On the way out of the service hall and toward the examination hall.
Qinghai Starlight walked ahead, chatting casually with Fei Xia about the layout of the General Bureau.
But Fei Xia’s attention was clearly elsewhere. She only responded with half-hearted “mm” and “ah” sounds.
Gradually the atmosphere around them changed.
The modern office structures disappeared, replaced by grand scenes straight out of a fantasy blockbuster.
Underfoot lay mirror-polished jade flooring. Overhead hung crystal chandeliers that looked outrageously expensive.
The walls on both sides became colorful stained-glass windows glowing with flowing light.
Fei Xia glanced at the murals on the walls and could vaguely make out totems of giant dragons and the sun.
As for the rest of the artistic details she had no clue.
But she understood one thing: with corridors decorated like this the General Bureau was seriously loaded.
No wonder they could hand out a thirty-thousand signing bonus.
At the end of the corridor stood a luxurious heavy double door.
In front of it loomed a two-meter-tall medieval knight in full plate armor.
The knight gripped a massive sword with both hands, armor seamless, radiating an imposing aura even while standing still.
“This is the gatekeeper. It handles security checks and identity verification.”
Qinghai strode forward and stopped in front of the knight statue. She turned back and smiled at Fei Xia.
“Don’t be afraid. It’s just a formality. I’ll show you how it’s done.”
Buzz—
A faint blue light glowed from the slits in the knight’s helmet visor and scanned Qinghai Starlight from bottom to top.
“Identity confirmed. T District direct affiliate, Qinghai Starlight. Please enter.”
The statue emitted a muffled metallic voice and slowly stepped aside, opening the way.
After Qinghai passed through, the knight returned to its original position and fell silent once more.
“No need to be nervous. Just stand in front of it for a moment.”
Qinghai waved gently from the other side.
It was Fei Xia’s turn.
She took a deep breath and stood in front of the knight exactly as Qinghai had.
One second. Two seconds. Three seconds…
“…”
The expected clearance never came.
Fei Xia swallowed, palms growing slightly sweaty, wondering if she had done something wrong.
Qinghai Starlight also noticed something was off and was about to step over to check when—
The knight suddenly spoke.
“Identity… respected… encrypted. Please enter!”ki
The knight’s originally majestic voice came out stuttering and even carried a faint hint of… trembling?
Rumble.
The knight stiffly moved aside, clearing an even wider path than it had for Qinghai.
“…?”
Fei Xia eyed the knight suspiciously.
Under her gaze the surface of the iron statue’s helmet seemed to bead with fine droplets of moisture?
It was metal, yet it gave the distinct impression of breaking into a cold sweat.
Fei Xia shook her head, decided not to overthink it, and quickly passed through to Qinghai’s side.
Together they pushed open the ornate door.
Creak—
The moment the door swung open the previously noisy space fell silent for a full second.
All eyes turned toward the entrance like spotlights.
Of course the gazes weren’t aimed at Fei Xia but at Qinghai Starlight beside her.
As T District’s top idol and the dream of countless newcomers, Qinghai Starlight’s arrival was like a max-level player stepping into a beginner village.
Fei Xia stood behind her and swept her gaze across the room.
Dozens of magical girls of every style filled the hall.
Some wore gorgeous lolita dresses while others sported practical combat uniforms.
Unlike before the air thrummed with various chaotic magic power fluctuations—all of them real.
So there are this many fellow magical girls…
Fei Xia was a little surprised.
She had assumed this was a high-risk, scarce profession, but it looked like far more people were willing to risk their lives for official status and money than she had expected.
“Qinghai-senpai—!!”
An energetic voice shattered the quiet.
An orange figure bounced out from the crowd—it was Amber Flowing Light, who had stolen the spotlight at the sports festival earlier.
She first greeted Qinghai with open adoration, then turned to Fei Xia, eyes lighting up.
Amber Flowing Light puffed out her nonexistent chest, struck a senior’s pose, and patted Fei Xia’s shoulder with easy familiarity.
“Hello! I’m Amber Flowing Light, the super new star everyone at the General Bureau is talking about! Even though I’ve only been here a short while, I have tons of practical combat experience! If you have any questions just ask me!”
“…Hello, I’m Fei Xia.”
Fei Xia politely took half a step back, trying to create some distance.
“Wow~~ You’re way too cute! Your voice is so soft and mochi-like, like a little red bean dumpling!”
Amber Flowing Light ignored the delicate yet cold face completely and couldn’t resist the urge to pinch it.
“Um… Amber.”
Qinghai Starlight smiled helplessly.
“This child is a bit shy around strangers and it’s her first time taking the exam. Could I trouble you to look after her?”
“Leave it to me!”
Amber Flowing Light slapped her chest with loud smacks.
She glanced around, and taking advantage of the moment when Qinghai Starlight was surrounded by other fans she leaned in close to Fei Xia’s ear with a mysterious air.
From her bosom she pulled out a dog-eared notebook plastered with stickers.
“Since senpai asked, I’ll share some exclusive tips. I spent three whole days summarizing these with the seniors!”
She flipped open the notebook.
The pages were crammed with fluorescent-marker notes, wild handwriting, and pure chuunibyou energy.
“Look here! The first round is the written test.”
Amber Flowing Light put on a serious face and lowered her voice to pass on her sure-win method.
“For multiple-choice questions always pick the option with the most words, the most hot-blooded one, and the one that looks the most reckless!”
“…?”
Fei Xia was stunned.
“For example, if it asks what to do when you’re surrounded with mana depleted, you absolutely cannot choose retreat. That’s cowardice!”
Amber Flowing Light pointed at a bold red line, eyes burning with zeal.
“You have to choose burning your life force, turning into a star, and taking the enemy down with you! The examiners here eat up that kind of passionate stuff! This is experience I got from talking with tons of seniors!”
“…Thanks.”
Fei Xia replied perfunctorily.
“And for the practical test!”
Amber Flowing Light grew even more excited, demonstrating right there on the spot, eyes sparkling.
“It doesn’t matter how powerful the move actually is—the important thing is the special effects have to be flashy! Your voice has to be loud! You have to show the examiners your spirit!”
“For example, when launching missiles you can’t just throw them out dryly. You have to shout: Burn! Crimson Lotus Hellfire from the abyss! Got it? You absolutely have to shout it!”
Fei Xia silently looked away.
It was a miracle this girl was still alive.
She was starting to question the General Bureau’s admission standards.
Fei Xia’s cold reaction did nothing to dampen Amber Flowing Light’s enthusiasm.
She turned toward Qinghai Starlight with a face that clearly said “Praise me, praise me.”
Qinghai Starlight watched the scene, gave a soft laugh, and gently patted Amber’s head.
“Then I’ll leave her in your care, Amber.”
It had to be said that among a crowd of magical girls whose average height hovered around five feet and who chattered nonstop, the mature and steady Qinghai Starlight really did give off the reliable aura of a “parent.”
Ding-dong—
The broadcast suddenly sounded.
Qiong Ling’s lazy voice came through, the faint crunch of sunflower seeds audible in the background.
“Ah? Mic’s on? Oh… um…”
“Oh right, welcome everyone. The written test is about to begin. Please proceed to the first examination room.”
“Let’s go, let’s go! Little Fei Xia, sit next to me!”
Amber Flowing Light grabbed Fei Xia’s wrist with easy familiarity and dragged her inside.
Fei Xia sighed, feeling like a cat being forcibly taken for a walk, and reluctantly followed.
Qinghai Starlight remained where she was and did not follow them in.
She quietly watched the backs of the two girls—one-sidedly bickering and full of energy—seeing the vibrant, unclouded life force they radiated.
A trace of worry and… loneliness flickered in her eyes, almost too faint to notice.
Look at them—so full of vitality. They are the future.
Qinghai Starlight pressed her lips together.
Once she confirmed no one was paying attention she turned and left.
Her lone figure looked a little solitary against the splendor of the grand hall.
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