Chapter 304: Reflections on Education
[Hey, Old Timer…]
As she walked barefoot along the grassy path back home, feeling the tender blades underfoot, Fu Hua heard Senti's voice ring out in her consciousness.
A gentle, beautiful smile lifted the corners of her lips.
"What is it?"
[That whole "it's no big deal" line—please don't say things like that anymore.]
"…Hm?"
[That kind of unprepared mental damage you took—it's not something minor. You'll need time to fully recover. You're the kind of person who says "I'm fine" as long as you're not dead… No—actually, you'd say it even if you were dying, as long as you thought it was worth it. Stop being like that.]
Senti's voice was low, tinged with guilt—but above all, thick with worry.
Fu Hua kept walking, letting the breeze brush her fingers. Her smile didn't waver.
"Thank you for worrying. I'm really alright. I've made it through much worse over the years."
[And that's exactly what I'm talking about! If Sigurd hadn't stepped in, I might not have even had time to wake up—and you'd already have broken yourself beyond repair! Listen to me: you have to take your own life more seriously!]
"But… isn't this just how fighting the Honkai goes?"
[Arghhhh!!! Talking to a stubborn fossil like you is impossible! Just remember what I said—start valuing your life, and stop throwing yourself into every fight like it's the end of the world!]
In the inner realm of consciousness, Senti was now rolling around on the ground, clutching a giant chibi Fu Hua plushie in frustration.
She couldn't stand it.
She just couldn't stand how this Old Timer kept pushing herself to the point of ruin over and over again.
She deserves better, Senti thought.
She deserves friends. A peaceful life. And that kind, gentle smile that should never change.
Hugging the plush tighter, she let out a gloomy sigh… but quickly perked up again.
'Well, it's not like the Old Timer's going to change overnight. But I'm here now. As long as I'm around, I won't let her face any more of those awful dangers alone.'
Senti nodded firmly to herself… then giggled.
Protecting the Old Timer—that thought alone gave her strength, and made her happier than she'd expected.
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Back at the courtyard, the porridge Book of Fuxi had been simmering all morning was finally ready.
The tiny girl held a bowl almost bigger than she was, calmly portioning it out for everyone with a ladle.
As Fu Hua returned, Sigurd looked up and asked simply, "You got through to her?"
"She's not a bad kid to begin with. As long as she understands things, there's no problem."
Fu Hua replied gently, then cast a sideways glance at Kevin's blank expression… and let out a sigh of unclear meaning.
Kevin spoke in his usual dull tone.
"You blaming me?"
"Not quite. I know you were worried about me. But still—thank you. And… could you try trusting Senti, just a little?"
Faced with her gentle appeal, Kevin furrowed his brows. He seemed caught in thought for a moment, before finally shaking his head.
"Fu Hua, I respect your choice. You have the right to accept her—but I have the right to stay cautious. Tell your so-called Senti this: if she shows even the slightest sign of betrayal, I won't hold back next time."
"Say that again if you dare!!!"
Fu Hua's face changed in an instant. Her usually calm ocean-blue eyes flared crimson with fury, her smile twisted into a proud, defiant grin, and she slammed her hand down on the table with intimidating force.
Was this guy questioning her intentions toward the Old Timer… or was he doubting her strength?
Sure, she hadn't gained the upper hand in any of the clashes with Kevin so far—including the most recent scuffle—but that was only because she hadn't taken things seriously yet!
Kevin, still seated, didn't react much. He simply looked at the girl in front of him and said calmly:
"If you try anything dangerous again, I won't hold back next time."
"Seriously?! You really repeated that line!?"
Senti groaned in exasperation, then waved it off with a sigh.
"Whatever. You were already this insufferable fifty thousand years ago, and you haven't changed a bit. Arguing with you is a waste of time."
She crossed her arms and continued, nose in the air:
"Just so you know, dual personalities and Herrscher transformations are in right now. If you can't keep up with the times, maybe try educating yourself. Little Xuan, I'm starving!"
Having roasted Kevin to her satisfaction, Senti decided her earlier embarrassment didn't matter anymore. She flopped into her seat without a care and promptly issued a dramatic food request to the Book of Fuxi.
The little figure rolled her eyes and placed a steaming bowl of porridge in front of Senti.
"Hmph. Eat."
"Wait, that's it? Just porridge? I want meat!"
"I've been cooking this for hours, packed with top-shelf ingredients. Keep whining and I'll poke a hole in your skull and pour it in myself."
Book of Fuxi flew up to her, gave Senti a flick on the forehead, and muttered darkly.
Senti recoiled slightly.
"Okay okay! I'm eating! I love porridge!"
She picked up the bowl and didn't even mind how hot it was—tilting it back and gulping it down in huge swigs.
Her eyes lit up instantly.
"Mmm~~ it's delicious!"
"Of course it is! Do you seriously doubt my cooking? This level of culinary artistry is worth its weight in gold, got it?"
Book of Fuxi put her hands on her hips and puffed out her tiny chest with pride.
The others joined in eating as well.
"The flavor really is excellent," Su commented. "The ingredients all bring out the best in each other. Balanced seasoning, perfect timing… as expected of you, Little Xuan."
"Tasty. Thank you," Kevin added, in his usual few-word style.
Different in tone and length, but both statements held the same meaning—approval.
The Book of Fuxi lifted her chin even higher, now positively glowing with pride.
Meanwhile, Senti had already raised her empty bowl high.
"Another bowl!"
"Alright, alright, slow down. No one's trying to steal it from you."
Book of Fuxi's proud expression turned into a weary one. She sighed like a tired housewife as she took back the bowl—large enough for her to bathe in—and refilled it for Senti.
After finishing half the pot of porridge, the crimson hue in Senti's eyes faded, and Fu Hua once again took over the body.
"She said she wanted me to try it too," Fu Hua said with an amused smile.
Not wanting to trouble the Book of Fuxi again, she served herself a small portion of porridge, holding the bowl in one hand and the spoon in the other. Gently blowing on it, she took slow, graceful bites.
Then she noticed the odd looks coming from everyone around the table.
"What is it?"
Still holding her bowl, Fu Hua blinked and tilted her head, genuinely puzzled.
Sigurd, ever the blunt one, spoke up on everyone's behalf:
"The change is just… really drastic. Dual personality really is dual. I'm just glad I don't have one."
Thinking back to Senti's wild eating style, Fu Hua scratched her cheek awkwardly, unsure of how to respond.
Sigurd continued:
"Anyway, I do have some experience with education. Here—I have three thousand sets of general knowledge exams, and about 1,600 hours of comprehensive curriculum. A few lessons and a dozen test papers per day. Trust me, after a while, there'll be noticeable progress."
He handed over a black USB drive.
At that moment, the air went completely still.
Fu Hua looked at the USB with a troubled expression. This felt like something she should accept… but she already knew Senti would absolutely lose it over this.
Sure enough, her eyes shifted again—red flaring like fire—and Senti growled through gritted teeth:
"You son of a—"
"Thank you! I've been worrying about just this. This'll make things much easier,"
Book of Fuxi quickly interrupted, cheerfully hugging the USB with sparkling eyes.
Under the subtle but powerful pressure of Book of Fuxi's sidelong glance, Senti bit back her elegant, rage-filled tirade and sulked her way back into the consciousness realm.
At that moment, the food chain of Mount Taixuan was, once again, firmly reaffirmed.
Fu Hua rubbed her temple, visibly trying to manage the barrage of mental protests from Senti.
Smiling sweetly, Book of Fuxi slipped the USB into the pocket of Fu Hua's pajamas.
Su chuckled as he watched all this unfold, clearly amused and relieved that things had settled down.
Kevin, as usual, remained expressionless as he quietly drank his porridge.
After a long moment of consideration, Sigurd finally said:
"Since this matter's resolved, I think it's fair to say I played a big part in that, don't you think, Fu Hua?"
"Ah… That's true," Fu Hua nodded.
"Without your intervention, it would've been hard for Senti to calm down. Her martial mindset is almost identical to mine—if she can stay rational, the Herrscher's madness really isn't a problem for her. So yes, you were crucial."
"Then come with me. I need a little help with something."
"Hm? Sure, of course."
Fu Hua didn't ask what it was. If Sigurd needed something, she rarely said no.
As for Senti's outraged protests and furious swearing in her mind—Fu Hua spared Sigurd a barely noticeable glance and decided, for everyone's sake, to just keep Senti suppressed a little longer.
No need to risk another outburst… especially not during breakfast.
<+>
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