Team-Up Invitation

"A meritorious official?"

Clearly, this was the first time the girl had heard of a perspective like this from Larkspur: "What I did was completely unlike what the original Dusk Angel would do; it was more like I borrowed that image to gain favor with a certain group of people..."

"Will the 'Dusk Angel' from the animation jump out of the TV and help the citizens fight off the Aberrant Beast?" Larkspur asked, raising an eyebrow.

The girl was speechless.

"See? Obviously you knew she wouldn't."

Larkspur continued, "She can't truly help people in danger; only you can do that."

"There are so many anime in this world, and so many magical girl characters, but only the character 'Dusk Angel' is so lucky. Because she has a real-life representative like you, who is willing to do what a magical girl should do in her image, so that people can see and feel that there is a magical girl like her who is truly active in this world."

"There might even be people who have never seen <Rainbow Sky Angel> before, who will watch the anime because of your efforts. And there might be people who have seen the anime before but didn't like 'Dusk Angel', who will come to like the character because of your contributions."

"So, for this animation and this character, aren't you the biggest contributor?"

Larkspur felt her logic becoming increasingly clear, and she had almost convinced herself. "In conclusion, I think this is a good thing. Precisely because we like it, we should cherish this opportunity even more. It's not easy to be able to act as a magical girl with a character we like, so we should show this character to everyone as much as possible. We should let everyone see the good parts, the bright parts, and the active parts. Because only in this way can you let more people know about this anime, know about this character, and let more people know and like your favorite 'Dusk Angel' because of your activities. This is obviously a very valuable thing, isn't it?"

After this long and rambling speech, Larkspur pretended to be "just sharing his experience" and looked at the girl rather indifferently.

At this moment, the magical girl codenamed "Foxtail Grass," who had been looking dejected, raised her head, her eyes sparkling behind her glasses.

"So that's how it is... I didn't know you could think of it this way!"

Her voice rose slightly. "So that's how it is! I didn't do anything wrong. I was doing this to spread the word about 'Rainbow Sky Angel,' to preach for 'Dusk Angel,' and to help more people love this animation!"

"That's right." Larkspur nodded.

"I'm not hoarding or misinterpreting the character! Because I am a real magical girl, I should take Dusk Angel as my role model and strive to become like her!"

"No problem," Larkspur agreed.

"If I can be more active and defeat more Aberrant Beast, then everyone will share their gratitude with Dusk Angel, and her popularity will be even higher! She might even surpass Rainbow Angel! In the popularity vote, she'll crush those annoying main character toxic fans!"

"... Is that right?" Larkspur, somewhat doubtful.

"Thank you so much! Um... little sister? May I ask what your code name is?" Foxtail Grass seemed to have figured out the key point, and promptly ended her somewhat off-topic boast, turning to look seriously at Larkspur.

Should I tell her her code name?

After a moment's thought, the Larkspur did not hide anything, but succinctly stated:

"Gentian".

Even now that she knows this identity is related to a certain animation, she doesn't plan to give herself another alias. After all, she can always use "coincidence" to cover it up, which is easier than adding more lies.

"Dragon, Gentian?"

Just as Larkspur had predicted, the code name made Foxtail Grass cover her mouth with both hands, looking quite surprised. But soon, she seemed to understand something and revealed an expression of admiration. "So that's how it is, you're also a true fan of <Sweet Angel>! You went to such lengths to bring the character to life!"

The Larkspur opened her mouth, feeling she should explain something, but then realized this was the easiest way to get away with it, so she could only let out a short "uh".

"... Yes, I'm a fan of the original work."

After a long pause, she seemed to have lost half her strength and responded weakly.

"In this regard, although you seem to be younger than me, experience comes first, and I want to thank you, Gentian!"

Foxtail Grass straightened up slightly and bowed deeply to Larkspur: "Your words have enlightened me! In fact, they are the greatest gain I have made from this trip to the Kingdom!"

"You flatter me."

The Larkspur replied stiffly, like a robot, "I didn't do anything; I was just trying to get the ball rolling."

"Thank you so much, no matter what! So, Gentian- senpai!"

The Foxtail Grass suddenly leaned forward, stretching its face towards the Larkspur:

"Want to be my teammate? Want to team up?"

"... Um?"

The sudden invitation brought Larkspur back to her senses. She blinked and looked at the large face in front of her, asking, "You said we'd team up? With me?"

"Yes, because I just observed from the outside, and it seems you don't have a team yet..."

Foxtail Grass realized that her current distance from Larkspur was somewhat impolite, so she leaned back a little and adjusted her glasses, which had slipped off her nose from her earlier peeking. "Does that mean you already have a team? Was I being presumptuous?"

"No, not at all," Larkspur replied truthfully.

"Really not? Then..." Foxtail Grass's interest immediately surged again.

"But why did you choose to team up with me?"

Larkspur interrupted the other party's further invitation, and said with a hint of curiosity, "Although it may not be appropriate for me to say these things, wouldn't it be better to find a teammate who is older and more reliable in terms of both combat strength and experience?"

Regarding the fact that no one had invited her to team up, Larkspur didn't feel any particular emotion. After all, the practical assessment was not child's play, and it was only natural for all candidates to genuinely improve their team's combat strength. Not choosing magical girls who "looked young and therefore lacked combat power" as teammates, although it might seem like judging by appearances, was also a pragmatic and steady approach, and there was absolutely nothing wrong with that.

Moreover, from a practical standpoint, Larkspur didn't intend to use her full strength in the so-called assessment. In her plan, no matter which team she joined, she should only demonstrate the ability to not be a burden. The Bud Rank was enough, and at most, she could only reach the Leaf Rank. Any more than that would be bullying the weak and unfair to the other candidates.

Therefore, she is now more curious about the reason why the other party invited her.

Why?

Foxtail Grass hadn't expected Larkspur to ask her this, so she paused for a moment. "I'm very grateful to Gentian for guiding me, and we have similar interests, so we seem to get along well. Teaming up should be a lot of fun... like that?"

"What if I'm weak? Haven't you considered that?"

Larkspur pressed on, "What if someone invites me to be their teammate because we hit it off, but I end up dragging them down and causing them to fail the test?"

"Ah... I think so. After all, you don't seem to be very old, Gentian- senpai."

Foxtail Grass paused for a moment, but quickly regained her composure. "But that's fine too. How should I put it? I'm not bragging, but although Lishui City is a small city, I'm actually quite capable, you know? My seniors often say I'm pretty good."

"So?" Larkspur also gradually showed a thoughtful expression.

"So, leave the assessment to me!"

Foxtail Grass clasped her hands together and smiled, "Just follow behind me, I'll help you win!"