A Chemist's Interstellar Saga

Chapter 163: Shouldering Responsibility
Chapter 163: Shouldering Responsibility

Cirilla reacted the most, rushing over to wrap her arm around Arix’s neck. ”Arix! Aren’t we best friends? How could you get so powerful without telling me?”

”Huh? It’s not a big deal. You’re all Supergiant-Class too,” Arix said, brushing it off.

”But we didn’t jump three levels in two months! Even Drexel leveled up,” Cirilla grumbled, feeling a twinge of bitterness.

”Today, it’s clear. You two just came to show off,” Elio said, a bit sour.

”Arix, it’s great your power’s improved. You can help out more,” Varden said, grinning like he had a plan.

Arix didn’t need to read minds to catch Varden’s drift. She glanced at him but stayed silent. Varden’s rare smile showed his approval of her quiet acceptance.

”Exactly. With Arix and Mr. Kering’s boost in physical power, our chances in the competition are looking good,” Elio said, nodding with satisfaction.

Arix was taken aback by her inclusion. ”Do I need to participate too? I’m new to mecha training and might slow everyone down. Maybe you should find someone else,” she suggested.

”No need. It’s you, Arix,” Elio declared.

”Isn’t this a bit casual?” Arix frowned, feeling uneasy.

”Not at all. First, the six of us know each other well. Bringing in a stranger could mess up our teamwork,” Elio explained, with Cirilla and the others nodding in agreement.

”Second, we have a week. We can take turns training Arix on the interstellarnet. She doesn’t need to be an expert, just good enough at attacking and escaping,” Elio continued, looking at his friends who nodded in support.

”Third, it’s more than hard to find other powerful mecha pilots at our age. And that competition only allows the young ones in. Even if we find someone, it’s highly possible they’d be a beginner too. So, since we’ll get a beginner anyway, it might as well be Arix,” Elio said, hitting the key point.

Arix laughed. If studying hard of one week could earn her ten billion astrocredits, she’d gladly do it multiple times until she bankrupted the Lasair family.

After a while of discussing, they noticed it was late and decided to wrap up. It was weekday tomorrow, so Elio and the others had to take the warp machine back to the academy.

They set up a special chatting group, and Elio and his friends said their goodbyes to Arix and Drexel.

”If you need anything, message in the group. If there are no issues, we’ll have classes during the day and train on the interstellarnet at night this week,” Elio reminded them before leaving.

”No problem, you’re the boss,” Drexel said, giving an OK gesture.

Elio rolled his eyes and ignored Drexel. He and his friends got into his luxury Lev and headed for his space station.

After seeing everyone off, Arix went to her room to pack. Unlike regular schools, the military academy required boarding. Students could only go home on weekends or holidays.

Sometimes, field exercises kept them on campus over weekends, so it was best to pack ahead. However, they could shop online on campus, so missing anything wasn’t a concern.

Drexel had the same idea. Once back at the villa, the siblings went to their rooms to pack.

Arix went back to the room and freed Cupid and the gang. Then, Arix dumped a big pile of Space Buttons right in the middle of the bed.

Staring at the buttons, Arix had no idea what each one held. Some of them from the Tiger clan, a few from Luna Amethyst; some from Cassian, and others from all sorts of friends and family.

Arix grabbed six of the biggest ones first. They started sorting stuff into the right Space Buttons. One for mecha parts, one for potion ingredients, one for food, one for daily stuff, one for Psychic Ware materials, and one for Drexel.

There were so many things to organize that even Cupid and the others chipped in to help. After nearly two hours, they finally got everything sorted out.

Exhausted, Arix and the helpers flopped onto the bed. Just then, Drexel’s voice called from outside, announcing dinner.

Arix took a deep breath and got up, thanking the helpers, ”Cupid, Vita, Sophia, thanks for the help today. You can head back now.”

”Okay,” they replied together, transforming into beams of red, blue, and green psychic power, then zipping back into Arix’s psychic world.

Arix strung the Space Buttons onto a silver necklace and put it around their neck before leaving the room.

Opening the door, Arix handed Drexel a separate Space Button. ”Here, these are things I don’t need. They’re yours.”

Drexel’s eyes lit up. He hadn’t expected such a bonus just for calling Arix to dinner.

”Thanks, Arix,” Drexel said, taking the button. Using his psychic power to peek inside, he saw a treasure trove: potions, Psychic Ware pieces, various weapons, and even a luxurious maglev car.

Drexel’s eyes went wide, and he swallowed hard. This was worth almost a billion!

”A-Arix, are you sure about this?” Drexel asked, his voice shaking with excitement.

”Yeah, if it’s too much, you can share some with others,” Arix replied casually.

Not wanting to share, Drexel quickly pocketed the button. ”No way, it’s not too much. Not at all. Arix, if you have more stuff you don’t need, just give it to me.”

Arix rolled their eyes. ”These were gifts from other people, it’ll hurt the givers’ feelings if I sold them. That’s why I’m giving them to you. But anything I make myself goes up for sale on the interstellarnet. You’ll only get a cut of the profits.”

”Getting a share of the profits is good too. So, next time you have something you don’t want, just give it to me,” Drexel said, beaming.

Arix considered it. Selling gifts wasn’t right, but passing them on to her brother seemed fine. So, she nodded.

Seeing Arix agree, Drexel could hardly contain his excitement. His enthusiasm left Arix a bit confused. ’Why is he, heir to a prestigious family, so fixated on money—more so than me, who’ve spent ten years on Planet Waste?’

When they reached the dining room, the whole Kering family was gathered, including Matis, who was usually busy with the legion.

”Grandpa, Kellan, you’re both back too!” Arix called out happily.

”How could I not come back when my precious granddaughter is here?” Matis replied cheerfully, waving and motioning for Arix to sit beside him.

”Arix looks much prettier,” Kellan said with a warm smile.

Arix sat next to Matis and grinned at her Kellan across the table. ”Thanks, Kellan. You look good too.”

”Everyone’s here. We should start serving dinner,” Fleur said, her rare good mood making her seem unusually gentle. She even made salad for Drexel.

Dinner was filled with laughter and joy. After the meal, Matis called Arix to the study.

”Arix, you start classes tomorrow. I heard old Gunder assigned you to five departments. Do you want me to help you drop a few?” Matis asked, concerned.

Arix thought for a moment, then shook her head. ”No need, Grandpa. The Department of Chemistry and the Psychic Ware Department will help me research upgraded psychic power healing potions. The Department of Mecha Manufacture is my hobby. The Department of Combat is essential in an era plagued by insectoids—weakness is a sin. As for the Department of Strategy and Commanding, you know, Grandpa, with my talents, I won’t just be a simple soldier or a quiet researcher.”

Matis felt a pang of sorrow for his granddaughter, who understood so much.

Being born into the Kering family with such talents meant she could never be truly free. When Arix decided to return to the family, she was bound by countless responsibilities. Choosing to become an Alliance soldier added even more.

As a little tiger, Arix could laugh and play freely. But as Arix of the Kering family, her every word and action influenced the fate of many, including their lives, fortunes, and misfortunes.

Looking at Arix, still a child but mature beyond her years, Matis’s eyes grew moist. He smiled proudly, saying, ”Arix, you will always be my pride.”

Touched by his words, Arix walked over and hugged Matis’s arm, sweetly saying, ”Grandpa, you are the kind of guy I always dreamt to be.”

Delighted by his precious granddaughter, Matis laughed heartily. ”Aren’t you a little sweet talker?”

Seeing Matis no longer sad, Arix smiled as well. Then, with a mysterious look, she changed the topic. ”Grandpa, do you want to know how Arix Crystal is made?”

Matis’s curiosity was piqued. ”Of course, I do! Tell me all about it,” he replied, eager to hear the story behind the special crystal.