"Rover! Jeff!" Chixia's voice cut through the chatter of the square, relief and amusement tangled in her tone. "It took you guys so long. What gives? Was our Magistrate a chatterbox or something?"
I leaned slightly against a pillar, rubbing the back of my neck. Rover exchanged a quick look with me, calm as ever. "Not exactly. We… spoke with Sanhua," she said.
I nodded, keeping my eyes on the crowd around us. "Yeah. Got the rundown of Jinzhou she even gave us mysterious tokens and… well, a lot of rules and perks about the City Hall and the Magistrate being away."
Chixia's eyes went wide. "So Madam Magistrate isn't in the City Hall?"
Yangyang's expression darkened. "Correct. The wind is rising. In it, I sense disturbance and unrest."
I tilted my head, frowning. "Why the long face, Yangyang?"
Chixia snorted. "Hahaha. It sure is."
Yangyang's gaze sharpened. "…Chixia. The increasing Tacet Fields, uncannily powerful Tacet Discords, and now… our Magistrate's absence…"
Chixia's grin turned wilder. "Plus… the mysterious Rover and Jeff!"
Yangyang's voice softened, tinged with worry. "I'm afraid… Jinzhou might be in danger."
I immediately scanned the streets and alleyways around us, mentally mapping exits, patrol patterns, and possible sniper positions paranoia kicking in.
"That's… not great. But if we keep our heads and stay aware, we might gauge what's happening before things go sideways."
Chixia waved her hands dramatically. "Well, we've reported to the City Hall, the Ministry of War, AND the Academy. We've done everything we can. I mean, this is Huanglong! Jinzhou's never really safe, and we've survived a thousand years of unrest together!"
I raised an eyebrow. "A thousand years? That's… a lot of history to live up to."
Chixia laughed, tossing her hair.
"Exactly! TD outbreaks every year, but we can always trust General Jiyan, Madam Magistrate, and our Sentinel to have our backs. We're not ones to mess with!"
Yangyang nodded slowly. "United we stand, a bastion of might; one equals a legion, invulnerable in fight. Well said, Chixia. There's no need to worry."
I smirked, letting some tension leave my shoulders. "Alright, but before we start worrying about legions and disasters… what's for dinner? I'm starving." Haven't eaten since arriving in this world
Rover rubbed her stomach lightly. "Agreed."
Chixia rolled her eyes and laughed. "Aren't you the practical type! I'd love some Chili Sauce Tofu, Jinzhou Maocai, Spicy Meat Slices… Ugh, I'm starving too. But wait—we still need to meet up with Baizhi first, right?"
Yangyang's eyes flicked toward Rover. "So Madam Magistrate is meeting you in three days. She left these tokens for you and said you could investigate what they represent while she's away. Do you have any plans, Rover? Jeff?"
Rover tucked the tokens into her satchel. "I don't think there's much for me to do. but investigate the tokens that was given to us. That's a three-day vacation in my book."
I began mentally cataloging streets, shops, and potential resources. "I plan to visit the blacksmith, get some gear, new clothes, and acclimate to the city. But we'll look at the tokens too."
Chixia clapped her hands excitedly. "Fair point! A three-day vacation it is! Let's just chill out for now and figure out the tokens later."
Her eyes twinkled mischievously. "Ooh, reminds me of the tokens of love in those old stories… Seems like you're off on a secret date or something. What is our Magistrate planning with these token puzzles? Maybe she's looking for a soulmate!"
Rover raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "A soulmate?"
Chixia shrugged. "I have no idea."
Yangyang added thoughtfully, "The Magistrate left hidden clues in the tokens. Clues that only the right person could decipher. But… Rover has lost her memories, so any pre-agreed method would likely be forgotten. Maybe… she wants Rover to notice something else. If that's the case, what about Jeff?"
I frowned, intrigued, weighing the possibilities in my head. "Then maybe the puzzles are designed for both of us, testing our perception or approach differently. Observation and deduction will be key."
Yangyang nodded. "Rover, Jeff, do you mind if we have a look at the tokens?"
Rover held them out calmly, and I picked up one myself, turning it over in my hands.
Chixia immediately snatched the candy. "A sugar pearl! I had these as a kid… haven't seen them in ages."
Yangyang smiled, taking one delicately. "I remember them too. Sweet, a reward for being brave at the nurse's office… but as a token, what does it mean?"
I turned my attention to the small mechanical device, analyzing its tiny engravings taking advantage of my meta knowledge to make myself sound smart. "Miniature sundial. Measures time via sunlight, twelve Shichens marked… four cardinal symbols—Teal Loong, White Tiger, Vermillion Bird, Black Tortoise. Protective beasts in folklore. Without sunlight, it's effectively useless… unless there's a hidden function."
Chixia groaned. "Way too much brain power for me."
I smirked faintly. "Welcome to my world." thats what I say when those people smarter than me talk and say shit I can't understand.
Chixia picked up a leaf, twisting it between her fingers. "No clue what tree this is."
Yangyang held it, focusing intently, trying to use her resonance then shook her head. "Too faint… nothing comes to me."
Finally, she lifted a small black fruit. "Mangosteen. Not native to Jinzhou. Usually imported, sometimes scarce due to Tacet Discord disruptions."
I cataloged every observation silently, noting details Rover seemed to register instinctively. She glanced at me, her expression thoughtful. "Does any of this mean anything to you?"
I shrugged, lips pursed. "Not immediately. But patterns emerge with careful observation. I'll keep track."
Rover nodded. "Looks familiar… but can't put a pin in it."
Chixia clapped her hands. "When it comes to candies, no one knows them better than the kids of Jinzhou!"
I chuckled softly. "Alright. We ask around. First the Academy, then Baizhi?"
Rover tucked the tokens safely back into her bag. "Academy first."
Chixia bounced with excitement. "Oh right! Baizhi's waiting for us at the Academy!"
I let my eyes sweep the streets one last time, scanning for patterns, exits, and potential anomalies. Between Rover's intuition and my analysis, I felt we had a good chance to navigate whatever mysteries the Magistrate had left for us.
And so we moved forward—Rover cautious and calculating, myself analytical and observant, Chixia energetic and curious, and Yangyang quietly alert—through the bustling streets of Jinzhou, the tokens a silent puzzle I already know the answer binding us together in purpose.
We had wandered into a quiet corner of Jinzhou's market district, away from the hustle of the main streets but still alive with the distant hum of merchants and the faint clatter of carts on cobblestones. A few children played near a low stone wall, their laughter punctuating the murmur of the afternoon crowd.
I crouched down to the little girl closest to me, holding out the sugar pearl I'd been given. Her hair was dark and tied into two small braids that bobbed slightly as she shifted nervously from foot to foot. Her tunic was a simple patchwork of faded colors, but it was neat, and her bare feet were dusted with the soft grit of the street.
"Hello," I said gently, offering the candy. "Have you seen one of these before?"
Her dark eyes widened for a moment, scanning the small, shiny sugar pearl in my hand. She shook her head slowly, almost imperceptibly, her lips pressed together as if trying not to make a sound.
After a tense pause, she seemed to make up her mind. She held out her small, delicate hand, a faint tremor betraying her nerves. In it rested a single piece of candy, round and slightly misshapen.
"I-I don't have candy like that," she admitted softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "But… I've got this. It's really good. You… you can have one."
I hesitated for a moment, struck by the quiet generosity in her gesture. "Thank you," I said. "But… why are you giving it to me?"
"Madam Magistrate said we should be nice to every guest!" she said, the words coming with a mixture of pride and uncertainty.
I nodded, accepting the candy carefully, turning it over in my hand as I considered her. The sunlight glinted faintly off her dark braids, and I noticed the small freckles dusting her nose, the way her eyes seemed to measure every move I made. There was a seriousness to her I hadn't expected from someone so young.
"Alright," I said quietly, tucking the candy into my pocket. "I'll remember that."
She smiled then, shy and fleeting, and stepped back, blending into the cluster of other children playing nearby. The stone wall behind them, weathered by decades of sun and wind, seemed to frame the moment perfectly—the simple act of kindness, set against the endless motion of the city. I feel like my heart just melted. So precious.
The streets between the market district and the Huaxu Academy stretched wide, lined with tall merchant stalls and banners fluttering in the afternoon breeze. The cobblestones beneath our feet were worn smooth from centuries of traffic, and the occasional horse-drawn cart rattled by, sending small puffs of dust into the air.
Chixia bounced on the balls of her feet, practically vibrating with energy. "There's still some distance to the Huaxu Academy. Let's see who reaches there faster!"
Yangyang's voice was calm but firm, holding a touch of amusement. "I just installed some apps for you, remember? Please try looking for one that's called Utility on the Terminal."
Chixia's grin widened. "See? Just open the Utilities, select the Grapple, and there you go!" She twirled slightly, her braid swinging like a metronome. "If you wanna be a hero like the Jinzhou Speedster, you gotta master the Grapple! C'mon, give it a shot, Rover!"
I watched, half fascinated, half cautious. Jeff, on the other hand, was crouched near a low wall, fidgeting with his newly acquired Terminal. "I'll… give it a try," he muttered, voice laced with the analytical hesitation that always preceded his experiments.
I could see his fingers fly over the interface, the holographic display of the Grapple app hovering in front of him. His eyes tracked each virtual anchor point along the rooftops lining the street. And then—he launched it.
A metallic whir and a soft hum filled the air as the grapple shot forward, catching on a rooftop beam above. Jeff felt the pull instantly and pushed off from the wall. In that moment, he thought to himself, I feel like Spider-Man swinging between buildings. If only my reflexes were that quick.
The motion made him grin despite himself. "Incredible," he whispered, adjusting his weight mid-swing. "Physics checks out, tension forces within expected parameters, friction negligible… this is fun."
Meanwhile, Chixia was already darting ahead, weaving through pedestrians with the confidence only she could pull off. "Oh, wait a sec, someone's looking for me!" she shouted over her shoulder, skidding to a halt mid-step. "Yeah… What! When did he disappear? Don't worry. It's alright. I'll be right there. Duty calls! Oops, I almost forgot. Can't be late!"
Before we could protest, she bounded off toward the nearby patrol station, leaving us in her wake.
"Sorry, Rover, Yangyang," her voice called back, faint now. "I've gotta head off for my shift. I'll join you right after I'm done, alright? If you need me, just shout my name, and I, the Jinzhou Speedster, will be there in a sec."
"For real?" I asked, still catching my breath from the short sprint.
Chixia's voice chimed back, teasing. "Well, you only need to send me a Terminal message as you shout! Then I'll be there in a jiffy."
"Hehe. Ma Xiaofang!" Rover said teasingly
"STOP! STOP! Don't call me that!" she yelled, fading into the distance as her footsteps echoed off the cobblestones.
Yangyang gave a small smile, turning toward me. "Sure, go do your thing. Don't worry, I'm staying with them."
"Right," I said, gripping my Terminal tightly. The Grapple function hummed faintly as I ran my fingers over it again.
Swinging between buildings, feeling the subtle pull and weight of my momentum—it was thrilling in a way I hadn't expected. My thoughts flickered briefly to the city beneath us: merchants calling, children playing, the ever-present hum of Jinzhou life.
Even with all the chaos and unknowns, this moment felt… alive. Almost felt like I belong here, Yangyang gestured toward the academy gates up ahead. "Rover, Jeff let's go inside."
The Academy grounds stretched before us like a small city within Jinzhou itself. Polished stone pathways crisscrossed manicured gardens dotted with flowering trees, their petals drifting lazily in the breeze. The afternoon sunlight cast long shadows over the buildings, the sharp angles softened by decorative banners fluttering in the wind.
Somewhere nearby, the distant clang of hammers rang out—probably the blacksmith's forge—but it blended seamlessly into the hum of scholars and students moving between labs and classrooms.
Yangyang nudged me gently. "Baizhi hasn't replied to my message. She's probably busy in her lab." His gaze swept across the courtyard. "Over there… that must be Mr. Mortefi from the Department of Safety. Baizhi mentioned him before."
I squinted, noticing a man in a crisp white coat leaning over a prototype, while two others, one in gray and one in muted brown, hovered close, scribbling notes and gesturing wildly. Their conversation carried across the courtyard, punctuated by the soft whir of small machinery.
As we approached, the man in white straightened and waved his hands dramatically. "The previous prototype almost met all our needs, but we're wondering if you can optimize it further."
The man in gray shifted awkwardly. "Well… um…"
Mortefi's eyes narrowed behind wire-rimmed glasses. "Make your feedback specific."
The white-coated man's expression tightened, frustration bubbling to the surface. "It's heavy, and the engine doesn't work that well. Can you reduce its weight by ten percent and double the Tacetite Energy output?"
I raised an eyebrow. Double the energy and shave off weight? Sounds impossible.
Mortefi tilted his head, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "So, you want a portable heavy tank. Quite a brilliant idea."
The man in white blinked, clearly caught off-guard. "Yeah… you got me. There must be something you can do, right? Cut costs where possible, but use better materials to reduce weight."
Mortefi's smirk widened, his tone calm but cutting. "That's easy. But in order to cut costs, I'll need you to double my research budget."
The man's face went red. "What? How can doubling the budget save money?"
Mortefi leaned casually against a railing, arms crossed. "Ah… so you do know doubling the budget won't lead to savings? Funny how you apply double standards when making requests." He gestured toward the materials scattered around the prototype. "As for 'good material,' I see some right in front of me. You'd make perfect material for the blacksmith's forge—an old-fashioned beating. Marvelous."
I couldn't help but let a dry chuckle escape, even as I took in the tension radiating from the courtyard. Mortefi's words were sharp but oddly measured, like a blade dancing just above the surface of decorum.
The man in white spluttered, waving his hands. "You… you could just admit you can't do it! How dare you insult me in public?!"
Mortefi raised a single eyebrow. "Apologies if you feel humiliated. I assumed you had thick skin, enough to present such an unreasonable request." He paused, scanning the prototype with a calculating gaze. "I can fulfill any request you have, but that'll cost extra."
"Extra?" The man's voice wavered, incredulous.
Mortefi shrugged, turning to address both of us now. "Interesting. Do you really think the modest investment you made a decade ago makes a difference? Every day, I've been paying my colleagues afternoon tea in exchange for their effort." He gestured broadly to the courtyard and labs. "In Huanglong, people value reciprocation, and the Academy treats its investors with respect. You've already received a 120% return. I suggest you take what you can get. Blame your misfortune for crossing paths with me, the only foreigner at the Academy. I speak plainly when annoyed. Farewell—you're free to leave."
The two men in white and gray exchanged flustered glances, muttering under their breaths as they stalked away. Mortefi's expression softened slightly as he returned to inspecting the prototype, almost like a painter studying a canvas.
I turned to Rover, who was observing quietly beside me, her hands clasped in front of her. "That guy… he's something else," I whispered.
Rover's lips pressed into a thin line. Nod her head agreeing with the sentiment.
I mentally cataloging everything—the ornate banners, the gleaming machinery that I can't make tail nor head of, the flurry of apprentices dashing between labs—and the way Mortefi had handled the confrontation with quiet dominance. Somehow, despite the absurdity of the request and the tension, the courtyard felt alive, charged with energy and intellect. I could almost feel the gears turning in every mind nearby.
Yangyang nudged me. "Anyway… let's try asking him, shall we?"
I followed him forward, careful to avoid the people and scattered tools littering the floor. Mortefi's gaze snapped to us immediately, and I could feel the energy in his stance—controlled, taut, like a coiled spring.
"What… you need something?" His voice was low, but every word carried authority.
Rover stepped slightly ahead of me, voice calm but firm. "We're looking for Baizhi. She's expecting us."
I exchanged a glance with her. She always seemed to know exactly how to handle situations like this—quiet, assertive, careful. I could feel the tension easing slightly just because she was there.
Mortefi's eyes flicked briefly to the two researchers, and his lips curled in a faintly amused and then look to his side to the young researcher giving an impatient look. "I refuse to tolerate the foolish striving of those insatiable slugs. Since it's difficult for our researchers to deal with a man like that, I'll handle it personally… swiftly."
I could see the younger researcher with glasses flinch subtly, the flame in a nearby burner dimming almost instinctively. He tried to hide it, but the hesitation in his posture betrayed him.
"…And you are?" Mortefi's gaze snapped to us, intense enough to make my stomach tighten.
Rover's eyes met his without hesitation. "Rover. And this is Jeff. Friends of Baizhi. We've come to speak with her."
Mortefi's expression softened just a fraction. "…My apologies. Did I startle you?"
Rover gave a small, polite nod. "No offense taken. We understand you have responsibilities. We appreciate your time."
Yangyang stepped forward, voice steady but respectful. "Baizhi should be in the Data Analysis Room. Could you let her know we're here?"
Mortefi's eyes softened slightly behind the glasses, though his posture remained formal. "Very well. I'll inform her."
Yangyang gestured toward the man walking by the doorway, his tall frame outlined against the sunlit stone of the Academy building. "This is Mortefi," she began, her voice carrying easily over the soft hum of the courtyard. "He's a renowned figure in the Department of Safety. Born in the New Federation, joined the Huaxu Academy a few years ago. From what I've heard… his talent is truly impressive."
I studied him. Mortefi's posture was impeccable, almost rigid, as if he were perpetually aware of every movement around him. His dark coat was immaculately tailored, sleeves brushing just above polished gloves. Silver-framed glasses perched on his nose caught the sunlight with every subtle tilt of his head, revealing eyes sharp and calculating, yet not unkind.
Yangyang smiled faintly. "People say he's a bit scary at first glance," she continued, "but he's actually quite kindhearted once you get to know him." She glanced at Rover, who crossed her arms, eyebrows slightly raised, clearly skeptical.
A few minutes later we arrive at where Baizhu is at. Baizhi looked up from her cluttered desk as we entered, a stack of data sheets balanced neatly beside a small array of lab equipment. Her lab smelled faintly of herbs and chemicals, a sharp contrast to the crisp metallic tang of the Academy's newer facilities.
"Here you are," she said, brushing a strand of dark hair behind her ear. "The data we collected in the Gorges of Spirits has been submitted for analysis. We should have the results today. I also have the equipment ready for your physical examinations." Her sharp eyes scanned us briefly, then softened as she gestured toward a small tray of curious devices.
Jeff stepped forward, his brow furrowed slightly, fingers lightly tapping his notes. "Any… discoveries during your trip to the City Hall?" Baizhi asked, and we quickly shared what had happened, showing her the tokens and recounting our encounter with Sanhua.
Yangyang leaned in, voice hopeful, "What do you think, Baizhi?"
Baizhi's gaze lingered on the sugar pearl. She pursed her lips, thoughtful. "I have a hypothesis about this one," she said quietly, her fingers brushing it as if weighing ideas in her mind. "But I need to verify it. If possible, I recommend non-destructive tests for all of these tokens first."
Jeff's eyes narrowed, tilting his head. I wish I could have thought of that earlier, well even if I did I don't have any equipment, he thought. The simplicity of it struck him almost as an ironic relief.
Jeff, hands folded behind his back, nodded slowly. "Straightforward. Makes sense. Start with non-destructive testing—least risk, highest info yield." His voice carried the calm certainty of someone cataloging potential outcomes.
"That sounds simple enough," Rover murmured, glancing at the sundial and small mechanical devices. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, her eyes calculating, as if the tokens themselves were data points to be analyzed.
Baizhi nodded. "Data is always straightforward, once properly collected. The first three tokens can be tested at my branch, the Branch of Remnant Studies. This miniature sundial will require radiographic testing, though. Accessing the necessary equipment means filing a request with one of the Tacetite Studies-related branches."
Yangyang eyebrows rose. "Tacetite… Mortefi specializes in that, right?"
"Correct," Baizhi confirmed. "Mortefi heads the Branch of Tacetite Weaponry within the Department of Safety. We can coordinate with him to handle the other tokens as well."
She excused herself briefly, leaving us to the small, sunlit corridor. Moments later, she returned with Mortefi in tow. He moved with a quiet authority, dark coat pressed close, glasses catching the light, and a small, calculating smile playing on his lips.
"Give me the items to be tested," he said, voice calm but firm. "Anything else I need to know, now's the time. You may retrieve your items in twenty minutes; the analysis report will be ready five minutes after that. Take a right, and you'll find me in the testing room."
I took out the sundial, feeling its weight, and handed it to him. Mortefi turned it over gently in his hands, inspecting every groove. "This one looks like the early handiwork of someone I know," he said. "Lightweight, unusual design… appears to be missing a part. See this groove here?"
I tilted my head, noting the precision in his observation. Rover, standing beside me, leaned forward slightly, scanning the other tokens with careful interest.
Mortefi glanced at the sugar pearl.
"These items seem ordinary… except this one. So, you all remember eating sugar pearls as children?" He raised an eyebrow.
"Mr. Mortefi, you weren't raised in Huanglong, right?" I asked.
"No. I'm from the New Federation," he replied. "So this candy… might be unique to Huanglong?"
Mortefi frowned, tilting the sugar pearl between his fingers. "I believe so. It has the same consistency and sweetness I remember from my childhood… but there's something different. I can't place it yet."
Yangyang added, "I remember a nurse lady giving me something like this as a reward once."
Mortefi considered this, adjusting his glasses. "Distributed at hospitals? Interesting. Perhaps it served a medicinal purpose, sweetened for children's palates."
Baizhi nodded thoughtfully. "Exactly. I have a theory, but it needs verification. Chemical composition must be confirmed before any conclusions."
I leaned slightly on the edge of the table, fingers tracing the tokens. "Makes sense. Assumptions are just hypotheses until verified with data."
Rover crossed her arms, gaze scanning the lab with quiet focus. All these little puzzling details… I feel like we're piecing together a puzzle without knowing the image on the box. But it's better than nothing. I hope Jeff and I get some answers soon.
Mortefi nodded. "Seconded. Testing will tell the truth. Nothing else matters."
Baizhi gestured toward the corner of the lab. "It will take some time before the results are ready. If you have other matters, go ahead. I'll let you know when the data is complete."
Yangyang looked at us. "Shall we wait here at the Academy, Rover?"
Rover exhaled, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Sure. Might as well familiarize ourselves with the place."
Jeff's eyes swept the room, cataloging every shelf, every vial, every scribbled note. "We'll take a quick look around first, then, But don't forget—physical exams. I'll see her when she's ready." he said, voice calm
Rover nodded, tucking the tokens carefully into her satchel, her mind already turning over what these objects might mean. "Right. Let's explore a bit before that."