A Chemist's Interstellar Saga

Chapter 253: Cassian Won
Chapter 253: Cassian Won

Without anyone really noticing, the party was winding down.

Cassian stuck around with Arix for a bit longer, not quite ready to say goodbye. Eventually, he said his farewells to the Alliance mecha team and headed back to his own group.

After seeing him off, the Alliance team started making their own exit. They thanked the Empire of Eden, who had hosted the event, and prepared to return to the hotel.

Arix was the last to leave. Just as she crossed the threshold, her opticomputer chimed.

Curious, she opened the message and read it, feeling a bit surprised. After a moment, she quickly ran over to Drexel and said, ”I need to step out for a bit. Don’t wait up; I’ll come back on my own.”

Drexel frowned, obviously concerned. ”What could you possibly have to do at this hour? You hardly know anyone here.”

”It’s fine. It’s just a friend who wants to chat for a bit. I won’t be long,” Arix reassured him.

But Drexel didn’t trust anyone wanting to meet his sister so late. Just as he was about to protest, Arix had already taken off.

”Don’t worry, Drexel! It’s someone I know well. I’ll be back in half an hour,” she called out, waving as she disappeared down the hallway.

Drexel puffed up his cheeks in frustration but kept quiet. After giving some instructions to his teammates, he leaned against the wall, checking the time every few minutes as he waited for Arix.

Meanwhile, Arix arrived at the spot mentioned in the message. She scanned the area and spotted someone leaning against the railing.

”Scion,” she called out with a smile as she approached.

”You made it,” Scion replied, his rare smile softening his usually serious expression.

”Yeah, I’m here. So, what’s up?” Arix leaned against the railing too, turning to look at him with curiosity. She couldn’t help but notice, once again, how good-looking Scion was.

Scion nodded, his voice tinged with concern. ”Are you taking part in the match the day after tomorrow?”

”Of course! I’m one of the main players,” Arix responded with pride.

But Scion’s frown deepened. ”Arix, in previous mecha tournaments, at least one-fifth of the participants didn’t make it out alive. Are you sure you want to go through with this?” he asked, clearly worried.

He didn’t want her facing such danger.

”We’ve been warned about the risks, Scion. But I’m ready for it. Don’t you trust my skills?” Arix said, her smile full of confidence.

Scion sighed, realizing he couldn’t change her mind. ”Do you really have to compete?”

”Yes. Drexel’s in it too. I can’t just back out now,” Arix explained. While she had her reasons for wanting to participate, a big part of it was keeping an eye on Drexel. He was so reckless that she couldn’t relax unless she was there with him.

”Alright, but if things get too dangerous out there, promise me you’ll pull out. Don’t worry about the rankings,” Scion urged, his concern still evident.

”Got it, I’m not reckless,” Arix assured him with a firm nod.

Seeing her determination, Scion fell silent. After a pause, he looked up at the night sky and asked, almost casually, ”Arix, I heard you’re getting engaged to Cassian?”

Arix blinked in surprise, not expecting that. But after a moment of thought, she replied seriously, ”Yes, we’re planning the engagement after the tournament.”

”Do you love him?” Scion’s voice was calm, but his eyes held a complicated mix of emotions.

”Yes, I do,” Arix answered without a second thought.

Scion’s fingers tensed for a moment before he relaxed and reached out, gently ruffling Arix’s hair. ”Is that so... But you’re still young. Do you really understand what it means to love someone?”

Arix blinked, then rested her chin in her hand, gazing up at the moon. ”I think I do. Cassian will be my mate for life. We’ll grow old and wrinkly together, probably lose our teeth, and eventually rest side by side among the stars. I don’t dislike that idea. Maybe that’s what it means to like someone.”

Scion listened to her words, a pang of bitterness settling in his chest. A wave of unexpected jealousy washed over him as he realized how much he wished he could be in Cassian’s place.

After a long pause, he forced a smile, as if finally accepting something within himself. ”Then I’m glad, Arix. Just make sure you’re happy with him.”

”Thanks, Scion,” Arix replied, her smile as bright as the moon above them.

They talked a bit longer, but eventually, Arix glanced at the time and decided it was time to leave.

As she walked away, Scion watched her go, the smile fading from his face, replaced by a melancholy expression. The hope he had silently nurtured had come too late.

Looking up at the moon, Scion let out a soft sigh, a bitter smile tugging at his lips as he murmured to himself, ”Cassian, looks like I’ve lost.”

With those words, the feelings he had never voiced began to retreat, locking themselves away deep inside his heart.

As Arix reached the entrance of the banquet hall, ready to head back on her own, she suddenly heard Drexel’s voice calling out to her.

”Arix, over here!” Drexel waved, a smile on his face.

”Drexel!” Arix exclaimed, her face lighting up as she ran over and jumped onto his back.

”Not bad, waiting up for me,” Arix teased.

”If I lost you, Mom and Dad would skin me alive,” Drexel said warmly as he carried her, heading toward the ship’s docking point.

Arix giggled, feeling content.

As the night deepened, the two slowly faded into the distance, their laughter echoing softly in the cool night air.

...

The day of the competition arrived.

Early that morning, all the teams gathered in the plaza outside the hotel.

The members of the five teams present exchanged quick, assessing glances at one another.

After sizing each other up, they returned to their teams, waiting for the warship that would transport them to the competition site.

It wasn’t that they didn’t want to study their opponents more closely, but every move they made was under heavy scrutiny.

A thick crowd of spectators surrounded the hotel, making it impossible to move freely.

On top of that, authorized media swarmed around the teams, broadcasting live to a captivated audience.

”Good morning, viewers! I’m your host, Phil,” announced the journalist, drawing out his words to build suspense. ”Today, we’re covering the annual Newcomers’ Mecha Tournament. But before the competition kicks off, I’m hoping to interview a few participants and get their thoughts. So, who should we start with?”

As expected, the livestream chat immediately lit up with suggestions from eager viewers, each rooting for their favorite contestant.

[MechaManiac]: ”It’s gotta be Shedd from the Empire of Eden! I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again—Shedd is the best! Shedd all the way!”

[MermanFanatic]: ”Forget that! Start with Prince Kaleb from the Empire of Merman! He’s the only pureblood merman we’ve seen in years!”

[SnackTime]: ”No way! Prince Branson from Kraiton should be first. If you haven’t seen his looks, you’re seriously missing out!”

[IceQueen]: ”Please! If we’re talking about looks, Prince Cassian should definitely be the first one interviewed!”

[ArixSuperfan]: ”Looks don’t matter! Let’s focus on talent! The host better pick Arix, or I’m gonna be seriously upset!”

As the chat continued to blow up, Phil’s excitement grew.