Inaba Tsukiyo led Tesla to a vending machine in the academy. After Tesla chose her preferred can of drink, she sat down with Tesla.
"Hmm? You're drinking beer? Since when did the academy's vending machines sell something like this?"
Inaba Tsukiyo, smelling the beer, asked somewhat strangely. Tesla had bought her drink from the vending machine.
This meant that the academy's vending machines had started selling alcohol? Was this still an academy? It couldn't be some kind of bar, could it?
Tesla, who had just taken a sip of her drink, froze when she heard Inaba Tsukiyo's words.
She had simply seen the beer option in the vending machine and bought it without thinking, completely forgetting about her identity.
"Uh... that, we students in the Mechanical Department are under a lot of pressure. And sometimes, to get better inspiration, we have to drink. Yes, that's why."
Saying a reason that couldn't even convince herself, Tesla nodded, trying to persuade Inaba Tsukiyo.
"Drinking can give you better inspiration? Is that really true?"
This was the first time Inaba Tsukiyo had heard such a claim. Since when could alcohol provide inspiration?
Were all those people who went to bars to drown their sorrows artists? Were they all hidden masters?
"Hehe~ Don't underestimate alcohol, you know. This is already scientifically proven. Alcohol can enhance certain areas of the brain, sending signals of pleasure and excitement, and this stimulating excitement can also spark creative inspiration."
Tesla said proudly. Whenever someone criticized her for drinking, she would use this excuse to refute them.
She wasn't just drinking alcohol; she was drinking to come up with more and better ideas. How could these people understand her, a great scientific mind?
"Oh... I see. But, even if drinking can bring you inspiration, are you old enough to drink yet?"
Even though this world was being ravaged by Honkai, there were still regulations about when one could and could not drink.
Even if there wasn't a minimum drinking age, there were restrictions on alcohol vendors from marketing alcoholic products to minors.
The other person's voice sounded so young, was she really old enough to drink?
"Tha... *cough! cough!* Well, a little bit is fine. You know we're under a lot of pressure, it's unavoidable. Yes, unavoidable. Ahahaha~"
Smiling a bit awkwardly, Tesla took small sips of her beer, enjoying this brief moment of leisure.
She found that Inaba Tsukiyo wasn't as terrifying as Cocolia had described. Although they hadn't met before, it felt like they were friends.
Of course, what made Tesla happiest was Inaba Tsukiyo asking if she was old enough to drink, which meant she was being told she looked young, right?
Hehe~ Thinking that, Tesla suddenly felt Inaba Tsukiyo was very cute, and wanted to pull Inaba Tsukiyo along to drink with her.
Although she did try, Inaba Tsukiyo didn't accept, only asking Tesla to buy her a can of milk. The two then sat together, chatting about their respective matters.
Tesla didn't mention her work on mechs, only telling Inaba Tsukiyo about her past work on weapons, including interesting anecdotes that occurred during their creation.
During this time, it was always Tesla talking, while Inaba Tsukiyo sat beside her, smiling and watching her.
Inaba Tsukiyo liked Tesla's innocent and straightforward personality, like that of a child.
After talking for a long time, Tesla finally realized that she had been doing all the talking, giving Inaba Tsukiyo no chance to speak.
"Uh, I'm sorry. I've been doing all the talking, I completely forgot about you."
"It's okay, actually, everything you said was very exciting. These are all things I can't experience. Unable to see anything, I can only understand through others how beautiful this world truly is."
Inaba Tsukiyo waved her hand. Her nonchalant tone left Tesla at a loss for words.
The first time she met Inaba Tsukiyo, because of Cocolia's description, she had regarded Inaba Tsukiyo as a monstrous threat.
But after interacting with her, she found that as long as they weren't enemies, Inaba Tsukiyo was very gentle, without even a hint of hostility.
And such a person had lost the opportunity to observe this world with her own eyes.
What exactly was the reason that made her feel this world was beautiful?
Tesla was very puzzled. Cocolia had said that Inaba Tsukiyo was a victim of the Honkai fourteen years ago, and in that Honkai, she lost everything she had.
Even though she had lost everything she once possessed, why did Inaba Tsukiyo still think this world was beautiful?
"Why... your eyes can't see, right? Why do you think this world is beautiful?"
Tesla couldn't help but ask. She really wanted to know the answer.
Facing Inaba Tsukiyo's gaze, Tesla also realized her question was a bit sudden, but since she had already spoken, she couldn't take back her words, could she?
"Uh... because you're very famous. Uh... someone said that you used to be a mercenary in Russia, so... uh, your past life must have been very hard, right? Why... why..."
She was timid and fearful that a single wrong word would anger Inaba Tsukiyo, just like a child.
Tesla's performance made Seele, who was secretly watching everything, burst out laughing.
It was her first time seeing such a cute intruder; could this guy be their faction's designated adorable member?
Inaba Tsukiyo also couldn't help but smile, instinctively wanting to soothe Tesla's emotions. She reached out and took Tesla's left hand, cupping it with both of hers, and, putting on her cutest smile, said,
"It's alright, I don't blame you, Classmate Tratt."
"Oh... oh, I, I understand."
For some reason, Tesla's heart suddenly beat faster, and a strange blush appeared on her face. Her usually clever brain started to feel a bit muddled.
But... this feeling of being held in someone's hands, Tesla didn't dislike it; in fact, she quite liked it.
Although she found it strange why Tesla's mood had changed so quickly, Inaba Tsukiyo didn't think too much about it. After Tesla calmed down, she still held her left hand, lowered her head in thought for a moment, and replied,
"Actually... what you're thinking isn't without reason. I've also wondered why this world is so unfair."
"Whether it's those who lost everything in the Honkai, or those without the ability to become a Valkyrie. I know that some families are born with the ability to fight the Honkai, but ordinary people aren't so lucky."
Yes, this world is just that unfair. Whether it's birth or later in life, everything is full of various injustices.
Some people even have happy lives that are instantly reduced to nothing, falling from heaven to hell.
This is everything Inaba Tsukiyo had seen in this world, and it was also the truth she had come to realize.
Tesla didn't refute Inaba Tsukiyo's words. There was nothing wrong with them; in every field, there were unfair aspects.
Some people are born with extraordinary talent for certain subjects, some are born warriors, but what about ordinary people?
They can only eke out a living under the threat of the Honkai, and even if they survive today, they have to worry about tomorrow's life.
This was the truth Tesla had discovered over the past few decades, and it was also something she had always tried to avoid mentioning.
"However... when I was a mercenary, I met someone. Just like others who were chosen by the military to become killing machines, even though she looked like she had been modified, she didn't give up on herself."
The Honkai in Siberia caused countless people to lose their families, and the children adopted by the military also gave up hope.
But Inaba Tsukiyo saw a special one among these children who had given up hope: Bronya.
It was precisely because of this that Inaba Tsukiyo uncontrollably made contact with Bronya, gradually opening up Bronya's heart, and Bronya slowly began to rely on her.
"If this world were only filled with beauty, it would be too monotonous. While pain isn't necessarily a good thing, it can bring a colorful life. It is precisely because of the existence of love and suffering that humanity fights for it and grows."
"This world, in fact, is not wrong; it just exists. This world, in fact, has never changed. Only we, as humans, have changed."
Inaba Tsukiyo pointed to her heart. What had always changed was humanity itself, not this Honkai-ridden world.
"What has changed... is us humans...?"
Tesla blankly repeated Inaba Tsukiyo's words. She looked up at the starry sky, lost in thought.
Inaba Tsukiyo didn't disturb Tesla's contemplation. She took a sip of the milk in her hand, leaned back in her chair, and enjoyed the academy's tranquility.
"I understand..."
After a long while, Tesla finally looked up, as if she had figured something out, and smiled at Inaba Tsukiyo.
This time, it was her turn to hold Inaba Tsukiyo's hand. She smiled at Inaba Tsukiyo, who tilted her head slightly in confusion, and said,
"Is this the reason for experience? I didn't expect you to see things more clearly than I do. You are truly not simple."
"...Experience? Perhaps. After all, I've been through a lot, so my words might be more convincing. I'm happy to have been able to help you."
Inaba Tsukiyo smiled. Although she didn't know what Tesla had figured out, she felt a sense of accomplishment that the other party had understood something.
"Oh, by the way, there's something I'd like to ask you, as someone from the mechanics department."
"Hmm, go ahead and ask. If it's something I know, I'll tell you everything."
Tesla, in a good mood, waved her hand grandly and said without hesitation. As long as it wasn't anything too confidential, she could tell Inaba Tsukiyo.
"Why... don't the people of this world unite to fight the Honkai?"
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