The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era



AFTER their talk, Astrid noticed that Reas became visibly more relaxed. As if a burden on his shoulders had been lifted. Well, that's probably only natural, since he seemed to be having trouble analyzing his own feelings. He must be at his wit's end if he even resorted to asking Astrid for advice, knowing that there's a high chance that he would just tease him.

But since he's a good brother, he would wait after a few more days passed before teasing him about what happened today. Astrid sipped his tea and smiled inwardly at the thought of teasing his brother.

Anyway, it really came off as a surprise to him that Reas would actually ask him for advice. He thought it would take years before his brother's love cells fully bloomed. He didn't expect that after just a few months, Reas would change from an indifferent teenager whose only interest was Mechas to someone who would wonder about what he felt from a person.

That's certainly a huge leap. He felt like an old father watching his son grow up right before his eyes.

Since Reas had now realized that Lauren was someone special to him, he wondered what kind of conclusion his brother would arrive at the end? But whether he would end up with Lauren or just remained friends with the other until the end, as a big brother, Astrid would just be here to support him.

But really, how come the both of them found themselves in the same situation in regard to, well, let's just call it their 'love life'? Was it because they're twins? And yes, he was also in the same situation.

Because just like what he said to Reas, he was still contemplating the answer to the second question. He was at the point where he could admit that Wulfric was someone special to him. He was just not sure if this 'special' was that of what he felt for a friend or for someone more than that.

Well, at least he's making progress. He couldn't exactly say the same with Wulfric. Knowing that guy, he probably never considered that there was anything wrong with how different he was treating him compared to others.

Wulfric was the type who would take action first before truly thinking about whether he should do it or not. The kind of guy who lived at the moment. If Astrid was to judge him based on the guideline questions he told Reas, then it would already be a miracle if Wulfric had passed the first question.

That's why he's also not in a hurry. With a lifespan of at least 300 years, he had all the time in the world to discover whether what he's feeling was just temporary or something that would last for a lifetime.

"Aster, it's starting," Reas called him from the living room.

He glanced at his brother and saw that the other had already set up the projector. And on the screen, the intro of [The Great War] was showing.

Tonight, the second episode of [The Great War] was about to air. It's the episode where the main cast would finally appear. 

And yes, that included Astrid.

He put down the teacup and walked towards the living room, sitting beside Reas. Then, the both of them waited for the episode to start.

***

The episode began with a flashback of a young Caesar running through a small village, tears flowing down his cheeks. A group of people disguised as bandits were in pursuit of him, wielding swords and shouting threats.

As Caesar reached the edge of the village, he tripped and fell. The bandits closed in, but suddenly a figure appeared from the shadows, holding a long sword. The figure swung the sword with great precision, expertly deflecting the bandits' attacks.

After the danger had passed, the figure knelt down beside Caesar and helped him up.

"Are you all right, Your Majesty?" he asked.

Surprised flashed Caesar's face when he heard how other addressed him. But he just nodded, still trembling with fear.

The figure looked at Caesar with sympathy. "You don't have to worry, Your Majesty. You're safe now. You can come with me."

The scene faded to black, and the next shot showed Caesar in the swordsman's home, receiving training from him. He was shown learning the art of sword fighting and strategy, as well as other lessons fit for a monarch.

Through a series of shots, the audience saw Caesar's progress over time. He went from a scrawny, frightened boy to a skilled and confident warrior. As he trained, he often thought of the small village he stayed for a short time, and the mother and son who helped him.

The episode continued with Caesar practicing alone in a secluded area, his sword flashing in the sunlight as he moved with grace and agility. He looked up at the sky, a determined expression on his face.

"I will not rest until justice is served and the Kingdom of Crevalon is at peace," he said to himself, his thoughts still haunted by the memory of his past.

The camera panned out, showing Caesar standing alone against a backdrop of mountains and forests as the sound of birds chirping filled the air.

Then, the scene switched to the other important characters in the series. Introducing them one by one. From the palace of Crevalon, to the majestic Kingdom of Ashelad. It showed the characters with major roles from those two places. The last place was the Holy Land, where the Church of Jaya was.

There, the Saintess was shown. Kneeling in front of the statue of god and praying earnestly. And then, the last one to be introduced was Luan Escanor. It was the scene where he was ordained as a new priest.

The episode ended with Astrid raising his head and looking straight at the camera.

***

That night, after the second episode aired, it immediately trended on [Cyberspace]. Not only that, their ratings were also at the top three among all the shows that aired at the same time-slot.