"I see, I understand now."
After listening to Stella's explanation that her ability was to "summon avatars with the original owner's personality" and that the "original body can also transform," Himeko elegantly stroked her chin and nodded thoughtfully.
She took a sip of her coffee, her gaze filled with appreciation and inquiry.
"It's a very powerful ability with infinite potential. Whether it's tactical flexibility or information gathering, it can provide incalculable help."
Himeko gave a fair evaluation, then added gently,
"Of course, it also needs to be used cautiously to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings."
Her gaze pointedly swept over March 7th, who had just experienced a "social death blow" and was now dejectedly rubbing a non-existent sore spot.
"Stella..."
March 7th recovered and immediately converted her "grief and indignation" into endless curiosity. She leaned in front of Stella, her eyes scanning up and down like searchlights, as if trying to see right through her.
"Confess! How many people are actually recorded in your 'Transformation Handbook'?! Can you give me a list to see?"
"Um..."
Forced back half a step by her enthusiasm, Stella subconsciously pulled up the [Character Handbook] system panel in her mind that only she could see.
She saw many avatars arranged densely on it; some were lit up, but most were gray.
She did a quick mental calculation and replied, "About... eighty or so, but..."
She quickly emphasized,
"I can't actively transform into or summon most of them right now. It's like they're locked. I might need specific conditions or... well, 'keys' to unlock them."
She omitted the gacha and cultivation systems, explaining it in a way that was easier to understand.
"Eighty?! Wow!"
March 7th gasped, then her eyes darted around as she started picking names.
"Then, can you turn into Sister Himeko?"
She pointed to the elegant and dignified Himeko nearby.
Stella looked at the [Himeko] avatar in the handbook and nodded.
"What about Uncle Yang?"
March 7th asked.
Stella nodded again; the avatar for [Welt Yang] was also there.
March 7th's eyes grew brighter and brighter, as if she had discovered a new continent. She lowered her voice and asked with a hint of mischievous excitement, "Then... what about that Ms. Herta from the Genius Society? Can you transform into her?"
Stella recalled that during her brief "sightseeing" at the Herta Space Station, she seemed to have caught a glimpse of that puppet's figure from afar. Indeed, there were gray silhouettes of [Herta (Puppet)] and [Herta] in the handbook.
She hesitated for a moment but still nodded.
"My god..."
March 7th held her head in her hands, looking at Stella with an expression as if she were viewing a cosmic wonder.
"Then haven't you become the legendary... Ditto?! And a super deluxe limited edition one at that!"
Stella's face instantly darkened.
Although the metaphor was... unusually apt from a certain perspective, it still felt weird to hear!
She silently opened the handbook in her mind, quickly browsing through the gray avatars of those high-level existences, and gritted her teeth inwardly: "Just wait. When I can transform into these big shots later, the first thing I'll do is let you experience what 'Emanator's Majesty' feels like... the upgraded spanking edition!"
Just then—
"Ding-dong!"
A cheerful phone notification sound broke the slightly eerie silence.
Standing to the side, Stelle pulled out her sturdy-looking phone, glanced at the screen, and raised an eyebrow.
[Herta: Tester, you there? Do you have time? Come test the Simulated Universe. New version, come quickly.]
[Stelle: Yes. Just finished some business.]
[Herta: Then don't dawdle, come to the office. Rewards as usual.]
[Stelle: Be right there.]
"Herta wants me to test the Simulated Universe, a new version. I'm going now."
Stelle put away her phone, spoke succinctly to Himeko and March 7th, and turned to leave.
The rewards from the Simulated Universe were a huge draw for her, a fledgling Trailblazer.
"Understood. Be safe, and don't push yourself too hard,"
Himeko instructed with a smile.
"Wait! I want to go see too!"
Stella's eyes lit up, and she quickly raised her hand.
Simulated Universe? It sounded like a place specifically designed for testing and combat! Maybe there would be opportunities to gain "EXP" or trigger special events there!
For her, who urgently needed to upgrade her "character" levels, it was a godsend.
Himeko pondered for a moment and looked at Stelle: "Stelle, what do you think? It might be good to take Stella along to see the Simulated Universe. Her abilities might get some interesting tests in there. Ms. Herta should be interested too."
Stelle looked at the expectant Stella and thought of those strange avatars and transformation abilities. Feeling that it might indeed be interesting, she nodded: "Fine, stay close. The monsters inside won't show mercy just because you're cute."
She subconsciously adopted the tone of a veteran leading a newcomer.
"No problem!"
Stella nodded quickly and jogged to catch up with Stelle. The two of them walked briskly toward Herta's Office, one after the other.
"Ditto is heading out to battle..."
March 7th muttered softly from behind, her eyes filled with the struggle of "wanting to follow and watch the fun but being afraid of being disliked by Ms. Herta."
——————
Inside Herta's Office.
"You're here."
Hearing the soft chime of the automatic door opening, one of the Herta Puppets, who was facing away from the door and floating in mid-air operating a complex light screen, spoke without turning her head.
Her voice was crisp, carrying a unique, slightly flat curiosity toward all things.
However, when she turned around and saw that it wasn't just the familiar gray-haired Trailblazer Stelle walking in, but also someone following behind...
A "Stelle" whose appearance was almost identical but wore a small golden laurel crown on her head and had a slightly different temperament. A very subtle ripple appeared in the perpetually flat expression on her exquisite puppet face.
"Hmm?"
Herta's gaze swept back and forth between the two, finally fixing on the laurel crown on Stella's... head.
"You're the Stella who can transform, the one Himeko mentioned in her transmission?"
Herta used a declarative tone, clearly having received the basic information from the Astral Express Crew.
Facing this legendary genius, Stella was a bit nervous but still nodded obediently.
"Interesting."
Herta's electronic eyes flickered, as if performing a high-speed scan and analysis.
"The energy fluctuations are very peculiar. It's not simple mimicry; it involves deeper information mapping or even conceptual borrowing... but I don't have time to study this in depth right now."
She waved her hand and cut straight to the chase, looking at Stella.
"Are you here to test the Simulated Universe too?"
Stella nodded again, her eyes revealing anticipation.
Upon hearing this, Stelle immediately widened her eyes, looking at Stella with an expression of "being betrayed": "Hey! I treat you like a sister! You actually want to snatch my Simulated Universe rewards?!"
Hearing this, Stella also widened her eyes and looked back at Stelle with a face full of disbelief.
No way, sister?! Is this all the ambition you have?!
Does your family own the Simulated Universe? And who's your sister!
"Enough, be quiet."
Herta's voice carried a hint of impatience.
"The data stream of the Simulated Universe is massive; I'd be more than happy to have an extra tester to collect data. Rewards will be settled based on contribution; everyone will get their share, no one will be left out."
She stopped wasting words. The console glowed brightly, and two connection devices automatically slid in front of Stelle and Stella.
"Consciousness connection, prepare to enter. This new version has added some'surprise' variables. I wish you 'fun' playing."
Stelle and Stella glanced at each other, both seeing the eagerness in the other's eyes.
The two said no more and simultaneously pressed their hands onto the connection devices.
In the next moment, their consciousnesses were simultaneously pulled away and cast into that Simulated Universe created by Herta.