Honkai Impact 3rd: Saving the Pre-Civilization with Hand-Crafted Black Tech

"A facet of her true abilities?" Elysia and the others were still pondering, but Dr. Mei had already reacted, "You mean, this is a manifestation of her true abilities?"

"It seems I'm not very suited for riddles," Ai Yue sighed. "Aponia's true abilities are even more outrageous than 'Judgment'—she can see others' 'destiny'."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Elysia blinked, "Is it some kind of precognitive ability?"

"Probably. That guy was vague, and I didn't fully understand it either," Ai Yue sighed. "Simply put, everyone's destiny appears as a tangible entity in her eyes. 'Judgment' is essentially just a means she uses to try and interfere with others' destinies."

"Is it an innate ability?" Dr. Mei mused, then denied her own thought, "No, if she could truly see others' destinies, she wouldn't have tried to centralize the treatment of patients infected by Honkai Energy."

"Combining her own statements with my personal conjecture," Ai Yue nodded and added, "Aponia likely awakened her abilities due to excessive contact with Honkai Energy after she started treating those patients."

"Contact with Honkai Energy to awaken abilities?" Elysia suddenly said, "Wait, hearing it like this, it sounds a bit like..."

"The Fusion Warrior Project, right?" Ai Yue chuckled. "By combining human and Honkai Beast genes, people gain immense power and special abilities. It's quite similar, isn't it?"

"No wonder you were so confident. Aponia's resistance to Honkai Energy must be among the highest for humans," Dr. Mei finally showed a look of realization, but quickly frowned. "However, can simply coming into contact with Honkai Energy awaken such powerful abilities?"

To this, Ai Yue could only respond with a smile.

He couldn't exactly say that his confidence in Aponia stemmed from having read the script, knowing she wouldn't die here, and thus working backward from the outcome, could he?

As for whether Aponia's abilities truly originated from Honkai Energy—at least this explanation was more believable than "innate."

No one had ever truly understood the real source of Aponia's abilities, so this wasn't exactly a lie.

"But there's one more thing," Elysia asked at this moment, "Why did you say it would be a good thing if Aponia died now?"

"Because seeing others' destinies isn't always a good thing," Ai Yue said meaningfully. "Especially when you try to change the tragedies in others' destinies, only to find yourself powerless. Such an ability can instead become a curse, leading to greater disaster."

This was Ai Yue's evaluation based on what would have happened. If destiny couldn't be changed, the more Aponia tried to do something, the more likely she was to cause irreparable disaster.

Of course, there were exceptions.

Ai Yue glanced at Elysia before lowering his head again.

Aponia couldn't see everyone's destiny. At least, for now, two and a half people's destinies were blank to her.

The first person was herself. As the saying goes, a doctor cannot heal themselves. Even though Aponia could see others' destinies while interacting with them, this ability couldn't be applied to herself.

Otherwise, she might have become even more extreme.

The second person was Elysia. The reason for this seemed to be related to her special identity, and Judgment's inability to affect her was likely due to the same reason.

As for the last half-person, it was Ai Yue himself.

According to Aponia, she could only see Ai Yue's destiny vaguely and partially, unable to glimpse the full picture like she could with others, as if an immense distance separated them.

Ai Yue wasn't quite sure if this was due to his identity as a transmigrator or if the mysterious System could shield heavenly secrets, but at least it had no downsides for him.

After all, if Aponia could clearly see his destiny, it would mean he still couldn't surpass the original future of this world, and being unable to surpass the destiny of the world itself would mean being unable to change that despairing outcome.

For Ai Yue, this was the only thing he absolutely could not accept.

Chapter 14: Are You Sure This Is Evolution?

Perhaps the topic Ai Yue brought up was too bizarre, as the conference room fell silent after he finished speaking.

"Um, I don't really understand what you guys are talking about," Pardofelis finally broke the silence. "But the Fusion Warrior surgery sounds like an important matter, shouldn't we go take a look?"

"I..." Dr. Mei reacted, about to speak, but was interrupted by an alarm. She glanced at her phone and gave an apologetic look, "Sorry, my break is over. I have other things to do this afternoon."

As an important figure in Moth to Fire, Dr. Mei's personal time was obviously scarce.

"I must also take my leave," Sakura stood up as well. "I have a mission tonight and need to prepare. I won't be able to accompany you for the rest of this."

"It's okay, at least I'm still here!" Elysia said with a smile after the two left. "But the Fusion Warrior surgery is highly classified, so we can't observe it. However, I know the general location, maybe we can wait there?"

"Is this surgery process very short?" Ai Yue asked somewhat confused. "Shouldn't this kind of surgery take a long time?"

Fusion Warrior surgery was something he was unfamiliar with. However, based on his impression of surgical operations from his previous life, Ai Yue felt that such a surgery wouldn't be completed in less than eight or nine hours.

"Short, very short," Elysia's voice suddenly turned low. "So short that it can end the moment two different genes come into contact."

Ai Yue froze for a moment, then understood.

Right, human and Honkai Beast—combining these two vastly different biological genes. How could it be a delicate surgical procedure?

The violent reaction generated by gene fusion would be enough to kill a mentally sound adult on the spot. If it couldn't be resolved quickly, even if the genes could successfully fuse, the recipient might die on the operating table from intense pain and suffering.

So, by the time the few of them, using Elysia's clearance, arrived at the medical department, Aponia was already lying peacefully on the hospital bed.

"See, I told you everything would be fine," Ai Yue let out an almost imperceptible sigh of relief, then smiled. "Now, the higher-ups will be unbearable."

Honestly, when he realized the danger of the Fusion Warrior surgery was far greater than he had imagined, Ai Yue had been quite worried, fearing that his arrival might affect the original timeline, causing Aponia, who was supposed to successfully become a Fusion Warrior, to encounter unforeseen circumstances.

Fortunately, the future was not so easily influenced.

"The surgery went incredibly smoothly. I'm almost curious,"

With a slightly affected tone, a woman with long green hair and a white lab coat walked in. "Elysia, where did you find such a small... cough, excellent subject?"

Seeing two unfamiliar people in the room, she immediately changed her wording, which was slightly flippant.

Clearly, she still wanted to maintain her public image. As for why she acted this way...

"Mobius, long time no see!" Elysia greeted her enthusiastically upon seeing her, then pulled her towards Ai Yue and the other. "Ai Yue, and Little Pardo, let me introduce you. This is a veteran member of Moth to Fire, Doctor Mobius! She's also in charge of the Fusion Warrior surgery!"

"Hello there," Mobius greeted the two with a smile, her gaze then settling on Ai Yue. "You're Ai Yue? Mei mentioned you. You seem like a very talented person."

"Hello, Doctor Mobius," Ai Yue greeted her with a smile, but he didn't make any physical contact with Mobius. He also pulled Pardofelis back slightly. "I was specially recruited by Doctor Mei and just reported for duty today."

Pardofelis might be deceived by the other's gentle and kind appearance, but Ai Yue, who had an unusual understanding of Moth to Fire, knew that this person before him had long since crossed the boundaries of humanity and become something extraordinary.

Especially after undergoing the Fusion Warrior surgery herself and becoming the third Fusion Warrior, her values had shifted in a way that was difficult to correct, and this shift was still accelerating.

In her eyes, they weren't considered peers, but merely lab rats with research value.

"Don't look at me like that," Mobius's expression turned a bit colder, seemingly sensing Ai Yue's wariness, but she still forced a smile. "Never mind, we'll have plenty of opportunities to meet in the future. I have other matters to attend to, so I won't keep you."

With that, Mobius floated away as if she had only come to say hello.

"Oh my, is Mobius getting cuter?" Elysia sighed as she watched Mobius's retreating back. Only after Mobius disappeared outside the hospital room door did she turn to Ai Yue and the other. "But you should be more careful when dealing with her. Although Mobius is cute, underestimating her because of it will lead you into a trap."

"Cute? What's cute about her?" Pardofelis rubbed her arms. "I was trembling with fear when I saw her. I don't know why, but my intuition told me to stay as far away from her as possible!"

"Mmm, that's one way to deal with it," Elysia said with a smile. "Then Little Pardo, next time you see her, just cover your ears and run as far as you can!"

Ai Yue was about to speak but suddenly closed his mouth.

He lowered his head and met a pair of eyes that seemed clouded.

"What's wrong? Where are you going?" Aponia's weak but calm voice sounded. "You seem to be discussing something dangerous."

"Oh my, Aponia, you're finally awake?" Elysia leaned in with surprise. "Sneaking off to undergo Fusion Warrior surgery, you're quite brave!"

"Because if I didn't do this," Aponia focused her gaze on Ai Yue, "you would have stopped me, right?"

"Hmph." Ai Yue didn't deny it and simply asked, "Are you satisfied?"

"By using the Fusion Warrior surgery to enhance your abilities, can you see clearly now?"

Aponia didn't speak, but looked at Pardofelis.

In her vision, clear threads extended from the girl huddled behind Ai Yue, stretching straight upwards.

The nun then turned her gaze to Elysia, but there was nothing on her. No matter how hard Aponia concentrated, she couldn't find a single thread.

Finally, she focused her attention on Ai Yue.

Then, she found nothing.

Aponia:?

Chapter 15: Oops, I'm Cheating

Aponia blinked, thinking it was due to her weakness after the surgery.

She looked at Ai Yue again, but still saw nothing.

"What's wrong?" Ai Yue noticed her reaction. "Are your eyes malfunctioning?"

"I don't know," Aponia replied with a confused tone, then asked Ai Yue, "Did you do anything while we were separated?"

Ai Yue thought for a moment. "I didn't do anything. I haven't even eaten."

"Speaking of which, it really is time to eat," Elysia said as if she had just remembered. "Oh dear, at this hour, the signature dishes at the cafeteria are probably all sold out by now."

"Elysia, please take Pardo and go eat first," Ai Yue said immediately. "I'll... stay here with Aponia."

Some things couldn't be heard by too many people for now.

Elysia immediately nodded in understanding, and although Pardofelis didn't quite grasp the situation, she obediently followed Elysia out of the room without asking further questions.

After the hospital room door was closed from the outside, Ai Yue slowly spoke, "What did you see?"

From Aponia's actions, it was clear that she had seen something unexpected on him when using her fate-seeing ability, which was why she had that expression.

"I didn't see anything," Aponia said with a complex expression. "I can't see your threads anymore."

"You can't see them?" Ai Yue was taken aback. "Is it the same situation as Elysia?"

"Yes." Aponia observed Ai Yue's expression and suddenly said, "But you don't seem surprised."

Ai Yue wasn't just not surprised; he was relieved.

"Because theoretically, this is the normal situation." With no one else around, Ai Yue became much more unrestrained. "I told you the first day I met you, I'm the savior. How could a savior's fate be easily spied upon?"

"But why could I see it before?" Aponia struggled to support her body and sat up with Ai Yue's help. "I can feel that my abilities were also enhanced after the Fusion Warrior surgery."

Aponia's gaze shifted past Ai Yue to the window. In her vision, countless threads grew densely from the ground, extending towards the sky, and breaking off at a certain height.

Before, she had to see a person up close to discern their fate. Now, she could even see the threads of fate themselves without observing their hosts.

This was undoubtedly a significant enhancement, but why did this enhancement seem to regress when it came to Ai Yue?

Such a change clearly couldn't be explained away by simply calling him a "savior."

"Don't dwell on it. You were never accurate in observing me before anyway," Ai Yue said to comfort her, seeing her furrowed brow. "Not being able to see is actually a good thing."

Ai Yue naturally had his own suspicions about this, but such conjectures involved his most crucial secret, so he obviously couldn't tell Aponia.

As he had said before, Ai Yue was not a native resident of this world but a transmigrator.

If the time he transmigrated into this world was considered a crossroads of fate, then there should actually be two different destinies within him.

One was Ai Yue's original destiny.

The second was the destiny that began to change the fate of this world after he obtained the System.

Before this, Aponia could perhaps only see the first type of fate. It wasn't until the Fusion Warrior surgery enhanced her innate talent that she was able to pierce through that superficial layer of destiny and see the true Ai Yue of today.

This also explained why Aponia could only see vague and fragmented glimpses before. It was because Ai Yue's original fate was already shattered, so anyone observing him naturally wouldn't be able to see the whole picture.

As for the current Ai Yue, he was a transmigrator protected by the System. With Aponia's abilities, she naturally couldn't see anything.

"If I had any doubts about you before, then now, I've confirmed your identity in this way," Aponia sighed, seemingly truly believing Ai Yue's identity as the "savior." "But what about Miss Elysia? Could there be two saviors in the world at the same time?"

"Who knows? Maybe the heavens felt this world was too difficult to save, so they sent a few more saviors," Ai Yue chuckled, not answering directly. "Instead of worrying about others, why not consider yourself more? Are you feeling unwell anywhere right now?"

"I'm a little dizzy and nauseous," Aponia said honestly. "Could you get me a glass of water?"

Ai Yue glanced at her, then got up and walked towards the water dispenser in the corner of the room.

Behind him, Aponia continued, "I thought I could help you this way."

"Didn't we agree before that you'd discuss any decisions with me?" Ai Yue didn't turn around. "You still don't have a clear understanding of your own uniqueness."

"Because I know that if I discussed it with you, you definitely wouldn't agree," Aponia continued. "You're the type who, if you can do everything yourself, would absolutely never let anyone else take even a one percent risk."

"Yes, I do have that tendency a bit." Ai Yue returned with the water and handed the cup to Aponia. "But do you think I don't want you to take risks?"

Aponia held the cup to her chest and blinked. "You don't?"

"Alright, there is a little bit of that." Ai Yue scratched his head, not denying it. "But more importantly, Aponia, I told you before that this ability of yours isn't necessarily a good thing in a sense. If used improperly, it can lead many people into disaster."

"Why?" Aponia frowned and looked at Ai Yue. "I've always wondered, Mr. Ai Yue, you seem to understand myself better than I do. You seem to know a lot about this talent I possess?"

Ai Yue fell silent.

Did he have to say that the fate she saw couldn't be changed by her so-called "Judgment"?

That would be too cruel for someone who could "foresee the future."

"In short, I hope you'll promise me one thing," Ai Yue ultimately didn't answer Aponia's question. "Unless it's absolutely necessary or for self-defense, I hope you'll try not to use 'Judgment' on ordinary people."