My Honkai Star Rail: Reversing All Phenomena

The difference in content between Herta's version and Asta's version of the Space Station introduction manual alone was enough to show how considerate Asta was.

A boss who could give employees a sense of belonging would naturally earn the support of their subordinates.

Under other circumstances, everyone would surely have dispersed without hesitation as the Station Master instructed and returned to their respective posts.

But things were different now!

Hua Yi was no longer simply a researcher. He practically represented a future destined for brilliance. If they could recruit him into their own department, perhaps the future Database would contain a glowing entry: "Someone possessed remarkable foresight, discovering Hua Yi's extraordinary talent and becoming the figure responsible for a major turning point in this department's fate."

As for the young man before them achieving even greater and more brilliant accomplishments upon his current foundation, merely imagining such a wonderful scene made the senior staff yearn for it.

The opportunity was right before them. How could they possibly give it up so easily?

The crowd fell silent, yet no one immediately left. The seasoned and wise scholars silently weighed their words, considering how to request Hua Yi's transfer without displeasing the Station Master.

If they could gain Asta's approval, then aside from Madam Herta, no one in the entire Space Station could change the outcome.

"Come with me."

However, Asta gave these people no chance to rack their brains or compete with their eloquence. She immediately led Hua Yi out of the crowd and headed toward her office.

The senior figures from the various departments could not possibly step forward and forcibly stop them. Whoever dared say more at this moment would be no different from deliberately provoking her. If they angered the Station Master, their department would be placed at an inherent disadvantage in this competition. It would not be an exaggeration to say they would lose the right to extend Hua Yi an olive branch altogether.

Asta's office was located in a corner of the Control Zone. There were no research departments or other divisions across a considerable stretch of the surrounding area, making it exceptionally quiet.

"Thank you for getting me out of that situation, Station Master."

Hua Yi's sudden thanks made the girl turn her head in surprise. Rather than merely glancing at him from the corner of her eye, she directly studied this superstar rookie researcher.

"Just now, the Department Heads and senior staff from all the departments would surely have offered you extremely generous terms to win you over. During the competition, they would naturally keep raising the stakes. Don't you think I interrupted a good thing for you?"

"Unless they chopped me into eight pieces and divided me equally among the Five Research Departments, accepting an invitation from any one department would mean rejecting the other four to their faces. Even remaining in the Department of Light Abyss Archives as normal would make it difficult for the others to let go."

The phrase "chopped into eight pieces" amused Asta, though she quickly restrained the smile that nearly curled her lips.

"It isn't that exaggerated."

"Indeed, I wasn't facing an overly exaggerated risk. Just now, all I needed to do was use the Calyx: Seed of Erudition as an opening, explain my insights from completing the ritual, and even suggest that everyone watch the Key of Inspiration after it materialized. By conducting an experimental report on the spot and discussing the academics involved, I could have taken the initiative."

Hearing Hua Yi's voice remain calm and gentle, neither intimidated by the grand scene of senior figures from every department gathering earlier nor carried away by their attempts to curry favor, the surprise in Asta's eyes deepened further.

Not only had he remained level-headed, he had also swiftly thought of a proper solution?

Wen Huairen and Gunn had both been serious about this. Even after Hua Yi agreed to one department's terms, the others might still refuse to let the matter rest, saying, "Young people still think too simply. Since that's the case, we'll have to play the villain and take you back with us first. You'll understand our good intentions someday," before starting a fight over him.

By then, things would have become chaotic. Who knew how many people would get hurt?

Even if scholars engaged in scientific research were not particularly skilled at fighting, with so many people packed together, a stampede would have had unthinkable consequences.

Yet Hua Yi had managed to think of an effective method that could truly divert everyone's attention, in such a short time and in such a noisy environment where it was impossible to think calmly.

What he said next left the girl even more caught off guard.

"By stepping in this time, the Station Master not only controlled the situation but also helped ease the pressure on me. No matter what decision I make afterward, the various departments will believe it was influenced by you. When I was reading the Space Station introduction manual earlier, I already felt that the Station Master was a gentle and kind girl. It seems I was right. Being able to come to the Space Station while Miss Asta is serving as Station Master is my good fortune."

Asta, who came from an extraordinary background, had heard countless compliments and flatteries, and seen countless ingratiating expressions. But praise like this—logical, perceptive of her thoughts, and supported by sound reasoning—was something she had never experienced before.

She opened her mouth, but for a moment, she could not say anything.

It was as though she, the Station Master of the Space Station, was not the one taking care of a talented newcomer researcher who had already begun to shine upon arrival. Instead, he was some being who had seen through everything, effortlessly deciphering the events unfolding around them and explaining them to her, who stood within them as well.

What kind of being was he?

There was not a trace of youthful impetuosity or arrogant complacency in him. His heart lake was as clear as a mirror, yet not stagnant, as though he were perfectly complete.

Outstanding and composed, yet never making ordinary people feel that he stood too high above them to approach.

"You..."

Which planet did you come from? What had you experienced? Why did you possess such a mind?

An All-Rounder!

Asta herself had only been able to shoulder the complex duties of Station Master and keep this Starry Sky Museum running steadily after Madam Herta handed the entire Space Station over to her and became a hands-off manager because she had been through many things.

However, recalling that Herta Space Station did not pry into the origins of its researchers, and that as a special force renowned across the cosmos, it truly had no need to obsess over any one person's background, Asta ultimately gave up on probing too deeply into Hua Yi's private affairs merely to satisfy her curiosity.

Yet the curiosity that had already arisen could not be dispelled no matter what she did.

Putting herself in his shoes, Hua Yi's story could not possibly be simple.

They had arrived at their destination.

As the Station Master's office, its standards were naturally top-tier. Perhaps only Herta's office was more special in the entire Space Station.

"Please, sit."

After gesturing for Hua Yi to choose a comfortable seat in front of her desk, Asta asked about his intentions.

"Do you want to remain in the Department of Light Abyss Archives, or accept another department's invitation and transfer your records? You don't need to have any concerns. Just tell me what you truly think."

"The Aeon lore and Path-related rituals in the Department of Light Abyss Archives are the directions I most wish to study in depth at present. But the knowledge of the Department of Boundary Seeds and the Department of Land Surveying is equally enticing. If it is within my ability, I would also be willing to contribute what little I can according to the needs of the Department of Legal Affairs and the Department of Applied Materials."

If she had not already sensed Hua Yi's extraordinary nature from their earlier conversation, Asta might have misunderstood this answer, which was essentially "I want them all," and assumed that he wished to use the opportunity to claim every benefit each department could offer.

"Are you sure? Generally speaking, a department's research direction represents a researcher's own direction. The Five Departments all have their unique strengths, but if you wish to study all of them, the time and energy you need to invest will inevitably multiply."

After pausing, Asta recalled something and stared at Hua Yi with a flicker in her eyes.

"You... aren't trying to satisfy everyone's expectations as much as possible because you're worried that the other departments will come protest to me, are you? There is no need for that. Since I decided to step in, I naturally already considered how to handle the aftermath."

"The senior staff in the departments are all learned experts and experienced managers. They will surely understand the Station Master's good intentions and won't make things too difficult. But the ordinary researchers will inevitably gossip a little, won't they?"

"There's nothing wrong with chatting during breaks. Many researchers form all kinds of Chat Groups. You didn't know that, did you? You should pay attention to balancing work and rest. Sometimes, throwing yourself entirely into research only makes you less efficient."

Meeting the girl's large eyes, Hua Yi could tell that her concern was sincere, without the slightest hint of false politeness.

She really was a girl who shone with light.

"I'm just a greedy person. With so much precious knowledge laid out before me, how could I possibly choose only one?"

Was it truly greed, or was he thinking of others?

If things really went as Hua Yi said, not only would Asta, who had already prepared to bear some of the pressure herself, have that burden lifted from her shoulders, but even the Five Research Departments, which had been on the verge of conflict, would become exceptionally harmonious.

The price was that Hua Yi would have to face a workload and number of projects that had multiplied several times over, while also essentially giving up the possibility of becoming the Department Head of any one department.

Surely he could not become the Department Head of all Five Departments at once in the future. Unless the entire Space Station underwent reform, that kind of workload was not something an ordinary person could bear.

"Also, I heard that Miss Asta was personally selected by Madam Herta as Station Master. How about reporting the Space Station's recent situation to her? Then you can reply to the various departments by saying, 'I've already informed Madam Herta of the relevant situation.'"

"You want to meet Madam Herta?"

"That Genius seems not to pay much attention to the Space Station's development. If Madam Herta truly takes even a little interest in this matter, I am prepared to answer her questions. I won't cause trouble for the Station Master."

Upon hearing that, Asta found herself unable to grasp Hua Yi's thoughts.

Since he was certain Madam Herta would not intervene in this matter, why did he still want her to specifically submit a report? Just so she could mention it to the departments?

Let Madam Herta understand the situation...

Mulling over those uncomplicated words, the girl Station Master's fingers unconsciously brushed across the surface of her desk. A moment later, she finally understood.

He wanted to use Madam Herta's absolute authority within the Space Station to minimize the aftermath of this upheaval!

Once the departments learned that Herta might be paying attention to the matter, even if there was only the slightest possibility, the relevant senior staff would certainly watch their words and actions. They could no longer gather in large numbers as they had today, confronting one another and competing fiercely.

If someone wanted to bypass normal competition and come directly to her, requesting that she use the Station Master's authority to settle Hua Yi's department once and for all, they would also abandon that plan upon hearing that Madam Herta had already been informed. Otherwise, if that Genius uncovered a problem, those who tried to take shortcuts would not escape blame.

Of course, Asta would not allow the departments to influence her judgment and casually decide Hua Yi's research direction. But if she did not take precautions in advance, the senior staff from all sides would inevitably make repeated requests, affecting both parties' normal work efficiency.

What appeared to be a meaningless work report would actually achieve several goals at once. And those gains did not even require Herta herself to open the report. Asta merely had to carry it out.

Having sorted through the reasoning behind it all, the girl stared blankly at Hua Yi before her desk, suddenly feeling inferior by comparison.

Not only in scientific research—his talent in administration was also of the highest caliber. He was practically an all-rounder.

When Asta realized that she had unknowingly been looking into Hua Yi's eyes for a long time, the atmosphere of two people normally discussing important Space Station matters in an office had become subtly strange because of their prolonged gaze. Miss Station Master hurriedly looked away.

"You... if I hadn't appeared today, after you gave your experimental report and temporarily redirected the various departments' attention, how would you have handled the aftermath?"

"I would explain to the scholars that the Key of Inspiration experiment was not the ritual's ultimate manifestation. I could try to achieve even better results, but I would need more materials and deeper knowledge. I would hope that the various departments could provide support and cooperate."

"I also reviewed yesterday's experimental records. Could such a precise and complicated ritual really be optimized further?"

"Yes."

Asta took a deep breath and made up her mind. She would give Madam Herta a detailed report on Hua Yi's situation and solemnly recommend this rising star to the Genius Miss.

Fate Truly Is Wonderful

"Hua Yi, I've decided to first grant you a Level IV Researcher status valid across all Five Research Departments. With this authority, you may access nearly all academic and experimental materials within the departments. I hope it will help your career development."

"I won't betray the Station Master's trust."

Without question, Asta was making an exceptional promotion at this moment. Looking across the Space Station's limited history, even if there had once been one or two rising stars who advanced rapidly, someone like Hua Yi becoming a Level IV Researcher only days after arriving at the Space Station—and receiving the special authority valid across all Five Departments at that—was unprecedented.

...Uh, Asta suddenly realized that she herself had been a Station Master exceptionally promoted by Madam Herta, bypassing the normal advancement process for researchers and being dropped directly into a management position here.

Fate truly was wonderful.

Now, both of them were bearing pressure. The former had to consider whether expanding a researcher's authority so drastically would disrupt the Space Station's operations, while the latter had to deliver results worthy of this leap in rank and once again prove his extraordinary talent.

Otherwise, not only Hua Yi himself, but Asta as well, would face doubts.

The Seed of Erudition experiment was enough to satisfy the Department of Light Abyss Archives, but a Level IV Researcher of the Department of Legal Affairs, Department of Applied Materials, Department of Land Surveying, and Department of Boundary Seeds should also have matching Academic Achievements.

Miss Station Master understood the stakes, yet she did not repeatedly stress them verbally to place pressure on the superstar rookie before her.

A quiet smile rested on the girl's face.

"Have you not eaten breakfast yet? I'll have the Ordering Robot bring some over. What would you like to eat?"

"Anything is fine."

"Then—do you have any dietary restrictions?"

"None at all."

"Alright."

Asta operated her terminal. As the Station Master of the Space Station and a rather wealthy little heiress, she could confidently say that no matter what Hua Yi wanted to eat, as long as it was delicious and available for purchase, she could have a robot deliver it.

He had completely left the choice to her, saying he could eat anything, but the girl would not be perfunctory about it.

First, she recalled Hua Yi's personal file, which she had carefully reviewed not long ago. Which planet was his homeworld? If it was a civilization known throughout the starry sea, Asta could search the Keywords, find recipes unique to Hua Yi's homeland, and have the cooking robot make them.

But that field seemed to be garbled text.

It seemed she needed to increase investment in the Space Station Database's information security. Miss Station Master did not believe Hua Yi had entered a string of gibberish when filling out his records, or he would not have been able to submit them at all.

Quickly changing her train of thought, she stopped dwelling on food from Hua Yi's hometown and instead searched for dishes she knew and that suited most tastes. Asta also did not forget that Hua Yi was a boy, and his appetite would surely be larger than hers, so she ordered extra food.

"Earlier, all the departments gathered outside your dormitory. They must have disturbed you, right? I remember that you submitted your experimental records late last night, so you must have gone to sleep even later. While breakfast hasn't arrived yet, you can rest your head on the desk and take a short nap. I'll keep my movements quiet so I don't disturb you."

As she spoke, the girl took a spare small pillow from the office storage cabinet and placed it before Hua Yi. She then picked up the documents on her desk and lowered her head to work.

As the Station Master of the Space Station, her daily workload far exceeded what ordinary people could imagine. She had to manage researchers with differing opinions, reply to the countless letters addressed to Madam Herta, frequently negotiate with the Interastral Peace Corporation, and purchase new equipment through various channels... Hua Yi's situation today had been an extra matter and had already taken up quite a bit of time. If she did not hurry, working overtime herself would be a minor issue; affecting the Space Station's stable operation would be the major one.

"My sleep quality is actually quite good. I've already had sufficient rest. Besides, the Station Master is working so diligently. If I openly take another nap, wouldn't that be the same as provoking you to your face? What would make me any different from a complete idiot?"

"Pfft."

This time, Asta was genuinely amused and laughed aloud.

She could feel that Hua Yi was not flattering her. Instead, he was joking and chatting with her as though they were friends. This atmosphere of conversation was wonderful—sincere and interesting.

Across the desk, the girl looked at Hua Yi's handsome face, which wore no false social mask and held a gentle smile. She blinked twice.

"Then what do you plan to do?"

"If the Station Master has any low-clearance documents I may read, perhaps I can help share some of your workload."

Earlier, Asta had been thinking of helping Hua Yi bear the pressure. Yet now, he was going to help share her work instead?

Recalling the administrative talent he had displayed in their earlier conversation, the girl—who normally would never casually allow others to handle the Station Master's work because of a personal relationship—could not help entertaining the idea of giving it a try.

"I have a list of equipment needed by the Space Station. Search for it on the shopping platform of the Interastral Peace Network and see whether there are any merchants that meet the requirements. Don't worry about the price. Focus on the equipment's performance, as well as the courier company's safety, reliability, and delivery speed."

Miss Station Master was very thoughtful. She assigned Hua Yi the lowest-risk task with the fewest requirements.

Ordering precision scientific research equipment for Herta Space Station was certainly important, but unlike managing researchers, replying to letters, and dealing with the Interastral Peace Corporation, even if Hua Yi bought the wrong items during the shopping process or was deceived by unscrupulous merchants, Asta could afford it.

At worst, it would just cost some Credits.