Elias and Eden basked in the thunderous, unending applause, like rolling thunder shaking the skies. Everyone gazed in awe at the two on stage—or rather, at the white-haired boy.
No one had expected that he, too, was a musical genius on par with Eden.
And when the audience finally took in Elias' appearance, their eyes widened in astonishment. He was far younger than they had imagined—and so strikingly handsome. White hair, golden eyes, and a radiant smile like the sun itself.
For a moment, they felt as though an angel had descended upon the mortal world.
And suddenly, everything made sense.
Because he had indeed brought forth music not of this world—divine sounds from heaven itself. Even now, those melodies still echoed in their hearts, refusing to fade.
"Uh, Eden, why are you pulling me forward?"
"Please don't retreat, my dear partner. You deserve to stand where I stand. This was not just my concert—you were no mere accompanist, but a lead performer with me."
Normally, accompanists would not stand under the spotlight. But Eden clasped Elias' hand, pulling him with her to the very center of the stage.
The place reserved for the stars.
Elias gave a helpless smile, then raised his hand with her to wave at the audience. Though it was just a simple gesture, it immediately set off another wave of cheers and shouts.
After all, standing on the same stage as Eden was already a near impossibility. The goddess of music not only possessed a voice like heaven's, but beauty enough to topple nations.
But now people were stunned to realize that Elias' looks and presence were not the least inferior—in fact, he might even surpass her faintly. Standing together, the two looked perfectly matched.
Especially as Eden held the boy's hand tightly, her face alight with an enchanting smile.
Many had a premonition: the goddess of art, who had never before had a single rumor of romance, might now be facing her very first scandal.
Though countless fans felt pangs of envy, Elias' performance had utterly won their hearts, and so they accepted it with reverence.
Fans: (You two can totally be a couple! We approve!)
Elysia: (...)
Only a certain pink elf in the audience twitched at the corner of her lips, fighting the sudden urge to rush the stage and drag someone back down.
...
After the concert ended—
To avoid trouble, Elias donned a mask and slipped out through a side exit provided by Eden, successfully meeting up with Elysia. Without it, fans and reporters would never have let the dazzling new piano prodigy leave so easily.
"Ely, how was my performance tonight?"
"Ahhh, my wonderful Elias, you've given me the hardest problem yet. I can't even think of words to describe it—it was too beautiful, too dreamlike!"
Elysia was still overflowing with excitement. Like a child pianist, she playfully moved her hands over an invisible piano in the air.
She had always known Elias had extraordinary musical talent. But she had never imagined it to be this overwhelming. Even standing on the same stage as Eden, Elias had not been overshadowed in the slightest.
In her eyes, Elias' performance was the most moving sound in the world—like seeing flowers bloom in every direction, like stepping into a paradise.
But more importantly…
"It scared me a little. I thought you'd just follow Eden and leave me behind."
Elysia clung to his arm, nuzzling her face against him like a needy, lonely kitten.
Having such an extraordinary boyfriend really was a lot of pressure.
Luckily, she was Elysia—a radiant, confident, beautiful girl like falling blossoms. If it were anyone else, an ordinary girl, she would have been crushed by her own inferiority, unable to stand beside Elias as his lover.
"How could I ever leave you, my Ely? Even if I abandoned this world itself, I would never abandon you."
"Wow… that doesn't sound like something a savior should say."
"Heh. But it's the truth. In my heart, compared to this world—you are far more important."
Elias gazed at Elysia with earnest sincerity, his gentle eyes melting her heart.
It was a critical hit straight to Miss Pink Elf!
"Guuh!"
Elysia clutched her chest and leaned against the wall.
A pink arrow of love pierced her completely. Even a girl with defenses as strong as hers was utterly disarmed by such a confession.
No use—she was done for.
Looking at the white-haired boy before her, Elysia's eyes were already brimming with pink hearts.
"Elias, you shouldn't say things like that… it's too dangerous."
"Hm? Why?"
"Because if you do, I'll love you like some hopeless fool. Uh, wait, I guess I already do…"
Her face flushed red with happiness as she rubbed her cheek against his chest. She just wanted to drown in his embrace.
Elias wrapped his arm around the radiant girl, nibbling lightly on her elf ear with a hint of stubbornness.
"Hmph~ And I'm the same. Who isn't?"
He was just as hopelessly in love with Elysia. If weighed against the world, she would always be heavier in his heart.
Her earlier worries were completely unnecessary.
After all, today was their date.
How could Elias possibly abandon his girlfriend midway? He wasn't some high school detective who'd ditch her like a washing machine rolling away.
"Come on, our date isn't over yet. Let's visit all the places we missed on our last trip!"
"Yay! Eli forever~!"
"Uh… that nickname is a little…"
Elias could only laugh and ruffle her hair. To him, the name sounded a bit cute—but if Ely liked it, then so be it.
Spoil her. Spoil her endlessly!
And so the two spent a blissful day together.
By sunset, Elias' Imaginary Space was stuffed with countless souvenirs, while Elysia's Polaroid camera had captured every beautiful moment.
On the train ride back, the two leaned shoulder-to-shoulder, Elysia smiling at the photos. But her favorite remained the recording of the concert.
Generous as always, Miss Pink Elf planned to share—and show off—this treasure with Mobius, Sakura, Vill-V, Hua, Mei, and the others.
After all, some didn't even know Elias had such musical talent. Elysia could hardly wait to see their stunned faces when they watched the concert video.
She also felt relieved.
She had worried Elias might be swept away by Eden. The two had looked far too perfectly matched on stage. But reality proved Elias to be a loyal gentleman.
During the post-concert date, his eyes held only her.
Miss Pink Elf couldn't help but marvel at how lucky she was, to have found such a boyfriend.
But when they returned to base…
"Eli, let's go eat at the cafeteria! After a whole day of fun, I'm starving~~"
"I'll pass. Eden's invited me to dinner. Bye, Ely. You rest early—I might be back a bit late."
"???"
Elysia froze, watching in disbelief as Elias changed clothes and prepared to head out again. She felt like flipping a table, o(*≧▽≦)ツ┏━┓.
She dove forward, clinging to him like a flying fairy, blurting out, "Dinner with Eden? When did you two plan that?!"
"Uh, just after the concert, when she walked me out. Why? Is there a problem?" Elias tilted his head.
"…My dear Elias, please, don't let yourself get tricked by some bad woman. Boys must protect themselves."
"So… Eden's a bad woman?"
"…No."
Elysia regretfully plucked the string of Whisper of the Past. If only she could use it now, she'd just shoot an arrow and send "that woman" straight away.
Elias patted Miss Elf's little backside, signaling it was about time to let him go. He didn't like being late—especially not when he had promised to meet a lady.
"As expected, I can't just let you leave like this, Elias!"
Elysia slid off him, then flopped dramatically onto the bed.
"Ely~~"
"If you want to go, then first, defeat me."
"…Alright then. In that case, be prepared, Ely—I'll make it quick."
One hour later, Elias walked out refreshed.
Elysia, however, lay sprawled on the bed with swirly eyes, completely knocked out.
Her body beneath the sheets still trembled slightly. Tonight she wouldn't need to eat dinner in the cafeteria—her little belly was already so full it couldn't hold anything else.
Even as the Herrscher of Origin, what could she do? Elias had simply increased his attack speed a little, and Miss Pink Elf was instantly overwhelmed.
...
"Whew~ Good thing I'm not late."
Since he had lost an hour, Elias skipped taking a car and opened a portal instead. By sheer timing, he arrived just as Eden, disguised and dressed elegantly, reached the spot.
"Hey, Eden. It's been seven hours."
"Yes, seven hours. I've already started to miss you, Elias." Eden spoke with absolute honesty.
Once one experienced that feeling of intertwined souls, there was no going back. Those seven hours had been agonizing for her—waiting in her hotel room with every second filled with longing for their reunion.
Elias felt a bit embarrassed. Taking her hand, he dutifully played the role of her escort.
"So, where are we going for dinner?"
"Emmm… the Floating Ice Restaurant at the top of Sapphire Tower. How does that sound?"
"I remember that's the kind of place where reservations take forever. Can we really get in now?"
"Of course. They told me there will always be a table reserved for two under my name. Although in my eyes, 'always' has its limits—but at least for tonight, it still holds true."
Eden smiled, holding a black card in her hand. Even if the reservation failed, she could simply buy the whole building along with the tower if she wished.
Elias drew in a sharp breath. He had nearly forgotten—Eden was a supreme rich lady! With her wealth, buying a small country would be child's play. If it had been the him of his past life…
Rich lady, hungry~ Food~!
...
Inside the Floating Ice Restaurant atop Sapphire Tower.
"Cheers."
"Cheers~"
Elias and Eden sat at a fine window seat, clinking their wine glasses with a crisp, melodic chime.
The staff of such a restaurant were all highly trained, and the clientele refined. Yet even so, many couldn't help but glance their way.
Though already a top-class establishment, Eden's presence alone made the manager feel as though the restaurant was blessed. More importantly, tonight she had brought along a strikingly handsome boy.
And her warmth toward him was obvious.
Unlike past visits, when she only admired the night view from the window, tonight this peerless beauty never once took her eyes off Elias.
"Am I seeing things? Eden's actually showing that expression?!"
"Heavens, who is that boy? Some heir to a mega-corporation? Or perhaps a prince of a mid-sized country?"
"Don't be ridiculous! Do you think Eden is the type who cares about status or needs to curry favor? Look—today's concert has already gone viral across the whole net!"
"Hisss! That performance… just who is this boy?!"
...
The chatter reached Elias' sharp ears—fusion warriors had keen senses, after all. But he paid it no mind. The staff and guests weren't saying anything unpleasant. And right now, the only thing that mattered was the beauty sitting before him.
Eden was inviting him to perform with her again in the future—or rather, she hoped Elias would debut as an artist himself.
"Think it over carefully, will you? With your talent, Elias, the moment you step on stage, you'll shine just as brightly as I do. I can provide everything you need."
Eden mentioned nothing of profit or reward.
Her wish was simple: for Elias to share his gift with the world. She was more than willing to use her connections and fortune to build a stage for him, asking nothing in return.
Anyone else would have fainted with excitement. But after taking a sip of wine, Elias shook his head.
"Thank you, Eden. But I think you're exaggerating. I don't have the confidence to shine as brightly as you. And for me… music isn't something so grand or lofty."
"What?" Eden froze for a moment.
"Music is just a necessity in my life. My stage isn't the same as yours, inside grand, dazzling domes. Music is already a part of my daily life—and my everyday is its stage."
His words nearly made a passing waiter drop his tray. This boy had just turned down Eden's invitation—was there truly someone in the world who could refuse her patronage?
Ignoring the shock around them, Elias cut a piece of steak and praised the chef's skill as he savored it.
Though Eden's offer was tempting, Elias had already chosen his way. His music didn't require glamorous stages. Whenever he wished to sing, he could sing. Music was a simple necessity, like milk tea or candied hawthorn from a street stall—something he could have at any moment.
"I see. That truly is a beautiful way to think."
Eden was stunned for a moment, then smiled in sincere admiration.
She understood, but she couldn't treat music so casually. For Elias, there were many things beyond music he cherished. But for Eden, music itself was her most precious treasure.
"But still… nights like this, when I perform with you on a stage that holds the world's attention—it really is wonderful. Ah~ if it could always be like this, that wouldn't be so bad either."
Elias' fingers tapped lightly in rhythm.
The chef's carefully prepared dishes were delicious, yet what lingered most for him was the memory of the duet with Eden. Still, a trace of regret soon crossed his face.
"But unfortunately, for me that's impossible. I have more important duties to fulfill. After all… as long as the Honkai remains undefeated, how can I speak of dreams?"
"Elias, just who exactly are you…"
Eden was at a loss. For some reason, the boy before her suddenly felt distant. Though he sat less than half a meter away, close enough to touch, he seemed unreachable—like a star in the heavens.
That feeling stirred something within her. Leaning forward, she clasped one of his hands, her eyes earnest and shining.
"Elias, my friend—can you tell me more about yourself? I truly want to understand you better."