Chapter 35: Himeko, So This Is the Kind of Person You Are
"Because it's flammable."
Leon stared deadpan at the cup in his hand. A faint, eerie blue flame danced across the surface of the dark liquid. He spoke in a low, measured voice, finally understanding the violently strong kick hitting the back of his throat.
So that was it. It really was flammable coffee.
'Himeko, you really are something...' he thought, wiping a bead of sweat from his brow.
[Aha: This is just too much fun. If I snatch her, Akivili won't be angry, right?]
[Aha: Oh, wait. Akivili has already fallen. Even if He wanted to be angry, He couldn't. Hahahaha!]
"I'm asking why the coffee is flammable!" March 7th was practically losing her mind, her hands waving frantically at the burning mug. "If it can be set on fire, that means most of it is pure alcohol!"
"Well, because I've never tried adding alcohol to coffee before, I wanted to give it a try this time." Himeko took a gentle, elegant sip of her own special blend. Her expression remained completely composed, entirely unbothered by the chaos unfolding around her.
[Path of Trailblaze Energy +1]
'Himeko, you aren't the Himeko I know,'March 7th thought, staring in disbelief.'So you've been doing this on purpose all along?'Beside them, Caelus silently pulled out a small notebook from his pocket. With a completely straight face, he uncapped a pen and began to write earnestly.'New discovery: Coffee can be ignited...'
"Don't write down such strange things! And coffee isn't supposed to be flammable, you jerk!" March 7th lamented, clutching her forehead in defeat.
Taking advantage of the brief lull in the shouting, Stelle turned her golden eyes toward the navigator. "Why did you invite us onto the Astral Express?"
"Because you are different from everyone else," Himeko answered gently, setting her cup down on the saucer with a soft clink.
"Is it because of the Stellaron?" Stelle pressed further, her posture stiffening slightly.
"The Stellaron is the primary reason, but it is not the only reason." Himeko chuckled, her gaze softening as if she had easily seen through the heavy concerns weighing on Stelle and Caelus's hearts.
Her tone was open and deeply sincere. "I think you need an opportunity to discover what makes you different from others."
She folded her hands on her lap. "Everyone tells you how unique you are, that you have a Stellaron inside you. However, clearly realizing this yourself versus having someone else tell you—regardless of whether that statement comes from me or Herta, and no matter how credible it is—those two things are completely different."
Her voice was like warm starlight spilling into the carriage, chasing away the lingering anxiety in the room. "You need to experience more to know what you have gained and lost because of the Stellaron. And... who you really are."
Himeko looked directly at the two of them. "Learning how to control the Stellaron is the only way to control your own destiny. The Stellaron might still be unknown to you, but it is an established fact within your bodies. You need to firmly grasp this in order to move toward a more distant future."
Her words seemed to radiate a soft, comforting glow, causing a wave of warmth to well up in the hearts of Stelle and Caelus. The tension in their shoulders finally dropped.
Leon smiled and gave a quiet thumbs-up from the sidelines.
As expected of Himeko, affectionately called the develop mother by players in his past life. The gentleness and absolute tolerance in her words truly carried a reassuring, maternal radiance. It was impossible not to feel safe around her.
"We've decided." Stelle and Caelus smiled at each other. They reached out, holding hands simultaneously, and spoke in perfect unison. "We want to board the Astral Express."
"And me!" Leon chimed in with a bright grin, raising his hand high.
"No problem. These are the credentials for the Astral Express." Himeko nodded with a welcoming smile and produced two distinct types of exquisite, holographic tickets.
"This is the Star Rail Pass. Holders can sail freely along the Star Rail and travel through the various worlds connected to our routes." She held up the second ticket, which shimmered with a slightly different, golden hue. "And this one is the Star Rail Special Pass. It is a direct ticket for the Astral Express, recording the coordinates of a specific world. It is highly suitable for passengers with a clear, temporary destination."
Himeko's gaze swept gently over the three of them. "Are you planning to take the Special Pass or the Pass?"
This was, without a doubt, asking Stelle, Caelus, and Leon to make a definitive choice about their futures.
Leon felt slightly surprised. According to the gacha knowledge from his previous life's game, the Special Pass was usually far more precious than the standard Pass. But here on the actual Astral Express, the situation seemed to be the exact opposite. Only those Trailblazers truly willing to follow the Express and dedicate their lives to the Path of Trailblaze would be granted the standard Pass.
As for those who were just passing through and intended to get off after a few stops, they received the Special Pass.
"As for me, I don't have a specific destination, so of course I'll choose the Pass!" Stelle thought for only a fraction of a second before answering without hesitation.
From the moment she gained consciousness on the space station until now, apart from Caelus and Leon, the people she was most familiar with were the members of the Astral Express Crew. She longed to go on real adventures with them and explore the vast, unknown sea of stars.
"Me too!" Caelus nodded vigorously, completely agreeing with Stelle's choice.
Although they hadn't fully grasped the heavy, historical meaning behind the word Trailblaze, they had already promised to be part of this crew for a lifetime.
"Then, the Pass is yours." Himeko smiled warmly and handed the silver-blue passes to Stelle and Caelus.
The moment their fingers brushed the tickets, an immense power gently enveloped them, sinking through their skin and quietly merging into their bodies. Stelle and Caelus blinked in surprise, feeling a faint but distinct surge in their own internal strength.
"You are indeed very well-suited for the Path of Trailblaze," Himeko said, genuine relief shining in her eyes. "Welcome to the Trailblazer family."
"That's great! From now on, we're family!" March 7th leaned in happily, her smile absolutely radiant as she clapped her hands.
Himeko then turned her elegant gaze toward the final member of their trio. "Mr. Leon, I wonder if you..."
"I also don't have a specific destination, so please give me the Pass," Leon responded smoothly, keeping his smile bright and easy.
"Is that so..." Himeko smiled, though the curve of her lips carried a deeply meaningful weight. "Although I can agree to give you the Pass, I also hope you can be a little... more well-behaved."
Letting a suspected Masked Fool board the Astral Express was not a decision Himeko made lightly. She could only hope this particular fun-seeker wouldn't be too reckless. After all, the infamous incident where Aha blew up the Astral Express still made Pom-Pom jump with absolute rage whenever it was brought up.
Fortunately, the Conductor didn't know Leon was a Masked Fool. If Pom-Pom found out, the poor creature would probably start hissing on sight.
'I've already said I'm not a Masked Fool,' Leon complained internally, though his outward expression remained a picture of perfect innocence.
"Alright, since you've all decided to join the Astral Express, follow me. Let's arrange your rooms first."
Shortly after, Himeko led the four of them down the quiet corridor, stopping in front of the utility section of the train.
"I'm very sorry," she said with a hint of apology, gesturing to the doors. "There are no ready-made empty rooms on the Astral Express at the moment. Only these two utility rooms are left."
She pushed the doors open, revealing the somewhat dusty, cluttered spaces inside. "You can renovate them into rooms according to your own preferences. While the Astral Express is still docked at the Herta Space Station, it's the perfect time to get them sorted out."
The Astral Express was currently not in its prime state, and the number of active carriages was strictly limited. also, the addition or renovation of each carriage required consuming a significant amount of the Power of Trailblaze. Due to the severe lack of manpower over the years, the guest rooms on the train were also relatively limited.
Therefore, Himeko was prepared to give Leon and the others some time to design their own living quarters. Once they had a plan, she would use the Power of Trailblaze to assist in the physical construction—though, of course, this would also require Pom-Pom's direct cooperation.
"You can also ask Dan Heng, little March, and Welt to help. Most, you must participate in the design yourselves. Once the blueprints are finalized, give them to the Conductor Pom-Pom, and he will do his absolute best to assist."
Looking at these new members standing before her, their eyes shining with eagerness and a hint of mischievous energy, Himeko couldn't help but smile.
The minds of these young people were always so wonderfully imaginative. Future life on the Astral Express was surely going to be full of unexpected fun.
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