Ryan plunged into the lab and turned off all communications, but at this time, not even Mei would have a single doubt.
The critical moment was approaching. After Elysia's identity was exposed, the descent of the Finality was only a matter of time. Ryan usually lived a leisurely life, but at critical moments, he would return to his former self as a top student.
Focused, diligent, and single-minded, he even surprised Mobius. This man had just gained some benefits, but he wasn't obsessed with that physical pleasure and even became indifferent to her.
It's shameful. When did I become so vulgar?
Looking at Ryan, who was constantly analyzing data and hadn't even looked at her all day, Mobius bit her lip, feeling a sense of moral decay.
What am I expecting? What am I thinking about? I am clearly the top scientist in the world.
Her pride surged. Mobius returned to her focus, as if she wanted to compete with Ryan. Klein, who was assisting nearby, was impressed by their work ethic, but also found it amusing.
You two complain about Dr. Mei and Kevin all day, but aren't you two also a strange couple? Even though they were less than ten centimeters apart, their mouths were full of cold data, and they even seemed to be more distant than usual.
At first, Klein wanted to watch the show, but after a day and a night, she and Nuwa no longer had the heart for it. Every minute and second was spent in a super-fast-paced work, and their physiology and psychology had reached their limits.
Clink.
Coffee fell into his palm. Ryan twisted it open and glanced at the women who were passed out on the table.
"Klein and the others are too weak. They collapsed in less than two days. Is this what a MANTIS is?"
"Our workload has already surpassed that of humans. Even a MANTIS can't maintain focus for a long time." Mobius defended her subordinates, leaning on the table, trying to hide her tired face as much as possible. "There's only 10% left until the super-transformation factor is fused. Are you feeling relieved?"
"Heh, you're far behind me in terms of endurance. Don't force it. If you want to rest, just go. A day or two doesn't matter."
"Who said I'm tired! The break is over. Start the next step immediately!" Mobius glared, throwing the empty coffee can into the trash. She thought to herself that she originally wanted to use this opportunity to make this bastard rest, but he actually dared to be unappreciative.
But she had to admit that he was a monster and had extremely high attainments in data statistics. He was tireless and didn't need a salary. He was the best tool for research!
Ryan didn't know that he had been 'praised' again. He flicked his finger and shot the empty can into the trash, leaning on the table and looking at the busy back in the distance.
"Mobius, does this feel nostalgic?"
The hand that was constantly mixing reagents paused. Mobius's face indeed showed a nostalgic look.
A few years ago, in the basement of the Far East Branch, the two of them, who had just met, were researching MANTIS surgery. At first, she just wanted to find an opportunity to knock Ryan out. Gradually, she found that the other party was more than just a mysterious person.
His intelligence, knowledge, focus, and research ability all gave her a sense of being a kindred spirit, jointly creating an opportunity for them to get to know each other and deepen their understanding.
And then I was like a stupid donkey attracted by a carrot, slowly falling under his control?
"Nostalgic for what? We're at work now. Be serious!"
Tsk, I was trying to talk to you about our feelings, but you actively rejected me.
Ryan rolled his eyes, but happened to see a flushed cheek through her hair, and his anger turned into a smile.
It seems she is feeling nostalgic.
...
"The Herrscher of Binding has started to act, and my senior is not here."
By the lake, Hua sat upright on a long chair, her back straight, her hands clenched into fists on her thighs.
She looked blankly at the elevators transporting countless ammunition to the surface, feeling the slight tremor. She looked back and saw an entire team of mechas in action.
The highest level of combat alert, the Fire Moth had gathered 80% of its power, and the remaining 20% was in the Sea Abyss City.
The scent of war came. Even though she was already battle-hardened, she felt her heart beating fast, as if she knew that this Herrscher was completely different from before, and as if she smelled the approaching Finality.
This is very terrifying. Many people will definitely die. Will my senior be among them? Will I be among them? And he's undergoing MANTIS surgery. Will something go wrong?
My senior must not be in trouble. He's too important now. Damn it, I even have to pray for Mobius.
"Ryan has always been cautious. Even though he's this strong, he's still looking for new power." As she was lost in thought, Kevin put his hands on the back of the chair, his tone full of emotion. "It's really painful to keep up with him. He always thinks things are very pessimistic and tries to become stronger with all his might."
He had just been transferred back from the Sea Abyss City to prepare to face the Herrscher of Binding.
Hua immediately had a look of understanding. Finally, someone understood her pain. She had just completed the artificial collapse and hadn't been happy for a few minutes when Ryan went to pursue new power.
"So just accept it. We can't keep up with him." Kevin seemed to have accepted his fate, gently patting Hua's shoulder.
"But my senior said that if anyone could surpass him, it would be you."
"Really? Wow, he's not trying to set me up, is he? He's giving me so much face." Kevin was shocked, then smiled, but the smile quickly turned bitter. He looked at the warships circling the lake, his eyes empty. "It is possible, but I don't want this opportunity, so let's just forget it."
"Why? Don't you want to surpass my senior?"
"I'm not Kalpas. Why would I make things difficult for myself? Besides, growth means pain. To surpass Ryan, the pain would be unimaginable..."
Hua's eyes gradually widened. In her impression, Kevin was always sunny and passionate, like a hero in a game, vaguely feeling that there was infinite potential to be squeezed out.
But my senior didn't activate his potential. Sigh, this would have made things so much easier.
Hua thought this in her heart but didn't dare to say it out loud. She knew that Kevin was Dr. Mei's lover. No one wanted their lover to fall into pain, just like herself.
Before she could figure out how to answer, she heard the rustling of leaves, and a head suddenly popped out of the grass.
"Hmph, when did you become a philosopher? You're just talking nonsense that I don't understand." Kalpas walked over coldly. His vice-captain, Ludicyna, was clinging to him like a koala bear. No matter how she pulled, she couldn't get him off. Sparks were even rubbing off the soles of her shoes.
"This stupid standby is so boring. Come on, let's go to the depths and get some exercise!"
"Uh... The Herrscher of Binding is already over the Atlantic Ocean. How about we just forget about it?" Kevin's scalp tingled. He felt that he shouldn't have shown off in front of Hua. Now he was getting his comeuppance.
"Bullshit. Her speed hasn't increased. There's still time for two fights. That snake said that to complete the artificial collapse, you have to experience life and death. Besides him, you're the only one I can find!"
Kalpas didn't listen to his explanation. Before Kevin could resist, he dragged him away. The white-haired young man struggled to raise his hand, clearly saying, 'Go find Mei and save me.'
Hua blinked. Thinking that Kalpas was in high spirits, she decisively put her hands together and prayed for him.
Kevin, rest in peace. This must have been arranged by Dr. Mei.
The new super-transformation factor has been injected. Just as Kalpas said, to perform an artificial collapse, you must go through life and death. If you can get through it, your strength will soar. If you can't, it's a dead end.
Now, every high-level MANTIS has been injected. Everyone is waiting for an opportunity.
At this, she couldn't help but recall a flash of blade light, and she felt a chill all over her body. That slash from Sakura was truly terrifying. If it weren't for that bit of obsession in her heart, she would have died.
"Sigh, it's a pity that Sister Sakura is also an opponent. She's not like Mobius. I'm really a little afraid of her."
The girl was in a dilemma. She knew she couldn't win, but she had to go for it. She simply stood up and walked along the lake.
Before long, she passed a lakeside villa. She paused her steps but did not walk towards it. Since Ryan locked the door, no one had returned to the Golden Courtyard. She wasn't qualified to open the door.
But Hua didn't leave. Her shadow flickered, and someone happened to climb over the fence.
"Kosma, what are you doing here?"
"I'm getting some things." Kosma had also just been transferred back from the Sea Abyss City. As usual, he answered concisely and then stood still with his hands behind his back.
Hua 'oh'ed and then stood still like a wooden stake. Their eyes met, and neither of them spoke.
The atmosphere was at a standstill. They were both thinking many things in their hearts, but on the surface, neither of them showed it. It wasn't until another dark figure climbed over the fence that they both looked over at the same time.
"I'm really at a loss for you two. Are you going to just stare at each other until tomorrow?" Elysia climbed out, bent down, and patted the leaves on her stockings. She then put her hands on Kosma's and Hua's heads at the same time. "If you have something to say, just say it. Why are you playing riddles?"
In fact, Hua was also troubled. Kosma always had a cool expression. How was she supposed to know what he was thinking? She couldn't get a single word out of him.
"Sister Elysia, did you go back to the Golden Courtyard?"
"I just went into the yard with Kosma to get some things. The door was locked by Ryan. Only he is qualified to open it."
Is there a connection between the two?
Hua didn't quite understand. It was like an unwritten rule that no one would go back to live there, but if you praised Ryan, you would become good friends.
"What are you mysteriously taking?"
"You don't need to worry about that." Elysia smiled and put her hand on Hua's shoulder, making her turn in a circle. "Do you feel both nervous and bored now? Instead of spacing out, why don't you go for a walk? Maybe you'll have a new epiphany."
What's there to have an epiphany about?
Hua still didn't quite understand, but since it was Elysia's request, she wouldn't object. She just walked forward blankly, without a destination, and her back gradually disappeared into the beautiful purple forest.
"Elysia, you want to help her?" Kosma finally turned his head, his expression cold.
"Hua is a very stubborn and thoughtful girl, after all. Instead of worrying meaninglessly, it's better to go out and see more. This tense moment might allow her to see a different kind of scenery."
"You sound like you know her very well?"
"I know every one of you, for example, you, Kosma." Elysia looked at the boy's blank face and suddenly reached out to pinch his face. "It hurts that Griseo is gone, doesn't it? You can cry in front of me. And also, you don't look like Ryan at all. He is very passionate and open with the people he likes."
The boy was stunned, and he slightly tightened the hand hidden behind his back. In his palm was a unicorn stuffed animal. He was a step too late and didn't get to give his gift to Griseo.
But he still maintained a cold expression and pulled his face away.
"I won't cry because Ryan has a heart of steel."
"I told you, Ryan treats people differently. How about this, if you smile, I'll give you a special book. It's my guide to Ryan's show-off moments."
The corner of Kosma's eye twitched. An extremely interested look burst forth in his eyes. He took a deep breath, as if he had made a certain decision, and showed a smile that was uglier than a cry.
Hehe, Kosma is so cute. No, I have to hold back my laughter.
Elysia's face was a little flushed from holding back her laughter. She quickly turned around, with her back to the slightly strange Kosma. The boy was feeling that something was not right when he heard Elysia's voice become serious.
"First, we have to turn our backs to the enemy and fully show our contempt. Then you say it with me."
"Wouldn't turning your back on the enemy be seeking death?"
"Ahem, let me correct myself. It's turning your back on your own people." Elysia almost couldn't hold back. She quickly imitated a certain person's tone.
"If Heaven hadn't given birth to me, Ryan, humanity would have to live in eternal night!"
Hua's footsteps were light. She didn't know that after she left, Kosma was being teased miserably by Elysia, and she missed the most interesting scene of the 'journey.'
She walked aimlessly and saw entire teams of soldiers running past her. She saw the latest Honkai energy warheads being transported to the surface by the truckload. Then she saw the other people in the Golden Courtyard.
Aponia was sitting in the plaza in front of the headquarters, knitting a scarf in her hands. That gentle, water-like demeanor made her a little envious. Only then did she remember that Aponia had always been this calm, as if she was full of confidence in the future and never worried.
She seemed to have never participated in a battle, right? Her team was led by Father Joshua.
Hua found a blind spot. Aponia's presence in the Golden Courtyard was not high. She often stayed with Vil-V and then watched everyone with a look that seemed to see through everything.
"With her authority of discipline, it's actually most suitable for her to be in a world bubble." Hua couldn't understand this nun, but she was very envious of her calmness and gentleness.
Their eyes met. Aponia nodded lightly, and Hua also bowed slightly in return. From that gentle look, she knew what was going on.
Unlike her own absolute trust based on emotion and experience, Aponia regarded Ryan as a belief, as if doubting him was a sin.
She was an observer, and she only wanted to see how her senior would walk to the end of his destiny.
Hua understood a little. No wonder she couldn't feel a sense of crisis from such a beautiful woman. Then she saw Pardofelis walking out with a bag of snacks.
This hateful lucky cat waved enthusiastically, but her smile was forced, and she looked timid.
Pardo was very afraid, which was normal. Her power was the weakest among them. According to Elysia, she also chose to stay.
Pardo was like a mascot. Hua didn't quite understand why she stayed. If she was so afraid, why didn't she just escape to a world bubble? As long as she asked, her senior would definitely agree.
She just stared at Pardo, which made her scalp tingle. She weakly pulled out a bag of potato chips and shook it gently in her hand, as if reluctantly saying, 'I'll share half with you.'
Hua still stared at her like a wooden stake. She didn't know why, but her mind was working at an incredible speed today, and she actually understood what this timid cat was thinking.
She stayed to repay a favor? That's right. She was picked up by her senior and lived a life she never dared to imagine. If everyone was gone, she would have to go back to her wandering life on Sunset Street. To her, that was more terrifying than death.
Hua raised her eyebrows and finally looked away, quietly retreating, ready to go to Vil-V's workshop.
"What's wrong with Sister Hua? Why is she so mysterious?" Pardo seemed to be relieved and put down the potato chips, scratching her cat ears. "Did I do something wrong? Should I go apologize now?"
"Don't overthink it. It has nothing to do with you. It's just that when you get too close to the sun, you'll be affected yourself." Aponia's expression didn't change at all. She put the half-knitted scarf around the timid cat's neck and examined it, then looked into the distance, where two figures with their backs to them seemed to be practicing something.
So that's your authority. It's truly a gentle power.
"Hua, she's a confused yet determined girl."