*WOOOOOOO—!!!*
Suddenly, the familiar train whistle echoed across heaven and earth once again before Akivili came back to life once more.
Akivili: "You little brat..."
Lucian: "Die."
Akivili died.
Lucian: "Live!"
Akivili came back to life again.
Akivili: "Turn me into a..."
Lucian: "Die."
Akivili died again.
Lucian: "Live!"
Akivili came back to life once more.
Akivili: "Are you treating me like the Propagation?!"
Just as Akivili finished uttering the final syllable, THEY died on the spot yet again.
Himeko had already gone completely numb from everything she had witnessed.
At this moment, she stood frozen in place, her mind in utter chaos as she felt the scientific worldview she had painstakingly built over the past nineteen years cracking apart piece by piece with a deafening snap. Every bit of common sense she possessed seemed to be collapsing before her eyes.
How was this even possible?
Akivili was an Aeon, an existence no different from a god in the eyes of countless civilizations.
How could someone actually control the life and death of an Aeon?
Yet no matter how unbelievable it seemed, the pressure and vast aura emanating from that towering phantom were absolutely genuine.
It was an overwhelming presence that existed on a completely different level from anything she had ever encountered before, making her instinctively understand that what she had just witnessed was real.
"Lucian! What exactly is going on? Who are you, really?!"
Himeko immediately grabbed Lucian's arm.
Her emotions were in such turmoil that her fingers tightened around his sleeve unconsciously as she stared directly into his eyes, desperately wanting an answer.
At this moment, she was seriously beginning to suspect that Lucian was not an ordinary human.
No.
Perhaps he wasn't even human at all.
Lucian lowered his head and glanced at the hand tightly gripping his arm before looking up into Himeko's shocked and anxious eyes. Seeing the confusion and urgency written all over her face, he suddenly smiled.
"Me? I'm just your university professor."
"I'm not joking!" Himeko refused to let go of his arm. "I want to know where you really came from. Please, this is very important to me. If you don't tell me, then I'll treat you like some bad guy who's plotting something against me."
Upon hearing that, even Lucian wasn't sure whether to describe Himeko as inquisitive, serious, or simply overflowing with curiosity.
After witnessing abilities that could only be described as miraculous, what Himeko wanted most right now was not to run away, nor was she worried that he might pose a danger to her. Instead, she desperately wanted to uncover his origins and understand what kind of existence he truly was.
"Alright, alright. You're my student, so as your professor, I guess I should answer your questions."
Lucian reached out and affectionately patted Himeko's head.
"I come from another planet. Like Akivili, I travel all over the place. I ended up here by accident, and then I happened to meet you."
"You said you wanted me to be a professor, so I became a professor at your university."
He spoke about traveling between planets as casually as if he were discussing a routine trip to the market. Combined with the countless stories of distant civilizations and strange worlds that he often shared during class, the explanation sounded surprisingly reasonable.
In fact, it matched everything she already knew about him so well that Himeko found herself accepting it almost immediately.
"In that case... when will you leave?"
Hearing Himeko's sudden question, Lucian raised an eyebrow.
"What? You want me to leave early?"
"No!" Himeko immediately shook her head. "I mean... when you leave... could you take me with you?"
Lucian immediately smiled.
"What, aren't you afraid I'm some bad guy who'll trick you into becoming a slave?"
At the question, Himeko blinked before asking him seriously.
"Are you a bad guy?"
Lucian thought about it for a moment before shrugging.
"Depends on the person. To you, I'd say I'm a pretty good guy."
"Now you have your answer. I believe you won't hurt me," Himeko replied with a small nod. "Besides, you're so powerful that if you really had bad intentions, you wouldn't need to trick me, right?"
"What if I wanted to steal your heart instead?"
A faint smile appeared on Lucian's face, one that made it impossible to determine whether he was speaking seriously or simply teasing her.
For a brief moment, Himeko couldn't tell either.
It was probably a joke, right?
After all, how could someone as extraordinary as him possibly be interested in an ordinary girl like her?
"In that case... I'll be extra careful and see whether you can fool me or not. Hehe..."
Himeko giggled softly, though a faint blush still appeared on her face.
At this moment, the somewhat lonely girl who usually kept to herself was genuinely happy. Not only did spending time with Lucian always make her feel relaxed and comfortable, but she had even met her idol, the legendary Aeon of Trailblaze.
Maybe...
Just maybe...
There really was a chance that she would accidentally fall for him someday.
===
Without either of them realizing it, that private time spent by the sea quietly brought the two of them much closer together.
Life at university gradually returned to its usual rhythm.
Every day, Himeko attended classes and immersed herself in the study of interstellar travel dynamics while also tackling numerous other scientific subjects that demanded her attention.
Whenever she wasn't studying, however, she would often spend her time with Lucian, listening as he described the countless wonders, mysteries, and civilizations hidden throughout the endless cosmos.
Time passed quickly, and before she knew it, a special day quietly arrived.
It was her birthday.
Himeko had originally assumed that her nineteenth birthday would pass just like every previous year, where she spent the day quietly in a library or laboratory, surrounded by books, research papers, and unfinished calculations.
It was understandable.
Not only was she known among many of her classmates as a 'weirdo'—a girl whose interests revolved almost entirely around stars, exploration, and adventure—but she had also never been particularly skilled at making friends, nor did she have many people who would remember such an occasion.
However, Lucian clearly had other plans.
When evening came, just as Himeko was returning to her dormitory after finishing her studies, Lucian suddenly appeared and blocked her path in front of the dormitory building.
"C'mon. I'm taking you somewhere."
Himeko hugged her books against her chest and blinked in confusion.
"Somewhere? Where? I still have a set of data to calculate tonight—"
Ignoring her protest entirely, Lucian casually took the books from her arms before handing them to a passing dorm supervisor.
"Ma'am, could you please hold these for a while?"
At Lucian's request, the dorm supervisor accepted them almost reflexively.
Immediately afterward, he grabbed Himeko's wrist and began leading her away—the entire sequence happened so naturally and smoothly that by the time Himeko realized what was happening, she had already been pulled several steps away from the building.
"Young people these days are so fun to watch. Be safe! Use protection!"
Unfortunately, Himeko never heard the dorm supervisor's words.
Lucian, however, heard every single word thanks to his absurdly sharp hearing.
It could only be said that the university dorm supervisor truly cared about the well-being of their students.
"Lucian, actually, today is—"
Himeko had barely started speaking when Lucian interrupted her.
"It's your birthday, so close your eyes. I've got a surprise for you."
Himeko froze slightly before blinking in surprise, never expecting Lucian to know her birthday.
A warm feeling immediately spread through her chest, and for reasons she couldn't quite explain, the corners of her lips unconsciously curved upward.
Without the slightest hesitation or concern that Lucian might do something strange, Himeko obediently closed her eyes. Soon afterward, she felt him take her hand before a gentle hand rested against her waist and lightly guided her forward.
Even then, she never opened her eyes.
Instead, she quietly allowed him to lead her onward, her curiosity and anticipation growing stronger with every step.
"Alright, take a look. This is the view from another planet you've always dreamed of seeing."
Upon hearing those words, Himeko slowly opened her eyes, and the moment her gaze fell upon the world before her, she froze completely.
What entered her vision was a landscape entirely different from her homeland, a world unlike anything she had ever seen in books, documentaries, or her own imagination.
Gigantic plants towered high into the clouds beneath an unfamiliar sky, their enormous leaves and branches displaying countless brilliant colors. Vast forests stretched across the horizon, yet the trees were a deep shade of purple, while clusters of pure white flowers bloomed among them like stars scattered throughout a dream.
Meanwhile, the foreign sky above shimmered with faint bands of color, casting a soft glow over everything and making the entire world feel mysterious, beautiful, and almost unreal.
At this moment, the two of them stood atop a colossal tree-like plant.
Lucian had personally carved out a spacious platform from its massive trunk. A soft carpet had been laid across the surface, blankets were neatly arranged nearby, and a campfire sat at the center waiting to be lit.
Through his preparations, the strange and unfamiliar world had somehow been transformed into a cozy private sanctuary that belonged only to the two of them.
"Beautiful..."
Himeko's eyes widened as she stared at the breathtaking scenery.
She couldn't bear to blink, afraid that if she closed her eyes for even a moment, the dreamlike scene before her would disappear.
*Snap!*
Lucian suddenly snapped his fingers.
A moment later, a soft whoosh sounded as the campfire ignited by itself. Golden flames danced in the darkness, instantly driving away some of the chill carried by the alien world's night breeze while casting a warm and comforting glow across their faces.
Lucian turned toward Himeko and smiled.
"Happy birthday, my dear student."
As though he were performing a magic trick, a small cake suddenly appeared in his hand out of thin air. Atop the cake stood a single candle shaped like the number nineteen, its tiny flame flickering gently beneath the colorful night sky.
Himeko looked at the cake, then looked at the scenery surrounding them—the beautiful alien world, the carefully prepared campfire, the blanket, the birthday cake, and Lucian, who was standing beside her.
Suddenly, her nose felt a little sore.
No one had ever gone to such lengths for her before.
Ever since her parents passed away, she had never experienced this kind of warmth again. Most of her birthdays had been spent quietly alone, accompanied only by books, research papers, and the stars she loved so much. So, to say she wasn't moved would have been a lie.
At this moment, she had no choice but to admit that she was deeply, genuinely touched.
"Lucian... thank you..."
Himeko's voice trembled slightly as she expressed her gratitude, but then she quickly lowered her head and pretended to adjust her windblown hair, trying to hide the tears that were welling up in her eyes before speaking again.
"But... how did you find a place like this?"
"I spent a long time searching through planets one by one," Lucian explained, raising an eyebrow proudly. "It took a lot of work. You touched yet?"
"Hehe, yeah. I am..."
Himeko giggled through her tears—the sight of her smiling while crying was somehow both pitiful and adorable.
Seeing her like that, Lucian raised his hand and gently wiped away the tears gathering at the corners of her eyes.
Himeko didn't dodge.
Instead, she quietly allowed his fingertips to brush against her skin—the warmth of his touch lingered for a brief moment before he slowly withdrew his hand.
"Make a wish. If you make one here, maybe even the Aeons might hear you."
Hearing Lucian's words, Himeko obediently closed her eyes, then clasped her hands together in front of her chest and sincerely made a wish.
Amid the silence, the campfire crackled softly beside her while the wind gently stirred her crimson hair.
Several moments later, she slowly opened her eyes once again.
"What did you wish for?"
At Lucian's question, Himeko immediately shook her head.
"I'm not telling you. You're an amazing guy, so try guessing."
"I won't guess. I want you to tell me yourself."
"Wait until next year. Next year, I'll tell you the wish I made this year."
"Alright. Next year, I'll celebrate your birthday with you again then."
"Mhm..."
A gentle smile unconsciously appeared on Himeko's face.
And so, after blowing out the candle, the two of them sat together on the blanket beside the campfire and shared the small birthday cake.
The cake was sweet.
The starry sky above them was beautiful.
And the atmosphere between them carried a quiet intimacy that neither of them wanted to disturb.
Lucian lazily leaned back against a pillow and looked up at the stars before casually pointing toward a small shooting star streaking through the distance.
"Tsk, another little guy who's just focused on rushing off somewhere."
Following the direction of his finger, Himeko smiled.
"Maybe it's hurrying to meet someone."
"Meet who? A meteorite? One collision and it's a disaster."
Lucian's response immediately caused Himeko to giggle.
"Could you be a little more romantic?"
Himeko spoke while lightly pushing his shoulder.
"Romantic?" Lucian said as he casually took the chance to grab her wrist and didn't let go. "I mean, the two of us watching a meteor shower together isn't that romantic?"
As soon as those words reached her ears, Himeko's heart skipped a beat, and her giggle abruptly stopped.
For a brief moment, neither of them spoke, leaving the crackling campfire as the only sound softly filling the space beside them as the campfire's tiny sparks drifted upward into the night sky.
Reflected by both the firelight and starlight, Lucian's golden eyes appeared especially deep as he looked at Himeko with an emotion she couldn't quite understand.
At this moment, the spot where he held her wrist felt so burning hot that she could clearly feel the warmth of his hand.
For some reason, she didn't want him to let go.
Meanwhile, from Lucian's perspective, the beauty sitting before him appeared even more captivating beneath the firelight. Her bright red hair blended beautifully with the dancing flames, making her seem like a spirit born from fire itself.
Himeko was wearing a gray-white jacket tonight, but because the campfire had already warmed the surroundings, she had unconsciously loosened the collar, causing a small patch of fair skin beneath her collarbone to be exposed, glowing softly in the flickering firelight.
Lucian even caught sight of a black ribbon near her shoulder and a trace of black lace near her chest.
It appeared to be part of her undergarment.
In his eyes, however, the dark fabric only served to make her fair skin appear even more striking.
It was a dangerously attractive sight.
Just as Himeko felt herself becoming increasingly lost in the atmosphere...
"It's here. Your birthday present."
Lucian spoke with a faint smile, his gaze shifting toward the sky.
Himeko instinctively looked up, following his gaze, and then she froze.
At this moment, within her vision, countless lights suddenly appeared across the deep, starry sky.
One.
Ten.
Hundreds.
Thousands.
Tens of thousands.
An endless sea of meteors suddenly erupted across the heavens like a magnificent celestial waterfall.
Brilliant streaks of light cascaded across the night sky one after another, illuminating the entire cosmos with dazzling radiance that intertwined together, forming a spectacle so grand and breathtaking that it seemed capable of shaking one's soul.
"Whoa..."
Himeko's eyes widened completely, feeling so astonished that she nearly forgot how to breathe.
In all her life, it was undoubtedly the most magnificent and breathtaking sight she had ever witnessed. Compared to the meteor shower before her, every image she had ever seen in books and every simulation she had ever studied felt pale and insignificant.
"Happy birthday, Himeko. You like it?"
Lucian's gentle voice suddenly sounded beside her ear.
Himeko fell silent, and tears gradually welled up in her eyes.
Clearly, she had been moved beyond words.
Tears streamed down her face one after another, yet a radiant smile remained blooming on her lips. If not for the final shred of restraint she still possessed, she would have wanted nothing more than to throw herself into Lucian's arms and kiss him right then and there.
"Thank you... Thank you so much... I love it..."
Himeko's voice carried a faint sob, yet the happiness within it was impossible to hide.
Seeing her reaction, Lucian felt completely satisfied.
All the effort he had invested into preparing this birthday surprise had clearly not been wasted.
Needless to say, this wave of affection had to be worth at least fifty points.
What woman could possibly resist an attack like this?
For example, when he reached over and took Himeko's hand now, she didn't even blush. Instead, she immediately tightened her grip around his hand, almost as though she were afraid he might suddenly disappear.
Perhaps things might progress even further in a little while.
Just as Lucian was entertaining that pleasant thought, an unexpected anomaly suddenly appeared within the meteor shower.
An incomparably long beam of light suddenly tore across the sky.
It split the sky in two and stretched across the cosmos like a divine blade cutting through an endless sea of stars.
Himeko had absolutely no idea what kind of phenomenon she was witnessing, but Lucian recognized it instantly.
'Isn't that... the Astral Express? Why's it only just crashing down now?'
===
[A bonus chapter for every 300 Power Stones]
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