Chapter 361: Reflection after the Exam
By the time Team 277 walked out of the maze, hundreds of candidates had already passed through the exit.
Obviously, Cuiqiao and his companions did not find the exit particularly quickly.
Although Tu Dinggui had already used her real ability, their location was really too bad - after going deep into several nodes, they were quite far away from the real exit, so even if they hurried, it still took them nearly an hour to reach the exit.
Delphinium didn't think much of this result. After all, compared to the tens of thousands of test-takers, being among the first few hundred to find the maze exit was already quite impressive. Taking into account the bonus points Team 277 earned within the maze, their final total placed them third, a truly impressive feat. Even considering Delphinium's own desire to remain as low-key as possible, this result was far too good.
However, Tudinggui did not seem to be very satisfied with the result.
Although she did not show much emotion on the surface, the slight urgency she showed when she was finally exploring the exit, and the disappointment she showed after she finally learned that her rank in the exit was outside the top 100, were all caught by Delphinium.
"It's just the first round of the actual combat assessment. This can be considered a good start, right?"
Taking advantage of Tudinggui's break, Cuiqiao pretended to be casual and said, "As long as we perform consistently and get good rankings in the next few tests, it's not impossible for us to get first place, right?"
"Hmm? Ah."
After realizing that Delphinium was talking to him, Tudinggui took a few seconds to react before softly responding, "Sorry, did I show my disappointment too obviously?"
Delphinium hadn't expected her statement to be so direct.
"...Not really. At least the foxtail grass shouldn't have noticed it."
After thinking about it, she decided not to hide it any further. "I don't really sense that you're feeling any 'disappointed'. It's just that based on logical reasoning, I think you might not be that satisfied with this result."
"Well, I'm a little dissatisfied."
Perhaps because she had consumed a lot of magic power in the maze, Tudinggui had already released her transformed state. She took off her coat and hugged it in her arms, saying bluntly, "I would rather be the first one."
“That’s obvious.”
Delphinium nodded: "And what you want, Senior, is probably not the first place in a certain assessment, but the first place in this assessment, right?"
"...Of course." Tudinggui hesitated for a moment and said, "In other words, I must be number one."
This statement sounds like the kind of speech that might be said by a top student in a class at school, who might cry because he didn't get a perfect score on the exam.
"Then you are really strict with yourself."
Delphinium was slightly stunned. "But there are so many people taking this exam, and there must be many talented candidates. Thinking of 'just getting first place' will make you very tired."
"I know."
Tu Dinggui hugged his coat and nodded, "That's why I think if I could do better in the first exam, my chances of getting first place overall would be greater."
"Ha." Delphinium could only sigh in response to this kind of self-demand and logic that seemed like self-abuse.
"Sorry." Hearing Delphinium's sigh, Tudinggui apologized softly.
"Why are you apologizing all of a sudden?"
"These are the requirements I set for myself, but because we are a small team now, they will more or less affect you in the next few projects." Tu Dinggui said seriously.
"In that case, I should apologize to you, Senior, right?"
Delphinium looked puzzled. "After all, I've already said it all upfront. I'm not some powerful magical girl. Being my teammate won't help you in your goal of 'competing for first place.'"
"But if you weren't in the same team with me, a normal candidate would only need to get a 'passing' grade."
Tudinggui clearly believed in his own logic. "And in order to achieve my own goals, I might even semi-force you to move forward with me in the next project."
How was this child taught?
Rarely, Delphinium began to feel that Osmanthus fragrans was also a troublesome child.
She had no doubt that if it were her own daughter, and she dragged the entire team to the first place in the maze exploration points, and also got third place in the overall points of the assessment, she would definitely be very proud and think "you all should thank me and praise me."
It is better to say that most people should have a similar mentality at this time.
It was Tu Dinggui who obviously did the most work and made the most contributions in the team, but now he turned around and apologized to his teammates, thinking that he didn't get first place because he didn't do well enough?
"I want to get good grades, Tudinggui-senpai."
Controlling her facial expression, Delphinium said as calmly as possible, "And from what I know, Senior Dogtail Grass probably thinks the same thing. So you don't have to think that wanting to take first place is just wishful thinking on your part. If possible, we all hope for that."
Of course, this is a lie.
Cuiqiao herself actually doesn't want to be the first at all. It's better to say that she is actually the person that Tudinggui mentioned before, "just wants to get an ordinary passing grade."
What she said now was completely based on the assumption that there really was a magical girl named Longdan, and she would only say it if she imagined how a newcomer would feel when participating in the assessment.
It would be strange if a new magical girl who was taking the test for the first time didn't want to get a good score.
"However, even if we wanted to get a high score, if you hadn't been assigned to our team, Senior Cocklegrass and I wouldn't have been able to achieve such good results. So, now you are actually the hero of our team."
Delphinium tried hard to take on the role of "Gentian" and said to Tudinggui in a very serious tone: "In my opinion, you have done very well and it is very remarkable. Senior Tudinggui, I am very grateful to you."
"...Thank you for saying that."
The encouragement from his "younger generation" probably did make Tudinggui feel a little happier, and a hint of joy appeared on his calm expression. "Yes, I should actually thank you, Longdan. I don't know why, but I feel that you've said a lot of valuable things to me today, including right now. I've learned a lot."
"These are just bits and pieces of knowledge I picked up from others. If they are useful to you, Senior, that would be great."
Delphinium was equally humble: "I hope you can cheer up, Senior. After all, our team's ranking in the next few assessments depends entirely on us."
For a moment, the atmosphere between the two became quite harmonious. If the teachers in the Silver Corridor saw this polite and courteous conversation, it would probably be listed as a typical example of "Magical Girls Team Working Etiquette".
"Yes, I will."
Tu Dinggui smiled slightly: "Why not, please leave it to me."
"That's really reassuring." Delphinium also gave a polite smile.
"But, Gentian."
"What's wrong, Senior?"
"Well, although this may be a somewhat abrupt request, or it can be said to be my own personal preference, but..."
Somehow, Tudinggui suddenly became a little embarrassed, and then he said hesitantly:
"If possible, could you please stop calling me 'senpai' and call me 'sister' instead?"
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
