Reflection

"You ask me what's going on? That sounds really strange, young man. I'm much more confused than you are right now. Why do people from your Finance Institute have the right to access the Magic Affairs Institute's files?"

"Huh? What do you mean I'm asking a question I already know the answer to? Think about it for a second. You violated the rules, so how would I know how you violated them?"

"No, I cannot tell you more, or rather, you do not have the right to question me. This S+ rating file and subsequent research work are classified projects of our Research Institute. Once we obtain reliable and solid results, we will naturally report to His Majesty. You need not trouble yourself with this."

"Yes, you can report to His Majesty now, but I need to correct your statement. I have nothing to hide. Also, I must emphasize that the report you are seeing now is an internal version from our Research Institute, and all the content is pending. Regarding this candidate's Magic Armament abilities, we have not yet conducted more refined testing and experiments, so the current results are not reliable enough. If you cite the data and content of this internal report, and we later find that there are errors, please understand the priorities and don't blame it on us."

"Hmm... I think it's good. Good luck."

Inside the examination hall of the Silver Gallery, Emerald's voice could be heard intermittently coming from the doll, clearly indicating that she was having a conversation with someone.

When the conversation ended and she finally had a chance to manipulate the doll and look towards the door, Larkspur asked, "So? What did she say?"

Forty minutes have passed since she stepped into the examination room.

No matter what excuses they made, "Gentian" had already been lingering here for far too long as a candidate. If this continued, it might even hinder the progress of other candidates. Therefore, Larkspur had no choice but to shamelessly contact Zhe Helan and go through the procedures of the Magic Affairs Institute to temporarily arrange for the candidates behind her to be moved to other examination rooms.

Admittedly, she could pretend she knew nothing and leave, letting Emerald try to negotiate with Purple Diamond. But since the matter concerned Lin Xiaolu, she couldn't rest easy if she didn't know the outcome immediately.

"She said that our Research Institute is not qualified to keep such a major discovery to ourselves. Even if we want to study it, we must first inform His Majesty and then conduct the study according to His Majesty's instructions."

Upon hearing the Larkspur's question, the Fairy Doll spread its paws. "Logically speaking, what she said is actually correct."

"Logically, there's no problem?" Larkspur raised an eyebrow. "So, where exactly is the problem?"

"There are two points." The Fairy Doll raised its round paw, extending two short toes. "First, regardless of her intentions, theoretically, the Gem Scepter should not compete for credit among themselves. If each Gem Scepter tries to curry favor with His Majesty by vying for the most eye-catching tasks, it will undoubtedly be a devastating blow to work efficiency. His Majesty, and the secretaries of the Royal Court, do not want to see this situation."

"And the second point?"

"Secondly, the most important duty of our Gem Scepter is to share His Majesty's burdens, so that His Majesty does not have to worry about too many trivial matters."

Emerald took a sip of tea, then slowly said, "Bringing something that's barely even started to His Majesty and making her decide is a waste of everyone's time."

"I see."

Larkspur nodded expressionlessly. "That's why you seem so confident."

"This isn't called being fearless; it's just that you know what you're doing," Emerald corrected.

"It doesn't matter. Since you've made your plans, I don't need to interfere."

Larkspur stood against the wall, arms crossed. "So, what about my child? Is there any way to stop Purple Diamond, or change her mind?"

"No."

"What did you say?"

"I said no." The Fairy Doll sat there calmly. "Since she's determined to expose this, there's nothing we can do to stop her."

"So we're just going to ignore her?" Larkspur, somewhat skeptical.

"Never mind her."

"Should we let the Queen see that child's file?"

"Yes."

"She will know that the child is related to me." Larkspur said seriously, "Even if she can't immediately tell that she is my child, she will know that she is my descendant."

"I'm sorry, but it seems there's nothing we can do right now." Emerald shook her head.

The Larkspur fell silent.

She didn't speak, but everyone could sense the turmoil within her from her aura. After a long silence, she let out a long sigh:

"How long do you think it would take from the time this report reaches the Queen until she actually issues any orders?"

Emerald paused, probably not expecting such a question, before replying after a moment, "We have no right to speculate on His Majesty's movements, but based on past experience... since it was Purple Diamond who brought it up personally, it should be within two days."

"In other words, when the next assessment begins, the entire Royal Court will know that this year's assessment has produced a candidate with a Magic Armament rating of 'S+'," Larkspur analyzed, her eyelids drooping.

"Pretty much, but I can do some maneuvering with the Examination Institute to slightly conceal this S+ when the results are announced." Emerald's voice was muffled. "Do you still need it?"

"There's no point in doing this. We can't hide it from the Royal Court; it's just self-deception." Larkspur glanced at her.

"At least it'll keep the Black Ash Dawn and Claw Mark from paying too much attention to your kid." Emerald remained noncommittal. "If they really knew there was an S+ rated candidate in this year's assessment, do you think they would do something during the assessment?"

The Larkspur hesitated for a moment.

She had a strange feeling that her conspiracy with Emerald and the others was destined to be a leaky jar, because with so many people involved, it was bound to expose more and more flaws as time went on. And what she had to do didn't seem to be patching up this leaky jar, but rather racing against it.

-- Will they complete the plan before the conspiracy is fully exposed, "atone for their crimes," and appear before the Queen with a legitimate reason; or will their scheme be exposed before they have finished, leaving them and their entire group in a precarious situation?

If he successfully obtains the Sapphire Scepter, Lin Xiaolu's problem will simply be another bargaining chip; but if things don't go as planned, Lin Xiaolu's file will become yet another shackle on his shoulders as an "exile." It's all just a matter of time.

After much internal reflection, the Larkspur gradually came to an answer.

She lifted the handbag she was carrying, took out her phone, opened her contacts, and dialed a number.

That was Lin Xiaolu's phone call.

After waiting quietly for a while, the call was answered.

[... Oh, hello? Is this Larkspur? What's up?]

"Yes, it's me," Larkspur replied calmly, as if it were just a casual greeting. "How did the exams go? No surprises, right? Have you got the results yet?"

[Don't worry, everything went smoothly, none of the things you were worried about happened. And Xiao Xuan's results are out, she got a B-!]

"Oh? B-?" Larkspur feigned surprise, "That's indeed...fantastic, just as excellent as I expected."

[Right? I heard from other test takers that the average rating for a single piece of Magic Armament is around C-grade, so Xiao Xuan's achievement is, in a way, a record-breaking one.]

"Yes, we should celebrate for her when we get back," Larkspur said softly. "And how about you?"

[Oh, me? I just finished my exams and haven't been out for long...]

So you haven't received your results yet?

[Well... um, hehe, never mind, I was originally planning to surprise you, but I just couldn't resist. My evaluation is really high, you know. Guess what the Larkspur is?]

"Extra tall? Taller than Xiao Xuan?"

[It's a bit unfair to say this, but she is indeed much taller.]

"Much higher? Grade A?" Larkspur pretended not to believe it.

No, it needs to be even higher.

"A+?" Larkspur seemed puzzled.

[You could guess even bolder, it's much higher than just a little.]

"S?"

[Haha, I can't believe it myself, they actually rated my Magic Armament as S+!]

"S+? What's that? You didn't read it wrong?"

[How could that be? It wasn't a handwritten grade; it just shows a plus sign on the screen.]

"I've never heard of that before," Larkspur said, still sounding surprised. "They just told you this rating? Nothing else?"

[Hmm? No other notifications. We'll probably have to wait until the results are released, right? I've been asking around and there don't seem to be any other S+ grades. Maybe I got the highest score?]

"... I think it's possible."

[I'm still keeping my grades a secret from everyone, hehe, I'll give them a real shock when they're announced.]

"Haven't you told anyone yet?"

[No, I've only told you about it with Larkspur so far.]

"Um..."

What's wrong?

"I was thinking, I've never heard of an S+ grade before. While it's certainly excellent and surprised me, to be honest, it's also a little worrying."

[Why are you worried?]

"You know, there might be some issues with this exam. If those bad guys find out about your score, they might target you... it could be dangerous."

[Ah, right, it seems so. What should we do?]

"Should you talk to another examiner now, or I can ask my colleagues here to confirm what's going on with this S+ grade? If it's really as unusual as we suspect, should we... just change it to an S, or an A+ or something, and lay low for a bit?"

Larkspur seemed calm, but spoke with a hint of caution.

[Eh--Change the grades to worse? That's a bit... well, but if Larkspur really want me to do that, well, it's not entirely impossible.]

"No, I'm not saying I'm forcing you, I just want to know what you think. After all, I've thought a lot about it, and if I were to deprive you of the honor you deserve simply because of my concerns, wouldn't that be a bit too selfish?"

Larkspur closed her eyes and focused all her attention on the sound from the other end of the microphone.

Although this statement is still an attempt to cover up a lie, the feelings it expresses are not actually false.

Blocking Lin Xiaolu's academic achievements was her own idea. Now that the plan has failed, she has certainly thought a lot about the future, but she also has more thoughts about her own and her daughter's place in this matter.

Perhaps it was precisely because I harbored this one-sided, even somewhat arrogant, "concern" that things went so wrong.

The Larkspur thought to itself with a hint of self-mockery.

[Not really, I understand what you're saying, I'm just worried about me... But if I really had to decide, I'd prefer the results to be released.]

Should we publish these results?

[Yeah, it's about saving face, and besides...] Lin Xiaolu's voice suddenly paused.

"And?" Larkspur asked, somewhat puzzled.

[Besides, Larkspur, you told me that I would definitely become a very powerful magical girl, right? I don't want to abandon the honor and expectations that I should have just because I'm afraid of enemies and afraid of fighting. I think that to become a powerful magical girl, I should carry everyone's expectations and fight on... right?] Lin Xiaolu explained somewhat awkwardly.

However, the Larkspur could understand what she was trying to say.

I don't want to hide in someone else's protection; I want to be the one who protects others.

[Ah, why is there no sound? Hello? Can you hear me? Was what I said too sentimental?] Seeing that Larkspur hadn't responded for a while, Lin Xiaolu asked somewhat awkwardly.

"... No, no, I just thought of something."

The Larkspur shook her head. "White Rose."

[I'm listening, what's wrong?]

"What you just said makes me even prouder than receiving an S+ rating."

Thank you to reader "Spring's Tai Di" for the Alliance Leader award, and to reader "Tian Ze Lu" for the Silver Alliance award... Wait, a Silver Alliance award at this time? Although I'm truly grateful, I feel more ashamed than encouraged at this moment.

For a moment, I'm at a loss for words. I can only thank the boss. As for how to repay him, let me think about it a bit and see how to speed up the update schedule...