Chapter Text
「 “I have come to realize, with increasing clarity, that what I crave is research into the [Essence].”
“And recently, I have harbored some rather different thoughts.”
Walking along the path of blue flagstones, the courtyard walls dissolved into alloy bulkheads, and the moss transformed into data streaming across screens.
Unknowingly, she had walked from her hometown into the Space Station, and different voices now accompanied her: the arguments between Herta and Screwllum interwove in her ears, like two colliding streams of stardust, bursting with blinding sparks.
“At first, I felt fear at its appearance—It is born of wonder, does not resist, and does not grieve. It is the closest thing to the feeling I had when I was a child...”
Ruan Mei drifted lightly into a shimmering curtain of water. As the hem of her dress fluttered down, the ground her toes touched began to perform the dance of life—rising and falling, climbing, shattering into stardust-like particles at the apex, and then reborn in the next instant in a brand-new arrangement, like experimental variables in countless universes, weaving new poems between eternal collapse and reconstruction.
“It is the closest thing to the feeling I had when I was a child... It asked me... where does the research end...? Life is so colorful, but... it has nothing to do with me.”
“I investigate the mysteries of the universe; I trace answers more profound than humanity. I have nothing left to lose, and nothing left to gain. If I could cultivate, reorganize, and reproduce life…”
“Then I could dissect 『 Remembrance 』, control 『 Equilibrium 』, deconstruct 『 Beauty 』, and reproduce 『 Permanence 』…”
Countless points of fluorescent blue data gathered like stardust, spiraling and interweaving above Ruan Mei's slender, pale palm. Those leaping particles of light collided and entangled, gradually weaving into a spiral band of light—that was the sequence of life, each segment flickering with a unique color.
“I will understand [Life], and touch on these [Conceptions]... And perhaps I, too, can...”
“Become [████].” 」
「 。。。。。 」
〜Zenless Zone Zero World〜
“She… she wants to become… a Star God?!”
Ruan Mei's words were like a thunderclap, startling Asaba Harumasa so much that his grip on his red bean bun slipped. Fortunately, Soukaku caught it with her mouth.
“So, her goal was different from Herta and the others from the very start—Herta and Screwllum just want to research Star Gods, but Ruan Mei wants to become a Star God.”
Asaba Harumasa stared at the DNA sequence floating in Ruan Mei's hand. He truly couldn't imagine that this woman, who looked so gentle and elegant, who loved eating pastries, would harbor such a crazy idea.
“Not necessarily, Harumasa.”
Tsukishiro Yanagi pushed up her glasses gently.
“As a scholar, a scientist… what do you think Herta and the others are researching Star Gods for? Herta has already become an Emanator of 『 Erudition 』; I don't believe she lacks the ambition to go further.”
“Geniuses of their level are rare, even looking across the entire universe… I can understand having such thoughts.”
“Stop! Hold it right there!”
Asaba Harumasa hurriedly made an X sign in front of his chest.
“Yanagi, you don't actually think they can pull it off, do you? Those are Star Gods! You saw the whole process of the Swarm Disaster, right? That power capable of turning assembly line products in a factory into bugs!”
“But Tayzzyronth was just an ordinary Coleopteran insect before ascending.”
Tsukishiro Yanagi smiled faintly.
“So, Harumasa, the point is to figure out exactly what happened during that process—that is the reason these geniuses have been busy until now. And ever since we learned from the Light Screen that the concept of Star Gods exists in the distant universe, I've been thinking… could the 'Hollows' also be related to Star Gods?”
“Yanagi, do you mean that the reason Hollow disasters appear in our world might be because of a Stellaron?”
“…That is merely a simple conjecture of mine,”
Yanagi said, holding her teacup.
“If one day Ruan Mei can crack the mysteries of the Star Gods, her results will absolutely benefit the entire universe, and might even be of some help to us in solving the Hollow disasters.”
—
〜Genshin Impact World〜
Teyvat—
Inside a certain palace in Snezhnaya, gazing up at the spiral band of light in Ruan Mei's hand on the Light Screen, Zandik's fingertips dug fiercely into the edge of the table, his knuckles turning white from the excessive force, the breathing beneath his mask heavy and rapid.
“I knew it… I knew it…”
His voice seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth, carrying uncontrollable excitement and tremors.
“A mortal body can touch the domain of the Star Gods. My thinking was correct, ha… hahaha!”
Arlecchino leaned against the doorframe, her crimson eyes shifting between the Light Screen and her colleague. She toyed with a Fatui insignia in her hand, the metal making cold, crisp sounds as it flipped between her fingers.
“Save it.”
She spoke suddenly, her voice more biting than the Snezhnayan snow.
“What use is your conjecture? A fellow who can't even leave Teyvat is worthy of discussing research on Star Gods? Do you not know that with your level of skill, you look like a jumping clown in front of true geniuses like Herta's group?”
Zandik withdrew his gaze from the Light Screen. After taking a deep breath, his tone gradually became calm.
“Ever since returning from Fontaine, Arlecchino… your words have become harsh.”
“It has nothing to do with Fontaine, and everything to do with the Light Screen.”
Arlecchino let out a cold laugh.
“Since the Light Screen appeared, I learned that outside of Teyvat, there are scholars with achievements far surpassing yours. They don't need to treat ordinary lives with contempt, yet they can gain the recognition of 『 Erudition 』. On the other hand, someone was expelled from the Akademiya, murdered countless people in secret, did so much, yet couldn't attract even a single glance from a Star God… truly pathetic.”
“And yet it is exactly this kind of person, clearly so weak that he cannot even acquire experimental samples from the universe, who shamelessly claims he wants to research Star Gods. Don't you think that's laughable… Zandik?”
Although she remained outwardly impassive, Arlecchino felt Zandik's entire aura change abruptly.
…Killing intent.
“Angry?”
Arlecchino's pitch-black fingers brushed against the wall, leaving behind sharp trails.
“Since you came back from Sumeru, I haven't seen your 'segments' for a long time. I assume they are well? Hmm?”
“That is none of your concern, Arlecchino.”
The killing intent vanished instantly. Zandik let out a stifled grunt, seemingly carrying intense displeasure, then turned and disappeared into the palace corridor.
—
「 Ruan Mei's fingertips gently touched the holographic screen, the cold blue light blooming into ripples across the pads of her fingers.
In the image, Stelle was swinging her bat in the Simulated Universe, metal smashing against the carapace of the Swarm, splashing a string of data sparks. However, when faced with more and stronger Swarms, Stelle couldn't help but show signs of exhaustion.
“Don't worry, my dear assistant. I will give you… a [Reward].” 」
「 。。。。。 」