March 7th: "By the way, the next stop will definitely be Amphoreus, right?"
March 7th: "I wonder what kind of place it will be?"
Furina de Fontaine: "Based on Miss Black Swan's previous description, it is quite an extraordinary place."
Qingque: "It feels like the danger meter is going to be completely maxed out."
Stelle: "Sometimes, I really feel like I need to buy a massive personal accident insurance policy."
Stelle: "After all, I'm practically testing the limits of death every single day."
Guinaifen: "Sister, who are you going to put down as the beneficiary then?"
Qingque: "Tsk, tsk, Stelle, look at us, we're practically soulmates!"
Qingque: "Why don't you just put my name down!?"
Stelle: "?"
Stelle: "Oh, now that there are benefits, I'm suddenly your soulmate?"
Stelle: "As a new-generation Nameless of the Astral Express!"
Stelle: "My beneficiary is definitely going to be the Astral Express itself!"
Stelle: "That way, if I really do bite the dust, the next generation of Nameless will still remember my selfless and great name!"
Paimon: "Understood. Miss Stelle wants to write down the Conductor as her beneficiary."
Pam: "Eh??"
Pam: "Passenger Stelle is so thoughtful!"
Pam: "This Conductor is very touched!"
Aventurine: "Is it possible that because you constantly wander on the edge of life and death…"
Aventurine: "Any insurance company with even a bit of reputation would refuse to accept your policy?"
Topaz: "Hahaha."
Topaz: "That is indeed highly possible."
Silver Wolf: "You're overthinking it. This kid is tough as nails."
Silver Wolf: "She's not the type to just kick the bucket so easily."
Asta: "Yeah, after all, she's a tough cookie who can host a Stellaron in her own body! (giggles)"
....
『 After receiving the group message, Stelle rushed to the Parlor Car.
[ Stelle, you're finally here! ]
[ We've been waiting for you for ages. ]
Seeing Stelle walk over, March 7th said with a grin.
[ It's only been five minutes. ]
Dan Heng, who was standing nearby, shook his head.
[ Since everyone is here, let's get down to business. ]
[ Just now, the Astral Express received an invitation from the Planet of Festivities… ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Stelle: "???"
Stelle: "Is there something wrong with my ears?"
Stelle: "Did I hear that wrong?!"
March 7th: "Ah??"
March 7th: "I think I heard something incredibly familiar too!"
Furina de Fontaine: "Is this video… a rerun?"
Paimon: "Maybe?"
Paimon: "This scene feels so familiar!"
Paimon: "Is everyone about to go attend the Charmony Festival again?"
Lumine: "No, it's not a rerun."
Lumine: "Although it's very similar, it's different from the previous plot."
Nahida: "Yes, I remember the previous details very clearly. It is indeed different from before."
Stelle: "So, we are going back to Penacony again?!"
Stelle: "What in the world is going on?"
Stelle: "I'm completely dumbfounded."
Hu Tao: "Out of nowhere, why did Penacony send another invitation?"
Hu Tao: "Are they hosting another Charmony Festival?"
Dan Heng: "It shouldn't be."
March 7th: "Miss Robin, do you know what's going on?"
Robin: "Apologies, I don't know either."
....
『 [ Hang on! Why am I getting a sense of deja vu? ]
Hearing Himeko's words, March 7th was instantly startled!
[ We aren't still in a dream, are we… ]
At this moment, Stelle strongly suspected that she was still trapped within Ena's Dream.
[ Oh, please no! Don't pull the same trick twice! ]
March 7th was extremely panicked. 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Stelle: "The more I think about it, the more terrifying it gets!"
Stelle: "Are we really still in Ena's Dream right now?!"
March 7th: "No… way, right?!"
March 7th: "Is Sunday really that powerful?!"
Madam Herta: "What are you thinking?"
Madam Herta: "Even if he forcefully usurped the avatar of Harmony, that's only at the Emanator level."
Madam Herta: "He still wouldn't be able to achieve something of this scale."
Xiangling: "Then what on earth is going on?"
Lumine: "It seems everyone is a bit jumpy."
Lumine: "Maybe because the Express Crew helped Penacony in a big way…"
Lumine: "So they are hosting a special event now and inviting them as guests?"
Paimon: "Yeah, I agree with Lumine."
Paimon: "Although it looks a lot like the scene from the very beginning of the video, it probably has nothing to do with the previous events!"
Stelle: "True."
Stelle: "It's just that the timing is a bit too coincidental, isn't it?"
Furina de Fontaine: "It's practically the exact same pattern as the Xianzhou Luofu."
Furina de Fontaine: "Just when everyone is preparing to set off for Amphoreus, an invitation suddenly arrives."
Seele: "So, are we still going to Amphoreus or not?"
Yunli: "Of course we have to go. If we don't, won't the Express run out of fuel?"
Yanqing: "But as for when to go, I guess they'll have to replan it."
....
『 [ Don't worry, the Express received a normal invitation this time, from Penacony's academic institution, Paperfold University. ]
Welt saw the panic on Stelle and March 7th's faces and comforted them.
[ The university plans to hold an academic conference on the topic of "Trailblazing" in the Moment of Sol. The Astral Express has been invited as guests to the conference. ]
Himeko explained the contents of the invitation.
[An academic conference... You mean we'll have to sit in an auditorium and spend several system hours talking about a few hundred slides' worth of scholarly discourse? ]
As soon as March 7th heard this, she instantly lost interest. 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
March 7th: "Ah, this…"
March 7th: "An invitation to an academic conference at Penacony's Paperfold University?"
March 7th: "Sigh, and here I was wondering what it was…"
Stelle: "Just this??"
Stelle: "Do they really think of me as some highly educated intellectual?"
Stelle: "I'm still just a baby, only about a year old; I haven't even attended kindergarten!"
Dan Heng: "Don't misunderstand. Obviously, this invitation wasn't meant for you and March."
March 7th: "Mmh… Dan Heng is right!"
March 7th: "This is actually inviting Uncle Yang and Himeko-jie, right?"
Stelle: "Then what are we supposed to do?"
Furina de Fontaine: "Maybe… you guys are going to Penacony for a vacation again?"
Hu Tao: "Or maybe you split up, and Miss Stelle and the others head to Amphoreus first?"
Black Swan: "In my opinion, the journey to Amphoreus still requires the presence of everyone in the Express Crew."
Black Swan: "After all, the risks there are unknown. More people means more strength."
Paimon: "Staying in Penacony for a vacation sounds pretty nice too, right?"
Paimon: "As long as there's no trouble or chaos, it's bound to be a lot of fun!"
Stelle: "You mentioned trouble and chaos!"
Stelle: "Exactly! Wherever our Express Crew goes, how could there possibly be no trouble or chaos?"
Stelle: "I bet!"
Stelle: "If we really go to Penacony this time…"
Stelle: "We will definitely run into trouble again!"
March 7th: "For some reason… I feel the same way…"
March 7th: "I hope we don't run into any more trouble. Just let us have a good rest, please!!"
....
『 [ Don't worry, we'll leave this kind of dry event to the adults. ]
[ Welt and I will attend the conference as invited, while the three of you… ]
[ If you are interested, you can enter the university as guest students. ]
Himeko looked at the frowning March 7th and said with a smile.
[ Guest students? ]
Stelle scratched her head.
[ Well, it happens to be the start of the academic term, and Paperfold University is preparing for its Dreamlight Anniversary. These annual festivities serve as both a welcoming gift for new students and a chance to celebrate for those already enrolled. ]
[ Why don't you youngsters join the new students? You could explore the campus, experience student life... ]
Welt explained.
[ D—Do we have to study? ]
[ ...That's great! A young, cute girl full of energy living her best life on campus? That experience is practically made for me! ]
March 7th was very satisfied with this arrangement, and an excited expression appeared on her face.
[ It is said that Paperfold University is a world-renowned top art academy. I would also like to see it for myself. ]
Dan Heng also showed a look of interest.
[ Help! I don't want to go to school! ]
Only Stelle, upon hearing that she had to go to school, immediately slumped over. 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Stelle: "Waaaaah, I don't want to go to school! I don't want to!"
March 7th: "Oh, what's so bad about going to school?"
March 7th: "Campus life is so colorful and vibrant!"
March 7th: "Yours truly has been looking forward to experiencing this kind of life for a long time!"
Hotaru: "Mmh, I have always had a dream like this too."
Hotaru: "It's a pity I never had the chance to realize it."
Paimon: "Miss Stelle's face completely soured the moment she heard about school."
Paimon: "Is school really that scary?"
Stelle: "Of course it's scary!"
Stelle: "Endless classes, endless homework, endless lectures from teachers…"
Stelle: "And never, EVER GETTING ENOUGH SLEEP!!!"
Stelle: "And this is just the terrifying tip of the iceberg of going to school!"
Paimon: "AH!!"
Paimon: "Stop… STOP TALKING!!"
Paimon: "It really does sound… a bit terrifying."
Welt Yang: "Haha, indeed, going to school is not easy."
Welt Yang: "But on campus, it is not all dull and exhausting."
Welt Yang: "You will also gain other precious things."
Li Sushang: "Going to school… sigh…"
Li Sushang: "I'm also really scared of school."
Li Sushang: "After all, I really don't understand a single thing the teacher says!"
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "To be so resistant to a place of seeking knowledge, it seems your academic qualifications will end right here for the rest of your lives."
Aventurine: "But not having a degree doesn't mean one can't succeed."
Aventurine: "Just like me, strictly speaking, I haven't had much schooling either."
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "Success and academic qualifications have no necessary connection."
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "Those are two different things."
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "But speaking from a professor's perspective, I still hope you can acquire more knowledge, thereby increasing your chances of escaping mediocrity."
Stelle: "Professor, not being mediocre is too exhausting. I want to be mediocre!"
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "Hmph… Suit yourself."
....
『 [ Haha, don't worry — guest students don't get a lot of homework. Besides, all of the professors and students are busy preparing for the festivities. Just... treat it as a party. ]
Welt dispelled Stelle's concerns.
[ Campus life without homework or examinations? That sounds like paradise! ]
Hearing this, March 7th's face lit up with joy.
[ Looks like everyone can't wait. Let's go ahead with that plan, then. I will submit the admission documents to Paperfold University. We'll leave once everyone is ready. Let's all have some fun. ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Stelle: "What? No exams and no homework?"
Stelle: "You should have said so earlier!"
Stelle: "Gave me a huge fright!"
Stelle: "Tsk, Paperfold University, get ready to welcome your invincible senior sister!"
Dan Heng: "To correct you, it's junior sister, not senior sister."
Dan Heng: "Because we are entering as freshmen."
Qingque: "So the trip to Amphoreus just turned into college life?"
Guinaifen: "It's all about social etiquette!"
Guinaifen: "Paperfold University specially organized an academic conference on Trailblaze. If we didn't show them some respect, it wouldn't look good!"
Guinaifen: "Isn't that right?"
Himeko: "Indeed."
Himeko: "As a world-renowned top academy, since Paperfold University sent an invitation, we do have to go."
Welt Yang: "It's not a big issue. The previous two Trailblaze journeys are enough to sustain the Express for a while."
Paimon: "Speaking of which, what is school life actually like?"
Paimon: "I've never been to school."
Furina de Fontaine: "I haven't either."
Charlotte: "Lady Furina, you are the Hydro Archon; there's no need for you to go to school, right?"
Furina de Fontaine: "Ahem, I'm just curious about how it feels!"
Tighnari: "If you want to go to school, that's easy."
Tighnari: "Sumeru's Akademiya will let you experience exactly what going to school feels like."
Stelle: "Speaking of Sumeru, I seem to recall you guys from Teyvat saying you were going to aid Sumeru?"
Stelle: "It's been so long, how did it go?"
March 7th: "Oh right, has Miss Nahida been rescued?"
Paimon: "Uh… about that… actually, she was rescued a long time ago."
Qingque: "And the process?"
Qingque: "We didn't hear you guys talk about it?"
Lumine: "The process was surprisingly simple."
Lumine: "Previously, Scaramouche, with the help of the Doctor, forcefully ascended to godhood."
Lumine: "He wanted to make a move on Nahida in advance."
Lumine: "And then…"
Tighnari: "Yes, I witnessed a massive meteorite falling from the sky, crushing the false god known as the Everlasting Lord of Arcane Wisdom."
Tighnari: "The terrifying power swept in all directions, and that false god was instantly pulverized on the spot."
Kaveh: "Fortunately, when that false god appeared, it was in a certain mountain range. Otherwise, if that meteorite had landed on Sumeru City, I wouldn't even dare to imagine if Sumeru City would still be standing today!"
Boothill: "Huh??"
Boothill: "I was wondering why that absolute fool Scaramouche stopped making noise. Turns out he was crushed to death by a meteorite?"
Boothill: "What about that absolute fool, the Doctor?"
Alhaitham: "Dottore was annihilated by a brilliant bolt of lightning from the void, along with a mysterious hurricane."
Alhaitham: "But it is said that the Doctor has many segments."
Alhaitham: "I suspect he is not dead yet."
Nahida: "Don't worry. With the power of the Gnosis, and the help of several kind deities…"
Nahida: "I have already erased all of the Doctor's segments that suffered the backlash."
Boothill: "Holy moly!"
Boothill: "In other words, that absolute fool, the Doctor, is gone too?"
Lumine: "That is the case."
Lumine: "Dottore's strength was still quite impressive."
Lumine: "In our Teyvat, he could be considered to have the strength of a god."
Paimon: "Haha, but unfortunately, he provoked a few gods who are usually very good at playing dumb."
Paimon: "So he was thoroughly dealt with."
Lumine: "They really are good at playing dumb."
Lumine: "I didn't even know these gods, who usually slack off, actually had such ridiculous strength!"
Lumine: "Especially a certain wine-loving god!"
Raiden Ei: "I do not care for wine, so this is likely not referring to me."
Venti: "Hehe."
March 7th: "That's great! Congratulations on getting rid of two major scourges!"
March 7th: "And successfully rescuing Miss Nahida!"
Paimon: "Everything went incredibly smoothly."
Paimon: "I really didn't expect things to turn out this way."
Lumine: "Hmph, it's all because a few old geezers couldn't sit still after watching the live stream. (funny face.jpg)"
....
(Wait, so no more bickering between Boothill, Scaramouche, and Doctor? awh....)