Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, several days have passed.
During this time, everyone from the Astral Express came to Jarilo-VI to relax for a few days and restock their supplies.
During these days, Kiana also taught Bronya how to be a qualified leader (a slacker).
She also gave her a spirit crystal with the power of the Third Sephirah, as well as some divine aura.
After bidding farewell to the Astral Express Crew, Seele stood with Bronya on the city wall, looking up at the bright moon in the sky.
"Time really flies. I hope to see Teacher again soon..."
Bronya frowned slightly with reluctance, gazing at the brilliant starry sky.
"Didn't that white-haired girl say Belobog would soon reconnect with the stars? We can talk whenever we want then."
Seele rested her chin on her hand by the wall, also looking up at the stars, and spoke somewhat nonchalantly.
Though her tone was flat, her shimmering eyes were full of anticipation for the future.
With Bronya around, the people of the Lower District would live better and better, and she no longer needed to worry about the district's affairs.
She only needed to protect Bronya.
Just then, a long blue streak of a meteor appeared in their sight.
Bronya knew that Kiana and the others were inside that meteor.
The two watched as the blue light slowly streaked past until it vanished from their sight.
"Next time, I will definitely show Teacher a brand new Belobog."
The night wind blew the hair at Bronya's temples as she slightly raised her head, her lips curving into a beautiful arc... The Astral Express was currently traveling along the Silver Rail toward a new destination.
"I feel like we didn't really have anything to do this time, Dan Heng..."
March 7th propped her hands on both sides of the sofa, her fair legs swinging back and forth, as she asked Dan Heng beside her.
Hmm? Why isn't Dan Heng saying anything?
Receiving no response, March 7th tilted her head to look at Dan Heng, who was resting her chin on her hand and staring out the window with a calm expression.
When Himeko and Mr. Yang came down earlier and saw Dan Heng's new appearance, a flash of amazement crossed their eyes.
Upon learning that this Damselette, whose clothes and color scheme were so similar to Dan Heng's taste, was actually Dan Heng, they both fell into a silent state of shock.
The reactions of those two made Dan Heng retreat into a shell, and it took several days of comfort from Kiana, March 7th, and Stelle before she gradually accepted her new identity.
With no sign of her body changing back over the past few days, Dan Heng had completely given up.
She treated it as experiencing something new after being a man for so many years, a way to completely bid farewell to the past (Dan Feng) and truly be herself.
After all, there was now a huge difference between her appearance and his.
Afterward, Mr. Yang became very concerned about Dan Heng's change, giving him a faint, ominous premonition.
But this mysterious and elusive feeling made Mr. Yang think he was just overthinking things.
He had asked Dan Heng the reason for the transformation; Dan Heng said it might be the spirit crystal, but she didn't know the exact cause either.
When he asked Kiana, she said it might be due to the spirit crystal, as it could be remodeling the Host into a form more suitable for it.
This made Mr. Yang worry that he might turn into a woman one day, especially when he thought about his wife, Tesla, finding out... Hiss... he didn't dare think about it... because he was afraid Tesla would send him to the afterlife in the name of "studying his body."
Why did he feel this way?
Because his home planet, Earth, was full of yuri vibes, and he felt Tesla would easily accept him turning into a woman.
While Mr. Yang was still hesitating about whether to remove the spirit crystal, Kiana told him that power is the truth of this universe.
Without power, one cannot guarantee the ability to protect others, or even oneself, in the future.
As a steady elder, after weighing the pros and cons, he sighed and shook his head, accepting this future of potentially becoming a woman.
As Kiana said, without power, whether they could return to Earth in the future remained an unknown.
In short, this power was essential to see them again and to protect the juniors on the Astral Express.
Himeko didn't express any opinion on this, but Pom-Pom felt that the Astral Express currently had an excess of yin energy... and didn't know why... it couldn't be because the General Taiyin was spreading yin energy, right? (laughs)
March 7th was currently tilting her head, looking at the cool and aloof girl who exuded a hint of melancholy, feeling as though she were a person full of stories.
Kiana walked over, patted March 7th's pink hair, and sat down beside her.
"What's wrong? You've been staring at Dan Heng. Are you captivated by her?"
Kiana arched an eyebrow, teasing slightly.
March 7th rolled her eyes at this, then leaned into Kiana's ear and whispered mysteriously:
"I feel like Dan Heng has become much more melancholic since turning into a girl. She looks like someone with a lot of history."
March 7th's eyes sparkled, looking exactly like a gossiping girl.
"Dan Heng does seem to have a story..."
Kiana nodded in agreement.
She knew some stories about Dan Heng from her Remembrance; though not many, they were likely memories of his important periods.
But without Dan Heng's consent, Kiana did not speak of them privately.
Although March 7th was curious, she didn't press Kiana further. Instead, she turned to Dan Heng and leaned over to poke her shoulder.
"Dan Heng, you don't actually have some hidden form, do you? Don't keep it all to yourself."
Since she's someone with a past, it's only reasonable to have some backup hidden forms!
March 7th was certain that this fellow Dan Heng must have been hiding her true strength!
Don't ask; if you do, it's just little March's intuition.
"I..."
Dan Heng glanced at the enthusiastic March 7th, her lips twitching slightly, then she looked away and said calmly:
"I don't want to use that power for the time being..."
"Whoa! There really is one?"
March's mouth hung open slightly, her eyes widening as she looked in surprise at the story-filled Dan Heng.
Curiosity was one thing, but the Astral Express Crew wouldn't force anyone to speak of a past they weren't willing to share... so March 7th didn't ask further.
But... March 7th patted Dan Heng's shoulder and said with a grin:
"If I run into danger in the future, you must save me!"
"Mm... if that time ever comes, I will."
Dan Heng didn't hesitate, nodding seriously.
To her, the people of the Astral Express Crew had long since become an indispensable part of her life—they were family.
When the time truly came for her to use the High Elder's power, she wouldn't be coy about it.
Moreover, after accepting her new self, she had already found a lot of closure.
"I knew you were the best, Dan Heng! Hehe."
March 7th squinted her eyes and chuckled.
Dan Heng looking at March 7th's energetic and playful smile, she couldn't help but let out a faint smile as well.
At that moment, Stelle, who had finished tidying her room, walked over and raised an eyebrow at the three smiling faces.
"What are you guys talking about? You look so happy. Tell me too."
"Hmm..."
Kiana's eyes darted around as she gave Stelle a sly smile:
"Not telling you~"
"Little March will definitely tell me."
Saying that, Stelle looked at March 7th with eyes full of trust, but... "Not telling you."
"Then Dan Heng...?"
Stelle looked at Dan Heng, who spread her hands with a slightly helpless expression.
She didn't know what to say, because they weren't really talking about anything interesting in the first place.
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