Miss Elysia, the Pilot!

"It's not as exaggerated as you make it out to be, Doctor..."

"To be honest, the only ones I remember here right now... well, you probably can't handle that blue-haired guy with the messy hair and a tuft of red hair over there, but the rest of you, one by one, are practically no match for you in terms of physics."

"That's... Dr. Einstein, right?" Mei recognized him too.

Just as Liu Bai was thinking about it, she turned her head and happened to see this Einstein from the Civilization. He was an old acquaintance, and she had contributed to the development of the Soul Steel Body that Hua had given her in the future.

Although, according to the system's classification, Mei's theoretical level is on par with Einstein's, Liu Bai didn't make any overly definitive statements considering that the Einstein of the Previous Era was a combination of the later Einstein and Tesla.

Moreover, given this timeline, Einstein's plan to Armed Dolls would already be on the agenda.

In fact, aside from the few plans that were deduced in later generations, the allocation of top scientists in the Previous Era was quite clear.

Vil-V is in charge of the God Key, Einstein is in charge of the Armed Dolls, and Mobius is in charge of the Fusion Warrior. What's amazing about Mebius is that, so far, it seems that she is involved in all the projects except for the Armed Dolls.

For example, the Divine Key Project was not proposed by Mei, but was handed over to Vil-V to be in charge of—although Vil-V later lost the design leadership due to the restrictions Moth Chasers to Fire.

Mobius and Mei were collaborating on research.

After that, Mei herself still had to work on Stigmata, super artificial intelligence, the Moonlight Throne, and the technology to seal Honkai Energy. In the middle of all this, she even managed to defeat a Herrscher of a Thousand...

Even with help from others, this sounds like something that would exhaust you.

And this doesn't even take into account the future plans and the internal political struggles within the Moth Chasers to Fire...

It's not surprising at all that he died from overwork after the war.

As Liu Bai sighed, he casually remarked:

"If you have a key item like chocolate on you, you could chat with her for a bit."

"Chocolate...?"

"No, it's nothing, just forget about it. Even if you don't use chocolate, she'll most likely respond if you talk to her."

Einstein judged people based on first impressions, and it was just that chocolate made it easier to talk to him. Besides, Liu Bai didn't believe that Einstein hadn't read Mei's papers.

"Okay, okay."

Since Liu Bai said so, Mei decided to go up and strike up a conversation.

"Um... Dr. Einstein, what about the seating at the seminar...?"

"Um?"

Einstein looked at the girl who had suddenly spoken to him with some confusion—although Einstein himself was also a girl.

"You are... oh, Mei, right?"

Einstein looked at the badge that the staff had given her when she entered.

"As for seats, just sit wherever you like, there are definitely enough seats. Since we're already here, these little things don't matter—but we should still give way to some elderly gentlemen who can't even walk steadily."

After all, these seminars often feature many senior scientists.

"Come with Dr. Einstein. Although he hasn't been here many times, we are still quite familiar with each other."

So the habit of referring to oneself in the third person existed in Previous Era too... But Einstein was alright; although he had this habit, he actually referred to himself as "I" quite often.

The truly serious cases of third-person pronouns are Bronya, Seele, and the twins...

So, Cocolia, how did you raise your child?!

Liu Bai felt that after this simulation ended, he would have to have a good talk with Cocolia about this issue...

However, in classical Chinese, such as in the "Preface to the Pavilion of Prince Teng" where it says "Bo, a humble scholar with only three feet of life," these are actually third-person self-references, which are quite common in classical Chinese.

Does this make me seem less like anime/manga fans...?

Mei also expressed confusion about Einstein's use of the third-person pronoun.

Does anyone in real life really claim to be like that?

"Ahem, sorry, it's just a little habit of mine." Einstein coughed lightly to cover his embarrassment, then quickly changed the subject, "By the way, I've read your paper... Hmm, it's amazing, no, I should say it's extremely amazing."

Einstein praised it lavishly.

"Thank you for your compliment... Dr. Einstein." Mei was still somewhat flattered by such a direct compliment from a celebrity.

"It's not a compliment, just stating the facts. Einstein... cough, I don't use overly polite words except when I'm playing pranks."

Einstein offered a nonchalant explanation.

"But speaking of which, whose invitation did you receive? The organizers here wouldn't send an invitation to someone without a degree."

"It's Dr. Mobius," Mei answered honestly.

"Her? She really does move fast—but for a biologist in the field of genetics, she's really meddling in a lot of things."

It's hard to tell whether Einstein's statement was a complaint or a sigh, but it's all good, since I couldn't wait to do the experiments after reading your paper—I must emphasize again, Mei, your paper is truly amazing.

Einstein had barely finished speaking when a somewhat languid, mature woman's voice came from behind him.

"It seems Dr. Einstein is getting along quite well with the guest I invited?"

Mobius came over from behind and sat down next to Mei.

"Are you nervous?"

Mobius glanced at Mei beside him.

"Don't be nervous. I'm not going to do anything to you. I'm just having a casual chat with you, like Einstein did."

Nervous?

No, it should be called pressure.

Even though Dr. Mobius was showing her kindness, Mei still felt a strange pressure.

Perhaps it was indeed a sense of tension, but it was definitely not the kind of tension a junior feels towards a senior—she didn't feel any tension towards Einstein, a senior in the same field, so she should have felt even less nervous facing Mobius, who was in a different field.

...Why?

Mei was a little confused for a moment, but she still managed to get back into the swing of things.

Seeing that Mei had recovered, Mobius said with a smile, "Many people must call you a genius by now, so I won't say any more of that same old nonsense."

Thank you for your compliment.

Mobius nodded, unlike Einstein who gave a serious rebuttal.

"Like Dr. Einstein, I have also read your paper... As for my evaluation, I agree with Dr. Einstein, and I believe it is a very worthwhile project to continue."

"What do you mean 'you think'? I say 'I think'," Einstein retorted. "Didn't you ask me for my opinion back then?"

"After all, I don't have a deep understanding of Quantum Mechanics —Quantum Mechanics but I have crammed on it over the past two weeks and now I can understand it."

Mobius didn't care about Einstein's sabotage.

Mobius basically devoted himself entirely to the field of biology, and Mobius rarely studied other subjects unless they were useful to the field of biology.

However, to be fair, with his current knowledge base, Mobius could learn anything quite quickly if he really wanted to.

At least Einstein wasn't surprised that Mobius could understand a relatively advanced Quantum Mechanics paper after only half a month of intensive study.

After all, for them, understanding it is just the beginning...

"So, getting back to the point, Mei, would you mind if I asked you a few questions?"

"... Of course, please ask."

"How was your first time attending an academic conference?"

"... I'd say it's alright." Mei sighed. Thanks to years of training, Mei didn't feel particularly tired. "It's just that Dr. Mobius's attitude... or rather, Dr. Einstein's attitude towards me after seeing Dr. Mobius's attitude towards me was a bit strange."

"... You're being convoluted."

Liu Bai twitched the corner of his mouth.

"But you'll find out why she treats you this way later."

This means that the Moth Chasers to Fire has already been chosen.

If nothing unexpected happens, after Mei goes to university in the usual way, she should go straight to the Moth Chasers to Fire.

Unfortunately, things don't always go as planned.

—For example, the Third Honkai Eruption.

"You probably won't have a chance to speak at this academic seminar... So, do you want to continue listening, or go straight home?"

"Let's just go back."

Mei answered after a moment's thought.

After listening to her story today, she roughly understood why Liu Bai said that most people were not as good as her—of course, this was only one of the reasons.

After all, the clash of ideas can still spark some new insights.

The real reason is...

Mei always felt inexplicably stressed when she was with Mobius, and what bothered her even more was that she couldn't find the source of the stress.

As someone recommended by Mobius, Mei couldn't very well avoid Mobius.

So, after thinking about it this way, I no longer had the idea of staying at this seminar... or rather, staying next to Mobius.

Chapter 123 Miss Pilot Elysia!

You returned to ChangKong City after the exchange meeting.

ChangKong City appeared perfectly normal, and Kevin continued living his high school life as usual.

However, just like in all stories, the good times didn't last long, and the Third Honkai Eruption, which affected most of Asia, arrived as scheduled.

[Most of Asia was instantly paralyzed—this might not be surprising to you who had already experienced it once, but it was a different kind of shock for Kevin and Mei.]

Fortunately, because the preparations this time were extremely thorough, you even have the capacity to rescue other victims.

"Teacher... is this what they call Honkai?" Kevin, leaning on his sword, looked at ChangKong City, which was mostly reduced to ruins, with some confusion.

Although he hadn't been here long since transferring, he could still clearly see the contrast between prosperity and ruin.

"It's scary, isn't it?"

Liu Bai tilted his head and asked, "Isn't this a kind of ruthlessness and cruelty that cannot be described in words?"

"... Your so-called 'hero' back then really screwed me over. You never said that I, the hero, was going to defeat such a terrifying 'demon king'," Kevin said with a wry smile.

Even though only a day or two had passed since the Honkai, Kevin's demeanor had matured rapidly.

If Mei is a naturally gifted gem, then Kevin is a rough diamond yet to be carved.

However, the craftsman who sculpted Kevin, this rough gem, was not Liu Bai, but Honkai.

"If the Demon King wasn't terrifying enough, there would be no need for heroes to defeat him."

Liu Bai simply chuckled at Kevin's idea, "Now you understand, right... What are your thoughts?"

"...We cannot coexist." Kevin took a deep breath, his voice trembling slightly—not from fear, but from anger. "I cannot coexist with it—even without you, I would have faced the Honkai sooner or later, wouldn't I?"

"Of course, this Third Honkai Eruption, which covers most of Asia, is unavoidable for you."

"... I just wonder how that bastard Su is doing."

When Kevin spoke of his best friend, his face was full of worry, but his tone softened.

"What I've taught him is enough for him. That kid is smarter than you in every way." Liu Bai glanced at Kevin.

"... That's really hurtful. I'm clearly the senior brother, you know." Kevin seemed to recall the scene from back then, and the atmosphere became more relaxed.

"Your senior brother... never mind, I won't say any more." Liu Bai's words hit the nail on the head.

"..."

What you said is more heartbreaking than if you hadn't said it!

"But now you're not so confused anymore, are you?"

Liu Bai looked at Kevin, Kevin gave a wry smile, but then his eyes hardened.

Not long after, the signal from Mei's homemade distress device was detected by the Moth Chasers to Fire rescue team, and you were thus rescued.

After Mei revealed her name, she immediately caught the attention of the Moth Chasers to Fire. Finally, at Mei's request, she temporarily became the team's strategist, while Kevin, due to his outstanding performance, was also able to become a recruit of the Moth Chasers to Fire.