Variable? Constant?

At a space station section, a black train car sat securely docked alongside it. The door hissed open, and a pink figure was the first to run out.

"It's been a while, but the space station still looks the same." The pink-haired girl pouted, sounding a little dissatisfied. "Too bad Dan Heng didn't come. Otherwise, with our train trio here, a mere Simulated Universe wouldn't even be worth my attention."

"Oh, you and your big talk," the gray-haired girl couldn't help teasing. "If something happens in there later, don't go crying, okay?"

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean? My martial arts are unparalleled now, and my swordsmanship is first-rate. I learned everything from my two masters, Yanqing and Yunli."

The pink-haired girl clenched her little fists, eager to show what she could do, but an enthusiastic voice interrupted her.

"Trailblazer, Miss March 7th, you're here!" Having arranged the train's docking, Asta walked over to the two guests.

She glanced at the two of them, then looked behind them and asked in confusion:

"Why are there only two of you? Where are Dan Heng and Ms. Himeko? And what about adorable Pom-Pom? Didn't he come either?"

"After everything on the Xianzhou Luofu was settled, Dan Heng took the chance to update the data bank." March 7th spread her hands. "As for Himeko... she's always busy, and the Conductor can't leave the train, so it's just us."

"Ahem—"

March 7th cleared her throat twice for effect, planted her hands on her hips, and said confidently:

"But with the two of us handling it, this test will be a piece of cake."

Stelle: "Pfft—"

March 7th rolled her eyes at Stelle, thoroughly displeased. "Hey, what's so funny!?"

"All right, all right, I'll take you to Herta first." Asta smiled helplessly, intervening before the two could continue bickering.

March 7th followed Asta, peppering her with questions about the interesting things that had happened on the space station lately.

How was Peppy?

Had Ms. Herta come to the space station?

When would the space station upgrade the train's equipment too? The next time they encountered a True Sting, a barrage of firepower would make even the Aeon of Propagation afraid.

The other Trailblazer we knew so well followed silently behind them, taking a square metal block with a silvery-white sheen from her pocket.

She recalled what had happened not long ago.

"Trailblazer, Kafka asked me to give you this." A virtual girl in cyberpunk-style clothes held out a square object.

Stelle found it strange. How had Silver Wolf gotten onto the Astral Express, and in the form of a projection, no less?

She was about to ask, but Silver Wolf seemed to know what she wanted to ask before she could speak.

"Kafka said you'd definitely ask what this is. Actually, I don't know either." Silver Wolf shook her head. "She only told me it's a variable in the script, and that you can turn this variable into a constant, ensuring the script proceeds as normal."

"Oh, right, you almost made me forget. Give this thing to that variable, and that'll take care of it."

Silver Wolf waved, her virtual body gradually beginning to distort. "My job's done, so I'm off to play games."

"But honestly, Kafka didn't give me any clues or even say what that variable is."

Halfway through Silver Wolf's sentence, the signal began to grow unstable. Whether it was because the distance was too great or for some other reason, a broken voice came from the other end: "What... accounts... over a hundred banned?"

Hiss—

The signal cut out.

Stelle examined the silver metal block in her hand. It felt indescribably warm and smooth to the touch, and the sheen flashing across its surface was a little dazzling.

Variable?

Constant?

She didn't understand what those two words meant either, but since it was from Kafka, there had to be some reason for it.

There probably was, right?

Hmm—

Stelle nodded inwardly, accepting the important task.

Back at the space station, our Stelle had brought the metal block along by coincidence when she set out.

Since she'd brought it, she could only keep it safe for now.

Everything else could wait until the Simulated Universe test was over.

Stelle wiped a small smudge off the metal's surface. The block seemed to sense something and trembled slightly, but she quickly put it away without noticing anything unusual.

"Hey! You two, wait for me!"

"Who told you to dawdle? Besides, you've been here so many times. Don't tell me you can't even find your way."

"It's all right, Miss March. Let's wait for the Trailblazer. Herta is still making preparations too, so there's no need to rush."

March 7th chattered away, her camera never stopping as she snapped pictures left and right, eager to capture the entire space station.

"Asta, where's Arlan? And Peppy?" March 7th took another photo she considered perfect, then stopped and looked around, asking in confusion.

"Arlan's out on patrol. As for Peppy... he's playing with Ms. Ruan Mei's new creation." Asta tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, the smile on her face somewhat unnatural. "It might be a little... inconvenient to go looking for Peppy right now."

"Why would it be inconvenient? We've played with Peppy before." March 7th's eyes lit up the moment she heard about the new creation.

"And Ms. Ruan Mei actually made something new! I have to take a good look at what little thing it is this time."

"Could it be another Cat Cake?"

When Asta nodded, March 7th began rubbing her hands together. "Hehe, the Astral Express Crew's Cat Cakes are already a complete set. I want to see what this one looks like. Asta, let's go take a look! Never mind that blockhead for now."

March 7th took Asta's hand and ran off in one direction.

Of course, that wasn't the direction Peppy was in, but before Asta could react, March 7th had already dragged her along.

Halfway there, March 7th stopped and made the classic Peko-chan face to cover her embarrassment. "Um, where was Peppy again?"

Asta smiled helplessly. She knew how March 7th did things, so she thought nothing of it. She let go of her hand and said with a smile:

"There's no need to hurry, Miss March. Peppy will be so happy to see you."

As she spoke, she walked ahead of March 7th to lead the way. "I have to tell you, I can hardly believe how well Peppy gets along with that little one, and..."

"Hurry up, Asta! I can't wait anymore."

"All right, don't rush... Hey, hey, hey, not that way! You're going the wrong way again."

In the distance, Stelle watched the headlong March 7th and pouted. Back on the train, she'd said the family should stick together through everything, but now she'd left Stelle here without a thought.

"Whatever. I'll catch up with them first."

"Good thing I was born on the space station. I know this place as well as I know my daily routine of rummaging through trash cans."

Stelle nodded solemnly, then looked around and immediately picked a direction.

"Asta, March, wait for me!"