Chapter 42: Lumine becomes Aeon
"This is?!" Ning Yun'er's face drastically changed, aware of the high-dimensional gaze coming from the Aeons.
Only a select few, either exceptionally talented or powerful individuals, could perceive such a high-dimensional gaze. After all, how can beings of a lower dimension detect a gaze from a higher dimension when they don't exist on the same plane and lot weaker than them?
"What's wrong, Ning Yun'er? Why are you so concerned?" Eden inquired. To her, Ning Yun'er was an exceptionally brilliant individual who rarely lost her composure.
"Several high-dimensional beings have just fixed their gaze upon this planet," Elysia, typically cheerful, now spoke solemnly, leaving her listeners shocked and believing every word.
"What?! Are we doomed?!" Pardofelis was panicking, thinking of these high-dimensional beings that could be on par with or even surpass the Herrscher of The End.
"Are these the beings known as Aeons in this universe?" Eden asked, to which Ning Yun'er, recovering, nodded in response.
"Yes, these Aeons were observing us, but they were truly looking at Drav," they turned to look at Drav, who was in pain, clutching his head.
"Drav!" Jyahnar embraced Drav out of concern.
"I'm fine, Jyahnar. Just a little dizzy," Drav managed to say.
Seeing this, Jyahnar's face turned terrifying, making everyone else fearful of approaching her.
"Damn those creatures! I'll make them pay for hurting Drav," immense destructive energy surged from her anger, knocking everyone back.
"Relax, Jyahnar, it was just a minor headache," Drav consoled, patting her head, which immediately calmed her.
He sincerely didn't want Jyahnar to attack the Aeons merely because they managed to hurt him, considering it an overreaction.
"Oh dear... Such a typical yandere," Ning Yun'er sighed, shaking her head.
"But thanks to their gaze, I was able to analyze and replicate their essence," Drav smiled, knowing with the power of the great sage he could easily transform into an Aeon if given time.
"Are you serious?!" March 7th exclaimed in disbelief. After all, Aeons were the most powerful beings in the universe.
"Hey, remember he's the overpowered isekai protagonist you find in most novels. So, it's not surprising," Ning Yun'er commented, reminding the others who then recalled and acknowledged.
"But what path do you possess?" Ning Yun'er inquired further.
"Well, it's Salvation, I guess. Mainly because I recently performed great deeds by saving a planet and its civilization."
"So, you'll become the Aeon of Salvation? It's quite unusual. You might clash with Qlipoth in the future since Salvation and Preservation are somewhat similar," Ning Yun'er speculated. When Drav ascends to an Aeon, he might have to battle Qlipoth, given that a similar destiny is consumed by the stronger one.
But Drav remained calm, knowing he could change his Path with the great sage and be stronger than Qlipoth when he becomes an Aeon.
After a brief discussion, several individuals, primarily from Belobog, parted ways to address various issues. Notably, Bronya and Natasha had to contend with the significant repercussions of Drav's actions in saving the planet from Stellaron and the Eternal Winter.
"I'll talk to Welt-san about handling Stellaron," Dan Heng announced before leaving with Stellaron.
Drav was puzzled, having assumed Ning Yun'er would step in due to her desire to study Stellaron.
Perhaps sensing Drav's thought, Ning Yun'er pouted and said, "While I am intrigued, I'd like to explore Belobog first with the group."
Elysia smiled hearing that, then took Ning Yun'er and Drav by the hand, "Then, Let's go now!"
Drav sighed but let Elysia lead the way, with the rest following, eager to explore the Belobog overworld.
They visited various landmarks in Belobog, including the Goethe Hotel, Alexandra Plaza, and the History Museum.
Throughout their journey, they noticed the smiles on the faces of Belobog's residents. It was evident that the long-standing disasters had ceased, bringing hope and happiness. They felt assured about a brighter future without the impending doom from the Eternal Winter and the Anti-Matter invasion.
"Look at their smiles. I hope one day everyone on Earth can smile freely without the worry of Honkai," Elysia remarked.
"Don't worry, Elysia, I'll save Earth once we return," Drav assured her.
Noticing a change in Elysia's expression, Drav asked, "What's wrong, Elysia? Is my power insufficient?"
"No, it's just that the Herrscher of the End feels eerily similar to an Aeon," Elysia revealed, raising eyebrows, but everyone trusted her knowledge as the Herrscher of Origin.
"So, I just need to become an Aeon to save Earth?" Drav wondered.
"Hypothetically, yes," Ning Yun'er nodded.
Relieved, Drav replied, "I thought I'd have to destroy an Imaginary Tree first to save Earth," startling everyone.
"This guy..." Ning Yun'er twitched her mouth, speechless by his statement.
Soon after, Drav, Stelle, and Ning Yun'er received a chat notification. It was from Lumine, expressing her desire to visit this universe.
[Lumine: It's been a while since my brother and I visited. I feel a significant opportunity awaits me here.]
[Drav Itsuki: Really? Maybe it's a chance to change your life?]
[Lumine: Perhaps. But let me visit first!]
[Stelle: Ok, wait for sec...Granted.]
Moments later, a void portal appeared. Startled at first, Ning Yun'er then explained Lumine's impending arrival.
Emerging from the portal was a beautiful petite blonde girl accompanied by a cute, floating mascot that hovered around everyone.
"It's been a while since I've been he—" Before Lumine could finish her sentence, she was enveloped by a mysterious energy from a higher dimension and vanished.
"Lumine!!!" Paimon shouted in panic, with everyone equally stunned by the sudden turn of events.
"What just happened?! Why did she suddenly disappear?! And what was that terrifying energy?!" Pardofelis exclaimed, feeling that the energy was even more horrifying than the Honkai he knew.
"This..." Now it was Drav's turn to be speechless. After all, he was quite familiar with that energy, which was the High Imaginary energy every Aeon possesses.
"Don't tell me she is...?" Ning Yun'er speculated and turned to Drav, who nodded in confirmation.
"Damn it! It's so unfair!" Ning Yun'er was overtaken by jealousy at Lumine's sudden transformation.
"What happened to Lumine? And why are you so envious?" Stelle asked, puzzled by Ning Yun'er's lack of concern over Lumine's disappearance.
"She just became an Aeon! It's so unjust; how could she transform into an Aeon just after arriving here?" The group was once again taken aback by this revelation.
Previously, Drav mentioned that he could become an Aeon. Now it was Lumine's turn, leaving them to wonder what other surprises awaited them in the company of Drav and Ning Yun'er.
"I swear I'll become an Aeon too, someday!" Ning Yun'er declared determinedly, leaving everyone else at a loss for words.
"Let's wait a moment. I'm curious to see Lumine's appearance after her transformation into an Aeon. After all, if I'm not mistaken, every Aeon loses their 'human' appearance after the transformation, right?" Everyone agreed and waited for Lumine's return as they wandered around Belobog.
An hour later, Drav, Ning Yun'er, and Elysia sensed a familiar presence - that of an Aeon. But it wasn't only them who took notice; the sky itself darkened in response.
"What is that...?" The pedestrians of Belobog asked, their voices trembling, with others echoing the sentiment, gazing upwards.
"Is that a Goddess?" Whispers of awe and worship filled the air. Drav and the others then looked up and see a slightly familiar face.
"Is this her Aeon form? It's truly beautiful," Drav praised sincerely.
In her Aeon form, Lumine's appearance had transformed, becoming even more divine and majestic than before. Her blonde hair had grown, cascading past her feet. She was adorned in a radiant white gown made of pure light, complemented by a grand crescent moon. Magnificent wings of light unfurled broadly from her back.
Given this visage, it would be no surprise for anyone to say that Lumine was a Goddess.
Suddenly, Lumine disappeared from everyone's sight, making them question whether it was an illusion. Yet they believed it to be real since they all witnessed it.
"I apologize; I couldn't control my newfound power," a melodious voice echoed, and there stood Lumine, back to her normal size but in her new radiant form.
"L-Lumine, is that you?" Paimon asked with uncertainty, causing Lumine to smile warmly in response.
"What's the matter, Paimon? Do you doubt your longtime adventure companion?"
"You've changed so much." Even Paimon, her trusted companion, felt uncertain about this new Lumine, whose appearance and presence had shifted from that of a princess to a queen, or even a divine goddess.
"Wooo~ I'm so sad that even Paimon doubts me now." Lumine feigned crying, which sent Paimon into a panic, rushing over to console her.
"P-Paimon apologizes! It's just that... your transformation took Paimon by surprise!" On the brink of tears, Paimon's reaction made Lumine erupt in laughter.
"Hahaha! Who would've thought I'd witness Paimon tear up like this! Hahahaha."
"Are You're teasing me...? H-Humph! I don't care about you anymore then!" Paimon huffed, snorted, and averted her gaze, deciding to ignore Lumine.
All present broke into laughter, entertained by their playful interaction. Ning Yun'er, driven by curiosity, then asked, "Lumine, which path have you now mastered?"
"Path? Oh, you mean the concept I've mastered? It's Travel."
"Travel? Isn't that quite similar to the Trailblaze concept of my express group?" March 7th commented, scratching her cheeks.
"So, the bunch of Aeon powers I recently absorbed... they're related to Trailblaze?" Lumine nodded in affirmation. After all, during her ascension to Aeon status, numerous powers, closely aligned with her Travel concept, were integrated into her, since they were without a master.
"Does this confirm the rumor that the Traveler becomes an Aeon in the final story?" Ning Yun'er's expression altered, realizing the rumors she'd once heard in the Genshin community were indeed true, with the proof right before her eyes.
"But! How did she become an Aeon? I mean, I know Drav could became an Aeon due to his overpowered and cheat abilities, but how did she? Does she also possess such overpowering abilities like Drav?" March 7th inquired.
"No, she didn't have overpowering abilities or talents like Drav and I did," Ning Yun'er replied, shaking her head.
"Then, how?"
"Perhaps it's due to her past deeds? Just as Drav accomplished great deeds like saving a planet and civilization recently, Lumine has traveled the multiverse for so long that she ascended to become an Aeon."
"What?! She's a multiverse traveler?!" March 7th exclaimed, emphasizing the vastness of multiple universes rather than just one.
"Ehehe~ I'm quite flattered by your praises~" Lumine said, her giddy smile contrasting her now divine and graceful demeanor.
"Wow~ are you the legendary, beautiful Multiverse traveler~? I'm thrilled to meet you~. Nice to meet someone as pretty and cute as myself~" Elysia grasped both of Lumine's hands, looking at her intently.
"U-Um, yes, nice to meet you too," Lumine responded, still unaccustomed to someone as bubbly and vibrant as Elysia.
"So, how powerful are you now?" Drav inquired, prompting others to listen intently.
"How powerful am I right now?" Lumine smiled and responded, "I can easily destroy this universe without a second thought!"
"Wait, what?! How?! Even Aeons, to my knowledge, couldn't do that!" March 7th exclaimed in shock. Lumine shrugged and explained, "I'm not sure why I'm stronger than other Aeons, but I genuinely feel I could obliterate this universe if I unleashed my full strength."
"It might be due to the magnitude of my previous deeds, which involved traveling the multiverse – a feat far grander than navigating just one universe." Hearing this, everything became clearer to them.
"The Equilibrium Aeon will surely be piss off if he learns of this," Drav remarked, and others nodded in agreement. After all, with Lumine's presence, she had disrupted the balance among the Aeons with her overwhelming power.
"I just hope he doesn't confront me, as I can't fully control my power yet and fear I might accidentally destroy this universe," Lumine expressed. The others went pale, silently hoping Lumine wouldn't be challenged anytime soon.
"It's inevitable, unless you leave this universe immediately," Ning Yun'er stated with conviction. She believed that a paranoid entity like an Aeon would undeniably seek to eliminate any threat that opposes their concept or path.