Questions for the Juniors

For a girl like Lin Xiaolu, an exquisite and gorgeous princess dress, especially a long dress made with the Kingdom craftsmanship and considered a masterpiece, is indeed a very eye-catching thing.

Although Larkspur couldn't empathize with the situation, it didn't stop her from expressing understanding. So she tacitly approved of the behavior of the younger generation who surrounded her, looking her over and even occasionally touching her skirt.

When she went back and changed out of the dress, several girls took it and tried it on in front of the mirror for a long time. It was something that Larkspur couldn't understand, but she didn't say anything.

After the younger generation had finished their commotion, she called them back and had them sit in a circle on the sofa in the small house. Then, she leaned back on the sofa and began to speak:

"I went out to dinner with some people tonight; they were high-ranking officials from the Magic Affairs Institute and the Research Institute."

One sentence immediately silenced the previously noisy girls.

"The Magic Affairs Institute... and the Research Institute?" Xia Liang was the first to understand what Larkspur was saying, and even realized certain facts.

Undoubtedly, the Five Institutes of the Kingdom and their division of power were relatively unfamiliar topics to the younger generation.

Xia Liang and Lin Xiaolu were alright, as they became magical girls earlier and Larkspur instilled more common sense in them, so they were not unfamiliar with the terms "Magic Affairs Institute" and "Research Institute". As for Bai Jingxuan, although she was taught by Larkspur in a cramming style later on, the things she could understand at her age were ultimately limited. These terms were, to her, almost like "things that could only be seen in textbooks".

"And then Larkspur, you're Inspector from the Investigation Institute, so this meal was a gathering of people from all three bureaus?"

Although Lin Xiaolu wasn't particularly sensitive to these topics, she gradually realized, "Was it about something very important?"

"... It's quite important, and it's related to this assessment, so I think it's necessary to talk to you about it."

Larkspur nodded, speaking calmly, "We've received some bad news. People from Black Ash Dawn and Claw Mark have infiltrated the city. Although they haven't made a move yet, we all believe they'll act during the assessment."

"Claw Mark?" Lin Xiaolu, who had just been beaten up by the person with Claw Mark not long ago, exclaimed.

"Black Ash Dawn?" Bai Jingxuan, who knew her own family's situation, subconsciously rubbed the back of her hands a couple of times.

"Us?" Xia Liang noticed a change in pronouns in Larkspur's words and extracted the information from it.

"Yes, you heard right, these are the two groups planning to make a move at the assessment site."

Larkspur nodded in agreement. "I'm currently collaborating with the Research Institute and the Magic Affairs Institute for some reason, we'll discuss that later, but the veracity of this information is absolutely certain. Therefore, I need to confirm with you now regarding this assessment..."

"So, those guys who caused trouble in Fangting City before, or their accomplices, are going to cause trouble here again this time, right?"

Before Larkspur could finish speaking, Lin Xiaolu nodded and summarized, then her expression turned serious. "Very good, this time I'm going to teach them a lesson."

"Mmm." Bai Jingxuan, who was standing next to her, also expressed her agreement enthusiastically.

Xia Liang, however, looked thoughtful and did not immediately give an answer. But even so, the two-to-one vote was enough to illustrate a certain point.

"... I haven't even asked you yet. I already told you that this year's assessment is more difficult than in previous years, and now there's confirmed news that someone will try to cause trouble. It's going to be a real mess. Under these circumstances, are you still sure you want to participate?"

Despite being interrupted by her two juniors, Larkspur still tried her best to express her thoughts completely. "You know, the assessment is held every year, and if you are strong enough, you can skip a level. Even if you choose to avoid it this year, but make rapid progress next year and are even able to participate in the Letter Card assessment, it will still be in accordance with the rules. In that case, we can temporarily avoid this assessment this year, just like taking a trip to the Kingdom, and then come back next year..."

"But if we come again next year, the Queen won't be able to watch it, right?" Lin Xiaolu asked, blinking her eyes.

"Theoretically, that's correct, but if there are any other major events next year, we can't rule out the possibility that she might make an exception..." Larkspur continued to explain.

"That means she'll most likely not watch it next year!" But now, even Bai Jingxuan understood the underlying condition in Larkspur's words.

"...Yes." The Larkspur couldn't lie about something so obvious, so she had no choice but to admit it.

"Then if you participate in the assessment again next year, no matter how well you perform, the Queen won't be able to see it, right?"

Lin Xiaolu said seriously, "If I participate again this year, the difficulty will be even higher than in previous years, and there will be enemies to interfere. If I really perform well and the Queen notices me, wouldn't I be more likely to be given an important position?"

"I think that's unlikely."

Realizing she could no longer change her daughter's decision through gentle persuasion, Larkspur bluntly poured cold water on her daughter's decision. "And as someone who's been there, I have to tell you, White Rose, you and Bo Xue have some special circumstances, which means that being noticed by a high-level magical girl isn't necessarily a good thing."

Why?

Lin Xiaolu tilted her head. "Xiao Xuan can use the magic of the Aberrant Beast, which does seem a bit ominous, but as long as we can explain it clearly, there should still be a chance; as for me, although I am also Offsetter, my magic should be fine, right?"

"That's how it should be normally said." Larkspur lowered her eyelids.

"What if the Queen finds out I'm Offsetter? Will she then give me special attention and even arrange for me to enter the Five Institutes, so I can become a big shot among magical girls in the future...?" Clearly, Lin Xiaolu's fantasies had completely run wild.

Larkspur then turned her gaze to Bai Jingxuan, who was standing to the side.

"I'm ready, teacher."

Her answer was equally resolute, "I want to avenge Sakura-senpai, and I also want to avenge my former parents. Therefore, I absolutely must kill those people from Black Ash Dawn."

"... I knew your answer would be like this."

Larkspur sighed, "But even so, I still hope you can soften your stance a little. We are magical girls; defeating bad guys is our duty, but killing is not."

"I know, teacher."

Bai Jingxuan said earnestly, her vertical pupils, formed by magic, slowly emerging from her dark sclera. "But I will not let them go, and that's what you taught me."

"Then you should really assess your own capabilities."

Larkspur continued to persuade her, "This isn't the first time I've told you this. I won't make you give up your hatred again, but without the corresponding strength, so-called revenge is nothing more than suicide."

"I understand, teacher."

Bai Jingxuan nodded. "So, even in the last few days, I haven't given up on Soul Meditation and Force Tempering, and I've already made new progress."

These words made Larkspur's brow twitch.

She was well aware that during the month-long special training in Fangting City, the three juniors had each mastered new abilities and made progress in their strength. Now, Bai Jingxuan was telling her about so-called "new progress," which meant that this was not an achievement that existed in Fangting City before, but something that had only appeared in the last few days.

Bai Jingxuan wasn't one to keep things mysterious, so after saying that, she reached into her coat pocket and pulled out her Heart Gem.

At this moment, the gem in her hand no longer appeared as a budding sprout, but as a small, thin, yet fully formed leaf.