Superman Termination Manual

August 17th, during the meeting.

Facing Lilai's gaze, Red Hat's expression remained calm as usual. She unfolded the paper she had been holding, coated it with a layer of snow, and then let it drift leisurely toward Lilai.

Lilai continued to skim the English ancient tome, only lifting a single finger to touch the edge of the paper, causing the thin layer of snow mist to quickly dissipate.

She spread out the paper on the table, looking up at Red Hat with a thoughtful expression on her face.

"So that's how it is..." she said, "No wonder Xizi Yue has mentioned you to me several times."

Xizi Yue, dressed in a light blue cheongsam with shoulder-length elegant black hair, was sitting by the window at that time.

Bathed in the morning light, she lifted her cup to sip some hot tea, and then said, "I've told you this girl's magic power is very special, particularly similar to yours."

"It is special, and it does share some similarities with mine."

Saying so, Lilai spread the paper out, placing it within the field of view of both Xizi Yue and Udina.

"So, have you two seen this witch before?" Lilai asked flatly.

"No."

Udina shook her head almost imperceptibly, her face remaining cool and composed as she calmly denied it.

Xizi Yue couldn't even be bothered to shake her head, merely withdrawing her gaze from the paper in response.

Seeing this, Lilai spoke without hesitation, "Looks like another magical girl who recently fell and became a witch."

"Her magic wand takes the form of a whip," Red Hat continued, "capable of summoning some limbs emitting a ghostly glow, similar to the tentacles of a squid."

Upon hearing this, Ash, who had been silently listening, couldn't help but frown slightly, murmuring in disgust, "That disgusting? I've never seen such a witch."

Shi Neian sat obediently and whispered in agreement, "Yeah, sounds awfully tasteless."

Kobe nodded, echoing the sentiment, "Yeah, indeed, must be a witch with a very dark heart."

Hearing this remark, Shi Neian felt slightly annoyed inside, feeling it as rather offensive for someone else to tag along with the joke, as if self-mockery had been enough. She raised her hand to cover Kobe's beak, "Kobe, don't talk. This is a magical girls' meeting, and there's no room for Contracted Beasts to interject."

"Indeed, last night there were civilians who caught a similar image on camera, although it's just a back view, the characteristics roughly match," said Xizi Yue, "At the same scene, there were also photos of Red Hat fleeing. These two pictures can prove that this child is not lying and her information is credible."

As she spoke, Xizi Yue summoned her magic book, its pages fluttering, and two photographs floated down onto the table.

Lilai and Udina each glanced at the two photographs.

The first photograph was taken by a passerby of the witch's back as she walked into an alley; the second photograph was of Red Hat in midair, hurriedly fleeing, her figure illuminated by the neon lights.

Lilai looked at Red Hat, two pairs of blue eyes meeting. After a moment, she spoke, "I understand. We will take responsibility for investigating and dealing with this matter."

Shi Neian heaved a sigh of relief, thinking that there seemed to be nothing for her to do throughout the whole meeting, as she was simply being transparent.

Thinking this, she looked down at the owl in her arms again.

It only now dawned on her that holding a Contracted Beast was the perfect cover: after all, which Contracted Beast would allow its magical girl to become a witch and yet not leave her? Only Kobe, whose brain was filled with fanciful thoughts, could come up with the idea of her becoming a double agent.

"How about Red Hat stays with me for a while?" Xizi Yue suddenly asked.

Red Hat shook her head, "Please forgive my refusal."

Having a Deception Puppet by Xizi Yue's side was far too risky, not to mention the Puppet's limited existence time, being prone to catching fire or exploding... Moreover, these demons and ghosts could easily detect something was amiss from her behavior.

"Now the environment is very dangerous; this is not the time to consider personal wishes. Staying with Xizi Yue, she can protect you," Udina stated calmly.

Hearing this, Lilai looked up from her book and said, "You can follow me, too. I'm free these days."

Hearing this, Red Hat slightly shifted her body, firmly grasping Ash's arm without letting go, and then suggested to the three people across the table, "How about I stay at Senior Ash's house for these days, without wandering around? What do my teachers think?"

Seeing this scene, Lilai propped her cheek in her hand, a strand of silvery-white hair cradled in her fingers, a hint of surprise in her eyes.

She looked sideways at Ash, her cool voice tinged with a hint of playfulness, "Huh... Our student Ash, you've got such a good friend now?"

"Second Master..."

The words of the gothic skirted girl were cut off by a loud voice that erupted in the classroom.

"Teacher, our Shi Neian will also go to stay at Ash's house!"

The owl in Shi Neian's arms raised its wings, speaking like a primary school student raising their hand to answer a question in class.

Shi Neian clicked her tongue.

Xizi Yue glanced at the owl, "Then let's do that. You all can stay at Ash's house, and she will be responsible for protecting you."

"It's better than being scattered," Lilai had no objections.

"Do you have any objections?" Xizi Yue asked Ash.

Ash shook her head, "No."

"And you?" Xizi Yue asked Shi Neian.

"No... I guess."

Shi Neian responded, looking somewhat reluctant, thinking that now she really had no choice.

Xizi Yue set down her slightly warm teacup and said, "Then there's nothing else to discuss. Ash, when Kokonoe Sakura wakes up, remember to inform her about some of the matters from this meeting."