Off Work, Then I Become a Magical Girl

Book 2: Chapter 196: Breaking the Ice

Vol 2 Chapter 196: Breaking the IceAs the examination progressed, by the time the maze challenge had been ongoing for half a day, most examinees had encountered at least one puzzle.

Of course, judging by the distribution density of these puzzles, it was inevitable that not every team would have the opportunity to claim one exclusively. Many teams encountered other groups upon discovering puzzles.

While a handful of reckless individuals might choose to fight for possession, the vast majority of teams would weigh the pros and cons of conflict and opt to respect the first-come-first-served rule after careful consideration.

Some more unconventional teams even chose to merge.

Admittedly, according to the rules, puzzle rewards could only be awarded to one team. Even if two teams collaborated to solve the same puzzle, only one side could receive the reward. In other words, when two teams merged, the newly formed six-member team would only receive half the original reward per puzzle solved.

However, with this cooperative foundation, a six-person team would gain combat advantages surpassing ordinary three-member teams. Subsequently, this merged team could directly challenge other three-member teams for their puzzles. After seizing puzzles, they could redistribute the rewards among themselves. This "plundering" approach proved far more efficient than laboriously searching for undiscovered puzzles. Thus, even with halved rewards, the strategy remained worthwhile.

Moreover, as more teams solved at least one puzzle, they began discovering that these puzzles offered more than just points.

In fact, the puzzles scattered throughout the maze varied in difficulty. While simpler puzzles only awarded points, solving more challenging ones would unlock new passages for examinees.

These passages often allowed rapid traversal between distant areas, bypassing lengthy detours. However, only those present during the puzzle's solving could access them using their number tags. In other words, these weren't ordinary paths but veritable "secret passages."

While point rewards couldn't be shared, secret passages could be used collectively by all participants. This incentivized more teams to merge, as everyone understood - once the exit's general direction was determined, speed became crucial for better rankings.

Amidst these undercurrents, Team 277 with Veronica continued operating independently.

Despite being alone, thanks to Valerian's exceptional abilities and Dogtail Grass's competent analytical support, the trio had solved three puzzles within half a day.

Their first solved maze puzzle also contained a secret passage reward. Behind the luminous wall displaying the map lay the passage's entrance. After solving the puzzle, the mechanism within the wall activated, revealing the hidden path. This secret passage not only allowed Team 277 to bypass numerous winding routes, enabling more efficient exploration, but also helped them avoid other teams, eliminating unnecessary standoffs and allowing focused pathfinding.

When locating their second puzzle, they finally encountered another team. Veronica, who had been treated as a mascot until now, thought her moment had finally arrived. However, Valerian's reputation preceded her - few dared confront her directly. Thus, they secured the reward without expending any magical energy.

Team 277 progressed with remarkable smoothness. Despite Veronica's inactivity, the team encountered no obstacles. Only after solving their third puzzle did circumstances finally shift slightly.

This puzzle also contained a secret passage reward. As the luminous barrier dissipated, revealing the passage entrance, all three members simultaneously noticed - the scenery beyond had changed.

Having traversed the maze extensively, they'd grown accustomed to its uniform appearance - leafy green shrubbery corridors with virtually indistinguishable scenery everywhere.

Yet the passage behind this puzzle differed entirely - dark earthen walls with scarcely any greenery, only some withered branches protruding from the soil.

Though no signage existed, all three sensed an unmistakable "authorized personnel only" aura emanating from this entrance.

Nonetheless, none showed hesitation. Valerian entered without changing expression, while Dogtail Grass merely swallowed hard before proceeding. They knew potential dangers lurked within, but this also suggested the passage likely concealed greater secrets.

Advancing cautiously while scanning their surroundings for hidden threats, they formed a protective formation - Valerian leading, Dogtail Grass guarding the rear, with Veronica sandwiched between them like a protected VIP.

Veronica naturally couldn't complain about this protective arrangement, though she felt somewhat embarrassed by the treatment.

Moreover, despite their smooth progress and decent coordination, Team 277 remained eerily silent even after solving three puzzles. Unless encountering problems, neither Valerian nor Dogtail Grass initiated conversation, focusing solely on exploration. An outside observer might mistakenly assume internal conflict plagued the team.

The thought "I should contribute somehow" grew increasingly insistent in Veronica's mind.

Since exploration presented few challenges, her earlier idea about improving team dynamics and lightening the atmosphere seemed worth attempting.

Thus, when the trio reached another turn and Valerian instinctively shielded Veronica while feeling the wall ahead, Veronica spoke up with mixed sincerity and calculation:

"Your younger sister must be very fortunate."

"Hmm?" Valerian turned back slightly surprised. "Are you talking to me?"

"Yes. Was that too abrupt?" Veronica nodded.

"A little, but not unpleasant." Valerian shook her head before asking curiously, "But why mention my sister suddenly?"

"Just a passing thought."

Veronica maintained moderate warmth, merely seeding conversation: "Though we've only teamed briefly, I've noticed your protective instincts during our journey. Thank you - you're remarkably caring."

"Ah." Valerian belatedly gasped, covering her mouth. "Apologies, I've unconsciously placed you in that child's position again..."

"I'm not sarcastically criticizing you," Veronica stated plainly. "I just found it unexpected."

"Unexpected?"

"Given your fame and strength, your consistently calm demeanor initially made you seem somewhat aloof and unapproachable."

Veronica lowered her head slightly as if genuinely apologizing: "So when you patted my head earlier, I reacted poorly. My apologies."

"Ah."

Valerian blinked, flattered. "No need to apologize. If anything, my behavior was presumptuous first. I'd worried you might dislike me for it."

"Not at all. You're an excellent teammate."

Having said this, Veronica turned to Dogtail Grass: "Same goes for you - thank you."

"It's nothing really. As we agreed when teaming up, this repays your earlier guidance, Gentian."

Receiving such formal gratitude flustered Dogtail Grass: "Also, similar to her, I have a younger brother at home, so I've somewhat developed elder sister habits..."

"Brother?" This clearly piqued Valerian's interest.

"Ah, um..."

Dogtail Grass still struggled conversing with Valerian, immediately tongue-tied. Yet ignoring the question seemed equally rude. After freezing momentarily, she strained to voice:

"Yes."

"How lovely. I've always wanted a brother too."

Valerian nodded gently. "Unfortunately, my parents divorced shortly after my sister's birth, so that never happened."

"Ah, sorry for bringing up painful memories..." Dogtail Grass mumbled awkwardly.

"I mentioned it first. As long as you don't find such talk depressing."

Valerian showed no intention to dwell: "Returning to earlier - what's having a brother like?"

"Well...that is..."

Though stammering, Dogtail Grass answered honestly: "He often snatches my things, which can be annoying. But mostly he's adorable and plays with me frequently, so it's quite nice..."

She haltingly shared anecdotes about her brother, gradually growing more fluent as she acclimated.

Valerian clearly overlooked her disjointed delivery, genuinely interested in the topic as she periodically responded with her perspectives.

Veronica skillfully interjected whenever conversation lulled, maintaining lively atmosphere.

This should count as successfully breaking the ice...right?

She pondered internally.

Honestly, she hadn't expected such smooth progress. Had they not effortlessly found common ground, she'd planned further conversational avenues. Still, this development was favorable - sparing her from prolonged childish affectations she couldn't confidently maintain.

At least one objective was achieved.

Thus the trio conversed with their respective thoughts, though surface atmosphere had undoubtedly warmed compared to earlier. But as they delved deeper into the maze and topics gradually meandered, an anomalous magical resonance suddenly made Veronica narrow her eyes.

Nor was she alone - noticing Veronica's reaction, Valerian and Dogtail Grass likewise ceased talking, scanning their surroundings alertly:

—Something seemed to be nearby.