Chapter 39: A Corner in the Dust
It was time to go to Yuanting Academy again.
Time flies so fast, thought the girl sitting in the flying machine.
Leaning back into the sofa, Tilan glanced at the round window nearby. The city with its towering buildings below grew more and more distant, eventually disappearing behind the clouds in the sky.
Turning her gaze back, she looked at the table in front of her, which was adorned with washed fruits and pastries, and even held a newspaper.
It has to be said that in the Interstellar Era, newspapers had become a kind of luxury, purchased only by a few. Nowadays, newspapers had evolved into a boutique item. Professional news agencies would filter out valuable and credible content from tens of millions of pieces of information on the Star Network, then layout and print it according to the customer's preferences before delivering it to them.
Rather than newspapers, they resembled more of an exclusive magazine.
The Interstellar Era was also an age of excessive information. Not just every city, every planet, every Star Domain was experiencing various events big and small. If one really tried to keep up, 24 hours a day would not be enough, which is why these news agencies existed to re-filter information for their clients. The beautifully printed graphics also had a certain collectible value, which kept these agencies afloat.
The night sky was somewhat dark. After finishing a light yellow and slightly sweet apple, Tilan leaned back in her seat and took a short nap, her hair slightly curving at her neck, falling onto her snow-white collarbone, while her slightly chubby cheeks made her look all the more adorable and beautiful.
Crossing the warm sea, the flying machine gradually headed north. When the girl awoke again, it was 40 minutes later.
Feeling refreshed, Tilan picked up the newspaper in front of her and browsed through it with interest.
First came the major events within the Federation, mostly adjustments in economic policies, with a few eye-catching pieces.
"An envoy from the Holy White Melody visited, escorted by the touring fleet. The envoy's spacecraft has arrived at the Emerald Moon Star Domain and is expected to engage in six months of negotiation and consultations, which involve trade between the Holy White Melody and our country, as well as more than twenty joint cooperation projects."
"Another Moon Level Songstress appears! After years of silence, the songstress 'Purple Jinhua' Otibelo from the Fertile Plain Star Domain finally steps into the Moon Class, becoming the eleventh Moon Level Songstress in the Federation. Upon hearing the news, the Fertile Plain Star Domain erupted in celebration as countless people took to the streets to buy a Purple Jinhua to wear on their chest, showing they are loyal fans of Miss Otibelo."
"'Red Titanium Heavy Industries' and 'Lone Rising Star,' two giant corporations, officially announced a joint development statement, proclaiming they will develop a new type of hyperspace drive over the next century that will allow civilization's reach to extend beyond the Milky Way. Following this news, both companies' stock prices surged by 8%."
"The famous tycoon Maximil has died, leaving a vast fortune to be inherited by his 42-year-old daughter, Ella Carluce. However, due to a fallout with his only daughter while he was still alive, there are suspicions that Ella Carluce may have had a hand in her father's death."
"Regarding the 'Law on Different Treatment of Species,' many members of the Federal Central Council have proposed that this law be amended again to reduce the rights and status of some non-Rose Federation races. Such proposals have met with criticism and opposition. The Rose Federation's Supreme Ethical Committee has stated it will consider such proposals carefully. It is worth mentioning that of the nine senior members on the committee, five are human Adapted, one is human Ancient, two are human-Beastmen, and one is a Forest Elf. Those opposing this proposal all come from the five human Adapted."
After finishing the big news of the Federation, it was time for some recent events in the Four-leaf Crystal Star Domain.
"'Heat Lizard Power' has become very popular on the Star Network after releasing a break-through video, and according to recent interviews, orders for 'Heat Lizard Power' are backlogged until April of next year. The spokesperson for 'Heat Lizard Power' stated they would release a new model of Hover Car at the end of the year, its main features being durability and safety, to protect the owner's life in all situations."
"News from the 'Binary Crystal U-3' space station indicates that due to an accidental incident, this year's 'White Crystalline Thulium' will face reduced production. As a result, the market price for this resource has risen by 12%, and some manufacturers have expressed that after cost increases, their already marginal profits will be further reduced, causing a severe impact on small and medium-sized enterprises, many of which will go bankrupt."
"The Four-leaf Crystal Star Domain has compiled the economic data for the first half of the year and announced that the economic growth was only 0.6%, far below the Federal average of 2%. The industrial adjustments in Four-leaf Crystal Star Domain remain challenging with slow progress."
"At this year's Winter Festival evening party, the beloved 'Flame Sugar' Prin Coco of the Star Domain residents will perform at the opening ceremony. Tickets for the event sold out within a minute of going on sale."
After flipping through the newspaper, the flying machine was gradually approaching the Northern First District. Looking at the familiar lights of the city below, the girl seemed to remember something, blinked her eyes, and her originally black hair took on a greyish hue, like a dim silver.
Regarding her ability to change her hair color at will, the two maids beside her were already accustomed to it. They had the luggage ready in advance and offered the girl new tea.
Fog was forming on the windows, clearly indicating that November in the north wasn't like November in the Southern Hemisphere; it was already late autumn, and the weather was turning cold.