Jarilo-VI, Old Weapon Testing Ground.
"The next match will be the Trailblazer versus—Giovanni Giorgio from Epsilon!"
Stelle walked to the center of the arena, looking at Giovanni, who behaved elegantly and was still drinking a beverage.
"We meet again, lady! Your performance is truly impressive!"
"I knew it was you!"
Successfully getting into Aetherium Wars, Stelle started with one person and one trotter. Relying on excellent strength and talent, she pushed directly to the finals.
She also learned Giovanni's true identity—didn't expect him to be a hidden Masked Fool!
"I knew it was you!"
"Hahaha~ If not for fate guiding us to gather here, then there is only one answer." Giovanni's hearty laughter resounded through the arena.
"But... let us temporarily forget those metaphysical and lengthy discussions! The priority right now should be to enjoy this celebration to the fullest."
"Friends, dance with me! Let us lead this perfect celebration to its climax together!"
Giovanni tossed a coin and had just summoned his Aether Spirit... but saw Stelle take out the hourglass-shaped necklace without a word and press the switch.
A few seconds later, looking at the Aether Spirit that had disappeared without even dregs left, Giovanni was dumbfounded.
Stelle smiled wickedly. After encountering Aetherium Wars, she found this game more and more addictive, and she even found a hidden way to play!
That's right, it was the [Eternity] necklace in her hand! This thing could even absorb Stellarons; weren't mere Aether Spirits easy pickings?
Most importantly... the necklace could also absorb other people's Aether Spirits. [Eternity] truly does not deceive her!
"My turn, attack!"
As soon as the words fell, countless Aether Spirits swarmed up, burying Giovanni instantly.
"Stop... Stop! Stop!"
Giovanni admitted defeat in time. It was his first time seeing someone play Aetherium Wars like this. Does she think she's raising an [Antimatter Legion]?!
Just like that, Stelle successfully won the match.
"The winner of this duel is... the rapidly advancing new player—the Trailblazer from the Astral Express!"
"Wonderful, wonderful! The [Strength] and [Determination] of you two are truly moving!"
Stelle said with a hint of regret: "Is it over here?"
"Over? No no no, you might have misunderstood something. The most exciting part of this celebration has just begun!"
"Next, you will face the ultimate winner of the last celebration, the arrogant existence that millions of players look up to—the former [Champion Chief], Miss Topaz!"
"Only by achieving victory in the duel with her can you obtain the qualification to claim the championship."
"Eh... but I didn't see Topaz either? Can't use holographic projection for this too, right?"
...
Passing through all obstacles, carrying the expectations and cheers of the beautiful girl March 7th, the Galactic Baseballer finally broke into the final level of the [Interastral Tournament Festival]!
"Eh? Teacher Adrian?"
The moment they saw the opponent was Adrian, both Stelle and March 7th were confused. They indeed met many acquaintances in Aetherium Wars, and there were also unfamiliar faces from the Luofu (Guinaifen).
Really didn't expect that Adrian was actually a hidden Aetherium Wars master by their side!
"Hmph~ She can't win."
Silver Wolf sat in the best viewing platform in the venue, taking in all the scenery. She crossed her arms, already pronouncing Stelle's defeat.
"Although Teacher Adrian is very strong, we must have a little more trust in our companion!" March 7th suddenly became passionate, but then realized something was wrong. "Wait, Miss Silver Wolf?!"
"Reaction arc is a bit long. As you can see, due to some objective reasons, I can't appear in physical form right now... so I had to participate via holographic projection."
"Although our positions are different... at such a universe-level grand event, let's put aside those prejudices first and enjoy the happiness of the game together... don't you think?"
As someone experienced, Silver Wolf specifically urged: "In front of games, race, bloodline, faction, path, values... none of these count for anything—this is advice from an old player, you must remember it well."
"Back to the topic just now, see Adrian? Honestly, in the gaming field, almost no one except him can push me to this point... Adrian's strength is completely unbeatable..."
Silver Wolf shook her head. This was the sense of [Despair] brought by [Eternity].
"Can't win at all, I don't understand! I believe Stelle can do it!"
At the competition site, the venue broadcast sounded on time:
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the grand final of this [Interastral Tournament Festival]. Walking towards us is the super popular dark horse of this competition, the rising star of Aetherium Wars, known as the Galactic Baseballer—the Trailblazer!"
"She is fighting against—the ordinary passing milk tea shop owner! The mysterious man in black who caused chaos in the Interastral Peace Corporation, injured the Director of the Marketing Development Department, and retreated unscathed!"
"Mmh! Like that Punklorde [Cyber-roamer], this Milk Tea Man is unwilling to reveal his name! Although we all know the true name of that [Cyber-roamer]... but that's not the point!"
"Still engaging in differential treatment? Tsk..." Silver Wolf clicked her tongue, looking at the milk tea occupying half the size of the virtual screen, not knowing what to say for a moment.
Didn't expect Adrian to have already taken the shape of milk tea...
The perspective switched to the center of the arena. Saying she wasn't nervous would be a lie. She recalled Himeko's words:
"Although I always maintain a cautious attitude towards the Company's products, being in such a joyful atmosphere, I feel my nerves have also been mobilized... This experience is truly unforgettable."
"Such an opportunity is very rare. I hope you can enjoy it properly. After all, [Trailblaze] is by no means a purely bitter journey; enjoying the happiness during the journey is also an important part."
That's right, playing games is about playing with a smile! Only then can you harvest [Happiness]!
She put her hands on her hips, showing a confident and healthy smile. Those who didn't know would think victory was within grasp.
"Come on, Teacher Adrian! Let me repay your kindness of teaching with this move!"
Adrian: ?
"Put another way, let me use Aetherium Wars to wipe away my past shame!"
So far, whether it was pillow fights or games, Stelle had never won against Adrian. This was the only chance!
"Young person, confidence is a good thing. But... are you really prepared to be enemies with me?"
"If I shrink back because of this, then I wouldn't be me!"
In the next second, Aether Spirits enough to cover half the competition site poured out. Looking around, they were all elite monsters; ordinary players had no possibility of defeating them.
"Such a big battle array, not bad... Stelle, you dare to use the technology I invented against me?"
"Mind your own business about beautiful girls' matters. Are you ready to face the wrath of the Galactic Baseballer!"
The most basic game rules still had to be followed. After releasing her Aether Spirits, it was Adrian's turn.
Facing the swarm of Aether Spirits, Adrian didn't hesitate and threw out a Blaze Out of Space with the lowest level.
"Ha? Did I see correctly? Teacher Adrian chose to use a Blaze Out of Space against Stelle's [Aether Spirit Army]?"
March 7th couldn't understand Adrian's operation at all. Didn't even equip expansion chips; overly confident, right!
"I had the same thought as you at first. You'll know if you keep watching."
Stelle snorted coldly. "Teacher Adrian, the stats of your Aether Spirit are too low, right? Attack is only 8 points? Even a Trotter isn't this low."
Just as she was mocking, a red shadow suddenly flashed before Stelle's eyes, so fast she didn't even react.
When she came back to her senses, the Aether Spirit army present had been reduced by half.
"Eh?" She blinked.
At this time, Stelle finally saw clearly the system panel of Adrian's Aether Spirit...
[Blaze Out of Space]
[Level: 1/6]
[HP: ∞]
[ATK: ∞]
[SPD: ∞]
[System Supplement: Offensive Overlord Aether Spirit. Skills possess powerful AoE attack abilities.]
Stelle: ...
Bad news, the opponent's cheat level is higher than hers!