Star Rail: I, a Researcher, Joined the Chat Group

Chen Mu did not possess the power of a Path.

If one were to say that the Aeons looked down on Chen Mu—

That was completely impossible!

While Chen Mu was still young, he had already mastered the power of Kliper, the Preservation Aeon, through Scientific Research.

The Preservation Aeon had noticed Chen Mu because of this.

Afterward—

The Erudition, Nanook the Destruction Aeon, and Yaoshi the Abundance Aeon had all noticed Chen Mu for various reasons.

In this world—

No one had ever received the attention of so many Aeons.

One after another, Chen Mu had also invented the Teleportation Array and Longevity Medicine through Scientific Research.

As an Emanator of Erudition, Herta—

When facing Chen Mu, she admitted that at his age, she had not been his equal.

Her only advantage over him was that she had lived longer.

Before even becoming an Emanator, he had already been stronger than one.

Would the Aeons look down on Chen Mu?

What a joke.

Aeons were not that idle.

If they looked down on him, why would they each go out of their way to meet him?

Naturally—

This had also left Herta deeply puzzled.

She still remembered taking Chen Mu to meet the Erudition. The Erudition had clearly expressed great interest in Chen Mu.

Yet in the end, it had not made Chen Mu an Emanator of Erudition.

Looking back now, there had been suspicious details everywhere.

This was something Herta had never been able to understand.

But now...

She seemed to understand a little.

"Chen Mu, everyone outside says that, as an ordinary person, you invented technology that lets people wield the Aeons' power. They believe those discoveries are, in essence, the Aeons' power. But I know that isn't actually the case."

Herta spoke.

Chen Mu looked somewhat surprised at her words.

Herta smiled faintly and continued,

"Rather than the Aeons' power, they are your own power. That was true in the past, and it is true now—whether it is Preservation, longevity, or anything else."

"The reason people call it the Aeons' power is merely because, before your inventions appeared, there were already beings in this world who possessed those powers. Those beings just happened to be Aeons."

"But in truth, even if this world had no Aeons, even if there were none of these so-called Aeon powers, your inventions would still be capable of everything they can do."

"The Trailblaze Aeon has already fallen, yet you can still use its power. That is proof, am I right?"

As she spoke, Herta looked at Chen Mu.

Chen Mu smiled at her words and answered without hesitation, "That's right. Good thing you could see it, Herta."

That was indeed the truth.

Science was science. When had it ever needed the power of gods?

Although many inventions did require energy, that was energy from the universe and had nothing to do with Aeons.

Even if there were no Aeons in the world, no special powers at all—

Chen Mu's inventions would still work.

That was science.

It was just that—

Whenever Chen Mu invented something, it resembled the powers wielded by the Aeons too closely, so people always said it was Aeon power.

Chen Mu did not refute them.

He had even admitted it outright to save himself the trouble, and often called it Aeon power himself.

That was how things had developed to this point.

Herta was the first person—and currently the only person—to see through the true nature of Chen Mu's inventions.

As expected of an Emanator of Erudition.

A smile appeared on Herta's face at his response.

Just as she had thought.

Having stayed with Chen Mu at the Space Station all these years, she had noticed it long ago. Back then, she had been utterly shocked.

"Chen Mu, do you know Zandar One Kuwabara?" Herta changed the subject instead of continuing.

Chen Mu froze for a moment, then replied, "Of course. The first genius in history, the man who created the Genius Club, and Genius Club member number one."

Herta nodded. "Legend says he was the man who created an Aeon. I used to have serious doubts about that claim, but after seeing you, Chen Mu, I understand. That legend may very well be true. Some people can simply be that much of a genius."

Back in Zandar's era—

There had been no Aeon of Erudition.

Or rather, legend had it that Zandar had created the Erudition.

How similar was that to Chen Mu's situation?

Even without the power of an Aeon, he had still been an unparalleled genius, gifted beyond measure.

Capable of accomplishing things that shook the entire universe.

"I believe that you, too, will absolutely reach that level in the future. Either create an Aeon, or become one," Herta said firmly.

Why had none of the Aeons made Chen Mu an Emanator?

Herta had not understood before.

But after seeing Chen Mu's inventions involving Preservation, Trailblaze, longevity...

She understood somewhat.

Clearly—

There was only one possibility.

The Aeons had sensed something within Chen Mu.

"Chen Mu, go with Himeko and the others aboard the Stellaron Express. Himeko was right. Perhaps I really was wrong. At your age, you should indeed go out and see the world, rather than remain at the Space Station for the rest of your life."

Herta had changed her mind. She spoke seriously.

"If your future achievements were limited to having your name resound throughout the universe, earning the universe's reverence just as I have, then I would not suggest that you leave the Space Station."

As she said this, Herta glanced at the Longevity Medicine.

"But your future will be far greater than that. Greater achievements are surely waiting for you. Since that is the case, I cannot selfishly confine you to a tiny Space Station..."

Perfect Longevity Medicine

Aboard the Stellaron Express—

After Himeko and the others returned from Herta's Office, their faces were filled with distress.

No one was in a good mood, and the atmosphere was somewhat gloomy.

Although they had expected it—

Himeko had not expected Herta's attitude to be so resolute.

At this rate—

Chen Mu might truly be unable to board the train.

Could it be—

That she really had to find Herta and tell her that Chen Mu might be the reincarnation of the Trailblaze Aeon?

Himeko hesitated.

The matter was simply too important, and it was only a speculation. She did not know whether she should say it.

Just as Himeko hesitated—

While March 7th, Stelle, and the others were feeling dejected—

A piece of news—

Left all of them stunned.

"What? You're saying Herta has already agreed to let Chen Mu board the train?"

Himeko asked in disbelief.

The staff member who had come to deliver the news nodded again in confirmation.

This left the entire Train Crew stunned.

What exactly had happened?

Herta had actually agreed?!!

Her attitude had been so resolute before.

And judging by Chen Mu's demeanor earlier, he did not seem like he would be able to persuade Herta either.

Quite a few members of the Train Crew could not make sense of it.

"So that means! Chen Mu will board the Stellaron Express with me?!!"

Stelle's face was full of delight as she asked Himeko.

"Since Herta has agreed, Chen Mu presumably will not refuse. It is almost certain."

Himeko chuckled softly, setting aside her doubts as she nodded.

That was right.

Who cared about the reason?

Chen Mu would likely be traveling among the stars with them from now on.

Of course—

Himeko was more inclined to believe that Herta had discovered something as well.

That was why she had changed her mind and agreed.

Otherwise, there was no explanation for why she had been so resolute one moment, only to change her mind the next.

"Yay! This is wonderful!!!"

March 7th cried out as well.

Naturally, she also very much wanted Chen Mu to board the train and travel with them.

When Stelle had first suggested it, March 7th had thought it was impossible.

Chen Mu was one of the Space Station's two great pillars. How could he possibly travel with them?