Chapter 14: The Regenerator’s Resurgence

Despite not being particularly popular among her classmates, school bullying was quite rare in this era.

After all, with the emergence of fiends, school bullying was considered a serious issue. If such incidents occurred, the school would conduct a thorough investigation, and the administration would be held accountable.

Consequently, even though He Yao was an unpopular youth, the most she had to endure was a bit of gossip behind her back. Overt bullying simply did not happen.

This was more than enough for He Yao. While some people might deeply care about others’ opinions, feeling immense pressure even when ostracized, He Yao was not so extreme.

In fact, having others leave her undisturbed was quite beneficial.

Today, she had finally finished reading *Filial Piety*.

Though merely a novel, it had offered her some insights.

‘Star Lord, myriad realms united, proving the Dao with power.’

‘Could the author actually be a Magical Girl?’

As she placed the novel into her schoolbag, she began to ponder her plans for after school. If Liu Xingyue wished to keep her identity a secret, she would undoubtedly transform into a Magical Girl in a secluded spot before meeting up.

‘Should I go home first?’

‘…It feels too troublesome to run back and forth. Should I just leave my schoolbag at school?’

‘Oh, that reminds me, I still need to treat Teacher Lin to dinner today, don’t I?’

During her regular physical education class, He Yao considered it, but ultimately decided against learning martial arts. Although she appeared to be a close-combat type Magical Girl, her previous battle experience suggested that her martial arts skill had little bearing on her effectiveness.

Although she was described as a close-combat type, she was fundamentally a Magical Girl. Her battles were waged with “magic.”

It was just that her magic leaned towards close-quarters engagement and explosive power.

She didn’t truly engage in hand-to-hand combat, fighting with her fists.

Rather, it would be more beneficial to run, work out, and exercise her body to increase her stamina and endurance.

After completing her daily training, she once again headed to the physics lab.

****

Today, Lin Han appeared exceptionally busy, with various parts spread out before him as he modified his beloved motorcycle.

“Teacher Lin, would you like me to help you?”

“Oh, He Yao! You’d be a great help! Come take a look at this part.”

He Yao frequently assisted Teacher Lin with modifications. Teacher Lin’s grasp of physics was undeniably profound, with every component meticulously organized. However, He Yao herself was also exceptionally intelligent; she could generally glance at Lin Han’s modification blueprints and instantly understand the process.

Thus, she often helped Lin Han modify the motorcycle.

“Honestly, Teacher Lin, your motorcycle’s specifications are so impressive, if you entered it into a racing competition, you’d definitely achieve excellent results. I dare say very few people could match your setup, even compared to products from major manufacturers. Wouldn’t you make a fortune by winning the prize money?”

Lin Han, however, shook his head. “I don’t modify it to compete for money. That would make me lose sight of my original intention; it’s meant for saving lives.”

‘What a bleeding heart…’

In truth, Lin Han wasn’t lying. In June of that year, when a certain city was struck by floods, Teacher Lin took a week off, drove this very motorcycle to the disaster zone, and returned to find numerous letters of gratitude from the people he had rescued.

However, Lin Han didn’t display them ostentatiously; he simply showed them to He Yao.

Sometimes, He Yao didn’t quite understand such behavior. She felt Teacher Lin was a little *too* kind.

As she helped Lin Han modify the motorcycle, she said, “My dad is returning from abroad this week. He wants to express his gratitude and invite you to our home for dinner. Will you come?”

“Gratitude… I should be thanking you,” Lin Han replied, a little embarrassed.

He Yao then said, “Don’t worry about it. My parents’ gratitude towards you is genuine. If you want to thank me, then show it! Anyway, coming to my house for dinner this weekend is fine, right?”

Lin Han suddenly recalled that Teacher Liu had also asked him to dinner this weekend. ‘It shouldn’t interfere, right? Saturday lunch and dinner, Sunday lunch and dinner.’

‘That’s four meals in total.’

‘Fitting in two meals shouldn’t be a problem.’

“I understand. I’ll be there this weekend… Speaking of thanks, would you like me to give you a hint for the next exam?”

He Yao gave Lin Han a speechless glare. “Teacher, do you really think I need something like that?”

“…”

‘This person doesn’t really care about grades, does she? She usually only studies hard and gets good grades when she needs money from her parents; otherwise, she just aims for an average score.’

‘Come to think of it, she’s a Magical Girl now, isn’t she?’

This job was quite dangerous, yet Lin Han wasn’t surprised. While a boy becoming a Magical Girl was unheard of, Lin Han understood He Yao’s reason for accepting this role.

After all, her medal for courageous action was earned by genuinely being beaten to the point of a concussion. If Emerald hadn’t rescued her, she might have ended up in a vegetative state.

Perhaps that was precisely the catalyst for her becoming a Magical Girl.

‘And to think she said…’

“Oh, right, Teacher Lin,” He Yao suddenly began, “I’ll leave my schoolbag here with you. You can just bring it to me tomorrow morning during your class. I’ve got plans with someone this afternoon; I’m going out to play, so I’m too lazy to carry my bag. Anyway, your class is first period tomorrow morning, isn’t it?”

‘What?’

‘She made plans to go out and play?’

‘Look at you, is this something your character should be saying?’

Lin Han almost immediately realized that He Yao was about to embark on Magical Girl activities.

He then feigned a surprised expression. “You made plans to go out and play with someone?”

“Hey, Teacher Lin! That’s a stereotype! Do you think I don’t have any friends?”

“That’s not what I meant. I’m just curious about your recreational activities. Don’t you usually play games?” Lin Han calmly replied. “Anything fun recently?”

He Yao spread her hands. “I don’t know, someone else arranged it. I’m just going to the appointment.”

“Alright, have fun.”

He took He Yao’s schoolbag.

****

When school dismissed in the afternoon, Liu Xingyue entered the girls’ restroom, and He Yao went into the boys’ restroom.

However, the two did not encounter each other.

After all, they had to wait until the restrooms were empty before daring to emerge and fly away through the window.

He Yao waited through several waves of people before the restroom finally cleared out.

‘[…] We can’t transform in restrooms anymore. I always feel like something terribly unfortunate will happen,’ Ink Crystal concluded, reflecting on the experience.

‘Besides, how could a fragrant Magical Girl fly out of a restroom?’

Nevertheless, she finally arrived at the agreed-upon location.

****

By the time she arrived, Magical Girl Amethyst and Magical Girl Emerald were already there.

As for the surrounding crowd?

They had, of course, already fled.

It was no joke; for the common sense of this era, if two Magical Girls suddenly appeared in such a place, not running meant waiting to die. Should a battle erupt and cause collateral damage, no one could claim they weren’t warned.

If it were just a single Magical Girl, it might be a patrol taking a sudden break. If there was nothing urgent, one could even boldly approach them for a chat or an autograph.

But two Magical Girls clearly meant business, and it would be utterly presumptuous not to understand that.

“Ink Crystal! You’re here.”

“Hello, Amethyst! And… Emerald.”

Emerald scrutinized Ink Crystal. “So you’re the newly born Ink Crystal—a close-combat type, indeed?” Emerald observed Ink Crystal, but quickly averted her gaze.

Ink Crystal had taken a slight detour, so she hadn’t approached from the same direction as Emerald.

“Amethyst, you asked the two of us to help you deal with the Regenerator, so you must have made thorough preparations, right?” A vibrant green leaf materialized in Emerald’s hand. “This item can absorb the Regenerator’s life force and bind its body. As long as it’s struck into its core, it’s finished.”

Amethyst took the verdant leaf and then explained, “Last time, the Regenerator escaped from this very spot. I had actually left a contingency plan, intending to pursue it forcefully, but it remained deep underground. However, these past two days, it has been gradually approaching the surface, and now it’s very close. The subterranean biomass isn’t enough to sustain its existence, so it will undoubtedly come to the surface, attempting to devour human flesh—and it will resurface in this exact area.”

Her gaze was serious. “Therefore, we just need to wait here. The moment the Regenerator appears, Ink Crystal, you’ll inflict damage with your most powerful, fastest attack. Then, I’ll seize the opportunity to strike the leaf into its body, vanquishing it in one fell swoop. This fiend has survived for far too long; if it escapes again, my reputation will suffer.”

Amethyst seemed to be a Magical Girl who cared greatly about her reputation.

Yet, it was understandable; for Magical Girls, renown itself was a potent force.

After all, as symbols of love and justice, the more public support they garnered, the stronger their own powers became. Gathering the love of the masses, becoming the embodiment of justice in people’s hearts…

“However, I think we should consider a broader perspective,” Ink Crystal began, though it might not be entirely appropriate for a newcomer. “You’ve been hunting the Regenerator for quite some time now. If I were a fiend organization, knowing the scale of your operation today, I might try to capture all three of us in one go. Our opponents might not be limited to just the Regenerator.”

Upon hearing this, Amethyst immediately chuckled. “Are you suggesting that in this city, in Clear Sky City, there’s some fiend organization, or perhaps a fiend, capable of capturing all three of us Magical Girls in one net?”

“Well, you’re a newcomer, so a bit of fear towards fiends and fiend organizations is understandable. However, you need to be more confident. We are powerful Magical Girls; there’s no such formidable existence in this city. Even if there were, Rainbow Jade would vanquish them, so there’s absolutely no need to worry.” Amethyst’s gaze turned sharp. “As for other fiends attacking… then, for every one that comes, we’ll kill one!”

Ink Crystal looked at Emerald.

Emerald nodded slightly.

She clearly agreed with Amethyst’s assertion.

‘What is with this incredibly strong ominous flag?’

“Focus, Ink Crystal! It’s coming!”

At that very moment, a hole abruptly tore open in the ground, and a mass of flesh burrowed out.

“Ink Crystal! Hornet Sting!”

A streak of dark light flashed simultaneously.