Chapter 23: A Moment of Truth

Deep, obsidian-like pupils.

In a way, her attire could be described as revealing.

The fragrance of a girl, reminiscent of some flower, yet distinctly different, carrying a faint warmth… How to describe it?

Lin Han considered himself a man of knowledge and culture. In that moment, his mind flashed with literary devices like ‘metaphor,’ ’empathy,’ and ‘alteration,’ but he couldn’t find the words to describe the girl pressed against him.

To be honest, the distance between them wasn’t this close before.

Who knew Ink Crystal was so tall?

She feels so soft!

What is touching me?

No, she’s my student! She’s He Yao! Stay calm, Lin Han! How can you be shaken by this? He Yao is clearly doing this on purpose!

He slightly bent his body, perhaps fortunate that his pants were loose today?

‘He Yao… you…’

Ink Crystal slightly arched her back, her stance carrying a hint of superiority: ‘Teacher, you’ve used these words to deceive me before. But a ‘life without regret’ has nothing to do with choice, right?

If I’m lucky, perhaps I’ll spend my life as a magical girl, basking in glory and pride, retiring with honor. But if I’m unlucky, I might face death soon. In that final moment, I might regret my choice, even if I said I wouldn’t.

So, a ‘life without regret,’ who knows what judgment one will make at the very end? It’s more of a state of mind, an enlightenment. Choices, once made, are hard to reverse… So, Teacher, you’re quite cunning, aren’t you?’

This is a very clever girl.

From the first time Lin Han met her, he knew He Yao was even smarter than he had imagined. Dealing with He Yao didn’t allow for strategy; only sincerity could be shown, letting him judge for himself. When he genuinely felt your kindness, he would respond with his own.

When Lin Han first said those words, he wasn’t thinking deeply. He was only reflecting on his own life and past, speaking from the heart.

But He Yao must have thought about this for a long time. Or perhaps he could have refuted me then, like he’s doing now—yet he didn’t say anything.

After all, their interactions weren’t about debates. If the goal was to argue right and wrong, it often led to emptiness, as even ‘correct’ arguments could be refuted with the right perspective.

In debates, what matters isn’t who is right, but who reacts faster, who thinks more deeply, who has more knowledge, and who can articulate more angles.

As a top university’s physics Ph.D. admitted through exceptional measures, he had participated in various debates. If he wanted to debate He Yao now, he wouldn’t lose in terms of wit.

But how could he win against He Yao now!

Just being stared at by Ink Crystal’s eyes made him struggle to speak.

The girl’s scent, her body heat, the allure… He could barely control his hands.

He wanted to touch, to caress, to see her beautiful face express different emotions, to see her deep, obsidian pupils change color.

His body was controlled by ‘instinct.’

This was incredible!

His willpower should be strong! In class, some girls would ask questions, sometimes struggling with personal space, but he could control himself.

And last week, when Teacher Liu was drunk and collapsed in his arms, he managed to keep his composure. So why now…

Was it the environment?

A confined space, ambiguous lighting… Scientific research shows that in such settings, single men and women release more hormones…

Or perhaps it’s because…

The girls who came to him with questions had their gazes fixed on test papers and notebooks. Drunk Teacher Liu was already incoherent.

But now, Ink Crystal was staring at him intently, making it hard to escape her gaze.

Magical Girl Ink Crystal…

For the first time, Lin Han deeply felt the essence of magical girls. They might truly possess magic!

Why are these beings always idolized, even when most magical girls don’t engage in idol activities like Carnelian? They still have countless fans, to the point where counterfeit merchants can profit from them.

Is it because they all possess such magnetic charm, or is it just Ink Crystal?

‘Why aren’t you speaking, Teacher?’

Ink Crystal gazed at Lin Han: ‘Teacher, your breathing is rapid. As a magical girl, I can sense your excitement, Teacher…’

She leaned in closer, her ear pressed against Lin Han’s chest: ‘Teacher, your heartbeat is fast. What are you thinking about? Ah~ I can feel it.’

Her smile suddenly turned mischievous, just as Lin Han had imagined. Her beautiful face revealed a different expression: ‘I suddenly remembered, Teacher Lin, you’re still… a youth~~’

She noticed!

This is bad! Very bad! I’m in a very bad situation right now!

This youth, despite his dark thoughts, is fundamentally a kind person!

This was Lin Han’s conclusion, and he still stood by it. But on the other hand, she was psychologically dark!

And this youth is currently in his prime, exposed to a lot of media, with countless fantasies in his mind. Sometimes he even shared his thoughts after watching certain works.

Honestly, as a man, he was also interested in such things. And given his close, friend-like relationship with He Yao, discussing these topics wasn’t entirely off-limits.

But not at a time like this!

Her current expression said, ‘I found something interesting; I must explore it.’

‘Teacher~’ The magical girl now wore an expression unsuited for a magical girl: ‘At a time like this, shouldn’t I say, ‘Ah~ Teacher, is that a hard thing you’re carrying? It’s poking me~”

She feigned innocence, already acting out her role.

But her eyes were filled with mockery.

Her hand slid across Lin Han’s chest, tracing circles: ‘And then, the teacher should say, ‘No, it’s just my motorcycle key, slightly misplaced.”

‘Then I should say, ‘But is your motorcycle key that big?”

‘Then the teacher would say, ‘It’s a new motorcycle key, but let’s not discuss that now. Let’s continue our previous topic’… and so on, just brushing it off~ Teacher, have you ever thought of that?’

She’s too clever.

She blocked all the excuses Lin Han could think of in a short time.

The girl’s expression turned playful again: ‘Teacher, you… are excited, aren’t you? Excited about me, your student who became a magical girl, excited about Magical Girl Ink Crystal, aren’t you?’

Lin Han’s throat felt dry, his past knowledge and judgment fading into nothingness. All he could muster was: ‘I… I… you…’

‘If the teacher doesn’t admit it, should I ask directly? About the teacher’s… brother?’

No, not this… If this continues…

‘Teacher, your hand~ it’s touching me…’

What?!

Lin Han jolted awake, realizing his hand was on the girl’s smooth back.

When did that happen?

As if waking from a dream, he had already touched her!

He decided to grab the girl in front of him and toss her onto the sofa.

Only then did he stand up, creating some distance between them and Ink Crystal.

‘Oh~ Teacher is quite rough~’

She didn’t seem in a hurry to get up: ‘It’s rare to become a magical girl when there are no monsters to defeat. I can’t just change back~ Teacher, do you want to take a photo? I can remove the cognitive barrier spell. This is an exclusive photo of Magical Girl Ink Crystal, the newest magical girl. Teacher, what pose do you want? I can do anything~’

She lay on the sofa like a cat, unconcerned with her exposed areas.

‘How long do you plan to tease me?’

‘Because the teacher is clearly excited, right?’

‘I’m a man. It’s natural to be excited. If you keep this up, I can’t guarantee I’ll stay rational.’

A wild gaze.

Teacher Lin can have such an expression too… It feels like I might be hunted…

She sat up straight, her posture elegant: ‘Since the teacher has said so, I’ll give you some face~’

‘Aren’t you going to change back?’

‘It’s better to discuss this topic in this form. Plus… some things He Yao can’t say, Ink Crystal can say openly. So, I’m actually more cunning, Teacher. Or perhaps, girls should be cunning.’

Lin Han closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and adjusted his composure. Only after ensuring he was calmer did he finally speak: ‘In any case, I understand your resolve. You plan to continue as a magical girl, right?’

‘As expected of the teacher, you accurately understand my intentions.’

You did all that just to prevent me from persuading you to quit?

She’s really cunning…

‘I’ll relay your intentions to your parents, but I think some things need to be said directly to them.’

‘Aren’t they leaving the country tonight?’

‘If it’s for you, I’m sure they can make time.’

Ink Crystal nodded: ‘Then, will you speak on my behalf?’

‘No.’

‘I knew it.’

‘You knew and still asked?’

‘One can always hope~ But I know you’re not the type to unconditionally support someone. I’m clear on that. So, it’s fine…’ The girl blinked her eyes: ‘But Teacher, when you said you liked Ink Crystal and wanted to marry a magical girl, were you serious?’

‘…’