Transform into a magical girl after getting off work

""I'm not that naive."

Lin Yun shook his head, "In the Magic Kingdom, power is built upon corresponding strength, even if I had accepted that invitation back then, I wouldn't have had the confidence to successfully take under my control and manage so many people."

"That's not necessarily true."

The doll's face suddenly revealed a somewhat strange smile, "But if that's the case, if you agree to our deal, once you come to Luennolay and complete the surgery, I'll hand over this part of the power of the Magical Affairs Institute to you, how about that?"

The office fell silent for a moment.

Lin Yun looked at the doll sitting in the chair, its fuzzy face bearing a smile that didn't seem at all feigned. Its languid and comfortable demeanor appeared genuinely indifferent to the "power" it spoke of, as if unaware of the shock that its words could evoke.

Before today, if someone told Lin Yun that someone would casually use the power of a national agency as a bargaining chip in a deal, he would definitely have thought it was a joke.

He didn't believe it was merely a favor to him; there had to be other reasons behind such an offer.

"...What exactly is the Source of Beasts? What secrets does it hold?"

And that was the reason Lin Yun could think of.

The target of the Molu trade was the Source of Beasts, and for her to offer such terms, the Source of Beasts must hold corresponding value in her eyes.

So, what kind of value would equate to a quarter of the Magical Affairs Institute? Lin Yun didn't know, but he could vaguely imagine.

"Do you accept these terms? If you do, I can tell you." The doll still lazily leaned against the chair's backrest.

"...If you don't tell me, it might be difficult for me to agree." Lin Yun slowly shook his head.

"Really? I'm offering the recovery of Fankai's abilities, as well as your continued lifespan, not to mention a quarter of the Magical Affairs Institute. Aren't you tempted even by this?"

"A deal that seems guaranteed to be without loss must have risks and costs hidden in the dark. I don't want to make a grave mistake by being greedy for short-term pleasures."

"'Make a grave mistake'? I cannot pretend I didn't hear such harsh words. Do you really think that once I get the Source of Beasts, I'm destined to go and do bad things? What kind of image do you have of me in your mind?"

"Gemstone Scepter."

"Humph! To use a term that should symbolize honor as a pseudonym for critique, that's too despicable, young man!"

Molu seemed quite dissatisfied with this characterization, but Lin Yun did not speak again. He calmly faced the doll sitting in front of him.

He did not believe in pies falling from the sky; he needed a reason from the other side that would set his mind at ease.

After a brief silence, it was Molu who once again broke the quiet, "Well, that's alright, we still have plenty of time. There are five months until next year's certification exam; you have ample time to understand my character, then consider whether this deal should go through. Trust me, my personal charm will persuade you, and after feeling my sincerity, you will accept my terms."

"What do you mean?" Lin Yun asked in confusion.

"It means that during the coming time, I will leave this doll avatar of mine in Fangting City, and I will set up a private, small-scale research institute here."

Molu said leisurely, "If you encounter anything you're curious about, or anything you want to know, you can come to me."

"Research institute? When?"

"It hasn't been built yet, location undecided."

"...Is this also the reason you came to see me?"

"Yes, this is also why I came today; I figured the Abnormal Strategy Bureau shouldn't lack such resources."

Seemingly having lain enough on the chair, the plump fairy doll finally sat up straight once more, even though it looked just like a ball rolling around on the chair. Its deep emerald eyes fixed on Lin Yun again, the laziness still tinged with an imperceptible taunt, "So, I'll rely on you to find a valuable feng shui site for my research institute, young man, no... I should say, Director."