Endless Silver Machine

As the sun sank into the horizon, the aviation magic ship "Mystis" landed at the airport of Shimozuki Academy.

It is already the second day after leaving the ruins of Four Seasons Like Spring.

The departure and return journey were also in the evening, but the early spring in the ruins and the late spring in the outside world presented completely different artistic conceptions.

Shuoyue Academy is still shrouded in the thin rain curtain of late spring, as misty as a veil.

Since this was an exploration of the ruins that was not open to students, there was no one waiting outside the airport to greet them.

"Before going home, remember to submit a report to Principal Filia."

"Don't Tutor Letika and Tutor Wilber go together?"

"Ling, the summary meeting held in the conference room this morning is probably the last one."

"Does that mean this event is over?"

"Well, is it over?"

Aika consulted the two instructors to confirm.

On the way back, Instructor Wilber had organized a summary meeting for all members of the ship.

Because there were third graders from other subjects present, the biggest truth learned during this expedition to the ruins was not mentioned.

Except for the five people who knew the true meaning of this exploration, the students in charge of logistics did not know the mystery of the floating island.

At the meeting, the presiding tutors mainly spoke. Most of the time, it was more like each specialized subject taking turns summarizing knowledge points.

Third graders are already accustomed to interdisciplinary subjects. Only Aika and the other second graders sounded completely confused.

With Ling's personality, there was no point in listening carefully to such a boring meeting.

"Well, this operation will end when you leave this airport."

"If there is a follow-up, probably Principal Phyllis may have questions to ask you, right?"

The purpose of Principal Phyllis's organization of exploring the ruins is to use Aika's mechanical alchemy to open up the interior of the ruins.

However, the course of events took an unexpected turn, and even more shocking facts were learned.

Noticing that everyone's eyes were focused on her, Wei Xi nervously avoided their eyes.

"I think there's nothing to worry about. I'll just ask you a few questions at most. Right, Letika?"

Instructor Wilber, who was like a ghost in the Assault Department classroom, also tried his best to help Wei Xi ease her anxiety.

"The environment of Frost Moon Academy is very free, so Principal Phyllis doesn't care much about this kind of thing, probably..."

"Teacher Letika..."

"What's wrong, classmate Wei Xi?"

"The inspection on Mystis when I came back..."

"That result has been sent to Principal Phyllis. Judging from the numerical value, there is no need to worry at all."

"Um……"

Although this was the second time Wei Xi had determined this issue, she still didn't fully accept it in her heart.

"Xiao Xi, no matter who comes to read the inspection report, the result will not change."

Luoluo saw Wei Xi's every move and knew that these words could only give her some comfort.

But apart from encouraging her with words, there was very little Luo Luo could do to help her.

Even if you have become a family, the sensitive parts of your heart still require special medicine.

Ling suddenly put her hand on Wei Xi's face, and her hand was stained with rainwater that she didn't know when.

"Wow--"

Wei Xi's whole body trembled as her delicate skin was invaded by the cold rain.

Ling won't let go just because of this level of moaning, and he gets used to this temperature very quickly.

Wei Xi's thoughts were suddenly taken away by Ling.

"Can't you believe this result?"

"It's not that I don't believe it..."

"If you believe it, why ask?"

"That's because... I want to ask..."

Ling grabbed Wei Xi from behind, so his eyes couldn't meet her.

If you can't look at each other and ask questions, there will be no absolute psychological coercion.

No matter how Wei Xi's eyes dodge or her expression changes, there's no way of knowing.

In this “bravado” with plenty of margin, there is more energy to defend yourself.

Because of this, Wei Xi could realize where the words she said came from.

"Then take it as such. But even if you have doubts, I don't think there is anything strange."

Ling was very unwilling to imitate Aika's way of asking questions that left him speechless.

Back then, I was standing in Wei Xi's position now, and I was confused about my position in this family.

Only by personally experiencing the hesitation of not being able to find an outlet, Ling could confidently convince Wei Xi.

"If you accept answers that are different from what you understand and don't think about anything, I think that's what's wrong with your brain."

"There's something wrong with my head..."

"If you have thought about it carefully, or questioned the result, it proves that your head is a good one."

"Ling, don't you have a better way to describe it?"

"Now don't interrupt. You didn't say anything when I needed you to say it just now."

Ling blocked Aika back without looking at her.

Regarding Ling's accusation, Aika also felt that she was wrong.

Ming Ming had already seen Wei Xi's confusion, but she felt that she had done everything she could.

He even concluded an obscure "contract" with her.

Perhaps it was precisely because of this incomplete awareness that Wei Xi couldn't figure it out even more.

The argument between Ling and Aika made Wei Xi raise her head, and Aika deliberately misaligned her eyes.

"Sister Ling, brother Aika has told me a lot...but I still can't help but think about it..."

In order to let down everyone's help and remain stuck in the cycle of self-pity, Wei Xi wanted to apologize.

"So, everyone is like this. Even if I ask you not to think about anything now, you can't do it, right?"

"It should be possible..."

"Even I can't do it."

"Telua-senpai..."

"It shouldn't be difficult to understand what Ling means. There is still a lot of time left for you to think about it slowly."

Tirua-senpai's reminder to Wei Xi ended here, and Aika took the baton from her hand.

"If you're tired of thinking and still haven't figured it out, just find evidence from other people."

"The evidence I want..."

"It doesn't matter if you don't know yet. You will know it as time goes by."

The way they interact will not change. Luoluo and Ling have already accepted Wei Xi in front of the stone monument in the Principality of Setia.

The name "Xue Chao Xiji" is very beautiful, with an ethereal artistic conception, just like turning Wei Xi's existence into words.

However, to everyone, she has only one name.

That was the name she told everyone with her will and her voice.

…………

Instructor Letika said that second-year students should just write the investigation report as their experience.

Principal Phyllis sat them on the sofa and made everyone a cup of black tea.

The aroma of black tea rose. Principal Phyllis sat across from everyone with her legs crossed, reviewing the four people's investigation reports on the PDA.

Aika picked up the black tea and took a sip, but her attention was focused on Principal Phyllis's changing expression, and she didn't taste the black tea at all.

…………

On the way back, Aika went to their room to ask about the contents of their investigation report.

At that time, the girls were all sitting on their beds in pajamas, editing text on their PDAs.

It was different from the previous scenes of sitting together closely, probably because I didn’t want others to know what I had written.

"I've finished writing it here. What are the main aspects covered in your investigation report?"

"And you?"

"Anyway, I'll write down the situation of the two third-level monsters first, and then the situation on Wei Xi's side."

"Well, it seems that we have almost the same content."

Ling said as she put away the PDA. It seemed that she had finished writing.

Aika originally wanted to refer to her content.

"Um..." Wei Xi held her PDA in her hand, "Have I been included in everyone's investigation reports..."

"Because Xiao Xi is the protagonist of this ruins exploration."

Luoluo confirmed Wei Xi's worries with a mischievous smile.

"Woo..."

Wei Xi, who didn't like being the protagonist, rubbed her legs uncomfortably, looking restless.

"Wei Xi, have you finished writing?"

"not yet……"

Wei Xi, who was asked by Aika, hugged PDA tighter.

"Brother, Tirua-senpai's blood... wasn't that included?"

"Student Luoluo, that kind of thing has nothing to do with the exploration of ruins, so there shouldn't be any need to write it in."

Tirua-senpai seemed a little anxious and interrupted.

"To say that it has nothing to do with the exploration of ruins, that doesn't seem to be the case..."

After all, he only noticed this fact because he was attacked by the fourth-level monsters in the field.

Most of Aika's investigative report was devoted to recording the events of the next day, and the topic of blood was not mentioned.

"Since Tirua-senpai thinks it's not necessary, then just ignore it."

Presumably, Teacher Letika and Teacher Wilber have already reported this information, and what they want to write is just their experience.

"The most important part is indeed about Wei Xi."

"Sister Ling..."

"What attitude we hold towards this truth should be what the tutors and Principal Phyllis want to know."

"Then our content will become the same, right, brother?"

"It's all the same. Isn't there generally only one correct answer?"

"Although I have known about your relationship before, looking at it now, it is more out of common sense than I understood."

Senior Tiruya didn't have much contact with the four of them, and her understanding of them came more from the various rumors circulating in Shuoyue Academy.

When Tebiri Royal College encountered the crisis of armed occupation, she saw Aika getting injured while protecting Wei Xi, and she felt the unusually strong bond.

"Xiao Xi, you should have also written about your own affairs, right?"

"I haven't written to that place yet..."

"Don't write weird content in it."

"I haven't figured out how to write it yet..."

Before signing the "contract", Aika would also worry about the same problem as Luoluo.

But now Aika has the confidence to keep Wei Xi by her side.

Her need for recognition was met.

She needed her own recognition, and now that she was here was proof of it.

Ling gave Wei Xi a very serious reminder.

"Just write down your truest feelings right now, do you understand?"

"True feelings..."

"That's how you felt when you said 'thank you' just now. You don't say that kind of thing casually, do you?"

"Of course not!"

"That's right."

Aika looked at Wei Xi who seemed to understand, and suddenly recalled her before stepping out of the circle.

At that time, Wei Xi always apologized habitually, but now she has learned to say thank you instead of apologizing.

This is because she has been able to fully understand herself and openly accept help from others.

Instead of placing all the responsibility for mistakes on oneself, one uses this behavior to emphasize one's own existence.

…………