"This doesn't sound right."
Hearing such an unfamiliar concept, March 7th raised her hand and scratched the top of her head.
She wasn't exactly the most academically minded person—certainly not as sharp as Teacher Dan Heng, who practically lived inside the data archives of the Astral Express—but she had traveled across countless planets with the train crew. When it came to field experience, she was top-tier.
This so-called "elemental reaction"—she didn't fully understand what it did, but just from the name, she could tell it meant different elements intertwining to create some kind of unique effect.
But she had never seen such a thing happen before!
"Shouldn't elements be roughly equal to each other? Sure, their effects vary, but when two elements collide, it's always the one with the stronger Path energy—whether in quality or quantity—that overwhelms the weaker one, right? Even when monsters have elemental weaknesses, it's just that repeated attacks from a certain element make them enter a weakened state."
"Multiple elements reacting with each other though? I've never seen that happen, not even once."
"March is right." Stelle stepped forward in support of her companion. "We can question her memory, but we must not question her photo count. On that front, no one in the galaxy has more authority than March 7th."
Her tone was utterly sincere—so sincere that anyone could tell it came straight from the heart.
"Hey." March 7th turned toward her, giving her a deadpan look. "I know you're taking my side, but somehow, that still made me mad."
That said, she was already used to Stelle's weird remarks by now. "Cold-faced pink dragon," "Teacher Dan Heng's Dragon-Lord MK2000 Model"—this was hardly the first time.
Still, to preserve her normal-person logic and avoid being infected by Stelle's brand of insanity, she had to voice her complaint.
Yanqing also stepped up beside them, standing shoulder to shoulder. "Miss March's reasoning is sound. The notion of elements reacting with one another—this is the first time I ever heard of such a thing. But after seeing so many Curios in this little shop, I've come to trust that Shopkeeper Sylvester must have a deeper meaning behind his words. Could it be that such reactions require one's elemental control to reach an extreme level?"
"Shopkeeper Sylvester." Yunli walked up to the counter, her crisp voice carrying a note of hope. "I only want to know one thing."
Her eyes gleamed with anticipation as she voiced her concern. "Can physical attacks participate in elemental reactions?"
More than how it worked, what she truly cared about was whether she could join in at all.
One question after another came from the group, but Sylvester only smiled faintly.
He set down his teacup and said, "The Xianzhou may rank among the top powers in known space, but the universe is vast beyond measure. We haven't even crossed the great wall carved by the Amber Lord. To encounter forces that defy common sense in the depths of the star sea—now that is no surprise."
"In fact," he added, "if not a single such power existed out there, that would be the real anomaly!"
He exhaled softly, then began explaining the concept of elemental reactions in a calm, storytelling rhythm. "This phenomenon comes from another world entirely. When an element lands on an enemy, even if it's blocked, a residue of that element lingers for a short time. Then, if the next attack uses an element that strongly reacts with the first—well, the second attack's power changes dramatically!"
Sylvester pointed toward March 7th and the Trailblazer.
"For example, you two—one ice, one fire—are the most volatile combination of all. As long as Miss March successfully afflicts an enemy with ice, the Trailblazer's fire attack will deal at least double the damage! And if your Elemental Mastery is high enough, the increase can keep climbing—there's virtually no limit!"
"That's… that's so convenient!"
March 7th's eyes went wide.
She knew Sylvester wasn't one to make things up, but she hadn't expected it to be that simple. Did this really require no advanced control over elements?
She'd assumed there was some sort of entry threshold—but according to Sylvester, as long as you attacked and applied an element, and the next element was the right match, you could unleash a supercharged reaction?
"Of course!"
Sylvester confirmed without hesitation. "It's a standard combat mechanic in that other world!"
"However, your doubts aren't without merit. Indeed, up until now, such a thing has never existed in our known universe. But…"
His tone shifted, and he raised a single finger toward the longbow in March 7th's hands. "Ever since it appeared, everything has changed!"
"Though it's still bound by the weapon itself, there's no question—it has brought the power of that other world here, intact. Everyone influenced by it will gain the special ability to trigger elemental reactions!"
Sylvester took a sip of tea, his voice calm and steady. "Miss March, I must say—you are particularly lucky today. This bow, once held, has already recognized you as its master. It will answer to no one else."
His tone suddenly surged with passion, as though he were narrating an epic legend. "In other words, now that you wield [Elegy for the End], you hold dominion over all elemental reactions within the known cosmic sea! You are the one and only source of elemental reaction itself!"
"Huh? M–me?"
March 7th pointed at her own nose in disbelief. Her gaze drifted toward the sky-blue longbow in her hands.
I'm the one who controls elemental reactions? The one who decides who gets to take part in them?
For someone as bright and easygoing as March 7th, this was an unprecedented leap in status. Her brain felt like it had just been bonked by a baseball bat—spinning and dazed.
It was as if a scruffy little street beggar girl suddenly found herself surrounded by a thirty-car-long, limited-edition Penacony roller limousine, with dozens of men in black suits and sunglasses closing in on her.
Just as she was about to scream 'Human traffickers!', they all straightened their suits with a synchronized swish—and then, unbelievably, knelt before her.
The bald man at the front shouted, "You are, in truth, Her Majesty's long-lost daughter! Driven from the palace by your wicked stepmother! Now that the evil queen is dead—Princess, please board the car and return to the palace to enjoy your rightful splendor!"
This is way too sudden! And also… way too awesome!
After a brief moment of stunned silence, March 7th finally broke into a grin. She looked at the longbow in her hands the way a king might gaze upon their crown before coronation—her joy overflowing.
"Hehe, so you're saying… with just this, I can make a name for myself across the universe?"
"Not just make a name," Yanqing said solemnly. "Once word of this spreads, every major faction in the cosmos will fight to recruit you—each offering positions of immense power and authority. Wherever you go, crowds will follow and praise your name. You might even outshine the Genius Society itself."
Yunli and Stelle nodded quietly.
It sounded exaggerated—but reality would likely prove even more dramatic.
If the [Elegy for the End]'s effects applied only to March 7th herself, she'd simply be another rising star in the cosmos—remarkable, yes, but nothing too world-shaking.
But if it could be shared? Then everything changes.
If she wished, she could build an entire powerhouse faction around it—perhaps not rivaling the Xianzhou Alliance, but certainly matching the Annihilation Gang, maybe even surpassing it with the right management.
After a moment's thought, Yanqing spoke up. "March, would you be interested in officially joining the Luofu?"
He wasn't trying to use his master's title to pressure her—it was just a hopeful invitation. After all, this opportunity was simply too tempting to pass up.
He placed a hand on his chest solemnly. "If you agree, I'll personally recommend you to General Jing Yuan and ask him to take you as his disciple. Then you and I will stand as equals—shoulder to shoulder as siblings-in-arms."
"For these next few days, I can even act as your senior, teaching you in our master's stead."
"Eh, no no no—" Yanqing realized something off and quickly corrected himself. "If March really agrees, then… well, I'm younger, even if I started earlier. So if the General accepts, then I suppose I should be calling you… Senior Sister March."
March 7th blinked again and again.
In just a few minutes, her identity had shifted so rapidly that her brain could barely keep up.
But from the moment she heard the words Senior Sister, a single voice echoed in her head—
What are you waiting for? Say yes already!