Once all the teams in the square had gathered, after the initial excitement and commotion, the candidates gradually quieted down and began to wait silently for something.
This situation lasted for a few minutes, and soon, with the sound of the bell marking the start of the assessment, some changes occurred in the square where the candidates were gathered.
The center of the square had somehow been surrounded by a fence, and all the candidates were driven outside of it. In no time, a high platform began to slowly rise from the center.
Lin Xiaolu stood amidst the crowd, craning her neck, trying her hardest to see through the human wall in front of her. However, this action did not help her see clearly what was happening inside; moreover, with some magical girls choosing to fly due to the unclear situation ahead, Lin Xiaolu's view was completely blocked by the dense crowd.
Feeling helpless, she looked at the wall of people before her, glanced around, and found that Bai Jingxuan and Mint had somehow already flown into the air. The magical girls behind her were also gradually floating higher, so without further hesitation, she stomped her foot on the ground and soared into the sky.
At that moment, a woman in a floral-patterned dress stood on the high platform in the center of the square, draped in a silk shawl, holding a parasol. As the platform rose, she gradually became the focal point of everyone's gaze.
—"Good morning, everyone."
Without stopping the candidates from floating up into the sky, she used a magic technique to ensure her voice could be heard throughout the venue, and then spoke in a rather casual tone:
"I am your Examiner for the first practical assessment, the Wisdom Manager of the Luennolay Research Institute, Yue Ji. I am delighted to witness this crucial moment on your path to growth."
"I am also the technical manager for this assessment venue. In the following tests, all technical content has been safety-verified by the examiners' team. We can assure you that you will not encounter any danger during the process. So, please feel free to showcase your talents and strive for a higher ranking."
"Although I believe all of you here are already aware of the content of the upcoming assessment, since there have been slight changes in this year's standards and rules, I will explain them once more to avoid any confusion."
"The rules for the practical assessment are an 'accumulative points system'. Based on your performance in the assessments, the Exam Institute will issue corresponding points to you."
Waving one hand in the air, countless sparkling lights of magic power formed a large circular light screen behind her. Accompanied by her words, the content of the 'points rules' was projected onto this light screen.
A multitude of camera clicks filled the scene instantly.
"In principle, you can only earn points based on your scores in each project of the assessment. However, there are actually three possibilities for changes in points in addition to the exam scores."
The Examiner did not constrain the candidates' actions, but continued by simply blinking her eyes:
"The first factor is 'teammate scores'. Since the practical assessment is carried out in teams of three, if your teammates perform excellently, you will receive additional bonus points; conversely, if your teammates perform poorly, you will have extra points deducted."
"The second factor is 'discipline'. If a candidate disrupts the order and discipline of the exam venue, hindering the normal conduct of the exam, points will be deducted based on the severity of the behavior. Additionally, depending on the different standards of each assessment, there might be extra deductions or bonuses."
"Lastly, the extra factor for this Queen's Year is 'evaluation by the guests'. Your performance in the assessment will be selectively projected by the Magic Mirror to the guests in the audience, and if a candidate's performance is particularly outstanding and recognized by the guests, they will receive additional points."
"After all four assessments are completed, the Exam Institute will tally all the points and rank you accordingly, which will be your final score."
After saying this, the Examiner looked around from the high platform: "These are the basic rules for the practical assessment."
With a subtle gesture, the projected content about the 'points rules' dissipated, and some in the crowd only then realized they might soon regret not taking a photo of the rules, causing a slight commotion among the magical girls.
However, the Examiner continued with her speech undeterred, following her own rhythm, and waved again to reveal new images and content in the projection.
It was a large three-dimensional structural diagram.
At first glance, it looked somewhat like a Rubik's Cube, but upon closer inspection, one would find that the diagram illustrated something far larger, a colossal object: a square structure with layers so numerous they couldn't be counted by the naked eye, with a size seemingly enormous to an incredible extent.
The size could be deduced as the diagram showed structures resembling pathways, mingled with shrubs and flowers—indeed, such a huge structure was entirely composed of flowers and shrubs. The pathways within the structure appeared as fine as plant fibers, while flowers and leaves in the diagram were reduced to less than a mere dot in size.
Just the sight of such an impossibly large and fantastical "structure" was enough to leave many candidates momentarily speechless.
"Now, let's get into the main topic and discuss the first practical exam you will be facing next."
Seemingly satisfied with the candidates' reactions, the Examiner's expression visibly brightened:
"As you can see, this assessment venue is set in the Garden behind the Silver Corridor, in the form of a 'maze'. Under the magic techniques arranged by our Research Institute, the Garden has now transformed into a vast, multi-layered maze that can accommodate everyone here for exploration. Your task in this assessment is to find your way out in the shortest possible time."
"Let me clarify, this diagram behind me is only for you to understand the general shape of the maze; please do not treat it as a real map. If you waste time seeking an exit based on this diagram, I won't be responsible."
"The candidate who uses the shortest time will become the first place in this assessment, and rankings will follow in sequence. We will award points based on these rankings. First place receives 100 points, second place 95, third 90, top ten 85, top fifty 80... all the way to the last place, who will receive only the basic 30 points."
"To put it simply, that's the overview, but on top of it, there are a total of five additional rules. Among them, three are explicit rules, and two are hidden rules."
"The first explicit rule: Theoretically, there is no time limit for the assessment. However, the concentration of magic power throughout the maze will gradually decrease. Once the magic power falls below a certain threshold, your actions inside will be restricted, potentially to the point where you can no longer move. If a candidate loses the ability to move inside the maze, their result will be marked as failing. Failing candidates will not receive any score points, which is 0 points."
"The second rule: Attacks or interference against other candidates during the assessment are not prohibited. If a candidate loses their ability to move due to other candidates' attacks, it will be marked as failing, the same as the first rule."
"However, if an attacked and eliminated candidate can identify who attacked them, including but not limited to clearly describing their appearance, reporting their candidate number, giving their Magical Girl codename... as long as you can pinpoint your attacker, after we examiners verify the fact, the attacker's result will be marked as failing. Meanwhile, you will gain their points from this assessment."
"The third rule prohibits any direct or indirect behavior damaging the maze. Although, theoretically, a Magical Girl who hasn't reached the Bud Level doesn't even have the capability to damage the maze, I know some individuals present are certainly at that level. So damaging the maze is prohibited, and violators will similarly be marked as failing."
Once finished, the Examiner withdrew the projection behind her, yet this time, she lowered both hands, seemingly having completed her task:
"Please comply with these three rules strictly, if there are no questions, you may proceed to the Garden behind the Silver Corridor now, where the assessment will officially begin in 10 minutes."
Holding her phone, Lin Xiaolu, who had snapped a photo of the maze diagram just before it disappeared, raised her head in wonder.
The other speaker had referred to "five rules," yet only mentioned three before declaring the end. So, what exactly are the remaining two rules?
—"Ah, about the remaining two 'hidden rules'."
As if hearing Lin Xiaolu's thoughts, the Examiner suddenly halted her steps away, turned back to the candidates below, and revealed a slightly inexplicable smile.
This was also the first time the Examiner expressed such a noticeable expression since her appearance:
"The hidden rules will be revealed during the process as the assessment reaches certain progress."
"So, please make an effort to explore in the maze and strive for higher scores, everyone."
"I wish you all great success."