Cirno, Joining the Battle

(Sun Yao)

Before they took off, I covered Heat Haze with a layer of bubble.

Not only can it keep you warm and conserve oxygen, but it can also reduce weight, making it easier for Falcon to carry her in flight.

I also compressed some smaller oxygen bubbles so that she could breathe in the thin air at high altitudes. When she felt that there was not enough oxygen in the bubbles, she could just pop one of them to catch her breath.

After making these preparations, I looked at another magical girl.

"Miss Falcon, would you like some windproof bubbles?"

She shook her head, causing the shimmering hair tied back to sway slightly.

"I don't need it. Wearing yours just feels like there's a layer between us, and it diminishes the feeling of flying."

"The air is very thin above the clouds, isn't it?"

I kindly reminded her, but she laughed and said, "Do you think I've been there several times already? I can breathe even in places with thin air, and since I don't fly using aerodynamics, theoretically I could go to near-Earth orbit at around a million meters! But it's too uncomfortable, so I wouldn't normally fly that high... But to get closer to the sun, going once in a while isn't out of the question!"

Although the chances were slim, Falcon was very proactive since there was a chance to retrieve the Star Crystal.

"Don't freeze to death."

"I know what I'm doing!"

Floating in the air, it lifted a bubble enveloping in Heat Haze, then the brightness of its tied-up hair surged, and it shot into the sky like a rocket.

"So fast..."

I didn't lower my head until I could no longer see clearly with my naked eye and my neck started to ache.

"The sun is setting; they don't have much time left."

Aunt stretched and walked to the railing at the edge of the helipad. From here, one could overlook the medical facility not far away, but it would be difficult to Past directly using teleportation magic.

"Can Miluno and Miss Sirius handle this?"

"If they can't handle it, there aren't many people in the world who can, especially with the support of other magical girls! Just wait patiently for their good news!"

Buzz--

Before her aunt could finish speaking, a blue wormhole opened up in the sky above the organization building, somewhat like a harbinger of doom.

"Um, this might be support for your father from 'the Other Side'... If it's that guy we encountered last night, then everyone present will be in danger. It all depends on how SpiCa handles it."

This is not an exaggeration.

Even Miss Sirius might not be able to defeat Fomalhaut, who has become the Sword Witch.

"Auntie, I really do want to Past and try to persuade my father... After all, it's best to resolve the issue through conversation..."

Since Fomalhaut still considers his father a friend, they might even talk to each other.

"No, I don't believe that Chairman Sun can resolve this issue through dialogue."

But her aunt denied it very decisively.

She leaned against the railing, gazing into the deep wormhole.

"Ceruno, SpiCa is preventing you from going to the scene because she's determined to take down her old teammate. In the worst-case scenario, your father, as the Association's president, might 'heroically sacrifice' himself there, taking all the secrets to his grave, thus preserving the Association's credibility."

"How could this be... Is Dad going to die?"

I had never heard of such an arrangement before, and my steps felt a little unsteady.

"That's the worst-case scenario. Your father committed an unforgivable crime. He betrayed humanity, betrayed all of us...including you, Ceruno. Given SpiCa's nature, he won't tell you until it actually happens, but I still hope you can prepare yourself for this worst-case scenario."

My heart is beating too fast.

My head was throbbing with blood and I couldn't calm down at all.

Although the methods were dishonorable, Mother did indeed wake up!

Is it necessary for Dad to "heroically sacrifice" at this point?

From a moral standpoint, Dad was indeed wrong.

But he shouldn't die yet; he should at least live to atone for his sins!

"Indeed, I have to go see him!"

I have to convince him.

"Aunt Lin Xi... please forgive me for taking the liberty of this, but I'll trouble you to explain things to Miss SpiCa!"

"I'm going to get really yelled at."

"Sorry!"

I then leaped over the railing, facing the wind, and jumped from the 73-story building.

I summoned the Ruby Wand, and using the properties of bubbles, I spread my thin wings to the sides and stretched out my limbs with all my might. I used the headwind to stop my fall and glided towards the medical facility in the distance.

A glider made of Bubble Membrane.

Inspired by Heat Haze's Battle Dress.

At first, I couldn't quite grasp the glider's center of gravity, but thanks to the magical girl's superhuman physical coordination, maintaining balance in the air wasn't so difficult. In fact, by adjusting the weight and air permeability, I could control the flight angle and speed more flexibly.

It's like a flying squirrel, except I can fly farther and faster.

Before the wormhole even landed, I was already kneeling on one knee on the helipad on the top floor of the treatment facility. Surprisingly, the security personnel here hadn't left yet.

The wormhole above our heads is about to open.

Dad and the others are probably downstairs...

"Miss Ceruno, SpiCa requests your immediate departure."

The two special agents on duty even came to greet us.

I countered, "Then why didn't you leave?"

Even armed to the teeth, they were still no match for the witch.

"We must ensure that the helipad is in a safe and readily available state, as it is also a crucial evacuation route."

"What about your own safety?"

"This is our duty, Miss Ceruno."

"Then let me go down. This is my duty as a magical girl, no... as a child."

The two special operations team members exchanged a glance.

I don't know what they could see through each other's helmets, which didn't reveal their inner workings.

"... Then, please at least bring this with you."

But one of the team members pulled out an earpiece from behind his back.

So, does every liaison officer or staff member of the Association carry an extra one of these?

"Thank you, then as a return gift..."

I waved my wand, casting a protective shield over them, which should at least allow them to survive the aftermath of the battle.

"This membrane is stronger than it looks and can protect you from a certain degree of harm."

The two of them even saluted me.

"Thank you so much, Miss Ceruno!"

How should I respond when I'm sincerely thanked?

"Protecting everyone is my duty, so there's no need to thank me. Please seek shelter immediately if you encounter danger."

Following Miss Sirius's teachings, I maintained a natural smile throughout.

As an idol, I must leave them with a positive and kind impression.

"Seluno ..."

They stared at me, lost in thought.

Could it be that she's captivated by my smile?

What's behind you...?

Behind me?

Turning around, a red Teleportation Halo quietly unfolded.

Walking out was the disheveled old man, carrying in his arms... his mother, who had inexplicably fallen Past a coma again.