[Real World, Half a Year After the Conclusion of Prequel of the Stars Season 1]
Since the finale of Prequel of the Stars Season 1, the work's popularity had skyrocketed, rapidly gaining traction online. This was due to several factors: the protagonist, Chen Kong's, growth from initial cowardice to his selfless actions in helping the weak for the sake of kindness, and Tendo's consistent strength from beginning to end, culminating in his willingness to 'burn' himself for a 'perfect ending'. All of these left a profound impression on the dimensional audience.
Just as the dimensional audience assumed the Prequel of the Stars production team would begin building hype a few months before Season 2's premiere, they unexpectedly dropped a bombshell half a year in advance.
'Prequel of the Stars Special Chapter – "Born a Master" Coming Soon!'
Along with the announcement of this special chapter, a dedicated character poster was also released. Although the main figure on the poster was obscured by black, only revealing the silhouette of a child and a snowy backdrop, many still guessed the protagonist of the special chapter based on various details in the poster and the title of the special.
After all, among the current Prequel of the Stars characters, not many could be described as 'Born a Master'. Tendo was undoubtedly worthy, and Chen Xing could arguably fit. As for Dr., the mysterious masked man... while he was enigmatic and had a certain popularity, it clearly wasn't enough for the production team to dedicate a special chapter to him.
Analyzing it this way, the protagonist of the poster was already obvious. No doubt, it was Prequel of the Stars Season 1's popularity champion – Tendo Simei!
A week before the special chapter's official broadcast, the Prequel of the Stars production team unveiled the complete poster. It depicted a silver-haired child standing alone in the snow. The blurred background focused the entire poster's image on the silver-haired child. Although young, the child's expression showed none of the innocence and romanticism typical of his age. Instead, there was only a near-divine tranquility and an indifference difficult to describe with words. This innate, unique temperament made Tendo in the poster appear special and... powerful, even at such a young age.
[Real World, Special Chapter Broadcast Day, 8 PM, Station 13.]
Amidst the excited anticipation of countless dimensional viewers, the Prequel of the Stars special chapter titled "Born a Master" began broadcasting!
The opening scene showed Ember Base in heavy snow. Snowflakes fell silently, covering the steel-constructed perimeter of the base.
'Little Tendo, why are you here alone?'
Accompanied by the soft crunch of snow underfoot, Yun Meng emerged from the core underground area of Ember Base, reaching a set of stairs on the ground level. She held two steaming cups of coffee in her hands, and the tear mole beneath her right eye was particularly striking in the snowy light.
'Because the world after snow... makes me feel more comfortable.'
Tendo, sitting on the steps, took the steaming coffee Yun Meng offered him. He replied calmly.
Hearing this, Yun Meng smiled and sat beside him, stretching her long legs forward.
'Still haven't gotten used to these eyes?'
'Mm.'
As Tendo's voice trailed off, the scene of the special chapter suddenly switched to Tendo's first-person perspective. The seemingly monotonous and dull snowy landscape, in Tendo's vision, appeared as a dizzyingly complex picture, resembling an abstract oil painting.
Colorful Star Energy in the air moved like living things within Tendo's sight. Yun Meng was enveloped in a powerful Star Energy aura, causing every breath she took to disturb the flow of surrounding energy. This made the Star Energy colors around Tendo even more chaotic and vibrant, making one's eyes swim.
And this was just with Yun Meng. If the scene before Tendo were to change to the underground base, where a large number of Children of the Stars and Star Beast test subjects existed, the dimensional audience couldn't even imagine how dizzyingly abstract Tendo's world would become. No wonder he said the world on a snowy day... made him feel more comfortable. Who could endure a vivid, abstract oil painting constantly swirling before their eyes every day?!
Fortunately, Yun Meng seemed to be well aware of Tendo's condition. So, while deliberately reining in her Star Energy fluctuations, she handed Tendo a pair of special sunglasses. Changing the subject, she asked: 'Little Tendo, the Star Beast teacher said you finished the entire Star Beast Encyclopedia in three days. Is that true?'
'Yes.'
Tendo's reply was very flat, as if this was merely an insignificant matter to him.
But he was calm, while Yun Meng was anything but. She said proudly, 'Wow! Then our little Tendo is really amazing!'
'After all, I've experienced the thickness of that book. Forget three days, even if you gave me three months, I might not be able to memorize all of it.'
'...'
Listening to Yun Meng's tone, which was like praising a child, Tendo's eye twitched continuously, his ear tips slightly red, and his expression visibly awkward. He was clearly very unaccustomed to it. But when Yun Meng saw this, instead of changing, she merely narrowed her eyes into crescent moons, clearly teasing Tendo on purpose.
Just as Yun Meng was about to say more, a strange noise suddenly came from the distant coniferous forest.
[Alert! Star Energy reaction detected outside the base perimeter!]
Amidst the piercing alarm, a three-meter-tall, starfish-shaped creature stumbled out of the woods. Its five tentacles were covered in wounds, and blue blood dripped onto the snow, emitting sizzling corrosive sounds.
'It's an injured Deep-Sea Lasher.'
With just one glance, Tendo identified the creature's species and its exact designation. His confident tone clearly indicated that he hadn't merely memorized the 'Star Beast Encyclopedia'; he had truly mastered all the 'Star Beast Identification' knowledge within it.
With a flurry of hurried footsteps, Yun Meng raised her hand to stop the other perimeter members of the Ember organization who had already rushed out with their weapons. She stood up, preparing to deal with this unfortunate creature herself.
But before she could act, Tendo also stood up.
'Sister Yun, leave it to me.'
'Alright.'
Under the surprised gazes of the other organization members, young Tendo slowly walked towards the towering Deep-Sea Lasher.
Staring at Tendo, who was steadily approaching, the Deep-Sea Lasher suddenly let out an angry roar, attempting to deter him. However, Tendo paid no heed, still walking calmly towards it. It was as if the Deep-Sea Lasher before him was not a dangerous Star Beast at all, but a harmless little pet.
Tendo's innate calmness and disdain, while infuriating the Deep-Sea Lasher, also made it feel a strong sense of threat. Therefore, once Tendo reached a certain proximity to the Deep-Sea Lasher, it... made its move!
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