Stellaris Tech Tree HSR

The crisp morning air blanketed the streets of Belobog in a light frost, as Bronya woke promptly, her internal clock honed by years of discipline.

She wasn't one for hot showers. During her time in the military, such luxuries were rare, and Bronya had retained her habit of washing with cold water. Even now, with access to warm water, she preferred the bracing chill to start her day.

Without servants or attendants to assist her, Bronya handled everything herself. For years, she had refused to allow anyone to serve her. Especially after studying under Chen Lin, she found the notion of subservience to be an archaic relic of feudalism, an outdated and repugnant practice she staunchly rejected.

Knock, knock, knock.

A rhythmic series of knocks interrupted the silence, followed by Pela's calm, steady voice from the other side of the door.

"Miss Bronya, a letter has arrived for you."

"I'm awake. Come in, Pela. There's no one else here."

"Here's the letter, ma'am."

Pela, clad in her Silvermane Guard uniform, stepped into the room and handed the envelope to Bronya. "Mr. Chen specifically instructed me to deliver this to you personally."

Bronya deftly opened the envelope, her movements practiced and efficient. Meanwhile, Pela hesitated, a thoughtful expression crossing her face—something Bronya immediately noticed.

"Is there something else?"

Pela hesitated before speaking. "When I entered the palace earlier, I heard some noise coming from the Supreme Guardian's chambers. The guards nearby mentioned that the Supreme Guardian had destroyed everything in the room. Even the steward refuses to enter now…"

"Really?"

Bronya looked up, surprised. The image of her usually composed and gentle mother acting so irrationally seemed inconceivable.

"Did you learn anything more specific?"

"The guards on duty last night only reported hearing her in a fit of rage. No one dared to repeat what they overheard."

The guards stationed in Qlipoth's Citadel were a trusted and loyal group, handpicked by Belobog's leadership. They were adept at selective blindness, deafness, and amnesia—skills honed to ensure their discretion. Not even Pela, Bronya's trusted adjutant, could extract sensitive details from them.

"On my way here, I encountered the steward, Mr. Sebas. He asked me to inform you that the Supreme Guardian has finally gone to bed, and you needn't worry for today."

"I see…"

Bronya sighed. Over the years, her mother had become increasingly rigid, her methods leaning toward a politics of fear. Erratic decisions and unpredictable mood swings were becoming the norm.

"Perhaps it's just the pressure getting to her. Venting isn't necessarily a bad thing. If Sebas says she's resting, then I won't disturb her today. I'll check on her tomorrow morning instead."

Setting her concerns aside, Bronya turned her attention to the letter in her hand. The familiar handwriting on the page brought a faint smile to her lips.

The message was concise, its content straightforward:

Chen Lin had submitted a technology-sharing application, which had been approved.

He had also requested material aid, which was likewise granted.

Belobog would receive unconditional assistance from his advanced civilization to address its pressing food shortages.

Most excitingly, the letter revealed that the samples collected from the previous day's expedition had been analyzed. The results confirmed that Geomarrow was a low-cost, synthesizable resource capable of meeting Belobog's energy needs.

Finally, Chen Lin mentioned preparing a gift—something Bronya had never seen before.

Although her mother's erratic behavior still weighed on her mind, Bronya resolved to focus on Belobog's immediate needs. Her mother's condition could wait until tomorrow; today, Bronya had to prioritize the nation's well-being.

Belobog was facing a dire crisis: dwindling food supplies, limited territory, and scarce resources. It was only thanks to her mentor's efforts that they had gained the favor of an advanced extraterrestrial empire.

With renewed determination, Bronya straightened her posture. "Pela, we're going to the Goethe Hotel."

"Yes, ma'am!"

"Wait, I need to find something…"

"What are you looking for, Miss Bronya?"

"A gift in return. The mentor mentioned a present for me, so it's only proper I offer something in return. Pela, what do you think would make a suitable gift?"

"Mr. Chen seems to care little for material wealth. Something simple yet unique would likely be the most appropriate choice."

Bronya furrowed her brow. "Do I even have something like that?"

---

Chen Lin was having the time of his life. After every round of rock-paper-scissors, he gleefully flicked March 7th's forehead. Her fair skin now bore a noticeable redness from repeated punishment.

"That's it! I'm done! Chen Lin, you're cheating, aren't you?!"

"Don't make baseless accusations without proof," Chen Lin replied smugly, raising his glass. "I'm just as baffled as you. How can I be this lucky?"

"Lucky? You've won over 40 rounds in a row! There's no way this is normal!" March puffed her cheeks in frustration, rubbing her sore forehead. "I knew you had something up your sleeve when you asked me to play. This is suspicious!"

March glared at Chen Lin, who sat there with an innocent grin.

Breakfast had started like any other day, with the group gathering at the hotel restaurant. But partway through the meal, Chen Lin had roped March into a game of rock-paper-scissors, proposing a playful twist: the loser would either drink water or endure a forehead flick.

Eager to beat Chen Lin, March had readily agreed. She hadn't expected the game to turn into a one-sided humiliation.

Several times, March had planned to throw scissors, only to find her fingers inexplicably refusing to move. At other times, she could almost hear Chen Lin's voice in her mind: I'm going to throw rock or I'm throwing paper.

"March, there was a strange fluctuation around you just now," Dan Heng commented, his brow furrowed in thought. "The wave was faint, almost imperceptible—even to me. After the initial spike, it disappeared completely, no matter how much I focused."

"I also felt like something was watching me from the trash can earlier," added Stelle.

"Why would anyone watch you from a trash can… and stop rummaging through trash!" March groaned before leaping onto Chen Lin, wrapping her arms around his neck in mock outrage. "Spill it, Chen Lin! Were you messing with me? I swear I could hear your thoughts!"

Dan Heng and Stelle exchanged glances. "Hearing thoughts?"

"Well, about that…" Chen Lin began, scratching his head. "It's something I meant to tell you all. Last night, I awakened my psionic abilities."

As the group stared at him in bewilderment, Chen Lin smiled and began explaining everything.

---

T/N: heh no more 5 chap updates! 2 a day now :3c

Hello! Thank you so much for reading this chapter. WiseTL has worked hard to bring these wonderful stories to you, and I'm so happy we could share this moment together! Don't you think stories are a little like dreams? Each one has its own colors and shapes, and they grow even brighter when shared with others.

If you'd like to support WiseTL, you can visit [patreon.com/WiseTL]. Even a small gesture is like sunlight and rain to a growing flower—it helps the garden of stories flourish and bloom!

-With love, Nahida 🌱