After the round of introductions, Yevenko cut straight to the point.
"I'll keep it short."
Himeko gave a small nod, her lips curving gently as she replied, "If the Antimatter Legion and Stellaron Hunters are on their way, the more concise, the better."
Yevenko took a sip of water to wet his throat, as if preparing to tell a long story. Himeko and the others straightened their posture, expressions turning serious.
He took a deep breath and began:
"One second I blacked out, and the next, I was on the Astral Express. Then I warped straight to the space station."
He took another sip of water.
A few seconds passed. No follow-up came. March 7th couldn't hold back anymore—her rainbow-glinting eyes wide with confusion, a hint of innocent cluelessness on her face.
"That's… it?"
Yevenko nodded. "Mhm."
She pressed further. "Forget the rest of your adventure for a second—what about Tom? How did you two meet? You didn't explain any of that!"
Yevenko paused, then suddenly realized—Ah, she wants drama. Excitement. In that case, he needed to amp it up a bit.
He crossed his arms on the table, lowered his voice to a deep, magnetic hum, and adopted the tone of someone about to tell a grand epic.
"The way Tom and I met was truly full of twists and turns—full of grandeur and tragedy."
March 7th immediately sat up straight, eyes sparkling with anticipation for an exhilarating tale.
And then Yevenko slowly said:
"Tom… was already on the Astral Express when I arrived."
And that was it.
He said no more.
The anticipation in March 7th's eyes crumbled, along with her smile. She stared at him, stunned.
"That's… that's all again?"
Yevenko nodded. "Yep."
March 7th: "..."
Even Himeko looked a little speechless.
Still, she exchanged a glance with Welt and Dan Heng. The three of them nodded subtly—Yevenko was telling the truth.
Their experience was extensive. They couldn't read minds, but years of dealing with people had made them adept at reading tone, expression, and subtext.
From what they observed, Yevenko wasn't an immortal species. He looked to be in his early twenties, give or take. That age typically lacked the depth for elaborate deception.
More importantly, he hadn't shown any intent to lie from the start. His attitude had been relaxed and open, even warm—especially toward the Astral Express crew.
Maybe it's because they're fellow Trailblazers? Himeko could only guess.
In any case, it was clear: Yevenko hadn't tried to deceive them.
Watching March 7th sulk in disappointment, Himeko gently reached out and patted her on the head, her voice soft and comforting.
"There now, March. Not every story has to be a grand adventure. Sometimes quiet beginnings—"
BOOM——————————!!!!
A deafening explosion rocked the entire Herta Space Station, shaking it to its very core.
Even the Astral Express docked at the platform trembled from the shockwave.
Tom shrieked, covered his head, and started running in a blind panic—bouncing between ceiling and floor like gravity had given up on him.
Yevenko clung tightly to the table and chair, barely managing to stay upright.
March 7th, who had been standing just a moment ago, was now on the floor, rubbing her sore backside as she struggled to get up.
Himeko and Welt, seasoned combatants, had stabilized themselves immediately. Dan Heng had instinctively shielded Pom-Pom.
The next second, Asta's emergency transmission crackled through.
A blue-tinted holographic image appeared before them, distorted and glitching—clearly under heavy interference.
Asta's voice came through, urgent and clipped.
"Mr. Yevenko's prediction was correct. The Antimatter Legion is invading the space station. They came prepared. The explosion's pulse disabled most of the central control systems—"
"Repairs will take some time."
"Thanks to Mr. Yevenko's warning, we've minimized casualties—but some researchers were still caught off guard. This transmission won't last much longer."
"Astral Express crew… I need your assista—&*@#…"
Snap.
The signal cut out.
Himeko folded her arms beneath her chest—emphasizing her already generous figure—and smiled calmly.
"Looks like we've got work to do."
Dan Heng nodded after a brief moment of thought. "Asta doesn't have time for detailed orders. We should move in and clear as we go."
March 7th summoned her stunning crystalline ice bow and stretched lazily with a grin.
"Time to go all out!"
Then she quietly rubbed her aching butt again.
Yevenko, meanwhile, picked up Tom and, in one fluid motion, placed him on his shoulders.
"Tom, let's go!"
Welt nodded gravely. His voice was deep and steady. "I'll remain on the train to monitor for further changes. If needed, I'll join you in the field."
With everything settled, the group moved out.
Himeko, calm and composed as ever, walked last. As she reached the exit of the train—
Pom-Pom's voice called from behind.
"Wait, Himeko."
She paused and turned back, brows gently furrowing. "What is it, Pom-Pom? Did you sense something?"
Pom-Pom nodded solemnly.
"I can feel a strong Trailblaze energy from both Yevenko and Tom. No doubt about it—they're Trailblazers."
"They can be trusted."
"And Tom… might be the same kind of being as me."
"Except… there's something strange mixed in. I can't identify it."
"Especially Yevenko—besides the oddness, there's a strange familiarity about him. Like…"
Himeko narrowed her eyes. "Like what?"
Pom-Pom hesitated, gazing at Yevenko and Tom walking away together—the boy carrying the cat on his shoulders, the two laughing like close friends. A glint of memory flickered in Pom-Pom's eyes before he shook his head.
"It's nothing."
"Probably just my imagination."