Chapter 343: First Place

The fact that Team 582 secured first place in the maze assessment shocked all the examinees; among them, the magical girl "Senior Xiaojin," specifically mentioned by the chief examiner, drew even more attention, with every examinee asking: Who is Senior Xiaojin?

Whether in the widely circulated "Thighs List" or within the daily social circles of the examinees, there was almost no record of anyone named "Senior Xiaojin." This extraordinary first place seemed to have sprung from a crack in a stone, leaving people puzzled.

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

Rather, from the latter half of the assessment, when "Senior Xiaojin" suddenly discovered a niche application of her magic armor and thought of using wall-phasing to skip class, she had already become a key focus for many of the spectators.

It was not that no one raised objections; the question "Isn't this cheating?" also reached the chief examiner's ears, and some even argued she should be marked as failed. However, this argument ultimately was not executed.

From the perspective of the examiners at the Examination Bureau, Senior Xiaojin's actions undoubtedly fell within a gray area. Because her conduct caused no substantial damage to the maze and violated no written regulations. But if one truly wished to pursue the matter, it could also be halted using the vague reason of "disrupting exam discipline."

This situation where each side has a point, reaching a consensus in such a short time, was not only because the chief examiner and several colleagues studied the assessment rules together, concluding that the examinee's behavior "was a loophole in the rules, and the responsibility lay with the Examination Bureau." It was also because Senior Xiaojin's actions had triggered some variables.

A spectator seated high on the viewing platform heard laughter coming from that heavily guarded area.

Although it was very brief, a sound so short one might suspect they misheard it, the guards truly flanking the sides could not be mistaken.

It was not the laughter of any of the three Gem Scepters, nor the voice of any of their guards; without a doubt, this laughter could only come from that noble person.

The Queen laughed because of this. Moreover, since she had no intention of halting it, the matter was permissible.

Although it sounded somewhat absurd, this was the main reason everyone fell silent and stopped arguing: what the Queen supported, no one should oppose; all magical girls of the magical nations knew this.

Without a doubt, this examinee's method of skipping class would inevitably become a key point for discussion and reflection by the Examination Bureau afterward, and might even influence the formulation of rules for future practical assessments, but for now, her actions would not be punished.

Thus, the birth of this controversial "first place" came to be.

Of course, there was also something that even Senior Xiaojin herself

did not know, something witnessed by all the spectators: that in fact, if Senior Xiaojin had not obtained that map midway, she might not truly have been first place.

Because the direction she initially chose was wrong.

Her original position was in the upper southwest of the entire maze, and after discovering her magic armor could phase through walls, she chose to head northward.

Given her mana power and movement speed, if she had not obtained a map midway and thus changed direction to break through from the west, she would likely still be making futile efforts heading north at this moment.

But all that was no longer important; the only thing that mattered was that this examinee, standing on the boundary line of "cheating," ultimately became first place in the first practical assessment.

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

When she, holding the map and leading two teammates, rushed out of the maze with a desperate posture, what greeted her was applause from the viewing platform, along with congratulations from the examiners by the walls.

"Team 582, congratulations. Because you are the first team to exit the maze, and due to your unexpected actions, you have received additional spectator evaluation points. Therefore, you have become the team with the highest comprehensive points after this assessment."

Yueji, as the chief examiner, was also among them, acknowledging Xia Liang and the others' results with a very clear declaration: "You may now leave the exam venue directly to rest and prepare for the next exam. Or you may proceed to the viewing seats to observe the situation of other examinees. However, I must remind you that if you choose to go to the viewing seats, there will likely be quite a few 'enthusiastic' spectators wanting to ask you some questions."

She gestured toward the audience seats nearby, simultaneously stressing the word "enthusiastic," making Xia Liang realize that seemed not to be a purely complimentary term.

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

Due to excessive mana consumption, Xia Liang unconsciously panted, her mind nearly at its limit, making her brain struggle to process things. However, she still made a great effort to understand Yueji's meaning, then forced a smile onto her face: "I think I am already very tired now, and indeed only want to return to the inn to rest a bit."

"Understandable."

Yueji nodded: "Then walk to the left; that side is the rest room. Walk out through the back door of the rest room, and you can leave here."

"Okay... I understand."

Xia Liang nodded with difficulty, but when she took a step, she stumbled, nearly falling to the ground. Fortunately, the Lilac nearby was quick-eyed and quick-handed, immediately supporting her and lifting her body up.

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

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

bowed slightly to Yueji: "Thank you for your advice, Chief Examiner."

"No need for such ceremony."

Yueji shook her head: "I was simply following the rules; it hardly counts as advice. However, if you are willing, before you leave, could you answer one question for me?"

Upon hearing this, Lilac hesitated for a moment, did not speak in response, but looked toward Xia Liang, clearly feeling it was better for Xia Liang to make the decision.

"... Please ask." Xia Liang straightened her body again, trying her best to look less wretched.

"I am the designer of the maze for this assessment; I am also responsible for the overall coordination of the entire maze's spell system, so I know exactly what the spells on the walls are. According to logic, such a precise spell structure should cease operation rapidly once interrupted, and could even trigger a large-scale collapse accident."

Yueji stared into Xia Liang's eyes, her tone flat yet carrying an unmasked intent of inquiry: "However, your magic armor completely defied the most basic operating principles of the spells, thus exploiting this loophole. Why is that?"

"I apologize, I am not entirely clear either."

Xia Liang thought for a moment, then spoke honestly: "Because regarding my own magic armor, I do not understand it that well yet."

"Is that so? Indeed, at your age, wanting to fully decipher one's own magic armor is indeed too difficult."

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

"This... thank you for your appreciation, but perhaps I need to return and ask our team leader." Xia Liang answered cautiously.

"Hmm, that is proper; rather, I should also notify your team."

Yueji agreed readily: "Which team of magical girls do you belong to? Oh, I do not mean your current assessment team, but your original team affiliation."

"Uh, Fang Ting City?" Xia Liang actually did not want to answer, but considering the other party could investigate afterward anyway, lying would be meaningless, so she gritted her teeth and reported her origin.

"Fang Ting City? I seem to have heard that name, and it should be quite recent..."

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

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

For a moment, neither of them spoke again.

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

"I am sorry for causing you trouble." Xia Liang immediately adopted a very deferential junior's posture.

"Please convey my greetings to Lady Cornflower when you return."

Yueji's tone was no longer as casual as before; she spoke with a relatively formal attitude: "However, regarding your magic armor, I remain very curious, so if possible, please convey my request to her."

"Ah... okay." Xia Liang nodded properly.

"Hmm, that is all. You leave first; if you delay any longer, people from the viewing platform will likely come."

Now that she knew Xia Liang was actually a member of Senior Cuique's team, Yueji obviously no longer maintained that official demeanor; instead, she urged somewhat seriously: "Walk faster; do not linger in the rest room."

This attitude made the intended message sufficiently clear.

Xia Liang and the others were not so tactless; upon hearing Yueji's words, they quickly departed from this place. Not long after their figures vanished from Yueji's sight, a series of footsteps sounded behind her.

Without even turning around, Yueji knew who had come.

She stepped aside a few paces, suddenly turned back, and blocked the path of these people's advance, then asked loudly:

— "Fellow colleagues from the Treasury, what brings you to me?"