Attracted by the sound, the four girls slowly raised their heads.
When they saw the two large crates on the floor stacked to the brim with instant noodles, their eyes instantly widened, and their originally flushed cheeks froze in shock.
Misaka Mikoto’s eyes flickered slightly, her expression showing a hint of familiarity.
Furina was the first to frown, leaning in cautiously.
Her fingertips lightly touched the packaging, her eyes full of confusion: “What is this?
The packaging is so strange, and I can’t read the words on it.
Is it edible?”
Hearing this, Misaka Mikoto frowned as she said, “I’ve eaten this a few times back in Academy City.
I think they’re called instant noodles; it’s a type of fast food.”
Seeing this, Kagashi stepped forward with a smile, picked up a pack of instant noodles, and shook it.
“These are called instant noodles.
They’re a type of fast food, very convenient.
You just need hot water to soak them for a few minutes and they’re ready to eat.
They taste pretty good too.
And I have an unlimited supply here.
In the future, we can have as much as we want; we’ll never have to worry about going hungry again.”
Misaka Mikoto also leaned in, her fingertips touching the box of instant noodles.
A rare trace of surprise appeared on her tsundere face: “Unlimited?
You mean, no matter how much we eat in the future, there will always be more?
We don’t have to starve anymore?”
Back in Academy City, even as an esper, she understood the harsh reality of resource management.
She hadn’t expected that on this strange train, she would instead live a life without worrying about basic food security.
Roxy let out a soft sigh, her gaze gentle and relieved: “That’s wonderful.
With these…
at least we won’t have to fret over food.”
The four girls gathered around the instant noodles, chatting away as their shyness was replaced by pleasant surprise.
Even the way they looked at Kagashi held a bit more dependence and admiration.
Kagashi picked up a pack of instant noodles and tore open the packaging.
He gave a helpless smile and said to the four of them: “Unfortunately, we don’t have any fuel right now.
That little flame of yours, Roxy, is barely enough for light.
It can’t be used to boil water.
Otherwise, I’d heat some up for you; they taste much better when soaked.
For now, we can only eat them dry.
Everyone, have a taste.
The flavor isn’t bad, and it’ll tide you over.”
Furina was the first to take a small piece, cautiously putting it in her mouth and chewing.
Her eyes instantly lit up, and she hurriedly said: “It’s delicious!
Even eating it dry, it’s very flavorful!
Even though it’s not heated, this is already very good!”
Misaka Mikoto also leaned over, familiarly taking a pinch and stuffing it into her mouth, making a crunching sound as she chewed.
She said indistinctly: “It’s alright.
It tastes about the same as the ones back in Academy City.
It’s better than starving!”
Yoshino took a small handful, chewing in tiny bites.
A satisfied smile gradually appeared on her face: “I-It’s delicious.
This flavor is good too.
Thank you, Train Conductor.”
Roxy also took a piece, savoring it slowly.
Watching the four girls eat so happily, Kagashi felt a warmth in his heart.
He knew this was just the beginning; the lack of fuel was only temporary.
Seeing them eat with such gusto, Kagashi’s joy grew even more.
His gaze fell on the two remaining gacha attempts on the system panel, and a fierce fighting spirit instantly ignited in his eyes: “So many good things…
No, I have to keep pulling!
I must!
There are still 2 chances left.
Go, go, go!”
Without the slightest hesitation, he immediately thought to himself: “System, continue the draw!
Use up both remaining chances!”
[Ding!
Gacha initiated!
Consuming 2 draw chances, randomly selecting rewards…] [Selection complete!
Congratulations, Train Conductor Kagashi, on your rewards!] [Reward 1: Eye of Truth] [Effect: Allows viewing of detailed data, hidden attributes, and potential for any object or living being.] [Reward 2: Twelve Zodiacs · Ox Talisman (Magical Item)] [Effect: After equipping, grants immense strength, allowing the user to easily lift a thousand-pound weight.
The talisman’s power increases exponentially with the train’s level.]
The moment the rewards were delivered, Kagashi felt a wave of heat in his eyes.
Simultaneously, a majestic power surged through his entire body, filling every limb and bone with inexhaustible strength.
A blue talisman engraved with a lifelike ox pattern slowly landed in his palm.
Kagashi’s eyes widened, and he couldn’t help but exclaim: “Eye of Truth?
And the Ox Talisman?
To think such things exist!
Man, this pull was a total win!”
He subconsciously activated the Eye of Truth, sweeping his gaze toward Furina beside him.
A row of clear data instantly surfaced before his eyes: [Name: Furina; Race: Human (Vessel of the Hydro Archon); Age: At least 500 years old; Ability: Hydro Manipulation (Sealed, current capacity: one cup of water); Potential: EX; Favorability: 35 (Shy and Curious); Status: Healthy].
“This is ridiculous!
This Eye of Truth is way too useful!”
Kagashi was ecstatic.
He then looked at Misaka Mikoto, Yoshino, and Roxy, and their detailed data surfaced one by one.
Even the faint, hidden fluctuations of their sealed abilities were clearly visible.
He could see their ages, hidden traits, and power levels with perfect clarity.
Interestingly, the system noted that Roxy and Yoshino’s actual chronological ages were 37 and 39 years old respectively, due to their unique racial backgrounds.
This contrast with their cute, youthful appearances practically overturned his conventional understanding of the world, reminding him that these were powerful beings from fantasy realms.
Meanwhile, waves of warmth radiated from the Ox Talisman in his palm.
Kagashi lightly clenched his fist, clearly feeling that overwhelming, irresistible strength.
He felt that he could punch right through the heavy metal train car in front of him.
The four girls eating instant noodles nearby were drawn by Kagashi’s reaction.
They all looked up, their eyes full of curiosity.
Furina swallowed the noodles in her mouth and couldn’t help asking: “Train Conductor, what happened now?
Why are you so excited?
Or rather…
is your superpower really just ‘Infinite Instant Noodles’?”
Kagashi smiled: “Not exactly, but you’ll find out in the future.” Furina’s mouth was stuffed full: “Fine, fine.”
Just then, Yoshino, who had been nibbling on the noodles in small bites and had been too timid to speak much, suddenly raised her head.
In a soft, delicate voice, she said: “I-I think I found something!”
As soon as she finished speaking, Yoshino timidly raised her finger.
She pointed to a spot in the corner of the carriage half-hidden by a loose metal cover, her voice still soft and delicate: “I-It’s over there.
There’s a box over there that doesn’t seem like an ordinary object.”
Everyone looked in the direction she pointed and indeed saw something on the metal wall in the corner.
A palm-sized black panel was embedded there, obstructed by a loose metal cover.
One wouldn’t have noticed it without looking closely.
Furina was the first to react, walking over quickly.
She carefully lifted the metal cover and cried out in surprise: “This looks like some sort of terminal?”
Everyone immediately gathered around to see an embedded Main Control Computer.
The screen was pitch black, with only a few tiny indicator lights flickering weakly.
Furina tried pressing the buttons.
Roxy also tried bringing her little flame closer, but there was still no response.
No one could turn on this Main Control Computer.
“This should be the train’s Main Control Computer, right?” Misaka Mikoto lightly touched the panel, her tone filled with doubt.
“But it just won’t turn on.
Does it need a power source or some kind of authorization?”
The group repeatedly studied the computer, their fingers pressing the terminal interface as they discussed it among themselves.
Kagashi also stepped forward, wanting to see what use this computer had, but he was tightly blocked by the four girls crowding the small corner.
Left with no choice, he tried to lean in to get a look!
Just as everyone was deeply engrossed in their research in the cramped space, Furina let out a low, flustered cry: “Hey!
Who keeps bumping into me?” “Stop squeezing, it’s so tight in here!” Her voice carried a mix of embarrassment and confusion as the close proximity made everyone stiffen.
Kagashi remained silently speechless, trying his best to hold his ground without causing more awkwardness.
In the slight chaos of everyone jostling for space, someone’s hand accidentally pressed a hidden round manual button on the side of the Main Control Computer.
The next second, the previously black screen suddenly flashed to life, and a gentle female mechanical voice slowly echoed through the carriage:
[Ding!] [Train Main Control Computer detected as triggered.
Please have the Train Conductor come forward to activate it.
Once activated, various train functions can be unlocked.]