When Team 277 walked out of the maze, there were already hundreds of candidates at the exit.
Obviously, Erald Sparrow and her team didn't find the exit particularly fast.
Although Tu Dinggui had already used her true skills, their position was truly unfavorable—they were quite far from the real exit after delving into several nodes. So, in spite of hurrying, it still took them nearly an hour to reach the exit.
Regarding this result, Erald Sparrow had no particular feelings. After all, considering the tens of thousands of candidates, finding the maze exit within the top few hundreds was already quite good. Plus, with Team 277's reward points obtained in the maze, their final total score could even place them third, which was excellent. In fact, from Erald Sparrow's personal goal of keeping a low profile, this achievent was excessively good.
However, Tu Dinggui didn't seem particularly satisfied with this result.
Though she didn't show much emotion on her face, the slight urgency she exhibited in searching for the exit, and her disappointed look upon learning she didn't reach the exit within the top hundred, were all noticed by Erald Sparrow.
"It's just the first actual combat assessnt; this can be considered a decent start, right?"
Taking advantage of Tu Dinggui's break, Erald Sparrow casually remarked, "As long as we perform steadily, we might still achieve higher rankings in the next assessnts. It's not impossible to get first place overall, right?"
"Hmm? Oh."
Realizing Erald Sparrow was talking to her, Tu Dinggui took a few seconds to respond quietly, "Sorry, did I show my disappointnt too clearly?"
Erald Sparrow didn't expect her response to be so straightforward.
"...Not really, at least Dogtail Grass didn't notice anything."
After a mont's thought, she decided not to hide anything: "I didn't particularly sense any 'disappointnt' from you, just logically deduced that you might not be satisfied with the result."
"Yeah, I'm not entirely satisfied."
Perhaps due to significant Magic Power consumption within the maze, Tu Dinggui had removed her transformation and was holding her coat in her arms, speaking candidly: "I hoped to be number one."
"That's quite apparent."
Erald Sparrow nodded: "And it's not just a first-place in so assessnt you want, but to be first in the entire competition, right?"
"...Of course." Tu Dinggui hesitated slightly: "I must be first."
This statent sounded like one from those top students back in school who might cry over not getting full marks.
"Your self-expectations are really strict."
Erald Sparrow was a little stunned: "But there are so many participants in this assessnt, and surely many strong candidates too. The mindset of 'only number one will do' will make things quite tough for you."
"I know."
Holding her coat, Tu Dinggui nodded: "That's why I think if I had done better in the first assessnt, the chances of ranking first overall would be greater."
"Ha." Erald Sparrow could only sigh at such self-imposed demands and logic.
"Sorry." Hearing Erald Sparrow's sigh, Tu Dinggui apologized softly.
"Why are you suddenly apologizing?"
"These things are my personal expectations, but since we're a team, they might affect you all sowhat in the upcoming events." Tu Dinggui stated earnestly.
"Then I should be the one apologizing to you, right?"
Erald Sparrow was confused: "After all, I've made it clear from the start that I'm not a very skilled Magical Girl, and being teammates with won't help your 'fight for first place' goal at all."
"But if it wasn't for being in the sa team with , a normal candidate just needs to achieve a 'qualified' score."
Tu Dinggui seed quite convinced of her logic: "And to achieve my goal, I might sowhat force you all to progress in the upcoming projects."
How has this child been taught all along?
For once, Erald Sparrow began to feel Tu Dinggui was quite a troubleso kid.
She was certain, if it were her daughter, after dragging the whole team to score first in maze exploration and getting third overall in that assessnt, she would definitely be proud and think, "You should all thank and praise ."
Most people would feel this way in such situations.
But Tu Dinggui, despite doing the most work and contributing the most in the team, could reverse this and apologize to her teammates, feeling inadequate for not getting first?
"I want to get a good score, Senior Tu Dinggui."
Controlling her expression, Erald Sparrow spoke as calmly as possible: "And as far as I know, Senior Dogtail Grass probably thinks the sa. So don't feel that 'wanting to be first' is just your personal wish. If possible, we'd all like that."
Of course, this was a lie.
Erald Sparrow herself didn't want to be first at all; actually, she was exactly the person Tu Dinggui referred to earlier, the one who "only wanted a qualified score."
Everything she said now was assuming the mindset of Long Dan, a Magical Girl who'd be a newbie in a competition and naturally wanted a good result.
A newcor in a competition for the first ti who doesn't want a good score would be odd.
"But even if striving for high marks, without you being assigned to our team, Senior Dogtail Grass and I wouldn't have achieved such good results. So right now, you are the contributor to our team."
Erald Sparrow tried her best to adopt the role of "Long Dan," speaking formally to Tu Dinggui: "In my opinion, you've done exceptionally well and are pretty outstanding, Senior Tu Dinggui. I'm grateful to you."
"...Thank you for saying that."
The encouragent from a 'junior' indeed seed to please Tu Dinggui a bit, adding so cheer to her mild deanor: "Yes, I should actually thank you too, Long Dan. Although I'm not sure why, I feel that today I've learned a lot from the things you've said, including now."
"These are just snippets I've learned from others, but if they're useful to you, then all the better."
Erald Sparrow also humbly replied: "I hope you can cheer up, since how well our team will do in the next few assessnts depends entirely on you."
For a mont, the atmosphere between the two grew quite harmonious. This courteous and humble conversation would likely beco a showcase example of "Magic Girl Teamwork Etiquette" if seen by the Silver Corridor teachers.
"Yes, I will."
Tu Dinggui smiled slightly: "In fact, leave it to ."
"That's quite reassuring." Erald Sparrow also returned a formal smile.
"But, Long Dan."
"What's up, Senior?"
"Uh, this might be an abrupt request, so personal preference, but..."
For so reason, Tu Dinggui suddenly beca bashful and then hesitantly said:
"If possible, could you call 'Sister' instead of 'Senior'?"
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