn expression.
"Cat Sister... are you sure you're not joking? This really isn't your masterpiece?"
According to her assumptions, shouldn't something this incredible have been crafted by this demigod?
But Cipher's answer remained unchanged.
"How could it be? Compared to these cold machines, I'm much more interested in glittering gold coins and shiny treasures. What? Has the Little Princess finally realized how amazing this thing is?" A playful smile appeared in Cipher's eyes, as if she had already seen through Meng Xingyao's thoughts.
Hearing that, Meng Xingyao simply nodded absentmindedly, not even trying to argue.
"The legendary Stellaron Hunters... they truly live up to their reputation."
As one of the Dragon Country's Four Special-Grade Espers, her voice was filled with undisguised admiration.
Although Meng Xingyao always praised her Magic Wand to the skies,
no one could deny that the technology contained within it already stood at the pinnacle of this world's technological pyramid.
Even the Dragon Country Ability Bureau's Technical Research Department had approached her several times, hoping to "borrow" it for research.
Yet now...
She looked at the metal sphere in her hand—a creation that had surpassed even her greatest masterpiece.
Meng Xingyao (｡•ˇ‸ˇ•｡): 'Auntie Liu was right... there's always someone better, and a heaven beyond the heavens.
Demigod Cat Sister... the Stellaron Hunters... just how many hidden experts are there in this world...?'
...
Cipher ( ˘▽˘)っ: "Hehe, the Little Princess finally knows how amazing I am now!"
Meng Xingyao first nodded sincerely before curiosity got the better of her.
"By the way, Cat Sister... how much did this actually cost?"
After all, technology of this caliber was already priceless in the Dragon Country.
Even without knowing all of its functions yet, she could easily imagine the astronomical price behind it.
Cipher merely smiled and waved her hand casually.
"Eh, it's nothing worth mentioning. Fortunately, This Cat has a bit of friendship with the other party, so it only cost around a million in service fees."
The statement was only half true.
Friendship might not have played much of a role...
But a million really was just the service fee.
This time, Meng Xingyao didn't argue.
She simply felt her throat tighten. Deeply moved, it took her a long while before she managed to whisper,
"...Thank you..."
In her eyes, a million-dollar fee alone wasn't the important part.
Rather, whatever Cipher had paid behind the scenes was probably worth far more than money.
Perhaps that "bit of friendship" was merely an excuse Cat Sister came up with so she wouldn't worry.
"In that case, why don't you hurry up and give it a try?"
Meng Xingyao =͟͟͞͞(꒪ᗜ꒪ ‧̣̥̇): "Uh... actually, I don't think there's any rush."
...
...
"Little Princess, don't be shy! Hurry up and try it! I haven't seen your Magical Girl form in ages—I kind of miss it!"
"Go away! I literally wore a Magical Girl outfit just a few days ago!"
Meng Xingyao looked at Cipher, who was rubbing her hands together expectantly beside her.
Her brows furrowed slightly, her eyes full of hesitation.
She admitted she was a veteran ACG enthusiast, and cosplay was one of her favorite hobbies.
But she definitely hadn't reached the terminal stage of chuunibyou.
Talking dramatically at an anime convention was one thing.
Actually shouting this transformation incantation in front of an enemy...
At that point, either she'd die of embarrassment first...
Or the enemy would die from the cringe.
That scene would probably make every nearby Ability User laugh themselves to death.
But then again...
This was Cipher's heartfelt gift.
Combined with the temptation of the power it offered...
Meng Xingyao (;´༎ຶ◡༎ຶ`): 'Is... this the price of power?'
...
Finally, under Cipher's expectant gaze,
Meng Xingyao returned to the courtyard of her villa and began her first Magical Girl transformation.
Meng Xingyao (⁄ ⁄＞⁄ ▽⁄＜⁄ ⁄): "Magical Girl—Transform!"
The moment the final words left her lips,
the metal sphere instantly erupted with dazzling blue light, engulfing Meng Xingyao in an instant.
Cipher, who had already put on a pair of sunglasses in preparation, watched the "blood-pumping" transformation scene with great interest from the sidelines.
Cipher (ᕑᗢᓫ)σ: 'Pfft... as expected. Once you remove the flashy special effects and the transformation sequence dimension, all that's left is pure embarrassment.'
As the light gradually faded,
Meng Xingyao once again appeared in her blue-haired Magical Girl form.
The metal sphere had likewise transformed, becoming a Magic Wand dominated by deep blue tones.
Her appearance was almost identical to before, with only a handful of details subtly refined.
It was obvious that Silver Wolf had put considerable thought into the design.
Cipher (˶ᗜvvᗜ˶): 'Looks like she really did her homework.'
"Wow... this feeling!"
The embarrassing transformation chant from moments ago had long since been thrown out of Meng Xingyao's mind.
Her eyes sparkled brilliantly as she looked over her new appearance.
Although the overall design had changed very little, she immediately sensed the surge of power coursing through her body.
Unlike the ordinary clothing she used to construct,
this Magical Girl outfit enhanced her physical abilities across the board while also significantly increasing the efficiency of her Special Ability.
Cipher, already familiar with its functions, naturally understood what she was thinking.
With a satisfied smile, she asked,
"So? How does it feel? Does the new equipment suit your heart's desire?"
"It's incredible! It really feels like I've become a Magical Girl protecting the world!"
"Now do you understand all my painstaking efforts?"
"Mhm! Mhm! My mind feels unbelievably clear right now, and my whole body is overflowing with power!"
At this moment, Meng Xingyao was completely captivated.
She felt like she could punch a bull to death with a single blow.
Although that was admittedly a strange way to describe it,
there was no helping it.
This Magical Girl outfit was simply too amazing.
Seeing that the Little Princess was thoroughly enjoying herself, Cipher decided not to interrupt.
Just as she was about to leave, she suddenly remembered something.
"Oh, right."
She reached into her "pocket," pulled out another folded slip of paper, and casually tossed it toward Meng Xingyao.
"By the way, I just remembered there's another half of the instruction manual. Might as well give it to you now. Have fun playing~ This Cat is heading out, meow~"
The moment she finished speaking,
Cipher's figure transformed into golden lightning before disappearing without a trace.
Still immersed in the exhilaration brought by her newfound strength, Meng Xingyao merely watched Cipher leave with slight confusion.
Since the Cat Girl was already gone, she didn't dwell on it any further.
Instead, she unfolded the remaining portion of the manual.
The instant her eyes landed on the very first sentence,
it was as though someone had pressed the pause button on her entire body.
The excitement on her face vanished instantly.
Her expression froze completely.
[By the way, considering the possibility that the user is simply too much of a scrub.]
[I reluctantly simplified the transformation incantation.]
[You only need to say one word.]
["Transform."]
Meng Xingyao: 'This grudge... I'll remember it.'