Two Little Brats

Moreover, as the subject of the research at the time, I naturally had those conclusions.

"The first guardian spirit cannot leave the host's vicinity within 50 meters. If it goes beyond this range, it will instantly teleport back to the host's side. This has been confirmed through experiments."

Although he couldn't see himself, Liu Bai still habitually raised one finger.

"Secondly, as a ghost, I can possess or haunt objects. Possession allows me to manipulate and imbue objects with certain properties, ranging from sturdiness to teleportation—anything is possible. Haunting, on the other hand, is a weakening curse placed on a person or object..."

Liu Bai was talking non-stop, while Mei listened attentively.

Liu Bai was well aware of just how attractive he was to scientists.

A ghost that never appears is theology; a ghost that does appear is materialism.

This represents a completely new scientific field, a new continent that no one has ever explored before.

Does Liu Bai still remember the fervor Edison and his Edison back then?

"... That's really unbelievable."

After listening to Liu Bai's long speech, accompanied by a notification sound saying "[Mei compatibility +10%]", Mei couldn't help but sigh.

"No, not just some, it's absolutely incredible."

His tone was exactly like that of a young scientist.

"So, according to you, I am the one you chose?" Mei asked softly.

"That's right, but you're not the only one."

"As expected." Mei nodded first, then rested her chin on her hand and began to think.

In any case, Mei is still just a third-grade elementary school student.

Although she speaks clearly and logically, and knows how to advance and retreat appropriately, she lacks experience, and being so engrossed in studying, she isn't very good at communicating with people.

After all, normally, the only people you need to communicate with a lot are your parents.

For Mei, the simple questions from the teacher were no problem at all; she could just answer them normally.

As for her classmates... you can tell from Mei's response to Liu Bai's first few sentences. Mei's indifferent way of answering and her aloof temperament make it very easy to kill the conversation.

So now, suddenly having to chat with a stranger, Mei finds herself at a loss for words.

Of course, on the other hand, Mei also needs to absorb and digest what Liu Bai just said.

After all, the ghost had truly appeared before her eyes and even summarized some of her characteristics. If the current situation allowed, Mei would have liked to make a note of it.

"... Could you tell me why I was chosen? Was it random? Or something else?"

"Perhaps it's fate?"

Liu Bai thought for a moment and then answered.

This is a truly scoundrel's answer—but undeniably, it's also a good one.

"A reason that is hard to believe but impossible to refute."

The elementary school girl in front of him truthfully expressed her feelings, to which Liu Bai could only respond with a wry smile—even though Liu Bai couldn't see her.

"But speaking of which, are you really such a brilliant scientist?"

"Although it's not nice to say it like this, if we use your father as a standard, I can probably be considered quite capable."

Liu Bai made a somewhat impolite and direct comparison—but clearly, Mei didn't care.

On the contrary, a hint of agreement appeared on Mei's face.

"Although I'm reluctant to admit it, I think it's believable if a scientist who has become a ghost says this."

Mei explained very rationally.

"After all, Dr. Liu Bai is probably the only known ghost in the history of science, right?"

After learning about Liu Bai's identity as a great scientist, Mei's tone became much more respectful.

"At least I haven't seen another one like me."

Liu Bai shrugged. He only became a spirit because of the system, so it would be strange if there were others like him. "I'm probably the kind of unique case that has never been seen before or will never be seen again, right? -- But let's put my matter aside for now and talk about something more important, shall we?"

"Something more important?"

Upon hearing Liu Bai's serious tone, Mei's face also became solemn.

Another advantage of third-grade elementary school students is that they can easily evoke Mei's emotions with just a little skill.

The current Mei is far from the level of being able to keep her emotions completely hidden.

Even Mei, a high school student, would show a flattered expression on her face after being praised by Mobius at an academic seminar.

"Yes, something more important—like the world is sliding towards destruction?"

Although there is plenty of time now, there is nothing wrong with maintaining a tense and race-against-time attitude in the fight against the Honkai.

"... Huh?"

This news is indeed a very significant piece of news.

"... Is the world sliding towards the brink of destruction?"

She couldn't believe it at all. Although she was indifferent to the outside world, she knew that most parts of the world were peaceful and stable.

Now someone is suddenly telling her that the world is sliding towards destruction?

If it weren't for the fact that the unseen guardian spirit before her had already proven its wisdom, Mei would never have believed such nonsense.

"This matter begins with something called 'Honkai'..."

Although it may be cruel to say this to a third-grade girl, it is something that cannot be avoided.

The earlier you prepare, the less you will lose in the future.

"Ah, of course, you don't need to worry too much about this. After all, I am your spirit, and I will remind you of important matters."

After a brief introduction to the existence of "Honkai," Mei's face clearly showed a sense of worry, an expression that appears on the face of anyone with foresight—although it's rather strange that it's on a third-grade girl.

"... In that case, I am even more determined to become a scientist."

Mei said very firmly.

"Even if the Honkai becomes stronger with the development of civilization, I still want to become a scientist—after all, even I know that I can't give up eating because of a choking incident and just sit and wait to die."

It's hard to imagine that a third-grade girl could say such a thing; her resilience is something that would make many adults feel ashamed.

But in Mei's opinion, this question is very simple.

It's simply a matter of waiting to die or living a life of great achievement.

The latter at least has a glimmer of hope, while the former... perhaps has no advantages other than being a little more "comfortable"?

"Dr. Liu Bai, could you teach me how to fight the Honkai right now?"

"Can."

Liu Bai agreed to the request without hesitation—Mei's fighting spirit was exactly what Liu Bai wanted.

"Let's start by figuring out this college textbook you have in your hand."

"Understood, Dr. Liu Bai." Mei nodded in conviction.

[Compatibility +5%]

... It's really easy to improve the compatibility of children.

However, he had long since passed the point of caring about compatibility; now he focused more on the process and the result.

As for compatibility...

To be honest, if it weren't for the compatibility score being related to the final rating, Liu Bai would really have hoped for a lower score.

"If there's anything you don't understand, write it down in your notebook and ask me for help when you have time."

"Doctor, do you mean...?"

"Besides you, I've chosen someone else. I'm going to see him."

"I understand, Doctor."

Mei nodded, indicating that she understood.

Mei and Kevin did not attend the same school, and they were even quite far apart until high school, when Kevin transferred to a school in the "remote" ChangKong City.

But speaking of which, looking at the quiet little girl who has returned to her studies, and then thinking back to Kevin, who was playing wildly on the playground when I first met her...

I have a bit of a headache.

Let's just pretend Kevin doesn't exist in this simulation.

—Just kidding.

Despite the complaints, we can't just leave Kevin unattended.

No matter what, Kevin is still a rough gem with great potential for polishing. If he is left unattended, Liu Bai will not be able to live with himself.

But...

When dealing with a brat like Kevin, normal communication methods like those used by Mei and me probably won't work.

It seems I need to come up with a trick that works well against this kind of brat; I must strike first!

Chapter 115 Two Little Rascals

"Hey! Su, I won again!"

The white-haired little boy shouted smugly to his friend.

"... Yes, yes, yes."

The gray-haired little boy responded with a helpless expression.

"Hey Kevin, can't we play some more civilized games?"

"Civilization?"

Kevin tilted his head, seemingly unable to understand the meaning of those two words at all.

"For example?"

"For example... like Gomoku or something?"

"Not interested."

I refused without even thinking about it.

"...As expected of you." Su sighed, rubbing her forehead.

"Hehehe..."

I wasn't complimenting you!

The gray-haired boy looked helplessly at his best friend, who was grinning foolishly.

"Keep playing ball with me, I think it's much more fun than Gomoku or anything like that."

"Sorry, but you should let me rest for a bit. I can't keep up with idiots when it comes to energy." Su collapsed onto the playground, sprawled out.

"Who are you calling an idiot?!"

"Aren't you quite self-aware?"

Su said in a bad mood.

Kevin was quite annoyed by this, but seeing his best friend's condition, he knew that his friend was really out of energy, so he simply sat down with the basketball under his butt.

"... Let me sit for a while."

Sue spotted Kevin sitting on the ball immediately.

"What? Weren't you lying there perfectly fine?"

"The playground is too dirty, move aside, or if it's really necessary, we can each sit in half."

"You bastard..."

Kevin twitched the corners of his mouth, still looking annoyed, but still gave up the basketball.

"Ah, youth..."