I, The Aeon of Trailblaze, Trailblazing the Multiverse

"Hehe~"

Elias and Aha exchanged a glance, both grinning mischievously.

Elias froze for a moment. Damn, I might be a fun-loving guy, but I wouldn't go this far. Aha must have meddled with the drinks.

Definitely.

Under Pom-Pom's expectant gaze, Silver Wolf took a small sip. In an instant, her eyes widened as if a bolt of lightning had struck from her head to her toes. Her whole body tensed, and tears welled up in the corners of her eyes.

But, remembering something, she swallowed it down in one gulp.

"So... so delicious~ sob... It's so good it made me cry." Silver Wolf wiped away her tears with her fingers, looking up with a tragic expression.

"Everyone should try it—especially if you chug it down like Aha!"

"Sniff it's too good. I better take mine to my room before you all try to steal it!" she said, bolting towards the passenger car.

The moment she rounded the corner, she gagged and spit everything back into the cup.

"Ugh! This stuff tastes like death!"

"But something this stimulating shouldn't be experienced by me alone. It's only fair if everyone gets a taste!"

She perked up her ears, listening closely.

"Eh? So good it made her cry? Is it really that tasty?"

"Kafka, you should try a cup. Herta, you too."

"Himeko, would you like some?"

"I-I think I'll pass... umm..."

Himeko hesitated, but before she could continue, Elias cleared his throat.

"Ahem, Himeko, look how happy Pom-Pom is."

"Saeko, do you want some?"

"Uh... I'll pass." Saeko instinctively declined, recalling her traumatic experience with Himeko's coffee.

Rei and Saya also shook their heads. Having already developed a psychological aversion to mysterious drinks, they muttered, "We're not thirsty."

March 7th smirked. "If no one else wants it, then I'll take them all!"

"Cheers!"

Herta remained expressionless. "It's not alcohol, what's there to toast for?" Yet, she still raised her cup.

"Great things should be chugged down in one go!" March 7th declared, downing the drink in one gulp.

The next moment, her body stiffened. Then—pfft!—she spat it out, collapsing onto the floor, blowing bubbles like a crab. Her voice was weak and trembling.

"I... I got tricked..."

Pfft!

Kafka and Herta, having only taken a small sip, immediately spat it out as well.

Kafka, maintaining her usual smile, though now tinged with menace, murmured, "Hehe... Silver Wolf, you little rascal."

She reached for her gun, elegantly chambered a round, and gracefully walked toward the passenger car.

Silver Wolf, peeking from behind the corner, felt her heart drop.

"Crap! Kafka's mad!"

With a whoosh, she dashed into her room and locked the door behind her with a loud click.

Herta's face turned an unhealthy shade of green as she stared at Elias and Aha, both of whom were laughing so hard they could barely breathe.

"Haha! Aha, I have to admit, you playing along with this was genius!" Elias clutched his stomach with one hand and slapped Aha's shoulder with the other.

"Not at all, dear friend! You were just as brilliant! Ahahaha!" Aha stood with hands on hips, leaning so far back it seemed like they were about to fall over.

"You... you guys..."

Pom-Pom stood frozen in place, her tiny body trembling. Realizing what had happened, tears welled up in her eyes.

Clutching her face with her stubby arms, she wailed, "Elias! Aha! You're both bullying Pom-Pom! Waaaah! I'll never talk to you again!"

She ran off, crying.

March 7th puffed out her cheeks in indignation. "No wonder Pom-Pom calls you two the worst! This was too much!"

She had wanted to warn them earlier, but found her mouth mysteriously unable to open.

Elias dotes on Pom-Pom so much, he'd never do something like this.

It had to be Aha's doing.

Too much!

Elias's expression instantly changed, pointing at Aha with feigned anger. "Aha! Look at what you've done! You evil-born Aeon of Joy! You've barely been on the train and you're already causing trouble! Go apologize to Pom-Pom right now!"

"Huh?" Aha was momentarily dumbfounded.

"Huh, what? Go apologize! If you can't make it right, I'll throw you off the train!"

"How about you become the Aeon of Elation instead, my dear friend?"

March 7th: "…"

Himeko: "…"

Welt: "…"

Dan Heng: "…"

Saeko Busujima: "…"

Herta: "…"

Everyone: "…"

Everyone couldn't help but have the same thought—Having a Aeon like this leading the Nameless... What a blessing.

Nevertheless, Aha cheerfully trotted off to appease Pom-Pom.

After all, they had agreed to the three rules, and in the domain of Trailblaze, Aha had to obey Elias.

A Aeon's labor was invaluable—as long as it didn't break, it could be squeezed for all it was worth.

In true Aha fashion, within less than a minute, Pom-Pom came back skipping happily, hands behind their back.

"Since everyone has realized their mistakes, Pom-Pom will forgive you this time!" Pom-Pom announced proudly.

"Now, Pom-Pom will begin the countdown for the jump."

"Passengers, please find a seat."

"Especially Passenger March 7th."

March 7th sighed, shrugging helplessly. "Pom-Pom calls me out every time, sigh."

Everyone found a spot in the Parlor Car, which was arranged like a cozy family living room.

On either side were circular sofas, and in the corner sat a small tea table.

At the tea table, Silver Wolf lay slumped with a small bump on her forehead, while Kafka sat elegantly with her legs crossed, flipping through a magazine.

Herta was adjusting her portable detection instruments, preparing to capture the data from the moment the Astral Express transitioned beyond the known universe.

Saeko Busujima sat quietly on the sofa, her fingers running gently over the blade Himeko had gifted her.

Stelle lay on another sofa, clutching her stomach, looking lifeless. March 7th casually placed a damp towel over her forehead. "Come on, it's not that bad, it's just a little hard to drink."

Aha, meanwhile, was pressed up against the glass window, their face practically fused with it, eagerly trying to peer into the mysteries of the impending jump.

Elias clapped his hands.

Clap! Clap!

"Alright then, the jump begins. Destination: The Unknown Beyond.'"

The swirling galaxy in his eyes emitted a soft glow.

The power of the Path of Trailblaze enveloped the Astral Express.

Pom-Pom's voice echoed through the broadcast system.

[Countdown begins]

[5]

The train's speed skyrocketed, surpassing the speed of light, and even breaking the boundaries of causality itself.

[4]

In an instant, the train pierced through the membrane of the known universe.

[3]

The train entered the unknown—a vast ocean formed by countless enormous, iridescent bubbles.

[2]

As Pom-Pom's countdown continued, the surrounding scenery began to fade, as if it were merely an illusion.

[1]

Whoosh—

A roaring wind filled their ears.

Outside the windows, the surroundings had plunged into darkness, but amidst the void, streaks of crimson and violet light danced.

The train glided into an interstellar nebula.

And then—

A massive planet, shimmering in hues of blue, white, and violet, appeared outside the window, painting the backdrop of this new and uncharted world.