Star Rail: Starting with a Lyre, Living off Busking

Well, well, look at you! So dedicated, you've earned a little extra treat! 🎉

---

— Back aboard the train, after enjoying a hearty dinner prepared by Pom-Pom, Stelle sat on the sofa, savoring a brief moment of relaxation.

As for Venti, he was sound asleep. Despite behaving like a lazy little piglet who eats and dozes off immediately, this time, his dreams felt… different.

This time, it wasn't Stelle suffering from nightmares. Instead, Venti experienced a vision—a premonition.

He "saw" a planet long forgotten by the universe, where progress had come to a standstill under the looming shadow of the "Demon King."

The forces of order had a "Hero" who valiantly rose to challenge the king time and again, but their efforts only temporarily delayed the destruction of civilization. It was a cycle, a game with no end.

Flying monstrosities blotted out the sky, their shadows as dense as storm clouds, while grotesque creatures from otherworldly realms crawled across the ground. The humans' territory had shrunk to a single kingdom, teetering on the edge of annihilation.

In the dream, a woman clad in the robes of a saint knelt within a dimly lit cathedral. She wore a blindfold and prayed fervently, her voice trembling as if directed at Venti himself.

"—O magnificent and all-knowing god, why has this era's destined Hero not appeared?"

Though she was facing the void, her blindfolded eyes seemed to pierce through space and time, staring directly at Venti.

"Is it because humanity has exhausted your favor? Are we no longer worthy of being your pawns in the grand game of the gods?"

Her words carried a desperate resignation, growing heavier with each syllable.

At the end of her prayer, she removed the blindfold, revealing eyes scorched gray by fire.

"In that case, I shall stand as humanity's final defiance… Watch closely, as the curtain falls upon this stage."

Within the dark cathedral, the holy glow of a sword emerged. But the surrounding shadows remained oppressive, and the ominous stars of calamity hung high in the sky.

She was utterly alone, wielding the sacred blade.

…

"Venti, Venti?"

A gentle push brought Venti out of his slumber. As he opened his eyes, Stelle's concerned face came into view.

"Are you alright?"

"Ah… How long was I out?"

Venti rubbed his messy hair, his expression tinged with confusion.

"You? You slept straight through the night. It's already the next day! And you managed to oversleep on the sofa, too—seriously?"

March 7 cut in with a grin, balancing a cup of juice in one hand and a salad box on her knees. Her playful tone was typical of her sunny disposition.

"I slept that long? I didn't even notice."

The unusually deep sleep made Venti feel uneasy, though after scanning himself, he couldn't find anything out of place. It was as if he had simply glimpsed events unfolding elsewhere…

"Could it be something Herta did during her research?"

Stelle voiced her suspicion, recalling Herta's obsessive intensity. It wasn't far-fetched to think she might have done something unconventional.

But Venti dismissed the idea, reassuring her. This allowed Stelle to relax—mostly thanks to March 7 chiming in with her usual optimism.

"Don't overthink it! Everyone on this train's like that—barely sleep for days, then crash and make up for it all in one go. You'll master the skill sooner or later, Stelle!"

March's carefree attitude, paired with Venti's calm demeanor, put everyone at ease.

"Alright, alright. Himeko said you could rest up, but now that you're awake, don't waste the day. The conductor asked me to tell you—our route meeting is about to start. Go freshen up and grab breakfast; I'll gather everyone else."

With that, she dragged Stelle off to rally the others. As they left, Venti overheard snippets of March bargaining with Stelle, promising to share the chore of washing coffee cups for a week.

A bet, maybe?

Shrugging it off, Venti finished his meal and headed to the meeting room, where everyone seemed to have assembled right on time.

Himeko greeted him with her usual warm smile.

"Good morning, Venti. Did the train's sofa treat you well?"

"Hehe, like a dream. I conked out and didn't wake until now."

As they exchanged pleasantries, Venti shifted the conversation.

"So, Himeko, have you decided on the next destination?"

"Not entirely," Himeko replied, her tone playful. "We've narrowed it down to three choices. Care to guess? Here's a hint: one of them involves 'family.'"

"Family… Could it be related to the Harmony Path and the Xianzhou Luofu?"

"Exactly. Someone's been paying attention! Keep it up—diligence is a commendable trait."

Venti chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "Not really. I just heard Dan Heng mention it. But if the Luofu is on the list, why are there two other options?"

Himeko smiled knowingly.

"Pom-Pom would say it's because the Trailblazer's journey and goals should be their own choice. That's the creed of Akivili. Even as the navigator, I can't ignore everyone's opinions when choosing our path forward."

Seeing Venti's curious expression, she added, "Don't worry. There's a reason we've picked these three options. They're not mutually exclusive—but let's discuss the details in the meeting."

With that, Venti made his way to chat with Welt, who was reading something on his phone.

Noticing Venti approach, Welt greeted him kindly.

"You're looking well, Venti. It seems Herta's antics didn't trouble you too much—or are you just that exceptional at handling things?"

"Ah, nothing of the sort. I've put her off for now—at least during this voyage. I came to ask if there's a destination you're particularly interested in."

"Interested? Not exactly… The world I long to return to isn't on the train's star map. It's a regret I carry."

Welt's gaze held a tinge of sadness but was tempered by the spark of adventure.

"But that aside, seeing other civilizations before heading home is a privilege I don't take lightly."

"By the way," Venti began, "is there any record of a place called Teyvat on the train's map?"

"Teyvat?" Welt mused. "It sounds like a local name for a planet rather than one connected to interstellar trade."

After a pause, he continued, "I'm afraid I haven't heard of it. But that doesn't mean it doesn't exist—it could be too remote or isolated. Some civilizations cease outward exploration for various reasons. My home world faced a similar fate, halting progress to address its internal struggles."

"I see… Well, if we ever find your home, can I come visit?"

Welt smiled warmly at the suggestion.

"Of course. The day I disembark, I'll be sure to invite everyone to visit my world."

"Deal! Whoever finds their home first owes the other a drink," Venti laughed.

As they exchanged promises, Pom-Pom's announcement echoed through the train.

"Attention passengers! The navigation meeting is about to begin. Please head to the observation car!"

With anticipation brewing, the group gathered, ready to decide their next journey.

March 7 was the first to quip at Pom-Pom's announcement, crossing her arms dramatically.

"Hey, Pom-Pom! Stop being so cryptic—everyone's waiting for you!"

A tuft of fur brushed against March's leg as Pom-Pom strutted in, puffing out its chest with a hint of indignation.

"March 7, kindly take your seat! The Conductor has important announcements to make!"

Once everyone was settled, Pom-Pom began with great ceremony, clearing its throat for effect.

"Ahem! Ladies and gentlemen, I will now reveal the names of the three destinations for our next journey!"

The group leaned forward in curiosity, their attention locked on Pom-Pom's every word.

"First up, we have Penacony."

Pom-Pom paused for effect.

"This planet was once a prison world under the administration of the Interastral Peace Corporation during Akivili's time. However, after the outbreak of the Stellar Flare, control over Penacony was lost. Eventually, it was embraced by the Harmony Path's 'Family' faction.

"Right now, the Family is hosting a grand celebration there, and they've extended an invitation to the Astral Express. Himeko believes this is an excellent opportunity to strengthen ties, which is why Penacony is our first candidate."

Hearing this, March 7's eyes lit up.

"A Family celebration? That sounds amazing! I've always wanted to meet them—they seem so warm and welcoming!"

Her excitement contrasted with Stelle's perplexed expression. Meanwhile, Dan Heng, standing quietly nearby, folded his arms and added a dose of reality.

"March, don't let the surface fool you. The Family may appear kind and harmonious, but their philosophy is uncompromising. They expect complete selflessness and absolute loyalty to their collective ideals.

"To join them, you must surrender individual desires and differences, committing yourself entirely to the collective good. Their unity comes at the cost of personal freedom."

March deflated slightly, frowning.

"Yeesh, way to kill the mood, Dan Heng. Sounds like being part of the Family comes with a lot of fine print."

Dan Heng gave a faint shrug but refrained from elaborating further. The Family's ideals, though noble, demanded a heavy price—something that didn't align with everyone's values.

Pom-Pom cleared its throat again, steering the discussion back on track.

"The second option is Screwllum's Star."

This announcement earned a curious glance from Venti, as Pom-Pom continued.

"This mechanical marvel was built by the Screwllum species over several amber eras. They transformed a dying planet into a massive, self-sustaining ecosystem powered by intricate machinery and algorithms.

"The renowned mechanical genius and Genius Society member, Screwllum, has invited us there. According to his message, he has something 'new and exciting' to share.

"Oh, and Screwllum specifically mentioned that Venti might find this visit worthwhile—especially if he's looking to escape Herta's… ahem, overzealous attention."

A ripple of quiet laughter followed, with even Venti joining in, albeit sheepishly.

"Well, that's certainly tempting," he mused, scratching his chin.

"And last but not least," Pom-Pom declared, puffing up even more, "the third option is Snail-III."

"Snail-III?" Stelle repeated, puzzled.

Pom-Pom nodded gravely.

"According to the train's archives, Snail-III is a planet rife with strife. It houses numerous species locked in constant power struggles, barely united under the threat of a common enemy: the calamity caused by its inherent magic.

"However, recent intelligence—provided anonymously—reports that a Stellaron has landed there within the past 42 cycles. The decision is yours to make: do we intervene?"

---

This bonus chapter is like an encore after a rousing performance—totally worth staying for, wouldn't you say? Oh, and don't worry, my lyre's got plenty more tunes to play next time!

But for now, it's time to take a bow. Thank you for the applause (and all that wonderful support). If you're feeling extra inspired, you know where to find me—[patreon.com/WiseTL]. Toss a coin, and who knows? Maybe the next bard will sing your praises!

Now, go forth, Traveler, and revel in the wonders of this world. Until next time! 🍃✨