Star Rail: Starting with a Lyre, Living off Busking

Though her earlier fall had been quite embarrassing, Fu Xuan managed to rise gracefully, brushing off her skirt as if nothing had happened. She exuded poise and elegance once more.

However, a closer look would reveal her flushed ears—proof of her lingering humiliation. If anyone dared to tease her about it now, they'd likely find themselves on her eternal blacklist.

Even March 7th, usually quick with a quip, suppressed her laughter. Not out of fear, but because she was too drained to laugh—stuck in a state of post-battle fatigue.

Creating a giant Pom-Pom mech was no small feat. While it wasn't much different in technique from making a smaller one, the sheer scale of energy output was worlds apart. Even with Venti's assistance, March 7th now felt completely spent. Standing up alone was an effort, though this exhaustion was only natural.

Maybe next time, I should hold back a little, she thought.

As the dust settled, the Divination Commission began emergency repairs. The Qiongguan Array, along with its intricate talismans and formation nodes, was back online and ready for use.

Fu Xuan, now much calmer, returned with Qingque trailing behind her. The latter's face was slightly swollen—likely either from her earlier fall or from a scolding pinch by her superior. Qingque's dejected posture and flushed cheeks gave her the look of someone perpetually easy to bully.

Fu Xuan cleared her throat to regain the group's attention.

"Ahem. The Qiongguan Array is operational again," she announced bluntly, skipping any unnecessary explanation.

"Are you ready?"

It was clear she had no intention of keeping the Trailblazers around any longer than necessary. These so-called "reinforcements" were too chaotic to manage, and their unpredictable actions had left her on edge.

If these two stayed any longer, Fu Xuan thought grimly, it wouldn't be the Aberrations that destroyed her Commission—it would be them.

The Qiongguan Array, a masterpiece of the Divination Commission, was never meant to endure prolonged use in combat. One more round of abuse, and Fu Xuan would seriously consider dragging General Jing Yuan down with her for leaving her to deal with this mess.

"Ready," Stelle replied simply. The group gathered in silence, sensing the brewing storm in Fu Xuan's demeanor. Now wasn't the time to push their luck.

Fu Xuan's gaze swept across them one last time before issuing her next command.

"Bring Kafka forward."

Qingque scurried off to obey, and moments later, two Cloud Knights escorted Kafka into the room.

Stripped of her weapons—and even her colored contact lenses—Kafka's eyes were now bare, holding a faintly human vulnerability.

Yet her calm, Mona Lisa-esque smile remained, as if she was in complete control of the situation.

Fu Xuan regarded her coldly, refusing to waste even a single extra word. The Trailblazers, standing behind Fu Xuan, formed an opposing line to the Stellaron Hunter.

Kafka tilted her head slightly, her tone teasing and playful, with an undercurrent of mischief.

"Hmm? Such a grand display for little old me? I already told you I'd cooperate."

"You are a criminal skilled in word magic to sow discord," Fu Xuan replied, her voice flat with disdain. "I have no interest in your words."

"Oh? What a pity. I was hoping for a conversation with you, Lady Diviner," Kafka said, her smile unfazed.

Her unwavering composure struck a chord with Stelle. From the very first encounter, Kafka had never shown a shred of defeat, as if everything was unfolding precisely as she intended.

Does she truly believe in the future she claims to foresee? Stelle's mind buzzed with conflicting emotions.

Meanwhile, Fu Xuan conducted the procedure with clinical efficiency. After ensuring Kafka was secured within the Qiongguan Array's divination chamber, she waved her sleeve and turned away.

"I have nothing to say to a Stellaron Hunter. Speak if you wish, but it won't matter. The truth uncovered by the Qiongguan Array will far surpass any lies you've prepared."

With those words, Fu Xuan's stoic professionalism left a strong impression on the group.

Kafka, unbothered, chuckled softly. "Then let Lady Diviner witness my fate."

"Hmph."

At Fu Xuan's command, the Qiongguan Array activated. The chamber lit up as an intricate formation of luminous runes and starry configurations materialized beneath Kafka, lifting her off the ground.

The jade-like computational crystals glowed, spinning in concentric rings as an unearthly blue light filled the chamber.

Fu Xuan's Omniocular flared to life, its violet luminescence merging seamlessly with the array's runes. Her focused gaze met Kafka's, their eyes locking as though resonating on a deeper level.

Fu Xuan's will plunged into Kafka's mind like a piercing spear, navigating through layers of concealed truths.

For the first time, Kafka smiled like a cat cornering a mouse.

Moments later, Fu Xuan abruptly ended the connection—not because of resistance from Kafka, but because of what she saw.

The divination's revelations left Fu Xuan visibly shaken. Her calm, calculating demeanor faltered as disbelief clouded her expression.

"You… did all of this for that?"

Fu Xuan stared at Kafka with intense scrutiny, as though trying to dissect the woman's very soul.

In the fleeting moment when the Qiongguan Array had connected her mind to Kafka's, Fu Xuan had glimpsed the truth—a truth so absurd that it was almost impossible to accept.

"All of this… for that?"

Her voice trembled with disbelief, tinged with frustration at the sheer audacity of the answer.

Kafka, despite being the prisoner, carried herself like a victor. Her calm demeanor was infuriating, her lips curling into a faint, knowing smile.

"How does it feel? Do you like the truth you've uncovered?"

Her gaze was sharp, as if amplifying Fu Xuan's unease. The tension in the room grew palpable.

"So, what is it?!" March 7th finally burst out, unable to contain her curiosity. "What did you see in her memories, Fu Xuan? What's her plan? Don't leave us hanging!"

March's imagination ran wild. Whatever secret lay hidden in Kafka's mind had to be something world-shattering—a revelation so shocking it could upend everything.

Fu Xuan, however, remained silent, her expression dark and unreadable.

"…Unbelievable. But the Qiongguan Array doesn't lie," she murmured, her voice low as her thoughts spiraled.

Welt broke the silence with a composed but pointed question. "Lady Fu Xuan, did you uncover the Stellaron's location?"

Fu Xuan's frustration deepened, though she refrained from snapping. "Kafka has nothing to do with the Stellaron. But as for you all…"

She paused, her sharp gaze settling on Venti. Her voice carried an undercurrent of bitterness and disbelief.

"…It's you. I should have seen this coming."

"What?" March 7th exclaimed, bewildered.

Fu Xuan shook her head, her voice rising in indignation. "Absurd! It's utterly absurd that such a thing could happen…"

While her words were cryptic, Venti met her accusatory stare with a faintly apologetic look.

Time's disruptions weren't my intention, he thought, but they're undoubtedly my responsibility.

March, ever protective of her companions, stepped forward, shielding Venti with her arms spread wide. "Hey! Don't just leave us with riddles! What are you trying to say?!"

But Fu Xuan was done explaining. Her patience had worn thin, and she waved them off irritably.

"If you want answers, ask her yourself. I have to report this to the General immediately. Excuse me."

Without another word, Fu Xuan stormed out, leaving an air of foreboding in her wake.

The room grew still as the Trailblazers exchanged uneasy glances. Kafka, however, seemed unfazed. Her serene expression all but invited them to question her.

In the end, Stelle stepped forward. Her ties to the Stellaron Hunters—and the questions lingering about her own origins—made her the natural choice.

March 7th gave a warning as Stelle passed. "Be careful. Don't let that sly big sister type fool you."

Though March often teased Stelle for being gullible, she prided herself on being distrustful of anyone outside their group.

Welt and Venti, meanwhile, moved to the side for a quiet discussion.

"Venti," Welt began, his tone somber. "The Xianzhou may be on the brink of upheaval."

Venti chuckled lightly. "Oh? And here I thought I was the only one in the group who could read the wind. Looks like Uncle Welt's got some impressive foresight too."

Though playful on the surface, their exchange carried an unspoken understanding. There was no need to elaborate on Fu Xuan's reaction; the implications were already clear.

If the Stellaron Hunters weren't the Xianzhou's true enemy, then who was responsible for smuggling the Stellaron onto the ship?

And more importantly—who stood to benefit from the chaos it caused?

Welt's gaze turned toward the towering remains of Jianmu, its severed trunk standing like a monument to past grandeur.

If I were orchestrating this, he mused, I'd strike now—while the dimensional paths are misaligned, and the Cloud Knights are occupied chasing shadows.

As if in answer to his thoughts, a deep rumble echoed from the direction of Jianmu.

The ancient tree, once severed and lifeless, began to grow rapidly. Its gnarled branches stretched skyward, and vibrant blossoms burst forth from its withered form, scattering a cascade of luminous petals.

At the same time, the restraints holding Kafka snapped apart, and she landed gracefully on the ground.

Stelle moved to intercept her, but a man stepped forward, blocking her path. His sharp, cold gaze pierced through her as though he were seeing someone else entirely.

A weapon gleamed in his hand, the tip aimed squarely at Stelle's face.

This man radiated danger—an aura of unbridled ferocity.

The moment Stelle laid eyes on him, her instincts screamed a warning. Without hesitation, she summoned her blade, her body tense with readiness.

Fine. You have a weapon. So do I.

Before a fight could break out, Kafka's voice cut through the tension.

"Stand down, Blade. Let's go."

To Stelle's surprise, the man—whom Kafka called Blade—lowered his weapon. Though he moved with reluctance, his obedience was clear as he turned to follow her.

But as the pair prepared to leap from the Divination Commission's platform, a powerful gust of wind surged around them, lifting them off their feet.

Kafka and Blade turned their attention to the source of the wind: Venti.

His ever-friendly demeanor remained, but the winds whipping around him carried a sharp, almost imperceptible edge.

"Do you intend to fight us here?" Kafka asked softly, her tone still composed, though a flicker of unease crossed her face.

"I think," Venti replied with a smile, "you should worry more about the truths Lady Fu Xuan uncovered."

"I can always ask her later," he continued, his tone still light. "But watching you two wander freely through Xianzhou territory, causing trouble wherever you please… That's not something I can overlook."

Though his words were casual, the winds howling around him were anything but. The biting chill in the air made Kafka's heart sink.

So… Elio didn't foresee this, she thought, lowering her gaze in contemplation.

Her hesitation left Blade impatient. With a sudden burst of motion, he surged forward, breaking through the wind barrier. Blood spattered from countless cuts as the gales tore into his skin, but the frenzy in his eyes never wavered.

"You're strong," Blade growled, his voice thick with anticipation. "Show me what you've got!"

His blade slashed forward in a crimson arc, its ferocious energy aimed directly at Venti.

Before Stelle could intervene, the sharp twang of a lyre rang through the air.

In the blink of an eye, Blade's rampage came to an abrupt halt. His body was covered in deep, fresh wounds as though an invisible force had shredded him.

Despite his injuries, the wild gleam in his eyes remained until he finally collapsed, unconscious.

The room fell silent, save for the faint hum of the lingering winds.

Venti stood at the top of the staircase, his lyre in hand. His usual carefree smile was gone, replaced by an expression of calm, almost serene authority.

"Let's not be so rough, shall we?" he said as he descended the steps. "I think we can have a nice, civilized chat instead—don't you agree, Miss Kafka? And you, Mr. Blade?"

---

Ahem! Gather close, esteemed audience! Do you comprehend the privilege of basking in my radiance? Truly, you're witnessing history in the making—a performance unparalleled in the annals of Fontaine!

Ah, but don't get distracted! Let me be clear: this brilliance isn't conjured from thin air. No, no, no! It requires effort, dedication, and… well, a touch of your generosity. If you fancy being part of something truly extraordinary, do step forward here: [patreon.com/WiseTL].

Oh, but wait! You're probably wondering, "Furina, how can someone as magnificent as you need assistance?" To that, I say: why deny mortals the honor of contributing to such greatness? Supporting me is supporting art, and who doesn't want to say they were instrumental in a legend's rise?

Now, off you go. Make your offerings, and perhaps, perhaps, I'll acknowledge you in my next soliloquy!

— Furina ✨