[According to astronomy experts, the rare celestial event known as the "Seven Stars Alignment" will be fully visible at 8 p.m. tonight.]
[The "Seven Stars Alignment" is an exceptionally rare astronomical phenomenon, having only occurred 39 times between the year 1 AD and 3000 AD.]
[Astronomy enthusiasts worldwide are eagerly anticipating and preparing for this event.]
Because of its rarity, the internet was bustling with chatter about the "Seven Stars Alignment" today.
Even people with no particular interest or knowledge of astronomy found themselves paying attention—if only because, in so many novels, the "Seven Stars Alignment" always signified some sort of fateful opportunity. Maybe, just maybe, some lucky soul would cross into another world or awaken some hidden power.
Of course, it was just a joke. But with life being so tough already, everyone needed a little room to dream.
"Didn't get to see the Seven Stars Alignment before crossing over—yet now that I have, I might finally get to witness it for real."
"But whether I actually get to see it… that's another story."
Brandon White switched off the TV and let out a self-mocking chuckle, his gaze fixed blankly ahead, lost in thought.
He wasn't originally from this world. Sure, this planet was also called Earth, his parents were the same ones from his previous life, and the experiences of his childhood were eerily similar.
But Brandon knew—deep down—this world wasn't quite the same as the one he came from.
For one, the world's anime was… lacking.
Bleach, Naruto, and One Piece existed here, but Detective Conan, Crayon Shin-chan, and Pokémon didn't.
Ultraman—shows like Tiga, Dyna, and Gaia—were present, but there was no Kamen Rider and no Super Sentai.
And it wasn't just Japanese anime. Shows from other countries, including those from China, were also missing.
As for other forms of entertainment, Brandon hadn't really paid attention. In his previous life, once the industry had started down a different path, he'd lost interest in TV, movies, and variety shows altogether.
And once a habit takes hold, it's hard to shake it.
The only thing he could really confirm was the music—apart from a few missing anime theme songs, not much had changed. Maybe that was just because he didn't listen to much music to begin with.
At least the songs he liked were still around.
History, too, was the same—No changes at all.
Which probably meant that no other "travelers" like him had appeared here before.
Was that a good thing or a bad thing?
Brandon shook his head. Not his problem to worry about.
He checked his phone. Only three hours left until the Seven Stars Alignment at eight o'clock. Outside the window, a gentle rain had started to fall.
"Figures."
He shrugged. He wasn't surprised.
In both his past and present life, whenever a rare astronomical event happened, the weather in his city would either be overcast or rainy.
Venus transits, lunar eclipses, meteor showers—it was always like this. Sometimes he wondered if the universe had it out for him.
When the Alignment was first reported, he'd already suspected today would be no different. And sure enough…
"Hmph."
Brandon lay back in his rocking chair, shut his eyes, and drifted off to the sound of rain.
Time slipped by. In Brandon's sleep, the clock's hands crept toward eight, and the clouds outside grew darker and heavier.
Meanwhile, out in the solar system, the seven planets—Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune—lined up perfectly along the ecliptic.
Boom!
At that precise moment, as the Seven Stars Alignment formed, a stream of energy—existing somewhere between fantasy and reality, completely undetectable by humans or even nations—shot straight toward Earth.
[Ding. Detected: "Earth" as a keyword from a work of fantasy.]
[Analyzing Earth's energy… No significant mystical traits detected. Life energy is average; does not meet the criteria for an invitation.]
[Traces of world consciousness detected. Initiating communication.]
[Communication successful. Spiritual energy recovery commencing.]
In Vantora City, Brandon, still lost in sleep, suddenly felt something odd. His once-blurry dream sharpened, as if the entire background had shifted.
An ancient, boundless land stretched out before him—verdant, solemn forests pulsing with life, and towering peaks that soared into the clouds. A whole new world unfolded.
Somewhere deep in his soul, a nameless emotion welled up, so profound that words couldn't describe it, leaving Brandon feeling lost and awed.
Sky, cloud seas, forests, mountains, rivers—
He gazed through teary eyes at these scenes, so near yet utterly unreachable, and his heart ached with a bittersweet longing.
Vaguely, high in the sky, an enormous eye appeared, silently watching over this world.
With its gaze, countless golden lights began to flow from every corner of this realm, weaving together into the very laws that governed the land—almost as if declaring their loyalty.
No, not just loyalty—there was also joy at new birth, a deep love for this world, and reverence for its creator…
He didn't know how he could sense all this. And right now, he didn't want to think—he only wanted to watch, to keep watching forever.
Never in his life had he felt so wonderful.
It was as if a fog had been lifted from his soul, impurities flushed from his body. Deep inside, he felt a seed take root—and under the gaze of that vast eye, the seed slowly began to sprout and grow.
He didn't understand what was happening or what kind of blessing he was experiencing—only that these once-distant scenes now seemed to embrace him, welcoming him home.
Crack!
Suddenly, the vision shattered. Brandon jolted awake in his rocking chair, gasping for breath.
"What was that just now? A dream? Or… something more?"
"No, it couldn't have been a normal dream—it was far too vivid. I don't think I could imagine something like that."
"But if it was something supernatural… why me? Because I'm a traveler?"
Brandon frowned. If it was really about him being a traveler, why hadn't he felt anything all these years—why only tonight?
Was there something special about today? The Seven Stars Alignment?
Could it really be connected to that?
He glanced at the clock—10 p.m. already. Rain still trickled down outside.
Maybe it wasn't the reason… Wait, but why did he still feel this way?
As he watched the raindrops outside, that overwhelming emotion from his dream threatened to break free once more—elation and wonder nearly impossible to contain.
He didn't find these uncontrollable feelings pleasant. In fact, they scared him.
He had to know: what exactly happened while he was asleep?
(End of Chapter)
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