novelraw Chapter 116: The Mechanics of Us Ordinary Magical Girls Are Like This
Chapter 116: The Mechanics of Us Ordinary Magical Girls Are Like This
"Magical Girl, Shion..."
Hyacinth murmured, her previously lifeless pupils seeming to regain a flicker of light from the shock.
Why, is it Jiang Si?
Why, is it a man?
Numerous chaotic thoughts tangled together, but the biggest one was still.
Why, is she here?
How, should I explain this?
"So this is the Magical Girl you've always admired and feared?" The false Hyacinth beside her wanted to laugh, but when she saw that face, she paused.
A gorgeous doll.
That thought came instinctively, but she quickly adjusted her emotions, shifted her gaze away, and looked at Hyacinth:"That's truly disappointing, Hyacinth. A Blooming Magical Girl scared you this much."
Hyacinth opened her mouth, wanting to refute.
But for a moment, she couldn't find the words.
Because some things, you just don't understand unless you experience them yourself.
Even if she said it, it would be pointless.
And besides, she was in no mood to talk to the other person right now.
Mirror Kingdom, Witch Association, Disaster Control Bureau... all that messy stuff was irrelevant.
The most important thing was the Shion in front.
How would she view me? How would she handle me next?
She remembered their previous meeting, when he came as Keke's older brother, seeking help from a retired Magical Girl like herself.
Hoping she could help protect Keke.
She remembered the Disaster Control Bureau had once suspected Jiang Si was a member of the Witch Association—although he did seem to have used the alias Simo Tu just now, as the Witch Association's East China regional director...
But with him holding such a large organization like the Azure Cloud Sect, how could he possibly run off to the Witch Association to be some director?
Recalling all these past events just made her heart feel dry and bitter.
Back at the academy, when she confidently promised him she would protect Keke, how did he view her then?
Probably just thought she was overestimating herself and found it amusing, right?
A *clang* sound came from behind. The newly captured Magical Girl had plopped down on the ground, her face now completely blank, her whole person like a statue, unable to speak.
Only the false Hyacinth spoke with a calm tone, hands behind her back, examining Shion. "However, a male transforming into a Magical Girl is indeed something I've never seen before. You are excellent material. Our Mirror Kingdom always tailors teaching to the student's aptitude and doesn't care about your identity. Feel free to join our Mirror Kingdom."
But Shion ignored them. Instead, she searched the ground for a long time before finally picking up a small tape recorder from the ruins.
Only then did the eight realize that the ancient, resonating bell sound that had been echoing all this time came from that device.
However, the tape recorder was now sparking and smoking black, clearly having burned out completely.
Her small purple eyes held three parts panic, two parts unease, one part regret, and four parts anger. She gently wiped the tape recorder and carefully put it away.
Only then did she lift her head to look at the three.
"Just got here. Who's the good guy, who's the bad guy."
She didn't understand anything about the Mirror Kingdom or Alice. Two Hyacinths had suddenly appeared. The one covered in wounds was probably the one she had just defeated, as she had already exited her transformed state.
The other one's clothes had changed to black and white. The white part of her skirt had expanded outward into a layer of bone-like solid matter, with flowing black lines like nerves passing over it. It was obvious she wasn't a real person.
But her mana was almost indistinguishable from Hyacinth's; she was definitely a Magical Girl.
This confused Shion a bit.
Although she always had great confidence in her intelligence, the current situation was somewhat complex. Her super wisdom told her that asking directly was the fastest option.
And indeed, that was the case. After asking, someone answered.
"Shion, I... I am the Magical Girl, Hyacinth." The girl struggled to string words together. The composure and calm she had as a senior in the past had vanished, replaced by urgency and haste in her tone. "She is the Mirror Kingdom's Alice, codename Splash. I cooperated with them, but I am not part of the Witch Association..."
"Oh."
"I... I..." Her incoherent words even contained a hint of sorrow, but her voice of defense grew weaker and weaker. The girl's already lifeless eyes grew even dimmer. "I didn't harm anyone..."
Shion nodded. A trace of her past cultivation circulated, instantly understanding the other Hyacinth's identity.
A Main God Space clone.
She didn't say much more, didn't even spare her another glance, just looked at the Splash who looked exactly like Hyacinth.
"Oh, so you're the villain, right?"
Hyacinth really wanted to explain that it wasn't exactly about being a villain; the Mirror Kingdom and she each had their own goals.
But then she saw Splash nod slightly, saying nonchalantly, "For you, perhaps that's indeed the case."
A hint of helplessness appeared in her lifeless eyes. Hyacinth took a few steps back, pulling along the new Magical Girl who was still sitting on the ground in a daze.
"Alright."
Over there, Shion nodded. "Then go die."
Splash was just about to laugh when, in a blink, a small, fair fist was already in front of her face!
Since when do Magical Girls use fists for a sneak attack?
Before she could even be stunned in her heart, her reflection ability had already activated in front of her.
Unlike Hyacinth, who hadn't yet adapted to this ability, Splash had long since pushed the reflection and rebound abilities to their limit.
There was no so-called opening. In fact, if she wanted, a 360-degree, no-dead-zone reflection field could be maintained continuously!
Hitting me is like hitting yourse—
*BOOM!*
Her surroundings blurred for an instant. Her rapidly flying body couldn't find a foothold in the air.
When her consciousness cleared a little, Splash immediately checked her reflection field.
No problems at all.
So, why was she flying?
Why could she see the sun?
Then, a purple shadow covered the sun above. She saw the sole of that exquisite little leather boot, engraved with intricate patterns,
step onto her face.
This time, Splash finally clearly perceived the flow of power.
A terrifying force landed on the reflection barrier and rebounded with even more terrifying force.
Then, the other party ruthlessly pressed it back down!
The activation of the reflection barrier had almost no gap, but the reflection frequency still had a gap of about 0.0004 seconds.
Two consecutive, extremely swift attacks caused her to be blasted away before she could reflect!
So fast...
As that word flashed through her mind, the boot sole was already stepping on her head.
Her body shot out diagonally from the sky like a meteor, pierced through the teaching building, and smashed directly into the sports field!
The originally flat field was immediately blasted into a huge crater. Dense cracks spread across the ground. A nearby basketball hoop tilted slightly, emitting a piercing creak as it shook violently.
Splash let out an angry scream, drew her Magic Wand, and got up to counterattack!
But her body had just risen half a meter when that terrifying purple meteor from the sky once again ruthlessly landed on her forehead!
Stomped back into the deep crater, the shocking aftershock spread across the sports field. The crater, already the size of a small pond, expanded again. The nearby basketball hoop toppled over, clanging as it fell into the pit!
The edge of the field was layered with stairs. As the crater expanded, the concrete stairs collapsed layer by layer, cracks spreading all the way to the distant podium.
The flying dust settled. Splash, whose head was being stepped on, was spewing copious amounts of blood from her mouth.
The reflection barrier still hadn't shattered. In fact, it was still continuously rebounding the opponent's force.
But every time it rebounded, the purple-haired Magical Girl pressed back with even more formidable force. In just a few seconds, the force being rebounded back and forth should have swelled to a terrifying level... yet the other party still seemed completely at ease.
Stepping on her head, with no intention of letting go.
"You..."
When she tried to speak, the other party's pretty little boot applied force again. Immense pressure squeezed her face, distorting Hyacinth's features, making it impossible to speak.
Although the barrier separated them, and the opponent wasn't actually stepping on her head but on the barrier, that force could even transmit through the barrier and act on her body!
Was it some special mechanism? Or some ability unique to her?
This terrifying power absolutely could not be something a Blooming Magical Girl could possess.
The Mirror Kingdom's research on Magical Girls might be even more extensive than the Disaster Control Bureau's.
Because the Disaster Control Bureau didn't need powerful Magical Girls; they just needed to have Magical Girls.
But the Mirror Kingdom needed power capable of opposing Full Bloom Magical Girls. Otherwise, even if they broke the seal, they would still be destroyed.
Moreover, they had faced Full Bloom Magical Girls directly and naturally knew what the pinnacle of Magical Girls was like.
How could a Blooming Magical Girl possess such power!
It must be some mechanism, or some magic, that merely manifested as such formidable strength.
This is just a disguise, Splash, stay calm. As long as you can figure out her ability, you can counterattack!
The Mirror Kingdom has ample research and data on Magical Girls. Don't be frightened by the scene before you!
All Magical Girls are the same; mana is limited. What's terrifying are the Magical Girls' spells.
Notice quickly, quickly notice the anomalies in her attacks these past few times. There must be a flaw in there...
*Crack.*
When the barrier emitted a faint cracking sound, Splash froze.
Impossible. The reflection barrier is technology obtained by amplifying Hyacinth's ability. Could it be that the opponent's ability is...
Her thoughts stopped there.
Because the Magical Girl stepping on her head now held a purple spear in her hand.
This was the first time the opponent had used a large amount of mana.
When that seemingly quite simple mana spear smashed onto the reflection barrier, Splash's heart skipped a beat.
Mana sprayed out wildly like welding sparks. A storm blew out from where the barrier and spear met. The nearby basketball hoop was directly blown over, tumbling and smashing into the podium!
Splash watched as the cracks in the rebound barrier grew larger and larger, her pupils suddenly dilating.
*Pop.*
The cracks expanded to their limit. A moment of silence.
Then the entire barrier shattered!
The mana spear pierced through the rebound barrier. Dense mana light flashed. Pupils filled with terror were submerged by purple radiance.
*BOOM!*
Mana surged like ocean waves, flooding the entire sports field. The clouds in the sky reflected a deep purple.
When everything settled, the entire sports field was destroyed. A nearby teaching building tilted slightly due to the foundation's collapse.
When Hyacinth and the new Magical Girl came out of the laboratory, they saw Splash with her head pierced through, nailed to the ground, and Shion, who still hadn't let go, gripping the spear tightly.
Even though she knew Shion's strength, Hyacinth still gasped when she saw the ravaged sports field and the already defeated Splash.
Actually, she had heard about it—Shion's mana, which could almost fill the entire Beihai when spread out.
She knew about the other party's power.
However, experiencing it personally was a different feeling.
She had originally thought that during the previous battle with the Disaster Beast, the other party was influenced by Polluted Magic, which was why she was so brutal and savage.
But now she understood.
Just now had even been somewhat merciful...
Because after beating her out of her transformed state, the other party hadn't attacked further.
But the Splash before her.
Even though she had already lost her transformed state, Shion showed no intention of stopping.
Hyacinth suddenly remembered.
Yes, a long time ago, Shion's fighting style was like this.
Unlike her petite, cute appearance, it was decisive and brutal.
Once she made a move, it was either death or injury.
The Splash with her head pierced through was still not dead, revealing a somewhat mysterious smile. She just gripped the purple spear tightly, not caring that her hands were blackened from the burning.
Hyacinth's pupils suddenly contracted. "Watch out!"
But it was already a step too late.
They only heard Splash murmur, "Damage, rebound..."
"Shion!"
Both Hyacinth and the new Magical Girl beside her panicked, frantically running towards them.
Once damage rebound took effect, not only would the Magical Girl state be severely wounded, but even after transforming back, they would still suffer heavy damage!
However, only a small *pop* sound was heard.
The rebounding force blew Shion's bangs. A tiny mark appeared on her forehead, not even breaking the skin.
Hyacinth stopped running. The new Magical Girl beside her stumbled and fell to the ground.
Both of them were stunned.
Wasn't that a fatal wound being rebounded?
No effect?
The Splash who had been smiling also opened her mouth wide.
Even she felt a sense of absurdity welling up in her heart.
The hell kind of Magical Girl is this?
Why did rebounding a head-piercing injury not even break the skin?
What kind of mechanism is this?
Ability nullification? Effect reduction? Or something else? Completely impossible to guess!
No, calm down, calm down, Splash...
But before she could continue thinking, purple mana burned both her head and body together.
Her consciousness went out.
When she woke up and opened her eyes, she was back in her own mirror space.
Although the Mirror Kingdom had been sealed, the Mirror World hadn't been completely closed off. Apart from the South China region, the Mirror World in other places could still be opened, though it required some technology.
And they, as the Mirror Kingdom's Alices, not only had this technology, but for convenience, had even sold this technology to the Disaster Control Bureau.
Certain Disaster Control Bureau branches in some regions were established within the Mirror World using this technology.
And for any Disaster Control Bureau established within the Mirror World, all their intelligence was completely visible to their Mirror Kingdom.
Moreover, what they gave the Disaster Control Bureau was a semi-finished product, so they weren't afraid the Disaster Control Bureau would cause trouble.
This was an absolutely safe domain, the fundamental reason why their Mirror Kingdom's Alices could walk in the real world yet never be discovered...
"Very dangerous very dangerous very dangerous!"
Panting rapidly, Splash crawled out of the connection pod and rested for only a moment.
She immediately went to open her communicator. For the first time in so many years, she felt panic and unease.
Her ability seemed to perfectly counter the Mirror Kingdom's technology.
Was it the Disaster Control Bureau's doing? Impossible, they wouldn't even be aware of the Mirror World's restoration plan.
A naturally born Magical Girl designed to counter them?
The world's will resisting?
This mysterious Magical Girl was absolutely the biggest obstacle to the Mirror Kingdom's restoration!
Even the former Mu couldn't have been like this...
Trembling, she quickly tried to contact the Prince, but there was no response from the other side.
Maybe he was negotiating with the Witch Association, maybe he couldn't answer for some other reason.
Ever since the late king's great undertaking was cut short halfway and the Mirror Kingdom was sealed, it had always been difficult for them to contact the Mirror Kingdom's Prince.
But this time was different! This was a matter of life and death for the nation! If this intelligence couldn't be delivered, it would be a huge disaster for the Mirror Kingdom!
This woman absolutely cannot be left alive!
She immediately switched to sending a message.
"Purple-haired Magical Girl, codename Shion. Although a Blooming Magical Girl, her magic is very special. Can destroy others' abilities. Our Mirror Kingdom's core technology also cannot withstand it... Can also weaken ability effects. Fatal wound rebound was weakened to just a tiny mark. And, and... Suspected to have our Mirror Kingdom's bloodline..."
She panted rapidly, typing frantically, her state somewhat unstable.
Just as she wanted to write more, she noticed pale purple marks appearing on the screen.
Those marks, like blood vessels, rapidly soaked through the entire screen, intertwining.
She froze for a moment, then looked up, discovering that purple mana vessels had appeared throughout the entire mirror space.
These vessels pulsed continuously, as if alive.
Her heart suddenly felt like it was being gripped by something. She looked down.
The purple mana was flowing out from the soles of her feet.
Did it seep in when my head was pierced?
So she quickly continued typing, "Mana possesses powerful attachment and tracking effects, can even penetrate space..."
*Crack.*
While typing frantically, trying to transmit the intelligence, a cracking sound came from the mirror above.
Then, a small hand reached out from the crack, grabbing the edge,
and tore open the ceiling.
Beautiful purple pupils, like gemstones, appeared from the darkness, looking down at her.
"Can, break through, the Mirror World's defenses..."
Even the Mirror World's spatial folding and defense systems could be destroyed?
Not just pure magical ability, but even effects produced by technology could be destroyed and nullified!
Too many mechanisms...
At the very last moment, one second before the purple flames surged over, she pressed send.