On the eve of the launch event, as Shen Qin and Sucrose rehearsed their demonstration in the exhibition zone, Klee arrived uninvited. The two promptly welcomed her aboard the Brightcrown.
The little girl was seated in the co-pilot's chair. Every time Sucrose accelerated, Klee would clench her fists and cheer energetically, "Brightcrown, charge!"
When Sucrose executed sharp turns, Klee would be pressed firmly against the seat, but far from frightened, she wriggled with excitement, her eyes sparkling.
She genuinely adored this sort of thing! Whether it was her dudu bombs, hoverboards, or speed machines like the Brightcrown that delivered thrills, her tastes diverged sharply from those of other children (at least mentally).
Blessed with talents many adults envied, she nevertheless applied them to whimsical pursuits like "fish-blasting"—a delightful contrast.
Shen Qin watched her from the rear with a paternal smile.
Noticing her frequent glances at the steering wheel, eyes brimming with longing, he had an idea. "Klee, would you like to try driving this big guy?"
"Eh?" Sucrose's eyes widened.
"Really? Can I?!" Klee beamed at him.
"Of course! But only after Sucrose finishes today's practice."
"Yay!"
The little girl bounced in her seat. Were it not for the seatbelt, she might have sprinted laps around the cabin.
Sucrose worriedly asked, "Is it... safe to let Klee drive?"
"Perfectly safe. The AI's got failsafes. As long as she's happy!" Shen Qin chuckled, his gaze fixed on Klee.
Sucrose sighed. "You spoil her..."
Despite her words, Sucrose focused harder, wrapping up early to grant Klee more driving time.
The moment practice ended, Klee unbuckled and clung to Sucrose's arm, planting a kiss on her cheek.
Sucrose tapped Klee's nose, amused. "Only sweet when you want something, huh?"
"Then Klee will kiss Sister Sucrose a hundred times every day!" She puckered up again.
"Nonono—let go first! How can I give you the driver's seat like this?"
Freeing herself from Klee's clutches, Sucrose strapped her in and tapped the "Auto-Adjust" on the console.
The seat, pedals, and steering wheel automatically reconfigured for Klee's proportions.
"So magical! Klee grew taller!"
The elevated seat granted her proper visibility, like the difference between 160cm and 190cm perspectives.
"Don't get distracted now. Pay close attention."
"Mm-hm!"
Sucrose taught her meticulously, just as Shen Qin had.
Once Klee guided the Brightcrown forward, her face lit up with unrestrained joy, though her eyes remained locked ahead, hands and feet precise.
"Big Brother Shen! Sister Sucrose! I can drive! Driving is—so cool!!!"
Her cheers grew louder as she gained confidence. After three laps, she could maintain 150 km/h while smoothly navigating turns.
Shen Qin marveled at her prodigious talent—though he capped her speed there. His survival instincts prevailed.
For over an hour, Klee joyrode across the exhibition grounds, even rehearsing tomorrow's demo under Shen Qin's guidance. Off-road terrain proved far more thrilling than flat tracks.
Disembarking, Klee waved wistfully. "Bye-bye, big guy!"
Sucrose warned Shen Qin, "If Jean finds out you enabled this, you're dead."
"She won't. Right, Klee?" He winked.
"Right! Our secret!" Klee spread her arms.
Shen Qin hoisted her onto his shoulders.
"Big Brother Shen Express, charge!" Klee pointed ahead.
"Charge!" He sprinted across the field with her.
Watching them, Sucrose couldn't help but smile, but still felt a bit helpless. 'How could someone so mature act so childishly?'
…
…
The next day arrived quickly. By 8 AM, crowds lined the canyon leading to Stormterror's Lair for the Academy City's grand unveiling.
Inspired by the Knights' expeditions, Shen Qin opted for a military parade, heavy machinery processing through the gorge. What speech could rival steel behemoths on the march?
"Lumine, hurry! We'll miss the good spots!"
The white fluffball tugged the blonde girl through the throng.
"Excuse us—sorry—" Lumine squeezed forward, aided by locals recognizing their Honorary Knight.
At the front, she glared at Paimon's smug grin.
"I did you a favor! From the back, I could float up, but you'd see nothing!"
"Implying I'm short?" Lumine's eyes narrowed dangerously.
Paimon averted her gaze with a nervous chuckle.
"Ah! You're Honorary Knight Lumine and her Pocket Monster Paimon, right?" A man interrupted.
"It's just Paimon! Why the 'Pocket Monster' prefix?!" Paimon stomped midair.
He scratched his head. "Sorry, that's what everyone calls you—'the Outlander Honorary Knight and her Pocket Monster.'"
Lumine smirked at Paimon's outrage. "I'm Lumine."
"Brady, Academy City construction crew. Pleasure!"
They finally noticed his custom uniform, a sleek, unfamiliar design featuring the Academy City logo: a spire silhouette encircled by two tilted rings, each bearing a star.