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Nous quietly watched Sol Mercer, attempting to analyze every origin of his existence.
THEY had not come because of that recklessly roaming meteor belt; that level of variable was far from enough to warrant THEIR descent. The Genius Society's research was far more worthy of THEIR attention.
THEY came for Sol—this butterfly whose wingbeats were far more alluring than the breeze it stirred.
A charming question mark stood before THEM, exuding the scent of the unknown from head to toe.
Every particle of this being was foreign to the universe itself.
And simultaneously, this humanoid lifeform was powerful—bearing no trace of a Path, yet undeniably existing as a discontinuity just beneath the Aeons.
On the level of life, he had already begun surpassing the concept of human; thus, THEY referred to him merely as a humanoid lifeform.
Even the information this humanoid voluntarily revealed felt as though it contained the knowledge of multiple universes.
In terms of information density, the humanoid before THEM was equivalent to a universe.
Nous hesitated not at all, opening the Path of Erudition before this humanoid and granting him the authority as an Emanator.
In the slang of Punklorde's networks: this humanoid lifeform was damn sweet.
Meanwhile, Sol looked at the massive mechanical eye before him, his expression becoming filled with emotion.
Those glanced upon by an Aeon could step onto a Path and become Pathstriders—rarities across the cosmos.
And now, he had gained even more.
The Path of Erudition opened to him; the imaginary energy flowing along the Path became familiar, ready to answer his call with a mere lift of his hand.
He had obtained the authority of an Emanator of Erudition—so easily, merely from a first meeting.
Not because of his own knowledge, but for other reasons.
Nous had remarkably sharp eyes, it seemed.
Of course, the seat of an Emanator of Erudition brought him no qualitative improvement—he was already the strongest beneath the Aeons. It merely broadened a path for him, a small gain.
Yet this was not the goal for which he summoned Nous. His ambitions burned far more fiercely.
Sol looked toward THEM, speaking with great seriousness.
"Nous, I ask you a question!"
"..."
Nous silently watched Sol.
This humanoid's language was unfamiliar, yet the emotions carried within it made THEIR intent unmistakable; soon after, THEY decoded the new linguistic system.
THEY awaited any question Sol would ask.
For the Path of Erudition, asking questions mattered more than answering them.
Especially this mysterious humanoid—what kind of question would he pose?
Sol did not hesitate.
"Please tell me, how do I reach the Herta Space Station?"
In this uninhabited star system, the paths to neighboring systems were blocked by Imaginary Energy.
He could certainly brute-force his way through, but that would make him a headless fly, easily lost in the boundless cosmos.
The universe was vast—far larger than the few factions revolving around the main storyline.
How many unnamed systems existed? Who could say?
"..."
Nous stared at him quietly, then Imaginary Energy recombined into a golden arrow-shaped beacon, hovering before Sol.
Never before had any lifeform summoned THEM merely to ask for directions.
But this also revealed something: this humanoid was not clueless about this world.
He knew the Aeon's name—and he knew of Herta's existence.
"Thank you for your help."
Sol accepted the beacon with genuine gratitude.
THEY could clearly sense that the arrow marked a direction, adjusting itself constantly relative to his position.
So long as he moved that way and passed through the Imaginary Energy Blockade, he would reach the Herta Space Station.
However, crossing star-system distances would certainly require time.
His demigod constitution—was far too specialized in combat; he had forgotten to invest points into travel skills.
Nous said nothing, continuing only to stare, analyzing every fragment of information.
Sol wasn't sure if it was his imagination.
But he felt as though that massive machine-like face was saying: "…Seriously? That's it?"
Fair. Summoning an Aeon just to ask for directions was, indeed, overkill.
Since Nous had not departed, Sol asked another question.
"Then, another question." Sol raised his head toward the vast, ethereal divine form. "How do I sublimate a concept and become an Aeon?"
In essence, he was asking how to ascend to [Tier IX].
But in this world, [Tier IX]was an Aeon, so he simply asked for the method of becoming one.
He had his own ideas, but verifying them against the knowledge of Nous could only help.
["Find a Path. Pursue it. Walk at its forefront. You already possess the qualification to ascend. Wait for the appropriate opportunity."]
The stellar-sized mechanical eye radiated waves of thought.
The entire galaxy shimmered and flickered from THEIR contemplation.
Aeons were the highest achievers along their respective Paths—incarnations of fully sublimated concepts.
Before their ascension, their strengths, identities, even forms of life varied wildly.
But in the moment before they became Aeons, all shared one thing: they aligned perfectly with their Path's ideal and resolved to see it through.
Of course, resolve alone did not make an Aeon. One also required an opportunity—a moment of fate.
Across the vast universe, countless lives burned with brilliant conviction, yet none of them became Aeons, nor did most become Pathstriders.
Before Lan, innumerable avengers existed—but none became the Aeon of the Hunt.
Before Tayzzyronth, countless insects lived solely to breed—but none became the Aeon of Propagation.
Opportunity was crucial—and that opportunity was approaching. When the Star Rail of Trailblazing opened once more, and the Aeon of Finality ascended against time, this era would hold the greatest possibility for ascension.
Just as Qlipoth, Ena, and Xipe ascended amid cosmic upheaval.
"Thank you for your answer."
Sol nodded, soon deep in thought.
Find his own Path—originally, he chose the concept of [Immortality], powerful and belonging to a Path that had half-collapsed.
But after acquiring the [Type-III Perpetual Motion Engine: Stellar Particle], he shifted to the concept of [Infinity], making progress in that direction.
Within the concept of [Infinity], none surpassed him—for he possessed two infinities. The perpetual engine was one; and the system was the other.
Thus, he fulfilled the first condition.
As for the opportunity, he had ideas. Similar to the destined saints of ancient myth—each with missions to complete before attaining sanctity.
Aeons were far weaker by comparison, but the principle was similar.
With Stellarons stirring chaos everywhere, and the Stellaron Hunters arranging scripts across the cosmos, the sign of the coming era had already appeared.
They were not the creators of the grand era—they were its heralds, struggling within the rising tide.
And at that moment, Nous faded away.
THEY already knew Sol sought ascension, and would inevitably stir monumental waves across the cosmos.
That was enough. THEY needed only to quietly observe this variable.
Yet another Aeon descended.
["Aha! Asking that big machine head for directions? Now that's funny!"]