"I understand. So, who's first?"
Nodding, Raiden Mei was eager to begin her trials—anything to help Kiana sooner.
"Oh~ The first one's right in front of you! It's me~! But since you're so cute, I'll just give you my Signet right away~?"
With that, Elysia (Elysian Realm) bestowed her Signet of Ego upon Mei.
Mei felt a faint surge of power—but nothing substantial.
That made sense. The Signet of Ego primarily unlocked one's latent potential.
And Mei's potential was already near its peak. All she needed now was Herrscher Ascension.
"Elysia, where's that new lab rat? Let me see~."
A smaller version of Mobius (Elysian Realm) appeared, her serpentine eyes locking onto Mei.
"No no~ Mei isn't for experiments. I know you want out, but—dame yo~?"
Elysia crossed her arms in an X, shutting Mobius down.
The latter scowled, then shot a glare at Chang Yuan.
This man... He knew I'd hate sharing existence with another 'me.' Yet he did it anyway. Bastard.
"No need to glare. Once the Honkai's gone, you might leave too. But not before then."
Chang Yuan didn't care about the memorials' freedom—only that nothing interfered with defeating the Honkai.
"Hmph. Your empty promises have improved. Almost leader-like. Hope you keep your word."
"Who... is this?"
For some reason, Mei felt an instinctive revulsion toward Mobius.
Not disgust—just a primal warning, as if facing a remorseless butcher.
"Oh, just a tsundere mad scientist~?"
"I AM NOT! Elysia, I swear—keep slandering me, and I'll burn every Chang Yuan merch in your room!"
"See? No need to fear. Everyone here's a good person~?"
"..."
No, she definitely isn't. And she's actually mad right now!
Mei couldn't grasp Elysia or her memorial. Their friendliness felt... calculated.
"Tch. Don't waste my time. Want my Signet? Earn it. You know the rules."
With a flick of her hair, Mobius slithered away.
"Now then, Mei~ Begin your trials! Oh, and as motivation—for every Flame-Chaser's Signet you earn, we'll show you an hour of Kiana's life~?"
"..."
Mei said nothing—but her rapid dive into the trial hall spoke volumes.
...
"Yo, Chen Tianwu. Thoughts on that Schariac girl?"
"...Just looking."
Since his sister never died, Chen Tianwu felt nothing for Anna—no love, no grief. Just awkwardness.
Reading his "original fate" had made him cringe.
Who acts like that? A full-blown simp!
He couldn't fathom why his counterpart had been so... pathetic.
But then again—until you live it, you never know how you'd react.
"Anna, you're up soon. So... thoughts on Chen Tianwu?"
"Big Sis Cecilia, you know we've never met. Sure, his scripted devotion is touching—but that's if the girl reciprocates. This? One-sided obsession."
As a senior Schariac, Cecilia's status far outstripped Anna's.
(Anna had been strongly encouraged to call her "Big Sis.")
Now, nervous about losing control, Anna sought reassurance.
"Relax. Remember Wendy? She controlled hers fine. Worst case, we beat you and extract the Core."
Cecilia patted Anna's head, the picture of a reliable elder.
Soothed, Anna nodded.
"I won't fail, Big Sis Cecilia."
"Good girl~ Oh, but Chen Tianwu's not bad—loyal, devoted. Maybe give him a chance?"
"Big Sis! I'm not even 20! My parents aren't even nagging me yet!"
"Ah, sorry. Getting old makes me want to matchmake everyone."
"Then what about your daughters?"
"Them? They already have girlfriends."
"WHAAAT?!"
Anna's soul left her body.
Cecilia sighed. Both her girls being gay? Fine by her. Love was love.
And if they wanted kids? Just splice their DNA. Skip the pregnancy aches.
Few mothers were as supportive as Cecilia—a dream parent.
Soon, both factions mobilized—while Anti-Entropy remained oblivious.