My Honkai Star Rail: Reversing All Phenomena

"You're quite driven."

"Come with me. I'll show you the Domain Anchor on the Space Station."

Just as Himeko was about to take a step, she suddenly noticed that Hua Yi had somehow finished the coffee in his cup.

Her brow lifted, and she felt the urge to pour him another cup.

Wait, when did I become so childish? How could I maliciously refill his coffee just because we were having such a pleasant conversation? That hardly counted as returning kindness with kindness.

Before she could hesitate further, Himeko was already lifting the coffee pot to refill Hua Yi's cup. The great hero who had wiped out the lesser demons was not defeated by a mere cup of bitter coffee either, and he cooperatively raised his cup.

"..."

The two looked at each other for a long moment.

"You can still drink it?"

"It is nothing more than a trace of bitterness. What is there to fear?"

If the Legion Attack were still underway, Hua Yi would look incredibly heroic saying, "Though ten million Voidrangers stand before me, I shall go on," while holding the Flame Sword and facing a sky full of lesser demons.

But now that he was making such a grand declaration while holding a coffee cup, Himeko did not know whether she should smile or not.

"You said it yourself~"

For the previous cup, the red-haired beauty had filled it only sixty percent full, knowing that her coffee-making skills did not suit most people's tastes.

Now that Hua Yi was acting so brave, would it not make her seem stingy if she did not pour him more?

This time, she filled it ninety percent full!

She could have filled it to the brim, but Himeko had not forgotten that they were about to head to the Domain Anchor. Carrying a completely full cup while walking would inevitably cause the liquid to spill, so she thoughtfully filled it only ninety percent full.

Hua Yi lowered his head and studied the pitch-black, highly concentrated coffee as if staring into an abyss.

He cautiously shook the cup and realized that Miss Himeko had still been too conservative.

Why would a semi-solid, thick beverage like this need to worry about splashing? Forget filling it to the brim—even if it were filled to one hundred and ten percent, with a little peak rising above the surface, it would probably be fine.

"What, regretting it?"

"No. I just think you don't understand the quality of the coffee you make well enough."

"Yes, yes, I don't understand."

Himeko's lips finally curved upward into a lovely smile.

"Then, after becoming a Coffee Connoisseur, can you keep telling me about the differences in quality between various coffees? I have plenty of Coffee Beans in my suitcase, and there's even more stored on the train. There'll be no problem if you drink it like water."

"Excessive coffee consumption can cause insomnia, stomach discomfort, and an accelerated heartbeat in ordinary people. Caffeine also stimulates the central nervous system. But I am not an ordinary person. If it means Asta, Star, and March 7th will have to suffer a little less bitterness in the future, I have no choice but to do my duty."

"You really are selfless. I'll make sure to tell them exactly what you said."

Theft of the Key of Enlightenment

Two deep-blue crystals were set within a floating golden ring. After Himeko infused the irregular crystal in the middle with [The Path of Exploration] energy, it burst forth with light mixed with strange fluctuations.

The activated Domain Anchor was fully displayed before Hua Yi. Without taking his eyes off it, he rubbed the Path Product even more extraordinary than the Key of Enlightenment with his fingertips. Focusing on the Imaginary flow beyond ordinary phenomena, he simulated it in his mind and attempted to reproduce an Exploration Anchor Point.

Although Himeko did not know as clearly as Herta that Hua Yi could draw upon the power of Paths in a manner different from a Walker's—and that he could draw upon more than one Path—she did not interrupt him upon seeing his focused expression. She waited patiently at the side.

Only after he withdrew the hand touching the Domain Anchor did the Navigator speak softly.

"As the Astral Express explores the universe, it can accumulate the energy needed for the Domain Anchor. In addition, the route between Herta Space Station and the outside world is unobstructed. Once you board the train, you can teleport back at any time."

He could teleport back at any time, yes, but enough time was needed to accumulate the energy required for a round trip. It could not be used repeatedly within a short period.

Furthermore, if the train was in a place eroded by the Cancer of All Worlds, the conditions for teleportation could not be met either.

Hua Yi clearly identified the scenarios in which the Domain Anchor could be used and did not view things too optimistically.

All he had to do was discover problems and solve them. As long as he could gain a deeper understanding of [The Path of Exploration], the ripples stirred from within the Path would be enough to meet the energy requirement. As for how to use the Domain Anchor in places ravaged by the Cancer of All Worlds—naturally, he would seal the rampaging Stellaron.

Letting Star contain more Stellarons had only been a joke. Hua Yi would not dump problems onto the girl beside him and leave her exposed to uncertain danger.

"The Astral Express should have its own method for sealing Stellarons, correct?"

"Yes. In fact, the train's internal operations have some similarities with those of the Space Station. While Nameless explore the universe, they often obtain valuable information and intelligence. After it is organized and compiled, it becomes the train's database. Dan Heng is currently responsible for maintaining it."

The Astral Express consisted of several carriages, including a hall, bedrooms, storage rooms, generator rooms, and other areas, all forming one whole. Nameless recognized by the conductor could freely choose where they wished to stay.

After the Trailblaze Aeon Akivili fell, the train had also crashed in Himeko's hometown and vanished without a trace for many years. There were only a limited number of Nameless, so even one person occupying an entire carriage would not be an issue.

"Dan Heng is aloof and low-key, a man of few words. He maintains the train's database and also serves as its guard. I previously asked him to remain on the train in case the Legion launched another attack, so that he could protect the conductor."

"Now that things have settled down, that Dan Heng still has no intention of getting off the train on his own."

"So you can probably guess what his personality is like... How should I put it? I feel that Dan Heng carries something heavy, but it would not be right to ask on my own initiative. Just as girls are more likely to share secrets with other girls, boys should find it easier to become close friends with other boys. You also happen to be an outstanding researcher, so perhaps you and Dan Heng, who maintains the database, might get along."

"I'll remember that."

"This is not a transaction or a task. Many confused Nameless find their answers during their journeys. As for what you do, that is still your own decision."

Hua Yi knew that what Dan Heng needed was far more than a mere answer.

Just as Himeko was about to say something more, an alarm suddenly resounded throughout the Space Station, and her expression changed.

"Did the Antimatter Legion launch a second attack?!"

"No, this is not an evacuation alert."

The electronic announcement that followed confirmed Hua Yi's words.

"An abnormal situation has occurred on the Space Station. All major routes in and out of the Space Station are temporarily sealed. Visitors whose injuries have recently healed and who were preparing to return home aboard interstellar vessels, please wait patiently. In addition, Interastral Peace Corporation vessels are not permitted to depart. I repeat, no member of the Interastral Peace Corporation may leave before the lockdown is lifted. We ask all Corporation personnel for their understanding and cooperation!"

The voice from the loudspeaker was not distorted. Hua Yi could tell that it belonged to one of the senior members of the Department of Light Abyss Archives.

He tapped his Smart Terminal a few times, initiated a remote call, and spoke in a low voice.

"What happened?"

"Sorry... We're terribly sorry."

The earpiece was filled with chaos. More than one person was speaking. The upper management of the Five Departments seemed to have gathered together, and several elderly scholars were apologizing in trembling, guilt-ridden voices.

"The [Key of Enlightenment] is gone..."

Quite a few elderly researchers beat their chests and wept bitterly.

They had originally been ordinary people saved by a hero during the Legion Attack. Lacking martial strength, they had known Hua Yi was fighting hordes of enemies alone, yet they had been unable to help him in any way.

Now that the blades of [Destruction] had been repelled and the Space Station had finally begun returning to normal, the warrior who had protected everyone with the Flame Sword had become a pioneer of wisdom as well. He had selflessly shared the improved Seed of Erudition Rite with the research departments and provided everyone with a Path Product even greater than the Key of Inspiration for study—

This was the time for everyone to demonstrate their research capabilities while completing post-disaster reconstruction. Grand masters from different academic fields, all renowned in their own right, had been eager to make achievements and prove through their research results that they were not useless.

They wanted to develop the intellectual property of the Seed of Erudition, create more academic and economic value, make use of their talents, and offer Crystals of Wisdom as gifts in return for the hero.

It would be proof of their research abilities and the embodiment of their gratitude.

And yet, they had lost the Key of Enlightenment.

What a disgrace. What a disgrace!

If the even stronger urge to recover the lost item had not driven them onward, the shame and fury choking their chests would probably have made these expert scholars faint from anger.

"You had only just handed the other Key of Enlightenment to the Corporation. The interstellar vessel departed the Space Station less than six System Time ago, and the Key of Enlightenment in our laboratory was mysteriously stolen. Given the Corporation's scale, it is unlikely they would discard their reputation over a single Path Product, but we cannot rule out the personal actions of Corporation employees. Perhaps some people realized the Key of Enlightenment's value and began resorting to any means necessary."

"There's no need to make such a fuss. I can make another one whenever I want."

"But—"

"Leave this matter to me. Calm down. Don't tell me someone whose injuries have not healed is getting so worked up? Go back to the Medical Department and rest."

"...All right. We're truly sorry."

Doctor Ratio

The older people became, the more stubborn they tended to be. What was more, every elder on the Space Station was an academic giant, often an authority in their respective field. Now that a thief had come knocking and stolen a treasure more valuable than many Curios, how could they possibly remain calm?

Hua Yi understood that, with his current prestige, persuading them not to get angry—to rest if they needed rest and conduct research if they needed research—would not be difficult. But if he failed to catch the culprit, their frustration would not fade even if he created another Key of Enlightenment.

Even that final apology had not been for leaving the Medical Department before their injuries healed. The elders were expressing their guilt over failing to safeguard the Key of Enlightenment.

"Miss Himeko, excuse me for now."

"Aren't you going to conduct even a basic inquiry? The Key of Enlightenment was stolen. The Express and the Corporation are both outside forces, so it would be difficult for either to completely clear themselves of suspicion."

"There's no need. If the Express crew is truly interested in products of the [Wisdom] Path, I can give you one."

Hua Yi smiled gently and handed the emptied coffee cup back to the red-haired beauty.

"Thank you for the coffee."

He turned and left, his steps not at all hurried.

That was only natural.

After all, not even the Legion Attack had caused this warrior to panic.

Himeko watched Hua Yi's back disappear from view. After thinking for a moment, she sent March 7th a message telling her not to wander around the Space Station, lest she interfere with the Five Departments' search for the lost item.

The Defense Department had already begun taking action. Hua Yi had ordered the injured department heads to return to the Medical Department to rest, but there were still quite a few people who had been protected by the hero and had escaped without a scratch.

Normally, Herta Space Station and the Interastral Peace Corporation were partners. Even if minor friction or misunderstandings arose, they would not openly take such a confrontational stance.

But the stolen item was the Key of Enlightenment, a Crystal of Wisdom that Lord Hua Yi had developed through who knew how much painstaking effort. This was not merely targeting the Space Station's property—it was practically provoking everyone's hero and slapping them all in the face.

The Defense Department members, who were usually responsible for security but had been unable to fight alongside Hua Yi during the Legion Attack because of the overwhelming difference in strength, now felt their faces burning. Their tempers flared along with it, and they had no patience even for the technical consultant the Corporation had recently sent over.

The main reason was that this technical consultant had ostensibly come to assist with the Space Station's post-disaster reconstruction, but had not actually taken part in any of the work. His words and behavior were also rather impolite, and he constantly seemed to want to lecture others.

"Mr. Ratio, why are you wearing a Plaster Head? Are you hiding something?!"

"First, by wearing the headpiece and blocking off my five senses, I can think without interference. Second, I cannot stand the sight of fools, and you presumably do not wish to see me either."

The man whose face was covered by a strange plaster sculpture spoke in an orderly, calm tone, yet his words were brimming with hostility as he directly classified everyone in the Defense Department as fools.

"Furthermore, address me as Doctor Ratio. Symptoms of dullness have appeared in your heads, and you require treatment."

"Lord Hua Yi's hard work has vanished without a trace, and the Corporation is the prime suspect, yet you're still saying such irrelevant nonsense. Damn it!"

"Anger clouds the mind, and blindness breeds stupidity. I am merely teaching you to stay calm."

The Defense Department member was furious and about to continue when the captain stopped him.

"Stop arguing! Lord Hua Yi has already decided to handle this personally. We must not make any unnecessary moves."

"..."

The hero's name was like a sedative. It immediately calmed the increasingly irritable department member, who stood straight.

Thinking that he was about to undergo Lord Hua Yi's inspection at close range, he even seemed filled with a sacred sense of duty. He looked like a warrior ready to march into battle at any moment, willing to face countless lesser demons without hesitation. None of his earlier agitation remained.

That name was more effective than everything he had just said.

Doctor Ratio confirmed this point and quietly sat in the room that was ostensibly a meeting room, but had in reality been surrounded by the Defense Department and turned into a prison where he was no longer allowed to leave freely.

No more sound emerged from the Plaster Head, while the Defense Department members silently guarded the hatch until approaching footsteps broke the silence and excitement visibly appeared on their faces.

"Lord Hua Yi!"

"Hello, everyone. Return to your original posts. Don't stand around here. If an honored guest of the Interastral Peace Corporation has his freedom restricted on Herta Space Station, it will become a major diplomatic incident."

"Yes. Please be careful."

The Defense Department members no longer possessed the aggressive momentum they had shown when questioning Doctor Ratio. They had all become obedient and disciplined subordinates, immediately withdrawing their team and leaving.

More importantly, they trusted Hua Yi's strength and had already confirmed that the Corporation's technical consultant was not carrying any dangerous items. Otherwise, they would certainly have remained outside the meeting room on standby to prevent the hero from being ambushed by a villain.

Sitting across from Doctor Ratio, Hua Yi saw his Plaster Head and smiled as he poured two cups of water.

"Mr. Veritas Ratio of the Erudition Society, I have long admired your name."

"You know of me? That saves us the trouble of introductions. I was invited by the Interastral Peace Corporation to observe firsthand how the members of the Big Brain Club squander the Corporation's property. Six System Time ago, I happened to see the Key of Enlightenment you handed over to the Corporation. Now the key on the Space Station has been stolen. The timing is indeed suspiciously perfect."

Doctor Ratio had specifically learned about Hua Yi's deeds and knew that he had saved the Space Station from the Antimatter Legion's claws. In addition, Hua Yi was being so polite that his tone lacked the aggression he had displayed while speaking with the Defense Department.

"Considering that the Erudition Society and the Big Brain Club have never gotten along, the speculation that I stole the Key of Enlightenment seems well-founded. So, what do you intend to do now, Hua Yi?"

"Of course I would not doubt the character of an outstanding figure from the Erudition Society. From the very beginning, I never believed Mr. Ratio was under any suspicion."