"I've heard of you, Herta of the Genius Society. You appeared in 'my' memories, too, and everything concerning Xiao Xi is just as you heard before," Hope said gently.
Hearing the Aeon of Hope confirm it in person, Herta grew even more excited. "Then, might you allow me to conduct some research together with your human aspect?"
"You want to explore the secrets of an Aeon? No wonder Nous chose you. You certainly have a thirst for knowledge. As for your research, that's up to 'me' to agree to. But I don't want this information getting out. Officially, you can say she's my Emanator. Of course, you may share the truth with a select few."
Hope made the arrangements methodically. "Also, my avatar only woke up recently, so you may need to help her get a handle on her Path's power. As for your payment..."
"No payment is necessary," Herta replied without hesitation. "The chance to study an Aeon's human aspect is a once-in-the-universe opportunity. That's already the best possible reward."
"I see." Hope nodded in acceptance. "Then I'll be going. I'll leave Xiao Xi in your care."
With that, Hope withdrew her consciousness. Xiao Xi, who had only just regained consciousness, saw everything blur before her eyes. In an instant, she had left the Simulated Universe and returned to reality.
Back in the real world, Xiao Xi asked in confusion, "What happened? Weren't we testing the Simulated Universe just now? How did I suddenly end up back here?"
"Ahem." Hearing Xiao Xi's question, Herta cleared her throat and made up an excuse without batting an eye. "The Elation Aeon's consciousness descended, overloading the data in the Simulated Universe. I had no choice but to pull you out and shut down the device."
"Oh, I see." Xiao Xi understood. "So, given what happened, are we going to continue the experiment?"
"Of course." Herta's voice even held a note of urgency. "If we can't do this experiment, there are plenty of others we can try. And while we're at it, I can help you get a handle on the vast Path power inside you more quickly. There's no time to waste. Let's get started."
For the next while, Xiao Xi practically lived in Herta's laboratory. She couldn't handle Herta's downright abnormal enthusiasm and had no idea why Herta had suddenly taken such an intense interest in her.
"Ms. Herta seemed perfectly normal before the test. Could this be because I'm an Emanator of Hope? But I'm not the only Emanator!"
With Herta's help, Xiao Xi mastered Emanator-level Path power before long. But she still couldn't take any more of Ms. Herta's overwhelming enthusiasm.
It took a few days for Xiao Xi to finally find a chance to slip out of Herta's laboratory. She let out a long sigh of relief.
"I finally found a chance to escape. Ms. Herta's sudden enthusiasm was just too much to handle."
Freshly freed from an endless stream of experiments, Xiao Xi checked her phone and saw that Stelle and March 7th had already sent her quite a few messages.
[Xiao Xi]: Sorry, everyone. I just got out of Ms. Herta's laboratory. She was a little too enthusiastic.
[March 7th]: It's okay! Anyway, welcome aboard the Express, Xiao Xi.
[Stelle]: Me too. I'll be setting out on the Trailblaze with everyone from now on.
[Stelle]: Oh, right. I picked up a commission at Herta Space Station earlier. It's about the love story between a girl named Lily and Rocky.
[Stelle]: I thought about it for a long time, but I've decided to tell the person involved the truth. Since you're out now, want to come with me?
[March 7th]: Ah, a tragic yet romantic love story! I can't bear to watch something like that, so I'll sit this one out. Xiao Xi, you go with Stelle.
[Himeko]: The Express will be departing soon. Everyone, remember to say goodbye to your friends while you still have time.
[Stelle]: Okay.
[March 7th]: Got it. (Pom-Pom heart gesture)
[Xiao Xi]: Thanks for the reminder, Himeko. (Pom-Pom heart)
[Dan Heng]: Understood.
[Himeko]: Then have fun, everyone.
Not long after replying to Stelle, Xiao Xi found her at the space station.
"Lily was caught in a stellar quake. She'll be away from us for longer and longer, and Rocky has been waiting for an answer all this time... Anyway, that's what happened. But this is their love story, and I think Rocky has the right to know the truth, no matter what." Stelle sounded a little down.
Xiao Xi patted Stelle's shoulder to comfort her. "I agree that the person involved has the right to know the truth. At least, if it were me, I wouldn't want to regret it in the future."
"Come on. Let's go find Rocky."
Xiao Xi and Stelle found Rocky in his office. "Well, Stelle? Did you... find a reply from Lily? What did she say?" Rocky asked anxiously.
"Um..." Stelle hesitated, but then spoke. "Rocky, just hear me out. This is what happened..."
After hearing the devastating news from Stelle, Rocky stood there dazed for a long time. "So that's how it is..."
"Spending a whole lifetime waiting for someone, enduring endless longing and loneliness..." Rocky's voice was heavy. "Honestly, bro, you don't really think I'm that naive, do you?"
Suddenly, he began to laugh. "Haha! Of course I'm not going to wait for her! I won't wait..."
Rocky turned around, his voice growing more and more resolute. "I won't wait..."
"But I'm going to chase after her. I'm going to... race against time!"
Stelle and Xiao Xi couldn't help but be moved by the conviction in Rocky's words. Xiao Xi pressed her lips together, suddenly thinking of her own Path power. Hope? Maybe it really could work a miracle.
With that thought, Xiao Xi stepped forward and said, "I don't know how to race against time, but I still want to offer you my blessing. May the power of your Path guide you forward and bring you hope."
Hope's blessing settled upon Rocky. Just as Xiao Xi had wished, may this sincere love find its happy ending, whatever it takes.
Meanwhile, somewhere in the distant reaches of the universe, it seemed that some being had turned its gaze toward them.
On the way back to the Express from the space station, Stelle and Xiao Xi finally came back to themselves after everything that had happened.
"Rocky... I never thought he'd make that choice. I thought this was going to be a story destined to end in tragedy," Stelle said with a sigh.
"Yeah. Racing against time... That's such a romantic thing to do," Xiao Xi said softly.
Looking ahead, Xiao Xi hurried a few steps forward, then turned back and held out her hand to Stelle with a smile. "And now it's time for us to begin our own Trailblaze journey. May our travels never end, and may this journey lead us to the stars."
Stelle paused for a moment, then took Xiao Xi's outstretched hand. "Yeah. May this journey lead us to the stars."
"Hehe, then let's go. We'll head back to the Express together. Everyone's probably waiting for us there."