After leaving the subdued atmosphere of the canteen, Gaius brought Nakama back to the tent, where the duo promptly began to create more snowmen. There was something satisfying for Gaius, as the snowmen he started making turned slimmer and slimmer, and although he hadn’t come close to Nakama’s level of skill and detail, his works could now pass off as a mannequin.

Perhaps the fact he was cheating somewhat by infusing qi into the hands and shoulders were helping it somewhat, but there was no such rule forbidding such an act. It was possible that even Nakama was doing the same thing as he was, but since she hadn’t started to cultivate at all, Gaius could only mutter something about unfairness in his heart.

The sun was partially visible when Nalus finally got out of the tent. His bleary eyes had been replaced by some steely resolve, and before Gaius could ask him about it, the Campmaster’s son flashed a confident smile.

Truly, Gaius mused, sleep is an inhibitor of all things cognitive. Who knew?

“Did my father come by here?” Nalus asked, surveying his surroundings.

Gaius flicked off a small protruding piece of snow. “No. When you cut and ran, he probably got too swamped with work to even bother looking for you. I wish you all the best when you see him later.”

Blood fled from Nalus’ face. “D-do you need an assistant? Like, erm, a Combat Research Subject? I’m down for it!”

A sigh escaped Gaius’ lips, and he placed his right palm on top of the snowman he’d just finished. It had been imperfect the moment Nalus disturbed his work anyway, so it wasn’t much of a loss. Nakama, sensing the advent of yet another display of her brother’s prowess, turned her eyes over expectantly.

“Well,” said Gaius, “if you can withstand something like this, I’ll consider it.”

Having said that, his qi-infused palm oscillated up and down for a second. Gusts of snow shot out from the compact little sculpture, and the whole thing collapsed into a small mound of fine snow a second later.

“The heck!”

Ignoring Nalus’ outburst, Gaius continued to speak. “Now, you should go and find your father. The auction is starting in an hour, and if it doesn’t start punctually…”

His voice trailed off, leaving Nalus to his own hyperactive imagination. It worked — Nalus swallowed some air after a few seconds, and marched off towards the interiors of the Basestation with what seemed like a grim resolve within him.

The little lecturer doubted that it was actually that serious, and even Nakama was trying to stifle some peals of laughter. After sparing another withering glance at the small mound of fine snow, Gaius beckoned at Nakama, who pouted in response, into the tent to warm up. Staying out in the snow was no issue for Gaius, who had the Climate Control ability from the Stellar Core continually activated, but not for Nakama.

It didn’t seem like she minded the cold, but the Harvester knew just how dangerous the cold was, even in a place as safe as Heritage Basestation. For all intents and purposes, she was as fragile as a human on Earth, which naturally entailed her vulnerability to the cold. Stories of men dying from hypothermia a few steps from warmth were not uncommon on Earth, and Gaius resolved to keep a closer eye on the little girl from now on. It would be a good idea to give her some guidelines on surviving in the cold too.

A pair of small hands swatted at Gaius’ own, and the worried boy realised belatedly that Nakama’s little frame had turned into a small walking mountain of clothes. After grabbing some of the overly-thick coats off her, Gaius was forced to promise her his share of dinner later on.

Dinnertime for today had been pushed back, in favour of accommodating the auction. Ostensibly, it was due to the importance of the event, but Gaius couldn’t help but wonder if there were more mundane or embarrassing reasons to it.

Like overtime pay, maybe.

After making sure that Nakama was well insulated, Gaius pushed her out of the tent. The auction was about to begin, and Gaius didn’t want to be late. There were places to sit down at the Sheltered Duelling Grounds, and he didn’t want Nakama to stay standing any longer than she needed to.

Of course, it was possible that some Harvesters might give up their seat to him, but he wasn’t going to take the gamble that such a courtesy would extend to Nakama as well.

Squads of guards patrolled the area, their eyes scanning for anyone acting cautiously. Heritage Basestation had been opened to even the immediate family of the Senators, as well as select individuals from Ark City and the army in general. Gaius didn’t know what the former action stood for, but permitting individuals from Ark City and the army were obviously allowing the factions from outside to have some fun in the ring.

Gaius licked his lips slightly. Clearly, the fact that people from outside Ark City were joining these auctions meant that the Exchange point system was probably not limited to the basestation alone. He could probably exchange it for something in the world outside, and more importantly, it meant that there would be the possibility of treasures from outside flowing in.

A giant gate had been erected at the entrance to the Sheltered Duelling Grounds, while six men stood sentry there. There was a subtle air of strength around them, and Gaius made a mental note not to disturb them. Their expressions flickered as he and Nakama approached the gate, and the young lecturer could feel some apprehension from their movements.

He didn’t know whether it was knowledge of him as Lecturer Gaius, or as a general wariness towards the symbolic attire of a lecturer. Judging from how his reputation was largely confined within Heritage Basestation, however, it was likely to be the latter. Besides, in the greater scheme of things, he wasn’t particularly important. He didn’t hail from any prestigious family and whatever power he might have in this place was conferred by the authorities of Ark City in the first place.

Gaius nodded at the sentries, and walked through the gate. The gate didn’t respond, and tension fled from the men standing guard as Gaius continued to lead Nakama into the Sheltered Duelling Grounds. A stage, which didn’t look like it had been hastily constructed at all, occupied the centre of attention.

People were already sitting in the area when he came, which was to be expected. What he didn’t expect, however, was for a familiar rabbit-eared girl to wave him over. He glanced at Nakama, who nodded back, and then made their way over.