Puff~ Haaah~~~
After racing around outside for over ten minutes, she finally descended from the sky back into the hangar. The soles of the machine’s feet scraped against the hangar floor due to the kinetic energy, throwing off dazzling sparks. After sliding several meters, it came to a precise stop in its berth.
As the cockpit hatch opened, Irina jumped out with a thoroughly refreshed expression. She felt that if she could take a spin like this after every meal, it would truly extend her life and improve her health.
“Senior, you’ve worked hard. How did the data collection go?”
“You can start designing improvement plans based on the school’s restrictions for the Degree Battles. It’ll make things much easier to implement when the battles start in a month.”
After patting the machine and confirming there were no issues, Ye Xu turned around and asked Irina.
“…….”
He only saw Irina’s body gradually stiffen in place.
“……”
“……”
Their eyes met in silence.
“You forgot to take the measurements?”
“……”
Under his senior’s despairing, teary-eyed gaze that seemed to say “Junior, please don’t scold me,” Ye Xu helplessly pressed a hand to his forehead.
More than ten minutes later…
After his senior finished the second test run.
This time, Ye Xu didn’t let her take it outside. He only had her perform various action tests inside the hangar, meticulously recording all the parameters to make future adjustments and modifications easier.
Once his senior awkwardly climbed down from the machine, Ye Xu once again granted her piloting rights and said, “Since everything’s settled here and you probably don’t need me for anything else, and it’s almost time for school to let out, I’ll head out first.”
Although she was very reluctant to part with her junior, after troubling him so much these past two days, even Irina wasn’t thick-skinned enough to keep him any longer. Remembering the awkward silence when their eyes had met earlier, she could only lower her head with a reddened face.
Seeing this, Ye Xu nodded, waved goodbye, and left the hangar. He then took the magitech train to the dining area.
“Ye Laixi~~~”
A familiar voice rang out. The moment he turned his head, he saw Anlor—who had changed into a new set of clothes—running straight toward him.
At this moment, she had already changed out of her school uniform and was wearing a dark red short dress that reached mid-thigh. It was embroidered with vibrant red thorny rose patterns resembling flames, paired with a matching jacket and knee-high boots—the exact outfit Ye Xu had shown her not long ago.
Of course, there were many improvements. For example, the dress wasn’t a single piece; it exposed Anlor’s fair and smooth midriff and her small, clean navel, making her look more energetic and alluring. There were also cutouts at the shoulders, revealing her charming rosy shoulders.
“You’ve already been back to the dormitory?” Seeing the girl’s clearly dressed-up appearance, Ye Xu asked. Anlor nodded with slightly flushed cheeks.
“Mm, it looks good. Very beautiful.”
Not stingy with his praise, Ye Xu gently ruffled the hair of this beautiful girl who now looked like a flame princess. He then stepped aside to make way toward the dining area behind him.
“Let’s go. I’ll treat you to something to eat. After that, we’ll head over to your machine.”
Having visited the lab and finished testing the machine with his senior, it had only been less than half an hour since school let out. Ye Xu hadn’t expected Anlor to have already excitedly changed into the new clothes.
It seemed a girl’s love for beauty was still part of her nature.
Although the school uniform also looked good, it naturally couldn’t compare to a specially customized little dress in terms of refinement.
Previously, in order to rebel against her family, she had gone too far in chasing an idol image. One could imagine how heavily she had suppressed her true nature. Now that it had suddenly burst forth, it was only natural.
Sitting at a roadside stall, Ye Xu ate the skewers on the table in front of him while watching Anlor daintily take small bites. Her outstanding appearance occasionally drew sidelong glances from passersby. He nodded in approval, completely unaware of the possibility behind the phrase “a woman dresses up for the one she likes.”
Honestly, Anlor and Senior Irina were quite similar.
The difference was that no one in Irina’s family really cared about her, while although Anlor’s situation wasn’t great, her family had still provided her with the education and learning she was supposed to receive.
In other words, Senior Irina was a genuine tomboy, whereas Anlor had only been forcing herself to act that way before.
“Classmate Anlor, if I plan to modify your machine a bit, do you have any opinions or ideas?”
Watching Anlor, who was eating the skewers one after another like a quiet little kitten, Ye Xu asked in a casual tone.
“Eh? Wasn’t it just simple maintenance? Why modify it???”
Anlor was stunned for a moment before hurriedly asking.
“Well…” Ye Xu rubbed his bangs and thought for a moment before saying, “I have medium-tier professional level in magitech studies. During class, a professor noticed my machine and I joined his research lab. I’ve also gotten to know a few quite capable senior brothers and sisters.”
“If you don’t mind, we might occasionally use your machine for some experiments. We can modify it for you as payment.”
The moment the words fell, Anlor’s eyes widened in disbelief as she asked, “Aaah? What? You joined a professor’s lab on the very first day of class? Classmate Ye Xu, weren’t you majoring in combat and magic??? I thought your interest in magitech was just a hobby! So you actually specialize in magitech?”
Anlor was right—Ye Xu did primarily specialize in magitech. It was just that his combat and magic skills were also a little higher than average…
Of course, Ye Xu definitely wouldn’t mind.
He had been wondering how to explain if the modifications were too extreme. Now he could conveniently let the lab’s senior students—and even the professor himself—“take the blame.”
Of course, this “blame” was innocent. Even if the modifications were too outrageous later, they might not dare admit that such things came from their hands.
“Ahem. Anyway, I’m just asking for your opinion. If you don’t want to…”
“I want it! I definitely want it!!!”
Before he could finish, Anlor nodded vigorously.
She was more than willing. For someone who had grown up without much recognition, Ye Xu was the first person to acknowledge her. Her trust in him was far higher than in certain so-called elders in her family!
Given Ye Xu’s identity and his talent, there was no point in him deceiving her.
The reputation and status of Earl Nal in this region were rising day by day. No one believed the earldom would be his final destination. As the earl’s beloved younger brother, Ye Xu would undoubtedly become a powerhouse treated with respect everywhere in the future. She didn’t think someone like him would deceive her.
Moreover… deep down, she felt that Ye Xu was especially wonderful. She liked him so much. If Ye Xu really tricked her, she would cry…
“Mm. Then tell me what directions and suggestions you have for improvements. We can talk while we eat.”
Ye Xu put away the fork on the table and tossed it into the nearby trash bin, asked the stall owner to bring more grilled skewers, and then ordered two glasses of refreshing fruit juice. He waited for Anlor to share her thoughts.
Seeing this, Anlor’s eyes brightened. She lifted her little bottom and sat down right next to Ye Xu, raising her little finger as she began telling him her ideas.