Chapter 33: Unexpected Promotion

After breakfast, Bai Li and Lin Xi headed to the Weichangzhe Organization branch. The reason they weren’t going to school was primarily due to the Gaokao (TL Note: China’s national college entrance examination).

Just as it was before the Otherworld intersected with this one, the current era still featured examinations designed to help students gain admission to university, with the Gaokao being one such example.

To allow students to prepare for these exams, schools had granted them leave for self-study. However, for Bai Li, preparation was utterly unnecessary.

Ultimately, such assessments were intended for those who required a formal demonstration of their abilities. When alternative methods of proof existed, they became redundant. Consequently, students who had awakened powerful abilities generally only needed to master the control of their powers. Similarly, those already interning with an official Ability User organization possessed a significant advantage, serving as strong proof of their capabilities and often compensating for less-than-stellar Gaokao scores.

As for Lin Xi, she had been a full-fledged Weichangzhe for quite some time, boasting an impressive record of achievements. Her status essentially guaranteed her admission, rendering exams entirely superfluous.

Even without a university degree, she commanded excellent treatment. While university graduates were plentiful, those employed by Ability User organizations were scarce, especially in higher-ranking positions. Lin Xi had already attained a level that many strived for decades to reach, yet never achieved.

“By the way, Xixi, which university are you planning to attend?”

Even though foregoing university was an option, most people still chose to go. After all, the university environment differed significantly from that of an Ability User organization, and enjoying a few years of freedom was certainly appealing.

“Hmm… I haven’t actually thought about specifics, but if I had to choose, I probably wouldn’t pick one too far from Tiangong City.”

For Lin Xi, any university would suffice; her choice wouldn’t impact her future. Therefore, her primary considerations revolved around comfort and convenience.

“To be honest, even though Tiangong City isn’t a first-tier city, I’m quite fond of it here.”

“It’s where I grew up, after all.”

“Mm-hmm.”

Bai Li wholeheartedly agreed with Lin Xi’s sentiment, harboring a unique affection for the city herself.

More importantly, it was near Tiangong City that she had first met Lin Xi, and it had been the place where they had grown together.

‘If only I could spend my entire life here with Lin Xi…’ Just the thought alone could occupy her for centuries.

“But shouldn’t Xiaobai be studying? I have Weichangzhe work experience, which guarantees me admission to almost any university, but you’re still an intern, Xiaobai, so you’ll still need to take exams, won’t you?”

“Hmm… More than any of that, I’d rather not waste a single moment and spend it with Xixi.”

“Mmm… you just say all the nice things…”

Lin Xi puffed out her cheeks in slight displeasure, only for Bai Li to playfully poke them with her finger.

Feeling the softness of Lin Xi’s cheek, Bai Li mused, ‘Last night’s events must have been an anomaly. Lin Xi is still the gentle, adorable moe girl I know.’

Though she also adored Lin Xi in that other guise; indeed, she loved Lin Xi no matter what form she took.

“Is Bai Li here?”

Just as Bai Li and Lin Xi were affectionately lingering in the lounge, prompting others present to dim their phone screens to the lowest setting, an employee suddenly burst in.

“Are you looking for me?”

Bai Li’s expression instantly shifted to her usual unreadable, emotionless facade for outsiders. The interruption of her time with Lin Xi made her face even more sullen, and a faint, oppressive aura emanated from her.

“Uh… yes, the Human Resources Department is looking for you.”

Startled by Bai Li’s gaze, the employee quickly stated their purpose.

The Human Resources Department, as its name implied, was responsible for managing human resources.

“Xiaobai is still an intern, right? What would they want with you?”

As an intern, Bai Li’s duties were primarily overseen by her supervisor, Lin Xi. There seemed to be no valid reason for the HR Department to summon her.

“I don’t know, I was just told to inform you…”

Feeling Bai Li’s intense stare, the employee grew increasingly fearful. She was merely a junior staff member, whose advanced ability was suited for auxiliary management and clerical tasks, not for engaging in combat like specialized Ability Users.

“In that case, I’ll come with you.”

With these words, Lin Xi stood up, taking Bai Li by the hand and leading her out of the lounge. The junior employee let out a long sigh of relief.

The Human Resources Department was not far from the lounge; indeed, the Weichangzhe Organization branch was equipped with elevators throughout, allowing swift movement between floors, making the entire journey less than a minute.

“Oh, isn’t it our Magical Girl?”

Upon arriving at the Human Resources Department, Bai Li and Lin Xi immediately spotted Qing Lan, seated on a sofa near the entrance, waving to them.

“Qing Lan-senpai, why are you here?”

“That’s not important. You two were summoned, weren’t you? The person looking for you is over there.”

Qing Lan offered no answer to Lin Xi’s question, simply gesturing in the appropriate direction.

After thanking Qing Lan, Lin Xi and Bai Li approached the person who was currently reviewing documents.

“…Bai Li, that’s your name, correct?”

The bespectacled HR employee inquired, comparing Bai Li’s appearance to the photograph on the document.

“That’s right. What do you need me for?”

“Nothing major. It’s just that headquarters confirmed yesterday’s Unusual Creature incident, and after evaluating its threat level, decided you no longer need to continue your internship. You can be officially promoted immediately.”

The Unusual Creatures appearing recently were generally not very powerful, usually manageable by younger Ability Users. However, the Unusual Creature that emerged at the construction site yesterday possessed strength far exceeding others. Based on assessments and investigations of the surrounding environment, it was believed to have potentially reached D-rank pinnacle.

While the Weichangzhe who arrived as reinforcements had already considered the Unusual Creature to be D-rank pinnacle, a subjective judgment differed significantly from one reached after meticulous analysis.

“Following discussions, you will be exceptionally promoted to a D-rank Ability User. As for your Weichangzhe identification, it requires customization, so it will be issued to you in a few days. Do you have any other questions?”

Bai Li’s personal file only listed her as possessing an E-rank innate ability, yet she was now being classified as a D-rank Ability User, a rank higher, hence the term “exceptionally promoted.”

Of course, similar situations had occurred before. After all, ability rank was one thing, and Ability User rank, though only differing by a single word, was quite another. The latter considered the Ability User’s inherent strength rather than being solely determined by their ability’s rank. Therefore, it wasn’t uncommon to find individuals with high ability ranks but lower Ability User ranks, or vice versa.

“No, none at all.”