On the internet, there was once a famous twenty-one-day theory.
It is said that the formation and consolidation of a person's new habit or concept requires at least 21 days. This is known as the 21-Day Effect or the 21-Day Law.
Within these twenty-one days, it is actually a cyclical process of operant conditioning involving "response—stimulus." After people attempt a new habit, it is often accompanied by a brand-new life experience. This experience then reacts back upon the habit—providing reinforcement—to increase the frequency of the desired behavior.
If this continues, people will eventually develop a new habit.
Although this twenty-one-day theory was ultimately proven false, it still demonstrated certain truths.
If one persists in doing something for a long time, it really will become a habit.
It's just that the cycle might be incredibly long.
But, what if a person persisted in doing one thing for five thousand years?
And what would happen if, five thousand years later, they were told that this thing no longer needed to be done?
An emotion named emptiness rose within the Immortal's heart.
Ever since she was awakened, she had been working to execute Project Ember. After Project Ember failed, she spent her time honing her martial arts while guarding Shenzhou.
If the Honkai were to be defeated, then what would remain in her life?
Having witnessed her close friends pass away one by one, and in order to prevent herself from developing superfluous emotions, the Immortal—who had not been close to anyone for a very long time—wore an expression carrying a hint of bewilderment.
If nothing unexpected happened, she, who had an agreement with her best friends to "protect Shenzhou," would likely make a choice after a brief period of confusion. She would diverge from Kevin and Su, who were going to colonize another world, and instead remain in the Honkai world for the long term, secretly watching over Shenzhou.
Such a development would indeed be great, but perhaps a bit boring.
Moreover, could a civilization that is constantly sheltered really grow strong and healthy?
Li Zihan looked at the Immortal, who was actually quite girlish in her daily life but had become serious to the point of being almost unapproachable due to fighting the Honkai, and thought to himself.
"By the way, after the war against the Honkai is over, do you have any plans for a new life?"
As if saying it casually, the boy spoke to the Immortal who, in the future, would still persist in watching over Shenzhou.
"A new life?"
Fu Hua chewed over these words repeatedly, saying nothing.
"Yes, a new life."
Very seriously, the boy spoke.
"After completing Project Ember, Su will lay down his identity as a Pioneer and return to his old profession to work as a doctor."
"As for Kevin, he has commissioned me, acting as the Herrscher of Time, to try and go back fifty thousand years to retrieve Mei's soul, and then he will go manage a second homeland together with Mei."
"Wait, you just said... go back fifty thousand years to retrieve Mei's soul?"
As if hearing something incredibly inconceivable, the azure eyes of the Immortal, who once held the name "Hua," widened slightly.
"I am the most special one among the Artificial Herrschers."
Li Zihan explained the situation very concisely.
"My position as a Herrscher was not bestowed within this universe. Therefore, my Authority is the irregular 'Time'."
"This Authority grants me the power to traverse time by consuming Honkai energy and magical energy. For me, whose energy reserves are sufficient to reach back to the birth of the Earth, arriving at a point fifty thousand years ago is not a difficult task."
Perhaps because the basic energy source used by Moonlit World mages is magical energy (Mana), the boy, whose Time Core seemed to be endowed with the power of "Mana-Honkai Energy Conversion," shrugged his shoulders and spoke.
"If you have any friends or family you desperately want to see, I will do my best to help you find them."
Very casually, the boy who was accustomed to playing with time spoke to the Immortal before him.
Friends and family?
Like magic, these words echoed in the Immortal's mind.
She once had many good friends.
Fifty thousand years ago, the classmates who brought her into city life, Captain Himeko who guided her forward, Dan Zhu and Cang Xuan who guarded Shenzhou together with her, and Ji Lin whom she met in later generations...
And those people, all of them had died.
Moreover, almost all of them had died tragically because of the Honkai.
If they could live in a peaceful era, would they have met a better ending?
"Is it possible?"
The Immortal, who had been lonely for a long time, looked at the man in front of her and asked softly.
"If it is possible, I owe you a favor."
This was her promise.
As long as the boy in front of her could help her friends live out their lives carefree in a flourishing age, she was willing to pay the price for it.
Then—
Words that were quite unexpected fell into her ears, causing her to freeze.
"Between friends, there is no need for so-called favors."
She looked over and met the boy's eyes, which were filled with seriousness.
"The word 'favor' is really boring."
The word favor... is really boring?
Chewing on these words, Fu Hua looked at the boy who claimed to be her close friend and remained silent for a long time.
"True. Between friends, there is no need for words like 'favor'."
"As long as you know."
The boy's voice became a few degrees more cheerful.
Then—
He immediately looked once again at the Immortal who seemed set to watch over Shenzhou in the future, speaking to himself.
"Among the Pioneers, except for that one person who we still don't know where they drifted off to, you are the only one who hasn't clearly stated a plan for the coming life."
Does everyone... have a new life plan?
Fu Hua, who always thought of a bitter and deeply resentful face when recalling Kevin, pursed her thin, beautiful lips. Her gaze held a hint of relief.
Yes, the mission of the Pioneers is to guide the humans of the Second Era to defeat the Honkai. If the Honkai is defeated, then naturally, the profession of Pioneer is no longer needed in this world.
If the Honkai is really beaten down, I should also try to find a new life.
Reunite with friends, live together, then watch them pass away, and finally return to the current status quo?
Because of her immortality, Fu Hua, who had a considerable degree of estrangement from mortals and even a significant number of super soldiers, felt her mood become somewhat lost.
She was a little unclear about where she should go from here.
"If you don't know how you should live for the time being, just try out different lifestyles, and then make a choice from there."
For some reason, the guy sitting in front of her seemed to suddenly become eager.
What is going on?
Fu Hua, who didn't quite understand what exactly caused this reaction, was somewhat baffled.
But fortunately, understanding why this guy suddenly got excited wasn't something she absolutely had to figure out.
"Do you have any suggestions?"
The Immortal, contemplating that if she really witnessed humanity overwhelming the Honkai she would go seek a new life, asked her newly acquainted close friend very seriously.
"How about trying a romance with me?"