The Mecha-Kai Species During Dimensional Travel

"[Affirmation] Not bad."

"Told you, hehe."

As the master and disciple interacted, Volumen, sitting nearby, watched the uninvited Takuson with curiosity. She didn't interrupt their conversation, simply observing him quietly.

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

And that big brother had called Xiu Er "teacher."

Eh—

So Sister Xiu Er was a teacher too? She didn't look that old, which meant this big brother was her student?

What kind of teacher was she, though? This big brother didn't seem like a Magic User—more like a Warrior.

Could Sister Xiu Er be a Warrior too?

Couldn't tell at all.

While Volumen was lost in her wild guesses, Takuson noticed the someone who had been ignored.

A cookie appeared before Volumen's eyes.

"Hm?"

She followed the arm up to the person offering her the cookie.

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

"Give it a try? I'd personally recommend this cookie."

"Ah, thank you."

Taking the cookie he offered, it was just the right size for Takuson, but in Volumen's hands, it seemed a bit too big.

She took a small bite from the edge, then began to savor it slowly.

"Mmm, delicious!"

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

"Nn!"

Volumen wasn't the kind of child to casually accept gifts from strangers—her parents had raised her well.

But because of her connection to Sister Xiu Er and her own gut feeling, this kind-looking big brother couldn't be a bad person.

And while she nibbled on the cookie, Takuson secretly observed her in return.

So what was so special about this kid that made Teacher suddenly change her ways?

It wasn't that Takuson resented his teacher chatting with another child—he was just curious what about this little sister had caught her attention.

Because he knew his teacher well, he understood that she didn't usually talk to people for no reason, unless something unusual was going on.

"You, what's your name?"

"Me? Volumen, that's my name."

"Volumen, huh..."

Takuson searched his memory for that name.

Nn, never heard of it.

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

His expression showed no change, but the constant stream of data flowing through his eyes betrayed his thoughts.

Volumen was still in her childhood, and her parents were still alive.

After becoming a Mecha-Kai, his past-life memories had all been recorded into the database, becoming permanent memories.

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

That is, this city—Volumen's hometown—would soon face a Demon invasion and massacre.

And this was the turning point where Volumen would be found and taken as a disciple by the strongest Magic User, Sariel.

This city was about to be invaded by Demons. Its thriving scene would turn into a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood—a Hell. The entire city would be left with only the fortunate Volumen.

This was the conclusion drawn from speculation based on the information gathered from chatting with Volumen.

Understanding all this, Xiu Er had already made up his mind.

He'd stay in this city for a while, for now.

"Takuson."

"What is it, Teacher?"

Hearing his teacher call him, Takuson instinctively responded, abruptly cutting off the lively conversation.

"[Notification] We will remain in this city for an unknown duration."

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

Faced with this sudden change of plans, Takuson felt no dissatisfaction. To him, no matter where they were or how long they stayed, it wouldn't affect his daily training.

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

Moreover, being in a city was more convenient.

Though when supplies ran low, Xiu Er would simply [Gate of Opening] back to a city they'd visited before to restock.

Takuson was merely curious about what had suddenly come over his teacher to make her want to stop in one city, when in the past she'd stayed at most three days.

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

Volumen naturally heard the words just spoken, her eyes sparkling with joy.

Because she had a vague feeling that this sister named "Xiu Er" was an incredibly powerful Magic User, even if her way of speaking had a very strange verbal tic.

Volumen loved [Magic], so after meeting Xiu Er, she was curious about how many spells this sister knew.

"[Affirmation] We will remain here, duration unknown."

"Then can I come play with you guys later?"

"Of course you can." That was Takuson's reply.

"[Inquiry] Why." That was Xiu Er's.

"Because I want to learn [Magic]."

Without any roundabout words, Volumen stated her reason plainly.

"Huh? What?"

Hearing Volumen's words that sounded like a request to become a disciple, Takuson was momentarily stunned.

"[Inquiry] How can you be certain that I am a Magic User?"

"Um... well... a vague feeling?"

Volumen racked her brain for a reasonable answer, but ultimately chose a vague one.

"A vague feeling..."

Xiu Er chewed on the words.

Meanwhile, Takuson finally snapped out of it.

He crouched beside Xiu Er, bringing his mouth close to his teacher's ear, and whispered.

"Teacher, you're not really going to take her on, are you?"

Xiu Er neither confirmed nor denied it, and in that moment, Volumen's heart grew a bit more tense.

To be honest, she didn't actually care whether the other would teach her magic; more than that, she already considered Xiu Er a friend.

In their earlier conversation, Xiu Er had recounted most of her travels, sparking Volumen's curiosity about the life of an adventurer.

Now, Volumen's heart valued friendship more, and wanting to hear more stories, she had spoken those words.

"[Agreement] Application approved. Within the period we remain here, you may visit at any time."

"Mm!"

"But... how am I supposed to contact you, sisters?"

Suddenly realizing this, Volumen's just-lifted spirits sank again.

"Ah, about that..."

This question also stumped Takuson, since he simply followed Xiu Er's lead and had never thought about how to contact her.

Xiu Er, however, seemed unconcerned.

He simply reached into his clothes and, under Takuson and Volumen's puzzled expressions, pulled out a strange little device.

He handed it to Volumen.

"What's this?"

Volumen looked at the small object in her hand, extremely curious.

"[Explanation] This item is a 'contact' tool. If you wish to see us, press the button here."

As he spoke, Xiu Er specifically pointed his finger at the button on the device.

And Takuson stared at the thing, shock in his eyes.

Teacher had something like this?

Why didn't I get one?

And so, after Xiu Er explained all the device's functions to Volumen, the latter's eyes full of wonder, he took his disciple and bid her farewell.

"Bye-bye~"

"Ah, bye-bye."

Only Takuson responded to her, while Xiu Er remained as silent as before.

Finally, after bidding farewell to Volumen, he took his still somewhat dazed disciple and left, returning to the inn where they were staying in this city.

Chapter 23: Do You Like Magic?

The morning after returning to the inn, Takuson, who had woken up on time as usual, did not begin his pre-exercise warm-up. Instead, he went to Xiu Er's room.

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

"<strong>[Notification]</strong> Come in, Takuson. I know you're out there."

Right, the teacher did say she's always aware of my movements. The knocking was completely unnecessary.

Thinking this to himself, Takuson pushed the door open.

The first thing that came into view was Xiu Er, sitting on the edge of the bed with her back to him, staring out the window.

The morning sunlight streamed through the window into the room, gently illuminating Xiu Er as she sat by the bed.

Her blue-violet hair shimmered in the sunlight. For some reason, Takuson felt that his teacher's body was reflecting light like a smooth mirror.

Xiu Er's body had no scent. Aside from any dirt that might have stuck to her, there was no other odor in the room.

Takuson simply chalked this up to a privilege of being an Angel.

Xiu Er sat there quietly, like a lifeless doll. Only Takuson understood that this was just his teacher's daily routine.

"<strong>[Inquiry]</strong> What do you want?"

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

Seeing his teacher's gaze, as indifferent and unchanging as ever, put Takuson at ease.

Click.