The Forgotten Assessment

Zhuang Xun looked puzzled. Had she forgotten something?

Before she could reply, Shen Xian hastily added, “Ah, it’s nothing, really! I just wanted to ask… was carrying me down the mountain yesterday very tiring for you?”

Zhuang Xun’s gaze fell upon Shen Xian’s slightly reddened ears. She had intended to shake her head and deny it, but her senior’s hand was still gently lingering near her lips.

“It wasn’t tiring. Senior is very light.”

“You always say such sweet things.”

“It’s the truth.”

Her senior was not heavy at all. Zhuang Xun felt as though she could carry her with effortless ease forever.

Shen Xian withdrew her hand, murmuring softly, “I feel like I’ve gained quite a bit of weight recently. How could I still be light?”

“Senior isn’t fat at all. I could probably lift you with one hand.”

“What?” Shen Xian turned back, her expression one of utter shock.

Only then did Zhuang Xun realize her words had been a touch too exaggerated. Yet, compared to her past self, her senior’s weight was indeed on the lighter side. Worried that such a remark might be perceived as frivolous or overstepping, Zhuang Xun immediately added, “My apologies, I misspoke.”

At the same moment, Shen Xian laughed it off. “Haha… maybe you’ll get a chance to prove it later~ After all, things are going to be quite busy for a while.”

Busy…?

This time, it was Zhuang Xun who felt a surge of confusion. This confusion was soon resolved on her journey home.

“Senior, what is this?” Zhuang Xun asked, holding her phone screen toward Shen Xian while they were still together. The phone displayed a group chat message from the department.

[Venus (Senior Ning): In ten days, the one-month assessment for new Magical Girls will commence. This is a unified examination for all recruits. It will determine whether you truly possess the capabilities to confront monsters. I presume you’ve all already received the official notice, haven’t you~**]**

[Venus (Senior Ning): Senior students will also participate in this assessment, but your roles will be different from the new recruits. For details on the specifics, I suggest you contact your assigned senior mentors.]

[Venus (Senior Ning): Lastly, I hope you small fry can pass this assessment alive. (smile)]

[Venus (Senior Ning): If you don’t wish to be called small fry, then do your utmost to pass. (smile)]

Shen Xian quickly scanned the content on the screen, then awkwardly averted her gaze.

“Ah ha ha ha… this… it seems there really was something like that scheduled, wasn’t there?”

Upon seeing Shen Xian’s guilty demeanor, Zhuang Xun couldn’t help but sigh internally. It was clear her senior had completely forgotten about the exam.

“Sorry, sorry!” Shen Xian clasped her hands together, closing one eye in a pleading gesture. “I’ve been so busy building a good relationship with Tao Si recently, and with those strange things happening at the villa, I completely forgot. If you’re really angry, Little Zhuang Xun, you can be a little bit mad at me… But you can’t scold me!”

Zhuang Xun had no intention of being angry. Moreover, seeing such a pleading, almost coquettish request for forgiveness, any trace of frustration vanished instantly.

“I’m not angry.”

Rather than anger, she was more concerned about the assessment itself. Her gaze settled on Shen Xian. Her entry into the department was different from other new members; she had been bound to her senior due to that magical accident. Consequently, she hadn’t undergone the standard orientation, team formation, or rapport-building exercises.

The assessment in ten days would be her first time meeting the other recruits. This was her greatest worry. She didn’t know much about the rumors concerning her, but Senior Ning would occasionally drop hints to Shen Xian, and it was through those fragments that Zhuang Xun learned her reputation wasn’t exactly positive.

She could disregard the whispers about herself, but she couldn’t allow those rumors to affect her senior. She had to achieve a respectable score.

“Little Zhuang Xun?” Shen Xian blinked, pulling her out of her thoughts.

Zhuang Xun stated with extreme seriousness, “Senior, I will give it my all.”

Shen Xian tilted her head slightly, seemingly perplexed by the sudden intensity. However, she quickly narrowed her eyes and smiled warmly. “Actually, it’s fine if you don’t try that hard. I see all the effort you put in, and that’s what matters to me. But… since that’s your goal, then of course, I’ll support you!”

Shen Xian patted Zhuang Xun’s shoulder. “I believe you can definitely do it!”

Zhuang Xun nodded, then changed the subject. “In that case, shouldn’t Senior first tell me the content of this assessment?”

“Ah ha ha ha… that will probably have to wait a bit. The file expired.”

“……”

The file must have expired at least seven days ago without being opened, Zhuang Xun thought.

“Don’t worry! I’ll re-download it and give it to you before tonight!” Shen Xian nodded with utmost seriousness.

No sooner had she spoken than the bus pulled up to the stop.

“This is my stop.” Shen Xian readjusted her backpack and gripped the handrail. She turned back to add, “I’ll send it to you as soon as I get home! Be careful on the rest of the way, and call me when you’re back!”

Zhuang Xun nodded. “Okay. Senior, you be careful too.”

“Mm-hm, see you tomorrow~”

Once the bus doors closed, Zhuang Xun watched Shen Xian’s figure recede through the window before pulling out her phone again. She opened a private chat and sent a message.

[Zhuang Xun: Senior, where are you now? I’m coming to find you.]

[Dream (Senior Meng Miao): Coffee shop. Come over.]

[Dream (Senior Meng Miao): Location Shared**]**

The moment the coffee shop door opened, the wind chimes jingled softly. Zhuang Xun stepped inside, scanning the room. Her gaze landed on Meng Miao in a corner booth, wearing her glasses and biting a straw as she looked back.

Zhuang Xun walked over. “Senior Meng Miao.”

Meng Miao gave a soft “Mm” and gestured for her to sit. Zhuang Xun pulled out a chair, and a cup of coffee was immediately pushed toward her.

“I didn’t know what you liked, but the latte here is quite good,” Meng Miao said in her usual flat tone.

“Thank you, Senior.” Zhuang Xun took a sip, then reached into her bag. “The item.”

She placed the pheromone-detection watch on the table. Meng Miao picked it up and began operating it, her expression placid. Zhuang Xun didn’t disturb her, sitting silently and nursing her latte.

She wasn’t very familiar with Senior Meng Miao. She only knew from Ning Qi that Meng Miao was a genius in both the research and medical branches of the department. Beyond that, she was a bit of a mystery.

As Meng Miao set down the watch, Zhuang Xun spoke softly. “I’m sorry about yesterday. I only saw your message this morning.”

The message had been brief: [Bring the watch with you when we meet.]

Meng Miao looked up, her gaze clinical and piercing. “It’s fine. So, did you two do anything last night?”