Study Maniac Online

After the day's classes ended, they had an hour of free time to explore the Star Net.

Xi Xiu was drawn in by everything here, wandering around and opening simulated scenes from other star systems. They were reproduced at a one-to-one scale, making her feel as though she were truly there.

She selected a map and went to an unnamed planet. It was pitch-black, and she could not see anything, yet she felt that everything should be growing there.

Xi Xiu ignored the doubts in her heart and left after only a few minutes. After she departed, that unnamed planet suddenly began to glow...

This virtual world was broader and larger than Wei Lanshan had described. Here, she saw all kinds of advanced technology and could train as well.

She decided to first master the basics and understand all the theoretical knowledge of this world, or she would make a fool of herself in the future.

Fortunately, this era had the ability known as Mental Power. She felt that her memory had become much stronger. She could take in information at a glance, and in an hour, she had learned many detailed things.

After committing it all to memory, Xi Xiu conscientiously disconnected and logged out without needing Robot 08 to remind her.

Vivian came to see her at noon and asked whether she was settling in. She told Xi Xiu that she could come to her with any problems, or send her a message directly through the Orphanage's internal network, and she would reply.

Xi Xiu obediently answered Vivian's questions and told her everything she had done that day.

Vivian was very surprised. This little girl's self-discipline was frightening. Even Xue Fanhui was not like this. Vivian felt sorry for her.

"Xi Xiu, you don't need to be like this. You can relax a little. You're still young, so don't push yourself too hard. Play with the other children more."

"Okay, I understand, Director Vivian."

"How are you getting along with Fanhui?"

"Pretty well. She's a very nice sister."

Xi Xiu did not say much else. Only Wei Lanshan had seen through her secret, so in front of Vivian, she tried hard to play the innocent child of just over five years old.

The robot had not reported any conflict between them. It seemed that Xue Fanhui and Xi Xiu were getting along, and Vivian felt somewhat relieved.

They were both exceptionally gifted children. In the future, they should become friends who could talk about anything, just as Vivian and the others had been back then.

And so, Xi Xiu began her life at the Orphanage.

Xue Fanhui had arrived half a year before Xi Xiu. After Xi Xiu moved in, Xue Fanhui saw how capable she was at taking care of herself and no longer ignored her. Instead, she played with Xi Xiu and took her along wherever she went.

The two seemed to be naturally compatible. After getting along for more than ten days, they became completely inseparable.

Xue Fanhui was also a serious person, and she had already made plans for the future. She wanted to become the Alliance's greatest mechanic and rise to the top.

After hearing about her dream, Xi Xiu admired her greatly and encouraged Xue Fanhui. "Fanhui, you'll definitely succeed. I believe in you."

"Thank you. What about you, Xi Xiu? Have you thought about what you want to do?" Xue Fanhui was curious, because her roommate was simply too, too hardworking.

"Me? I haven't decided yet. I'll make a decision after the assessment when I turn sixteen. But most likely, after my service period ends, I'll find a planet to settle down on, open a little shop, and live a peaceful life."

Xue Fanhui was speechless. She studied and trained so desperately just to open a shop?

Xue Fanhui had thought she wanted to become an Alliance marshal!!!

Could she say that her roommate had no ambition at all? At the very least, she should strive to become the top mechanic, so the two of them would be a proper match!

Still, everyone had different dreams, and dreams could be changed by reality.

Xi Xiu studied happily every day and got along well with Xue Fanhui, without any conflicts or unpleasantness. She also had no friction with the other children at the Orphanage. After all, they only had a dozen or so minutes each day to play together.

Their coursework was simply too heavy, and they had robots accompanying them, so they generally went around with their roommates and rarely interacted with others. They were merely acquaintances who nodded when they met.

Vivian also took very good care of her. She came to see her several times every day, asking whether Xi Xiu had any difficulties with her studies or training, and Xi Xiu always answered obediently.

Late at night, Xi Xiu would think of the days when she had fled with Wei Lanshan. She did not know where Wei Lanshan had gone. Had she really vanished without a word? Vivian certainly knew where she was, but Xi Xiu did not ask.

As time flew by, Xi Xiu discovered that Ningkui Star had no winter, only spring, summer, and autumn. Having grown up amid winter's falling snow, Xi Xiu felt a slight sense of regret.

Time passed amid the tight daily schedule. It took Xi Xiu more than half a year to learn the languages and writing systems of Ningkui Star and Mingzhao Star.

Her physical training had also reached Level Three, and her advancement speed left Xue Fanhui dumbfounded.

After all, Xue Fanhui was a year older than her and had only reached Level Three in physical training herself.

After dinner one evening, Xue Fanhui took Xi Xiu to their secret base in the Orphanage: a large tree that Xue Fanhui had discovered before Xi Xiu arrived.

Recently, the two had often slipped away from Robot 08, which took care of them, to come here at night and gaze at the stars. Countless stars twinkled in the black sky. Together, they tried to identify which one was Capital Star, promising each other that they would definitely go there someday.

Before they realized it, their friendship had deepened.

The two quickly climbed to the top of the tree and sat in the fork of its branches. Their clothes blended into the tree because of their color, and with evening already upon them, people passing below could not spot anyone in the tree.

Xue Fanhui crossed her legs, her little face solemn. "Xi Xiu, what's the secret to physical training?"

Xi Xiu was baffled. Was Xue Fanhui asking for her secret?

"Be fast, ruthless, and accurate. Practice diligently." That was the most standard answer.

"No, I mean the secret to how you train in physical techniques."

"I train the same way you do." Xi Xiu was puzzled. She and Xue Fanhui were partners on the Virtual Network. They sparred and exchanged moves for the same amount of time, following the methods taught by their instructor. There was no difference at all.

As for her rapid progress, Xi Xiu guessed it was because of her Mental Power, as well as the ways Wei Lanshan's Martial Skills overlapped with physical training.

Xue Fanhui also realized that it was indeed as Xi Xiu had said. So where was the problem? No, she felt that she needed to give herself extra lessons.

"Oh, right. Next month, we're going camping. The destination is fixed—we're going to the seaside. The scenery there is beautiful."

"Okay. Do we need to prepare anything?" Xi Xiu was a complete novice, brimming with curiosity.

"No need. The Orphanage will prepare them, but we might get bullied." Xue Fanhui looked very serious.

Not long after arriving here, she had gone on an outdoor camping trip. Back then, she had been weak, and several older children had snatched away her Nutrient Paste, leaving her hungry for an entire day.

Xi Xiu straightened her tiny body. "Why? Those people from the building behind us?"

"Yeah. There are a few over there who especially like picking on younger kids who just entered the Orphanage."

"Does Vivian know? Didn't the robots do anything?"

"Vivian knows, and she has lectured them before. That's why the older and younger children are managed separately. But during camping trips, Vivian can't keep an eye on everyone. According to the robots' management rules, as long as no blood is drawn, it isn't considered a serious problem."

The rules written into the robots' programs stated that as long as no blood was spilled and it wasn't a group beating by more than ten people, it was nothing serious.

Because in certain aspects of children's development, fights were unavoidable.

Reality was this cruel. Every person in the Alliance had to go through the process of fighting others. On the Star Net, after the age of ten, they would be randomly matched with opponents and advance through combat.

"Can we avoid them?" Xi Xiu thought about it. If they couldn't afford to provoke them, they could hide.

"We'll see when the time comes. If something feels wrong, remember to run toward me. And don't stray too far from me."

"Mm-hmm. I'll remember. Thank you, Fanhui."

How wonderful. She had met such a good roommate, someone who might become like family in the future, just as Vivian had said.

The two of them discussed what they could bring. Fanhui knew Xi Xiu had a Space Locket, so they could put everything inside it when the time came.