Elias and Eden basked in the thunderous, unending applause, like rolling thunder shaking the skies. Everyone gazed in awe at the two on stage—or rather, at the white-haired boy.
No one had expected that he, too, was a musical genius on par with Eden.
And when the audience finally took in Elias' appearance, their eyes widened in astonishnt. He was far younger than they had imagined—and so strikingly handso. White hair, golden eyes, and a radiant smile like the sun itself.
For a mont, they felt as though an angel had descended upon the mortal world.
And suddenly, everything made sense.
Because he had indeed brought forth music not of this world—divine sounds from heaven itself. Even now, those lodies still echoed in their hearts, refusing to fade.
"Uh, Eden, why are you pulling forward?"
"Please don't retreat, my dear partner. You deserve to stand where I stand. This was not just my concert—you were no re accompanist, but a lead perforr with ."
Normally, accompanists would not stand under the spotlight. But Eden clasped Elias' hand, pulling him with her to the very center of the stage.
The place reserved for the stars.
Elias gave a helpless smile, then raised his hand with her to wave at the audience. Though it was just a simple gesture, it imdiately set off another wave of cheers and shouts.
After all, standing on the sa stage as Eden was already a near impossibility. The goddess of music not only possessed a voice like heaven's, but beauty enough to topple nations.
But now people were stunned to realize that Elias' looks and presence were not the least inferior—in fact, he might even surpass her faintly. Standing together, the two looked perfectly matched.
Especially as Eden held the boy's hand tightly, her face alight with an enchanting smile.
Many had a premonition: the goddess of art, who had never before had a single rumor of romance, might now be facing her very first scandal.
Though countless fans felt pangs of envy, Elias' performance had utterly won their hearts, and so they accepted it with reverence.
Fans: (You two can totally be a couple! We approve!)
Elysia: (...)
Only a certain pink elf in the audience twitched at the corner of her lips, fighting the sudden urge to rush the stage and drag soone back down.
...
After the concert ended—
To avoid trouble, Elias donned a mask and slipped out through a side exit provided by Eden, successfully eting up with Elysia. Without it, fans and reporters would never have let the dazzling new piano prodigy leave so easily.
"Ely, how was my performance tonight?"
"Ahhh, my wonderful Elias, you've given the hardest problem yet. I can't even think of words to describe it—it was too beautiful, too dreamlike!"
Elysia was still overflowing with excitent. Like a child pianist, she playfully moved her hands over an invisible piano in the air.
She had always known Elias had extraordinary musical talent. But she had never imagined it to be this overwhelming. Even standing on the sa stage as Eden, Elias had not been overshadowed in the slightest.
In her eyes, Elias' performance was the most moving sound in the world—like seeing flowers bloom in every direction, like stepping into a paradise.
But more importantly…
"It scared a little. I thought you'd just follow Eden and leave behind."
Elysia clung to his arm, nuzzling her face against him like a needy, lonely kitten.
Having such an extraordinary boyfriend really was a lot of pressure.
Luckily, she was Elysia—a radiant, confident, beautiful girl like falling blossoms. If it were anyone else, an ordinary girl, she would have been crushed by her own inferiority, unable to stand beside Elias as his lover.
"How could I ever leave you, my Ely? Even if I abandoned this world itself, I would never abandon you."
"Wow… that doesn't sound like sothing a savior should say."
"Heh. But it's the truth. In my heart, compared to this world—you are far more important."
Elias gazed at Elysia with earnest sincerity, his gentle eyes lting her heart.
It was a critical hit straight to Miss Pink Elf!
"Guuh!"
Elysia clutched her chest and leaned against the wall.
A pink arrow of love pierced her completely. Even a girl with defenses as strong as hers was utterly disard by such a confession.
No use—she was done for.
Looking at the white-haired boy before her, Elysia's eyes were already brimming with pink hearts.
"Elias, you shouldn't say things like that… it's too dangerous."
"Hm? Why?"
"Because if you do, I'll love you like so hopeless fool. Uh, wait, I guess I already do…"
Her face flushed red with happiness as she rubbed her cheek against his chest. She just wanted to drown in his embrace.
Elias wrapped his arm around the radiant girl, nibbling lightly on her elf ear with a hint of stubbornness.
"Hmph~ And I'm the sa. Who isn't?"
He was just as hopelessly in love with Elysia. If weighed against the world, she would always be heavier in his heart.
Her earlier worries were completely unnecessary.
After all, today was their date.
How could Elias possibly abandon his girlfriend midway? He wasn't so high school detective who'd ditch her like a washing machine rolling away.
"Co on, our date isn't over yet. Let's visit all the places we missed on our last trip!"
"Yay! Eli forever~!"
"Uh… that nickna is a little…"
Elias could only laugh and ruffle her hair. To him, the na sounded a bit cute—but if Ely liked it, then so be it.
Spoil her. Spoil her endlessly!
And so the two spent a blissful day together.
By sunset, Elias' Imaginary Space was stuffed with countless souvenirs, while Elysia's Polaroid cara had captured every beautiful mont.
On the train ride back, the two leaned shoulder-to-shoulder, Elysia smiling at the photos. But her favorite remained the recording of the concert.
Generous as always, Miss Pink Elf planned to share—and show off—this treasure with Mobius, Sakura, Vill-V, Hua, i, and the others.
After all, so didn't even know Elias had such musical talent. Elysia could hardly wait to see their stunned faces when they watched the concert video.
She also felt relieved.
She had worried Elias might be swept away by Eden. The two had looked far too perfectly matched on stage. But reality proved Elias to be a loyal gentleman.
During the post-concert date, his eyes held only her.
Miss Pink Elf couldn't help but marvel at how lucky she was, to have found such a boyfriend.
But when they returned to base…
"Eli, let's go eat at the cafeteria! After a whole day of fun, I'm starving~~"
"I'll pass. Eden's invited to dinner. Bye, Ely. You rest early—I might be back a bit late."
"???"
Elysia froze, watching in disbelief as Elias changed clothes and prepared to head out again. She felt like flipping a table, o(*≧▽≦)ツ┏━┓.
She dove forward, clinging to him like a flying fairy, blurting out, "Dinner with Eden? When did you two plan that?!"
"Uh, just after the concert, when she walked out. Why? Is there a problem?" Elias tilted his head.
"…My dear Elias, please, don't let yourself get tricked by so bad woman. Boys must protect themselves."
"So… Eden's a bad woman?"
"…No."
Elysia regretfully plucked the string of Whisper of the Past. If only she could use it now, she'd just shoot an arrow and send "that woman" straight away.
Elias patted Miss Elf's little backside, signaling it was about ti to let him go. He didn't like being late—especially not when he had promised to et a lady.
"As expected, I can't just let you leave like this, Elias!"
Elysia slid off him, then flopped dramatically onto the bed.
"Ely~~"
"If you want to go, then first, defeat ."
"…Alright then. In that case, be prepared, Ely—I'll make it quick."
One hour later, Elias walked out refreshed.
Elysia, however, lay sprawled on the bed with swirly eyes, completely knocked out.
Her body beneath the sheets still trembled slightly. Tonight she wouldn't need to eat dinner in the cafeteria—her little belly was already so full it couldn't hold anything else.
Even as the Herrscher of Origin, what could she do? Elias had simply increased his attack speed a little, and Miss Pink Elf was instantly overwheld.
...
"Whew~ Good thing I'm not late."
Since he had lost an hour, Elias skipped taking a car and opened a portal instead. By sheer timing, he arrived just as Eden, disguised and dressed elegantly, reached the spot.
"Hey, Eden. It's been seven hours."
"Yes, seven hours. I've already started to miss you, Elias." Eden spoke with absolute honesty.
Once one experienced that feeling of intertwined souls, there was no going back. Those seven hours had been agonizing for her—waiting in her hotel room with every second filled with longing for their reunion.
Elias felt a bit embarrassed. Taking her hand, he dutifully played the role of her escort.
"So, where are we going for dinner?"
"Emmm… the Floating Ice Restaurant at the top of Sapphire Tower. How does that sound?"
"I rember that's the kind of place where reservations take forever. Can we really get in now?"
"Of course. They told there will always be a table reserved for two under my na. Although in my eyes, 'always' has its limits—but at least for tonight, it still holds true."
Eden smiled, holding a black card in her hand. Even if the reservation failed, she could simply buy the whole building along with the tower if she wished.
Elias drew in a sharp breath. He had nearly forgotten—Eden was a supre rich lady! With her wealth, buying a small country would be child's play. If it had been the him of his past life…
Rich lady, hungry~ Food~!
...
Inside the Floating Ice Restaurant atop Sapphire Tower.
"Cheers."
"Cheers~"
Elias and Eden sat at a fine window seat, clinking their wine glasses with a crisp, lodic chi.
The staff of such a restaurant were all highly trained, and the clientele refined. Yet even so, many couldn't help but glance their way.
Though already a top-class establishnt, Eden's presence alone made the manager feel as though the restaurant was blessed. More importantly, tonight she had brought along a strikingly handso boy.
And her warmth toward him was obvious.
Unlike past visits, when she only admired the night view from the window, tonight this peerless beauty never once took her eyes off Elias.
"Am I seeing things? Eden's actually showing that expression?!"
"Heavens, who is that boy? So heir to a ga-corporation? Or perhaps a prince of a mid-sized country?"
"Don't be ridiculous! Do you think Eden is the type who cares about status or needs to curry favor? Look—today's concert has already gone viral across the whole net!"
"Hisss! That performance… just who is this boy?!"
...
The chatter reached Elias' sharp ears—fusion warriors had keen senses, after all. But he paid it no mind. The staff and guests weren't saying anything unpleasant. And right now, the only thing that mattered was the beauty sitting before him.
Eden was inviting him to perform with her again in the future—or rather, she hoped Elias would debut as an artist himself.
"Think it over carefully, will you? With your talent, Elias, the mont you step on stage, you'll shine just as brightly as I do. I can provide everything you need."
Eden ntioned nothing of profit or reward.
Her wish was simple: for Elias to share his gift with the world. She was more than willing to use her connections and fortune to build a stage for him, asking nothing in return.
Anyone else would have fainted with excitent. But after taking a sip of wine, Elias shook his head.
"Thank you, Eden. But I think you're exaggerating. I don't have the confidence to shine as brightly as you. And for … music isn't sothing so grand or lofty."
"What?" Eden froze for a mont.
"Music is just a necessity in my life. My stage isn't the sa as yours, inside grand, dazzling dos. Music is already a part of my daily life—and my everyday is its stage."
His words nearly made a passing waiter drop his tray. This boy had just turned down Eden's invitation—was there truly soone in the world who could refuse her patronage?
Ignoring the shock around them, Elias cut a piece of steak and praised the chef's skill as he savored it.
Though Eden's offer was tempting, Elias had already chosen his way. His music didn't require glamorous stages. Whenever he wished to sing, he could sing. Music was a simple necessity, like milk tea or candied hawthorn from a street stall—sothing he could have at any mont.
"I see. That truly is a beautiful way to think."
Eden was stunned for a mont, then smiled in sincere admiration.
She understood, but she couldn't treat music so casually. For Elias, there were many things beyond music he cherished. But for Eden, music itself was her most precious treasure.
"But still… nights like this, when I perform with you on a stage that holds the world's attention—it really is wonderful. Ah~ if it could always be like this, that wouldn't be so bad either."
Elias' fingers tapped lightly in rhythm.
The chef's carefully prepared dishes were delicious, yet what lingered most for him was the mory of the duet with Eden. Still, a trace of regret soon crossed his face.
"But unfortunately, for that's impossible. I have more important duties to fulfill. After all… as long as the Honkai remains undefeated, how can I speak of dreams?"
"Elias, just who exactly are you…"
Eden was at a loss. For so reason, the boy before her suddenly felt distant. Though he sat less than half a ter away, close enough to touch, he seed unreachable—like a star in the heavens.
That feeling stirred sothing within her. Leaning forward, she clasped one of his hands, her eyes earnest and shining.
"Elias, my friend—can you tell more about yourself? I truly want to understand you better."
—
—
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