After becoming a Path Strider of Chaos, Sakurajima Mai, who used her power to defeat an evil spirit, immediately entered a state of exhaustion.
Facing this scene, as her master, Bai Li naturally had to provide assistance.
However, he did not take action on the spot but ordered the system to teleport himself and Mai onto the Astral Express.
"Host, you don't actually need to give commands; you can make decisions yourself. Please try it next time."
"It seems I'm still a novice in this regard."
"I believe you will be able to control everything during this time."
Before the system finished speaking, the parking lot where the two were located began to change.
Space shattered as if collapsing.
Although Sakurajima Mai, lying in Bai Li's arms, was in a state of exhaustion, she could still feel the changes around her.
Facing the dissolving and disappearing walls and ground around her, the bunny girl's eyes widened.
"This, this is...? !"
"Don't worry, next we will be teleported to our true stronghold."
"Bai Li-kun's stronghold?"
"You could say that."
The next moment, the scene was completely reloaded.
Luxurious interior, a starry sky ceiling, and the constantly changing scenery outside the window, like a flowing world.
The originally exhausted Sakurajima Mai instantly perked up.
She tried to stand up from Bai Li's embrace.
Bai Li also helped her, leading her to the window.
"Is this real or fake...? The scenery outside, it feels just like watching a movie."
"In reality, those are scenes from different worlds. It's very possible that this train has been to those places before."
This Astral Express was a well-preserved mode of transportation that the system found at the end of the Sea of Creation.
Perhaps it had experienced many adventures before its passengers completely disappeared.
Now, it had been modified.
From a creation of pioneers, it had become a possession of chaos.
"It's amazing..."
Sakurajima Mai stood by the window, looking at everything outside with a sigh of wonder.
"Bai Li-kun always brings surprises."
After saying this, the calmed Sakurajima Mai was once again engulfed by fatigue.
Bai Li led her to a sofa on the side, where she sat down and let out a long breath.
"What's wrong with me...?"
"It's probably because it's your first time using Imaginary Energy from Fate, which has put a strain on your body. After all, that power originally filled your body, and now a part of it is missing."
"Hmm… like a magician who's used up their magic in some stories?"
"You could understand it that way, which is why they need to replenish their magic."
"Replenish magic?"
Hearing this, Sakurajima Mai tilted her head, curious.
Replenishing magic, this matter is also recorded in the Fate plane.
More specifically, in the setting, Servants need to rely on their Master's magic to maintain their existence and fight.
When magic is insufficient, it must be replenished through replenishment.
Methods of replenishment include, but are not limited to:
Exchange of bodily fluids (such as kissing, blood transfusion);
Magic circuit transplantation;
Direct physical contact to transfer magic.
"This feeling of fatigue isn't pleasant, is it? So… leave the rest to me."
"Alright, what do you want to do?"
"Close your eyes."
"Close my eyes… Could it be…!"
Sakurajima Mai didn't close her eyes; instead, she widened them.
Bai Li-kun didn't dally, extending his right hand to gently lift the girl's chin.
At this moment, the girl's eyelashes fluttered like a butterfly's wings, a hint of panic and shyness in her eyes.
Bai Li-kun looked at her and smiled slightly.
The moment their eyes met, time seemed to freeze.
"Don't hide."
Bai Li-kun's voice was a bit low, as if carrying a certain allure, making Sakurajima Mai remain motionless.
The next second, a warm sensation descended.
Sakurajima Mai felt her heart skip a beat, her body trembling slightly.
Bai Li-kun's hand remained steady, supporting her chin, never letting go, just lingering for a moment before slowly moving away.
"Ha…"
Sakurajima Mai, her cheeks flushed, finally reopened her eyes and looked at Bai Li-kun.
She slowly came to her senses and immediately turned her body away.
Bai Li-kun then asked, "How are you feeling?"
"Much better… truly much better."
She felt strength in every part of her body.
Sakurajima Mai could confirm this.
Not bad, not bad.
Bai Li-kun was very satisfied.
This method of replenishing Fate energy through magic replenishment would need to be used frequently in the future.
No, it needed to evolve.
Thinking of this, Bai Li-kun also stood up.
"Since you've recovered, let me give you a tour of this Astral Express."
"So it's called the Astral Express?"
"Yes, do you want to see it?"
"En!"
She patted her cheeks and, being very interested in novelties, immediately stood up.
In reality, Bai Li-kun hadn't properly explored it either.
So, he had the system introduce it to him while he relayed the information to the Bunny Girl Mai-senpai beside him.
The entire train had three areas, just like in the game.
Party Car: equipped with a bar for drinks and other entertainment facilities;
Observation Car: This place represents where chaotic power and multidimensional worlds intersect, allowing one to see different planes through the windows;
Guest Room Car: There are four rooms in total, but all of them are without any design, as if they have been completely cleared out.
So after seeing the first two, Sakurajima Mai stared at one of them.
"Bai Li-kun, all the rooms here are empty…"
"Yes."
"Can I have one?"
"I don't think there's any problem."
If the Astral Express was used as a base, it would be easier to meet in the future.
Therefore, Bai Li-kun granted this part of the authority to Sakurajima Mai.
"You'll be able to teleport here in the future too."
"Thank you, Bai Li-kun!"
After thanking him, Sakurajima Mai looked at Bai Li-kun.
"So… are we staying here tonight?"
"Mai-senpai isn't planning to go home?"
"Mom is always working."
Moreover… she emphasized,
"I don't want to go back and encounter those terrifying evil spirits."
Even with the power to fight them, Sakurajima Mai still needed time to prepare.
"In that case, let's stay."
Bai Li-kun nodded.
It was also time to organize this brand new Astral Express.