Suspicion

No one expected that this assessment would end in this way.

The test-takers in the maze had all wondered, to varying degrees, whether the final breakthrough and the opening of the exit would lead to a fierce race for rankings; or whether many teams would fight tooth and nail for points, resorting to violence... Considering such scenarios, many test-takers were initially quite nervous.

Therefore, when the examiner announced that "the first place has been determined," many people were not quite there to react at first.

After they realized what was happening, their initial surprise and confusion were followed by urgency.

Some meticulous test-takers might consider whether the "first place" was unfairly awarded at this point, but most others simply don't have time to think about such trivial matters. Because opening the exit means the final competition has already begun.

The teams that suffered the most were probably those still working on the node strategy. They thought they had controlled when the exit would appear, so they chose a more conservative approach, trying to minimize casualties while slowly weakening the Aberrant Beast —after all, not all teams had the strength to easily deal with Pupa Stage creature. However, their battle of attrition was interrupted by a sudden announcement halfway through.

--How did the exit get opened? Who did it?

That was their first thought.

--So, can we still grind it out slowly like this? Do we have to go all out now?

With similar thoughts in mind, the team members all looked at their captains. The captains exchanged glances, communicating with each other through their eyes, and confirmed their next move.

"Damn it... we can't delay any longer, let's do it! Charge!"

Filled with resentment and anger towards the suddenly emerging "first place," several team captains roared and pounced on the Aberrant Beast.

This only happened in one part of the maze.

Similar scenarios are playing out in almost every corner. Some test takers are still solving puzzles, some are launching surprise attacks, and some are even still lost... But no matter what they are doing, they are all accompanied by similar thoughts and a difficult choice.

Of course, some teams maintained their own pace, and their reaction to the "exit opening" was even rather indifferent.

For example, Squad 629.

It wasn't that Lin Xiaolu didn't care about the rankings, but rather that Squad 629 simply didn't have the resources to compete for a good exit ranking—they were still inside the node area and hadn't come out yet.

Besides, having solved multiple puzzles and obtained some node rewards, Team 629 is already guaranteed a relatively high ranking. Therefore, Lin Xiaolu's focus now shifts to an even more pressing issue:

"What exactly is going on between you two?"

She needs to figure out what's wrong with her two teammates.

If Mint had some grudge against the other party, that would be understandable. But what's wrong with Bai Jingxuan? Although many of the other party's remarks were indeed so offensive they made one want to punch them, there's no reason for Bai Jingxuan to become so irrational, is there?

"I have nothing to say, at least not in this maze. I can't say anything more." Mint closed her eyes and crossed her arms, like a suspect sitting in an interrogation room who insisted that she would not speak until her lawyer arrived.

She didn't speak, but Bai Jingxuan seemed to have a lot to say. As soon as Lin Xiaolu asked a question, she straightened up instantly and opened her mouth to explain something.

"That person..."

But before she could utter a few words, Mint suddenly coughed, as if to remind her, "Don't forget the occasion."

The occasion she was referring to was probably the magical girl seniors who were holding a ceremony outside the labyrinth. Even if the scene of the ceremony wasn't necessarily shown to them, no one could guarantee that no one was watching what they were doing.

Bai Jingxuan quickly realized what she meant, murmured twice, and then stopped talking. Immediately afterwards, she took a step and ran to Lin Xiaolu's side, whispering a few words to Lin Xiaolu.

That person gave me the feeling of being an Aberrant Beast.

This was Bai Jingxuan's first sentence. Afterward, she subtly gestured in the direction of Mint and added, "This person is too."

Although it was only two sentences, Lin Xiaolu found it to be quite informative.

How can a human being give off the feeling of being an Aberrant Beast?

If it were a magical girl with limited experience, she might immediately think "impossible" or "just an illusion." However, in Lin Xiaolu's view, this was nothing new.

Whether it was the Black Ash Dawn she had encountered before, or the magical girls with Claw Mark, they all used the magic of the Aberrant Beast to some extent, and the magic of the Aberrant Beast would undoubtedly carry the aura of the Aberrant Beast.

"Claw Mark?" So she also lowered her voice and whispered back.

A magical girl who uses the magic of Aberrant Beast is essentially equivalent to "Claw Mark." Bai Jingxuan's words can be seen as pointing out a connection between Arrowroot and Claw Mark.

"... I'm not sure, but it feels different."

Bai Jingxuan was leaning on Lin Xiaolu's shoulder, so Lin Xiaolu couldn't see her expression, but could hear a suppressed emotion in her tone. "I always felt that the feeling on their bodies was more disgusting than the Claw Mark, more... like that of Aberrant Beast."

This was the first time Lin Xiaolu had heard such a statement.

However, she did not question Bai Jingxuan's judgment, nor did she interpret it as an illusion or misjudgment; instead, she subconsciously chose to believe it.

Bai Jingxuan's previous actions actually corroborated her statement.

The only thing that could make her so irrationally hostile, even wanting to attack without regard for the consequences... in the past, was the Aberrant Beast. Her reckless attitude towards Arrowroot was exactly the same as her attitude when encountering Aberrant Beast during her patrols.

Of course, Lin Xiaolu hadn't really thought it through that much. She just felt that Bai Jingxuan's words and actions were consistent, and she didn't feel that there was anything unreasonable about it, so she had no reason not to believe her.

If that's the case, then the true identities of both Arrowroot and Mint become highly questionable.

A magical girl exuding the aura of Aberrant Beast, and these aren't Claw Mark? If this is true, then could it be that the other party...?

Lin Xiaolu couldn't help but turn her gaze to Bai Jingxuan again.

To be honest, Lin Xiaolu still doesn't really understand Bai Jingxuan's background. In the past, she was heavily influenced by magical girl anime and always thought it was normal for "one of the companions to possess dark powers." Now, with deeper knowledge, she's gradually realized that the magic of the Aberrant Beast isn't something that can be understood that way. In fact, possessing the magic of Aberrant Beast is far more serious than the "dark powers" depicted in anime.

She and Bai Jingxuan lived and ate together every day, so it was really hard for her to associate her with anything bad. However, when they talked about the past, they inevitably brought up Bai Jingxuan's grief over losing her parents. In addition, neither Larkspur nor Bai Jingxuan herself had explained these things to her in great depth, so naturally, she hadn't tried to understand what Bai Jingxuan was carrying.

Mint, Arrowroot, and Bai Jingxuan —could there be some connection between these three people that she's unaware of?

Lin Xiaolu's suspicious gaze swept back and forth between the two of them, and perhaps feeling somewhat helpless at her attitude, Mint finally couldn't help but speak up.

"After we go out, you pick a shop, and we'll go out for a meal. You can ask me anything else later."

She waved her hand, then stood up. "Of course, there's a condition: you have to treat me."