FYN Chapter 30: The Sound of Another Time and Space
Chapter 30: The Sound of Another Time and Space
Night fell, covering this city that had long since lost its color and hope.
Shui Li returned home.
Her task for the day was finished, and she collapsed onto the sofa in the living room.
Once again, she played the role she was given—a magical girl who submits to the will of "that person".
Since the teacher left, "that person" has declared his complete victory.
When the last glimmer of resistance was extinguished, all the magical girls became puppets on her magnificent stage, and in this world, there was no longer any voice that could stand against her.
Shui Li stood up and walked to the full-length mirror in the bedroom—
The image reflected in the mirror is not that of a "normal" magical girl at all.
Her revealing combat suit possessed a strange beauty. On her flat stomach was a peculiar pink pattern, symbolizing the magical girl's "fall."
Perhaps it was out of "that person's" interest. To twist the guardians who once symbolized hope into such a form seems like a cruel mockery of the past.
However, the girl's eyes in the mirror were completely out of place with her "corrupted" body.
Those were clear, calm, even resolute expressions, devoid of the madness and extremism expected of those who have "fallen into evil."
In this world ruled by "that person," magical girls have not escaped their destiny of fighting against monstrous beasts.
However, they also became tools for maintaining this distorted order, cruelly oppressing ordinary people who still harbored ill intentions.
Shui Li, on the other hand, is a hidden anomaly. She devotes herself as much as possible to fighting the calamity beasts, and always tries to avoid tasks that involve suppressing resistance and oppressing the innocent.
Walking the edge of these rules, she played the role of compliance with perfect acting skills.
This disguise stems from her unique inner state—a "heart as clear as a mirror and as still as water".
A year ago, she too had been brainwashed. However, her mind, like the strongest barrier, kept out all forces that tried to erode her will.
Thus, she miraculously retained her complete self. Although her appearance was changed, her heart remained that of the magical girl she always was.
Looking at herself in the mirror, Shui Li felt a pang of nostalgia for her teacher.
The last time she saw her teacher was a week ago at her home.
"This place... has completely fallen. I can't stay any longer; I must get to the point."
The silver-haired, red-eyed girl radiated a light of hope even in the deepest darkness. But beneath that light lay an indescribable depth of pain and sorrow.
"I've made up my mind... I'm going back to the past."
Her voice was calm as she delivered this momentous decision.
"Is that so, Ms. Noah?" Mizuki nodded. As a teacher, she had no other choice. Therefore, she had long anticipated this moment. "...Is there anything I can do for you?"
"Shui Li..." Noah looked at her student with a gentle and nostalgic tone, "We've known each other for five years now."
"Yes."
Shui Li returned a gentle smile, a smile that seemed completely out of place with her current "corrupted" appearance.
"At the age of sixteen, I awakened to become a magical girl... Now, I am twenty-one years old."
Five years have passed in the blink of an eye. From a clueless newcomer to a capable magical girl, it is this teacher who has guided her forward.
"I'm entrusting you with my only hidden connection in this world."
Noah was holding two light green plastic boards in her hands.
"You continue to remain hidden in this world. Under no circumstances should you reveal that you haven't been brainwashed. And then..."
Noah handed one of the boards to Shui Li.
"...Use it to report to me. Tell me everything that has happened in this world since I left."
"This formal attire is called 'Twin Writing Tablets'."
"As long as one of them writes on it with magic, the exact same words will appear on the other board. This connection... transcends dimensions. It still works even when separated by different times and spaces."
"I know it will take up a precious space on your formal attire. But... it's the only way I can think of to stay connected with this era."
"...I understand." Shui Li solemnly accepted the board, her gaze resolute. "I will protect it, teacher. Until the day you... return."
"...Then, teacher, please...do your best." Shui Li gazed at her teacher, and that "do your best" was the only thing she could say at that moment, containing all her prayers.
The two completed the binding of the formal attire. After that, she never heard from her teacher again.
Shui Li snapped out of her reverie and took out the "twin writing tablet." Its surface was clean and dry, with no words appearing on it.
Teacher... how are you doing in the past world?
Can you really change this doomed, hopeless future?
Shui Li felt a mix of confusion and melancholy. She sat there quietly, letting time pass by.
Then, without realizing it, it was already 10 p.m.
Time to sleep.
Shui Li thought to herself, preparing to end this meaningless wait. But before going to sleep, she still habitually picked up the board and cast one last glance at it—
Then, she saw it—.
A line of white text had appeared on the board sometime earlier.
Is Yi Luoxin still ruling the world now?
Iroko... is the magical girl code name of "that person". But why would the teacher ask that?
Although Shui Li had doubts, she still used magic to write a reply on the board—
【Yes】
After a brief silence, a second message appeared—
How much do you remember about my sister?
The teacher's younger sister... the one who lost consciousness in an incident and is now forever asleep in her hospital bed...
Although she had only met her once, her teacher often mentioned her. Shui Li could clearly feel that deep-seated regret.
But... why would the teacher suddenly ask her? In the past... could it be...?
All I know is that my teacher's sister became a vegetable after an accident.
Shui Li replied.
Then, a long silence fell on the other end of the board, and no more messages came in.
Teacher... what exactly happened to you?
*
Information that can be made public now:
*
Twin Writing Board
Category: Artificial Costume
Level: B
Holder: Noah/Water Glass
description:
It consists of two light green plastic boards, about the size of an A4 sheet of paper. After writing on one of the boards with magic, the same text will appear on the other board.
This connection transcends the limitations of time, space, and dimensions, making it extremely difficult to produce and a highly valuable gift set.
However, in this age where communication is as simple as making a phone call, the function of this costume is quite useless. Moreover, since this costume comes in a pair, both parties need to bind it in person at the same time. If one party unbinds, then rebinding requires both parties to be face-to-face.
In the eyes of most magical girls, this costume is just a useless thing that occupies a precious costume slot.
*
A heart as clear as a mirror and as still as water
Category: Mindset
Level: D
Holder: Shui Li
description:
The ability to be absolutely immune to all mental interference, including the effects of all illusion-type, mind-manipulation, and charm skills.
Furthermore, it forcibly shields the holder from emotional fluctuations in thought. No matter how desperate the situation, no matter how heavy the blow, the mind will always remain as calm as a mirror.
Confusion, panic, anger... once accumulated to a certain degree, these emotions, which are enough to break an ordinary person, have no effect on the holder.
This extreme calmness allows the holder to always handle situations rationally and choose the optimal solution. It is also this mindset that allows Shui Li to remain undisturbed in the face of a hopeless future.
However, this does not mean being deprived of emotions; it simply means being shielded from negative emotions that could influence one's thinking.
This Heart Image is a permanent passive skill that can still be fully utilized even when not transformed into a magical girl.