Chapter 163 : Finale
"Cheers!"
The sound of girls clinking glasses came from the barbecue restaurant.
This Autumn Arts Festival activity was a great success!
Everyone not only completed their planned goals and gained praise, but Lonis and Elucia also each earned over 6,000 campus points (because the Ancient Academy had few people, the average was actually higher), almost paying off their debts.
So tonight's banquet was simply sumptuous and wonderful... Everyone sat happily around the table, seemingly immersed in this peaceful atmosphere.
"I didn't expect Junior Elucia to be quite capable. I admit, I underestimated you."
Zhou Mixue reached out and drank a whole glass of beer in one gulp. Her originally fair cheeks also unconsciously flushed red.
"Senior, the capable one isn't me, but Lonis."
"Eh?"
"If Lonis wasn't so capable, we wouldn't have gone so smoothly, right?"
Although Elucia was praising her directly, Lonis felt this scheming girl had "hidden meanings" in her words.
Zhou Mixue smiled slightly and said: "Both juniors are very capable. I'm very pleased... However, Elucia, have you confirmed the school's S-level mission?"
"More or less."
"Oh...?"
"I heard from the teacher that there's a good cargo mission. Plus helping the research station with some relic identification tasks should be enough to complete it."
"Ah, that's the work at Boundless Research Station. I've heard about this too... If it's just transporting goods, it should indeed be relatively easy to complete."
...
...
Watching Zhou Mixue and Elucia discuss these matters, Lonis was completely confused.
She unconsciously tugged at Elucia's skirt and asked quietly: "Um, Miss, what does Boundless Research Station mean?"
"Hah, I forgot you're a little dummy, maid."
Elucia sighed. Although she seemed helpless about Lonis, she still explained: "Clear Academy is a first-level comprehensive school in this world, but its scope isn't limited to the floating island. It also cooperates with and invests in many research stations worldwide."
"I see."
"The school needs to regularly communicate with various stations, mainly for experimental reports and scientific material circulation. Since we happen to have a magic ship, we can help complete this task."
"!"
"Boundless Research Station happens to have cooperative projects with the Ancient Academy too. The vice dean and other students are currently working there. Senior Yan, could you introduce it to us?"
"Of course."
Senior Yan adjusted her glasses and said very seriously: "Boundless Research Station is a 3A-level research station cooperating with Clear Academy, with 132 years of history since its establishment. The research station is led by Dr. Ocali and assisted by Dr. Marun. Their main work is excavating and exploring the Boundless Land, analyzing and containing secondary ancient ruins, analyzing the ecosystem of the Boundless Land, and..."
...
Senior Yan was a very serious person.
The advantage of this was that she wouldn't miss any details. All reports were rigorous and reliable, with a very strong academic atmosphere.
But the disadvantage was...
Senior Yan spoke for a full 20 minutes.
"...Currently, Boundless Research Station has also reached the season for exchanging goods, so I'll also depart with the main force, bringing the above-mentioned required relics and materials together."
...
"Ah..."
Lonis understood the beginning and end, but was completely confused the rest of the time... And because Senior Yan was explaining so seriously, she didn't dare continue eating barbecue.
"Eh, why is everyone looking at me..."
"Ah, Senior explained very well. Let me applaud to thank Senior for the explanation."
"Applause."
"Thank you everyone..."
"Mm, that's how it is."
Elucia wiped the sweat from her forehead, obviously not expecting Senior Yan to be so thorough: "So Lonis and I will also leave school next week."
"I see... Ah, I know. I'll tell the manager about the café."
As if remembering something, Zhou Suling clapped her hands: "Manager Luofu is very reasonable. I'm sure she'll understand for school matters."
"Mm, then thank you, Suling~"
Although hearing Suling say this, Lonis felt somewhat "sad" in her heart.
Actually, since enrolling, Lonis no longer needed to work part-time at the maid café. And since getting sick, she had started frequently skipping work.
However, Lonis seemed reluctant to part with her experience at the café and kept wanting to continue working.
School was the same. During her time at Clear Academy, Lonis not only learned a lot of knowledge but also met many classmates.
But now she had to say goodbye to everyone.
Although this was a temporary mission... Lonis knew that she and Elucia's purpose was to visit various Rainbow Abyss temples, so this departure might mean they wouldn't return.
If they parted, she didn't know when she could see Student Zhou Suling and Senior Zhou Mixue again.
So...
"Lonis, why are you crying?"
Zhou Suling stared in surprise, seeming to want to step forward and wipe the silver-haired girl's tears.
Lonis shook her head and said with forced strength: "No... I'm not crying. I just suddenly ate a very spicy lamb skewer and couldn't help myself."
"Ah... then how about eating these skewers?"
"Eh?"
"These don't have chili peppers. Have them, Lonis."
The pink-haired girl was very considerate, passing some lamb skewers to Lonis. But unexpectedly, this silver-haired girl cried even harder.
And Lonis's "mediocre" disguise?
Perhaps it could fool Zhou Suling and Senior Yan, but it couldn't possibly fool Elucia.
This black-haired girl patted her shoulder and said gently: "Alright, alright, drink some water first."
"Uh..."
"If you can't eat spicy food, don't force yourself. If there's a chance to come here again, don't order such spicy lamb skewers, okay?"
"Eh?!"
Lonis's body trembled. Elucia's meaning was...
"If things go smoothly, this transport mission can probably be completed within half a month. Of course, other situations aren't ruled out, but that's all for later... What's most important now is enjoying this celebration banquet."
"Elucia..."
Lonis stared in amazement.
If she understood correctly, Elucia was comforting her. She was telling her there would be a day to return to school, a day to attend classes with everyone again.
"Hehe, so hurry up and eat those skewers Suling passed you."
"Ah... Ah ah! No, actually I can eat a little spicy food now..."
"Eh?"
"I'm... I'm not forcing myself! Anyway, let's all eat together. Thank you everyone!!!"
...
The moon hung high in the night sky, and Clear Academy's Autumn Arts Festival came to a perfect close.