Vol 2 Chapter 159: Questioning the Juniors
For a girl of Lin Xiaolu's age, an exquisitely crafted princess dress—especially one made with the craftsmanship of the nation, a masterpiece worthy of a master—was indeed an eye-catching sight.
Though Veronica couldn't quite relate, she could still understand, so she silently allowed the junior girls to crowd around her, examining and even occasionally touching the dress.
When she later changed out of the dress, the girls eagerly took it and spent a long time admiring themselves in the mirror—something Veronica couldn't quite comprehend, but she didn't comment on it.
After the juniors had their fun, she called them back, gathering them in a circle on the sofa in the cottage. Leaning back, she began:
"I went out for dinner with someone tonight. They were high-ranking officials from the Magical Affairs Court and the Research Court."
Her words instantly silenced the previously boisterous girls.
"The Magical Affairs Court... and the Research Court?" Xia Liang was the first to grasp what Veronica was saying, even realizing certain implications.
Undoubtedly, topics like the Five Great Courts of the nation and their division of power were relatively unfamiliar to the juniors.
Xia Liang and Lin Xiaolu were better off, having become Magical Girls earlier and thus receiving more foundational knowledge from Veronica, so terms like "Magical Affairs Court" and "Research Court" weren't new to them. As for Bai Jingxuan, though she had received intensive cramming from Veronica later on, her age limited her understanding—these terms might as well have been "things only seen in textbooks" to her."So, Veronica, you're an Inspector Envoy from the Investigation Court, meaning this dinner brought together people from three Courts?" Lin Xiaolu, though not particularly sensitive to such topics, was slowly piecing things together. "Did you discuss something important?"
"...You could say it was important, and it's related to this assessment, so I thought I should tell you all."
"'We'?" Xia Liang noticed the subtle shift in Veronica's wording and picked up on its implications.
"Yes, you heard right. These two groups plan to strike during the assessment."
Veronica confirmed with a nod. "For certain reasons, I'm currently collaborating with the Research Court and Magical Affairs Court—I'll explain that later—but the intel is absolutely reliable. So now I need to confirm with you all: regarding this assessment—"
"So, the guys who caused trouble in Fangting City before, or their associates, are coming here to stir up trouble again, right?" Before Veronica could finish, Lin Xiaolu summarized with a nod, her expression turning serious. "Good. This time, I'll make sure they regret it."
"Mhm." Bai Jingxuan eagerly agreed beside her.
Only Xia Liang remained thoughtful, not immediately responding. Even so, the two-to-one ratio spoke volumes.
"...I haven't even asked you yet. I've already told you this assessment will be harder than previous years, and now we know troublemakers are coming. It'll undoubtedly become a hotspot for conflict. In this situation, are you still sure you want to participate?"
Despite being interrupted, Veronica tried to fully express her thoughts. "Remember, assessments happen every year, and if you're strong enough, you can skip levels. Even if you sit out this year and make rapid progress next year—enough to qualify for the character card assessment—that would still be acceptable. So we could treat this year as a vacation to the nation and return next year—"
"But if we come back next year, the Queen won't be watching, right?" Lin Xiaolu blinked.
"Theoretically, yes, but if something major happens next year, she might make an exception..." Veronica continued explaining.
"So there's a high chance she won't be watching next year!" Even Bai Jingxuan grasped the implied condition in Veronica's words.
"...Right." Veronica couldn't lie about something so obvious and had to admit it.
"Then if we take the assessment next year, no matter how well we perform, the Queen won't see it, right?" Lin Xiaolu said seriously. "But if we participate this year, when it's harder than usual with enemies causing trouble, and I perform exceptionally well under the Queen's watch, wouldn't I have a better chance of being recognized?"
"I think that's unlikely."
Realizing she couldn't softly steer her daughter's decision, Veronica bluntly poured cold water on the idea. "As someone who's been through this, I should also tell you, Bai Mei, you and Bosetsu have certain... peculiarities. Being noticed by high-level Magical Girls might not be a good thing for you."
"Why?"
Lin Xiaolu tilted her head. "Jingxuan can use Remnant Beast magic, which does seem problematic, but if she explains it properly, there might still be a chance. As for me, though I'm also a deviant, my magic shouldn't be an issue, right?"
"Normally, that would be the case." Veronica lowered her eyelids.
"So if the Queen discovers I'm a deviant, maybe she'll focus on training me, even assign me to one of the Five Courts, and I could become a big shot among Magical Girls in the future..." Clearly, Lin Xiaolu's imagination was running wild.
Veronica then turned her gaze to Bai Jingxuan.
"I'm ready, Teacher."
Her response was equally resolute. "I will avenge Senior Sakura and my former parents. So I will absolutely kill those Black Ember Dawn members."
"...I figured you'd say that."
Veronica sighed. "Even so, I hope you can soften your stance somewhat. We're Magical Girls—defeating villains is our duty, but killing isn't."
"I know, Teacher."
Bai Jingxuan said earnestly, her dark sclera revealing vertical pupils formed by magic. "But I won't spare them. This is what you taught me."
"Then you should weigh your own strength more carefully."
Veronica continued persuading. "I've told you this before—I won't ask you to abandon your vengeance, but without sufficient strength, revenge is just suicide."
"I understand, Teacher."
Bai Jingxuan nodded. "That's why I've never stopped honing my Spirit Thought and Force Training, even these past few days. And I've made new progress."
This made Veronica's eyebrow twitch.
During their month of special training in Fangting City, all three juniors had mastered new abilities and improved their strength—this much she knew. But now, Bai Jingxuan claimed "new progress," meaning this wasn't something from Fangting City but rather a recent development.
Bai Jingxuan wasn't one to beat around the bush, so after speaking, she reached into her pocket and pulled out her Heart Gem.
The gem in her palm no longer resembled a budding sprout. Instead, it had taken the form of a small, thin, yet fully formed leaf.