Vol 2 Chapter 178: The Third Teammate
"Here you go, these are your team number tags. The two numbers on each tag represent your team and individual identification numbers. Please keep them safe." The registration staff mber pulled out two tal discs from a nearby equipnt box while recording the numbers and explaining their purpose:
"For example, this tag here has the number 277, aning your team number is 277. The B193 below is your personal examination number. Please rember it clearly."
Veronica accepted the tal tag with feigned interest, examined it briefly, then tucked it into her shoulder bag before asking: "Understood. How do we identify our third teammate?"
"Please wait a mont. We're still registering all mutually selected teams. Once registration concludes for magic girls who chose each other, we'll begin random assignnts. If soone gets assigned to your team, she'll receive a matching tag." The staff mber spoke rapidly: "Tags from the sa team can sense each other through magical resonance. You can test this now - you'll use this thod to find your third teammate later."
"I see... how fascinating!" Dogtail Grass behind Veronica closed her eyes to sense the resonance between their tags as instructed, then nodded in understanding: "The magic nation never disappoints! Even examination tags have such convenient functions!"
"Well, we did collect registration fees." Veronica, who actually knew the entire process well and was just going through formalities, exhaled in relief at smoothly completing the practical exam registration: "Anyway, since we've finished the paperwork, let's not block others. We should wait elsewhere."
She had accepted Dogtail Grass's team request.
There wasn't any particular reason - whether she paired with soone or not, she'd eventually get assigned to so team anyway. From their brief conversation, Veronica found this girl's personality agreeable enough - not the troubleso type that would make team life difficult. So teaming up posed no issues.
This perspective ca from Veronica's personal experience.
During her younger days when first attempting the advanced character card exam, she'd suffered from lack of experience in this matter. Back then, she'd also left Fangting City's team for random assignnt, only to get paired with a spoiled noble girl raised in the magic nation. Not only was this teammate diocre in ability, she constantly bossed others around, creating such tension that the third teammate nearly fought with her several tis.
Even now, Veronica wouldn't call that a pleasant mory. In fact, had her personal skills not been strong enough to carry the dysfunctional team, she would have certainly failed that exam.
Now returning to the examination grounds under a false identity, Veronica cared little about results but even less for unnecessary troubles. Teammates could be sowhat weak - what mattered was compatibility. When the Magical Affairs Court's defensive missions intensified later in the exam, she'd have no patience for temperantal children.
Musing over these thoughts, Veronica and Dogtail Grass returned to their previous shady spot, chatting while awaiting team assignnts.
"How great would it be if we got soone from the Power Ranking List," Dogtail Grass remarked as she watched the registration line dwindle.
"Why?" Veronica looked at her curiously. "Didn't you claim you're strong enough to pass alone?"
"Well... that's true, but wouldn't it be better to have a strong random teammate?" Dogtail Grass adjusted her glasses. "Think about it - if we get a top-ranked magic girl, that ans other teams won't have her. Clearly a win-win, right?"
"Then why team up with ?" Veronica gave her a puzzled look.
"Because we clicked! That's different! The exam board gave us one guaranteed teammate slot precisely so we could team with friends, establishing unbreakable bonds as our team's foundation! Then we hope our random third is a powerhouse who can carry us to victory!" Dogtail Grass waved her hands. "In other words, I chose you, Gentian, to give our team soul! The random teammate will be our sword and shield!"
"I suspect the exam board's intended team philosophy is the exact opposite of what you described..." Veronica sighed. "And we literally t two hours ago. Where did this 'unbreakable bond' co from?"
"...You're the only person here I know." Dogtail Grass looked down awkwardly, fidgeting with her fingers.
Veronica fell silent.
The wait didn't last long. Soon, team assignnts concluded.
"All examinees, hold your number tags! Use magical resonance to locate your teammates!" A staff mber stood at the plaza center, amplifying her voice with magic: "Again! Hold your tags! Find your teammates through resonance!"
The crowd of examinees imdiately began shifting.
Holding their tags, Veronica and Dogtail Grass followed the magical pull, squeezing through the packed crowd. After hundreds of ters, they finally found their third teammate.
The randomly assigned magic girl was doing the sa. When the three finally t amidst the crowd and looked up to confirm each other's appearances, Veronica and the new girl simultaneously froze.
"Ah."
"Eh?"
Both uttered brief sounds - not exactly delighted or disappointed, perhaps mildly surprised. The main reason was likely that they'd t before.
"...Dogtail Grass." Veronica turned to her teammate.
"Yes? What is it, Gentian?" After examining their new teammate, Dogtail Grass looked back at Veronica.
"Your wish seems to have co true." Even Veronica found their team composition sowhat amusing now.
"Wish?" The vague phrasing confused Dogtail Grass briefly before realization struck: "Wait...you an...?"
Undoubtedly, standing before them was exactly what Dogtail Grass had wished for - a magic girl from the Power Ranking List.
And this girl had crossed paths with Veronica on the Kingdom Express train half a month ago when she first ca to the magic nation.
Holding a book in her arms while calmly observing them was none other than Valerian, the magic girl from Tiandu City.
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