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Mengdie frowned and covered her ears, turning back to see Xiu holding an apprentice's wand, which couldn't compare to Sashara's Wind Magic Wand. Without any magic crystals and with a shabby appearance, it looked like an old man's walking stick picked up from a trash can.
Despite that, Mengdie sat back down, intrigued by Xiu's earnest expression. It's impolite to dismiss someone's enthusiasm, especially someone so eager to showcase their "genius."
Enduring the machine's loud noise, which finally subsided after about ten minutes, tranquility returned to the mansion.
"Hehehe, okay, okay! Now, don't blink, everyone!" Xiu seemed extremely excited, his blue eyes fixed on the machine. Mengdie half-expected him to kiss it again.
Xiu took a cup, placing it under the machine's outlet, and proudly announced, "The most exciting part is coming! Soon, pure, drinkable liquid will flow from here, and a fully dried, compressed orange cake will come out of this part!"
Perhaps Xiu's enthusiasm was contagious, as Edward and Nia also looked on, curious. Mengdie, sighing, joined them.
"Here we go, don't blink, everyone. Witness this world-changing great inventi—"
"Bang——!!!"
An explosion erupted amongst them! Mengdie, furthest from the machine, was only slightly dusted with ash. Xiu, Edward, and Nia, however, were covered in black soot and sticky orange juice, looking utterly disheveled.
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"How is this possible??? My theory was perfect!!!" Xiu was in disbelief, staring at the pile of scrap that was once "Mengdie Number 1." He grabbed his wand and started writing equations in the air. Complex formulas appeared out of nowhere.
"It doesn't make sense! I'm a genius! The formula is flawless! The amount of black powder was just right, and the flame magic crystal's proportion was under control. Why did it explode? There's no reason, absolutely no reason!!!"
Mengdie first cleaned Nia's face, then her own, dusting off the ash. Interrupting a "scientist," especially a "genius," is impolite, but with time pressing, she had to try.
"Xiu, when will your teacher return? We have urgent business with him."
"My teacher? Who?" Xiu seemed too absorbed in his calculations.
"Cough... Alright, when will Mr. Della Kulin return? Where is he?"
"He's not here. Don't disturb the 'genius' at work, okay? Even if you're pretty, I won't forgive you for interrupting me so casually! Whatever it is, wait until I finish 'Mengdie Number 2!'"
Saying so, Xiu continued to manipulate the equations in the air, changing numbers and symbols, but it was all Greek to Mengdie.
Realizing Della Kulin truly wasn't there, Mengdie regretted not finding the mage, reputed to be stronger than Sisko, on her first attempt. To avoid further disturbing Xiu, she decided to leave, along with Edward and Nia, who had already followed her out of the mansion. Xiu made no attempt to keep them, lost in his own world.
The first attempt at finding a mage ending in frustration, Mengdie decided to visit other mages in the town. However, these mages, after their initial enthusiastic invitation to Mengdie for tea and their inexplicable hostility towards Edward, were evasive about helping her cross the lake immediately, with their magical abilities limited to simple fireworks or light orbs.
After their fruitless endeavor, it was past midnight. Mengdie stood by the lake, looking at the pitch-black opposite shore, dejectedly sighing.
"Mengdie, maybe we should wait until morning? You might not be tired, but Nia is exhausted..."
Edward stood behind Mengdie, supporting a drowsy Nia, who, upon hearing Edward's words, quickly jumped up, ran behind Mengdie, and stuck her tongue out at him.
"Who's tired? You're the tired one! Mengdie sister, I'll keep waiting with you! It's just waiting for the first boat in the morning, right? I can... handle... it... ZZzzz..."
Mengdie caught the falling Nia and shook her head helplessly. It seemed she had indeed pushed too hard. Entrusted by Aiya to take care of Nia, she now found herself the subject of the little girl's concern. Resigned to rest for the night, Mengdie thought that even if they caught up, they wouldn't have the energy to fight.
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