"The Great Guardian was talking to us, but her eyes seemed fixed on something far away… as if there were more than just us in the room."
"What, you think she spotted Adrian?"
"An [Emanator]'s imaginary energy is a reasonable guess. But I'm more inclined to think it's the Stellaron Core. Don't forget the main reason we came to this planet," Dan Heng said, sipping the hot tea brought by a server as he analyzed the situation.
"Maybe I'm overthinking it. She promised to help us, so I hope she keeps her word…"
"If she goes back on it, we might wake up tomorrow as wanted criminals. Worst case, the whole city's after us."
Since this was Stelle's first Trailblaze mission, Dan Heng shared some past experiences.
"As March puts it, every three worlds… we end up as prisoners at least once."
Stelle nodded thoughtfully. "Teacher Dan Heng makes sense. How about…"
"Hey, hey! We're back from our stroll!"
A familiar voice rang out as March 7th bounced into the room, Adrian trailing behind her, carrying a huge bag of souvenirs and snacks.
"March, you bought that much?" Dan Heng said, sweatdropping, but before he could continue, March 7th shoved an energy drink into his hands.
"Don't judge a book by its cover! Adrian bought all this!"
"What?"
Dan Heng and Stelle turned, their gazes locking onto Adrian.
"You can't judge a person by their looks. Adrian's usually so frugal, but when he splurges, it's this extravagant?"
"I promised a certain shop owner I'd bring back some local specialties," Adrian replied honestly. Getting alien products onto the shelves of the [Sleepless Earl] Teahouse could be considered a step toward interplanetary diplomacy.
Stelle rubbed her hands together, eagerly untying the plastic bag to peek inside.
"So many sausages… and what's this lump?"
"Rock-roasted salamander and fried rock crab. High-quality protein. Wanna try some?"
"Nah, I'm on a diet lately," Stelle said, waving off the food Adrian offered.
"Didn't you just say, 'A bowl of porridge, a grain of rice—think of how hard it is to come by'?" Dan Heng called her out. In a world that's endured a century of eternal frost, having food—especially seafood—was a luxury.
"Sorry, I apologize to the food," Stelle said, owning up to her mistake promptly.
With everyone gathered, there was no need to linger in the hotel lobby. They had four rooms, but the group converged in Stelle's room to discuss matters.
After confirming there were no listening devices, Dan Heng shared his suspicions with Adrian and March 7th.
"Ugh, I think you're overthinking it. Get a good night's sleep, and by noon tomorrow, the Great Guardian will send someone to escort us to Qlipoth Fort to discuss plans for dealing with the Stellaron Core. This time, Adrian, you're coming with us, right?"
"Depends. No one can predict whether tomorrow or an accident will come first."
"Hey, hey, hey! Don't jinx it at a time like this!"
March 7th had hoped this [Trailblaze] journey would be smoother, but then she remembered—it had been three missions since their last time being wanted.
Adrian stored the bag of specialties in his system space and shared his thoughts. "Dan Heng's suspicions are reasonable. We're newcomers here, and our information is incomplete… How about hearing my suggestion?"
"What is it?"
"Instinct doesn't lie. Sometimes, what you fear is exactly what's about to happen."
"If Dan Heng's theory is correct, we should take action tonight. For example…"
"Stay behind the scenes. By tomorrow morning, the truth will reveal itself."
"No way, you're saying we have to get up in the middle of the night and sneak off to hide somewhere?"
"One must always be wary of others. I support this plan," Dan Heng said, turning to March 7th. "I can keep watch tonight."
Stelle chimed in, "I'm fine with it."
All three pairs of eyes turned to March 7th. She lowered her head, a sigh escaping her lips. "Ugh, what a shame. I was hoping we could have a pillow fight."
March 7th hugged her pillow, letting out another sigh—this time echoed by Adrian.
"Sigh, Teacher Dan Heng's got it all wrong. Do you think I'm just for show? Why waste energy staying up all night? It's bad for your health."
He'd just said the same thing to Silver Wolf not long ago.
"Let me show you the divine might of [Eternity]!"
As his words fell, three streaks of purple-black energy, like serpentine streams, flowed from Adrian's eyes, shimmering with an eerie glow.
They traced strange arcs through the air before swiftly burrowing into Dan Heng, Stelle, and March 7th's bodies.
"Whoa, what's that?!" March 7th yelped, frantically checking herself.
"A blessing from [Eternity]: Beneath the veil of the world… I grant you absolute safety and concealment."
A little chuuni flair now and then was quite satisfying.
"Why'd you suddenly go all chuuni? Your cool persona's collapsing, Teacher Adrian," Stelle said, patting his shoulder. In her eyes, Adrian was supposed to be the aloof type.
Unlike Dan Heng, who rarely spoke and spent most of his time in the archives, Adrian was barely around—but send him a message, and he'd teleport to your face the next second.
"Just a whim. Doesn't it sound cool?"
March 7th carefully examined her body but felt no different. "Huh? I don't feel any changes. It's the same as usual."
"Miss March, you don't understand. We of [Eternity] handle things with efficiency and ease. Even an Aeon's blessing… won't cause you any discomfort."
"Ohh, I see… Wait, if we don't have to sneak off in the middle of the night, does that mean we can have that pillow fight after all?"
Dan Heng and Adrian nodded.
"Awesome! Stelle, let's play!" March 7th grabbed a pillow excitedly, burying her face in it.
"So soft and fluffy! The mattress is comfy too! These hotel pillows must be goose down!" Having stayed in countless inns, March 7th gave the Goethe Hotel an 8/10.
Seeing March 7th's radiant smile, Adrian's lips curved upward, a soft warmth flickering in his eyes.
He let the joy spread through the air. Beside him, Dan Heng was recalling the move Adrian had just used.
"That power… it feels familiar."
Dan Heng had a sudden realization. Back on that spaceship, when Bishop Blake appeared, he'd sensed this faint energy.
It seemed all [Eternity] Emanators shared this ability.
"Invisibility's a great skill… Wait, does that mean no one can see us now?" Stelle suddenly realized the implication.
"Don't worry. We're not in danger right now. You could even go to the Golden Theater to catch a show—no problem at all."
Stelle looked disappointed. "What a shame. I can't sneak into the Great Guardian's bedroom at night now."
Adrian: ???
"What are you talking about?" He couldn't follow. What was this kid thinking about all day?
"No, no! You and Dan Heng both think there's something off about her, right? I'm saying, why not sneak into Qlipoth Fort in the dead of night to investigate?"