CHAPTER 34: 34: DENIED BY THE SYSTEM

Increase!

It’s an increase!

Her Main Mission percentage actually increased by 0.02%!

Immediately, it caught Aria’s full attention, her eyes almost glued to the floating screen beside her.

Why did it increase?

Did she do something?

Looking around, nothing seemed unusual, and it made her feel as if there was something she needed to know.

"Sister, sister..." Lucas softly called twice, noticing that his gentle sister was in a trance, smiling again.

Somehow, it made him curious why he always found Sister Aria staring into nowhere.

Getting called out by the young boy, Aria pulled her focus away from the system’s screen and turned to Lucas.

She realized she had been too excited, almost losing the calm demeanor she should maintain in front of these little ones.

"Hmm? What is it?"

Aria asked a bit hurriedly, adjusting her tone, standing straighter, and putting on her familiar smile.

Blinking twice, Lucas looked up at her, a sudden thought flashing in his mind.

His gentle sister was always smiling at them, never once daring to show even a hint of anger.

With that kind smile of hers, Lucas did not hesitate to speak up, even though he was quite shy.

"How... how can I add more cr-credits to my card?"

Hesitant but determined. Lucas’ eyes carried a firmness, showing how much he wanted to know the answer to his question.

Aria thought the idea of adding credits came from exchanging valuable items they owned, but Lucas and Little Carlos had arrived with nothing.

What valuables could they trade?

Then she realized it was much like replenishing the credits on their card, and she assumed the young one’s card might already be depleted, or close to it.

"Did your credits already run out?"

Aria wanted to understand if that was really the case.

While asking about it, she also did not forget to consult the Fluff Ball System.

"Do you have any ideas for how these young children can replenish the credits on their cards? Samantha receives her daily wage since she is my contracted servant, so the credits on her card are the least of her worries. After all, she can earn 1000 credits a day. But these two brothers are not working... their 5,000 pre-credits could easily be gone after just a few uses..."

"Host. Train credits are obtained by exchanging valuables or by working as employees of the Heavenly Train Station."

That was already clear and known from the time the three men of Gilbert’s team had arrived.

Aria understood that much already.

What she wanted was to find out if there were other ways.

"I want other ways, is there no more?"

A hint of frustration lingered in her thoughts, as she believed it was a pity for the two brothers.

They had nothing to begin with aside from each other, and if they went outside in search of valuable items, their safety would be at risk.

Aria would never let them do that, not if there was something she could do to stop it.

A trace of pity flashed in her eyes, and a soft sigh slipped out.

Aria looked back at Lucas’s anxious expression, her heart aching at his silence.

Suddenly, like a light bulb flicking on, realization clicked in her mind.

"I will hire Lucas to become my second Helper!"

This young boy posed no threat to her life and would not affect her health or safety, unlike Lolo’s case.

Then the task of hiring a Helper could be completed with Lucas, putting her mind at ease about the two brothers.

With Lucas becoming an employee of Heavenly Train Station, he could earn credits at the same time!

Isn’t this hitting two birds with one stone!

The Fluff Ball System hadn’t said it was forbidden to hire a child anyway!

"Denied."

Speaking of the system, the idea was tossed into the trash without mercy.

"Eh, denied—whyyy!?"

Aria almost yelled out loud, though it was mostly inside her mind.

The Fluff Ball System floated in front of her and spoke in a monotone.

"Host. Registered passengers are not allowed to become employees of the station. Host level is insufficient."

"You! You always say my level is not enough, not enough, not enough. When will it ever be enough!? I still have no clue what level I need to be to do anything."

Aria rolled her eyes, unable to help it, though thankfully Lucas didn’t notice as he was busy touching his premium card ticket.

"Unlocked Ten Regular Train Stations."

The Fluff Ball floated around her face as if mocking her, and hearing that made her annoyed mind want to grab it and shake it hard.

Yet Aria knew she couldn’t even touch it.

Ten? Suck it.

When will that happen?

Right now, she only had one station, the Wishing Stop.

"Host problems must be solved by the Host only."

Aria: "..."

The Fluff Ball System seemed to be bullying her.

"It’s... three... zero... zero, zero...sister."

"Three thousand?" Aria repeated it, and the other nodded slowly.

With that confirmation, she was able to gain some insight.

"Let’s talk about it later, okay, Lucas?"

"Yes, Sister..."

A gentle pat on the little one’s head and a comforting smile from Aria made Lucas feel a warm current run through his chest.

He smiled back, thinking that someone was there for him.

And their conversation about the credits could wait.

"We’re now arriving at the Heavenly Train Mall Station. Please be careful when leaving the train and stepping onto the platform."

At the female operator’s announcement, the Heavenly Train wagon finally entered the Heavenly Train Mall Station tunnel.

It came to a stop, and the metal doors slid open automatically.

Aria saw the familiar platform, just as it had been the first time she arrived.

Even now, there were no signs of any major changes.

It seemed that during the two days she hadn’t been here, everything had likely stayed the same.

Little Carlos immediately pulled away from Lolo and dashed outside, which made Aria stunned.

The little guy are really no longer afraid using the train and going out on it.

Lucas was quick to act and followed his little brother without hesitation.

Aria trailed behind the two, while Lolo stayed close, his eyes scanning the surroundings in awe.

Every part of the place around him was unbelievable, and so was his current experience.

It felt strange, magical, and completely unknown.

"Let’s go, Lolo. Let me get you some food, you must be hungry too."

Aria called out, noticing the other had stopped to look around.

Lolo turned and gave a slow, smiling nod.