My Honkai Star Rail: Reversing All Phenomena

He continued browsing the webpage, his eyes passing over all sorts of product images and descriptions while his thoughts gradually drifted away, recalling a conversation between Hua Yi and Wen Shiling from several System Hours ago.

"Wouldn't it be better to poach that kid for the Department of Universal Matter?"

The unconscious murmur escaped his lips. When Wen Huairen came back to himself, he slapped his thigh and made up his mind.

"That's right. Hua Yi should join the Department of Applied Materials. His talent and character are best suited for Applied Materials."

Time slowly passed. Six System Hours later, the tranquil Herta Space Station was about to grow busy once more.

A new day meant a new batch of visitors coming to tour the station, while the researchers had to prepare to throw themselves into fresh work.

The senior Scholars of every research department had mentally prepared themselves as well, brushing their teeth while checking the latest experiment reports submitted by their researchers on their Personal Terminals.

In the eyes of senior Scholars, the vast majority of the researchers' studies were as basic as basic could be. Yet they needed to spend ages and enormous research funds, dragging things out until the very last moment—or repeatedly applying for extensions—before submitting their reports. Even then, they could not guarantee rigor or accuracy, frequently making elementary mistakes that left the Scholars' blood boiling.

For example, after a round of complicated deductions and calculations, someone concluded that there was one and a half Curios aboard a spaceship. The key was that the researcher actually had the nerve to submit that report!

What was half a Curio supposed to mean? Did someone split a Curio in two? Even if one really had been split apart, the formulas for intact Curios and damaged Curios were different. How could they calculate it like that?!

Still, the Scholars could only force down their anger and remind themselves not to get upset. Anger harmed the body. If they fell ill, a mountain of documents would pile up, and once they recovered, they would only fall into a vicious cycle.

All they could do was coldly reject the reports and demand that the researchers redo them. The more patient ones might point out the elementary mistakes, while the bad-tempered ones had to keep heart pills on hand and regularly visit the Medical Department for counseling, lest they start wondering whether spending so much time on those idiots was worth it, questioning their lives, and contemplating the meaning of existence.

The Scholars of the Department of Light Abyss Archives had already steeled themselves, repeatedly telling themselves that they had to stay calm, eat breakfast properly after washing up, and absolutely not get so angry that they lost their appetite. Even if they had to force it down, they needed to put something in their mouths.

Let's see what "surprise" those researchers have sent over this time. Is it an account of an Aeon riding a Trotter through the mortal world with a trash can lid on his head, or a paper stuffed with meaningless modifiers proving whose beard on the Space Station works for rites?

"Experimental records on the [Calyx: Seed of Erudition]? Don't tell me someone just found a potted plant in the Department of Boundary Seeds and poured random chemical agents into it."

The scholar grumbled indistinctly around his toothbrush. But when he noticed that the file had been submitted by Hua Yi, the already well-known rising star, his gaze immediately turned serious.

As he read deeper into the experimental record, his brushing gradually stopped. He stood there with his mouth hanging open for a long while, then suddenly shuddered. He hastily wiped the foam from his mouth with his sleeve, forcibly swallowed the toothpaste he had not yet rinsed out, ignored the breakfast on the table, and sprinted outside.

Last night, a brand-new High-level Rite connected to the Path of [Wisdom] had succeeded?!

The Space Station's Department of Boundary Seeds and Department of Universal Geodesy respectively explored extraordinary lifeforms and dealt with rocks and dirt all day. Both required their researchers to conduct vast amounts of experiments and field studies, making them departments that could not quickly produce Academic Achievements in a short time.

However, through Hua Yi's method of optimizing the Database, the two departments had judged that he possessed a clear mind, meticulous logic, and the ability to identify commonalities and differences within complex information—

He should be poached.

How many rites did the Department of Light Abyss Archives even have?

Barely over a hundred. Compared with the other departments, its volume of content was far too limited.

As for that Aeon lore, what a joke. Among the countless beings of the galaxy, how many had truly met an Aeon? Aside from the widely known legends, much of the Department of Secret Scrolls' material was merely fragmentary information gathered from rumors, difficult to organize or summarize. Letting Hua Yi work there was a complete waste of his talent.

But our Department of Boundary Seeds and Department of Land Surveying were different. Our departments possessed oceans of data, and we could guarantee that most of it was genuine and reliable. Hua Yi could become a Level III Researcher the moment he joined. So long as he continued contributing his intelligence and improving the department's overall operational efficiency, he could become a Level IV Researcher before long. How could that compare to studying medium- and high-level rites in the Department of Light Abyss Archives that no one had managed to reproduce for ages?

As for low-level rites, heh. It was not that they had any issue with the Department of Light Abyss Archives, but letting talent like Hua Yi pour his energy into those baffling low-level rites was simply wasteful.

The higher-ups of the Department of Boundary Seeds and Department of Land Surveying planned to personally enlighten the newcomer, persuade him to abandon darkness for the light, and stop wasting his time in the Department of Secret Scrolls. Even the status of a Level II Researcher did not match his talent. Join our departments, and he would immediately become a Level III Researcher.

The two men approached the same destination from different directions, only to encounter a large number of fully armed Defense Department researchers midway. They could not help frowning.

"What happened?"

Beyond the Five Research Departments, the Space Station also had four support departments. Just as its name suggested, the Defense Department was responsible for station security and defense. Its mobilization of so many people was truly eye-catching.

"The laboratory ahead is a key protected area. Unauthorized personnel, please take another route."

"You think I'm unauthorized personnel?"

"My apologies. The Department of Light Abyss Archives has exercised its authority and set the relevant laboratory to the highest confidentiality level. Aside from Station Master Asta and Madam Herta, no one else has the authority to inquire. If you wish to learn the details, please negotiate with the Department of Light Abyss Archives or apply to the Station Master for permission to access the information."

"Did those people from the Department of Secret Scrolls get themselves into trouble?"

The higher-up from the Department of Universal Geodesy grew uncertain and solemn. He did not continue making things difficult for the ordinary researchers. Instead, he merely watched the tightly guarded area from afar. After confirming that things there were relatively stable and carefully examining the expressions of the Defense Department personnel, he saw no signs of panic or urgency. Only then did he relax slightly and begin to gloat.

Back then, a notable figure in the Department of Land Surveying had blown a huge hole in Herta Space Station, leaving the entire department unable to hold their heads high before the Department of Applied Materials, which handled the money. They had feared the other side would demand an enormous repair bill. If the Department of Secret Scrolls had produced someone similar now, the Department of Land Surveying could enjoy the show.

Ah, no. This was not the time to watch a show. Poaching Hua Yi came first. That was the real priority.

"Colleagues who spend all day focused on humanity's own gains and losses, please pause your hurried steps for the rights of non-human beings and listen to me. The machinery and Curios on the Space Station should also be defined as lifeforms, and their rights should likewise be protected. Join the Mimic Protection Association I founded now and support my proposal for legislation abolishing machine enslavement!"

A researcher wearing a Galaxy Ward Department badge shouted propaganda from a corner of the Space Station, becoming a significant source of noise.

The passing researchers acted as though they had heard nothing, directly ignoring him and walking away faster than usual.

That included Gunn, the founder of the Department of Legal Affairs.

Across the universe, humanity's own rights had yet to receive strong protection. The Department of Legal Affairs had not even managed to uphold basic justice, yet someone was already advocating respect for the life rights of bizarre things.

It was unbearable to watch.

Previously, Gunn had been disheartened. He no longer discussed justice and allowed the Department of Legal Affairs to develop as it pleased. Even when he heard researchers promoting all sorts of nonsensical ideas, he could remain calm.

But after discovering the future hope of the Department of Legal Affairs yesterday, Gunn now found the noise in his ears unbearably irritating. What kind of riffraff was this? If Hua Yi had to stay in the same department as such people in the future, would that not be an injustice to him?

Once he finished today's most important business, it would be time to thoroughly review the department's personnel files, filter out those who had not only failed to produce any respectable results for a long time but also disrupted the department's atmosphere, and report them to Station Master Asta for dismissal.

Gunn arrived outside Hua Yi's dormitory. Just as he was about to arrange his expression into a kind, benevolent smile, he suddenly stopped when he saw a large crowd gathered in the corridor.

"Once he transfers to our Department of Applied Materials, his compensation will definitely be better than staying on as a Level II Researcher in the Department of Secret Scrolls. The resources are comprehensive, the work aligns with his career development needs, overtime comes with overtime pay, and the bonuses are especially generous."

The former Department Head of the Department of Universal Matter, Wen Huairen, had brought along the current Department Head, Wen Mingde. Taking advantage of Hua Yi's remaining time indoors, he began lecturing his son.

"Father, you finally agreed to formally implement overtime pay and work bonuses in the department?"

"What are you talking about? The overtime pay and bonuses are for Hua Yi! Can what the others do even be called overtime? They fail to complete their assigned tasks, drag them past the end of working hours, and sometimes cannot submit them until days later. Not docking their pay is already the department showing immense leniency. They still want overtime pay? If you cannot establish a proper work incentive system and only know how to throw money around, then stop thinking about such nonsense."

"...All right."

"Hua Yi is different. He is not the kind of person who cuts corners for a little Herta Coin or Credits—hm, once he becomes familiar with the Department of Applied Materials' operating model, you should communicate with him more."

"Wen Huairen! What do you mean Hua Yi is transferring to the Department of Applied Materials?"

Gunn, who had seemed especially kind while discussing the stars with the young man last night, immediately flared up upon hearing the old man from the Department of Applied Materials spout nonsense. He advanced menacingly.

"He is the hope of the Department of Legal Affairs. I will not allow you to speak such rubbish here."

"Gunn? What are you doing here?"

"To let the person destined to lead the Department of Legal Affairs into a brand-new future transfer into the department best suited for him."

"You bastard, you came to steal him from me?!"

Wen Huairen became highly alert and immediately began reorganizing his words in his mind. When Hua Yi came out later, he had to thoroughly explain the Department of Applied Materials' advantages over the Department of Legal Affairs.

Wen Huairen was not the only one brainstorming, nor was Gunn the only one. The higher-ups of the Department of Boundary Seeds and Department of Land Surveying, secretly observing from afar, were also thinking rapidly.

Hua Yi was actually this sought after, enough to draw out the old veterans of two other major departments.

It seemed they needed to reconsider their plans. Their original pitch for recruiting Hua Yi with a promise of Level III Researcher status had to change.

Make it Level IV Researcher instead!

What a joke. They were all among the Five Departments. Why should the Department of Applied Materials and Department of Legal Affairs be allowed to fight over someone from the Department of Secret Scrolls while the Department of Boundary Seeds and Department of Land Surveying had to back down in the face of difficulty?

Back when the Department of Land Surveying was at its lowest point, it had never bowed its head to the Department of Applied Materials. It certainly would not retreat now. Since Hua Yi's talent had been enough to alarm Wen Huairen, known for his sharp eye, and even made Gunn—who had long stopped taking much interest in departmental development and planned to quietly spend the rest of his life on the Space Station—argue until his face turned red and his neck thick—

Of course the Department of Boundary Seeds and Department of Land Surveying had to join the battlefield and claim victory with all their strength.

Call for backup!

The higher-ups of the two departments immediately contacted their colleagues and told them to arrive as quickly as possible.

When the higher-ups and Scholars of the Department of Light Abyss Archives, after meticulous arrangements, thorough protection, and the most cautious conservative observation possible in the laboratory where Hua Yi had completed the rite yesterday, confirmed the authenticity of that [Key of Inspiration], they arrived outside their own newcomer's dormitory in wild excitement—only to find far too many people gathered there.

Department of Applied Materials, Department of Legal Affairs, Department of Boundary Seeds, and Department of Land Surveying—why had all these people come running here?

"Why is it so chaotic? Stop making noise. Don't disturb our Department of Light Abyss Archives' top researcher while he rests. He worked very late yesterday and achieved something that will leave his name in academic history. What kind of behavior is all this shouting and yelling outside his door?"

As the higher-up from the Department of Light Abyss Archives spoke, he squeezed into the crowd.

"And I do not care what you came here for. Whether you want Hua Yi to further improve the Database he has already optimized once or want to trouble him with some other trivial matter, all of you disperse! Do not contact him again in the future. It would be easy to cause misunderstandings. Members of the Department of Light Abyss Archives should not have to worry over matters belonging to other departments in the first place."

"Who are you ordering around? Hm? We are the same rank, and you're enforcing rules across departments?"

"That's right. And please watch your wording. Researcher Hua Yi will soon be joining our Department of Legal Affairs."

"He should join the Department of Boundary Seeds!"

"Department of Land Surveying! Department of Land Surveying!"

Young people had louder voices and greater momentum when they shouted, but instead of making his son yell about Hua Yi's affiliation, Wen Huairen placed a more substantial bet on the table.

"Let me make this clear. Hua Yi will become a Level IV Researcher the moment he joins the Department of Applied Materials. And no matter what salary you offer, our Department of Applied Materials will pay double! Surely no department thinks its finances can compete with Universal Matter?"

"The position of Department Head of the Galaxy Ward Department will eventually belong to Hua Yi. Wen Huairen, can you offer double that? Do not forget who the current Department Head of Applied Materials is."

Gunn's question froze Wen Huairen's expression. He fell silent for a long while, then suddenly burst into hearty laughter.

"You all think I am stingy and miserly, but that is only toward mediocrities. Hua Yi is a rare commodity by nature. If he can truly lead the Department of Applied Materials toward a more glorious future, then what does it matter if Mingde works under him?"

Were the Department of Applied Materials and Department of Legal Affairs really this ruthless?!

Watching Wen Huairen and Gunn confront each other tit for tat, the higher-ups from the Department of Boundary Seeds and Department of Land Surveying were startled, stunned by those bold declarations.

Meanwhile, another group was furious.

"Utter nonsense! Hua Yi belongs to the Department of Secret Scrolls. Since things have come to this, I will tell you the truth: yesterday, he created an entirely new High-level Rite and condensed a tangible entity containing Path power of [Wisdom]. He is already a key protected talent of the Department of Secret Scrolls. At such a young age, he is qualified to become an academic titan. He is not someone for you to fight over!"

"What?"

"A High-level Rite..."

"To create a High-level Rite at such a young age, does that not mean he still has ample time to grow and even further improve rites connected to the Path of [Wisdom]?"

Even though they were not members of the Department of Light Abyss Archives, everyone present understood what a High-level Rite involving a Path meant.

It was a heavenly road that allowed ordinary people to glimpse a corner of a Path—and it was the Path of [Wisdom]!

Even if the odds of others reproducing a High-level Rite were pitifully low, Hua Yi had already created a product of Wisdom! That alone was enough to drive countless Scholars mad. The revelation from the Department of Secret Scrolls was even more explosive than claiming Hua Yi was actually a Pathstrider.

That made it even more necessary to poach him. They had to take him!

The Path of [Wisdom]! Everyone present belonged to research departments. They should naturally open their arms and embrace Hua Yi, who had already grasped the key to truth.

The surroundings fell into brief silence before the atmosphere grew increasingly tense. The higher-ups of the Department of Boundary Seeds and Department of Land Surveying narrowed their eyes and made a certain decision.

Click.

The dormitory door opened with a soft sound. Hua Yi stepped out looking full of energy. Feeling the burning gazes fixed on him, he tentatively offered a greeting.

"Good morning, everyone?"

"Good morning, good morning! Want to come to the Department of Applied Materials for breakfast, young man?"

"I'll order the most delicious set meal and have it delivered to your office. Oh, right, Researcher Hua Yi does not have a private office yet, does he? The Department of Secret Scrolls will arrange it. We'll arrange it immediately!"

"On this bright and beautiful... no, on this morning when the stars still shine, please allow me to offer you my sincere respect and invite you to conduct an in-depth tour of the Department of Boundary Seeds."

"The Department of Land Surveying has discovered several life-bearing planets where civilization has yet to emerge. Would young friend Hua Yi be interested in naming them? Come, come, follow me to my office. I'll show you the star maps. If you get tired from looking, that's fine too. You can sleep directly in the Department of Land Surveying. No problem at all."

The previously tense, drawn-sword atmosphere abruptly shifted. Everyone wore a friendly smile, warmly greeting Hua Yi and extending their arms as though they wanted to shake hands.

But as those extending their arms noticed that quite a few others had the same idea, the handshakes immediately turned into attempts to drag Hua Yi toward their respective departments.

The true battle to poach him was about to erupt.

"Please return to your respective posts. I have already learned about Hua Yi's contributions to the various departments of the Space Station, and appropriate arrangements will be made afterward."

A soft, pleasant young woman's voice rang out, immediately stopping the experts and Scholars of the Five Departments.

If there was anyone on the Space Station with the greatest prestige and the deepest respect from Scholars and researchers alike, it was undoubtedly Madam Herta.

However, that Genius rarely appeared in person. Asta, who served as Station Master, was the true manager of this museum-style starship.

A hair clip adorned her pink shoulder-length hair, with one lock braided and hanging down. Delicate and beautiful, her sapphire-like eyes were bright and captivating. Even the Space Station uniform could not conceal the youthful vitality that belonged to a young woman.

Not only was Asta young compared with the veteran higher-ups of the various departments, she was young even compared to ordinary researchers.

Though young, she was highly capable and dedicated. How could Wen Huairen and Gunn, veterans who had seen much of the world and weathered countless storms, fail to notice the contributions the young Station Master had made to keep the Space Station running, as well as the effort she devoted to countless large and small matters?

The old men saw it all and knew that Asta was a good girl.