Pei Guang and the group left, but what they didn't know was that after they were gone, Serval and Pela immediately restructured their team. Later challengers who fought the two of them ended up drenched in sweat.
Because Serval and Pela kept shouting things like bond!friendship!faith!—and somehow won. On top of that, the Silvermane Lieutenant's repeated cries of "The Silvermane Guards are here!" became a nightmare for countless players during the festival.
Even after the celebration ended and Belobog fully reopened its borders, droves of players wanted to visit the city in person just to experience the real Silvermane Guards—and hear the original "The Silvermane Guards are here!"
But that's a story for another time.
Pei Guang: "Well then, we'll be heading off."
Serval: "Go, go! I believe you're definitely going to win. Oh, by the way, have you heard about that mysterious expert?"
Pei Guang, puzzled: "Mysterious expert? Has the hidden sixth member of the Four Heavenly Kings' fifth person shown up?"
Serval, surprised: "Huh? You actually know?"
Pela cleared her throat and said, "Ahem, this player—you should know him. Serval and I have probably heard of him too, but Giovanni only allowed us to share this much information."
March 7th: "Giovanni? What kind of stunt is he pulling now?"
Pei Guang: "Probably just one of the Masked Fools wanting to have some fun, huh? No big deal."
Pela nodded. "Right. If your goal is to become the Champion, I'm afraid you won't be able to avoid a battle with that player."
Serval: "Enjoy the game to the fullest! Good luck earning that title~ We'll be other players' next targets now, so we'll leave you here~"
After Serval and Pela left, the previously tense March 7th relaxed. She looked at Pei Guang and changed the subject: "Man, this game's actually really fun. The puzzles and contraptions are interesting too. What do you think, Ah Guang?"
Pei Guang thoughtfully analyzed, "As far as the content, puzzles, and rewards go: it's all pretty standard. But! This is still one of the best games I've played in years, because I've got the best teammates!"
When it comes to games, the best 'hardware' isn't top-tier gear or a high-end machine: it's the people you get to laugh and play with!
Sure, March and Stelle had been a bit disruptive with the tickling during the match, but for Pei Guang, that made it all the more memorable.
Stelle nodded. "Exactly! With you two around, this whole thing's been a blast."
March 7th nodded vigorously. "Totally, totally~ With you guys here, this already fun festival's even better. But Ah Guang's still the amazing one—just one move and you manage to make the whole festival more interesting~"
Pei Guang waved it off. "No worries, we'll definitely have even more fun and exciting festivals in the future. But anyway, should we head to the next zone now, or take a break first and head out after we're recharged? Up to you."
March 7th scratched her head. "Next stop's the Victory Zone in Cloudford, right? Doesn't feel like we'll make it today. Why don't we crash at the Goethe Hotel for the night and go when we're fully rested?"
Pei Guang: "Sounds good~ I'm with you."
Stelle pouted and pointed at herself. "Hey! What about me? Don't you wanna hear my opinion, Ah Guang?"
Pei Guang: "Oh? My dear Stelle, what's your opinion?"
Stelle crossed her arms and proudly declared, "My opinion is that we should rest for the night before going."
March 7th: "Oh wow, look who's repeating now."
Stelle: "This is my idea. I'm not repeating anything."
She said it righteously—but then she suddenly thought of something and turned to Pei Guang. "But hey, Ah Guang… what do you think about that mysterious expert? You don't think we'll lose to them, right?"
Pei Guang: "No clue. But honestly, that's not what I'm worried about. At most, the mysterious expert is just the hidden sixth member after the fifth of the Four Heavenly Kings. What I'm more curious about is whether Aetherium Wars has a hidden boss: like one of those powerful NPCs not part of the main game but still available for challenge, like a 'Sweeping Monk' kind of figure."
March 7th: "Who knows~ Come on, let's head back and get some rest. After all that today, I'm beat~"
Pei Guang and the group returned to the Goethe Hotel to rest. After all, all those fights with other players had given March 7th a real taste of what it meant to be on edge. Sure, they'd been winning non-stop, but there were a few close calls due to misused skill points where they almost wiped.
At the time, March 7th's heart was practically jumping out of her chest. Now that it was all over, she definitely needed a good rest.
What? How close was it exactly? Well, they were all at about half health. And since Pei Guang was usually above half HP, dropping below that felt like a near-loss to March 7th.
Meanwhile, aboard the Astral Express, Pom-Pom was happily tidying up the train, just like every day. For Pom-Pom, cleaning the train was one of life's greatest joys.
But recently, on top of cleaning, Pom-Pom had found something even more fun: Aetherium Wars.
Although Pom-Pom couldn't leave the train, let alone participate in battles remotely, thanks to Dan Heng and Welt setting it up with two Aether Spirits, it could at least get a taste of what the Trailblazers were experiencing—which already made Pom-Pom extremely happy.
Pom-Pom was cheerfully waiting for Pei Guang and the others to come back and have an Aether battle with it when Himeko showed up.
"Pom-Pom~"
"Hm? What's up? Does the conductor have anything you need help with?"
Pom-Pom, standing proud with broom in hand, looked seriously at Himeko.
Himeko smiled and pulled out an Aether Coin. "I heard Dan Heng and Welt both gave you an Aether Spirit. So I figured… I'd get one for you too~"
Himeko, of course, had been paying attention to what was going on aboard the Express. As the navigator, how could she forget about Pom-Pom? But the Aether Spirit she'd chosen was a bit special, which caused some delay.
Fortunately, with the help of a friend, she'd finally managed to get it ready today.
And so, Pom-Pom received the Aether Spirit Himeko's Coffee.
Staring at the coffee-shaped Aether Spirit in surprise, Pom-Pom asked, "Huh? Coffee can be an Aether Spirit too?"
Himeko nodded seriously. "Of course it can. Aether Coins can scan anything and turn it into an Aether Spirit. Go ahead and use it! From what I know, this Aether Spirit can enhance the strength of other Aether Spirits. Of course, you can also do what Ah Guang does and have someone drink the coffee."
Pom-Pom: "Thank you!!!"
Pom-Pom happily accepted the Aether Spirit. For Pom-Pom, power levels didn't matter at all: anything gifted by the Trailblazers was something it would love unconditionally.
Himeko's Coffee became part of Pom-Pom's Aether Spirit lineup~ and its team of Aether Spirits was growing stronger by the day.