Asō Madoka's Proposal

"Using magic means getting serious, and getting serious means it can be classified as a 'battle,' regardless of the outcome. This is the fairest criterion for determining whether magical girls are fighting amongst themselves."

Asō Madoka slowly said, "After all, some people are good at using a small amount of magic to create a greater impact, while others lack the means to do so."

"... Is this supposed to be comforting me?"

Lin Xiaolu thought for a while before she gradually realized what he meant, "You mean, if it weren't for that Rule, and both of us were giving it our all, I might not necessarily lose?"

"No, I'm just analyzing why you lost."

Asō Madoka glanced at her and shook her head. "Even if you use your full strength, you can't beat White Thistle, because she's my most satisfying disciple."

Lin Xiaolu was stunned for a moment by this somewhat unexpected answer, then felt a surge of anger: "You—"

"But as I said, I'm on your side."

Asō Madoka interrupted her, "It's not just because White Thistle provoked us first and she's in the wrong, but also because she's Leaf Rank cultivator and you're a Seed-level cultivator. A competition spanning two Blossoming stages isn't a competition at all; it's just one-sided bullying."

"... I'm different from ordinary species."

Lin Xiaolu swallowed back her words, composed herself, and said sullenly, "If we're just talking about the amount of magic power, I definitely won't lose to Leaf Rank."

"Because you've been stuck at the seed level for a long time, but your magic power hasn't stopped increasing..."

However, before Lin Xiaolu could finish speaking, Asō Madoka: "That's what you wanted to say, right?"

Lin Xiaolu looked up at her in astonishment, speechless for a moment.

"Because I was very curious about the whole story between you and White Thistle, I also asked Larkspur about it, and she has already told me about your situation."

Asō Madoka continued, "I acknowledge your uniqueness; you possess abilities in many areas that have already surpassed the limitations of this stage. However, even so, Seed-level is still just Seed-level. The gap between Seed-level and Leaf Rank is not merely a difference in the quality of magical power and combat experience, but also a difference in ability and skill."

"Let me give you an example."

She held up two fingers. "Suppose two ordinary people of similar height and weight are going to fight, but one of them is only good at street brawling and hasn't received any systematic training; the other is an expert in various practical fighting techniques, proficient in various methods of generating force and techniques for striking the enemy's vital points. So, tell me, is the outcome of this fight a foregone conclusion?"

"No suspense, right?"

"Moreover, White Thistle is the most studious even among the Leaf Rank girls, possessing far more Spell Formula and magic usage techniques than other magical girls of the same stage. The gap between you and her is greater than the gap between an ordinary person and a martial arts master."

As Asō Madoka continued speaking, her words became increasingly intertwined with her personal thoughts, to the point that a significant portion of her speech resembled soliloquy. However, Lin Xiaolu showed no intention of speaking; she simply listened quietly, and after hearing a particular remark, her clenched fist gradually loosened.

"Then why did you come to see me?"

She said calmly, her voice so numb it felt almost unfamiliar to herself. "Anyway, according to you, I never had a chance to beat her from the start. Since I couldn't beat your team, there was no need for me to participate in next year's assessment. Because it's such a dangerous assessment anyway, someone like me who's only half-baked would just be a burden to others, right?"

"I didn't say that," Asō Madoka blinked.

"So what do you want to say? An apology? 'My disciple beat you by bullying the weak, which is suspicious of bullying,' is that what you want to say?"

Lin Xiaolu's eyes widened slightly. "You called me out of my room to stand in the cold wind, my legs were shaking the whole time, just to tell me this?"

"Is that not allowed?" Asō Madoka retorted.

"Then go back to your place. I don't need this kind of 'apology' at all."

Lin Xiaolu said, enunciating each word clearly, "The competition between me and your disciple was fair and square. I lost because I was too weak and my skills were inferior. A loss is a loss, and I'm not such a sore loser."

"On the contrary, it's you who, even though your own disciple clearly won, not only didn't praise or congratulate her, but also put on this hypocritical act, saying she was wrong and coming over to 'apologize' to me? Who exactly are you looking down on? Do you take me for a child who cries and whines when someone bullies me?"

"You're here to apologize to me? You're not here to apologize at all! You're just trying to save face for Larkspur. Stop with that attitude, it's disgusting!"

"Let me tell you, I don't need to apologize at all. This is an insult to the results of our competition!"

On the balcony, where the lights couldn't reach, Lin Xiaolu's indignant words were also drowned out by the wind and couldn't be heard anywhere else. However, Asō Madoka, standing in front of her, heard them clearly.

These words showed absolutely no respect for the "senior," and could even be described as utterly disrespectful, practically accusing her of being a "hypocrite." Although the words were strong due to their emotional nature, their meaning was accurately conveyed to her.

Being verbally abused so blatantly by a child more than twenty years younger than herself would likely enrage most people, but Asō Madoka did not.

The expression on her face was less one of annoyance and more one of surprise and relief.

"... This is truly unexpected; so that's what you think."

She murmured, "Then it was indeed my fault. I tried to coax you like a naive child, and I didn't correct my attitude and treat you as a real 'junior'."

As she said this, she slightly bowed, actually bowing quite solemnly to Lin Xiaolu, and said in a steady tone, "I'm sorry, it was my oversight."

"As I just said, I don't want to see this kind of hypocritical behavior and etiquette."

Lin Xiaolu frowned. "If you have nothing else to say, then I'll head back now."

"Yes, there is. I asked you out not just to say some empty words."

Asō Madoka straightened up, smoothed her hair that was draped in front of her, and said helplessly, "I just didn't expect that my attempt to appease you would backfire so badly. What a blunder."

"So what?" Lin Xiaolu looked at her irritably. "What exactly do you want?"

"Because I really want to know what Anya's child will be like after becoming a magical girl."

Asō Madoka looked at her gently, "Although I held you in my arms when you were born, it's been so many years since I last saw you, so it's understandable that I'm still very curious."

"Disappointed?" Lin Xiaolu asked casually.

"No, I'm very satisfied." Asō Madoka laughed.

"Huh?" Lin Xiaolu couldn't help but retort.

"Haha, after all, she has a surprisingly adorable personality, but she's more like your father than your mother."

Asō Madoka stroked her chin and said, "How should I put it? They always seem like someone has offended them, either cold or unhappy, they're practically cut from the same mold."

"You call this kind of personality 'cute'?" Lin Xiaolu was a little dumbfounded.

Isn't it cute?

Asō Madoka tilted her head to look at her. "At least both I and your mother liked you, right? Otherwise, you wouldn't have been born."

"I feel like there's something odd about what you're saying..."

"Sigh, but in some ways you still have your mother's shadow. At least I can't imagine you saying those things to me just now... I'm so touched I could hardly contain myself."

Asō Madoka pretended to wipe the corner of her eye and held out a hand. "Come here, let me touch you."

"Teasing the puppy? No way!"

Lin Xiaolu quickly took a step back. "That's so cheesy! Can't you say something serious?!"

"Don't you want me to touch you?"

"Of course not!" Lin Xiaolu shouted.

"You can go to school and brag about it to your classmates, like, 'Miss Mary touched my head, and I haven't washed my hair for three days,'" Asō Madoka suggested.

"That sounds disgusting!"

"That's what I want to touch. Come on, let me touch it."

"Even a perfectly legitimate request is not allowed." Lin Xiaolu continued to back away, making an X with her hands in front of her.

"Alas, what a pity."

Seeing Lin Xiaolu's repeated refusals, Asō Madoka couldn't press the matter any further and could only sigh, giving up. "Then let's talk about serious business."

At this point, the atmosphere, which had just eased somewhat, became a little heavy again.

Lin Xiaolu stared at the woman in front of her, whom she had only met a day ago. The woman's sudden change of expression made her quite uncomfortable. She felt completely unable to discern any specific emotion from the other woman's face, and had no idea what the other woman wanted to do.

She could only swallow instinctively, waiting for the other person to speak.

"You mentioned earlier that you're stuck at the Seed level. While that might be a bit of a stretch, you must be feeling anxious about it right now, right?" Asō Madoka asked.

"Do you have a way to help me Blossoming my abilities?" Lin Xiaolu looked at her suspiciously.

"No, of course I don't have that much ability. After all, even the Larkspur doesn't know why you haven't Blossoming yet."

Asō Madoka shrugged. "However, I have another proposal."

"What proposal?" The topic touched on something she cared about most, and Lin Xiaolu's question became a little more urgent.

"In other words, since you're in your current state, you can't awaken your Magic Armament or learn Spell Formula, so you're just idling around anyway..."

Asō Madoka smiled again, a smile that seemed ordinary to her, but which, combined with her face, appeared rather alluring. "Want to learn a few moves from me?"