Chapter 63: The Idealist’s Legacy and a Mother’s Plea

People like Ox Mask always filled Lin Han with an instinctive aversion.

To be fair, he considered himself a scientist, even if he was currently a teacher. He had spent countless days and nights in laboratories, conducting various experiments.

He had never once contemplated sacrificing anyone, never wished for anyone’s death. Yet, both the man before him and that past individual who called himself the “Idealist” were exactly like that.

It was as if their actions were profoundly noble, as if fulfilling their grand ambitions justified standing before others in such a manner.

Even if he were to kill them at this very moment, they would consider it an immense honor.

Just as they often proclaimed.

Some individuals, even in death, continue to live on.

Just like himself in this present moment.

He was still alive in this world, a product of the “Idealist,” still breathing. How then could one truly claim the Idealist had perished?

Lin Han understood Ox Mask’s current mindset.

As long as the so-called Saintess lived and the Holy Relic endured, his future would not be extinguished.

Ox Mask dared to appear before him, calmly declaring, “I’ve come to offer myself up.” Such words could only signify one thing.

He was certain that even if the Magical Girls located the Holy Relic and the Saintess, the government would not eliminate them. Instead, they would be designated as “observers,” much like himself.

As for whether other monsters might target them?

Given Ox Mask’s unwavering confidence, it suggested that the Saintess’s combat capabilities were far from weak.

Beneath his mask, Lin Han’s expression subtly tightened. “If you’re offering yourself, why not seek out Rainbow Jade instead?”

“I told you, I have a certain disdain for that person. I never agreed with his ideology, which is why we parted ways. I pursued my research, he pursued his, and I never expected him to achieve results first. The original data was also destroyed by you. If I still had that original data, I wouldn’t be here seeking death.”

“So that’s how it is.”

Lin Han could no longer be bothered to speak further with this man. He knew this person’s true motive was far more complex than what he let on, yet…

He would never extract any useful information from him.

“Then accept your judgment!”

He leaped forward, his feet flashing with light.

****

‘I’m sorry, Mom.’

Ye Liuyun lay in the infirmary, watching Rainbow Jade sitting nearby. “If only I were stronger, I wouldn’t have become a hostage to that masked man.”

Rainbow Jade gazed at her son. She desperately wanted to say, “It’s okay.”

But…

This was what happened when ordinary people faced monsters.

No matter how much effort they poured in, they could never bridge that chasm.

‘I pushed you to train relentlessly, merely so you could buy time when confronted by monsters. But your performance today deeply disappointed me.’

Her crimson eyes fixed on Ye Liuyun.

‘Those masked figures weren’t even true monsters, yet you were utterly helpless, easily trampled upon. Even now, do you still believe you can stand against monsters?’

Ye Liuyun remained silent.

Seeing his demeanor, Carnelian’s tone softened slightly.

“Listen to Mom, alright? Drop out of school and come back to me. I can protect you. You don’t need to prove anything to anyone. You are simply Mom’s child.”

“Mom already let you attend school, just as you wished, but what was the point? The knowledge I taught you could make you rank first in your entire grade. The things high school students learn are useless to you. You don’t need this to find a job. And are the friends you’ve made truly meaningful ones?

I heard that when Magical Girl Emerald was struggling in battle, a student from your class named He Yao fearlessly stepped forward, a mortal confronting a monstrous fiend, a hero of monsters?

Yet, when you were being choked by that monster today, almost suffocating, that student named He Yao did not appear. You were even desk partners with him for several days… did you become friends?

Or perhaps, after witnessing the terror of the monstrous fiends, that boy named He Yao lacked the courage to step forward again, to become that hero who dared to confront monstrous fiends with a mortal body?”

“No! He Yao didn’t come to school today!”

“Didn’t come to school? But I saw him appear.”

Ye Liuyun flinched in surprise.

His spirits then plummeted.

“He… he came?”

“Yes. If you don’t believe me, you can ask that what’s-her-name? The girl named Liu Xingyue. That He Yao even brought her a cake. I saw it from the stands.”

“I see.”

Carnelian then stood up, moving to sit on the hospital bed before embracing Ye Liuyun. “So, Liuyun… please come back to Mom, okay? There are no true friends for you here, nothing you truly desire, and no one can protect you. Only Mom can protect you… only by Mom’s side is the right choice.”

“I…”

Ye Liuyun found himself speechless.

He wanted to prove himself.

He wanted to prove he wasn’t a burden to his mother, that he wasn’t just a child who could only be protected in his mother’s arms. But the more he yearned to prove it, the more irrefutable the conclusion became.

The conclusion of proof.

He desperately wanted to righteously declare, “No.”

But how could he possibly say such a thing?

His mother was such a powerful being, yet she constantly considered his well-being. How could he possibly utter those words?

“I’ll think about it.”

“It’s alright, you can take your time. Mom won’t pressure you.”

Carnelian, still holding Ye Liuyun, revealed a faint smile on her face, though Ye Liuyun could not see it.

****

Today’s sports meet was temporarily suspended. Whether it would resume later awaited further notice.

Upon returning home, He Yao found Lin Han already there.

“Teacher, did you catch Rat Mask?”

“No,” Lin Han immediately replied. “But Ox Mask is dead.”

“Ah, Ox Mask… huh?”

He Yao froze instantly. “What happened in between?”

“Ox Mask used his life to delay me while I pursued Rat Mask. So Rat Mask escaped, and Ox Mask died.”

He Yao gasped, drawing a sharp breath. “Hiss! Is this organization truly so cohesive? The bond between teammates is so profound, it fills me with awe.”

Lin Han considered for a moment. “We should find time to meet the girl Zhang Xiao mentioned.”

“If it’s her, we arrest her?”

“Yes.”

“Then let’s go tomorrow!”

As He Yao spoke, she had already transformed back into Magical Girl Ink Crystal. She had grown fond of maintaining this state recently. Rather, unless she was in front of Liu Xingyue, she remained in this form.

“My recent training seems to be having some effect. Teacher, you saw how I withstood Rat Mask today; my power is limitless.”

Lin Han offered a wry smile. “Weren’t you just unilaterally getting beaten?”

“Who says taking a beating isn’t a skill?”

Ink Crystal showed no shame. “Look at Amethyst; she was instantly taken down. What was that blade he had?”

“A molecular oscillation blade,” Lin Han answered directly. “This item was originally developed to combat monstrous fiends, possessing the ability to cut through energy fields. But since it can be used on monstrous fiends, it can naturally be used on Magical Girls. That’s why Amethyst’s ceremonial attire was rendered useless.”

He clearly possessed considerable knowledge about this item.

“Teacher, you seem very knowledgeable about it. Didn’t you prepare one for yourself?”

Distracted by Ink Crystal’s question, Lin Han’s mood was no longer as heavy as it had been after encountering Ox Mask.

He sneered, dramatically declaring, “Who says I don’t have one?”

Ink Crystal’s eyes widened. “You do?”

Lin Han struck a pose, revealing his belt.

“Kamen Rider! Great Armament! Demon-Slaying Holy Sword! Manifest!”

As his words fell, accompanied by his exceptionally dashing, pseudo-caped flourish—despite having no cape—he remained vividly animated.

A hilt sprang from the belt, which Lin Han grasped in his hand.

When he held the sword, light burst forth from it, then coalesced into the form of a longsword.

“Demon-Slaying Holy Sword!”

She was certain that what Lin Han held was identical to Kamen Rider’s own weapon.

“This item was a technical challenge for decades, until a certain individual appeared and overcame it. Unfortunately, that person betrayed humanity, and the technology subsequently leaked. Many evil organizations now possess this technology, which has actually lowered the safety of Magical Girls over the years.

In the past, Magical Girls suffered higher casualties when fighting monsters. Now, the casualty rate in battles against monsters has become even higher. Of course, this is also related to the increasingly powerful and refined monsters created by various organizations.”

Lin Han clearly knew a great deal about such matters.

“It seems my timing isn’t particularly friendly.”

Ink Crystal quipped, “Well, actually, it’s not so bad, is it?”

She looked at the sword with great curiosity. “With a justice partner like you, Teacher, I don’t think it’s a bad thing at all. Just as you said, this weapon was originally created to subjugate monsters and monstrous fiends.

The weapon itself has no will; it merely depends on how the wielder uses it.”

“You’re right.”

Lin Han did something, and the light on the Demon-Slaying Holy Sword dissipated, returning to a mere hilt. Lin Han reinserted it into the slot on his belt.

“But speaking of which, I really didn’t expect it!”

“Ye Liuyun is actually Carnelian’s son! That really startled me! And his and Si Kou Ting’s combat styles were both learned from Carnelian, right?”

“It should be. Lin Han.”

Ink Crystal looked at Lin Han. “Teacher, do you think I should go learn from Ms. Carnelian?”

“She probably has many Magical Girl techniques she could teach you all, don’t you think? I think it’s a great idea.”

Ink Crystal immediately looked unhappy. “I say, Teacher! Shouldn’t you be showing a bit of jealousy right now? What kind of flat reaction is this?”

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