The afterglow of the sunset reflected on Lumine's face. Golden brilliance added a bit of splendor to her pupils, like the brightest stars in the night sky.
Her tone carried a bit of expectation and nervousness.
Lumine pursed her lips gently, a trace of uneasiness in her eyes. Finally, she summoned up the courage to continue: "Are you willing to go to Liyue with me?"
Her voice wasn't loud, but it revealed determination and longing.
"...With you by my side, it's really so much easier."
"I can do whatever you want, as long as I can act with you!"
Lumine's tone carried a bit of urgency and coquetry, as if afraid Kael would refuse.
She even shook Kael's sleeve gently, her face full of expectation.
Beside her, Paimon also leaned in, looking at Kael with starry eyes: "Right, right! Kael, we are looking forward to your decision!"
"You are also from another world. Traveling with us would be very convenient."
Silence fell around them. Only the gentle sound of the breeze blowing the leaves, and the elongated shadows under the sunset.
The air seemed to freeze at this moment.
Paimon's heartbeat unconsciously accelerated.
Lumine stared at Kael nervously. Her expectant gaze carried a bit of apprehension, while Paimon held her breath beside her, afraid Kael would refuse.
For them, Kael's existence not only meant a easier journey but also brought a sense of peace of mind.
The various magical abilities mastered by Kael had proven powerful and reliable during this time.
With Kael accompanying them, Lumine and Paimon felt this trip to Liyue would definitely be much smoother.
Beside them, Fischl and Klee were also stunned by Lumine's words, subconsciously looking at Kael.
Especially Fischl, whose eyes held some panic.
At this moment, Kael.
Looking at the virtual panel appearing in front of him, he narrowed his eyes gently.
[You helped the Nameless of the Astral Express in Belobog, assisting the Trailblazer to successfully seal the Stellaron.]
[But all good things must come to an end. After the Trailblazer stayed in Belobog for half a month, Belobog's order was fully restored. The Underworld and Overworld are unimpeded and open to each other. The Astral Express decided it was time to leave.]
[Before leaving, the Trailblazer thought of the reliable you and decided to invite you to board the Express and become a Nameless.]
[Facing the Trailblazer's invitation, you choose...]
[ OPTION 1: CHASE DREAMS WITH THE STARS ]
You will accept the Trailblazer's invitation, board the Astral Express, and become a member of the Nameless. You will travel through the galaxy with companions who inherit the Trailblaze Will, advancing along the path once taken by an Aeon. New civilizations, new partners, unknown encounters—between countless bizarre worlds, you will embark on an unprecedented adventure. All the answers you want to know will be found under the guidance of the stars.
Reward: [Path of The Trailblaze].
Effect: The Path of The Trailblaze will open for you. You will step onto the Trailblaze Path and become a true Pathstrider!
[ OPTION 2: LIVE AND WORK IN PEACE ]
Although you want to accept the invitation, you are tired of the wandering adventure life. Belobog's crisis has been lifted. You have your own connections in both the Upper and Lower Districts. Now that Belobog is orderly, and life is stable and comfortable, why wander? Becoming a leader of the Underworld, sitting on status and enjoying food, is far more comfortable than interstellar wandering. Instead of exploring the unknown world, it's better to be a boss behind the scenes with peace of mind and live a leisurely life of slacking off every day.
Reward: [Shadow of Destruction].
Description: A mental projection generated after the Trailblazer stepped on the Destruction Path, one of infinite possibilities. Upon use, you can instantly become a temporary Walker on the Destruction Path, mobilizing the power of Destruction, but there is also an unbearable price.
[ OPTION 3: BECOME AN EXPRESS PARTNER ]
You choose not to board the Astral Express, but this does not mean you will not walk with them. You reached an agreement with the Trailblazer to become their ground contact in Belobog. Perhaps in future journeys, they can still obtain important intelligence through your help, or even let the Astral Express give you a ride at specific moments. You are not a member of the Nameless, but you are still their most reliable ally. When their journey needs assistance, you will lend a hand, and when you need support, they will also respond to your call.
Reward: [Nameless's Memory Bubble].
Description: Records the dream of the fallen Aeon Akivili.
Looking at the appearance of the three options, Kael took a deep breath.
The reward of the Path finally appeared.
Trailblaze Path.
A true Walker walking on the Path.
If he refused, he could become a temporary Destruction Path Walker, but with a price.
The third option was useless to him.
What use did he have for the dream bubble of the fallen Aeon Akivili?
Looking at Lumine, who was looking at him expectantly, Kael smiled faintly and nodded slowly. "I originally planned to go to Liyue too. Since it's on the way, let's go together."
A short sentence exploded in Lumine and Paimon's hearts like thunder.
"Great!"
Paimon spun excitedly in the air, clenching her small fists, cheering excitedly. "Kael is actually going to Liyue with us! The journey will definitely be super easy now!"
Lumine's eyes also couldn't hide the surprise, the corner of her mouth rising uncontrollably into a big arc. "Then it's settled. We go to Liyue together!"
While the two were excited.
Beside them, Klee blinked, seemingly not reacting, staring blankly at Kael.
Then suddenly thinking of something, her face changed, spinning around anxiously. "Waaah! Big Brother Kael is leaving? Then... Then won't Klee have no big bombs to explode in the future?"
"Done for, done for. Can I only use ordinary ones?"
Klee muttered while counting her remaining bomb stock on her fingers.
She instantly became melancholic, falling into deep thought.
However, compared to Klee's entanglement, Fischl standing aside fell silent completely.
Her purple pupil flickered slightly, staring closely at Kael, a trace of dim light flashing in her eyes.
Kael... is leaving Mondstadt?
Her hand tightened slightly, wanting to say something.
But seeing Lumine and Paimon there, she swallowed those words abruptly.
She lowered her eyes, pursed her lips, complex emotions surging in her heart, and finally chose silence.
She knew now was not the time to speak, but...
She must find a chance to talk to Kael alone.
"Strange. I didn't get it."
While Kael looked at the happy Paimon and Lumine, he fell into deep thought.
I clearly agreed. Why haven't I received the reward yet?
Why wasn't this reward issued?
Could it be because I didn't board the Astral Express?
Just a verbal agreement?
Do I need to take actual action?
Or are there other factors?
Thinking about it, Kael stopped thinking about it and said, "Alright, alright, don't stand there. Back to Mondstadt. Hand in the task first, then eat."
Since he didn't get it temporarily, no rush. It would be soon anyway.
The reward wouldn't run away.
Hearing Kael's words, everyone packed up their moods and embarked on the return journey to Mondstadt.
Although some people had complicated moods.
But at this moment, everyone was still together.
Before long.
After Kael and the others returned to the Adventurers' Guild, they handed over the tasks and materials.
Then they took the waiting Barbara to Good Hunter.
"So, Kael, when do we leave?"
Good Hunter was still bustling. Candlelight flickered gently. The table was full of delicious Mondstadt specialties, and the air was filled with tempting aromas.
After ordering, Paimon looked at Kael and said quickly, "After all, if we don't go to Liyue on time, missing it means waiting a year. That's too exaggerated!"
"Ah?"
Barbara, who had just picked up her tea, froze abruptly upon hearing Paimon's words.
Leave?
Go to Liyue?
Kael is going to Liyue?
While Barbara was astonished, Lumine also spoke. "How about the day after tomorrow? Tomorrow we stay in Mondstadt for another day to pack up."
When Lumine spoke, Barbara sat at the table, her fingers gently stirring the hot soup in the bowl, barely maintaining a smile, but her mind was no longer on the food.
Her gaze fell on Kael from time to time.
Watching Lumine and Paimon discuss the itinerary happily.
She suddenly understood.
This gathering might be their last gathering in Mondstadt.
Kael was leaving too.
She learned it from the conversation between Paimon and Lumine.
Kael decided to leave Mondstadt, he just hadn't decided on the time.
Now they were agreeing on the time.
Thinking of this, Barbara's mood became extremely complicated.
She thought she could spend more time with Kael.
But she didn't expect the separation to come so quickly.
From the first acquaintance to getting along these days, she originally just harbored gratitude.
But as time passed, she gradually got used to Kael's existence.
Whether performing tasks together, waiting for his return at the Adventurers' Guild, or these gatherings at Good Hunter.
She found that she had regarded Kael as a very important friend.
But now, this rare daily life was about to be broken.
"Barbara?"
Kael's voice pulled back her thoughts.
Only then did Barbara realize she had been staring at the soup bowl in a daze for a long time.
She shook her head quickly and whispered, "Ah... It's okay. I was just thinking that I have some Church affairs to handle tomorrow."
She deliberately made her voice sound lighter, not wanting Kael to detect her emotions.
Kael didn't think much of it and continued to discuss the specific departure time with Lumine. Thinking for a moment, he said, "Then let's set it for the day after tomorrow. Tomorrow, have a good stroll in Mondstadt and see if there are any supplies that need replenishing."
"Just right, I also need to go to Albedo's place."
Speaking of this, Kael was a bit speechless.
The alchemy storage equipment Albedo promised hadn't arrived yet.
"Yay!"
Hearing Kael's words, Paimon raised her hands, saying excitedly, "Then relax well tomorrow. Taste Mondstadt's last delicacies. Maybe we can't eat them in Liyue."
Lumine nodded and smiled. "En, then it's settled."
Just as Lumine said this.
In front of Kael, the virtual panel emerged abruptly.
Pale golden characters flashed quickly, like the inscription of fate, engraved word by word in the depths of his soul—
[Facing the Trailblazer's invitation, you chose to Chase Dreams with the Stars. Congratulations on obtaining Option Reward: Path of The Trailblaze!]
[The Trailblaze Path has opened for you. You will step on the journey of the Path and become a true Pathstrider!]
BOOM!
A vast and boundless invisible power descended from thin air.
Like the galaxy pouring down, the cosmic torrent surged, rushing into Kael's body mightily.
At this moment, Kael felt his body was being baptized. Bones, blood, muscles...
Even his soul was undergoing metamorphosis.
As if an indescribable mighty force was reshaping his existence.
Kael's five senses became extremely sharp, and his spiritual will was clearer than ever.
As if establishing a connection with some higher-dimensional existence.
At the same time, an indescribable vision slowly unfolded before his eyes.
It was a sky-reaching road spanning the firmament, seemingly existing and not.
It emerged in the universe, deep and mysterious, as if spanning countless worlds, constructing a trajectory belonging to Trailblaze.
Countless illusory figures walked on this road.
They stepped forward, exploring toward the unknown distance.
Every step seemed to be engraved with the will of the Trailblazer. Everyone was a pioneer in the long river of fate.
Kael stared blankly at this flashing picture.
He saw those figures walking alone or in groups.
They walked on the Trailblaze Path.
Some shuttled between the star seas, exploring the frontiers of new worlds; some climbed boundless high mountains, crossing the barriers of time.
Some ignited the fire of civilization in silent cosmic ruins.
They moved forward silently, but left indelible footprints on the road of the Path.
At this moment, he finally understood what "Trailblaze Path" meant.
To step on the Path, one must go to new worlds, explore unknown fields, and leave one's own footprints, in order to stride forward in this long river of fate.
Every new exploration would leave a brand on this Path, making one's own power stronger, making the trajectory of Trailblaze clearer!
This was a road full of infinite possibilities.
Kael took a deep breath.
Feeling the surging power in his body.
His spirit completely established a connection with this Path.
With a thought, he could lock onto the Anchors he had once set foot on.
He could even travel back and forth between these Anchors relying on the power of Trailblaze!
Kael slowly looked up, looking toward the end of the Path.
There was a void there, but it seemed to breed infinite possibilities, waiting for him to explore, to open up, to expand new chapters.
"Is this... the power of a Pathstrider?"
Kael murmured, revealing an unprecedented blazing light in his eyes.
This power...
Was stronger than he imagined, and more profound than he imagined.
Far beyond what Path Skills could compare to.
Only by stepping on the Path could one become a Walker of the Trailblaze Path.
While Kael felt the power of his own Trailblaze Path...
No one in Good Hunter noticed anything unusual.
At this time.
At the entire dining table, only Barbara and Fischl remained quiet, lowering their heads, smiling reluctantly.
Especially Barbara.
She wanted to speak, wanted to stay, but didn't know what reason to use.
After all, she couldn't stop their journey.
She also had no position to keep Kael.
Mood pressed heavily on her chest. Even she didn't know why it was so uncomfortable.
Clearly, they hadn't known each other for long...
But getting along these days made her feel a relaxation and joy she had never had before.
She liked this feeling, and liked the process of adventuring, chatting, and completing tasks with Kael.
But everything was about to end.
Barbara lowered her eyelashes and drank a mouthful of soup silently.
Although she tasted the delicious food in her mouth, she felt it was tasteless.
She didn't want everyone to notice her mood, forcibly maintaining a smile, trying hard to keep up with everyone's conversation.
But occasional silence still exposed her inner depression.
Perhaps she should be satisfied with this encounter instead of struggling with parting.
But she couldn't do it.
This meal, Barbara ate very slowly and uneasily.
She hoped time could pass slower.
But found that unknowingly, the food on the table was almost gone.
Lumine stretched and sighed with satisfaction. "I'm so full today."
Paimon also patted her small belly, smiling and saying, "Hehe, Good Hunter's food is still so delicious! Must come eat again tomorrow!"
Kael looked out the window and found the sky had gradually darkened.
The afterglow of the sunset spilled in through the window, shrouding the entire restaurant in a layer of pale gold brilliance.
Immediately he chuckled lightly. "Alright, today should end here. Let's go back first."
He still had to go back and test the power of the Trailblaze Path.