Idle Chatter

The weekend passed quickly.

Even though the increasingly cold weather makes people less willing to go out, most people still have to leave their homes to continue their work due to the pressure of making a living.

Lin Yun was naturally one of those who had to go to work.

Although he no longer has any financial pressures as a magical girl, as the director of the Anomaly Countermeasures Bureau of Fangting City, he must take charge of the overall situation at this critical and turbulent time.

"Well then, let's set off now."

At the entrance of the villa, Larkspur and Asō Madoka stood together, instructing the girls behind them, "Bo Xue, remember to treat the guests well. Little Brocade and White Rose have to go to class, so I'll leave things here in your care. If you have any questions, feel free to call me."

"Okay." Bai Jingxuan nodded.

"White Thistle, Wood Lily, Mimosa."

Larkspur called out the names of several magical girls from Bai'an City, then turned her head to the side. "I've given you the spare key to this base. You can come and go as you please. I hope you have a good time in this city. We don't force you to participate in Aberrant Beast- hunting missions, but we welcome any assistance you may offer."

Seeing that the girls all nodded in agreement, Larkspur said no more and left with Asō Madoka.

Today, she had to take her old teammate with her to the Anomaly Countermeasures Bureau, and when the girls asked why, she explained that they were "going out on business together."

Clearly, this answer did not satisfy the magical girls, but they had no right to press for further questions, so they simply brushed it off.

Since their destination was the Anomaly Countermeasures Bureau, both of them were dressed very formally. Lin Yun himself, needless to say, always dressed appropriately on weekdays. Asō Madoka also put on a women's suit, wore sunglasses, and tied her conspicuous long hair into a bun, looking very much like a powerful career woman.

To prevent any slip-ups in concealing her identity, Larkspur had long ago assumed Lin Yun's appearance and was not driving the car assigned to "Larkspur" by the Anomaly Countermeasures Bureau, but rather Asō Madoka's car, to ensure that she would not arouse suspicion.

"So, Lulu agreed?"

While driving, Lin Yun noticed that the traffic ahead was completely still, clearly stuck in a traffic jam. He then initiated a conversation, asking Asō Madoka, "I noticed that she seemed to be in a much better mood this morning."

"Friend, it seems you don't understand my communication skills. Do I really need to explain this when I'm handling things?"

Asō Madoka yawned, "Don't worry, she agreed. I'll teach her when I have time tonight."

She looked sleepy, as if she might fall asleep at any moment. It was hard to tell if it was because she had gone to bed too late the night before or if she was simply not used to waking up early in the morning.

"And what about her abilities Blossoming? Have you noticed anything about them?"

Lin Yun frowned slightly. "Is there any possibility of a solution in the short term?"

"Have no idea."

Asō Madoka raised her hand and wiped her eyes. "I've already said, my strengths are only in practical combat skills; I'm not an expert in developing abilities. If you're really an expert, you can't tell, so how could I possibly tell?"

"... After all, I've been retired for nineteen years."

Lin Yun shook his head. "As you know, the Kingdom's research is changing rapidly. Nineteen years is enough time for some new findings that I am unaware of."

"Then why don't we go ask the Chief?"

Asō Madoka looked at him. "Is the chief here?"

"Emerald...?" Lin Yun remained silent.

In fact, he had considered this option, and he even had a hunch that if he went to find the Emerald, he could most likely find a solution to the problem.

However, this would mean that the daughter would have to meet the Gem Scepter, which would inevitably involve more instability.

He had always tried his best to avoid involving Lin Xiaolu in matters of the Kingdom, but things never went as planned. It seemed that as his daughter went deeper and deeper into the path of a magical girl, some unseen force was pushing everything to connect her with people and things from more Kingdom.

Should they continue to stop it, or let it run its course? Lin Yun still hasn't figured it out.

"You're still as overprotective as ever..."

Seeing that Lin Yun remained silent for a long time, Asō Madoka, who probably guessed what he was thinking, sighed, "Although I am not very familiar with the Chief, based on what I know of her, she should be the easiest person to deal with among the Gem Scepter. Is it necessary to be so wary?"

"I can't say for sure what kind of person she is, but dealing with the Gem Scepter, I can't help but think about it," Lin Yun said in a low voice.

"Just because you were supposed to be Sapphire?" Asō Madoka suddenly asked.

Lin Yun fell silent once again.

He couldn't help but remain silent, because Asō Madoka's words had indeed hit a nerve.

"... In short, I will consider this matter, but unless absolutely necessary, I still hope that we can resolve it ourselves."

After a long pause, he spoke again, rather abruptly changing the subject. "I'll try some other methods in a few days. Until then, I'd appreciate it if you could teach her more. After all, if we're just talking about combat skills, you're probably the most outstanding one in our team."

"So you don't want to talk about this? Even if you flatter me, it won't make me forget what we were just discussing."

Asō Madoka smiled mischievously, "But since you rarely praise someone, I'll accept your compliment."

This is no flattery, Lin Yun thought to himself.

Because that's the truth; Asō Madoka is the member of the Old Fangting City Squad with the most in-depth understanding of combat techniques.

Although, in her own words, this was not a talent, but rather "a helpless act due to a lack of talent."

Among the members of the old team, Cornflower's progress in Blossoming her abilities was so advanced that it was practically unreasonable, while Sakura's abilities were extremely powerful. As for Lanxiang, she was a research genius who could be described as an "encyclopedia of Spell Formula."

Only Margaret, also known as Asō Madoka, is just a typical magical girl in every way. Her magic power is not outstanding, her abilities are not overpowered, and her talent for learning Spell Formula is only mediocre.

In such a situation, the path they ultimately choose is "skill".

This was destined to be a difficult path, so until Lin Yun retired, Asō Madoka's achievements as a magical girl were not particularly outstanding. Most people, when they heard the code name "Margaret," would only think of her as "Sakura and Cornflower's teammate."

However, just as she resolutely chose to leave Fangting to become a singer, Asō Madoka's persistence and perseverance in pursuing one thing are unimaginable to ordinary people.

The fact is, at the end of her perseverance, Asō Madoka finally obtained her own Flower Card).

It was not based on military achievements or research, but merely a posthumous honor bestowed upon someone who had reached the pinnacle in a particular field.

A Flower Card that merely symbolizes that "the skill has been mastered".