Although Shui Hua knew Lin Ling was right there in the audience, he couldn’t afford to pay too much attention.
He could only pretend not to recognize him, quickly shifting his gaze away and focusing on the upcoming Ability Adaptation test.
In the early days, the Ability Adaptation test required a Hero to inject Awakened Ability directly into the test subject and observe their resistance to aberration.
However, this method was labor-intensive and posed a certain level of danger to those being tested, so it’s rarely used now.
The current testing machine works on a similar principle and resembles a 3D printer.
When you insert your hand, a mechanical arm extends and applies Awakened Ability to your palm, assisting in the assessment.
Though the basic idea is the same, the safety is greatly improved.
The machine strictly limits the type and strength of aberrant memes inputted, so the only effect is a harmless Blue Spot appearing on a small patch of the examinee’s palm.
Adaptation level is then judged by the size and depth of color of this Blue Spot.
With the staff coordinating, the students lined up eagerly, waiting their turn to experience the test.
Excluding Xing Li, who never does any work, Fei Xing was left to operate the machine and make preliminary judgments, while Shui Hua, skilled at communication, was in charge of distributing participation gifts and having initial conversations with those who met the standard, introducing the Ability Bureau to them.
The testing began quickly, and one by one, students put their hands into the machine, then queued again at Fei Xing’s station to check the quality of the blue circles.
After testing dozens of people, a student barely met the standard.
Generally speaking, no one really expects to find suitable talent at these school presentations, so even finding someone who just passes today is already a pleasant surprise.
“Hello, congratulations on reaching our initial standard in the test.”
Shui Hua wore a friendly and gentle smile, asking the somewhat nervous boy, “Could you tell me, have you considered working in a field related to Awakened Abilities in the future?”
The boy was a bit excited, never expecting he would be selected:
“Of course! I came to this presentation because I want to become a Hero!”
“All right, since you’re interested, please accept this.”
Shui Hua kept up the smile, handing over a small card with the Department’s contact info, speaking warmly, “You can call the number on the card when you have time. The Ability Bureau will quickly arrange an interview for you.”
“And here’s your gift. I hope you’ll join the Ability Bureau and help us maintain peace for everyone.”
Shui Hua randomly grabbed a plush toy from the gift bag and stuffed it into his hands.
The testing continued in an orderly manner, and soon enough, Fei Xing detected another high-adaptation candidate.
“Shui Hua-senpai, there’s another student here who meets the requirements.”
Shui Hua turned his head, thinking to himself how come high-adaptation candidates were suddenly popping up everywhere, and as he looked over—sure enough, it was Lin Ling.
He’s an S-class Hero; of course, this basic test is child’s play to him.
He walked over with his hand raised, the blue circle on his palm perfectly sitting just at the passing line.
This brat was definitely doing it on purpose—wanting to pass, but not attract attention.
“Hello there.”
Although still a bit displeased with Lin Ling’s unresolved mess, Shui Hua instantly switched back to his professional mode, showing a warm smile, “How should I address you?”
“I’m Lin Ling. Hello, Shui Hua.”
Lin Ling said as he naturally reached out his hand.
Technically, shaking hands wasn’t part of the procedure, but Lin Ling’s hand was already stretched out in front of her, almost forcing her to take it.
Ignoring him in front of everyone would be rude, so Shui Hua braced herself and quickly gave him a light shake before pulling away.
“Lin Ling, your Ability Adaptation is excellent,” she said, maintaining a professional tone, “Would you be interested in joining the Ability Bureau? Those who pass our initial screening are eligible for a direct interview opportunity.”
“No plans for that at the moment,” Lin Ling answered cleanly.
After all, he already held a position at the Ability Bureau.
“All right, I understand your decision.”
Shui Hua didn’t quite get what he was here for, but thinking that it’d be good if he left soon, she nodded, preparing to end the conversation, “Thank you for participating. If you change your mind in the future, you’re always welcome to contact us.”
With that, she waved her hand to say goodbye.
“Um…”
Lin Ling didn’t leave, instead pointing at the bag of gifts behind Shui Hua.
“Didn’t I get a participation gift too?”
The mystery was solved—Lin Ling was here for the gifts.
Shui Hua felt a little sweat bead on her forehead as she forced a smile, rummaged through the bag, skipped over her own chibi plush, and grabbed the Xing Li doll, handing it to him.
“Here, this is your participation gift. Thanks for your support.”
“I don’t want Xing Li’s plush,” Lin Ling didn’t even look at it, shaking his head and fixing his eyes on Shui Hua.
“I want your plush.”
Shui Hua didn’t expect Lin Ling to say something like that…
She couldn’t tell if he was truly clueless or deliberately causing trouble, yet he actually said such a thing right to a Magic Girl’s face.
She felt her teeth almost grinding to pieces, but for the sake of professionalism, she managed to force a smile as she fished out the Magic Girl Shui Hua plush and handed it to him:
“Thank you, Lin Ling, for liking me so much~”
“Thank you, I’ll treasure it.”
Lin Ling accepted the plush with satisfaction, hugged it, and finally walked away.
Watching his unruffled figure leave, Shui Hua was anxious, yet helpless.
***
The entire testing process lasted nearly two hours.
By the time it ended, it was already five in the afternoon.
Staff helped clear away students who still wanted to take photos, and the once-bustling lecture hall gradually quieted down, leaving only the three Magic Girls to clean up the mess.
“Didn’t expect we’d get lucky and find two Candidates this time.”
Xing Li counted the registration forms, sounding a little surprised, “Though one of them clearly said he’s not coming.”
“Why are you so hung up on the number?”
Shui Hua asked absentmindedly as she tidied up, “Don’t tell me you get a bonus for referrals?”
“Heh, of course.”
Xing Li’s eyes gleamed with money, “Just for a successful interview recommendation, you get two thousand yuan. If they make it through the probation and join officially, the bonus is ten thousand.”
Fei Xing chimed in, “Then if you get the bonus, department head, you’re treating us to dinner.”
“No problem!”
Xing Li waved her hand grandly, full of confidence, “When the bonus comes, pick any place you want.”
“Since we’re done here, should I just head straight home?”
Shui Hua thought, since she was already on campus, there was no need to go back to the Magic Girl Department again.
“Go on, go on,” Xing Li waved her off, “Field missions end, you can go straight home—when haven’t you done that?”
“All right, I’m off then.”
Shui Hua asked Xing Li to cast a presence-reducing Magic on her, then stepped onto the window ledge in the hallway.
Once the spell activated, she floated lightly into the sky.
She knew there were definitely people below still trying to snap photos, so to avoid cameras, she purposely flew up into the clouds, circled atop the thick cloud cover for a while, and only when she was sure no one could catch her on film did she dart down from the clouds and land on the rooftop of another teaching building.