Oak Cake Roll

"School!"

After gaining Liu Xing's memories, Firefly had fantasized that if she could have been born on a stable, peaceful planet, she would have wanted to go to school and make friends and companions who shared her interests. She also had a few small wishes, like being able to fall asleep peacefully, spending her allowance on lots of cute little trinkets, and becoming a dessert critic.

As a Glamoth Iron Cavalry of Skyfront, the Firefly Mark IV Strategic Assault Armor, SAM, was seen by others as a weapon against the Swarm. But to Firefly, it was the cradle of her life. She could not remain separated from SAM for long and could only keep fighting endlessly as a weapon until she burned herself out.

But things were different now. She had been reborn. Entropickness could no longer affect her for the time being, and she could experience life to her heart's content as Firefly, touching a world brimming with life with her own hands.

Although the flaws of being an artificial human still remained with her, such as being unable to dream, they did not stop her from pursuing the life of an ordinary person.

So, she really was interested in going to school.

Luan Yu saw the answer on Firefly's face and said with a grin, "Children should go to school, of course! Shrek Academy won't work, but big sister will send you to another school. It won't be any worse than Shrek Academy."

"Mm!"

Firefly nodded, anticipation shining in her eyes. School! It was something she had never experienced before. She had seen it in Liu Xing's memories, and she was looking forward to her own school life.

Liu Xing glanced at Luan Yu. They could not go to Shrek Academy... It seemed this bargain big sister was opposed to Shrek Academy. Opposed to the alma mater of the previous generation's protagonist—could she be from some villainous faction?

But none of that mattered. He did not care. Looking at Firefly's eager expression, Liu Xing smiled faintly. This was good. You are not a weapon. You should have your own life, your own hobbies, and your own friends. SAM is a weapon of war, but Firefly, you are not.

Still, school! Liu Xing was secretly looking forward to it too. Unlike Firefly, he was not looking forward to making new friends or enjoying campus life. He wanted to learn how to meditate and refine Soul Power. As an ordinary person, he had once dreamed of a world with superpowers and magic, and he had gone through that embarrassing edgy phase too. Now that an opportunity to come into contact with the extraordinary lay before him, how could he possibly remain unmoved?

Luan Yu saw the eager looks in the two little ones' eyes and smiled gently. Raising these two little ones did not seem so bad. Elder Sister would probably like them too, considering how adorable they were.

With the two little ones in tow, Luan Yu soon arrived at a restaurant. Having stayed in Dragon City for some time before, she knew which restaurants there had good food. She was something of a foodie herself and had fairly high standards when it came to cuisine.

The restaurant Luan Yu brought Liu Xing and Firefly into was clearly upscale. Magnificent chandeliers cast a soft glow over her, Liu Xing, and Firefly. The glittering decor and premium tables and chairs gave off an air of elegance. The waitstaff wore neat uniforms and welcomed them with smiles.

Liu Xing felt the soft carpet beneath his feet. Every step felt as though he were walking on clouds. Gentle music played throughout the restaurant, adding a touch of tranquility to the elegant atmosphere.

Liu Xing clicked his tongue inwardly. He had never entered such a luxurious restaurant before. Dragon City looked ancient on the outside, so he had assumed its restaurants would be like old-fashioned inns. He had not expected them to be so modern.

As expected of a world that had developed for ten thousand years—it really was different. When he had first entered Dragon City, he had thought that even after ten thousand years, this world had not progressed much and was still the same as it had been in the first part. Now, it seemed he had been mistaken.

Liu Xing and Firefly followed Luan Yu, their eyes full of curiosity.

Neither Liu Xing nor Firefly had ever been to such a luxurious restaurant. Liu Xing's world had restaurants even more extravagant than this one, but he had never been able to afford to enter them. In one word: poor.

As for Firefly, she was merely a consumable, a soldier. Though she had the ability to eat, she normally remained in a cultivation pod, sustained by nutrient solution. The only food she had ever eaten was a piece of Oak Cake Roll she had tried by chance. It was the only food she had ever tasted. Though others found Oak Cake Roll awful, like chewing on a block of wood, she liked its flavor very much and had always wanted to eat it again.

The waitress led them to a window-side table, beyond which was a bustling street filled with passersby.

Liu Xing and Firefly sat obediently in their comfortable leather chairs, their dangling little legs swinging back and forth. They were utterly adorable. Had they not noticed that the uniformed waitress's eyes were already shining?

Humans were visual creatures. Cute things drew attention anywhere.

Faint gazes also came from the nearby tables.

Luan Yu smiled knowingly. These two little ones really were incomparably cute. It seemed she was not the only one who thought so.

Although the waitress had been charmed by the little ones, she did not forget her job. She handed over the menu. Taking it, Luan Yu looked through it, ordered several dishes she liked, then passed it to Firefly and Liu Xing. "What do you want to eat? Order whatever you like."

Liu Xing gestured for Firefly to order first. Firefly did not stand on ceremony. She opened the menu and saw all kinds of dishes listed inside, each accompanied by an exquisite illustration that made one's mouth water.

Firefly's eyes lit up as she quickly flipped to the dessert pages. Then she frowned and asked the waitress, "Don't you have Oak Cake Roll?"

Hearing Firefly's question, the waitress looked troubled. Oak Cake Roll had a pleasant name, but it was actually a poor person's food made by adding sawdust to bread to fill one's stomach. How could a restaurant like this possibly have it?

Understanding Firefly's almost inexplicable obsession with Oak Cake Roll, Liu Xing said to her, "Firefly, have something else first. We'll look for Oak Cake Roll after we go out later."

Luan Yu nodded as well. "Little Firefly, after we finish eating, big sister will take you out to buy Oak Cake Roll. Have something else first. The cakes here are all delicious."

Luan Yu patted Firefly's little head, her eyes full of heartache. She knew what Oak Cake Roll was. She had tried it once out of curiosity, and the hard-to-swallow sensation, like gnawing on wood, had left a deep impression on her. In her view, anyone who could eat that stuff was a warrior.

Of course, what she had eaten was not the kind with sawdust added, but one specially made to taste the same. The kind with sawdust was something only truly impoverished people who could not afford enough food would make.