Unspeakable bubbles

Chapter 81, Section 081: The Treasure Map

Kazuto Maekawa put the completed report into his treasure box; he had certainly made a lot of progress on this trip.

Not only did they thwart the conspiracy of the Apocalyptic cult, but they also rescued a genius like Yuko among the two survivors.

Ninomiya Sui just sent me a text message saying that a medal-awarding ceremony will be held at the Seven Rings Tower after I return, to commend my long-term contributions.

Medals and such are of no concern to him. Although he is young, he has already reached one of the highest levels of the Seven Rings Tower thanks to his own efforts and the strong support of his family.

At his current level, honors or other rewards no longer hold much significance.

The only goal he could strive for seemed to be the position of 'Tower Master', but Maekawa Kazuto understood his own personality.

He's good at inventing and researching practical and mysterious gadgets, but it would be too much to ask him to coordinate various conflicts and manage a large organization in an orderly manner.

Ninomiya Sui has been tirelessly working towards that goal... but Kazuto doesn't think highly of her.

Although the two worked well together and he would cheer on his partner in many things, Maekawa Kazuto had long seen through the ways of the world.

Family background is very important; without a good birth, you'll only reach the end of the road in the seventh or fifth ring road of the city.

Connections are very important. Without people on your side to fully cooperate, even if you are in a high position, you are just a lone commander.

Ability is very important; a person without ability won't last long at the Seventh Ring Tower.

Kazuto Maekawa felt that his partner was impeccable in terms of family background, connections, and abilities. Although he had some personality issues, there were plenty of weirdos in the Seven Rings Tower. Compared to them, Ninomiya Sui was just a little mean, which was really nothing.

But it still didn't work.

Without strength, you simply cannot succeed.

Ah, it's not that Ninomiya Sui is a woman who can't even kill a chicken. In fact, her reputation for 'paper cutting' is quite well-known in the Seven Ring Tower.

However, the 'strength' that Kazuto Maekawa refers to is not this kind of power that is still within the realm of common sense.

If you really want to fight for that position, everything else is secondary. There is only one thing you cannot compromise on, and that is that you belong to a level that is 'outside the norm'.

What constitutes an item outside the specifications?

If ordinary military suppression is ineffective, and someone can make the entire State Federation of Stata hesitate, then that's practically 'out of the ordinary' level.

Ninomiya Sui is far, far away from reaching that level, and it's very likely she'll never be able to reach it in her lifetime.

Therefore, Maekawa Kazuto never had a high opinion of his partner.

He never said these words, firstly because he didn't want to discourage Ninomiya Sui, and secondly because even if he did, would Ninomiya Sui give up? It was impossible for him to understand her as he did.

Since saying it would be pointless and would only create distance between them, he decided to keep quiet.

Ninomiya Sui has her own principles, and even if these principles seem absurd to outsiders, Kazuto, as her partner and friend, decides to support her to the end.

He wiped his treasure chest spotless, then glanced at the clock; there was still more than an hour before his scheduled departure time.

"Let's go check out the bubbles," someone thought.

He had always harbored feelings for Bubble.

As for Yuko, perhaps it was the look in her eyes when they first met that left a deep impression on him. Although he was always very polite to Yuko, deep down he didn't really like her.

This can also be observed from his actions. The two girls have been at the research institute for so many days, and apart from that important conversation, he has never privately contacted Yuko.

Bubble is different. Whenever he has free time, he goes to chat with the little girl and buys her lots of delicious food.

Upon hearing that she missed her plush toy friend, he immediately set out and retrieved it without hesitation.

'This might be the last time we meet.' Thinking this, she quickened her pace.

"Yo"

When he opened the door, he found the little girl engrossed in building with blocks.

"Uncle Kazuto!"

Bubble ran over happily: "Let's play together!"

“Okay,” Maekawa Kazuto said gently.

"Uncle, are you leaving too?" Bubble looked at the neatly packed treasure chest and seemed a little lonely.

"Yes, I've been out for a long time, and I'll be going back soon."

After pondering for a moment, he began rummaging through the treasure chest.

"Bubble, I have a gift for you."

"A gift?" Bubble suddenly became excited.

"I remember putting it inside, let me look for it... I've got it!"

He took out a neatly folded map and spread it out on the table.

Bubble leaned closer to examine it closely; the map was yellowed and looked quite old.

The whole picture is made up of simple dots and lines, with a big cross marked on one side and something labeled with unfamiliar characters.

"This is a treasure map, Bubble, it's for you."

"A treasure map!" Bubble's eyes lit up. "Uncle He Ren, are you really giving it to Bubble?"

"Yes, I found this in an ancient ruin. The person who guarded it said that this map leads to a place where countless secret martial arts manuals are buried."

Kazuto Maekawa said mysteriously, "When Bubble grows up, let's go on an adventure. Maybe we can find a secret manual and become a master."

"That looks amazing!"

Bubble was overjoyed: "Bubble will definitely find the treasure and become a great expert!"

He nodded with a smile. In reality, this was not a treasure map at all, but a terrible joke left by his predecessors.

He wasn't deceiving Bubble; he had indeed found this 'treasure map' after going through great hardships at a certain ruin. At the time, the treasure keeper had also solemnly said that this map could lead to a place where countless secret martial arts manuals were buried.

However, when He Ren and a friend excitedly arrived at the place marked on the map, they found it to be a farmer's house.

His friend refused to give up and dug the place up to the bone, which caused a major conflict with the farmer.

Of course, in the end they didn't find any secret manual.

They didn't find the secret manual, but they became friends with the farmer after a fight. After helping him deal with the chaotic creature that had been harassing his daughter, the three of them became friends.

Thinking of the wild game the farmer would treat them to before they left, Kazuto couldn't help but swallow hard.

'I haven't eaten anything that delicious since then. I don't know if it's because my mindset has changed.'

He watched with a smile as Bubble carefully put away the treasure map. Even if Bubble didn't find the treasure, something good was bound to happen to him.

He made a pact with the farmer that if anyone came looking for treasure with this map again, he would have to treat them to a good meal.

Someday in the future, Bubble will surely enjoy a delicious meal.

"By the way, Uncle Heren, what does it say on the big X on that map?" Bubble suddenly asked curiously.

"That one?"

After recalling for a moment, he said, "It's ancient human writing. If translated, it would be—'Fairy Palace'."

Chapter 82, Section 082: Bad Luck

Xintian Town is a remote town located on the border of the State Federation. Like most other border towns, it has barren land and scarce resources.

If it weren't for the occasional aid from the federal government, many people in the town would probably have trouble even getting enough to eat.

On this day, a group of strangers shattered the peace here.

Three burly men dressed in black and wearing sunglasses were leading a little girl toward the town's only school. Everyone came out of their houses, staring at them as if they were some strange and unusual creature.

"Those uncles are so cool!" a boy said enviously, looking at the men in black.

"I heard they came by car. I saw it; the car was parked outside!" a burly man boasted.

"They seem to be government officials. What are they doing here?" some people wondered worriedly. "I hope nothing bad happens."

"Wow, so many people!" Carrying a backpack and wearing a helmet, Bubble waved to the onlookers in a friendly manner, which immediately drew cheers.

"Ah, it's waving at me."

"Yeah, right, it's me."

"No, it's waving at me!"

The children started making a ruckus, which drew scolding from their parents.

"You're spineless. If you keep causing trouble, I'll send you home."

"Don't run that way. Didn't you see that little girl being surrounded by several people? Be careful not to get punched."

Despite the commotion around them, the three men in black acted as if they didn't see anything.

Their faces were expressionless; they simply walked silently toward their destination.

"Welcome, welcome. I'm a teacher from Xintian Elementary School. Thank you for your hard work." A pale-faced middle-aged man was already waiting in front of the dilapidated school gate.

He waved his hand behind him, and a group of children shouted in a disorderly manner, "Welcome, transfer student!"

"Uncles, you've worked hard. Have some water." A girl who looked about fourteen or fifteen years old hurriedly stepped forward and handed them the water bottle she was holding.

"Xintian Elementary School? The officially registered one should be the Federal Yucai Public Elementary School."

A man in black walking ahead looked at the dilapidated wooden planks on the school gate, where the words "Federal Republic" and "Yucai" were faintly visible.

"Uh, that's right, it's Federal Yucai Elementary School. People in town usually call it Xintian Elementary School. I just misspoke, sorry, officers."

He saw that the leader of the men in black had already frowned, and his heart skipped a beat.

'Won't you notice anything wrong?'

"No need, thank you." The man in black first said to the girl who was holding the water bottle but was a little embarrassed because he hadn't taken it from her.

He then produced a document: "Professor Locke?"

“That’s right, that’s me.” The middle-aged man nodded quickly.