Renjiro knew very well that, since he (the main body) and the Twin Stars could simultaneously receive power boosts from both the Genshin System and Falna, each time a Trinity member had an opportunity to level up, it was equivalent to gaining three [Development Abilities] at once.
Under this premise, even if Aether and Lumine couldn't immediately reach Lv.5 in order to achieve the Transcender evaluation, and still had to "accumulate" Genshin levels and experience, they could at least clarify which new [Development Abilities] they could awaken. This would allow Renjiro to plan detailed team coordination strategies for himself.¹
With this in mind…
Aether planned to awaken Domination, Lumine chose Corrosion, and Renjiro immediately awakened Revelation.
It was worth noting that during this Lv.3 upgrade, a long-desired option, Refined Healing, also appeared among Renjiro's available [Development Abilities].
In the past, he would have agonized over choosing between Revelation and Refined Healing.
After all, Refined Healing passively restored a portion of mana when a Genshin character used magic. With it, the manifestation endurance of Genshin characters could increase significantly.
Before possessing the Ten Rings of the Human King, Renjiro would have craved this ability.
But now, he essentially carried ten "mana reactors" comparable to small nuclear plants. Naturally, his desire for Refined Healing had faded considerably.
Moreover, with the Crown of Insight skill he possessed, he might even acquire Refined Healing effects indirectly through alternative means. This further diminished its appeal.
Instead…
Revelation, Domination, Corrosion.
These three terms corresponded to certain "Herrschers powers" in the Honkai worldview.
Furthermore, Revelation aligned with the abilities of King Solomon in the Type-Moon universe…
"Paimon Time, wear the Ten Rings… now even Revelation exists."
"And… Cassandra's prophecy poem even mentions: 'He who wields the Ten Commandments and corrects all phenomena, neither god nor man, is the king who commands otherworldly Demon Gods.'"
"Plus, in the current world, there's still the ancient legend called Heroic Tales of the Magic King… tsk~"
Back at Maria Orphanage, Aether and Lumine had already teleported back to the battlefield plains, and Syr had returned to her room to rest.
Renjiro sat alone on his bed in his room, scratching his head helplessly.
"All of these events are probably interconnected."
"To untangle them and turn all this chaotic information into solid, usable clues…"
Relaxing, hands behind his head, he began planning in his mind.
"Tomorrow, I'll first head to the library in the city to borrow any texts on the Heroic Tales of the Magic King."
"Then, I'll personally visit the rabbit boy (Bell) to learn more about the original text."
"If necessary…"
The black-haired youth's eyes narrowed. "I don't need to worry about stepping on anyone's toes either. The situation with the rabbit boy isn't ideal anyway."
He yawned lightly. "Pulling cards at four a.m… but for now, I should rest. Today has been… exhausting."
With that thought, this traveler from Earth slowly closed his eyes, drifting into a calm sleep.
======
In a hazy dream…
"Please do not forget…"
"Countless encounters, countless futures…"
"All we have fought for along the way has been for these."
When Renjiro awoke again, he vaguely heard a soft, gentle voice of a girl.
She seemed distant, smiling, speaking these cryptic but comforting words.
It was undeniably a soothing tone.
However…
The words weren't directed at him.
The "self" in the dream was merely an observer of that scene—
Even… from an opposing perspective, witnessing it all.
Crack~
At that moment, slightly dazed, Renjiro raised his right hand subconsciously, pressing the back of his hand to his forehead.
He didn't notice that the black mithril ring he wore—likely the one on his left middle finger—had developed a small crack.
From it, a faint golden light emerged, as if the "past" it sealed was beginning to peel away.
=======
Time reached 7:30 a.m.
As usual, Renjiro first retrieved his smartphone from Paimon, wrote a brief diary entry, then got out of bed.
After washing up, he had breakfast with Syr and others, taking the chance to playfully scold Rei…
Finally, he said, "I'm heading out," and left Maria Orphanage.
These were ordinary, peaceful, and happy routines.
Perhaps many once-ambitious heroes, who had known the heights of "standing above all," secretly longed for such normalcy.
But in a harsh and unknown reality, even these small desires could seem like unattainable luxuries.
Today, following the plan he made last night, Renjiro began grouped activities.
Aether and Lumine teleported directly to Dungeon Layer 50, aiming to raise their Genshin levels to Lv.50 in the coming days, then seek Frigg for an upgrade to obtain the two pre-determined new [Development Abilities] and achieve a second Transcender evaluation.
Renjiro himself, after leaving Daedalus Street, went straight to the city's library, spending a substantial amount of money to borrow texts on the Heroic Tales of the Magic King.
Of course, Renjiro was not the type to read calmly in the library; he preferred to take the books home and study them quietly in his room.
Unfortunately, the library's texts couldn't be taken out. Only in-library reading was allowed, so he used his smartphone to photograph the pages to study later.
After completing these preparations…
He arrived silently at the Central Square in front of Babel.
His eyes immediately fixed on two thin figures carrying large backpacks.
From his direct, unwavering approach, it was obvious he had come here with a purpose.
Or rather—strictly speaking—he had come for just one of them.
A white-haired boy, utterly lost in his life's path.
Now, in his crimson eyes, there was no trace of hope.
He was Bell Cranel, currently affiliated as a supporter of the Soma family.