I already said this is not a life simulator!

"After all, given the current situation, it wouldn't be a good idea to have you follow me. It would be a waste of your identity as a fusion warrior, wouldn't it?"

"The Honkai beasts that crawl out of the sea are becoming more and more dangerous. Our battle line is getting longer and longer, and there are more and more places to defend... It would be a waste if I let you follow me."

"It just so happens that your combat skills are gradually becoming more proficient, and you are also very skilled in using the equipment designed for you. The new batch of fusion warriors are also playing a role on the battlefield, and the next batch of names are also being screened..."

Xiwang turned around and looked at the lantern on the table while smiling.

"Well, I should probably go back and rest for a while, and prepare a set of [Subject One] for the new [Junior]."

"I still have to go back to see the doctor. From what I saw earlier, it seems Klein is working overtime again. I have to go back and teach Cang Xuan and Dan Zhu a lesson... Those two guys are too worrying."

"And I heard from Phyllis that Grace has been talking about me again recently. I have to go back and take a look. And Vilvi... I've also received news from the Fire Moth. It seems that Eden left some message for me, as if he wants me to go back and take a look..."

"Ha...Looking at it this way, Teacher, you are really busy."

Elini couldn't help laughing out loud.

"Yeah, yeah, it's going to be very busy, but... it's okay, I'm used to it."

Xiwang shrugged.

"Oh yes... speaking of this."

Xiwang moved the lantern slightly outward and pushed it towards Elini.

"You becoming the captain is something worth celebrating. I'll just give this to you."

"...Teacher, this should be yours, right?"

Elini asked with some confusion... As far as she could remember, ever since Xiwang designed the [Lantern], Xiwang had always carried one with him, especially when he went out to fight.

When the [lantern] that looks like a little sun appears on the battlefield, a reassuring force will spread. No matter how dangerous the situation is, as long as everyone sees the lantern appear, they will feel at ease.

After all, it’s Xi Wang who’s here… Ah, I always feel like this sentence has a bit of a double meaning, hehe…

Sure enough, the teacher's name is very interesting.

"It's okay. I can get one myself when I get back. I'll leave this one to you. And you should be in charge of the defense here from now on. You must do your job well, okay?"

Xi Wang blinked, with a hint of joking in his words.

"Or are you worried that your firelight is not enough?"

"Teacher...your provocation is already familiar to everyone. It's no longer effective, huh?"

"I'm not provoking you. I'm asking you seriously."

"I just don't think it's necessary..."

"Then consider it my gift to thank you."

"……what?"

Xiwang's words made Elini stunned for a moment.

"Don't you remember? Your parents kept a book for me, a Bible, and I have never given you anything in return, so I'll use this to offset it."

"No, teacher, your life-saving grace has already been..."

"That's our duty, just like what you're doing now."

"........."

"Oh, this is really troublesome..."

Xiwang covered his head with his hands as he felt a headache.

"Then just think of this as my hope for you... I hope that you can hold this lamp in the future, like me, and illuminate everything around you the moment you appear. As long as you appear and light it up, you can give people a sense of peace of mind... Is that all right?"

"If you expect me to do so, I will try my best to do it."

Elini nodded seriously.

"Then... try to pick it up."

Xiwang pushed the lantern forward.

And after being silent for a while, Elini took it in her palm.

call--

It was the sound of a flame starting.

The red flame burned quietly, radiating a feeling of warmth and security.

Although it was not as dazzling as when Xi Wang picked it up, it was enough to illuminate the surroundings.

"…Sure enough, I'm still not good enough compared to the teacher."

Elini looked at the fire that belonged to her and sighed helplessly.

"Don't sigh like that... Look, the fire has weakened, hasn't it?"

Xi Wang pointed at the flame which had weakened a little and reminded with a smile.

"It is your manifestation in consciousness, and it shines through your spirit. If your thoughts are so easily shaken, it will not recognize you."

"Teacher, don't talk like it's alive..."

Elini complained first, then looked at the [lantern] in her hand, was silent for a while, and after adjusting her thoughts a little, she continued.

"But I will work hard, teacher. I will do as well as you... no, even better than you."

"Okay, I'm looking forward to your performance."

Xiwang smiled, then looked at the time and continued.

"Okay, the break is over. I have an appointment with the captain of the fifth team... oh no, now the former captain of the fifth team. After I talk to her, I have to go back with her... See you later, Elini."

Xiwang stood up, reached out his hand, rubbed Elini's head, and stroked the pair of wings on Elini's head.

"I told you not to touch my feathers... not even if you are my teacher!"

Elini first lowered her head and let Xiwang touch her for a while, then she turned her head away and gently slapped Xiwang's hand away.

"You're right, but I'll do it again next time."

"...Teacher, if you continue like this I will have to give you a sword."

"It doesn't matter. You can't beat me."

"……snort."

Watching Xiwang leaving, Elini snorted lightly, tidied her hair a little, and gently touched her wings. After making sure that no one else would notice anything, she took the [lantern] that Xiwang gave her and left.

…………

"Ah... it feels so good to have nothing to worry about!"

Himiko lay down on the soft sofa and stretched, speaking leisurely while looking at Xiwang who was walking towards her.

"How about it, busy man? Do you want to learn from me? Find a chance to relax yourself?"

"What you mean by relaxing is to give your position to Hua and let her lead the team?"

"I've taught Hua everything she can do. What's left is actual combat...Besides, we're all fusion warriors, so what's wrong with leading a team? Isn't that normal?"

Himiko said confidently.

"Besides, I've been on the front line for so long, can't I even take a break?"

"I don't trust you. Don't think I don't know that you submitted an application to the Fire Moth, hoping to become the next batch of fusion warriors..."

"...Ah, damn, I forgot you could get the list... But it doesn't matter, anyway, I can rest while waiting for the notice, it doesn't matter~"

Himiko waved her hand and said indifferently.

"Besides, I still have to pass Subject 1 with you by then. You will eventually know...it's just a matter of time."

"You really can't sit still... Let me think, you will return to the Fifth Squad, or stay at the Fifth Squad's base for a while, right?"

Xi Wang glanced at her and said casually.

"You really are worried about them..."

"I can't help it. Who made Hua so stupid? I have to take better care of him."

"Well... I think you would like to call her [senpai] in front of her and see how she reacts, right?"

Xi Wang walked to the side, took two glasses of water, and then gently wiped the edge of the cup with his fingers. A drop of dark blue "blood" quietly seeped out, and then slowly slid into the water, quietly dispersing and fading away, without causing any impact on the water in the cup.

Then, Xiwang drank one cup himself and gave the cup with "blood" to Himiko.

"Hey, if you guessed it, don't say it out loud. It won't be fun if Hua finds out."

Himiko sat up with a smile, took the water handed to her by Xiwang, and drank half of it in one gulp.

"Tsk... Is it my illusion? I always feel that every time I drink water from you, it tastes sweet."

"That's normal. The water handed over by a beautiful girl is always sweet, and the same goes for a beautiful boy."

"Okay, okay, so narcissistic, huh?"

Himiko laughed a few times but didn't take it too seriously.

"But tell me honestly, Xiwang, you didn't secretly put anything in there, did you?"

"If you really want to put something in there, I'll give it to you to drink?"

Xiwang rolled his eyes.

"Yeah... that's true. After all, besides Mobius, there are several other people on your side who are on good terms with you~"

Himiko narrowed her eyes, her pupils revealing a desire for gossip.

"Hey, tell me, what's going on between you two?"

"You get excited when it comes to gossip, don't you?"

"Hey, tell me, I swear I won't tell anyone!"

"That's a good point, but I don't believe it."

"It's just a casual chat, don't be so rigid~"

……

After that, they chatted about this and that for a while until the time was almost up. Then they separated and planned to pack up their belongings and prepare to return to the base.

"...Vilvi."

On Xiwang's side, it was only after watching Himiko leave that he contacted Weiwei using a separate channel.

"I'm here, Brother."

"Something is not right with Himiko. The 'blood' I left in her body sensed something is wrong."

"Is that so... Do you need me to find a reason to support you?"

"That's not necessary. I'm just telling you...I might have to take a little [intermission]."

"...I understand, Brother."

Wei Erwei understood what Xi Wang meant, so after a moment of silence, she slowly responded.

"After that, I'll have to ask you to work harder. After all, your role and position are still very important."

Xiwang said with a smile.

"...Well, I won't let you down, [Brother]."

"So……"

After receiving the response, Xi Wang interrupted the communication with Wei Erwei, lowered his eyelids slightly, adjusted his breathing a little, and then... laughed.

"It's time to start [the next scene]."

Boom!

There was a loud thunder outside the house.

Rain clouds gathered and slowly moved from the distant sea toward the coast.

Faintly, you can see the white rain approaching the shore from the distant sea, like a curtain gradually covering it.

In the distant sky, a vague and seemingly huge figure was floating on the sea.

The alarm...was sounded, of course.