Chapter Summaries

Emerald and Zhe Helan explained how Larkspur could earn the Royal Court’s recognition and have her exile lifted by rendering exceptional service. They revealed that Black Ash Dawn and Claw Mark groups had infiltrated Luen Nore and appeared to be waiting for the qualification assessment to begin, leaving Larkspur and the Magic Affairs Institute poised to respond.

• Emerald told Larkspur that simply apologizing to Her Majesty would not resolve her situation, and Larkspur maintained that she would not apologize for becoming the Sapphire Scepter.
• Zhe Helan explained that old Kingdom regulations allowed exiles to earn a return through meritorious service, citing Pigeon Blood’s rise to the Ruby Gem Scepter as precedent.
• Zhe Helan said the qualification certification assessment could provide Larkspur with a chance to render service worthy of the Royal Court’s recognition.
• Zhe Helan revealed that informants had traced several groups from Black Ash Dawn and Claw Mark to Luen Nore, where they had been active near the Academy District.
• Zhe Helan concluded that the infiltrators were likely waiting to act once the assessment began, giving the Magic Affairs Institute a chance to catch them off guard.

Larkspur learned the full shape of a plan by Emerald and Zhe Helan to stage an attack during the Queen Year qualification assessment, blame Claw Mark and Black Ash Dawn, and use the resulting losses to gain political benefits. She faced a choice between betraying Ink Lotus to secure her daughters’ safety and regain power, or honoring the trust Ink Lotus had placed in her.

• Larkspur objected that the plan endangered the candidates, but Zhe Helan assured her that defensive Spell Formulas and traps would limit casualties while Emerald insisted that substantial property damage was necessary.
• Emerald and Zhe Helan arranged a staged attack’s financial claims and discussed using two favors to speak with the current Diamond.
• Larkspur asked what would happen to Claw Mark and Black Ash Dawn, and Zhe Helan said their leaders would have to be eliminated so survivors could not expose the fabricated account.
• Larkspur connected Emerald’s dealings, the assessment’s unusual laxity, and the institutes’ interests into a single scheme, while wondering how many people had helped arrange it.
• Larkspur considered betraying Ink Lotus and using her connection to deceive Claw Mark, which could protect her daughters and help her regain the Gem Scepter position.
• Larkspur questioned whether personal gain and her daughters’ safety justified betraying Ink Lotus’s trust, and recognized that she stood at a crucial crossroads.

After the gathering ended, Zhe Helan privately told Larkspur that she feared becoming the Sapphire Scepter would change her, and urged her to speak honestly if she rejected the proposal. When Larkspur questioned why the group was loyal to her personally, Zhe Helan gave her a blessing that revealed their deeper allegiance.

• The guests and hosts finished dinner and ended the gathering without asking Larkspur again for her decision.
• Zhe Helan privately shared how rising through the Magic Affairs Institute had changed her and warned Larkspur that power might make her lose parts of herself.
• Zhe Helan said her group was loyal to Larkspur, not to the Sapphire Scepter, and asked her to name another goal if she did not want the position.
• Larkspur questioned why the group would serve her despite her having no official connection to their institutes.
• Zhe Helan raised her hand and blessed Larkspur as her Commander.

On the carriage ride back to the Research Institute, Larkspur confronted Emerald over supporting a plan to lure Claw Mark members into Luen Nore. Emerald challenged Larkspur to gain power and uncover the truth behind her former comrades’ fall before trying to stop the plan.

• Emerald asked Larkspur why she had been in a bad mood, and Larkspur said she had intended to accept the plan but remained troubled by how she would earn merit.
• Larkspur said she would discuss her children’s wishes with them and demanded a role in planning and carrying out their security if they pursued early certification.
• Larkspur accused Emerald of knowing Claw Mark had infiltrated Luen Nore and of concealing that some members might contact her.
• Emerald admitted she knew Golden Snake’s identity and said she had only inferred that Claw Mark might have met with Larkspur.
• Larkspur challenged Emerald for treating former soldiers as bait, while Emerald called them traitors and terrorists and said she did not know the full truth behind their actions.
• Emerald told Larkspur to gain authority and power, uncover the truth, and then explain how Emerald’s plan was wrong.

Larkspur wrestled with whether Ink Lotus and the other former City Defense Army members could still be redeemed, then devised a plan to capture them herself while leaving Black Ash Dawn to the Research Institute. She returned to the cottage in her princess dress, where Lin Xiaolu and the others were overwhelmed by her appearance.

• Larkspur considered Claw Mark's different groups and wondered whether Ink Lotus and the other former comrades had truly become enemies or could still be saved.
• Larkspur decided to capture Ink Lotus and the others herself, control the fighting, and leave Black Ash Dawn for the Research Institute to handle.
• Larkspur planned to adjust the examination venue and defense arrangements so she could act without revealing her involvement or endangering examinees.
• Larkspur returned to the cottage still wearing her princess dress and found Lin Xiaolu anxiously waiting outside.
• Lin Xiaolu praised Larkspur's beauty, and Xia Liang and Bai Jingxuan came out and reacted just as strongly.

Larkspur warned Lin Xiaolu, Bai Jingxuan, and Xia Liang that Black Ash Dawn and Claw Mark planned to interfere with the assessment, then tried to dissuade the juniors from participating. Lin Xiaolu and Bai Jingxuan remained determined, and Bai Jingxuan revealed that her Heart Gem had developed into a fully formed leaf.

• After the younger girls tried on Larkspur’s princess dress, Larkspur told them that senior members of the Magic Affairs Institute and the Research Institute had met with her.
• Larkspur revealed that Black Ash Dawn and Claw Mark had infiltrated the city and were expected to act during the assessment.
• Lin Xiaolu and Bai Jingxuan resolved to participate, while Larkspur warned them that the assessment would be dangerous and that attention from high-level Magical Girls could bring risks.
• Lin Xiaolu hoped the Queen would notice her performance, and Bai Jingxuan declared that she intended to avenge Senior Cherry Blossom and her former parents.
• Bai Jingxuan said she had continued Soul Meditation and Force Tempering, then showed Larkspur her Heart Gem, which had grown into a fully formed leaf.

Bai Jingxuan told Larkspur that her Heart Gem had blossomed into a Heart Leaf that day, prompting Xia Liang to realize she had stayed behind to prepare. Larkspur reflected on how resources and guidance had accelerated her juniors’ growth, and on why she had stopped investing in her own strength.

• Larkspur recognized Bai Jingxuan’s Heart Gem as a Heart Leaf, and Bai Jingxuan confirmed that she had blossomed that day.
• Xia Liang realized Bai Jingxuan had skipped shopping to prepare and gently asked why she had not told them so they could watch over her.
• Larkspur considered how magical girls used Aberrant Beast echoes to obtain Love Crystals and Heart Honey, and how Fangting City Squad’s support had helped its juniors advance quickly.
• Larkspur recalled that Anya had continued strengthening herself as a Flower Card, but her Heart Gem had not blossomed again before her death.
• Larkspur reflected that she had stopped spending resources on herself and instead devoted them to her juniors.

Bai Jingxuan, Lin Xiaolu, and Xia Liang committed to taking the dangerous assessment, while Larkspur accepted that she could not shield her juniors forever. She told them she planned to return her focus to the Magic Affairs Institute and might become its Gem Scepter within a year or two.

• Bai Jingxuan promised Xia Liang she would not try to face danger alone again and said she wanted to grow strong enough to confront her enemies.
• Xia Liang and Lin Xiaolu teased each other about their progress and considered sparring, but Larkspur told them to wait until daytime and find a proper place.
• Larkspur asked whether the girls had decided to take the upcoming assessment, and Bai Jingxuan, Lin Xiaolu, and Xia Liang each affirmed their choice despite the danger.
• Xia Liang told Larkspur that the juniors had chosen to become magical girls and needed to face danger and grow independent.
• Larkspur accepted their resolve and revealed that she planned to work with the Magic Affairs Institute again, possibly becoming its Gem Scepter within a year or two.

Zhe Helan and the Magic Affairs Institute delegation arrived at the Luen Nore branch to conduct official business, while the branch staff anxiously prepared to host them. Their visit took an awkward turn when Bird of Paradise opened a suitcase and revealed the Sapphire Scepter, who had been hidden inside and struck during the journey.

• Hydrangea welcomed Zhe Helan and the Magic Affairs Institute officials from Hemvien to the Luen Nore branch.
• Zhe Helan asked for a place for her tired colleagues to rest, and Hydrangea led them to their prepared offices.
• A branch employee collided with a suitcase carried by a main institute official, and Zhe Helan signaled the official not to say anything.
• Zhe Helan dismissed Hydrangea and the branch staff, leaving the delegation alone with the suitcase.
• Bird of Paradise opened the suitcase, and the Sapphire Scepter climbed out coughing and asked what had happened.

Larkspur infiltrated the Magic Affairs Institute branch to help adjust security for the upcoming assessment while keeping the Research Institute faction’s plans secret. After learning how the Institute’s five factions viewed Cornflower’s possible return as Sapphire Scepter, she left with warnings to avoid the Crown Faction and keep the Purple Faction uninformed.

• Larkspur declined help from the branch staff and chose not to pursue the clerk who had bumped into her.
• Larkspur planned to discuss security changes for the upcoming assessment inside the Magic Affairs Institute, where she could not openly join the official delegation.
• Larkspur learned that the Green and Yellow Factions supported securing a Gem Scepter for the Institute, while the Red Faction remained detached and the Crown Faction opposed Cornflower as their candidate.
• Larkspur learned that the Purple Faction opposed the Institute having a Gem Scepter because it upheld the current Diamond Scepter’s interests.
• Emerald warned Larkspur that the current Diamond was hostile to challenges to her authority and advised avoiding the Crown Faction while keeping the Purple Faction in the dark.

Larkspur discussed security for the qualification examination with Zhe Helan and the main institute staff, focusing on preventing infiltrators from disrupting the Queen’s viewing ceremony. She agreed to prepare for both the possibility of finding her former comrades beforehand and the possibility of confronting them at the examination, then realized the work might keep her in the suitcase every day for half a month.

• Larkspur gathered the staff after they had socialized with the branch personnel and outlined security arrangements for the written and practical examination stages.
• Larkspur noted that seven Flower Cards and other powerful forces would protect the examination, but stressed that any threat had to be stopped before the Queen noticed.
• Larkspur explained that the forest venue would be difficult to secure and asked Zhe Helan to help identify intruders, including her former comrades, so she could deal with them herself.
• Zhe Helan suggested intensifying the search and persuading the hidden former comrades not to come, and Larkspur agreed while preparing for the possibility that they would refuse.
• Zhe Helan presented venue plans, personnel rosters, and equipment lists, and Larkspur agreed to drills and detailed preparations until the examination began.
• Larkspur realized the work might require her to climb into the suitcase every day for the next half month.

On the night before her certification assessment, Tudingui studied late before preparing for bed at Silver Gallery, where she shared a dorm room with an excitable Blue Star fan. She recalled how her fame as Blue Star’s apprentice had drawn attention from fellow examinees, while her roommate continued teasing her about the Magical Girl game she played.

• Tudingui finished writing notes, decided to sleep before the exam, and asked her roommate whether she wanted the light left on.
• Her roommate kept playing a Magical Girl mobile game and joked that the character based on Blue Star was her wife.
• Tudingui corrected her roommate for treating the game character as Blue Star, then went into the bathroom rather than continue the argument.
• Tudingui reflected that her tournament win and connection to Blue Star made her a target for examinees seeking teammates, so she accepted Silver Gallery’s dormitory lodging.
• Tudingui recalled that her roommate was a devoted fan of powerful Magical Girls who persistently asked her for private details about Blue Star.

Tudingui reviewed the competition for the White Card assessment and reaffirmed her determination to take first place for her family and squad. After finding herself fifth on the candidates’ Carry Ranking, she thought of a young girl from the Kingdom Express who reminded her of Blue Star, then returned to preparing for the assessment.

• Tudingui recalled her master’s advice and considered how powerful Central City’s magical girls were.
• Tudingui chose the White Card assessment over the Letter Card assessment because the Queen would attend and her family and squad hoped she would win first place.
• Tudingui learned that many powerful candidates had delayed taking the assessment, making this year’s competition unusually difficult.
• Tudingui checked the candidates’ Carry Ranking, saw Mint in thirty-first place, and found herself ranked fifth.
• Tudingui remembered the ten-year-old girl from the Kingdom Express who had reminded her of Blue Star, then resolved to keep preparing for the assessment.

Larkspur joined the qualification assessment as Gentian so she could stay at the venue and respond quickly if Claw Mark’s people attacked. After a punishing half month spent preparing defenses and juggling her other duties, the examination began with the threat still unresolved.

• Larkspur kept her Gentian identity and entered the assessment as an examinee, making the venue her standby position for the defense operation.
• Larkspur and the Magic Affairs Institute completed rehearsals and a defense plan to protect the examinees, preserve the examination, and intercept Claw Mark’s people.
• Larkspur’s workload became so exhausting that she fell asleep in a suitcase at the Magic Affairs Branch and was accidentally carried home by an employee.
• Larkspur told the employee she was Zhe Helan’s daughter, and Zhe Helan came to collect her.
• A rumor spread through the branch that Zhe Helan had a secret daughter, and Zhe Helan later made life difficult for the employees who spread it.

As Larkspur prepared for the examination, she reflected on how her juniors had reacted to her goal of becoming a Gem Scepter and why she needed to help them grow more independent. The assessment began at the Silver Gallery, where she watched the next generation gather and resolved to witness their efforts rather than take the spotlight.

• Larkspur's juniors became unusually diligent and sought to spend more time close to her after she explained that she might become a Gem Scepter.
• The girls began sharing Larkspur's bed, and their restless sleeping habits left her pinned down and washing her hair every morning.
• Larkspur decided that revealing her possible promotion had been the right choice and considered how she would gradually tell her juniors more difficult truths as they matured.
• Larkspur reflected that passing the upcoming assessment and earning Certification Cards would mark her juniors' formal independence.
• The examiners opened the Silver Gallery and began checking candidates' identities as Larkspur watched the gathered Magical Girls and wished to see what their generation could achieve.

Larkspur took the Rune Studies portion of the White Card qualification examination while maintaining her ordinary novice persona by deliberately leaving many questions blank. After the exam ended, she messaged her juniors to ask how they had done.

• The chapter explained the four White Card written subjects and how Kingdom Law and Mission Conduct had grown into a notoriously tricky exam.
• Larkspur answered about seventy percent of the Rune Studies paper to avoid appearing unusually knowledgeable as Gentian.
• Green Faction proctors repeatedly tried to help Larkspur with her blank answers, while the other proctors increased their patrols around her.
• The Rune Studies examination ended smoothly, and Larkspur left the hall and messaged her juniors to ask how it went.

Clover learned that Lin Xiaolu may have mixed up rune answers on the written assessment, but reassured her and urged her to focus on the remaining subjects. She left to get lunch, prepared to seek help if Lin Xiaolu narrowly failed.

• Clover asked Lin Xiaolu, Xia Liang, and Bai Jingxuan whether the written exam had gone well, and Lin Xiaolu gave uncertain replies.
• Clover discovered that Lin Xiaolu had crammed Fawo Runes and might have mismatched answers on the test.
• Clover told Lin Xiaolu not to dwell on the written exam and to prepare for the next subject, promising dessert that evening.
• Clover considered seeking an exception from the Green Faction if Lin Xiaolu narrowly failed one subject, then headed to the Silver Gallery cafeteria.

After the first day of exams, Larkspur and the younger girls discussed Lin Xiaolu’s strange difficulty recalling Rune Studies material inside the examination hall and suspected a hidden Spell Formula had interfered with her. Larkspur planned to report the incident to the Magic Affairs Institute so inspections could be strengthened for the next day’s exams.

• After finishing the easy Arithmetic exam, Larkspur took several younger girls to Honey Etch for dessert.
• Lin Xiaolu told Larkspur that she had struggled to recall memorized material during Rune Studies but remembered it clearly after leaving the examination hall.
• Larkspur quizzed Lin Xiaolu and found that she could answer most questions, suggesting that her confusion during the exam had an external cause.
• Larkspur, Xia Liang, and Bai Jingxuan suspected that someone had used a concealed Spell Formula to interfere with candidates’ thoughts.
• Lin Xiaolu complained to Larkspur and sought comfort, and Larkspur reassured her that she believed she had studied hard.
• Larkspur decided to report the suspicious incident to the Magic Affairs Institute and request stronger inspections for the next day.

During the second day of the written exams, proctors caught candidates using the Confusion Spell, which had been sold to them as a fake Cleverness Spell. Larkspur helped secure a retake for affected candidates, while the Crown Faction took charge of interrogating the cheaters to uncover who had sold the spell; Lin Xiaolu ended the chapter excited about her chances in the retake.

• Proctors caught dozens of young Magical Girls using the Confusion Spell during the Aberrant Beast Analysis exam after they had learned it as the supposedly mind-enhancing Cleverness Spell.
• The Examination Institute failed the caught candidates, deducted their contribution, and barred them from qualification certification assessments for three years, while allowing first-time offenders to restore their eligibility through missions.
• Larkspur urged the Green Faction to arrange a retake for candidates who believed the spell had hurt their first-day scores, with only the retake score counting.
• The Crown Faction agreed to help the Green Faction in exchange for taking over the cheating candidates’ interrogation and finding the people who had spread the Confusion Spell.
• After learning about the retake, Lin Xiaolu became confident she could rank near the top, while Xia Liang and Bai Jingxuan looked on skeptically.

The team received their written assessment results, with Xia Liang placing fifth and Lin Xiaolu scoring far below her expectations. After asking Larkspur for a head pat, Xia Liang admitted she feared she might not be exceptional enough, but said she still intended to compete for a top result in the practical assessment.

• The Examination Institute released the passing thresholds and scores, and Lin Xiaolu learned she had earned 72 in Rune Studies and 88 in Arithmetic.
• Bai Jingxuan passed all four subjects, while Xia Liang scored fifth overall with exceptionally high marks; Gentian also passed with scores just above the thresholds.
• Lin Xiaolu complained that Xia Liang had outperformed her, and Larkspur confirmed that all four team members could advance to the next stage.
• Xia Liang waited for Larkspur after her hot spring visit and asked for head pats as a reward for placing fifth.
• Xia Liang told Larkspur she feared her abilities were too ordinary to become exceptional, but said she still wanted to win and asked for encouragement before the practical assessment.