Transform into a magical girl after getting off work-Chapter 654 - 212: Doubts

No one had anticipated that the assessment would come to a close in such a manner.

The candidates in the labyrinth more or less considered that when the final node was conquered and the exit opened, it might turn into a grand racing contest for ranking; or many teams might go all-in, resorting to force to seize scores... Many were initially quite tense considering such scenarios.

Therefore, when the examiner's announcement rang out, informing them that the "first place has been decided," many did not react immediately.

Once they did react, after feelings of surprise and doubt came urgency.

Perhaps there were some earnest candidates who contemplated whether this "first place" was legitimate at such a moment, but more people had no leisure to consider such things. Because the opening of the exit meant the final competition had already begun.

Those most disadvantaged would likely be the teams still conquering nodes, who thought they had controlled the timing of the exit appearance. Hence, they opted for a more conservative combat style, aiming to slowly deplete the Remnant Beast while minimizing personnel injuries—after all, not all candidate teams could effortlessly handle the Pupa Stage. However, their war of attrition was interrupted halfway by the sudden announcement.

——How did the exit open? Who did it?

This was their immediate thought.

——Can we still go slow like this? Do we have to go all out?

With these similar thoughts, the team members unwittingly looked towards their captains, who exchanged glances, confirming the next course of action with just eye contact.

"Damn it… No more delaying, let's do it! Charge!"

With anger and resentment toward the sudden appearance of the "first place" in mind, several captains shouted as they lunged at the Remnant Beast.

This was merely one of the occurrences within the maze.

Similar scenarios were playing out in nearly every corner, with some candidates still solving puzzles, some were attacking stealthily, and some still wandering lost... Regardless of what they were doing, accompanied by similar thoughts and a difficult choice.

Of course, some teams remained in their rhythm, reacting rather blandly to the "exit opened" incident.

Like Team 629.

It wasn't that Lin Xiaolu didn't care about ranking, but the current Team 629 indeed had no assets to compete for exit ranking—they were still within the node area.

Additionally, having solved multiple puzzles and earned part of the node rewards, Team 629 could secure a relatively upfront ranking. Now, Lin Xiaolu was focusing on a more urgent matter:

"You two, what's going on exactly?"

She needed to find out what in the world was driving her two teammates mad.

If Mint had a feud and was thus incompatible with the opponent, that was fair enough. But what about Bai Jingxuan? Although many of the opponent's remarks indeed provoked a punching urge, there's no sane reason for Bai Jingxuan to become this irrational, right?

"I have nothing to say, especially in this labyrinth, I can't disclose any more." Mint closed her eyes and folded her arms, like a suspect in an interrogation room, adamantly refusing to speak before the lawyer arrives.

She was silent, yet Bai Jingxuan seemingly had much to say; upon Lin Xiaolu's question, she straightened up in a flash, ready to explain something.

"That person…"

But just as she uttered a few words, Mint suddenly coughed, with an intention of reminding her, "Don't forget about the current setting."

The setting she referred to was probably the magical girl seniors observing outside the labyrinth; even if the viewing might not be focused on them, no one could assure that their actions weren't being watched.

Bai Jingxuan quickly understood the implication, mumbled briefly, then ceased speaking. She swiftly moved beside Lin Xiaolu, whispering a few words to her.

"That person gives me a feeling akin to a Remnant Beast."

That was Bai Jingxuan's first sentence, and then she subtly gestured towards Mint's direction, adding, "This person as well."

Though just two sentences, to Lin Xiaolu they packed a sizable amount of information.

A human giving off a feeling akin to a Remnant Beast?

If those somewhat naïve magical girls were to hear, they might instantly dismiss it as "impossible," merely an "illusion." However, for Lin Xiaolu, this wasn't anything new.

Whether it was the Black Ash Dawn she encountered before, or the magical girls of Claw Mark, each utilized Residual Beast Magic to varying degrees, which inevitably carried the scent of a Remnant Beast.

"Claw Mark?" she also lowered her voice, asking in a whisper.

Magical girls utilizing Residual Beast Magic were essentially equivalent to Claw Mark, Bai Jingxuan's words practically signified identifying a connection between Arrowroot and Claw Mark.

"…I'm not certain, but the feeling seems different."

Bai Jingxuan was leaning on Lin Xiaolu's shoulder, hence Lin Xiaolu couldn't see her expression, just sensing a certain restrained emotion in her tone, "In my perception, they seem more detestable than Claw Marks, more… like Remnant Beasts."

It was the first time Lin Xiaolu heard such a saying.

Yet, she didn't doubt Bai Jingxuan's judgment; she didn't interpret it as an illusion or misjudgment but subconsciously chose to trust.

Bai Jingxuan's prior actions were indeed evidence supporting her claim.

To make her express animosity irrationally like that, showing a willingness to attack regardless of consequences… In the past, it was only Remnant Beasts. Her disregard for consequences state when facing Arrowroot was exactly identical to encountering Remnant Beasts during patrol.

Of course, Lin Xiaolu hadn't thought things through that clearly; she just felt Bai Jingxuan's statement and behavior aligned, neither making her feel unreasonable, thus to her, there was no reason not to believe.

If this was the case, then both Arrowroot and Mint's actual identities were indeed up for debate.

Magical girls carrying the scent of Remnant Beasts, yet not Claw Marks? If such a thing were true, could it be that they…

Lin Xiaolu couldn't help but direct her gaze back towards Bai Jingxuan.

Honestly, regarding Bai Jingxuan's background, Lin Xiaolu hadn't figured it out clearly till now, as she had been deeply influenced by magical girl animations in the past, always perceiving "companion burdened with dark power" as quite ordinary. Now, with her knowledge expanding, she gradually realized Residual Beast Magic likely wasn't a concept to be understood as such. More accurately, possessing Residual Beast Magic was far more severe than the "dark power" depicted in animations.

On daily fronts, she and Bai Jingxuan were in constant company, so it was tough to associate her teammate with anything entirely negative. But to discuss history, inevitably touching upon Bai Jingxuan's sorrowful past of losing her parents—neither Emerald Sparrow nor Bai Jingxuan herself ever extensively explained this to her, naturally preventing in-depth understanding of what Bai Jingxuan bears.

Mint, Arrowroot, and Bai Jingxuan, these three people—could there be some unknown connection lurking that she was yet to grasp?

Lin Xiaolu's suspicious gaze swept to and fro between the two, possibly provoking a helpless response in Mint, who finally spoke. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

"Once we're out, pick a restaurant let's dine, ask anything you wish then."

She waved her hand, then stood, "Of course, there's a condition, you're treating."