Chapter 356: Each Separates, Goes Home, the Truth

Intracastral Sea.

The dazzling light, as colorful as a rainbow, flowed back from the portal of the Ideal State, bringing the magical girls who would hold their graduation ceremony in the Sacred Hall out of this illusory Historical Echoes, like sparks scattered in the sky, returning to different places.

In just a moment, the little idols returned to the location of their performance, or to the underground base of “Dazzling Stage,” coming back from the strange magical world to the hidden disaster of their mostly peaceful reality.

This experience felt like a dream, like a grand escape; they were like time-thieving robbers, lingering in the Ideal State with its Golden Sea, Eden Ring, Holy Sophon, and Pure White Emperor, finding it hard to regain their senses.

Lin Baor stood beside Lake Wolfgangsee, looking up at the starry night sky. Her hair was swept by the evening breeze, and her fingers instinctively traced a spell, forming a magical circle, but she suddenly realized that there was no trace of magic essence around her.

Even the magic essence pathway within her body fell silent, melting away like the illusion of melting snow, drop by drop becoming nourishment for her “Cocoon of the Heart,” promoting the moment of breaking free.

“Without the Golden Sea, there is no magic essence in the air… we… have truly come back.”

The little girl gazed into the distance, feeling both joy for returning home and a bittersweet sadness of parting. Even though she understood that the Ideal State was an echo from history, after six months, she could no longer see it as just a mere illusion.

During this time, the teachers and friends she met, along with the prosperous and ever-growing Karembu Empire, which became even stronger and more peaceful with the Emperor’s return, left deep and colorful marks in her heart.

As for her, she would never have another chance to go to the Ideal State again in this life.

This was not only because it involved the highest secrets of the Countermeasures Bureau, but also because that period of Historical Echoes was reaching its own end, like a beautiful dream that would eventually awaken, turning into morning dew and becoming a mere illusion.

Ji Shuzhu felt a bit sad; unlike her lively and cheerful friend Baor, she hadn’t made many friends, but as a choreographer, she learned many dances with local characteristics of the Ideal State in her free time.

However, time was too short; studying magic and debuting in performances filled her schedule, and while she had enjoyed the dance culture of another world, she hadn’t had the chance to truly dive deep, which was indeed a regret.

Especially after the “Cocoon of the Heart” was restored and a certain young lady healed her, her alienated hyper-mnesia and heavy mental state improved, allowing her to observe the world’s brilliance through colors beyond the shining.

Under these circumstances, the Ideal State appeared to her like a magnificent starry sky on the verge of collapse, filled with too much beauty and treasure, all of which would vanish into the currents of time, leaving no trace behind.

Ji Shuzhu believed that even if one removed the extraordinary and magical elements, any artist would feel sorrow for its departure after witnessing the vastness, prosperity, and blooming of the empire.

Ruan Wutong didn’t think much about it; her eyes sparkled with joy, a happiness that came from breaking free from heavy studies, as she raised her arms high, cheering without a care in the world.

“Yay, we can go home now!”

Chen Yining, feeling annoyed, reached out and tapped Little Purple’s head, saying:

“It’s nighttime, so please don’t shout loudly. Let’s all go back to the hotel together first, okay?”

Liang Xiaoxiao looked around but didn’t see Teacher Chu, and her heart filled with disappointment. For six months, 156 days, a whole half-year, she had challenged the Tower of Mirrors 2,987 times, yet she still didn’t understand the Perfection Realm.

Even though she had combined two Grade C genes and one Grade B gene, making her advanced enough to clear Simple Mode, that was only at the level of the “Lighting the Way” difficulty, and for the normal mode of “Fully Blooming,” she could barely see the pure white phantom’s health bar until she left.

She must have surely disappointed Teacher Chu with how slow she was.

But…

Without small steps, one cannot reach a thousand miles.

At least she didn’t waste her time in the Ideal State and didn’t squander the opportunities given by her teacher. Most of the four Disaster Beast Genes she merged were still locked away in alchemy, just like being used as a vessel.

If it weren’t for this seal-like form, she wouldn’t be able to “eat her way to being chubby” and enjoy all the benefits she could get from the Ideal State at once.

Moving forward, as long as she gradually strengthened Holy Glory, she could slowly unlock her potential. Before exhausting all the power of the Disaster Gene, she wouldn’t stop easily like before, entering a period of rapid growth.

Simply put, based on the teacher’s judgment, if she could perfectly blend all the genes in her body, she could reach the level of a team captain witch, and she would be quite strong.

Lin Baor looked at the girl’s profile. After half a year of training, Xiaoxiao’s aura had changed a lot; she had become a handsome girl with a youthful vibe, very different from the comedic character she used to play and how she connected with the audience.

This change wasn’t that big for them.

But for the fan group that got into it through a certain someone’s flying disc—Potato God Cult—it represented two extreme changes, and it was uncertain how Xiaoxiao’s fans would react.

Lin Baor poked her waist and tilted her head, asking:

“Xiaoxiao, what are you daydreaming about?”

Liang Xiaoxiao glanced back, coming to her senses:

“It’s nothing, just thinking about where to spend the holiday.”

Holiday.

Although there was only one week left before the three performances began, Dream Weaver Rabbit still granted all the magical girls a holiday, allowing them to go home and rest.

Lin Baor sighed upon hearing this:

“Holiday, coming from Dream Weaver Rabbit, always had a taste of something too good to be true.”

Ji Shuzhu agreed:

“It’s definitely not very usual.”

Chen Yining pointed out:

“This counts as spending our future holidays, right? After this break, there are the three performances, then the selection for debut, and then we have to take on the responsibilities of magical girls. We won’t have any freedom for a while.”

Ruan Wutong didn’t understand; she just knew she could be very happy these days, and she nodded and asked,

“So is everyone planning to go home for the holiday?”

Chen Yining quietly glanced at Xiaoxiao, and seeing that she showed no signs of sadness or gloom, she replied,

“Hmm, I will go home with Little Shuzhu, and everyone can choose how to spend their time; just remember to gather at the Zhelong Town base a day in advance.”

Ji Shuzhu nodded silently, agreeing that the young lady could speak for her.

Liang Xiaoxiao hesitated for a moment, unable to think of where to go. She had no plans to return to that small county to see her parents, as there was no place for her there anymore.

So the remaining options were either to go back to the company and sleep in the dormitory or to treat the Zhelong Town base like a hotel. Neither option felt like a vacation at all.

Thinking carefully, the holiday didn’t feel relaxing for her. Instead, being apart from her teammates made her feel a bit lost, and she felt somewhat lonely.

“Xiaoxiao can just come home with me.”

Lin Baor grabbed Liang Xiaoxiao’s arm, and with her beautiful eyes blinking, she said confidently:

“My parents are really nice, and they will definitely welcome you warmly. We also have many empty rooms at home. If Xiaoxiao doesn’t have any better plans, why don’t you come back to Suzhou and Hangzhou with me?”

Liang Xiaoxiao felt trapped by Baor’s barrage of questions. She sensed something was off but couldn’t find the words to refuse. Her mind went blank, and just like that, with her other teammates watching closely, she agreed without clarity.

Ruan Wutong remained unaware, still lamenting beside them:

“What a pity! I also want to visit Baor’s house, but if my mom finds out I won’t be home for the break, she will definitely scold me for a long time.”

But then Little Purple thought, if she was home, the captain wouldn’t be there to stop her from lounging around, playing PS5, or sneaking candies, and she felt happy again.

Meanwhile, Little Sakura, Charlotte, Tang Liuli, Xie Qingxuan, and Chu Wang Shu had also returned to Sankt Wolfgang.

The difference was that since they had teleported using Chu Yuanqing as the anchor, they arrived directly at the small chapel. The six of them sat at the dining table and began discussing their holiday plans.

Charlotte showed a cute smile and sighed:

“Though it is regrettable, all good things must come to an end, and everyone really has to part ways for a while now.”

The Last Diva felt even sadder. She had the most memories restored and understood how precious this gathering was. If it weren’t for the six months spent in the Ideal State, she might feel even more emotional at this moment.

Chu Wang Shu’s mood dropped upon hearing this.

Even though Sister Charlotte always insisted she call her “Mom,” in a way, she, who lacked maternal love, might indeed easily see her older sister as a motherly figure. After saying it many times, she unexpectedly began to accept it.

On the other hand,

The lovely daughters had become used to a happy life with Charlotte, Honey Qing, and everyone else. Other than the absence of their father, their current days were filled with warmth and kindness, and they would look forward to the next day without even realizing it, feeling very hopeful.

And now that this holiday was starting, everyone would have to go home. Sister Charlotte wouldn’t be seen for at least another week, and they didn’t know when they would reunite.

Even though they could chat online, that feeling was still not the same as being with someone in person.

Xie Qingxuan nodded in response:

“Well, let’s keep in touch.”

Tang Liuli thought Honey Xuan had a bit of a way with words, just like her sister, but she didn’t feel like making any comments about it; she simply said softly:

“I need to go back to Gloria for a while. Whether or not my dad loves me, someone has to take care of his funeral and the things he left behind. I want to do it alone; it’s my duty as his child.”

Everyone was silent; this was something they had talked about long ago in the Ideal State.

Although there were offers to accompany her, Liuli had turned them all down.

Kirimi Miyuki said:

“I am planning to visit Hokkaido to see my family. After going through ‘Fully Blooming’ and learning Alchemy, the items produced by ‘Tempering of the Heart’ can now offer much better protection for their safety.”

Little Sakura looked down as she spoke, twirling a strand of hair around her fingertip, gazing at the faint pink hues, and using her magic to turn it back to jet black. She continued:

“In the end, I also need to be honest with my mom and dad about being a magical girl.”

“What about Little Xuan? What are you planning to do during the holiday?”

Xie Qingxuan heard the question and calmly replied:

“Same, my sister wants to take me to be honest with our parents, and it’s about being a magical girl.”

This answer was somewhat unexpected.

After all, in everyone’s mind, Little Yu could never convince the other person to agree.

Charlotte curiously asked:

“Why would you agree?”

Xie Qingxuan honestly answered:

“Violet called and told me that if I go, my sister will bow and apologize to me, and she will give up most of the little gold coins saved by the captain.”

The little idols fell silent. Are you sure Little Yu knows that the Lantern Elf from her home said this? It sounds completely ridiculous!

But it wouldn’t be strange for Little Xuan to agree to it; it made perfect sense.

In the end, only two people hadn’t talked about their holiday plans.

Chu Wang Shu didn’t have any doubts; she happily said:

“I haven’t seen my dad in a long time. We haven’t been in touch for 15 whole days, so this holiday is the perfect chance to sneak a visit and hopefully surprise him.”

Yes, and I can also bring many little gifts I bought in Austria for my dad.

Although being a magical girl is dangerous, I can probably earn money quickly. I should be able to buy the house I’m renting soon, and I won’t have to worry about how many cherished old items I might have to leave behind when I move.

Chu Yuanqing listened, her smile frozen and cold sweat dripping; the mood of the little idols around her was also very delicate. Now everyone in the team knew Chu Wang Shu’s true identity, and it was hard to imagine what expression Little Shu would have after realizing she’d been fooled for months.

Charlotte felt gleeful. She looked at her daughter’s innocent and lovely face and then glanced at Honey Qing, who looked nervous but was trying to appear calm and serious, and a smile of interest appeared on her face.

Chu Wang Shu looked at the Pure White Witch and asked hopefully,

“What about Little Qing? I remember you went to school in Sea City too, so we should be going the same way.”

Charlotte’s pink lips curled into a smile as she hinted,

“Little Qing is also going back to Sea City, but she doesn’t have any plans, so she can go with you to see your dad, Little Shu.”

Chu Yuanqing wanted to pinch Charlotte’s cheeks, but seeing her daughter’s eager expression, she sighed and nodded,

“Yes, I will go back to Sea City with Little Shu.”

If you think about it, after a few months at the Dazzling Stage and half a year at Ideal State, it had been almost a year since Little Shu went home, so it was normal for her to miss it.

Besides, she hadn’t been back to her rented place in a long time.

Except for those few days in Vienna, she had used the blue-green modifier given by Dream Weaver Rabbit to buy that 60-square-meter little apartment, asking the landlord to take care of it for her, without any other ties.

Chu Yuanqing did not feel attached to her home; she only felt attached to her daughter in front of her. Buying the house was not to satisfy her desire for possessions, but because she did not want to leave her daughter without any memories after she was gone.

But now, with the Countermeasures Bureau, Dream Weaver Rabbit, Sister Ellie, and Charlotte, who is Little Shu’s real mother, she no longer had to worry about the child’s future.

So…

Perhaps, it was time for her to tell the truth.