Among the magical girls of the Magic Kingdom, there have always been certain stereotypes regarding the advantages of various positions within the Five Major Institutes.
The most relaxed Research Institute has little power; the most powerful Investigation Bureau is overworked; the most networked Finance Court lacks prestige; the most prestigious Civil Administration Institute is short on connections.
The mainstream Four Great Institutions each have their own pros and cons, making every magical girl consider carefully before choosing a career: Is this job suitable for ? Can I get what I want by working here? Is my qualification fit for advancent within this system?
But when it cos to the Magical Affairs Institute, the stereotypes take on a completely different form...
— "Honorable Cornflower, hello, long ti no see. I am Zhe Helan, Flower Card No. 13011, currently serving as the head of the Teaching Selection Departnt within the Magical Affairs Institute."
After leading a group of magical girls to make a kneeling salute to Erald Sparrow, the tall magical girl at the forefront straightened up and introduced herself first.
From her actions, it seed she originally intended to stand up imdiately after the salute, but after a brief glance over Erald Sparrow's head, she gracefully bent her upper body again, quickly adopting a half-kneeling posture: "The Magical Affairs Institute has long been without a scepter in power, leaderless and drifting, with much unfinished business. Your arrival has invigorated everyone. We were just together dreaming of the bright future of the Magical Affairs Institute, so we were negligent in welcoming you. Please forgive us."
After the self-proclaid "Zhe Helan" finished speaking, a slightly shorter girl who looked like a literary maiden beside her spoke: "I am Delphinium, Word Plate No. 13314, head of the external affairs departnt of the Magical Affairs Institute. We have been eagerly awaiting your arrival and salute you, honorable Cornflower."
After she introduced herself with a poised deanor, she paused slightly. Seeing that another magical girl next to her hadn't yet spoken, she gave a slight kick, thinking Erald Sparrow couldn't see.
The kicked magical girl seed to realize it was her turn, and hastily said: "Ah, oh, Word Plate No. 13877... My code na is Rosemary. I... uh, am the deputy head of the publicity departnt, and have always hoped our institute would have its own scepter. Welco to take charge, honorable Cornflower!"
"Hello Cornflower, I am Snowball, Word Plate No. 14053..."
"Word Plate No. 13692, Heliconia..."
The magical girls kneeling on the ground reported their numbers and nas in turn, and regardless of their words of welco for the "Sapphire Wand candidate," their enthusiasm was asured and respectful.
To be honest, this was the first ti Erald Sparrow had seen such a scene.
These magical girls paying tribute to her, even pledging loyalty in their words, all at least held a word plate, which could make them team captains for most magical girl squads in the Material Realm. Based on their introductions, besides senior officials like Zhe Helan, there were many heads and deputy heads, with even the most junior holding significant positions.
Even though she had been a city defense army squad captain, was a departnt head in her previous career, and is now the director of Fangting City's Abnormal Strategy Bureau, she had never felt the tangible power of "authority" like she did now.
But while feeling this, she had no real sense of her situation.
After all, ten minutes ago, she was on the way to an unknown destination, unaware of her agenda. Now, ten minutes later, she was here accepting the allegiance of many Magical Affairs Institute mbers, seemingly about to take the position as the Sapphire Wand. The rapid change was too much; she hadn't even switched her thought process yet.
There was another fact that caught her attention.
"...Did you reveal my real identity?" She turned her face, softly questioning Erald beside her.
"Yes, but only here."
Erald replied matter-of-factly: "Rest assured, everyone here is a friend, our own people. No one will reveal 'Cornflower's return to the Kingdom.'
"I rember you promised the sa before?"
"So exceptions are necessary. Anyway, listen to their reports first." Erald lazily smacked her lips, nonchalantly steering the topic away.
By the ti Erald finished speaking, the self-introductions of the Magical Affairs Institute mbers were only halfway done. Each one would pick up smoothly after the previous, making it hard for Erald Sparrow to interrupt.
After all, she had listened to several introductions. Interrupting might seem like she was disrespecting the remaining guests.
"...Please rise, everyone."
Only when the last magical girl finished her introduction did Erald Sparrow interject, indicating they could stop bowing.
For anyone desiring power, the scene of kneeling and pledging loyalty could be very satisfying, and if they had weak willpower, they might be intoxicated by their power desires instantly. However, for Erald Sparrow, the feeling was fleeting, and she felt sothing was amiss.
So, after everyone stood up, she continued:
"I've heard all your introductions. You are all key mbers of the Magical Affairs Institute. Thank you for welcoming . But I was only a forr Sapphire Wand candidate, not the actual Gemstone Scepter. Such formalities are a bit beyond . So, there's no need to be overly respectful. Let's consider each other colleagues."
These words instantly stunned the Magical Affairs Institute mbers, who had been imrsed in the atmosphere of "monarch and ministers in harmony."
Even the usually assertive Zhe Helan was at a loss for words. She blinked and silently looked at Erald for help.
— "Alright, no need to be modest now that everyone is here."
Fortunately, Erald spoke up in ti: "This is what we discussed. I'll help you regain so control over the Magical Affairs Institute. Everyone here has already recognized you and gathered for your sake."
"But I am truly not the Sapphire Wand," Erald Sparrow insisted.
"Then it's puzzling. Young one, how do you plan to take over, or under what title will you lead the Magical Affairs Institute and direct them to work for you?"
Erald shrugged: "Do you intend to command them as a city magical girl squad captain?"
"The Royal Court would never approve of in this position, regardless of title," Erald Sparrow squinted.
"The Royal Court won't know," Erald answered bluntly.
"What did you say?"
"I said the Royal Court won't know," Erald repeated. "I said no one here will leak today's eting. Tomorrow, everyone present will still be free magical girls maintaining the 'Research Institute faction.'
"Hiding in plain sight?" Erald Sparrow instinctively muttered.
"Uh-huh," Erald humd in confirmation. "So, what will you do? Are you going to tell you're not interested in power and don't want any of this?"
Erald Sparrow remained silent for a mont.
No one knew what she was considering. Without urging, Erald and the other magical girls could only anxiously watch her. Fortunately, she soon closed her eyes, seemingly making a decision:
"I need to know which parts of the authority you all hold."
She spoke, a question in tone, but it was essentially an acceptance.
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