"That's not a nebula, it's scale powder."
March 7th's hand froze in mid-air, less than two centimeters away from the glass.
"Scale powder? You mean... those things outside that look like nebulae are from bugs..."
"Not ordinary bugs, but True Stinging Insects. This specimen is massive; it wouldn't have any problem swallowing the Astral Express in one gulp."
"You... you're joking, right?"
"Today I am Erudition, and I don't like joking."
After finding the Conductor, Aidan first picked up the Cyan and gave it an order.
"Alright, little guy, time to work. Tell that big dummy outside that this isn't the place for it, and tell it to find somewhere else to cool off."
The Cyan gently flapped its wings in Aidan's palm, its soft blue light flickering a few times before it flew up, crossed the carriage, and stopped in front of the Parlor Car's glass window. Its tiny body pressed against the transparent glass as it began to vibrate its wings.
"Buzz—"
The scale powder emitting an ominous red light suddenly went still, then slowly dispersed.
The disaster was resolved just like that, with only March 7th and Aidan being aware of it.
"Good job, Bruce."
"...Bruce?"
March 7th was confused.
"That's right. Generally, one of the highest honors for a doggo is to name it Bruce."
"But seriously, that one just now... I mean that big guy outside, was it really scared away by such a little thing?"
"In the system of The Propagation, hierarchy determines everything. Although its Path is currently locked by me, it is essentially a Emanator I created yesterday. Its pheromones are the highest-level command to ordinary True Stinging Insects."
March 7th was silent for a few seconds.
"So when you turned into a big bug yesterday, you could do this too?"
"In theory, yes."
Pom-Pom came running over, pitter-patter, holding a soft white cushion.
"Passenger Aidan! Passenger March 7th! What do you think of this cushion, pom? This is Pom-Pom's favorite style... Just now, Pom-Pom thought the window looked red. Was there something there, pom?"
Aidan and March 7th glanced at each other; their mutual understanding required no words at this moment.
It was clearly not a good idea to tell Pom-Pom that a bug larger than the Astral Express had just wanted to eat everyone as a snack.
"Conductor, you must have seen wrong. Hasn't it always been like this outside?"
"Is that so, pom? Maybe Pom-Pom really was seeing things." Pom-Pom quickly put the matter out of mind and excitedly held up the white cushion. "Look! This cushion is so soft, the Cyan will definitely love it!"
Pom-Pom spread the cushion in a corner of the Parlor Car.
"Alright, now that the Cyan is settled, Pom-Pom is going to check the Engine Room!"
After Pom-Pom left, March 7th continued discussing the previous matter with Aidan.
"If that thing had really charged over, would our train even be salvageable?"
"What we should be considering then isn't whether the Astral Express is salvageable, but how to escape from a bug's stomach," Aidan replied. "But don't worry, those giant True Stinging Insects are actually of the lowest status. It was probably just attracted by yesterday's me and it."
March 7th thought for a moment and finally looked at him.
"Honestly, you seem to have become exceptionally smart now..."
she said, sounding a bit conflicted.
"But, in your eyes now, do you find me particularly stupid?"
"Intelligence isn't the only measure of a person. Just like yesterday, even though my brain wasn't working well, no one looked down on me, and you even brought me food. If the price of becoming smart is losing friends, then I'd rather be an idiot. Being smart is never a curse; arrogance is."
She looked at Aidan, her pink-and-blue eyes blinking, likely confirming if this "smart person" in front of her was really talking nonsense.
"What's with that..."
After a few seconds, she turned her face away, the tips of her ears turning slightly red.
"Talking so mushily... making it sound like I'm so petty." she whispered, but the corners of her mouth just wouldn't stay down. "But since you've said so, this young lady will reluctantly continue to look out for you! Regardless of whether you become smart or stupid, this young lady will protect you!"
"Of course, I'm very fragile right now. If you don't believe me, we can arm-wrestle and you'll see just how weak I am."
No matter what, March 7th was an archer; how could her strength be small?
Aidan was crushed without suspense, unable to budge March 7th no matter how much force he used.
"Eh? Why does it feel like you aren't using any strength at all?"
March 7th looked blankly at Aidan's hand, which she had easily pinned to the table.
"I did, but it was useless." Aidan rubbed his wrist. "I told you, my physical stats in the Erudition state are very average. That round just now exhausted all of today's exercise quota."
"That exaggerated?"
"It's exactly that exaggerated. Right now, I even have to ask Dan Heng for help just to open a bottle cap."
But in reality, this was also part of the plan. Back when he was in school, he used this trick to touch the hands of every girl in the class.
"Then that's way too weak..."
"Yes, I am a frail academic. So I'll need Senior March 7th to protect me." Aidan said righteously. "Didn't you just say you'd look out for me?"
"Eh? I... I did say that..." March 7th was stunned for a moment, then puffed out her chest. "Of course! This young lady is as good as her word!"
"Senior March 7th is so reliable~"
March 7th gradually lost herself in the repeated calls of "Senior," a silly smile on her face, completely forgetting her earlier worry about Aidan thinking she was stupid.
Ehehe.
I'm a senior.
"Um, Senior March."
"Mm-hmm?"
"You're drooling."
"Ah?!" March 7th abruptly raised her hand to wipe the corner of her mouth.
Doesn't look like she's acting.
"Alright, as a reward for your willingness to protect me, I can realize three of your wishes."
"Realize three of my wishes? For real?"
March 7th looked at Aidan suspiciously.
"But you're so frail... how are you going to realize my wishes?"
"I said, today I am [Erudition]. My strength lies in brain, not in stats."
March 7th's eyes lit up, but they quickly narrowed into slits as she looked at Aidan warily.
"Wait, you're not the type who can realize wishes but requires a corresponding price, are you? I've read many stories where this kind of plot ends up being a huge trap!"
"Why would I trap you? What I mean is, I have a way to bring the result you want to you in the most effortless and reasonable manner."
March 7th sized him up suspiciously. Although this guy's tone sounded confident now, with those thin arms and legs, he didn't look reliable at all.
"Fine, since you've said so..." Her eyes darted around. "Then this young lady's first wish... I want an Ice Cream Machine that can make 30 flavors! The super expensive kind from the commercials!"
"Alright, just you wait."