Ark Simulator, don't I have no physical form?

“The Colombian education system, especially grassroots public schools, is not always well-funded,” Suri (in sheep form) explained in his calm and even tone, revealing what sounded somewhat “dark” about the system. “Principals have considerable autonomy in handling certain ‘special cases.’ A ‘reasonable’ anonymous donation, intended for ‘improving school facilities’ or ‘supporting impoverished students,’ can secure a temporary auditing spot without scrutinizing the student’s file, grades, or past experiences; all that’s needed is to leave a name on the graduation roster… This isn’t unacceptable for many principals facing real difficulties (such as funding shortages). Especially in graduating classes, having an extra student, as long as it doesn’t disrupt the teaching order or lower the average grades, doesn’t result in any real loss for them; in fact, it might even provide them with extra income.”

He spoke with such clarity and logic, as if he had already mastered the process. Eyjafjalla was dumbfounded. She had never imagined that enrollment could be handled in this way. This completely overturned her understanding of "rules."

"But...but where will the money come from?" Eyjafjalla stammered. Giving money to the headmaster certainly wouldn't be a small sum.

“You don’t need to worry about that.” Suri (in sheep form) said calmly. “I’ll have a way. As for his identity, just say he’s a distant cousin of yours, his parents are abroad, and he’s temporarily staying at your house. He was homeschooled for some reason, and now he wants to experience the atmosphere of group classes before graduation, so he won’t take the formal exams, he’ll just audit the classes. His name… let’s just use ‘Suri’. His appearance… just like this.”

He spoke casually, as if all obstacles had already been cleared from his mind. Eyjafjalla looked at his calm, refined face, which seemed to have everything under control, and felt a great shock, and a strange mix of unease and eager excitement.

Let Su Rui become her deskmate as a "distant cousin" and "auditor"? Go to class and leave school together every day? That sounds... absolutely fantastic! Although the method might sound a little...not so "honorable," if it's Su Rui, he'll definitely be able to handle it well and avoid causing any real trouble, right? Besides, that way she won't have to be separated from Su Rui!

The immense temptation overwhelmed any doubts about the "unconventional methods." Eyjafjalla's pink eyes sparkled with excitement and anticipation.

"Really... really? Is it possible, Suri?" She couldn't help but ask again, her voice trembling slightly with excitement.

“Okay.” Suri (in sheep form) nodded firmly. “If that’s what you want. However,” he paused, his dark eyes looking at Eyjafjalla with a serious warning, “I’m going to school just to ‘audit.’ I won’t actually participate in class or have much contact with your classmates. My presence is only to accompany you and, if necessary, to provide academic assistance. You can’t be distracted or become dependent on me just because I’m there. Your studies are still up to you. Understand?”

"I understand! I understand!" Eyjafjalla nodded vigorously, her face beaming with the brightest, purest smile she'd had in days. "I'll definitely pay attention in class! Suri, you...you're so kind!"

She couldn't help but reach out to take Suri's hand, but halfway through, she shyly withdrew it, only looking at him with bright pink eyes full of joy and dependence.

Looking at her happy expression, a faint, almost gentle light seemed to flicker deep within his dark eyes. He turned his gaze back to the book in his hands and said calmly, "Alright. I'll go 'take care of' the principal's matter tonight. Tomorrow morning, I'll go to school with you."

"Yes!" Eyjafjalla nodded vigorously, the gloom and weariness in her heart seemingly completely dispelled by this sudden and wonderful arrangement. She no longer felt that going to school tomorrow was a burden, but instead was filled with unprecedented anticipation.

She sat back down on the sofa, hugging the soft cushions, her gaze fixed on Suri (in his sheep form) quietly flipping through a book on the bookshelf. The afterglow of the setting sun shone through the window, gilding his silvery-white hair and sheep horns with a warm golden edge.

Her deskmate, Su Rui. Starting tomorrow, she will no longer be sitting alone in the classroom.

This realization filled her heart with a sweet warmth and a stronger sense of anticipation for tomorrow and the future. As for how Su Rui "persuaded" the principal, or how much money she bribed him… those details no longer seemed important. As long as Su Rui was by her side, that was enough.

The sky outside the window gradually darkened. The night in Cumberland was still cold and noisy. But in this small apartment, an unprecedented, warm, and hopeful atmosphere permeated the space. On Eyjafjalla's schedule, tomorrow would not only be a return to the classroom, but also the start of a new school life with her "secret" deskmate.

In Cumberland at night, the damp, chilly fog was thicker than during the day, mingling with the faint, seemingly tireless hum of machinery from distant factories, seeping into the quiet apartment through the window cracks. Eyjafjalla, having showered and changed into clean pajamas, curled up on the sofa, clutching a soft cushion, her pink eyes wide open, gazing intently at Suri (in her sheep form), who sat opposite her in a single chair, looking down at the somewhat outdated touchscreen phone she had found among her parents' belongings.

Volume 19, Chapter 1295: There's nothing I can't solve.

The phone screen's pale blue glow illuminated his refined, serene profile, and the pair of tiny, delicate ram horns that were clearly visible even in the dim light. His fingers slid and tapped lightly across the screen at a speed that dazzled Eyjafjalla, who could only see a series of complex data streams and code-like windows popping up, flashing, and disappearing rapidly.

He was "handling" the principal's affairs. In his own way.

Eyjafjalla's heart skipped a beat, tinged with anticipation and a strange sense of nervousness. Suri had made it sound so casual—"just a little money," "a little explanation"—but would it actually go smoothly? Would the headmistress, whom she'd only seen a few times from afar at the opening ceremony and other important events, with her perpetually stern face and serious demeanor, really agree to such a seemingly childish request for "transfer" just for "money" and "explanations"?

Just as she was lost in thought, Suri (in sheep form) stopped what he was doing. He picked up his phone, seemed to dial a number, and then put the phone to his ear.

The apartment was quiet; Eyjafjalla could even faintly hear the monotonous waiting tone coming from her phone. Her breathing unconsciously softened.

The call seemed to be answered quickly. Su Rui (in his sheep form) spoke into the phone in his unique, calm voice with a slightly hoarse, youthful quality. His voice was soft, his pace steady, and his wording concise, as if he were delivering a report.

Eyjafjalla pricked up her ears, trying to catch any words she could hear.

"...Yes, regarding the matter of Eyjafjalla Brown's relative temporarily observing the hearing..."

"...Rhine Lab, thanks to Director Seria's care..."

"...a special donation for the digital upgrade of the library, anonymous, the amount is..."

"...Student records will be simplified to avoid affecting graduation statistics and will not occupy official quotas..."

"...Tomorrow morning, if it's convenient, Eyjafjalla and I will go to your office to complete the formalities and pick up our school uniforms and temporary ID cards..."

His words were clear and concise, with a clear objective. He pointed out the significant name "Saria" (even in the education sector, the defense director of Rhine Lab is no nobody), directly presented the practical benefit of "donation," and clearly stated the bottom line of "auditor" and "not affecting the school." The entire process was devoid of any unnecessary pleasantries or requests, resembling a highly efficient business communication.

There seemed to be something said on the other end of the phone. Suri (in sheep form) simply hummed a few times and finally said, "Okay, see you tomorrow," before hanging up.

The entire process takes no more than three minutes.

Eyjafjalla stared blankly as he put down his phone, his dark eyes lifting again to look at her calmly.

“It’s resolved,” Su Rui (in sheep form) said, her tone as calm as if she had just ordered takeout. “Go directly to the principal’s office at nine o’clock tomorrow morning. Bring your student ID. Your school uniform and temporary ID card will be ready.”

"It's...it's resolved?" Eyjafjalla's voice trembled with disbelief. "Just...just one phone call? The headmistress...she agreed?"

“Hmm.” Suri (in sheep form) nodded, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “Saria’s name, plus a reasonable ‘investment,’ is enough for the principal of an ordinary community high school. She has no reason to refuse, nor does she need to investigate further.”

Eyjafjalla opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but didn't know what to say. Suri's way of handling problems was always so… direct, efficient, even somewhat… inhumane (in terms of the rules), yet exceptionally effective. This made her realize once again, deeply, that Suri, herself, and the world she knew seemed to operate under different “rules.”

But no matter what, the problem was solved! Suri could go to school with her! This realization instantly dispelled all her surprise and doubts, and immense joy exploded in her heart like fireworks.

"That's great! Suri! You're amazing!" Eyjafjalla couldn't help but jump up from the sofa, rush to Suri (in sheep form), open her arms, and wanted to give him a big hug, just like Saria did today.

However, just as she was about to touch Suri, Suri (in his lamb form) subtly leaned back slightly, avoiding her embrace. His movement was very slight and natural, as if he had merely adjusted his posture unintentionally, but Eyjafjalla's outstretched arm remained frozen in mid-air.

She paused, a flicker of surprise and slight disappointment crossing her pink eyes. Suri…didn't he like her hugging him? But when Lady Seria hugged him, although he stiffened, he didn't pull away…

Suri (in lamb form) seemed to sense her change in mood, her dark eyes looking at her calmly as she explained, "I'm not comfortable with... physical contact."

His voice was calm, revealing neither joy nor anger, merely stating a fact. But Eyjafjalla's heart sank slightly at his words. Was it because of Lady Saria's embrace earlier that day that made him uncomfortable? Or was it simply... he didn't like being touched?

"I...I'm sorry." Eyjafjalla withdrew her hand somewhat awkwardly, her cheeks slightly flushed. She had been too excited and forgotten that Suri wasn't an ordinary person; he might...really not like this.

"It's alright." Suri (in sheep form) shook her head, turning her gaze to the deep night outside the window. "It's getting late, go and rest. We have to get up early tomorrow."

“…Hmm.” Eyjafjalla nodded, suppressing a slight disappointment, and turned to walk towards her bedroom. As she reached the door, she couldn't help but look back one last time.

Suri (in his sheep form) remained seated in the single chair, holding the monograph on volcanic geology, quietly flipping through it in the soft light of the nearby lamp. His silvery-white hair shimmered softly under the light, and his profile was clean and beautiful. He sat there quietly, as if separated from this simple room and the cold world outside by an invisible membrane.

This is her Suri. Powerful, mysterious, sometimes doing things that surprise her, and sometimes making her feel a strange distance. But in any case, starting tomorrow, he will be her deskmate, walking with her into the school that once made her feel lonely and stressed.

This thought caused Eyjafjalla's lips to curl upwards uncontrollably once again. She gently closed the bedroom door, climbed into bed, and wrapped herself in the covers. Closing her eyes, her mind was filled with anticipation and imagination for tomorrow, her heart pounding with excitement, until she finally drifted off to sleep in the early hours of the morning.

Volume 19, Chapter 1296: It's best not to have any bad intentions.

The next morning, Eyjafjalla woke up before her alarm went off. She quickly washed up, changed into her clean school uniform (a plain white shirt and a dark blue plaid skirt), and carefully braided her long pink hair into two braids, her little sheep horns peeking out from between. When she came out of her bedroom, Suri (in his sheep form) was already waiting in the living room. He had changed into the same simple white T-shirt and dark trousers he had worn the day before; his silver hair was smooth, his sheep horns were clean, and he looked very energetic.

After a simple breakfast (Suri still only drank some water, as he seemed not to need to eat), the two went out together.

The streets were even quieter and colder than yesterday. Eyjafjalla walked beside Suri, her gaze occasionally drifting to him. Suri (in his lamb form) simply stared calmly ahead, his pace unhurried, seemingly indifferent to everything around him, yet also as if he had everything under control. His unique aura was even more striking in the morning light. Occasionally, early-rising students or commuters would pass by, their eyes involuntarily drawn to this silver-haired, ram-horned boy, but Eyjafjalla had no interest in glaring at them today; her entire focus was on the upcoming meeting in the principal's office.

The community high school building was an old five-story structure, its red brick walls covered with dark green vines. The principal's office was at the end of the third-floor corridor. When Eyjafjalla, with Suri (in her lamb form), knocked on that heavy oak door, her heart once again began to race uncontrollably.

"Please come in." A slightly serious voice, with the composure characteristic of a middle-aged woman, came from inside.

Eyjafjalla took a deep breath and pushed open the door.

The principal's office was more spacious than she had imagined, but it was equally filled with an old-fashioned and rigid atmosphere. Dark wooden furniture, a huge desk piled high with documents, and faded school motto and photos of past principals hanging on the walls. A woman who looked to be around fifty years old, with her hair neatly combed, wearing gold-rimmed glasses and a dark suit, was sitting behind the desk, holding a document in her hand. She looked up when she heard the door open.

Her gaze first fell on Eyjafjalla, and she nodded in greeting, her formulaic serious expression remaining largely unchanged. But then, when her gaze passed over Eyjafjalla and landed on Suri (in her sheep form) who had followed her in—

Eyjafjalla clearly saw that the headmistress's eyes behind her glasses brightened almost instantly. It was a mixture of surprise, scrutiny, and something else... more subtle, something that made Eyjafjalla uneasy. Her gaze, like a searchlight, quickly swept over Suri (in his lamb form), from his delicate face and short, silver-white hair to his prominent little horns, finally lingering for an unusually long time on his calm, unwavering black eyes.

“Eyjafjalla, and this… Suri, right?” The headmistress’s voice seemed softer than when she spoke to Eyjafjalla, and even carried a hint of a smile. “Please come in, please sit down.”

Eyjafjalla did as instructed and sat down in one of the two chairs in front of the desk. Suri (in lamb form) calmly walked to the other chair, sat down naturally, and looked calmly at the principal, without the slightest unease or tension.

“I understand what happened during last night’s phone call.” The headmistress put down the documents in her hand, placing her hands folded on the table, her gaze still lingering on Su Rui, especially his face and those little ram’s horns. “We naturally take Director Seria’s concern seriously. Moreover, Su Rui’s situation is special; it’s a good thing for him to temporarily audit the class and experience the collective learning atmosphere. I’ve already had the relevant procedures handled simply; it’s not complicated. Here are his temporary student ID card and classroom access pass.” As she spoke, she took two brand-new cards from the drawer and pushed them across the table.

"The school uniform is ready, prepared according to the approximate size you mentioned on the phone, it should fit well," the principal continued, her gaze lingering on Su Rui, her tone becoming even more "amiable." "Su Rui is new here and may not be familiar with the school yet. Eyjafjalla, you are his...cousin, so please take good care of him. If he has any difficulties with his studies or life, he can come to me anytime."

As she spoke, she seemed to naturally rise slightly from her seat, lean over, and reach out her hand, as if she wanted to... pat Suri (in sheep form) on the shoulder, or perhaps touch his hand resting on his knee?

However, just before her hand was about to touch Suri, Suri (in lamb form) suddenly moved.

He didn't rudely dodge; he simply leaned back naturally to avoid the principal's outstretched hand. At the same time, he picked up the temporary ID card on the table with his other hand, as if he were just casually looking at it.

The headmistress's hand froze awkwardly in mid-air. Her smile stiffened almost imperceptibly for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure and casually withdrew it, as if the movement had been unintentional.

“Thank you, Principal.” Su Rui (in his sheep form) spoke calmly, as if the little incident had never happened. He put down his ID card, his dark eyes looking at the principal, his tone flat yet carrying an undeniable air of authority, “Where is my school uniform? I’d like to change into it first. Also, regarding my seating arrangement and the things I need to be aware of during my auditing session, could you please arrange for an academic affairs teacher to briefly discuss this with Eyjafjalla’s homeroom teacher? We won’t bother you any longer.”

His words were clear and logical, directly stating the current needs, and cleverly "distracting" the principal, transferring the specific coordination work to the teachers below.

Looking into Su Rui's calm yet all-seeing eyes, the headmistress felt a sudden chill run down her spine; the secret desire to "get close" or "control" Su Rui, born from his striking appearance and special background (Saria), seemed to have been doused with cold water. Her formulaic smile returned, and she nodded: "Of course. The school uniforms are in the storage room next door; I'll have someone take you there. I'll have the academic affairs director talk to the homeroom teacher. Eyjafjalla's class is 3rd year A; just go directly to her homeroom teacher, Ms. Felin."

She pressed an internal communicator on the table and gave a few instructions. Soon, a young female academic affairs officer walked in.

"Take Su Rui to the storage room to change into his school uniform, then lead him to Class 3-A to find Teacher Fei Lin," the principal instructed.

Volume 19, Chapter 1297: Self-Introduction

“Yes, Principal.” The female academic affairs officer replied, glancing curiously at Su Rui (in sheep form), and then gesturing for the two of them to proceed.

Suri (in her sheep form) stood up, nodded slightly to the principal, and then followed the female academic affairs officer out. Eyjafjalla quickly got up and followed.

The storage room was at the other end of the corridor on the same floor. It was a room filled with miscellaneous items, and in the corner was a small space simply partitioned off with a curtain, which served as a temporary changing area. The female academic affairs officer picked out a set of boys' school uniforms that fit her size (white shirt, dark blue V-neck sweater, gray trousers) from a neatly stacked pile of school uniforms, handed it to Su Rui, and pointed to the small cubicle: "Su Rui, you can change here. I'll wait outside."

"Thank you." Suri (in sheep form) took the school uniform, then his gaze calmly turned to Eyjafjalla, who was still standing to the side.

Eyjafjalla was looking at him expectantly, as if waiting for him to go inside and change his clothes.

“Eyjafjalla,” Suri’s (in lamb form) voice rang out calmly, “you go out and wait too.”

"Huh?" Eyjafjalla was taken aback, a hint of confusion and... a faint trace of disappointment flashing in her pink eyes. Why did she have to go out? Yesterday in Saria's office, didn't she also... well, yesterday Ms. Saria didn't go out either, and openly "observed" everything. Was Suri angry because of yesterday's incident? Or did he actually hate being watched?

"Me...do I have to go out too?" Eyjafjalla asked softly, her voice carrying a hint of grievance that she herself didn't realize.

Looking at her somewhat aggrieved expression, Su Rui (in lamb form) seemed to have a hint of extremely subtle helplessness flashing deep in her black eyes, but her tone remained calm: "Okay, go outside and wait."

His attitude was clear: there was no room for negotiation.

Eyjafjalla bit her lower lip, glanced at the female academic affairs officer next to her with a strange expression (probably because she thought the way these "cousins" got along was a bit odd), and finally nodded, muttered an "oh," turned around and walked out of the storage room, waiting outside the door with the female academic affairs officer.

The door was gently closed.

The storage room was dimly lit, with only a few rays of natural light filtering in through a tall window. Suri (in his sheep form) carried the brand-new school uniform and walked to the small space separated by a curtain. He paused, seemingly able to "hear" Eyjafjalla's somewhat disordered breathing and subtle movements outside the door.

He shook his head almost imperceptibly, then reached out, pulled back the curtain, and went inside.

Outside the door, Eyjafjalla pressed her ear against the door panel, trying to hear anything inside. But apart from the extremely faint rustling of clothes, she could hear nothing. Her cheeks were slightly flushed from being "kicked out," and the disappointment and grievance in her heart were strangely mixed with a strong curiosity and anticipation for what Su Rui would look like after changing into her school uniform.

What would he look like? Wearing the same school uniform as them...

Just as she was lost in thought, the door to the storage room was suddenly pulled open from the inside.

Suri (in sheep form), having changed into her school uniform, came out.

Eyjafjalla's pink eyes widened instantly, and her breath seemed to catch in her throat for a moment.

A well-fitting white shirt, a crisp dark blue V-neck sweater, and crisp gray trousers… This otherwise ordinary boys' school uniform seemed to come alive on Su Rui (in his sheep form). The shirt collar was meticulously buttoned to the top, making his neck appear even longer and more graceful. The dark blue sweater softened his subtle aloofness while highlighting his slender, upright figure. The gray trousers hugged his straight legs. His short, silver-white hair, even in the dim corridor light, remained bright and striking, perfectly complementing his youthful, delicate sheep horns.

He stood there, calmly looking at Eyjafjalla. His black eyes, like the deepest night sky, reflected her somewhat dazed face. The school uniform on him showed no trace of a student's immaturity or restraint; instead, it strangely blended with a pure and detached beauty that existed between a boy and some kind of inhuman being.

The female academic affairs officer next to her was also stunned, her eyes flashing with undisguised amazement.

“…Suri…” Eyjafjalla murmured, feeling her cheeks burning again. Suri looked a hundred times, a thousand times, better than she had imagined in her school uniform.

"Alright." Suri (in sheep form) didn't seem surprised by her reaction. She calmly straightened her sweater cuffs and then looked at the female instructor. "Can you take us to the classroom now?"

"Ah? Oh, okay, this way please!" The female academic affairs officer snapped out of her daze and quickly replied, her cheeks slightly flushed, and turned to lead the way.

Eyjafjalla snapped out of her daze and quickly followed. Her gaze, however, seemed glued to Suri (in her lamb form) walking ahead, unable to look away.

This is her Suri. Wearing her school uniform, Suri will soon be her deskmate.

An indescribable sense of satisfaction and a strong sense of possessiveness filled her chest once again. The unpleasantness and disappointment she had felt in the principal's office earlier had long since vanished in the face of the scene before her.

She strode forward, almost walking side by side with Suri (in her lamb form), her pink eyes sparkling, and the corners of her mouth unable to suppress a smile.

A new campus life officially begins today, from this moment. And beside her is Su Rui.

The classroom for Class 3-A was located at the far east end of the second floor of the teaching building. When the female academic affairs officer led Suri (in her sheep form) and Eyjafjalla to the classroom door, the previously noisy morning classroom seemed to be paused, instantly falling into an eerie silence.

On the podium, Ms. Fei Lin, the homeroom teacher—a brown-haired woman who looked to be in her thirties, wearing black-rimmed glasses and appearing slightly tired—was holding the attendance sheet and preparing to take attendance. Below, the twenty-odd students, all dressed in the same school uniform, who had been chatting, catching up on sleep, or secretly fiddling with their personal terminals, now all focused their attention on the newly appeared figure at the door.

Suri (in his sheep form) stood there calmly. His well-fitting school uniform did not diminish his unique charm; on the contrary, the "ordinary" attire, combined with his silver hair, sheep horns, and a calm detachment beyond his years, created an even more peculiar contrast. Morning light slanted in through the corridor window, outlining a hazy halo around him, making his exquisitely unreal face appear as if it were filtered.

Volume 19, Chapter 1298: Is it really a person?

"Hiss—" Someone gasped.

Immediately following was a chorus of suppressed gasps and whispers.

"My God...who is that?"

"A new transfer student? Looks like this? Is he really in real life?"

"Is her hair dyed? It's so pretty! And those horns... are they real?"

"Transferring schools at the end of the semester? What's going on?"

"He came with Eyjafjalla? They know each other?"