First Interstellar Guide Chapter 108: Extra 9: Parallel World; Childhood

Chapter 108: Extra 9: Parallel World; Childhood

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: Karai

Lu Zexuan stood by the table holding the chicken wings Xie Ran had given him. In the distance, another waiter approached with a dish of freshly made food. Xie Ran pulled him aside and whispered, “What are you staring at? Hide quickly!”

Lu Zexuan snapped out of his daze and stiffly ducked under the tablecloth. The tables in the buffet area weren’t large, and while the tablecloth could conceal two children, the space underneath was cramped. Lu Zexuan and Xie Ran were squeezed together, and their bodies unavoidably touched.

As sentinels, their sense of touch was much more acute than ordinary people’s. Sensing the warmth of the other person’s body intimately pressed against his arm, Lu Zexuan’s face turned stiff, and his back tensed up like an unmoving statue.

Xie Ran, on the other hand, remained calm and continued to lower his head to gnaw on the chicken wings. Lu Zexuan had always been obedient and well-behaved, seen as a sensible and obedient child by his parents. This was the first time he had done something so “unruly” — hiding under the table to eat secretly? Even in his wildest dreams, he had never imagined such a scene.

Lu Zexuan looked at the boy beside him with a complicated expression. Although the light under the table was dim, the two were too close. He could clearly see the other’s long and thick eyelashes, as well as a pair of beautiful eyes. He’s quite cute…

Qin Xiaoluo? Which General’s child was he, and how did his parents teach him?

Noticing Lu Zexuan staring at him, Xie Ran looked up and met his eyes with a smile, “What? Are you afraid of being caught?”

Before Lu Zexuan could explain, Xie Ran straightforwardly continued, “It’s okay. The banquet starts at 8 o’clock, and before the adults come over, we’ll sneak away without leaving any traces. Come on, eat. Aren’t you hungry?”

Lu Zexuan, “…” He was actually a bit hungry.

Seeing Qin Xiaoluo enjoying the food so much, Lu Zexuan couldn’t resist the temptation of the food and quietly began to eat. After all, the chicken wings had already been stuffed into his hand. He couldn’t just throw them away, could he?

Perhaps because of the “stolen meal,” the chicken wings were unexpectedly delicious. Lu Zexuan was hungry, and a small chicken wing was barely enough to pick his teeth. After finishing one, he was still not satisfied. The next moment, he saw the boy beside him lightning-fast reach out and take several skewers of barbecue from a nearby thermal lunch box, giving half to Lu Zexuan.

His movements were so skillful? It seemed like he wasn’t doing it for the first time. Perhaps he often sneaked into the kitchen to eat at home? After enjoying the food, Lu Zexuan’s stiff body gradually relaxed.

The two children hid under the table, enjoying the food. After eating their fill, Xie Ran handed Lu Zexuan a wet wipe to clean his hands, then put all the bones into a small plastic bag. Seeing that there was no one around, he swiftly crawled out from under the table and threw away the garbage.

Lu Zexuan followed suit.

Xie Ran waved goodbye to him, “I’m leaving now, or my parents will look for me. Goodbye.”

“…Goodbye.”

The little boy left calmly, still smiling, as if nothing had happened.

Lu Zexuan watched his back, feeling a mix of emotions. He had always thought that the offspring of Generals would be like him, receiving strict education from a young age, obedient and sensible, and eventually becoming outstanding federal soldiers. But unexpectedly, among the children of Generals, there was actually someone daring enough to sneakily eat during the banquet.

However, he had also been dragged into it and ate quite a bit… Lu Zexuan’s ears turned slightly red, and he quickly wiped his mouth with a tissue, pretending to be nonchalant as he returned to his parents’ side.

Seeing him back, Lu Tingyu smiled and asked, “What took you so long in the restroom?”

Lu Zexuan lowered his head, “I, I don’t feel… feel well in my stomach.”

It was the first time he had lied to his father, feeling guilty and not daring to look into his father’s eyes.

However, Lu Tingyu didn’t notice any change in his son and thought he was pale because he wasn’t feeling well. He patted Lu Zexuan’s shoulder and said, “Go with your mother to the resting area over there. The banquet will start soon.”

Lu Zexuan followed his mother to the nearby resting area, absent-mindedly drinking juice.

Seeing him distracted, Jiao Shuo asked with concern, “Zexuan, what’s wrong?”

Lu Zexuan snapped out of his thoughts and said, “Mom, do you know a General Qin?”

Jiao Shuo said, “Generals surnamed Qin are not uncommon. Which General Qin are you referring to?”

Lu Zexuan said, “I don’t know his name, but he has a son who’s about my age.”

Jiao Shuo looked at Lu Zexuan in confusion, “Why are you asking about this?”

Lu Zexuan hesitated for a moment and reluctantly lowered his head.

Jiao Shuo said, “After the New Year, you’ll go to school. If he’s also a General’s son, you should be able to meet him at school.”

Upon hearing this, Lu Zexuan suddenly felt a bit hopeful. It was strange. He usually didn’t like such mischievous and childish children, but just now, the scene of sneaking away to eat with that boy was unforgettable — nerve-wracking, thrilling, yet fresh and interesting.

Recalling Qin Xiaoluo’s bright smile, Lu Zexuan couldn’t help but wonder if they could become friends someday.

***

After the banquet started, Lu Zexuan didn’t see that child again and wondered if he had gone back early with his parents.

The time that followed passed incredibly slowly, as Lu Zexuan eagerly awaited the first day of school. The primary school in the capital city, which would commence half a month after the New Year, officially started on January 15th. Children who turned six could enroll to attend.

The offspring of military officers usually studied at St. Paul’s College in the capital city. They would spend six years here, learning basic subjects such as mathematics, history, astronomy, biology, and other cultural courses. At the age of 13, after the removal of the mental seal, they would be uniformly sent to the Sanctuary for training related to sentinel and guide abilities. After graduating from the sanctuary at the age of 15, they could directly apply for special universities related to sentinel and guide abilities.

The education process for Evolvers was several years shorter than that of ordinary people because their ability to grasp knowledge was several times that of ordinary humans.

On January 15th, St. Paul’s College officially began its school year. It was a boarding school where 100% of the students were Evolvers. However, the children’s abilities were temporarily sealed, so it was impossible to tell whether they were sentinels or guides, or even see their spirit bodies.

Lu Zexuan carried his backpack, looking around the school. Lu Tingyu noticed his son seemed to be searching for someone and couldn’t help but ask, “What are you looking at?”

Lu Zexuan replied, “Nothing, just observing the school environment.”

Lu Tingyu smiled at his son and said, “Remember to listen to the teachers in school, get along well with your classmates, okay?”

Lu Zexuan nodded obediently, “Yes, I know.”

At the same time, Xie Chen also brought her nephew to the school gate. Xie Ran, dressed in sportswear and carrying a backpack, looked energetic. When he smiled, there was a dimple on his cheek, endearing him to the elders.

But Xie Chen knew that this child’s appearance was deceptive—looking innocent and cute on the surface, he was actually mischievous and could commit mischief without leaving a trace, truly a headache-inducing little devil.

Xie Chen watched him anxiously and admonished, “Ranran, you must not be naughty at school. Don’t sneak into the cafeteria to steal food, don’t climb walls or trees, don’t skip classes or get into fights, don’t bully your classmates, understand?”

Xie Ran looked innocently at Xie Chen, “Auntie, am I that scary?”

Xie Chen said sternly, “What do you think?”

Xie Ran obediently lowered his head, “I understand, I’ll behave.”

Xie Chen still felt uneasy and accompanied him all the way to the student dormitory, ensuring everything was settled before leaving.

She bumped into Lu Tingyu and his son at the school gate. Lu General greeted, “Xie Chen? What are you doing here?”

Xie Chen explained, “Lu General, my sister went to the garrison with the troops, and my brother-in-law is working overtime today, so I’m here to send my nephew to school.”

Lu Tingyu suddenly realized, “Oh, your Xie Ran is the same age as my Zexuan, also in this year’s intake, right?”

Xie Chen said, “Yes, he’s in Class 16.”

Lu Zexuan listened to his father and Xie Chen’s conversation attentively, thinking, Xie Ran? Is he the son of General Qin, born on the same day as me? I heard he’s an outstanding guide. Perhaps he will be my strongest competitor in school.

After completing the registration, the children were assigned dormitories. Lu Zexuan stayed in Building 1, while Xie Ran stayed in Building 2.

Lu Zexuan still hadn’t seen Qin Xiaoluo, whom he met at the banquet, feeling somewhat disappointed. However, as he walked to the balcony in the afternoon to air out his newly acquired school uniform, he saw a familiar figure on the balcony of a neighboring dormitory in Building 2.

The boy was basking in the sun, looking relaxed and content, with a smile on his face.

Lu Zexuan’s eyes lit up, and he blurted out, “Qin Xiaoluo.”

Xie Ran heard someone calling this name but didn’t react at first. It wasn’t until the second call, “Qin Xiaoluo!”

Isn’t that the name I made up? The son of Qin Luo, Qin Xiaoluo. Xie Ran turned around and met a pair of familiar eyes. He smiled and greeted, “Lu Zexuan, what a coincidence.”

Lu Zexuan recalled the scene of them hiding under the table eating chicken wings at the banquet, feeling a bit embarrassed. He coughed lightly and asked, “Which class are you in?”

Xie Ran said, “Class 16, and you?”

Lu Zexuan said, “I’m in Class 6. By the way, did you awaken as a sentinel or a guide?”

Xie Ran blinked and said seriously, “I’m a sentinel. How about you?”

Lu Zexuan exclaimed happily, “I’m a sentinel too!”

Xie Ran thought to himself, Thank goodness we’re not in the same class; otherwise, it would be obvious during roll call!

From that day on, the two became friends, at least in Lu Zexuan’s eyes, they were good friends. Although they weren’t in the same class, Lu Zexuan would actively seek out “Qin Xiaoluo” to have lunch together during lunchtime, and Xie Ran would invite Lu Zexuan to the library to study together, discussing the day’s lessons taught by the teachers.

During elementary school, guides and sentinels studied the same subjects, all cultural courses, and the classes were mixed. After all, everyone’s spirit bodies were sealed in the imagery and couldn’t come out, so it didn’t matter if they attended class together.

Time passed quickly, and before they knew it, it was time for the first monthly exam. After the two-day exam, the school released the top 100 scores for the year group. Xie Ran scored full marks in all subjects, placing him at the top of the grade. Lu Zexuan missed one question in mathematics and ranked just outside the top ten.

During dinner that evening, Lu Zexuan was feeling downcast, poking at his food on the plate with a distracted look.

Xie Ran noticed his solemn expression and couldn’t help but ask, “What’s wrong, are you feeling bad?”

Lu Zexuan frowned and said, “My overall score is more than twenty points lower than that Xie Ran.”

Xie Ran’s heart skipped a beat—You’re talking about “that Xie Ran” right in front of you.

With his head down, Lu Zexuan said gloomily, “Our talents should be similar, but why is my score so much lower than his? I’ve been paying attention in class and studying hard…”

Xie Ran patted his shoulder and comforted him, “Xie Ran is a guide, naturally gifted with strong memory. He can remember everything after the teacher says it once. You’re a sentinel, with physical advantages; your memory might not be as good as his. It’s normal for sentinels to lag behind guides in cultural subjects.”

Feeling comforted by his words, Lu Zexuan’s mood lifted, and he looked at Xie Ran, asking, “By the way, Xie Ran is in Class 16, which is your class. What’s he like?”

Xie Ran asked curiously, “Why are you so interested in Xie Ran? Are you close to him?”

“Not really, I don’t even know what he looks like.” Lu Zexuan scratched his head and said, “But we were born on the same day and awakened at the same time. Growing up, we’ll be the successors of the Eagle Legion and the Starlight Corps… I just want to compare.”

Xie Ran chuckled, “Are you so competitive?”

“Competition leads to progress; that’s what my dad taught me.” Lu Zexuan replied earnestly.

Xie Ran smiled, “Our classmate Xie Ran has a very annoying personality, very arrogant. None of the students in the class want to talk to him. Compared to him, you’re much easier to get along with. Sentinels and guides don’t necessarily need to compete in cultural subjects; when leading troops in battle in the future, you’ll definitely be better than him.”

Praised by Xie Ran, Lu Zexuan felt much better, and his disappointment from the exam faded away.

In his mind, Firefox couldn’t help but comment, “Master, you’re really good at comforting sentinels; you’ve completely fooled Lu Zexuan.”

Xie Ran laughed, “Don’t you think he’s pretty innocent and cute? Whatever I say, he believes.”

At that time, Lu Zexuan indeed never thought of personally checking what Xie Ran looked like in Class 16. The classrooms of Class 6 and Class 16 were two floors apart, and he had no chance to meet the real Xie Ran. So, all his understanding of Xie Ran came from the description of his friend “Qin Xiaoluo.”

Xie Ran didn’t hesitate to speak ill of himself. Every time Lu Zexuan failed to surpass Xie Ran in exams, he would hear a lot of bad things about Xie Ran from Xie Ran himself. Gradually, in Lu Zexuan’s heart, Xie Ran became the annoying guide described by Qin Xiaoluo, aloof, difficult to get along with, and disliked by everyone.