Stelle officially joined the Astral Express. After Herta introduced her to the Simulated Universe, she became hooked, completely immersed in playing as Akivili.
In the Simulated Universe:
"Why hasn't the Simulated Universe updated the Aeon of [Eternity]'s form yet? Why's it just a shiny number 8? Where's the trash can?" Stelle asked Herta.
"That's ∞, not 8! You think I'd swap the Aeon of [Eternity] for a trash can?"
Herta was genuinely worried about the Eternity Church coming after her. They couldn't stand the slightest slight against their Aeon.
She could handle ordinary Pathstriders of [Eternity], but an Emanator? No chance.
Curse that Emanator gap.
The church's martial strength was low—mostly just regular believers with zero combat ability. According to Herta's research on [Eternity]'s forces:
In the Amber Era, there were fewer than a hundred Pathstriders of [Eternity], and Emanators didn't even hit double digits.
The church was even worse off: only three Pathstriders and two Emanators.
But their believers were numerous, and their faith was strong.
If they wanted, they could summon Adrian anywhere, anytime.
No one knew what Adrian taught them, but every Emanator could tear through the void, teleporting without regard for distance.
"Sigh, no trash can? It's not the same vibe," Stelle said.
"What? You want a muscular trash can to cuddle you in the Simulated Universe?" Herta teased.
"Whoa, that'd be so cool!" Stelle's enthusiasm was met with Herta's silence.
Even in the Simulated Universe, [Eternity], [Elation], and [Trailblaze] got along well.
Especially [Elation]'s Aha—every time THEY saw Stelle, THEY gave her a big hug.
Herta: "When you meet virtual Aeons, cozy up to THEM—except those two."
Simulated Aha and simulated Adrian knew everything but said nothing.
At a certain Aeon's insistence, [Eternity]'s blessings were the easiest and most brainless, encompassing most Paths' blessings. There was also a unique relic that let you skip straight to the final zone.
Sadly, Herta hadn't perfected this part, so there were glitches. A misstep during the skip could zap Stelle unconscious—way more painful than being yanked out of the Simulated Universe by a hook through the navel.
On the think tank's side, they updated the Aeon of [Eternity]'s data, tentatively labeling IT as [Master of a Thousand Faces, Ever-Changing Form of Eternity], unconfirmed. Dan Heng, recalling the church leader's words, was baffled. The leader said the Aeon of [Eternity] rivaled [Beauty] Idrila, yet Adrian claimed IT was a trash can.
Couldn't figure it out. Truly couldn't.
Herta also asked Adrian why her puppet connection dropped that day.
No surprise—it was Aha's doing.
"Wahhh, old friend, see how good Aha is to you? Even after you stabbed my butt with Lan's light arrow, I didn't hold a grudge. I even had that pink-haired girl transfer you a billion credits!"
"You owe me a kowtow!" The Mask of Fools pestered Adrian. "That novel was so moving—wahhh, Aha cried every time I read it, tears gushing while writing it."
"Ouch, ouch! When will you stop that light arrow? It's still stabbing my butt! I already gave you compensation!"
The mask wailed.
"Eternal Hunt, you thought," Adrian snorted. "Also, you think I need money?"
Joking aside, the church's hot springs raked in daily profits. Most importantly, Adrian didn't spend much.
"Hmph! Keep it up, then. Aha's no pushover!"
The mask turned from blue to red, cursing as it vanished.
…
Before Stelle officially boarded, an event took place:
"Ouch, ouch, ouch! I haven't eaten anything high-calorie lately—how'd I get stuck in the vent?"
Astral Express, Observation Car.
March 7th rubbed her scraped waist, noticing six pairs of eyes on her. She quickly explained: "I… I heard noises in the vent, thought something weird was hiding there, so I climbed up to check. Then… I got stuck…"
"Did you find the [weird thing]?" someone asked.
"Yup. It was Stelle and Peppy, also stuck in there!"
"Ha, Peppy and I formed a one-human-one-dog exploration team. I sent it to scout the vent, then followed, but an accident happened, and our first adventure ended in failure," Stelle explained reasonably.
"I get it," Adrian nodded. "She's a prime candidate for [Trailblaze]. So eager to explore."
"You're the one who egged her on!" March 7th landed a magical girl punch on Adrian.
"Hey, Miss March, I just casually mentioned hearing noises in the vent. I didn't expect Stelle's exploration itch to get her stuck."
Seeing Adrian's sincere face, March 7th almost felt bad for him.
"Huh? Was that how it went…? My bad, I misjudged you."
"March…" Dan Heng started to speak but shook his head.
"Alright, today's a good day, so no lectures. We're gathered because the conductor has an announcement," Himeko said.
"Ahem! Allowing passengers Stelle and Adrian to roam without a proper place on the Express is my failure as conductor, pom!" Pom-Pom said sternly, holding a cup of Immortal's Delight Tea.
"Stelle seems pretty happy, though," Welt remarked.
"Yup, who'd mind sharing a room with a cute girl?" Stelle squinted. Sleeping in March 7th's room was pure bliss—pillow fights every night!
"Adrian's been crashing on the sofa. We didn't plan well," Welt added.
"No big deal. Staying in the observation car is just to guard the Express better. What if a big enemy attacks, like the Swarm King or something…" Adrian said.
"No more! No bugs on the Express!" March 7th would rather face Fragmentum creatures than deal with creepy crawlies in the dark.
"Looks like Miss March hates bugs," Adrian noted.
"No worries, March. If a bug shows up, call me—I'll whack it!" Stelle brandished her baseball bat with righteous fervor.
"Great! Let's handle Passenger Stelle first. Navigator Himeko, ask our question, pom!" Pom-Pom said.
"I think the conductor should ask. It's more fitting," Himeko replied.
"…Ahem… Passenger Stelle, are you willing to join the Astral Express and become a [Nameless]?"
"I thought I already was."
After these past few days, Stelle already saw the Express crew as ride-or-die comrades.
"It's not that simple. You haven't passed [Uncle Yang's Eighteen Sentinels Formation] trial. How can you call yourself a true Nameless?" March 7th teased.
"Since March hasn't passed it either, I'll set it up. Tomorrow afternoon, you can tackle [Uncle Yang's Eighteen Sentinels Formation]," Welt said.
"Then I'll call in backup!" March 7th shot pleading looks at Dan Heng and Adrian.
"How about trying the [Dan-Yan Eight Gates Formation] that Dan Heng and I worked on? Brand new!" Adrian suggested.
"Can't you pick a better name?" Dan Heng said, half-joking.
"Then [Cold-Faced Black Dragon Eight Gates Formation]!"
"…Stick with the first one," Dan Heng sighed, done with the naming.
"Becoming a Nameless means your responsibilities will far outweigh your gains. You'll venture into unknown worlds, choose to Trailblaze the future, and maintain a peaceful, friendly heart. Even so, do you still want to be a Nameless?" Himeko asked.
"Gotta join the Nameless!"
If she didn't, Stelle figured she'd spend her life stuck on Herta's space station.
"Since she's made her choice, everyone, form a circle for the new member's initiation ceremony, pom!" Pom-Pom declared.
"There's a ceremony? Did you go through it?" Stelle asked Adrian.
"Passenger Adrian was a Nameless before, so no ceremony needed, pom!" Pom-Pom explained.
"Whoa… a second-time rider!" Stelle exclaimed.
As Pom-Pom instructed, everyone formed a circle.
"Forget that for now. Passenger Stelle, are you ready to accept the Nameless initiation ceremony, pom?"
"Ready as I'll ever be!"
"That's the spirit, pom! Now, recite the Trailblazer's Creed with me."
"Huh?"
Stelle froze, suddenly too shy to speak.
"Too embarrassing. I'm not doing it."
"This…" Pom-Pom looked thunderstruck, puffing up its cheeks. "What's embarrassing about it? The ceremony's important, pom!"
"See? Told you everyone finds it cringey!" March 7th said.
"Let's scrap this part," Dan Heng suggested.
"No way! It's the Trailblazer's tradition—our ancestors' law can't change, pom!" Pom-Pom protested.
"Hm, cancel it," Navigator Himeko declared.
"I think the creed's kinda cool," Adrian said, shaking his head with a sigh. Swearing oaths had a real sense of ceremony—Akivili's legacy shouldn't be altered.
Back in the day, he and Akivili crafted that creed together…
"Sorry, Conductor. They've got four votes—we're the minority," Welt said, siding with Adrian.
"Fine, the conductor respects the majority vote, pom… But no matter what, Passenger Stelle, welcome to the Nameless!"
"Now, back to the original topic… Stelle and Adrian, as Nameless of the Astral Express, you deserve your own rooms."
"Exactly! Letting Passenger Adrian sleep on the sofa breaks Pom-Pom's heart! Now, both passengers finally have a place to call home—Pom-Pom's so relieved!"
"Once upon a time, I had my own car. Due to some… accidents, they've returned to the cosmos's embrace," Adrian said.
That jerk Aha. Adrian's car could've been spared, but THEY just had to blow up one more.
"The Express today has far fewer cars than before. The [Passenger Car] only has four rooms—strictly speaking, three. Dan Heng even sleeps in the archives," Himeko said.
"No complaints here," Dan Heng said. He was fine with the sofa too.
"Let's buy another car! Or I can bunk with someone," Stelle offered.
"Yeah, the sofa's comfy enough," Adrian added.
"But the observation car's for receiving guests!" Himeko pointed out.
"No one's visiting the Express in the middle of the night, right…?" March 7th whispered to Pom-Pom.
"Not unreasonable, Passenger March 7th. But rules are rules—ancestors' law can't change, pom! The observation car's not a bed unless it's an emergency."
"Sigh, guess I'll have to shack up with the train's engine," Adrian said, hanging his head.
"Get serious, pom!"