Arknights: I became an NPC in the online game

When Snowsant entered the café, she immediately spotted Felix. She gave a faint smile and waved, her eyes naturally drifting to the person seated beside him.

The person sitting next to Felix-senpai was the most beautiful woman she had ever seen. That woman seemed very close to Felix, chatting with him comfortably, a smile never leaving her face.

"Oh, here you are."

Felix stood up and pulled out a chair for Snowsant. He noticed she was carrying several thick notebooks, clearly well-prepared for the meeting. As the one who arranged this meeting, Felix first looked toward Snowsant.

"Snowsant, the person sitting across from you is Muelsyse, an outstanding ecology graduate from Trimount Polytechnic University. She's currently working at a technology company, researching the relationship between Terra's biological evolution and the environment."

He then turned to Muelsyse. "Muelsyse, this young lady across from you is codenamed Snowsant. She's very passionate about engineering. I believe she has the potential to enter Trimount Polytechnic and apply for the scholarship for outstanding students."

"P-please take care of me," Snowsant said nervously, bowing her head. The woman before her looked so young and accomplished—Snowsant couldn't help but wish to be like her.

"Don't be nervous. I'm just here to meet you today," Muelsyse said with a warm smile, propping her cheek against her hand. She had always been popular with younger students during her time in Columbia. Although Snowsant was already in high school, Muelsyse's gentle demeanor immediately put her at ease.

"Um… this is the result of my research."

Once Felix sat down, Snowsant gathered her courage and handed the thick notebook to the two of them. Felix and Muelsyse each took one and flipped through the pages attentively. The notes detailed everything Snowsant had studied on her own. Her ability to draw connections and propose bold ideas made Felix nod in quiet approval.

Truth be told, in this aspect, he wasn't as good as Snowsant. His knowledge came from the system's progress bar—he just needed to read and the data would be absorbed. But memorizing and writing everything out by hand? That was something he couldn't do—at least not yet. Recently, however, he had been working hard to improve. He spent his nights rereading old books, striving to truly understand and internalize the knowledge.

After all, he wasn't a gamer anymore. When boredom struck, reading was a decent pastime—and the books even worked well as a form of self-hypnosis to help him fall asleep faster.

Muelsyse, whose field was ecology, didn't understand much about the engineering blueprints or diagrams. But looking through Snowsant's notes, she felt as if she were back in school, sitting across from a hardworking student who diligently copied every word the teacher wrote on the blackboard.

"How is it? Not bad, right?" Felix asked.

"Yes, it's written in great detail. Even a layperson like me can understand it," Muelsyse replied, resting her chin on her hand. "I've met the engineering professor at Trimount Polytechnic University a few times. I can write him a recommendation letter."

Snowsant stared at Muelsyse in disbelief. It took her a moment to process the words. Then, flustered and overwhelmed with gratitude, she quickly lowered her head and bowed in thanks.

"Well… Snowsant-chan, we can talk to the professors at Trimount Polytechnic Institute for you. But you also need to start preparing yourself now. The journey from Yan to Columbia will take about two months," Muelsyse said, nodding her chin thoughtfully. "You might have to spend this summer on the convoy."

"No… it's okay. I'll manage."

Snowsant lifted her head, a glimmer flashing in her eyes. Though she had seemed frail at first, in the face of her dream, such obstacles were nothing.

Felix added another suggestion, "Your grandmother needs to be informed as well. She's your guardian… If possible, you could even bring her with you to Columbia for your college years."

"The rent near Columbia University is quite cheap. As for work…" Felix smiled, "As long as you have skills and ideas, most tech companies will welcome you with open arms—and may even provide you with generous research and development funding."

Muelsyse gave Felix a knowing look and smiled. He had already begun planning ahead. When the time came, the adorable little Snowsant would undoubtedly end up in Felix's hands.

"I—I understand. I'll talk to my grandmother."

Snowsant gave a determined nod.

The matter was decided, but Felix still felt a little uneasy. After all, in Terra, there was no signal between cities, so he couldn't contact Snowsant at any time. What worried him more was the possibility that this innocent girl might be deceived during the long journey… and she was someone he had already set his sights on as a valuable future employee.

After finishing the hot cocoa Felix had treated her to, Snowsant seemed a bit embarrassed. She had a part-time job in the afternoon. Before leaving, she bowed deeply to both of them in gratitude.

"What a lovely child," Muelsyse said with a smile, watching as Snowsant waved to them reluctantly outside the café. "Felix, didn't you give her money for the ticket to Columbia?"

"She doesn't need it."

Felix leaned back on the sofa, arms crossed over his chest. "Snowsant is kind and hardworking. The kindness we've offered is already the most she'll accept. I don't want her to feel guilty or like she owes me anything. Everything she's getting is what she's earned through her own efforts."

"Hehe… Felix, but Snowsant-chan already owes you a lot."

Muelsyse raised a hand to her mouth and chuckled. "If it weren't for you, she'd probably have followed the routine—gone to Lungmen University of Technology, and then applied to Columbia after graduation. But with a degree from Lungmen University, she wouldn't have had much chance of entering any top-tier research firm in Columbia. You know how Columbia Tech graduates always look down on other technical universities."

"Just a bunch of parasites."

"Ohh~ Felix, you're so scary~"

Muelsyse playfully pretended to run off, but Felix simply let her laugh and be dramatic. Having her around was like having a mischievous, clever little elf—her presence made things feel a lot less dull.

"The New Year is coming soon. I wonder, what will next year be like?"

'1089.'

Felix recalled that the year 1089 had been rather uneventful for him, but according to the data compiled by players, that summer seemed quite lively.

Still, he would likely spend the first half of the year in Victoria—something to think about later.

"Want to go watch the New Year's Eve fireworks show tonight?"

"Of course! Columbia only has the square show on new years—it can't compare to Yan's and Higashi's, though nothing can match Columbia's on its Independence Day." Muelsyse replied, shaking Felix's inviting hand before paying the bill and leaving the coffee shop.

A new year brought a new atmosphere. Since Muelsyse didn't have a change of clothes, she dragged Felix into a clothing store before meeting up with Degenbrecher and Senomi, determined to find a new outfit. Even though it was Felix's money being spent, Muelsyse, ever the commentator, was far from bored. She treated the whole outing like a dress-up game, encouraging Felix to keep trying on new looks.

"This white suit is nice, but it looks too pure… it'll get dirty easily."

"Hahaha, Felix, you look like a scholar headed to take the imperial exam in a period drama when you put on that Hanfu~"

"Hehe, this outfit's stylish, but it's a little too trendy. Looks like something a Columbia hip-hop dancer would wear."

After a long process of elimination, Felix finally settled on a suit with a black base and a red jacket. The salesgirl highly recommended it, explaining that it was a new release for the season. The color and design were modeled after the traditional official uniforms of Yan.

Not only had this design been officially endorsed by the emperor himself, but part of the sales revenue was taken as an "endorsement fee" by the court.

Naturally, this made the outfit quite expensive.

Felix thought it over and ended up buying a matching outfit for Degenbrecher, and a set of children's clothes for Senomi. Then, he glanced at Muelsyse.

"You're always wearing your research coat. Don't you ever wear your own clothes?"

Muelsyse pouted in mock annoyance. "I don't want to be like a certain workaholic who spends every day buried in the lab. I'm an elf—I have a life, you know?"

"If I buy something, will you wear it?"

"Sure! But by the time you get back to Columbia, I'll already have other clothes."

Muelsyse didn't seem too happy, her expression suggesting she wouldn't let him off the hook until he said something sweet.

The salesgirl watched the two banter with a smile, thinking how lovely their relationship seemed. She couldn't help but feel a little envious.

Eventually, after Felix promised he'd return to Columbia at least once next year, Muelsyse forgave him and began trying on clothes in her size.

No matter what, Felix still had to return to Columbia. After all, Snowsant was planning to study there after graduating this year, and as her introducer, he needed to arrange everything for her.

When the time came, he'd say hello to Kristen. He figured she would like this young girl who was so passionate about science.

After reuniting with Degenbrecher and Senomi, she glanced at Felix's outfit and took the clothes he had bought for her.

"I quite like the color," she said.

"Although the military uniform suits your temperament," Felix replied, holding a folding fan in front of his mouth and mimicking Zhuge Liang, "you should give yourself a few days off after work. You're not my bodyguard, but my comrade-in-arms."

It was a rare change of attire for him, which gave off a refreshing air—especially rare for someone from Yan State's Sankta.

The night sky lit up with a colorful fireworks display. Felix had already secured the most expensive, front-row seats for the four of them. Sitting by the riverbank near the lake, they watched the bright bursts of red fireworks bloom and rise into the sky. The scene was breathtaking.

Muelsyse turned her face slightly. In her eyes, Felix's silhouette was illuminated by the fireworks. But what never changed was the warmth and gentleness of his golden eyes.

She was a lonely water elf—perhaps the last elf still active on this land. She habitually concealed her true emotions behind a smile. As an elf, she always walked alone.

Muelsyse was a true loner.

Yet, at this moment, Felix also appeared somewhat lonely in her eyes… Was it just her imagination?

"Why are you looking at me?" Felix asked, turning to find Muelsyse staring at him.

"There's dirt on your face—"

Muelsyse raised her hand, and half of Felix's cheek was suddenly wet again.

"…"

Felix rubbed his face. This elf could really be moody and unreasonable. But perhaps it was exactly because of that, he never felt bored during the journey.

After the fireworks, they were greeted by a lively parade of floats, along with dragon and lion dances along the central main road of the city center. The streets were packed with residents from the upper city, while the elite sat on raised platforms for a better view. Felix and the others were among them.

It was said that His Majesty the Emperor would also join the parade and celebrate with the people.

The festive energy stirred a sense of joy and excitement in Senomi. She watched the dancing lions, a faint smile forming at the corners of her lips, and reached out as if to greet them.

The final day of the year 1088 came to a close.

Senomi, exhausted, fell asleep leaning against the Degenbrecher. She seemed to be having a good dream—her expression soft, with a gentle smile still lingering.

Muelsyse had "gone offline" as well. She needed rest. As she put it in her own words, she was "a poor and cute little girl" who had worn herself out using the Originium Art Water Avatar all day.

But Felix didn't go to bed so early.

Lungmen itself seemed too restless to sleep tonight. He leaned against the hotel's floor-to-ceiling window, pouring a cup of low-alcohol rice wine. The sweet taste pleased him—especially as a Sankta.

---

"Grandma, I've made up my mind."

"It's decided then, isn't it?"

The old woman and the girl sat together, gazing out the window at the fireworks. There were celebrations in the lower town as well, but the crowds were too thick, and Snowsant had been worried for her grandmother's safety—so they had stayed home.

But now, watching the fireworks burst outside their own window, it still felt wonderfully festive.

"Um… Grandma, can you come to Columbia with me?" Snowsant asked in a low, hurried voice, trying to persuade her as quickly as possible. "Felix-senpai introduced me to Muelsyse-senpai. They're really kind people, and they're willing to help us find a place to rent…"

What she didn't say out loud—but felt deeply—was that she was afraid something might happen to her grandmother while she was far away in Columbia. If something did, she knew she would regret it for the rest of her life.

"Silly child."

Her grandmother gently patted her head and said, "Since you've decided to go to Columbia, then go. There's no need to take me with you. I'm doing just fine here."

"But… I want to take care of my grandmother."

As Snowsant said this, tears began to fall—soft little pearls that slipped down her cheeks before she could stop them. She hurried to wipe them away, but more came, no matter how quickly she tried to catch them.

Her grandmother could only sigh at the sight of her teary granddaughter, softly stroking her hair with affection.

"…Grandma."

Suddenly, an idea struck Snowsant. "I'm not an adult yet. You're my legal guardian. If you're not with me, I can't even get on the convoy to Columbia."

"…You little rascal." Her grandmother smiled and sighed. "Alright, alright. I'll start packing in the next few days. I'll bring everything I need."

Snowsant hugged her tightly. Outside the window, the fireworks bloomed in radiant color, filling her chest with a sense of warmth and light.