Chapter 23: You hit people like you’re acting like a spoiled child

[Mental Wave Synchronization Interference Protocol V1.7.3…]

[Simulation Battle Results Generating… Theoretical Override Rate: 99.3%]

Lin Feng stared at the bold red number on the screen, exhaling slightly. It wasn’t the perfect 100% he’d aimed for, but in this situation, it’d do.

He glanced at the secondary monitor—a shaky live feed from a tiny mobile camera, clearly a pinhole lens hidden on someone’s body.

It was the covert camera Lin Feng had planted on Dan during their “friendly exchange” days ago, set to monitor his every move.

The feed showed the main auditorium’s stage, where, to Lin Feng’s shock, the black magical girl he’d been obsessively gathering data on was facing off against Dan!

“What the hell?! Why’s she here?!” Lin Feng shot to his feet, his expression a mix of emotions.

And why was Zero’s outfit so… bold? Like she’d stepped out of a doujinshi.

Then he saw her send Dan flying with a punch, followed by the eerie sight of several girls in the audience spitting blood and collapsing, and Dan’s shameless ability declaration.

“That damn ability!” Lin Feng gritted his teeth, watching Zero hold back due to concern for the controlled girls, his heart racing with urgency.

He grabbed the freshly calibrated mental wave synchronizer from the desk and bolted out of the computer lab.

But as he yanked open the door, he froze. Dozens of Saint Flower High girls, eyes blank and faces expressionless, blocked the doorway and hallway like zombies.

“Tch, trouble!” Lin Feng cursed, knowing they were Dan’s puppets, sent to obstruct him.

But Dan didn’t know Lin Feng’s other identity.

He pulled out a purple-gold flip phone, punching three numbers on the keypad.

“Henshin—no, Ashura Armor, combine!”

[Identity Authentication Module—Input, Verified]

[Annihilation Combat Unit—Authorized, Activated]

Purple-gold light surged like raging thunder, enveloping his body.

Ornate, imposing armor formed instantly, shoulder plates blazing like flames, cape billowing like a war banner. Lin Feng’s aura skyrocketed!

“Excuse me, coming through.”

With that, he vanished down the hallway, the gust from his speed knocking the controlled students against the walls, unconscious.

Meanwhile, on the stage.

“How’s that, Zero? This is my—‘Lover’s’—[Till Death Do Us Part]!”

Dan’s smug, nauseating smile returned, stretching wide. “Touch me, and you’re responsible for the lives of these girls who adore me!”

“Or do you want to protect them? Then stand there like a student caught cheating on an exam and don’t move!”

Zero didn’t reply immediately, just flexed her small fist in its black lace glove.

“…Using women’s love as a shield? Totally fits your sleazy, mooching vibe. Nailed it.”

“Tch, sharp-tongued!” Dan’s face darkened, clearly stung. “Let’s see how long you can keep that up!”

Roaring, he lunged, his arm—still aching from Zero’s earlier hit—erupting with surprising force. A furious punch slammed into Zero’s stomach!

“Ugh!” Zero took the hit hard. The impact paled her face, a stifled groan escaping as she stumbled back several steps before steadying herself.

Dan’s smile twisted with sadistic glee. “Feeling it now? Strip, kneel, and grovel to your teacher. Swear to be my pet, and I might mercifully spare your pathetic life!”

Zero straightened, wiping her mouth. No blood, just saliva from the gut punch.

“That’s your attack? A soft caress that doesn’t even leave a mark?”

Her face broke into a wicked grin. “You hit like you’re flirting, Lover!”

“You’re dead!!!”

As Dan raised his fist in rage—

BOOM!!!

A dazzling purple-gold beam crashed from the ceiling!

The massive energy, like divine judgment, struck between them, light and shockwaves scattering, forcing Dan back.

“Who’s that?!” Dan steadied himself, furious and shocked, looking toward the beam’s source.

Zero narrowed her eyes, glancing at the gaping hole in the auditorium’s ceiling.

Sunlight poured through the vaporized gap, and a familiar purple-gold figure descended, boots stepping on light-particle stairs, cape billowing like a flag, like a malevolent god from myth.

“Ashura?!” Dan’s angry expression froze the moment he saw the armor.

Why was a Dragon-level cadre, rarely seen in the organization, here?!

He didn’t know the armor, one of Ouroboros’s top combat assets, encased the “Technician” Lin Feng he’d always dismissed.

Within Ouroboros, Lin Feng had two identities. Publicly, he was “Technician,” a young genius handling equipment R&D and maintenance, with a lofty but non-decision-making role. His hidden identity was “Ashura,” a Dragon-level cadre.

“Tch, another pest.” Zero eyed the flashy purple-gold armor, almost as ostentatious as Dan’s vibe. She scanned the billowing cape and gleaming plates. Unlike Lover, who she could send to ICU in a few punches, this guy wasn’t so easy.

Last time, in the villa district, her full-force punch only dented his chest plate slightly, while her hand ached for ten seconds.

But if she had to compare, this armor was pretty cool—way easier on the eyes than Dan’s sleazy charm.

“Not bad out there, magical girl,” Ashura said, glancing at her with a casual tone laced with ambiguous amusement. “Didn’t get my fill from your villa district livestream. Don’t disappoint me this time.”

The gaze under his red visor, a mix of appreciation and teasing, made Zero oddly uncomfortable.

She raised a brow, her tone sharp. “You watched my fight stream?”

“You fight in that outfit. What guy wouldn’t watch?”

“Tch.”

Zero’s ears warmed, but she forced calm. “…Smooth talker. Wanna bet I’ll beat you too?”

“Hit me if you want, but in that uniform, I might not dodge.”

An electronically distorted whistle came from the armor. Zero’s mouth twitched, her fist clenching.

“Get lost.”

“Think about it. I’m tougher than that guy.” Ashura shrugged, enjoying the show.

At the stage’s edge, Dan’s face stiffened, watching the two banter like he was background scenery.

“…Tch.” His mouth twitched, veins bulging on his hand, his fake smile barely holding as they nearly flirted in front of him.

“Ahem!” He coughed loudly, trying to reclaim attention, raising his voice. “Hmph, I don’t know why Lord Ashura’s here, but it’s two against one now. Magical girl, considered my offer? Though, you’ll have to serve one more now…”

He licked his lips, his smile sick. “But I, Lover, don’t mind sharing—”

“Share your mom.” Zero cut him off coldly.

Ashura followed, voice calm. “Noisy.” He raised his left arm, his wrist device humming to life.

[Mental Synchronization Frequency—Locked]

[Forced Neutralization Protocol—Activated]

The air quaked, an invisible mental wave spreading rapidly, plunging the auditorium into a brief, deafening silence.