No one noticed the faint blue glow emanating from the statue.
Even Ei, the most powerful figure in the household, failed to detect anything amiss.
It was as if the light nestled within the statue simply didn’t exist.
The family enjoyed a warm, lively dinner together, chatting about everyday topics.
For Bu’er and Nahida, it was their first proper meeting, and they couldn’t seem to run out of things to talk about. While most of the topics were initiated by Bu’er, Nahida did her best to respond earnestly.
Soon, dinner came to an end.
The glow in the statue disappeared.
—
After the meal, it was time to part ways.
Bu’er tried to persuade Nahida to stay the night, suggesting they could sleep together and “snuggle close.”
However, Nahida had only recently taken control of the Akademiya, and with Bu’er stepping down from her position, there were still many matters she needed to handle herself.
Seeing Nahida’s resolve, Bu’er didn’t press the issue. Since she couldn’t leave the house herself, she asked Luo Qing to escort Nahida back.
As they stepped outside, Lumine quickly pulled Paimon aside, using a flimsy excuse to give Nahida and Luo Qing some space.
Walking along the streets of Sumeru, the two made their way toward the Sanctuary of Surasthana.
Though many citizens passed by, most of them only offered polite nods or kept their distance. Few knew much about the Dendro Archon who had re-entered their lives so suddenly.
“Nahida…”
Luo Qing decided it was the right moment to speak.
“I heard you’re planning to shut down the Akasha system?”
“Eh…?”
Nahida tilted her head, confused.
How does he know that? I only decided this afternoon!
“It’s true,” Nahida admitted softly. “Why? Is there something wrong with that, Luo Qing?”
“Not necessarily,” Luo Qing replied, shaking his head lightly.
In full view of the passersby, he reached out and gently patted Nahida’s head.
This unexpected act left onlookers in shock, sparking murmurs as they speculated about Luo Qing’s identity.
“I just think… maybe you shouldn’t shut it down right away?” Luo Qing suggested carefully. “It’s quite useful, isn’t it?”
“Eh?”
Nahida blinked, her confusion deepening.
“The Akasha system dulls the minds of the Akademiya scholars,” she explained. “They lose their ability to think independently and blindly trust the information provided by the Akasha.”
“This goes against the Greater Lord’s original intent when she created it…”
“That’s true,” Luo Qing interrupted, “but its potential goes far beyond just acquiring knowledge, doesn’t it?”
“Huh?”
Luo Qing smiled, continuing his argument.
“With the Akasha, the people of Sumeru can communicate without even meeting face-to-face. Whether they’re in Port Ormos or Vimara Village, as long as they have a terminal, they can connect across vast distances.”
“Even in Snezhnaya, people don’t have access to something this convenient.”
“Shutting it down completely would be such a waste, don’t you think?”
Luo Qing was determined to convince Nahida to keep the Akasha system operational. It was crucial to his plans, and he wasn’t about to let the Dendro Gnosis go to waste.
“Even so…”
Nahida hesitated, frowning slightly.
“If the Akasha continues to function, the harmful culture it has fostered among scholars over the past 500 years will persist as well.”
“That’s an easy fix,” Luo Qing said with a gentle laugh.
“Previously, the Akasha directly implanted knowledge into the mind, bypassing the need for effort. If we change its design to make it work like a library, where users have to actively retrieve and process information themselves, wouldn’t that solve the problem?”
“A library?” Nahida echoed, tilting her head.
“Exactly,” Luo Qing nodded. “People could browse the Akasha for knowledge, just like flipping through a book. They’d need to understand and remember it on their own to truly make it theirs.”
“Before, both the Akasha and canned knowledge removed that step entirely. Scholars became reliant, losing their ability to think critically.”
“But if we lock the Akasha’s knowledge behind a system requiring comprehension and memorization, it would no longer harm the scholars’ creativity.”
“This…”
Nahida lowered her head, mulling over his suggestion.
Turning the Akasha into a library, rather than a direct knowledge implant, seemed like a viable solution.
But…
Why was Luo Qing so insistent on preserving the Akasha?
Raising her eyes to him, Nahida recalled the incredible authority Luo Qing had demonstrated within the Akasha during their previous encounters.
Is he doing this to maintain his influence over the system?
Though she remained uncertain, she chose to stay quiet for now.
—
Before long, the two reached the Sanctuary of Surasthana.
As Nahida remained silent, Luo Qing assumed he hadn’t convinced her. He was about to bid her farewell and plan another opportunity to sway her when he felt a small hand grab his.
“Nahida…?”
Luo Qing was stunned, unsure of what she was doing.
“Luo Qing…”
Nahida looked up, her emerald-green eyes filled with determination.
“You and the Greater Lord… you’re still hiding something important from me, aren’t you?”
Though she appeared to be a pure, innocent child, Nahida’s origins and experiences had honed her wisdom and cunning.
It was why she had been able to face down the Doctor during their negotiations, using the Gnosis’ power to hold her ground.
During dinner, she had noticed the intimacy between Luo Qing and Bu’er—the way they doted on her as if she were a human child. Combined with the inexplicable closeness she felt toward them, the truth was becoming clearer.
While Luo Qing’s suggestion about the Akasha was reasonable, it would also strengthen his influence in Sumeru.
Now, she needed confirmation.
She needed to understand the nature of her connection to Luo Qing.
“This is…”
Faced with Nahida’s resolute gaze, Luo Qing realized he was in trouble.
How do I even begin to explain this…?
“Luo Qing…”
Nahida’s voice softened, her tone tinged with hesitation.
“What should I… call you?”
…
—
T/N: HEH
This is a fan translation of 原神：这个见习执行官太屑了 by 何一乐. All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!
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