Chapter 472: Ordinary Invitation? Nothing Special Here, What Am I Even Watching?!
[ Little Gui's Livestream Room ]
"Kids, did you miss me?"
Guinaifen's big face appeared on the screen!
Her eyes were shining brightly, the excitement within them plain for all to see.
"That's right!"
"It's time again for us to stream the main story of Honkai: Star Rail!"
"Little Gui will bring you the most exciting plot developments right as they happen!"
"In this Trailblaze Continuance, we will be returning to Penacony once again…"
"I wonder what thrilling experiences are waiting for us this time?"
"What brewing conspiracies and mind-blowing content are about to be exposed!"
"Hehehe…"
"Just thinking about it makes me shiver with excitement!"
Inside the stream, countless players had already been waiting for a long time.
The barrage of comments flooded the chat!
…
"Little Gui, it's one of us!"
"Scared me for a second, thought we got targeted by the Voracity!"
"Yay! New story content!"
"I registered for Paperfold University right after I graduated this year. For it to appear in Star Rail means even Feathered Spirit recognizes it!"
"You know, the plot of Star Rail has always been critical. Maybe this time it's going to expose all the dark secrets of Paperfold University!"
"I'm just here for the laughs!"
"Watching in real-time as a Galaxy Ranger!"
"The Galaxy Rangers are a famous warm-hearted organization across the galaxy. Take Boothill, for example—he's willing to be the only person in this cold galaxy who still tells Aventurine 'I love you.'"
…
"Letmyheartbravelyspreadthewings~"
"Soaringpastthenight"
Arriving in the train car, the onboard music 'If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking' began to play.
A new text message popped up.
[ The Astral Express Family
Himeko: I have some news to share with everyone.
Stelle: I've been a bit busy lately.
March 7th: True, I see her running all over the place every day.
March 7th: …She's not about to switch jobs, is she?
Himeko: Then let's gather when everyone is free. Welt and I will be waiting for you in the Parlor Car. ]
Unfolding through messages from the Express Crew was an expected progression of the plot.
Little Gui immediately headed to the Parlor Car.
The entire Express Crew assembled.
Himeko spoke up, "Since everyone is here, let's get down to business."
"Just now, the Astral Express received an invitation from the Planet of Festivities…"
Before she could finish, March 7th interrupted, "Wait! Why does this plot feel so familiar?!"
[ We aren't still in a dream, are we… ]
"Oh please, don't use the exact same trope a second time!"
Guinaifen nodded in deep agreement!
Earlier, there were online theories guessing that the ending where they defeated Sunday was also a fake one.
People even brought out all kinds of evidence, making it sound entirely plausible!
It had caused a wave of panic among some players at one point!
Now, this dialogue option was essentially Feathered Spirit poking fun at that meme.
Old Yang smiled and explained, "Don't be nervous. This time, the Express received a normal invitation from Paperfold University, an academic institution in Penacony."
"The university plans to host an academic symposium on Trailblaze during the Hour of Sun, and they've invited the Astral Express to attend as guests."
"An academic conference… Does that mean sitting in a big lecture hall and talking over hundreds of slides for several system hours?" March 7th asked, looking like she was about to cry.
Himeko seemed to have expected this reaction from March 7th and said, "Don't worry, leave such boring activities to the adults. Welt and I will attend the symposium as invited guests, while the three of you…"
"If you're interested, you can enter the university as auditing students."
Yang added, "It coincides with the back-to-school season. Paperfold University is organizing the Color Dream Campus Festival, which serves as both a welcome gift for freshmen and an annual carnival for current students."
"You're all young people. Why not enroll alongside the freshmen, walk around the campus, and experience student life?"
…
"Every time they say it's a normal invitation, something goes wrong!"
"If nothing goes wrong, what am I supposed to watch? [ doge ]"
"Dan Heng: Am I a kid too?"
"Honestly, I really want to audit that conference."
"Sister Himeko already saw that things wouldn't be simple. Attending the conference is actually just slacking off."
"Shocking! The Trailblazer has actually reached the age to go to school!"
"Going to school in real life, and still going to school in the game [ crying ]"
"Paperfold University's future bio: Three legendary Nameless once studied at this university."
…
Guinaifen felt a faint sense of anticipation in her heart.
Because she had never been to a real school either!
She had private tutors when she was little.
Now, she could finally fulfill her wish in Honkai and experience the atmosphere of a university!
Just as March 7th said—
"…That's awesome! Young and lively girls pouring their youth onto campus life—this kind of plot is practically tailor-made for me!"
[ A comfortable sofa. Lying down makes you feel drowsy. Hopefully, this journey won't send you into another strange dream… ]
[ Get ready to set off / Chat with everyone a bit more ]
Guinaifen didn't waste any time and clicked the option to set off directly!
Just as she was thinking about how they would enroll, text appeared on the screen:
[ On the way to Penacony, predictably, you took a doze… ]
Seeing these lines, Guinaifen felt a chill go down her spine!
During Warp jumps, taking a nap always meant trouble!
The last time a similar situation happened, it felt like she directly met Acheron in a dream!
She still remembered the first thing Acheron said back then—
"Another one…"
If that scene repeated itself…
That would be a huge deal!
However, what appeared next was not Acheron or any other mysterious person, but a series of sound effects mimicking a school bell.
"Ba na na na~ Ba na na na—"
"Ba na na na~ Ba na na na—"
The sound carried a touch of comical silliness, like a child's prank.
Then, Stelle asked in confusion, "What on earth is that weird noise?"
[ A strange sound lingers in your ears, but sleepiness wins over the noise. Your eyelids remain unbothered… ]
This scene left Guinaifen and many players utterly baffled.
Fortunately, the screen shifted next, already showing the lobby of The Reverie hotel.
"We're here! Stelle, why do you fall asleep every single time we Warp? You wouldn't wake up no matter how much I called you," March 7th complained.
[ So the weird noise was you? ]
"What weird noise! I was very gentle when I called you, okay?"
"Alright, let me go check us in," Dan Heng urged.
The check-in procedure was all too familiar.
Ally greeted them respectfully, "Welcome to The Reverie hotel, distinguished shareholders."
"Ah—I almost forgot, we are shareholders of Penacony now!" March 7th said with a bit of pride.
"Hearing that the shareholders have returned to Penacony, the hotel prepared six Platinum Rooms well in advance, available for check-in at any time."
"Six rooms?"
"Yes. Besides the three of you present, Miss Himeko, and Mr. Welt, there is also Mr. Pom-Pom, who checked in three days ago."
…
"?"
"Can Pom-Pom even leave the train?"
"Pom-Pom? Looks like I'm still not awake."
"There's nobody left on the train!"
"Boothill: That's right, it's me!"
"Back in version 2.2, Boothill was right here saying his name was Pom-Pom."
"Fudge me, it's him!"