Special Training Begins

Larkspur narrowed his eyes slightly as he examined the pristine white scepter placed before him.

This wasn't the first time she had seen Lin Xiaolu in her Magic Armament. In fact, she had already seen Lin Xiaolu holding the costume on New Year's Eve.

However, compared to that fleeting glimpse, this kind of observation feels much more real.

Without a doubt, in terms of appearance alone, this is absolutely the most flamboyant Magic Armament among all magical girls.

Using a scepter as its basic design is, if not unique, extremely rare. Add to that the huge, conspicuous gem at the center of the wand, and Lin Xiaolu could easily turn heads wherever she went in the Magic Kingdom just by carrying this Magic Armament.

After all, no matter who sees Lin Xiaolu's Magic Armament, the first thing that comes to mind is the "Gem Scepter." And the term "Gem Scepter," as a synonym for the highest-level magical girl, is known to everyone in the Kingdom.

Of course, considering that magical girls' Magic Armament come in all shapes and sizes, it's not unreasonable to occasionally see a couple of Magic Armament shaped like scepters. Most people will accept this coincidence after the initial surprise. Compared to many other strange Magic Armament, Lin Xiaolu's scepter-shaped Magic Armament is not too hard to accept.

But in reality, this is the problem that the Larkspur is most worried about.

Because she had a vague feeling that none of this was a coincidence.

She didn't voice this speculation, simply because it was still just speculation, and even if she did, it wouldn't make any difference; it would only cause the children more worry.

After some deliberation, she could only keep this matter to herself, waiting to verify it later.

Having temporarily set aside this issue, Larkspur's gaze continued downwards, following the shaft of the scepter to the center, where it settled on the four prominent grooves.

There are four recesses, each containing a crystal. Except for the top one, which shines with a brilliant white light, the others are currently dull and lifeless.

"You mentioned before that your Magic Armament can change its form?"

Instead of letting her thoughts wander, she first looked at Lin Xiaolu and asked, "Could you demonstrate this here?"

She had never heard of Magic Armament that could drastically change its original form before it even Flourishing Bloom. In fact, she still had some doubts about it. It wasn't that she thought Lin Xiaolu was bragging or lying, but simply that she felt it might just be some kind of mechanism of the Magic Armament.

Just like the enemy they had encountered before, Tobi, whose Magic Armament "Hundred Weapons" could also transform into various weapons in different forms. However, "transforming into weapons" was Hundred Weapons's mechanism and ability; Hundred Weapons's original form had always been that mass of black liquid metal, and this had never changed.

In her mind, Lin Xiaolu's Magic Armament might be the same; the so-called change in form might just be the external manifestation of using the power, a visual effect of the scepter after its transformation.

While this still doesn't explain why Lin Xiaolu's Magic Armament could generate new abilities after changing its form, it's at least much more acceptable than the explanation that "the Magic Armament itself can change its form."

Therefore, she needed to first confirm what exactly was going on with Lin Xiaolu's Magic Armament.

"Certainly!"

After Larkspur spoke, Lin Xiaolu, who was sitting opposite her, nodded quickly.

Rather than saying she had been waiting for this moment, she had been subtly or overtly hinting to Larkspur countless times these past few days that she wanted to see her Magic Armament. Now that she finally had this opportunity, she naturally wanted to make a good impression.

In her opinion, her Magic Armament currently has two forms. While the basic form looks very good and imposing, she wants Larkspur to see the Guard Form of her Magic Armament more at this moment.

So she immediately reached out, grasped her Magic Armament, and began to recall the feeling she had when she changed its Magic Armament...

Then, nothing changed.

She released her grip, looked down at her Magic Armament, and found that the scepter was still the same scepter. At most, the second crystal on the scepter was slightly brighter, but there was no sign of it transforming into any other form.

"Huh?"

Unable to control her emotions, a questioning voice unconsciously escaped Lin Xiaolu's lips.

"That shouldn't be the case!"

She picked up her Magic Armament and tried again, but the Magic Armament remained unresponsive no matter how much she swung or spun it.

Xia Liang and Bai Jingxuan, standing to the side, both looked completely unfazed, and even Larkspur showed no surprise whatsoever. After all, this kind of real-world explosion wasn't the first time Lin Xiaolu had faltered, so everyone had some expectation of it.

The reason why Larkspur didn't speak up first to analyze the situation, but instead let Lin Xiaolu demonstrate her ability to change the form of the Magic Armament, was also due to this consideration.

Of course, their lack of reaction didn't mean Lin Xiaolu was unaffected. She stood there awkwardly, clutching her wand, her face turning a deep, almost liver-colored red with embarrassment.

"No, I clearly used it smoothly in actual combat before..." she argued in vain.

"Hahaha..."

Xia Liang chuckled awkwardly but politely, "It's alright. I saw your Magic Armament before, and I know you really have this ability. Maybe you're just not in good shape right now, right?"

"Yes, yes! Sister Xiao Lu will be fine," Bai Jingxuan echoed, reassuring her.

Lin Xiaolu's timely encouragement improved her expression slightly, but she still shook the Magic Armament in her hand with some resentment. "But I don't think it has anything to do with my condition. What's going on?"

"When you changed your Magic Armament form before, was there any difference between your current state and now?"

Larkspur had been silent until now, suddenly asked, "Are there any conditions that were met back then but haven't been met now?"

Unlike the flustered Lin Xiaolu and the girls whose confusion was mixed with concern, Larkspur gained more information from this phenomenon.

Although Lin Xiaolu did not immediately demonstrate her so-called "form-changing" ability in front of her, it was enough for Larkspur to overturn some of her previous conjectures and confirm one fact: that is, Lin Xiaolu's Magic Armament is probably not the type of "Hundred Weapons" that uses transformation as its mechanism, but rather Magic Armament that truly possesses multiple forms and different abilities.

The reason is simple: she understands Lin Xiaolu well enough. She knows that if it's just about "changing appearance," there's absolutely no reason why Lin Xiaolu wouldn't be able to use it.

Just like Lin Xiaolu's unnamed White Magic Power, the reason Lin Xiaolu couldn't use that White Magic Power consistently back then wasn't because she wasn't smart enough or hardworking enough, but simply because she hadn't mastered the corresponding techniques.

"Different states?"

The Larkspur's reminder diverted Lin Xiaolu's attention, and she began to recall her state a few nights ago, "Was the environment different? Was I more emotional? Injured? Was my magic depleted? Or is it just daytime now..."

She listed almost exhaustively all the differences between then and now, but as the list grew longer, her expression became increasingly awkward. "There seem to be quite a few differences?"

"We don't need to consider those external factors."

The Larkspur shook her head and said, "I've told you many times, the Magic Armament is a manifestation of your True Form, so the changes in the Magic Armament are only related to yourself. The surrounding environment may have an impact, but unless it's an extreme environment, the impact will definitely not be this great."

"Do you only think of yourself?"

Lin Xiaolu then lowered her head to think again, re-examining the conditions she had listed before, and considering the possible factors one by one.

After a long pause, she finally raised her head and asked uncertainly, "Turbidification?"

True to her word, she immediately picked up the Magic Armament again and began to Turbidification her magic power. Blazing white flames instantly enveloped the entire Magic Armament, and the white crystal in the groove shone even brighter.

Feeling the completely different magical power within her body, Lin Xiaolu felt much more at ease, as if she had truly found the right direction. She spoke again:

"King's Key, unfold your form, Guard Form."

This time, the Magic Armament finally responded to her.

The Magic Armament, enveloped in blazing White Magic Power, transformed into a stream of light. The shape within the light gradually lengthened, and after a moment, a pale blue spear appeared before everyone.

The gun is about 2.3 meters long, with a simple spearhead. The shaft is somewhat slender but not lacking in toughness. In addition, the most eye-catching feature is the silk thread wrapped around the shaft.

At first glance, these threads appear to be patterns carved on a spear, but upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that they are merely spirals attached to the spearhead and are actually separate, individual threads.

Having successfully transformed the Magic Armament, Lin Xiaolu finally breathed a sigh of relief. Once relaxed, her first thought wasn't anything else, but rather to look at Larkspur with anticipation.

In Lin Xiaolu's mind, the Magic Armament was, after all, a manifestation of her True Form. Her own Magic Armament also had the ability to use silk threads, which meant that she was definitely similar to Larkspur in some aspects. This would definitely be a huge plus in Larkspur's mind.

Besides, as long as she shows a willingness to learn how to use silk threads, Larkspur will surely be willing to teach her. In that case, she will have a huge advantage that Bai Jingxuan and Xia Liang do not have—she can learn all of Larkspur's fighting styles.

Therefore, based on this, she will inevitably receive the most attention in the future, and Larkspur will certainly be able to teach her the most. Without a doubt, she will also have the right to give private lessons, and it will be one-on-one teaching with only the two of them!

Just imagining such a future made Lin Xiaolu unable to help but smile.

Unfortunately, to her dismay, when she looked at the Larkspur, she found that the Larkspur was expressionless.

Even more so than usual, Larkspur appeared calmer at this moment. Her eyebrows, eyes, and mouth showed no change whatsoever, as if time had stood still on her face.

But only Larkspur knew that at this moment, she was less calm and more stiff.

She was so shocked by the experience that she froze, unable to react for a moment. Only her unconsciously clenched fists revealed the turmoil in her heart.

If it were merely that her daughter's Magic Armament could change her form, she wouldn't be so surprised, because Lin Xiaolu had already revealed this to everyone, and she had already prepared herself mentally.

If it were merely her daughter's Magic Armament that could manipulate threads, she wouldn't be so surprised, because this was, after all, her own daughter. The bond of blood could indeed cause the manifestation of her True Form to have some similarities, and she was already prepared for that.

However, she clearly saw that after her daughter uttered the words "guardian mode," the first of the four crystals on the Magic Armament went out, while the second one lit up.

This Magic Armament has a total of four crystals on it.

Following a very conventional way of thinking, if all four crystals really do have an effect, then Lin Xiaolu's Magic Armament probably doesn't just have the scepter and spear forms.

She could even vaguely guess what one of the remaining two forms would be.

Because Lin Xiaolu is her and Anya's child.

Since one form can inherit its own threads through bloodline, is it possible that another form will inherit Anya's Magic Armament at some point in the future?

Larkspur couldn't be sure about this conjecture, but she knew that whether it was true or false, it meant one thing: Lin Xiaolu's future as a magical girl was destined to far exceed everyone's imagination.

In other words, the option she had originally envisioned—helping her daughter survive her ten-year term as a magical girl and then letting her retire and return to an ordinary life—may never have existed in the first place.

From the moment Lin Xiaolu became a magical girl, her future was destined to be anything but ordinary.

"White Rose."

So she spoke up, "I have a few questions, questions without a right answer. I hope you will answer them honestly and according to your own thoughts."

"What?" Lin Xiaolu was a little confused.

"Do you regret becoming a magical girl?"

Larkspur looked at her. "Not only do you have to face life-or-death battles, but you also have to learn more and more complex knowledge every day, and you even have less and less personal time. You don't have the right to play like other children your age... Do you feel any regret about this kind of life?"

"Hmm... maybe a little at first?"

After hesitating for a moment, Lin Xiaolu spoke frankly, "After all, I'm very afraid of death and pain, but now I don't think about it at all."

"Is that so? So, if you're eligible to retire in ten years, but someone tries to persuade you to stay as a magical girl, what would you prefer to do?"

"Should you continue? You should. After all, you've been a magical girl for over ten years, haven't Larkspur?"

"What if I retire by then too?" Larkspur pressed. "For example, I might get tired of fighting too. Maybe one day in the future, I'll find being a magical girl too tiring and stay away from fighting."

Will Larkspur retire too?

This question surprised Lin Xiaolu.

However, after a brief moment of thought, she followed her heart and gave the answer, "Even so, I would probably still continue being a magical girl, right?"

"Why?"

"Because..."

Lin Xiaolu scratched her cheek. "I only became a magical girl because I like it."

This answer brought the Larkspur to an end.

She was silent for a moment, then gently put down the chalk in her hand and clapped her hands.

"Great answer, I understand. However, because your Magic Armament situation is quite unique, I need to consult with other more specialized people before I can develop a training plan for you."

She picked up the blackboard eraser and wiped away the writing on the small blackboard behind her. "Well then, that concludes today's lesson."

"Today is January 5th. I will give you three more days, until January 9th. You can finish your schoolwork during these days. It's okay if you don't finish it all. After all, there will be an assessment in March. The Bureau of the Anomaly Countermeasures Bureau will help you apply for leave from the school. You won't need to return to school until mid-March."

"However, conversely, from January 9th to February 10th, this one-month period will be your final intensive training period before the assessment."

She put down the blackboard eraser and patted the blackboard.

"Get ready, this will be the most rigorous training you've ever received since becoming magical girls."

The reason she could say "the most rigorous special training" was because Larkspur knew that the training goals she had set for this month were absolutely impossible to achieve with normal intensity training.

To maximize the combat effectiveness of her three juniors, she tailored different training courses for each of them.

Besides constantly training the Magic Armament to improve its strength, there are many other aspects involved.

For example, Bai Jingxuan, as a Bud Rank magical girl, can be said to have excellent combat power. In fact, considering her identity as Offsetter, her combat ability definitely exceeds the requirements of the White Card assessment.

Even if this year's assessment is more difficult than in previous years, Larkspur has no doubt that Bai Jingxuan has the ability to pass it.

However, Bai Jingxuan cannot use this power at will most of the time.

Firstly, because her control over the magic of the Aberrant Beast is still immature, just like Lin Xiaolu before her, she often needs emotional fluctuations to cause the magic to deviate.

Secondly, this is Kingdom Assessment, and Bai Jingxuan should not, and absolutely cannot, expose her Aberrant Beast magic during the assessment.

After all, there are very few Offsetter in this world, but Claw Mark members are everywhere. Most magical girls may not have seen Offsetter, but they have definitely seen Claw Mark members.

If Bai Jingxuan uses the magic of the Aberrant Beast and is seen by other magical girls, their first thought will definitely not be "Is this child Offsetter?", but rather "She is Claw Mark".

While the laws of the Magic Kingdom do not explicitly prohibit Claw Mark from participating in qualification certification, members of Claw Mark are not recognized as legitimate magical girls. They are not only barred from entering the Magic Kingdom, but if discovered, magical girls and even Fairy from any Kingdom have an obligation to arrest them.

In other words, if Bai Jingxuan exposes her Aberrant Beast magic power within the Kingdom, she will face endless trouble. Even though the location of this assessment is Luen Nore, Emerald can provide some protection, in a public event like qualification certification, violators will definitely have their assessment results canceled.

In response, Emerald offered another solution: to report Bai Jingxuan's identity Offsetter to the Royal Court and the Magic Affairs Institute, file her information in the Royal Court, and submit it to the examiners if necessary. In this way, Bai Jingxuan could participate in the qualification certification as the "officially certified" "only Aberrant Beast magic Offsetter".

Larkspur rejected the proposal without even thinking about it.

Putting aside her distrust of the Kingdom Royal Court, in order to guard against the Royal Court, she had already taken over the transfer rights of all three children from Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye and placed them under her own name. There was no reason for her to walk into a trap now. In addition, if this plan were implemented, Larkspur could easily imagine how many strange looks Bai Jingxuan would encounter during the assessment process.

After much deliberation, the safest approach was to allow Bai Jingxuan to unleash her full power while preventing anyone from discovering her Aberrant Beast magic: have Bai Jingxuan conceal the Aberrant Beast characteristics within her magic.

It sounds like a fantasy, but it's actually entirely possible. In fact, the reason why Larkspur was able to come up with such an impossible solution was thanks to Lin Xiaolu.

It was because of the fleeting inspiration Lin Xiaolu had when she was learning about Turbidification that Larkspur also realized that after Offsetter Turbidification their magic twice, they can obtain the Magic Base Color.

If that's the case, if Bai Jingxuan, in her Claw Mark form, uses the displacement technique twice, will her Magic Base Color revert back to that of a magical girl?

If she can achieve this, Bai Jingxuan will be able to maintain both her Claw Mark -like magical power and combat ability, as well as continue using magical girl-type magic.

Even if she can't achieve two rounds of Turbidification, abandoning the use of Aberrant Beast magic and relying solely on magical girl magic and Turbidification techniques would still significantly enhance Bai Jingxuan's combat abilities.

Therefore, after a series of discussions with Asō Madoka, Larkspur finally set a goal for Bai Jingxuan: to complete the separation of the Magic Armament's form and learn the Turbidification technique within a month.

Therefore, for the next month, Bai Jingxuan's study target changed from Larkspur to Asō Madoka.

Although Bai Jingxuan felt uncomfortable not being able to stay by Larkspur's side every day, she was a very obedient child and knew that these studies were important to her, so she went obediently.

The members of the Bai'an City Squad were all quite reasonable. Apart from Wood Lily showing a considerable degree of stress reaction to Bai Jingxuan, the other two were quite friendly towards Bai Jingxuan.

After this situation continued for a while, Bai Jingxuan, who was initially relatively distant from the Bai'an City Squad, gradually became familiar with them. She could often be seen cheerfully greeting the Mimosa and the White Thistle. Even with Wood Lily, no matter how much she resisted, Bai Jingxuan would often interact with her.

The Larkspur was very pleased with this.