MC POV
After feeding us, Leo took us back to our rooms.
In front of my door, after making sure we were settled, he stopped and said goodbye.
"I'll see you soon, Alex. The ship will travel for about 30 minutes, so get ready."
"OK."
He lingered at the door for a moment, as if he were going to say something more, but then just smiled and walked away.
I simply entered my room, closed the door, and immediately stepped into my spatial dimension.
I took a deep breath, feeling the wind and the scent of nature—grass and flowers filling the air.
"Ah… always good to enjoy the environment."
After breathing in the fresh air, I headed into my beautiful ancient mansion-palace, a structure I had found in the world of Wuxia.
More specifically, I went into one of the many rooms—this one filled with paints and other artistic materials. After so many lives, missions, and professions, I had discovered a wide variety of hobbies. Painting became one of my favorites, especially in two lifetimes where I worked professionally with it.
I picked up some brushes, paints, and a canvas and stored them in my spatial inventory.
I could have summoned them directly into my room, but I preferred to come here just to smell the familiar scent of paint.
At the same time, I passed by the kitchen and took out some strawberries I had stored earlier. They were large and red, with vibrant green leaves. I rinsed them lightly with ice water and placed them in a bamboo basket I had made in my free time.
Then, I left the space.
I placed the strawberries to the side, brought a chair forward, and took out my easel, a large canvas, and some paints.
My room had a window looking downward—perfect for watching the planet from above as the ship flew through the sky.
I ate the strawberries and sat in the chair, pulling out a book on Western medicine.
"It's interesting... reviewing the physical principles and stats of humans, orcs, and sub-orcs. The physiological differences are fascinating—especially with the interference of powers like body energy…"
...
Eventually, an announcement echoed throughout the ship:
[To all individuals, the ship is starting its departure.]
[Takeoff will begin in 5 minutes. There should be no turbulence or intense movement, but remain alert. Until we are stabilized in space, please avoid large or abrupt motions.]
In space, such precautions aren't as necessary, but when leaving a planet's atmosphere, some care is still required.
I had already removed certain seeds and used my nature/life power to mutate and grow them into strong vines. They wrapped themselves around the room to keep me—and my painting materials—anchored during the transition.
Soon, I felt the ship move as we rose into the sky.
I was particularly excited. I've lived many lifetimes with amazing and unique visions, but, surprisingly, I had never traveled into space—not even in the world where I was a robotics and weapons engineer in a highly advanced technological society. Despite all the innovation, that world hadn't developed space travel. I had never seen the stars from beyond the atmosphere.
The reason I wanted to paint now was simple: I wanted to remember the planet I was leaving behind. Maybe I'd return someday—or maybe not. Either way, I wanted to capture my final memory of this childhood. I found that gesture meaningful.
After a few minutes, I watched the ship break free of the atmosphere. From a distance, the planet appeared pink and green.
I selected the paints to match the planet's hues and added bluish and purple tones to represent the subtle textures of space.
Then I closed my eyes, focused, and opened them again—my mental state shifting. My previously calm and casual demeanor now carried a professional, artistic air.
With slow, deliberate strokes—and sometimes swift, impulsive ones—I moved the brush using Impressionist optical mixing techniques, along with a few other influences.
Little by little, the image took form:
A pink-and-green planet floating in the vastness of space, rendered with vibrant colors that conveyed not only realism, but emotion—joy, discovery, nostalgia, and farewell. Each brushstroke brought life to the canvas, crafting a unique, heartfelt portrait of a singular environment.
And so I continued painting…
...
Leonardo POV — 1 hour and 30 minutes later
I knocked on Alex's bedroom door several times, but there was still no answer.
The ship had already traveled a good distance and was now flying steadily through space.
I turned to Tiago, my squirrel-friend, and asked,
"Do you think he's sleeping?"
Besides Tiago, Colonel Pedro and Daniel had also come along to check in and say hello.
"I don't think so… and I have an idea what he might be doing..."
I looked at him, curious, but Daniel spoke first.
"Oh? What's he doing?"
"It's probably one of his hobbies. Brother's good at everything and has so many hobbies—some of them extremely rare these days. I'm pretty sure it's that. Can I open the door?"
I was intrigued to hear that from Tiago, but I asked first:
"Wait—did he give you permission?"
"Yes."
I narrowed my eyes and didn't say anything, remembering that Tiago was a sub-orc and clearly more of a brother than anything romantic.
Then I saw him place a smart bracelet on the reader beside the door. It opened.
And inside, we witnessed a beautiful and peculiar scene.
My squirrel—his bluish hair tinged with streaks of paint on his fingers and across part of his face—was moving a brush with elegance and precision.
The painting displayed the green-and-pink planet, a breathtakingly artistic and rare image.
I couldn't help myself. I whispered softly, though all three still heard me:
"So beautiful… my squirrel."
They all looked at me—each with different expressions. Daniel and Pedro seemed the most surprised and curious.
And then, we heard his voice from inside the room, paired with the final stroke of his brush:
"I… I'm done."