Page Twenty-Six: Cage Dialogue
Because the mysterious girl A could teleport instantly, it was almost impossible to catch her outside, but we could set up a cage made of a magic barrier at her hideout and trap her when she returned home.
— “To carry out this plan, we first need to confirm the location of her hideout.” —
I think this is the hardest part. After all, places that normal people can’t reach mean that Queen’s proud surveillance network won’t work. Ling Shaojie also falls within the category of normal people, so these two information experts would be of no use, and it would be even harder for us to find her.
— “She keeps appearing around you, so her hideout must be somewhere along your daily path.” —
If she really is our mother, then the place she knows best would be… the slums.
— “That’s what I thought too. Tonight, I’ll go out and search. If she’s hiding in the slums, she should have left some traces.” —
Cherry Sauce was referring to the scent of magic power.
Though I don’t know what it might smell like.
— “It’s just an analogy. Didn’t I say that everyone’s magic power has unique characteristics!” —
I turned to look at the liquid magic production line.
What kind of smell would this magic power, which isn’t refined by humans but converted from electricity, have?
— “It will still have a smell, like cheap instant drinks, with heavy artificial flavoring.” —
Is it described in such detail?
— “Also, let’s assume she can share your five senses. Therefore, we can’t discuss the plan in reality, and setting up the cage must be done where you can’t see. It’s theoretically impossible, but fortunately, we have a secret place.” —
Restraint Dream.
My dream with Qianxia is perfect for discussing battle plans.
However, the mysterious girl A seems to have access to that dream too. Could she be eavesdropping?
— “You don’t need to worry about that. In the dream, she isn’t your match since you are the master of the dream… But we only have one chance. If the capture fails, she will definitely change her hideout and increase her vigilance. At that point, finding her again will be much more difficult.” —
I created a magic light bulb and threw it at the barrier, but it bounced back like a ball against a blue curtain.
I threw it again.
Bounced back.
I played a solo game of catch and throw, killing time during meditation.
— “It won’t take long. I accelerated the consumption of the transformation technique’s magic power, so it should be released soon.” —
I thought for a moment and started a new topic.
Speaking of this barrier technique, you can use it too, right, Cherry Sauce?
— “Of course. When rescuing someone at the research institute, I used this to block the overflow of magic power. This isolation barrier is inspired by my technique.” —
Since that’s the case, why didn’t you put a barrier on me in the morning?
Just cutting off the supply of magic power for the transformation technique would make it automatically revert, right?
— “… Uh.” —
Cherry Sauce was speechless.
Could it be that she hadn’t thought of this method?
— “Mainly because I didn’t understand the special aspects of the technique. Actually, when you exhausted your magic power but didn’t revert, I should have considered this possibility… This time, it was my oversight! Sorry!” —
It’s rare for Cherry Sauce to admit her mistake.
But I didn’t suffer any loss. Although today as a loli, I was tired both physically and mentally… On the other hand, I skipped a day of classes, so it doesn’t feel like such a loss.
And Peach Cat is a genuine high-end café, so being able to enjoy a free afternoon tea and snacks there is quite a gain!
Cherry Sauce changed the subject.
— “Let’s put aside the matter of the mysterious girl A for now. What do you think about this new research institute?” —
I knew that Cherry Sauce strongly opposed magical research.
Dog Sister died, and Qianxia disappeared.
After such accidents, the senior sister did not give up researching ancient magic techniques, even expanding them.
— “The fusion of magic and technology, treating magic power as energy and techniques as programs, these witches are analyzing and applying the techniques they have discovered from a modern scientific perspective.” —
If science isn’t punished by heaven, could merging with mature technologies avoid the cost of magic?
— “If it really works, it would be a revolutionary advancement.” —
Clearly, Cherry Sauce didn’t know what heaven’s path thought, but the senior sister was cautiously probing the limits of heaven’s path, otherwise, they wouldn’t have built this hidden underground research institute.
At the end of this age of gods, will heaven leave magic to humans?
— “The problem troubling Miss Shi Huorong is still the energy issue. With only four diesel generators at 300 meters underground, the power generation clearly cannot support the needs of a research institute, and some of the power must be diverted to produce liquid magic. Even ventilation techniques cannot run continuously. Although the witches’ magic power is richer than before, overall, it’s still insufficient. Unless they dig a 300-meter hole to bring wires from above.” —
Bringing in wires would compromise the secrecy of the research institute, right?
— “So they can only increase the scale of the generator sets. However, if they could research a stable portal, it would solve all current problems… But given their level, without relevant materials, it’s unlikely to happen soon.” —
The portal is the technique Cherry Sauce uses to open holes in walls.
— “That’s a very advanced technique! More complex than teleportation!” —
Having learned divine techniques under Lord Hai for several years, Cherry Sauce often looks down on the researchers at the institute with a condescending attitude, without considering that talent, effort, and collective brainstorming can quickly narrow the gap between them.
“Are you still there, Bahe?”
Unable to tolerate the smell of the diesel barrels, Bahe didn’t stay indoors obediently, but the barrier doesn’t block sound, so hearing my call, she ran in from outside and replied, “Yes, Sister Lingmeng, what do you need?”
“Have you guys developed portals yet?”
Bahe blinked and nodded affirmatively.
“If you’re talking about point-to-point long-distance teleportation, we’ve already achieved it. However, compared to teleportation arrays, the magic power consumption is too high, lacking cost-effectiveness…”
— “Ha! Bahe had trouble even lighting a fire before!” —
“Your technology is developing too fast, isn’t it?”
Hearing this, Bahe’s eyes lit up with the characteristic sparkle of a fangirl. She clenched her fists and said, “The success of that technique was thanks to Sister Zi’s intelligence. Should we say she’s worthy of being Boss’s child? Many techniques, she can analyze the principles just by looking at them once. Her memory is amazing, she’ll definitely take over Boss’s position and become the leader of all witches!”
Except for you, no one else calls themselves a witch…
I asked again, “Sister Zi has only been involved in your research for a short while, hasn’t she?”
Bahe put her hands on her hips and nodded proudly, “Sister Zi just locked herself in the library, understood the rules of technique operation without anyone teaching her, and could apply liquid magic practically. Compared to me who has studied for a year, I’m too slow…”
Sister Zi’s learning ability is indeed exaggerated. An IQ of 140 is no joke, but Bahe’s sense of inferiority seems unnecessary.
I comforted her, “You’ve worked hard too. Sister Zi’s understanding of techniques is based on the exploration and summary of all of you. You are the pioneers, and she merely followed the path you opened.”
Proudly smiling, Bahe blushed.
“Hehe, I’m not that great. The basic research results are all thanks to Sister Xiaoman and others…”
But Sister Zi will also be a pioneer in the future. She truly has the talent to push modern magic to new heights.
“Lingmeng, you’re amazing!”
— “You’re reverting back.” —
White light emerged from my body.
The heavenly punishment with malicious extension was about to be lifted.
—————
King Crimson!
—————
“Thanks, Sister Xiaoman. I’ll head back now.”
After the transformation was undone, I bid farewell to Professor Shi Huorong, who was reluctant to leave, and returned to the surface with Miss Ke Man. We left the low-rent apartment through the exit… Bahe still had duty shifts, and the rules of the research institute were quite strict.
“Be careful on the way… actually, I prepared durian rice today. If you don’t mind, you can eat it before leaving.”
“No, thank you. Mom is waiting for me to eat at home!”
I declined Miss Ke Man’s kind invitation and said, “Then I’ll come visit when the new research institute is completed.”
Miss Ke Man leaned against the railing on the first floor and smiled lightly.
“Mm, I’ll notify you then.”
Leaving the low-rent apartment, I shivered.
Compared to 300 meters underground, the surface temperature in winter was even colder. Fortunately, without releasing black substances, the clothes Cherry Sauce conjured were warm and comfortable, even slightly heated.
— “There’s a problem!” —
Cherry Sauce suddenly shouted loudly, startling me. What happened?
— “I can’t connect to my clone. To be precise… my clone has been taken over by someone else!” —
Hmm?!
— “It’s probably the mysterious girl A.” —
My first reaction was to pull out my phone and dial Lin Hua’s number.
My shoes and socks turned into high-top roller skates, driven by Cherry Sauce’s will, racing towards home… Wait!
Isn’t this speed beyond what roller skates should have?
The wind hitting my face hurt! People seeing this would cause a big problem!
— “Never mind, I’ll give you a mask!” —
Cherry Sauce, whose clone was taken, was genuinely panicked. Compared to the past, she seemed to be becoming more human-like.
“Kai? Why is the wind so strong over there?”
Fortunately, Lin Hua seemed fine.
I shouted over the wind, “Is Cherry Sauce’s body okay?”
“Cherry Sauce? What could happen to her? We bought skewers in Mifeng Street. Do you want some?”
I hurriedly said, “No! The one next to you isn’t Cherry Sauce!”
“What did you say? The wind is too loud, I can’t hear… Cherry Sauce?”
The phone wasn’t hung up.
The mysterious girl A who took over the clone knew we were coming and cut off Lin Hua’s call in advance.
— “Tsk, Xiao Kai, activate goddess mode!” —
What for?
— “We’ll fly there!” —
