harleyscars Page 183
Page 183
The song, titled "Shadow World," has an upbeat rhythm that made Typhon, sitting on the bus, sway back and forth.
Beneath a clear, azure sky stretched a sea of equally rippling blue waves. The shimmering water was almost blinding. But for the students of Finis Academy, this only served to enhance the cheerful atmosphere inside the vehicle.
People are often happiest when they are about to experience happiness. For example, the night before a holiday begins, the long-awaited digital products that are about to arrive, or the nervous moment before a successful confession of love.
Similarly, the students sitting on the bus were also extremely excited.
The Academy City Chaldea is a super-large artificial island built on the sea. It is about 50km away from Japan in a straight line. The land transportation is a cross-sea bridge that spans the sea. The time required to reach the study tour location by car is not long, so we did not choose to travel by plane.
"Are you thirsty?" Tiamat, who was just across the aisle, handed her a bottle of drink.
“I’m not thirsty for now…” Mochizuki Oboro answered subconsciously, but before she could finish speaking, she noticed that Tiamat had produced a big, bright red apple in her other hand. “I don’t need that either.”
Compared to Tsutsumi, who is as carefree as a bird, immersed in music and sunshine, Mochizuki Oboro cannot be so unrestrained—after all, her guardian is by her side.
There's a kind of hunger called "Mom thinks you're hungry." No matter what the child is busy with, Mom will always open the bedroom door and put freshly picked fruit on the table... My older sister is pretty much the same.
"And this?" Tiamat produced a large, three-tiered transparent fruit box as if by magic. The top layer contained washed grapes, the middle layer contained sliced watermelon, and the bottom layer contained carefully washed strawberries.
As we all know, an unwashed apple and a washed and cut apple are two completely different fruits. Very few people can resist this ultimate temptation for all ages.
Regardless of whether Mochizuki Ryougan was interested or not, Typhon was certainly unable to resist this temptation.
A sharp, throbbing pain shot through her thigh, making Mochizuki Oboro understand what the person beside her was thinking.
"Thank you." Mochizuki Oboro consciously reached out and took the fruit box. He was simply helping Tifeng carry it.
Just then, a faint, sweet fragrance, accompanied by slightly deliberate footsteps, quietly approached.
The team leader, Karen, shamelessly walked up to Mochizuki Oboro, like a shark smelling blood: "Give me a piece."
……
Noon, in the town of Yashida.
The bus wheels rolled over the slightly worn asphalt road, making a slight friction sound, and slowly came to a stop at the designated drop-off point.
The daughters of Tokiwadai Middle School couldn't wait to get off the bus, breathe in the fresh air, and greedily admire the scenery before them.
Having grown accustomed to the glitz and glamour of big cities, the tranquility and peace of rural towns seem particularly unique.
The scent of grass and earth after the rain seemed to slow down time and the pace of life.
People tend to romanticize the path they didn't take in their memories.
Astanacia, Krimhild, and other proper young ladies were all filled with curiosity, while Asagami Fujino and Ryougi Shiki were not so surprised by the scenery of Yasuo Inaba Town. Both of them, who came from Kanbuko City, knew more or less about the realities of rural life and did not have excessive expectations.
The last teacher to get off the bus, Circe, yawned: "You are free to explore today, but you must be back at the hotel by 9 p.m. When you go out, you should travel in pairs, and it is best if your group includes a person with superpowers or a follower."
Such a relatively relaxed management style is extremely rare in a noble girls' school like Tokiwadai (Part 3).
In other aristocratic girls' academies, let alone allowing students freedom of movement, it would be extremely difficult for them to even leave the sight of their teachers without supervision. However, the widespread development of superpowers at Chaldea a few months ago has effectively increased the students' self-defense capabilities.
If someone foolishly harbors malicious intentions... encountering Astanasia might result in a series of misfortunes before they slink back in disgrace, but if they run into Krimshild, then there will be no good end for them.
"Let's go find something to eat first." Ryougi glanced at the clock: "It's five past twelve, it's getting late."
Asagami Fujino, who had made detailed plans in advance, listed them off like a treasure: "Aiya Chinese Restaurant has a very good reputation, and Sousai University also has many popular home-style dishes. If you want to pursue a variety of cuisines, you can go to the shopping street of the large chain store JUNES."
"Everyday young life JUNES~~ Is that the advertising slogan?" Ryougi Shiki hummed softly. The JUNES department store frequently played this catchy lyric on TV.
Astana suggested, "Chain store restaurants are everywhere, but since we're here, we should try some local specialties, right?"
“Yes. I think so too.” Krimshild nodded in agreement. She was clearly more interested in more localized options than the monotonous chain stores.
The humanoid intelligent navigator, Asagami Fujino, said she understood: "Then let's go to Aijia Chinese Restaurant."
The four agreed to walk together towards the town's somewhat old-fashioned commercial street.
Long ago, the arrival of JUNES had already impacted this area, causing it to become somewhat deserted. Over the years, the commercial street, which should have remained quiet, has unexpectedly regained much of its vitality. Perhaps the heavy fog of that year brought the residents back together.
Soon, the slightly faded, weathered signboard of "Ai Jia Chinese Cuisine" appeared before them.
"Welcome~ I'm a magical girl working here temporarily."
The Shuten-dōji at the counter smiled and recommended, "You all must have come from Chaldea, how about trying our specialty?"
Servants are like cockroaches, everywhere you look. You can't see them normally, but they're actually everywhere.
"The special dishes that can only be challenged on rainy days are available today. Would you all like to give them a try? It's a big eater competition!" Shuten-dōji tempted.
"One serving of grilled meat rice bowl. Normal portion." Krimshild remained unmoved.
Ryougi Shiki automatically followed suit: "Me too."
"Asagami-kun, what about you?"
"Wait a moment, let me ask Mochizuki-kun if he has gotten off the train..."
Astanasia's expression instantly switched to classic gossipy and teasing mode, her eyes drooping slightly, and she kept making "tsk tsk tsk" sounds.
“Looking at the moon? That sounds familiar.” Krimshild was lost in thought.
Astana chuckled: "It couldn't possibly be the Mochizuki we saw at the party back then, could it?"
"Hard to say." Ryougi Shiki looked away.
"?"
Chapter 254 Strange Judgment Evidence
Work is a plague, a poison, a locust. It only relentlessly gnaws away at people's enthusiasm and vitality, gradually turning miserable office workers into mindless zombies.
A very small number of lucky individuals are able to work in the industry they love, but for the vast majority of people, the probability of finding a job that energizes them is not much greater than winning the lottery.
Wearing a hard hat, Kingprotea sighed and continued construction.
Meltrylli, naturally, wouldn't miss such a great opportunity as a study tour. Before the summer special event began, she decided to utilize the urban legend of Yashidaba Town to leave the boys and girls with an unforgettable memory.
“Even if it’s midnight…the world on TV doesn’t need to be turned into a huge haunted house…” Kingprotea said softly.
Supervisor Meltryllis, hands on hips, declared: "It's not a haunted house, it's an immersive experience!"
The hideous and grotesque ghosts, the chilling background music, the flickering lights in the corridor—it all looks like a filming location for a horror movie.
Violet and Passionlip were evaluating data to prepare for future optimizations and updates to the points redemption section, while Kazuradrop's job was simpler—to act as a tour guide.
Meanwhile, the real world.
"Welcome to Yasuoba Town~~" The petite purple-haired girl straightened her back and introduced herself: "I am your guide, Kazuradrop, and your guide for the next week."
Due to the influence of the "Common Sense Modification" skill, neither Asagami Fujino nor Ryougi Shiki were confused by the fact that Kazuradrop, who should have appeared in the game, suddenly appeared in reality.
Krimhild looked Kazuradrop over for a moment: "Does our school provide tour guides?"
“I’m a local tour guide.” Kazuradrop smiled and said, “If everyone is a little more enthusiastic, we can start our tour tonight!”
"If you're a staff member, please show some relevant proof. Even if you're cute, you can't get away with just being adorable." Astanacia wiggled her fingers, revealing a perverted smile: "Or I could pinch your fingers if I want."
Kazuradrop easily produced a forged staff ID, successfully gaining their trust.
Immediately afterwards, the frivolous tour guide produced a stamp: "A little red flower for each person, hold out your hand."
"What kind of strange ritual is this?" Although slightly puzzled, Ryougi Shiki still extended her right hand and had Kazuradrop cover the turquoise Kazuradrop with the pattern.
Kazuradrop chuckled: "These are complimentary tickets with approved entry. Once sold, they are non-refundable. Thank you for your cooperation."
We live in the digital age, but in the town of Yasuiba, you can still see many nostalgic traces of the past. If the lucky ones who got tickets want to relive the past events, they can sit in front of the TV at midnight and receive an unexpected surprise.
Meltryllis was responsible not only for optimizing system functions during this period, but also for constructing the television world. The world is never short of all kinds of supernatural rumors, and the ambitious second-generation administrator reproduced most of these legends in the television world, awaiting adventurers who would come to challenge them.
Ouija board, Sadako, zombies... Meltryllis, who has absolutely no awareness of copyright, even plans to use Plants vs. Zombies in a live-action, high-definition version.
“You said you’re a local tour guide.” Asagami Fujino stepped forward.
"Yes." That's how Kazuradrop's character is written this week.
Asagami Fujino's breathing quickened, and a strange light flickered in her eyes: "Then do you know the legend of midnight... television?"
"Seeing is believing—that's all I can tell you," Kazuradrop said with a half-smile. "Remember to bring your companions to verify its authenticity."
……
Meanwhile, the river embankment.
The car doors slowly opened, and eager students from Finis Academy filed out, forming small groups to search for their lunch.
Mochizuki Oboro and the others landed a little later than the young ladies from Tokiwadai Middle School, arriving in Yasaka Inaba Town at 12:30.
After offering a few perfunctory instructions, Karen left the students to explore freely. She found it hard to imagine anything that could threaten the safety of these superhumans.
"Is this what freedom feels like?" Charlemagne gazed into the distance.
The gentle breeze carried a slight warmth, but since everyone had just stepped off the air-conditioned bus, they felt a sense of comfort.
Karna put on his sunglasses. The quietly flowing river was crystal clear, reflecting the sunlight. An old man was fishing contentedly on the bank.
"I'm so hungry..." Mandicardo said weakly.
"Speaking of which, what should we do for lunch?" Charlemagne consulted his friends: "How about trying some local specialties?"
“The local specialty is steak. Treating yourself to some delicious meat would be a good idea.” Karna’s lips curled into a slight smile. “Or how about we go try Aijia Chinese cuisine?”
“I love home. I’ve booked a barbecue rice bowl for 1 p.m. there,” Mochizuki Oboro said.
Charlemagne exclaimed, "Wow, that's quick. I completely forgot you could make reservations by phone."
Actually, it was reserved for me by some unknown Ms. Asagami... but the atmosphere doesn't seem quite right to say it out loud. Mochizuki Oboro rubbed her sleepy eyes and walked along the shopping street with her companions.
The women's group not far away.
"So much mud and water... How annoying..."
"That's how it is in the countryside. It just rained moderately yesterday."
Castor's taste was somewhat reminiscent of his predecessors: "Did everyone bring mosquito repellent?"
With the Servants' dynamic vision and reflexes, swatting a mere mosquito is naturally a piece of cake. However, no one can concentrate on guarding for long, and there will always be times when they are bitten before they realize it.
“No.” Ipsilon shook her head, lifted her slightly long skirt, and walked on tiptoe.
Even when it rains, there is no mud in Academy City; everything is covered in asphalt and paving stones. But it's not like that in Yasuiba Town. Small mud spots are scattered on both sides of the river embankment road.
“That’s why I told you to wear boots back then.” Typhon lightly tapped the ground with his toes: “No matter how careful I am, there will always be mud spots on your skirt. I just need to wipe the boots off.”
“But it’s so stuffy. And it’s June now,” Ipsilon said succinctly.
“Ah,” Eri let out a short exclamation, “It seems that my brother has a pair of XP boots that are tall boots.”
Everyone was wearing breathable casual shoes that were easy to move in, except for Typhon, who was wearing out-of-season tall boots, which made people wonder if he was trying to please someone.
Medea asked thoughtfully, "Does that include the taste as well?"
“Unlikely,” Ipsilon asserted immediately. “My brother is a leg fetishist, but not a foot fetishist, and he doesn’t have any strange fetishes.”
Tifeng glanced at him and said, "If he had that kind of fetish, he would have tried it in his dreams long ago."
“?” Abigail was completely confused.
Why is Lilith nodding too?
Chapter 255 Anastasia: This is not funny
Eighty God High School.
As times have changed, this rural middle school has inevitably taken on some modern elements.
The renovated teaching building doesn't look old, and the track and field, gymnasium and other facilities are all brand new. Only the desks and chairs still retain a bit of their age, silently telling the story of the past with indelible marks of time.
Today happens to be the weekend, so there are no classes at Yashigami High School. Tomorrow is the group exchange and learning activity.
"There's even a smart digital display panel? It doesn't feel so rural after all." Charlemagne excitedly approached the lit-up electronic screen.
The screen bezels are a bit thick, and the pixelation is clearly visible, but it does exude a modern feel.
Mandicardo: "Does it have to be dusty and dilapidated to fit the stereotype...?"
The display, which could barely be called high-definition, scrolled through videos showcasing the students' youthful spirit: basketball games, relay races, school festivals, unique beauty contests, and more.
Mochizuki Oboro clasped her hands together: "Thank you. The Academy City Board of Directors mainly referenced the Japanese school system and culture in its design."
Karna nodded in agreement. A hint of melancholy appeared on his handsome face, which always carried a sense of aloofness.
"What if I was born in my hometown? Haha~ It depends on where. Central China? Then you should probably reopen it as soon as possible."
Teacher Chen Gong's words seemed to echo in Karna's ears.
Regardless of the country, getting into a top university requires considerable effort, and this is true even in Japan and the United States, which are known for their "happy" and "relaxed" lifestyles.