Honkai, why do you only throw me into high-level battles?

Elysia struggled to describe the feeling of regret.

It was like someone had spent their entire life writing a long letter, filled with elegant and passionate words, sharing every scene they'd seen, every person they'd met, every story they'd lived.

A message sent across time and space to a stranger, hoping to make a new friend. And those who read it did become her friends, yet she remained forever stuck at the moment of sending...

"Really? I was thinking of telling Elysia in the Elysian Realm about today when I next visited. What a pity…"

As a memory of the real Elysia, she carried a piece of her hope, witnessing a future the original could not. It was like the Elysia of 50,000 years ago had received a gift from across time. If she knew about today, she'd be overjoyed.

She would definitely say...

"Isn't this incredibly romantic?" Elysia's eyes curved into crescents as she beamed. "See? Human emotions are so beautiful. They endure, never fading. Even across vast stretches of time, they connect us, reaching into the distant future…"

"…That does sound like something you'd say." Lin Wei chuckled wryly.

"Hee hee, of course!" Elysia giggled. "If the Elysia in the Elysian Realm knew how vivid the Elysia in Lin Wei's dream is, she'd be so embarrassed~"

"…" You, embarrassed? Lin Wei scoffed internally. You're more likely to embarrass others!

"Hmm?" Elysia leaned closer, scrutinizing Lin Wei with suspicion. "I have a feeling you're thinking something rude!"

"Nothing. Just doubting your capacity for embarrassment." Lin Wei deadpanned, pushing Elysia back gently. Changing the subject, he asked, "I thought all this weird stuff was like, a 'life flashing before my eyes' thing. Since you say I'll wake up, I guess I'm not dying?"

"Eh? You thought you were dying?" Elysia tilted her head back, dodging Lin Wei's hand. "Why such a pessimistic prediction?"

"I'd think surviving would be the unbelievable part," Lin Wei stated matter-of-factly. "I'm not a Herrscher. Meddling in things only a Herrscher can do…how could I possibly bear the consequences?"

"You really don't have any prejudice against Herrschers, do you?" Elysia's eyes sparkled.

"I thought you saw my memories…"

"How could I? Learning about someone's life that way would be so unromantic!" Elysia's smile was radiant. "Besides, Elysia's adventure isn't over yet. Why would I cheat and peek at the ending?"

"…" Lin Wei was speechless. Hadn't she peeked already? But she didn't seem to have formed any biases against him.

"Let me ask you: how does it feel to be a hero?" Elysia's smile was constant. "Knowing it was dangerous, with little hope of success, yet you still did it, and you succeeded. Incredible, isn't it?"

"I'm no hero, and I don't want to be one." Lin Wei calmly denied it, adding modestly, "Some things just need to be done. And at that time, in that place, I was the only one who could do it…"

"Hmm?" Elysia puffed out her cheeks slightly, staring intently at Lin Wei.

"…Okay, it felt pretty good." Uncomfortable under her gaze, Lin Wei admitted the truth. Can't I be proud of doing something awesome?

"Tsundere…" Elysia wore a satisfied smile, as if she'd won a battle. Her voice softened. "See? The story has already changed because of you."

"I…" This seemingly ordinary statement struck a chord within Lin Wei. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came. What should he say? Agree? Or say he didn't want to change anything? He felt lost. He had changed so many things.

Elysia watched him, a satisfied smile on her face, as if his conflicted expression was the most beautiful sight in the world. After a long moment, she spoke. "Why so quiet? Are you speechless with emotion?"

"…No, lost." Lin Wei shook his head, gathering his thoughts. "Like I accidentally boarded a train I wasn't supposed to be on, drifting along aimlessly. Then, after waking up and wiping the condensation from the window, I suddenly realize how far I've traveled…"

"Oh, so that's it…" Elysia nodded seriously. "So this is the protagonist's award-winning speech? Truly unique."

"What protagonist? Don't be ridiculous…" Lin Wei chuckled wryly, waving his hands. "Drifting along, without ambition…that's not what a protagonist is like." I'm just an ordinary passerby. Find someone else to carry the burden of being the protagonist! He protested inwardly.

Elysia didn't speak, simply smiling at him. Her silence spoke volumes.

Uncomfortable under her gaze, Lin Wei backed away.

"Sigh, Lin Wei, you're truly a tsundere." Elysia suddenly put on a hurt expression, sighing dramatically. "Even in a dream, facing just a shadow, you won't reveal your true feelings?"

"What true feelings?!" Lin Wei was bewildered. I really am without ambition!

"Don't you know? You've already stepped into the spotlight, center stage."

"…" Lin Wei suddenly understood, a headache blooming.

Before facing that tsunami, he hadn't even considered surviving. He'd charged forward with a reckless, almost suicidal mindset.

How could he have considered the aftermath? Thinking about it now, it would've been better to just die! he thought. At least I wouldn't have to worry about what happens next…

"Hee hee, I see you understand now?" Elysia chuckled. "Look, you've left your mark on this world. Everyone is cheering for you. You're no longer an unknown wanderer."

"…Are you giving me some kind of identity verification? Saying I'm no longer 'off the grid' or something?"

"Uh… why would you think that?" Elysia tilted her head, smiling. "Elysia came all this way to answer your hopes."

As she spoke, she extended a slender finger, gently tapping Lin Wei's forehead.

Pink light bloomed, swirling around the vibrant images and strange scenes.

Countless tiny points of light, like a sky full of stars, converged on Elysia, swirling around her before merging between her brows, coalescing into a sparkling crystal flower, which she cupped in her hands.

The dream began to fade, and Elysia herself became increasingly transparent.

"You…" Lin Wei suddenly felt a pang of reluctance.

"Keep it safe!" Elysia, unfazed by her own fading, gently pushed the crystal flower towards Lin Wei. She smiled. "It seems it's not time for this crystal flower to bloom."

"…" Lin Wei sensed the crystal flower was more than just a 'mark,' but he remained silent, accepting it as it melted like a snowflake into his hand, disappearing. But he knew it wasn't truly gone. It wouldn't be.

"Ah, beautiful moments are always so fleeting. Such a pity…" Elysia looked at her increasingly translucent hands, sighing softly. Then, she gave Lin Wei a bright smile, her eyes curving into crescents. "Well, time to say goodbye!"

"…" Lin Wei opened his mouth, but no words came. After a moment, he smiled faintly. "Yeah, goodbye."

Will we meet again? he wondered. Perhaps this was a blessing in disguise.

"One last question?" Elysia's fading form spoke.

"Ask away," Lin Wei replied, cherishing the remaining time.

"How did it feel to see Elysia again?" Her smile was still radiant, her almost invisible eyes sparkling like a child awaiting praise.

Lin Wei thought carefully, meeting her gaze. He smiled gently. "It was…nice."

"Really?" Elysia seemed pleased with his answer. She sighed softly. "That's good…"

Then, she faded completely, vanishing without a trace.

Lin Wei waited, but no further sound came. He felt a pang of loss, sighing softly. "What a pity…"

What was he lamenting? Elysia's departure? Or the fact that upon waking, as she'd predicted, he would forget everything?

He couldn't tell. Perhaps both, or perhaps something more.

The dream completely receded, shattering and dissolving, leaving Lin Wei in a blank void.

"Time to wake up."

Turning, Lin Wei saw a pink feather bobbing gently behind him, emitting a faint light.

The instant their gazes met, a wave of drowsiness washed over him, pulling him under.

"Wait…" He managed to open his mouth, but before he could say anything, he lost consciousness.

...

"Mmm…" Lin Wei groaned, his consciousness returning. He felt a warm, moist sensation on his cheek.

"Sis, Sis! Big Brother's awake!" A cheerful child's voice rang out nearby.

Beside the child, a calm, pleasant voice replied, "Yes, I see."

Lin Wei opened his eyes. He was lying in a familiar wooden hut, covered by a clean blanket with a simple pattern. His gaze shifted. A pink-haired little girl stood at the foot of the bed, beaming at him. Beside him, Yae Sakura, sleeves rolled up, held a warm towel, gently wiping his face.

"Sakura…" Lin Wei murmured, his heart warming at the sight. "How long was I asleep?"

"Not long…" Yae Sakura, relieved to see him awake, was considering her answer when her sister interjected.

"Big Brother, you slept for four whole days!" The little girl added helpfully, "Actually, Sis slept for a long time too! She just woke up a little while ago!"

Yae Sakura glared playfully at her sister for revealing too much.

"…Is that so? Thank you, Sakura." Lin Wei nodded understandingly, glancing apologetically at Yae Sakura. He wanted to say more, but his brow furrowed, a look of confusion on his face.

"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" Yae Sakura asked with concern.

"No, I just… I think I had a dream…" Lin Wei's frown deepened as he struggled to recall the dream, unable to grasp even a fragment.

"What kind of dream?" Yae Sakura, rarely seeing him like this, knew it must have been important.

"It was…" Lin Wei struggled, but nothing came. He felt a hollowness in his chest, like he'd lost a dear friend.

After a long pause, he gave up, chuckling wryly. "I forgot…"