A Ex-Machina on Dimensional Travel - Chapter 46

"It definitely tastes pretty good."

"See? I told you, hehe."

While the master and disciple interacted, Volumen, who sat nearby, curiously watched Takuson, the unexpected newcomer. She did not interrupt their conversation and merely observed him quietly.

From the looks of it, they seemed to know each other.

And that older brother even called Xiu Er "Teacher."

Eh—

So Sister Xiu Er was a teacher too? She clearly did not look that old. Then that older brother must have been Sister Xiu Er's student?

What kind of teacher was she? That older brother did not look like a Magic User at all. He seemed more like a warrior.

Could Sister Xiu Er also be a warrior?

She could not tell at all.

While Volumen let her imagination run wild, Takuson also noticed someone nearby who had been ignored.

A cookie appeared before Volumen's eyes.

"Hm?"

She followed the arm and looked toward the person offering her the cookie.

Takuson wore a gentle smile, like an older brother from next door.

"Want to try it? Personally, I recommend this cookie."

"Ah, thank you."

She accepted the cookie he offered. Though it was just the right size for Takuson, it was a little too large in Volumen's hands.

She took a small bite from it, then slowly savored the taste.

"Mmm, it's delicious!"

"Hmph, I didn't lie to you, did I?"

"Mm!"

Volumen was not the sort of child who casually accepted Gifts from strangers. Her parents had raised her well.

It was only because of his relationship with Sister Xiu Er, and because of her own instincts, that she felt this kind-looking older brother could not possibly be a bad person.

As Volumen ate the cookie bite by bite, Takuson secretly observed her.

So what was special about this child that had made Teacher suddenly change?

It was not that Takuson resented his teacher chatting with other children. He was simply curious about what had drawn his teacher to this little girl.

Because he knew his teacher so well, he understood that Teacher would not casually speak to others unless there was some special reason.

"What is your name?"

"Me? Volumen. That's my name."

"Volumen..."

Takuson searched through his memories for that name.

Mm, he had never heard it before.

While Takuson and Volumen chatted, Xiu Er sat silently nearby, quietly watching the latter.

There was no change in his expression, but the streams of data constantly flashing through his eyes revealed his thoughts.

The current Volumen was still a child, and her parents were still alive.

After he had become a Ex-Machina, all memories of his previous life had been recorded in his database and turned into permanent memories.

Knowing most of Volumen's experiences, he naturally understood what this meant.

In other words, this city—Volumen's hometown—would soon face an invasion and massacre by the Demons.

And this was also the opportunity for Volumen to be found by Sariel, the strongest Magic User, and taken as her disciple.

This city was about to be invaded by the Demons. Its flourishing scene would become a hell of corpses and blood, and only the fortunate Volumen would remain alive in the entire city.

This was the conclusion Xiu Er had inferred from the information obtained through his conversation with Volumen.

After understanding everything, Xiu Er had already made his decision.

For now, they would stay in this city for a while.

"Takuson."

"What is it, Teacher?"

Hearing his teacher call him, Takuson answered instinctively, abruptly ending the lively conversation.

"Notify us. We will remain in this city for an unknown duration."

"Eh—this is the first time you've made a decision like this, Teacher."

Takuson had no dissatisfaction with this sudden change of plans. To him, it made no difference where they stayed or how long they remained there; it would not affect his daily training.

As long as he was by Teacher's side, that was enough.

Besides, staying in a city was more convenient.

Though whenever they lacked something before, Xiu Er would simply Open Gate and return to a city they had visited previously to replenish supplies.

Takuson was merely curious what had suddenly come over Teacher, making him want to stop in one city. In the past, they had stayed for no more than three days.

"Eh? Sister Xiu Er, are you going to stay here for a while?"

Volumen had naturally heard what they said. Her eyes sparkled with delight.

Somehow, she felt that this sister called "Xiu Er" was an incredibly powerful Magic User, though she did have a very strange verbal tic.

Volumen liked Magic, so after meeting Xiu Er, she had become curious about how much Magic this sister knew.

"Affirmative. We will remain here for an unknown duration."

"Then can I come play with you later?"

"Of course you can." Takuson answered.

"Inquiry: why?" Xiu Er asked.

"Because I want to learn Magic."

Without beating around the bush, Volumen directly stated her reason.

"Huh? What?"

Hearing Volumen's words, which sounded as though she wanted to become a disciple, Takuson froze.

"Inquiry: how are you certain that I am a Magic User?"

"Um... well... I just have a feeling?"

Volumen racked her brains for a reasonable answer, only to settle on a vague reply in the end.

"A feeling..."

Xiu Er rolled the words around in his mouth.

Only then did Takuson react.

He crouched beside Xiu Er, brought his mouth close to his teacher's ear, and spoke softly.

"Teacher, you aren't really going to take her in, are you?"

Xiu Er neither confirmed nor denied it. At that moment, Volumen also grew a little nervous.

Honestly, she did not truly care whether Xiu Er would teach her Magic. More than that, she had already begun to see Xiu Er as a friend.

During their earlier conversation, Xiu Er had told her about most of her travel experiences, making Volumen curious about the life of an adventurer.

What Volumen cared about now was her new friend. Coupled with her desire to hear more stories, that was why she had said those words.

"Application approved. For as long as we remain here, you may visit at any time."

"Mm!"

"But... how can I contact you, Sister?"

Having suddenly realized this, Volumen's joy immediately sank again.

"That..."

That question stumped Takuson as well, since he had always followed Xiu Er and had never really considered how one might contact her.

Xiu Er, however, did not think it mattered.

She simply reached into her clothes and, beneath Takuson and Volumen's puzzled gazes, took out a strange little device.

She handed it to Volumen.

"What is this?"

Volumen looked at the little object in her hand, intensely curious.

"Answer: this is a 'contact' device. If you wish to see us, press this button."

As she spoke, Xiu Er specifically pointed at the button with her finger.

Takuson stared at the device in utter shock.

Teacher had something like that?

Why had she never given him one?

After Xiu Er explained all the device's functions to Volumen, she bade her farewell with her disciple while Volumen's eyes remained full of wonder.

"Bye-bye~"

"Ah, bye."

Only Takuson responded to her. Xiu Er remained as she always was.

After finally saying goodbye to Volumen, Xiu Er left with her still somewhat dazed disciple and returned to the inn where they were staying in the city.

Do You Like Magic?

Early the next morning after returning to the inn, Takuson got up on time. Rather than beginning his usual warm-up before training, he went to Xiu Er's room.

Just as he was about to knock, a voice from inside interrupted him.

"Notification: come in, Takuson. I know you are outside."

Right. Teacher had said she always knew my movements. Knocking was completely unnecessary.

Thinking that, Takuson pushed open the door.

The first thing he saw was Xiu Er sitting on the edge of the bed with her back to him, gazing out the window.

Morning sunlight streamed through the window, gently falling across Xiu Er as she sat by the bed.

Her blue-violet hair glimmered beneath the sunlight. For some reason, Takuson felt as though Teacher's body reflected the sunlight like a polished mirror.

Xiu Er had no scent. Aside from any grime that might occasionally cling to her, there was no other smell in the room.

Takuson regarded that as an angel's privilege.

Xiu Er sat there quietly, like a lifeless doll. Only Takuson understood that this was simply Teacher's usual behavior.

"Inquiry: what do you seek from me?"

Xiu Er turned around, her amber eyes fixed unblinkingly on her disciple.

Seeing Teacher's unchanged, indifferent gaze just as it had always been made Takuson feel at ease.

Click.