My Honkai Star Rail: Reversing All Phenomena

He had not forgotten to keep an eye on Star's physical condition.

The Cancer of All Worlds, the Stellaron, and the power of the Path of Destruction she had gained after catching Nanook's attention—two powers that seemed related to destruction at first glance but were fundamentally different—were gathered within one body. Conflict was inevitable.

Yet the girl still had the leisure to let her mind wander, which was enough to prove just how extraordinary she was.

Star's very existence was invaluable reference material to Hua Yi, a ready-made example of balanced energy.

Sitting face-to-face like this, so close at hand, was like peeling away layer after layer of mysterious veils. It spared him the cost of trial and error, allowing him to observe how different powers had come to coexist—whether through chance or talent.

Calling her a treasure of a girl would not be an exaggeration.

Back then, Herta had been surprised that Star could use her body to contain a Stellaron.

Even if the fact that Genius Miss did not know Doctor Ratio proved from another angle that news from across the universe had never interested her, that was different from ignorance.

The knowledge Herta possessed was enough to explain every cosmic axiom. She did not need to understand the mundane world; the mundane world chased after her. She was a trendsetter who led the times.

The fact that she could make a Genius feel surprised alone was enough to establish Star's uniqueness...

Rather than taking the opportunity to study the gray-haired girl like a lab rat, or using external stimuli to verify the differences between a Stellaron and a Path, thereby placing her in danger, Hua Yi chose the most ordinary method—the one least likely to affect Star—and simply observed.

He placed great importance on the girl's health.

"Have you felt unwell these past few days?"

"I'm doing great."

"Not every Pathstrider receives a glance from an Aeon. You already carry a Stellaron within you, and now you've gained a great deal of power from the Path of Destruction. If anything feels wrong, you must tell me immediately."

"Mm! I won't hide anything from you."

Pulling back his wandering thoughts, Star obediently nodded.

"I feel like Nous will notice me before long. I wonder whether [Wisdom] and [Destruction] can coexist when that happens."

"They can coexist. Believe in yourself. You're invincible."

Hua Yi gave her a thumbs-up, offering encouragement without hesitation. If Nous, the Aeon of Erudition, recognized the wisdom of the Galaxy Bat Hero and turned his gaze upon her, Hua Yi truly wanted to witness it from the side.

Beep, beep, beep.

The Smart Terminal in Do Not Disturb Mode emitted a series of alerts. Then, before anyone present could press the answer button, Herta remotely used her authority to bypass the basic call procedure and spoke directly.

"The other Genius I mentioned before, Ruan Mei, is coming to the Space Station. She wants to meet you and Star, and complete the follow-up cultivation of that thing in the Seclusion Zone. Go pick her up at the platform in two System Time. I only just received her message too—no problem, right?"

Hua Yi pondered for a moment.

"Are you asking whether I can eliminate the insect Ruan Mei cultivated?"

"We can discuss that later. I'm asking whether you know what attitude you should take toward Ruan Mei."

"I'm all ears."

"Ruan Mei and I are both builders of the Simulated Universe, with administrator authority to view its data. She already knows about the special attitude the Aeon simulacra have shown toward you, but she does not know that you can also draw upon multiple Paths in reality. Do you want Ruan Mei to understand that and become an ally, or would you rather keep it secret as a precaution? Judge for yourself."

"Even though you said I should judge for myself, your wording is pretty clearly slanted."

That earlier remark, "I only just received her message too," had been Herta's explanation to Hua Yi. She had not deliberately cut the timing so close.

And the two options she had just offered—"become an ally" and "take precautions"—obviously carried subjective implications.

"Just give me some advice, Herta."

"Ruan Mei studies the Essence of Life, and like me, she wishes to uncover Aeon Mysteries. You happen to be not only the best tester for the Simulated Universe, but also someone who can use Path power in ways that transcend Cosmic Axiom."

"So it still comes down to my value as an experimental subject."

"She does indeed turn a blind eye to the existing laws of life and disregard the meaning of life, but she maintains some restraint. What she usually does is observe and create. Otherwise, there would have long been rumors of Ruan Mei exterminating living planets for research. In fact, the opposite is true. She has repeatedly created thriving species on barren planets and constructed complete ecosystems."

"Understood. When it comes to willfulness, Madam Herta is even worse. You win."

"Don't forget to pick her up. I'm hanging up."

Herta demonstrated her personal style through practical action. She had first forcibly connected the call, then taken the initiative to cut it off.

Still, Hua Yi understood. Given how willful Geniuses were, the fact that she had specifically explained herself to him and even provided examples was already incredibly rare.

"Are we going to the platform now?"

Star, who had listened to the entire conversation, slipped out of her earlier cheerful mood, and her spirits gradually sank.

Before the delivery robot could even bring their food, Hua Yi had new matters to attend to. It seemed their meal together would have to end halfway through.

It was only a meal, something they could make up for anytime. They could even save Credits and preserve their first pot of gold for longer. Yet the Galaxy Bat Hero, who dared to face the Doomsday Beast head-on, suddenly felt listless and unable to muster any energy.

Star did not show any obvious change. Her tone was much the same as usual, only quieter. With her head slightly lowered and her bangs obscuring her lifeless eyes, nothing could be seen from her expression alone.

But Hua Yi was exceptionally observant.

"Of course we'll eat first. You need to be full before you have the energy to work."

"Huh?"

"There are still two System Time before the agreed time. That's enough for us to fill our stomachs."

"...Isn't there anything else we need to prepare? Ruan Mei sounds like a very important person. Shouldn't we organize the Space Station staff to welcome her?"

"As far as I know, Ruan Mei does not like socializing. Since Herta only said she wanted to see us and did not mention anyone else, there is no need for unnecessary arrangements."

As soon as his words fell, Hua Yi could feel the gloom emanating from Star vanish in an instant. The gray-haired girl was lively again.

"Oh!"

"Got the energy to eat now?"

"I always had energy, okay?"

Right then, the food delivery robot appeared while pushing a small cart. Star's order had arrived.

Steaming dishes covered the long table, constantly tempting their appetites.

It was strange. Earlier, when she had felt listless, even if delicacies from land and sea had been placed before her, Star would have found them tasteless if she could not eat with Hua Yi. She would have had no interest in enjoying food. But now that she felt full of energy again, the sight of delicious food made her drool, and she wanted to try everything.

Shouldn't it be the other way around? When she lacked energy, she should eat to replenish it.

I see. A genius like me has discovered another truth unknown to the world.

"So? Is the food I ordered good?"

"Of course. You could be a gourmet. Thanks to the Bat Hero for telling me what delicious food the Space Station has."

"Hehe."

Star enjoyed this meal immensely.

She devoured it ravenously, sweeping through it like a storm!

Fighting side by side with Hua Yi at the dining table, the two of them spent only one System Time finishing the battle, successfully wiping out every dish and drink.

The girl flopped onto the sofa chair, looking utterly lazy and relaxed.

"I'm full~"

"Are you so stuffed you can't walk? Don't burst your stomach."

"No, has my stomach gotten bigger? It feels fine. If you don't believe me, touch it."

After eating and drinking her fill, her thoughts had become sluggish as well. Without thinking much, Star grabbed Hua Yi's hand and placed it on her firm, flat stomach, wanting him to confirm personally that although she had eaten a lot, she had not turned into a big-bellied girl.

Only when the warmth of his palm seeped through her shirt did the Galaxy Bat Hero realize just how ambiguous her actions were. Her eyes drifted away as she released his hand.

It was true that she had pinned Hua Yi against a wall before, but compared to that, this seemed more intimate.

She had not mentally prepared herself for it, so she felt a little embarrassed.

Really, only a little!

Taking in Star's reaction, Hua Yi amusedly withdrew the hand she had been holding all this time.

"We still have one System Time left. You can rest for a while."

"N-No need."

"Then should I carry you to the platform?"

"I told you, I'm not so stuffed that I can't walk."

She sprang up from the sofa chair. The Galaxy Bat Hero took the lead and headed toward the platform.

The Astral Express was also docked in the area of the Support Segment. Though the train was smaller in scale than Herta Space Station, as a representative force of [The Path of Exploration], its status in the universe was not low. It was fully qualified to approach another Genius as it wished, rather than obey Herta's commands.

However, Himeko had always understood the Geniuses' eccentric personalities. Even after receiving internal news from the Space Station, she would not rashly disturb Ruan Mei, the woman known as a recluse.

The platform area had entered traffic control. All unrelated personnel had left, leaving only a graceful figure with an Eastern air standing alone.

She wore an ink-wash-style outfit adorned with plum blossom motifs. Her black hair was lightly gathered up, and even her back was gentle and captivating enough to leave Star stunned on the spot.

Were Geniuses really this different from one another?

Herta was petite, and her words and actions always seemed utterly uninhibited, while Ruan Mei was so quiet and elegant.

Hearing footsteps behind her, the Genius who had been holding pastries and gazing at the stars turned around. Her brows resembled distant mountains, and her eyes were like autumn waters.

Her elegant gaze paused briefly on Star before settling directly on Hua Yi. Rather than greeting him normally, she carefully observed him.

Hua Yi had long known about her personality and appearance, so he politely spoke first.

"Perhaps I remembered the time incorrectly. I didn't expect Miss Ruan Mei to have already arrived at the Space Station."

"You remembered correctly. I simply wanted to take this opportunity to admire the scenery here. The open view is calming."

Her emerald eyes studied Hua Yi. Like her appearance, Ruan Mei's voice was quiet, beautiful, and gentle.

"I do not often visit the Space Station. Only today did I discover that this place would suit the fragrance of lotus leaves, plum blossoms, glutinous rice, and powdered sugar."

Had she not been holding pastries, Star, who had just eaten her fill, would have inevitably felt guilty.

Leaving a Genius waiting on the platform while she herself had only cared about eating and drinking did seem rather impolite when she thought about it.

The Galaxy Bat Hero scratched her head and completely handed Hua Yi the lead in receiving their guest.

"Sweet pastries always remind people of blooming flowers. Bite by bite, their fragrance lingers between the lips and teeth."

"Cube sugar paired with salt-pickled plum blossoms does make for an excellent pastry."

"Baking and cooking are no different from cultivating the universe. You must control the heat properly, be meticulous in your thoughts, and never panic when any situation arises."

Ruan Mei approached Hua Yi.

From the moment they met, her expression and tone had been gentle. She did not seem like an arrogant Genius, nor did she seem like a recluse who disliked contact with others.

The emotion called pride was of no use in studying the Essence of Life, but Ruan Mei truly had no interest in interpersonal exchanges and was more accustomed to being alone.

Even the Genius Club was merely something worth spending time on, not something worth being forced to socialize in.

The chaos of the universe was all interference. Only the words "Aeon" could make her heart stir.

That was why she had accepted Herta's invitation: solely for the Aeon simulacra, which were worth her time to ponder.

The person before her, meanwhile, was a tester for the Simulated Universe and had repeatedly attracted different Virtual Aeons.

As the cultivator of the Aeon Progenitors, Ruan Mei could confirm that she had made no mistakes or oversights. The divine nature and Path connections between truth and falsehood were correct. Once cultivation was complete, the Aeon simulacra possessed the same mysteries as the Sentient Celestial Bodies of reality.

If the issue was not within the Simulated Universe, then Hua Yi's uniqueness was the only possibility.

As the loftiest known existences in the universe, Aeons stood at the pinnacle of all living beings. They themselves represented the supreme principles of life. Ruan Mei was willing to invest enormous time and effort into studying them. That was the bare minimum, and it was worthwhile.

And when facing this unexpected variable in the Simulated Universe, although the Genius did not like to spend effort on social interaction, she was still willing to communicate in the manner most fitting to etiquette and social skill, gradually coming to understand him.

However—

Ruan Mei glanced at the gray-haired girl following beside Hua Yi, then lowered her head to examine the pastries in her hand.

Before she could speak, Star waved her hands repeatedly.

"Are you trying to share the pastries with me? No need to be polite. I've already eaten—I had a huge meal, and I'm very full."