Chapter 380 Reports and Instructions
After finishing her "test", Lark took her report card and returned to her assessment team, which consisted of Tu Dinggui and Foxtail Grass.
Unsurprisingly, the first thing the three did upon meeting was to check each other's scores. As expected, Tu Dinggui's magical outfit received an S-rank rating, which was entirely worthy of everyone's impression of her.
However, Cui Que remembered that in the previous assessment, Tu Dinggui's magical equipment was only a flag spear, which should fall under the category of "single magical equipment." If it was only based on the level he displayed at that time, then he shouldn't have received a very high evaluation. Therefore, it can only be explained that the child had held back his strength at that time, which is enough to show that his strength is indeed extraordinary among his peers.
Then came Foxtail Grass, who unexpectedly received an "A-".
The reason it was considered unexpected wasn't because the other candidate was weak in Lark's impression. Rather, it was because the candidate didn't really showcase their magical abilities much during the maze assessment. Even though Dogtail Grass repeatedly emphasized that she was actually "very strong" and did demonstrate decent combat skills, her performance seemed significantly weaker than the other A-rated candidates…
In hindsight, the only explanation is that the performance of *Eriocaulon buergerianum* was so outstanding that *Gnaphalium affine* didn't have much room to shine.
Finally, the lark, or rather the candidate "Gentian," received a "C."
This is a grade that is average or even below average compared to the overall number of test takers, but still mediocre enough. It's fair to say that nearly 40% of the test takers present received a grade of C or below.
Neither Tu Dinggui nor Gouweicao showed any contempt or disdain for this achievement. On the contrary, they comforted Cuique, saying things like, "You're still young, it's normal that your magic armor development is slower than ours." Tu Dinggui even took the opportunity to try and pluck Cuique's head, forcing Cuique to hide behind Gouweicao.
This so-called "C" grade was not Delphinium's actual grade, but rather one she and Emerald had fabricated together. If she wanted, she could have easily fabricated an A grade, or even an S grade, but that would have contradicted the goals of their operation.
After all, anyone with a rating of B or higher has a chance of being selected and sent to the Royal Court, and Cui Que certainly doesn't want her fake file to be scrutinized under a magnifying glass.
As for why she ultimately chose "C" instead of "C+", it was because she wanted her score to have as little impact as possible on the ranking of other candidates. A score of "C+" is already considered truly mid-range. Candidates in this range are in a state of either passing or failing. Moving up one place increases the chances of passing the qualification certification, and Cuique didn't want someone to fail because she took up a spot.
On the contrary, for those in the C-level range, if they don't have any particularly outstanding results in other events, they basically have no hope of breaking through. If they do have any outstanding performance, they will definitely earn a lot of points in other events, and they won't need to make a difference of one or two places. Therefore, Cuique can rest assured to place her score in this position.
As for grades C- and even D, very poor grades would become too noticeable, so they are not considered.
Of course, according to Cuique, the "Weaving Fate" magical armor should be rated as an S-rank magical armor. Although she had skipped the white-card assessment before, so she had never actually rated her magical armor, the shape of the knife and scissors undoubtedly met the definition of a "set", and its abilities were indeed very powerful, helping her defeat many enemies that she might have otherwise been unable to defeat.
However, now that only the Silk Thread remains of the three-piece Weaving Set, there is no point in worrying about the rating anymore. Even if Lark and Emerald really discussed it, they would probably only come to a conclusion like "It's good enough that it's still usable, what else can we expect?" So the two tacitly avoided the topic.
After checking each other's scores, the three of them moved together toward the plaza of the Silver Corridor. When they arrived, a considerable number of examinees had already gathered around, all waiting for the results to be announced.
The three of them each held their phones, chatting casually while dealing with their online communications. Before long, it was time to release the results.
The "SS" rating at the top of the list naturally caught the eye of the larkspur.
This was not something she and Emerald had agreed upon.
The larkspur realized this immediately.
And if we're talking about someone in the magical realm who could bypass her and the emerald to change the final result, the answer would likely point to only one thing:
Zizuan should have already reported her "discovery".
...
...
"I apologize for keeping you waiting, Lord Diamond. We have already informed His Majesty of your wishes."
Inside the palace of Rune Nore, outside the gates leading to the Rose Palace, a fairy from the royal court bowed to the Purple Diamond: "I am sorry that Her Majesty does not wish to see anyone today, so I can only convey her wishes to you. Please forgive me."
"Okay, I understand."
Purple Diamond nodded expressionlessly: "So, what did His Majesty say?"
"Regarding the matter of the Demon Affairs Institute, her suggestion is to ask our secretary to give the institute more supervision so that it will not do anything that would dishonor the dignity of the royal court."
The fairy, who appeared to be a human youth, kept his head down, but his voice was steady and polite: "We will not simply go through the motions on this matter. We will definitely punish corrupt officials. Please rest assured."
"...Is it just about urging them on?" Purple Diamond's voice paused noticeably.
"Yes, but His Majesty also said that if you have any doubts about this handling, please give the Demon Affairs Institute some time. These issues will soon be properly resolved."
The fairy youth explained, "Therefore, from our secretary's personal perspective, we also hope that you will not be too angry about the matter of the Demon Affairs Institute."
His words were respectful and tactful, but the Purple Diamond, who had served the Queen for many years, understood the meaning behind them.
—Tell Diamond that he doesn't need to meddle in the affairs of the Magic Institute.
These are probably the Queen's original words; everything else was just embellished by the secretary in front of her, with the aim of making her gem scepter less embarrassing.
She looked at the fairy-like youth in front of her, remained silent for a long time, and then spoke again: "I understand. So, what about the assessment?"
"Regarding what you wish to report to Her Majesty—the emergence of candidates with an 'S+' rating in the assessment, and the research institute's attempt to conceal this file—Her Majesty is indeed very interested."
The fairy youth seemed to be carefully choosing his words: "She believes that if the research institute's current conclusions are indeed true, then it is indeed of great importance. It is perfectly reasonable for Lord Emerald to want to conduct more detailed research in order to obtain more accurate results, and it is not something to be blamed for."
"You really believe her explanation, thinking she's just worried the report might be wrong and wants to get a definitive conclusion before submitting it?" Purple Diamond frowned.
"Lady Emerald has served His Majesty for a thousand years, and her loyalty to His Majesty has always been evident." The fairy's tone remained unchanged.
“…Okay.” Zizuan didn’t say anything more.
She didn't doubt the truthfulness of the secretary's words, for when it came to loyalty, the fairies of the royal court were far more pure than these jeweled scepters. Even the jeweled scepters had to fight for power and responsibility for themselves and their subordinates, while the fairies had no selfish motives. They had no possibility, no motive, and no courage to lie about the Queen's decrees.
That is why she has realized that her so-called "discovery" today probably means nothing to the Queen.
"However, because you have noticed this so-called S+ file and are willing to share His Majesty's burdens, His Majesty appreciates your intentions and has decided to give you a new task and authority."
Before Zizuan's thoughts could wander too much, the fairy's words drew her attention back.
She never expected that the Queen would give her instructions.
“'Since you are so interested in that child, then you can go and verify it for me. It is both a test and a guide. As the current Jewel Scepter, use your eyes to confirm and see what the potential to become a Jewel Scepter really looks like.'”
Although it was clearly the voice of a fairy, Purple Diamond could hear in it an absolute authority that belonged only to a queen.
—“And, since it has the potential to become a jeweled scepter, then let’s not use the previous rating. Let’s give that child a separate rating, so as not to tarnish the name of the jeweled scepter.”
There is no doubt that what the other party is relaying now is the Queen's original words.
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
