Just one more roar for monthly votes—can we hit five hundred today? …… Some big mouth had let the cat out of the bag somehow, because before Lin Luo was fully prepared, and just as he was waiting for someone from the Magical World to arrive and fetch them, the entire school knew about his plan to go there. These people, who seemed to fear nothing more than a lack of excitement—or perhaps, much like the great Goddess Haruhi, feared a world that wasn't sufficiently strange and lively—were naturally unwilling to miss this opportunity. They clamored for Lin Luo to take them along.

Lin Luo certainly couldn't agree. As for Mikoto and Kinoka, their different status allowed him to bring them; after all, the existence of the Fourth Dimension provided a contingency. Even if real danger arose, he could simply absorb them like spirit pets. As long as he didn't perish, there was nothing to worry about.

However, for the other girls, he was helpless. He didn't want to cause them harm. While Asuna’s power might prove useful, Lin Luo didn't wish to rely on her.

Then, as scheduled, a week after the designated time in the real world, someone finally arrived from the Magical World.

"What did you say! All participants in the Martial Arts Tournament finals and the mages of Mahora will be forcibly transported to the Magical World to be turned into ferrets?" As Lin Luo approached the faculty room, he happened to catch the furious roar of a magic teacher from Mahora Academy. "This is outrageous! If it were just us magic teachers, we could accept it, but there are many students participating in the Martial Arts Tournament, and those diligent magic students who fought so hard—they are blameless. Even if they contributed nothing, they certainly exerted themselves. Your demand is too harsh; we absolutely disagree!"

"Whether you agree or not, this matter has already been decided," a cold voice followed. "Your Mahora proved incompetent and allowed magic to be exposed to the Bright World. Have you ever considered what a terrible offense that is? Simply turning you into ferrets is already a light punishment. Failing to repel the enemy is the responsibility you must bear."

"But, this…"

"Moreover, I also heard that the culprit who exposed magic to the public is still studying at Mahora Academy. This makes me seriously doubt whether you are colluding. Did you plan to reveal magic all along?" That voice was exceedingly cold and arrogant, showing the teachers of Mahora no respect whatsoever, treating all the mages at Mahora as high-level criminals already sentenced.

"We can understand your judgment, but I must say, the magic students and the magic teachers are different. Those children have no obligation to protect the Magical World. They receive no compensation for working at Mahora; they only help because they wish to. They should not be held responsible for this." This time, it was Rindou’s voice. Although he had lowered his evidence, a trace of anger remained. "Furthermore, Chou Rinne is not the heinous criminal you imagine her to be; she did this for a very particular reason."

"Hmph! I don't care what differences you perceive. Your failure to fulfill your duty is a great sin. Takahata Rindou, don't think that just because you are a member of the Crimson Wings, we won't dare to touch you. The prestige of the Crimson Wings passed long ago; you are merely an ordinary mage and cannot escape sanction!"

The person snorted dismissively, continuing, "And regarding that criminal, Chou Rinne—no matter her reasons, exposing the Magical World is an unforgivable crime. She might even be sentenced to death. If you people intend to shield her, you can wait for death together!"

"What did you say! Death penalty?!"

"What great authority you wield. I truly don't know by what right you presume to sentence anyone to death." Just as the magic teachers of Mahora stood in shock, a scornful voice rang out, followed by a loud shove, and Lin Luo walked in.

"Who are you?" The person who had been speaking immediately turned around and demanded of Lin Luo.

Lin Luo didn't answer him. He merely glanced around. The mages in the faculty room were divided into two camps: one side was the magic teachers of Mahora, led by Rindou, including about twenty people such as Teacher Negi and the Knife Teacher; the other side consisted of only seven or eight individuals dressed in black suits, though their mage robes could still be vaguely seen underneath.

These seven or eight people were undoubtedly mages, and their power was considerable. Judging by aura alone, the one with the coldest eyes was almost on par with Rindou, and the others were significantly stronger than the Mahora teachers. Whether in terms of individual strength or overall power, although Mahora had greater numbers, the opposing side held an overwhelming advantage. It was no wonder they dared to be so arrogant in Mahora.

Even Rindou dared not clash head-on with them. If a fight truly erupted, he might be able to escape unharmed, but the other magic teachers would suffer terribly.

"Master!" "Teacher Lin Luo!"

Upon seeing Lin Luo enter, Negi, Rindou, and the others revealed surprised delight. Lin Luo's appearance at this moment was undoubtedly a shot in the arm for them.

"Who are you?" The man asked again when Lin Luo remained silent, but this time his tone was sterner, almost an interrogation.

"He is also a magic teacher at Mahora; his name is Lin Luo." Someone answered.

"Lin Luo? Hmph, perfect timing. Since you are a magic teacher, you will also be punished. Wait a moment and come back with us to the Magical World to be turned into ferrets!" After saying this, the man turned his head away, clearly believing that a rookie mage with almost no magical fluctuations was not worth his concern; Rindou was the one who required more attention.

This couldn't be blamed on his ignorance; it was simply that Lin Luo's concealment skills were too profound. Even the headmaster couldn't discern them. If he completely hid his magic, he would appear as an ordinary person to anyone.

But just as he turned his head back, before he could speak another word, he suddenly felt a sharp pain on his face, and then he flew backward, slamming heavily against the wall… This scene rendered everyone speechless.

Lin Luo calmly withdrew his fist, staring at him with an expressionless face. "So I asked, by what right did you earn the qualification to punish me?"

"You dare to strike me?" The man sat on the floor, touching his already slightly swollen face, appearing utterly disbelieving. "Do you know who I am? I am a member of the Senate!"

The other few individuals from the Magical World also stared vigilantly at Lin Luo, looking ready to strike at any moment.

"A member of the Senate?" Lin Luo paused slightly, turning his head to look at Rindou, who nodded in confirmation.

"I see." Lin Luo instantly understood. No wonder even Rindou dared not act rashly. The Senate was the highest authority in the Magic Nation, at least in terms of power, much like a president in the real world.

Even when Nagi was still alive a decade ago, the Senate paid no heed to the Crimson Wings. After Nagi disappeared, they sent people to destroy Negi’s village in an attempt to eliminate the bloodline of Nagi and the Calamity Witch, Erika. It could be said that the Senate held near-absolute power in the Magical World.

That was why these few mages carried themselves with such supreme arrogance, looking down on everyone. Even Rindou, as a member of the Crimson Wings, was merely an ordinary mage in their eyes.

Lin Luo, however, didn't quite grasp why the Senate was getting involved in this matter. Still, it wasn't a huge issue. To ordinary mages, the Senate was a supreme existence, but to him, they were merely scum with a combat power of five. In essence, they were just lives projected by the Creator.

Seeing Lin Luo fall silent in contemplation, the man assumed he was intimidated. He got up from the floor and sneered, "Very good. It's been a long time since anyone dared to lay hands on the Senate. Just wait to be permanently turned into a ferret."

"Seated in high positions and full of self-importance. As expected, you're just an idiot." Lin Luo didn't give him a second glance. He activated Shunpo, instantly appearing before him. Without even looking at him, he casually threw a punch.

The man's expression changed drastically; clearly, he hadn't expected Lin Luo to strike even after learning his identity. A mage daring to resist the Senate—that was pure fantasy!

But he wasn't entirely useless cannon fodder. From that first punch, he sensed the sheer strength behind Lin Luo and immediately cast a triple magical barrier around himself. However!

Crack!

There was no suspense. Lin Luo easily shattered the magical barrier. It didn't even manage a second of delay, much less obstruction. The punch landed on the man's face, and before he could even scream, his entire body convulsed like a marionette and embedded itself into the wall.

The entire room fell silent. Mahora’s side was stunned into silence by Lin Luo’s decisiveness, while the other mages from the Magical World were shaken by Lin Luo's power. To shatter a triple magical barrier with sheer physical strength was monstrous. Those who had intended to attack hesitated at this moment.

In the face of overwhelming power, everyone felt fear, especially these pampered lackeys of the Senate.

Lin Luo ignored the reactions around him and slowly walked over, pulling the man out of the wall. By now, the man was unconscious, and his face had completely distorted; even his mother might not have recognized him.

Lin Luo kicked him lightly, causing the man to twitch and open his eyes.

"Listen to me." Seeing him awake, Lin Luo stomped his foot onto the man's chest, his eyes radiating icy killing intent, and said coldly, "Mahora is not a place where ants like you can run rampant. For trash like you to try and lord it over us here, you're still a million years too early. Be respectful. If you think you can boss us around at will, I don't mind skinning you alive and stuffing your soul into a rag doll. Understood?"

The man repeatedly nodded, his eyes filled with terror. To him now, Lin Luo was no different from a demon.

"Are you mute? If you understand, say so. If you don't, I'll crush your head with my foot!" Lin Luo roared, immediately increasing the force beneath his foot.

"Understood, I understand!" The man quickly replied, having lost all thought of resistance.

Seeing this, Lin Luo smiled, then turned to Rindou and the others. "See? When dealing with reasonable people, we reason with them. When dealing with unreasonable people, we reason with them using our fists."