My Honkai Star Rail: Reversing All Phenomena

She immediately cast aside her jumbled thoughts and followed at his side as they made their way through.

Lamina, the assistant from the Department of Astral Boundary and Flora, had been waiting for quite some time. Because of her friendship with Hua Yi, Emily from the Department of Secret Scrolls had also been entrusted with an important task by the department heads: assisting with the experimental work during this further refinement of the Seed of Erudition Rite.

"Hello, hello."

Star greeted the two female researchers. Lamina responded politely, while Emily, who had never been much of a talker, gave an answer that sounded like she was reciting a universal stock phrase.

"Mm-hmm, I'm fine. Hello to you too."

"She's just here to watch the excitement, so don't worry about her. Do whatever feels comfortable. At worst, we can edit the experimental footage and audio afterward. The expert scholars didn't come in person and instead sent you two, who have long been acquainted with me, to help out. That basically means everything is up to my arrangements. It's not as though I'm unwilling to share knowledge. We're only cutting out the chat content. What's the big deal?"

The phrase "trusted aides who have long been acquainted with me" made Lamina's cheeks flush. It also dispelled Emily's confusion. She had thought that, as merely a Level II Researcher, she and Hua Yi—the great hero—were separated by a sadly immense barrier. Her eyes reddened, and she was so happy she wanted to cry.

"Um, thank you..."

"Alright, alright. Help me bring over the materials needed for the ritual and place them here. I'd thought Wen Shiling would be sent to help too, but I don't see her. That old man Wen Huairen from the Department of Applied Materials shouldn't have passed up an opportunity to pad one of his people's credentials."

"The higher-ups from the other departments raised an objection. They said Shiling is too short and can't reach the experiment table at all."

"Haha, that's true."

In just a few words, Hua Yi erased the sense of distance that had inevitably arisen between Lamina and Emily because of their differing statuses.

Star, who did not care much about status differences, sat nearby and watched. She could not precisely sense the shifts in the researchers' emotions, but their expressions told her that everyone was happy now.

Mm-hmm, that was only natural. Hua Yi was the kind of person who could bring smiles to everyone.

"Begin the High-level Rite Seed of Erudition experiment."1.6

The Galaxy Bat Hero sat properly, her large eyes darting around. She did not touch any equipment or experimental materials without permission, making her a qualified spectator.

The professional competence of the two young researchers was beyond question. Following Hua Yi's instructions, they handed over tools, monitored energy readings, and recorded the experimental process.

A strange creation, shaped like a flower chalice with a crimson core and jet-black petals, gradually appeared. It continuously imitated and pieced together elements that existed in reality, attempting to create something new.

This was no longer a brilliant researcher using conventional methods to seek the Principle of Propagation. It was a ferryman who had already wielded an Imaginary Oar to stir ripples within [Wisdom], catching the splashing waves and giving them form in reality until they became dreamlike keys shimmering with blue light.

I had a dream. In it, molecules coiled like snakes, their heads and tails joined together.

The [Key of Enlightenment], a level above the [Key of Inspiration], could grant its user revelations that pointed directly toward the answer. The Path power it contained even exceeded its apparent effect, representing an understanding of Wisdom and the ability to stir the waters of the Path.

Whether this result had been achieved through external power derived from the rite or through some personal talent, the Key of Enlightenment possessed value beyond all ordinary things. It also proved just how astonishing its creator's talent truly was.

Hua Yi had directly created two such treasures.

"One Key of Enlightenment will remain at the Space Station for the expert scholars to study. I'll give the other to a friend from the Interastral Peace Corporation whom I'll be meeting soon, as a product demonstration. Something like this is destined to be impossible to mass-produce like an assembly-line product, but when dealing with a giant corporate consortium, producing an appealing concept product is even more effective than force on the level of 08 destroying the Doomsday Beast."

Lamina and Emily did not know who the friend the great hero spoke of was, nor did they ask.

They carefully stored the two Keys of Enlightenment in cutting-edge containment devices, exported the experiment data, and then began editing the relevant footage and audio.

"Lord Hua Yi, shouldn't we edit the image showing that the rite produced two Keys of Enlightenment at the end, making it appear as one? If your cooperation with the Interastral Peace Corporation is limited to you personally, perhaps it would be better to keep it from the department heads."

"That attitude... If I had a plan I intended to carry out behind the Space Station's back, would you two still stand firmly by my side?"

"Yes."

"Don't overthink it. Everything, including what I said about how to handle the two Keys of Enlightenment, can be stored in the Database exactly as it is. I trust everyone at the Space Station. The Corporation, on the other hand, is the side that needs to be treated cautiously. If any cooperation issues arise in the future, I'm planning to discuss them with all the departments before making a decision."

With a gentle voice and expression, he spoke words that were not particularly impassioned, yet were more than enough to move people.

The two researchers pursed their lips and exchanged glances. They decided to archive that final portion of the conversation as well, temporarily setting the access permissions so only department heads and senior veterans could view it. They wanted those higher-ups to understand Hua Yi's feelings toward the Space Station and hoped they would repay him with corresponding sincerity.

Even if exposing their stance as being more partial to Hua Yi than to the Space Station as a whole might make the higher-ups wary, Lamina and Emily were willing to accept that, so long as they could make the great hero's aspirations known.

What they did not know was that Gunn, founder of the Department of Legal Affairs, had even been willing to risk his life to buy Hua Yi time during the Legion Attack. Had any other old scholar been in a similar situation, they would have made the same choice. Now that they could learn of the two young women's attitudes, they were relieved beyond measure.

Come on, why separate Hua Yi from the Space Station? Even if he truly had something he needed to hide from the various departments, the great hero surely had his reasons. If the higher-ups learned of it, they would only cooperate. How could they possibly question him or harbor resentment?

Having watched the entire Seed of Erudition Rite, Star only felt that her mind was blank. She had long since given up trying to understand the principles behind the experiment.

"All done?"

"Mm-hmm. So, did you gain anything? Like being able to imitate the process and create a Destruction Bud now."

"What I gained was further confirmation that you're insanely amazing. Don't make things difficult for me beyond that."

When she had pinned Hua Yi against the wall, the Galaxy Bat Hero had felt as if she had already received the gaze of Nous, the [Wisdom] Aeon. Now it seemed that might have been an illusion.

Right. Otherwise, if I had stepped onto the Path of Wisdom, I should have become quick-witted enough to build upon the Fan Group novels, devise an ultimate move beyond wall-pinning, and make Hua Yi fall completely for my charm!

"What else do we need to do next?"

"Wait and see whether that friend from the Interastral Peace Corporation contacts me first, Navigator Himeko from the Express crew invites us for coffee, or Madam Herta calls us in to test the Simulated Universe."

The Antimatter Legion's attack had come suddenly. The person serving as a Senior Executive at the Corporation probably had plenty to deal with, and with post-disaster reconstruction and personal rest time to consider, neither she nor the Express crew would be in any great rush to contact or seek him out.

Hua Yi guessed Herta would be the first to send a message. With the Genius Miss's capabilities, no matter how she patched the Simulated Universe's vulnerabilities or iterated and upgraded it as much as possible, even if she had been busy with other matters in the meantime, several dozen System Hours was already quite a long interval. Especially since Stellaron Hunter Silver Wolf had left behind a Backdoor Program, and he had goaded Herta a little. She could not possibly delay too long.

"The Simulated Universe upgrade is complete."

The facts proved Hua Yi's guess correct. Not long after he took Star out of the laboratory, Herta sent a message.

"Get over here now. Bring the Stellaron with you."

"We fought the Doomsday Beast yesterday, and today we have to run around for the Simulated Universe again. It feels pretty exhausting."

"I'll have Asta transfer you some money."

"With all her glorious achievements, respected Madam Herta surely isn't some mediocre fool who has to rely on others for everything. So could you give me some 917 yourself?"

"Tell me. What do you want?"

"You're a catgirl."

"Yes, yes, I'm a catgirl. Come test it."

"Meow once."

"Meow. Come test it."

After teasing Herta a little, Hua Yi chose to stop while he was ahead.

He understood that the Genius Miss had not sent a message immediately after finishing maintenance on the Simulated Universe. She had likely waited several System Hours on purpose, using her authority as master of the Space Station to check on his movements. Only after discovering that the person who had fought the Legion yesterday had gone to a laboratory today to construct a rite did she make her move.

Given Herta's personality, being able to go that far was already quite remarkable.

The Galaxy Bat Hero carried her weapon with her, so all she had to do now was follow him to Herta's office.

Before long, the Stellaron-bearing girl stepped through the automatically opening, highest-specification hatch. The automaton inside only gave her a casual glance before turning its gaze to Hua Yi.

"The Key of Enlightenment is fairly special. If we take into account that you used [Destruction] power when you eliminated the Antimatter Legion, then it becomes even more unusual. Why did you choose to deal with the Corporation this way instead of asking me to step in? Are you planning to leave the Space Station and board the Astral Express in the future?"

You wanted to leave?

Herta displayed a genius's wisdom, deducing a seemingly unrelated yet well-founded conclusion from Hua Yi's method of dealing with the Corporation.

Otherwise, he would have had no need to consider such things at all.

Below the Space Station was Azure Planet. This was Herta's home ground. As long as Hua Yi remained in the Starry Sky Museum, the storms outside could not reach him.

Even though the Legion Attack had somewhat shaken the Space Station's inviolable standing, the Genius Miss did not believe he would be fooled by superficial appearances.

Besides, a hero could not possibly fear such a minor risk.

"Navigator Himeko apparently hasn't had the chance to have an in-depth conversation with you. The influence she herself exerted can be ignored, which leaves only the Astral Express itself—you want to understand [The Path of Exploration]?"

"I haven't even answered your previous question, and Madam Herta has already guessed so much. As expected of a Genius."

"Ruan Mei—the creator of the simulated Aeon Progenitors and another Genius—did not cultivate the progenitor of Akivili, the deceased Trailblaze Aeon. But I can set a virtual identity. For instance, I could have Star appear in the Simulated Universe as Akivili. The Astral Express is not your only option."

Herta spoke seriously. She did not call Star a Stellaron anymore, addressing her directly by name, while also mentioning another member of the Genius Club.

Staring at the automaton girl, Hua Yi gave a soft smile.

"Are you trying to keep me here?"

"Mm-hmm. If you go to the Astral Express, even calling you in to test the Simulated Universe will depend on luck. Even if we can use [The Path of Exploration]'s Domain Anchor, interstellar teleportation consumes enormous amounts of energy."

"I don't merely want to glimpse the Trailblaze Path. Nameless explore the universe, and they are destined to encounter many stories. I hope to take part in them, then do everything I can to make the future more to my liking."

So, you knew the future's course of development?

A genius would not ask unnecessary questions. She frowned in thought.

It was rare for Hua Yi to see a Herta Automaton think for so long, and he asked curiously.

"What are you thinking about?"

"Calculating the Astral Express's power limit and the Space Station's total mass. Estimating whether it would be feasible to attach the Space Station behind the train as a slightly larger new carriage. Also, whether the signal for remotely controlling my automatons would distort once the train entered remote star systems."

Was that merely a slightly larger carriage? The train was currently docked at the Space Station's platform, occupying only one area of a single module. It was obvious which one was bigger.

If the Astral Express had to drag Herta Space Station around to trailblaze the universe, that would be a classic case of a tiny horse pulling a huge cart.

The automaton girl tapped the Holographic Projection screen a few times.

"The Astral Express should have plenty of power. Its energy consumption has never followed the curves proper cosmic navigation should have anyway. At most, we would pay more fare for the symbolic value. But the Space Station would need modifications before it could follow along on interstellar journeys as a complete spacecraft. In the end, it still might not withstand the warp fluctuations led by [The Path of Exploration]."

"Madam Herta, it would be better not to do anything reckless. What if the Space Station falls apart? Besides, reconstruction work here and many other matters are not yet complete. I can't leave immediately anyway. Let's test the Simulated Universe first."

"..."

The Space Station, together with the Simulated Universe, seemed to have been outdone by the Astral Express.

Herta felt displeased. The automaton's hand worked the control console at a dizzying speed, locking onto the Backdoor Program Silver Wolf had left behind.

Perhaps Hua Yi's act of guarding No Heavens Left Unspoken had disrupted Silver Wolf's plans. She had not had much time to cause trouble in the Space Station's systems, leaving behind two main electronic traces. One was inside the Simulated Universe, and the other was in this office.

The Genius Miss entered the final command. From the automaton's perspective, a blue teardrop-shaped object slowly appeared over the portrait projection that represented her, hovering above the figure's head.

In ancient times, adding pupils to a painted dragon with one finishing stroke would make the image more vivid and powerful. Silver Wolf seemed to have mastered a similar technique. By leaving behind only a piece of electronic graffiti on the wall, she had created a masterpiece called [Sweating Herta].

Though it worked in the opposite direction.

The beauty, wisdom, and mystery of the Genius Miss depicted in the portrait were utterly ruined by a single drop of sweat. The exquisite projection that ought to have made people sigh, "She's so pretty," now carried a touch of absurdity and comedy.

Herta, already in a poor mood, went completely dark.

The electronic Firewall she had added to her portrait had not been breached. The sweat drop was not part of the projection, but electronic graffiti on the wall behind it.

It was the lighting system. Silver Wolf had remotely altered the office's lower-security Lighting Matrix, projecting a droplet onto the wall behind the portrait. From the correct angle, it overlapped with the projection.

What a cheap trick!

Hua Yi circled the portrait projection once. After confirming that the Herta Automaton's position was precisely the best viewing angle, he stood beside the automaton girl and tentatively took out his Smart Terminal.

"Can I take a photo to preserve this precious scene?"

"What do you think?"

Herta shot a sideways glance at the person who was clearly still a Space Station member, yet had already begun siding with outsiders and using Silver Wolf's prank to tease her. After a series of commands, she removed the droplet-shaped graffiti from the wall.

"For this Simulated Universe test, talk to Star more. Talk for as long as you can. There's another Backdoor Program left by Silver Wolf inside. If she comes out to talk with you, talk to her as much as you want. Give her half a System Hour."

The Antimatter Legion's Voidrangers had brazenly attacked the Space Station, and Stellaron Hunter Silver Wolf had dared to scribble all over her office. The savior of Azure Planet, the creator of countless extraordinary achievements, the majestic Madam Herta—people had really been looking down on her.

"Hua Yi, are you helping me this time, or that Stellaron Hunter? I'm serious. I'm not joking."

"I'm helping you."

"Good."

After a long-absent bout of irritation, Herta felt a rare sense of satisfaction.

The automaton girl's expression softened somewhat. She tipped her chin toward the Simulated Universe Machine.

"Go in once you're ready. While punishing Silver Wolf, I'll give you some benefits as well. Though I don't think that little girl's things have any real value."

The retaliation awaiting Hacker Miss seemed likely to be even fiercer than she had imagined.

Hua Yi observed a moment of silence for her, then pulled Star into the Simulated Universe.

Within the virtual world, a blue projection of a girl stood silently there, her back turned toward them.