"Ugh, what a letdown!"
March 7th looked thoroughly upset.
She hadn't managed to trick a single companion into standing with her to challenge the limits.
When they arrived at the passenger cabin,
Liuge, March 7th, and Stelle found that Dan Heng, Himeko, and Welt had already been there for some time.
Dan Heng sat on the sofa, reading a book with a dark green cover. Welt was looking at his phone, though no one knew what he was reading; his expression changed drastically from time to time. As for Himeko, she was brewing coffee and smiling as she watched the three of them arrive.
"You three are here. Hurry and take your seats. The train is about to warp to its next destination."
"That's right, Pom!"
Pom-Pom walked over at that moment, but his gaze immediately settled on March 7th.
"Passenger March 7th, please make sure you sit down this time. Every time you stand during a warp, you're the one who suffers, Pom!"
Pom-Pom's little expression made him look like a worried mother fretting over her foolish child getting hurt.
"Hehe, I still want to challenge myself this time!"
"Do whatever you want, Pom!"
Pom-Pom knew he couldn't persuade this foolish child. He helplessly shook his head and looked at Stelle and Liuge.
"Then you two should quickly find seats! The train is about to warp!"
After everyone had taken their seats, March 7th alone stood in the middle of the passenger cabin, bracing herself. Then the entire Astral Express began to emit a rainbow-like glow.
The next instant, Liuge saw the universe outside the cabin turn into streaks of black light and shadow.
In the blink of an eye, the train reappeared in space.
However, Liuge's attention was drawn to the scenery outside the cabin.
It was an enormous planet. Pure white covered ninety percent of its surface, with only tiny patches of blue visible. From afar, it looked as beautiful as a pure white snowball.
"According to the train's records, this is a planet called Jarilo-VI. It used to be one of the Astral Express's stops."
Himeko looked at the planet and recalled the information.
"However, according to the records, this planet shouldn't look like this."
Himeko looked at the snowy white planet in confusion.
"Could it be... I mean, is it possible that what caused this planet to become like this was also a Stellaron?"
Liuge spoke up at that moment.
If things continued according to the original plot, the explanation would probably take a long time.
"That isn't impossible. But before reaching a conclusion, we shouldn't make hasty judgments."
Welt stepped forward, looked at the planet, and adjusted his glasses.
"Um, rather than discussing it here, shouldn't we go investigate it ourselves?"
March 7th raised her hand from the back and suggested it.
The moment she finished speaking, everyone turned to look at her. Even Dan Heng seemed a little surprised.
"W-What's wrong?"
Seeing everyone looking at her like that, March 7th thought she had said something wrong. She shrank back slightly, looking confused.
"March, your suggestion is excellent. Rather than discussing it here, why not go and take a direct look?"
Himeko praised her.
"Perfect timing. There are new passengers aboard the train, so you and Dan Heng can take them along to investigate. Treat this as a Trailblaze mission."
Welt said the same.
"Huh, just the four of us?"
March 7th looked at Himeko and Welt, somewhat dazed.
"That's right, just you four. Welt and I will remain here as your support and wait for your return."
"So basically, you're slacking off!"
Liuge chimed in at just the right moment.
This made Himeko and Welt turn their gazes toward him.
Liuge merely shrugged indifferently.
He had been stuck on the train long enough. If he didn't get out and move around soon, Liuge felt like his body was going to grow mold.
"Then let's go!"
Stelle looked at everyone and spoke.
Stelle had also been feeling restless these past two days. Although her relationship with March 7th had improved by leaps and bounds, that puppet lady kept messaging her every day, asking her to test something in the Simulated Universe. It was seriously annoying.
She had only just left with the train. Even if she went back, it would take some time, right?
So instead of irritably replying to those messages, Stelle felt that she should check out what was going on with this planet and relieve some stress.
"Go, go, go!!!"
March 7th pushed Dan Heng from behind and led Stelle and Liuge into the train's teleportation chamber.
As light flashed, the four of them vanished from the Astral Express's teleportation chamber.
Watching the young people brimming with energy, Welt adjusted his glasses.
Just now, he seemed to have seen a few familiar figures flash past them, and he couldn't help feeling nostalgic.
"I really am getting old! I've actually started reminiscing!"
Welt said with a sigh.
"What's wrong? This is the first time I've heard you talk about yourself like that."
Hearing this, Himeko glanced at Welt, then smiled and asked.
"It's nothing. I just saw traces of some children in these kids. It made me realize that I'm getting on in years too."
"That really does sound like something an older person would say!"
Himeko smiled, though she did not agree that she herself was getting old.
"Alright, let's watch from here and see how the kids investigate this matter!"
"That's true!"
As they spoke, Welt and Himeko sat on the sofa and watched the live footage appearing before them, showing Liuge and the others...
Honey, Say Something!
Pale snow covered the ground, and cold winds swept over the ridges, bringing waves of chill.
At that moment, the four people who had appeared in the pale valley were slowly walking through this unfamiliar land.
"Whew, it really is a little cold!"
March 7th rubbed her arms, looking displeased.
"Who told you to wear a short skirt when you knew we were coming to a planet covered in ice and snow? Sure, it's nice to look at, but you should still be careful! It'll be troublesome if you end up with bad knees when you're old!"
Liuge glanced at March 7th's fair legs and teased her.
"How was I supposed to know it would be this cold? Besides, Stelle is wearing a short skirt too, okay? Why aren't you saying anything about her?"
March 7th pointed unhappily at Stelle, who was awkwardly scratching her face.
Was that really the point? Shouldn't you be asking why he was staring at your thighs?
Dan Heng said nothing from the side, but he thought to himself.
"Let me ask you a question."
Liuge looked at March 7th and spoke.
"Go ahead?"
"Your Path is Preservation, right?"
"Yeah!"
"And your power attribute is Ice, right?"
"Mm!"
March 7th found it strange that Liuge would ask such common-knowledge questions.
"Then why is it that you, someone who uses Ice powers and follows the Path of Preservation, feel cold, while Stelle, who follows the Path of Destruction, doesn't?"
"Uh..."
In an instant, a blush appeared on March 7th's face.
She seemed to realize that it was embarrassing for someone who used Ice powers to complain about being cold.
But Dan Heng merely glanced at March 7th and let out an almost imperceptible sigh.
He really wanted to say that feeling cold had absolutely nothing to do with one's Path or power attribute. It was purely a matter of individual physical sensitivity.
But March 7th's little brain couldn't process it that quickly, and Liuge had completely talked her in circles.
Stelle wanted to laugh as she listened from the side, but she forcibly held it in.
And so, the group walked through the snowy white valley for over an hour. Throughout that hour, Liuge's question kept repeating in March 7th's head.
Then, after climbing a certain slope, she slipped and fell. Her palm touched the icy snow, and she jolted before finally realizing something.
"Wait, what does that have to do with what kind of power I use or what Path I follow?!"
"..."
March 7th's sudden shout made the other three fall silent.
Then Liuge and Stelle looked at each other.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!"
The two of them laughed themselves silly. Even the corners of Dan Heng's mouth were turning upward.
"You... You already knew the answer to that question, didn't you?!"
March 7th glared angrily at them, especially Liuge.
"I think Dan Heng and Stelle probably figured it out the moment I asked the question!"
As Liuge spoke, he looked at Stelle and Dan Heng. Both nodded in unison.
"..."
March 7th instantly fell silent.
Then she became a little withdrawn.
Seeing her like that, Liuge smiled and pinched her cheek before speaking.
"That's why, March! Read some books when you have time. It'll do you good!"
Dan Heng, standing nearby, nodded in agreement.
"Hey, how can you just pinch a beautiful girl's cheek whenever you want?!"
March 7th slapped Liuge's hand away and complained unhappily.
"Little March is just too cute. I couldn't resist pinching her!"
"You know, I sometimes feel the same way!"
Stelle chimed in from the side.
Hearing that, Liuge and Stelle looked at each other, raised their hands with perfect coordination, and high-fived.
As expected of kindred spirits—they even shared the same interests!
"You two!"
Before you continue