Screwllum's voice was as steady as ever as he calmly stated a discovery that could shake the entire interstellar community.
"Trailblaze's Aeon, Akivili, has already fallen. And the Aeon of Nihility, IX, never grants authority. In theory, these two Paths should not produce any new Emanators."
His gaze moved from Wei Qing, to Granholm, and finally settled on the silent figure of Acheron, who stood like a shadow at the edge of the carriage.
"I have collaborated with Miss Herta before, so I am particularly sensitive to the difference between an Emanator and an ordinary Pathstrider."
"However, according to my findings, among the Path signatures that erupted at Qilan Star's finale, there were indeed two presences that reached Emanator-level—Nihility and Trailblaze. Moreover, they engaged in a brief yet intense clash with the Lord Ravager, Ifrit."
"Conclusion: I believe that, at the time, Qilan Star contained an Emanator of Nihility and an Emanator of Trailblaze."
Silence filled the observation car.
Pom-Pom reacted half a beat late, looking from Wei Qing to Granholm, then to Acheron, who remained utterly expressionless.
Wei Qing's mind raced.
This mechanical gentleman was sharp—no surprise for a Genius Society member. To identify the attributes and "tier" of Path power that precisely, from residual traces alone, was no trivial feat.
Wei Qing glanced at Acheron. She showed no reaction, as if the topic had nothing to do with her.
Granholm let out a weak, hoarse chuckle. "Mr. Screwllum… your observational ability… is as keen as ever."
He didn't deny it. And at this point, that was practically an admission.
Screwllum gave a small nod. "Thank you for your candor, Mr. Granholm. I do not intend to pry into anyone's secrets, and I understand that the Astral Express has long maintained deep ties with multiple Paths."
His attention returned to Wei Qing.
"My question is: does the newly emerged Trailblaze Emanator have any bearing on the Express's future course? For the current balance of power in the cosmos, this may be a variable that cannot be ignored."
Wei Qing exchanged a look with Granholm and saw quiet permission in the old Navigator's eyes.
He took a breath, stepped forward, and the brand-new Navigator's ticket on his chest caught the carriage lights with a faint glow.
"Mr. Screwllum," Wei Qing said evenly, "as you can see, I—Yi Qing, the Astral Express's new Navigator—am the Trailblaze Pathstrider you detected."
He avoided explicitly saying "Emanator," but the meaning was unmistakable.
Then, after Acheron gave a slight nod, Wei Qing continued.
"As for the Nihility Emanator you mentioned… this is Miss Acheron, a traveler pursuing her own road. She provided crucial assistance during the Qilan Star incident."
Acheron met Screwllum's gaze and only inclined her head. As always, she wasted no words.
"Hello. I'm Acheron."
Screwllum paused, as if processing something, then replied in his precise tone, "A pleasure to meet you, Miss Acheron. Thank you for what you did on Qilan Star."
He looked back to Wei Qing, and the metallic timbre of his voice carried a clear note of admiration.
"A newly appointed Navigator who is simultaneously a re-manifested Trailblaze Emanator… that is, indeed, news worthy of being recorded in the annals of the star sea. Congratulations, Mr. Yi Qing."
Then Screwllum made a request.
"Based on the goodwill established through our cooperation, and my personal curiosity regarding the Astral Express and the two of you—may I have the honor of visiting the Astral Express and speaking with both Emanators in person?"
"I have a research project of considerable importance. It may be of assistance to both of you."
Wei Qing looked to Acheron.
She remained impassive, but she didn't object.
Truth be told, Wei Qing was genuinely curious what kind of research Screwllum believed could be useful to two Emanators. As a Genius Society member, he wouldn't say that lightly.
"You're welcome aboard, Mr. Screwllum," Wei Qing replied with a polite smile. "The Astral Express has always welcomed friends who come in good faith."
"If you wish to come aboard for a discussion, you will be received."
Neither of the two long-time "train residents" had any objections.
Screwllum bowed with mechanical elegance. "The honor is mine. I will arrive in one hour. I look forward to meeting you."
The transmission ended. The projection disappeared.
Pom-Pom immediately sprang into motion, bustling around the observation car. "A guest is coming, pa! We have to tidy up, pa!"
Wei Qing turned to Granholm, whose aura was growing steadily weaker. "Senior… do you need to rest?"
Granholm slowly shook his head, a hint of clarity flickering in his cloudy eyes. "No. It's better that I'm present to receive a guest."
His gaze rested on the ticket on Wei Qing's chest, and he smiled with quiet relief. "With you as Navigator, I'm at ease."
…
Not long after, Screwllum's ship docked with the Astral Express. With a hiss of the airlock, the elegant mechanical aristocrat stepped into the observation car.
Under the car's soft lighting, the cold sheen of his metal frame contrasted oddly—and beautifully—with the carriage's warm, nostalgic atmosphere.
"Once again, my greetings to you all."
Screwllum's eyes swept the car and then paused on Granholm, who was visibly frail.
"And my respect to you as well, Mr. Granholm—for all you have done."
Granholm managed a thin smile in response.
Screwllum turned to Wei Qing and Acheron. His systems clearly scanned them with meticulous care, yet without crossing into overt rudeness.
"To speak plainly: your very existence is a major enigma. The return of Trailblaze, the manifestation of Nihility—both exceed the predictions of many current cosmological models."
"I have come aboard partly out of academic curiosity, and partly…" He paused, voice still even. "To confirm the stance you hold toward the present cosmic order—especially you, Mr. Yi Qing, as the Astral Express's Navigator."
Wei Qing understood the caution behind those words. A newly appeared Trailblaze Emanator could tilt the balance of multiple factions.
"Mr. Screwllum, rest assured," Wei Qing said calmly. "I became the Astral Express's Navigator to carry on the will of Trailblaze."
"As for Miss Acheron—"
Acheron added, flatly, "I walk only to end Nihility."
Screwllum's processors seemed to run at high speed for a moment before he nodded.
"Thank you for your candor. That aligns with my inferences based on your actions on Qilan Star."
"The Astral Express's traditions and spirit are, indeed, worthy of respect."
He looked to Wei Qing again.
"The pursuit of knowledge is endless. It is my honor to witness history here and to exchange words with you."
"Before we begin a formal discussion, please allow me to present a hypothesis derived from long-term observation and research—regarding the concept of an 'Aeon candidate.'"
Wei Qing's eyes shifted subtly, though his expression remained calm.
Screwllum began, unhurried and methodical.
"Based on my analysis of historical behavioral patterns across multiple known Aeons, I have long entertained a possibility."
"Hypothesis: when an Aeon falls and a Path becomes effectively masterless, a mortal may have an opportunity to become an Aeon."
"A mortal… becoming an Aeon?" Everyone except Wei Qing raised an eyebrow. It was a bold claim.
"Yes," Screwllum continued evenly. "I call this possibility an 'Aeon candidate.'"
He lifted a metal arm, projecting a complex star map annotated with known Paths and their relationships.
"As is widely recognized, an Aeon is the embodiment of a Path—an existence at the furthest frontier of that Path."
"When an Aeon falls, its Path does not vanish. Instead, it enters a kind of unsettled state—present, but without a central will."
"In such a state, if an individual arises who can once again represent that Path, then that individual may possess the potential to become that Path's next Aeon."
"And that individual," Screwllum said, "is an Emanator."
"An Emanator—already the strongest existence beneath an Aeon—walks deep within a Path and reaches heights beyond ordinary beings."
"Yet if an Aeon is gone and the Path is without a sovereign, an Emanator who embodies that Path most completely becomes, by existence alone, the strongest candidate to inherit that Path."
He paused—then his tone carried a trace of genuine regret.
"Unfortunately, when I derived this conclusion, I also found a discouraging pattern: among the Paths whose Aeons have fallen, none appear to have left behind any living Emanators."
Then his gaze returned to Wei Qing.
"Consider Trailblaze. After Akivili's fall, the Path did not completely fade. The Astral Express is proof. It still operates—only lacking the core that once guided everything."
"And you, Mr. Yi Qing—new Navigator of the Astral Express—have demonstrated Trailblaze authority at the Emanator level. By my model's computation, you are presently the closest known existence in the universe to the core of Trailblaze itself."
"Viewpoint: Mr. Yi Qing, you are the most fitting match to my 'Aeon candidate' theory for the Path of Trailblaze—the potential successor most aligned with that Path."
The carriage fell silent again.
Pom-Pom's mouth hung open, as though its brain had temporarily stopped processing.
Even Granholm stared at Wei Qing, his withered body seeming to tense with shock and emotion.
He had lived his entire life for Trailblaze—and now, in a newly appointed Navigator, he was hearing the possibility of an Aeon returning.
A new Aeon of Trailblaze?
It was… an absurdly advanced idea.
Wei Qing's heart tightened.
Screwllum truly lived up to his reputation. To reach something this close to the truth through observation and inference alone—this wasn't mere cleverness. It was frightening.
But in reality, Wei Qing's own "candidate" status existed elsewhere—Destruction and Abundance—and neither of those Aeons was likely to die anytime soon. If anything, he'd probably die first.
As for Trailblaze…
Until he actually obtained a clear "candidate" status on Trailblaze, he had never seriously considered it.
"Mr. Screwllum," Wei Qing finally said, voice level, "your theory is bold, and it is… illuminating. But becoming an Aeon is not simple. Akivili fell long ago, and Trailblaze is nowhere near what it once was."
"Even if an 'Aeon candidate' exists, reigniting a Path and ascending to divinity would be no less difficult than carving open the heavens."
Screwllum nodded. "Completely correct. This is only a theoretical possibility. To reignite a Path and step into godhood would require unimaginable accumulation—and a catalyst."
Then he turned to Acheron.
"As for Nihility… although IX still exists, its condition is—well known."
"In theory, Nihility does not restrict Pathstriders from drawing upon its Path. Thus, Nihility may also permit an 'Aeon candidate' scenario—though the conditions would likely be even more stringent. Miss Acheron, what is your view?"
Acheron raised her eyes. No visible emotion stirred within them.
"Becoming a god is not what I seek."
"What I pursue is ending Nihility itself—not becoming Nihility."
Her answer was simple, direct, and rigid with pure intent.
Screwllum's faceplate brightened faintly—perhaps approval.
"Understood. Ending Nihility is, in itself, an extraordinarily challenging proposition."
"In a sense, it is the other face of the same coin. Both approaches touch the Path's essence."
In truth, Screwllum's reasons for coming to Qilan Star had never been purely about helping the civilization.
He had been searching for someone who had walked Nihility far enough to reach the level of an Emanator—because he wanted to find a being that fit the conditions of his "candidate" hypothesis.
Yet such an existence should not exist.
An Emanator of a masterless Path was, by definition, a paradox.
An Emanator was an existence blessed—directly—by an Aeon, then elevated to the summit beneath it.
If an Aeon was dead, how could it grant an Emanator?
But there was one exception.
IX.
Nihility's Aeon did not govern its Path. If you could take, you could take—and it would not interfere.
In the loosest sense, it almost resembled a "masterless" Path.
And now, with an even more compelling subject—a Trailblaze Emanator who might align with inheritance conditions—Screwllum's fascination with the Nihility Emanator naturally receded by a small margin.
Not because Acheron was less important—
But because Wei Qing's existence represented a cleaner, more structurally "valid" case for the hypothesis.
Join here to read ahead.
In Star Rail, Ultra-Beast Armored — Have I Caught "Equilibrium"? l (Chapter 80)
Uma Musume, But I Only Have Five Years Left to Live (Chapter 178)
Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Doctor, Not a Bangboo (Chapter 155)
Ben Tennyson Wants to Join the Justice League ( 126 )
TYPE-MOON: Redemption Beginning with the Holy Grail War (Chapter110)
Yu-Gi-Oh! — Transmigrated into the White Dragon Girl (Chapter200)
"Is this chat group even serious?" (Chapter110)
I, Lord Ravager, Utterly Loyal! (Chapter230)
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Crossover Anime Multiverse: The Demon Hunter of an Unnatural World 77
From Junkman to Wasteland 66
Weekly Refresh of Overpowered 31
I'm Grinding Proficiency Like 46
From Kiana, Lord Ravager, Onwa 200
Honkai: Is This Still the Prev 42
Elf: My Starter Pokémon Is Inc 65
Warhammer: My Primarch Is Remi 180
From Demon Slayer to Grand Ass Volume2/5
The Way the Umamusume Look at 68
Uma Musume, but My Cheat Power 230
Naruto: Weaving the Future, Be 65
Zenless Zone Zero, but Kamen R 76
Multiverse Crossover: The Perf 66
My Cyberpsycho Girlfriend 65
Uma Musume: The Dark Trainer 220
Uma Musume: A Calamity Born fr 154
I, a Reincarnation-Loop Player Volume4/30
The Violent Girl Group Is Beat 120
Uma Musume: The Horse Girl Who 67
Uma Musume: From Beginner 135
Becoming a Horse Girl, I Will 85
Uma Musume: I Want All 110
I Can Copy Unique Skills 100
Summoning an Evil God, but the 70
Supernatural Multiverse 100
My Harem Is Indescribable 90
Jujutsu Kaisen: Heroic Spirit 95
"I'm just a Valkyrie passing through." 68
Uma Musume: Today Is Another Romantic Battlefield 105
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The Most Filial Son Under Heav 80
What Should I Do After Switchi - Volume2/3
Reincarnated as a Demon, Skill 70
Hell-Difficulty Dungeon? 55
Transmigrated as Sukuna 75
Checking In in Demon Slayer 80
The Reincarnating Trainer of Tracen Academy 85
I Refuse to Become a Heroic 70
My Best Friend Into a Slime? 65
A Saiyan Stands Above Marvel 70
What Do You Mean by Using a Lab Mod to Be the Hero? 70
Tanya Starts from Re:Zero 65
Why did they assign me to Uma 65
MYGO Beauties 65
DanMachi: Emiya the Giant Hero 55
The Gacha Merchant Who Started 65
Honkai's Otherworld? Wait—Who Are You People?! 45
Emiya Shirou, Determined to Slay Every Curse and Evil Spirit 45
The Uma Musume Who Became 40
I'm Definitely Not the King of 45
After Maxing Out Every Class 45
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