Su Mu's eyes widened slightly at Sister Shi's cheerful announcement. A top-tier, Rank B mentor secured for her already? It felt almost too easy, too fortunate.
Gratitude swelled within her, warming her cheeks.
"Sister Shi… thank you," she said sincerely, looking at the vibrant woman beside her uncle. "That's incredibly kind of you. I… I don't know what to say."
Sister Shi waved a dismissive hand, though her smile remained bright.
"Nonsense, Mu'er. Think nothing of it. Family helps family, right?" She gave Ye Fan another pointed look, who quickly nodded in agreement.
"Besides," Sister Shi continued, her gaze returning to Su Mu, warm and encouraging, "from what I hear, you have incredible potential. You deserve the best guidance the academy can offer."
Ye Fan leaned forward slightly, adding his own encouragement. "She's right, Mu'er. Your awakening might have been anomalous, but that often points to unique strength. Don't doubt yourself. This mentor will help you harness it."
Feeling buoyed by their support, Su Mu smiled gratefully. "Thank you, both of you. I'll work hard not to disappoint."
The breakfast conversation flowed on, touching upon more details about the academy – its sprawling campus built across several connected floating platforms, the different faculties specializing in various spiritual arts, and the mix of students from human lineages and diverse demon races.
As they finished eating, Yang Shi turned to Su Mu with a thoughtful expression.
"So, Mu'er, college doesn't start for another five days. What do you have in mind for passing the time until then?"
Su Mu paused, setting down her teacup. "Honestly, I haven't made any plans yet," she admitted.
"Everything is so new here, and I don't really know the city. Do you have any suggestions for what someone new might enjoy seeing or doing?"
A playful glint sparked in Yang Shi's eyes.
"Actually, I have just the thing! I was planning on heading out to our new store this morning. How about you join me? It'll be a fun little surprise."
Intrigued by the promise of a surprise and eager to see more of the city, Su Mu readily agreed. "Sure, Sister Shi, I'd love to! What kind of store is it?"
Yang Shi just laughed, a mischievous curve to her lips. "Ah, telling you would spoil the fun, wouldn't it? You'll just have to wait and see!"
Soon after breakfast, both Su Mu and Yand Shi went out.
Instead of the previous motorbike she rode with Ye Fan, Yang Shi led her to a sleek, enclosed vehicle parked nearby.
It looked futuristic, with smooth, aerodynamic lines and tinted windows.
As they settled into the plush interior, Su Mu noticed glowing spiritual stones embedded in the dashboard, humming softly.
With a near-silent surge of energy, the car lifted gracefully off the ground, joining the streams of airborne traffic.
It felt incredibly luxurious compared to the open-air ride on the motorbike.
As they flew, Su Mu gazed out at Monster City, fascinated by the layered architecture, the bridges connecting floating structures, and the sheer variety of people and beings moving through the streets below.
After a smooth and surprisingly quick journey through the city's sky-lanes, the car descended towards a bustling commercial district filled with brightly lit storefronts and holographic advertisements.
It landed gently on a designated platform before a building with a stylish, modern facade. The sign above the entrance glowed softly: RomantiX.
Arriving at their destination, Su Mu was greeted by the sight of an adult store.
The colorful and intriguing displays caught her off guard, and for a moment, she blinked in surprise.
Seeing the stunned look on Su Mu's face, Yang Shi burst into delighted laughter.
"Surprise!" she announced cheerfully, gesturing towards the entrance. "Welcome to RomantiX! It's one of the best 'women-friendly' pleasure shops in the city."
Su Mu found herself at a loss for words as she gazed at the store in front of her. The shock on her face couldn't be concealed.
"An… adult store?" she stammered, feeling her cheeks flush crimson. "I thought… maybe a pet shop? Or antiques?" The idea seemed so incongruous with the warm, almost sisterly woman beside her.
The unexpected choice of destination left Su Mu momentarily stunned, struggling to articulate her surprise.
"But, Sister Shi, this?" Su Mu still couldn't believe that the store Sister Shi had mentioned turned out to be an adult store.
Yang Shi, with an amused twinkle in her eye, responded, "What don't you like? I did promise you a surprise, didn't I? RomantiX is all about embracing different aspects of life and ensuring everyone feels at ease."
"It's a place where open-mindedness and comfort coexist." Su Mu, though initially taken aback, couldn't help but appreciate the unique perspective Yang Shi had introduced her to.
Despite the initial shock, Su Mu could discern a possible reason for Sister Shi's open-mindedness.
'Maybe this is just how things are in Monster City?' she thought. It certainly aligned with Yang Shi's bold personality.
Unlike Earth, the human population on Blue Star was less than 40% of Earth's, a consequence of unforeseen events that occurred thousands of years ago, resulting in the death of billions.
This stark contrast in population density was attributed to the vast expanses of Blue Star being occupied by powerful monsters and demon groups.
The residual impact of the past cataclysmic events had led to an intricate coexistence between humans and various magical entities, shaping a society where open-mindedness and adaptability were essential virtues.
Faced with the threat of extinction, the Federal Government at that time on Blue Star issued orders to increase the population.
This directive, aimed at ensuring the survival of the human race, had a profound impact on subsequent generations.
Unlike the more reserved attitudes towards topics like sex on Earth, the inhabitants of Blue Star, having been shaped by this unique history, grew up in a society that was exceptionally open-minded and unreserved about matters related to intimacy and relationships.
The necessity for population growth had, over time, fostered a culture where discussions about such aspects were approached with a natural and candid perspective.
In their desperate pursuit of survival, the Federal Government on Blue Star not only encouraged population growth but also adopted an inclusive stance toward coexistence with other races.
Unlike scenarios where fear and desperation might lead to isolation, the authorities recognized the need for a diverse and collaborative society.
This forward-thinking approach extended beyond just human survival, fostering alliances and cooperation between humans and various magical entities, contributing to the rich tapestry of Blue Star's multicultural and multi-species society.
Embracing a spirit of coexistence, numerous peace-loving demon races joined forces with humans to establish cities where both species could thrive harmoniously.
The Monster City, where these diverse communities converged, stood as a testament to the success of this collaborative endeavor.
In this unique metropolis, the architecture and infrastructure seamlessly blend human and demon influences, creating a vibrant and culturally rich environment.
The Monster City became a symbol of unity, showcasing how, despite their differences, humans and demons could build a society founded on mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation.
"Despite the many dark aspects of this reality, on the bright side, it has brought help to many," Su Mu reflected inwardly.
Taking a deep breath and deciding to lean into the experience – 'Well, might as well see what it's all about,' she thought, trying to find the bright side – Su Mu allowed Yang Shi to lead her through the automatic glass doors.
The store, while not expansive, could be classified as medium to large.
It adhered to a sci-fi aesthetic, filled with holographic displays showing various products and sexy models, while all the products are meticulously arranged based on their intended use.
The carefully curated environment of RomantiX exuded a futuristic charm that blended seamlessly with the advanced technologies and magical elements present on Blue Star.
"What the heck," Su Mu muttered under her breath.
The store unfolded before her with thousands of products meticulously categorized into sections for women, men, couples, and beginners.
The array was astonishing, featuring an extensive selection ranging from water-based lubricants, perfumes, magical vibrators, and an assortment of lingerie styles to various cosplay costumes and other items she hadn't even known existed.
The shelves were a kaleidoscope of intimate products, each section offering a diverse and intriguing array of choices, creating an environment that was both bewildering and, in a strange way, fascinating.
Su Mu couldn't help but marvel at the sheer variety and innovation within this unique store.
Yang Shi watched Su Mu's wide-eyed exploration with an amused smile. "So," she asked, leaning closer, "what do you think?"
Su Mu, still absorbing the vast array of products, turned to Sister Shi, a mixture of residual shock and newfound amusement coloring her expression.