Besides the matters arising from the examination results, Xia Liang did not forget that she had other issues to discuss with Erald Sparrow.
The topic, naturally, was about her encounter with Examiner Yue Ji after escaping the labyrinth and the conversation they had.
These were issues she couldn't handle or decide on at her current stage, so Xia Liang didn't hold back and described everything she saw and heard in detail.
——"I understand."
The information Xia Liang provided, especially about the "possible situation at the Observation Platform," led Erald Sparrow to connect many things. It wasn't hard for her to guess that perhaps people from the Civil Administration Institute and Finance Court wanted to take advantage of the situation, or maybe the power-hungry new Diamond intended to use the opportunity to extort sothing from the Magical Affairs Institute and the Research Institute. But these matters couldn't be explained to the children and had to be discussed with the Magical Affairs Institute's mbers later.
Amid these undercurrents, what Xia Liang might need most now is Erald Sparrow's perspective on Yue Ji's invitation.
"If they're from the Research Institute, you can tentatively trust them. Her invitation is likely sincere and true."
Erald Sparrow placed her hands on her elbows, deep in thought, "Having professionals help study the principles of Magic Armor could be beneficial for you, Jin, but it also ans your Magic Armor abilities will beco entirely transparent to the Research Institute's side... Do you have any preferences?"
"Ah, ?"
Xia Liang didn't expect the issue she tossed out would be thrown back by Erald Sparrow. After blinking twice, she honestly said, "If you, little senior, think they can be trusted, then such a thing should have more advantages for , right?"
She extended her hand, counting on her fingers as if analyzing, "After all, understanding my Magic Armor better could bring closer to the core of my abilities. Maybe I could develop more uses and beco stronger..."
"Indeed."
Erald Sparrow nodded in agreent, "The Wisdom Managers at the Research Institute are exceptional scholars, excelling in their academic fields. They are more knowledgeable and accomplished than , even more so than Chaoyan. Your learning skills are strong, and if you study with them, you're sure to make progress."
"So, should I go?" Xia Liang put down her hands, her expression slightly tense, waiting for Erald Sparrow's decision.
Without a doubt, she wanted to go.
Now, Xia Liang wouldn't hide her desire to beco stronger. She was never satisfied with rely leading in the squad's Kaihua progress, so she definitely wanted to seize this opportunity.
Erald Sparrow could see that and understand it, but when it ca to giving her consent, she hesitated for a mont.
She knew that once she agreed to Yue Ji's invitation, her interests and those of the Research Institute and Magical Affairs Institute would beco further intertwined.
Although, at this point, it's a fantasy to think about withdrawing. The only outcos left for Erald Sparrow are to accompany Molu and others to see things through or face exposure and beco a wanted criminal for illegal entry. Sending Xia Liang to the Research Institute would inevitably involve the children to so extent in the matter.
If things eventually were exposed and the Royal Court discovered this connection...
Erald Sparrow knew she shouldn't but couldn't help wondering this.
So, instead of voicing her concerns, she switched to another explanation: "After the examination is over, I will take you all to the Research Institute."
If things went smoothly, she would naturally have the availability to take Xia Liang to et Yue Ji after the examination.
If things went awry, she and Yue Ji might still be waiting for a verdict in court, and Xia Liang wouldn't be tied up with the Research Institute.
As long as there was no overt evidence, even if she was the captain of Fangting City's squad, the arrest of the captain wouldn't lead to collective punishnt for the team mbers, allowing so leeway.
Of course, she also knew that when it involved the Queen, all the rules in the Magic Kingdom could be ignored. The Queen has the authority to bypass all provisions and regulations. If the Queen truly intended to punish collectively, no matter how justified, it would be futile. Still, it was better to be prepared than unprepared.
Her considerations, Xia Liang naturally couldn't know, although she could sense so nuances from the atmosphere. But without any explicit revelations from Erald Sparrow, she couldn't conjure any guesses.
After discussing the issues related to Xia Liang, the next to speak was Lin Xiaolu.
"Speaking of which, I also encountered sothing…"
Lin Xiaolu described her new teammate Mint and the peculiar candidate Arrowroot she t while teaming up in the labyrinth, detailing the strange dispute between these two and Bai Jingxuan. She also ntioned Mint's "agreent" with her. After saying this long list of things, she eagerly asked, "Erald Sparrow, what do you think we should do next?"
If Xia Liang's news made Erald Sparrow aware of potential internal conflicts within the Kingdom, then what Lin Xiaolu spoke of was undoubtedly the beginning of so event related to an external threat.
"A magical girl capable of devouring Remnant Beasts, and Bo Xue could even sense a similar presence of Remnant Beasts from her?"
She summarized Lin Xiaolu's series of events, frowning slightly, "Are you saying that child might be from the Claw Mark group?"
"Worse than Claw Mark!"
Bai Jingxuan corrected from the side, "Or rather, slls a lot like that nasty director!"
"Nasty director? Who?"
"The one from the Full Moon Festival night!"
Erald Sparrow understood now; Bai Jingxuan was referring to Mosi.
And when the clues pointed in this direction, combined with Lin Xiaolu's description, the answer beca apparent.
"...Black Ash Dawn?" Not only Erald Sparrow but Xia Liang also almost reached this conclusion simultaneously.
As everyone currently knew, the organizations mastering the use of Residual Beast Magic were Black Ash Dawn and Claw Mark. Compared to Claw Mark, Black Ash Dawn exhibited a more thorough degree of "Beastification," matching Bai Jingxuan's comnt of being "more like Remnant Beasts."
Although Xia Liang and Lin Xiaolu were not yet aware, Erald Sparrow well understood the source of Bai Jingxuan's Residual Beast Magic.
Black Ash Dawn's so-called "Saint Heir Plan" and the existence of Sacrificial Child, Beast Child, and Saint Heir all indicated that children like Bai Jingxuan were possibly not unique in this world.
If Lin Xiaolu and Bai Jingxuan's descriptions were accurate, then Erald Sparrow might have to make an even more shocking and even horrifying conjecture:
——"Among the magical girls, are there also those from Black Ash Dawn?"
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