Off Work, Then I Become a Magical Girl

Book 2: Chapter 178: The Third Teammate

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 member pulled out two metal discs from a nearby equipment box while recording the numbers and explaining their purpose:

"For example, this tag here has the number 277, meaning your team number is 277. The B193 below is your personal examination number. Please remember it clearly."

Veronica accepted the metal 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 moment. We're still registering all mutually selected teams. Once registration concludes for magic girls who chose each other, we'll begin random assignments. If someone gets assigned to your team, she'll receive a matching tag." The staff member spoke rapidly: "Tags from the same team can sense each other through magical resonance. You can test this now - you'll use this method 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 someone or not, she'd eventually get assigned to some team anyway. From their brief conversation, Veronica found this girl's personality agreeable enough - not the troublesome type that would make team life difficult. So teaming up posed no issues.

This perspective came 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 assignment, only to get paired with a spoiled noble girl raised in the magic nation. Not only was this teammate mediocre in ability, she constantly bossed others around, creating such tension that the third teammate nearly fought with her several times.

Even now, Veronica wouldn't call that a pleasant memory. 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 somewhat weak - what mattered was compatibility. When the Magical Affairs Court's defensive missions intensified later in the exam, she'd have no patience for temperamental children.

Musing over these thoughts, Veronica and Dogtail Grass returned to their previous shady spot, chatting while awaiting team assignments.

"How great would it be if we got someone 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 means other teams won't have her. Clearly a win-win, right?"

"Then why team up with me?" 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 met two hours ago. Where did this 'unbreakable bond' come 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 assignments concluded.

"All examinees, hold your number tags! Use magical resonance to locate your teammates!" A staff member stood at the plaza center, amplifying her voice with magic: "Again! Hold your tags! Find your teammates through resonance!"

The crowd of examinees immediately began shifting.

Holding their tags, Veronica and Dogtail Grass followed the magical pull, squeezing through the packed crowd. After hundreds of meters, they finally found their third teammate.

The randomly assigned magic girl was doing the same. When the three finally met 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 met 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 come true." Even Veronica found their team composition somewhat amusing now.

"Wish?" The vague phrasing confused Dogtail Grass briefly before realization struck: "Wait...you mean...?"

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 came 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.