It was that simple.
When it came to something she was deeply interested in, Black Tower could naturally make concessions, even if it meant giving up the entire cafeteria.
As for how interested Black Tower currently was in Lin Nai?
She was still somewhat interested.
After all, Lin Nai gained new abilities every so often. There was still plenty for Black Tower to explore.
It just definitely was not as interesting as it had been at the beginning.
Lin Nai and Asta had just sat down and were about to order.
A burly man in a white chef's uniform, his hands dripping wet, came over.
"Gurgle... Isn't this the famous Lin Nai? It's been a long time!"
"George..."
Lin Nai turned to look at him, gave him a couple of glances, then said nothing more.
George paused, looking puzzled. "Gur... cough, Lin Nai, what are you looking at me for?"
"Nothing at all~"
Lin Nai withdrew his gaze and secretly made a gesture to Asta, who was seated across from him.
At the same time, he continued asking "George," "What is it?"
"Oh! Since you're here for once, how about trying my cooking?"
"I suppose that's fine... So what do you want to make?"
"Let me think..."
After "George" pondered for a moment, he suddenly pointed at the ceiling and shouted:
"Hey! I'll make you a bowl of noodles! Iron Bull beef noodles! Want to try them?"
"?"
Are you sure they're... Iron Bull beef noodles?
After several seconds of silence, Lin Nai finally spoke. "No scallions, please."
"Sure thing! Gurgle... cough!"
Watching the burly man walk away, Lin Nai's smile faded.
"What's wrong?"
Only then did the pink-haired girl sitting across from Lin Nai ask what had happened.
The gesture he had given her earlier had told her not to speak.
"Nothing. That was an Alien Water Sprite."
"An Alien Water Sprite? I remember that being..."
"That's right, it's a Curio." Lin Nai looked toward the back kitchen as he answered Asta.
The Herta Space Station was a place that contained—or collected—Curios and anomalies.
Among them was an anomaly that could take on the appearance of other people, such as... the Alien Water Sprite.
However, when the Alien Water Sprite impersonated someone, its speech carried an abnormal watery sound, its pupils reflected light unnaturally, its sweating response was abnormal, and parts of its body might appear damp.
That was why the "George" from before had made gurgling water sounds while speaking.
And besides.
George was a chef, so it was perfectly normal for parts of him to be wet.
That made it easy for the Alien Water Sprite to conceal itself.
But fundamentally, it was still fundamentally different from the original person. Someone familiar with them could quickly tell the difference.
Asta frowned and rose, preparing to head for the support section. "I'll go check the Curio containment room..."
"It's fine. I'll go later."
Lin Nai interrupted Asta and stopped her.
He had to send that thing back later anyway, so he could check then.
Asta hesitated, but ultimately nodded and left the matter to Lin Nai.
At ease, she took out the menu and began looking over what to eat later.
"Do you need me to bring your food to your room later?" Asta asked without looking up.
"Ah, if you can, that would be great. But wouldn't that be too much trouble?"
"It's fine, it's no trouble at all." Asta looked up and gave him a playful wink. "As long as it's for Lin Nai, I won't find it troublesome no matter what."
"Wow, I'm so touched~ If only you'd assign me a little less homework, Asta."
"That won't do. Madam Black Tower specifically arranged for me to teach you."
"Guh... Teacher Asta, spare me~"
"Nope, Student Lin Nai."
It was not that Lin Nai was illiterate.
But the universe of Honkai: Star Rail had a common language, as well as dialects from various other planets.
Seeing Lin Nai's dejected expression, Asta smiled helplessly.
"Don't worry, I'll assign a little less homework. So you don't run away from the Space Station again."
"Ah... Last time really wasn't my intention! Asta! You have to believe me!"
"Sure, sure. If Miss Kizuna and the others hadn't happened to run into you and bring you back, who knows how long you would've stayed there."
Asta rolled her eyes and lowered her head to continue ordering.
She truly did not know what Lin Nai had been thinking back then, running out of the Space Station.
Just like a rebellious child.
Hmm...
It seemed Madam Black Tower had described Lin Nai that way too.
Eating Beef Noodles, What a Wonderful Way to Go~
Before long.
"Hehehe, beef noodles are here~" The Alien Water Sprite jogged over carrying a bowl of noodles.
Lin Nai looked at the noodles George had brought over without saying a word.
No scallions~
But unfortunately, he still could not eat them. Lin Nai could tell something was wrong the moment he smelled the noodles.
That bastard had definitely added something to them. He just did not know what exactly it was.
"Why aren't you eating? Eating beef noodles is such a wonderful way to go~"
Seeing that Lin Nai had not picked up his chopsticks, the Alien Water Sprite immediately urged him on.
It could hardly wait to see him rush painfully into the restroom, then see his expression when he discovered the restroom it had sabotaged!
Hehehe!
Just thinking about it got it incredibly excited!
"George, I don't dare eat it. Someone said there's poison in the noodles." Lin Nai wore an amused expression as he lightly tapped the table.
Listening to the sound of the tabletop, the Alien Water Sprite felt cold sweat run down its back and forced out a laugh.
"Oh, come on, Lin Nai, you really love joking around. I won't disturb you anymore. I'm leaving."
"You can't leave."
"Huh?"
Lin Nai beckoned, and the Alien Water Sprite curiously leaned its head over.
Lin Nai pressed close to its ear and whispered, "Because I don't eat beef."
Then Lin Nai suddenly sprang up and punched the Alien Water Sprite in the face!
ORA!!
The Alien Water Sprite spiraled through the air and slammed into the wall.
Lin Nai shouted and pointed at it.
"Bold demon! I could tell at a glance that you weren't human!"
"Gurgle!"
"Damn it, you saw through me..."
The Alien Water Sprite climbed up from the floor, its face full of unwillingness.
"In that case, there's nothing I can do!"
The Alien Water Sprite ripped open its clothes, revealing explosives strapped around its waist.
The researchers dining nearby had already turned to look when Lin Nai made his move.
Watching excitement was in most people's nature.
So the instant they spotted the bomb.
The entire cafeteria tensed up.
Like boiling water.
"Holy shit! Which department developed those explosives?!"
"Something's happened! The chef wants to kill someone!"
"Lin Nai! Hurry up and use your invincible power to think of something!"
"You idiot! What are you doing?!"
The Alien Water Sprite's face twisted into a crazed smile.
"Gurglegurgle! I'm done acting! I was sent by that lord to kill you! Gurglegurgle!"
"Now that you've discovered me, I'll definitely be locked away again, worse than dead. So don't think you're getting out alive either!!!"
"My lord! My mission! Is complete!!"
"I call your name! Do you dare answer, Alien Water Sprite?!" Lin Nai shouted, somehow producing a gourd.
The Alien Water Sprite froze, looking over in surprise. "Why wouldn't I dare?"
"Get in here!"
"Hmm-hmm-hmm, aaahhhhh!!"
The Alien Water Sprite, explosives and all, was sucked into the gourd.
Lin Nai quickly capped it and could not help letting out a sigh of relief.
It would not have been fun if the bomb had really gone off.
He would have to figure out how to get that thing out later... What a hassle.
He also did not know whether the gourd the system had given him would be blown apart by that bomb.
Afterward.
After greeting Asta and asking some of the others around for information.
Lin Nai immediately set off for the laboratory that had manufactured the bomb.
Before you continue