Ark Simulator, Don't I Have No Physical Form?

Eyjafjalla opened her mouth, but her throat felt dry, and in the end, no sound came out. She had so many questions she wanted to ask: about the money, about the stock market, about "super intelligence," about her specific plans to buy a house... But at this moment, in the classroom, under everyone's gaze, beside Su Rui's calm profile as if nothing had happened, she couldn't utter a single word.

Moreover, as Su Rui just said, "Don't worry about how I did it." His calm tone carried an undeniable air of authority. He was telling her in his own way that some things were better left unsaid; she didn't need to delve into them or worry about them.

Eyjafjalla took a slow, deep breath, then exhaled gently, trying to calm her heart, which was pounding in her chest. She turned her gaze back to the math textbook in front of her, but the symbols and numbers now seemed to her as the glowing eight-digit number from before, and the constantly scrolling real estate information and transaction terms...

Her thoughts had completely drifted away. They drifted to the Columbia University of Geology she longed for, to a quiet, detached house with a yard near the university, to the vague image of her life there with Su Rui... and to the tip of the iceberg of "superintelligence," a terrifying force capable of easily shaking the world's financial rules, hidden beneath Su Rui's seemingly calm exterior.

On the platform, the teacher's lecture continued. Some students around were dozing off, some were secretly passing notes, and some were still glancing out of the corner of their eyes at the unusually "intimate" "cousins" sitting closely together in the middle of the classroom.

But Eyjafjalla no longer cared. Her heart was completely filled with the astonishing wealth and ability that Su Rui had so casually displayed, and the clear and tangible blueprint for the future that followed. The jealousy and unease she had felt earlier because others were spying on Su Rui had now been replaced by a deeper, more complex emotion—a mixture of extreme shock, disbelief, lingering fear, and an indescribable, trembling sense of security and dependence, as if she were standing beside a vast treasure and unfathomable power.

Just what kind of person is Su Rui?

The question resurfaced in Eyjafjalla's mind, but the answer no longer seemed important. What mattered was that he was by her side, planning her future, protecting her and guiding her in his own way.

All she needed to do was trust him, follow him, and then... hold on tight to him.

Eyjafjalla's fingers unconsciously curled slightly, her fingertips seemingly still able to feel the pulse throbbing beneath Su Rui's skin when she had gripped his wrist tightly. She turned her head slightly, stealing another glance from the corner of her eye at the silver-haired, horned boy beside her, who appeared aloof and calm but possessed incredible power.

Su Rui (in lamb form) seemed to sense her gaze, her calm black eyes shifting slightly in her direction for a fleeting moment. Their gazes met briefly in the air.

Without a word, Eyjafjalla seemed to see a barely perceptible, almost soothing glimmer in the depths of his calm, unwavering eyes.

Then, Su Rui turned his gaze back to the podium, his fingers continuing to tap in the air as he worked on his vast and complex plans regarding wealth and the future.

Eyjafjalla slowly withdrew her gaze, her heartbeat finally calming down. She lowered her head, looking at her textbook, and her pink lips uncontrollably curved upwards into a small, sweet arc, full of dependence and expectation.

The future seems to be... really different.

The suspended digital lights and shadows had long since dissipated, but the shock remained, like a heavy stone thrown into a lake, continuously rippling through Eyjafjalla's heart. More than 30 million... super intelligence... a detached villa near the university... these words and images intertwined and swirled in her mind, making the teacher's monotone lecture on the podium and the occasional whispers of the students around her seem distant and blurry, as if separated by a thick layer of frosted glass.

She forced herself to fix her gaze on the math textbook, trying to find a familiar sense of order among the complex symbols and diagrams—a sense of belonging that belonged to "students." However, those calculus symbols seemed to her to be distorted into lines on a real estate floor plan or the fluctuations of a stock chart. She could even imagine Su Rui's slender fingers rapidly typing on an invisible keyboard, manipulating millions of dollars, precisely reaping profits in the invisible ocean of the internet, like the most skilled fisherman casting a vast net, each haul bringing an astonishing harvest.

This imagination gave her a dizzying feeling of being on the edge of a legendary story, but also brought a secret, proud sense of accomplishment—look, this is her Su Rui, so incredible, so powerful.

Just then, Su Rui's calm voice rang out in her mind again, interrupting her random thoughts:

"Eyjafjalla".

"Huh?" Eyjafjalla responded instinctively in her mind, her body tensing almost imperceptibly, thinking that Su Rui was about to "show" something amazing again, or give her some kind of evaluation for her behavior of peeking at the chat history.

"The next class," Su Rui's voice was flat and emotionless, as if stating an objective fact, "Is unnecessary to attend."

"No need... to listen?" Eyjafjalla paused, a hint of confusion flashing in her pink eyes. It was only morning, several classes still to go, and... although she herself was distracted, the conclusion that "there's no need to listen" seemed a bit...

"These courses," Su Rui's voice continued, with an almost cold, analytical quality, "Are nothing more than a link in the assembly line of Columbia's 'happy education' system, mass-producing qualified (or rather, tamed) labor. The content is superficial, the pace is sluggish, and the focus is on instilling obedience and basic social cognition, rather than truly inspiring thinking or imparting core knowledge sufficient to cope with the complexities of the world. For someone like you with clear academic goals, whose path has already been paved through other means (such as Saria's recommendation letter and our 'funding'), sitting here is just a waste of precious time, participating in a carefully designed, foolish collective performance."

Volume 19, Chapter 1303: Seeing the Essence

Su Rui's words ruthlessly tore away the warm (or rather, callous) facade of the Columbia public education system, pointing directly to its essence as a social machine lubricant and a tool for class selection. As Eyjafjalla listened, she felt a mix of realization (she had previously vaguely sensed a disconnect between what was taught in school and social reality, and that many of her classmates weren't there to learn), and a slight discomfort and... a strange sense of relief brought about by Su Rui's blunt assessment.

Yes, she sat there, restless, her thoughts already drifting to the university, the villa, and Su Rui's incredible "superintelligence." What the teacher was saying was, frankly, of little use for her impending future (if Su Rui's plans went smoothly). Su Rui could even teach her more in-depth, more practical knowledge.

"Then... what do we do?" Eyjafjalla asked softly to herself, a hint of hesitation and anticipation in her voice. "Should we... go home early?"

"No," Su Rui's voice rejected the simple option, proposing a more unexpected plan, "Now that we have time, let's do something more meaningful. Let's go to Trimounts and take a look at that house."

Going to see a house? Right now? Eyjafjalla's eyes widened instantly. Skipping class... to see the villa that Su Rui just bought (or is about to buy)? This... this is insane! They're still in class! And, it's a six-hour bus ride from here to Trimounts, a whole day's journey...

Seemingly sensing her shock and doubt, Su Rui added, "Go my way, it'll be quick. Much faster than a long-distance bus. Don't worry about the school, I'll handle it."

His method? Quickly? Handles the school.

Eyjafjalla's heart raced again. Su Rui's "methods" always exceeded her expectations. His so-called "handling" was probably some kind of "fine-tuning" of the network or rules that she couldn't understand, just like how he solved the problems of getting into school and making money.

A tremendous temptation lay before her. To escape this suffocating, useless classroom and get a sneak peek at her and Su Rui's future "home"... This thought, like wildfire, instantly ignited the resentment towards "wasting time" and the yearning for new things that Su Rui's words had stirred within Eyjafjalla.

"Is... is it really possible?" Her voice trembled slightly with excitement and a hint of nervousness.

"Yes." Su Rui's answer was brief and affirmative.

Just then, the bell rang shrilly, shattering the silence of the classroom. The math teacher, clutching his lesson plan, strode out of the classroom without looking back, as if staying even a second longer would be torture. The classroom instantly erupted in noise, the students rushing out of their cages like birds released from their cages, or gathering in small groups to chat.

At that moment, Su Rui (in his lamb form) stopped his "tapping" in the void. He turned his head, his black eyes calmly looking at Eyjafjalla, and said in a normal, slightly hoarse voice, "Pack your things, let's go."

His voice wasn't loud, but against the backdrop of the noisy classroom, it Eyjafjalla's ears clearly. It wasn't a tone of discussion, but rather an announcement.

Eyjafjalla's heart pounded, her cheeks flushing slightly with the impending "adventure." She frantically began tidying the books and stationery on the table, stuffing them into her bag. Her movements were somewhat hurried, but her eyes shone brightly.

Some classmates noticed their commotion and cast curious glances. Especially when they saw Su Rui stand up and pick up the simple canvas bag, several girls who had been watching them showed obvious reluctance and curiosity on their faces.

"Eyjafjalla, Su Rui, where are you going?" A bespectacled girl who was fairly familiar with Eyjafjalla couldn't help but ask.

"Uh... we..." Eyjafjalla was momentarily speechless, unsure how to explain.

"I have to go now," Su Rui (in sheep form) answered for her, his tone flat and without any further explanation. He tugged at Eyjafjalla's backpack strap, signaling her to follow.

Eyjafjalla nodded quickly, slung her backpack over her shoulder, and followed closely behind Su Rui. Amidst the varied gazes of the crowd, she strode out of the classroom.

The corridor was packed with students taking a break between classes, making a great deal of noise. Su Rui (in his sheep form), however, seemed to possess an invisible barrier; wherever he went, the crowd seemed to unconsciously part to make way for him. He walked steadily, heading straight for the stairwell. Eyjafjalla followed closely behind him, her heart pounding with tension and excitement, as if they were on a thrilling escape.

Eyjafjalla finally breathed a sigh of relief after leaving the teaching building and arriving near the relatively quiet side gate of the campus. The afternoon sun was a bit dazzling, and the air was still damp and chilly.

"Su Rui, how... how do we get there?" Eyjafjalla couldn't help but ask, looking around but not seeing any means of transportation.

Su Rui (in lamb form) stopped, turned around, and looked at her calmly with his dark eyes. He didn't answer, but simply extended his hand.

It wasn't that he wanted to hold her hand; rather, his palm was facing upwards, as if he were showing off something.

Immediately afterward, Eyjafjalla saw that above Su Rui's palm, the air began to slightly distort and fluctuate again. But this time, instead of glowing numbers or a screen, what appeared was... an extremely tiny, yet incredibly complex and precise three-dimensional pattern outlined by pale blue light. The pattern resembled the core of a miniature, constantly rotating device, radiating a stable and soft glow.

"Don't move, relax," Su Rui's voice echoed in her mind.

Eyjafjalla instinctively held her breath, her body stiffening for a moment, but she still tried to relax and looked at Su Rui with trust.

Suddenly, the tiny light pattern in Su Rui's palm flashed, and then, as if it had come to life, split into countless finer light threads. These light threads, like the most nimble tentacles, rapidly extended and intertwined, constructing a pale blue, semi-transparent light shield about two meters in diameter around Eyjafjalla and Su Rui, completely enveloping them.

The moment the light shield formed, Eyjafjalla felt the surrounding sounds, light, and even the flow of air instantly become blurry and distorted, as if she had been isolated in another dimension. She could even "see" students or pedestrians occasionally walking by on the street outside the side gate of the campus, but they ignored the pale blue light shield and the two people inside, as if they did not exist at all.

"This is..." Eyjafjalla's eyes widened in surprise.

Volume 19, Chapter 1304: Are you willing?

"Short-Range Spatial Leap, basic application," Su Rui (in sheep form) explained calmly, as if saying, "I used the elevator." "Target coordinates set: Trimounts City, Columbia University of Geology East Campus, 119 Oak Street. Preparing to teleport."

As soon as he finished speaking, Eyjafjalla felt as if the ground beneath her feet had vanished instantly, and she was plunged into a strange sense of weightlessness and dizziness. The surrounding scenery—the red brick walls of the campus, the gray sky, the buildings in the distance—spun rapidly, stretched, and blurred like paint thrown into a whirlpool, eventually transforming into a dazzling display of light and color.

This sensation lasted only a very short time, probably only one or two seconds.

When Eyjafjalla felt her feet touch solid ground again, the surrounding light quickly faded, and the scenery became clear again, she found herself standing on an unfamiliar, quiet, and clean street.

The afternoon sun shone warmly on the neatly paved sidewalks. Tall, leafy oak trees lined both sides of the street (no wonder it's called Oak Street), their shadows swaying gently. In the distance, the spires of Columbia University of Geology's modernist buildings, with their clean lines and academic atmosphere, could be faintly seen. The air was fresh, carrying the scent of plants and sunshine, a stark contrast to the perpetual damp chill and industrial dust of Cumberland County.

She and Su Rui (in her sheep form) stood in front of a rather elegant two-story villa with a separate wall and a small front yard. The villa's exterior walls were a warm beige, the roof was covered with dark gray tiles, and the windows were large and bright. The front yard wasn't large, but the neatly trimmed lawn and several clusters of unidentified pale purple flowers in bloom made it look exceptionally warm and tranquil.

A brand-new brass sign hung on the door: 119 Oak Street.

Eyjafjalla stared blankly at the beautiful house before her, then turned to look at Su Rui (in her lamb form), who appeared calm and composed, as if she had just strolled over from the next block. Her pink eyes were filled with immense shock and bewilderment.

This... is it? From the community high school in Cumberland County to the university district in Trimounts, a distance spanning at least six hours, it only took a second or two? This... is this what Su Rui meant by "fast"?

Moreover, this house... looks so beautiful, so... like a real "home." Is this the house that Su Rui casually discussed buying with others in class?

"Do you like it?" Su Rui's (in sheep form) voice snapped Eyjafjalla out of her utter shock. He had somehow produced an antique-looking brass key and handed it to her.

Eyjafjalla took the key in a daze, the cool metallic touch confirming that this wasn't a hallucination. She looked at the key, then at the house, then at Su Rui, opened her mouth, but found herself unable to utter a sound. Overwhelming joy, disbelief, and a near-fearful sense of happiness swept over her like a tsunami, making her eyes slightly hot.

"Let's go in and take a look," said Su Rui (in sheep form), pushing open the heavy, unlocked Oak door first.

Eyjafjalla took a deep breath, gripped the key tightly, and followed Su Rui inside.

Inside, there's a spacious and bright foyer. The natural wood floors are gleaming, and the air is filled with the faint scent of new renovations, mingled with the fresh aroma of sunshine and wood. The furniture is mostly in place, simple and comfortable in style, primarily in off-white, light gray, and natural wood tones, creating a warm and stylish atmosphere. The living room connects to the open-plan kitchen and dining area. Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling windows is a private backyard enclosed by a wooden fence, where sunlight streams perfectly onto a small patch of grass.

Everything was brand new, clean, and full of life, yet it seemed to be quietly waiting for its owner to arrive.

Eyjafjalla, like Alice who had stumbled into Wonderland, cautiously looked through each room. Spacious bedrooms (two in total, each with its own bathroom), a bright study (the bookshelves were already in place, empty, waiting to be filled), a fully functional kitchen, and even a small sunroom with a skylight, where she could place a telescope or grow plants...

This was no longer her cold, empty Cumberland County apartment filled with sad memories. This was a real, warm "home" full of future possibilities.

When she returned to the living room and saw Su Rui (in sheep form) standing in front of the French windows, gazing at the sun-drenched lawn in the backyard, her long-suppressed emotions finally broke through the dam.

"Su Rui ..." Eyjafjalla's voice choked with emotion, her pink eyes quickly welling up with tears. "This...this really is our house? We...can we really live here?"

Su Rui (in lamb form) turned around, his dark eyes calmly looking at her, and nodded almost imperceptibly. "The formalities are complete, and the key is in your hands. Legally and practically, it belongs to you. Of course," he paused, then added, "If you wish, this is 'our' home."

"I do! Of course I do!" Eyjafjalla nodded vigorously, tears finally streaming down her face uncontrollably, but her lips curled into a wide smile, a mixture of tears and an incredibly radiant expression. She had never imagined that a miracle would occur during the lowest and most desperate time of her life, not only pulling her out of the mire but also bringing her such a dreamlike future and vision.

Looking at the beautiful, cozy house before her, and then at Su Rui standing in the sunlight, his silver hair flowing smoothly, his little horns clean, and his demeanor calm and composed as if he were in control of everything, she felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude and dependence. She couldn't help but take a few steps forward, wanting to hug Su Rui again, but remembering Su Rui's words about being "uncomfortable with physical contact," she stopped herself abruptly, simply gazing at him with her bright, tearful pink eyes.

"Thank you, Su Rui... really... thank you..." she said incoherently, her voice trembling with emotion.

Su Rui at her tearful expression, a faint, almost gentle light seemed to flicker in the depths of his dark eyes. But he didn't say anything, simply turning his gaze back to the sunlight and lawn outside the window.

"Get familiar with your surroundings," he said calmly. "You'll be living here for a long time."

Eyjafjalla nodded vigorously, wiping away her tears haphazardly with the back of her hand, and began to explore her (and their) new house more carefully, with excitement and curiosity. Every corner, every piece of furniture, even the shape of the oak tree outside the window, filled her with wonder and joy.

Volume 19, Chapter 1305: The Future Within Reach

However, after the initial immense joy and shock gradually subsided, a thought, like a hidden reef at the bottom of the water, quietly surfaced in Eyjafjalla's mind.

They skipped class to come look at the house, which is great. But... is everything at school really okay? And then, she suddenly remembered something very important.

"Su Rui," Eyjafjalla approached Su Rui, who was checking the power outlets in the study, and hesitated before speaking, "When...are we going back to Cumberland County? About school..."

"We can go back anytime," Su Rui (in sheep form) replied without looking up. "Don't worry about the school; I've already taken care of the attendance records. If you want, we don't even have to go back to that school for classes; we can just preview university courses here or borrow materials from the university library."

No need to go back to school? Eyjafjalla's heart skipped a beat. But then, another, clearer thought overwhelmed the temptation.

"But..." She bit her lower lip, a hint of shyness and anticipation flashing in her pink eyes, "And then there's... the graduation prom."

"Graduation ball?" Su Rui (in sheep form) finally looked up, a hint of doubt flashing in her black eyes. She seemed unfamiliar with the term, or perhaps she didn't understand its importance.

"Yes!" Eyjafjalla nodded vigorously, her cheeks slightly flushed. "It's a formal dance that the school organizes before high school graduation. It's like... a ceremony to say goodbye to high school life. Everyone dresses up formally, dances together, takes pictures..." Her voice trailed off, her eyes darting around, not daring to look directly into Su Rui's eyes.

What she didn't dare say aloud was that, at the end of her otherwise bleak high school life, shrouded in pressure and sadness, this prom was one of the few things a "normal girl" could look forward to. Especially after Su Rui appeared and her life underwent a dramatic change, she wanted even more... to attend this prom, symbolizing "ending" and "new beginning," with Su Rui. To wear a beautiful dress, dance with Su Rui, and under the gaze of everyone (perhaps attracting more jealousy, but that didn't matter), to draw a... special conclusion to her high school years with Su Rui's participation.

Moreover, at the ball, that formal, intimate dance might be the only opportunity to "reasonably" and for a long time get close to Su Rui, even... to put your arm around his waist and be spun around by him? This secret thought made Eyjafjalla's cheeks flush even more, and her heartbeat quietly quickened.

Su Rui (in lamb form) watched her hesitate, her cheeks flushed, and her eyes darting around. Her dark eyes calmly observed her for a few seconds, as if she understood her unspoken expectations and the girl's cherishing of "ritual" through her subtle expressions and turbulent emotions.

He remained silent for a moment, as if weighing the pros and cons of "ending the useless course early" versus "fulfilling Eyjafjalla's little wish."

Finally, he nodded almost imperceptibly.

"Okay." Su Rui's voice rang out calmly, "I won't miss the prom. There's still some time before graduation, I'll make it."

His promise, simple yet reassuring, instantly soothed Eyjafjalla's anxieties about the potential neglect of "present rituals" caused by "skipping class" and "future plans." Her pink eyes lit up instantly, and a radiant smile returned to her face.

"Yes!" She nodded vigorously, her heart filled with sweet anticipation.

After seeing the house, getting familiar with the surroundings, and receiving Su Rui's promise about the prom, Eyjafjalla felt that everything today was as beautiful as an unreal dream. Sunshine, a new house, and the incredible Su Rui beside her who had promised to accompany her to the prom.

"So... shall we go back now?" Eyjafjalla asked, a hint of reluctance in her voice. She wanted to stay in her new home a little longer.

"No rush." Su Rui (in sheep form) walked to the sofa in the living room and sat down in a relaxed manner, her dark eyes looking at the bright sunlight outside the window. "Since we're here, we can stay a little longer. We can go back later. Everything will be fine in Cumberland County."

His words carried a reassuring sense of control. Eyjafjalla obediently sat down on the single sofa next to him, relaxing her body and feeling the warm and peaceful atmosphere of her new home. Her gaze couldn't help but drift to the silver-haired boy with small sheep horns sitting quietly beside her.

Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing Su Rui in a soft, golden glow. He tilted his head slightly, seemingly "watching" the invisible flow of information visible only to him, processing his vast and complex plan. But this time, Eyjafjalla felt neither unease nor curiosity, only a strange tranquility, a mixture of dependence, trust, and a secret stirring within her.

The future seems within reach, and right now, with Su Rui by my side and this warm new home as a backdrop, even the time spent waiting for the prom is filled with sweet anticipation.

Oak Street outside the window was quiet and peaceful. The afternoon sun in Trimounts was just right. For Eyjafjalla, a new chapter in her life seemed to have quietly begun on this afternoon of unexpected "skipping class," in this brand-new villa named "119 Oak Street."

Warm sunlight streamed through the spacious floor-to-ceiling windows, casting bright dappled patterns on the Oak floor. A faint smell of renovation lingered in the new home, mingling with the fresh scent of grass and trees drifting in from outside, creating a tranquil and hopeful atmosphere. Eyjafjalla leaned back in the soft sofa, her pink eyes scanning every corner of the living room with almost obsessive fascination, as if trying to imprint this new, warm, and "homey" scene deep into her heart.

Su Rui (in his sheep form) sat on the single sofa next to her, relaxed. His calm black eyes were slightly lowered, as if he wasn't enjoying the new environment but rather dealing with some "business." After a moment, he raised his hand, and an old touchscreen phone appeared out of thin air in his palm.

Eyjafjalla's attention was immediately drawn to it. She saw Su Rui tap a few times quickly on her phone screen, then seem to bring up a contact list, find a name, and dial it.

The call was quickly connected, Su Rui pressed the speakerphone button.

"Hello, is this Ms. Gwen?" Su Rui's voice was calm and clear, with a formulaic politeness, slightly different from the direct and bland tone he used when speaking to Eyjafjalla.

"Yes, that's me. May I ask who you are...?" A slightly tired but still well-mannered middle-aged woman's voice, with a distinct Lupo accent, came from the other end of the phone.

Volume 19, Chapter 1306: Eyjafjalla's Doubt

"I am Su Rui, the current buyer of the property at 119 Oak Street," Su Rui (in lamb form) introduced herself, her tone remaining calm.