I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files

Hifumi, holding the Shitei no Kita: "...Ahahaha."

In fact, in every sense, it should be considered that she "took the initiative".

"that……"

Hifumi tried to change the subject, but Arona on the screen immediately made a tapping motion on the glass: "Can you wake Sensei? There's something Sensei needs to handle today, a special arrangement..."

Hifumi pursed her lips, hesitated for a moment, then leaned down to the sleeping Amamiya and poked Amamiya's cheek.

Feeling the touch from the outside world, Amamiya, who had briefly entered a deep sleep to recover her mental energy, quickly awoke.

Before Amamiya could even ask "What's wrong?", Hifumi immediately turned the tablet screen towards Amamiya and handed it to him: "Sensei... your AI assistant seems to have some special arrangements..."

...A special arrangement?

Amamiya was puzzled for a moment, then took the tablet from Hifumi and looked at Alona on the tablet.

"Arona, what is this special arrangement...? Is it an assignment from the Federal Student Council? Or some other urgent request?"

Alona's face was cold, and her tone was full of 'disdain'.

"It's about the 'invitation to visit' from the Classic of Mountains and Seas... Sensei, you received that repeatedly not long ago, and you even listed it as a to-do item at the time... Have you forgotten?"

There is such a thing.

Reminded by Alona, ​​Amamiya recalled her recent arrangements and felt a little helpless.

While there was indeed such a plan... as the saying goes, plans can't keep up with changes.

Because of the ever-changing strategy of the 'Hall of Fame', Amamiya repeatedly declined the invitation from the Classic of Mountains and Seas.

Right now, if I were to refuse again... that would be rather impolite.

"Let's take a short rest... and then head straight there."

After chatting with Alona for a bit about the 'visit plan', Amamiya turned off the Shitei no Hako tablet in her hand and looked at Hifumi: "I have a plan to go to the Shan Hai Jing self-governing area today... Hifumi-chan, would you like to come along?"

Hifumi: "..."

Actually, she really, really wanted to go with them.

But unfortunately... my physical condition doesn't seem to allow it...

I'm so exhausted, I really want to sleep...

He can't even stand up...

Hifumi knew perfectly well that in her current state, let alone visiting the Classic of Mountains and Seas, she probably wouldn't even be able to leave the house.

"Although I really want to go with Sensei..." The girl shook her head, her expression strange, "but... I really need to rest first..."

"So...maybe next time."

Amamiya did not make things too difficult for Hifumi, nor did he use the Persona's healing magic to treat her.

This is a special experience... If you use healing magic to speed it up, you will actually 'lose' some key aspects of the experience.

After preparing a 'specially customized breakfast' for her, Amamiya tidied herself up, took the cell phone that Sophia had turned into, and the Shiting Box that housed Alona, ​​and caught the early train, embarking on her journey to the Shan Hai Jing Autonomous Zone.

In Kiwatos, the "Shan Hai Jing Region"... or rather, the entire self-governing area centered around the [Shan Hai Jing Senior High School], is located on the edge of Kiwatos.

In Kivotos, an autonomous city comprised of hundreds of academies of varying sizes, the Shan Hai Jing region stands out as uniquely mysterious.

For a considerable number of students, the entire region of the Classic of Mountains and Seas is "mysterious and unpredictable".

However, this region is known for its tourism industry.

In addition, the food industry here is also famous.

—Some students may not even know the Classic of Mountains and Seas, but they know about the local cuisine and are deeply fascinated by it.

After boarding the high-speed train and waiting for about an hour, the train issued a notice before entering the station, and at the same time, the train began to slow down.

As the high-speed train gradually came to a stop, a magnificent and ancient Chinese architectural complex, reminiscent of the "South Heavenly Gate," appeared before him.

We've arrived at the [Shan Hai Jing Academy] area.

Chapter 50 Me, the little mouse, I love Sensei the most!

Upon seeing the magnificent and grand architectural style of the Classic of Mountains and Seas, which seemed out of step with the tide of the times yet subtly fit in, Amamiya immediately felt a refreshing sense of novelty.

Upturned eaves; red walls and pavilions; magnificent buildings and terraces scattered throughout... a whole set of modern, staggered traditional Chinese buildings, combined with the festive atmosphere of lanterns and decorations still lingering from the New Year...

It must be said that the environment described in the Classic of Mountains and Seas is truly "unique".

If we compare the Millennium Technology Academy to a "modern steel forest made of reinforced concrete," and the Gehenna Academy to a "bloodthirsty demon king's castle rife with conflict"...

Therefore, Trinity College is like a timeless castle complex of old European nobles.

The Classic of Mountains and Seas leaves an even deeper impression... like a dark, hidden dragon.

Black, extremely dark, has been "the color symbolizing emperors" since ancient times. As for "Hidden Dragon," it's because... although this academy is visible, it exudes a sense of mystery everywhere.

Standing beneath the grand red pillars of the archway, Amamiya looked up at the three large characters of the Classic of Mountains and Seas on the plaque, which read "Iron strokes and silver hooks."

I have to say... that's quite impressive.

Modern Chinese architecture, along with various streetlights and other modern facilities, are perfectly integrated together.

Amamiya passed through the signboard and entered the campus area, which could be considered "Shan Hai Jing Senior High School".

The trees planted on both sides of the road look like peach trees.

It was February, and peach blossoms were in full bloom on both sides of the road.

After wandering around the streets for a while, Amamiya quickly noticed that she was being stared at by several girls with short hair that didn't reach her shoulders and wearing black sunglasses.

Without exception, they were all dressed in well-tailored gray-black striped suits with white linings and black ties, giving them a look similar to "Men in Black" or "secret agents".

They noticed Amamiya almost as soon as she entered the school.

While strolling around the academy, Amamiya noticed that they were communicating with him through earpieces from time to time, conducting a very subtle 'close surveillance' that would be hard to detect without careful attention.

They did a great job... but unfortunately, Amamiya is a 'phantom thief' with extraordinary 'counter-surveillance abilities' and discovered them immediately.

'This must be... something like the Maid Club from the Millennium; the Justice Committee of Trinity; the Disciplinary Committee of Gehenna... something from the Classic of Mountains and Seas, directly subordinate to the Student Council, right?'

Or perhaps... they are actually members of the student council organized by the Classic of Mountains and Seas?

Amamiya didn't go over to greet them, but instead strolled around the campus with an air of nonchalance under their close watch.

"Arona, give me directions to some nearby landmarks."

Holding the Shiting Box, Amamiya followed Alona's navigation and visited some landmark buildings from the Classic of Mountains and Seas without any guidance.

"Liuhe Pavilion...the location of the student council of the Classic of Mountains and Seas..."

"White Tiger Park, it's said that Trinity students often come here in their spare time, and they also come here for morning exercises?"

"Is that the headquarters of the 'Xuanwu Chamber of Commerce' over there...?"

"I saw quite a few children... According to the map, this should be the 'Plum Garden'?"

"The smell is so pungent... a strong medicinal odor... the Alchemy Research Association?"

After visiting various landmark buildings with different functions, Amamiya stopped in front of a particularly "unique" building.

Looking at the plaque that read "Alchemy Research Association" hanging on the modern Chinese-style building, Amamiya was momentarily dazed, thinking that he had suddenly traveled to some fantasy world.

no……

Given Kivotos's worldview that modern science is quite advanced, shouldn't alchemy, like other mystical arts, have already been swept into the dustbin of history?

Amamiya was intrigued by this strange 'Alchemy Research Society' and wanted to go and see what was going on in this odd place.

They can't actually be practicing alchemy, can they?

It should be a place similar to traditional Chinese medicine or a clinic, right?

Amamiya walked a few steps towards the signboard, enduring the pungent smell of medicine that could be detected from afar. Suddenly, he noticed a somewhat "strange" girl humming some mysterious tune, perhaps a local folk song from the Classic of Mountains and Seas, and opened the door from the inside.

"According to the Classic of Mountains and Seas, the area of ​​eight hundred li was once a rich and fertile land of Kiwatos."

She has a pair of... animal ears that are different from the usual cat ears, dog ears, and fox ears common to 'kemonomimi'.

—A pair of slightly large…round mouse ears.

Her reddish-brown eyes were bright and expressive; her hairstyle, with its looped sideburns and bangs framing her face, made her appear less gentle and reserved than a typical girl of her age and build.

"Oh……"

Upon noticing Amamiya, the silver-haired girl in a cheongsam, who was no more than 1.5 meters tall and still holding the door open, seemed to pause slightly, and then looked Amamiya up and down carefully, as if to confirm.

After a brief silence, a glint of light, as if she were looking at a lab rat, appeared in the girl's reddish-brown eyes. She murmured something meaningfully in a low voice.

"What a special guest we have."

She jumped down the steps with a "whoosh" and landed directly in front of Amamiya, tilting her head slightly to look at him: "You are... the one who's been getting a lot of attention lately... Xia Lai's Sensei?"

'Not bad... Is this what an adult physique is like...? If...'

Amamiya twitched the corner of her mouth.

Don't think I can't hear what you're muttering.

Pretending not to hear her muttering, Amamiya observed her with her "third eye" while calmly smiling and greeting her: "Yes, I am Sensei from Xia Lai... invited to 'visit' this place, the Classic of Mountains and Seas."

During the conversation, the message collected by the "Third Eye" also appeared.

[Assistant: Yakuko Saaya / Genius Alchemist from the Classic of Mountains and Seas]

[Arcana: The Magician]

[Assistance Relationship: Not Unlocked]

'This title...'

Interesting.

Is he really an 'alchemist' who knows alchemy?

Furthermore, the glaring description of 'genius' and the immense inner potential, possibilities, and creativity symbolized by the Magician card...

Based on the information provided by the "Third Eye," Amamiya immediately gained a general understanding of the girl's personality and some basic information.

"Oh~ You've come here to visit as invited..."

Upon hearing this, the girl fell into deep thought, glancing at Amamiya every now and then before turning her gaze toward the "Rokugoku Pavilion".

After a moment, she suddenly seemed to remember something and asked with great interest, "Is there something you need at our Alchemy Research Association? Are you interested in alchemy?"

From the fleeting glimpse of 'looking at the best test subject' in Saya's eyes, Amamiya knew that she had no good intentions.

This reminded Amamiya of his first encounter with Takemi Tae—the "punk female doctor"—whom he initially viewed as a "guinea pig."

"I suppose so..." Amamiya began thoughtfully. "I've heard a bit about the ancient discipline of 'alchemy.' But in my opinion, alchemy should be considered a special kind of traditional Chinese medicine, or like alchemy, a foundational subject of 'chemistry'..."

"I really didn't expect that there was 'alchemy' in Kivotos. And... judging from the scale of its development, it seems to be quite large."

Saya's eyelashes fluttered, and her eyebrows shot up: "That's a fallacy, a fallacy!"

The girl pouted slightly, clearly dissatisfied with Amamiya's statement that he was an 'outsider'. She immediately retorted, "The outside world's understanding of 'alchemy' and 'pharmaceutical science' is far too superficial—with a little deeper understanding, one will know that alchemy and pharmaceutical science are both practical disciplines, a special kind of 'mystery'!"

"Although alchemy can indeed be said to be the foundation of modern chemistry, and alchemy can be considered the enlightenment of medicine... alchemy and chemistry; alchemy and medicine cannot be equated!"

Amamiya spread her hands out in front of her, barely 'blocking' the girl's dissatisfaction with the 'expert's outburst about an outsider': "Sorry, sorry... I really don't know much about this."

[Unfettered Negotiation - 'The beginning of a good relationship doesn't have to be mutual attraction; it can start with some trivial disputes.']

Based on his extensive social experience, Amamiya gave Saya a wry smile and reassured her, then suddenly asked, "We've been chatting for so long, and I still don't know your name?"

The girl, still slightly annoyed, pouted and introduced herself in a 'not-so-friendly' manner: "My name is [Yako Saya], and I'm a member of the Alchemy Research Association..." She paused deliberately before calmly continuing, "an alchemist. I also know a little about alchemy and potions."

He truly deserves the title of 'genius'—his knowledge is indeed extensive.

Also, her self-reference as "Young Master Me"... is interesting. Is it her unique verbal tic?

"To correct your... layman's misunderstanding, Sensei, let me, your humble servant, show you the true essence of 'alchemy'—"

As she spoke, Saya no longer looked 'angry' and went straight up to grab Amamiya's hand, trying to lead Amamiya into the [Alchemy Research Society] building.

'Hmph~ Using this excuse of being "angry," I should be able to justifiably make Sensei try my newly developed "elixir of immortality"...'

The moment she turned her head, the last trace of anger on the girl's face completely vanished.

Little did Saya know... that her actions were exactly what Amamiya intended.