"Something good to look at?"
Bai Ming tilted her head, tapping her chin thoughtfully. A spark of genuine curiosity ignited within her.
After all, both Asta and Himeko treated this "Herta" with a notable degree of respect. Asta, in particular, had invested a fortune into building this very space station for her, even naming it in her honor, and served as its full-time Director! While there was likely an element of debt repayment involved, if Herta herself weren't truly extraordinary, Asta would have surely settled for a token gesture rather than dedicating herself so completely.
This meant she was about to witness the real deal!
A slow, mischievous grin spread across Bai Ming's face. She immediately clasped her hands together, adopting an exaggeratedly ingratiating expression.
"Oh, Herta~" she cooed, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "My voice was a little too loud just now, wasn't it? How about this—I'll give you a kiss to make up for it, okay?"
"Don't even think about it." Herta's hand shot out, palm firmly planting itself on Bai Ming's forehead, stopping her approach dead in its tracks. "I'm not as easily charmed as Himeko. Your sugary words are utterly ineffective on me."
"And another thing..." Herta looked up, her sharp gaze meeting Bai Ming's, who stood a full head taller. "While I appreciate the attempt to curry favor, I find your mode of address... lacking."
"I'll change it right away!" Bai Ming rubbed her hands together with theatrical enthusiasm. "So, what should I call you, oh great one?"
"That's not for me to figure out," Herta retorted, withdrawing her hand and feigning indifference. "The correct procedure is for you to propose several options. I will then deign to select one."
"You're so difficult to please," Bai Ming couldn't help but mutter under her breath.
"This isn't about being difficult. It's about gauging your level of investment," Herta replied, her tone unhurried and matter-of-fact. "It's like when you're engrossed in a beloved game; you can play for a full day and night without a hint of fatigue. But for something less engaging, like studying, you'll find yourself distracted within minutes, discovering endless amusement in wiggling your very toes."
"Alright, alright, I'm not an unreasonable person. If you're unwilling, then you should hurry up and leave with Himeko."
"Don't be like that!" Bai Ming nudged Herta playfully with her elbow. "I was just saying!"
"Then think of something. Quickly!" Herta commanded, not mincing words. "My time is exceedingly precious."
"How about... Little Star?"
"Childish."
"Space Princess?"
"Foolish."
"Madam Director?"
"Excessively formal."
"Hertie?"
The moment the nickname left Bai Ming's lips, a translucent reward interface materialized before her eyes.
[Heartfelt Moment Completed]
[Evaluation Score: 11/100]
[Reward Obtained: Crystals*110]
[First Impression Bonus: Additional Crystals*100]
What in the world?
This can trigger a Heartfelt Moment too?
Bai Ming's curiosity was instantly piqued. She stealthily opened the Dating System interface. There, on the event list, Herta's name now appeared prominently.
[Herta]
[No One in This World Can Disappoint Me]
[11/100]
Well now...
Just like Herta's enigmatic identity, the nature of this Heartfelt Moment left Bai Ming somewhat baffled.
'No One in This World Can Disappoint Me'...
It certainly carries a specific, unyielding attitude.
But regardless—
One thing was crystal clear.Herta wasn't averse to the nickname 'Hertie'; otherwise, it wouldn't have triggered a Heartfelt Moment.
This system is incredibly useful! It's like a cheat sheet for figuring out what makes other girls tick!
While internally rejoicing, Bai Ming also noticed a new function button that had silently appeared within the system interface. It shimmered with a faint golden luminescence, reminiscent of the aura surrounding that massive Aeon she had encountered.
Could this be something He left behind?
Seizing the moment while Herta was distracted, Bai Ming focused her consciousness and carefully selected the button.
The prompt was straightforward.
[Gaze from the Aeon Nanook]
[He has broken a certain restriction for you in the name of 'Destruction'.]
As she absorbed the prompt, Bai Ming further grasped the true meaning of [Lifting Restrictions].
Now, she could will her Valkyrie armor to remain hidden, materializing it only when necessary. She could even manifest specific parts of the armor without compromising its functionality. For instance, with the [Vermillion Knight: Eclipse] battlesuit, Bai Ming could mask the chest area to prevent others from noticing the vast difference in physique between her and Murata Himeko.
Furthermore, her weapons seemed to have received a similar upgrade. Their inherent powers could now be projected onto any weapon she wielded, granting them various enhancements.
This is incredible... Can an Aeon directly interfere with the Honkai Impact 3rd system? What kind of power is this?
...
I should have made a few more wishes back then!!!! Like for Crystals or something.
Bai Ming clutched her head, overwhelmed by regret. Her current mood was no less intense than if she had just purchased the most expensive microtransaction pack today, only to find the first-time purchase bonus reset tomorrow.
"What are you doing?" Herta looked on, perplexed by Bai Ming's sudden dramatic deflation. "Is coming up with a single, satisfactory nickname for me that distressing?"
"No, no, no!" Bai Ming quickly shook her head, snapping back to reality. "I'm just worried the nickname I came up with isn't worthy of you! Hertie!"
As the name left her mouth for the second time, the favorability interface shifted once more.
[Herta]
[No One in This World Can Disappoint Me]
[16/100]
So this name really is her soft spot? But why?
Ahem. Bai Ming cleared her throat, deciding to test the waters further.
"Well, it's not entirely terrible," Herta remarked, a faint, almost imperceptible hint of satisfaction in her voice. "You've successfully proven that your brain isn't completely devoid of function."
"Hertie it is, then. I am magnanimous; I won't hold your previous inadequacies against you."
"Okay, Hertie."
With Bai Ming's affirmation, the recorded number slowly climbed from 16 to 34!
Though she might be secretly delighted, Herta's expression remained a masterpiece of perfect calm.
"Alright then,let's go, brat."
Herta's Office.
As the true master of the space station, Herta's office was a testament to both grandeur and high technology. It was not only impressively high-tech but also terrifyingly spacious. Bai Ming even idly wondered if it could double as luxurious living quarters.
But at the moment, she was more captivated by the projection displays flanking the room. Herta had instructed her to come here first, specifically emphasizing she bring the baseball bat. With nothing else to do, Bai Ming began examining them.
They were projected portraits of individuals.
Touching one triggered a synthesized voice,seemingly crafted by Herta to mimic her own—carrying a mechanical quality yet retaining that signature, perfectly measured arrogance.
"This is Lady Herta, also known as Genius Society #83. In her youth, she solved the Solitary Wave theory and the Sparker Model hypothesis; in her later years, she achieved biological age reversal via de-aging, unraveled the mysteries of the imaginary leakage phenomenon, and even captured and sealed a Stellaron. Madam Herta has saved her home planet from destruction on nineteen separate occasions and has been in the presence of the Aeons twice. This space station is her personal property."
"My goodness..." Listening to the introduction, Bai Ming began to understand the source of Herta's earlier arrogance.
She reallyhad been old, and then chose to become young again. Fascinating!
She wasn't merely a'bratty girl,' but rather a 'bratty ancient being' in truth.
But speaking of which— Bai Ming stared at Herta's portrait on the screen, her hands unconsciously rising to cup her own cheeks. This Herta really is quite easy on the eyes!
Hehehe...
Though still not quite on par with March, she's definitely in her own league!
"What are you doing? Having another one of your episodes?"
"Huh?!!"
Herta's voice suddenly sounded from beside her, startling Bai Ming out of her reverie.
"When... when did you get here?!"
"I never left. The body you see is a remote-controlled puppet I crafted. There are numerous such units stationed throughout the space station. I simply connect to whichever one is most convenient."
"...So you just went to find a place to sync with this puppet?" Bai Ming asked, her cheeks flushing slightly as she looked at the puppet before her. "Can you explain why you're not wearing any clothes?!"
Just as Bai Ming pointed out.
The current Herta stood completely unclothed. If their earlier interaction was a mutual probing, this was a full-frontal exposure. Well...it was more of a one-sided exposure. It was bolder than anything Bai Ming would ever dare to attempt.
Herta, however, remained utterly unperturbed. "Oh, this? The unit likely hasn't been activated for an extended period. The clothing attachments must have degraded and detached."
"They can just... fall off?"
"Isn't that self-evident?" Herta placed her hands on her hips. "Don't you know that given enough time, even a monkey could randomly type out the complete works of my research? Compared to that statistical miracle, the probability of clothing deteriorating without my notice is significantly higher."
"Putting it that way... it almost makes sense..."
"Not 'almost.' What I state is fact." Herta stared directly at Bai Ming. "Brat, go find my clothes. Or..." she added, a sly glint in her eyes, "...do you harbor some untoward ideas towards a mere puppet?"
"Absolutely not! Of course not! Hertie, I'll find them right away!"
No sooner had she spoken than Herta's score ticked up from [34/100] to [36/100]. It seemed she was quite pleased with the consistent use of the nickname 'Hertie.'
However, Bai Ming didn't have time to dwell on it. She immediately set about diligently searching for Herta's discarded garments.
Fortunately, the process wasn't overly lengthy. Near the alcove from which Herta had emerged, Bai Ming quickly located the articles of clothing. Though she still felt compelled to comment internally: Using interlocking magnetic joints to attach clothes... is that really practical?
After a brief struggle, Bai Ming finally managed to get Herta properly dressed. She then turned her attention to the original purpose of their visit.
"So, Hertie, what exactly are we doing here?"
[36/100] → [38/100]
The Heartfelt Moment score increased once more.
Herta finally got down to business. "The item I requested you bring. You have it, correct?"
"Right here!" Bai Ming brandished her trusty baseball bat.
"Good." Herta nodded approvingly. "It seems your memory isn't a complete lost cause. Then I'll be direct. Brat,a few of my colleagues and I are working on a project of monumental significance."
"If we succeed,we will solve an ultimate problem that has plagued intelligent life for thousands of Amber Eras."
"An ultimate problem?"
Bai Ming suddenly had a feeling that things were far more profound than she had initially assumed.
Herta's eyes gleamed with sharp intensity.
"Precisely.The mystery of the 'Aeons'."
"
'Aeons'—contemplate it!S uch miraculous existences! Some were once ordinary humans, no different from you or I, yet they somehow attained power beyond our wildest comprehension! They are enigmatic, omnipotent, inscrutable, and terrifying! The secrets they hold cannot be unraveled in mere words!"
"So they're like the genuine article, then..."
"The genuine article? What nonsense are you spouting?"
"Nothing!" Bai Ming swiftly shook her head. "Just muttering to myself!"
Herta shot Bai Ming a suspicious glare but chose not to press further. She continued, her voice low and compelling, "How were they born? Why do they exist? For what purpose did they ascend? Brat, have you ever truly pondered these questions?"
"This..." Bai Ming scratched her cheek thoughtfully. "Maybe... to go to the docks and grab some fries?"
"Hey! Brat, be serious! What docks and fries?"
"Well,it can't possibly be that simple, right?" Bai Ming muttered under her breath.
"That simple? What are you babbling about?" Herta placed her hands on her hips in exasperation.
"Brat, are you even listening? We aim to decipher the mystery of the 'Aeons'! And now, we want you to participate in this project!"
"Four geniuses from the Genius Society have joined forces to write a program.See this machine?" Herta gestured to the large apparatus beside her, its surface pulsating with rhythmic blue light.
"Contained within this machine is a universe:ba streamlined, customized simulation mirroring the reality we inhabit..."
"I call it: the simulated metaverse!"
"Uh...isn't that a bit too... trendy?
"Even a brat like you think so?" Herta's lips pursed in a slight pout. "I was rather fond of it."
"However,"she conceded, "I, Herta, am not above heeding sound advice. So, we shall not call it the 'Metaverse.' Let us change it to the 'Simulated Universe'!"
"Now," Herta's tone brimmed with pride, "how about you go experience it for yourself? I will guide you within the 'Simulated Universe.' I guarantee you will find it far more rewarding than the frivolous notions floating around in your head."
"But I refuse!" Bai Ming replied almost instinctively. "It sounds perilous!"
"But the rewards are considerable," Herta countered, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "They may even include the Credits you seem so desperately in need of."
"Deal!"
I need funds to treat March 7th!
No sooner had the opportunistic words left Bai Ming's mouth than another reward interface materialized before her.
[Heartfelt Moment Completed]
[Evaluation Score: 1/100]
[Reward Obtained: Crystals*10]
[First Impression Bonus: Additional Crystals*100]
-------
A/n: Hey over on my patreon there are currently two for the time being exclusive books which are
Life Simulator: Starting in Genshin Impact!
Zenless Zone Zero: Loving Daily Life Starting in New Eridu
patreon.com/deadlygoober