"Yes, the Starry Abyss is fair, and in the face of competition, a backwards, conservative, stagnant race like ours will eventually be eliminated."

The White Dragon lowered her head, looking at the reflection in her cup:

"But these are my people."

"I know we are backward, weak, and old-fashioned, with much discrimination inside, but…"

She looked at the diners around the restaurant, amidst the bustling crowd and constant noise.

"This is our species, we speak the same language, our ancestors rest here, the youth shed their blood here. Even if we're destined for destruction and decline… I can't bear it."

"What species or civilization would bear to watch everything of theirs being destroyed, ravaged, and humiliated?"

She spoke while looking at the other tables in the restaurant:

"Over there, the Trolls, their empire was once incomparably glorious, people admired the tusks of Trolls, but now they're reduced to reminiscing at the drinking table."

"At the table in the center, I just heard that a venerable old dragon died and didn't want everyone to be too sad later, so she used her inheritance to hold a banquet for the neighbors, so she could see everyone's smiles before heading to the Nether Abyss."

"And the young men and women at the table by the piano, the Bear Man Dragon Descendant and the Sub-dragon People, seem to be on a blind date for the first time, awkward to no end, the Bear Man Dragon Descendant held a speech draft and introduced his conditions, while the Sub-dragon girl was using a Communication Technique with her best friend for guidance…"

She spoke in great detail, her observations were very precise:

"These things aren't particularly special, but if we're gone, all of this will be gone too."

"I'm not as delicate and passionate as the ordinary Dragon Race, but even so, I feel that even if not for the so-called Grand Narrative, at least for the basics of life, we must continue to fight."

It was clear she rarely communicated with people, especially the opposite sex.

You could say that she talked so much, striving hard to prove to Li Aozi that she was skilled in communication and didn't intend to capitulate in front of him.

As for whether what she said had any meaning?

It had no meaning, but the act of saying it itself has meaning.

"…I understand now."

Li Aozi took a sip of his drink.

"And also that—hm?"

The White Dragon looked at Li Aozi in surprise.

"I understand what you're thinking now, I'm sorry, I didn't take your feelings into account, I was too presumptuous, thinking I had already seen the future as if it was a big deal, when in fact, it's not necessarily only me who can foresee it."

Li Aozi genuinely said:

"I was too arrogant."

"No, suddenly saying this, I..."

The White Dragon was at a loss, but Li Aozi had already spoken:

"Converting to human age, I'm roughly in my early forties now, just past the middle-aged standard line, so I sometimes come off as old-fashioned, sorry."

"Hm?" The White Dragon Lady was a bit confused: "Oh."

"Your turn."

"Me? Do I have to speak?"

The White Dragon interlaced her fingers for a while, thought for a bit, and finally said:

"I am now 409 years old, approximately equivalent to 22 years in human age."

"No wonder you have such a college student vibe."

"I'm just not proficient in interpersonal communication. If it's about learning Magic and combat, I'm almost equivalent to 300 human years!"

"Wouldn't that make you," Li Aozi almost couldn't hold back: "a bookworm…"

"…Whatever you say."

The White Dragon folded her arms, leaned back in her chair and sighed:

"Why am I nitpicking with a stranger who shared a table, discussing all kinds of abstract issues? It's crazy, I should focus my energy on Magic and combat skills..."

"Is it possible that you think this way precisely because you've been over-exerting your body for a long time, and the pressure has caused mental issues?"

Li Aozi assessed:

"It seems contemporary college students' mental states are concerning. In my day, papers were passed with casual copying, and I coasted through undergrad without attending a full class."

The White Dragon shook her head:

"No, my spirit is very resilient, I'm used to Death."

"Then, you need to rest more."

Li Aozi put his hands behind his head, leaning against the chair, fully relaxing:

"I used to work and fight day and night, during the hardest times, I didn't rest for about thirty years, all I saw were enemies, when my weapon got a nick from too much fighting, I'd just grab a severed hand and rush forward. And what did I get out of it? - The captain got a promotion and a raise, the military pay was compensated, and my sword was repaired. That was it."

"I think it has nothing to do with effort, it's your superior that's unreasonable."

The White Dragon sighed:

"However, I've also been through similar things, so I'm not in a position to correct you... The meal isn't here yet, I need to finish eating quickly and go back to inscribe Runes; I still have a Task tonight."

They tacitly avoided inquiring about each other's Occupation, perhaps one reason for the harmonious conversation between the two.

"You're really tired," Li Aozi said: "I see my own shadow all over you."

"You're so boring," the White Dragon retorted: "I don't want to end up like you when I get old."

After saying this, the two no longer confronted each other, as if they had made some sort of non-aggression pact.

The White Dragon took out a professional-level math problem from her bag and began solving it quickly.

Li Aozi watched her seriously calculating without disturbing her. After a while, he stood up and went to the bar: "Boss, can you help me mix a drink here?"

The boss stroked his dragon beard, patted his big belly, and assured:

"Of course, our bartender is a honey dragon hybrid Dragonborn. Just tell me what you want."

"That's good."

Li Aozi smiled slightly:

"Corn syrup, carbonated water, caramel, phosphoric acid, caffeine... and most importantly, add ice cubes."

Snap.

The pencil lead broke, and the White Dragon Lady sighed. She flicked her fingers, producing an ice blade and skillfully started cutting.

Her thoughts were too messy. For someone of her strength, she shouldn't be unable to control her power.

Her recent state has been getting worse. Maybe it's because she's really too stressed.

But there's not much time left, she must seize every minute and second.

"Your plate, please enjoy."

The waiter served a simple and exquisite cold meat dish, a type of quick-chilled food more suited to the White Dragon's eating habits.

"Thank you."

The White Dragon dropped a few kroner as a tip and pushed away the questions.

She decided to eat something and replenish her energy; the weather was too hot, and it wasn't the best time for her.

"Replenish with some cool food to refresh the mind."

Just as she was reaching for the food, a cup of dark brown, slightly reddish-glowing drink was placed in front of her.

"Hmm?"

She looked up to see Li Aozi also holding a cup of the same drink as he sat down. Seeing her look at him, Li Aozi immediately released the straw and said:

"Don't rush to eat yet. Are you allergic to coffee? If not, why not try this?"

"I."

She shook her head:

"I've never had a drink before..."

"Give it a try." Li Aozi encouraged: "You might just be the first to taste this drink in this Starry Abyss."

The White Dragon furrowed her brow at the strange liquid before her; it was neither brown nor black and continuously bubbled.

"I added ice cubes."

Li Aozi said:

"Although it's high up in the clouds, it's still quite hot for a White Dragon, just like on Dragon Island. This drink is best served cold."

The White Dragon gave him a glance before pinching the straw and taking a small sip.

Gulp...

The sensation was initially stimulating, as numerous bubbles rapidly burst in her mouth, and her teeth seemed to undergo slight erosion from an acidic substance. An ordinary person might find it strange, but the taste of this drink is indeed peculiar.

But for the Dragon Race...

Snap.

The White Dragon pulled out the straw, discarded it, picked up the glass, and downed it in one go.

Gulp gulp—bang!

She wiped her mouth, slammed the glass on the table, and looked straight at Li Aozi:

"What is this?"

"A type of soda that's very popular in other universes."

Li Aozi said with a smile:

"Since you're so busy and hardly have time to rest, and I wanted to try the taste of this drink myself, I spoke to the restaurant owner and made this drink. The carbonation provides a dense bubble-burst sensation, the caramel adds color and flavor, the caffeine reduces fatigue, and the sugar replenishes your energy. I thought this would be perfect for you."

Seeing the other person not speaking, he asked:

"How is it?"

The White Dragon looked at Li Aozi and said:

"The initial taste is a bit strange as it's unfamiliar, but then it's refreshing, followed by sweetness, and at the end, there's a slight bitterness. After a while, I can feel its wonderful taste."

She touched her chest, as if still savoring the taste.

"I don't know what kind of drink this is, but I really like it."

She asked Li Aozi:

"It's like something out of a novel. What's it called?"

"Cola."

Li Aozi:

"It means: to allow joy."

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