My Honkai Star Rail: Reversing All Phenomena

"Damn it, when you put it that way, Madam Herta is the most formidable and the most impossible to defeat. Forget doing anything to Lord Hua Yi—one casual word from her could disband the Fan Support Club and send me packing. Even kind Station Master Asta could only obey her orders... Sob, I'm going to be sent packing again."

"I can picture it, I can already picture it! If Station Master Asta and Lord Hua Yi fell in love, ordinary researchers represented by Lamina could at least help keep watch. But if it were Madam Herta, the one keeping watch might be the Station Master herself."

"If I had to choose one, I'd still rather see Lord Hua Yi end up with Station Master Asta. The Group Leader said so too—she wouldn't harshly blame us just because we like Lord Hua Yi. I'd rather believe in that possibility."

By comparison, Madam Herta was far too mysterious and revered.

The group members resonated with one another and rushed to share their opinions. Speaking their minds in the Fan Group with no outsiders around, Asta's cheeks reddened slightly. She knew she could not let the topic continue unchecked.

"Don't use ordinary people's habitual way of thinking to guess Madam Herta's thoughts. If you keep letting your imaginations run wild, this Fan Group will truly stray from its original purpose and become a breeding ground for baseless rumors."

"Mm, the Group Leader is right."

"Sorry."

"Alright, someone from the Department of Land Surveying mentioned discovering the [Hunter of Comets' Treasure]. Can its safety be confirmed? Don't mistake some flammable or explosive hazardous item for something to hand over to Lord Hua Yi."

Now that Asta, the Station Master, used the form of address "Lord Hua Yi" in the group, she was becoming more and more accustomed to it.

"It's confirmed safe. It's just an encrypted letter."

"Then send it to Lamina first. If Lord Hua Yi returns to his office before the end of work, Lamina can hand it over and explain the situation in person. Otherwise, waiting until tomorrow is fine too."

"As expected of the Group Leader, she arranged everything in an instant!"

"Wow, I'm increasingly convinced that the Group Leader is some big shot on the Space Station."

"Lamina, make sure you clearly explain that this came from the Department of Land Surveying, alright? Don't you dare claim the credit for the Department of Boundary Seeds."

"Of course I'll make that clear."

Hunter of Comets' Treasure

One System Time had already passed since the Space Station's designated end of work, when Hua Yi finally walked out of Herta's office.

Even though he was with Genius Miss and could ask about Paths, Aeons, and the rules of the universe at any time, he was still the proposer and person in charge of the Space Station's defense project. There was no reason for him to become a hands-off boss who ignored everything while every department was working at full tilt.

He could understand most of the work's progress through his Personal Terminal, but Hua Yi had reason to suspect that certain minor yet significant issues had not been presented through normal reports.

The Space Station's public areas were always illuminated. The eternal starlight of the universe shone through the aerospace glass, keeping this Starry Sky Museum beneath a relatively constant sky.

Setting aside the Space Station's system clock, the number of people moving through the work areas probably served as an indirect indication of whether it was working time or rest time.

Recognizing Hua Yi's identity, the hatch to an office one or even several grades above most ordinary Space Station offices opened. Lamina, who had been working at her desk inside, hurried forward to greet him.

"Lord Hua Yi, you're back."

"It's already after work. Why are you still working overtime? Did the Department of Boundary Seeds keep assigning you your other work as usual while also having you serve as my assistant?"

"No, I'm writing a personal paper. I'm almost done."

Lamina understood that if she did not add that last sentence, he would certainly ask whether she had encountered any difficulties. If she gave an affirmative answer, he would offer his help.

The young researcher did not want this gentle, handsome idol to trouble himself over her. Being able to stand beside him and bathe in the warm glow radiated by the brightest Star on the Space Station was already enough to make her incomparably content.

Taking out the item sent over by another department, Lamina truthfully explained the situation.

"This is an encrypted letter that the Department of Universal Geodesy found by accident while maintaining its assigned area. It was supposedly left behind by a senior researcher and is known as the [Hunter of Comets' Treasure]."

"Oh? I haven't even gone treasure hunting, yet the treasure delivered itself to my door?"

Hua Yi accepted the items the girl handed over: a blank sheet of stationery and a bottle of medicinal agent.

"Writing content on paper with special ink, then letting it sit naturally or subjecting it to additional treatment, can encrypt it. Neither the naked eye nor ordinary detection instruments can spot anything unusual. The writing only appears through a specific developing method."

"Lord Hua Yi knows so much."

"This paper is made of ordinary material. If it is casually soaked in liquid, it will easily turn to pulp. That effectively eliminates the possibility of blindly trying different methods through a hard limitation. But the Department of Land Surveying even sent along the developing agent. It seems someone knows the details."

I haven't even introduced the treasure's origins, yet he already inferred so much.

Lamina's eyes sparkled with admiration.

"Yes, that senior researcher seemed to be named Jose Lazaro. All the old hands in the Department of Land Surveying knew him."

"I've heard of him too. The legendary man who blew a huge hole in Herta Space Station. After leaving, he became a member of the Erudition Society's armed archaeology faction. He beat up quite a few people on the Space Station back then. Talented and arrogant, he respected no one."

Hua Yi opened the developing agent, carefully poured it over the encrypted letter, and before long, its hidden contents appeared before him.

[Have you ever drunk a soda called Kaliba?

It was once the Space Station's signature product, an anti-gravity beverage that swept through the Nan Yuan Galaxy.

Sorry, but aside from the famous Star Surveying Rod and Stellar Domain Guide, there is no doubt that it was also the work of yours truly, Jose Lazaro!

The Interastral Peace Corporation once wanted to spend five million Credits to buy its formula, but I refused.

Wen Huairen of the Department of Universal Matter tried thirty-three times to come and steal my techniques. I beat him until his face was black and blue.

Now, I reveal its formula below:

Caramel, carbon dioxide...]

Lamina's gaze unconsciously drifted toward the encrypted letter. Since it was a treasure, there was a good chance the letter contained a treasure map. She had been on the Space Station longer than Hua Yi and knew the surroundings well, so she had thought she could point out the treasure's exact location based on the map and contribute what little she could.

Yet the Hunter of Comets' Treasure was actually the encrypted letter itself, containing Kaliba's original formula.

The girl was startled and quickly looked away, refusing to read the formula's details.

Kaliba—wasn't that the uncrowned king of soft drinks? A wildly popular beverage beloved across the universe. It had once spawned all kinds of knockoffs because of its overwhelming popularity: Kaliba 100, Bianlibai, Kaguabai, even Up-and-Down Kaliba.

The authentic Kaliba formula had been lost for a long time. The so-called Kaliba sold throughout the universe now was merely an imitation developed by the Interastral Peace Corporation. Its taste differed from the original, and many beverage enthusiasts said, "The flavor's not right." Even so, imitation Kaliba remained one of the best-selling drinks in the universe.

The Department of Land Surveying had given Lord Hua Yi a truly generous gift.

"Send this formula back to the Department of Land Surveying. They can perhaps discuss it with the Department of Applied Materials, then contact the Interastral Peace Corporation and relaunch a [Herta · Universal Applied Materials] version of Kaliba. It would count as another source of income for the Space Station."

At those words, Lamina froze on the spot.

"Lord Hua Yi, this is Kaliba's original formula! The most authentic Kaliba in the entire universe!"

"I know."

"The letter says the company tried to buy the formula for five million Credits, but that was a long time ago. Kaliba had not yet become popular throughout the universe at that time. If the Interastral Peace Corporation were asked to name a price now, they would certainly pay hundreds or thousands of times more. If it were used as a technological investment in a business partnership, it could generate an endless stream of Credits."

"You want me to keep all the benefits for myself?"

The girl who kept emphasizing how precious the Kaliba formula was resembled a little devil tempting him into corruption. Yet Hua Yi did not put on a stern face or lecture her in a questioning tone. He still wore a smile that naturally inspired warmth and closeness.

"Since you know this thing's value, why did you look away immediately just now? Use that clever little head of yours. It shouldn't be difficult to force yourself to memorize the Kaliba formula, right? That way, Lamina, you could achieve financial freedom directly."

"B-Because it was given to you by the Department of Land Surveying."

"It was also the invention of a former Department of Land Surveying researcher. I think that when he wrote down the formula, he definitely did not intend to give it to me. After all, I wouldn't know which developing agent to use. Return it to the old friends he had in the Department of Land Surveying. I'm looking forward to the Ordering Robot updating its beverage options so I can taste what the most authentic Kaliba is like."

You're Excellent

He had given it up. Astonishing wealth was right before his eyes, within easy reach, yet he had abandoned it so easily.

Incomparably complicated emotions surged through Lamina's chest. Even she did not know whether she regretted Hua Yi turning down such immense profit or admired his calm indifference to worldly possessions.

By repeatedly stressing the value of the Kaliba formula, she had become something impure beneath the bright starlight, practically tarnishing that flawless purity.

Yet the girl still wanted to remind him as best she could.

If they had to speak of worldly possessions, then a researcher's position was the sort of external thing one did not truly possess, wasn't it? Lamina felt that if a department executive or the Station Master ordered it, she would be dismissed and obediently leave the Space Station. But Credits lying in her account were real. As long as she was within the coverage of the Interastral Peace Network, she could use them.

"But..."

"My gains are already great enough. I received goodwill from the Department of Universal Geodesy, and I discovered an excellent researcher who is not swayed by worldly possessions."

Ah, how had I become the one who wasn't swayed by worldly possessions?

Wait, the word "gain" generally meant obtaining something and acquiring ownership of it.

C-Could Lord Hua Yi mean that—I already belong to him?!

"Guh."

Lamina mumbled softly. Struck by immense happiness, she felt dizzy and lightheaded.

Seeing the young researcher swaying unsteadily, Hua Yi naturally realized that the romantic girl's thoughts had already drifted far away.

"So, you worked overtime until now just to tell me about the Hunter of Comets' Treasure? There's still some time before the Department of Boundary Seeds assessment. There's no urgent need to demand a paper quota from researchers."

He brought over a chair for the teetering Lamina to sit on so that she would not truly fall. Then he picked up the snacks still piled like a small mountain on the desk, tore open a bag, motioned for the girl to hold out her hand, poured half into it for her, and began crunching on the puffed snacks himself.

What happened when snacks primarily made from grains, potatoes, beans, and similar ingredients through puffing techniques were eaten?

Generally speaking, when people put food labeled high-fat, high-calorie, high-salt, and high-sugar into their stomachs, satisfied smiles appeared on their faces.

Soft crunching sounds began to fill the office. Hua Yi puffed out his cheeks as he chewed the crisp snack. Since a girl had carefully selected tasty food and gone to such lengths to send it to his office, he could not waste it. He had to savor it properly.

These were fan-selected products, after all.

The famous figure of the Space Station seemed to have tucked away the radiance of the stars, becoming increasingly approachable. Lamina stared at him in a daze, unable to look away for a long time.

If she took a picture of this scene and sent it to the Fan Group that had delivered the gifts, everyone would surely be delighted.

But there was something even more important.

The young researcher took a deep breath and made up her mind to reveal her greatest secret.

She did not want to hide anything from Lord Hua Yi, even if doing so might very well cost her position as his assistant or even lead to her dismissal from the Space Station.

"I-I came from a planet lacking in resources. Even with my family and friends helping as much as they could, they could only afford the cost of one interstellar journey."

"Being born poor is not shameful."

"Please don't trouble yourself comforting me. I'm not worthy of your kindness... My older sister was originally supposed to come to Herta Space Station for the selection process. I essentially took her place. Yet after arriving at this place everyone in my hometown dreamed of, I still haven't achieved anything worthwhile."

"Do you mean that you want to participate in advanced projects and take on a more important role? I'll ask the Department of Boundary Seeds whether there are any cutting-edge research directions suited to you."

"That's not it!"

Lamina had confessed with the resolve to face death, but she had not expected Lord Hua Yi to completely misunderstand her meaning. For a moment, she felt both anxious and amused, and even the heaviness in her heart faded somewhat.

"Where exactly is your attention going?! I took away an opportunity that originally belonged to my sister. I took her place in violation of the rules..."

"Your sister gave it to you. You said it yourself: traveling from your hometown to the Space Station required the support of all your friends and family. They chose you. As for this supposed violation, while the Space Station does impose certain conditions on selection participants, the fact that you passed the selection proves that the process was compliant. The name Lamina isn't your sister's, either."

Hua Yi stopped eating and earnestly guided the young researcher who had finally opened up to him.

"Now, you are not only an official researcher of the Space Station, but you also possess Level III authority. You have already surpassed most people here. Even so, you still think you aren't outstanding enough? You're so ambitious—wow, could it be that one day your rank will surpass mine and you'll overtake me? At that point, I might have to become your assistant."

"Waaah, I'm not joking, Lord Hua Yi."

"I'm not joking either, Lamina. You're excellent, especially because you did not become greedy when faced with the Kaliba formula. Instead, you put yourself in my shoes and sincerely hoped that I could benefit from it. Combined with your background, that makes it even more precious."

Because you are special.

If it were anyone else here, even Station Master Asta, I would not be able to do this much.

She had come to Herta Space Station as a researcher carrying the hopes of countless people from her hometown, only to discover that the talent and ability she believed she possessed were not outstanding here at all. She sank into deep self-doubt and inferiority, always wondering whether things would have developed differently if her sister had entered the Space Station instead. Her sister would surely have done better than her.

The matter that had weighed on Lamina's heart for so long, which she had finally gathered her courage to confess, did not earn the scolding or disgust she had imagined. Instead, she received endless tolerance and encouragement.

The girl felt as though she had fallen into a dream, her nose stinging.

She lowered her head and struggled to control her uncooperative eyes, preventing the mist within them from forming tears.

"In a few System Months, the Space Station will begin a new round of selection. Has your sister saved enough for her interstellar travel expenses? Don't think that turning down the Kaliba formula seemed easy for me. That also requires a certain material foundation, and that foundation is enough to cover the expenses for an assistant's family member to participate in the selection. I'll give you Credits. You are not allowed to borrow from anyone else."

"It's enough. A Level III Researcher's salary, plus the bonus after becoming an assistant, is completely enough."

By the end, Lamina's voice trembled uncontrollably. Tears finally flowed from her eyes—not from sorrow or despair, but because she was fortunate enough to have met the person before her.

The girl turned away, picked up the decrypted letter and the developing agent.

"I-I'll return the Hunter of Comets' Treasure to the Department of Land Surveying right away!"

"It's already after work. Go tomorrow. Head back and rest peacefully."

His Radiance Shone Brilliantly

No, Lamina could not go back and rest peacefully. She had to return the Hunter of Comets' Treasure to the Department of Land Surveying immediately. Even if the department elders had left their offices, she would run to the residential area to find them and prove that after Hua Yi had deciphered the encrypted letter, he had not been swayed by the Kaliba formula at all. He had immediately decided to return this precious gift to Senior Lazaro's old friends.

The girl jogged all the way there and first found the Department of Universal Geodesy office. As expected, she discovered that aside from the researcher on duty, no one else was there.

She did not intend to casually hand Kaliba's formula over to an ordinary researcher. If anyone developed even the slightest greed and secretly copied the formula, Lord Hua Yi would ultimately suffer an undeserved accusation.