I, The Aeon of Trailblaze, Trailblazing the Multiverse

Everyone sat on the bar stools lined up at the counter.

Pom-Pom, wearing a chef's hat, placed plates of delicious food onto the counter one by one.

The cocktail-mixing robot, "Shush," busily prepared drinks for everyone while rambling on with humorless jokes. For March 7th and the other young members, it served juice instead of alcohol.

"This is so delicious! The conductor is not only adorable but also such a great cook. I really want to hug you!"

Shizuka Marikawa held her cheeks in her hands with a blissful expression, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at Pom-Pom with a clear desire to embrace the cute creature.

Saya Takagi and Rei Miyamoto shared the same look of admiration.

Pom-Pom straightened up, its expression turning stern, a large cross-shaped vein popping out on its forehead. "Even if passengers praise Pom-Pom, Pom-Pom won't let you hug Pom-Pom! Pom-Pom is not a pet!"

Shizuka slumped down, her spirit seemingly leaving her body. "Oh no... what a shame... so cute…"

Himeko couldn't help but chuckle at the scene. "March 7th was scolded the same way back then. Pom-Pom even chased her around with a broom."

March 7th cringed, her face turning slightly red. "Ah, Sister Himeko! Why are you bringing up my dark history?"

"Well, Pom-Pom really does look like a rabbit, so I couldn't help but tug on Pom-Pom's ears," March 7th admitted sheepishly.

Pom-Pom gave March 7th a sharp glare, making her laugh awkwardly.

Welt and Dan Heng remained silent throughout, quietly eating their meals. Being older and more experienced—Welt as a seasoned man and Dan Heng with memories spanning lifetimes—they didn't feel the need to join the lively banter of the younger girls.

Pom-Pom's cooking has improved a lot. This must be a reflection of the care and effort put into this meal—likely because it's the first feast since Lord Elias's return, Welt thought as he savored the meal, glancing meaningfully at Pom-Pom.

Clap clap clap!

Applause broke out, drawing everyone's attention toward the source.

Elias stood holding a brightly layered fruit cocktail in one hand, lightly shaking it.

"Everyone, this is our first Nameless party aboard the Astral Express."

"It's an occasion of extraordinary significance."

"There are some words I'd like to say to all of you."

"But don't stop using your knives and forks. Enjoy the delicious food as you listen."

Elias's gaze swept across the eight pairs of eyes focused on him, then he slowly raised his glass.

"Becoming a Nameless who follows the Path of Trailblaze means that each of you has resolved to pursue your own goals of discovery."

"Dan Heng, you became a Nameless to leave behind your past and embark on a journey toward a brand-new future."

Dan Heng raised his wine glass, nodding. "Yes."

"March 7th, your curiosity for the world surpasses concern for yourself, as you long to uncover its secrets."

March 7th raised her juice glass, her blue-pink eyes shining. "Yes, and if I can discover my own origins along the way, that would be perfect."

"Welt, you set aside your familiar life to venture into unknown worlds, treating the people you meet and those who meet you as vital parts of your journey."

Welt, holding his glass, let a rare smile grace his typically serious face. He glanced at the gathered group. "Indeed, Lord Elias."

"Himeko, you no longer yearn for the ground beneath your feet but have instead embraced the distant stars as your home, pursuing the wonders of the unknown worlds."

Himeko raised her glass, her lips curving into a smile as memories of her first encounter with the Astral Express surfaced—the endless starry voyage, the boundless beauty of the universe, had captivated her.

"Yes, Lord Elias, I yearn for it."

"Saeko Busujima, you seek to understand and embrace your nature—the desire for killing and the thrill of the hunt—while pushing your potential to its limits. You boarded the train to uncover the ultimate answers in the worlds beyond."

Saeko Busujima held up her glass of juice with a determined expression. The gazes from the others held no trace of surprise or disdain, filling her heart with warmth.

She had already decided to treat the Astral Express as her home, but she had worried that once everyone learned of her nature, they might distance themselves from her. Yet, not only did no one pull away, but their encouraging looks emboldened her, making her nose tingle with emotion.

How could anyone distance themselves from her? Every Nameless aboard the train was unique, and as long as they weren't evildoers, they were all considered companions.

"Thank you, everyone. Please take care of me from now on," Saeko Busujima said, standing up and bowing deeply to the group that had encouraged her.

"Saya Takagi, you stepped aboard the Astral Express driven by dreams of adventure in other worlds. Though you may not yet have a firm goal, you'll find it on this journey," Elias said, addressing the next passenger.

Saya's cheeks flushed red, her usual haughty demeanor as a young lady completely replaced by bashful humility. Compared to everyone else's strong ideals, her aspirations felt shallow.

Gripping her glass tightly, she stammered, "I-I'll do my best to catch up with everyone." With that, her face reddened further as she lowered her head.

Rei felt everyone's attention shift toward her and immediately became flustered, fidgeting nervously with her hands and casting cautious glances at Elias.

"Rei Miyamoto, you wish to pursue your own happiness and open up a future filled with joy. That too is the meaning of Trailblaze," Elias said gently.

The desire for a happy life—that was a universal longing for humanity. It was a path of trailblaze open to everyone, but only those with a strong will to pursue it could awaken their Path.

Trailblaze was perhaps the easiest Path to awaken, but it required action to make it a reality.

Warm, encouraging gazes surrounded Rei, filling her heart with comfort. Tears glistened faintly in her eyes.

The grief and numbness she had felt over her parents' deaths dissipated entirely. Initially, her decision to board the Astral Express had been born out of having nowhere else to go.

She knew that, with her abilities, there was no way she could have awakened her Path on her own—it had undoubtedly been Elias's salvation that had brought her here.

Rei held her glass tightly and looked at Elias, her lips trembling slightly as a mix of reverence and other emotions welled up in her heart. "Thank you, Lord Elias. Thank you, everyone."

Shizuka clasped her hands excitedly in front of her chest, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. It's my turn now. It's my turn!

Elias turned his gaze to Shizuka, who wore her usual airheaded expression and looked at him expectantly, as if waiting for praise.

"Uh… Shizuka Marikawa… well, let's leave it at that."

The truth was, Shizuka didn't have much of a Path to explore. Her entry into Trailblaze was mostly due to Elias's personal whim, along with her subconscious belief that becoming a shrine maiden meant becoming a consort to a deity.

Without genuine action on her part, she wouldn't become stronger, remaining an ordinary Pathstrider—with exceptions for those directly designated as Emanators.

"Whaaat? How could you do this to me, Lord Elias?" Shizuka puffed her cheeks in a pout, looking utterly aggrieved.

Elias smiled and addressed everyone. "Each of you has different ideals, but our footprints on this journey are the same."

"My Nameless, let us toast!"

"Cheers!" the group of eight replied in unison.

The clinking of glasses and the sound of joyful laughter echoed through the Party Car.

As the laughter of the train's crew rang out, the vast universe's great powers were thrown into turmoil.

The trip to and from the Highschool of the Dead world had taken less than a day.

Thus, the ripples from the announcement of the Aeon of Trailblaze's return were still spreading across the cosmos.