Chapter 289
P. S.: I had dinner with Nancy today. It's kind of strange, actually. I never thought I'd meet the author in person when I was reading books on Shuke Chun's website. Anyway, after getting home, I managed to finish today's update without disrupting my sleep schedule, so it was a great success!
P. S.: Finally, I posted a pinned thread in the comments section asking for suggestions for Magical Girl characters. Feel free to share your ideas if you have any. Goodnight everyone!
Volume 1: 274. [Mirror Reversal] One Thousand Layers, The Netherworld Butterfly. (5k)
Sword energy whistled, and blade light shimmered everywhere.
The old town, which was mostly destroyed by the Spiral Magic Sword, is being completely dismantled amidst the rumbling of steel. The ruins stretch out to the distant Salt River from the view of the sky, and even the landmark building on the green cliff— the Salzburg Fortress—has been destroyed.
In reality, this city remains the gateway to the Alps, still filled with ancient Baroque architecture. Visitors can pause to pray beside churches and monasteries, occasionally stroll through theaters, palaces, concert halls, fountain gardens, or visit Mozart's birthplace—it's a peaceful and prosperous world full of birdsong and fragrant flowers.
In the Pocket Dimension, the two [Witch] destroyed most of Austria's oldest city in just a few minutes, like a natural disaster, easily overturning the legacy of human civilization that had been built on this land for many years.
This is calamity.
After [Pure White] shatters, similar calamities will expand endlessly, rapidly filling every corner of civilization with terrifying efficiency, proclaiming that Disaster God will become the new ruler of this planet.
Even if this is the worst outcome,
Chu Yuanqing also wouldn't allow someone who is currently at the pinnacle of Combat Power, [Full Power], to be a half-baked individual who can't even utilize the most basic functions of their body.
Although it sounds too fantastical to torture or even educate a Captain-Class so soon after the [Flower Bloom], it is easy to attract unnecessary scrutiny and attention.
But unlike before, she is now one of the [Lighthouses] in the <Flashdance> project, regarded as Magical Girl with the potential of [Klein], and her status has long been different.
As long as they don't reveal any power related to Chu Yuanqing, even if they display extraordinary talent, nothing will go wrong.
Rather, what humanity needs now is precisely this kind of unreasonable "miracle".
Therefore, apart from the red and black reversal magic, she no longer completely concealed her remaining fighting instincts and past experience, allowing her Magic Clone to activate the switch hidden in Xie Qingyu's body.
Chu Yuanqing looked down at the battlefield and whispered:
"For humanity, you've made rapid progress."
"But for a [Witch], this efficiency is far too slow, so slow it feels like she's restraining herself."
"Xie Qingyu, what exactly are you afraid of?"
Swords clashed, and a deafening roar filled the air.
Xie Qingyu's progress was rapid. She was like a fish learning to swim for the first time, clumsily using the power that her body should have. With every breath, she surpassed her previous self.
What does it feel like to push the limits of human capability?
Xie Qingyu once thought that the moment she first constructed her Magic Armor and truly took flight, she had already surpassed the limits of humanity. But today, Chu Yuanqing has opened another door for her.
Humans are fragile yet sophisticated beings, and the brain is the most crucial organ among them. It not only determines intelligence but also endows us with thinking, emotions, touch, smell, taste, and many other functions.
The medulla oblongata controls respiration, heartbeat, and digestion; the pons coordinates muscle activity on both sides of the body; the midbrain controls the visual and auditory systems; the reticular formation controls different levels of consciousness, such as wakefulness, attention, and sleep; and the limbic system is responsible for endocrine function, learning, and memory...
But for Witch who can maintain her mind even after her brain is shattered after reaching full power, is it really still an essential organ?
Yes and no.
While Idealistic Being can be very free, freedom without frameworks and restrictions is nothing more than boundless indulgence.
If you lose your brain, what will you use to anchor your memories, control your limbs, manage your sleep, and generate emotions? Will you recreate an organ, or use your soul as a vessel?
Magical Girl need a human body to anchor themselves and to restrain their [hearts].
Xie Qingyu received training in this area from the Countermeasures Bureau after one of her missions.
If Witch completely discards her human form and characteristics, her originally stable mind will tend to go out of control, until she completely degenerates and becomes a monster.
The abbreviation for "[Witch]" itself implies that even Magical Girl have dangerous forbidden zones they cannot enter.
But not losing human form doesn't mean it can't evolve.
Chu Yuanqing is absolutely right. If one can fly, why does one need to breathe? If one can adapt to supersonic speeds and even self-regulate one's sense of time, why can't one actively transcend the limits of human reflexes?
Magical Girl can already do many things that humans cannot, so it is only natural that they would break through more limits in the name of evolution, and become truly extraordinary beings within the constraints of the corresponding framework.
Can...
That deep-seated shadow, like a bone-deep ailment, remains a nightmare to this day, shackles binding her. Every bit of progress she makes now is proof that her courage continues to grow.
But that's not enough, far from enough.
Courage is like firewood; no matter how much you pile up, it will never dispel the darkness unless it's truly ignited.
"That's so slow. Your reaction speed shouldn't be this slow."
What about your Supernatural Senses?
"My coordination has deteriorated."
Why didn't you block that sword strike just now?
"To manipulate the sense of time, to control magical vision, to try... to shatter me."
Chu Yuanqing's voice lingered on the battlefield. Each time it reached her ears, she would be struck by the Mercury Sword, as if she had returned to elementary school and was facing the teacher's ruler, using words, actions, and pain to correct her mistakes.
Xie Qingyu should have felt angry and ashamed.
But the [true self] radiating from the lantern not only revealed extraordinary charm, but also possessed a heavy and cold majesty, making it impossible for her to regard Chu Yuanqing as a junior, and even instinctively placing him in the position of Astrid's teacher.
Therefore, instead of using her magical advantage to forcefully break free from the Melee Combat, she tried to fight as if she were fighting against her own shackles, forgetting to breathe amidst the clanging of swords, trying to suppress the instinct to enter a trance, or even a blank state, in an attempt to prove something.
"If..."
"If I manage to land a single blow on her before the Melee Combat ends, would I be considered qualified?"
Xie Qingyu had already adapted to the intensity of fighting against the three Magic Clones.
Rather than adapting, it's more accurate to say they've become accustomed to pain and setbacks.
To put it simply, the passive field of [Fully Open] has almost 100% damage reduction. Even if you are continuously slashed by the Mercury Sword, you will only feel a slight dull pain at most, so you are basically invincible.
Therefore, there is a chance of winning.
The sword in the girl's hand was wreathed in Netherflame.
Beneath the purple flames, a jet-black butterfly, its withered wings fluttering and turning like flowing water, was hidden.
--Advanced Spell: Butterfly Kiss
Even a slight touch or glancing blow can spread dozens of debuffs through magic, which then intertwine and fuse within the opponent's magic, flesh, and energy to create a deadly poison.
Even a blue whale weighing over a hundred tons would be instantly poisoned, and its remaining carcass would burn into a large number of withered butterflies, returning to the blade to form a mark to enhance the poison's effectiveness for the next application.
Xie Qingyu had no intention of using a marker.
These clones are not very strong, so there's no need to focus on increasing their power.
From this perspective, having multiple Magic Clone actually increases her chances of hitting her opponent.
And as thoughts wandered,
The Song of Silver and Tin suddenly became grand.
The girl sensed the aura of romance and instinctively turned to look back, trying to block the slender Mercury Sword. But to her horror, there was no slender and beautiful figure in front of her; instead, there were only transparent threads shimmering with fine light in the dust.
That's... silk thread woven with water?
Oops!
Xie Qingyu hurriedly turned around, only to see that solitary figure, and was momentarily confused.
Chu Yuanqing stood amidst the dust-filled ruins, a hint of loneliness tinged her delicate, serene face. Her long, thick eyelashes drooped. She reached out and picked up a bunch of yellow roses, covered in dust and slightly wrinkled. She looked up and smiled.
"How stupid of you to fall for such a simple trick."
The moment Xie Qingyu looked back.
What was originally just the Mercury Sword behind it transformed into three clones, which took turns unleashing dozens of sword strikes.
Ultimately, this perfect utilization of the fighter jet's speed and the terrifying coordination of striking dozens of swords in one spot, combined with the thousands of [Mirror Reversal] marks that unknowingly accumulated, successfully bypassed the Netherflame's defense, the magic shield, and even the final passive energy field within a range the size of the blade's edge.
Xie Qingyu's senses melted. She didn't know if she was overwhelmed by the lightning-fast sword strikes, or if she was captivated by the motherly, sacred love, or the words of a brave, lonely, and powerful warrior.
The girl's back was slashed across by the moonlit blade. Her skin and flesh were soft and fragile. The damage from [Mirror Reversal] went straight through her spine, sternum, ribs, and heart. All the nerves in her body were shattered, sending paralysis signals to her brain.
At that moment, magic spontaneously flowed back to heal, and Violet's anxious cries were drowned out by the intense pain. Miraculously, what lingered in the memory was the whisper of the Pure White Witch.
What a gentle voice.
If only Mom could talk to me like that...
Xie Qingyu's pupils lost focus, she coughed up a lot of blood, and her body collapsed forward, exhausted. Only the horizontal sword in her hand remained in her grasp. Her memories were hazy and indistinct. In a daze, she saw a girl lying in a pool of blood, struggling but still being devoured by the monster.
The bunch of yellow roses slipped in the wind, scattering into bright yet wrinkled petals, dripping and falling into the pool of blood, creating ripples that slowly moistened the blood and released the unique fragrance of the flowers.
Chu Yuanqing took a step closer and watched the useless Magical Girl fall to the ground. Her bright golden hair was stained with blood and looked dull. Her breathing was getting weaker and weaker. Only the watch on her fair wrist shone brightly, proclaiming that the lantern was safe and sound.
"Haven't you learned Melee Combat before? I heard from Dreamweave that you were an outstanding student who graduated with an S-rank in all subjects, but I managed to stack a thousand [Mirror Reversal] marks in a minute. You had too many openings."
The Pure White Witch showed no awareness that she had exaggerated. Calmly, she picked up a petal, crushed it into Light Dust, and said softly with a hint of regret:
"Furthermore, qualified warriors can recover immediately and put up a final, desperate fight, but you, as Magical Girl, haven't regained consciousness yet. That's practically a negative score."
After speaking, she stood up to leave.
And at that moment,
Xie Qingyu raised her sword, as if she had been waiting for this moment. Ignoring her still-repaired body and forgetting the intense pain, she rekindled her inner spirit, controlled her limbs, and unleashed a fierce sword light and ring of fire, engulfing the entire area within a mile in front of her.
Strangely enough, as the sword swept across, the ruins and streets were once again dismembered and melted away, but the person in front of him was not cut in half at the waist. When she looked back, she was like a shadow, twisted and broken, turning into a few scattered butterflies.
This is...
A mirage woven from elemental magic?
The moment the thought crossed my mind, the butterflies returned to the hilt of the knife, without making any attempt to mark it.
It was obvious that the spell only consumed a small amount of magic power, and the opponent did not reveal any flaws from beginning to end.
Distance,
The Pure White Witch stood amidst the ruins of the collapsed monastery, her pure white hair fluttering in the wind. Her delicate features were expressionless, showing no surprise at being ambushed. She gazed at her attacker from afar, her pink lips parting slightly.
"Come on, don't hold back, let me see your full strength."
After speaking, the Magic Clone vanished in the wind.
Xie Qingyu felt somewhat lost. She looked at the undulating yellow rose petals around her, which were gradually turning into magical dust. She felt a sense of sorrow, as if she had been tricked by a scumbag woman and left with nothing.
Damn it, why is Xuan Bao's best friend not only ridiculously strong, but also so cunning?!
For a moment, even the tingling and pain of half of my body being broken and reassembled paled in comparison to the trauma I had suffered.
Inside the lantern, the frightened Little Butterfly chirped excitedly:
"Waaaaah, Xiaoyu, Qing Bao is so scary! Why don't you just use [Full Bloom] normally? That way, even if you get marked tens of thousands of times, your defense won't break. Besides, using a knife to cut people isn't like Magical Girl at all!"
The Little Butterfly got angrier and angrier. If it weren't afraid of being chopped by Qing Bao, it probably would have jumped out and slapped the other person in the face.
"You're a Captain-Class, for crying out loud! Getting beaten up like this by a junior is incredibly embarrassing. I can't even imagine what Xuan Bao will think of you now! Stop trying to outsmart Qing Bao like an idiot, use your domain, use the Unlimited Spell!"
Xie Qingyu thought about it for a moment, then realized what she meant and felt incredibly ashamed. She said earnestly:
"Violet, you're right. I can't let Teacher Chu beat me like this anymore. I have to get my revenge."
Violet was greatly shocked. "Why are you calling me Teacher Qing Bao?"
Although she looks super cool and amazing, doesn't she feel ashamed to call a junior younger than her like that? Where's your super rebellious rock spirit? Can't you be as stubborn as you are with Xuan Bao? What's the difference between this and kneeling down in advance?
The Little Butterfly felt a little embarrassed, but if Xiaoyu and Qing Bao were closer, could it snuggle up to her and perhaps even catch a whiff of the Soul Flower?
Thinking about it this way, it doesn't seem to matter if Xiaoyu embarrasses herself a little.
Upon hearing this, the Little Butterfly suddenly became happy. It flitted about lively inside the lantern, trying its best to cheer Xie Qingyu on.
"Yay! Go, Xiaoyu! We must show Qing Bao what we're really capable of!"
Xie Qingyu was also infected by this positive and sunny mood. She forgot all about being almost shattered and, encouraged by Violet, silently recited the Flower Language blessing and reconstructed her Magic Armor.
In an instant, unrestrained purple magic, like a ribbon engulfing the streets, radiated out magnificent trails, with patterns of blessings shining brightly within them, like a stream of light bestowing happiness, naturally possessing the brilliance to illuminate people's hearts.
In just a moment, the surging Magic Tide flowed back into his body, instantly reconstructing the appearance of his Magic Armor.
--[Full Bloom].
This is a skill unique to the [Full Bloom] stage. It takes the blessing engraved in the soul as its core, and resonates with the lantern to allow the Soul Flower to merge into the body, completing the reconstruction of the Magic Armor. It is the true complete state.
Numerically speaking, magic power, defensive force field, mana regeneration rate, flight speed, physical strength, spell casting efficiency, and all other aspects have been comprehensively enhanced. It would not be an exaggeration to say that they have increased tenfold in one go.
Even a troublesome and terrifying Calamity Beasts like Nightmare, in a one-on-one fight without other factors involved, couldn't truly cripple this Captain-Class [Witch].