Public Opinion Ferments

Without any major setbacks, the Magic Armament Assessment entered its second day.

Of course, while it was said to be without any major setbacks, it was only in terms of the process that things went relatively smoothly. The atmosphere at the scene and the subsequent discussions were absolutely electric – everyone was debating: What exactly is Fangting City?

If it could be said that the magical girl codenamed Little Brocade taking the lead in the first practical assessment was a coincidence, then the magical girl from "Fangting City" once again stood out in the second assessment, making it impossible for anyone to ignore her.

Even though the project isn't truly over yet, and there's still some uncertainty on the final day, this unprecedented "SS" rank is already a testament to the glory of the magical girl codenamed White Rose. Everyone knows that even if other candidates could defeat her, so what? The Kingdom's decision wasn't about the rank itself, but rather their willingness to create a separate rank for her! This level of importance cannot be swayed by simple exam scores.

To put it realistically, when a magical girl's Magic Armament earns this level of rating from the Kingdom's higher-ups, her scores in other areas become irrelevant. Even if she fails every other category, the Kingdom wouldn't abandon someone with such talent. Knowledge can be supplemented with lessons, and practical skills can be trained, but talent is something that cannot be acquired through hard work.

In conclusion, when everyone realized that this magical girl named White Rose was destined to become the focus of this assessment, the question of "what exactly is going on in Fangting City?" became the core issue.

And coincidentally, a previously widely circulated rumor could now serve as the answer to the question:

Fangting City is the secluded home of the Cornflower, and also the place where the former Strong Flower —Sakura—was stationed and buried.

These two reasons alone are enough to lend this previously unknown small town a touch of legend.

Who is Cornflower? In the Magic Kingdom, this is a topic that needs no further explanation. As a legendary magical girl who broke the Kingdom's record for the fastest advancement and was once a "war hero" in the Garden Defense War, her achievements are undeniable. But what truly made her remembered and even unforgettable was her groundbreaking act of refusing to accept the Gem Scepter.

This was a move that most people in most Kingdom wouldn't even dare to imagine. In their view, only Material Realm who had no concept of the Queen's authority could do something so absurd. Twenty years ago, when Cornflower took the initiative to turn against the Royal Court, most people thought her actions were unwise. People either shook their heads in regret, lamenting that a magical girl who should have been great had her future ruined; or they mocked her, finding it amusing to witness the fall of a young and ambitious "genius."

However, things didn't go as they expected.

First, there was Cornflower herself. No one expected that this previously infamous war hero would vanish so suddenly, disappearing without a trace after refusing the Royal Court's offer. No one knew where she went, so much so that for the next twenty years, even guessing Cornflower's whereabouts became a subject of study.

Secondly, the Royal Court remained remarkably silent regarding the subsequent handling of Cornflower. Logically, if the Royal Court had truly clashed with Cornflower to save face, arresting, imprisoning, or exiling her, they would have publicly revealed the fate of this "rebel" as a warning to others. However, the reality was that after Cornflower refused the appointment with the Sapphire Scepter and disappeared, the Royal Court not only refrained from retaliation but also unilaterally bestowed upon Cornflower and her teammate Sakura the honor of "Lifetime Magical Girl."

This is very intriguing.

Furthermore, in the twenty years that followed, the Queen seemed to have no intention of appointing a new Sapphire Scepter, the Magic Affairs Institute and Hemvien Castle remained largely powerless, and Sakura, a teammate of Cornflower, was active in the Material Realm as the "strongest"... All these signs fueled the speculation among the crowd.

--Will these Cornflower ever return someday?

Many people who are concerned about the power circles in the Kingdom have made similar speculations.

The more this is the case, the more people become reluctant to discuss the topic. If Cornflower were to return, neither Cornflower herself nor the Royal Court and the Queen would be in a position to comment on this gossip. Furthermore, Sakura's influence is growing, and although her low-key approach has resulted in fewer friends and allies, her influence is gradually expanding beyond the Investigation Institute. No one is foolish enough to believe there's no connection between Sakura and Cornflower; no one explicitly states it, but everyone has implicitly accepted her as part of the "Cornflower Faction."

Thus, this topic gradually transformed from casual conversation into a political issue that could only be discussed discreetly. Even Sakura's death a few years ago was speculated by many to be the result of political infighting. These people generally believed that a conflict arose between the Emerald or Purple Diamond faction and the increasingly powerful Cornflower Faction, and that Sakura died in a violent clash between the two factions...

Ultimately, this topic was completely ignited at the end of last year when Cornflower appeared in Fangting City.

This signifies that claims such as "Cornflower has retired," "Cornflower is dead," "Cornflower was secretly imprisoned by the Kingdom," and "Cornflower married into the Royal Court" are all now considered history and have been disproven. The possibility that "Cornflower will return" is becoming increasingly likely.

In this way, when the city of Fangting is associated with Cornflower, then White Rose, Little Brocade, and even Bo Xue and Gentian, who have not yet shown any achievements, will naturally be regarded as "disciples of Cornflower." Of course, more meticulous people tend to think that among these magical girls from Fangting City, there are also Sakura's juniors, but Sakura herself has passed away, and her identity as a member of the Cornflower Faction was already established during her lifetime, so there is no need to make too much distinction.

To translate it another way, it means that "the students of Cornflower" have already won first place in two events in this year's practical assessment.

This inevitably makes one wonder.

Or rather, there's so much to it that it sparks endless speculation and could fill several thick books of conspiracy theories.

Why did the Cornflower reappear? Why did the Royal Court remain silent? Did the other Gem Scepter play any role in this? And was Sakura's death truly a result of this power struggle?

The young magical girl candidates were discussing the strength of the dark horse "Fangting City Squad," while the veteran magical girls and citizens were completely engrossed in political topics. The results of just two simple exams had already ignited a heated discussion throughout the entire city of Luen Nore.

"So, which of these strange rumors did you make up?"

Early in the morning, before heading to the examination hall, the examinee "Gentian," or rather, the Cornflower that people were discussing, was still in the office of the Magic Affairs Institute branch, squinting as she asked her subordinates, "I can roughly understand why you spread various conspiracy theories years in advance—to pave the way for my return; but what about those related to the Research Institute? Why are you spreading rumors that Emerald and I are political enemies?"

"Because the outside world generally believes that the Investigation Institute is our ally, and the fact that the Pigeon Blood Lord of the Civil Governance Institute dislikes power is a deeply ingrained persona."

Zhe Helan smiled and explained, "The key to rumors is that they conform to the facts in people's minds, not that they contradict them."

"Is this the reason you spread rumors that I married and started a family in the Royal Court, and even became a mistress?" Larkspur drooped her eyelids.

"... It's almost time, it's time to go to the examination hall, Your Excellency." Zhe Helan remained silent for a moment before turning around.

Don't change the subject.

"We can discuss this further on the way, Your Excellency."

"I remember your itinerary for today; you're not going the same way as me."

"Yes, so please allow me to take my leave first, and let my deputy discuss this matter with you."

"Come back here."

In the end, Zhe Helan herself obediently received a scolding.