Emerald

"What's the meaning behind 'Hello'? If I remember correctly, this should be my office."

Lin Yun casually closed the swing door behind him, frowning as he looked at the Fairy Doll behind the desk. "You've trespassed on someone else's territory. Shouldn't you first prove to me that you have no hostile intentions?"

"Don't be impulsive, young man. You don't need to waste your remaining magic on this weak puppet. We have many common interests, so we can sit down and have a good talk."

The Fairy Doll's facial expression was very vivid, and combined with its slow and leisurely tone and languid expression, it gave people a subtle sense of relaxation. "Although it may seem a bit sudden to say this now, I came here with good intentions."

"Bona fide?"

Lin Yun did not loosen her grip on the Heart Gem because of the other person's words. "I think goodwill is based on openness and honesty, not on hiding behind a doll."

He was certain that the puppet in front of him was not the other party's true form. Although he was talking to the puppet, the one truly communicating with him was someone else.

"I completely agree with your point of view. However, before you continue to show me hostility, can we explore another possibility: that you actually know me?"

The doll leaned lazily against the office chair. "We've met before, young man. And I believe you have no reason to forget who I am."

When she said this, she deliberately drew out the word "young man," clearly wanting to emphasize that this term was an important piece of information for determining her identity. This undoubtedly reminded Lin Yun, allowing him to quickly lock onto his target after a brief moment of thought, since in his memory, not many people would address him in such a way.

Based on the doll's physical characteristics and behavior, the identity of the person hiding behind it becomes quite clear:

"... Your Excellency? Why are you here?"

The so-called "Chief" is one of the Gem Scepter in the Magic Kingdom, the Emerald Gem Scepter that oversees the Research Institute, and is a title for Emerald.

In the Magic Kingdom, there was once an old saying that, when translated into the language of Eastern Hua Prefecture, could be expressed as. "Better to be a research dog for ten lifetimes than a researcher for a single day."

To put it more bluntly, this means that a magical girl would rather work as a laborer in Research Institute until retirement than work a single day at the Investigation Institute.

The origin of the saying is unknown; no one knows who the original author was or whether he was secretly arrested by the stoic Director of the Investigation Institute. But the fact that it has survived and spread is enough to show that it is a consensus among a considerable number of magical girls.

Among the five major authorities in the Magic Kingdom, if asked which one wields the most power, most magical girls would hesitate between the Finance Institute and the Investigation Institute. But if asked which one offers the best benefits and the most comfortable and secure work, everyone would choose the Research Institute.

It's worth noting that among the Five Great Institutes, the Magic Affairs Institute a power vacuum, known for its relaxed work environment and easygoing nature. The magical girls working there are incredibly leisurely; every day, you can see groups of two or three girls gathering with teapots, thermos cups, and desserts for tea parties. If you didn't know better, you'd think it was some noble lady's private Garden rather than a vital Kingdom agency.

To be able to directly compete with such a Magic Affairs Institute, and ultimately win the battle to claim the title of "most comfortable job," is all thanks to the Research Institute's director— Emerald.

Emerald, the director and chief researcher of the Research Institute, chief consultant of the Royal Court Research Institute, and chief designer of the Garden Project, whose old nickname is no longer known. Like the director of the Investigation Institute, who is considered an antique, no one knows exactly when Emerald became the Emerald Gem Scepter. A magical girl secretly flattered the two of them about their ages, putting them together and calling them the "Yellow-Green Old Duo".

Unlike the usually low-key and reserved Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye, Emerald's image is much clearer and its fame is much higher in the Magic Kingdom. This is simply because she loves to show off and often makes some shocking remarks that leave people speechless.

The most famous example is said to be from decades ago, at a Queen's birthday banquet, which was also the inauguration ceremony with the Ruby Gem Scepter — Pigeon Blood. When the Queen spent a fortune to create an open-air banquet venue in the Garden, and on her birthday asked the Emerald what it felt like, the Emerald's reply was as follows:

"To be honest, Your Majesty, in an open, flat venue without a throne or steps in the center, the guests' lines of sight might be blocked, making it difficult for them to see those who are too short."

On the night of the banquet, it is said that all the guests were served small cakes personally selected by the Queen, while the Emerald seat had an empty plate.

Besides this astonishing statement, another of Emerald's most celebrated achievements is her advocacy within the Research Institute. As the head of the institute, one of her most frequently quoted sayings was:

"Laziness is the ladder to progress in research."

She not only ignored or punished researchers for slacking off, but she even led by example, often sleeping with a pillow in her office during working hours.

In her words, laziness is for better inspiration, and the desire to be lazy motivates people to create more research and inventions.

The undeniable fact is that she did indeed do so.

Despite such intense sleep and swimming, Emerald still maintained the Kingdom's fastest pace of invention and creation. Whether it was magic-driven machinery or complex magical Spell Formula, she was a pioneer in the relevant research fields.

This is precisely why, despite being surrounded by numerous accolades and possessing countless academic achievements and honorary titles, Emerald prefers to highlight her identity as the chief Research Institute. Therefore, most people address Emerald as "Chief" rather than "Dean."

At this moment, the puppet doll in front of Lin Yun clearly used a very advanced and sophisticated magic-driven technology. It highly mimicked the appearance of a pure-blooded Fairy, to the point that ignoring its mechanical parts, it looked just like a real Fairy.

In Lin Yun's mind, only Emerald could possess such technology, such powerful magic, and the constant use of the term "young man."

This answer was affirmed by the other party.

"That's a correct guess, but it's not that I want to be here, it's that you need me to be here, young man."

The Fairy Doll shook its head, its shape, which made it impossible to discern its neck, even somewhat comical. "Of course, as the provider of supplies and equipment, I always have to come and see how the products I'm providing are doing."

"Products?" Lin Yun countered.

"Yes, the product."

The doll slowly said, "The Magic Armament you got from the Investigation Institute; the disguised surveillance you deployed here; even the treatment you gave that child named Morning Glory —all of these are inventions of our Research Institute. Otherwise, who could you have relied on? Could that old woman whose brain was turned into mush by tea polyphenols have made these things for you?"

"I hope you don't forget that you Inspector from the Investigation Institute."

Lin Yun cautioned, "The dean might have some reservations about how you address her."

"No one will care what opinions someone who can't even remember how old they've lived have, and who spends their days plotting and passing the buck has. I sincerely hope that the normal lifespan limit of mammals will apply to her, so that she won't become a hormonally disordered old hag due to years of emotional deprivation, young one."

The doll's flat tone betrayed a hint of disgust as it squinted and said, "Let's put aside this unlucky topic. How do you feel about the products our Research Institute provides?"

"Magic Armament still require more data on their use."

Lin Yun answered calmly, revealing no particular preference. "But the special monitoring system has indeed played a role; it's highly effective in both its concealment and ease of use."

"Hmm... can I understand it as 'satisfied'?"

"Okay." Lin Yun replied calmly.

"That makes things easier. Let's have an open and honest discussion."

Holding onto the armrests of the chair, the plush toy, resembling a fluffy ball, struggled to sit up. "Do you need any added services?"

"... Value-added services?"

Lin Yun raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"It means exactly what it says."

The doll stretched out its short paws, probably trying to convey the body language of "supply": "I can offer more products, and they are all very useful to you. Would you like to learn more?"

"You want to establish another layer of transactional relationship with me outside of the Investigation Institute?"

Lin Yun pondered for a moment, then directly stated the other party's purpose. "Why? And I don't think I can pay the corresponding price."

"Of course you can pay. I only want one thing."

The doll shifted slightly forward, its emerald green eyes appearing somewhat profound. "The 'Beast Source' left behind by 'Moss,' the Royal Ash Attendants of the Black Ash Dawn, after her death, is with you, isn't it?"

"The Beast Source?"

The unfamiliar term startled Lin Yun slightly, but he quickly realized what the other party was referring to—it was the purplish-black crystal that Moss used to cultivate Aberrant Beast, which was said to cause them to mutate.

Emerald was right; that crystal was indeed in his possession.

Knowing that this thing was one of the root causes of the artificial creation of the Aberrant Beast, Larkspur had been sealing it in an empty room in the Secret Base with Spell Formula spell, and had Moko keep an eye on the crystal's condition. Since it fell into the hands of the magical girl, the crystal has been very stable. If it weren't for the faint magical fluctuations within it, one might even think it was a completely inanimate object.

"I cannot offer this for trade, Your Excellency."

Lin Yun narrowed his eyes slightly, a hint of wariness in his voice. "Especially without knowing what you'll do with it."

The carnage Moss inflicted with this crystal was horrific; countless people lost their lives because of her brutal "research." Now, the director of the Research Institute was trying to trade it with him, which made him think of some unpleasant things.

He felt a strong sense of identification with the magical girl community and believed that most magical girls in the world possessed kind hearts. However, he couldn't help but be somewhat wary of the Gem Scepter, an entity that had lingered at the pinnacle of power for too long and had long since become estranged from ordinary magical girls.

If he were to hand over the crystal simply because the other party is backed by the Kingdom and belongs to the magical girl faction, he couldn't guarantee that the crystal wouldn't be used for some evil purpose.

"... It seems you don't understand me, which makes me somewhat sad."

The doll clearly conveyed Emerald's words, but its unwavering tone revealed no trace of sadness. "But it doesn't matter. You obtained the Beast Source, and the decision to trade it is entirely yours. Listen to what I can offer you; perhaps that will change your mind."

"Please speak." Lin Yun relaxed slightly from her tense state.

"Hmm, so... where should I begin? Where did I put my memo again?"

As Lin Yun gave her an affirmative answer, the doll's mouth emitted the sound of rummaging through things. A short while later, Emerald's voice came again. "Ah, right, the most important thing for you is probably your current situation, isn't it?"

"Even without my intervention, you should be able to sense that your Heart Gem is on the verge of shattering completely."

"The magic is constantly leaking out, and its True Form is extremely unstable. Even at this distance, I can feel its unbearable strain."

"Even if you unleash your full magic power now, how much combat strength do you have left? Leaf Rank? Bud Rank? If this continues, your power will only weaken further and further until one day it drops to the low point of Seed level, right?"

Emerald's words hit the nail on the head.

The cost of shattered Magic Armament and damage to True Form is destined to be high. In addition to the Heart Gem always malfunctioning, making it impossible for Lin Yun to control his transformation, a reduction in power is also inevitable.

If, before her battle with Moss, Larkspur's full power in her normal state was roughly at the Blossom Rank, then now, even using her full power, she can no longer touch the Blossom Rank of magical power.

Furthermore, with two-thirds of the Magic Armament's form gone, the "Weave Destiny" Magic Armament is now reduced to only one-third of its original form, resembling a leaky wall, making it difficult to fulfill its intended function. At this point, even a single Pupa Stage Aberrant Beast would be a challenge for the Larkspur.

"Furthermore, due to the overflow of magic, the boundary between your True Form and your original body is gradually being broken down, and the magic power of a magical girl is beginning to flow back into your current body. You should have noticed this as well; now, you can use some magical girl powers without transforming."

"... Yes." Lin Yun nodded gently.

"That's right. In the short term, this state might seem fine, and it might even allow you to use your power more easily; however, in the long run, it's only harmful. A male body cannot be compatible with or use the magic of a magical girl, and it will eventually shorten your lifespan."

The doll gently tapped the table twice, then looked up, its comical face displaying an expression of affirmation:

"If it gets to that point, forget about using your power; you'll barely have any life left."

Thank you to readers Huyujiuxiaoyekong and watglthhml for their generous donations, and thank you to all the other readers who donated. Love you all.

There was also an error in the chapter notes section of the first volume, which resulted in it becoming a paid chapter. Although it was corrected later, it still caused many readers who had automatic subscriptions to unknowingly subscribe to an extra chapter. Recently, some readers have expressed strong dissatisfaction with this, and I would like to express my sincere apologies to everyone! (bows)