Chapter 4: The Arrival of the Wish Princess
The Ballad Conductor has gotten stronger.
This is bad news for Night Star Lan.
After all, it’s the guy she hates the most.
But what if they meet in the future? What should she do?
Plus, if that douche gets so strong that even she can’t interfere, isn’t she doomed to get bullied?
Ouch.
Night Star Lan’s expression turns sour as she contemplates the sudden boost in the Ballad Conductor’s power.
That guy is the First Generation Star Eclipses, a Supernova-class Star Eclipses.
Originally, Night Star Lan’s Wish Machine could affect him.
But then the Ballad Conductor’s specs skyrocketed out of nowhere.
What’s above a supernova?
Night Star Lan doesn’t know—maybe it’s on par with the Origin, or maybe it’s comparable to the Wish Machine.
But why is this happening?
Thinking about the extra trouble this brings, Night Star Lan can barely enjoy sticking with the Dream Pursuer Yin.
The Dream Narrator sees Night Star Lan’s troubled face and naturally hears what the Wish Princess said.
“So the Ballad Conductor’s specs have risen? By rights, we shouldn’t be able to elevate at all—their ratings are fixed. Since his rating has gone up, he must have had some kind of epic encounter. From what I know, only the Origin can boost a Supernova Star Eclipses.”
As he speaks, the Dream Narrator squints, thinking immediately of the Uncrowned Wanderer.
The Uncrowned Wanderer’s alternate space hides stuff related to the Origin.
Maybe the Ballad Conductor stumbled upon another Origin-related thing during his wanderings.
Or perhaps he already ventured into the Uncrowned Wanderer’s territory.
And the Uncrowned Wanderer even took him to the alternate space to see the light ball and clear his own obsessions.
It probably went down like that.
The Dream Narrator has it mostly right; he can’t help but marvel at the twists.
Though it’s no big deal for him, it means everything for Night Star Lan.
Night Star Lan despises the Ballad Conductor—enough to make a sworn enemy. Next time they meet, things might turn into an all-out fight.
But what’s even worse—a supernova-powered Ballad Conductor…
Who knows?
The Dream Narrator doesn’t want to pick sides. He’s been neutral since the beginning, helping Night Star Lan just to fulfill a bargain.
It’s just repaying a wish.
Pretty much.
“Seeing you so worried, I’ll give you the secret of the Supernova Star Eclipses. It applies to all first generation ones like me. I don’t know if it’ll help the current Ballad Conductor, but hey, it might help open more paths for you.”
Hearing this, Night Star Lan’s expression turns serious.
“Please tell me!”
“Star Eclipses are fundamentally fueled by obsession, whether low- or high-spec. If you focus on that aspect, you might have a better chance against the Ballad Conductor.”
“Mmm… Is that so…”
Night Lan starts pondering this info.
The Dream Narrator continues, “For example, the higher the spec of a Star Eclipse, the more dependent it becomes on intense obsessions. If you were a bit stronger, you could simply wish away the Ballad Conductor’s obsessions, and he’d be done for.”
“Really that simple?”
Night Star Lan is flabbergasted, eager to test it out.
But her excitement crashes almost instantly. She curls up with her Wish Princess, dejectedly.
“But if we need to be even stronger, maybe it’s gonna require A-level psychic powers… This Wish Princess never shares the wealth, so she won’t let me evolve easily. Plus, I kinda don’t want to grow stronger; it feels like it’ll lead to scary consequences.”
The Wish Princess remains unaffected, like a three-no (no emotions, no expressions, no reactions) little loli.
Night Star Lan is convinced that with higher psychic power, her Wish Princess can achieve anything.
Except she’s felt the horror of turning into a Star Eclipses before.
Even though she’s an Extraordinary Star Holder, becoming a Star Eclipses will erase her sense of self, and she’d be replaced by the Wish Princess of Star Eclipses.
And that Wish Princess might act on Night Star Lan’s obsessions.
What are Night Star Lan’s obsessions?
Fishing?
Controlling loli?
Or erasing the weird boundary between Star Eclipses and Stars?
She has no clue, just knowing it would probably be something dire.
Clearly, it’s better for her to actualize her plans herself.
No telling what horrors the unfeeling Wish Princess would create.
At this thought, Night Star Lan nearly buries herself under the Wish Princess’s skirt out of shame.
But sadly, there’s not enough fabric to hide two heads.
By the way, the Wish Princess can only appear in dreams.
Plus, her attire is always based on Night Star Lan’s preferences.
Nice.
The Dream Narrator glances at the Star form of the Wish Princess and looks away.
In this form, she’s the same spec as the Origin, so he keeps his respect.
Better not stare.
“That’s on you.”
“So can you help me?” Night Star Lan’s eyes shine with hope, as if trying to drag the Dream Narrator into her team.
After all, among all the first-generation Star Eclipses, she finds the Dream Narrator the least unpleasant.
Meanwhile, forget about the Uncrowned Wanderer, Oya, Hilo, and such…
They’ve bullied her, so no consideration there.
If a first-generation Star Eclipses joins her, bolstered by other theater group members, Night Star Lan’s confidence would soar!
However, the Dream Narrator gracefully smiles and refuses.
“Nope, I’m neutral. Once I’ve paid off the wishes, we part ways. My job’s done once my obsessive quest is complete. Why should I care about anything else?”
Night Star Lan feels a bit disappointed.
But not that disheartened.
Even without Dream Narrator’s help, she’s got forces at her disposal.
If needed, join in with the Night Watchers. If she finishes her current plan, she’ll have their support too.
“Alright then. Just make sure you’re not aligning with the Ballad Conductor. If you are, I’ll knock some sense into you.”
Night Star Lan reluctantly returns Dream Pursuer Yin, ready to leave the dream world.
The Dream Narrator politely bows in farewell.
“See you next time. Wishing you luck with your troubles.”
With that, the Dream Narrator and Dream Pursuer Yin fade away in the dreamland.
Only Night Star Lan, Wish Princess, and the lolis remain.
Night Star Lan ponders something important, holding the Wish Princess in the middle, thinking her thoughts.
She had a previous wish for the Wish Princess to be reborn as a loli in reality, but it failed because she was only a C-class psionic back then.
Now that she’s B-class, could it be possible?
She figures it’s worth a try.
The Wish Princess, embodying features of both Night Star and Night Lan, is like a combined entity, incredibly cute.
Not only does Night Star Lan feel connected to her, but she also thinks the Wish Princess could be a friend.
Is that acceptable?
Night Star Lan poses her question, hoping for a response from the Wish Princess.
Wish Princess replies with a simple “Can.”
