Persuasion

(Bai Ziye)

At Sirius's request, I left the treatment facility early in the morning and went to the branch building that had been attacked by terrorists the previous night.

It remains at the Research Level.

"She's right here, so I won't go in yet."

Yin Lu swiped her card and opened the door for me.

Thank you.

I thanked her, but didn't rush inside. Instead, I leaned against the doorframe and asked, "How is your sister?"

When the incident occurred, Yin Wei was in the sound control room and was naturally captured and caged by the Witch's Domain.

Yin Lu paused for a moment, then gave a helpless, bitter smile.

"Miluno, you've got it wrong! I'm the older sister, Xiao Wei is my younger sister! I'm three years older than her!"

I subconsciously forgot about that.

Ultimately, it was Yin Wei's maturity and reliability that made her seem more like an older sister than Yin Lu.

"Xiao Wei hasn't woken up yet, but her condition is stable. The doctor said she's fine, so you don't need to worry."

Yin Wei is the type to keep her feelings hidden deep inside, and it's unknown how deeply she will be affected.

"I'm sorry, this still happened even though we were there."

Yin Lu stood on tiptoe and reached out to pat my forehead.

It was only then that I realized she was an older woman.

"This isn't your fault. After all, this is a situation we've never encountered before. It's impossible to protect everyone, isn't it?"

Even knowing this, it's still hard to accept such an outcome.

In order to create a breeding ground for Dark Energy, the Witch Domain will definitely expand into densely populated areas.

One attack alone caused nearly 50,000 people to fall into a coma...

If something like this happens again, how can we, as magical girls, protect the safety of the public?

There are currently no good solutions...

Leaning on his cane, he entered the room, passing through empty rooms one after another, and finally found the succubus girl sitting blankly on a simple wooden bed.

This is the branch's single cell.

Halley is currently being held here. The previous guest was Anjie, but she was abducted by Betelgeuse.

Good morning, Halley. Did you sleep well last night?

He greeted her while leaning against the glass wall.

"Miluno? At this point, why are you still bothering me..."

She noticed my right foot was in a cast.

Your leg...

"It's alright. I thought I'd be fine after a night's sleep, but it's a bit more serious than I thought. However, magical girls recover quickly, and I should be fully recovered by tomorrow at the latest."

Besides, I also drank Barbara's potion, and I can constantly feel those necrotic tissue cells being replaced.

It was a little itchy during the process, but I couldn't scratch it because of the plaster cast.

"..."

She remained silent after I said that.

"Hey, don't you have anything else to say?"

"What do you want to hear, my apology?"

"Then let me ask you, do you still want to be an idol?"

Sirius sent me here as a persuader.

Persuade Halley and Ceruno to continue their unfinished final match.

Yes, the Supernova Idol Festival isn't over yet.

Halley lowered his head and pinched his own tailbone, which had reverted to a heart shape; it was soft and made a squelching sound.

"Do I still deserve to be called an idol?"

"You are neither Monster nor a witch now. With the Star Crystal within you, you can only be called a magical girl."

Although it is a contaminated Star Crystal.

"Magical Girl... I don't deserve to be called that. After watching your battles, I understand that there are some things I can never do."

"You said it before, right? People are multifaceted. Don't you have a good side?"

Halley remained silent again, but finally answered:

"I have no idea."

"When you helped me and Ceruno advance, weren't you acting out of good intentions?"

"I just feel that your strength poses no threat to me."

"Yes, you mentioned strength."

I took out my phone and browsed news reports about last night's attack.

Especially the part about Halley.

"You scored a high score of thirty-nine in the third round, which demonstrates your strength as an idol. Although your strength as Monster is mediocre, and your strength as a witch is not Achernar, your strength as an idol is undoubtedly top-notch."

Halley shook his head.

"After all Ceruno and the others are all true newcomers. Given time, Ceruno will definitely be more outstanding than me."

"You were abandoned by the era of magical girls and complained about the injustice, but now that opportunity has come your way, are you going to hide here like a coward?"

My words did have some effect; at least she was willing to look up at me.

"But what's the point of this final? I caused this tragedy that affected 50,000 people. No matter the outcome, I won't have the chance to be an idol anymore, right?"

"Yes, now is the best chance to turn things around."

I stuck my phone to the glass wall.

The screen displays a news report about Halley.

"Look at these opportunities. They're right in front of you; it's up to you whether you can seize them."

Halley was persuaded.

Yin Lu drove us to the venue. The staff of the Idol Festival were busy setting up the studio. It was very lively, but I didn't see Ceruno.

Although Sirius rented the venue temporarily, they decorated it using materials salvaged from the stadium, creating a strong finals atmosphere, although the stage was much smaller.

"Huh? Teacher Han Shuo?!"

The only ordinary person among the three judges, an elderly gentleman, was also present.

Halley was surprised, but also felt apologetic.

"Halley, and Miluno, you two came together?"

"Good afternoon, Mr. Han." I greeted him in return.

An elderly man with white eyebrows and a white beard walked over, stroking his beard. He was holding two ornamental walnuts in his hands, which made a clicking sound as he spun them.

"What, are you surprised to see this old man?"

"I'm so sorry about yesterday, an apology alone might not be enough..."

"Sirius has already explained to me that last night's incident wasn't your fault; it was all a scheme by 'the Other Side,' so there's no need to feel guilty. Besides, I've always been lucky; I happened to be among the first group of people Ceruno rescued, so I'm safe and sound."

That was indeed very lucky.

After all, Ceruno only saved a little over a thousand people out of 50,000, a probability comparable to an SSR in a gacha game.

"That's all a lie. I did yearn to realize my dream through the Witch Domain... and I hurt many people because of it."

Halley's mood began to decline again.

"Oh, really?"

Old Master Han stopped playing with the walnuts.

He squinted and said, "But in my opinion, you don't need to rely on that kind of false illusion at all. It may be a bit late to say this now, but I've had high hopes for you for over ten years. Back when magical girl idols were emerging and gradually taking over the mainstream, your figure, who still stood firm on the stage and resisted the tide of the times... I still remember it to this day."

Halley's eyes welled up with tears.

She tried her best, but ultimately couldn't withstand the tide of the times and was swept away and shattered.

"I'm sorry Ceruno... but I won't lose."