Chapter 70: A Mother’s Gambit and Lent Sight

It was clear that Su Qingyao’s magic had been remarkably effective.

Shortly after the debriefing concluded, the six injured individuals were practically leaping with energy, betraying no hint of their recent wounds.

This transformation somewhat alleviated the lingering oppressive atmosphere. Consequently, Su Qingyao found herself encircled by numerous curious girls, eager to converse. Faced with a barrage of diverse questions, she ultimately chose to answer only the least sensitive ones.

Overall, Su Qingyao maintained an air of mystery around these aspiring magic users.

Yet, her inherently gentle demeanor made it challenging for Su Qingyao to project an aura of strict authority over the children.

Truthfully, Su Qingyao found it nearly impossible to harbor any negative feelings towards these children who had chosen the path of a Magical Girl.

Once the chattering girls had finally settled down a little, Su Qingyao subtly shifted her gaze.

Her eyes found Xu Yanqing, who had moved among the “injured” group, ostensibly engaging each person in conversation but in truth offering comfort. Xu Yanqing had now reached Liu Huayun, the designated commander.

“There’s no need to worry,” Xu Yanqing offered, a rare note of reassurance to Liu Huayun, who practically had her self-reproach etched across her brow.

“As I just explained, this particular beast… well, it presented some rather unique circumstances.”

“Once the other two groups have completed their turns, I’ll schedule another session for you. Use that time to devise your tactics.”

Xu Yanqing gently patted Liu Huayun’s shoulder, easing the anxious girl’s troubled expression somewhat.

“Hee hee hee, ooh-hoo-hoo.”

A fluffy, delighted kitten bounced into Su Qingyao’s line of sight.

Who else could this snow-haired girl, taking small, eager steps towards her, be but Su Muxue?

Just moments ago, while Su Qingyao had been surrounded, Fang Xiaobai had whisked Su Muxue away, engaging her in some unknown conversation.

Now, upon her return, Su Muxue appeared to have discussed something… perhaps something good?

Su Qingyao leaned down slightly, addressing Su Muxue.

“What were you just chatting about with your friend?”

“Well—actually, Fang Xiaobai and I aren’t quite friends yet—” Su Muxue retorted with a slight pout, before continuing.

“Anyway, Mom, I have a question I want to ask.”

She clutched the brim of her hat, a mixture of nervousness and excitement flickering in her eyes. It seemed less like she was asking a question and more like she was seeking confirmation from Su Qingyao.

“Can a magic core be ‘read’?”

“Ah, that…”

Su Qingyao instantly grasped the scheme Fang Xiaobai and her daughter were concocting.

After a moment of consideration, she replied.

“If you intend to use her magic to pinpoint weaknesses, it would, in theory, be quite challenging.

“After all, for a magical beast that is inherently an anomalous aggregation of magic, even discerning where it releases and absorbs energy doesn’t necessarily mean that spot will be its vulnerability.”

“Whether drawing upon ambient magic or its own inherent power, there isn’t a distinct central nexus for its coordination—”

Su Qingyao inadvertently revealed a bit too much. By the time she caught herself and reined it in, she found Su Muxue’s lips curving into a confident smile.

Mother and daughter shared a brief gaze, then Su Qingyao quietly inquired.

“It seems, Muxue, you’ve already discovered the answer?”

“Mhm, it’s only a preliminary idea—but I believe it’s worth attempting.”

“Is that so,” Su Qingyao mused, idly twirling a strand of hair by her cheek as she offered a faint smile.

“Then go ahead and try, Muxue. It won’t matter if you make a mistake.”

In her eyes, Su Muxue’s smile, brimming with growing confidence, was clearly reflected.

This moment’s vibrant ‘little white cat’ was a stark contrast to the calm, almost detached Su Muxue she had first encountered.

Su Muxue’s response, of course, could only be one thing.

“Alright!”

She declared joyfully.

****

As yet another solidified “unstable magical energy” was slotted into place, Xu Yanqing ushered the freely mingling reserves back to the “stands.”

For this second round—or, more accurately, the “official” first round—Xu Yanqing, having already chosen class monitor Fang Xiaobai as the initial participant, then ceded the authority to select the remaining team members to her.

‘No wonder she actively sought out Muxue,’ Su Qingyao mused.

Su Qingyao tilted her head, her gaze fixed on Fang Xiaobai, who appeared to agonize over her decision before ultimately selecting Su Muxue from the three remaining “Third-tier” Magical Girls.

The other four “Second-tier” reserves were identified as Yan Xiyu, Li Chuning, Bai Aili, and Zhao Siqi.

Under Su Qingyao’s careful observation, apart from the two Third-tier Magical Girls, the most intriguing figure was Yan Xiyu. Her bangs obscured her left eye, a mage’s staff was clutched in her hand, and she now stepped eagerly from the ranks, brimming with anticipation.

“Mom, I’m going to get ready as well.”

Su Muxue rose onto her tiptoes, leaning in to whisper a soft farewell to Su Qingyao.

Now that the moment had truly arrived for Su Muxue to enter the fray, Su Qingyao found herself at a loss, unsure whether to speak, or what advice to impart without sounding overly verbose.

All the words she wished to utter felt contradictory, swirling and clogging in her chest.

In the end, she could only release a long sigh. After patiently inspecting the bracelet secured on Su Muxue’s wrist, she finally allowed the girl to depart from her side.

****

Once the “egg” had fully formed, it could hatch at any given moment.

Aside from the chosen reserves, the other children remained in an area that could transform into a battlefield at any instant, where their presence would only serve as a distraction.

Consequently, Xu Yiyi and Su Qingyao guided the group of children back to the ruins. Xu Yanqing, having taken a brief respite, had also finished recuperating and now ascended once more into the air.

However, in the aftermath, Su Qingyao did not follow the main contingent into the building.

She positioned herself on the outer edge of the ruins, and after concealing her radiant aura, she quietly leaned against a wall.

Xu Yanqing’s gaze swept across Su Qingyao’s location.

Their eyes met for a fleeting moment, before Xu Yanqing’s gaze moved on from Su Qingyao.

‘Was I permitted, then?’

Su Qingyao lifted her eyes, softly murmuring the incantation of a spell.

Indeed, a mother’s concern for her child was both normal and entirely rational.

But…

A subtle wave of shame welled up within Su Qingyao’s heart.

‘Her true objective was not to protect Su Muxue,’ she realized.

A silken ribbon stretched across space, tying itself to her wrist, its other end now faintly trembling.

“Just as I thought.”

As her incantation concluded, Su Qingyao narrowed her eyes.

Both she and Lu Zhichuan.

Both had detected ‘something’ beginning to emerge from beneath its distorted sanctuary.

She wasn’t casting the spell upon herself; rather, she was transmitting its effects to someone who desperately needed it.

“In that case… I shall lend you my eyes.”

Su Qingyao murmured softly, “Senior Lu Zhichuan?”

The subtle shimmer of the girl’s magic of observation faded.

****

“Thank you.”

Lu Zhichuan trod upon a seldom-used path.

The silken ribbon tied to his wrist gently caressed his pulse, thrumming in sync with its beat.

The next instant, a sharp, silver glint ignited deep within Lu Zhichuan’s eyes.

His peaceful facade melted away, and Lu Zhichuan gazed coldly towards the direction he vaguely sensed.

A Sixth-tier [Mind Collapse] Matriarch.

While concrete evidence eluded him, he had, moments ago, distinctly heard the distant wail of a kindred soul.

Accompanied by a faint, yet piercing, peal of laughter.