Is Unlocking the Stellaris Tech Tree in Star Rail Really Okay? [156]

Not a match?

Definitely not a match!

If Bronya hadn’t brought it up, Chen Lin wouldn’t have even realized—nowhere in the theoretical framework of psionics is there mention of a so-called ultimate awakening. Psionic strength, as a rule, is inherently tied to potential; those with stronger psionic potential simply awaken to greater power than those with weaker potential.

Psionics wasn’t some cultivation martial arts fantasy where people with heavenly physiques or unique spirit roots could leap ahead in power and defy all logic.

So how was it that Seele, with stronger psionic potential, didn’t become a psionic user, while Bronya—of all people—ended up being the only psionic user on Jarilo-VI?

It made no sense!

“Bring me the data.”

Psionics wasn’t some mystical mumbo jumbo—it was something measurable, quantifiable even.

Seele scampered off eagerly, returning shortly with an instrument in her arms.

Chen Lin examined the recorded data. Sure enough, it confirmed what they said: Seele’s psionic potential was indeed superior. Theoretically, she should have had a higher ceiling for immediate power elevation.

“This doesn’t make sense,” Chen Lin muttered, baffled. “You two share the same conditions. Whatever Bronya had, you had too. There shouldn’t be any difference.”

The human body was like an infinitely expandable balloon, with psionics being the air filling it. Psionic potential dictated how much the balloon could stretch, while awakening could be visualized as a sharp external force piercing the balloon, triggering a powerful burst.

Logically, with a larger “balloon,” Seele should have also become a psionic user, and a far more powerful one at that. Her body and abilities should have ascended to an entirely new level.

Yet the reality unfolding before him clashed with his theoretical understanding, leaving Chen Lin utterly perplexed.

Bronya nervously rubbed Seele’s cold hands. “Mentor… do you… do you have any ideas?”

“Not at the moment,” Chen Lin admitted with a shake of his head. “I’ve never heard of anything like this.”

His gaze drifted to the two girls’ joined hands. You two seem awfully close, he thought, though he knew exactly why.

Bronya had pieced together fragments of her past from the archives in Qlipoth Fort, discovering she had once been an ordinary lower-city dweller. Her rise to her current position as the Supreme Guardian was primarily due to Belobog’s peculiar Guardian selection process.

The power of the Supreme Guardian carried a psionic quality akin to mind control, but it only worked on children with undeveloped minds. As such, every child selected as the Guardian’s heir underwent a memory-erasing ritual, wiping away six to seven years of their past.

Bronya and Seele’s relationship hadn’t started on the best terms. If not for some probing questions from Chen Lin earlier, he wouldn’t have realized that the two had become inseparable confidantes through such an unusual turn of events.

He glanced at Bronya again. She’s starting to show some real leadership skills.

“It’s fine,” Seele said with a carefree smile, scratching her cheek. “It’s not like I have anyone to fight anyway. Even if someone could beat me, so what? No matter how strong they are, they can’t beat a fleet! It’s no big deal. Speaking of which, Brother Lin, have you eaten yet?”

Though Seele felt a twinge of regret at not being able to grow stronger to protect those she cared about, she had grown up scrappy and pragmatic in Belobog’s harsh environment. She understood how to let go.

Despite her loud and bold exterior, Seele was actually quite thin-skinned. If Bronya hadn’t brought this up, she wouldn’t have dared to bother Chen Lin with her questions. In her eyes, Chen Lin was already busy enough; the last thing she wanted was to add to his burdens.

Her guileless, sunny smile brought Chen Lin back to their first meeting, when she was still the fiery little Seele who would yell when things didn’t go her way, and fight when yelling didn’t work.

“Want some cake?” Seele offered. “Bronya taught me how to bake, and I’ve already mastered it!”

“That’s definitely strange…”

“I also have cookies!”

“You…” Chen Lin rubbed her head affectionately. “Don’t ever think you’re bothering me with things like this. I’m not afraid of being bothered; I’m afraid of people having problems and not telling me. I’ll think about this and see if there’s anything I’ve overlooked. You two are my right and left hands—I can’t let either of you miss out on a chance to grow stronger. After all, to conquer the stars, you need the strength to back it up.”

Conquer the stars!

Seele’s eyes sparkled like stars themselves. She looked every bit the captivated fangirl.

“Haha… But it’s a bit embarrassing. Brother Lin, you’re always so busy, handling this and that without much time to rest…”

“And how do you know I don’t rest?” Chen Lin rolled his eyes. “I eat well, sleep soundly, and even play dress-up over on the Xianzhou. Making their leaders owe me favors is quite satisfying.”

Bronya, meanwhile, was deep in thought, replaying Chen Lin’s earlier words in her mind: “Whatever Bronya had, you had too. There shouldn’t be any difference.”

The words seemed innocuous at first, but the more she thought about them, the more profound they felt.

I had what Seele had?

Was that really true? That didn’t seem certain.

She stole a glance at Chen Lin, who was chatting with Seele. A thought flashed through her mind, and a sly smile crept onto her lips.

“Mentor, I have an idea…”

Bronya had learned court etiquette extensively in the past, giving her a dual persona. She could be the stern officer forged through military discipline or the elegant young lady of noble upbringing. Even in Chen Lin’s presence, she couldn’t fully hide her soldierly pride.

But now, her sudden shift into a soft-spoken, refined tone made Chen Lin involuntarily shiver.

You’re plenty mature already. Your ideas can’t be that immature.

“What idea?” he asked, intrigued.

When the moment came to speak, Bronya hesitated, feeling slightly embarrassed. But surrounded by her close companions, she eventually gathered her courage.

Bronya pursed her lips. “Mentor, after reflecting on your words, I think I’ve identified something Seele doesn’t have.”

Seele’s ears perked up at once. “What is it? What is it?”

Bronya’s gaze turned sly. “It’s you, Mentor.”

Chen Lin, Seele: “?”

This statement completely short-circuited Chen Lin’s brain. Seele, on the other hand, was utterly confused, failing to grasp the meaning behind Bronya’s words. Yet, she couldn’t shake off a vague sense of unease.

What does my awakening have to do with Brother Lin? Aren’t awakenings supposed to rely solely on one’s own abilities?

“It’s just…” Bronya gritted her teeth. “It’s just that Sister Seele hasn’t… um… done that… with you…”

Bronya gestured delicately with her slender, jade-like fingers to emphasize her point.

What?!

Chen Lin’s mind leapt to retort, but as he paused to think it over, a faint possibility flickered in his thoughts.

No way. That’s absurd.

If things went down this path, wouldn’t he be like one of those cult leaders he used to hear about before transmigrating? The type that claimed to be divine or a messenger of the divine, performing so-called “holy rituals” to grant followers saintly powers?

Sure, some of those cult leaders didn’t bother with creating saintesses and focused on “saints” instead, but the goal was always the same—manipulation and exploitation.

Chen Lin prided himself on being a regular guy, albeit with a cheat-like ability that let him build houses, construct starships, and conjure resources out of thin air. But this? Using some bizarre method to create artificial psionic users? That was taking it too far.

Still…

The more he thought about it, the more this ridiculous notion seemed like a plausible explanation.

Meanwhile, Seele, upon realizing what Bronya was hinting at, flushed bright red. Though Bronya had once mentioned her own experiences in passing, Seele had never dared to bring it up openly.

“N-no way…” Seele stammered, her voice trembling.

“I agree. This is far too ridiculous,” Chen Lin nodded, propping his chin on his hand in thought. As he began pacing, he continued, “Psionic cultivation and awakening are intricately tied to one’s external experiences and internal growth. Even post-awakening improvements are primarily tied to mental resilience and depth. This aligns with the Cafsthi Theory…”

As Chen Lin delved into his explanation, Seele suddenly felt a light kick against her foot.

Brother Lin is pacing ahead of me. He couldn’t have kicked me. So… it must be Bronya.

Seele shot Bronya a puzzled look, only to find Bronya staring intently at Chen Lin. Under the table, Bronya made a subtle gesture, as if trying to signal something.

Huh?

Seele tilted her head, utterly bewildered.

But instead of voicing her confusion—something she might have done impulsively in the past—Seele managed to keep her curiosity in check, her newfound ability to mask her thoughts kicking in.

Her eyes are so clear… like polished rice. Bronya sighed inwardly. She really doesn’t get it. Left with no other option, Bronya decided to push forward herself.

“Mentor, your analysis is much deeper than anything I could come up with,” Bronya began, nodding vigorously. “However, with all due respect, have you considered the possibility that this is the reason? As you’ve mentioned before, the Xianzhou people are theoretically immortal. Perhaps Belobogans are unique in some ways? Or perhaps you are unique, beyond the scope of conventional psionic theories?”

Chen Lin paused mid-step, momentarily lost in thought. Seeing his distracted state, Bronya felt a wave of triumph.

She wasn’t entirely sure what motivated her—maybe it was the way Seele looked envious when Bronya brought up her past experiences, or perhaps it was the undeniable reality that Chen Lin’s mere presence, even without his talents or abilities, could easily attract countless admirers. Regardless, Bronya wanted those close to her to have their fair share of opportunities.

Belobog doesn’t have strict monogamous laws or traditions. What’s the harm?

“If there’s even a chance this could work, why not give it a try, Mentor? It’s bound to happen eventually…”

Bronya glanced at Seele, who was suddenly quiet, her head lowered in embarrassment. Turning back to Chen Lin, Bronya added, “Besides, no one would find out. Sister Seele wouldn’t spill the secret, right?”

Seele mumbled softly, “Mm…”

Navigating the vast expanse of the galaxy wasn’t an easy task, especially for someone like Seele, destined to lead an empire’s military. The dangers she would face, from assassination attempts to full-scale wars, were innumerable.

And Seele… Seele was the first to openly confess her feelings to Chen Lin, undeterred by embarrassment. Her determination and sincerity had always been evident, and her tireless efforts to live up to her promises only strengthened his admiration for her.

Back then, Chen Lin’s main goal was to recruit Seele onto his “pirate crew” with a fabricated excuse. Now, not only had she joined, but she had willingly taken on responsibility. Chen Lin couldn’t ignore the weight of her actions.

“I have no objections,” Chen Lin finally said, “but if this isn’t the true factor…”

“I agree!!” Seele suddenly exclaimed, her voice loud and firm. After a moment, she lowered her head again and added softly, “I can’t accept rewards before fulfilling my promises to Brother Lin. And besides… Bronya, she…”

“This sort of thing is normal, Sister Seele. There’s no need to feel bad about it,” Bronya reassured her. “Besides, wouldn’t this give you more motivation?”

Motivation? Chen Lin thought. Be specific.

Seele bit her lip, then stubbornly pointed a finger at Chen Lin. “Brother Lin, I’ll take responsibility! For you, and for Bronya!”

Chen Lin: “…”

You don’t have to make me sound like some sheltered maiden…

As for Bronya’s perspective, Chen Lin found it unsurprising. During his time stirring up trouble in Belobog, he’d already realized how similarly many noble families operated.

With their plan settled, Bronya shoved the official documents on the table aside and grabbed both Seele and Chen Lin’s hands. “Let’s go! It’s been ages since we’ve gone out. I’ve been cooped up here for so long, staring at paperwork. Let’s enjoy ourselves while Mentor is here!”

It was rare to see Bronya so genuinely excited, like a carefree young girl.

Chen Lin, knowing there were no pressing matters back on the Xianzhou, decided to indulge them. After all, this visit to Jarilo-VI was to check on his students and friends. Spending a night out wouldn’t hurt.

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T/N: O////O

This is a fan translation of 在星穹铁道点群星科技树真的没问题吗? by 杏雨诗韵 All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!