Apocalypse Forecast

Moon surface, Entrance of the Kepler Valley, Ascending and Descending Area.

Huai Shi tugged the dog leash, curious alongside the Broken Dog, gazing around, unsure where the booked flight was.

Then saw behind Garandor, a silent disciple stepped forward, retrieving a long, ivory-colored horn from his arms, and incredibly, under protection, lifted the visor and bit into the mouthpiece without even gasping, puffing his cheeks and blowing with all his might.

What’s this?

A cosmic concert?

Huai Shi was dumbfounded, yet soon heard a loud echo resonate in the vacuum.

It wasn’t a frequency audible to human ears, only perceivable through Extreme Interpretation, like the distant song of whales.

Transmitting through the vacuum.

Blowing towards the far distance.

Soon after, on the lunar orbit, a massive shadow slowly descended. Under the lights of the ascending and descending area, a small dot rapidly expanded until finally, a huge body emerged.

A long tail stirring the waves of Source Substance, waves of bright blue light appeared like water ripples, illuminating its form.

That signature large head and elongated body, even the exaggerated size comparable to a warship made Huai Shi itch his head.

Is it... a sperm whale?

A sperm whale frolicking in space, swimming in the vacuum...

Seriously, is it this fantastical?!

Completely forgetting he was holding something even more magical, which was eagerly licking its lips at the sight of that sperm whale.

Something that hasn’t been devoured yet...

Delicious?

"Friend, is this your first time seeing it?"

Beside Huai Shi, a figure approached, privately chatting with Huai Shi on the channel: "That’s an alchemical bio-creature modified by the Stone Pot Society, recreated using Leviathan’s offspring, ultimately resulting in a living Border Relic... Just like America’s bio-beasts, but much more convenient.

Oh, your dog is so cute; can I pet him?"

The Broken Dog turned back, giving the eager man a cold look and baring his teeth.

"Haha, what a personality."

The visitor didn’t mind, waving a hand, voluntarily stepping back.

Through his visor, Huai Shi could see a cigar still burning behind it.

Aside from in the game, a smoker lighting up inside a spacesuit was something he saw for the first time...

"Um, hello, what should I call you?" Huai Shi reached out.

The cigar-smoking man shook his hand strongly a couple of times: "American Alchemist, Iz, Iz Coatre... Actually, the full name is longer, but just call me Iz."

He appeared to be around the same age as Huai Shi, with a friendly smile, lacking the aloofness or exclusion that others gave.

Possessing an energy and goodwill other alchemists seemed not to have.

"Huai Shi, from the Ivory Tower..."

Huai Shi introduced himself, but before he finished, Iz understandingly nodded: "The Classical Music Classroom, right? I know, I know, you’re quite famous in the Ivy Vine!"

"Um, really..."

"Yes." Iz nodded, said thoughtfully: "Honestly, I didn’t expect my niece, with such an arrogant personality, to manage to make friends, it’s really surprising."

"..."

Huai Shi’s expression twitched a bit, suddenly feeling something was off: "Wait, niece? Which one?"

"Hm? Liz, Lizard Eckmok, didn’t she mention me to you?" Iz looked over curiously: "Maybe it’s because I, as an uncle, am pretty idle, somewhat embarrassing for the family..."

Huai Shi fell silent for a long while, moving slightly to the side, then again, wary that this guy might draw a sword and slash at any disagreement.

This wave, bullying the kid and now the guardian is here...

Who would’ve expected such a young-looking guy to be an uncle?

"Hahaha, no need to worry, even though it’s called a family, there’s actually not much close blood relation, just adhering to tradition."

Iz took a big puff of the cigar, the smile grew more pleasant amidst the swirling smoke.

Patting Huai Shi’s back.

"Just treat me as a tourist." Iz shrugged: "I’m just a Whitboard Sublimator, without any Stigma, not skilled in Alchemy; merely here on behalf of a family elder, to greet his old friend. If anything happens, remember to pull me up for Liz’s sake."

Huai Shi said nothing.

Expressing a certain ’smile, yet politely awkward’.

As for Iz’s self-introduction and intentions, Huai Shi didn’t believe a single punctuation.

Iz seemed to sense his wariness but was unconcerned, remained as enthusiastic as ever, sidled up to Huai Shi, starting loudly like a cartoon sidekick to introduce the ’classmates’.

"The one-eyed guy, named Ragnar, is an Alchemist of Silver Stele, somewhat arrogant, has quite a temper... The one behind is a Russian Federation Alchemist, Valery, skilled in Metallography, but more resembles a Sublimator rather than an Alchemist, similar to you, though apparently less approachable than Ragnar, haha...

As for the one following Garandor, is the Potion Master Rachelle; that old lady Emara of Egypt Royal Family is an Alchemist; and those introverted ones are Garandor’s students, they’ve taken a vow of silence, won’t speak unless necessary during Mystic Rituals..."