Chapter 18: New Feature Unlocked - The Use of Elation Points

Pom-Pom reluctantly found himself in March 7th's arms. She truly loved holding the incredibly soft and cuddly Pom-Pom, who, with his fluffy fur and sweet scent, resembled an irresistibly adorable lop-eared rabbit. Few young girls could resist such a sight.

"What?! So much Stellar Jade! This is amazing, Pom-Pom!"

At that moment, Pom-Pom didn't even mind being held by March 7th. When Himeko tactfully presented him with some Stellar Jade, Pom-Pom's eyes lit up with excitement as he clutched the precious gems and giggled foolishly.

"It seems like the Astral Express has been smooth sailing ever since Passenger Theresa boarded, Pom-Pom!" Pom-Pom exclaimed excitedly, pointing at Theresa, who was cradling a puppet. If Pom-Pom wasn't mistaken, wasn't that Herta's puppet?

"What's this?" Pom-Pom asked in astonishment, pointing at the Herta Puppet that Theresa was princess-carrying.

"Hmm, that's a little perk I secured for myself," Theresa replied with a smug grin. "And she can even help Conductor Pom-Pom with the cleaning ♪" She enthusiastically introduced the Herta Puppet to Pom-Pom.

"Rumor has it there are many other hidden features we haven't discovered yet—nothing inappropriate, of course."

Dan Heng explained the Herta Puppet to Pom-Pom, while Welt recounted their adventures at the Space Station.

"So that's what happened, Pom-Pom! The Space Station was invaded by the Antimatter Legion! Does that mean she's a new member of the Nameless?" Pom-Pom struggled free from March 7th's arms, waddled over to Stelle's feet, and tilted its head to examine her curiously.

"Hello, I'm Stelle, a Stellaron Spirit born less than two days ago. And you're Conductor Pom-Pom of the Astral Express." Influenced by Theresa's eccentric behavior, Stelle adopted an equally unconventional introduction, adding a touch of mischief.

"Huh? Born less than two days ago? What's that all about?"

"And what exactly is a Stellaron Spirit?"

Pom-Pom was utterly baffled.

Himeko smiled and explained Stelle's origins to Pom-Pom. When it learned that Stelle was truly a Stellaron Spirit, it was stunned.

Pom-Pom reflected on the group: March 7th was a Humanoid Six-Phase Ice, Dan Heng was something strange. Himeko and Welt were undoubtedly human, and Theresa remained an enigma. Now, a Stellaron Spirit had joined the crew.

"Conductor, there's something I need to tell you," Theresa said, handing the Herta Puppet to Stelle and Pom-Pom, who were both staring wide-eyed at it. "I hope you won't be frightened."

Stelle happily began playing with the Herta Puppet, while March 7th playfully crowded in to join her, both giggling as they took turns manipulating the doll.

"Ha! This Conductor isn't afraid, Theresa! You must be joking! Even if I jumped off the Astral Express, I wouldn't be scared—because I can't jump off!" Pom-Pom declared confidently, patting its furry chest with what might have been paws or hands.

"Here it comes! Conductor Pom-Pom's about to get scared by Theresa!" March 7th giggled, excitedly fiddling with the Herta Puppet. Stelle, meanwhile, was feeling all over the puppet, trying to figure out where to press to turn it on.

Dan Heng, Welt, and Himeko watched to see if Pom-Pom would be frightened. They remembered hearing how the Aeon of Elation, Aha, had once hidden for a year, waiting for Pom-Pom to let its guard down, before blowing the Astral Express in half. While the exterior of the train was fortified with Pathstrider Power, its interior might not be so resilient.

The damaged rear carriages had crashed on Himeko's homeworld. She had to repair them before the crew could resume their trailblazing journey. No one even knew when Pom-Pom had first appeared on the Astral Express.

"Actually," Theresa said, "while participating in Herta's Simulated Universe invitation test at the Space Station, I encountered what might have been the Aeon of Elation, Aha, himself. He granted me the Power of Elation, transforming me into an Emanator of Elation."

Theresa's words left Pom-Pom gaping in astonishment.

"Waaah! Don't come any closer, Pom-Pom!"

Pom-Pom froze, terrified, and hid behind Welt, frantically shouting at Theresa.

"Didn't you say you weren't scared?" Theresa asked, multicolored flames dancing in her hands. "Besides, my transformation happened in front of everyone. I haven't been deliberately hiding my identity, except for the fact that I'm a Permanence Pathstrider."

"Who knows if you'll blow up the train again, Pom-Pom!" Pom-Pom whimpered, trembling behind Welt. "Pom-Pom never wants to fall asleep again!"

Everyone suddenly understood: the train's disasters were what caused Pom-Pom to fall asleep.

"The Power of Elation is constantly being converted into the Power of The Permanence," Theresa explained patiently. "While I might be influenced by some of the Elation, that doesn't mean I'll recklessly abandon everything just for a laugh."

After much coaxing, Theresa finally calmed the terrified Pom-Pom. The discerning nature of the Power of The Permanence ultimately proved her point.

"But I thought The Permanence had already fallen!" Pom-Pom exclaimed. "Why is the Power of The Permanence still appearing on you, Passenger Theresa?"

Dan Heng stepped in to explain. The death of a Path's Leader doesn't prevent others from treading that Path. Paths themselves never vanish; they are simply absorbed or merged.

Pom-Pom finally understood the source of Theresa's power. As for her claim of being personally granted power by The Permanence, most preferred to believe it was a delusion. She must have stumbled upon the Path through some other means.

After all, many believed The Permanence had already fallen, and Theresa had long given up arguing. Besides, she and the Homu System had arrived here by accident anyway.

[By the way, my little darling, a new mission has arrived! Defeat or eliminate Cocolia Rand to claim the Core of the Herrscher of Binding—the kind that hasn't been restricted by the Cocoon of Finality. I didn't set this up; it's part of the gradually unlocking mission list. It must be the Permanence's handiwork.]

[But here's the twist: we've added Elation Points for you! You can use them to purchase various items from the System, like Senti's Brick or Otto's Green Hat. Wearing this hat grants you Greenhorn's Power—a support profession associated with the Harmony Path. Whoever is "green-hatted" gains the "Of course, I'll forgive him/her!" buff.]

[Attack power increased by 50%, effect resistance increased by 30%, speed increased by 20%, and defense increased by 20%.]

Price: 1,000 Elation Points.

Crystal Brick: The user shouts, "I will reverse all creation!" summoning a projection of the Herrscher of Sentience to assist in attacking enemies. The battle concludes with the user flattening the enemy with the brick.

Price: 2,000 Elation Points.

The Homu System's words sparked Theresa's interest. For some reason, she felt the green hat suited Stelle perfectly. After all, she had seen golden trailblazers of Harmony before, but never a green one. Wouldn't that be a fun twist?