The ceiling of the aero car was completely open, allowing the fresh breeze to touch their faces.
Moon mostly remained silent, and Neo occasionally glanced at her as if trying to see through a mystery he couldn't comprehend.
She felt as though she was here, yet at the same time not here.
Neo decided to break the silence.
"Miss Moon, is your name really Moon? Or is it a code name or a shortened version?" he asked curiously.
Moon didn't turn. For a second, Neo thought she was ignoring him, but soon after, she replied:
"You may call me by my name. There is no need for so much formality. And yes, it is indeed my birth name," she replied coolly.
"I see—Moon it is then. Please don't mind me."
"I won't." Her reply was always precise and short.
She didn't seem like the type of person to talk too much.
But in a way, this made her even more appealing.
Neo wanted to know more about Beyonders, but it didn't seem like the right time.
For now, he decided to relax on the seat and enjoy the colorful view.
It was then, when Neo wasn't looking, Moon turned to look at his face.
For a moment, something unknown flashed in her silver eyes, then disappeared.
Then, her lips curved into the faintest smile she could muster.
Neo didn't notice it, but the aero car suddenly thrust forward.
"Moon!" Captain Ajaz suddenly called from ahead. "Let's put your S-grade driving license to the test, shall we? Whoever loses will have to bear the bill for tonight."
Moon didn't react. However, her words expressed more than her face could.
"Then, I'm sorry for your loss, Captain."
Neo, after hearing her confident reply, smiled.
The moment her word fell, the engine truly came alive.
"Buzz!"
With a deep vibration on the air, the aero car transformed into a streak of silver light.
The sudden G-force pinned Neo against his seat,
"Woah—!"
The wind slammed into them as the open roof inviting the roaring gale of the high-altitude lanes.
In a heartbeat, they caught up to Ajaz's black car, and under Max's astonished eyes they had vanished past it.
Neo then glanced sideways, but the city had become a kaleidoscope of fractured neon lights.
Buzz, buzz, buzz.
Through the sky lanes, they navigated highways of glowing plasma suspended in the air.
Despite the pressure of heavy traffic, Moon's hands were frighteningly in control.
There was no tension in her grip, no flicker of adrenaline in her posture.
She sat in a cocoon of absolute calm. It's as if breaking the sound barrier in a civilian district was as mundane as breathing to her.
Not everyone could do what she was doing. Not certainly Neo, who hadn't even got his basic driving training.
And thus, to him, she was too amazing.
"Fast…" Neo managed to say.
All of a sudden, ahead of them, Ajaz's black car appeared. How they crossed so fast, Neo had no idea.
Captain Ajaz smirked,
"Heh. Not bad, Moon! But don't think I'm letting you take the lead that easily!"
The competition was intense.
After many twists and turns, the winner was decided.
Moon had won.
When they landed on the parking lane of the towering Skybar, Neo complimented her:
"You were incredible out there, Moon. Can you please teach me how to drive? I mean, whenever you're free?"
His request didn't earn an exaggerated snort or scoff like other proud women of their caliber.
Instead, Moon calmly nodded. "It's my responsibility," she said without much reaction.
Neo was all smiles, thinking his driving license was guaranteed, not knowing what kind of hell awaited him.
Then, the other two aero cars gracefully landed beside them.
"Way to go, Moon. I knew you would win," Angelica said, excitedly hugging Moon from behind.
Max saw this scene and his eyelids twitched. He was probably expecting himself in place of Moon to enjoy Angelica's squishy fleshbags.
Lady Agnes got off with graceful steps, all while looking at the defeated Captain.
"Looks like you need to pay the bill, Ajaz."
Ajaz's lips twitched, imagining the financial cost. Nevertheless, he showed a bright smile in front of his juniors.
"Of course. Since Moon has won without breaking any rules, I'd gladly pay the bill. Do you think I'm afraid of this small expense Agnes?"
Only he knew how much he was suffering inside.
Mr. Deus placed one of his mechanical hands on Ajaz's shoulder in pity.
Ajaz looked as though he had found his savior.
"Mr. Deus, you want to split the bill with me?"
Contrary to his expectation, Mr. Deus started heading inside expressionlessly.
"Hahaha."
Every laughed at this. Some quietly, some openly.
Max slung an arm over Neo's shoulder as they walked in, guiding him like they had known each other for years.
"Welcome to the Skybar, Neo," he said with a grin. "It's the best place in Chronopolis if you've got money to burn."
Neo looked around quietly.
The place was huge.
Bellow them, the entire city was visible through the glass walls, glowing like a sea of lights. Soft music played in the background, and people dressed in expensive outfits sat around oval tables, drinking colorful liquids that didn't even look real.
Max leaned closer, lowering his voice a little:
"See that section over there?" he pointed with his finger. "That's where they serve off-world drinks. They are imported from different planets. Some of them aren't even legal in a few sectors."
Neo raised an eyebrow. "Other worlds? Seriously?"
Max nodded proudly, "Of course. This place isn't ordinary."
He pointed again, this time toward a glowing bar counter.
"And those? Dwarven brews. Made by actual drunken dwarves from asteroid colonies. I heard they sing while brewing. It supposedly makes the taste better."
Neo let out a small laugh,
"You sound like a tour guide."
"I am," Max said instantly. "Only difference is, I charge in drinks."
Following behind the seniors, they reached the seating area where the others were already gathering.
While looking at Angelica from the back, Max gave him a light nudge.
"See Angelica there?" His tone turned serious, "I have only one request to make to you, Neo. Don't even think falling for her. Your brother, Max, is mad for her. I won't even hesitate kill the person who gets in the way."
The warning was clear. Angelica was off-limits.
At this, Neo gave Max nodd of assurance.
Sure, Angelica was pretty and cute. But there was another person more attractive than her.