Chapter 80: Miracles Only Come to Those Who Believe in Them

Nightfall in Deep Blue Metropolis. Tianhai Group Headquarters.

"Father, you called for me?" Isabelle stepped into the office, her eyes meeting the back of her father’s silhouette behind the desk.

"Isabelle," Dorian replied, his voice steady. "I’ve received news about the matter you asked me to look into. But I need to confirm something with you—are you truly ready to become a Stellar Envoy?"

As the office chair slowly turned, the Stellar Source Cube in Dorian’s hand came into view—crystalline, pulsing with latent power.

Seeing it, Isabelle’s body trembled faintly.

But the moment passed quickly.

After a few deep breaths, her expression hardened, resolve etched into every line of her face.

"Yes."

Dorian studied her—no need for further words. He placed the cube on the desk and spoke with solemn care.

"Then I respect your choice. You’ve already realized, I assume, that this isn’t just any Stellar Source. This is the [Absolute Zero], a Nature Class Stellar Source, specially acquired for you."

"But even though the source is in your hands now, I won’t let you absorb it immediately."

"Only when you’ve completed Wolf’s training and earned his approval will I hand it over."

"And after that, I’ll send you to the finest Stellar Envoy academy in Steam Capital—your chance to step into the core circle of the Seven Floating Cities."

"However, you must understand: once you become a Stellar Envoy, the protections and privileges reserved for ordinary citizens will be gone. You’ll no longer be shielded by the system."

"Furthermore, as I expand the group’s influence, both the organization—and you—will face dangers beyond imagination."

"Even so… are you still certain?"

Not long ago, she would’ve refused without hesitation.

She knew what becoming a Stellar Envoy meant. The burden. The cost.

But after everything she’d lived through, she already had her answer.

"Relax, Father. I won’t let you down."

"And even if I didn’t become a Stellar Envoy… would those things still come for me anyway?"

"So why wait for mercy from enemies? I’d rather take my fate into my own hands."

Dorian paused, then gave a small, rare smile.

"Looks like you’ve truly grown."

"No one stays a child forever, right?"

"...Indeed."

With that, Dorian slid the Stellar Source Cube back into its secure vault.

Isabelle stared at it for a long moment—then turned without a word and walked out.

Because she knew: only by passing Coral Knight · Wolf’s trial could she claim [Absolute Zero].

Only then could she gain the strength to protect herself in this merciless world.

She’d never endure that feeling again—the terror of leaving her life in someone else’s hands.

---

Meanwhile, at Yujin Base, the mess hall.

"Woohoo! Let me see, let me see! I know you brought me gifts!"

Just as Chen Kong, Chen Xing, and Kalolin entered the mess hall, a soft, cheerful voice rang out.

In an instant, Jing Ruli shot forward—riding her star-patterned pillow like a purple missile—zipping across the room in a dangerously low, near-ground trajectory straight toward the newcomers.

The three instinctively stepped back, avoiding what could’ve been a fatal collision.

But luck was on their side.

A month of training had sharpened her Stellar Artifact control.

She soared upward in a graceful arc, looping over their heads before spiraling around them in a playful circle.

Then, with a mischievous glint in her eye, she dove straight for Kalolin’s luggage.

Without asking, she reached for the zipper with tiny, sly fingers—pure mischief.

But her attempt failed.

Before her hand could touch the latch, a firm, light tap landed on her wrist.

Slap!

"Ow! That hurt!" Jing Ruli pouted, glaring at Kalolin with watery, wounded eyes. "Kalolin, you’re so mean!"

Kalolin raised an eyebrow. "The one who’s stealing from others is far worse, don’t you think?"

Jing Ruli bristled, puffing out her chest. Her little bear-print pajamas wobbled with indignation.

"Hey! I was doing it in front of you, openly! That’s not stealing!"

Kalolin sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.

But she had years of experience dealing with childish antics.

She didn’t argue. Instead, she crouched down, opened her suitcase, and pulled out a soft, adorable blue owl-shaped eye mask.

"Here."

"Whoa! It’s the Deep Blue Metropolis Limited Edition!" Jing Ruli snatched it, hugging her pillow as she zipped around the mess hall in glee.

Moments later, she slipped the mask on and stood before them, spinning in place.

"Look! Look! Don’t I look like a night patrol cat-owl knight?"

She even threw a few clumsy, soft punches at the air—huff, huff, huff—as if delivering dramatic blows.

It was laughably weak.

But somehow, it worked.

Even the usually stoic Kalolin couldn’t help but chuckle.

No matter how much time passed, Jing Ruli remained unchanged—the same spark of joy, the same childlike wonder.

She was, in every sense, a girl who never grew up.

But before Jing Ruli could say more, Kalolin’s gaze drifted to the long dining table.

It was nearly empty—just a few scattered plates left.

She murmured, "Funny… the mess hall’s quieter than usual."

Jing Ruli froze mid-motion, her fists drooping.

She clutched her Treasured Pillow tightly, voice barely above a whisper.

"Because… Doctor said anyone who failed the Final Evaluation couldn’t stay."

"So after you left, the rest of us—everyone who didn’t pass—were gradually sent out."

"Is that so..."

The mention of Final Evaluation sent a wave through Kalolin’s mind.

For a moment, she felt like she’d stepped out of time.

In the past month, she’d almost forgotten she was an AI, a member of Yujin Organization.

But seeing Jing Ruli’s quiet sadness, Chen Xing—who usually teased her—stepped forward with a gift in hand.

"Here."

"Whoa!" Jing Ruli’s eyes lit up like stars.

Chen Xing turned away, pretending indifference. "Uh, don’t get the wrong idea. I just happened to pass by a snack shop and bought it on a whim."

But before she could finish, Jing Ruli lunged—planting a quick, soft kiss on her cheek.

Chen Xing yelped, jumping back as if electrocuted.

But before she could retaliate, Jing Ruli beamed.

"Thank you, Star! Lily loves you the most!"

"...!"

Love?

Chen Xing’s mouth opened, then snapped shut. She turned her head sharply—her face a storm of denial.

But a closer look revealed it: her ears, once pale white, were now visibly red.

Jing Ruli’s wide, innocent eyes gleamed with quiet triumph.

Hehe. Tian Dao taught me this trick. Works like a charm.

He said Chen Xing was cold on the outside, warm on the inside.

Fight her head-on? She’d resist.

But be kind? She’d melt.

At first, Jing Ruli didn’t believe it.

Now? Tian Dao was right.

Then, suddenly, she noticed something odd.

"Kalolin… where’s Tian Dao? He usually comes back with you."

Chen Kong, still unpacking, answered. "Tian Dao said he had something to discuss with Doctor. He told us to grab him some food—he’ll be here soon."

"Ah, okay."

---

Deep within Yujin Base, Doctor’s private office.

"Doctor… are you really certain about this?"

"Because if you fail, everything you’ve built… it’ll all be for nothing. A gift for someone else."

Doctor didn’t look up. He set down his tablet, his expression unreadable.

"When did you figure it out?"

Tian Dao lounged on the couch, arms stretched behind his head, staring at the ceiling.

"Right after you sent everyone else away. And kept only the twelve of us."

"If you’d sent all of us out, the old foxes outside would’ve suspected a trap. They’d never fully commit to training the new prodigies—afraid of raising a tiger."

"But by first sending some away under the guise of exchange… then playing the part of a base that dies with you…"

"Even the most cautious of them would believe it."

"After all… if Embers and you are gone… what’s left to fear?"

A long silence.

Doctor finally looked up at Tian Dao.

"Spit it out. You didn’t come here to gloat about your cleverness."

Tian Dao sat up.

No more pretense.

He placed his hands on his knees and stood, his azure eyes burning with unwavering determination.

"Give me the task you were going to assign to Yun Meng. Let me finish it—for you."

"No."

No hesitation.

Even someone who had always obeyed Tian Dao without question now refused.

Because he knew what Yun Meng meant to the plan.

He knew her fate.

He would not let her be replaced.

But Tian Dao had his own resolve.

"Doctor… you’ve misunderstood one thing."

"I’m not asking you."

"I’m telling you."

"..."

Doctor stared at him—calm, smiling, yet utterly unyielding.

After a long pause, he spoke.

"Tian Dao Siming… do you realize what you’re saying?"

"Of course I do."

Tian Dao pulled out a pair of sunglasses from his coat and slipped them on.

"Sure, it might mean I never see tomorrow. But so what?"

"Besides… who knows if tomorrow even comes?"

With that, he turned and walked toward the door.

"Promise me, Doctor. I’ll handle Yun Meng’s mission."

"Wait."

Just as he reached the threshold, Doctor called out.

"Tian Dao… you have two months to think this through. I want you to be sure."

Tian Dao waved a hand dismissively.

"Doctor… when did you think I made this decision suddenly?"

"And besides… in my dictionary? There’s no such word as failure."

He stepped out—without looking back.

And as the door closed behind him, Doctor exhaled.

The Future Sight of Tian Dao…

Tian Dao, you really chose a terrible future for yourself.

But…

He lifted his gaze.

For the first time, the cold, calculating face of an AI betrayed something unexpected—raw, almost feverish emotion.

"...If it’s you… I somehow believe you can do it."

"Not because of logic. But because of what you said—the instinct unique to humans."

"It’s absurd. Illogical. But right now… I feel it."

"I’ve caught a glimpse of that fleeting spark—the tail of a miracle."

"So go ahead, Tian Dao.

If you want to do it… then do it."

"Because miracles don’t fall on cold machines."

"They only come to those who believe in them."

"And in that… I’m far less than you."

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(End of Chapter)

Chapter end