"So that's it. You need to know the scope of authority we currently hold, is that correct?"
The leading Zhe Helan nodded, a composed smile returning to her face. "I understand. That is a perfectly reasonable request. Please allow me to introduce the current distribution of authority within the Magic Affairs Institute."
She stepped forward from the group and cleared her throat.
"Since you have not been in the Kingdom these past few years, you may not know the Institute's current situation. As we are an organization directly under Her Majesty the Queen, we must liaise directly with the Royal Court and even the Rose Palace. Therefore, two Royal Court nobles currently serve as deputy directors of the Magic Affairs Institute. The two deputy directors do not normally exercise authority, but whenever the Magic Affairs Institute must communicate publicly with the other four institutes, they act as its spokespersons."
"Beyond that, the Institute currently has five Flower Card magical girls, all serving in senior positions—as Education Selection Officers. The five Education Selection Officers are the ones specifically responsible for carrying out affairs and exercising authority. You may understand it as the Magic Affairs Institute's actual authority currently being divided among the five Education Selection Officers."
"Regrettably, although the five of us can theoretically push the entire Magic Affairs Institute to make any decision when we stand together, in reality, our political views are often incompatible."
"It is somewhat embarrassing to say, but all high-ranking magical girls in the Kingdom know that the Magic Affairs Institute's authority has been carved up by outside forces. Every Education Selection Officer has relatively fixed partners in practical affairs. As for me, I am responsible for liaising with the Research Institute and securing the corresponding benefits for it."
She paused slightly and looked toward Larkspur,