EFB Chapter 48 Contradictions
Chapter 48 Contradictions
"So, what exactly is Noah's situation?"
Lu Yue snapped open another can of beer. "Where did this magical girl who suddenly came home with you come from?"
"Also, how did you meet her? Why does she always maintain her magical girl form?"
Lu Yue asked several questions in succession.
Lingbo rested one hand on her chin, thought for a moment, and then slowly spoke—
"Although I really want to tell you, my dear sister, this matter is rather complicated. Her specific identity... I think I still need to get her consent in some aspects. Let me talk to her a little more before I tell you."
The fact that Noah is from the future... it's best to discuss it with her before deciding whether to tell my older sister.
"Alright, you guys discuss it first, there's no need to rush to tell me."
Then, Lu Yue leaned back, her expression becoming relaxed. "But speaking of which, since you can become a magical girl, then my previous speculation can be confirmed."
Judging from her expression, it seemed that she had finally resolved a long-standing question in her mind.
"Huh? What speculation?" Lingbo asked, somewhat puzzled. They'd just discussed quite a few things; she wasn't sure which one her older sister was referring to.
"It's the one I just mentioned, the lab that researches theories on how to catalyze the awakening of magical girls."
Lu Yue sat up straight again. "Actually, I doubted my own idea before. I felt that it was probably only about 50% or 60% accurate."
"Hmm? I feel like there's nothing wrong with your reasoning?"
"Because a lot of those things were just my wild guesses..." Lu Yue gave a wry smile—
"For example, that 'Magical Girl Awakening Project,' that's information I got from other places. I just know that such a project exists, but I can't prove that the lab we went to when we were kids was carrying out this project. Besides—"
Lu Yue looked at Ling Bo and said, "My speculation has a huge contradiction, which is you, little brother."
"Me?" Lingbo scratched her head. "What does this have to do with me?"
"Didn't you ever wonder why a guy like you would be in that lab?"
Huh? Wait a minute—
If the purpose of that laboratory was to research how to actively catalyze the awakening of magical girls, then logically, all the experimental subjects in that laboratory should also be girls.
The question is, why would a boy be in a lab?
"This is the problem with my previous reasoning—"
Lu Yue picked up her beer and took another sip. "If that lab is really researching how to catalyze awakening, what's the point of using a boy as a test subject?"
"So, since you can become a magical girl, that makes sense. It's probably because some research by the Civil Defense Bureau discovered the possibility that boys can also awaken their powers, so you became a test subject."
Lingbo nodded. This was indeed a very reasonable guess.
However, Lu Yue then posed another question: "But brother, how come you're still only at the 'Emerging Bud' level after more than ten years? Your magic power is about the same as when you first awakened. Haven't you ever fought or trained?"
Lu Yue's words made Ling Bo frown. "I only became a magical girl and acquired the 'Ling Bo' form in the last few days. Why do you think I should have awakened it ten years ago?"
"Huh?" Lu Yue was stunned. "Little brother, you must be joking. There's an age limit to awakening as a magical girl; it can only happen between the ages of 10 and 18..."
"Putting aside the fact that you're male, you're already 23. It's impossible for you to awaken at such an advanced age... So, the only possibility I can think of is that you were artificially catalyzed to awaken during your childhood in the laboratory."
"Including me, I also awakened in that lab, so... I kind of assumed that you should be the same as me..."
After listening to her sister's explanation, Lingbo suddenly realized a huge problem.
Yes, Lu Yue was unaware that Noah had helped Shen Zixin awaken as a magical girl through a "future artificial awakening catalyst".
Therefore, all her deductions are based on a flawed understanding—that Shen Zixin's awakening follows the known rules of magical girl awakening.
This misconception leads directly to a more fundamental contradiction.
My sister's previous theory was that the Civil Defense Bureau may have discovered that men could also awaken, so they included Shen Zixin in the experiment.
But... does the Civil Defense Bureau really know?
In Lingbo's mind, the conversation she had with Noah when they first met clearly resurfaced—
"Even looking at the whole world, I am currently the only male who can transform into a magical girl."
That's right. According to Noah, he is the only male who can transform into a magical girl.
If Noah wasn't lying, then there was no precedent for a male magical girl in this world before her.
Since there is no precedent, how could the Civil Defense Bureau possibly know that a man could awaken as a magical girl?
However, if we disregard the premise that "the Civil Defense Bureau knows that men can awaken," then we return to the initial question—why would a boy be included in a laboratory researching the awakening of magical girls?
The mystery was not solved; instead, it created an even deeper fog of confusion.
As Lingbo pondered, she subconsciously reached out, picked up the can of beer beside her, and took a small sip—
"Cough! Cough cough—!"
A bitter taste shot straight to her throat, causing her to cough uncontrollably and almost vomit.
"Ugh...so bitter! Beer...is this really such a awful thing?!" Lingbo's face contorted in disgust as she looked at the beer in her hand.
Lu Yue looked at Ling Bo and couldn't help but laugh. "After all, Ling Bo is only about 10 years old. Isn't it normal that she can't drink alcohol?"
"Cough cough... I didn't expect this," Lingbo coughed, savoring the bitterness in her mouth, "After transforming into a magical girl, not only my body, but even my sense of taste has become like a little girl's. The taste of beer... really, I can't stand it at all."
"So, bro, why is your magical girl form taking the form of such a little loli?"
Lu Yue sighed, "However, thinking about it carefully, compared to the fact that you, a boy, can actually become a magical girl, whether your appearance is 10 or 18 years old after transformation doesn't seem like such a big deal."
Her tone carried a sense of helplessness, as if saying, "It's come to this, so we have no choice but to accept it."
"I still care about it a lot." Lingbo put the can of beer back on the table, pushing it away with a hint of disgust. "If Xiaoling knew about my physical condition, she'd probably tease me about it all the time—"
"I understand, don't worry, I definitely won't tell her about this—hmm?"
Lu Yue suddenly realized something. "No, no, no, under normal circumstances, I wouldn't bring up magical girls with Xiaoling. After all, that child is still an ordinary person... Uh... Could it be...? Little brother, you're not going to tell me..."
"Xiaoling is also a magical girl."
"..." Lu Yue sighed and rubbed her forehead.
"You don't seem that surprised anymore."
"All my 'surprise' vanished the moment I saw you transform..."
Lu Yue wore a look of utter despair. "Besides, since we all came from that laboratory, it's not surprising that Xiao Ling, who has the potential to become a magical girl, could awaken into one."
Ling Lingbo gently rested her chin on one hand, looking towards the front door. "Then, let's talk to Xiaoling about the magical girl thing during dinner tonight. Because... if we're all family, there's no need to hide anything."
"Hey bro, are you going to tell Xiaoling about your magical girl side too? Let her see the 'cute' side of her brother?" Lu Yue teased.
"...I don't want to."
Lingbo rolled her eyes at her sister. "I'll tell her someday... but for now... let's hold off."