[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-off-the-clock-then-a-magical-girl":3,"chapter-off-the-clock-then-a-magical-girl-off-the-clock-then-a-magical-girl-chapter-361":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Off the Clock, Then a Magical Girl",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2350281,4594,"Chapter 361: Reflection","off-the-clock-then-a-magical-girl-chapter-361",361,"\u003Cp>\"You ask me what is going on? That sounds truly strange, youngster. I am far more confused than you are right now. Why would people from your Finance Department have the authority to view the archives of the Magic Affairs Department?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hm? What do you mean by 'asking what I already know'? Use your brain and think for a moment. You operated in violation of regulations; why would I know how you violated them?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, I cannot tell you more, or rather, you do not have the right to question me. This S+ rated file and the subsequent research work are confidential projects of our Research Institute. Once we have obtained reliable and solid results, we will naturally report them to Your Majesty. You need not trouble yourself with this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fine, you can go report to Your Majesty right now, but I need to correct your statement: I do not need to hide anything. Furthermore, I must emphasize to you that the report you are seeing now is an internal version from our Research Institute, and all its contents are tentative. Regarding this candidate's magic equipment ability, we have not actually conducted more refined testing and trials, so the results at this stage are not reliable enough. If you cite the data and content of this internal report and it is later proven by us to contain errors, please understand the order of priority and do not say it is our problem.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mm... I think that is fine. I wish you success.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the exam hall of the Silver Corridor, Emerald's voice came intermittently from the doll, clearly having just finished a conversation with someone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And when this conversation ended, and she finally had the time to manipulate the doll to look toward the door, Sparrow asked, \"How was it? What did she say?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forty minutes had passed since she first stepped into this exam hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how many excuses she made, Lin Xiaolu had already lingered here as a candidate for too long. If this continued, it might even hinder the progress of other candidates, so Sparrow had no choice but to swallow her pride and contact Cymbidium, using the Magic Affairs Department's procedures to temporarily arrange for the candidates scheduled after her to go to other exam halls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Admittedly, she could have pretended to know nothing and left, letting Emerald find a way to negotiate with Purple Diamond. But the matter concerned Lin Xiaolu; if she could not know the result immediately, she would truly be uneasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She said our Research Institute has no right to keep such a major discovery private. Even if we want to research it, we must first notify Your Majesty, and then conduct the research according to Your Majesty's wishes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Sparrow's question, the fairy doll spread its claws: \"Logically speaking, what she said is actually correct.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"'Logically speaking, it's correct'?\" Sparrow raised an eyebrow. \"Then where is the actual problem?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There are two points.\" The fairy doll raised its round claws and extended two short, small toes: \"First, regardless of her motives, the Gem Scepters should theoretically not be competing for credit against each other. If every Gem Scepter tried to snatch the most eye-catching work just to please Your Majesty, it would undoubtedly be a devastating blow to work efficiency. Your Majesty and the secretaries of the Royal Court do not wish to see such a situation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And the second point?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Second, the most important duty of our existence as Gem Scepters is to share the burden for Your Majesty, so that Your Majesty does not need to toil over too many trivial matters.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Emerald took a sip of tea and then said slowly: \"Taking matters that haven't even begun to Your Majesty for a decision is a waste of everyone's time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sparrow nodded expressionlessly: \"That is why you appear so unconcerned.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This isn't called being unconcerned; it's just having a plan in mind,\" Emerald corrected her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Whatever. Since you have made your plans, there is no need for me to interfere.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sparrow stood leaning against the wall, her arms crossed: \"Then, what about my child's situation? Is there any way to stop Purple Diamond, or rather, change her mind?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...What did you say?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I said no.\" The fairy doll sat there calmly: \"Since she wants to take this matter up, none of us can stop her.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So we're just going to ignore her?\" Sparrow was somewhat incredulous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ignore her.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just let the Queen see that child's file?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She will know that child is related to me.\" Sparrow looked serious: \"Even if she can't immediately determine that she is my child, she will know she is my junior.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am sorry, but it seems we are powerless for now.\" Emerald shook her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sparrow fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She did not speak, but anyone could feel the unrest in her heart from the aura surrounding her. After remaining silent for a long time, she let out a long sigh:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How long do you think it will take from the moment this report is delivered to the Queen until she actually issues an order for it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Emerald paused, perhaps not expecting her to ask such a question, so she answered after a while: \"We have no authority to speculate on Your Majesty's course of action, but based on past experience... since it is Purple Diamond raising it herself, it will be within two days.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In other words, by the time the next assessment begins, the entire Royal Court will know that this year's assessment has produced a candidate with an 'S+' magic equipment rating,\" Sparrow analyzed with drooping eyelids.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pretty much. However, I can pull some strings on the Examination Board's side to hide this S+ a little when the results are announced,\" Emerald said in a muffled voice: \"Do you still need that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There is no point in doing that. If we can't hide it from the Royal Court, it's just deceiving ourselves,\" Sparrow glanced at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At least it can keep the Black Ember Dawn and the Claw Mark people from paying too much attention to your child,\" Emerald said noncommittally: \"If they really find out there is an S+ rated candidate in this assessment, do you think they might do something during the assessment?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sparrow immediately fell into hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She now had a strange feeling that her conspiracy with Emerald and the others was destined to be a leaky jar; because there were too many participants, as time went on, more and more flaws were bound to be exposed. And what she needed to do did not seem to be patching this leaky jar, but racing against it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Whether to complete the plan before the conspiracy was completely exposed, \"atone for one's crimes with merit,\" and appear before the Queen in a legitimate manner; or to have the matter exposed before everything was done, leaving her entire group in an unfavorable position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as she successfully obtained the position of the Sapphire Scepter, then Lin Xiaolu's problem would be nothing more than an additional bargaining chip; but if the matter failed, Lin Xiaolu's file would be another shackle on her, the \"exile.\" All of this was, in fact, just a matter of time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After pondering much in her heart, Sparrow gradually found an answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She lifted the handbag she was carrying, rummaged through it for her phone, opened her contacts, and dialed a number.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Lin Xiaolu's number.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After waiting quietly for a moment, the call was answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[...Ah, hello? Sparrow? What's the matter?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mm, it's me,\" Sparrow replied calmly, as if it were just casual small talk: \"How was the exam? No accidents, right? Are there results yet?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Oh, that? Don't worry, everything went very smoothly, and the things I was worried about didn't happen. Also, Xiaoxuan's results are already out; it's a B-.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh? A B-?\" Sparrow feigned a tone of having just learned this: \"That is indeed... very great, as excellent as I expected.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Right? I heard from other candidates that the upper limit for a single piece of magic equipment is usually C-grade, so in a way, Xiaoxuan has broken the record.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mm, we should celebrate for her when we get back,\" Sparrow said softly: \"Then, how about you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Ah, me? I haven't been out of the exam for long...]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So you haven't received your results yet?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Well... uh, hehe, never mind, I wanted to give you a surprise, but I just can't help it. My rating is especially high, Sparrow, guess what it is?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Especially high? Higher than Xiaoxuan's?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Although it's a bit unfair to say it like that to her, it is indeed much higher.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Much higher? A-grade?\" Sparrow feigned disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[No, even higher.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A+?\" Sparrow sounded puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[You can guess more boldly, it's more than a little higher.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"S?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Haha, I can't even believe it myself, they actually rated my magic equipment as S+!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"S+? What is that? Did you see it wrong?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[How could I? It's not like it was a handwritten result; the screen clearly displayed a plus sign.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then I really haven't heard of that,\" Sparrow said in a tone that was still filled with surprise: \"Did they just tell you this rating? No other notifications?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Hm? Other notifications? No. I guess I have to wait until the results are announced? I asked around for a long time and it seems there are no other S+ ratings. Could it be that I have the highest score?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I think that's possible.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[I'm still hiding it from others for now, I haven't told anyone about my results, hehe, I'll give them a scare when the results are announced.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You haven't told anyone yet?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[No, I've only told you, Sparrow.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mm...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Is something wrong?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm thinking, I've never heard of an S+ rating before. Although it is indeed very excellent and gave me a shock, to be honest, it also makes one a bit worried.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Worried? Why?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You know, there might be some situations during this exam. If those bad people find out about your rating, they might list you as a special target... it might be a bit dangerous.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Ah, that's right, it really seems so. Then what should I do?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Would you like to find another examiner now, or should I ask my colleagues here to confirm what this S+ rating is all about? If it really is as special as we think, should we... just change it to an S, or an A+, to avoid the limelight?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sparrow spoke with a hint of caution, appearing calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Eh—change the grade to something worse? That's a bit... mm, but if you really want me to do that, Sparrow, I suppose it's not impossible.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, I'm not forcing you, I just wanted to know what you think. After all, I've thought a lot; if I deprive you of the honor you deserve just for my own worries, wouldn't that be a bit too selfish?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sparrow closed her eyes, focusing all her attention on the voice at the other end of the line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This sentence, although still part of the cover-up, was not a lie regarding the feelings expressed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blocking Lin Xiaolu's results was her own idea, and now that things had failed, she had indeed thought a lot about the future, but she also had more thoughts about her own and her daughter's position in this matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps it was precisely because she held this wishful, and even somewhat arrogant, \"concern\" that things had turned out so poorly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sparrow thought with a touch of self-mockery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[It's not like that, after all, I can understand you saying that, you're just worried about me... However, if I really have to decide, I would still prefer to have this result announced.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To have this result... announced?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Mm, yes, it's a bit of a face-saver, and...] Lin Xiaolu's voice suddenly paused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And?\" Sparrow asked with some confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[And, Sparrow, you told me that I would definitely become a very powerful magical girl, right? I don't want to abandon the honor and expectations I should have just because I'm afraid of enemies or afraid of fighting. I think that if I want to become a powerful magical girl, I should fight on while carrying everyone's expectations... right?] Lin Xiaolu explained somewhat bashfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Sparrow could understand what she meant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Not wanting to hide under someone else's protection, wanting to be the one who protects others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Ah, why is there no sound? Hello? Hello? Can you hear me? Is it because what I said was too cheesy?] Seeing that Sparrow had not replied for a long time, Lin Xiaolu asked somewhat awkwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...No, it's nothing, I was just thinking about some things.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sparrow shook her head: \"Bai Mei.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[I'm listening, what's up?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Compared to getting an S+ rating, what you just said makes me even prouder of you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",2145,"2026-06-21T02:45:53.136Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","0740bb449ec74dbf106e8d52077404c5571dcd9a47e2b794bfd582cc6edb6280","off-the-clock-then-a-magical-girl-chapter-362","off-the-clock-then-a-magical-girl-chapter-360",364,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Foff-the-clock-then-a-magical-girl-cover.jpg"]