Honkai: Star Rail – From the Moment Tom The Cat Became My Passenger

Seeing that Yevenko refused to let her study Tom, Herta didn't press the issue.

She glanced at Yevenko and Tom, her pink lips gently pursed as she spoke:

"Regardless, you helped the space station resolve the Antimatter Legion crisis. You've earned our friendship. I'll inform Asta—the station will be open to you from now on."

"If you come across anything interesting on your Trailblazing journey, don't forget to bring it back to me. I'll make it worth your while."

"That's all. Goodbye."

Without waiting for Yevenko's reply, Herta turned and walked away without so much as a backward glance.

Watching her leave, Himeko gently rested her hand on Yevenko's shoulder. Her red lips curved ever so slightly as she said softly:

"Herta… Or rather, the geniuses of the Genius Society are always a bit eccentric. Direct, blunt. Don't think she's being rude. Granting you station access is already a generous gesture."

"This station, among all the repositories under Herta's care, ranks near the top. Take a good look around—you'll find no shortage of fascinating things."

Yevenko nodded.

Before transmigrating, he'd already read up on the peculiarities of the Genius Society. Of the three key members often mentioned, two were human but didn't think like humans—while the one actual AI acted more human than either of them.

That's genius for you. Their minds just operated on a different wavelength.

Although...

Come to think of it—didn't that make Tom a genius too? His mind certainly worked in unusual ways, and he could do everything.

He could fence, fish, shoot, design, lift, sing, dance, drive, fly, and play (and conduct) multiple musical instruments. He was even proficient in math, physics, and chemistry.

At first, Yevenko had thought geniuses were amazing.

But now? Realizing his cat was one too?

It felt… less impressive.

No, wait—even more impressive!

Tom was the best in the world. No—best in the universe!

Yevenko tilted his head slightly, wanting to give Tom, who was perched on his shoulders, a pat—

But he paused.

At some point, Tom had already fallen asleep. His head rested atop Yevenko's, breath slow and even.

Yevenko smiled to himself.

"AHHH—!"

A sudden scream broke the moment.

Everyone turned toward the source.

March 7th had collapsed next to Stelle—

But something was very wrong with Stelle herself.

Her chest blazed with coiling beams of bent light, swirling with surging Destruction energy. Waves of devastation radiated outward in violent pulses.

March was flung back by the blast and barely landed near Yevenko.

Dan Heng frowned.

"What's going on? This power… it's the Path of Destruction?"

March looked deeply worried.

"I don't know either. Stelle fought alongside us during the battle with the Doomsday Beast. She took a few hits, but they didn't seem serious."

"But just now, she said her chest felt weird, like something was glowing—and then she collapsed. Now she looks like this."

Unlike the others, Himeko had a rough idea.

She was more closely connected to Herta and had more background on what was buried within Stelle's body.

She bit her lip and spoke softly:

"It looks like the fierce battle with the Doomsday Beast, plus her injuries, destabilized the Stellaron inside her."

Dan Heng's eyes widened slightly. Pieces started to fall into place—the Doomsday Beast's behavior suddenly made a lot more sense.

"So that's it…" he murmured.

All the ruckus finally roused Tom.

His cat ears twitched upright. He blinked awake, then hopped down from Yevenko's shoulders.

Despite only resting for a brief moment, Tom now looked alert and energized.

Apparently, in Tom's world, it didn't matter how long he slept—if he felt well-rested, then he was well-rested.

The moment he woke, he spotted Stelle's glowing form. He blinked, rubbed his eyes in disbelief, then dashed forward—appearing on top of her chest in a blur.

His legs locked around her neck.

Then he reached behind him—

And pulled out a baseball bat.

The same one he used to bonk the Doomsday Beast.

March, Himeko, and the others all unconsciously swallowed, their bodies taking a cautious step back.

Yevenko's expression stiffened. He quickly called out:

"Tom! Stelle's a friend, not an enemy—go easy!"

Tom blinked innocently. Then scratched his head with a finger, put the big bat away—

And pulled out a miniature one.

Toothpick-sized.

Gripping it delicately between two fingers, he gave Stelle's forehead the gentlest tap.

Thunk—!

A crisp, wooden bonk rang out like a temple bell.

A tiny bump immediately popped up on Stelle's forehead.

At the same time, the swirling Destruction energy around her chest suddenly calmed. She slumped forward, and March rushed in to catch her.

Walter, who had somehow snuck up beside them, awkwardly retracted his cane.

Trying to act natural, he pushed up his glasses with a finger and said in a deep, magnetic voice:

"This time, even without my assistance, you all handled the crisis beautifully. Your progress is… quite apparent."

If only Yevenko knew—

That moment? That one perfect opportunity for Welt to look cool in the Herta arc?

Tom just stole it.

Tragic.

Just then, Herta reappeared.

She glanced down at the unconscious Stelle, then at the nervous Tom now hiding behind Yevenko's leg.

"Relax," she said. "I'm not here for you this time."

"I nearly forgot—Himeko, this is the Stellaron girl you mentioned?"

Himeko nodded.

Herta continued,

"Hmph. To be honest, I came back intending to study her—but then I met Tom. Now I just… can't muster the interest anymore."

"But, since I'm here and I've got nothing better to do… I guess I'll examine her."

At her words, Yevenko couldn't help thinking—

So this is what it feels like… to be the backup option.

Still, Herta's gaze lingered on Stelle.

She had sensed the Stellaron's energy flare earlier—and that had piqued her interest enough to return.

Even under those intense conditions, the Stellaron hadn't exploded—it had only leaked energy.

Was this really the same object people once called the "Cancer of All Worlds"?

Clearly, if the Stellaron wasn't malfunctioning, then the anomaly had to be her—the girl who housed it.

The thought passed in a flash.

Herta pursed her lips and spoke quietly:

"When she wakes up, I'll give her a full checkup."

Himeko nodded gently. Her voice followed:

"Yes. Once she's awake, she'll also have to decide what comes next."

Then her radiant, gold-bright eyes turned toward Yevenko.

"And you, Little Yevenko…"