"Fu Hua-sensei, thank you for your guidance!"
"Sakura, thanks for your blade. And please convey my gratitude to Mr. Kalpas as well; he doesn't seem too keen on seeing me."
"Patriarch Kevin, I'm heading back now. I'll treat you to a meal in the real world!"
"Elder Sister Eden, Bronya will miss you."
"Mr. Su, Seele... Seele must say goodbye! Also, Seele will strive to become the best doctor!"
"Fifty-thousand-year-old antique, we're leaving. Remember to chat more with friends so you won't be too lonely!"
One by one, each girl waved farewell to the Heroic Spirits and stepped through the portal leading back to the real world.
Finally, only Zeke remained, holding Mobius's embryonic nutrient jar, facing the crowd from the Elysian Realm.
"Do any of you have unfulfilled wishes? Within reason, I can help make them happen." Zeke offered casually, considering it a reward for their cooperation during this time.
The expressions of the memory fragments grew subtly complex.
While it was true that most of their original bodies had indeed perished, as memory fragments, they still possessed emotions and could think independently, not significantly different from living beings. Moreover, some even had surviving counterparts.
So what kind of nonsense is this about fulfilling final wishes?
"It seems no matter the era, the strongest monsters always tend to be emotionally stunted!" The fairy maiden stroked her chin, nodding sagely.
One by one, the memory fragments spontaneously turned their gazes towards the impassive Kevin, then shifted to the expressionless Zeke, finally agreeing with Elysia's conclusion with unanimous nods.
Perhaps this is the price of immense power?
"Are you all thinking something impolite?" Kevin furrowed his brow, belatedly sensing unease.
Su patted Kevin on the shoulder, smiling warmly without needing words.
Zeke shook his head and reassured Kevin, "Don't worry about their trivial opinions. Your strength justifies everything. Take me, for instance; because I am powerful, they've decided to make me emperor. To be honest, if you had chosen a similar path in the previous era, the outcome might have been unpredictable."
"...That doesn't concern me anymore."
"As you wish, as long as you're at peace with it. Regardless, your potent will energy remains useful to me while you stay here. What about the others? Have any changed their minds... Looks like there are some who have." Zeke's lips curved upwards.
Across from him, among the Heroic Spirits gathered to bid farewell, a delicate hand, white as jade, raised cheerfully with fingers playfully wiggling.
"Ha ha ha ha!"
"This is the dawn of a new era, a new Mobius, and a brand-new—me!!"
A burst of light emanated from the ancient stone door, revealing Mobius's graceful figure. With her sinuously supple waist swaying like a serpent, she let out a joyous laughter suppressed for millennia.
Senti watched this scene, dumbfounded. Suddenly, his antenna-like hair stood straight up as he pointed at Mobius and exclaimed:
"Hey! Why are you stealing my lines?!?"
"Hm? Hua, things have changed now. Confronted with me, fully restored to my former self, you should show reverence—as you did fifty thousand years ago!"
"Hah? You're lighting a candle in a toilet—just asking for trouble, aren't you?!"
"As expected, you've forgotten your fear of me. It seems necessary to remind you once more of your place as a mere lab rat!"
Mobius hovered high above on her flying device, while Senti, sleeves rolled up, stood below.
Their gazes met, sparking invisible electrical tension between them.
In an instant, their figures collided.
"Boom!!!"
The shockwaves generated a fierce gust that swept across the faces of the spectators.
Kiana rubbed her face, her eyes glazed over like dead fish.
"Have they always been this brave? Do they even realize Zeke is still watching from behind? I know for sure that's just asking to be beaten within an inch of their lives—now that's gutsy!" Kiana clicked her tongue and shook her head, utterly astonished.
Initially observing from the sidelines, Fu Hua had hesitated whether she should intervene. Hearing Kiana's comment, she nodded and muttered to herself:
"You're right, best not to trouble Zeke further."
With those words, Fu Hua stepped forward, her gray eyes igniting with a fiery scarlet glow.
"Mobius, witness my current power! Yin-Yang Mystic Artifact, Attack... Eh? No, I didn't mean attack yourself! Waaaaah!"
Senti tumbled to the ground, ensnared by the chains of the Yin-Yang Mystic Artifact. Even with her mouth sealed, she writhed and struggled like a caterpillar, but couldn't break free.
Hovering mid-air, Mobius burst out laughing.
"Hahaha! Not bad, but you're still far off. Rekindle your fear of me, Hua!"
"Whack! Whack! Whack!"
Then, she continuously swung her emerald-green energy whip at thin air. Despite striking nothing tangible, her focused movements suggested she was indeed targeting something.
Fu Hua lifted one hand, holding a golden feather, and sighed helplessly.
"Sigh... I can understand Senti's behavior, but Dr. Mobius is supposed to be mature, given her age and intellect. Shouldn't she show more restraint?" Fu Hua lamented, her gaze fixed on the stone gate emitting white light, awaiting Zeke's emergence.
Suddenly, a figure flashed behind Fu Hua, and a pair of soft, delicate hands gently wrapped around her waist.
"Huff~"
"Eep!" Startled by the warm breath near her ear, Fu Hua let out an unexpectedly cute squeal, drawing everyone's attention involuntarily.
In their sight appeared the cunningly adorable Miss Pink Elf.
"E-E-Elysia?!"
"It's me indeed! The enigmatic and charming Miss Pink Elf, reporting for duty!"
"Let go, quickly!"
"No way! I had no idea Hua's waist would be so soft, slender, and smooth. The scent of your body is quite captivating too; how surprising!" Elysia whispered seductively into Fu Hua's ear while her hands gently caressed her waist.
"M-my... E-Elysia!"
Face flushed red, Fu Hua finally managed to exclaim Elysia's name loudly.
Elysia stuck out her tongue, released Fu Hua's waist, and took a step back.
"O-okay, okay, I understand that Hua isn't used to this yet. But don't worry, Miss Pink Elf has patience with every adorable girl. I'll wait for the day when Hua feels comfortable. Hehe~"
"What does 'Hehe~' even mean?" Fu Hua helplessly remarked, responding to Elysia's playful gesture.
Suddenly, she blinked, belatedly realizing: "Wait, you're here too?"
"Why not? Does Ellie's presence seem strange to you, Hua?"
"Not exactly... In any case, welcome, Elysia."
"Thank you! As the ever-charming me, I'll strive to become even more adorable!" Elysia replied with a delighted smile.
As she spoke, footsteps echoed, and Zeke slowly emerged from the white light as well.