As the assessnt progressed into its later stages, the 277 squad steadily advanced forward, while Erald Sparrow increasingly felt idle.
After clearing the first node and claiming an early reward, they efficiently found the second node. Though another squad had already entered, and initially was reluctant to cooperate with the 277 squad, Tu Dinggui's incredible strength, almost handling the Remnant Beasts in the node all by herself, made them reconsider their stance. In the end, out of respect for Tu Dinggui, they voluntarily conceded half of the rewards.
After tackling the second node, the trio found and solved two more puzzles, adding to the rewards from the five puzzles they had already completed. With the five puzzle rewards and points from two nodes, the 277 squad firmly secured their seat at the top of the "Maze Rewards Points Ranking."
Throughout the process, Erald Sparrow did nothing, or at least lacked the opportunity to do anything that could be called a "contribution."
She beca nothing more than a re observer, watching Tu Dinggui showcase her prowess from the sidelines. If she did anything, it would only be making remarks like, "That was amazing," after Tu Dinggui's battles.
Indeed, she realized that Tu Dinggui seed to enjoy being complinted.
Although she wouldn't bring it up herself, or show any sign of it, there was a subtle atmosphere after her battles that seed to say, "Aren't you going to tell how great I am?"
For so reason, sensitive to this atmosphere, Erald Sparrow chose to go with the flow, believing that it didn't hurt to say a few kind words to satisfy soone's vanity. Even if she rely offered the emptiest of words, just a couple of complints seed to lift her spirits imnsely.
As for what Tu Dinggui would do when she was happy...
"Uh, Tu Dinggui-senpai."
Erald Sparrow, strolling through the maze as if on a spring outing, turned her head slightly, feeling helpless: "Your hand."
She noticed that, for so reason, Tu Dinggui had started patting her head again.
"Ah, sorry."
Tu Dinggui withdrew her hand from atop Erald Sparrow's head, sowhat apologetically: "I absentmindedly put my hand there again."
"I understand, habitual actions are indeed difficult to change."
Erald Sparrow nodded: "I'm not criticizing, just ntioning."
"Mm, I'll pay more attention next ti." Tu Dinggui nodded, yet there was still a hint of disappointnt in her slightly pursed lips.
Noticing this, Erald Sparrow let out an almost inaudible sigh, as she couldn't fathom why Tu Dinggui felt such inexplicable friendliness towards her. Could it really be just because she complinted her a few tis? Was this girl really that easy to appease?
She didn't consider herself so cold-hearted that she would reject even a child's goodwill. In a slightly more private setting, she might indulge a little to keep soone happy. However, in the current setting, she absolutely could not agree.
Simply because it was being live-stread.
Even though Erald Sparrow couldn't see the situation on the viewing platform, based on her understanding of the assessnt system, she judged that the 277 squad was likely under focus in the livestream projection. At any mont, in any setting, situations within the squad could be projected to the viewing site.
Pretending to be soone she's not with the alias "Long Dan" was one thing, but the Green Faction of the Magical Affairs Institute, and people like Erald, were well aware of her identity. If they witnessed her being treated like a child by children, no doubt they would mock her for it.
Furthermore, besides persons like Erald, undoubtedly the Queen was also present among the audience.
Had the 277 squad already caught her eye? Had she noticed them? Erald Sparrow remained clueless, yet this did not prevent her from feeling uneasy.
She initially thought that by using this alias to infiltrate the assessnt scene and appearing ordinary enough, she would avoid being the center of attention. Yet, she hadn't expected her "luck" in drawing teammates - getting soone who could single-handedly carry the squad to the top of the points ranking.
The re thought of her actions possibly being seen by the Queen made her scalp tingle—had the Queen already seen her? Could she recognize her as the "Exile"? If she recognized her, what should happen next? Should she leave? But what about the juniors?
The hidden worries in her heart made Erald Sparrow tense, and the idle ti in reality allowed her thoughts to wander. She struggled to suppress her chaotic thoughts, not showing any abnormalities before her two teammates, and shifted the conversation back to Tu Dinggui:
"By the way, Tu Dinggui-senpai often says she plays with her sister, what do you usually play?"
After the so-called "ice-breaking," the atmosphere within the 277 squad had indeed beco much more harmonious. Though it was unclear why, the squad was in a peculiar state where "both of them liked to chatter with Erald Sparrow."
Tu Dinggui began proactively sharing so of her daily life, such as studying, training, her work as a Magical Girl, and her family.
However, it seed that only when discussing family did Dogtail Grass muster the courage to join the conversation with Tu Dinggui, keeping silent on other topics. Thus, it turned into a situation where Tu Dinggui and Erald Sparrow were chatting about all sorts, with Erald Sparrow occasionally chiming in.
Of course, everyone present was aware of a topic nobody brought up, which was Tu Dinggui's teacher, Blue Star.
Concerning Blue Star, this "Strongest Magical Girl in the Material Realm," Tu Dinggui never proactively ntioned her. Erald Sparrow could tell from her speech many unnaturally disconnected parts, clearly indicating that Tu Dinggui deliberately omitted ntioning Blue Star's existence.
Erald Sparrow wasn't overly curious about Blue Star because she was quite familiar with An Ya's affairs. Beneath the aura of so-called "the strongest," An Ya was just an ordinary person living a simple life. So there was no need to conjure up fairytales for a piece of empty fa; Blue Star was likely rely a Magical Girl living her own life.
Perhaps one day, she might see Blue Star and could observe what kind of existence inherited An Ya's identity, but she wouldn't fantasize about it.
anwhile, having little else to do, Dogtail Grass enthusiastically chatted with her about topics like ani. Tu Dinggui couldn't partake in this topic, only listening to them talk. Erald Sparrow, who didn't actually watch ani, wanted to say she wasn't good at these topics either, but due to the persona she had established, she struggled to retract it. Instead, she dredged through her mory, recalling glimpses of programs Lin Xiaolu watched on TV, trying to muddle through the conversation.
She felt like a bot that could only chat with one person at a ti; when Tu Dinggui was chatting, Dogtail Grass could only wait their turn. Finally, when Dogtail Grass could interject, Tu Dinggui had to wait. Caught between them both, she wanted to say, "Can't you two chat with each other more?" but one of their elevated moods always stopped her.
After all, wasn't she here for an exam? Why had she done nothing and achieved the top ranking, and now found herself acting as a conversational bot being fought over by two children?
Erald Sparrow couldn't quite figure it out.
Was her luck really just that good, or was the assessnt pressure this low? Were other squads experiencing the sa?
Reviews
All reviews (0)