Hai Mo's Research Log (2) / Sorry, Teacher Theresa

The attempt was successful very easily. This time, without any intervention, extracting this factor became extremely simple. It seemed to be a special type of cell. Due to time constraints, I didn't study its structure but prioritized its properties.

[When energy is plentiful, these cells can quickly and autonomously adapt to their environment, demonstrating a remarkable ability to evolve.]

[At the same time, it is also highly aggressive, parasitizing other normal cells and rapidly assimilating them—so fast that it even frightens me.]

[These cells could be easily obtained simply by drawing blood, yet I achieved nothing in my previous long-term research. This is enough to prove Highmore's level of control over these cells.]

[And... she really isn't as obedient as she seems.]

The value of these cells is immeasurable. If I could also possess this evolutionary ability... could I evolve resistance to Honkai that surpasses even that of Herrscher?

Even if it's not possible, or even if the upper limit of evolution is only up to Highmore's level, it's still incredibly tempting.

However... if you want to keep this treasure all to yourself, you'll need to make some small preparations.

"So that's how it is. So that was the driving force behind his subsequent power grab and integration of the Oceania Branch?" Xia Ling murmured to herself. "In that case, that Branch Leader actually died quite unjustly. He probably didn't even know the real cause of his death when he crashed his plane."

"It's alright, she's dead anyway. She wasn't a good person anyway." Highmore snorted disdainfully. "Actually, I was aware of this after the experiment. Since then, I've set up an apoptosis program for the Sea Creatures cells in my body to prevent anyone from capturing these cells after I lose consciousness."

"However, he never tried to extract Sea Creatures cells again after that, which led me to misjudge his purpose a little."

"Unexpectedly, he used a deadly move right from the start."

"It's really strange. If he wanted these cells, he would at least have spared my life, right?"

"I think we'll find out the reason soon."

Xia Ling glanced at the few pages left in the logbook and turned to the next page.

Chapter 43 Highmore Research Log (2)

[Highmore Research Log 5]

I've devoted most of my energy to integrating the Oceania Branch, and now it's finally become my personal fiefdom.

I can finally dedicate enough resources and energy to studying the evolutionary factors in Highmore.

Although I didn't conduct much research on Highmore's body during this time, I never stopped observing her behavior.

I noticed that she seemed to have a habit of feeding small animals. At first, I didn't think much of it, but after noticing the speed of that cellular assimilation, I felt a chill run down my spine.

[This Highmore, she definitely came to the Oceania Branch with some purpose. These animals, which may have been implanted with evolutionary factors, might already be enough to become her spies.]

Ever since I realized this, I've been taking precautions to avoid the animals within the branch.

[This is terrifying... Right now, I'm in the open while she's in the shadows, but she doesn't know that I've already hidden myself even deeper than she has.]

[I don't know her purpose right now, but it seems to be related to the Desire Gem. Could she be trying to parasitize and assimilate Wendy through this method, and then control the Herrscher Core? No... if that's the case, given their current relationship, they've even slept in the same bed. It would be incredibly easy for her to add some evolution factors to their food.]

However, it's also possible that the influence of the Herrscher Core means it will take her a considerable amount of time to assimilate Wendy? In any case, it seems I need to strike first.

[Highmore Research Log 6]

The specially formulated new anesthetic obtained from headquarters has arrived. Its ingredients are not disclosed; it's completely different from what we used before. It's said to have been developed by a mysterious Doctor from Schicksal, but unfortunately, we don't know who that doctor is. However, the clinical effects seem to be excellent; we've heard even S-rank Valkyrie can't withstand it.

[This opportunity only comes once. If it fails, Highmore might develop resistance to this anesthetic. Therefore, it must be a fatal blow.]

[In that case, there seems to be a lot of preparation work still to be done, such as extracting enough evolutionary factors from her as soon as possible, and how to ensure the activity of those evolutionary factors. Since experiments are not possible, we can only prepare all kinds of protective measures.]

As for Highmore, to prevent her from noticing anything amiss, the dosage should be given in one go. Since we're going to kill her anyway, the dosage of anesthetic can be lethal; the key is that it must be effective.

[It seems this new anesthetic is quite effective. It's a pity that the mysterious Doctor said the raw materials are precious and limited, making mass production impossible. If I have the chance in the future, I must visit this mysterious colleague.]

[Next... we need a sufficiently legitimate reason, otherwise, she's a relatively rare experimental subject, and killing her inexplicably might be difficult to explain to headquarters.]

[Oh, and Wendy too. These two seem to be almost a couple, tsk tsk, Highmore's got some tricks up her sleeve. But they've only been together for two years, so it shouldn't be a big problem. Just find her a therapist to help her through it, to prevent her from committing suicide. If that happens, the core team will have to find someone to take her in.]

"Damn it, we're completely exposed..." Highmore's expression was rather unpleasant.

After all, no matter who it is, even if they don't care about their own life, seeing a diary that is practically murderous, especially since they are the protagonist, would not make them feel good.

"Sigh, this has taught us a lesson." Xia Ling sighed, "Never take others for fools, especially your opponents."

"Luckily, we were all guaranteed a spot in the revival round, otherwise, in this situation, one of us would have died and the other would have remained silent."

"There's one last page in the log, which should contain the events that have occurred most recently."

Highmore turned to the last page. "Come on, see how the Cipher Plate 'summarizes' Ryan's end."

[Work Log 7]

[A golden opportunity! A recent Honkai disaster has occurred, resulting in significant casualties among the Valkyrie forces.]

[But it doesn't matter. Most of these people were recruited from my former Branch Leader anyway. They're a bunch of money-grubbing bastards anyway, so their deaths are no big deal.]

They seem to have some complaints about me, but it doesn't matter. Once I obtain the evolution factor, I can control the power myself, and I won't need to worry about them rebelling.

[However, this is where the momentum I built up beforehand came in handy. Under the guidance of public opinion, they identified Highmore as the culprit, or rather, the trigger, for this Honkai.]

[Heh, since she's going to die anyway, using her to vent the Valkyrie's anger is a good way to make use of her.]

[Thus, under the Valkyrie's relentless pressure, I was "forced" to abandon my precious experimental subject and decided to secretly kill Highmore.]

[Never has there been such a wonderful start.]

The next day, Highmore, as expected, came for her routine physical examination without any warning.

[With the help of this anesthetic she had never seen before, she lost consciousness immediately, and even lost control of her Honkai Energy, which leaked out in considerable quantities. Naturally, she was now completely at my mercy.]

The only regret is that, in order to ensure the activity of the evolutionary factors, I originally planned to perform a live dissection first, but I don't know if it was due to an excessive dosage or some other reason, she immediately lost all vital signs.

There's nothing we can do about it; we'll have to extract it immediately.

[...]

Wait, why are all the evolutionary factors I extracted rapidly becoming inactive?

[This... this shouldn't be happening! The evolutionary factors extracted last time weren't like this!]

Is it because the main body is dead? But it's impossible to bring her back now...

[Damn it, I have to give up on the idea of preserving the evolutionary factors. First, I need to figure out how to construct a structural model of this cell, and then I'll figure out how to replicate it.]

[Huh? Why did the person I sent to dispose of Highmore's body take so long? Weren't we just told to collect some specimens and throw them directly into the incinerator?]

[What's that sound outside? Honkai Energy concentration alarm? Damn it, could it be another Honkai? We've sent out all the Valkyrie this time.]

Wait, what's that sound coming from the doorway?

The log ends abruptly here, and it seems that the records that can be read on the Cipher Plate also end here.

"Phew, it seems the apoptosis mechanism I set up is working; at least he didn't really figure anything out." Highmore breathed a sigh of relief.

"So this is what happens when you have little knowledge. Both of them are about evolution, but Otto has no interest in this thing at all, while this guy studies it like it's a treasure. Doesn't he know that there is a Honkai Beast called Vishnu?"

"However, your reaction after being exposed to this anesthetic..." Xia Ling hesitated, "I feel like it's somewhat similar to..."

"You don't need to feel it, I'm pretty sure it is." Highmore's voice was a little annoyed. "The whole thing in Oceania was basically under Otto's surveillance, and he probably provided this specific anesthetic."

"After all, he has a lot of research data on Herrscher, so he naturally wouldn't pin his hopes on anesthetics. I just don't know if he added Holy Blood or the Honkai Energy Neutralizer that Dr. Maki researched to those anesthetics."

"There's no point in talking about this now. Let's think about how to get Wendy back first."

Xia Ling opened her terminal and inserted the two USB drives generated by the Cipher Plate.

"Let me see what these two are..."

"Ah, so one is a research report on evolutionary factors, and the other is Wendy's medical examination report."

"Let's keep the research report ourselves for now." After tossing the report representing the evolutionary factor into the system space, Xia Ling sent Wendy's medical examination report to Tesla and Einstein.

"As for Wendy's case... I think we should ask the Doctor to take a look at the situation." Xia Ling pondered, "Wendy's Honkai Energy, which far exceeds that of the original work, feels a bit abnormal to me."

"Indeed, I have the same concern." Highmore nodded, then frowned and said, "Given her usual abilities, she shouldn't have that kind of strength."

Chapter Forty-Four: I'm sorry, Teacher Theresa

"Captain, something terrible has happened!"

Alvit's voice rang out from the bridge.

"Anti-Entropy fleet spotted behind us! There are many of them, and they are chasing us."

"Anti-Entropy? They really dare to come." Durandal frowned slightly. "What about the identification number?"

"They mainly come from the Anti-Entropy radicals, and the one leading them should be Cocolia's flagship."

"It seems His Lord Bishop was right after all." Rita smiled slightly. "Then, Durandal, shall we proceed according to the original plan?"

"Okay, Rita, you should take the transport plane first and prioritize the bishop's mission."

As for my side...

Durandal pondered for a moment, then gave the order:

"Alvit, open the Valkyrie drop-off hatch."

"Hey, hey, hey? Captain, what are you doing?"

"It's too much of a waste of time to drag this out. Normally we could take our time with her, but this time, Wendy's matter can't be delayed. The Lord Bishop has also assigned me other tasks."

The armor of the Herrscher of Stars on Durandal's body has begun to gradually appear, and golden twin pistols have appeared in her hands.

"Therefore, I plan to go directly to Anti-Entropy, settle things quickly, and persuade them to go home."

Leaving aside the fact that Durandal's Anti-Entropy fleet had been disturbed and that Rita was still on her way, the Hyperion, on their side, suddenly encountered someone they had never expected.

As she watched the Honkai Energy level warnings gradually rise around her and the crimson vortex slowly approaching in the distance, Himeko's gaze became somewhat solemn.

"It's Wendy..."

"Gather the Valkyrie still below and get them back to the main ship immediately!"

"All ships are on high alert. Prioritize raising the Honkai Energy shield. Do not activate weapons for now."

Kiana was on a Herrscher -level mission for the first time, was eager to try it out.

"Himeko, they need us... Ouch!"

Before Kiana could finish speaking, Himeko a hard knock on the head.

"Don't call me Himeko! Besides, I'm not dead yet, you little brats don't need to go up there."

"Besides, you can't even beat Fu Hua, and you want to fight Herrscher? What, you want to restart quickly, huh?"

Himeko was still lecturing Kiana when she didn't notice Theresa had already appeared behind her.

"You're talking about them too, you're no different! Patients, you better stay here quietly!"

Theresa also wanted to try patting Himeko's head, but because she was too short, she couldn't reach it even when she jumped up.

"I'll handle Wendy's situation. All of you, don't make any moves. Also, send a message to Xia Ling saying we've found Wendy's trail."

"Are you going to talk to her yourself, Theresa?" Himeko with some concern.

"I am her teacher after all. Even if I can't help much, it's good to listen to her."

"After all, if Xia Ling and I are right, she must have a lot to say right now."

With that, Theresa took the Judas' Vow and left the Hyperion's bridge.

As the elevator slowly ascended, Theresa was surprised to find a familiar figure waiting for her on the deck of the Hyperion.

When did Wendy arrive? Why didn't the Hyperion's radar detect her at all? Theresa suppressed her questions and looked at her from a distance.

Looking at the girl in front of her with an expression as cold as ice, and recalling Wendy's enthusiastic and lively manner when she was at the academy, Theresa suddenly felt a complicated sense of absurdity.

As they got closer, Theresa noticed a discordant detail on Wendy's body: a bluish-purple crystalline pattern was fixed to the side of Wendy's ear with purple Honkai Energy Crystal.

The patterns subtly reflected blue and purple light, swaying gently in the breeze near Wendy's ear.

The color and texture of the pattern... Theresa paused slightly, recalling Xia Ling's description of Highmore's appearance.

Oh no... Theresa thought to herself, realizing that things might really be as she had imagined.

"Theresa, teacher..." Wendy did not approach Theresa again, but looked at Theresa from a distance. Since becoming Herrscher, she had been consciously or unconsciously controlling the distance between herself and others. "Long time no see."

"Long time no see, Wendy... I never imagined our reunion would be like this."

"I came to find Hyperion on my own initiative. After all... those student days hold a significant place in my memory, so I wanted to... see you all one more time."

"As expected, you're still keeping your rationality, aren't you?"