I, The Aeon of Trailblaze, Trailblazing the Multiverse

Without needing to think, Elias already knew what Herta wanted to ask.

After all, he had once been a hardcore Honkai: Star Rail player—a true "luckiest of the lucky," never losing a 50/50.

Herta gazed at the "Aeon of Trailblaze" before her, who looked just like an ordinary human.

Despite the reverence she held for Aeons, as a genius dedicated to uncovering the universe's mysteries, her courage far exceeded her natural talent.

For her, being a genius was the least remarkable thing.

"Aeons... you are such fascinating beings, with countless mysteries that lure me in like honey laced with arsenic. Even knowing the risks, I can't help but explore further."

"Lord Elias, you Aeons were once like me, like most humans—ordinary people."

"And then, suddenly, you attained powers beyond our comprehension."

"You are powerful, enigmatic, and terrifying. Your mere thoughts are enough to affect the entire universe."

"So, I want to know—how were you born? Why did you come into existence? What is your purpose?"

"Can you give me the answer?"

This was the ultimate goal of her grand research project—the Simulated Universe.

Elias looked into Herta's deep purple eyes, filled with an insatiable hunger for knowledge, and shrugged without a second thought.

"I can't answer your question—because I don't know."

"Every Aeon is born in a completely different way."

"But I do have a few theories, and they might be wrong. Do you still want to hear them?"

Herta didn't hesitate for even a second. "Please tell me."

To her, even a speculative answer from an Aeon was invaluable.

Elias extended his perception across the universe.

Everywhere that the Astral Express's Silver Rails had reached—two-thirds of the known living universe—he could sense it all.

However, one-third of the cosmos remained unexplored, even by the previous Aeon of Trailblaze.

"Aeons are born to ensure the continuation of the universe."

"When the universe faces a crisis that threatens its existence, an Aeon is born to resolve that crisis."

"If an Aeon itself becomes a threat to the universe's existence, it will also be eliminated."

"Nihility's birth proves the existence of the universe; Equilibrium's birth maintains its balance; Preservation's birth ensures its ongoing survival. As for my birth, it was to establish the prosperity of civilizations."

"Destruction was born because interstellar wars posed a threat to the universe's continuation."

"Order's fall occurred because the predetermined cosmic order hindered the universe's future and restricted the Paths of other Aeons, so it fell. Propagation suffered the same fate."

Elias paused, as if realizing something.

Of course—my Trailblaze Path adds variables to the universe, increasing its chances of survival.

Even if it influenced the Paths of other Aeons, the impact was likely positive. As such, the other Aeons probably wouldn't oppose him.

"I don't know how the other Aeons came to be, but as for how I was born..."

Elias did know how Akivili was born.

"The universe needed Trailblaze to promote its survival and the prosperity of civilizations."

"And in the entire cosmos, Akivili's yearning to explore the unknown and inability to tolerate the unknowable reached a critical point first, resonating with the universe."

"Thus, the Path of Trailblaze came into existence, and Akivili ascended to become an Aeon."

"Although Aeons are brought forth by the universe, they are not bound by it."

Herta fell into deep contemplation.

While some of her questions had been answered, even more had arisen.

This is the secret of the Aeons she had been seeking?

But she felt that this was not all there was to it.

Even an Aeon could not possibly be an omniscient being—not even Nous, worshipped by other "geniuses" as the omniscient one.

Elias spread his hands. "Looks like my answer didn't give you what you were hoping for."

"After all, it's just my own speculation."

The universe indeed placed no restrictions on him as an Aeon.

However, the Paths of other Aeons could, intentionally or unintentionally, interfere with him.

Especially Equilibrium, Finality, and Enigma—these three Paths subtly and indistinctly influenced the Path of Trailblaze, though such interference was negligible.

Herta snapped out of her thoughts and bowed in gratitude. "I greatly appreciate your answer."

"I have one more question."

"Can you tell me—what is divinity?"

Elias replied without hesitation, "I don't know. I don't know what kind of 'divinity' you are referring to. This is a question that not even Nous can answer."

"Because, as far as I'm concerned, I don't think I possess such a thing as 'divinity,' so I can't answer you."

Aeons truly lacked the kind of "divinity" that humans understood.

Herta's heart filled with excitement upon hearing this answer.

Even an Aeon could not provide an answer?

Didn't this prove that Aeons were not omniscient and omnipotent after all? Not even Nous.

She had always believed that Nous was not all-knowing and all-powerful.

Yet, 99.9999% of the scholars in the universe blindly believed that Nous knew everything, that there were no secrets in the cosmos unknown to it.

She had always scoffed at the scholars' blind fanaticism.

Elias, with a smiling face, extended an invitation to Herta, whose expression had shifted from deep thought to delight and finally to pride, as if she were changing masks.

"If you wish to resolve the doubts in your heart, I invite you to board the Astral Express."

"You will not find answers within this universe—but in other universes, who knows?"

"My return marks the time when the Path of Trailblaze can finally venture into other universes."

"Unknown universes, infinite worlds—Trailblaze has no end."

"The pursuit of the unknown, the exploration of the unknowable, and the quest for scientific knowledge are all part of Trailblaze."

Herta's eyes widened, and her mouth dropped open. "Other universes?"

"The Astral Express can now explore other universes? That's unbelievable!"

At this moment, Himeko spoke up. "Indeed, before coming to Herta Space Station, our train had already visited a different world."

"A true different world beyond this universe, with completely different universal laws and entirely distinct physical parameters."

Herta took a deep breath, her heart pounding uncontrollably.

A different world beyond the universe, with entirely different laws of the cosmos and entirely distinct universal logic—this was an irresistible temptation for a scholar like her.

Elias, watching the slight tremor in Herta's pupils, knew she had taken the bait. His lips curled into a subtle smile.

"So, will you board?"

Herta, overwhelmed by excitement, couldn't control her instincts, and her mouth moved faster than her brain.

"Yes!"