Chapter 5: The Land of Machines Episode 26: A Relaxing Afternoon

Part (1/5): "A Feast of Rivalries and Bonds"

The late morning buzz of excitement from their flight experiments slowly gave way to a much-needed lunch break. As everyone settled around the dining table, the atmosphere grew warm and relaxed. The dishes presented before them had improved noticeably, their flavors now far more refined and balanced.

Keela took a bite and beamed at the kitchen staff. "You've really outdone yourselves today. The food is delicious!"

Her praise earned delighted smiles from the cooks, who scurried off excitedly to bring out additional desserts.

Yue's eyes sparkled at the sight of the sweets, but instead of reaching for them, she turned to Akira, silently asking for permission with an eager, hopeful gaze.

Akira, in turn, smirked mischievously and pretended not to notice, deliberately looking elsewhere. Yue pouted slightly, but before she could protest, Mirelle—who had been sitting beside Akira—slid a piece of dessert toward her.

"Here, Yue. This one's really good. I already tried it," Mirelle said with a soft smile.

Yue's entire face lit up as she accepted the treat. But before she could even take a bite, Keela swiftly offered her own selection. "Try this one too! It's just as tasty."

Now holding desserts from both Mirelle and Keela, Yue practically radiated happiness. Meanwhile, Akira merely watched the scene unfold, his smirk growing as he recognized what was happening.

It wasn't just simple generosity. It was a subtle, unspoken rivalry.

Still, he chose to stay silent, letting them have their moment. And if Yue had noticed the slight tension, she certainly didn't mind being at the center of it.

On the other side of the table, Zekhtau had been making casual conversation with Elina whenever he had the chance.

Draco, however, wasn't pleased.

Seated nearby, he subtly—and sometimes not-so-subtly—interjected, steering the conversation in different directions whenever Zekhtau got too comfortable talking to Elina.

For her part, Elina seemed oblivious, continuing to eat with her usual laid-back demeanor. This only made Draco work harder to reclaim his "territory," his protective instincts kicking into high gear.

But Zekhtau noticed.

And instead of getting irritated, he simply smiled.

Then, in an almost calculated move, he turned to Draco and spoke with genuine approval.

"Draco, your mastery over gravitational force has improved significantly. That's a rare ability, and you're handling it better than I expected."

Draco, caught off guard, hesitated for a split second. He hadn't expected praise—especially not from Zekhtau.

Trying to appear unfazed, he shrugged. "I just use it when I need to. Nothing special."

But deep down?

The recognition meant something.

This was the first time someone had acknowledged his power in a way that wasn't just about brute strength.

Meanwhile, Osiris remained in her own world.

She quietly sampled a small piece of dessert, her expression neutral, yet her thoughts ran deep.

Logically, she knew that food should have variations in taste, some dishes more enjoyable than others. Yet, for some reason, everything tasted good to her.

"Is there something wrong with my sensory receptors?" she pondered. "Why does everything seem equally pleasant? Other people sometimes say things like 'this is just okay' or 'this isn't great'… but I don't feel that way at all."

She fell into a thoughtful silence, analyzing the data in her mind while absentmindedly taking another bite.

Around her, the table was filled with lighthearted chatter and laughter. Even with the small, unspoken competitions happening, it only made the group more dynamic, more alive.

And as they enjoyed their meal together, one thing was clear—the bonds they shared were growing stronger with each passing day.

Part (2/5): "Forging the Skyborne Warriors"

In the afternoon, Zekhtau excused himself to begin crafting the flight equipment based on the team's designs, while the rest of the group headed to the training grounds to refine their combat strategies.

The atmosphere within the team felt subtly different now that Keela had officially joined. Akira, in particular, seemed visibly excited—finally, their team had a dedicated carry. His bright expression made it clear just how pleased he was.

Standing beside him, Mirelle silently observed, her face betraying a slight displeasure. She didn't voice her thoughts, but it was obvious to anyone paying attention—she wasn't too fond of the way Akira was reacting to Keela.

Even so, she couldn't deny it—Keela filled a crucial gap in their team composition.

Akira took charge of assigning roles, carefully considering everyone's strengths and abilities.

• Elina was the tank, a frontline defender who could absorb damage and shield the team. She was their iron wall.

• Draco played the role of a warrior, his raw power and endurance allowing him to stand firm in the heat of battle.

• Akira took the position of a rogue, a swift combatant specializing in mobility and precise, high-speed attacks, utilizing his blacklight energy to his advantage.

• Keela became the carry, specializing in long-range precision strikes that could turn the tide of battle with her overwhelming firepower.

• Mirelle was the mage, an elemental powerhouse capable of controlling the battlefield with devastating spells.

• Yue took the support role, providing vital buffs and healing magic to keep the team standing.

However, when it came to Osiris, things became… complicated.

She didn't have a clear position yet.

Unlike the others, her upgraded body granted her unique capabilities—she could fly, wield energy cannons, and command a fleet of drones. Her drones were incredibly versatile, capable of attacking, carrying objects, or even assisting in transportation.

Akira folded his arms, deep in thought, before bluntly stating, "Osiris, you're not suited for direct combat."

Silence.

It was as if a thunderbolt had struck.

Osiris froze, her metallic body slumping as she processed those words. Elina immediately rushed to her side.

"That's not true! Osiris is amazing!" she protested, hugging her tightly.

From the side, Yue puffed up her cheeks and landed a solid punch on Akira's shoulder. "How could you say something so mean?!"

The entire team turned to glare at him, their expressions ranging from disappointment to outright judgment.

Akira frantically waved his hands. "Wait, wait! You're all misunderstanding me! I didn't mean she was useless! I meant—she's not suited for direct combat, but there's something else, something more important, that only she can do!"

The tension in the air eased slightly. Yue blinked before awkwardly casting a small healing spell on Akira's shoulder. "Fine… but next time, say things properly first!" she grumbled.

Still sitting, Osiris crossed her arms, pouting slightly. "Alright, then explain. What exactly am I suited for?"

Akira let out a nervous chuckle before clearing his throat. "I'm thinking of making you the team's strategist—the battlefield commander."

The others exchanged curious glances. "Strategist?" they repeated in unison.

Akira nodded, his voice taking on a serious edge. "Yeah. Think about it—on a real battlefield, every squad has commanders who guide the fight. We've filled out our combat roles well, but one crucial position is missing: a tactician."

Osiris frowned. "A tactician?"

"Yes," Akira confirmed. "Someone who oversees the battlefield, analyzes enemy movements, and directs the team accordingly. You're the perfect fit. You're incredibly analytical, your processing speed is unmatched, and you're an excellent communicator."

For a moment, Osiris just sat there, her glowing blue eyes wide with realization. "You really think I can do that?" she asked quietly.

Akira grinned. "Absolutely. Plus, your drones can be repurposed for strategic functions—holographic decoys, smoke screens, sound interference, night vision, heat detection, even aerial supply drops. No one else can do what you can."

The doubt in Osiris's eyes faded, replaced by a newfound sense of purpose. She smiled—just slightly—but it was there.

Yue, unable to contain her excitement, grabbed Osiris's hands and bounced up and down. "Osiris, you're incredible!"

Akira continued, "And don't forget—you're not defenseless. You can go invisible, you can fly, and you have counterattacks. That means we won't have to worry about our strategist getting ambushed. You'll be safe, and our team will be stronger than ever."

The team collectively let out an impressed 'whoa.'

Mirelle, however, folded her arms and smirked. "You know, Akira, you'd actually make a better strategist than anyone here."

Everyone paused, their gazes locking onto Akira.

She had a point.

Akira was an excellent strategist and tactician, a natural at reading the flow of battle and adapting on the fly.

He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well… I wouldn't go that far. I mean, yeah, you guys say I'm good at this stuff, but even I've never beaten my dad at a strategy game."

That revelation made everyone freeze.

Yue's eyes widened in awe. "Wait… you're saying that even YOU have never won against Dad?! Just how powerful IS he?!"

Mirelle's cheeks turned slightly pink as she muttered, "I… kind of want to meet 'Dad' now."

Not to be outdone, Keela immediately chimed in. "I want to meet him too!"

Mirelle shot her a sharp sideways glance, while Keela simply crossed her arms and smirked back.

Akira, meanwhile, could only laugh awkwardly. "…Yeah, I think my peaceful days in this team are officially over."

For the rest of the afternoon, the team threw themselves into intense training. They broke into smaller groups, focusing on refining their specialized combat skills.

• Elina honed her defensive techniques, testing her endurance against different attack patterns.

• Draco worked on evasive maneuvers and counterattacks, using his gravity control to increase his agility.

• Akira practiced stealth tactics, finding ways to exploit enemy weak points.

• Keela and Mirelle sparred to sharpen their respective elemental attacks—Keela focusing on speed and precision, Mirelle on battlefield control.

• Yue and Osiris trained together, synchronizing their support abilities for optimal efficiency.

Throughout their drills, they analyzed each other's weaknesses, gave constructive feedback, and even exchanged playful jabs.

"Draco! Stop charging in blindly!" Yue scolded, hands on her hips. "You keep getting countered by Elina!"

"Hey! It's called my fighting style!" Draco retorted, though he secretly appreciated the advice.

Meanwhile, Akira suddenly lunged at Mirelle in a mock ambush. "And what do you do if an enemy gets too close?"

Without missing a beat, Mirelle snapped her fingers, summoning an ice wall. "I freeze you in place, obviously." She smirked as Akira was forced to skid to a halt.

They trained tirelessly, completely absorbed in their efforts—until a sudden, loud stomach growl interrupted them.

Everyone turned to look at Akira, who sheepishly clutched his stomach.

"Ah," he chuckled, rubbing his belly. "I think that's our signal to stop."

Laughter erupted among the group as they finally decided to call it a day.

Their skills had sharpened, their bonds had strengthened, and with their flight equipment soon to be completed, they were now closer than ever to their next great challenge—Skyperion.

Part (3/5): "The Dinner Table Chess Game"

The evening meal, which should have been a peaceful affair, instead became a subtle battle of wits between two determined contenders—Mirelle and Keela. Both were intent on subtly winning Akira's favor, though neither would openly admit it.

It all started with a seemingly innocent gesture. Mirelle carefully picked up a crisp piece of bread, spread a thin layer of butter over it, and handed it to Akira with a warm smile.

"Here, try this. I think you'll like it."

Not to be outdone, Keela immediately set her bread down and instead cut a piece of perfectly cooked meat, offering it with a confident grin.

"Akira, try this one instead. I think it's just the right flavor."

But before Akira could even react, Yue's spoon flashed across the table like a streak of light, snatching the meat from Keela's fork. In the same motion, she grabbed the bread from Mirelle with her other hand and popped it into her mouth, chewing happily.

With a cheeky grin, she turned to her brother. "No need to trouble yourself, big brother! I can taste-test for you!"

Akira let out a small, exasperated chuckle, hiding his growing discomfort as the situation spiraled further. "So… my peaceful meals are officially over, huh?" He sighed quietly to himself.

Meanwhile, across the table, Draco had been watching the unfolding chaos with mild amusement. But instead of joining in, he simply picked up his fork, speared a piece of grilled vegetable from his plate, and subtly slid his dish toward Elina, who was busy serving herself some soup.

"Here. Try this."

Elina blinked, momentarily surprised. "For me?"

Draco averted his gaze, his usual bravado suddenly absent. "Yeah, obviously." His voice was casual, but the faint red tinge creeping up his neck betrayed him.

Elina, completely unaware of any hidden intentions, simply nodded and took the offering without hesitation. "Thanks."

While Draco and Elina's dynamic remained quietly unchanged, a certain AI-turned-cyborg had no intention of being left out. Osiris, who had been calmly observing, leaned toward Draco and lightly tapped his arm.

"Draco, can you get some for me too? That dish is out of my reach."

Draco glanced at her, then at the requested dish, before sighing in resignation. Without a word, he picked up a serving spoon and scooped a portion onto Osiris's plate. And while he was at it, he absentmindedly added another serving onto Elina's plate as well—seamlessly managing the needs of two without missing a beat.

"Thanks," Osiris said, her tone soft yet pleased.

Elina simply nodded in acknowledgment, not seeming to think much of it.

Meanwhile, Akira, having witnessed the entire ordeal, could only shake his head in silent amusement. "What a chaotic dinner this has turned into." He smirked to himself before finally managing to pick up his own spoon and take a bite—before someone else could steal his food first.

Part (4/5): "Game of Minds, Bonds of Hearts"

As the darkness settled over Draft, Akira's team gathered in the central lounge, winding down after the chaotic yet amusing dinner. Yue, snuggled close to her beloved brother, tugged on his sleeve with eager excitement.

"Big brother, you said you used to play games with Dad, right? I want to try playing too!"

Akira smiled at her enthusiasm. Yue was always brimming with curiosity. He nodded. "Of course. But the games Dad and I played were a bit complicated… They require specific equipment, like computers, or even something like chess would need a proper set and a lot of rules. How about we start with something simpler?"

Yue nodded rapidly, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. Akira quickly sketched a board on a spare piece of paper, marking grids for Othello and Checkers, then used small coins as makeshift pieces. "We'll start with these. They're easy to learn and fun to play."

The group circled around in interest, and soon the room was filled with a lighthearted atmosphere. Yue played the first match against Akira, and unsurprisingly, she lost the first round due to her inexperience. However, her relentless energy and determination brought laughter to everyone.

Sitting nearby, Draco decided to give it a try. Although strategy games weren't exactly his forte, the simplicity of Othello allowed him to secure his first victory.

"Ha! I won!" He grinned triumphantly, leaning back with pride.

Akira smirked. "Draco, you lost to me in under three minutes earlier."

"Shut it! A win is a win." Draco emphasized the word "win" dramatically, prompting chuckles from the others as he passed the board to the next challenger.

Meanwhile, Osiris, who had been quietly observing, finally decided to join in. At first, she lost nearly every match, but she never once showed frustration.

Mirelle, impressed by her perseverance, commented, "You're really patient, Osiris."

Osiris replied matter-of-factly, "It's simply a matter of adaptation."

And adapt she did. As the rounds continued, her skills improved drastically. By the time she secured her first win against Akira, even he had to acknowledge her progress.

"Wow, Osiris. You've gotten really good—I don't think I can keep up." He grinned.

But the most heated rivalry of the night belonged to Mirelle and Keela. The two exchanged victories back and forth, but with her sharp tactical mind, Mirelle ended up with a slightly better win record.

Keela smirked, eyes gleaming with determination. "You're really good… but let's see if I can take this next round."

Mirelle met her gaze with equal confidence. "Bring it on."

The tension was palpable as they locked eyes, their silent challenge drawing the attention of everyone else.

Laughter, playful banter, and friendly competition filled the night, making time slip away unnoticed. As drowsiness crept in, Yue, who had been enthusiastically playing all evening, finally let out a long yawn before resting her head against Akira and drifting off to sleep.

Akira gazed at his little sister fondly before carefully lifting her into his arms to take her to bed.

As the others began to leave the lounge, Mirelle and Keela found themselves walking side by side. Mirelle sighed contentedly. "That was fun."

Keela glanced at her, a small, knowing smile playing on her lips. They both understood—despite being rivals in the game, and perhaps in other, more personal matters, they were also teammates.

And in that moment, competition faded into camaraderie.

That night ended with warm memories, their bond as a team growing even stronger. Even as they each retired to their rooms, the echoes of laughter and friendly rivalry still lingered, marking another step in their shared journey.

Part (5/5): "Moonlit Dreams and Melodies"

Akira leaned against the metal railing, gazing out into the tranquil embrace of the night. The cool evening breeze tousled his dark hair as his eyes remained fixed on the twin moons suspended in the star-strewn sky. A soft chuckle escaped his lips, breaking the serene silence.

"This makes it the fourth night…" he murmured to himself, recalling the first time he had stood in this exact spot. That night, he had been consumed by confusion and solitude, his tears falling beneath the watchful glow of the celestial pair.

But tonight was different.

Tonight, there was no sadness—only warmth. Only hope.

"Dad, Mom, Mei… and you bunch of troublemakers," he whispered fondly, naming the people who mattered most to him. "If only I could introduce my friends here to you all back home… That'd be something, wouldn't it?"

A wistful smile curled on his lips as his imagination ran wild. "I'd take them sightseeing, let them try all the best food… and—oh! Music!" His eyes lit up with sudden inspiration.

Then, as if a lightbulb had flickered on in his mind, Akira began counting on his fingers. "In Little Monsters, if Mirelle is Aurora… and Yue is Shina… Mei is Pristine… and Jin is Arin, that makes four. But what about the remaining three?"

He furrowed his brows, contemplating the missing pieces. But as realization struck, a mischievous grin played across his face.

"That leaves Sakura, Herin, and Aya… And right now, we have Elina, Osiris, and Keela…" He let out a soft laugh, eyes gleaming with amusement. "If I can somehow convince—uh, I mean, persuade them to sing, we'd have a perfect match."

The thought alone made him chuckle. Before he knew it, he was humming one of his favorite songs, picturing his team coming together in perfect harmony.

"Now that's something to look forward to."

But just as quickly as his excitement had flared, his expression sobered. He turned his gaze skyward, the twin moons casting their ethereal glow over the city.

"But before that… we have to end this battle against Chaos. And I have to find my way home."

His voice was barely above a whisper, carried away by the gentle breeze that wrapped around him like a comforting embrace.

"Everything is becoming clearer now," he mused. "My goal isn't just to help Arcadia—it's to return home. And when I do… I'm bringing my friends with me."

And, of course—"I'll get them to cover Little Monsters, too. Kuku, that's gonna be fun."

A wide grin spread across his face, his quiet laughter fading into another soft hum of melody.

As the notes danced in the air, filling the night with a hopeful tune, Akira found himself growing drowsy. The weight of the day settled on his shoulders, but it was a good kind of weight—the kind that came with purpose.

And so, beneath the twin moons, with dreams of music and a future yet to unfold, he allowed himself to drift into sleep, carried away by the lullaby of his own making.