My Honkai Star Rail: Reversing All Phenomena

"...I see."

"If Miss Ruan Mei hopes for more sincere communication between us, then please set aside your unnecessary concerns. Star isn't the type to spread other people's private affairs around, nor does she harbor any ill intent. Even so, if you still want to bully her, that would be going a bit too far, wouldn't it?"

Listening to Hua Yi's words, the Galaxy Bat Hero was completely baffled.

Who wanted to bully me? Ruan Mei, standing right in front of me with no weapon and only a small plate of desserts in her hands?

Doesn't look like it.

Could there be an enemy hiding somewhere on the platform?

The gray-haired girl warily looked around, while the Genius had already understood the deeper meaning behind his words.

"I didn't know Star very well before. Thank you for introducing her."

Herta's attitude toward Hua Yi was somewhat different. It could be inferred from her tone and wording whenever she mentioned him.

With no intention of probing into the details, Ruan Mei had always maintained a vague distance from her colleagues in the club. Even though Herta led the Simulated Universe project, that had not changed.

Do not trust others. Then she would not make mistakes, would not be let down, and likewise... would not let anyone down.

Hua Yi was a uniquely gifted test subject, irreplaceable and one of a kind. There were some things he could be allowed to know, but comparatively speaking, Star was not that important, even if she had a Stellaron inside her.

Out of secrecy and distrust, Ruan Mei had originally intended to give Star the dessert laced with Anti-Truth Serum.

As the name implied, Truth Serum made people tell the truth, while Anti-Truth Serum made people speak lies—or nonsense.

That way, Star could keep secrets, and both Ruan Mei and Hua Yi could avoid unnecessary trouble.

If even a single piece of data went wrong in meticulous research, problems would arise. Ruan Mei wanted to control uncertain factors in advance.

That he had guessed the dessert had been tampered with was nothing remarkable. What drew Ruan Mei's attention was the attitude he displayed.

So, someone favored by an Aeon simulacrum trusted his companions.

That was far from enough to prove the inclination of Sentient Celestial Bodies, but it was enough to make the Genius yield.

She calmly tasted the dessert and finished it bit by bit. Ruan Mei pursued rigor in her research and had planned to use Anti-Truth Serum, so naturally she had prepared countermeasures long ago. Even if she ate the dessert herself, the medicinal agent would have no effect on her.

In the first place, this medicinal agent would not cause any substantial harm to the body.

"It seems you've already had a hearty meal. I've also finished my delicious dessert. Shall we take a walk together? A stroll is the most suitable pastime."

"No problem. Please."

"Once the crowds disperse, this place becomes very quiet. Was that your arrangement? Thank you. I truly don't care for overly noisy settings."

"Basic courtesy when receiving an honored guest. It's only proper. Herta has helped me quite a lot, and she is the true owner of the Space Station. Ordinarily, I should say that everything was arranged by Herta, but Miss Ruan Mei should know what that Genius is like, so I'll be honest."

Disliking something and being bad at it were not the same. Ruan Mei was actually very skilled at conversing with people, knew the appropriate techniques, and could judge the proper limits.

Yet even a Genius like her could not help pausing at Hua Yi's straightforward answer.

"This Space Station is widely known as a base for Herta's followers. I thought you would be somewhat fanatical when mentioning Herta, but you're unexpectedly rational, and..."

And more like true friends, rather than the usual relationship between superior and subordinate, worshipped and worshipper.

"Have I put Miss Ruan Mei in a difficult position?"

"No, quite the opposite. I'm actually relieved. If Herta were a flawless, radiant figure in your heart, then for our communication to proceed smoothly, I would have to temporarily forget some of her personality traits as well."

"I'm rather curious about how the two Geniuses get along."

"We understand each other's strengths and weaknesses, and cooperate in fields where our interests overlap. Neither of us cares about differences in personality. We merely wish to pursue the truth."

Life, Home, Love

Ruan Mei's voice was gentle and soft.

"This time, I'll borrow Phase Flame from Herta. I hope to gain some inspiration from it and conduct Life Cultivation aboard the Space Station."

"That doesn't sound like material for creating The Hunt Swarm."

"They are two separate projects. I want to use Phase Flame to attempt to create a lifeform born as a Genius, like Siskor. As for the creation of [Propagation]—"

Hua Yi had already clearly expressed his desire for frank communication in their previous conversation. After careful consideration, the Genius had decided to share her research plans with him.

"Since Aeons are far too mysterious and unpredictable, I intend to take a step back and study exactly how Emissaries are closer to Aeons than ordinary lifeforms, thereby exploring the Essence of Life."

"There are individuals in the swarm capable of scorching an entire biosphere with their own body heat, as well as dangerous adult insects that feed on stars and even split apart suns. Have you considered the safety of the Space Station's staff while conducting experiments here?"

"The size of a cake depends largely on the amount of ingredients added, such as eggs, sugar, and Wheat Flour. Creating The Hunt Swarm is like baking a dessert. The scale of the materials is limited, so the danger ultimately produced is bound to be foreseeable."

Just like the dessert laced with Anti-Truth Serum.

As she candidly explained her considerations, Ruan Mei glanced at Star, who had a look that said, "I don't understand, but it sounds impressive," then turned her gaze back to Hua Yi.

He shared a common language with Herta, yet displayed a personality unlike that Genius's—more responsible, and indeed the great hero who had turned the tide during the Legion Attack.

But Herta would not favor him just because of that. Even if Hua Yi possessed some quality that attracted the attention of an Aeon simulacrum, being a friend and research partner was still vastly different from being a test subject.

Personal charm?

Too vague. Someone like Herta would not be easily drawn to ordinary charm. There had to be another reason.

Hua Yi must have been able to offer highly valuable insights in scientific research and genuinely help Herta.

"Do you have any suggestions regarding the two projects I mentioned?"

"My suggestion is that when you first create the swarm, you should only create a single individual. That way, no insect can hide in the Space Station, continuously divide itself, and eventually cause a major disaster."

"That would make that individual stronger."

"Since I specifically asked about the project's details, I'll naturally participate in it. Besides, with the invincible Galaxy Bat Hero here, we can witness the might of the Swarm Disaster among the Three Calamities of the Universe, while you can gather combat data along the way. The experimental result you need most is for the corresponding insect to invoke a Path, isn't it?"

As expected, he understood the focus of the research.

"In that case, I owe you a favor. What do you want?"

"I only hope that while Miss Ruan Mei studies the Essence of Life, she does not overlook the preciousness of life."

The energy wielded by a Genius was unimaginable. The Interastral Peace Corporation's attitude toward Herta was proof enough.

The veterans of Herta Space Station had rejected olive branches extended by every major faction and gathered here because they followed the Genius's name.

Hua Yi was now the Station Master, possessing authority second only to Herta's. He could access all kinds of classified information within the Space Station.

He had learned of Ruan Mei's countless astonishing achievements, as well as her influence involving the Xianzhou Alliance.

Once, Herta had attempted to obtain information on Lan of [Hunt]. The Interastral Peace Corporation could not be relied upon, and in the end, only Ruan Mei's intervention had secured valuable Aeon lore.

The favor Ruan Mei spoke of carried enormous weight. Yet Hua Yi gave it up without hesitation, asking for no benefit in return and offering only a reminder.

"The Space Station's staff, and even ordinary people in Planetary Civilizations, may be far inferior to Geniuses in wisdom and talent, but every one of them is unique. They may be the pride of their elders or someone's cherished friend. To pursue the Essence of Life while disregarding the value of life... personally, I think such a research philosophy is incomplete. It Cuts Off an important attribute of life."

The pride of their elders...

Would I be their pride now?

Ruan Mei briefly drifted away, recalling her childhood.

She had gathered with her family, all devoted to science, inside their small home, enjoying the different ways her family expressed their love.

Back then, she had been a calm little girl who often made mistakes and was often forgiven.

Later, the girl grew a little older. Her mother demanded strictness from her, and step by step, they walked together across the enormous Glacial Planet.

The girl panted and stopped along the way, carefully observing those marvelous, charming lifeforms buried beneath the glacier—once living things.

Every time she returned home from a scientific expedition, it was time for a reward. She would take a small bite of pastry, and its fragrance would flash against her palate.

Her little anticipation always filled her mother's research with fragrance.

All of that was in the past. Her family's love, expressed sometimes harshly and sometimes gently, and those times that had filled the girl with anticipation and excitement, had long since faded away, shattering alongside the lives that had passed.

She had thought she had forgotten [home]. Whenever someone had mentioned that word before, Ruan Mei would feel lost.

She had never expected that a sentence containing no mention of home would suddenly stir thoughts hidden deep within her memories.

A faint ripple passed through the depths of her eyes. Ruan Mei suddenly did not want to continue—did not want to continue this conversation that, ever since they met, had been built almost entirely on what benefited research.

She fell silent, and Hua Yi did not speak again. He led the Genius through deliberately chosen secluded corridors, avoiding staff members and preventing greetings from breaking this rare tranquility.

The three did not walk quickly.

Hua Yi walked at the front and set the pace of their stroll. Ruan Mei unconsciously kept pace with him, while Star had no idea why the conversation had suddenly ended and scratched her head in confusion.

Still, the Galaxy Bat Hero did not rashly speak. She began looking around, trying to figure out which route this was.

It looked like the way to Herta's office.

That made sense. No matter why Ruan Mei had come to the Space Station, the two Geniuses ought to meet.

Are we going to test the Simulated Universe next?

Good thing I brought my Baseball Bat with me. I'm so smart, so farsighted!

Uh, the Simulated Universe can probably manifest weapons separately. I don't necessarily have to carry my bat in reality, right?

That's not the point. What if Herta's technology can't perfectly replicate my Baseball Bat? If a weapon doesn't feel right in my hands, how am I supposed to unleash my peak combat strength?

The Geniuses Meet

There was some distance from the platform to Herta's office.

By controlling their pace and selecting their route, Hua Yi could freely make their arrival earlier or later.

Just as Ruan Mei emerged from her memories, calmed the ripples in her heart lake, and became the gentle scholar once more, the three of them entered Herta's office.

"Hi. I've been waiting for you forever."

Herta greeted Ruan Mei.

Her puppet had an unremarkable figure and was somewhat petite. Her manner of speaking was not gentle or soft either. With the two Geniuses standing together, it was easy to feel that Ruan Mei was the more mature older sister no matter how one looked at them.

"Mm..."

Yet Ruan Mei was the one slightly absent-minded now.

The two Geniuses had dealt with each other many times to improve the Simulated Universe. Herta keenly noticed the unusual behavior of Hermit Miss, and an interested gleam flickered in her eyes.

"It looks like you got along quite well earlier. You talked about quite a few things."

Sure enough, Hua Yi treated Ruan Mei much as he treated her. He did not worship and fanatically follow Geniuses like ordinary people did.

Herta felt a subtle sense of satisfaction at this development.

If he acted casually around her but became excessively respectful around Ruan Mei, that would have been irritating.

The puppet girl gave Hua Yi an approving glance. She did not hide the smile on her face, nor did she spare a thought for social distance as she directly asked Ruan Mei.

"What did you talk about? Tell me."

"Nothing much."

Ruan Mei chose to brush her off and prepared to move past the subject. She understood that the Genius before her had developed mischievous intentions.

But having finally discovered a rare side of her research partner, how could Herta possibly let it go?

She swiftly changed tactics and walked up to Hua Yi.

"Did you know? During part of the previous Simulated Universe testing, Ruan Mei was secretly observing your movements. She wasn't even on the Space Station at the time, yet the breadth and precision of the data she collected were no less than mine. Guess how she did it."

Hearing Herta's pretentious question, Hua Yi feigned curiosity.

"Was it because Ruan Mei's technical ability is better?"

"Think before you answer!"

"Fine. Since it wasn't because her technical ability is better, then Madam Herta must have been careless. As long as Genius Miss takes things seriously, her research ability won't be inferior to anyone's."

"Tch, you..."

The puppet girl's expression turned annoyed as emotions surged through her. She waved her delicate little fist in a threatening gesture.

He was clearly her Station Master, yet he had not played along with her. Herta gave up expecting anything from Hua Yi, abandoned the mystery, and directly revealed the answer.

"Ruan Mei cultivated a tiny slice and embedded it in the Simulated Universe's code. She could conveniently influence the virtual world in ways she was familiar with, and it also gave her a detailed internal perspective—but why didn't you tell me about it at all?"

"Normally, you would turn a blind eye to something like this."