Chapter 343: First Place

The fact that Squad 582 had achieved first place in the maze assessment shocked all the examinees. Among them, the magical girl "Xiaojin," who had been singled out by the chief examiner, drew particular attention. Every examinee was asking: Who is Xiaojin?

Whether in that widely circulated "List of Heavyweights" or within the daily social circles of the various examinees, a figure named "Xiaojin" practically did not exist. This unusual first-place winner seemed to have popped out of a crack in a stone, leaving people puzzled.

Of course, for the various observers on the viewing platform, this result was actually not surprising.

Or rather, from the second half of the assessment, when this "Xiaojin" suddenly discovered an unorthodox use for her magic equipment and thought of skipping the course by walking through walls, she had already become a key focus for many observers.

It was not as if no one raised objections; questions like "Isn't this cheating?" also reached the ears of the chief examiner, and some even advocated for her to be marked as failing. However, this proposal was ultimately not implemented.

From the perspective of the examiners at the Examination Institute, Xiaojin's actions were undoubtedly in a gray area. Because her behavior did not cause any substantial damage to the maze, it did not violate any explicit rules. But if one really wanted to pursue it, they could also use a vague reason like "disturbing the discipline of the examination hall" to put a stop to it.

The reason why this matter, where both sides had their own arguments, could reach a consensus in such a short time was not only because the chief examiner and several colleagues studied the assessment rules together and concluded that the examinee's behavior "belonged to a loophole in the rules, and the responsibility lay with the Examination Institute." It was also because Xiaojin's actions had triggered some variables.

An observer sitting high on the viewing platform heard laughter coming from that heavily guarded area.

Although it was very brief, making one wonder if they had misheard, the guards truly clustered nearby could not have been mistaken.

It was not the laughter of any of the three Jewel Scepters, nor was it the voice of any of the guards themselves; without a doubt, this laughter could only come from that noble personage.

The Queen laughed because of this. And, since she had no intention of stopping it, the matter was feasible.

Although it sounded absurd, this was the main reason why everyone quieted down and stopped arguing: when the Queen supports something, no one should oppose it; all magical girls in the Magic Kingdom know this.

Undoubtedly, this examinee's method of skipping the course would inevitably become a focus of discussion and reflection for the Examination Institute afterward, and might even influence the rule-making for future practical assessments, but for now, her actions would not be punished.

Thus, this controversial "first place" was born.

Of course, there was one more thing that even Xiaojin herself did not

know, something only the observers witnessed: in fact, if Xiaojin had not obtained that map midway, she might not have been first place at all.

Because the direction she chose at the beginning was wrong.

Her original position was in the upper southwest of the entire maze, and after discovering that her magic equipment could pass through walls, she chose to head all the way north.

Given her magic power and movement speed, if she hadn't obtained a map midway and changed direction to break through from the west, she would likely still be running fruitlessly toward the north at this moment.

However, these were no longer important matters; the only thing that mattered was that this examinee on the borderline of "cheating" had ultimately become the first-place winner of the first practical assessment.

Xia Liang, who had just emerged from the maze, had fully realized this by now.

When she rushed out of the maze with a map and two teammates, with a desperate momentum, she was greeted by applause from the viewing platform and congratulations from the examiners by the wall.

"Squad 582, congratulations. Because you are the first team to exit the maze and have received extra viewing evaluation points for your unexpected measures, you have become the squad with the highest comprehensive score after this assessment."

Yueji, as the chief examiner, was among them and acknowledged the results of Xia Liang and the others with a quite clear declaration: "You can leave the examination hall now to go back and rest to prepare for the next exam. You can also go to the viewing area to watch the situation of other examinees, but I must remind you that if you choose to go to the viewing area, there will likely be many 'enthusiastic' spectators who want to ask you some questions."

She gestured toward the audience seats not far away, while specifically emphasizing the word "enthusiastic," making Xia Liang realize that it did not seem to be an entirely positive term.

"Ha... ha... I see."

Because of the excessive consumption of magic power, Xia Liang gasped subconsciously, her brain struggling to process things as her spirit reached its limit. However, she still tried hard to understand Yueji's meaning, and then squeezed a smile onto her face: "I think I'm already very tired, and I really just want to go back to the hotel to rest."

"Understandable."

Yueji nodded: "Then go to the left; that is the lounge. From the back door of the lounge, you can leave here."

"Okay... I understand."

Xia Liang nodded reluctantly, but stumbled when she took a step, nearly falling to the ground. Fortunately, Juandan was quick-witted and immediately supported her, propping her body up.

"Let's go, Senior Xiaojin, and Sister."

She called out to Shandan, who was hesitating nearby and clearly wanted to go to the viewing platform to join the excitement, and at the same time

bowed slightly to Yueji: "Thank you for your advice, my lord examiner."

"No need for formalities."

Yueji shook her head: "I was just following the rules; it's not really advice. However, if you are willing, could you answer a question for me before you go?"

Juandan hesitated upon hearing this and did not respond, instead looking at Xia Liang, clearly feeling it was better for Xia Liang to decide.

"...Please ask." Xia Liang stood up straight again, trying her best to look less pathetic.

"I am the maze designer for this assessment, and I am responsible for the coordination of the spell system throughout the maze, so I know very well what the spells on the walls are. Logically speaking, such a precise spell structure would stop running immediately after being cut off, and might even trigger a large-scale collapse accident."

Yueji stared into Xia Liang's eyes, her tone flat but carrying undisguised inquiry: "However, your magic equipment completely violated the most basic operating principles of the spell, thereby exploiting this loophole. Why is that?"

"Sorry, I'm not quite sure either."

Xia Liang thought for a moment, then said frankly: "Because I don't know that much about my own magic equipment yet."

"Is that so? Well, at your age, it is indeed still too difficult to fully understand your own magic equipment."

Yueji nodded: "Then, perhaps I can extend an invitation to you. Would you be willing to come to my laboratory after the assessment ends to assist me in studying your magic equipment? I am very interested in this magic equipment that can crack my spells."

"This... thank you for your appreciation, but perhaps I need to go back and ask our captain for instructions," Xia Liang answered cautiously.

"Hmm, that's appropriate. Or rather, I should also notify your squad."

Yueji followed suit: "Which squad are you a magical girl from? Oh, I don't mean your current assessment squad, but your original team affiliation."

"Uh, Fangting City?" Xia Liang didn't really want to answer, but thinking that the other party could investigate later anyway, there was no point in lying, so she had to bite the bullet and report her origin.

"Fangting City? I seem to have heard this name, and it should have been quite recently..."

Yueji tilted her head to think for a moment, but soon, as if realizing something, her eyes widened slightly.

Xia Liang also realized that the other party had realized something, so she widened her eyes along with her.

For a time, neither of them spoke again.

After a long while, Yueji finally spoke first: "I see, that makes sense."

"I'm sorry for causing you trouble." Xia Liang immediately adopted the posture of a junior.

"Give my regards to Lord Cornflower when you go back."

Yueji's tone was no longer as casual as before, but said with a relatively formal attitude: "However, I am still very curious about your magic equipment, so if possible, please convey my request."

"Ah... okay." Xia Liang nodded obediently.

"Hmm, that's it then. You should leave first; if you delay any longer, I'm afraid people from the viewing platform will come over."

After knowing that Xia Liang was actually a member of Cui Que's team, Yueji was clearly no longer in that official, business-like mode, but instead urged her somewhat seriously: "Walk faster, don't stay in the lounge."

With this attitude, the intention she wanted to express was obvious enough.

Xia Liang and the others were not so oblivious; after hearing Yueji's words, they quickly left. Not long after their figures disappeared from Yueji's sight, a series of footsteps sounded behind Yueji.

And without even needing to turn around, Yueji knew who the visitor was.

She walked a few steps to the side, turned around suddenly, blocked the path of these people, and then asked loudly:

——"My colleagues from the Ministry of Finance, what brings you to me?"