The Beautiful and Kind Miss Robin

Was there anyone in this galaxy who could go online and didn't know Robin?

She was the brightest rising star in the universe, the eldest daughter of the Penacony Family. When Jingxing studied modern multidisciplinary art cases at school, he had even analyzed the stage design from her debut performance.

But the question was—why was this superstar in a refugee camp on the edge of a battlefield?

Jingxing discreetly glanced around. The notebook on the table had frayed edges, and it looked as though Robin was the central figure in this camp.

Her sleeves were rolled up to her forearms, and there were medicine stains on the white fabric that could no longer be washed out. The tent smelled not of perfume, but disinfectant. She looked rather different from the glamorous figure on the posters.

While Jingxing was still taking in the scene before him, Robin put down her pen and raised her head.

Her gaze fell on Jingxing's face. There was no wariness toward a stranger, nor any aloof sense of distance. Her gaze was so calm that Jingxing unconsciously straightened his back.

"Please, sit." Robin's voice was as pleasant as it was on her CDs. Those two simple words alone stirred his heart for a moment.

Jingxing walked over and sat down in the folding chair across from her. The chair legs scraped against the ground with a faint creak.

Robin didn't question him right away. Instead, she looked toward the entrance. "Mr. Glenn."

The high-cheekboned man immediately responded, "I'm here, Miss Robin."

"Please tell me how you found him."

Glenn gave a concise account, then placed Jingxing's identification on the table. "His identity has also been confirmed. Just as he said, he's a citizen of the Klimt Constitutional Republic and a recent graduate."

Robin picked up Jingxing's student ID and opened it for a look. A hint of surprise flashed in her eyes. "A double degree, too? That's impressive, Mr. Jingxing."

"But you really were lucky." She looked at Jingxing and smiled. "If you had appeared two kilometers farther south, you would most likely have landed in a minefield."

The corner of Jingxing's mouth twitched. The first thing that came to mind was Yaoguang's smiling face from a few hours ago.

I'll give you an opportunity.

An opportunity? An opportunity that nearly sent me sky-high?

He suddenly felt that the Xianzhou general's words were somewhat unreliable.

Robin picked up an enamel mug and took a sip. "So, Mr. Jingxing, why did you appear here?"

Jingxing looked into Robin's eyes. For some reason, he felt that telling the truth was the best choice.

So he spread his hands. "I don't know either. I was supposed to take a spaceship to another star system to gather inspiration, but everything suddenly went black. When I woke up, I was here. Do you believe me?"

At the entrance, Glenn's gaze immediately sharpened. He didn't believe it.

Jingxing caught sight of this out of the corner of his eye and couldn't help sighing inwardly.

As expected, no normal person would believe me, right?

Yet Robin showed no sign of doubt. Instead, she nodded thoughtfully. "I don't sense any signs that you're lying."

Isn't this girl a little too accepting?

Robin suddenly stood up, and Jingxing unconsciously rose with her.

But the next second, Robin leaned forward slightly and reached out, pressing a hand on his shoulder. "Sit down."

What a strong grip... Jingxing grumbled inwardly as he was pressed back into his seat. Are all Halovians this strong?

Robin closed her eyes, and the tent fell quiet again. The occasional footsteps and laughter of children drifted in from outside.

Jingxing watched Robin and suddenly felt the air around him begin to vibrate, tingling as though it had turned into a massager.

He unconsciously held his breath as the vibrations slowly swept over his body, as though someone had run a massager over him.

A few seconds later, Robin opened her eyes and spoke with certainty. "You really weren't lying."

Jingxing finally couldn't help asking, "What was that just now? A Path ability?"

A Path was a part of Imaginary Energy, a metaphysical aggregation of spirit. Once certain conditions were met, that portion of Imaginary Energy would be entirely claimed by an intelligent being. That being was called an Aeon, and the energy they possessed was called a Path. Mortals who stepped onto one were Pathstriders.

Given Robin's background—the Family of Penacony was a faction that followed the Path of Harmony—Jingxing suspected she had just used an ability from the Path of Harmony.

Robin sat back down, the gentle smile still on her face.

"You could say that." She made no attempt to hide it. "Everyone has a melody of their own when they speak. Their emotions affect that melody, so I can tell whether they're lying."

Robin looked at Jingxing. "I'm glad you chose to be honest with me, Mr. Jingxing."

The second half of what Yaoguang had said before leaving flashed through Jingxing's mind: stay away from anyone on the Path of Harmony you meet in the future.

At the time, he had thought she was just being mysterious. Now he finally understood.

Pathstriders are scary. If only I could step onto a Path too.

Robin picked up the register on the table. "Do you have any food in your luggage?"

"No."

"Medicine?"

"No."

"Weapons?"

Jingxing set his suitcase beside the table and undid the latches. Inside, all kinds of art supplies and a few changes of clothes were neatly arranged.

"That's all."

Robin glanced down, then instructed, "Mr. Glenn, please arrange a place for him to stay. One tent, one sleeping bag, and two extra strips of water purification tablets."

Glenn was visibly taken aback. "Miss, the camp has been over capacity for a long time. If we take in more people now..."

"The strong aid the weak, and the living are protected with our lives." Robin cut him off. "That is the Family's iron rule. I'm in charge of the camp now, not Interastral Peace Entertainment, am I not? If you object, I don't mind if you report what's happening here to your superior."

Though her tone remained gentle, she left Glenn no room for ambiguity.

Glenn was silent for a few seconds before finally nodding. "...I understand. Once we return to headquarters, I'll report this to my superiors."

Then he turned to Jingxing. "Come with me, lucky kid."

Jingxing picked up his suitcase, ready to go to the place where his tent would be set up.

Before leaving, he couldn't resist looking back. Robin had already lowered her head again and resumed sorting through the camp register.

There were no stage lights, no applause, and no atmosphere that could put anyone at ease, yet for some reason, Jingxing found Robin more captivating now than she looked on any poster.

What a beautiful and kind lady.