Oh?
Is it finally time for the settlement?
Clank, clank...
On the steam train heading to the Crimson Mist Sea, Tendo finally woke up from his "false nap" upon seeing the notification from the system panel.
["Aura of the Prequel of the Stars: Glimmer" Playback Ended]
[Single Season Playback Settlement Begins. Popularity Ranking Calculating...]
[Character: Tendo Simei, Single Season Popularity Rank Settled at... NO. 1]
[You have received the following rewards:]
[1. Guaranteed minimum screen time proportion of 35% for the next season]
[2. One character promotion worth 1 million popularity points]
[3. One exclusive character background modification permission]
Although Tendo himself did not have much screen time in the second season, he secured a significant amount of screen time by using the identities of the "Mysterious Masked Man" and "Ink Wash".
The popularity points generated by these two characters were all aggregated onto his own character after his true identity was revealed.
Coupled with the already immense popularity base Tendo had accumulated during the first season, the title of Popularity Champion for the second season landed on him without any argument.
For the current Tendo, the first two rewards of the single-season popularity champion were visibly starting to diminish in usefulness.
The only item that truly interested him was the one called "Exclusive Character Background Modification Permission."
After all, if used well, the enhancement it could bring was difficult to quantify in terms of mere "Popularity Points."
Before using this season's "background modification permission," Tendo habitually clicked on his personal panel.
[Name: Tendo Simei (Leader of the Glimmer Organization)]
[Age: 18 years old]
[Level: Tier 2]
[Base Star-Energy Value: 19,999 (Maximum reached)]
[Star-Origin: Vector Control (One Perfect Awakening)]
[Starlight Core: Star-Eater Eye (One Awakening)]
[Attributes: Strength S+, Agility S+, Spirit S+, Vitality S+, Star-Energy S+, Precision S+]
[Skills: ...]
[Current Popularity Points: 13.47 million]
[Popularity Points Loaned: 5 million (Limit 5 million)]
In the first season, Tendo's popularity loan limit was 1 million.
In the second season, his popularity loan limit increased to 5 million.
Now that his popularity points had been replenished, it was time to further enhance his popularity potential!
[Ding! 'Popularity-Pay' has received your repayment. In consideration of your excellent popularity credit and two consecutive first-place rankings in the single-season popularity settlements, 'Popularity-Pay' is re-evaluating your popularity loan limit...]
[Evaluation complete. Your current single-season popularity loan limit is 20 million.]
[Popularity Points Loaned: 0 (Limit 20 million)]
Oh?
Tendo couldn't help but smile, looking at the greatly increased popularity loan limit on the panel.
"What's up, Tendo? Is there something fun going on? Share it with us!"
Hearing Tendo's laughter, Jing Liuli, who had just won a half-game of Starbeast Chess against little Danica, immediately put down her piece and curiously leaned over.
However, Tendo thought for a moment and said to Jing Liuli, who was brimming with curiosity: "Nothing."
"You're lying! Your mouth is practically smiling up to the sky!"
Jing Liuli glared at Tendo, resembling a purple pufferfish with "unhappy" written all over its face.
In response, Tendo said helplessly, "It's really nothing, Liuli. You're overthinking it."
Seeing that Tendo still refused to share the fun news, Jing Liuli became "angry."
She let out a cold huff and then sat back in her seat in a huff.
If you won't tell me, then you won't tell me! As if I care!
Just you wait, Tendo. When Caroline gets here, I'm reporting you right away!
Despite the thought, Jing Liuli still felt unsatisfied.
So, she hugged her Dream Weaver Pillow tightly, pulled out a marker pen, and quickly scribbled on the back of the pillow.
On this pillow, besides the classic five large characters that read [DO NOT DISTURB DURING BATTLE], the edge of the pillowcase stubbornly bore the words [LYING Tendo AND DOGS KEEP OUT], written in anger six years ago when Jing Liuli was taking her final assessment.
Looking at these words, Tendo instantly recalled the scene where he had tricked her into teaming up with him and Caroline during the final assessment.
"Liuli, I didn't deliberately trick you back then. Do you really have to hold a grudge for this many years?"
"Hmph~"
Jing Liuli gave him a "deadpan" glare, then wrote a new sentence on the pillow.
[Tendo IS A SELFISH JERK!]
Tendo: "..."
Watching the speechless Tendo, Jing Liuli smugly hugged her precious pillow tighter, turning her head away to look out the window in a proud, childish manner, clearly conveying, "I don't want to be best friends with you anymore."
Seeing this, Tendo copied her, tilting his head back to rest against the headrest.
Fine, don't be friends! Who cares!
Danica, caught between the two, first glanced at the "pretending-to-sleep" Tendo, then at Jing Liuli looking out the window, and very sensibly and silently put the scattered chess pieces back in their places on the board.
After doing all this, little Danica let out a silent sigh.
Mr. Tendo and Sister Liuli are so difficult. They're both so grown up, yet they still act like children and throw tantrums. It's too much worry.
While little Danica was worrying herself sick for the sake of the team, Tendo used his "Exclusive Background Modification Permission."
[You have made a certain degree of modification to your exclusive background. Do you confirm saving this character background?]
[System Warning: Upon confirmation, the Prequel of the Stars Production Team will create an exclusive side story based on this new character background and broadcast it with the one-million popularity promotion package. Therefore, even if you receive the character background modification permission again later, you will not be able to make any changes to this modified background. Please proceed with caution.]
Looking at the system alert in front of him, Tendo was already familiar with the process, having gone through one modification before.
At the same time, just as the system delivers all system items to him in a rational way, the Prequel of the Stars Production Team also needs to provide the Dimensional viewers with a reasonable explanation for each of Tendo's "background modifications."
The exclusive "character side story" is the explanation provided by the Production Team.
As Tendo confirmed the background modification, a new system notification appeared.
[Your modified exclusive background has taken effect. You have gained the Special Talent: Tendo Cells.]
[Your exclusive side story is being produced.]
[Special Character Side Story - "The Innate Strength 2" has been completed. Broadcast time pending...]
[Note: This side story includes the one-million popularity promotion package. Therefore, there will be a certain degree of pre-broadcast warm-up. The final popularity effect will depend on the market reception after the premiere.]
Hmm?
The moment Tendo acquired "Tendo Cells,"Fox—who was meditating on the other side of the carriage—suddenly opened her eyes, a flash of surprise in her golden pupils.
Meiling also looked up, her cool gaze resting on Tendo.
Meanwhile, Tendo, who was undergoing "physical modification," was in a kind of wondrous state.
"Miss..."
"I know. Tendo has gotten stronger again."
Chen Xing looked at Tendo, who seemed to be "feigning sleep," her expression very complex.
She didn't know what change Tendo was undergoing, but the burgeoning "Vitality" on him was so radiant it was almost "illuminating" the entire carriage.
Even though she had made significant progress, and even though she had given her all, every time she felt she was about to catch up to Tendo's back, he would always—just like this—quietly move to a higher place.
Thinking of this, Chen Xing unconsciously gave a bitter smile.
Many people called her a genius, and the Blazing Sun Family even called her a natural "ruler" and "leader."
But only Chen Xing herself knew that she was never a genius.
Because the true genius was that "figure" she could never catch up to, no matter how hard she tried.
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