reincarnation npc, but tomorrow's ark

A group of people looked at Bison as if he were an idiot.

"Heh, whatever, I'm used to it." Bai Songsheng looked up at the sky with a sense of despair, then took out a can of Fengti energy drink and drank it.

I can do this all day.

Chapter Eight: The Girl's Determination

Bison downed a whole bottle of Fonhoof Energy Drink, ready to fight these guys to the death. After all, these guys didn't dare to break the rules set by the Rat King, unlike those reckless Syracuses.

Bison figured he could still save his life; he'd just get a good beating. But he was well-prepared, at least to take down as many of the other side's men as possible before he was knocked down.

However, just after he made up his mind, Bison suddenly heard several crisp applause sounds coming from above his head. Along with the eerie sound waves spreading outwards, his enemies around him covered their ears and fell down in pain.

"Hurry up and go, Peters kid!" Bai Ye waved to Bison and then left.

He certainly wouldn't leave this unlucky kid unattended. At least O'Well Peters was his ally, and the two of them had close business ties. As an elder, it was absolutely impossible for Bai Ye to abandon this kid here.

"Mr. Baiye is still the best!!!" Baisong burst into tears. There is no harm without comparison. Compared with the heartless Penguin Logistics, although Baiye is also quite individualistic, he is definitely a reliable and dependable adult.

They are completely different from those problem children!

-------------------------------------

After rescuing Bison, Bai Ye left with Melantha. The two went directly to the Lobotomy Laboratory, where they inspected and upgraded the power armor "Alpha".

This also marks the official commencement of commercial production and sales of the first machine based on the "Alpha" prototype.

Initially, Bai Ye planned to name it the simple MK series, but Swire offered a different suggestion this time. She believed that a cool name would help boost the sales of the power armor, since the core selling point of this type of machine is its coolness.

Bai Ye was overjoyed. In the past, Swire and Old Chen always tried to deprive Bai Ye of the right to name things, which was a blow to this bad at naming things, who loved to play and had no self-awareness. Unexpectedly, this time the tables had turned and Swire was actually encouraging Bai Ye to choose a name.

Bai Ye believed this was a great opportunity to show off his skills.

Finally, it was decided that the first powered armor developed by the Lobotomy Institute and produced by Namba Heavy Industries would be named "Gipsy Danger".

Although the origin of the name is unclear, since the power armor worn by Melantha doesn't look ferocious or dangerous, nor does it resemble a homeless scavenger, it's still much better than other nonsensical names suggested by Bai Ye, such as "Zaku," "Original," and "Freedom."

……

The power armor was under maintenance, while Melantha and White Night sat in a quiet room.

"How are you feeling?" Bai Ye placed a specially prepared nutrient solution in front of Melantha. Fighting in power armor is quite energy-consuming and physically demanding. Even for Melantha, who has a good physique, it would be a considerable burden. Moreover, as the pilot of the experimental machine, the power armor itself has many parts that need adjustment, so various problems are not uncommon, which puts a lot of pressure on the pilot.

Bai Ye returned to his old profession, concocting active medicines to replenish physical and mental energy for his students.

"Hmm..." Melantha picked up the potion, took a sip, and then her eyes widened. "Orange flavor?"

"I added some fruit juice, otherwise it would taste terrible, but I personally like tumour milk," Bai Ye replied with a smile.

Melanie clearly liked the taste, sipping the nutritional supplement slowly before falling into deep thought.

Bai Ye continued:

“I can take you back now… After all, with your current strength, you are fully capable of being the captain of any official operations team on Rhodes Island… You can even apply to become an elite operator—of course, I mean, your strength definitely meets the requirements. However, there are other standards for elite operators on Rhodes Island, you can ask the personnel department if you are interested.”

Bai Ye paused for a moment, then continued:

"So, you've already achieved your original goal. You have absolutely no need to be anxious or uneasy anymore. You can take this power armor and return to Rhodes Island."

After engaging in extensive and enthusiastic exchanges with the local gangs, Melantha was no longer the academically gifted student lacking practical experience; her combat skills were completely different from before.

"Teacher...aren't you going to continue teaching me?" Melantha's tone was tinged with panic.

"Well, it's not quite like that. It's just that the teaching objectives for this stage have been achieved, and I have nothing more to teach you. Melantha, you can graduate now," Bai Ye said with a smile.

"Teacher, do you have other plans for me?" Melanie was obviously not stupid; she sensed the hidden meaning in Bai Ye's words.

“I’ve made it forward with everyone’s help. You once said you wanted to see how high I could fly with these borrowed wings. If I stop here, I’ll be letting down this power armor, my parents, and you…”

“No, Melanie, there’s no need to feel pressured. I don’t actually have any expectations of you. Neither do your parents.” Bai Ye shook his head. “Everything we do is because you want it.”

“In the past, you strived to become a qualified captain, so I will help you become that person. Once you achieve that goal, you need to find a new one. If you cannot achieve the new goal for the time being, then there is still a need for me to teach you; otherwise, you can achieve it entirely on your own,” Bai Ye said softly.

"So think carefully about what you really want to do. I can only lend you wings, but where you want to fly is up to you to decide."

To be honest, although Bai Ye wanted Melantha to participate in the Knights Major, he still felt that stopping here was the best option.

Melantha was just an ordinary student who contracted Oripathy by accident. Originally, she was simply a patient at Rhodes Island, there to receive treatment. It was already quite remarkable that she chose to become an operator.

Most people wouldn't have that kind of courage and drive.

However, Melantha gave her answer:

"I'm not going to stop here."

"If I can become stronger, I can help more people."

Chapter Nine: Elders and Juniors

While Bai Ye was having a heart-to-heart talk with his students, Zofia was also deep in thought in Kazimierz.

Bai Ye had already left, but his three guards remained, quietly staying in the rooms arranged for them by the manor's owner, Zofia.

Interestingly, although there were four of them—Bai Ye and the three girls—they only booked two rooms. This choice seems to reveal something quite interesting.

However, Zofia was clearly not thinking about such trivial matters; she was still quite concerned about what Bai Ye had said before leaving.

To be honest, even she herself thought that Maria's decision to sign up for the Knights Major was quite irrational. As an independent knight, Maria wouldn't receive a special invitation from the event organizers, so she could only start from the qualifiers, participating in various competitions little by little to accumulate points and strive to earn a spot in the main event.

Time was short, and Maria had never participated before, so her points were 0. In addition, the Nearl family was being targeted by the Business Federation at every turn, so Zofia was not naive enough to believe that the event organizers would really be as fair and just as they promised.

They could use their privileges to create numerous obstacles for Maria in various places, and might even use their privileges to eliminate her on the field. Such things were commonplace in the past and nothing new. However, Maria could only rely on her own strength to break through, just like the Radiant Knights of the past.

Unfortunately, the younger sister does not have the same power as her older sister, and is clearly unable to accomplish the feats that the Radiant Knights of the past have achieved.

Zofia initially disagreed with Maria's participation in the Major, but she later changed her mind. Perhaps it was because she saw a reflection of someone's past in the girl? Or perhaps it was because Maria's will moved Zofia?

Even at this level of desperate effort, she maintains her usual optimistic attitude; this fighting spirit makes one believe she can create miracles. Even Zofia joined in this girl's reckless antics.

In short, the little girl does resemble her older sister somewhat, but she's too naive and needs some help. As for the so-called sponsors and corporate assistance, Zofia doesn't actually have much of a negative reaction.

Although that's exactly how she got there—she gathered her own equipment, honed her own skills, built her own network, and fought desperately all alone—her opponents possessed perfect armor, weapons, and logistical support, making the gap between them enormous.

In the end, Zofia was injured and had to withdraw from the competition, stopping at the round of 16.

Zofia didn't want such a tragedy to happen to her descendants again.

Reaching the floor-to-ceiling window, Zofia once again extended her left hand, the one that used to hold the sword. A sharp pain shot through her again, and before losing consciousness, she lowered her arm.

Zofia used to be left-handed, and her dominant hand was always her left hand. However, she was injured in a match due to a difference in equipment, and could no longer fight with her left hand.

We absolutely cannot let this happen to Maria again.

Zofia made up her mind.

Since Bai Ye is a friend trusted by Margaret, and from what I've observed so far, he doesn't seem to be a bad person.

That's right, Bai Ye's innate affability aura finally kicked in, and his off-the-charts stat boost did have some effect. Although in the past, when Bai Ye hoped this thing would work, it usually didn't, but this time, when it seemed insignificant, it actually worked... quite remarkable.

After a moment's hesitation, Zofia took out the terminal...

"Eh, no... no way... Aunt, are you coming to training tonight too?"

Maria's slightly tired voice came from the other end of the communication.

This girl had just undergone intense training on the manor's meadow this morning, and had only returned before Bai Ye and the others arrived this afternoon. She's probably still resting now.

Poor Maria almost developed a psychological aversion to Zofia's voice. After all, since the day before yesterday, Zofia had been subjecting Maria to intense training. Her once kind and gentle aunt seemed to have transformed into a devil, relentlessly beating Maria, which was becoming unbearable for her.

"No, just get some rest tonight... I have something I want to discuss with you." Zofia chuckled.

"What's going on?"

"Regarding accepting corporate sponsorship... don't rush to refuse, let me explain first..."

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While Zofia was talking to Maria, on the other side of Lungmen, Bai Ye was also communicating with Melantha. However, unlike the more outgoing Zofia and Maria, Bai Ye and Melantha were both more reserved.

Melantha is genuinely introverted, while Bai Ye... well, he used to be very withdrawn, but he's improved a lot since transmigrating, and now he's showing signs of becoming a bit of a repressed pervert.

Shh—don't let him hear this, he's petty.

……

To Bai Ye's relief, Melanza was not content with the status quo, nor did she stop there.

Although the goal was very simple, the pure heart was actually an advantage, which made Bai Ye look at his student with new respect.

She wasn't particularly gifted, but she was the most satisfying student.

"Want to go see even higher places?" Bai Ye laughed.

Melanza nodded.

"Then don't stay in Lungmen any longer... You won't learn anything here anymore."

Even for players, Lungmen is the best starting area, but its advantages diminish as players level up and become stronger. And for Melantha at this point, such minor skirmishes are hardly of any use.

"Where do we go next?" Melanie was also looking forward to the future.

In fact, she herself did not realize that a new wish had been vaguely born in her heart.

She wanted to catch up with Bai Ye and shorten the distance between herself and that figure standing high in the sky as much as possible.

There wasn't any particular reason; it was probably just a longing for that figure...

Bai Ye was unaware of Melantha's inner thoughts. He took out his terminal and sent the message to the girl:

"Next, we're going to a bigger stage, the Kazimierz Knights Championship. Unlike the smaller-scale Lungmen tournament, there aren't such friendly rules there. So, young lady, please be careful, whether it's open attacks or hidden arrows."

Chapter Ten: I'm Not That Kind of Person

Bai Ye, accompanied by Melantha, once again piloted the flying machine back to Kazimierz. This time, the reason for piloting the aircraft wasn't to undergo repeated entry and exit registrations, but rather because he needed to transport some goods into the Kazimierz Grand Knight Territory.

Since Melantha is preparing to participate in the competition, it means that White Night will officially showcase its commercially available power armor at this Major.

He had to carry a full set of maintenance and repair equipment, spare units, and various replacement parts. In addition, Bai Ye also carried a power armor prepared for Maria. This new experimental unit also needed someone to provide piloting data.

According to the development direction agreed upon by Baiye, Ms. Xuezhi, and Goredia, the power armor should be a modular design, which can achieve different forms by replacing parts to meet the functional needs of the machine in various situations.

For example, Melantha's Unit-01 was an agile type, so this unit could be specialized in other areas by replacing and modifying parts.

This is the next research topic that Bai Ye plans to explore, and Maria, just like Melantha in the past, has become a tester for the power armor. Of course, this is on the premise that the deal is reached; otherwise, Bai Ye will have to find someone else.

However, these were all minor incidental matters. Bai Ye's main purpose for this trip was to have a friendly exchange with the Business Federation. Regardless of how others felt, that was his own opinion.

Although there had been a minor unpleasant altercation with spokesperson Chanel, Bai Ye didn't dwell on it too much.

……

This time, White Night increased its speed and arrived at the Kazimierz Grand Knight Territory that very night.

Instead of lingering at the port, he activated his optical invisibility and detection spell shielding abilities and quietly returned to Zofia's manor.

……

In the living room of Zofia's house, Bai Ye met Nearl's younger sister, Maria. Although the two sisters looked alike, the younger sister was obviously more immature and lively.

Having gone through trials and tribulations, Nearl was indeed much more mature and reliable than her sister. Maria, on the other hand, was just a little girl.

"How have you decided?" Bai Ye asked, looking at Zofia sitting by the coffee table.

"I--"

"We agreed."

Maria was about to speak when Zofia interrupted her and made the decision first.

“Aunt…” Maria still looked troubled.

"Don't call me aunt, it makes me sound old..." Zofia rolled her eyes, then continued, "We agreed last time that you have to listen to me about the Knights Major, otherwise I won't allow you to participate."

“Gurgle… What a despicable adult…” Maria couldn’t help but mutter.

Bai Ye, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but laugh:

"Why are you saying that? It makes it sound like I'm the villain..."

“Because… I don’t want the Nearl family crest to become an appendage of the company…” Maria peeked out from behind Zofia.

This was the first time she had seen Bai Ye. Although she had learned from her sister's letters that he was a friend of her sister Margaret, the various events that had occurred that night had left Maria with a rather unpleasant first impression.