Star Rail: Single Draw Acheron at the Start - Chapter 8

Caelus looked out through the large glass, seeing an incredibly tall building standing at the end of the line, like a steel giant in the vast expanse of the universe. Upon closer inspection, he could see high walls along the sides of the structure, as if to prevent whatever was inside from escaping.

"I remember this used to be a prison. The exterior really does resemble one," March 7th said, standing beside Caelus. She immediately took out the blue camera she always kept clipped to her waist and started taking pictures. This was likely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and she intended to cherish it.

Caelus had no memory of such a place. He looked at the various vehicles surrounding the train. It was a true mishmash of transportation. The most numerous were the space battleship types, with rows of steel warships docked in space, exuding an imposing aura. Although Caelus didn't know what a Star Destroyer looked like, he felt that those battleships with their massive cannons must be the legendary Star Destroyers.

Star Destroyers, which were limited edition interstellar releases, were commonplace here. Those invited were all wealthy or influential. There were many large vessels, but even more small transport vehicles. Caelus also spotted a large yellow disc-shaped flying object with a person with a long tail standing on it. They didn't need a spacesuit to stand in the vacuum, indicating they were clearly an expert.

Long-tailed individuals were quite common among various races. Many more bizarre-looking aliens, who hadn't revealed themselves yet, were converging on Penacony in all sorts of strange vehicles for the Family's grand festival. Even before entering, one could feel the fervent atmosphere radiating towards them.

"It's not just the atmosphere that's hot, it's actually really hot," March 7th commented, tugging at her collar. Caelus stood on his tiptoes to look down, and March 7th immediately covered herself and glared at him. Caelus, the kid, simply put his hands behind his head and started whistling.

Just a few seconds after March 7th's complaint, a manta ray radiating sunlight flew past the front of the train. It was this creature that heated the area like a microwave as it passed by the train, causing some commotion among the surrounding vehicles.

"That's a rare species from Planet Sol, a Blazing Sun Fish. Only individuals of Prince caliber are qualified to ride it," Pom-Pom said, appearing beside March 7th at some point. Pom-Pom pointed at the departing manta ray with its round arms. March 7th and Caelus exchanged glances, suddenly feeling like nobodies in a famous movie scene. It seemed like a brick dropped here would hit someone important. Even claiming to be Herta's grandson would likely only make them a slightly bigger nobody, and they'd have to watch their step.

March 7th remained optimistic. She wasn't one to cause trouble and had no dealings with important figures, so she happily started taking pictures with her camera again.

As the shutter clicked, March 7th captured something pitch black. The object wriggled a couple of times, then quickly extended eight black tentacles. Eyes as large as searchlights lit up on its head. Five tentacles then coiled together, forming a human-like hand that gave March 7th an interstellar friendly gesture.

"Why is Mr. Octopus giving you the middle finger?" Caelus asked, confused. That octopus seemed to be the mount for some race. Judging by its ability to survive in a vacuum, its physical strength was definitely not inferior to that manta ray.

"I don't know," March 7th replied blankly. Just as she was pondering why, the train car door was knocked. Pom-Pom walked over with a wobbly gait and opened the door. The expected vacuum-sucking scene didn't occur; there was an isolation wall outside, separating the vacuum from the train car.

Standing outside the car was a short alien, less than a meter tall. He appeared to be male, with a single antenna extending from his head, topped with a fluffy sphere. He had a mustache above his lips and looked like a middle-aged man in his thirties, but his appearance was quite youthful.

"Hello, I am a navigator from Penacony. As you can see, I am a Pipissee. You can call me Gentleman," the Pipissee, who called himself Gentleman, said. His voice was transmitted into the train car in a special way. Pom-Pom opened the device that prevented entry, and Gentleman walked in with elegant steps.

"First, I'd like to welcome you to Penacony. You all seem to be here for the first time. Please show me your invitation," Gentleman said. He likely used some sort of prop for his spacewalk. His demeanor was very polite, and his speech was not off-putting. Pom-Pom was also friendly towards this person who was about its height and presented the invitation from the Family.

"The invitation is correct. However, you might not be aware of the rules here. Someone was taking pictures just now, right?" Gentleman nodded, returned the invitation to Pom-Pom, and then spoke again.

"Yes, that was me," March 7th said, raising her hand. She had been wondering about it earlier and hadn't expected to be confronted so quickly.

"This young lady photographed Mr. Tokkott, which greatly angered it. It was its reproductive organ that was captured. It demands compensation and for you to delete the photo." Gentleman pointed at the black octopus in the distance. March 7th's expression instantly became dramatic, like a clown in a circus changing faces, before finally turning ashen.

"Repro-reproductive organ..."

"If you are willing to compensate Mr. Tokkott with 88,888 Credits and delete the photos, it will not pursue the matter. Otherwise, you may have to meet in Penacony's court," Gentleman continued. More than feeling amused or exasperated, March 7th felt like countless strange quadrupeds were stampeding through her mind. Although the situation wasn't exactly like that, the narrative was that she, a beautiful young girl, was fined for secretly photographing someone's reproductive organ. This was the biggest stain on her life.

"We'll pay," Welt said immediately. As newcomers, he naturally didn't want the trailblaze crew to make enemies. Besides, the price wasn't considered expensive. The other party likely intended it as a warning rather than an extortion attempt; otherwise, the amount would surely be in the millions.

"Then please swipe your card here, and I will deliver it on your behalf," Gentleman said, producing a card reader. Welt decisively paid the Credits and, under Gentleman's watchful eye, deleted the photos from March 7th's camera, thus resolving the portrait rights dispute.

Chapter 21: You Must Be Starving

"According to calculations, you will have to queue here for 72 system hours to enter Penacony's spaceport. Sweet dreams," Gentleman said, bowing to the trailblaze crew. He left the train after delivering this message to attend to other matters. Meeting the navigator right after arriving made the money spent feel worthwhile.

"We were fined right after arriving. How can I have sweet dreams?" March 7th said with a dejected expression. Meanwhile, Caelus had already collapsed onto the ground, unable to contain his laughter. He clutched his stomach with one hand and pounded the ground forcefully with the other, tears of laughter streaming down his face.

"Hah, hahaha, secretly photographing its reproductive organ! March 7th, I think you're really starving." Caelus was gasping for air but still managed to enunciate clearly to provoke March 7th.

March 7th walked up to Caelus and stood still. When he looked up, he saw what was beneath March 7th's skirt. Although the white safety shorts clung tightly to her hips, they still revealed nothing.

"Why are you wearing safety shorts? They don't look good at all," Caelus quipped.

"Don't worry, you'll be seeing black soon."

March 7th clenched her fist. It was bad enough that she was having bad luck, but Caelus was also mocking her about it. Today, one of them had to go.

"Let's talk about this. I'm a minor, there are protective laws."

"There are laws on the planet, but not on the train!"

Without another word, March 7th lunged at Caelus. The two rolled on the ground and began wrestling, but they were only using playful strength. At most, a few strands of hair might come loose.

"Don't be sad, little March. It's not your fault to encounter something like this in a strange place, but be more careful next time."

Himeko came up to March 7th and Caelus and spoke. March 7th, who was still leaning on Caelus, let go when she heard Himeko's comforting words and then nodded dejectedly.

"You're so violent, you deserve to be single."

Caelus got up from the ground and dusted himself off. The train was actually very clean; Pom-Pom cleaned it every day, making it spotless, which was why he could roll around on the floor.

"Aren't you single too?" March 7th said, not convinced.

"Say that again while looking at the beautiful woman in my room?"

"We just happened to meet, just like I met you."

March 7th said indignantly. She didn't believe Caelus wasn't single right now. Acheron didn't seem like the type to fall in love; she always felt so cold.

"Since we have to wait three days, everyone can do as they please on the train."

Welt said with a smile, watching March 7th and Caelus bicker. He felt like he had aged a few years. Queuing up was common, and even those massive vehicles needed places to dock.

"Then I'm going back to my room to play games."

Caelus waved his hand and then darted off to another carriage, ready to live the life of a shut-in.

March 7th reached out to grab him but was too late. At the same time, she realized that she and Caelus always argued whenever they met. They had only known each other for less than a day, so where had her ladylike image gone? It must have been all Caelus's fault for not cherishing girls and always making her angry.

After returning to his room, Caelus took out his phone to play with it. He intended to greet Asta, but after typing just two words, he found Acheron walking in.

"What are you doing in my room?"

Acheron asked, confused. Caelus let go in astonishment, his phone falling onto his lap. Acheron's preemptive strike had completely stumped him. She had already said it all, so what could he say?

"Is it possible this is my room?"

Caelus finally spoke after a moment of silence. Acheron was about to say it was impossible, absolutely impossible, but then she remembered she hadn't counted the doors when she first arrived, and the doors to the carriages outside were very close together. For a moment, she fell silent.

"It doesn't matter, since you're here, we can pass the time talking together. What else would you be doing in your room?"

Caelus smiled and patted the seat next to him. If Acheron hadn't come, he would have gone to find her later anyway. Spending time alone was boring, but doing it together wouldn't be.

"Meditation."

Acheron replied simply. She sounded like an old person. Caelus, for one, couldn't accept meditation. The world was so beautiful; why waste life in a place like this?

"We have to queue for three days, we'll be bored to death."

"It's okay. If you hadn't brought me here, I might have walked for half a year to get here."

Acheron said in a calm tone. She was quite patient; she hadn't complained even when she couldn't find her way. Meeting Caelus and the crew of the train this time had been very convenient for her.

"That's a bit of an exaggeration. With your abilities, couldn't you just ask for directions to get here?"

Caelus quipped, but Acheron didn't reply, as if her weak spot had been hit. Thinking about it, how could she wander around the universe without any electronic devices? Even if someone told her the direction, could she reach it by walking in a straight line? Caelus realized this and could only stifle his laughter and remain silent.

PS, please collect, recommend, and vote monthly.

Chapter 22: Recognition from the Katana Wielder

"Want to play games together? I'll ask my aunt to let you join."

Caelus took out his phone and shook it, saying he thought games where you could directly enter with your consciousness were super fun and addictive.

"I don't know how to play."

Acheron said, her expression unperturbed. Caelus sighed. These older women were hard to please. How did he know Acheron was old? Look at March 7th; that's what a young girl should be like. The contrast was too stark.

Caelus found the TV remote and gave it to Acheron. If she wasn't going to play games, she could watch TV. Older people liked watching that.

On the wall opposite the sofa hung a 65-inch TV. He had to admit the living conditions on the train were excellent, and it was free to stay there, practically charity. But then again, people without some ability couldn't get on the train; they needed to have strong capabilities to enjoy such treatment.

Acheron turned on the TV and started changing channels. She didn't like watching idol dramas about space; instead, she was interested in commercials. Caelus watched TV with her and found her watching a lip gloss commercial filmed by a famous actor. The actor's name was Robin, a Ring-Bearer with wings below her ears and a ring on her head. The superstar's acting was naturally good, and she was also incredibly attractive. Caelus's mouth watered.

"If I could marry a woman like that, my life would be complete."

Caelus sighed after watching the commercial. Acheron was interested in the lip gloss in the commercial, while he was interested in the person filming it. But this was just talk; the universe was vast, how could he specifically go find a superstar to date?

Acheron remained silent. She and Caelus couldn't discuss finding a wife. They weren't buddies who could share their opinions on women, so she could only stay quiet.

"It seems I need to figure out how to use myself."

Caelus pondered, stroking his chin. Although he had lived a life of leisure and received an unlimited credit card from a rich woman on his first day of existence, he didn't want to degenerate like this. His greatest reliance was the Stellaron. As long as he could figure out some ways to enhance his combat power and make a name for himself, becoming a cosmic emperor wouldn't be just talk.

"How will you develop it?" Acheron asked curiously.

"I don't know. Normally, a Stellaron is one of the most powerful items in the mysterious realm. It might contain some system, and completing system tasks could grant rewards to become stronger. But I can't communicate with it, so I'll have to ask my mom and aunt."

Caelus said casually. This guess was actually baseless, originating from something in Silver Wolf's collection. Carrying a system with you; it felt like there weren't such good things in the world.

"Do you want me to teach you how to use a sword? If you can wield Mu well, you'll be unstoppable below the Aeons."

Acheron casually reached out, and a katana over two meters long, still in its sheath, appeared in Caelus's sight, lying horizontally between them.

"So this katana is called Mu. If I use your sword, what will you use?"

Caelus naturally grabbed the hilt and drew it out a little. The black blade was exceptionally shiny. He didn't know what material it was made of, but he felt it could cut through anything.

Acheron looked surprised. She hadn't expected Caelus to draw her prized sword so easily. The story of this sword was more exciting than Caelus's, and it contained terrifying power. Being able to draw it meant being able to use it. Her original intention was to find a similar sword for Caelus.

"I'm very strong even without a sword, and we'll probably be together often." Acheron said.

"Heh heh, are you proposing to me? That's not good, I'm still underage. I'll bring you to meet my mom another day."

Caelus's fair face flushed red at Acheron's direct words. Acheron's kindness was easily misinterpreted; her words sounded as if they were meant to be together for life, and Caelus felt he could accept that.

"?"

Acheron tilted her head, looking at Caelus in confusion, not understanding where his thoughts had wandered off to this time. However, she didn't offer an explanation, deciding some troubles were best left unaddressed.

After sheathing his katana, Caelus held it like a treasure, cradling it in his arms and slowly stroking the hilt with his fingers. Given the katana's length, Caelus's arm span wouldn't allow him to draw it completely, and neither could Acheron. This was why the secret she carried was worth investigating.

"Haa, haa, your katana, both the guard and the hilt are so cute, and the blue patterns are just the right amount of beautiful. Can I rub it against my face? Rubbing it against my face makes me feel calm."

As Caelus spoke, he began to rub the hilt against his cheek. Acheron's expression was one of slight bewilderment. Is he really a normal human? Did I misjudge him?

"Mu didn't refuse you. If it were anyone else doing this, Mu would have turned them into a mindless vegetable."

Acheron stared at Caelus for a moment. Seeing that he was completely unharmed, she couldn't help but speak. If he weren't special enough, he wouldn't have even had the chance to interact with Mu. Now, it seemed, not only did he have the chance, but a significant one.

"Is that so? A gentleman doesn't take what others love. Although it's very cute, it's still your sword. If I have the chance in the future, I'll definitely forge my own katana and go hunting with you."

Caelus quickly returned to his normal demeanor. After a moment of thought, he looked at Acheron, his expression gradually becoming more audacious.

"Ah, Quan, does this sword of yours have any restrictions? Like, maybe only the fated person can draw it, and drawing it means you have to marry them?"

"No."

"I think that's a feature that should be included."

"No."

Acheron remained as indifferent as ever to Caelus's jest. Anyone could tell he was joking; the one who took it seriously would lose.

"Then when do we start learning?"

"After the matter in Penacony is concluded. I'll likely be very busy once I enter."

Acheron said, putting away her katana. She had no free time during this period and couldn't forcibly improve Caelus's combat power.

"It's hard to imagine what your purpose is for going to Penacony, but I don't know what's inside either. If you need my help, just say the word. My life is yours."

Caelus declared, patting his chest spiritedly. His words were somewhat irresponsible, as he didn't know what Acheron was facing or if he would be a burden. However, he figured he could at least help with logistics.