The Ex-Machina in Dimensional Travel

He walked into the room and casually closed the door behind him.

"Teacher, I'm very curious. Why did you choose to stay in this city?" Takuson's heart was filled with doubt, because his teacher had never done anything like this before.

"Normally, even if there were creatures or Demons nearby that might harm civilians, you would choose to strike immediately, without wasting a moment."

Looking into those curious eyes, Xiu Er naturally understood what was troubling him.

She did not hide anything and directly explained the reason to Takuson.

"Speculation: this city will be completely destroyed by a Demon invasion in the near future. The possibility of survivors is extremely low."

"Ah!? Isn't that serious?!"

Takuson did not doubt whether Xiu Er's words were true. As had been said before, he trusted his teacher absolutely.

His earlier confusion was not skepticism toward Xiu Er. He was simply curious about why she had made such a choice.

"Conclusion: that is why I chose to remain and help this city resist the crisis."

"So that's how it is."

Only then did Takuson understand his teacher's intentions. Having experienced it himself, he knew what this place would become if the Demons truly invaded the city.

Yesterday, he had already spoken with all kinds of people on Food Street and seen the expressions on the passersby's faces. Aside from petty thieves and wicked people, this city was still quite prosperous.

If such a city were turned into a living hell, Takuson did not even dare imagine it!

Seeing the instant determination in her disciple's eyes, along with the malice toward Demons that occasionally leaked from him.

Xiu Er also understood her disciple's personality. Whenever anything involving Demons came up, he would become like this.

"Supplement: the number of Demons this time will exceed the number that attacked your hometown back then."

"Is that so? Then we should notify the City Lord and the garrison."

Takuson pinched his chin and began considering the next steps.

However, the next second, Xiu Er rejected his suggestion.

"Negative. Informing the City Lord and the garrison would be meaningless."

"Huh? Why?"

Takuson did not understand why his teacher chose not to inform the City Lord and garrison of something so important.

In response, Xiu Er merely glanced at him before beginning her explanation.

"Proof: to the people of this city, we are merely strangers. Compared with a noble such as the City Lord, we are merely commoners."

"Speculation: if we truly informed the City Lord of this intelligence, calculations place the probability of him believing us at only 1%."

Hearing this, Takuson finally showed an enlightened expression and understood why his teacher had made this choice.

He himself trusted his teacher deeply, but others did not.

He knew his teacher pursued efficiency and would not do meaningless things. However, he still felt differently. If possible, he still wanted to notify the City Lord and garrison.

After all, it was better to have some precautions in place.

"Conclusion: we need not notify them. We only need to stop the Demons outside the city walls, within sight of the garrison. This will also alert the city's defenders."

If anyone else heard that, they might doubt how Xiu Er could stop the Demons alone.

But Takuson knew just how powerful his teacher was, so he believed her without question. In his mind, his Angel teacher was heaven itself.

As long as his teacher acted, everything would get better.

However, even though Xiu Er had clearly stated that notifying others would have no effect, Takuson still felt that they should at least give them a warning.

"Reminder: I will not interfere with whatever you do, as long as you do not regret it."

Xiu Er's words made Takuson, who had been hurrying to leave, pause mid-step.

"Aha, as expected, I can't hide it from you, Teacher. Thank you for understanding. I'll be right back."

He scratched the back of his head awkwardly, then bid Xiu Er farewell and set off toward the City Lord's Mansion.

After seeing off her unofficial disciple, Xiu Er turned back once more and looked at the little things in her hands.

Beep, beep, beep...

As the light beside the device's button flashed, a golden Teleportation Gate opened before Volumen the next moment.

The little girl's eyes widened instantly, and her forgotten, hanging jaw showed just how shocked she was.

Then, two figures walked out from within.

Volumen recognized them. They were Xiu Er and Takuson.

Strangely, though, Takuson looked as if he had suffered some sort of grievance.

After seeing who they were, Volumen ran toward Xiu Er with wild excitement, looking as though she wanted to throw her arms around Xiu Er's waist.

Takuson did not stop her, Xiu Er did not dodge, and Volumen did not truly intend to hug her.

She ultimately stopped in front of Xiu Er, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"Sister Xiu Er, what kind of Magic is this? It feels so amazing."

Xiu Er did not explain or answer her question.

"Inquiry: what do you need from me?"

The instant Xiu Er came out through the "gate," she had already detected and scanned the surrounding area.

She then discovered that this was a wilderness area near the city. Judging from the environment, adventurers and guards likely came here often to clear the area out.

There were no traces of any Monsters nearby.

Choosing this place showed that Volumen understood some things after all.

"Didn't you say, 'If you want to see me, just press this button'?"

"Affirmative. I have not forgotten that promise."

"Then that settles it. Come with me. I'll take you somewhere beautiful."

As she spoke, Volumen tried to take Xiu Er's hand, looking as though she wanted to lead her somewhere.

Meanwhile, Takuson remained silent the entire time, simply watching his teacher interact with Volumen.

In the end, led by Volumen, Xiu Er's group passed through the dense forest and arrived at an area with a pond.

Volumen led Xiu Er to a patch of flowers growing beside the pond.

After realizing there seemed to be nothing for him to do, Takuson began his daily training routine on his own.

Xiu Er looked at the girl beside her, who was weaving a flower crown from grass and flowers. The sincere smile on Volumen's face puzzled her.

Had she already come to see me as a friend so quickly?

So this was what Volumen was like as a child...

"Inquiry: Volumen..."

"Mm? What is it, Sister Xiu Er?"

Volumen stopped what she was doing and turned around, and then she saw it.

Those emotionless eyes, filled with nothing but coldness.

Yet she was not afraid. Although Sister Xiu Er had seemed distant and extremely cold at first glance.

During their conversation that afternoon, however, Volumen had vaguely sensed that this beautiful older sister was not as cold as she appeared.

After Volumen turned around, Xiu Er spoke the rest of her question.

"Do you like Magic?"

Takuson's Worry

"Whoa, Sister Xiu Er, look!"

A small fireball floated above Volumen's palm.

She happily held it out before Xiu Er like a student seeking praise.

A faint glow shone in Xiu Er's eyes, but Volumen was too happy to notice.

"Affirmative. Your proficiency in 'Fireball Magic' has reached the standard. You have successfully mastered this Magic."

Hearing Xiu Er's praise, Volumen's heart filled with joy.

Back when she was home, her parents had also taught her knowledge of Magic and taught her her previous favorite spell—"Magic to Conjure Flower Fields."

This gave Volumen her earliest interest in and fondness for Magic.

"Affirmative. Volumen, you possess great talent for Magic. In the future, you will become an outstanding Magic User."

This was not Xiu Er describing the future based on records.

Rather, it was a conclusion she had reached according to the information gathered through detailed observation and scanning of Volumen over the past few months, measured against her own standards.

It had to be said that Volumen was indeed impressive. Even in childhood, she had already begun to stand out.

Because of her love for Magic, she learned Magic at an incredibly fast pace.

When it came to Magic, there was no doubt about it. She was a genius!

Volumen's parents had also agreed to let her go out and learn Magic from others. Since her parents had agreed, Xiu Er had no objections.

She had chosen to stay only to save the residents of this city, and teaching Volumen Magic was merely something she did along the way.

In any case, spending time with Volumen did not interfere with her schedule.

As for why Xiu Er had specifically chosen to stay behind and save these unrelated passersby?

When facing strangers, she had always responded with an indifferent attitude, looking as though she did not want to involve herself in too many interpersonal relationships.

But in truth, if she encountered someone she could save easily, she would not begrudge them her strength and would lend them a hand.

Just like in the previous world, where Xiu Er always avoided catching innocent bystanders in the crossfire whenever she fought the elves.

Most of the Magic Guidebooks Xiu Er taught Volumen from had been acquired through various means in the past. Most of them had been taken from Takuson's backpack.

Once Volumen learned from them, Xiu Er would require her to return them to Takuson.

Some Magic Guidebooks that had been recorded earlier as electronic documents were also "printed" by Xiu Er. Those books were given directly to Volumen.

Honestly, Xiu Er had not actually taught Volumen how to use Magic. Over the past few months, she had simply thrown a Magic Guidebook to Volumen and let her study it herself.

So when she saw Volumen rapidly master a spell, even Xiu Er had to marvel at how extraordinary her talent was.

Takuson, who often returned after finishing his training, could frequently be seen envying Volumen's talent for Magic.

Well, there was no jealousy, because Takuson understood that people were different.

He also had no complaints about his teacher taking Magic Guidebooks from him to teach Volumen.

After all, he could only learn a few minor support spells at most.

Yes, not a single complaint...

One day, after Xiu Er finished that day's teaching and checked the situation around the city.

In the inn's dining hall, Takuson ate the food on his plate while occasionally sneaking glances at Xiu Er.

Xiu Er leaned against the window, looking as though she were lost in thought.

But Takuson knew what she was doing. According to his teacher, she was constantly monitoring the situation outside the city.

His teacher had said that she did not know when the Demons would attack the city, so she could only ensure its safety this way.

"Volumen really is diligent."

Whether intentionally or not.

Takuson, unusually enough, started a conversation during a meal today!