In the afterglow of dusk, rows of red-brick buildings bathed in the fading light stood tall, solemn, and imposing, witnesses to the Magic Engineering Institute's long history and extraordinary wisdom.
"By the time I finished asking Professor Bora Ao about the material ratios, the sun was already about to set."
Lanchi said this as he carried Cat Boss.
Lanchi had originally told Cat Boss to go back to the restaurant and rest, but it had ended up following him again.
Then again, Cat Boss Restaurant seemed to have nearly optimized Cat Boss out of existence by now. If it did not follow him, it had nowhere else to go.
Ever since their journey to the Northern Continent, the two of them had hardly returned to the restaurant, yet the restaurant continued operating as usual—and was even thriving.
"Meow."
Cat Boss yawned, as if it had just woken up.
Riding its strongest mount, Lanchi, it ambled along the paths through the campus.
The stream beside them was crystal clear. It wound gently around them, reflecting the gradually changing sunset on the horizon and the silhouettes of the trees nearby. The tranquility seemed to flow slowly along with time.
It had fallen asleep in the shadows while listening to Lanchi and Professor Bora Ao's discussion earlier.
Within sight, the sea of flowers blooming across the bank belonged to one corner of the Alchemy Institute's Botanical Garden. It was not only a place for practicing bioengineering, but also where knowledge and the beauty of nature converged.
"Lanchi, let's buy some vegetables at the school's campus center on the way back."
Cat Boss gazed at the scenery around the school, its eyes gradually focusing as it mumbled sleepily.
"Oh, right."
Lanchi answered and slightly changed direction.
As long as they took a small detour,