Asuka immediately shot Shinji Ikari a challenging look, her face brimming with smug satisfaction. "Actually, my Entry Plug could still go deeper. That kind of contamination is nothing."
Ritsuko Akagi shook her head. "This is already the limit. If it goes any deeper, you risk mental contamination, which would lower your synchronization rate instead."
As a researcher, she had to stick to the facts. Although she was also a senior officer, making empty promises at a time like this went against her scientific principles.
So Ritsuko Akagi was neither flattering Asuka nor trying to put her down. She was simply telling her how things actually stood.
Out of the billions of people worldwide, only a double-digit number had the qualifications to be an Eligible. If their research left Asuka incapacitated, there would certainly be trouble down the line.
She was not afraid of trouble, but she would not go looking for it just because she had nothing better to do. She was a busy woman, after all, especially since that esteemed Child of God did nothing but find troublesome tasks for her every day.
"Hmph. Anyway, I've improved, and that idiot Child of God hasn't. Sooner or later, my synchronization rate will catch up to his." Asuka planted both hands on her hips, brimming with confidence.
Her target was perfectly clear: Shinji Ikari, and Shinji Ikari alone. She paid no attention whatsoever to Rei Ayanami.
Rei Ayanami was the type whose readings were both high and stable. As a pilot, she was what the technicians called a "little Shinji Ikari."
Asuka's synchronization rate was higher than hers, but the drawback was that it was less stable.
"The information you gave me was very useful." Ritsuko Akagi walked over to Shinji Ikari without mentioning mental resonance at all.
"Really? Glad it