The Moment of the Big Sister’s Rebirth

The test subject’s eyes suddenly snapped open, its intensely oppressive gaze seeming to permeate every inch of the space, leaving no blind spots.

“Since you’re so eager to explore the secrets of Elera’s body, once the experiment is successful, I can bring her back for you to study.”

The others instantly went on high alert, forming a human wall in front of Aura.

Only then did it become clear that nearly everyone around was part of the security detail, each one an elite master with spiritual abilities.

“All of you, stand down. You’re overreacting.”

Aura, completely unafraid, signaled for the human wall to disperse and walked forward.

“Are you sure? Although you’ll become the benchmark of the new era after the experiment succeeds, Elera is not as easy to deal with as you think.”

The test subject said, “I have reviewed Elera’s past records. Half of the Magical Alliance’s Ten Seats have been defeated by her. If I can do it, it proves I also have the strength to challenge her head-on.”

“Hmph~~ Very well then. I look forward to your results.”

Aura pressed a button on the console in front of her.
The laboratory was sealed by iron doors, and she herself led her entourage outside.

Huuuuu~~

“It’s been a long time since I’ve breathed fresh air from the outside.”

Aura stretched, the movement pulling at her tight research uniform, outlining her fine curves.

“…Is it really okay not to tell him?” the man following behind her asked in a low voice. “Even if the experiment is a success, he’s far from being able to challenge the whole world, let alone Elera.”

As far as they knew, Elera had never used her full strength.

Only when a person is pushed into a life-or-death situation does their true power erupt.

And no one had ever pushed Elera to that point.

She was like a bottomless pit, like an abyss, like a galaxy, her depths impossible to fathom.

After all, Divinity Particles originated from the Third Ancient Artifact of the Sea of Realms.
This power itself represented a miracle, not something humanity could catch up to through effort and development in a short time.

“It’s fine, it’s fine. It’s not like we’re short on test subjects. If one is gone, one is gone.”

Aura turned back, her voice so placid it sent a chill down one’s spine.

“Didn’t I say? What humanity needs isn’t an unreplicable miracle like Divinity Particles. My research, on the other hand, can be replicated. If he wants to court death, then let him. It’s a good opportunity for him to collect data for me.”

“…You are right.”

“The whole world is anticipating my results. The assistance from various factions is the best proof of that. This is the inevitable trend. The deaths of a few arrogant test subjects are completely insignificant.”

Aura smiled with deep satisfaction, her pathological smile like an enchanting peony born from black mud, its very roots dripping with blood.

“Right, I might need new candidates for test subjects soon. Find some for me.”

“Understood. I will select from within the organization…”

“Idiot, cast a wider net! How many people are there in the organization? And how many of them would meet the qualifications?”

“Understood.”

“Oh, and it would be even better if you could get me a magical girl. Can you do that?”

“I will do my best to try.”

The next day, Luo You came to Liyun’s home again.

First, she snuck in to make some arrangements, then she entered through the front door.

“Please come in…” Liyun opened the door just wide enough for one person to slip through.

“I brought this. Have a couple of cups since it’s cold.”

Luo You handed the honey citrus tea, which had been spiked with a special ingredient, to Liyun.

Entering the heated room, she took off her coat, revealing a thin tank top, hot pants that only reached her upper thighs, and snow-white legs clad in cute yet slightly risqué black stockings.

“Miss Youyou, you’re wearing so little?”
Liyun felt cold just looking at her, shivering as she hugged her arms.

“It’s warm enough inside. It’s too hot to wear more.”

Luo You made herself at home, plopping down on the sofa.
She crossed her two lovely little feet, once again casually seducing the other girl.

Noticing that the other’s gaze was lingering on her more and more, Luo You chuckled quietly and asked, “Um, where do I get hot water?”

“Oh! I’m so sorry, I haven’t had guests in so long, I’m not used to it. You don’t have to, leave it to me!”

Liyun scurried to the kitchen, bustling about just to make a cup of tea.

She looked exactly like a daughter-in-law who couldn’t cook at all, trying to show off her culinary skills in front of her mother-in-law.

By the time she brought over the brewed honey citrus tea, ten minutes had already passed.

“I’m so sorry… I’ve made a fool of myself.”
Liyun took a troubled sip of the honey citrus tea.
The sweet and sour taste was a great stimulus for her taste buds.

“Have you gathered your thoughts?” Luo You asked.

“Mhm… Please listen to me. This is about my friend… ah, forget it, it’s about me!”

Seeing the ‘a person like you actually has friends’ look in Luo You’s eyes, Liyun had no choice but to start telling the truth, heartbroken.

“Actually, I once…”

Liyun hid some key facts, describing her story in a way that wouldn’t expose her as a magical girl but would still allow the other person to understand.

From being captured and trained for a night by a bad woman, to her personality completely changing, abandoning her main occupation to become a shut-in, and being jolted awake by her sister’s scolding a while ago.

Of course, she didn’t mention her obsession with the bad woman; it was too embarrassing.

“Mmm, mmm… so you’ve been through something like that.”

Luo You sympathized with her. “That woman named Elera is really terrible!”

“…Yeah.”

“That collar from yesterday, it was actually meant for you, wasn’t it?”

“Yeh? Th-this—”

“Don’t be so quick to deny it. Your name is written on the collar, you know.”

Looking closely, a collar had appeared in Luo You’s hand out of nowhere.
On the inside of the collar was the name ‘Liyun.’

“Why do you have that!?”

“I happened to see it when I went to the bathroom.”

Luo You blocked her hand as she tried to take the collar back and asked, “Why are you still keeping this?”

“Th-that’s because—”

“Because you were properly trained by that woman named Elera in just one night?”

“Wh—! Y-y-you’re being way too direct!?”

Liyun flew into a rage out of shame as Luo You mercilessly picked at the scar she was most ashamed to show.

“Well, for this kind of embarrassing matter, the more you avoid it, the more impossible it is to face it head-on.”

Luo You soothed her with extreme skill. “Do you still want her to enslave you? Tell me the truth.”

Liyun’s face flushed red again and again. “…I don’t know.”

“Very good! The fact that you can give that answer means you’re no longer unchanging!”

“Eh? Is that so…”

“That’s right. I guess if it were the old you, you would have nodded without hesitation, right? So the fact that you can say ‘I don’t know’ is proof that you are steadily moving forward!”

Luo You was like a master swindler at this moment, her words so convincing that Liyun was left completely stunned.

The groundwork had been laid.
Luo You thought it was time to turn up the intensity.

“If you were to see Elera again, and you just happened to have this collar in your hand, what would you do?”

“I think…”
Liyun opened her mouth, and just as she was about to answer, countless thoughts flashed through her mind.

Her answer now would surely become a reflection of her future.
Countless parallel futures could merge into one because of this answer.

‘I must follow my heart. I absolutely cannot go back to being my old self.’

‘With this answer, I will sever my karmic ties with Elera!’

‘Seize this one and only chance. Rebirth is now—’

“I think… I would return this collar to her…”
After speaking, Liyun let out a long breath.

This must be her truest thought.
The new magical girl, Liyun, will be rebo…

“Mediocre… Too mediocre!”

“Ara?”

Luo You shook her head, then suddenly stood up and shouted:

“Be bolder! When you see her, you should beat that woman to her knees, put the collar on her neck, and make her kneel before you like a b*tch, fawningly calling you Master!”