"Finally, it was time to simulate. I couldn't stand staying in Flame-Chaser for another day."
"So letting it run on autopilot was meaningful after all. If it were just me, I'd probably announce my withdrawal on the second day after joining Flame-Chaser."
Returning to the Oceanic Branch through the simulation, Chen Ran felt that life was still quite beautiful.
As for suffering and hardship, he could leave that to No. 666.
"The last simulation only lasted a day at most. I hope this one can hold out longer."
According to the system, the first time was always like this.
It would hurt. It would feel uncomfortable. It would be unfamiliar.
But those things would gradually get better, then last longer, until one eventually went numb.
Like memories that had been severed in two beginning to recover, time in the simulated scenario continued to pass.
He finally finished today's work.
The Oceanic Branch possessed the strongest research capabilities in Schicksal aside from headquarters, but that did not mean it produced research results every moment of every day.
What he did was basically miscellaneous work.
"When will I need to get an independent laboratory?" Chen Ran could not help thinking.
Although he had been specially recruited into Schicksal, everyone here had impressive degrees and résumés. An independent laboratory was not something he could get yet.
Oceanic Branch, training grounds.
Wendy was holding a Colt pistol and undergoing shooting practice.
This was the only training she could currently do. Even so, the recoil from the gun kept pushing her wheelchair backward.
Although she did not roll back very far each time, she was getting farther and farther from the target.
There was no doubt that Wendy was highly talented. Her shooting scores were perfect every time.
But if that was all she could do, she would not even be able to deal with Scythe Death Corps on the battlefield.
The experiment had not yet been declared a failure. They were merely continuing their observations. Wendy still held hopes for the future.
However, she could not help feeling a little disappointed when she noticed the Valkyries deliberately avoiding her.
There was an entire Herrscher Gem inside her body, containing an almost unimaginable amount of Honkai Energy. Right now, she was like a ticking time bomb. It was understandable that people feared her.
Still, understanding it did not mean she could accept it.
"Ah, I can't do this anymore. I'm going to die."
"I can't run anymore. I really can't."
Just as Wendy continued adjusting the position of her wheelchair, Chen Ran's dejected voice reached her ears.
After work that afternoon, Chen Ran had brought Wendy to the training grounds, only to be told to run five kilometers afterward.
He had been pleasantly surprised to discover that the physical improvements he gained in reality also carried over into the simulated scenario. But this time, Wendy had made him do a weighted run.
He felt like exercising in the simulated scenario was just asking for torture.
Didn't smart people solve problems with their brains?
Why was he doing this meaningless physical labor?
Wendy's gaze fell on Chen Ran, and she could not help smiling.
She said, "Sorry, I forgot to account for your stamina. Since you're tired, take a rest. Training needs to be gradual. Pulling a muscle would be bad."
Wendy was not a cold person. On the contrary, she was very gentle.
After becoming familiar with Chen Ran, she began caring about his physical condition. "When you drink water later, pay attention. Use saline to replenish electrolytes."
"It's a pity that I'm not able to move around easily. Otherwise, I could prepare it for you."
"Haha, it's fine. You've already taught me plenty."
Chen Ran paused before saying, "By the way, you must be tired of staying here all the time. Should I take you back, or do you want to look around?"
"Let's look around. Go replenish your water and salt first," Wendy urged.
"Alright, mission guaranteed!"
--
Flame-Chaser First Squad.
No. 666 looked thoughtfully at the obstacle in front of it.
Under the instructor's urging, it calculated its current body's stamina, then tried using its computational ability to control every muscle in its body. It easily passed the obstacle course.
Kevin, the first to complete the training, looked at "Chen Ran" in surprise.
"You've improved a lot," Kevin said. "I thought you'd get scolded by the instructor again today."
"Hehe, you flatter me. I'm nothing compared to you, Kevin." No. 666 spoke with a touch of "modesty." "I was just hiding my strength before. Now I'm done pretending."
Among the newly formed First Squad, Kevin was undoubtedly the most talented recruit.
Chen Ran's results, meanwhile, were not particularly good. They could only be considered average. Even with the boost from medication, it was still not as noticeable as the enhancement provided by Flame-Chaser's drugs.
But that was entirely because the human brain could not control every muscle in the body. No. 666 was different.
Even if it had been set to be 99% similar to Chen Ran, it was still a computer by nature.
So...
"Brother Kevin, I heard your girlfriend is here too. When are you bringing me to meet her?"
Yet this stern man suddenly blushed. "Ahem, don't talk nonsense."
After a long while, he added, "When there's time, I'll take you to see her."
No. 666: "Detected an increase in Kevin's favorability toward the host. Keep up the good work."
I'm Only Fourteen, That's Illegal
Chen Ran had no idea that No. 666 was working hard to latch onto a powerful backer for him.
He was working hard to cling to Wendy's thigh.
Although the Oceanic Branch needed to observe Wendy, it had not restricted her freedom. And after the past two days of spending time together, the people at the Oceanic Branch had noticed that his relationship with Wendy seemed fairly good.
Considering the other researchers' fear of the Gem of Desire, the observation task fell to Chen Ran. His authority was also raised, allowing him to access some of the Oceanic Branch's materials and funds.
Schicksal had deep pockets. It could afford to spend lavishly on certain materials.
Even if Chen Ran chose to abuse his authority for personal gain right now, the branch would not care much as long as he did not go too far.
All of this had been decided before he got off work.
"Thanks to you, I'm a wealthy man now."
Chen Ran did not hide his assignment and smiled. "So, as long as your request isn't too outrageous, I can fulfill it."
"Oh, right. Have you considered going on vacation? Like soaking in hot springs in the Far East or something. We could use observation as an excuse."
Chen Ran immediately encouraged her.
If he wanted Wendy to remain in a good mood, staying at the Oceanic Branch alone would not be enough.
He knew very well that remaining in the same environment for a long time could make a person feel depressed.
Wendy shook her head. "Let's talk about it later. Once my legs recover, if there's a chance, I'll invite you to go out with me."
Chen Ran hesitated.
He did not know whether he should shatter that expectation.
Wendy looked puzzled. "What is it?"
"Ah, nothing. I was just thinking that once your legs recover, I might not get the chance to ask you out anymore. After all, people would be lining up to ask you out then."
In the end, he still did not tell her the truth.
Wendy rolled her eyes. "Don't think I can't understand just because I'm young. But since you've been taking care of me, I'll forgive your verbal harassment."
"Then, since I've been taking care of you, can you tell me where you learned those things?" Chen Ran smiled teasingly.
He actually understood that Valkyries were not all innocent.
On the contrary, aside from fighting and training every day, the Valkyries' entertainment was limited to the internet. As a result, they were heavily influenced by online information.
Wendy bared her teeth. "You did that on purpose."
"Come on, stick your head over here. Let's see if I don't hit you!"
She also had a child's frankness. Or rather, Wendy at this moment seemed more like a real person.
Naturally, Chen Ran did not listen to her.
He slowly pushed Wendy's wheelchair, and the two walked through the Oceanic Branch with thoughts of their own.
"Oh, right. This is New Zealand, a country by the sea. Do you want to go see the ocean?" He suddenly said, "There might not be enough time today, but if you want to go, I can arrange it tomorrow."
For Chen Ran, whether he could clear this simulation depended entirely on whether Wendy was in a good mood.
But for Wendy, her feelings were a little complicated.
It was the first time someone of the opposite sex had cared for her so much. Based on her experience surfing the internet, this should be called liking someone.
Wendy had words on the tip of her tongue, but she still did not say them.
"If it's just to see the ocean... then sure."
"But you have to get yourself in shape before we go."
She said, "Even if you don't need to fight on the front lines, you can't slack off on training."
Wendy did not hold Chen Ran to a Valkyrie's standards. After all, most men could not handle a Valkyrie's training intensity or combat intensity.
That was related to Honkai Energy adaptability.
Chen Ran nodded. "Of course. A healthy body means you can do more things."
"Researcher Chen, you're getting a little carried away." Wendy gave a soft snort and said, "Be careful, or I'll call the police."
Chen Ran liked to run his mouth.
He had been a glib-tongued brat since elementary school, shameless and thick-skinned, so he naturally did not feel embarrassed.
Even though the system had turned him into a highly educated person, it could not remake his personality.
When he saw Wendy the next day, he instinctively wanted to flatter her with some slick words.
But after thinking of something, he quickly shut his mouth.
Wendy could not help smiling, her eyes curving into crescents.
She did not actually like getting along with people whose personalities were too flashy. Even as friends, they did not necessarily make her feel safe.
So yesterday, she had taught Chen Ran a lesson.
Actually hitting him was impossible. She had merely tugged his arm hard once.
"Oh? Why aren't you talking?"
"No, it's just that this is the first time I've seen such a beautiful girl, so I'm afraid I might mistake you for someone else."
Sure enough, Chen Ran remained shameless.
Wendy lifted her chin slightly. "I'm only fourteen. That's illegal."1
--
Flame-Chaser, First Squad.
Just like the synchronized time in the simulated scenario, one day had also passed in reality.
Before you continue